Hysteresis loops of fiber-reinforced ceramic-matrix composites under in-phase/out-of-phase thermomechanical and isothermal cyclic loading

In this paper, the stress?strain hysteresis loops of fiber-reinforced ceramic-matrix composites (CMCs) under in-phase/out-of-phase thermomechanical and isothermal cyclic loading have been investigated. The thermomechanical hysteresis loops models have been developed considering synergistic effects of thermal temperature cycling, stress levels and fiber/matrix interface debonding. The relationships between thermal cyclic temperatures, peak stress, fiber/matrix interface shear stress and stress?strain hysteresis loops under in-phase/out-of-phase thermomechanical and isothermal cyclic loading have been established. The effects of fiber volume fraction, peak stress, matrix crack spacing, interface frictional coefficient, interface debonded energy and temperature range on the stress?strain hysteresis loops under in-phase/out-of-phase thermomechanical and isothermal cyclic loading have been analyzed. The hysteresis loops of cross-ply SiC/magnesium aluminosilicate (MAS) composite under in-phase/out-of-phase thermomechanical and isothermal fatigue loading have been predicted.     

Chain orientation in natural rubber,Part I: The inverse yielding effect

Inhomogeneous deformations are observed in stretched natural rubber of different crosslink density; the conditions of observation, nucleation and propagation are given in the first part of the paper. In samples of low crosslink density these inhomogeneities recall necking observed in others materials and in glassy polymers when the materials are drawn above a critical draw ratio. The difference is that in natural rubbers, NR, they nucleate and propagate at constant stress during unloading. This phenomenon, called inverse yielding appears during recovery only if the samples have been drawn previously in the hardening domain. During necking propagation the stress is constant. The mechanical and crystallinity properties of samples with and without inverse yielding are studied as a function of draw ratio, crosslink density and temperature. In the second part of the paper this transition zone (neck) of thickness 2 mm is studied by WAXS at the synchrotron source. From the orientation of NR crystallites and from the orientation of the stearic acid (2%, present in this type of rubber) we conclude that the deformation in the neck follows the flow lines. From the local crystallinity of the NR crystallites one deduces the local draw ratio across this transition zone. We suggest that in all these rubbers, which present a plateau of the recovery stress strain curve, micronecking exists. This effect is discussed in the framework of the Flory theory.-1     

Structural micromechanics of oriented polymers

To clarify whether the interfibrillar slippage occurs on plastic deformation of oriented polymers, flow creep of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW PE) samples with various connectedness of microfibrils has been studied in a dead load mode at room temperature. The flow creep rate of melt-crystallized and gel-cast UHMW PE films drawn to various draw ratios, as well as of modified gel-crystallized samples (cross-linked/grafted or washed free of low molecular weight fraction) has been measured with the help of a unique laser interferometric technique (Doppler creep rate meter). The technique allows one to measure creep rates for deformation increments as small as 0.3 μ within an accuracy 1%. The interferometric technique enabled us to observe an extremely high variability of flow creep rate. It was recognized that the creep process accelerates or slows from time to time. A length of a loaded sample increased by multiple consecutive deformation jumps (or steps). The size distribution of the steps appeared to be controlled by the structure of interfibrillar regions. The influence of the latter on the variability of creep rate confirms a hypothesis that suggests a contribution of interfibrillar slippage to plastic deformation of oriented polymers. The observed phenomenon has been attributed to stick-slip motion of microfibrils and their aggregates sliding on each other under the action of applied stress. It was found that the creep rate decreases with increasing interfibrillar interaction.     

Relationship between regime of high temperature treatment and microstucture parameters in Fe−3%Si grain oriented steel

The one-stage cold rolled Fe?3%Si grain oriented electrotechnical steel was used as experimental material. The investigated steel was treated according 6 high temperature annealing (HTA) schedules with different heating rate and annealing atmosphere. The isothermal annealing at elevated temperatures in different atmospheres were carried out also. The analysis of relations between regime of HTA, features of inhibition particles system and microstructure and texture development during HTA was carried out.     

Formation of vortex flows in thin nematic cells

The director field reorientation and the formation of steady vortex flows in doubly and obliquely oriented thin liquid-crystal cells under the temperature gradient have been theoretically described within the nonlinear generalization of the classical Ericksen-Leslie theory for describing liquid crystal hydrodynamics. This generalization allowing the consideration of thermomechanical contributions to the shear stress and to the entropy balance equation has made it possible to describe the formation of a steady two-vortex flow in doubly oriented liquid-crystal cells.     

Thermomechanical response of an Ni–Ti–Cr shape-memory alloy at low and high strain rates

The thermomechanical response of an Ni–Ti–Cr shape-memory alloy is investigated at various initial temperatures, over a wide range of strain rates, using an Instron hydraulic testing machine and one of the modified split-Hopkinson-bar systems at the Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials, University of California, San Diego. The transition stress for the stress-induced martensite formation is observed to be quite sensitive to the initial deformation temperature, but the yield stress of the resulting martensite is not. The linear transition stress–temperature relation with a slope of 8.5?MPa?K^?1, obtained in a quasistatic loading regime, seems to remain valid for strain rates up to 500–700?s^?1. The transition stress and the yield stress of the stress-induced martensite show strain-rate sensitivity, increasing monotonically with increasing strain rate. There exists a certain critical strain rate at which the transition stress equals the yield stress of the material. This critical strain rate determines the material's deformation behaviour; the material deforms by the formation of stress-induced martensites and their subsequent yielding, when the strain rate is less than this critical value, and through dislocation-induced plastic slip of the parent austenite, when the strain rate exceeds the critical value. It appears that the critical strain rate increases slightly with decreasing initial temperature.     

Solid-state 13C NMR and synchrotron SAXS/WAXS studies of uniaxially-oriented polyethylene

We report solid-state ¹³C NMR and synchrotron wide-and small-angle X-ray scattering experiments (WAXS, SAXS) on metallocene linear low density polyethylene films (e.g., Exceed™ 1018 mLLDPE; nominally 1 MI, 0.918 density ethylene-hexene metallocene copolymer) as a function of uniaxial draw ratio, λ. Combined, these experiments provide an unambiguous, quantitative molecular view of the orientation of both the crystalline and amorphous phases in the samples as a function of draw. Together with previously reported differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), gas transport measurements, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), optical birefringence, small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) as well as other characterization techniques, this study of the state of orientation in both phases provides insight concerning the development of unusually high barrier properties of the most oriented samples (λ=10). In this work, static (non-spinning) solid-state NMR measurements indicate that in the drawn Exceed^TM films both the crystalline and amorphous regions are highly oriented. In particular, chemical shift data show the amorphous phase is comprised increasingly of so-called “taut tie chains” (or tie chains under any state of tautness) in the mLLDPE with increasing draw ratio – the resonance lines associated with the amorphous phase shift to where the crystalline peaks are observed. In the sample with highest total draw (λ=10), virtually all of the chains in the non-crystalline region have responded and aligned in the machine (draw) direction. Both monoclinic and orthorhombic crystalline peaks are observed in high-resolution, solid-state magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR measurements of the oriented PE films. The orientation is comparable to that obtained for ultra-high molecular weight HDPE fibers described as “ultra-oriented” in the literature. Furthermore, the presence of a monoclinic peak in cold-drawn samples suggests that there is an appreciable internal stress associated with the LLDPE. The results are confirmed and independently quantified by Herman's Orientation Function values derived from the WAXS measurements. The degree of orientation approaches theoretically perfect alignment of chains along the draw direction. We deduce from this observation that a high fraction of the non-crystalline chains are either tie chains that directly connect adjacent lamellae or are interlocking loops from adjacent lamellae. In either case, the chains are load-bearing and are consistent with the idea of “taut tie chains”. We note that transmission electron micrographs recorded for the ultra-oriented Exceed showed the lamellae are often appreciably thinner and shorter than they are for cast or blown Exceed 1018. Combined with higher crystallinity, the thinner lamellae statistically favor more tie chains. Finally, the remarkably large decrease in permeability of the λ=10 film is primarily attributed to the high degree of orientation (and loss of entropy) of the amorphous phase.     

Influence of isothermal approximation on the phase-field simulation of directional growth in undercooled melt

By using the phase-field approach,we have simulated the directional growth of alloys in undercooled moten states under the isothermal and nonisothermal conditions.The influences of the isothermal approximation on simulation results are discussed.We found that for undercooling greater than 25K,the isothermal approximation overestimates the interface growth velocity and reduces a critical velocity for an absolute stable planar interface,thus in this simulation,the uinterface morphology shows the plane-cell-plane transition with increasing initial undercooling of the mele,and the planar interface obtained under a large undercooling is absolutely stable.Whereas in the nonisothermal simulation,only plane-cell transition occures in the same range of the initial undercoolings of the melt,and the planar interface tends to be destabilized and evolve into cells.     

Shear-Banding Evolution Dynamics during High Temperature Compression of Martensitic Ti-6Al-4V Alloy

The isothermal compression dynamics of ternary Ti-6 Al-4 V alloy with initial martensitic structures were investigated in the high temperature range 1083-1173 K and moderate strain rate regime 0.01-10 s~(-1).Shear banding was found to still dominate the deformation mechanism of this process,despite its nonadiabatic feature.The constitutive equation was derived with the aid of Zener-Hollomon parameter,which predicted the apparent activation energy as 534.39 kJ/mol.A combination of higher deformation temperature and lower strain rate suppressed the peak flow stress and promoted the evolution of shear bands.Both experiments and calculations demonstrated that a conspicuous temperature rise up to 83 K could be induced by severe plastic deformation.This facilitated the dynamic recrystallization of deformed martensites,as evidenced by the measured microhardness profiles across shear bands.     

Creep in oriented thermoplastics

Sheets of oriented low-density polyethylene possessing transverse symmetry were prepared by simple tensile drawing at room temperature. The degree of anisotropy was varied by varying the draw ratio. Classic elasticity theory shows that five constants are necessary to characterize the deformation behavior of an elastic material possessing such symmetry. The time-dependent equivalents of these constants have been determined from the simultaneous measurement of longitudinal and lateral strain during tensile creep of specimens cut at 0, 45, and 90 deg to the draw direction. Special creep apparatus, able to handle small, flexible specimens, was developed for this study. The shear compliance obtained from the tensile creep studies was in good agreement with the value obtained from torsional creep measurements on a 0-deg specimen, for the entire range of draw ratios. The contraction measurements have been used to provide additional evidence for deformation mechanisms suggested by the longitudinal strain measurements and, when combined with tensile measurements, have allowed the volume changes occurring during tensile creep to be calculated.     

Stress relaxation in an Zr<Subscript>52.5</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>5</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>17.9</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>14.6</Subscript>Al<Subscript>10</Subscript> bulk metallic glass

The isothermal relaxation of stresses in a bulk metallic glass is measured at temperatures below the glass transition point. The kinetic law of relaxation is determined. It is argued that the stress relaxation in the temperature range covered is due to the irreversible structural relaxation oriented by an external stress and characterized by a distribution of activation energies.     

Faraday effect in Tb3Ga5O12 in a rapidly increasing ultrastrong magnetic field

The Faraday effect is measured in paramagnetic terbium gallate garnet Tb₃Ga₅O₁₂ at a wavelength λ=0.63 μm at 6 K in pulsed magnetic fields up to 75 T increasing at a rate of 10⁷ T/s for field orientation along the crystallographic direction 〈110〉. The experimental data are compared with the results of theoretical calculations taking into account the crystal fields acting on the Tb³⁺ ion and various contributions to the Faraday rotation. Since the measurements in pulsed fields are carried out in the adiabatic regime, the dependence of the sample temperature on the magnetic field acting during a current pulse is obtained from the comparison of the experimental dependence of Faraday rotation with the theoretically calculated dependences of the Faraday effect under isothermal conditions at various temperatures. __________ Translated from Fizika Tverdogo Tela, Vol. 44, No. 11, 2002, pp. 2013–2017. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2002 by Levitin, Zvezdin, Ortenberg, Platonov, Plis, Popov, Puhlmann, Tatsenko.     

Nonlinear dynamics of the critical state in hard superconductors and composites based on them

The nonlinear dynamics of the magnetic flux within a superconducting plate in response to the continuous rise in temperature over the course of the entire process of applying the magnetic field is investigated within the critical-state model. The results of numerical simulations based on a method developed to solve the system of Fourier and Maxwell equations with an unknown internal magnetic flux penetration boundary are compared with the corresponding analytical expressions of the isothermal theory. It is shown that the difference between the isothermal and nonisothermal models increases as the heat transfer coefficient decreases and as the rate of increase in the magnetic field strength and the transverse dimensions of the superconductor increase. The errors appearing in the isothermal approximation are very significant in the case of a thermally insulated, massive conductor. Consequently, the calculated values of the thermal losses occurring during the time period preceding the flux jump in the isothermal approximation can be significantly lower than the corresponding nonisothermal values. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 67, 29–33 (September 1997)     

Automatic measurement of the creep behavior of linear polymers in the course of homogeneous drawing

An automatic device was built, enabling the creep behavior of fibers of linear semicrystalline polymers to be studied during various stages of homogeneous drawing. The device first deforms the sample at constant speed up to a certain draw ratio; then, without interrupting the stress, the character of deformation is changed from deformation at constant speed to that caused by constant load (creep). It was verified that the method described supplies more detailed information on the changes of the mechanical behavior of polymers at various stages of orientation than does the more conventional stress-strain curve.     

Thermal conductivity of stretched and annealed poly (p-phenylene sulfide) films

The temperature variation of the thermal conductivities of as-prepared, mechanically stretched, as-prepared and then annealed PPS samples are presented. Unusually high thermal conductivity values are observed as compared to other polymeric materials. In agreement with the X-ray diffraction observations, the thermal conductivity of the oriented film is higher than that of the as-prepared or annealed films. The differences observed after stretching are comparable to those previously reported for polyethylene and polyacetylene films for the same draw ratios. These unusually high thermal conductivity values justify the use of PPS in devices where efficient heat dissipation, associated with electrical insulation, is required.     

Real Time Development of Structure in Partially Molten State Stretching of Polypropylene as Detected by Spectral Birefringence Technique: Effect of Isotacticity

The uniaxial deformation behavior of three polypropylene films with isotacticity indices varying from 43 to 95 was investigated in the partially molten state using real time, true stress, true strain, and birefringence measurement system. These polymers generally exhibit three regime stress‐birefringence behaviors during stretching. The unmelted crystalline regions act as physical junctions. If the films contain crystallinity that is too low (less than ca. 10%) the Regime I disappears. Under these conditions, the films were found to exhibit large linearity in strain and stress optical behavior. If, however, too low a deformation rate is employed, these relationships become non‐linear.

The increase of isotacticity increases the magnitude of the birefringence at all deformation levels primarily as a result of the increase in crystallinity that helps in establishing a long‐range physical network. This increase in the long‐range connectivity was found to promote not only the orientation in crystalline domains but also in the amorphous domains. The increased long‐range connectivity in high isotacticity films was also found to result in destruction of local initial structures that generate a large fraction of the oriented amorphous chain regions. This translates into larger stress decrease and birefringence increase changes during the holding stage where the oriented amorphous chains undergo complex relaxation/oriented crystallization processes.     

High‐temperature tensile cell for in situ real‐time investigation of carbon fibre carbonization and graphitization processes

A new high‐temperature fibre tensile cell is described, developed for use at the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory to enable the investigation of the carbonization and graphitization processes during carbon fibre production. This cell is used to heat precursor fibre bundles to temperatures up to ～2300°C in a controlled inert atmosphere, while applying tensile stress to facilitate formation of highly oriented graphitic microstructure; evolution of the microstructure as a function of temperature and time during the carbonization and higher‐temperature graphitization processes can then be monitored by collecting real‐time wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) patterns. As an example, the carbonization and graphitization behaviour of an oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibre was studied up to a temperature of ～1750°C. Real‐time WAXD revealed the gradual increase in microstructure alignment with the fibre axis with increasing temperature over the temperature range 600–1100°C. Above 1100°C, no further changes in orientation were observed. The overall magnitude of change increased with increasing applied tensile stress during carbonization. As a second example, the high‐temperature graphitizability of PAN‐ and pitch‐derived commercial carbon fibres was studied. Here, the magnitude of graphitic microstructure evolution of the pitch‐derived fibre far exceeded that of the PAN‐derived fibres at temperatures up to ～2300°C, indicating its facile graphitizability.     

Thermomechanical coupling in a cylindrical hybrid-aligned nematic liquid crystal

A solution to the system of equations describing a cylindrical hybrid-aligned nematic liquid crystal is obtained. The rotational flow driven by vertical temperature gradient in such a cell is investigated theoretically. The cell is suggested as a new experimental setup for determining an additional relation required to measure the twelve thermomechanical coefficients. It is shown that the terms in the expressions for thermomechanical stress and heat flux obtained in [8] are equivalent to those originally proposed in [7].     

Thermomechanical effect in a planar nematic induced by a quasistatic electric field

A thermomechanical flow of uniformly oriented nematic liquid crystal induced by a quasistatic electric field is observed. This flow occurs when the electric field strength exceeds the static Fréedericksz transition threshold. The effect is attributed to an electric-field-induced nonuniformity of the director orientation which is required for the onset of the thermomechanical effect. The experimental results show good agreement with the theoretical estimates. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 69, 122–124 (April 1999)