Rigid polyurethane foams (RPUFs) are essential materials in structural applications due to their thermal insulation, lightweight properties, and mechanical strength. However, evaluating and comparing their compressive performance is complicated by differences in formulation parameters such as density, aging, and crosslink density. This study proposes a standardized normalization approach to evaluate compressive properties across diverse RPUF formulations by adjusting all data to a common reference density. Samples were subjected to controlled aging conditions and analyzed using dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) to investigate the relationship between crosslinking behavior and mechanical performance. The results demonstrate that aging, formulation composition, and isocyanate index significantly influence the foam’s compressive strength and modulus, as well as its thermal transitions. The proposed method enables a more reliable and efficient comparison of RPUF performance, offering practical implications for optimizing formulation design in construction, automotive, and aerospace applications where mechanical integrity and durability are critical.
In this work a hybrid composite materials were prepared containing matrix of polymer (polyethylene PE) reinforced by different reinforcing materials (Alumina powder + Carbon black powder CB + Silica powder). The hybrid composite materials prepared are: • H1 = PE + Al2O3 + CB • H2 = PE + CB + SiO2 • H3 = PE + Al2O3 + CB + SiO2 All samples related to electrical tests were prepared by injection molding process. Mechanical tests include compression with different temperatures and different chemical solutions at different immersion times The mechanical experimentations results were in favour of the samples (H3) with an obvious weakness of the samples (H1) and a decrease of these properties with a rise in temperature and the increasing
... Show MoreAbstract Background: The daily usage of maxillofacial prostheses causes them to mechanically deteriorate with time. This study was aimed to evaluate the reinforcement of VST50F maxillofacial silicone by using yttrium oxide (Y2O3) nanoparticles (NPs) to resist aging and mechanical deterioration. Materials and Method: Y2O3 NPs (30–45nm) were loaded into VST50F maxillofacial silicone in two weight percentages (1 and 1.5 wt%), which were predetermined in a pilot study as the best rates for improving tear strength with minimum increase in hardness values. A total of 120 specimens were prepared and divided into the control and experimental groups (with 1 and 1.5 wt% Y2O3 addition). Each group included 40 specimens, 10 specimens for each paramet
... Show MoreDue to the low cost of both unsaturated polyester resin and the plant fibers along with protect of the environment, the wasted Carrot fibers were employed in this study to strengthen and color the resin. Carrot peels powders have been incorporated with unsaturated polyester/ natural fibers (UPE/C.F) gel coats to form a good candidate with good mechanical behaviors in different industrial applications. The wasted carrot peels fibers, were dried, crashed and milled into micro particles sizes (2.5% microns) to improve the mechanical properties (impact energy, Compressive load and Elastic Modulus) of unsaturated polyester. Micro carrot fibers (C.F) have been loaded to unsaturated fibers a
In the geotechnical and terramechanical engineering applications, precise understandings are yet to be established on the off-road structures interacting with complex soil profiles. Several theoretical and experimental approaches have been used to measure the ultimate bearing capacity of the layered soil, but with a significant level of differences depending on the failure mechanisms assumed. Furthermore, local displacement fields in layered soils are not yet studied well. Here, the bearing capacity of a dense sand layer overlying loose sand beneath a rigid beam is studied under the plain-strain condition. The study employs using digital particle image velocimetry (DPIV) and finite element method (FEM) simulations. In the FEM, an experiment
... Show MoreThe nuclear level density parameter in non Equi-Spacing Model (NON-ESM), Equi-Spacing Model (ESM) and the Backshifted Energy Dependent Fermi Gas model (BSEDFG) was determined for 106 nuclei; the results are tabulated and compared with the experimental works. It was found that there are no recognizable differences between our results and the experimental -values. The calculated level density parameters have been used in computing the state density as a function of the excitation energies for 58Fe and 246Cm nuclei. The results are in a good agreement with the experimental results from earlier published work.
Background: There is a strong desire of adolescent to have a peer group and to be appreciated and also to become a member of this group which can affect one each other. There for; encourage, adapting,and imitating of friends and group consider as the main reasons behind starting of smoking among youngsters. Smoking habits in the family were found tobe acause of smoking pressure among adolescentas peer pressure. Smoking habit may be started before 18 years of age in most adult smokers.
Objectives: To study the effect of peer pressure and family smoking habiton the prevalence of smoking among secondary school students.
Type of the study: A cross
... Show MoreIn this research, the performance of asphalt mixtures modified with polyethylene polymer (PE) by adding 2%, 4%, and 6% percentages was evaluated. Two kinds of PE are employed: Low-Density PE (LDPE) and High-Density PE (HDPE). The semi-wet mixing technique (SWM) was conducted to avoid stability issue for PE-modified binder during storage condition. Many experimental tests were conducted to evaluate the ability of these mixtures to withstand the effects of loads and moisture. The hardness index of these mixtures was also measured to determine their resistance to the effects of high temperatures without causing permanent deformations. The results showed that adding PE led to a remarkable enhancement in the performance of PE-modified mixtures.
... Show MoreSelf-compacted concrete (SCC) considered as a revolution progress in concrete technology due to its ability for flowing through forms, fusion with reinforcement, compact itself by its weight without using vibrators and economic advantages. This research aims to assess the fresh properties of SCC and study their effect on its compressive strength using different grading zones and different fineness modulus (F.M) of fine aggregate. The fineness modulus used in this study was (2.73, 2.82,2.9& 3.12) for different zones of grading (zone I, zone II& marginal zone(between zone I&II)) according to Iraqi standards (I.Q.S No.45/1984).Twelve mixes were prepared, each mix were tested in fresh state with slump, V-Funnel and L-Box tests, then 72
... Show More