Polycarbosilane-derived silicon carbide MEMS component fabricated by slip casting with SU8 micro mold
In this paper, we describe a new production method for microscale silicon carbide (SiC) ceramics parts. Slip casting with SU8 micro mold was carried out for the fabrication of a three-dimensional SiC MEMS component, which was made from polycarbosilane (PCS) precursor-derived SiC nano powder. SiC nano powder was mixed with a PCS solution. The slips were then cast into SU8 micro mold made on porous tungsten carbide (WC) plate. Firing at 1273 K was conducted for SU8 evaporation and PCS pyrolysis. We have succeeded in producing microscale SiC ceramics gears using the “μ slip casting” technique.
Characteristics of polycarbosilanes produced under different synthetic conditions and their influence on SiC fibers: Part I
Abstract SiC fibers can be obtained by the spinning, curing, and heat treatment of polycarbosilane (PCS); however, the properties of the PCS precursor must be considered to set the correct spinning conditions. Although many studies have focused on the synthesis conditions, the characterization (in particular, the structural characteristics) of PCS fibers, and the polymer itself has limitations. In this study, PCS was prepared in two steps, and the growth of the polymer with respect to the reaction conditions was analyzed. We found that PCS is formed and grown by the rearrangement and subsequent condensation reactions of polydimethylsilane (PDMS). Further, fiber formation was affected by the reaction temperature, time, and pressure. Three types of PCS were obtained under different synthetic conditions, and they were all characterized. Regardless of the structural similarity of the PCS fibers (based on the spectroscopic analysis), the polymers showed different thermal and rheological properties. Our findings will be important in improving the production of PCS fibers (and subsequent SiC fibers) with finely controlled properties.
Evaluation of buckling load and dynamic performance of steel shear wall retrofitted with strips made of shape memory alloy
One of the most imperfections of the steel shear wall is out of plane displacements that cause severe damage in both structural and non-structural elements. In this paper, the effects of shape-memory alloys on steel shear walls are investigated. First, a numerical analysis using the finite element method in ABAQUS software has been carried out according to an experimental test. The results of the numerical analysis have been verified with experimental results. Next, shape-memory alloy fibers have been added vertically and horizontally to various parts of the steel shear wall. The results show that retrofitting with the shape-memory alloy reduces the out-of-plane displacement of the steel shear wall under both cyclic and seismic loadings. Besides, the buckling load in the steel shear wall increases when it is retrofitted with the shape-memory alloy. Also, the total out-of-plane movement (accumulated absolute displacements) of the steel shear wall and non-structural damage are controlled by the characteristic of a shape-memory alloy material called “super-elastic”.