Fibrous mechanism

The multicomponent fibers are substantially biodegradable, yet readily processed into nonwoven structures that exhibit effective fibrous mechanical properties. 

O Brien, T.K., Characterization of Delamination Onset and Growth in a Composite Laminate in Damage in Composite Materials, ASTM STP 775, p. 140-167,1982 Poursartip, A. Ashby, M. F., Beaumont P.W.R., The Fatigue Damage Mechanics of Fibrous Laminates in Proceedings of the European Workshop on Nondestructive Evaluation of Polymers and Polymer Matrix Composites, Polymer NDE (edited by Khg. Ashbee), Technomic Publishing, p. 250-260, 1984... 

All five processes requite plasticization of the nitrocellulose to eliminate its fibrous stmcture and cause it to bum predictably in parallel layers. Mechanical working of the ingredients contributes to plasticization and uniformity of composition. The compositions of representative nitroceUulose-based gun propellants are shown in Table 7. 

In the Philippines, the principal suppHer of abaca fiber, the fibrous layer ia the sheath is separated with a knife between the layers, and the strips of fiber-containing layers, called tuxies, are pulled off and cleaned by hand to remove the pulp. In Indonesia and Central America these operations are performed mechanically. Hand- and spiadle-stripped fiber is graded for braids, fine textiles, and cordage decorticated fiber is another class. A cross-sectional view is shown ia Figure 4a. The abaca fiber has a large lumen and the presence of siUcified plates is not unusual. 

Two approaches have been taken to produce metal-matrix composites (qv) incorporation of fibers into a matrix by mechanical means and in situ preparation of a two-phase fibrous or lamellar material by controlled solidification or heat treatment. The principles of strengthening for alloys prepared by the former technique are well estabUshed (24), primarily because yielding and even fracture of these materials occurs while the reinforcing phase is elastically deformed. Under these conditions both strength and modulus increase linearly with volume fraction of reinforcement. However, the deformation of in situ, ie, eutectic, eutectoid, peritectic, or peritectoid, composites usually involves some plastic deformation of the reinforcing phase, and this presents many complexities in analysis and prediction of properties. 

Table 13 is a representative Hst of nickel and cobalt-base eutectics for which mechanical properties data are available. In most eutectics the matrix phase is ductile and the reinforcement is britde or semibritde, but this is not invariably so. The strongest of the aHoys Hsted in Table 13 exhibit ultimate tensile strengths of 1300—1550 MPa. Appreciable ductiHty can be attained in many fibrous eutectics even when the fibers themselves are quite britde. However, some lamellar eutectics, notably y/y —5, reveal Htde plastic deformation prior to fracture. 

Acoustical Louvers. Acoustical louvers are used in building mechanical systems when exterior walls are penetrated for fresh air intake, exhaust, or rehef air, in situations where the impact of HVAC noise is of concern in the surrounding environment. The louvers consist of a series of hoUow sheet metal blades. The bottom faces of the louver blades are perforated and the blades are filled with fibrous sound-absorbing material. Typical acoustical louvers are 20 cm (8 in.) to 30 cm (12 in.) in depth. The amount of insertion loss they provide is limited. 

The macroscopic orientation of their extended-chain crystals depends on the orientation imparted by flow during mol ding. Because of the fibrous nature of the extended-chain crystals, these materials behave as self-reinforcing composites, with excellent mechanical properties. 

The tensile and flexural properties as well as resistance to cracking in chemical environments can be substantially enhanced by the addition of fibrous reinforcements such as chopped glass fiber. Mechanical properties at room temperature for glass fiber-reinforced polysulfone and polyethersulfone are shown in Table 5. 

Biomechanical Machines. The mechanical properties of fibrous polypeptides could be put to use for the commercial production of fibers (qv) that are more elastic and resiUent than available synthetics (see Silk). The biochemical properties of proteins could also be harnessed for the conversion of mechanical energy to chemical energy (35). 

The fundamental goal in the production and appHcation of composite materials is to achieve a performance from the composite that is not available from the separate constituents or from other materials. The concept of improved performance is broad and includes increased strength or reinforcement of one material by the addition of another material. This is the well-known purpose in the alloying of metals and in the incorporation of chopped straw into clay for bricks by the ancient Egyptians and plant fibers into pottery by the Incas and Mayans. These ancient productions of composite materials consisted of reinforcing britde materials with fibrous substances. In both cases the mechanics of the reinforcement was such as to reduce and control the production of cracks in the brittle material during fabrication or drying (2). 

Although it is impossible to Hst all the practical detersive systems that might be encountered, a large proportion fall in a small number of classes. This classification disregards surfactant stmcture and type of substrate (fibrous or hard surface) and is restricted to a consideration of the soil present on the substrate, the mechanical action employed, the bath ratio, and the detergent used. Some of the more commonly encountered detersive systems are classified on this basis in Table 1. 

Mechanical interlocking of particles may occur during the agitation or compression of, for example, fibrous particles, but it is probably only a minor contributor to agglomerate strength in most cases. 

Fibrous or particulate filters are not important anymore because membrane filters are relatively compac t and perform veiy well. For filtration by straining, there is an intermediate air velocity at which filtration efficiency is a minimum because different collec tion mechanisms predominate at different ranges of velocity. At low velocities, diffusional and elec trostatic forces on the particle are important, and increased velocity shortens the time for them to operate. At high velocities, inertial forces that increase with air velocity come into play below a certain air velocity, their effect on collection is zero. Surges or brief power failures could change velocity and collection efficiency. 

Wood, then, is a foamed fibrous composite. Both the foam cells and the cellulose fibres in the cell wall are aligned predominantly along the grain of the wood (i.e. parallel to the axis of the trunk). Not surprisingly, wood is mechanically very anisotropic the properties along the grain are quite different from those across it. But if all woods are made of the same stuff, why do the properties range so widely from one sort of wood to another The differences between woods are primarily due to the differences in their relative densities (see Table 26.1). This we now examine more closely. 

Excellent mechanical properties with very high values for tensile strength, flexural strength and modulus in the flow direction. This applies to unfilled materials and may be further enhanced by incorporation of fibrous fillers. Quoted data for these properties are in the following ranges ... 

Fillers may be broadly defined as solid particulates or fibrous materials, substantially inert chemically, incorporated in polymer compositions to modify the properties and/or to reduce cost. Cost reduction is not the primary reason to incorporate fillers in adhesives but they are used to impart specific properties such as flow, improved adhesion, mechanical, thermal, electrical and optical properties, chemical and weather resistance, and rheological behaviour. 

B. Walter Rosen, Norris F. Dow, and ZvI Hashin, Mechanical Properties of Fibrous Composites, NASA CR-31, April 1964. 

---