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DESIGN, ASSEMBLY AND CHARACTERIZATION OF COMPOSITE ...

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70.0 g of ENP 800 nickel powder is added. A rigorous mixing, using the non-contact<br />

planetary mixer (AR-250, THINKY, Tokyo, Japan), is applied for 2 minutes to<br />

homogenize the aqueous nickel suspension at φsolids = 0.57. Subsequently, 1.40 g of<br />

HPMC stock solution and 0.35 g of Darvan 821A are added to the suspension, followed<br />

by thorough mixing. Finally, 1.10 g of DI water is mixed with the nickel gel to lower the<br />

solid volume fraction to φsolids = 0.472. Following this preparation, the Ni colloidal gel<br />

may be consistently extruded though a 200 diameter µm printing tip (5127-0.25-B, EFD,<br />

East Providence, RI).<br />

4.2.4. Rheological Characterization of Nickel Gels<br />

The viscoelastic behavior of the Ni ink is characterized by oscillatory shear<br />

measurement for Darvan 821A:PEI-25K ratios of 5:2, 3:2 and 2:2. The Bohlin C-VOR<br />

200 rheometer with the C14 serrated cup and bob geometry is used to measure<br />

rheological properties. Temperature is fixed at 23 °C and a solvent trap is used to<br />

minimize water evaporation. For oscillatory measurement of shear modulus, the nickel<br />

ink is subject to a 60 minute oscillatory pre-shear at 1Hz with a controlled shear stress at<br />

0.02 Pa, then undisturbed for 30 minutes. Afterwards, an increasing shear stress (τ) from<br />

10 Pa to 1000 Pa is applied. Complex shear modulus (G*) is measured as a function of<br />

stress amplitude, but elastic shear modulus (G') is the only data reported. The yield stress<br />

(τy) of the gel is taken as the stress magnitude where G' dropped to 90% of the maximum<br />

value during a stress sweep experiment starting from low stress.<br />

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