Materials Science Forum Vols. 654-656

Abstract: The Fe–Pr binary system was thermodynamic evaluation by means of the CALPHAD method based on phase diagram experimental data from the literature and a few values of the mixing enthalpy in the liquid phase obtained by the Miedema theory technique. Each of the selected data values is given a certain weight, which is chosen and adjusted based on the thermodynamic data and diagram phase data. A consistent thermodynamic description of the Fe–Pr binary system is presented: only one intermediate compound, Fe17Pr2, is stable in the system and forms peritectically at 1371K. An eutectic reaction L↔Pr+ Fe17Pr2 occurs at 939K and the eutectic liquid contains 82 at% Pr, five solid solution phases (Fe-rich αFe, γFe and δFe, Pr-rich αPr and βPr) and the liquid solution phase were considered in the evaluation. The intermediate phase was treated as stoichiometric compound, the solid solutions as ideal and the liquid solution phase by the Redlich–Kister formalism. The calculated phase diagram and thermodynamic properties are in good agreement with available experimental data.

Abstract: The intermetallics of Cu6Sn5 that are formed at the Sn-based solder/ Cu substrate interface play a significant role in solder joint reliability. The characterization of the mechanical properties of the interface Cu6Sn5 is essential to understand the mechanical performance and structural integrity of the solder joints. In this study, the interface Cu6Sn5 and (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 formed in Sn-Cu and Sn-Cu-Ni ball grid array (BGA) joints were investigated using nanoindentation. The results demonstrated that the strain rate sensitivity and the activation volume of these intermetallics were affected by the reflow times and load conditions. The strain rate sensitivity of Cu6Sn5 and (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 were estimated from 0.023 to 0.105, and the activation volume of Cu6Sn5 and (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 were estimated from 0.128 b3 to 0.624 b3 (b=4.2062x10-9 m) for 1, 2 and 4-reflowed Sn-Cu (-Ni) samples.

Abstract: High-temperature lead-free solders are important materials for electrical and electronic devices due to increasing legislative requirements that aim at reducing the use of traditional lead-based solders. For the successful use of lead-free solders, a comprehensive understanding of the formation and mechanical properties of Intermetallic Compounds (IMCs) that form in the vicinity of the solder-substrate interface is essential. In this work, the effect of nickel addition on the formation and mechanical properties of Cu6Sn5 IMCs in Sn-Cu high-temperature lead-free solder joints was investigated using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and nanoindentation. It was found that the nickel addition increased the elastic modulus and hardness of the (Cu, Ni)6Sn5. The relationship between the nickel content and the mechanical properties of the IMCs was also established.

Abstract: Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene has been micro-scratched with 90° cube corner tips. The scratch mode was flat-on, uni-directional and single pass. The micro-scratches and cross-sectional scratch profiles were characterised with atomic force microscopy. No detached debris is produced. Cross-sectional scratch profiles have been analysed using Zum Gahr’s formalism giving an fab ratio slightly above zero. This is consistent with expectation for ductile polymers where none or little detached debris is produced. However, the observation contrasts with that for other polymers, such as PMMA, PEP and PC, for which inconclusive results suggest an excess pile-up implying an inconceivable change of mass density or material gain.

Abstract: A micromechanical elastic-plastic bridging constitutive model is developed in this paper for accurate representation of material behavior of fiber-reinforced composite laminates. In the bridging constitutive model, elastic behavior is represented by bridging matrix elements and interaction between the average stresses in matrix with those in fibers are included. A transient plastic bridging matrix is developed to describe accurately the elastic-plastic material properties of the fiber reinforced composites, and the effects of the material parameters of matrix and fiber on the bridging matrix elements have been accounted for. The proposed constitutive model is validated against experiment investigation.

Abstract: We report that the metallized single nanofibers could be successfully prepared by a combined technique of electrospinning and metallization. The mechanical properties of the metallized single nanofibers were investigated by using recently developed tensile test machine. It was found that the metallized single (polyurethane and polystyrene) nanofibers exhibited higher mechanical properties depending on the thickness of the deposited metal layers. For instance, compared with pure PU single nanofibers (Young`s modulus ca. 170 MPa), Young`s modulus for the metallized PU single nanofibers with Cu layers of 30 nm and 50 nm were increased to ca.610 MPa and ca.750 MPa, respectively. Furthermore, the tensile strength of 50 nm Cu-deposited PS single nanofibers (ca. 3.27 GPa) was clearly higher than those of pure PS (ca. 0.76 GPa) and 30 nm Cu-deposited PS (ca. 3.09 GPa) single nanofibers. The results may be attributed to the formation of metallic hard-coating layers onto the surface of single nanofibers.

Abstract: Electrochemical synthesis of a tri-layer polypyrrole based actuator optimized for performance was reported. The 0.05 M pyrrole and 0.05 M tetrabutylammonium hexaflurophosphate in propylene carbonate (PC) yielded the optimum performance and stability. The force produced ranged from 0.2 to 0.4mN. Cyclic deflection tests on PC based actuators for 3 hours indicated that the displacement decreased by 60%. PC based actuator had a longer operating time, exceeding 3 hours, compared to acetonitrile based actuators. A triple-layer model of the polymer actuator was developed based on the classic bending beam theory by considering strain electrode material. A tri-layer actuator was fabricated [4, 6], by initially sputter coating a PVDF film with approximately 100nm of gold layer, resulting in a conductive film with a surface resistance of 8-10Ω. The PVDF film was about ~145µm thick had an approximate pore size of 45μm. A solution containing 0.05M distilled pyrrole monomer, 0.05M (TBAPF6) and 1% (w/w) distilled water in PC (propylene carbonate) solution was purged with nitrogen for 15 minutes. The continuity between PPy and PVDF. Results predicted by the model were in good agreement with the experimental data.

Abstract: This paper presents an investigation on rheological properties of a new ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene)-Iron composite for application in Fused Deposition Modelling rapid prototyping process. Test samples of ABS-Iron composites have been made by controlled centrifugal mixing and thermal compounding through a single-screw extruder and compression moulding. Rheological characterization was conducted using a capillary rheometer by measuring pressure drop at the die while varying the extrusion speed. Apparent shear rate and shear stress as well as viscosity of the melts were calculated. Modulated differential-scanning calorimetry (MDSC) techniques were used in order to characterize viscoelastic properties of these newly developed composites materials. Non-Newtonian behaviour of the composite melt has shown to follow a cross model of shear thinning characteristics.

Abstract: Due to the advantages of FRP composite such as corrosion resistance, light weight, high specific strength and stiffness, flexibility, etc., the use of FRP composite in construction sites is increasing steadily. Especially, high corrosion resistance is a very strong point of FRP composite. Although the FRP composite has many advantages, the material properties of FRP composite under various environmental conditions at the construction sites are not well investigated. In this paper, we present the results of experimental investigations of FRP composite experiencing freezing and thawing cyclic temperature. In this investigation, we performed experimental studies to find the stress versus strain characteristics of FRP composite experiencing freezing and thawing cyclic temperature variation. In the experimental program, strength and stiffness of the pultruded FRP composite specimens under uniaxial tension affected by the freezing and thawing temperature change mechanism are evaluated and the results are discussed.

Abstract: Fatigue crack propagation behaviors of ultrafine grained (UFG) Al sheets fabricated by the accumulative roll bonding (ARB) process were investigated. The ARB process was carried out up to 6 cycles (equivalent strain, eq.=4.8). The ARB processed sheet had lamellar boundary structure elongated to rolling direction of the sheet. The mean spacing of the boundaries was 182 nm. The tensile strength of the starting Al sheet increased after the 6-cycle of the ARB. Fatigue crack growth tests were performed to clarify the crack growth rate and threshold stress intensity factor range for crack growth (Kth). The fatigue crack profile in the ARB processed sheet differs from that in the starting Al sheet. The Kth of the ARB processed sheet was smaller than that of the starting sheet. The Kth of Al would decreased with decreasing the crack closure phenomena after the 6-cycle of the ARB. The fatigue crack growth rate test shows that the critical load for starting to propagate the fatigue crack and the fatigue crack growth rate decreased by ultrafine grain refinement.