Andreas T. Echtermeyer

Bio: Andreas T. Echtermeyer is an academic researcher from Norwegian University of Science and Technology. The author has contributed to research in topics: Glass fiber & Epoxy. The author has an hindex of 15, co-authored 74 publications receiving 864 citations.

Mechanism of Yellowing: Carbonyl Formation during Hygrothermal Aging in a Common Amine Epoxy.

Abstract: Epoxies are often exposed to water due to rain and humid air environments. Epoxy yellows during its service time under these conditions, even when protected from UV radiation. The material’s color is not regained upon redrying, indicating irreversible aging mechanisms. Understanding what causes a discoloration is of importance for applications where the visual aspect of the material is significant. In this work, irreversible aging mechanisms and the cause of yellowing were identified. Experiments were performed using a combination of FT-NIR, ATR-FT-IR, EDX, HR-ICP-MS, pH measurements, optical microscopy, SEM, and DMTA. Such extensive material characterization and structured logic of investigation, provided the necessary evidence to investigate the long-term changes. No chain scission (hydrolysis or oxidation-induced) was present in the studied common DGEBA/HDDGE/IPDA/POPA epoxy, whilst it was found that thermo-oxidation and leaching occurred. Thermo-oxidation involved evolution of carbonyl groups in the polymeric carbon–carbon backbone, via nucleophilic radical attack and minor crosslinking of the HDDGE segments. Four probable reactive sites were identified, and respective reactions were proposed. Compounds involved in leaching were identified to be epichlorohydrin and inorganic impurities but were found to be unrelated to yellowing. Carbonyl formation in the epoxy backbone due to thermo-oxidation was the cause for the yellowing of the material.

Enzymatic-Assisted Modification of Thermomechanical Pulp Fibers To Improve the Interfacial Adhesion with Poly(lactic acid) for 3D Printing

Abstract: The present study is about the enzymatic modification of thermomechanical pulp (TMP) fibers for reduction of water uptake and their use in bio-based filaments for 3D printing. Additionally, TMP was used as a fiber reinforcing material and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) as the polymer matrix. The hydrophilic TMP fibers were treated via laccase-assisted grafting of octyl gallate (OG) or lauryl gallate (LG) onto the fiber surface. The modified TMP fibers showed remarkable hydrophobic properties, as demonstrated by water contact angle measurements. Filaments reinforced with OG-treated fibers exhibited the lowest water absorption and the best interfacial adhesion with the PLA matrix. Such higher chemical compatibility between the OG-treated fibers and the PLA enabled better stress transfer from the matrix to the fibers during mechanical testing, which led to the manufacture of strong filaments for 3D printing. All of the manufactured filaments were 3D-printable, although the filaments containing OG-treated fibers yie...

Measuring changing strain fields in composites with Distributed Fiber-Optic Sensing using the optical backscatter reflectometer

Abstract: Background/purpose Measurements of strains in critical components are often required in addition to finite element calculations when evaluating a structure. Methods This paper describes how standard optical fibers, bonded to the surface or embedded in a laminate, can measure strain fields along the entire length of the fiber, using the optical backscatter reflectometer. Results A strain field measurement can be much better compared to simulations than the more common single point measurements with strain gauges or Bragg Gratings. Changes of the strain field can be related to damage development and can be used for structural health monitoring. Practical aspects of using the fibers are also discussed. Conclusion Distributed Fiber-Optic Sensing was successfully embedded and bonded to a composite joint. Adhesive damage was identified and the strain field agreed well with FE-Analysis.

Effects of temperature and strain rate on the deformation of amorphous polyethylene: a comparison between molecular dynamics simulations and experimental results

Abstract: Molecular dynamics simulations are used to investigate the effects of temperature and strain rate on the deformation of amorphous polyethylene. The simulations predict the effects of temperature and strain rate on the stress–strain responses, Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio similar to those observed in laboratory experiments performed by other researchers. The time–temperature superposition principle is applied to the Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio to form a master curve to address the discrepancies in strain rates between the simulations and the experiments. Differences in the numbers of monomers and chains, the degree of crystallinity and molecular orientation lead to discrepancies in the Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio between simulations and experiments.

Fast parallel algorithms for short-range molecular dynamics

Abstract: Three parallel algorithms for classical molecular dynamics are presented. The first assigns each processor a fixed subset of atoms; the second assigns each a fixed subset of inter-atomic forces to compute; the third assigns each a fixed spatial region. The algorithms are suitable for molecular dynamics models which can be difficult to parallelize efficiently—those with short-range forces where the neighbors of each atom change rapidly. They can be implemented on any distributed-memory parallel machine which allows for message-passing of data between independently executing processors. The algorithms are tested on a standard Lennard-Jones benchmark problem for system sizes ranging from 500 to 100,000,000 atoms on several parallel supercomputers--the nCUBE 2, Intel iPSC/860 and Paragon, and Cray T3D. Comparing the results to the fastest reported vectorized Cray Y-MP and C90 algorithm shows that the current generation of parallel machines is competitive with conventional vector supercomputers even for small problems. For large problems, the spatial algorithm achieves parallel efficiencies of 90% and a 1840-node Intel Paragon performs up to 165 faster than a single Cray C9O processor. Trade-offs between the three algorithms and guidelines for adapting them to more complex molecular dynamics simulations are also discussed.

A review of distributed optical fiber sensors for civil engineering applications

Abstract: The application of structural health monitoring (SHM) systems to civil engineering structures has been a developing studied and practiced topic, that has allowed for a better understanding of structures’ conditions and increasingly lead to a more cost-effective management of those infrastructures In this field, the use of fiber optic sensors has been studied, discussed and practiced with encouraging results The possibility of understanding and monitor the distributed behavior of extensive stretches of critical structures it’s an enormous advantage that distributed fiber optic sensing provides to SHM systems In the past decade, several R & D studies have been performed with the goal of improving the knowledge and developing new techniques associated with the application of distributed optical fiber sensors (DOFS) in order to widen the range of applications of these sensors and also to obtain more correct and reliable data This paper presents, after a brief introduction to the theoretical background of DOFS, the latest developments related with the improvement of these products by presenting a wide range of laboratory experiments as well as an extended review of their diverse applications in civil engineering structures

Hydrogen: A sustainable fuel for future of the transport sector

Abstract: Mobility (transport of people and goods) is a socio-economic reality and need for which is bound to grow in the coming years. Modes of transport should be safe, economic and reasonably environmental friendly. Hydrogen could be ideal as a synthetic energy carrier for transport sector as its gravimetric energy density is very high, abundantly available in combined form on the earth and its oxidation product (water) does not contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. However, its sustainable production from renewable resources economically, on-board storage to provide desirable driving range, usage in durable energy conversion devices and development of infrastructure for its delivery remain significant challenges. In this article, recent developments in the field of production, storage, transport and delivery of hydrogen along with environmental and safety aspects of its use as an energy carrier are presented. Almost any energy source can be used to produce hydrogen. Presently, non-renewable sources dominate hydrogen production processes but the need of the hour is to develop and promote the share of renewable sources for hydrogen production to make it completely sustainable. Hydrogen may be used as fuel for almost any application, where fossil fuels are used presently and would offer immediate benefits over the conventional fuels, if produced from renewable sources. For achieving a successful "hydrogen economy" in the near future, the technical and economic challenges associated with hydrogen must be addressed quickly. Finding feasible solutions to different challenges may take some time but technological breakthrough by way of on-going efforts do promise hydrogen as the ultimate solution for meeting our future energy needs for the transport sector.

FDM 3D Printing of Polymers Containing Natural Fillers: A Review of their Mechanical Properties

Abstract: As biodegradable thermoplastics are more and more penetrating the market of filaments for fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing, fillers in the form of natural fibers are convenient: They have the clear advantage of reducing cost, yet retaining the filament biodegradability characteristics. In plastics that are processed through standard techniques (e.g., extrusion or injection molding), natural fibers have a mild reinforcing function, improving stiffness and strength, it is thus interesting to evaluate whether the same holds true also in the case of FDM produced components. The results analyzed in this review show that the mechanical properties of the most common materials, i.e., acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and PLA, do not benefit from biofillers, while other less widely used polymers, such as the polyolefins, are found to become more performant. Much research has been devoted to studying the effect of additive formulation and processing parameters on the mechanical properties of biofilled 3D printed specimens. The results look promising due to the relevant number of articles published in this field in the last few years. This notwithstanding, not all aspects have been explored and more could potentially be obtained through modifications of the usual FDM techniques and the devices that have been used so far.