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Fibre metal laminates (FML) are the modern hybrid materials with potential wide range of applications in aerospace technology due to their excellent mechanical properties (particularly fatigue strength, resistance to impacts) and also excellent corrosion resistance. The study describes the resistance to low velocity impacts in Ti/CFRP laminates. Tested laminates were produced in autoclave process. The laminates were characterized in terms of their response to impacts in specified energy range (5J, 10J, 20J). The tests were performed in accordance with ASTM D7137 standard. The laminates were subjected to impacts by means of hemispherical impactor with diameter of 12,7 mm. The following values have been determined: impact force vs. time, maximum force and the force at which the material destruction process commences (Pi). It has been found that fibre titanium laminates are characterized by high resistance to impacts. This feature is associated with elasto-plastic properties of metal and high rigidity of epoxy - fibre composite. It has been observed that Ti/CFRP laminates are characterized by more instable force during impact in stage of stabilization of impactor-laminate system and stage of force growth that glass fibre laminates. It has been observed more stable force decrease in stage of stress relaxation and withdrawal of the impactor. In energy range under test, the laminates based on titanium with glass and carbon fibres reinforcement demonstrate similar and high resistance to low-velocity impact, measured by means of failure initiation force and impact maximum force.

Abstract: This work presents a numerical analysis of damage of composite materials with polymeric matrix reinforced with carbon fibres subject to static tension. Verification of numerical analyses was conducted with experimental methods – strength tests and microstructural observations. The methodologies applied were: the material damage modelling methodology based on XFEM (eXtended Finite Element Method) and contact interactions in a fibre–matrix connection layer using the CZM method (Cohesive Zone Method – Surface-based Cohesive Behaviour). ABAQUS/Standard software was the applied numerical tool. Microstructural analysis and numerical simulations indicate the fact that initiation of composite material damage takes place at the interface as a result of cracking and loss of fibre/matrix connection. This results in weakening of the composite microstructure in this area through the initiation of a reinforcement cracking process, which leads to further structural degradation, consisting in propagation of matrix cracking and, as a result, complete damage of the composite structure. The presented research of carbon/epoxy composite damage confirmed the adequacy of the prepared numerical model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An experimental analysis of mechanical behaviour for aluminium-based fibre metal laminates under compression after impact was conducted. Damage initiation and propagation were evaluated for critical state and force thresholds. Parametrization of laminates was done to compare their damage tolerance. Relatively low-energy impact had a marginal effect on fibre metal laminates compressive strength. Aluminium-glass laminate was more damage-resistant than one reinforced with carbon fibres (6% vs. 17% of compressive strength loss); however, aluminium-carbon laminate presented greater energy dissipation ability (around 30%). Significant damage propagation before the critical load was found (up to 100 times the initial damaged area). Damage propagation for assumed load thresholds was minor in comparison to the initial damage size. Metal plastic strain and delaminations are dominant failure modes for compression after impact.

The paper presents the issues of metal surface treatment in fibre metal laminates (FML) to obtain high adhesion at the metal-composite interface. Aluminium 2024-T3 and titanium Grade 2 were analysed. The metal surface modifications were carried out by mechanical (sandblasting, Scotch-Brite abrasion), chemical (P2 etching, phosphate-fluoride process), electrochemical (chromic and sulphuric acid anodizing), and plasma treatment, as well as the application of sol-gel coatings. In terms of surface geometry, the analysis included roughness and 3D surface topography examination. The morphology was examined using scanning electron and atomic force microscopy. The surface free energy and its components (polar and dispersive) were determined using the Owens-Wendt method. The novelty of this study is the determination of the effect of different surface treatments on the surface free energy, topography, and morphology in terms of the possible appropriate adhesion in fibre metal laminates. Chromic acid anodizing is still the most effective in enhancing the expected adhesion. A suitable technique may be the use of P2 etching of aluminium. It results in low roughness, numerous micro-irregularities, and the presence of porosity. The obtained test results show that the application of sol-gel coating increases the surface free energy and may increase the adhesion.

This paper focuses on the effects of transverse shear and root rotations in both symmetric and asymmetrical end-notched flexure (AENF) interlaminar fracture toughness tests. A theoretical model is developed, whereas the test specimen is subdivided into four regions joined by a rigid interface. The differential equations for the deflection and rotations of each region are solved within both the Euler-Bernoulli simple beam theory (SBT) and the more refined Timoshenko beam theory (TBT). A concise analytical equation is derived for the AENF deflection profile, compliance, and transverse shearing forces as a function of the specimen geometry, stacking sequence, delamination length, and fixture span. Modeling results are compared with numerical finite element analyses, obtaining a very good agreement. Performed analyses suggest that even in the case of symmetrical and unidirectional laminates considered as pure mode II fracture, a complex compression/tension and bending moment state is present, as well as a slight contribution of anti-planar shear at the vicinity of the crack tip.

This article presents selected aspects of an interlaminar shear strength and failure analysis of hybrid fiber metal laminates (FMLs) consisting of alternating layers of a 2024-T3 aluminium alloy and carbon fiber reinforced polymer. Particular attention is paid to the properties of the hybrid FMLs with an additional interlayer of glass composite at the metal-composite interface. The influence of hygrothermal conditioning, the interlaminar shear strength (short beam shear test), and the failure mode were investigated and discussed. It was found that fiber metal laminates can be classified as a material with significantly less adsorption than in the case of conventional composites. Introducing an additional layer of glass composite at the metal-composite interface and hygrothermal conditioning influence the decrease in the interlaminar shear strength. The major forms of damage to the laminates are delaminations in the layer of the carbon composite, at the metal-composite interface, and delaminations between the layers of glass and carbon composites.

The purpose of the work was the effect of metal volume fraction of fiber metal laminates on damage after dynamic loads based upon the example of innovative hybrid titanium-carbon composite laminates. The subject of the study was metal-fiber hybrid titanium-carbon composite laminates. Four types of hybrid titanium-carbon laminates were designed with various metal volume fraction coefficient but constant thickness. Based on the results, it can be stated that changes in the metal volume fraction coefficient in the range of 0.375-0.6 in constant thickness titanium-carbon composite laminates do not significantly affect their resistance to impacts in the energy range of 5-45 J. It was concluded that there were no significant differences in maximum force values, total contact time, and damage range. Some tendency towards a reduction in the energy accumulation capacity was observed with an increase in thickness of the metal part in relation to the total thickness of the laminate, especially in the lower impact energy range. This can result in the lower bending stiffness of laminates with lower metal content and potential elastic strain of the composite part before the initiation of the fiber damage process.

Fiber metal laminates (FMLs) were initially developed under the motivation of the aerospace industry. Generally, they consist of aluminum and high strength glass fiber in polymeric layers, but the new challenge is to apply them with a carbon fiber. Pretreatment of aluminum is the main factor responsible for the adhesion between metallic and polymeric layers. The shear strength test a very popular method in the experimental joint of two components. In this article, the main aim was to compare the surface pretreatment and configuration of fibers in FMLs based on aluminum with glass and carbon fibers. The decisive factor of strength in adhesive or cohesive failure is first the type of fibers, and second, the surface preparation., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Interrelationships between morphological, densitometric, and mechanical properties of deciduous mandibular teeth (incisors, canine, second premolar) were investigated. To perform morphometric, densitometric, and mechanical analyses, teeth were obtained from 5-month-old sheep. Measurements of mean volumetric tooth mineral density and total tooth volume were performed using quantitative computed tomography. Microcomputed tomography was used to measure total enamel volume, volumetric enamel mineral density, total dentin volume, and volumetric dentin mineral density. Maximum elastic strength and ultimate force of teeth were determined using 3-point bending and compression tests. Pearson correlation coefficients were determined between all investigated variables. Mutual dependence was observed between morphological and mechanical properties of the investigated teeth. The highest number of positive correlations of the investigated parameters was stated in first incisor indicating its superior predictive value of tooth quality and masticatory organ function in sheep. Positive correlations of the volumetric dentin mineral density in second premolar with final body weight may indicate predictive value of this parameter in relation with growth rate in sheep. Evaluation of deciduous tooth properties may prove helpful for breeding selection and further reproduction of sheep possessing favorable traits of teeth and better masticatory organ function, leading to improved performance and economic efficiency of the flock.

Background: Caries, enamel hypoplasia, molar incisor hipomineralization, amylogenesis imperfecta, dentine dysplasia, hypophosphatasia and other dental disorders lead to tooth mineralization disturbances and structural abnormalities, decreasing masticatory organ functions. Dental disorders in sheep can lead to premature slaughter before they have attained final stage of their reproductive life and induce economic loss due to high flock replacement costs. Growth rate, health status and meat quality of sheep depends on tooth properties and quality determining in large extent efficiency of the masticatory apparatus and initial food break up. Considering lack of basic anatomical and physiological data on teeth properties in sheep, the aim of the study was to evaluate morphometric, densitometric and mechanical traits of deciduous mandibular incisor, canine and the second premolar obtained at the slaughter age of 5 months of life., Results: The obtained results have shown the highest values of weight, total tooth volume, enamel volume and dentine volume in second premolar. Morphometric and mechanical parameters of incisors reached the highest values in first incisor and decreased gradually in second and third incisor, and in canine. Densitometric measurements have not revealed significant differences of the volumetric tooth mineral density in hard dental tissues between the investigated teeth., Conclusions: In conclusion, proposed methodological approach is noninvasive since the deciduous teeth undergo physiological replacement with permanent teeth. Deciduous teeth can be easy collected for analyses from large animal population and may reflect mineral status and metabolism resulting from postnatal growth and development of the whole flock. In individual cases, evaluation of properties of deciduous teeth may serve for breeding selection and further reproduction of sheep possessing favorable traits of teeth and better masticatory system functions.

The epidemics of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) several decades ago and present epidemics of chronic wasting disease (CWD) among cervids posed a threat of cross-species infections to humans or other animals. Therefore, the question as to the molecular nature of the species barriers to transmissibility of prion diseases is very important. We approached this problem theoretically, first developing a model of template-monomer interaction based on logical and topological grounds and on experimental data about cross-seeding of PrP 23-144 protein orthologs. Further, we propose that the strength of the cross-seeding barriers is proportional to dissimilarity of key amyloidogenic regions of the proteins. This dissimilarity can be measured by dissimilarity function we propose. Scaled on experimental data, this function predicts if cross-seeding can occur between different variants of PrP23-144. The resemblance of PrP23-144 cross-seeding barriers to the barriers of cross-species transmissibility of prion diseases is discussed. We suggest that a similar theoretical approach could be applied to predicting the occurrence of species barriers of prion diseases at least in part corresponding to the process of multiplication of infectious agent.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bond strength of commercially pure CPTi and Ti6Al4V alloy with SiO2 and SiO2-TiO2 intermediate coatings to Triceram low-fusing dental porcelain., Methods: The multilayered systems were characterized from the standpoint of microstructure analysis (SEM), the mode of failure, the nature of bonding and the influence of intermediate coatings on the improvement of bond strength. The SiO2 and SiO2-TiO2 intermediate coatings were applied on the substrate materials by the sol-gel dipping technique. The metal-ceramic bond strength was investigated according to ISO 9693 standards using the three-point flexure bond test., Results: Statistically significant higher bond strength of the metal-porcelain for Ti6A14V alloy (28.24 MPa), Ti6Al4V/SiO2 (32.17 MPa) and Ti6Al4V/SiO2-TiO2 (36.09 MPa) was noted in comparison to CPTi (23.04 MPa), CPTi/SiO2 (27.98 MPa) and CPTi/SiO2-TiO2 (28.84 MPa), respectively. The nature of metal-intermediate coating-porcelain bonding was both mechanical and chemical. The failure in all systems was cohesive and adhesive, mainly adhesive., Significance: The application of SiO2 and SiO2-TiO2 intermediate coatings, produced by the sol-gel method, to both CPTi and Ti6Al4V alloy significantly improves the bond strength of metal-porcelain systems in comparison to the metal substrate only after sandblasting, and may have clinical use.