 | 1993-94 Research Excellence Fund |
| SEM Elects New President |
| Water-Environment Effects on Anomalous Absorption Behavior in Grpahite/Epoxy Composite |
| October 93 Conferences and Seminars |
| Calendar of Events |
The Research Excellence Fund (REF) is a state of michigan program designed to focus resources on a limited number of specific basic and applied research proposals of outstanding quality which will contribute to economic development and job creation within the state of Michigan. The REF monies are intended to provide support to start new and novel research efforts, encourage new multi-investigator, interdisciplinary efforts and attract external funding in support of faculty research which will contribute to the long term economic vitality of the state of michigan as stated in the REF objectives. Each project undertaken by an institution must be in a field where quality and institutional committment are already strong. Composite materials and processing has been designated as a major thrust area at MSU.
In response to the 1993/94 Research Excellence fund for proposals in the composite materials and processing area, fifty-one (51) proposals with a total requested funding amount of $2,062,800 were received for the funding period July 1, 1993 to June 30, 1994. The amount of funding available was approximately $952,000. The following proposals were selected for funding:
THRUST AREA 1. REDUCED COST COMPOSITE CONSTITUENTS (FIBER OR MATRIX)
Microsorting Mixed Thermoplastic Waste Streams Using Hydrocyclone Classifiers - $34,000-Renewed
Project Investigator: Dr. Eric Grulke, Chemical Engineering
Co-Invetigator: Dr. Charles A. Petty, Chemical Engineering
Co-Investigator: Dr. Susan E. Selke, Packaging
Recycling of Plastics and Paper in Concrete Composites to Control Shrinkage Cracking and Brittle Failure Modes - $45,000-Renewed
Project Investigator: Dr. Parviz Soroushian, Civil & Envirnmental Engineering
Functionalized Polylactides for Recyclable, Low Cost Composites - $35,000-New
Project Investigator: Dr. Ramani Narayan, Chemical Engineering
THRUST AREA 2. NEW HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPOSITE MATERIALS
Disorder and Mechanical Failure: Application to Ceramic Composites - $23,000-Renewed
Project Investigator: Dr. P. M. Duxbury, Physics and Astronomy
Co-Investigator: Dr. Ostoja-Starzweski, Materials Science & Mechanics
A New Technique for Making Continuous Fiber Metal Matrix Composites - $15,000-Renewed
Project Investigator: Dr. Thomas R. Bieler, Materials Science & Mechanics
Thermal and Mechanical Fatigue of Ceramic Composties as a Function of Volume Fraction Reinforcement - $34,000-Renewed
Project Investigator: Dr. Eldon Case, Materials Science & Mechanics
Co-Investigator: Dr. Melissa J. Crimp, Materials Science & Mechanics
Co-Investigator: Dr. Gary Cloud, Materials Science & Mechanics
Modification of Metal-Matrix Composite Reinforcements for Control of Interface Reactions by Ion Enhanced Deposition - $20,000-Renewed
Project Investigator: Dr. David S. Grummon, Materials Science & Mechanics
The Effect of Interface on the Local and Global Response of Composite Materials - $16,000-Renewed
Project Investigator: Dr. Iwona Jasiuk, Materials Science & Mechanics
Chemistry of Protective Coatings for Fiber-Reinforced Composites - $17,000-Renewed
Project Investigator: Dr. Jeffrey Ledford, Chemistry
Fabrication of Textured High Temperature Superconductor/Silver Layered Composites by Laser Melting - $21,000-Renewed
Project Investigator: Dr. Kali Mukherjee, Materials Science & Mechanics
Optimization of Metal-Ceramic Bonding to Enhance Mechanical Properties of Ceramic Matrix
Project Investigator: Dr. K. N. Subramanian, Materials Science & Mechanics
In-situ of Fatigue Crack Initiation and Propogation in Metal Matrix Composites - $22,297-New
Project Investigator: Dr. Martin A. Crimp, Materials Science & Mechanics
High-Energy Ion Irradation of Single-Crystal Sapphire Fibers for Improved Strength Retention in High Temperature Metal-Matrix Composites - $22,500-New
Project Investigator:Dr. David Grummon, Materials Science & Mechanics
Clay-Polymer Nanocomposites - $44,000-New
Jointly funded with Center for Fundamental Materials Research.
Project Investigator: Dr. Thomas J. Pinnavaia, Chemistry
Co-Investigator: Dr. P. M. Duxbury, Physics and Astronomy
Co-Investigator: Dr. Jack Giacin, Packaging
Co-Investigator: Dr. Rueben J. Hernandez, Packaging
Co-Investigator: Dr. Lawrence T. Drzal, Chemical Engineering
Metallic-Glass Ribbon Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composites - $20,000-New
Project Investigator: Dr. K. N. Subramanian, Materials Science & Mechanics
THRUST AREA 3. NEW AND/OR NOVEL COMPOSITE PROCESSING AND FABRICATION METHODS
Processing of Silicon Nitride/Silicon Carbide Whisker Composites - $27,340-New
Project Investigator: Dr. Melissa J. Crimp, Materials Science & Mechanics
Fundamentals of Microwave Heating and Microwave Pultrusion - $50,000-Renewed
Project Investigator: Dr. Martin C. Hawley, Chemical Engineering
Co-Investigator: Dr. Jess Asmussen, Electrical Engineering
Reactive Processing of Chopped Fiber Composites With Phenolic Resins: Injection Molding - $35,000-Renewed
Project Investigator: Dr. Jayaraman, Chemical Engineering
Co-Investigator: Dr. C. A. Petty, Chemical Engineering
Laser Machining and Joining of Metal-Matrix Composites - $26,326-Renewed
Project Investigator: Dr. Kali Mukherjee, Materials Science & Mechanics
Simultaneous Radical and Cationic Polymerizations of Novel Polymer Composites - $20,000-Renewed
Project Investigator: Dr. Alec Scranton, Chemical Engineering
High Speed Videography of Fiber Transport and Deposition onto a Preform Screen - $30,000-New
Project Investigator: Dr. Charles A. Petty, Chemical Engineering
Co-Investigator: Dr. Jayaraman, Chemical Engineering
Co-Investigator: Dr. John F. Foss, Mechanical Engineering
THRUST AREA 4. PERFORMANCE AND DESIGN MODELLING
A Micromechanics-Based Failure Criterion for Progressive Failure Analysis of Composites - $16,259-Renewed
Project Investigator: Dr. Ronald C. Averill, Materials Science & Mechanics
Diamond Film Characterization by Nanoindentor - $12,500-Renewed
Project Investigator: Dr. Eldon Case, Materials Science & Mechanics
Co-Investigator: Dr. Ronald C. Averill, Materials Science & Mechanics
Measurement of Anisotropic Electromagnetic Properties of Composite Materials - $21,000-Renewed
Project Investigator: Dr. Kun-Mu Chen, Electrical Engineering
A Novel Fastening System for Composites - $21,000-Renewed
Project Investigator: Dr. Gary Cloud, Materials Science & Mechanics
Non-Linear Random Vibration of Structural Systems Made of Composite Materials - $20,000-Renewed
Project Investigator: Dr. R. Harichandran, Civil & Environmental Engineering
An Optimum Laminate Theory for Composite Crashworthiness Analysis- $23,000-Renewed
Project Investigator: Dr. Dahsin Liu, Materials Science & Mechanics
Geometric Imperfection in Composite Design and Manufacturing - $15,000-Renewed
Project Investigator: Dr. Dahsin Liu, Materials Science & Mechanics
Instability Studies in Nonlinearly Elastic Composite Materials - $21,000-Renewed
Project Investigator: Dr. Thomas J. Pence, Materials Science & Mechanics
Multidimensional Thermal Properties of High Temperature Composites using CVD Diamond as Both Heater and Temperature Sensor - $20,000-New
Project Investigator: Dr. James Beck, Mechanical Engineering
Co-Investigator: Dr. Mohammad Aslam, Electrical Engineering
New Approaches to Composite Materials - $36,000-New
Jointly funded with Center for Fundamental Materials Research
Project Investigator: Dr. Michael F. Thorpe, Physics and Astronomy
Co-Investigator: Dr. Iwona Jasiuk, Materials Science & Mechanics
Performance and Design Testing of Elastomeric Composite Tubes - $20,897-New>
Project Investigator: Dr. Clark Radcliffe, Mechanical Engineering
Co-Investigator: Dr. Charles MacCluer, Mathematics
Reinforcement of Concrete Structures with Fiber Reinforced Plastic Tendons - $19,551-New
Project Investigator: Dr. Parviz Soroushian, Civil & Environmental Engineering
THRUST AREA 5. ADVANCED DETECTION AND CONTROL METHODS FOR COMPOSITE MANUFACTURING
Nondestructive Evaluation of Composite Materials and Structures by Ultrasonics - $20,000-Renewed
Project Investigator: Dr. Bong Ho, Electrical Engineering
Co-Investigator: Dr. Ronald H. Zapp, Electrical Engineering
Fiber Orientation Distributions in Thermoplastic Injection Molding - $30,000-Renewed
Project Investigator: Dr. John McGrath, Mechanical Engineering
Electronic Holography and Shearography for Inspection of Composite Vessels - $21,000-New
Project Investigator: Dr. Gary Cloud, Materials Science & Mechanics
In-Situ Cure Monitoring for Composites Processing Using Fiber Optic Fluorescence Sensors - $20,000-New
Jointly funded with Center for Fundamental Materials Research
Project Investigator: Dr. Alec Scranton, Chemical Engineering
Co-Investigator: Dr. Gary Blanchard, Chemistry
THRUST AREA 6. ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF COMPOSITE PERFORMANCE
Physical Aging Effects on Service Environmental Performance of Polymeric Matrix Composites - $26,000-New
Project Investigator: Dr. Andre Lee, Materials Science & Mechanics
Co- Investigator: Dr. Roger Morgan, Chemical Engineering
Partitioning of Moisture in Resin Matrix Composites: Effects on Microfracture and Deformation Behavior - $15,000-New
Project Investigator: Dr. James Lucas, Materials Science & Mechanics
Dr. Gary Cloud, professor of Materials Science and Mechanics and Biomechanics, has been appointed as the 1993-94 President of the Society of Mechanical Engineers (SEM). SEM is an international professional society dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge in the field of manufacturing engineering and management. Founded in 1932, SEM has more than 75,000 members in 68 countries and sponsors over 325 senior chapters and 220 student chapters worldwide.
Cloud has outlined the objectives of his presidency in two general goals and a number of specific tasks. The first of his general goals is to "increase the technical relevance of SEM and its activities to a broader segment of the technological community, including technicians, manufacturers and engineers, as well as our important core of academicians." His second objective is to encourage the society to "develop a vision as to what the field of experimental mechanics will be evolving into over the next several years.
Specific tasks which Cloud hopes to accomplish include reformatting of conferences, realignment of the Technical Divisions, creation of strategic planning task forces, a revitalization of the Education Committee, and the formation of a new program to raise capital.
Jiming Zhou (Graduate Student, Materials Science & Mechanics),
James P. Lucas (Associate Professor, Materials Science and Mechanics)
To gain acceptance for application in marine or high moisture environments, resin matrix composties must be thoroughly characterized. The water-environment effects on moisture absorption characterisitcs of unidirectional T300/934 graphite/epoxy composite material were investigated by the measurement and analysis of weight change, hygrothermal induced expansion, the observation of crack formation, and surface mass loss. Non-Fickian diffusion behavior of moisture was observed in resin matrix composite materials by previous investigations. However, up to now, the rational for this anomalous behavior has been presented in an ambiguous manner.
Specimens were immersed in distilled water at 45, 60, 75, and 90 Degrees C for more than 9000 hours. The material exhibited both Fickian and Non-Fickian diffusion behavior. Absorption data showed that the onset of Non-Fickian behavior ocurred sooner at higher exposure temperatures.
Anomalous absorption behavior in the composite occurs as a result of chemical modification and physical damage. Scanning electron microscopy and dimensional measurements revealed clear evidence of surface peeling and resin dissolution of the specimen. A crack/mass loss model can be used to give an explantation of the behavior of Graphite/Epoxy composite during the water absorption process. At near room temperature, there is no surface dissolution or physical damage of the material and hence weight gain behavior is Fickian as indicated by the 45 degree C exposure temperature. With increasing exposure temperature, cracks, voids, surface peeling, and dissolution occur. Cracks can retain water which contributes to enhanced absorption behavior higher than the theoretical Fickian diffusion curve. Surface peeling and dissolution contribute to a reduction in the specimen weight. Consequently, the weight change profile data falls below the theoretical Fickian diffusion curve. The basis for interpreting the crack/mass loss model stems from the fact that two competing effects persist. If only cracking occurs in the material, the experimental absorption data profile will be higher than Fickian curve due to water retention at the crack tips. Conversely, if surface dissolution and peeling occur during exposure, the experimental data profile will be lower than Fickian curve resulting from mass loss. The absorption data profile represents the combined effects of cracking and mass loss.
In order to increase communications between the Composite Materials and Structures Center and its various members, we would like to inform you of upcoming conferences and seminars pertaining to your research areas. Here is a list of October seminars and conferences which might be of interest. Brochures on these conferences are available at the Composite Center. Please contact Margie Gray at (517)353-5466 for any requests.
Society of Plastics Engineers - Practical Applications for Melt Rheology in Polymer Processing Workshop.
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ
Dates: 10/4-5/93
Society of Plastics Engineers - Alloy, Blends and Modified Polymers (to provide "State-of-the-Art" information on Polymer Aloys and Blends).
Location: Akron, OH
Dates: 10/5-6/93
Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) - Fundamentals of Injection Molding (One-day course will cover, basics of injection molds and related accessories; overview of the design considerations for injection molded plastic parts; understand the trouble-shooting process; the importance of quick mold change systems).
Location: Chicago, IL
Dates: 10/12/93
Society of Plastic Engineers Decorating Division - Regional Educational Technical Conference - (Distribute new information on plastics decorating, while also addressing the associated environmental impact).
Location: Nashville, TN
Dates: 10/12-13/93
Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) - Designing Plastic Injection Molds (Two-day clinic, overview of various CAD/CAE; gate location and type selection; the effects material type has on mold design; ways to solve tooling problems).
Location: Chicago, IL
Dates: 10/13-14/93
The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society and ASM International - Materials Week '93
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Dates: 10/17-21/93
Center for Professional Advancement - Statistical Process Control: Basic and Advanced Topics. - A two/three/five day Practical Course with Hands-On Computer Case Studies.
Location: East Brunswick, NJ
Dates: 10/18-22/93
American Society for Composites - 8th Technical Conference of Composite Materials - (All types of composites such as polymeric composites, metal matrix composites, etc...).
Location: Cleveland, OH
Dates: 10/19-21/93
Society for American Manufacturers and Processing Engineers - 14th International European Conference/Expo.
Location: Birmingham, England
Dates: 10/19-21/93
American Society of Civil Engineers 1993 Annual Convention and Exposition - CExpo and Transpo '93.
Location: Dallas, TX
Dates: 10/24-28/93
Society of Plastics Engineers - Chicago, IL Seminars - (Extrusion of polymers; injection mold tooling technology; injection molding-advanced concepts and analyses; die design principles for extrusion of polymers; extrusion principles and practices; thermoforming technology for industrial applications).
Location: Chicago, IL
Dates: 10/25-27/93
Center for Professional Advancement - Planning and Analyzing Industrial Experiments - R & D, Pilot Plant - Three day Partial Course with Case Studies and PC Workshops.
Location: East Brunswick, NJ
Dates: 10/25-27/93
Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering. 25th International SAMPE Technical Conference. (Advanced Materials Expanding the Horizons).
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Dates: 10/26-28/93
American Institute for Chemical Engineers - Center for Chemical Process Safety - Process Safety Management Training Course (Design and Evaluation of Process Safety Management Systems).
Location: St. Louis, MO
Dates: 10/27-29/93
also
Location: New York, NY
Dates: 12/7-9/93
| American Institute of Chemical Engineers - Safety Analysis and Risk Assessment for
Chemical Process Inustry Practitioners - COURSE 1: Hazards Evealuation: Qualitative
Methods St. Louis, MO Atlanta, GA 11/1-5/93 4/11-15/94 |
| U.S. Department of Energy - Tenth International Symposium on Alcohol Fuels (examine
scientific and technical advances for the use and production of alcohol fuels). Colorado Springs, CO 11/7-10/93 3/31/93 7/15/93 |
| The 9th Annual ASM/ESD Advanced Composite Confernece and Exposition Dearborn, MI 11/8-11/93 4/23/93 5/6/93 |
| Society of Manufacturing Engineers - Autofact '93 Conference and Expostion - (Manage
your transition to integrated manufacturing with practical applications & techniques).
Chicago, IL 11/7-11/93 |
| American Institute of Chemical Engineers - Safety Analysis and Risk Assessment for
Chemical Process Industry Practitioners - COURSE 2: Hazards Evaluation: Quantitative
Methods. St. Louis, MO Atlanta, GA 11/15-19/93 4/25-29/94 |
| American Institute of Chemical Engineers - Safety Analysis and Risk Assessment for
Cehmical Process Industry Practitioners - COURSE 3: Consequence Assessment &
Mitigation St. Louis, MO Atlanta, GA 11/29-12/2/93 5/2-5/94 |
| Materials Research Society - Technical Symposia, Short Courses, Equipment Exhibit and
Table-Top Display (Each symposium will provide a forum for scientist and engineers to
exchange information and ideas at the forefront of materials research). Boston, MA 11/29-12/3/93 6/20/93 |
| Society of Plastics Engineers - Continuous Compounding in the 90's RETEC (A three day
technical conference for new and evolving theories and applications for value added
compounding). Somerset, NJ 11/30-12/2/93 |
Composite Materials and Structures Center
College of Engineering
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1326
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