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Scaling properties of randomly folded plastic sheets
Alexander S Balankin1, Iván Campos Silva, Omar Antonio Martínez
1Grupo Mecánica Fractal, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México Distrito Federal, Mexico.
Summary
Randomly folded aluminum sheets exhibit scaling properties, including fractal dimension and force scaling exponent, that are independent of thickness. These findings highlight the importance of bending rigidity and self-avoidance in plastic sheet folding.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Physics
- Surface Science
Background:
- Understanding the mechanical and scaling properties of thin, flexible materials is crucial in various scientific and engineering fields.
- Random folding is a common phenomenon observed in thin sheets, leading to complex surface morphologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the scaling properties of randomly folded aluminum sheets.
- To determine the influence of sheet thickness on these scaling properties.
- To compare experimental results with theoretical models.
Main Methods:
- Experimental study of randomly folded aluminum sheets with varying thicknesses (h) and widths (L).
- Measurement of fractal dimension (D) and force scaling exponent (delta).
- Comparison with numerical simulations of triangulated self-avoiding surfaces.
Main Results:
- The fractal dimension (D=2.30±0.01) and force scaling exponent (delta=0.21±0.02) were found to be independent of sheet thickness.
- Experimental results closely matched numerical simulations of self-avoiding surfaces with bending and stretching rigidity.
Conclusions:
- Finite bending rigidity and self-avoidance are the dominant factors governing the scaling behavior of randomly folded plastic sheets.
- The observed scaling properties are robust and not significantly affected by sheet thickness within the studied range.
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