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Ultimate Tensile Strength (ultimate + tensile_strength)
Selected AbstractsModeling the Ultimate Tensile Strength of Unidirectional Glass-Matrix CompositesJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 1 2000R. E. Dutton The ultimate tensile strengths of a unidirectional glass-matrix composite were measured as a function of fiber volume fraction. The results were compared with predictions, using a refined solution of the stress field generated by an axisymmetric damage model, which incorporated the effect of stress concentration in the fiber caused by the presence of a matrix crack both before and after deflection at the fiber/matrix interface. Two possible locations for the fiber failure were considered: (1) at a transverse matrix crack, near a bonded fiber/coating interface and (2) at the tip of a debond, at the fiber/coating interface. At low fiber volume fractions, the measured ultimate tensile strength matched the prediction calculated, assuming no crack deflection. For higher volume fractions, the predictions calculated for a debonded crack matched the observed values. The model results were relatively insensitive to debond length and interfacial shear stress for the range of values in this study. In comparison, the global load-sharing model, which does not account for the stress singularity at the fiber/matrix interface, was found to overpredict the values of the ultimate tensile strength for all fiber volume fractions. An important contribution of the present work was to introduce the use of fiber volume fraction as a parameter for testing theoretical predictions of the mode of fiber failure. [source] Development of UHMWPE modified PP/PET blends and their mechanical and abrasive wear behaviorPOLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 2 2007Navin Chand In this study, polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate blend were modified by incorporating different percentages of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) ranging from 1 to 5 phr. Modified blends were prepared by melt mixing the PP/PET blend and UHMWPE. Ultimate tensile strength of UHMWPE filled blend was determined at 10, 20, 50, and 100 mm/min cross head speeds of testing. It was found that increase of cross head speed from 10 to 100 mm/min increases the tensile strength of PP/PET/UHMWPE blends. Maximum ultimate tensile strength is exhibited by the blend containing 2 phr UHMWPE. Breaking strain of the UHMWPE modified and unmodified PP/PET blend increased with the increase of cross head speed due to the highly entangled chain structure of UHMWPE. Shore A hardness of the filled blends also increased from 341 to 356, which is highest for 2 phr UHMWPE. High stress abrasive wear of UHMWPE modified blend was determined by using Suga abrasion tester, model NUS-1 Japan. Wear rate of the PP/PET(90/10) blends having 1, 2, and 5 phr of UHMWPE was determined at different loads such as 1, 3, 5, and 7 N and sliding distances from 6.4 m to 25.6 m. Wear rate values show that UHMWPE has prominent effect on abrasive wear of PP/PET blends. Addition of 2 and 5 phr UHMWPE improved the wear resistance of PP/PET blends at different loads, which has been explained on the basis of improved bonding as compared with pure PP/PET blend and increased hardness. Maximum abrasive wear rate reduction was achieved by adding 2 phr UHMWPE in PP/PET(90/10) blend. POLYM. COMPOS. 28:267,272, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] Environmental Behavior and Stress Corrosion Characteristics of Nano/Sub-Micron E950 Aluminum Alloy,ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 11 2009Eli Aghion The corrosion performance and stress corrosion resistance of E950 Aluminum alloy with nano/sub-micron structure were evaluated in 3.5% NaCl solution. The results obtained indicated that the corrosion and stress corrosion resistance of E950 alloy were relatively reduced compared to that of the conventional coarse-grained alloy (Al,4.65%Mg). In particular, the inherently improved ultimate tensile strength of E950 alloy was significantly decreased under stress corrosion conditions. [source] Influence of Homogenization Annealing of AZ91 on Mechanical Properties and Corrosion Behavior,ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 1-2 2008M.-C. Zhao A homogenization annealing (HA) heat treatment is proposed for property enhancement for AZ91; HA for 10 h at 410,°C caused an improvement in hardness, ultimate tensile strength and ductility without loss of corrosion properties. The influence on the corrosion behavior of the microstructure was studied. [source] Mean stress effects in stress-life fatigue and the Walker equationFATIGUE & FRACTURE OF ENGINEERING MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES, Issue 3 2009N. E. DOWLING ABSTRACT Mean stress effects in finite-life fatigue are studied for a number of sets of experimental data for steels, aluminium alloys and one titanium alloy. Specifically, the agreement with these data is examined for the Goodman, Morrow, Smith,Watson,Topper and Walker equations. The Goodman relationship is found to be highly inaccurate. Reasonable accuracy is provided by the Morrow and by the Smith,Watson,Topper equations. But the Morrow method should not be used for aluminium alloys unless the true fracture strength is employed, instead of the more usual use of the stress-life intercept constant. The Walker equation with its adjustable fitting parameter , gives superior results. For steels, , is found to correlate with the ultimate tensile strength, and a linear relationship permits , to be estimated for cases where non-zero mean stress data are not available. Relatively high-strength aluminium alloys have ,, 0.5, which corresponds with the SWT method, but higher values of , apply for relatively low-strength aluminium alloys. For both steels and aluminium alloys, there is a trend of decreasing , with increasing strength, indicating an increasing sensitivity to mean stress. [source] Influence of Ramberg,Osgood fitting on the determination of plastic displacement rates in creep crack growth testingFATIGUE & FRACTURE OF ENGINEERING MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES, Issue 4 2007NAM-SU HUH ABSTRACT This paper investigates the effect of the Ramberg,Osgood (R-O) fitting procedures on plastic displacement rate estimates in creep crack growth testing, via detailed two-dimensional and three-dimensional finite-element analyses of the standard compact tension specimen. Four different R-O fitting procedures are considered: (i) fitting the entire true stress,strain data up to the ultimate tensile strength, (ii) fitting the true stress,strain data from 0.1% strain to 0.8 of the true ultimate strain, (iii) fitting the true stress,strain data only up to 5% strain and (iv) fitting the engineering stress,strain data. It is found that the first two fitting procedures can produce significant errors in plastic displacement rate estimates. The last two procedures, on the other hand, provide reasonably accurate plastic displacement rates and thus should be recommended in creep crack growth testing. Several advantages of fitting the engineering stress,strain data over fitting the true stress,strain data only up to 5% strain are discussed. [source] High-cycle fatigue properties in Ti,5% Al,2.5% Sn ELI alloy with large grain size at cryogenic temperaturesFATIGUE & FRACTURE OF ENGINEERING MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES, Issue 5 2004Y. ONO ABSTRACT High-cycle fatigue properties were investigated for Ti,5% Al,2.5% Sn ELI alloy with a mean , grain size of 80 ,m, which had been used for liquid hydrogen turbo-pumps of Japanese-built launch vehicles. At cryogenic temperatures, the fatigue strength in high-cycle region did not increase in proportion to increments of the ultimate tensile strength and the fatigue strengths at around 106 cycles were about 300 MPa independent of test temperatures. Fatigue cracks initiated in the specimen interior independent of the test temperatures of 4 K, 77 K and 293 K. At 4 K and 77 K, several crystallographic facet-like structures were formed at crack initiation sites. On the other hand, there were no facet-like structures that could be clearly identified at the crack initiation sites at 293 K. Low fatigue strengths in longer-life region at cryogenic temperatures could be attributable to the formation of large sub-surface crack initiation sites, where large facet-like structure are formed. [source] Asymmmetric Diamino Functionalization of Nanotubes Assisted by BOC Protection and Their Epoxy NanocompositesADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 18 2010Yao Zhao Abstract Homogenous dispersion and strong interfacial bonding are prerequisites for taking full advantage of the mechanical properties of nanotubes in a composite. In order to simultaneously achieve both conditions, a highly efficient and mechanically non-destructive functionalization of nanotubes is developed. With fluoronanotubes as the precursor, asymmetric diamine molecules, N -BOC-1,6-diaminohexane, are used to replace fluorines on the wall of fluoronanotubes and construct covalent bonding to the surface of the nanotubes. A BOC de-protection reaction is conducted and the resulting exposed amino groups create strong covalent bonds with the matrix in the course of epoxy ring-opening etherification and curing chemical reactions. In comparison with the conventional functionalization based on symmetric diamine molecules, the functionalized nanotubes derived from the BOC-protected diamine molecule are more dispersed within the epoxy matrix. Dynamic mechanical analysis shows that the functionalized nanotubes have better crosslinking with the matrix. The composites reinforced by the nanotubes demonstrate improvement in various mechanical properties. The Young's Modulus, ultimate tensile strength, and storage modulus of composites loaded with 0.5 wt% functionalized nanotubes are enhanced by 30%, 25%, and 10%, respectively, compared with the neat epoxy. The increase of the glass transition temperature, as much as 10 °C, makes the composites suited for engineering applications under higher temperatures. The new functionalization method allows for an competitive enhancement in the composite performance in use of relatively low cost raw nanotubes at a small loading level. The reinforcement mechanism of the functionalized nanotubes in the epoxy resin is discussed. [source] Influence of intracoronal bleaching agents on the ultimate strength and ultrastructure morphology of dentineINTERNATIONAL ENDODONTIC JOURNAL, Issue 7 2009V. Cavalli Abstract Objective, To evaluate the effects of intracoronal bleaching on ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of sound and etched dentine and its ultrastructure morphology. Methodology, Bovine dentine specimens with (e) or without previous etching with 37% phosphoric acid for 15 s were used for the intracoronal bleaching experiments. Teeth were randomly assigned to five treatments (n = 10): (C) control , no bleaching, (SP) sodium perborate, (CP) 35% carbamide peroxide, (25% HP) 25% hydrogen peroxide and (35% HP) 35% hydrogen peroxide. Bleaching was performed four times within a 72 h interval and afterwards, dentine pulp chamber blocks were obtained. The blocks were sectioned in 0.7 mm-thick slices and these were trimmed to reduce the inner dentine to a dumbbell shape with a cross-sectional area of 0.8 mm2. Specimens were tested with the microtensile method (0.5 mm min,1) and data were analysed (two-way anova -Tukey test, P < 0.05). Additional teeth were prepared for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to evaluate dentine ultramorphology. Results, The mean values of the UTS (SD) in MPa for sound dentine were: C = 48.3(8.5)a, SP = 34.6 (8.2)b, CP = 32.9 (8.9)b, 25% HP = 28.0(4.6)b, 35% HP = 26.4(6.6)b, and pre-etched dentine: Ce = 38.9(13.8)a, SPe = 31.3 (9.3)ab, CPe = 28.4 (6.2)ab, 25% HPe = 30.0 (7.9)ab, 35% HPe = 19.9(4.6)b. Significant differences between the means are indicated by the letters. TEM observations exhibited demineralization areas for all bleaching treatments. Conclusion, Bleaching decreased dentine UTS after treatment. Pre-etched not-bleached dentine (Ce) presented UTS similar to pre-etched bleached dentine, except for 35% HPe. The decrease of UTS of bleached dentine could be attributed to ultrastructural alterations such as loss of inorganic components. [source] Discrete element method for modelling solid and particulate materialsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, Issue 4 2007Federico A. Tavarez Abstract The discrete element method (DEM) is developed in this study as a general and robust technique for unified two-dimensional modelling of the mechanical behaviour of solid and particulate materials, including the transition from solid phase to particulate phase. Inter-element parameters (contact stiffnesses and failure criteria) are theoretically established as functions of element size and commonly accepted material parameters including Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, ultimate tensile strength, and fracture toughness. A main feature of such an approach is that it promises to provide convergence with refinement of a DEM discretization. Regarding contact failure, an energy criterion based on the material's ultimate tensile strength and fracture toughness is developed to limit the maximum contact forces and inter-element relative displacement. This paper also addresses the issue of numerical stability in DEM computations and provides a theoretical method for the determination of a stable time-step. The method developed herein is validated by modelling several test problems having analytic solutions and results show that indeed convergence is obtained. Moreover, a very good agreement with the theoretical results is obtained in both elastic behaviour and fracture. An example application of the method to high-speed penetration of a concrete beam is also given. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Application of crosslinkers to dentin collagen enhances the ultimate tensile strengthJOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH, Issue 1 2007Ana Karina B. Bedran-Russo Abstract The stabilization of dentin collagen with biocompatible crosslinking agents may be of clinical importance to improve dentin bond strength. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of three collagen crosslinking agents on the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of undemineralized and demineralized dentin. Ten freshly extracted sound molars were sectioned into 0.5 × 0.5 mm2 thick beams. The beams were either demineralized or kept undemineralized. Then, specimens were subdivided into four groups according to treatments,PBS solution (control), 5% glutaraldehyde (GD), 0.5% proanthocyanidin PBS solution (PA), and 0.625% genipin PBS solution (GE). Specimens were kept in their respective solutions for either 4 or 40 h. To assess UTS, specimens were subjected to tensile forces at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. Statistical analysis was performed using two-way ANOVA and Fisher's PLSD test (p < 0.05). Statistically significant increases in UTS were observed for demineralized dentin after PA and GE dentin treatment, when compared with those of the control group. Dentin treated with GD showed no statistically significant differences in UTS when compared with that the control. Undemineralized dentin revealed no significant differences as compared to that of the control, regardless of the collagen crosslinkers. The application of two naturally occurring crosslinkers, i.e., PA and GE, to dentin collagen significantly improves UTS, indicating its potential value in restorative dentistry. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2007 [source] Characterization of new acrylic bone cements prepared with oleic acid derivativesJOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH, Issue 2 2002Blanca Vázquez Abstract Acrylic bone-cement formulations were prepared with the use of a new tertiary aromatic amine derived from oleic acid, and also by incorporating an acrylic monomer derived from the same acid with the aim of reducing the leaching of toxic residuals and improving mechanical properties. 4-N,N dimethylaminobenzyl oleate (DMAO) was used as an activator in the benzoyl-peroxide radical cold curing of polymethyl methacrylate. Cements that contained DMAO exhibited much lower polymerization exotherm values, ranging between 55 and 62 °C, with a setting time around 16,17 min, depending on the amine/BPO molar ratio of the formulation. On curing a commercial bone cement, Palacos® R with DMAO, a decrease of 20 °C in peak temperature and an increase in setting time of 7 min were obtained, the curing parameters remaining well within limits permitted by the standards. In a second stage, partial substitution of MMA by oleyloxyethyl methacrylate (OMA) in the acrylic formulations was performed, the polymerization being initiated with the DMAO/BPO redox system. These formulations exhibited longer setting times and lower peak temperatures with respect to those based on PMMA. The glass transition temperature of the experimental cements were lower than that of PMMA cement because of the presence of long aliphatic chains of both activator and monomer in the cement matrix. Number average molecular weights of the cured cements were in the range of 1.2×105. PMMA cements cured with DMAO/BPO revealed a significant (p<0.001) increase in the strain to failure and a significant (p<0.001) decrease in Young's modulus in comparison to Palacos® R, whereas ultimate tensile strength remained unchanged. When the monomer OMA was incorporated, low concentrations of OMA provided a significant increase in tensile strength and elastic modulus without impairing the strain to failure. The results demonstrate that the experimental cements based on DMAO and OMA have excellent promise for use as orthopaedic and/or dental grouting materials. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res (Appl Biomater) 63: 88,97, 2002; DOI 10.1002/jbm.10092 [source] Characterization of crosslinking effects on the physicochemical and drug diffusional properties of cationic hydrogels designed as bioactive urological biomaterialsJOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 10 2005David S. Jones This study examined the effects of concentration and type of crosslinker (tetraethyleneglycol diacrylate, TEGDA; diethyleneglycol dimethacrylate, DEGDMA; and polyethyleneglycol dimethacrylate, PEGDMA) on the mechanical and drug diffusional properties of hydrogels that had been selected as candidate coatings for bioactive medical devices. Hydrogels (dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate-covinylpyrrolidone; 1:1) were prepared by free radical polymerization and characterized using tensile analysis, dynamic contact angle analysis and analysis of swelling at pH 6.0. The release of fusidic acid and chlorhexidine was evaluated using buffered medium at pH 6.0 and, in addition, using dissolution medium that had been buffered to pH 9 in the presence and absence of elevated concentrations of calcium, representative of urinary encrustation. Crosslinker concentration, but not type, affected the advancing and receding contact angles. Conversely, both crosslinker type and concentration affected the mechanical and swelling properties of the hydrogels. Maximum swelling and elongation at break were associated with the PEGDMA-crosslinked hydrogels whereas TEGDA-crosslinked hydrogels exhibited the maximum ultimate tensile strength and Young's modulus. Drug release from all systems occurred by diffusion. The mass of chlorhexidine and fusidic acid released was dependent on crosslinker type and concentration, with hydrogels crosslinked with PEGDMA offering the greatest mass of drug released at each sampling period. The mass of fusidic acid but not chlorhexidine released at pH 9.0 in a calcium augmented medium was lower than that released in the same medium devoid of elevated calcium, due to the formation of the poorly soluble calcium salt. In conclusion, this study has uniquely examined the effects of crosslinker type and concentration on physicochemical and drug release properties essential to the clinical and non-clinical performance of bioactive hydrogels for medical device application. [source] Modeling the Ultimate Tensile Strength of Unidirectional Glass-Matrix CompositesJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 1 2000R. E. Dutton The ultimate tensile strengths of a unidirectional glass-matrix composite were measured as a function of fiber volume fraction. The results were compared with predictions, using a refined solution of the stress field generated by an axisymmetric damage model, which incorporated the effect of stress concentration in the fiber caused by the presence of a matrix crack both before and after deflection at the fiber/matrix interface. Two possible locations for the fiber failure were considered: (1) at a transverse matrix crack, near a bonded fiber/coating interface and (2) at the tip of a debond, at the fiber/coating interface. At low fiber volume fractions, the measured ultimate tensile strength matched the prediction calculated, assuming no crack deflection. For higher volume fractions, the predictions calculated for a debonded crack matched the observed values. The model results were relatively insensitive to debond length and interfacial shear stress for the range of values in this study. In comparison, the global load-sharing model, which does not account for the stress singularity at the fiber/matrix interface, was found to overpredict the values of the ultimate tensile strength for all fiber volume fractions. An important contribution of the present work was to introduce the use of fiber volume fraction as a parameter for testing theoretical predictions of the mode of fiber failure. [source] Tensile properties of carbon filled liquid crystal polymer composites,POLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 1 2008Jason M. Keith Electrically and thermally conductive resins can be produced by adding carbon fillers. Mechanical properties such as tensile modulus, ultimate tensile strength, and strain at ultimate tensile strength are vital to the composite performance in fuel cell bipolar plate applications. This research focused on performing compounding runs followed by injection molding and tensile testing of carbon filled Vectra A950RX liquid crystal polymer composites. The four carbon fillers investigated included an electrically conductive carbon black, thermocarb synthetic graphite particles, and two carbon fibers (Fortafil 243 and Panex 30). For each different filler type, resins were produced and tested that contained varying amounts of these single carbon fillers. The carbon fiber samples exhibited superior tensile properties, with a large increase in tensile modulus over the base polymer, and very low drop in the ultimate tensile strength as the filler volume fraction was increased. The strain at the ultimate tensile strength was least affected by the addition of the Panex carbon fiber but was significantly affected by the Fortafil carbon fiber. In general, composites containing synthetic graphite did not perform as well as carbon fiber composites. Carbon black composites exhibited poor tensile properties. POLYM. COMPOS., 29:15,21, 2008. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] Development of UHMWPE modified PP/PET blends and their mechanical and abrasive wear behaviorPOLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 2 2007Navin Chand In this study, polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate blend were modified by incorporating different percentages of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) ranging from 1 to 5 phr. Modified blends were prepared by melt mixing the PP/PET blend and UHMWPE. Ultimate tensile strength of UHMWPE filled blend was determined at 10, 20, 50, and 100 mm/min cross head speeds of testing. It was found that increase of cross head speed from 10 to 100 mm/min increases the tensile strength of PP/PET/UHMWPE blends. Maximum ultimate tensile strength is exhibited by the blend containing 2 phr UHMWPE. Breaking strain of the UHMWPE modified and unmodified PP/PET blend increased with the increase of cross head speed due to the highly entangled chain structure of UHMWPE. Shore A hardness of the filled blends also increased from 341 to 356, which is highest for 2 phr UHMWPE. High stress abrasive wear of UHMWPE modified blend was determined by using Suga abrasion tester, model NUS-1 Japan. Wear rate of the PP/PET(90/10) blends having 1, 2, and 5 phr of UHMWPE was determined at different loads such as 1, 3, 5, and 7 N and sliding distances from 6.4 m to 25.6 m. Wear rate values show that UHMWPE has prominent effect on abrasive wear of PP/PET blends. Addition of 2 and 5 phr UHMWPE improved the wear resistance of PP/PET blends at different loads, which has been explained on the basis of improved bonding as compared with pure PP/PET blend and increased hardness. Maximum abrasive wear rate reduction was achieved by adding 2 phr UHMWPE in PP/PET(90/10) blend. POLYM. COMPOS. 28:267,272, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] Film extrusion of sunflower protein isolatePOLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 11 2006Antoine Rouilly Film extrusion of sunflower protein isolate (SFPI) was studied. The influence of die temperature (85,160°C), water and glycerol contents were investigated through appearance, mechanical and thermomechanical properties, and swelling behavior in water of films. It was demonstrated that highest temperature, well above SFPI denaturation temperature in the compound, highest glycerol content (70 parts for 100 parts of SFPI), and medium water content (20 parts for 100 parts of SFPI) gave the most regular and smoothest film (as seen on SEM micrographs). Its ultimate tensile strength, Young's modulus, and strain at break were, respectively, 3.2 MPa, 17.7 MPa, and 73%. Soaked in water, its swelling was about 186% w/w but the film was quiet insoluble. Effect of temperature and plasticizer content were discussed in relation to the kinetic of SFPI denaturation. These first results are very promising for the development of biodegradable protein-based films. POLYM. ENG. SCI. 46:1635,1640, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers. [source] Intracellular Na+ and Ca2+ modulation increases the tensile properties of developing engineered articular cartilageARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 4 2010Roman M. Natoli Objective Significant collagen content and tensile properties are difficult to achieve in tissue-engineered articular cartilage. The aim of this study was to investigate whether treating developing tissue-engineered cartilage constructs with modulators of intracellular Na+ or Ca2+ could increase collagen concentration and construct tensile properties. Methods Inhibitors of Na+ ion transporters and stimulators of intracellular Ca2+ were investigated for their ability to affect articular cartilage development in a scaffoldless, 3-dimensional chondrocyte culture. Using a systematic approach, we applied ouabain (Na+/K+ -ATPase inhibitor), bumetanide (Na+/K+/2Cl, tritransporter inhibitor), histamine (cAMP activator), and ionomycin (a Ca2+ ionophore) to tissue-engineered constructs for 1 hour daily on days 10,14 of culture and examined the constructs at 2 weeks or 4 weeks. The gross morphology, biochemical content, and compressive and tensile mechanical properties of the constructs were assayed. Results The results of these experiments showed that 20 ,M ouabain, 0.3 ,M ionomycin, or their combination increased the tensile modulus by 40,95% compared with untreated controls and resulted in an increased amount of collagen normalized to construct wet weight. In constructs exposed to ouabain, the increased percentage of collagen per construct wet weight was secondary to decreased glycosaminoglycan production on a per-cell basis. Treatment with 20 ,M ouabain also increased the ultimate tensile strength of neo-tissue by 56,86% at 4 weeks. Other construct properties, such as construct growth and type I collagen production, were affected differently by Na+ modulation with ouabain versus Ca2+ modulation with ionomycin. Conclusion These data are the first to show that treatments known to alter intracellular ion concentrations are a viable method for increasing the mechanical properties of engineered articular cartilage and identifying potentially important relationships to hydrostatic pressure mechanotransduction. Ouabain and ionomycin may be useful pharmacologic agents for increasing tensile integrity and directing construct maturation. [source] Synthesis and characterization of poly(butylene terephthalate)/mica nanocomposite fibers via in situ interlayer polymerizationJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 2 2007Jin-Hae Chang Abstract Intercalated nanocomposites consisting of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) incorporated between mica layers were synthesized from dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) and 1,4-butanediol (BD) by in situ interlayer polymerization. PBT nanocomposites of varying organoclay content were melt-spun to produce monofilaments. The samples were characterized using wide angle X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, thermal analysis, and tensile testing. Some of the clay particles were found to be well dispersed in the PBT matrix, but other clay particles were agglomerated at a size level greater than approximately 20 nm. The glass transition temperatures (Tg) and the thermal degradation properties (TDi) of undrawn PBT hybrid fibers were found to improve with increases in the clay content. At draw ratio (DR) = 1, the ultimate tensile strengths of the hybrid fibers increased with the addition of clay up to a critical content and then decreased. However, the initial moduli monotonically increased with increases in the amount of organoclay in the PBT matrix. The ultimate strengths were found to decrease linearly with increases in DR from 1 to 18. In contrast to the trend for the tensile strengths, the initial moduli of the hybrid fibers increased only slightly with increases in DR up to 18. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007 [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||