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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Multifunctional Silk Fibroin Hydrogels with Strong Adhesion for Tissue Sealing and Wearable Electronic Sensors

Multifunctional hydrogels with excellent adhesion, biodegradability, and conductivity are essential for overcoming the obstacles of postoperative secondary injury, flexible sensing instability, and so on. Herein, we develop a multifunctional silk fibroin (SF) hydrogel modified with poly(acrylic acid). Owing to the stable chemical cross-linking network and the abundant carboxylic acid groups of the SF network, the SF hydrogel exhibits a high tensile strength of 74.34 kPa due to sufficient cohesion and interfacial interactions. Additionally, the tensile strain reaches a maximum of 414.6%, the compressive strength is 0.9 MPa, and the shear adhesive strength for pig skin tissues is as high as 64 kPa. Compared with most hydrogels, our multifunctional SF hydrogel with a low swelling ratio provides excellent adhesion, biodegradation, and conductivity, which shows advantages in terms of invasive tissue sealing. Furthermore, the use of self-adhesive SF hydrogels as conductive hydrogels in flexible sensors also benefits the collection of physiological electricity and human motion signals in the field of wearable and implantable electronic devices.

adhesive↗
DOE OSTI2020

Microscale mechanical modeling of deformable geomaterials with dynamic contacts based on the numerical manifold method

Abstract Micromechanical modeling of geomaterials is challenging because of the complex geometry of discontinuities and potentially large number of deformable material bodies that contact each other dynamically. In this study, we have developed a numerical approach for micromechanical analysis of deformable geomaterials with dynamic contacts. In our approach, we detect contacts among multiple blocks with arbitrary shapes, enforce different contact constraints for three different contact states of separated, bonded, and sliding, and iterate within each time step to ensure convergence of contact states. With these features, we are able to simulate the dynamic contact evolution at the microscale for realistic geomaterials having arbitrary shapes of grains and interfaces. We demonstrate the capability with several examples, including a rough fracture with different geometric surface asperity characteristics, settling of clay aggregates, compaction of a loosely packed sand, and failure of an intact marble sample. With our model, we are able to accurately analyze (1) large displacements and/or deformation, (2) the process of high stress accumulated at contact areas, (3) the failure of a mineral cemented rock samples under high stress, and (4) post-failure fragmentation. The analysis highlights the importance of accurately capturing (1) the sequential evolution of geomaterials responding to stress as motion, deformation, and high stress; (2) large geometric features outside the norms (such as large asperities and sharp corners) as such features can dominate the micromechanical behavior; and (3) different mechanical behavior between loosely packed and tightly packed granular systems.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Estimation of constituent properties of concrete materials with an artificial neural network based method

Multi-scale models are developed for heterogeneous concrete materials to estimate their macroscopic mechanical properties in terms of micro-structural data. One crucial challenge of those models is the identification of local properties of constituent phases. In this paper, we present an efficient method based on Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). Typical concrete materials are taken as example. A macroscopic analytical strength criterion is established from three steps of nonlinear homogenization procedure. The macroscopic strength of materials is determined as a function of the frictional coefficient and cohesion of solid cement particles at nanometer scale, intra-particle pores, inter-particle pores and aggregates (inclusions). The objective is to identify the nanoscopic frictional coefficient and cohesion of cement particle from measured macroscopic values of uniaxial compression and tensile strengths. For this purpose, a numerical method based on the ANN is developed. With the analytical macroscopic strength criterion, sensitivity studies are first realized to identify the most important micro-structural parameters influencing the macroscopic strength of concrete. A simplified analytical macroscopic strength criterion is then proposed. A large dataset is further constructed through the inversion of the analytical strength criterion by using the aggregates volume fraction, porosity, macroscopic uniaxial tensile and compressive strengths as input variables and the frictional coefficient and cohesion of cement particles as output unknowns. An ANN model containing four hidden layers and 100 neurons in each layer is constructed and trained by using this dataset. Various types of validation of the ANN model are performed. It is found that the proposed ANN based model can effectively predict the frictional coefficient and cohesion of porous cement paste at the microscopic scale with a very good accuracy.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Influence of Shear Strength Assumptions on BISON Debonding Simulations

Accurately predicting the thermomechanical response of buffer–IPyC debonding in TRISO fuel particles requires reliable mechanical property inputs for each coating layer, particularly the normal and shear strengths that influence interlayer delamination and stress concentrations. Micro tensile testing of AGR-2 fuel particles provided experimentally measured normal strengths for the buffer, IPyC, and buffer–IPyC interface; however, shear strength was not measured. As a result, BISON simulations of interface debonding must rely on assumed shear strength values, typically estimated as 20–40% of the measured ultimate tensile strength. This study evaluates how these assumed shear strength values influence cohesive zone model (CZM) predictions of buffer–IPyC separation in AGR 2 TRISO particles. Using micro tensile data from three AGR 2 compacts (2 1 3, 5 1 3, and 6 3 3), BISON simulations were performed with multiple shear strength assumptions to quantify their effect on radial and tangential stress evolution, debonding, and gap propagation. The results show that shear strength is a high sensitivity parameter: increasing the assumed shear strength significantly alters the stress distribution at the buffer–IPyC junction, shifts the predicted debonding location, and changes the extent of partial gap formation. While normal strength controls the initiation of interface separation, shear strength strongly influences the mode mixity of the failure process and the resulting stress concentrations transmitted to the IPyC and SiC layers. These findings highlight a critical gap in current TRISO mechanical characterization. Without experimentally measured shear strength, BISON simulations must rely on approximations that introduce uncertainty into predictions of coating layer integrity and fission product barrier performance. Future fuel qualification campaigns should therefore consider measurement of shear strength at the interlayer interfaces to reduce model uncertainty and improve the fidelity of TRISO fuel performance simulations.

11 - NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Microstructural features underpinning the mechanical behavior of powder metallurgy Cr-based alloys

Refractory materials such as Cr-based alloys offer the potential of enhanced elevated temperature performance but have been limited by their poor formability. However, powder metallurgy has been shown to be a viable pathway to fabricate these alloys. Nanophase separation sintering (NPSS) in particular has been used in the literature to accelerate the densification of powder metallurgy Cr- and W-based alloys. Here, we explore microstructure evolution during NPSS in a binary Cr 85 Ni 15 alloy consolidated via (i) cold pressing & pressureless sintering and (ii) hot isostatic pressing followed by hot extrusion & hot upsetting, and the role of these different processing routes on resulting material properties. The alloy lacked room temperature tensile ductility regardless of consolidation process, with multi-length scale characterization, including scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atom probe tomography, X-ray diffraction, and uniaxial tensile testing, revealing that brittleness was due to intrinsically poor Cr grain boundary cohesion. Tensile testing conducted at 760 °C showed marked strength reduction for the extruded & upset (94 %) condition compared to the pressed & sintered (18 %). The formation of orthorhombic CrNi 2 intermetallics functioned as precipitate strengtheners and prevented elevated temperature softening in the pressed and sintered condition. The findings offer foundational insights into aiding the future development of Cr-based alloys.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Polymer-Grafted Cellulose Nanofibrils with Enhanced Interfacial Compatibility for Stronger Poly(lactic acid) Composites

Cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) are a promising reinforcement for biodegradable composite matrices such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA), but they require commercially scalable drying methods that preserve their fibrillar morphology along with improved interfacial interactions with polymer matrices. In this work, a water-based grafting-through polymerization scheme to modify CNFs improved spray drying behavior and reinforcement capacity in PLA composites. All polymer modifications yielded CNFs with a more fibrillar morphology after spray drying, increasing specific surface area by up to 490% compared to unmodified CNFs, values similar to conventional freeze drying. Polymer-grafted CNFs in PLA composites improved the tensile strength by 16% at 20 wt % loading and stiffness by 22% at a 10 wt % loading with two different graft-polymer chemistries compared to unmodified CNF composites. Surface energy heterogeneity measurements of the reinforcements and PLA matrix were employed to understand the improvements in composite properties. Polymer modifications lowered the total surface energy of the CNFs, and calculated ratios of work of adhesion to work of cohesion suggested improved interfacial compatibility for four of the modified CNFs with PLA. Rheological oscillatory shear studies of the composites correlated solid-like melt behavior, as demonstrated by storage moduli dominance, with higher tensile strength. Thermal analysis of the composites revealed that excessive plasticization by the poly(oligoethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate)-grafted sample potentially offset mechanical property improvements imparted by the more fibrillar morphology. This work provides an opportunity for large-scale manufacturing of CNF/PLA composites via an entirely aqueous modification scheme and industrially relevant spray drying process.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Elastomer Mechanics of Cross-Linked Linear-Ring Polymer Blends

Cross-linking a blend of linear and ring polymers creates a new topology-based dual-network elastomer in which the two components differ significantly in their topology. We use molecular simulations and topological analysis to examine key mechanical properties as functions of ring polymer volume fraction Φ R . For Φ R < Φ R *, where the rings begin to overlap, the network shear modulus G and the maximum stretch ratio λ p are weakly dependent on Φ R . For Φ R > Φ R *, entanglements trapped in the network are diluted as the rings overlap, leading to a significant decrease in G and an increase in λ p with increasing Φ R . Here, the peak tensile stress, σ p , exhibits a maximum around Φ R *, indicating an enhancement of network strength due to the stronger cohesion from the entanglements between linear and ring polymers.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Interfacial Strength in Hierarchical Carbon Fiber Composites: Interplay of Interphase Modulus and Roughness

A facile, direct deposition approach that exploits van der Waals interactions between carbonaceous materials is utilized to create unidirectional hybrid carbon fiber composites. Two small molecule crosslinkers, a trifunctional aromatic (TL) and a difunctional aliphatic (DL) acyl chloride, are first utilized to create a crosslinked interphase with a softer and stiffer modulus respectively. TL crosslinked interphase with a higher modulus improved the tensile strength by 50%, despite non-covalent linking between fiber and matrix, elucidating the critical role of the interphase in alleviating modulus mismatch between the high modulus carbon fiber and the rubbery matrix. Fractional quantities of carbon nanotubes are additionally dispersed in the small molecule crosslinkers which behaved as a dispersant, helping introduce nanoasperities on the carbon fiber surface. Strong “pi-pi” interactions between CNTs and CF contributed to tensile properties, which are increased by 66% compared to the control. A cohesive zone model suggests that a stiffer interphase is better able to exploit surface heterogeneities and roughness on the fiber, synergistically enhancing interfacial strength.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Modeling the interfacial failure and resulting mechanical properties of z-pinned additively manufactured composites

The mechanical properties of Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) parts are limited in the build direction, albeit advantages such as design flexibility and in-house customization. Here, in this paper, a novel z-pinning approach that enhances mechanical properties in the build direction by depositing material across multiple layers within the part was investigated through numerical simulations and validated experimentally. A finite element model for z-pinned composite structures was developed by assigning fiber-orientation dependent material properties obtained using a micromechanics approach to beads and pins. The bead-to-bead and pin-to-pin adhesions within the z-pinned structures were modeled using a cohesive traction separation law. The properties of cohesive elements for carbon fiber-reinforced polylactic acid (CF-PLA) z-pinned composites were calibrated using tensile experiments. The elastic modulus and tensile strength of CF-PLA z-pinned composites in the build direction were predicted with the developed numerical model. The numerical investigation on various geometrical parameters revealed that the largest pin volume increases the stiffness and tensile strength by 40% and thus, has the greatest influence on the mechanical properties of the z-pinned composites. The effect of z-pin geometrical parameters on the mechanical properties was summarized to aid in the design of z-pinned additively manufactured composite structures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Correlating viscosity and die swell in 3D printing of polyphenylsulfone: A thermo-mechanical optimization modus operandi

Additive manufacturing (AM) of polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), an amorphous high-performance polymer (HPP), has shown promise in exhibiting structural integrity for many applications. With thermoplastic material extrusion 3D printing, parts consisting of layered melts exhibited voids, where the adhesion quality and void size depend on the processing parameters implemented during printing. However, the structure-process-property (SPP) relationships between the thermal properties and rheological and mechanical behavior of AM PPSU are poorly understood. Here, in this study, a comprehensive analysis of the thermal, thermo-mechanical, and layer-by-layer build-up of PPSU is investigated and correlated with viscosity and extrudate die swell behavior with void fraction volume as confirmed by high-resolution x-ray computed tomography (XCT). Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) pyrolysis confirmed PPSU composition and degradation at 480 °C, consistent with thermo-gravimetric analysis TGA. A 141% difference in viscosity was observed when processing temperatures increased from 350 °C to 400 °C. Likewise, extrudate die swell decreased with increasing temperatures, resulting in a 17% difference. Tensile and compressive properties confirmed that higher extruding temperatures resulted in lower porosity and higher mechanical strength. In general, higher extruding temperatures lower the viscosity to allow for stronger cohesion between layers; however, increasing the temperature too high results in a below unity extrudate die swell, reducing mechanical properties. Therefore, to optimize the mechanical integrity of 3D printed amorphous PPSU parts, an increase in the viscosity, near unity of the extrudate die swell, and tempered extrusion temperature are needed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Uncertainty quantification for competing failure mechanisms in unidirectionally reinforced carbon–carbon composites

Microstructure-informed finite element models play a key role in the carbon–carbon composite design process. Variability in manufacturing process parameters and experimental limitations introduce model parameter uncertainty. This study quantifies the effect of model parameter uncertainty on transverse tensile fracture behavior and proposes a methodology to predict the failure mode based on competing microscale damage mechanisms. Finite element simulations incorporate fiber–matrix interface debonding with cohesive zones and matrix damage with a smeared crack band approach in a unidirectional carbon–carbon composite. Results from a variance-based global sensitivity analysis identifies interfacial and matrix damage parameters as the primary source of variability in fracture behavior. Sobol’ indices indicate that matrix and cohesive zone strengths contribute 94% of the variance in the effective ultimate stress. A local analysis elucidates the relationship between these constituent strength parameters and failure mode by estimating the probability of cohesive, matrix, and mixed-mode dominated failure. Based on the results for 4000 simulations, 93% exhibit mixed-mode or interfacial dominated failure, which underscores the crucial role of fiber–matrix interface debonding in the transverse tensile failure of carbon–carbon composites. These uncertainty quantification results facilitate more efficient model calibration and provide a framework for microstructure-informed failure predictions in the face of manufacturing-induced uncertainty.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Splitting tensile strength of shale cores: intact versus fractured and sealed with ureolysis-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (UICP)

Ureolysis-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (UICP) is a biomineral solution where the urease enzyme converts urea and calcium into calcium carbonate. The resulting biomineral can bridge gaps in fractured shale, reduce undesired fluid flow, limit fracture propagation, better store carbon dioxide, and potentially enhance well efficiency. The mechanical properties of shale cores were investigated using a modified Brazilian indirect tensile strength test. An investigation of intact shale using Eagle Ford and Wolfcamp cores was conducted at varying temperatures. Results show no significant difference between shale types (average tensile strength = 6.19 MPa). Eagle Ford displayed higher strength at elevated temperature, but temperature did not influence Wolfcamp. Comparatively, cores with a single, lengthwise heterogeneous fracture were sealed with UICP and further tested for tensile strength. UICP was delivered via a flow-through method which injected 20–30 sequential patterns of ureolytic microorganisms and UICP-promoting fluids into the fracture until permeability reduced by three orders of magnitude or with an immersion method which placed cores treated with guar gum and UICP-promoting fluids into a batch reactor, demonstrating that guar gum is a suitable inclusion and may reduce the number of flow-through injections required. Tensile results for both delivery methods were variable (0.15–8 MPa), and in some cores the biomineralized fracture split apart, possibly due to insufficient sealing and/or heterogeneity in the composite UICP-shale cores. Notably in other cores the biomineralized fracture remained intact, demonstrating more cohesion than the surrounding shale, indicating that UICP may produce a strong seal for subsurface application.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Unveiling Atomistic Mechanisms Governing Additive Manufacturing Processability and Mechanical Behavior of a Refractory Complex Concentrated Alloy

Extending the concept of complex concentrated alloys (CCAs) to the refractory alloys (solidus temperature over 2000 °C) space potentially facilitates the design of lightweight structural alloys with service temperatures that exceed those of Ni and Co‐based alloys. However, the room and elevated temperature tensile properties of the current refractory‐CCAs (R‐CCAs) are inferior to those of the Ni/Co‐based alloys. Furthermore, the manufacturing scalability of R‐CCAs remains challenging, in that cracks are prevalent in all R‐CCAs when processed using near‐net shape manufacturing processes, such as fusion‐based additive manufacturing (F‐BAM). Still, mechanisms governing the poor F‐BAM processability of R‐CCAs remain unexplored. Here, to this end, this work unveils the atomistic mechanisms underlying F‐BAM process‐induced cracking in a NbTiTaMoHfZrC R‐CCA. The implications of light elements’ presence for intrinsic ductility and grain boundary cohesion, and subsequently for F‐BAM processability and mechanical behavior, are revealed. Leveraging the insights, we accomplish what is, to the best of the knowledge, the first instance of crack‐free F‐BAM processing of any R‐CCA. Additionally, the R‐CCA exhibits over 20% tensile ductility and ≈160 MPa tensile yield strength at 1200 °C. In addition to facilitating the design of lightweight R‐CCAs, findings enable scalable manufacturing of these ultra‐high temperature alloys for structural applications.

Refractory alloys↗
DOE OSTI2026

Geomechanical properties of the Meletta sandstone - the high-temperature heat storage reservoir rock of DeepStor

The DeepStor project aims at storing excess heat at temperatures up to 140 °C in the depleted Leopoldshafen oil field at a depth of about 1300 m. In order to gain knowledge on the target horizons, the different layers of the Meletta sandstone, samples cored in a block retrieved in a quarry near Nussloch where the Meletta sandstone outcrops were studied. Several petrophysical properties were investigated including mineralogy, porosity, permeability, thermal conductivity, P- and S-wave velocities and quality factor. A mechanical study focused on compressive strength under uniaxial and triaxial stress conditions, tensile strength, critical pressure and stress-dependence of physical properties. Our results show that the Meletta sandstone is heterogeneous, anisotropic, mechanically weak, stress-sensitive and prone to water weakening. Petrophysical measurements on few Meletta sandstone cores retrieved in boreholes at about 1250 m depth showed that the outcrop samples are significantly less cohesive and weaker. Therefore, one should consider the Nussloch outcrop as a good reservoir analog only with great caution. Several models were applied to account for our experimental results on anisotropy, mechanical behavior and stress-dependence of the outcrop samples. Our study provides a valuable data set which can feed numerical models to simulate the behavior of the host formation during heat exchange operations in the DeepStor project.

Geomechanics↗
DOE OSTI2020

Advancement of Commercial Intumescent Expanding Foams for Deactivation and Decommissioning in the Nuclear Sector - 20198

Florida International University (FIU), in collaboration with The Department of Energy's Office of Environmental Management (DOE-EM), Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL), and sites across the Savannah River complex, have identified an operational requirement for a fixative technology that is intended to immobilize and/or isolate residual contamination within a 3-dimensional space. Fixation of radiological contamination can reduce worker risk and mitigate potentially hazardous conditions, however nearly every marketed contamination fixative has been found to be flammable; a significant concern in radiological facilities. Coupled with this, industry fixatives are normally used as a thin coating which can present problems when attempting to stabilize irregular geometry or areas that are difficult to access whilst ensuring full coverage. The technical evaluation and advancement of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) polyurethane foams has yielded a down-selected candidate that shows potential in meeting the requirements to support deactivation and decommissioning activities. Several performance criteria have been established and tested to progress the technology readiness level towards an active field demonstration (TRL-7). Such criteria include: mechanical failure limits, adhesive and cohesive properties, thermal/fire resilience, determining thermal behavior, ability to immobilize contamination, and a means of non-destructive evaluation of applications. The test scenario examined was targeted towards an application for decommissioning nuclear pipework, in which the down-selected polyurethane foam would act as a barrier to segregate pipework and mitigate the potential for release during cutting, packaging, and storage operations. Testing carried out at SRNL included: mechanical evaluation of tensile, compressive, and adhesion strength by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), as well as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). FIU examined the foam's fixative properties by utilizing phosphorescent europium-dysprosium doped strontium aluminate powder to investigating the extent to which contamination can be immobilized. FIU has also exploited previous successes in the field of intumescent technologies to assess the down-selected foam's tolerance to an extreme fire scenario, while maintaining the ability to effectively mitigate a contamination release. Parallel to this, extensive thermal investigations were carried out to determine the upper boundary of anticipated heat generation during the curing process as heat generation has the potential to compromise rubber parts of contaminated enclosures. These investigations subsequently yielded a promising method for a non-destructive application evaluation by means of infrared thermography. Utilizing the high sensitivity of modern IR cameras, coupled with the heat generated during the curing process of the polyurethane foam, FIU has been exploring the concept of monitoring the external pipe surface for indications of an irregular or abnormal application, thus informing operational decision making. The testing carried out utilized several current 'best fit' ASTM standards, which serve as helpful guidelines for testing, however, a precise definition of the operational parameters and requirements is still necessary. With continued collaboration with SRNL, FIU aims refine said definitions and develop new standards by which this, and other decommissioning technologies, can be accredited by relevant standards based testing. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2026

An Experimental and Numerical Study of Plasma Treatment Effects on Adhesive Joints of Metals, CFRTPs, and Metal–CFRTP Combinations

This work investigates the effects of plasma surface treatment on both the local adherend–adhesive interfacial strength and the global lap shear strength (LSS) of adhesively-bonded joints composed of metals, CFRTPs, and metal-CFRTP combinations, using AA6061 and CFRPPA as representative examples. Experimental and computational results show that plasma treatment improved the ratio of CFRPPA–adhesive interfacial normal strength to adhesive tensile strength (sint,n/scri,t,adhesive) from 0.59–1.00 to 0.91–1.73, leading to an average 90% increase in LSS for CFRPPA-related joints. In contrast, the LSS and sint,n/scri,t,adhesive values of AA6061–AA6061 joints (>=2.27) remained nearly unchanged after plasma treatment. The enhanced joint bonding was further supported by post-failure surface morphologies from three-dimensional profilometry and simulations, showing a transition from dominant interfacial failure to mixed modes involving interfacial, cohesive, and slight fiber-peeling failures. The LSS evolution with respect to sint,n/scri,t,adhesive was numerically established until the saturation of the LSS of various joints, and the behavior of AA6061–CFRPPA T-joints with varying interfacial strengths was also modeled. This study highlights the importance of local interfacial bonding strength, rather than global LSS, for understanding and optimizing the mechanical performance of adhesively-bonded composite–metal and composite-composite structures via different surface modification strategies.

Qiao, Yao (ORCID:0000000265867604)↗
DOE OSTI2020

Water-Dependent Blending of Pectin Films: The Mechanics of Conjoined Biopolymers

Biodegradable pectin polymers have been recommended for a variety of biomedical applications, ranging from the delivery of oral drugs to the repair of injured visceral organs. A promising approach to regulate pectin biostability is the blending of pectin films. To investigate the development of conjoined films, we examined the physical properties of high-methoxyl pectin polymer-polymer (homopolymer) interactions at the adhesive interface. Pectin polymers were tested in glass phase (10–13% w/w water content) and gel phase (38–41% w/w water content). The tensile strength of polymer-polymer adhesion was measured after variable development time and compressive force. Regardless of pretest parameters, the adhesive strength of two glass phase films was negligible. In contrast, adhesion testing of two gel phase films resulted in significant tensile adhesion strength (p < 0.01). Adhesion was also observed between glass phase and gel phase films—likely reflecting the diffusion of water from the gel phase to the glass phase films. In studies of the interaction between two gel phase films, the polymer-polymer adhesive strength increased linearly with increasing compressive force (range 10–80 N) (R 2 = 0.956). In contrast, adhesive strength increased logarithmically with time (range 10–10,000 s) (R 2 = 0.913); most of the adhesive strength was observed within minutes of contact. Fracture mechanics demonstrated that the adhesion of two gel phase films resulted in a conjoined film with distinctive physical properties including increased extensibility, decreased stiffness and a 30% increase in the work of cohesion relative to native polymers (p < 0.01). Scanning electron microscopy of the conjoined films demonstrated cross-grain adhesion at the interface between the adhesive homopolymers. These structural and functional data suggest that blended pectin films have emergent physical properties resulting from the cross-grain intermingling of interfacial pectin chains.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗