Inter-organizational design processes are inefficiently supported by management tools w.r.t. to their dynamic nature and inherent complexity. In this paper, we present an innovative framework for the definition, analysis, improvement, and management of such design processes. Key features are to bridge the gap between modeling and execution of inter-organizational design processes and the seamle...

From the Department of Materials Science and Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Hyogo, Hyogo 671-2280; Department of Life Science, Graduate School of Life Science, University of Hyogo, Hyogo 678-1297; RIKEN Harima Institute, SPring-8 Center, Hyogo 679-5148; Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Department of Intelligence Mechanical Technology, G...

Blends of nylon-6 with polybutadiene were prepared with comparable morphology and different molecular weights of the matrix. These specimens were tested using the notched Izod impact test and the notched tensile impact test. An increase in molecular weight resulted in a shift of the brittle-to-tough transition temperature of 40°C to lower temperatures. In the notched tensile impact tests, espec...

Polyamide 6 intercalated/exfoliated (PIE) cements are fabricated and characterized. With the reinforcing nanointerphase, the flexure strength of a PIE cement is higher than that of ordinary cements by an order of magnitude. The optimum nanointerphase content is around 10 wt.%. This technique has great potential in developing advanced precast and repair technologies. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rig...

Nylon 6, 6 is regarded as tough and ductile materials since it exhibit high tensile elongation to break and high drop weight impact strengths. However, under conditions of stress concentration such as in the presence of sharp notches or cracks, polyamides exhibit brittle failure. This property, evaluated as notched Izod or Charpy impact tests, indicates that unmodified polyamides exhibit relati...