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Notes: Abstract A theoretical model was introduced for the evaluation of the boundary layer developed between the main phases during the preparation of unidirectional fiber composites. It has been shown that this thin layer influences considerably the physical properties of the composite. It was assumed that the physical properties of themesophase unfold from those of the hard-core fibers to those of the softer matrix. Thus, a multicylinder model was assumed improving the classical two-cylinder model introduced by Hashin and Rosen for the representative volume element of the composite. Based on thermodynamic phenomena appearing at the glass transition temperatures of the composite and concerning the positions and the sizes of the heat-capacity jumps there, as well as on the experimental values of the longitudinal elastic modulus of the composite, the extent of the mesophase and the mechanical properties of the composite may be accurately evaluated. This version of the model is based on a previous one concerning a multilayer model, but it is considerably improved in order to take into consideration, in a realistic manner, the physical phenomena developed in fiber reinforced composites.

Notes: Abstract The degree of adhesion developed between matrix and inclusions in composites is among the main factors characterizing their mechanical and physical behavior. The quality of adhesion depends mainly on the boundary layer created between inclusions and matrix because of chemisorption, physisorption and mechanical constraint phenomena developed between the main phases in the RVE of a composite. The extent of this boundary layer, which is called mesophase or interphase, may be a potential means for defining the quality of adhesion. While almost all previous models describing the mechanical and physical properties of composites are based on the concept of mathematical and smooth interfaces constituting the boundaries of the phases, a series of recent models developed by the author and his collaborators consider a more pragmatic situation at the interfaces between phases assuming the existence of boundary layers between phases ensuring a continuous transition of the properties of adjacent phases, which should be accepted as being in conformity with the physical and chemical procedures happening at these boundaries. The unfolding type of models introduced by the author aims to fill the gap by trying to accommodate the properties of neighbouring phases by transition boundary layers with varying properties between the bounds of the limiting phases. Thus, the unfolding models constitute a powerful means, where the notion of mesophase was introduced for defininig the RVE of a composite. The RVE was considered as consisting of the two main phases (the reinforcement and the matrix), coupled together by the intermediate phase, whose variable mechanical properties unfold from those of the reinforcement to those of the matrix. The extent of mesophase was evaluated by the three different and alternate methods, that is: i) by considering the variations in the heat capacity jumps,ΔC p , of the matrix material and the respective composite, appearing at the respective glass-transition temperatures of both substances. Based on thermodynamic measurements with differential scanning calorimetry, the extents of these jumps were accurately measured and these defined the thickness of the mesophase. It was further assumed that the steep variations of the mechanical properties in the mesophase follows negative-power laws, whose exponents were derived by measuring the moduli of the matrix, inclusions and the composite and assuming the validity of an improved law of mixtures. § ii) by evaluating the extent of mesophase along the whole range of temperature by using exclusively the mechanical properties of the storage and loss compliances and moduli of the composite and the matrix, without making recourse to thermal or other types of measurements and without limitations at the glass transition temperatures, and § iii) by defining the extent of the mesophase by the same method, but evaluating the properties of the mesophase or mesophases by methods based on diffusion laws of mutually soluble phases or impregnations. This method is convenient for studying polymer-polymer composites and composites with encapsulated or sized phases. By applying all three variations of the unfolding model it was shown that all three possibilities of defining the extent and the variable properties of mesophases are equivalent and, furthermore, they yield reasonable results. Moreover, experimental evidence with either particulates, or fiber composites indicated clearly that the introduction of the mesophase yields a better and more flexible model for interpreting in a realistic manner the complicated phenomena appearing in all composites used in engineering applications.

Notes: Abstract The size of the mesophase, which constitutes a boundary layer between fillers and matrix in composites, has been efficiently evaluated by the modified two-term unfolding model, which was based on delicate DSC measurements of the heat capacity jumps at the glass transitions of the composite and its constituent phases [1,2]. This model is now used to evaluate the mesophase along the whole viscoelastic spectrum of the composite, by making measurements of the storage and loss compliances or moduli of the composite and matrix and without making recourse to any other type of special measurement at the glass transition temperature of the substances. By applying this model the following important results were derived: i) Lipatov's empirical formula for defining the mesophase atT g was shown to yield reasonable results and ii) the evaluation of the size of mesophase over the entire viscoelastic spectrum was shown to remain almost constant and in conformity with the values defined by the other versions of the model. Extensive application of the experimental results of the literature indicated the mutual proof of the validity of these affine models.

Notes: Abstract A theoretical model, consisting of a series of infinite concentric cylinders surrounding a fiber in a composite material, was introduced in this paper to give a quantitative account of interface phenomena, already experimentally observed. A series of specimens, conveniently designed to represent the theoretical model, were subjected to dynamic modes of loading to measure the amount of adhesion between fibers and matrices by means of an adhesion coefficient developed in the theory. It was found that theoretical results for the adhesion between matrix and filler were compatible with the structural characteristics of the specimens tested.

Notes: Structural changes which take place in many amorphous polymers, when they are annealed at temperatures near the glass transition temperature, have important theoretical, physical, and mechanical consequences. In this paper the possible existence of some local ordering in highlycrosslinked epoxy resins is studied. Three kinds of tests - TMA, DSC, and dynamic experiments - are used for a type of epoxy resin, cured with six different amounts of curing agent. In order to study the effect of the thermal history on the behavior of the polymer at its transition region, as well as the morphology of the materials tested, three different thermal treatments have been followed. Interesting results were derived concerning the influence of these parameters to these parameters to the mechanical characterization of the polymer.

Notes: Thermal expansion coefficients and glass transition temperatures for metal-epoxy composites were determined experimentally. Results were in fair agreement with existing theories when certain fundamental assumptions were fulfilled. The effects of filler content and particle size as well as of adhesion between matrix and filler particles were investigated. The latter, in particular, was found to be of cardinal importance for the properties examined in the present work.

Notes: A class of plasticized epoxy polymers were subjected to indentation tests over a wide range of temperature and plasticizer percentage. Constant or continuously varying temperature tests were carried out under constant load, and the materials exhibited creep behavior according to the temperature and the amount of plasticizer. Thermal expansion properties were also studied, and glass transition temperature as well as thermal expansion coefficients a1 and a2 were determined for each individual material. Theoretical predictions were found valid under the present conditions.

Notes: A series of cold-setting epoxy polymers, plasticized with different amounts of plasticizer, ranging between 0 and 90% by weight of the amount of the epoxy prepolymer, were studied for their mechanical, optical, and fracture behavior properties. Quantities defining the mechanical properties were considered: the elastic modulus E, Poisson's ratio v, and fracture tensile stress σf. These were accurately measured with electric strain gauges in specimens tested in a 5-ton Instron tester. The optical behavior was characterized by the stress optical coefficients of the materials in both principal directions, α and β, as well as by the coefficient of optical anisotropy, ζ. The values of these quantities were measured by a Fizeau interferometric method. Finally, the optical method of caustics was applied to cracked epoxy polymer specimens to provide a new experimental technique for determining the stress optical properties of these polymers in terms of their mechanical properties. This method was used to check the previous results found by established experimental methods.

Notes: A class of aluminum-filled epoxy composites were subjected to indentation tests over a wide temperature range. The tests were carried out under constant load and continuously varying temperature. The effect of aluminum content, applied load, and adhesion efficiency between matrix and aluminum particles on the indentation behavior was studied. Measured indentation values were found to lie within limits predicted theoretically.

Notes: The static and dynamic elastic moduli of particulate composites, consisting of two phases, one of which has isotropic-elastic and the other linear viscoelastic properties, were studied. For this purpose a model defining the approximate equations for determining the elastic modulus of a composite from the properties of the constituent materials was used. Classical theory of elasticity was applied to this simplified model of a composite-unit cell. The following assumptions are made: (i) filler particles are spherical; (ii) fillers are completely dispersed; and (iii) the volume fraction of fillers is sufficiently small, so that any interaction among fillers may be neglected. A class of iron-filled epoxy composites was subjected to tests in order to compare the theoretical values with the experimental results. The elastic modulus calculated by the expression derived in this study seems to corroborate with the experimental results fairly well. Finally, by applying the correspondence principle to this expression, theoretical relationships for the dynamic storage and loss moduli were also derived.