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Search Results (248)

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Keywords = crushing force

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16 pages, 7993 KiB  
Article
Investigation of the Reinforcement Mechanism and Impact Resistance of Carbon Hollow Microsphere-Reinforced PDMS Composites
by Yingying Yu, Yaxi Zhang, Cheng Yang, Fandong Meng, Fanyi Meng, Tao Wang and Zhenmin Luo
Polymers 2025, 17(15), 2087; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17152087 - 30 Jul 2025
Viewed by 150
Abstract
For meeting the growing demand for lightweight impact-resistant materials, this study designed and fabricated a carbon hollow microsphere (CHM)-reinforced polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite and systematically investigated the influence of CHM packing structure on its energy absorption performance. Through optimizing the controllable preparation processes of [...] Read more.
For meeting the growing demand for lightweight impact-resistant materials, this study designed and fabricated a carbon hollow microsphere (CHM)-reinforced polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite and systematically investigated the influence of CHM packing structure on its energy absorption performance. Through optimizing the controllable preparation processes of the CHMs, CHMs with low breaking rates and novel structural stability were successfully prepared. A vacuum-assisted mixing–casting method was employed to synthesize the CHM/PDMS composites with varying CHM contents (0~10 wt.%). The results demonstrated that the incorporation of CHMs significantly enhanced the compressive strength, compressive modulus, and energy absorption efficiency of the PDMS matrix. Under quasi-static loading, the composite with 4 wt.% CHM exhibited optimal comprehensive performance, achieving a 124.68% increase in compressive strength compared to pure PDMS. In dynamic impact tests, the compressive strength and energy absorption at a strain rate of 4500 s−1 increased by 1245.09% and 1218.32%, respectively. The improvement of mechanical properties can be mainly attributed to the introduction of CHMs with an appropriate percentage, which can form a dense stacking structure so that the interaction force between the CHMs and PDMS matrix can be improved through the dense stacking effect, and the external force can be effectively dissipated through interface interaction, in addition to the energy dissipated by the deformation of the matrix deformation and crush of the CHMs. Additionally, the introduction of CHMs elevated the onset thermal decomposition temperature of the materials, leading to an enhanced thermal stability of the CHM/PDMS composite compared to that of the pure PDMS. Overall, this study provides theoretical and experimental foundations for designing lightweight impact-resistant materials and demonstrates the potential of CHM/PDMS composites for multifunctional safety protection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Polymer Composites and Nanocomposites)
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24 pages, 3885 KiB  
Article
Discrete Meta-Modeling Method of Breakable Corn Kernels with Multi-Particle Sub-Area Combinations
by Jiangdong Xu, Yanchun Yao, Yongkang Zhu, Chenxi Sun, Zhi Cao and Duanyang Geng
Agriculture 2025, 15(15), 1620; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15151620 - 26 Jul 2025
Viewed by 179
Abstract
Simulation is an important technical tool in corn threshing operations, and the establishment of the corn kernel model is the core part of the simulation process. The existing modeling method is to treat the whole kernel as a rigid body, which cannot be [...] Read more.
Simulation is an important technical tool in corn threshing operations, and the establishment of the corn kernel model is the core part of the simulation process. The existing modeling method is to treat the whole kernel as a rigid body, which cannot be crushed during the simulation process, and the calculation of the crushing rate needs to be considered through multiple criteria such as the contact force, the number of collisions, and so on. Aiming at the issue that kernel crushing during maize threshing cannot be accurately modeled in discrete element simulations, in this study, a sub-area crushing model was constructed; representative samples with 26%, 30% and 34% moisture content were selected from a double-season maturing region in China; based on the physical dimensions and biological structure of the maize kernel, three stress regions were defined; and mechanical property tests were conducted on each of the three stress regions using a texturometer as a way to determine the different crushing forces due to the heterogeneity of the maize structure. The correctness of the model was verified by stacking angle and mechanical property experiments. A discrete element model of corn kernels was established using the Bonding V2 method and sub-area modeling. Bonding parameters were calculated by combining stacking angle tests and mechanical property tests. The flattened corn kernel was used as a prototype, and the bonding parameters were determined through size and mechanical property tests. A 22-ball bonding model was developed using dimensional parameters, and the kernel density was recalculated. Results showed that the relative error between the stacking angle test and the measured mean value was 0.31%. The maximum deviation of axial compression simulation results from the measured mean value was 22.8 N, and the minimum deviation was 3.67 N. The errors between simulated and actual rupture forces at the three force areas were 5%, 10%, and 0.6%, respectively. The decreasing trend of the maximum rupture force for the three moisture levels in the simulation matched that of the actual rupture force. The discrete element model can accurately reflect the rupture force, energy relationship, and rupture process on both sides, top, and bottom of the grain, and it can solve the error problem caused by the contact between the threshing element and the grain line in the actual threshing process to achieve the design optimization of the threshing drum. The modeling method provided in this study can also be applied to breakable discrete element models for wheat and soybean, and it provides a reference for optimizing the design of subsequent threshing devices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Technology)
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21 pages, 4565 KiB  
Article
Experimental Study of Two-Bite Test Parameters for Effective Drug Release from Chewing Gum Using a Novel Bio-Engineered Testbed
by Kazem Alemzadeh and Joseph Alemzadeh
Biomedicines 2025, 13(8), 1811; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13081811 - 24 Jul 2025
Viewed by 381
Abstract
Background: A critical review of the literature demonstrates that masticatory apparatus with an artificial oral environment is of interest in the fields including (i) dental science; (ii) food science; (iii) the pharmaceutical industries for drug release. However, apparatus that closely mimics human [...] Read more.
Background: A critical review of the literature demonstrates that masticatory apparatus with an artificial oral environment is of interest in the fields including (i) dental science; (ii) food science; (iii) the pharmaceutical industries for drug release. However, apparatus that closely mimics human chewing and oral conditions has yet to be realised. This study investigates the vital role of dental morphology and form–function connections using two-bite test parameters for effective drug release from medicated chewing gum (MCG) and compares them to human chewing efficiency with the aid of a humanoid chewing robot and a bionics product lifecycle management (PLM) framework with built-in reverse biomimetics—both developed by the first author. Methods: A novel, bio-engineered two-bite testbed is created for two testing machines with compression and torsion capabilities to conduct two-bite tests for evaluating the mechanical properties of MCGs. Results: Experimental studies are conducted to investigate the relationship between biting force and crushing/shearing and understand chewing efficiency and effective mastication. This is with respect to mechanochemistry and power stroke for disrupting mechanical bonds releasing the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) of MCGs. The manuscript discusses the effect and the critical role that jaw physiology, dental morphology, the Bennett angle of mandible (BA) and the Frankfort-mandibular plane angle (FMA) on two-bite test parameters when FMA = 0, 25 or 29.1 and BA = 0 or 8. Conclusions: The impact on other scientific fields is also explored. Full article
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20 pages, 5875 KiB  
Article
Crashworthiness of Additively Manufactured Crash Boxes: A Comparative Analysis of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Materials and Structural Configurations
by Ahmed Saber, A. M. Amer, A. I. Shehata, H. A. El-Gamal and A. Abd_Elsalam
Appl. Mech. 2025, 6(3), 52; https://doi.org/10.3390/applmech6030052 - 11 Jul 2025
Viewed by 480
Abstract
Crash boxes play a crucial role in automotive safety by absorbing impact energy during collisions. The advancement of additive manufacturing (AM), particularly Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), has enabled the fabrication of geometrically complex and lightweight crash boxes. This study presents a comparative evaluation [...] Read more.
Crash boxes play a crucial role in automotive safety by absorbing impact energy during collisions. The advancement of additive manufacturing (AM), particularly Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), has enabled the fabrication of geometrically complex and lightweight crash boxes. This study presents a comparative evaluation of the crashworthiness performance of five FDM materials, namely, PLA+, PLA-ST, PLA-LW, PLA-CF, and PETG, across four structural configurations: Single-Cell Circle (SCC), Multi-Cell Circle (MCC), Single-Cell Square (SCS), and Multi-Cell Square (MCS). Quasi-static axial compression tests are conducted to assess the specific energy absorption (SEA) and crush force efficiency (CFE) of each material–geometry combination. Among the materials, PLA-CF demonstrates superior performance, with the MCC configuration achieving an SEA of 22.378 ± 0.570 J/g and a CFE of 0.732 ± 0.016. Multi-cell configurations consistently outperformed single-cell designs across all materials. To statistically quantify the influence of material and geometry on crash performance, a two-factor ANOVA was performed, highlighting geometry as the most significant factor across all evaluated metrics. Additionally, a comparative test with aluminum 6063-T5 demonstrates that PLA-CF offers comparable crashworthiness, with advantages in mass reduction, reduced PCF, and enhanced design flexibility inherent in AM. These findings provide valuable guidance for material selection and structural optimization in FDM-based crash boxes. Full article
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23 pages, 6745 KiB  
Article
Crushing Modeling and Crushing Characterization of Silage Caragana korshinskii Kom.
by Wenhang Liu, Zhihong Yu, Aorigele, Qiang Su, Xuejie Ma and Zhixing Liu
Agriculture 2025, 15(13), 1449; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15131449 - 5 Jul 2025
Viewed by 355
Abstract
Caragana korshinskii Kom. (CKB), widely cultivated in Inner Mongolia, China, has potential for silage feed development due to its favorable nutritional characteristics, including a crude protein content of 14.2% and a neutral detergent fiber content below 55%. However, its vascular bundle fiber structure [...] Read more.
Caragana korshinskii Kom. (CKB), widely cultivated in Inner Mongolia, China, has potential for silage feed development due to its favorable nutritional characteristics, including a crude protein content of 14.2% and a neutral detergent fiber content below 55%. However, its vascular bundle fiber structure limits the efficiency of lactic acid conversion and negatively impacts silage quality, which can be improved through mechanical crushing. Currently, conventional crushing equipment generally suffers from uneven particle size distribution, high energy consumption, and low processing efficiency. In this study, a layered aggregate model was constructed using the discrete element method (DEM), and the Hertz–Mindlin with Bonding contact model was employed to characterize the heterogeneous mechanical properties between the epidermis and the core. Model accuracy was enhanced through reverse engineering and a multi-particle-size filling strategy. Key parameters were optimized via a Box–Behnken experimental design, with a core normal stiffness of 7.37 × 1011 N·m−1, a core shear stiffness of 9.46 × 1010 N·m−1, a core shear stress of 2.52 × 108 Pa, and a skin normal stiffness of 4.01 × 109 N·m−1. The simulated values for bending, tensile, and compressive failure forces had relative errors of less than 10% compared to experimental results. The results showed that rectangular hammers, due to their larger contact area and more uniform stress distribution, reduced the number of residual bonded contacts by 28.9% and 26.5% compared to stepped and blade-type hammers, respectively. Optimized rotational speed improved dynamic crushing efficiency by 41.3%. The material exhibited spatial heterogeneity, with the mass proportion in the tooth plate impact area reaching 43.91%, which was 23.01% higher than that in the primary hammer crushing area. The relative error between the simulation and bench test results for the crushing rate was 6.18%, and the spatial distribution consistency reached 93.6%, verifying the reliability of the DEM parameter calibration method. This study provides a theoretical basis for the structural optimization of crushing equipment, suppression of circulation layer effects, and the realization of low-energy, high-efficiency processing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Technology)
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25 pages, 1315 KiB  
Article
Use of Insect Meals in Dry Expanded Dog Food: Impact of Composition and Particulate Flow Characteristics on Extrusion Process and Kibble Properties
by Youhan Chen, Tucker Graff, Aidan C. Cairns, Ryley Griffin, Kaliramesh Siliveru, Julia Guazzelli Pezzali and Sajid Alavi
Processes 2025, 13(7), 2083; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13072083 - 1 Jul 2025
Viewed by 491
Abstract
This study explored the potential of insect proteins as an alternative to traditional meat and bone meals in nutritionally balanced dry expanded dog food. Four formulations containing black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFL), cricket flour (CF), poultry meal (PM), or fish meal (FM) [...] Read more.
This study explored the potential of insect proteins as an alternative to traditional meat and bone meals in nutritionally balanced dry expanded dog food. Four formulations containing black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFL), cricket flour (CF), poultry meal (PM), or fish meal (FM) at 30% inclusion were evaluated using powder rheology, extrusion trials, and analyses of kibble expansion and texture. BSFL and FM had lower specific basic flow energy (<13 mJ/kg) compared to PM and CF (>14 mJ/kg), leading to better flowability and improved extrusion stability and product consistency. High fat and chitin contents in CF and BSFL, respectively, resulted in higher bulk densities (328–382 g/L) than meat-and-bone-meal-based products (304–306 g/L). The insect-meal-based kibbles also had either a fragile (peak crushing force < 7 kg for BSFL) or very hard texture (force > 13 kg for CF). Results from a second experiment showed that including BSFL meal at lower levels (10%) alongside poultry meal mitigated the negative effects on kibble quality while improving process stability. Overall, the study suggests that defatting and partial, rather than complete, replacement of traditional proteins with insect meal could be more viable strategies for producing consistent, high-quality extruded pet food. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in the "Food Process Engineering" Section)
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18 pages, 6659 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Surface Defect Removal by Slide Burnishing
by Agnieszka Skoczylas, Kazimierz Zaleski and Jakub Matuszak
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(13), 7398; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15137398 - 1 Jul 2025
Viewed by 307
Abstract
This study determines the influence of technological parameters of slide burnishing on the size of surface defects (scratches). The experiment was performed on ring-shaped samples of C45 steel. The samples had scratches made on their surface with a nominal depth from 10 μm [...] Read more.
This study determines the influence of technological parameters of slide burnishing on the size of surface defects (scratches). The experiment was performed on ring-shaped samples of C45 steel. The samples had scratches made on their surface with a nominal depth from 10 μm to 70 μm. Slide burnishing was carried out using a variable force and feed. It was observed that regardless of the applied force and feed, scratches with a nominal depth of 10 μm and 20 μm were completely removed, and a “crushing” effect occurred. As for other surface defects, they were 2 to 27 times smaller compared to their values before burnishing. The surface roughness parameters Ra, Rt, Rpk, Rk, and Rvk decreased. Their values were 42% to 91% lower than those observed after grinding. The thickness of the strengthened layer ranged from 10 μm to 15 μm, and the degree of strengthening was from 20% to 38% at a depth of 1 μm. Compressive residual stresses occurred in the surface layer. Taking into account the surface layer properties and the effectiveness of surface defect removal, it should be noted that the most beneficial effects were obtained at F = 150 N and f = 0.03 mm/rev. Full article
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19 pages, 4705 KiB  
Article
An Improved Thermodynamic Energy Equation for Stress–Dilatancy Behavior in Granular Soils
by Ching S. Chang and Jason Chao
Geotechnics 2025, 5(3), 43; https://doi.org/10.3390/geotechnics5030043 - 24 Jun 2025
Viewed by 273
Abstract
This study proposes an advanced thermodynamic energy equation to accurately simulate the stress–dilatancy relationship in granular soils for both uncrushed and crushed sands. Traditional energy formulations primarily consider dissipation energy and often neglect the role of free energy. Recent developments have introduced free [...] Read more.
This study proposes an advanced thermodynamic energy equation to accurately simulate the stress–dilatancy relationship in granular soils for both uncrushed and crushed sands. Traditional energy formulations primarily consider dissipation energy and often neglect the role of free energy. Recent developments have introduced free energy components to account for plastic energy contributions from dilation and particle crushing. However, significant discrepancies between theoretical predictions and experimental observations remain, largely due to the omission of complex mechanisms such as contact network rearrangement, force-chain buckling, grain rolling, rotation without slip, and particle crushing. To address these gaps, the proposed model incorporates dual exponential decay functions into the free energy framework. Rather than explicitly modeling each mechanism, this formulation aims to phenomenologically capture the interplay between fundamentally opposing thermodynamic forces arising from complex mechanisms during granular microstructure evolution. The model’s applicability is validated using the experimental results from both uncrushed silica sand and crushed calcareous sand. Through extensive comparison with over 100 drained triaxial tests on various sands, the proposed model shows substantial improvement in reproducing stress–dilatancy behavior. The average discrepancy between predicted and measured ηD relationships is reduced to below 15%, compared to over 60% using conventional models. This enhanced energy equation provides a robust and practical tool for predicting granular soil behavior, supporting a wide range of geotechnical engineering applications. Full article
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17 pages, 6132 KiB  
Article
Crash Performance of Additively Manufactured Tapered Tube Crash Boxes: Influence of Material and Geometric Parameters
by Ahmed Saber, Mehmet Ali Güler, Erdem Acar, Omar Soliman ElSayed, Hussain Aldallal, Abdulrahman Alsadi and Yousef Aldousari
Designs 2025, 9(3), 72; https://doi.org/10.3390/designs9030072 - 12 Jun 2025
Viewed by 947
Abstract
Crash boxes play a crucial role in mitigating force during vehicle collisions by absorbing impact energy. Additive manufacturing (AM), particularly Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), has emerged as a promising method for their fabrication due to its design flexibility and continuous advancements in material [...] Read more.
Crash boxes play a crucial role in mitigating force during vehicle collisions by absorbing impact energy. Additive manufacturing (AM), particularly Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), has emerged as a promising method for their fabrication due to its design flexibility and continuous advancements in material development. This study investigates the crash performance of tapered crash box configurations, each manufactured using two FDM materials: Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polylactic Acid (PLA-CF) and Polylactic Acid Plus (PLA+). The specimens vary in wall thickness and taper angles to evaluate the influence of geometric and material parameters on crashworthiness. The results demonstrated that both specific energy absorption (SEA) and crush force efficiency (CFE) increase with wall thickness and taper angle, with PLA-CF consistently outperforming PLA+ in both metrics. ANOVA results showed that wall thickness is the most influential factor in crashworthiness, accounting for 73.18% of SEA variation and 58.19% of CFE variation. Taper angle contributed 13.49% to SEA and 31.49% to CFE, while material type had smaller but significant effects, contributing 0.66% to SEA and 0.11% to CFE. Regression models were developed based on the experimental data to predict SEA and CFE, with a maximum absolute percentage error of 4.97%. These models guided the design of new configurations, with the optimal case achieving an SEA of 32.086 ± 0.190 kJ/kg and a CFE of 0.745 ± 0.034. The findings confirm the potential of PLA-CF in enhancing the energy-absorption capability of crash boxes, particularly in tapered designs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Post-manufacturing Testing and Characterization of Materials)
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16 pages, 1871 KiB  
Article
Prediction of Circulation Load of Side-Flanged High-Pressure Grinding Rolls Closed-Circuit Crushing
by Nan Li, Lixia Li, Jiaqi Wang, Zhe Liu, Quan Feng, Qiang Zhang, Hui Liu, Bern Klein and Bing Li
Minerals 2025, 15(6), 603; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15060603 - 4 Jun 2025
Viewed by 337
Abstract
To enhance the performance of the combined high-pressure grinding roller (HPGR) and tower mill (TM) process for −1 mm particle size, this study addresses the key technical challenges of insufficient material quantity (<100 kg) and complex experimental procedures in HPGR closed-circuit crushing tests [...] Read more.
To enhance the performance of the combined high-pressure grinding roller (HPGR) and tower mill (TM) process for −1 mm particle size, this study addresses the key technical challenges of insufficient material quantity (<100 kg) and complex experimental procedures in HPGR closed-circuit crushing tests by proposing a novel circulating load prediction method based on the principle of mass balance and first-order crushing kinetics. Using a side-flanged HPGR WGM 6020 installation, systematic −1 mm HPGR closed-circuit crushing tests were conducted on seven different ore samples under three specific pressing forces, with detailed characterization of the dynamic variations in product size distribution, specific energy consumption, and circulating load during each cycle. The results demonstrate that within the specific pressing force range of 3.5 N/mm2 to 4.5 N/mm2 when the crushing process reaches equilibrium, the circulating load stabilizes between 100% and 200%, while the specific energy consumption is maintained within 1–2.5 kWh/t. Notably, at the specific pressing force of 4.5 N/mm2, both the circulating load and specific energy consumption rapidly achieve stable states, with ore characteristics showing no significant influence on the number of cycles. To validate the model accuracy, additional samples were tested for comparative analysis, revealing that the deviations between the model-predicted −1 mm product content and circulating load and the experimental results were less than ±5%, confirming the reliability of the proposed method. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
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24 pages, 15831 KiB  
Article
Experimental Investigation on Static Performance of Novel Precast Concrete Composite Slab–Composite Shear Wall Connections
by Xiaozhen Shang, Ming Zheng, Yutao Guo, Liangdong Zhuang and Huqing Liang
Buildings 2025, 15(11), 1935; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15111935 - 3 Jun 2025
Viewed by 584
Abstract
The connection zones between precast concrete composite slabs and composite walls commonly experience severe reinforcement conflicts due to protruding rebars, significantly reducing construction efficiency. To address this, a novel slotted concrete composite slab–composite shear wall (SCS-CW) connection without protruding rebars is proposed in [...] Read more.
The connection zones between precast concrete composite slabs and composite walls commonly experience severe reinforcement conflicts due to protruding rebars, significantly reducing construction efficiency. To address this, a novel slotted concrete composite slab–composite shear wall (SCS-CW) connection without protruding rebars is proposed in this study. In this novel connection, rectangular slots are introduced at the ends of the precast slabs, and lap-spliced reinforcement is placed within the slots to enable force transfer across the joint region. To investigate the static performance of SCS-CW connections, four groups of connection specimens were designed and fabricated. Using the structural detailing of the connection zone as the variable parameter, the mechanical performance of each specimen group was analyzed. The results show that the specimens demonstrated bending failure behavior. The key failure modes were yielding of the longitudinal reinforcement in the post-cast layer, yielding of the lap-spliced reinforcement, and concrete crushing at the precast slab ends within the plastic hinge zone. Compared to composite slab–composite wall connections with protruding rebars, the SCS-CW connections demonstrated superior ductility and a higher load-carrying capacity, satisfying the design requirements. Additionally, it was revealed that the anchorage length of lap-spliced reinforcement significantly affected the ultimate load-carrying capacity and ductility of SCS-CW connections, thus highlighting anchorage length as a critical design parameter for these connections. This study also presents methods for calculating the flexural bearing capacity and flexural stiffness of SCS-CW connections. Finally, finite element modeling was conducted on the connections to further investigate the influences of the lap-spliced reinforcement quantity, diameter, and anchorage length on the mechanical performance of the connections, and corresponding design recommendations are provided. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Building Structures)
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28 pages, 15295 KiB  
Article
Innovation in the Use of Recycled and Heat-Treated Glass in Various Applications: Mechanical and Chemical Properties
by Cristian Epure, Corneliu Munteanu, Bogdan Istrate, Maria Harja, Fabian Cezar Lupu and Dorin Luca
Coatings 2025, 15(6), 651; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15060651 - 28 May 2025
Viewed by 485
Abstract
By decreasing manufacturing costs for different civic purposes, glass recycling is an economically significant technology that also helps conserve natural resources and mitigates environmental problems. Throughout the recycling process, this study used recycled domestic glass in compliance with European guidelines for recycling of [...] Read more.
By decreasing manufacturing costs for different civic purposes, glass recycling is an economically significant technology that also helps conserve natural resources and mitigates environmental problems. Throughout the recycling process, this study used recycled domestic glass in compliance with European guidelines for recycling of household garbage. The purpose of this research is to examine the chemical and mechanical properties of recycled and crushed glass with particle sizes varying from 0.1 mm to 2 mm as a function of various treatment temperatures. This might pave the way for novel building materials, artwork, and interior design components, among other potential uses. “Silica glass”, the most common and ancient kind of glass, which includes SiOk, NakO, CaO, and small amounts of other elements, was utilized in the investigation. Several materials can be successfully modified or altered using step heat treatment. The mechanical and chemical properties of recycled and shattered glass were assessed using microhardness, compressive, and chemical testing. These samples were then compared to mosaics from Murano, Italy, and Dynasty Smalti, China. The recycled and heat-treated glass produced microhardness values of 550.6 HV and 555.0 HV, respectively, when tested with forces of 0.981 N and 2.942 N. These values were higher than those of Murano (Italy) and were comparable to those of Dynasty Smalti mosaic (China). Furthermore, compression testing demonstrated that tempered and heat-tempered glass, which might include up to 5 g of TiO2, could endure compressive strains of up to 16 MPa. This is in sharp contrast to Dynasty Smalti, which could only withstand tensions of 6–8 MPa, and Murano, which could only withstand stresses of 3–4 MPa. Tests conducted chemically over a seven-day period using KOH at 30 g/L and 100 g/L, along with HCl at 3% and 18%, showed that the samples did not alter in any way; their surface, color, and weight were untouched. Crushing and heating recycled glass makes it a viable alternative to using new glass in civil engineering projects. This helps make material reuse more efficient, which in turn helps the environment. Sturdy and resilient in a variety of contexts, the material shares mechanical and chemical properties with standard mosaics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ceramic and Glass Material Coatings)
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20 pages, 5144 KiB  
Article
Characterisation of the Pump-Suction Flow Field of Antarctic Krill and Key Influencing Factors
by Ping Liu, Liqun Lin and Zhiqiang Xu
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(11), 5836; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15115836 - 22 May 2025
Viewed by 448
Abstract
To address the problem of high damage rates and low efficiency during Antarctic krill pumping, this study used Discrete Phase Modelling (DPM) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to analyse how krill–water mixing ratios and centrifugal pump speeds affect flow dynamics and mechanical stresses. The [...] Read more.
To address the problem of high damage rates and low efficiency during Antarctic krill pumping, this study used Discrete Phase Modelling (DPM) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to analyse how krill–water mixing ratios and centrifugal pump speeds affect flow dynamics and mechanical stresses. The simulation results show that a 4/6 krill-water ratio and a rotation speed of 550–600 rev/min minimise wall collision forces and krill crowding forces, thereby significantly reducing damage. Lower rotation speeds result in uneven force distribution, while higher rotation speeds have the potential to cause localised stress peaks. A mixing ratio deviation of 4/6 increases wall collisions (3/7) or interkrill crushing (5/5). These results provide a feasible guide for the design of krill suction pumps that will improve krill survival and contribute to the sustainability of the Antarctic krill fishery. Full article
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29 pages, 11151 KiB  
Article
Fracture Threshold Analysis and Parameter Matching of Cut-Out Induced Bolts for Subway Couplers
by Lei Yang, Shuguang Yao, Ping Xu, Fan Zou, Minhan Xie and Jie Xing
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(10), 5751; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15105751 - 21 May 2025
Viewed by 288
Abstract
The overload protection device is crucial in ensuring the orderly absorption of kinetic energy by the coupler buffer device. This paper studies an overload protection bolt with a cut-out zone. In the bolt impact experiment, a premature fracture of 10.9-grade M24 bolts was [...] Read more.
The overload protection device is crucial in ensuring the orderly absorption of kinetic energy by the coupler buffer device. This paper studies an overload protection bolt with a cut-out zone. In the bolt impact experiment, a premature fracture of 10.9-grade M24 bolts was observed. Based on the analysis of the results, it was concluded that this phenomenon was caused by the mismatch between the mechanical properties of the bolts and the dynamic performance of the coupler. Building on this test, a numerical simulation model was established and subsequently validated. The width and depth of the inducing structure were selected as the research objects. Using the Latin Hypercube method, 78 sets of cut-out zone structure parameters were generated, and numerical simulations were performed on the cut-out induced bolts. The simulation results indicate that the peak force generated by the coupler collision leads to necking in the cut-out induced bolts, which consequently weakens their mechanical properties to some extent. Therefore, it is necessary to consider a strength margin when designing cut-out induced bolts. Based on the simulation results, a surrogate model was constructed, and the optimal bolt cut-out zone was obtained through optimization: a width of 17.74 mm and a depth of 1.37 mm. The surrogate model predicted a fracture force of 1894.13 kN for the bolts. An impact test was conducted to verify the performance of the optimized cut-out induced bolts. The experimental results showed that the cut-out induced bolts broke after the crush tube completed its kinetic energy absorption, with a fracture force of 1828.44 kN, which was a 3.59% difference from the predicted value of the surrogate model. After optimization, the fracture force of the cut-out induced bolts increased from 1147.5 kN to 1828.44 kN (a 59.34% improvement), while the fracture time extended from 20.9 ms to 69 ms, fully meeting the design requirements of the overload protection device. Full article
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23 pages, 4051 KiB  
Article
Parameter Optimization and Experimental Study on Alfalfa Stem Flattening Process Based on DEM–MBD
by Zhikai Yang, Keping Zhang, Jinlong Yang and Yaping Yao
Agriculture 2025, 15(9), 922; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15090922 - 23 Apr 2025
Viewed by 417
Abstract
To address issues such as uneven flattening and high stem breakage rate in post-harvest alfalfa field conditioning operations, an adjustable-clearance flattening and modulating device was designed. The device incorporates a dual-spring floating pressure mechanism and preload adjustment mechanism to ensure the adaptive performance [...] Read more.
To address issues such as uneven flattening and high stem breakage rate in post-harvest alfalfa field conditioning operations, an adjustable-clearance flattening and modulating device was designed. The device incorporates a dual-spring floating pressure mechanism and preload adjustment mechanism to ensure the adaptive performance of conditioning rollers during alfalfa stem flattening. Based on the biological characteristics of alfalfa stems, a rigid–flexible coupling model between stems and the flattening and modulating device was established. Using the Discrete Element Method (DEM) and Multibody Dynamics (MBD) co-simulation technology, experiments were conducted with feeding amount, roller speed, and buffer spring preload force as test factors, while stem crushing rate and bonding key fracture rate served as evaluation indices. Box–Behnken experimental design was employed to simulate the dynamic conditioning process, followed by regression analysis of the simulation results. The findings revealed optimal parameter combinations as follows: feeding amount of 5.10 kg/s, modulation roller speed of 686.87 r/min, and buffer spring preload force of 670.02 N. According to the optimal combination of parameters to carry out field tests, the average flattening rate of stem and stem crushing rate were 95.71% and 1.73%, respectively, which showed small relative error with the predicted value and met the requirements of alfalfa steam flattening and modulation operation. These research findings provide theoretical basis and technical support for the design and optimization of alfalfa flattening and modulating devices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Technology)
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