Performing Microscope-Mounted Y-Shaped Cutting Tests

Summary

Y-shaped cutting measures fracture-relevant length scales and energies in soft materials. Previous apparatuses were designed for benchtop measurements. This protocol describes the fabrication and use of an apparatus that orients the setup horizontally and provides the fine positioning capabilities necessary for in situ viewing, plus failure quantification, via an optical microscope.

Abstract

Y-shaped cutting has recently been shown to be a promising method by which to understand the threshold length scale and failure energy of a material, as well as its failure response in the presence of excess deformation energy. The experimental apparatus used in these studies was vertically oriented and required cumbersome steps to adjust the angle between the Y-shaped legs. The vertical orientation prohibits visualization in standard optical microscopes. This protocol presents a Y-shaped cutting apparatus that mounts horizontally over an existing inverted microscope stage, can be adjusted in three dimensions (X-Y-Z) to fall within the objective's field of view, and allows easy modification of the angle between the legs. The latter two features are new for this experimental technique. The presented apparatus measures the cutting force within 1 mN accuracy. When testing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), the reference material for this technique, a cutting energy of 132.96 J/m² was measured (32° leg angle, 75 g preload) and found to fall within the error of previous measurements taken with a vertical setup (132.9 J/m² ± 3.4 J/m²). The approach applies to soft synthetic materials, tissues, or bio-membranes and may provide new insights into their behavior during failure. The list of parts, CAD files, and detailed instructions in this work provide a roadmap for the easy implementation of this powerful technique.

Introduction

Nonlinear continuum mechanics has provided a critical lens through which to understand the concentration of energy that leads to failure in soft solids¹. However, the accurate prediction of this failure also requires descriptions of the microstructural characteristics that contribute to new surface creation at the crack tip^2,3. One method to approach such descriptions is through in situ visualization of the crack tip during failure^4,5. However, crack blunting in typical far-field fracture tests makes the acquisition of ....

Protocol

1. Adjustment and manufacturing of modifiable and consumable parts

1. Use a laser cutter or 3D printer to manufacture disposable ABS or acrylic tabs that fit within the width of the sample legs, B1 and B2 (7.5 mm x 7.5 mm for a 1.5 cm x 7 cm x 3 mm sample) (Figure 1B and Figure 2D). Two tabs are needed for each test, one for each leg.
2. Razor blade clip
   NOTE: The exact dimensions of the required razor blade clip depend on.......

Discussion

The horizontal, Y-shaped cutting apparatus reported here enables in situ imaging capabilities along with improved ease-of-use for this failure technique. The apparatus includes a modular/portable design for quick mounting/unmounting from a microscope and continuous, pre-aligned leg angle adjustment. All the CAD files, required materials, and procedures have been included to facilitate the implementation of this method. In many instances (blade holders, sample holder, load-cell mount, mounting frame), the 3D-prin.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Buy Parts
1" OD Pulley	McMaster Carr	3434T75	Pulley for Wire Rope (Larger)
100 g Micro Load Cell	RobotShop	RB-Phi-203
1K Resistor	Digi-Key	CMF1.00KFGCT-ND	1 kOhms ±1% 1 W Through Hole Resistor Axial Flame Retardant Coating, Moisture Resistant, Safety Metal Film
1M Resistor	Digi-Key	RNF14FAD1M00	1 MOhms ±1% 0.25 W, 1/4 W Through Hole Resistor Axial Flame Retardant Coating, Safety Metal Film
3/8" OD Pulley	McMaster Carr	3434T31	Pulley for Wire Rope
4" Clear Protractor with Easy Read Markings	S&S Worldwide	LR3023
Breadboard	ECEB	N/A
IC OPAMP ZERO-DRIFT 2 CIRC 8DIP	Digi-Key	LTC1051CN8#PBF-ND
M2 x 0.4 mm Nut	McMaster Carr	90592A075	Steel Hex Nut
M2 x 0.4 mm x 25 mm	McMaster Carr	91292A032	18-8 Stainless Steel Socket Head Screw
M2 x 0.4 mm x 8 mm	McMaster Carr	91292A832	18-8 Stainless Steel Socket Head Screw
M3 x 0.5 mm x 15 mm	McMaster Carr	91290A572	Black-Oxide Alloy Steel Socket Head Screw
M3 x 0.5 mm x 16 mm	McMaster Carr	91294A134	Black-Oxide Alloy Steel Hex Drive Flat Head Screw
M3 x 0.5 mm, 4 mm High	McMaster Carr	90576A102	Medium-Strength Steel Nylon-Insert Locknut
M4 x 0.7 mm Nut	McMaster Carr	90592A090	Steel Hex Nut
M4 x 0.7 mm x 15 mm	McMaster Carr	91290A306	Black-Oxide Alloy Steel Socket Head Screw
M4 x 0.7 mm x 16 mm	McMaster Carr	91294A194	Black-Oxide Alloy Steel Hex Drive Flat Head Screw
M4 x 0.7 mm x 18 mm	McMaster Carr	91290A164	Black-Oxide Alloy Steel Socket Head Screw
M4 x 0.7 mm x 20 mm	McMaster Carr	91290A168	Black-Oxide Alloy Steel Socket Head Screw
M4 x 0.7 mm x 20 mm	McMaster Carr	92581A270	Stell Raised Knurled-Head Thumb Screw
M4 x 0.7 mm x 30 mm	McMaster Carr	91290A172	Black-Oxide Alloy Steel Socket Head Screw
M4 x 0.7 mm x 50 mm	McMaster Carr	91290A193	Black-Oxide Alloy Steel Socket Head Screw
M4 x 0.7 mm, 5 mm High	McMaster Carr	94645A101	High-Strength Steel Nylon-Insert Locknut
M5 x 0.8 mm Nut	McMaster Carr	90592A095	Steel Hex Nut
M5 x 0.8 mm x 16 mm	McMaster Carr	91310A123	High-Strength Class 10.9 Steel Hex Head Screw
M5 x 0.8 mm x 35 mm	McMaster Carr	91290A195	Black-Oxide Alloy Steel Socket Head Screw
M5 x 0.8 mm, 13 mm Head Diameter	McMaster Carr	96445A360	Flanged Knurled-Head Thumb Nut
M5 x 0.8 mm, 5 mm High	McMaster Carr	90576A104	Medium-Strength Steel Nylon-Insert Locknut
Solidworks	Dassault Systemes		CAD software
Wiring Kit	ECEB	N/A
XYZ Axis Manual Precision Linear Stage 60 mm x 60 mm Trimming Bearing Tuning Platform Sliding Table	OpticsFocus	N/A
Make Parts
Angle adjustment system- arm	3D Printing		solidworks: arms_arm_single.SLDPRT QTY: 2 Setting: Fast/0.2 mm layer height
Angle adjustment system- arms stationary	3D Printing		solidworks: arms_stationary.SLDPRT QTY: 1 Setting: Fast/0.2 mm layer height
Angle adjustment system- link	3D Printing		solidworks: arms_arm_link.SLDPRT QTY: 2 Setting: Fast/0.2 mm layer height
Angle adjustment system- slider	3D Printing		solidworks: arms_slider.SLDPRT QTY: 1 Setting: Fast/0.2 mm layer height
Angle adjustment system- spacer	3D Printing		solidworks: arms_front_spacer.SLDPRT QTY: 1 Setting: Fast/0.2 mm layer height
Clip- Blade clip	3D Printing		solidworks: Blade clip.SLDPRT QTY: 1 Setting: Fine/0.1 mm layer height
Clip- Blade clip mount	3D Printing		solidworks: Blade clip mount.SLDPRT QTY: 1 Setting: Fine/0.1 mm layer height
Frame arm	3D Printing		solidworks: frame arm.SLDPRT QTY: 2 Setting: Fast/0.2 mm layer height
Mounting platform	Laser Cut Acrylic		solidworks: mounting platform.SLDPRT QTY: 1
Pulley arm (left)	3D Printing		solidworks: pulley arm_Mirror.SLDPRT QTY: 1 Setting: Fast/0.2 mm layer height
Pulley arm (right)	3D Printing		solidworks: pulley arm.SLDPRT QTY: 1 Setting: Fast/0.2 mm layer height
Sample holder and tab- Clamp	3D Printing		solidworks: Clamp.SLDPRT QTY: 1 Setting: Fast/0.2 mm layer height
Sample holder and tab- Sample holder	3D Printing		solidworks: Sample holder.SLDPRT QTY: 1 Setting: Fast/0.2 mm layer height
Sample holder and tab- Tab	3D Printing		solidworks: Tab.SLDPRT QTY: 2 per test Setting: Fine/0.1 mm layer height, no brim
Vertical adjust system- Inner slide	3D Printing		solidworks: Inner slide.SLDPRT QTY: 1 Setting: Fast/0.2 mm layer height
Vertical adjust system- Outer slide	3D Printing		solidworks: Outer slide.SLDPRT QTY: 1 Setting: Fast/0.2 mm layer height