D Dalmas | Searcharxiv

arXiv2021

A versatile flexure-based 6-axes force/torque sensor and its application to tribology

Six-axes force/torque sensors are increasingly needed in mechanical engineering. Here, we introduce a flexure-based design for such sensors, which solves some of the drawbacks of the existing designs. In particular, it is backlash-free, it can be wirelessly monitored, it exactly enforces 90 degrees angles between axes, and it enables visual inspection of the monitored system thanks to its hollow structure. We first describe the generic design, implementation and calibration procedure. We then demonstrate its capabilities through three illustration examples relevant to the field of tribology: low friction measurements under ultra-high vacuum, multi-directional friction measurements of elastomer contacts, and force/torque-based contact position monitoring.

physics.med-ph↗

arXiv2015

Finite size effects on crack front pinning at heterogeneous planar interfaces: Experimental, finite elements and perturbation approaches

Understanding the role played by the microstructure of materials on their macroscopic failure properties is an important challenge in solid mechanics. Indeed, when a crack propagates at a heterogeneous brittle interface, the front is trapped by tougher regions and deforms. This pinning induces non-linearities in the crack propagation problem, even within Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics theory, and modifies the overall failure properties of the material. For example crack front pinning by tougher places could increase the fracture resistance of multilayer structures, with interesting technological applications. Analytical perturbation approaches, based on Bueckner-Rice elastic line models, focus on the crack front perturbations, hence allow for a description of these phenomena. Here, they are applied to experiments investigating the propagation of a purely interfacial crack in a simple toughness pattern: a single defect strip surrounded by homogeneous interface. We show that by taking into account the finite size of the body, quantitative agreement with experimental and finite elements results is achieved. In particular this method allows to predict the toughness contrast, i.e. the toughness difference between the single defect strip and its homogeneous surrounding medium. This opens the way to a more accurate use of the perturbation method to study more disordered heterogeneous materials, where the finite elements method is less adequate. From our results, we also propose a simple method to determine the adhesion energy of tough interfaces by measuring the crack front deformation induced by known interface patterns.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗