Papers by Author: Anna Boczkowska

Abstract: Al₂O₃/AlSi12CuMgNi composites were fabricated using gas-pressure infiltration (T=700°C, p=4 MPa) of an aluminium alloy into alumina performs. Volume fraction of the ceramic phase was up to 30%, while the pore sizes of the ceramic preforms varied from 300 to 1000 µm. Ceramic preforms were formed by method of copying the cellular structure of the polymer matrix. The results of the X-ray tomography proved very good infiltration of the pores by the aluminium alloy. Residual porosity is approximately 1 vol%. Image analysis has been used to evaluate the specific surface fraction of the interphase boundaries (Sv). The presented results of the studies show the effect of the surface fraction of the interphase boundaries of ceramic-metal on the composite compressive strength, hardness and Young’s modulus. The composites microstructure was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM investigations proved that the pores are almost fully filled by the aluminium alloy. The obtained microstructure with percolation of ceramic and metal phases gives the composites high mechanical properties together with the ability to absorb the strain energy. Compression tests for the obtained composites were carried out and Young’s modulus was measured by the application of the DIC (Digital Image Correlation) method. Moreover, Brinell hardness tests were performed. Gas-pressure infiltration (GPI) allowed to fabricate composites with high compressive strength and stiffness.

Abstract: In the paper the experimental results of the dynamic tests of the MRE samples cured without and under magnetic field are presented and compared. The samples (55 mm diameter and 70 mm) were made of the polyurethane elastomer PU 70/30 with the admixture of the ferromagnetic particles (in this case – carbonyl iron spheres with the diameter of about 9 μm). The samples with ferromagnetic particles were cured without as well as under the external, parallel to the vertical axis of the sample, magnetic field of the 300 mT intensity. The experiments were carried out on the materials testing machine for static and dynamic loads INSTRON 8802. The machine was additionally equipped with the measurement head of 4kN scope and the magnetic coil that produces the magnetic field of the intensity up to 500 mT. Cycled load was applied to the MRE samples. In the case of the dynamic tests the sinusoid cyclic variable load was used. The applied load frequency was 1 Hz in each presented test. The samples were cyclically compressed of the 10, 15, 20 and 25 % of their height. On the base of the obtained results the force maximum values and the dumping coefficient (the energy dissipation coefficient) in each dynamic tests were calculated. The hysteresis loops in the load – displacement charts that were observed during the cyclic tests. The influence of the internal structure of the researched material on its strength behaviour is taken into consideration.

Abstract: Magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) are a class of so called “smart materials” which rheological and mechanical properties can be reversibly and rapidly controlled by an external magnetic field. MREs have attracted increasing attention and obtained broad application prospects recently. They can be used in valves, dumpers, brakes or sensors constructions. In the paper, the numerical models of a magnetorheological elastomers microstructure are presented. The influence of the applied magnetic field during the curing process of elastomer is taken into consideration in each model. The developed structures are built of the hyper elastic material which surrounds the iron particles. The models are first loaded with the external compression force and then with the internal forces simulating the influence of the applied magnetic field. The results of the numerical analyses are shown as the displacement, stress and strain distributions in each model. The influence of the MRE microstructure on the strength behavior of the researched material is strictly visible as the non-homogeneity in the described distributions.

Abstract: In this work, the results of studies on the preparation of carbon fibres (Tenax HTA40) for composites with an aluminium alloy matrix are presented. In the first step of preparation, the epoxy sizing was removed to assure adhesion of the Ni-P coating as a barrier to prevent the formation of brittle Al4C3. Removal of the sizing also decreases the risk of gas formation underneath the metal coatings in contact with the liquid metal matrix. Methods of sizing removal included annealing in air (300-600°C) and dissolving in solvents (acetone, toluene) and in inorganic solutions (HNO3, H2O2, NaOH), followed by SnCl2/PdCl2 activation are described. It was found that the chemical removal of epoxy sizing from carbon fibres is not an appropriate method for further studies on the electroless metallisation of carbon fibres. The thermal treatments in air atmosphere seem to be more useful for removing epoxy sizing. The result of the present studies was the optimisation of the temperature of the annealing of carbon fibres as 400-500oC. The morphology of the carbon fibre surface before and after sizing removal was characterised using SEM and in terms of the mass loss. A glycine-buffered electroless bath was used for the Ni-P coating of the fibre with a wide range of deposition rates and alloy compositions (2-12 wt% P). An advantage of electroless plating is that the process is carried out without electrical current. The coating is deposited as the result of the controlled reduction, which is catalysed by the metal being deposited. Two different pH values of metallisation baths were selected (pH=4.5 and pH=8.5). The time of Ni-P deposition ranged from 5 to 30 minutes. The process parameters were optimised for Ni-P coatings on 1D carbon fibres and 2D/3D woven fabrics. It was found that the process developed can be used for 2D and 3D woven fabrics.

Abstract: Magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) were obtained by mixing soft polyurethane and carbonyl-iron particles. The effect of the volume fraction of the ferromagnetic particles on the MREs microstructure and properties, as well as their arrangement in relation to the external magnetic field were investigated. As a ferromagnetic component carbonyl–iron powder, with particle size from 6-9µm, was used. The amount of the carbonyl iron particles was varied from 1.5 to 33.0 %(v/v). The samples were produced with randomly dispersed and aligned carbonyl iron particles. Scanning electron and light microscopy techniques were used for the MRE microstructure observations. The rheological properties (G’, G’’ and tan δ) of the MRE were tested without and with the application of the magnetic field. It was found that the microstructure of MREs, particularly the amount and arrangement of the carbonyl-iron particles, has a significant influence on their rheological and damping properties.

Abstract: This paper deals with the development of magnetoactive elastomers (MREs) based on the carbonyl iron particles-filled polyurethane resin. Their stiffness can be changed easily by magnetic field. Such a property can be useful in construction of active vibration damping structural elements. For the needs of numerical modelling methods validation the elementary case of the two magnetic particles was investigated experimentally. Special “macro samples” were prepared with pairs of ferromagnetic particles of spherical shape of diameter of 12.7 mm. They provided easy observations and measurements. The gap distance between particles was established on the level of ¼ of the diameter. After application of the magnetic field particles started to attract each other like magnetic dipoles. The mutual displacement of the dipoles was recorded in function of the magnetic field intensity, which was varied in the range100÷300 [mT]. The deformation field was also obtained from the digital image processing (DIC). Then the experiment was simulated numerically with the use of the 3D FEM models. The dipoles were loaded by forces which were increased gradually until displacements reached values that were measured experimentally. Calculations were performed on the MSC Patran-MARC platform. The Neo-Hookean material model was used to describe properties of the resin matrix. Magneto-mechanical coupling was taken into consideration with the use of an iterative method. The results of calculations were compared with the experimental results. The validation of the base modelling concept was successfully completed.

Abstract: In this paper studies on urethane magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) microstructure in respect to their magnetic and mechanical properties are reported. MREs were obtained from a mixture of polyurethane gel and carbonyl-iron particles cured in a magnetic field of 100 and 300 mT. The amount of particles was varied from 1.5 to 33 vol. %. Samples with different arrangements of particles were produced. Effect of the amount of ferromagnetic particles and their arrangement on microstructure and properties in relation to the external magnetic field was investigated. The microstructure was studied using scanning electron microscopy. Magnetic properties were measured using vibrating sample magnetometer. Rheological and mechanical properties under compression were also examined.

Abstract: The aim of the study was to develop an innovative processing method of magnetorheological elastomers (MRE). This method comprises optimization of the MRE structure in the context of their performance in the magnetic field. The influence of the amount of ferromagnetic particles and their arrangement in relation to the external magnetic field was investigated. Urethane magnetorheological elastomers were manufactured using polyurethane gels, supplied by Dow Chemical Company. As the ferromagnetic carbonyl–iron powder with particles size from 6-9)m produced by Fluka was used. The amount of the carbonyl iron particles was varied from 1.5 to 33.0 vol. %. Magnetic field strengths used during the fabrication of MRE were 0.1 and 0.3 T. The samples with particle chains aligned or slopped at 45 degree to the long sample axis were produced. To evaluate the external magnetic field effect on the magnetorheological properties a deflection in the magnetic field was measured. Samples were placed parallel to the magnetic field lines and deflected prior to the application of a magnetic field. After the application of the magnetic field the sample tended to straighten which was measured by displacement sensor. Magnetic field in a range of 0-0.9 T has been applied. Also the compression tests were carried out without and within external magnetic field with the strength of 0.3 T. The experiment showed that application of the magnetic field increases stiffness of the material. The amount of iron particles and their arrangement have influence on the stress-strain curves course.

Abstract: Nanoparticles of carbides, nitrides and carbonitrides can be used to reinforce polymer matrix nanocomposites to obtain the required strength, hardness, corrosion and wear resistance. In order to efficiently achieve the desirable properties the polymer matrix and nanoparticles must be optimised. This paper reports on studies undertaken on TiC reinforced polymer matrix nanocomposites. The TiC nanoparticles were produced by sol-gel method and nanocomposites were obtained in situ, via the reaction and synthesizing of polyether-ester copolymer (PEE). TiC nanoparticles were characterised with a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the microstructure of the composites was examined by SEM and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Tensile properties were determined. For comparison, samples of polymer were also studied and composites with submicron size of TiC particles. The results, which are discussed in terms of size of the TiC particles, showed that the particles incorporated in the polymer matrix, influence the strength of the composites.