Effective Thermal Conductivity of Graphite Materials with Cracks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pestchaanyi, S. E.; Landman, I. S.

The dependence of effective thermal diffusivity on temperature caused by volumetric cracks is modelled for macroscopic graphite samples using the three-dimensional thermomechanics code Pegasus-3D. At high off-normal heat loads typical of the divertor armour, thermostress due to the anisotropy of graphite grains is much larger than that due to the temperature gradient. Numerical simulation demonstrated that the volumetric crack density both in fine grain graphites and in the CFC matrix depends mainly on the local sample temperature, not on the temperature gradient. This allows to define an effective thermal diffusivity for graphite with cracks. The results obtained are used to explain intense cracking and particle release from carbon based materials under electron beam heat load. Decrease of graphite thermal diffusivity with increase of the crack density explains particle release mechanism in the experiments with CFC where a clear energy threshold for the onset of particle release has been observed in J. Linke et al. Fusion Eng. Design, in press, Bazyler et al., these proceedings. Surface temperature measurement is necessary to calibrate the Pegasus-3D code for simulation of ITER divertor armour brittle destruction.

X-ray scattering to probe cracks in rubbers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Creton, Costantino; Demassieux, Quentin; Berghezan, Daniel

Natural rubber is a well-known very tough elastomer and its toughness is generally attributed to its aptitude to crystallize under strain. Yet the mechanism linking the extent of strain induced crystallization to the toughness gamma is still unclear. We mapped by scanning microbeam X-ray diffraction (20 microns resolution), the strain induced crystallization near the crack tip of highly crosslinked and carbon-black filled natural rubbers. Experiments were carried out on static cracks loaded at different values of energy release rates G and for different filler and crosslinker concentrations. We specifically investigated the effect of the crosslinking density, the effect of thermal (oxygen-free) aging and the effect of temperature (between 23 and 100 °C). Several novel findings are reported : a significant amount of crystallization was still present at the crack tip at 100°C, thermal aging (in the absence of oxygen) greatly reduces the amount of crystallization at the crack tip without much effect on the room temperature resistance to fatigue crack propagation of the material, and an increase in crosslinking density reduces the extent of crystallinity at the crack tip for the same applied G. We acknowledge the financial support of Michelin.

Fracture behavior of 20% Nb particulate reinforced alumina composite

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lane, S.; Biner, S.B.; Buck, O.

1993-11-01

The composites consist of alumina matrix with 0.05 wt % MgO and 20 Vol % Nb with an average particle size of 30 to 100 microns produced by dry mixing and sintering to near their theoretical densities. Fracture toughness tests were carried out in three point bending on chevron notched samples. Results indicate that R-curve of the composites exhibited more than 300% increase in crack growth resistance compared to crack growth resistance of alumina produced with the identical procedures. Crack growth resistance curve of the composites increased with increasing Nb particle size. Metallorgraph indicated that failure of Nb particles inmore » crack path ranges from full interface separation without any significant deformation of Nb particles to cleavage failure without any evidence of interface separation.« less

Healing of Fatigue Crack by High-Density Electropulsing in Austenitic Stainless Steel Treated with the Surface-Activated Pre-Coating

PubMed Central

Hosoi, Atsushi; Kishi, Tomoya; Ju, Yang

2013-01-01

A technique to heal a fatigue crack in austenitic stainless steel SUS316 by applying a controlled, high-density pulsed current was developed. A surface-activated pre-coating (SAPC), which eliminates the oxide layer and coats a Ni film on the crack surface, was used to improve the adhesion between crack surfaces. Cracks were observed by scanning electron microscopy before and after the application of high-density electropulsing. To evaluate the healing effect of the SAPC during crack propagation, fatigue tests were conducted under a constant stress intensity factor. The fatigue crack treated with the SAPC was found to be effectively healed as a result of electropulsing, and also showed a slower rate of crack propagation. PMID:28788327

Study of microstructure and fracture properties of blunt notched and sharp cracked high density polyethylene specimens.

PubMed

Pan, Huanyu; Devasahayam, Sheila; Bandyopadhyay, Sri

2017-07-21

This paper examines the effect of a broad range of crosshead speed (0.05 to 100 mm/min) and a small range of temperature (25 °C and 45 °C) on the failure behaviour of high density polyethylene (HDPE) specimens containing a) standard size blunt notch and b) standard size blunt notch plus small sharp crack - all tested in air. It was observed that the yield stress properties showed linear increase with the natural logarithm of strain rate. The stress intensity factors under blunt notch and sharp crack conditions also increased linearly with natural logarithm of the crosshead speed. The results indicate that in the practical temperature range of 25 °C and 45 °C under normal atmosphere and increasing strain rates, HDPE specimens with both blunt notches and sharp cracks possess superior fracture properties. SEM microstructure studies of fracture surfaces showed craze initiation mechanisms at lower strain rate, whilst at higher strain rates there is evidence of dimple patterns absorbing the strain energy and creating plastic deformation. The stress intensity factor and the yield strength were higher at 25 °C compared to those at 45 °C.

Reduction of the 355-nm laser-induced damage initiators by removing the subsurface cracks in fused silica

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Minghong; Qi, Hongji; Zhao, Yuanan; Yi, Kui

2012-01-01

The 355 nm laser-induced damage thresholds (LIDTs) of polished fused silica with and without the residual subsurface cracks were explored. HF based wet etching and magnetorheological finishing was used to remove the subsurface cracks. To isolate the effect of subsurface cracks, chemical leaching was used to eliminate the photoactive impurities in the polishing layer. Results show that the crack number density decreased from~103 to <1cm-2, and the LIDT was improved as high as 2.8-fold with both the subsurface cracks and the polishing layer being removed. Subsurface cracks play a significant role in laser damage at fluencies between 15~31 J/cm2 (355nm, 8ns). HF Etching of the cracks was shown to increase the damage performance as nearly high as that of the samples in which subsurface cracks are well controlled.

Modelling the Effect of Fruit Growth on Surface Conductance to Water Vapour Diffusion

PubMed Central

GIBERT, CAROLINE; LESCOURRET, FRANÇOISE; GÉNARD, MICHEL; VERCAMBRE, GILLES; PÉREZ PASTOR, ALEJANDRO

2005-01-01

• Background and Aims A model of fruit surface conductance to water vapour diffusion driven by fruit growth is proposed. It computes the total fruit conductance by integrating each of its components: stomata, cuticle and cracks. • Methods The stomatal conductance is computed from the stomatal density per fruit and the specific stomatal conductance. The cuticular component is equal to the proportion of cuticle per fruit multiplied by its specific conductance. Cracks are assumed to be generated when pulp expansion rate exceeds cuticle expansion rate. A constant percentage of cracks is assumed to heal each day. The proportion of cracks to total fruit surface area multiplied by the specific crack conductance accounts for the crack component. The model was applied to peach fruit (Prunus persica) and its parameters were estimated from field experiments with various crop load and irrigation regimes. • Key Results The predictions were in good agreement with the experimental measurements and for the different conditions (irrigation and crop load). Total fruit surface conductance decreased during early growth as stomatal density, and hence the contribution of the stomatal conductance, decreased from 80 to 20 % with fruit expansion. Cracks were generated for fruits exhibiting high growth rates during late growth and the crack component could account for up to 60 % of the total conductance during the rapid fruit growth. The cuticular contribution was slightly variable (around 20 %). Sensitivity analysis revealed that simulated conductance was highly affected by stomatal parameters during the early period of growth and by both crack and stomatal parameters during the late period. Large fruit growth rate leads to earlier and greater increase of conductance due to higher crack occurrence. Conversely, low fruit growth rate accounts for a delayed and lower increase of conductance. • Conclusions By predicting crack occurrence during fruit growth, this model could be helpful in managing cropping practices for integrated plant protection. PMID:15655107

Applying terahertz technology for nondestructive detection of crack initiation in a film-coated layer on a swelling tablet

PubMed Central

Momose, Wataru; Yoshino, Hiroyuki; Katakawa, Yoshifumi; Yamashita, Kazunari; Imai, Keiji; Sako, Kazuhiro; Kato, Eiji; Irisawa, Akiyoshi; Yonemochi, Etsuo; Terada, Katsuhide

2012-01-01

Here, we describe a nondestructive approach using terahertz wave to detect crack initiation in a film-coated layer on a drug tablet. During scale-up and scale-down of the film coating process, differences in film density and gaps between the film-coated layer and the uncoated tablet were generated due to differences in film coating process parameters, such as the tablet-filling rate in the coating machine, spray pressure, and gas–liquid ratio etc. Tablets using the PEO/PEG formulation were employed as uncoated tablets. We found that heat and humidity caused tablets to swell, thereby breaking the film-coated layer. Using our novel approach with terahertz wave nondestructively detect film surface density (FSD) and interface density differences (IDDs) between the film-coated layer and an uncoated tablet. We also found that a reduced FSD and IDD between the film-coated layer and uncoated tablet increased the risk of crack initiation in the film-coated layer, thereby enabling us to nondestructively predict initiation of cracks in the film-coated layer. Using this method, crack initiation can be nondestructively assessed in swelling tablets after the film coating process without conducting accelerated stability tests, and film coating process parameters during scale-up and scale-down studies can be appropriately established. PMID:25755992

Experimental measurements of seismic attenuation in microfracture sedimentary rock

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Peacock, S.; McCann, C.; Sothcott, J.

1994-09-01

In a previous paper (Peacock et al., 1994), the authors related ultrasonic velocities in water-saturated Carrara Marble to crack densities in polished sections to verify Hudson's (1980, 1981, 1986) theory for velocities in cracked rock. They describe the empirical relationships between attenuation and crack density that they established during these experiments in the hope of clarifying the mechanism of attenuation in rocks with fluid-filled cracks. Relating seismic velocity and attenuation to crack density is important in predicting the productivity of fractured petroleum reservoirs such as the North Sea Brent Field. It also allows cracks to be used as stress indicatorsmore » throughout the shallow crust (Crampin and Lovell, 1991).« less

Effect of pre-strain on creep of three AISI 316 austenitic stainless steels in relation to reheat cracking of weld-affected zones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Auzoux, Q.; Allais, L.; Caës, C.; Monnet, I.; Gourgues, A. F.; Pineau, A.

2010-05-01

Microstructural modifications induced by welding of 316 stainless steels and their effect on creep properties and relaxation crack propagation were examined. Cumulative strain due to multi-pass welding hardens the materials by increasing the dislocation density. Creep tests were conducted on three plates from different grades of 316 steel at 600 °C, with various carbon and nitrogen contents. These plates were tested both in the annealed condition and after warm rolling, which introduced pre-strain. It was found that the creep strain rate and ductility after warm rolling was reduced compared with the annealed condition. Moreover, all steels exhibited intergranular crack propagation during relaxation tests on Compact Tension specimens in the pre-strained state, but not in the annealed state. These results confirmed that the reheat cracking risk increases with both residual stress triaxiality and pre-strain. On the contrary, high solute content and strain-induced carbide precipitation, which are thought to increase reheat cracking risk of stabilised austenitic stainless steels did not appear as key parameters in reheat cracking of 316 stainless steels.

Extended analytical solutions for effective elastic moduli of cracked porous media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, Sy-Tuan; To, Quy Dong; Vu, Minh Ngoc

2017-05-01

Extended solutions are derived, on the basis of the micromechanical methods, for the effective elastic moduli of porous media containing stiff pores and both open and closed cracks. Analytical formulas of the overall bulk and shear moduli are obtained as functions of the elastic moduli of the solid skeleton, porosity and the densities of open and closed cracks families. We show that the obtained results are extensions of the classical widely used Walsh's (JGR, 1965) and Budiansky-O‧Connell's (JGR, 1974) solutions. Parametric sensitivity analysis clarifies the impact of the model parameters on the effective elastic properties. An inverse analysis, using sonic and density data, is considered to quantify the density of both open and closed cracks. It is observed that the density of closed cracks depends strongly on stress condition while the dependence of open cracks on the confining stress is negligible.

Surface cracking and melting of different tungsten grades under transient heat and particle loads in a magnetized coaxial plasma gun

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kikuchi, Y.; Sakuma, I.; Iwamoto, D.; Kitagawa, Y.; Fukumoto, N.; Nagata, M.; Ueda, Y.

2013-07-01

Surface damage of pure tungsten (W), W alloys with 2 wt.% tantalum (W-Ta) and vacuum plasma spray (VPS) W coating on a reduced activation material of ferritic steel (F82H) due to repetitive ELM-like pulsed (˜0.3 ms) deuterium plasma irradiation has been investigated by using a magnetized coaxial plasma gun. Surface cracks appeared on a pure W sample exposed to 10 plasma pulses of ˜0.3 MJ m-2, while a W-Ta sample did not show surface cracks with similar pulsed plasma irradiation. The energy density threshold for surface cracking was significantly increased by the existence of the alloying element of tantalum. No surface morphology change of a VPS W coated F82H sample was observed under 10 plasma pulses of ˜0.3 MJ m-2, although surface melting and cracks in the resolidification layer occurred at higher energy density of ˜0.9 MJ m-2. There was no indication of exfoliation of the W coating from the substrate of F82H after the pulsed plasma exposures.

Stress-dependent permeability and wave dispersion in tight cracked rocks: Experimental validation of simple effective medium models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarout, Joel; Cazes, Emilie; Delle Piane, Claudio; Arena, Alessio; Esteban, Lionel

2017-08-01

We experimentally assess the impact of microstructure, pore fluid, and frequency on wave velocity, wave dispersion, and permeability in thermally cracked Carrara marble under effective pressure up to 50 MPa. The cracked rock is isotropic, and we observe that (1) P and S wave velocities at 500 kHz and the low-strain (<10-5) mechanical moduli at 0.01 Hz are pressure-dependent, (2) permeability decreases asymptotically toward a small value with increasing pressure, (3) wave dispersion between 0.01 Hz and 500 MHz in the water-saturated rock reaches a maximum of 26% for S waves and 9% for P waves at 1 MPa, and (4) wave dispersion virtually vanishes above 30 MPa. Assuming no interactions between the cracks, effective medium theory is used to model the rock's elastic response and its permeability. P and S wave velocity data are jointly inverted to recover the crack density and effective aspect ratio. The permeability data are inverted to recover the cracks' effective radius. These parameters lead to a good agreement between predicted and measured wave velocities, dispersion and permeability up to 50 MPa, and up to a crack density of 0.5. The evolution of the crack parameters suggests that three deformation regimes exist: (1) contact between cracks' surface asperities up to 10 MPa, (2) progressive crack closure between 10 and 30 MPa, and (3) crack closure effectively complete above 30 MPa. The derived crack parameters differ significantly from those obtained by analysis of 2-D electron microscope images of thin sections or 3-D X-ray microtomographic images of millimeter-size specimens.

Trends in long-period seismicity related to magmatic fluid compositions

USGS Publications Warehouse

Morrissey, M.M.; Chouet, B.A.

2001-01-01

Sound speeds and densities are calculated for three different types of fluids: gas-gas mixture; ash-gas mixture; and bubbly liquid. These fluid properties are used to calculate the impedance contrast (Z) and crack stiffness (C) in the fluid-driven crack model (Chouet: J. Geophys. Res., 91 (1986) 13,967; 101 (1988) 4375; A seismic model for the source of long-period events and harmonic tremor. In: Gasparini, P., Scarpa, R., Aki, K. (Eds.), Volcanic Seismology, IAVCEI Proceedings in Volcanology, Springer, Berlin, 3133). The fluid-driven crack model describes the far-field spectra of long-period (LP) events as modes of resonance of the crack. Results from our calculations demonstrate that ash-laden gas mixtures have fluid to solid density ratios comparable to, and fluid to solid velocity ratios lower than bubbly liquids (gas-volume fractions 20% gas-volume fraction yields values of Q-1r similar to those for a rectangular crack. As with gas-gas and ash-gas mixtures, an increase in mass fraction narrows the bandwidth of the dominant mode and shifts the spectra to lower frequencies. Including energy losses due to dissipative processes in a bubbly liquid increases attenuation. Attenuation may also be higher in ash-gas mixtures and foams if the effects of momentum and mass transfer between the phases were considered in the calculations. ?? 2001 Elsevier Science B. V. All rights reserved.

Curvature in solid oxide fuel cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Wenxia; Hasinska, Kathy; Seabaugh, Matt; Swartz, Scott; Lannutti, John

At this point in history, curvature is inherent to the laminated components that comprise solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Surprisingly, however, this fact has never been previously quantified in the literature. In addition, potential curvature changes associated with NiO reduction and re-oxidation during operation have not been investigated. In this report, an optical profilometer was employed to non-destructively quantify the surface curvature or cracking behavior observed on a large scale in industrially manufactured cells. This provides insights into the challenges that the component materials face as well as additional appreciation for why, in spite of a concerted effort to commercialize SOFC power generation, all currently manufactured SOFC stacks fail. Our results demonstrate that cracked electrolyte areas (caused by differential sintering) are flatter than uncracked regions. The height of the electrolyte surface ranged from 86 to 289 μm above the baseline following sintering. Reduction typically results in increases in curvature of up to 214 μm. Initial crack density appears to affect curvature evolution during reduction; the higher the crack density, the smaller the curvature increase following reduction at 600 °C. In general, however, we observed that the electrolyte layer is remarkably resistant to further cracking during these typographic changes. Following oxidation at 750 °C, large changes in curvature (up to 280 μm) are noted that appear to be related to the strength of the bond between the electrolyte and the underlying anode.

Corrosion of NiTi Wires with Cracked Oxide Layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Racek, Jan; Šittner, Petr; Heller, Luděk; Pilch, Jan; Petrenec, Martin; Sedlák, Petr

2014-07-01

Corrosion behavior of superelastic NiTi shape memory alloy wires with cracked TiO2 surface oxide layers was investigated by electrochemical corrosion tests (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, Open Circuit Potential, and Potentiodynamic Polarization) on wires bent into U-shapes of various bending radii. Cracks within the oxide on the surface of the bent wires were observed by FIB-SEM and TEM methods. The density and width of the surface oxide cracks dramatically increase with decreasing bending radius. The results of electrochemical experiments consistently show that corrosion properties of NiTi wires with cracked oxide layers (static load keeps the cracks opened) are inferior compared to the corrosion properties of the straight NiTi wires covered by virgin uncracked oxides. Out of the three methods employed, the Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy seems to be the most appropriate test for the electrochemical characterization of the cracked oxide layers, since the impedance curves (Nyquist plot) of differently bent NiTi wires can be associated with increasing state of the surface cracking and since the NiTi wires are exposed to similar conditions as the surfaces of NiTi implants in human body. On the other hand, the potentiodynamic polarization test accelerates the corrosion processes and provides clear evidence that the corrosion resistance of bent superelastic NiTi wires degrades with oxide cracking.

Comparison of Effective Medium Schemes For Seismic Velocities in Cracked Anisotropic Rock

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morshed, S.; Chesnokov, E.

2017-12-01

Understanding of elastic properties of reservoir rock is necessary for meaningful interpretation and analysis of seismic measurements. The elastic properties of a rock are controlled by the microstructural properties such as mineralogical composition, pore and crack distribution, texture and pore connectivity. However, seismic scale is much larger than microstructure scale. Understanding of macroscopic properties at relevant seismic scale (e.g. borehole sonic data) comes from effective medium theory (EMT). However, most of the effective medium theories fail at high crack density as the interactions of strain fields of the cracks can't be ignored. We compare major EMT schemes from low to high crack density. While at low crack density all method gives similar results, at high crack density they differ significantly. Then, we focus on generalized singular approximation (GSA) and effective field (EF) method as they allow cracks beyond the limit of dilute concentrations. Additionally, we use grain contact (GC) method to examine the stiffness constants of the rock matrix. We prepare simple models of a multiphase media containing low to high concentrations of isolated pores. Randomly oriented spherical pores and horizontally oriented ellipsoidal (aspect ratio =0.1) pores have been considered. For isolated spherical pores, all the three methods show exactly same or similar results. However, inclusion interactions are different in different directions in case of horizontal ellipsoidal pores and individual stiffness constants differ greatly from one method to another at different crack density. Stiffness constants remain consistent in GSA method whereas some components become unusual in EF method at a higher crack density (>0.15). Finally, we applied GSA method to interpret ultrasonic velocities of core samples. Mineralogical composition from X-ray diffraction (XRD) data and lab measured porosity data have been utilized. Both compressional and shear wave velocities from GSA method show good fit with the lab measured velocities.

Crack tip field and fatigue crack growth in general yielding and low cycle fatigue

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Minzhong, Z.; Liu, H. W.

1984-01-01

Fatigue life consists of crack nucleation and crack propagation periods. Fatigue crack nucleation period is shorter relative to the propagation period at higher stresses. Crack nucleation period of low cycle fatigue might even be shortened by material and fabrication defects and by environmental attack. In these cases, fatigue life is largely crack propagation period. The characteristic crack tip field was studied by the finite element method, and the crack tip field is related to the far field parameters: the deformation work density, and the product of applied stress and applied strain. The cyclic carck growth rates in specimens in general yielding as measured by Solomon are analyzed in terms of J-integral. A generalized crack behavior in terms of delta is developed. The relations between J and the far field parameters and the relation for the general cyclic crack growth behavior are used to analyze fatigue lives of specimens under general-yielding cyclic-load. Fatigue life is related to the applied stress and strain ranges, the deformation work density, crack nucleus size, fracture toughness, fatigue crack growth threshold, Young's modulus, and the cyclic yield stress and strain. The fatigue lives of two aluminum alloys correlate well with the deformation work density as depicted by the derived theory. The general relation is reduced to Coffin-Manson low cycle fatigue law in the high strain region.

Dislocation and Structural Studies at Metal-Metallic Glass Interface at Low Temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gupta, Pradeep; Yedla, Natraj

2017-12-01

In this paper, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation deformation studies on the Al (metal)-Cu50Zr50 (metallic glass) model interface is carried out based on cohesive zone model. The interface is subjected to mode-I loading at a strain rate of 109 s-1 and temperature of 100 K. The dislocations reactions and evolution of dislocation densities during the deformation have been investigated. Atomic interactions between Al, Cu and Zr atoms are modeled using EAM (embedded atom method) potential, and a timestep of 0.002 ps is used for performing the MD simulations. A circular crack and rectangular notch are introduced at the interface to investigate the effect on the deformation behavior and fracture. Further, scale size effect is also investigated. The structural changes and evolution of dislocation density are also examined. It is found that the dominant deformation mechanism is by Shockley partial dislocation nucleation. Amorphization is observed in the Al regions close to the interface and occurs at a lower strain in the presence of a crack. The total dislocation density is found to be maximum after the first yield in both the perfect and defect interface models and is highest in the case of perfect interface with a density of 6.31 × 1017 m-2. In the perfect and circular crack defect interface models, it is observed that the fraction of Shockley partial dislocation density decreases, whereas that of strain rod dislocations increases with increase in strain.

The effects of hydrogen embrittlement by cathodic protection on the CTOD of buried natural gas pipeline

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Cheol-man; Kim, Woo-sik; Kho, Young-tai

2002-04-01

For the corrosion protection of natural gas transmission pipelines, two methods are used, cathodic protection and a coating technique. In the case of cathodic protection, defects are embrittled by hydrogen occurring at crack tips or surfaces of materials. It is, however, very important to evaluate whether cracks in the embrittled area can grow or not, especially in weld metal. In this work, on the basis of elastic plastic fracture mechanics, we performed CTOD testing under various test conditions, such as potential and current density. The CTOD of the base steel and weld metal showed a strong dependence on the test conditions. The CTOD decreased with increasing cathodic potential and current density. The morphology of the fracture surface showed quasi-cleavage. Cathodic overprotection results in hydrogen embrittlement at the crack tip.

Distinguishing oil and water layers in a cracked porous medium using pulsed neutron logging data based on Hudson's crack theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Xueang; Yang, Zhichao; Tang, Bin; Wang, Renbo; Wei, Xiong

2018-05-01

During geophysical surveys, water layers may interfere with the detection of oil layers. In order to distinguish between oil and water layers in porous cracked media, research on the properties of the cracks, the oil and water layers, and their relation to pulsed neutron logging characteristics is essential. Using Hudson's crack theory, we simulated oil and water layers in a cracked porous medium with different crack parameters corresponding to the well log responses. We found that, in a cracked medium with medium-angle (40°-50°) cracks, the thermal neutron count peak value is higher and more sensitive than those in low-angle and high-angle crack environments; in addition, the thermal neutron density distribution shows more minimum values than in other cases. Further, the thermal neutron count and the rate of change for the oil layer are greater than those of the water layer, and the time spectrum count peak value for the water layer in middle-high-angle (40°-70°) cracked environments is higher than that of the oil layer. The thermal neutron density distribution sensitivity is higher in the water layer with a range of small crack angles (0°-30°) than in the oil layer with the same range of angles. In comparing the thermal neutron density distribution, thermal neutron count peak, thermal neutron density distribution sensitivity, and time spectrum maximum in the oil and water layers, we find that neutrons in medium-angle (40°-50°) cracked reservoirs are more sensitive to deceleration and absorption than those in water layers; neutrons in approximately horizontal (0°-30°) cracked water layers are more sensitive to deceleration than those in reservoirs. These results can guide future work in the cracked media neutron logging field.

Topological interlocking provides stiffness to stochastically micro-cracked materials beyond the transport percolation limit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pal, Anirban; Picu, Catalin; Lupulescu, Marian V.

We study the mechanical behavior of two-dimensional, stochastically microcracked continua in the range of crack densities close to, and above the transport percolation threshold. We show that these materials retain stiffness up to crack densities much larger than the transport percolation threshold, due to topological interlocking of sample sub-domains. Even with a linear constitutive law for the continuum, the mechanical behavior becomes non-linear in the range of crack densities bounded by the transport and stiffness percolation thresholds. The effect is due to the fractal nature of the fragmentation process and is not linked to the roughness of individual cracks. We associate this behavior to that of itacolumite, a sandstone that exhibits unusual flexibility.

Crack healing in cross-ply composites observed by dynamic mechanical analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nielsen, Christian; Nemat-Nasser, Sia

2015-03-01

Cross-ply composites with healable polymer matrices are characterized using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The [90,0]s samples are prepared by embedding layers of unidirectional glass or carbon fibers in 2MEP4FS, a polymer with thermally reversible covalent cross-links, which has been shown to be capable of healing internal cracks and fully recovering fracture toughness when the crack surfaces are kept in contact. After fabrication, cracks in the composites' transverse plies are observed due to residual thermal stresses introduced during processing. Single cantilever bending DMA measurements show the samples exhibit periods of increasing storage moduli with increasing temperature. These results are accurately modeled as a one-dimensional composite, which captures the underlying physics of the phenomenon. The effect of cracks on the stiffness is accounted for by a shear-lag model. The predicted crack density of the glass fiber composite is shown to fall within a range observed from microscopy images. Crack healing occurs as a function of temperature, with chemistry and mechanics-based rationales given for the onset and conclusion of healing. The model captures the essential physics of the phenomenon and yields results in accord with experimental observations.

Microstructurally-sensitive fatigue crack nucleation in Ni-based single and oligo crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Bo; Jiang, Jun; Dunne, Fionn P. E.

2017-09-01

An integrated experimental, characterisation and computational crystal plasticity study of cyclic plastic beam loading has been carried out for nickel single crystal (CMSX4) and oligocrystal (MAR002) alloys in order to assess quantitatively the mechanistic drivers for fatigue crack nucleation. The experimentally validated modelling provides knowledge of key microstructural quantities (accumulated slip, stress and GND density) at experimentally observed fatigue crack nucleation sites and it is shown that while each of these quantities is potentially important in crack nucleation, none of them in its own right is sufficient to be predictive. However, the local (elastic) stored energy density, measured over a length scale determined by the density of SSDs and GNDs, has been shown to predict crack nucleation sites in the single and oligocrystals tests. In addition, once primary nucleated cracks develop and are represented in the crystal model using XFEM, the stored energy correctly identifies where secondary fatigue cracks are observed to nucleate in experiments. This (Griffith-Stroh type) quantity also correctly differentiates and explains intergranular and transgranular fatigue crack nucleation.

Transply crack density detection by acousto-ultrasonics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hemann, John H.; Bowles, Kenneth J.; Kautz, Harold; Cavano, Paul

1987-01-01

The acousto-ultrasonic method was applied to a PMR-15 8-harness, satin Celion 3000 fabric composite to determine the extent of transply cracking. A six-ply 0/90 laminate was also subjected to mechanical loading, which induced transply cracking. The stress wave factor (SWF) is defined as the energy contained in the received signal from a 2.25-MHz center frequency transducer. The correlation of the SWF with transply crack density is shown.

Enabling aqueous processing for crack-free thick electrodes

DOE PAGES

Du, Zhijia; Rollag, K. M.; Li, J.; ...

2017-04-14

Aqueous processing of thick electrodes for Li-ion cells promises to increase energy density due to increased volume fraction of active materials, and to reduce cost due to the elimination of the toxic solvents. Here in this paper this work reports the processing and characterization of aqueous processed electrodes with high areal loading and associated full pouch cell performance. Cracking of the electrode coatings becomes a critical issue for aqueous processing of the positive electrode as areal loading increases above 20–25 mg/cm 2 (~4 mAh/cm 2). Crack initiation and propagation, which was observed during drying via optical microscopy, is related tomore » the build-up of capillary pressure during the drying process. The surface tension of water was reduced by the addition of isopropyl alcohol (IPA), which led to improved wettability and decreased capillary pressure during drying. The critical thickness (areal loading) without cracking increased gradually with increasing IPA content. The electrochemical performance was evaluated in pouch cells. Electrodes processed with water/IPA (80/20 wt%) mixture exhibited good structural integrity with good rate performance and cycling performance.« less

Dielectric cracking produced by electromigration in microelectronic interconnects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chiras, S.; Clarke, D. R.

2000-12-01

The development of stress during electromigration along Al lines, constrained within a dielectric in a coplanar test configuration, is measured. It is shown that, above a certain threshold current density, cracking of the dielectric is induced in the vicinity of the anode. Cracking of the dielectric leads to loss of mechanical constraint on the aluminum conductor which, in turn, leads to increases in electrical resistance with continued current flow. The electromigration-induced stresses are determined from the measured frequency shifts induced in a novel ruby strain sensor embedded immediately beneath the interconnect line on a sapphire substrate. The transparency of the sapphire substrate also facilitated the observation of a hitherto unreported form of dielectric cracking, namely cracking from the interconnect along internal interfaces. The observations of dielectric cracking are in agreement with a recent fracture mechanics model. Analysis of the stress data, together with the results of finite element calculations of the strain energy release rate for crack extension, gives a quantitative estimate of the effective valence Z*(=1.3±0.2) for aluminum.

Interlocking-induced stiffness in stochastically microcracked materials beyond the transport percolation threshold

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Picu, R. C.; Pal, A.; Lupulescu, M. V.

2016-04-01

We study the mechanical behavior of two-dimensional, stochastically microcracked continua in the range of crack densities close to, and above, the transport percolation threshold. We show that these materials retain stiffness up to crack densities much larger than the transport percolation threshold due to topological interlocking of sample subdomains. Even with a linear constitutive law for the continuum, the mechanical behavior becomes nonlinear in the range of crack densities bounded by the transport and stiffness percolation thresholds. The effect is due to the fractal nature of the fragmentation process and is not linked to the roughness of individual cracks.

Damage evolution and mechanical response of cross-ply ceramic composite laminates

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Weitsman, Y.; Yu, N.; Zhu, H.

1995-12-31

A mechanistic model for the damage evolution and mechanical response of cross-ply ceramic composite laminates under monotonically increasing uniaxial tension is presented. The model accounts for a variety of damage mechanisms evolving in cross-ply ceramic composite laminates, such as fiber-bridged matrix cracks in 0{degrees}-plies, transversely oriented matrix cracks in 90{degrees}-plies, and slips at 0{degrees}/90{degrees} ply interfaces as well as at the fiber/matrix interfaces. Energy criteria are developed to determine the creation and progression of matrix cracks and slip zones. The model predicts that the crack density in 0{degrees}-plies becomes higher than that within the 90{degrees}-plies as the applied load ismore » incrementally increased, which agrees with the experimental observation. It is also shown that the model provides a reasonable prediction for the nonlinear stress-strain behavior of crossply SiC/CAS ceramic composites.« less

Self-similar crack-generation effects in the fracture process in brittle materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hilarov, V. L.

1998-07-01

Using acoustic-emission data banks we have computed time and space correlation functions for the purpose of investigation of crack-propagation self-similarity during the fracture process in brittle materials. It is shown that the whole fracture process may be represented as a two-stage process. In the first stage, the crack propagation is uniform and uncorrelated in space, having a time spectral density of the white-noise type and a correlation fractal dimension approximately equal to that of 3D Euclidean space. In the second stage, this fractal dimension decreases significantly, reaching the value of 2.2-2.4, characteristic for the fracture surfaces, while the time spectral density exhibits a significant low-frequency increase becoming of 0965-0393/6/4/002/img1-noise type. The resulting fractal shows no multifractal behaviour, appearing to be a single fractal.

Finite Element Modeling of Thermal Cycling Induced Microcracking in Carbon/Epoxy Triaxial Braided Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zhang, Chao; Binienda, Wieslaw K.; Morscher, Gregory; Martin, Richard E.

2012-01-01

The microcrack distribution and mass change in PR520/T700s and 3502/T700s carbon/epoxy braided composites exposed to thermal cycling was evaluated experimentally. Acoustic emission was utilized to record the crack initiation and propagation under cyclic thermal loading between -55 C and 120 C. Transverse microcrack morphology was investigated using X-ray Computed Tomography. Different performance of two kinds of composites was discovered and analyzed. Based on the observations of microcrack formation, a meso-mechanical finite element model was developed to obtain the resultant mechanical properties. The simulation results exhibited a decrease in strength and stiffness with increasing crack density. Strength and stiffness reduction versus crack densities in different orientations were compared. The changes of global mechanical behavior in both axial and transverse loading conditions were studied. Keywords: Thermal cycles; Microcrack; Finite Element Model; Braided Composite

The behaviour of fatigue-induced microdamage in compact bone samples from control and ovariectomised sheep.

PubMed

Kennedy, Oran D; Brennan, Orlaith; Mauer, Peter; O'Brien, Fergal J; Rackard, Susan M; Taylor, David; Lee, T Clive

2008-01-01

This study investigates the effect of microdamage on bone quality in osteoporosis using an ovariectomised (OVX) sheep model of osteoporosis. Thirty-four sheep were divided into an OVX group (n=16) and a control group (n=18). Fluorochromes were administered intravenously at 3 monthly intervals after surgery to label bone turnover. After sacrifice, beams were removed from the metatarsal and tested in three-point bending. Following failure, microcracks were identified and quantified in terms of region, location and interaction with osteons. Number of cycles to failure (Nf) was lower in the OVX group relative to controls by approximately 7%. Crack density (CrDn) was higher in the OVX group compared to controls. CrDn was 2.5 and 3.5 times greater in the compressive region compared to tensile in control and OVX bone respectively. Combined results from both groups showed that 91% of cracks remained in interstitial bone, approximately 8% of cracks penetrated unlabelled osteons and less than 1% penetrated into labelled osteons. All cases of labelled osteon penetration occurred in controls. Crack surface density (CrSDn), was 25% higher in the control group compared to OVX. It is known that crack behaviour on meeting microstructural features such as osteons will depend on crack length. We have shown that osteon age also affects crack propagation. Long cracks penetrated unlabelled osteons but not labelled ones. Some cracks in the control group did penetrate labelled osteons. This may be due the fact that control bone is more highly mineralized. CrSDn was increased by 25% in the control group compared to OVX. Further study of these fracture mechanisms will help determine the effect of microdamage on bone quality and how this contributes to bone fragility.

Simulation of 90{degrees} ply fatigue crack growth along the width of cross-ply carbon-epoxy coupons

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Henaff-Gardin, C.; Urwald, E.; Lafarie-Frenot, M.C.

1994-07-01

We study the mechanism of fatigue cracking of the matrix of cross-ply carbon-epoxy laminates. Primary attention is given to the study of the influence of the specimen width on the evolution of damage. On the basis of shear lag analysis, we determine the strain energy release rate in the processes of initiation and growth of transverse fatigue cracks. We also present results of experimental research on the evolution of the edge crack density per ply, the average length of the cracks, and the crack propagation rate under transverse fatigue cracking. It is shown that these characteristics are independent of themore » specimen width. At the same time, as soon as the edge crack density reaches its saturation value, the average crack growth rate becomes constant. All the experimental results are in good agreement with results obtained by using the theoretical model.« less

Microscopic Characterization of Tensile and Shear Fracturing in Progressive Failure in Marble

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Yi; Wong, Louis Ngai Yuen

2018-01-01

Compression-induced tensile and shear fractures were reported to be the two fundamental fracture types in rock fracturing tests. This study investigates such tensile and shear fracturing process in marble specimens containing two different flaw configurations. Observations first reveal that the development of a tensile fracture is distinct from shear fracture with respect to their nucleation, propagation, and eventual formation in macroscale. Second, transgranular cracks and grain-scale spallings become increasingly abundant in shear fractures as loading increases, which is almost not observed in tensile fractures. Third, one or some dominant extensional microcracks are commonly observed in the center of tensile fractures, while such development of microcracks is almost absent in shear fractures. Microcracks are generally of a length comparable to grain size and distribute uniformly within the damage zone of the shear fracture. Fourth, the width of densely damaged zone in the shear fracture is nearly 10 times of that in the tensile fracture. Quantitative measurement on microcrack density suggests that (1) microcrack density in tensile and shear fractures display distinct characteristics with increasing loading, (2) transgranular crack density in the shear fracture decreases logarithmically with the distance away from the shear fracture center, and (3) whatever the fracture type, the anisotropy can only be observed for transgranular cracks with a large density, which partially explains why microcrack anisotropy usually tends to be unobvious until approaching peak stress in specimens undergoing brittle failure. Microcracking characteristics observed in this work likely shed light to some phenomena and conclusions generalized in seismological studies.

Mechanical Model for Dynamic Behavior of Concrete Under Impact Loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Yuanxiang

Concrete is a geo-material which is used substantively in the civil building and military safeguard. One coupled model of damage and plasticity to describe the complex behavior of concrete subjected to impact loading is proposed in this research work. The concrete is assumed as homogeneous continuum with pre-existing micro-cracks and micro-voids. Damage to concrete is caused due to micro-crack nucleation, growth and coalescence, and defined as the probability of fracture at a given crack density. It induces a decrease of strength and stiffness of concrete. Compaction of concrete is physically a collapse of the material voids. It produces the plastic strain in the concrete and, at the same time, an increase of the bulk modulus. In terms of crack growth model, micro-cracks are activated, and begin to propagate gradually. When crack density reaches a critical value, concrete takes place the smashing destroy. The model parameters for mortar are determined using plate impact experiment with uni-axial strain state. Comparison with the test results shows that the proposed model can give consistent prediction of the impact behavior of concrete. The proposed model may be used to design and analysis of concrete structures under impact and shock loading. This work is supported by State Key Laboratory of Explosion science and Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology (YBKT14-02).

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kanna, V.; Olson, R.A.; Jennings, H.M.

The effects of drying on mortars containing Portland cement blended with fly ash or slag on the shrinkage, extent of surface cracking, pore size distribution as measured by mercury intrusion porosimetry, flexural strength, fracture toughness, and Young`s modulus are reported. Specimens were exposed to conditions of 100% relative humidity (RH), 50% RH, and/or oven-drying at 105 C. Drying coarsened the pore structure and increased the density of surface cracks, but surprisingly increased the flexural strength and the fracture toughness, and as anticipated lowered the Young`s modulus. This was regardless of the content of mineral admixture.

Seismic velocities in fractured rocks: An experimental verification of Hudson`s theory

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Peacock, S.; McCann, C.; Sothcott, J.

1994-01-01

Flow of fluids in many hydrocarbon reservoirs aquifers is enhanced by the presence of cracks and fractures. These cracks could be detected by their effects on propagation of compressional and shear waves through the reservoir: several theories, including Hudson`s, claim to predict the seismic effects of cracks. Although Hudson`s theory has already been used to calculate crack densities from seismic survey`s, the predictions of the theory have not yet been tested experimentally on rocks containing a known crack distribution. This paper describes an experimental verification of the theory. The rock used, Carrara marble, was chosen for its uniformity and lowmore » porosity, so that the effect of cracks would not be obscured by other influences. Cracks were induced by loading of laboratory specimens. Velocities of compressional and shear waves were measured by ultrasound at 0.85 MHz in dry and water-saturated specimens at high and low effective pressures.The cracks were then counted in polished sections of the specimens. In ``dry`` specimens with both dry and saturated cracks, Hudson`s theory overpredicted observed crack densities by a constant amount that is attributed to the observed value being systematically underestimated. The theory made poor predictions for fully saturated specimens. Shear-wave splitting, caused by anisotropy due to both crystal and crack alignment, was observed. Cracks were seen to follow grain boundaries rather than the direction of maximum compression due to loading. The results demonstrate that Hudson`s theory may be used in some cases to determine crack and fracture densities from compressional- and shear-wave velocity data.« less

Neutron and X-ray Microbeam Diffraction Studies around a Fatigue-Crack Tip after Overload

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lee, Sooyeol; Barabash, Rozaliya; Chung, Jin-Seok

2008-01-01

An in-situ neutron diffraction technique was used to investigate the lattice-strain distributions and plastic deformation around a crack tip after overload. The lattice-strain profiles around a crack tip were measured as a function of the applied load during the tensile loading cycles after overload. Dislocation densities calculated from the diffraction peak broadening were presented as a function of the distance from the crack tip. Furthermore, the crystallographic orientation variations were examined near a crack tip using polychromatic X-ray microdiffraction combined with differential aperture microscopy. Crystallographic tilts are considerably observed beneath the surface around a crack tip, and these are consistentmore » with the high dislocation densities near the crack tip measured by neutron peak broadening.« less

Prediction of thermal cycling induced matrix cracking

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcmanus, Hugh L.

1992-01-01

Thermal fatigue has been observed to cause matrix cracking in laminated composite materials. A method is presented to predict transverse matrix cracks in composite laminates subjected to cyclic thermal load. Shear lag stress approximations and a simple energy-based fracture criteria are used to predict crack densities as a function of temperature. Prediction of crack densities as a function of thermal cycling is accomplished by assuming that fatigue degrades the material's inherent resistance to cracking. The method is implemented as a computer program. A simple experiment provides data on progressive cracking of a laminate with decreasing temperature. Existing data on thermal fatigue is also used. Correlations of the analytical predictions to the data are very good. A parametric study using the analytical method is presented which provides insight into material behavior under cyclical thermal loads.

Effect of Plastic Strain Range on Prediction of the Onset of Crack Growth for Low-Cycle Fatigue of SUS316NG Studied using Ultrasonic Back-Reflection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nurul, Islam Md.; Arai, Yoshio; Araki, Wakako

Strain range controlled low-cycle fatigue tests were conducted using ultrasonic method in order to investigate the effect of plastic strain range on the remaining life of austenitic stainless steel SUS316NG before the onset of crack growth in its early stages of fatigue. It was found that the decrease in ultrasonic back-reflection intensity from the surface of the material, caused by the increase in average dislocation density with localized plastic deformation at persistent slip bands (PSBs), starts earlier with increase in the plastic strain range. The amount of decrease in ultrasonic back-reflection before the onset of crack growth increases for larger plastic strain range. The difference in the cumulative plastic strains at the onset of crack growth and at the onset of decrease in the ultrasonic back-reflection remained constant over the range of tested plastic strain. This result can be used to predict the remaining life before the onset of crack growth within the plastic strain range used in this study. In addition, we present and evaluate another method to predict damage evolution involving ultrasound attenuation caused by PSBs.

The stress intensity factors for a periodic array of interacting coplanar penny-shaped cracks

PubMed Central

Lekesiz, Huseyin; Katsube, Noriko; Rokhlin, Stanislav I.; Seghi, Robert R.

2013-01-01

The effect of crack interactions on stress intensity factors is examined for a periodic array of coplanar penny-shaped cracks. Kachanov’s approximate method for crack interactions (Int. J. Solid. Struct. 1987; 23(1):23–43) is employed to analyze both hexagonal and square crack configurations. In approximating crack interactions, the solution converges when the total truncation number of the cracks is 109. As expected, due to high density packing crack interaction in the hexagonal configuration is stronger than that in the square configuration. Based on the numerical results, convenient fitting equations for quick evaluation of the mode I stress intensity factors are obtained as a function of crack density and angle around the crack edge for both crack configurations. Numerical results for the mode II and III stress intensity factors are presented in the form of contour lines for the case of Poisson’s ratio ν =0.3. Possible errors for these problems due to Kachanov’s approximate method are estimated. Good agreement is observed with the limited number of results available in the literature and obtained by different methods. PMID:27175035

Effects of Grain Size and Twin Layer Thickness on Crack Initiation at Twin Boundaries.

PubMed

Zhou, Piao; Zhou, Jianqiu; Zhu, Yongwei; Jiang, E; Wang, Zikun

2018-04-01

A theoretical model to explore the effect on crack initiation of nanotwinned materials was proposed based on the accumulation of dislocations at twin boundaries. First, a critical cracking initiation condition was established considering the number of dislocations pill-up at TBs, grain size and twin layer thickness, and a semi-quantitative relationship between the crystallographic orientation and the stacking fault energy was built. In addition, the number of dislocations pill-up was described by introducing the theory of strain gradient. Based on this model, the effects of grain size and twin lamellae thickness on dislocation density and crack initiation at twin boundaries were also discussed. The simulation results demonstrated that the crack initiation resistance can be improved by decreasing the grain size and increasing the twin lamellae, which keeps in agreement with recent experimental findings reported in the literature.

A Study of Three Intrinsic Problems of the Classic Discrete Element Method Using Flat-Joint Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Shunchuan; Xu, Xueliang

2016-05-01

Discrete element methods have been proven to offer a new avenue for obtaining the mechanics of geo-materials. The standard bonded-particle model (BPM), a classic discrete element method, has been applied to a wide range of problems related to rock and soil. However, three intrinsic problems are associated with using the standard BPM: (1) an unrealistically low unconfined compressive strength to tensile strength (UCS/TS) ratio, (2) an excessively low internal friction angle, and (3) a linear strength envelope, i.e., a low Hoek-Brown (HB) strength parameter m i . After summarizing the underlying reasons of these problems through analyzing previous researchers' work, flat-joint model (FJM) is used to calibrate Jinping marble and is found to closely match its macro-properties. A parametric study is carried out to systematically evaluate the micro-parameters' effect on these three macro-properties. The results indicate that (1) the UCS/TS ratio increases with the increasing average coordination number (CN) and bond cohesion to tensile strength ratio, but it first decreases and then increases with the increasing crack density (CD); (2) the HB strength parameter m i has positive relationships to the crack density (CD), bond cohesion to tensile strength ratio, and local friction angle, but a negative relationship to the average coordination number (CN); (3) the internal friction angle increases as the crack density (CD), bond cohesion to tensile strength ratio, and local friction angle increase; (4) the residual friction angle has little effect on these three macro-properties and mainly influences post-peak behavior. Finally, a new calibration procedure is developed, which not only addresses these three problems, but also considers the post-peak behavior.

Topography, surface features, and flooding of Rogers Lake playa, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Dinehart, Randal L.; McPherson, Kelly R.

1998-01-01

Rogers Lake is a desert playa used as a military airport for Edwards Air Force Base in the Antelope Valley of southern California. Previous measurements of land subsidence and ground-water levels in the study area indicated that ground-water pumping induced tensional stresses in the playa, which were sporadically relieved through the formation of long cracks. Drying of the sediments beneath the playa also may have accelerated the natural formation of giant desiccation polygons. When water flows across the playa, the cracks erode into fissures of sufficient width and depth to endanger traffic on the playa. Topographic surveys of the playa were made to derive a contour map that would allow examination of erosive flow paths. Crack networks were surveyed in selected areas during 1995 and compared with cracks visible in aerial photographs taken in 1990. Crack networks remained visible in their positions following several inundations of the playa. The density of the crack networks increased in all of the selected areas.

Effect of irradiation-induced plastic flow localization on ductile crack resistance behavior of a 9%Cr tempered martensitic steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chaouadi, R.

2008-01-01

This paper examines the effect of irradiation-induced plastic flow localization on the crack resistance behavior. Tensile and crack resistance measurements were performed on Eurofer-97 that was irradiated at 300 °C to neutron doses ranging between 0.3 and 2.1 dpa. A severe degradation of crack resistance behavior is experimentally established at quasi-static loading, in contradiction with the Charpy impact data and the dynamic crack resistance measurements. This degradation is attributed to the dislocation channel deformation phenomenon. At quasi-static loading rate, scanning electron microscopy observations of the fracture surfaces revealed a significant change of fracture topography, mainly from equiaxed dimples (mode I) to shear dimples (mode I + II). With increasing loading rate, the high peak stresses that develop inside the process zone activate much more dislocation sources resulting in a higher density of cross cutting dislocation channels and therefore an almost unaffected crack resistance. These explanations provide a rational to all experimental observations.

Electrical evaluation of crack generation in SiNx and SiOxNy thin-film encapsulation layers for OLED displays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Eun Kil; Kim, Sungmin; Heo, Jaeyeong; Kim, Hyeong Joon

2016-05-01

By measuring leakage current density, we detected crack generation in silicon nitride (SiNx) and silicon oxynitride (SiOxNy) thin-film encapsulation layers, and correlated with the films' water vapor permeability characteristics. After repeated bending cycles, both the changes in water vapor transmission rate and leakage current density were directly proportional to the crack density. Thick SiNx films had better water vapor barrier characteristics in their pristine state, but cyclic loading led to fast failure. Varying the atomic concentration of the SiOxNy films affected their bending reliability. We attribute these differences to changes in the shape of the crack tip as the oxygen content varies.

Intense pulsed light annealing of copper zinc tin sulfide nanocrystal coatings

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Williams, Bryce A.; Smeaton, Michelle A.; Holgate, Collin S.

2016-09-15

A promising method for forming the absorber layer in copper zinc tin sulfide [Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} (CZTS)] thin film solar cells is thermal annealing of coatings cast from dispersions of CZTS nanocrystals. Intense pulsed light (IPL) annealing utilizing xenon flash lamps is a potential high-throughput, low-cost, roll-to-roll manufacturing compatible alternative to thermal annealing in conventional furnaces. The authors studied the effects of flash energy density (3.9–11.6 J/cm{sup 2}) and number of flashes (1–400) during IPL annealing on the microstructure of CZTS nanocrystal coatings cast on molybdenum-coated soda lime glass substrates (Mo-coated SLG). The annealed coatings exhibited cracks with two distinct linearmore » crack densities, 0.01 and 0.2 μm{sup −1}, depending on the flash intensity and total number of flashes. Low density cracking (0.01 μm{sup −1}, ∼1 crack per 100 μm) is caused by decomposition of CZTS at the Mo-coating interface. Vapor decomposition products at the interface cause blisters as they escape the coating. Residual decomposition products within the blisters were imaged using confocal Raman spectroscopy. In support of this hypothesis, replacing the Mo-coated SLG substrate with quartz eliminated blistering and low-density cracking. High density cracking is caused by rapid thermal expansion and contraction of the coating constricted on the substrate as it is heated and cooled during IPL annealing. Finite element modeling showed that CZTS coatings on low thermal diffusivity materials (i.e., SLG) underwent significant differential heating with respect to the substrate with rapid rises and falls of the coating temperature as the flash is turned on and off, possibly causing a build-up of tensile stress within the coating prompting cracking. Use of a high thermal diffusivity substrate, such as a molybdenum foil (Mo foil), reduces this differential heating and eliminates the high-density cracking. IPL annealing in presence of sulfur vapor prevented both low- and high-density cracking as well as blistering. However, grain growth was limited even after annealing with 400 flashes. This lack of grain growth is attributed to a difficulty of maintaining high sulfur vapor pressure and absence of alkali metal impurities when Mo foil substrates are used.« less

Generation mechanism of nonlinear ultrasonic Lamb waves in thin plates with randomly distributed micro-cracks.

PubMed

Zhao, Youxuan; Li, Feilong; Cao, Peng; Liu, Yaolu; Zhang, Jianyu; Fu, Shaoyun; Zhang, Jun; Hu, Ning

2017-08-01

Since the identification of micro-cracks in engineering materials is very valuable in understanding the initial and slight changes in mechanical properties of materials under complex working environments, numerical simulations on the propagation of the low frequency S 0 Lamb wave in thin plates with randomly distributed micro-cracks were performed to study the behavior of nonlinear Lamb waves. The results showed that while the influence of the randomly distributed micro-cracks on the phase velocity of the low frequency S 0 fundamental waves could be neglected, significant ultrasonic nonlinear effects caused by the randomly distributed micro-cracks was discovered, which mainly presented as a second harmonic generation. By using a Monte Carlo simulation method, we found that the acoustic nonlinear parameter increased linearly with the micro-crack density and the size of micro-crack zone, and it was also related to the excitation frequency and friction coefficient of the micro-crack surfaces. In addition, it was found that the nonlinear effect of waves reflected by the micro-cracks was more noticeable than that of the transmitted waves. This study theoretically reveals that the low frequency S 0 mode of Lamb waves can be used as the fundamental waves to quantitatively identify micro-cracks in thin plates. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Computational micromechanics of dynamic compressive loading of a brittle polycrystalline material using a distribution of grain boundary properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kraft, R. H.; Molinari, J. F.; Ramesh, K. T.; Warner, D. H.

A two-dimensional finite element model is used to investigate compressive loading of a brittle ceramic. Intergranular cracking in the microstructure is captured explicitly by using a distribution of cohesive interfaces. The addition of confining stress increases the maximum strength and if high enough, can allow the effective material response to reach large strains before failure. Increasing the friction at the grain boundaries also increases the maximum strength until saturation of the strength is approached. Above a transitional strain rate, increasing the rate-of-deformation also increases the strength and as the strain rate increases, fragment sizes of the damaged specimen decrease. The effects of flaws within the specimen were investigated using a random distribution at various initial flaw densities. The model is able to capture an effective modulus change and degradation of strength as the initial flaw density increases. Effects of confinement, friction, and spatial distribution of flaws seem to depend on the crack coalescence and dilatation of the specimen, while strain-rate effects are result of inertial resistance to motion.

The Role of Retained Austenite on the Mechanical Properties of a Low Carbon 3Mn-1.5Ni Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Jun; Zhang, Wei-na; Liu, Zhen-yu; Wang, Guo-dong

2017-12-01

The present studies focus on the correlation between retained austenite characteristics and the cryogenic temperature Charpy impact toughness, strength, and plasticity. The steels with different volume fractions and stabilities of retained austenite were prepared by quenching followed by intercritical heat treatment, and the microstructure was characterized using scanning electron microscope, electron back-scattered diffraction, and X-ray diffraction. The grain size, dislocation density, crack initiation energy, and crack propagation energy were quantified. It has been demonstrated that the volume fraction of retained austenite plays a significant role in the reduction of the measured yield strength and the effect of tempered martensite/ferrite matrix on cryogenic temperature impact toughness can be assumed to be similar due to the similar grain size, dislocation density and element content in solution for different heat treatments. It was found that the stability of retained austenite plays a determining role in the increase of cryogenic temperature impact toughness. Furthermore, the dependence of the crack propagation energy on retained austenite is much greater than that of the crack initiation energy. Generally, an excellent UTS × TEL does not produce good cryogenic temperature impact toughness.

Method For Manufacturing Articles For High Temperature Use, And Articles Made Therewith

DOEpatents

Wang, Hongyu; Mitchell, David Joseph; Lau, Yuk-Chiu; Henry, Arnold Thomas

2006-02-28

A method for manufacturing an article for use in a high-temperature environment, and an article for use in such an environment, are presented. The method comprises providing a substrate; selecting a desired vertical crack density for a protective coating to be deposited on the substrate; providing a powder, wherein the powder has a size range selected to provide a coating having the desired vertical crack density; and applying a thermal-sprayed coating to the substrate, the coating having the desired vertical crack density, wherein the powder is used as a raw material for the coating.

Method For Manufacturing Articles For High Temperature Use, And Articles Made Therewith

DOEpatents

Wang, Hongyu; Mitchell, David Joseph; Lau, Yuk-Chiu; Henry, Arnold Thomas

2005-03-15

A method for manufacturing an article for use in a high-temperature environment, and an article for use in such an environment, are presented. The method comprises providing a substrate; selecting a desired vertical crack density for a protective coating to be deposited on the substrate; providing a powder, wherein the powder has a size range selected to provide a coating having the desired vertical crack density; and applying a thermal-sprayed coating to the substrate, the coating having the desired vertical crack density, wherein the powder is used as a raw material for the coating.

On-line prognosis of fatigue crack propagation based on Gaussian weight-mixture proposal particle filter.

PubMed

Chen, Jian; Yuan, Shenfang; Qiu, Lei; Wang, Hui; Yang, Weibo

2018-01-01

Accurate on-line prognosis of fatigue crack propagation is of great meaning for prognostics and health management (PHM) technologies to ensure structural integrity, which is a challenging task because of uncertainties which arise from sources such as intrinsic material properties, loading, and environmental factors. The particle filter algorithm has been proved to be a powerful tool to deal with prognostic problems those are affected by uncertainties. However, most studies adopted the basic particle filter algorithm, which uses the transition probability density function as the importance density and may suffer from serious particle degeneracy problem. This paper proposes an on-line fatigue crack propagation prognosis method based on a novel Gaussian weight-mixture proposal particle filter and the active guided wave based on-line crack monitoring. Based on the on-line crack measurement, the mixture of the measurement probability density function and the transition probability density function is proposed to be the importance density. In addition, an on-line dynamic update procedure is proposed to adjust the parameter of the state equation. The proposed method is verified on the fatigue test of attachment lugs which are a kind of important joint components in aircraft structures. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Fabrication of metal nanopatterns for organic field effect transistor electrodes by cracking and transfer printing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xiaonan; Fu, Tingting; Wang, Zhe

2018-04-01

In this paper, we demonstrate a novel method for fabricating metal nanopatterns using cracking to address the limitations of traditional techniques. Parallel crack arrays were created in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) mold using a combination of surface modification and control of strain fields. The elastic PDMS containing the crack arrays was subsequently used as a stamp to prepare nanoscale metal patterns on a substrate by transfer printing. To illustrate the functionality of this technique, we employed the metal patterns as the source and drain contacts of an organic field effect transistor. Using this approach, we fabricated transistors with channel lengths ranging from 70-600 nm. The performance of these devices when the channel length was reduced was studied. The drive current density increases as expected, indicating the creation of operational transistors with recognizable properties.

Anisotropic Poroelasticity in a Rock With Cracks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wong, Teng-Fong

2017-10-01

Deformation of a saturated rock in the field and laboratory may occur in a broad range of conditions, ranging from undrained to drained. The poromechanical response is often anisotropic, and in a brittle rock, closely related to preexisting and stress-induced cracks. This can be modeled as a rock matrix embedded with an anisotropic system of cracks. Assuming microisotropy, expressions for three of the poroelastic coefficients of a transversely isotropic rock were derived in terms of the crack density tensor. Together with published results for the five effective elastic moduli, this provides a complete micromechanical description of the eight independent poroelastic coefficients of such a cracked rock. Relatively simple expressions were obtained for the Skempton pore pressure tensor, which allow one to infer the crack density tensor from undrained measurement in the laboratory, and also to infer the Biot-Willis effective stress coefficients. The model assumes a dilute concentration of noninteractive penny-shaped cracks, and it shows good agreement with experimental data for Berea sandstone, with crack density values up to 0.6. Whereas predictions on the storage coefficient and normal components of the elastic stiffness tensor also seem reasonable, significant discrepancy between model and measurement was observed regarding the off-diagonal and shear components of the stiffness. A plausible model had been proposed for development of very strong anisotropy in the undrained response of a fault zone, and the model here placed geometric constraints on the associated fracture system.

A comparison of fatigue crack growth in human enamel and hydroxyapatite.

PubMed

Bajaj, Devendra; Nazari, Ahmad; Eidelman, Naomi; Arola, Dwayne D

2008-12-01

Cracks and craze lines are often observed in the enamel of human teeth, but they rarely cause tooth fracture. The present study evaluates fatigue crack growth in human enamel, and compares that to the fatigue response of sintered hydroxyapatite (HAp) with similar crystallinity, chemistry and density. Miniature inset compact tension (CT) specimens were prepared that embodied a small piece of enamel (N=8) or HAp (N=6). The specimens were subjected to mode I cyclic loads and the steady state crack growth responses were modeled using the Paris Law. Results showed that the fatigue crack growth exponent (m) for enamel (m=7.7+/-1.0) was similar to that for HAp (m=7.9+/-1.4), whereas the crack growth coefficient (C) for enamel (C=8.7 E-04 (mm/cycle)x(MPa m(0.5))(-m)) was significantly lower (p<0.0001) than that for HAp (C=2.0 E+00 (mm/cycle)x(MPa m(0.5))(-m)). Micrographs of the fracture surfaces showed that crack growth in the enamel occurred primarily along the prism boundaries. In regions of decussation, the microstructure promoted microcracking, crack bridging, crack deflection and crack bifurcation. Working in concert, these mechanisms increased the crack growth resistance and resulted in a sensitivity to crack growth (m) similar to bone and lower than that of human dentin. These mechanisms of toughening were not observed in the crack growth response of the sintered HAp. While enamel is the most highly mineralized tissue of the human body, the microstructural arrangement of the prisms promotes exceptional resistance to crack growth.

A Comparison of Fatigue Crack Growth in Human Enamel and Hydroxyapatite

PubMed Central

Bajaj, Devendra; Nazari, Ahmad; Eidelman, Naomi; Arola, Dwayne

2008-01-01

Cracks and craze lines are often observed in the enamel of human teeth, but they rarely cause tooth fracture. The present study evaluates fatigue crack growth in human enamel, and compares that to the fatigue response of sintered hydroxyapatite (HAp) with similar crystallinity, chemistry and density. Miniature inset compact tension (CT) specimens were prepared that embodied a small piece of enamel (N=8) or HAp (N=6). The specimens were subjected to mode I cyclic loads and the steady state crack growth responses were modeled using the Paris Law. Results showed that the fatigue crack growth exponent (m) for enamel (m = 7.7±1.0) was similar to that for HAp (m = 7.9±1.4), whereas the crack growth coefficient (C) for enamel (C=8.7E-04 (mm/cycle)·(MPa·m0.5)-m) was significantly lower (p<0.0001) than that for HAp (C = 2.0E+00 (mm/cycle)·(MPa·m0.5)-m). Micrographs of the fracture surfaces showed that crack growth in the enamel occurred primarily along the prism boundaries. In regions of decussation, the microstructure promoted microcracking, crack bridging, crack deflection and crack bifurcation. Working in concert, these mechanisms increased the crack growth resistance and resulted in a sensitivity to crack growth (m) similar to bone and lower than that of human dentin. These mechanisms of toughening were not observed in the crack growth response of the sintered HAp. While enamel is the most highly mineralized tissue of the human body, the microstructural arrangement of the prisms promotes exceptional resistance to crack growth. PMID:18804277

Catalytic cracking of the top phase fraction of bio-oil into upgraded liquid oil

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sunarno; Chemical Engineering Department, Gadjah Mada University, Jalan Grafika No. 2 Bulaksumur,Yogyakarta 55281; Rochmadi,

The energy consumption is increasing, while oil reserves as a primary energy resource are decreasing, so that is the reason seeking alternative energy source is inevitable. Biomass especially oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) which is abundant in Indonesia can be processed into bio-oil by pyrolysis process. The potential for direct substitution of bio-oil for petroleum may be limited due to the high viscosity, high oxygen content, low heating value, and corrosiveness. Consequently, upgrading of the bio-oil before use is inevitable to give a wider variety of applications of its liquid product. Furthermore, upgrading process to improve the quality ofmore » bio-oil by reduction of oxygenates involves process such as catalytic cracking. The objective of this research is to study the effect of operation temperature on yield and composition of upgraded liquid oil and to determine physical properties. Bio-oil derived from EFB was upgraded through catalytic cracking using series tubular reactor under atmospheric pressure on a silica-alumina catalyst. Results show that increasing temperature from 450 to 600 °C, resulting in decreasing of upgraded liquid oil (ULO) yield, decreasing viscosity and density of ULO, but increasing in calorimetric value of ULO. The increasing temperature of cracking also will increase the concentration of gasoline and kerosene in ULO.« less

Growth characteristics of a plane crack subjected to three-dimensional loading. [based on stress intensity factors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hartranft, R. J.; Sih, G. C.

1973-01-01

The closed form expressions for the stress intensity factors due to concentrated forces applied to the surfaces of a half plane crack in an infinite body are used to generate solutions for distributed loads in this geometry. The stress intensity factors for uniformly distributed loads applied over a rectangular portion of the crack surface are given in closed form. An example of non-uniformly distributed loads which can be treated numerically is also included. In particular, combinations of normal and shear stresses on the crack which simulate the case of loading at an angle to the crack front are considered. The resulting stress intensity factors are combined with the strain energy density fracture criterion for the purpose of predicting the most likely direction of crack propagation. The critical value of the energy density factor can then be used for determining the allowable load on a specimen with a crack front not perpendicular to the tensile axis.

Changes in geophysical properties caused by fluid injection into porous rocks: analytical models: Geophysical changes in porous rocks

DOE PAGES

Pride, Steven R.; Berryman, James G.; Commer, Michael; ...

2016-08-30

Analytical models are provided that describe how the elastic compliance, electrical conductivity, and fluid-flow permeability of rocks depend on stress and fluid pressure. In order to explain published laboratory data on how seismic velocities and electrical conductivity vary in sandstones and granites, the models require a population of cracks to be present in a possibly porous host phase. The central objective is to obtain a consistent mean-field analytical model that shows how each modeled rock property depends on the nature of the crack population. We describe the crack populations by a crack density, a probability distribution for the crack aperturesmore » and radii, and the averaged orientation of the cracks. The possibly anisotropic nature of the elasticity, conductivity, and permeability tensors is allowed for; however, only the isotropic limit is used when comparing to laboratory data. For the transport properties of conductivity and permeability, the percolation effect of the crack population linking up to form a connected path across a sample is modeled. But, this effect is important only in crystalline rock where the host phase has very small conductivity and permeability. In general, the importance of the crack population to the transport properties increases as the host phase becomes less conductive and less permeable.« less

Changes in geophysical properties caused by fluid injection into porous rocks: analytical models: Geophysical changes in porous rocks

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pride, Steven R.; Berryman, James G.; Commer, Michael

Analytical models are provided that describe how the elastic compliance, electrical conductivity, and fluid-flow permeability of rocks depend on stress and fluid pressure. In order to explain published laboratory data on how seismic velocities and electrical conductivity vary in sandstones and granites, the models require a population of cracks to be present in a possibly porous host phase. The central objective is to obtain a consistent mean-field analytical model that shows how each modeled rock property depends on the nature of the crack population. We describe the crack populations by a crack density, a probability distribution for the crack aperturesmore » and radii, and the averaged orientation of the cracks. The possibly anisotropic nature of the elasticity, conductivity, and permeability tensors is allowed for; however, only the isotropic limit is used when comparing to laboratory data. For the transport properties of conductivity and permeability, the percolation effect of the crack population linking up to form a connected path across a sample is modeled. But, this effect is important only in crystalline rock where the host phase has very small conductivity and permeability. In general, the importance of the crack population to the transport properties increases as the host phase becomes less conductive and less permeable.« less

Mathematical modeling of the crack growth in linear elastic isotropic materials by conventional fracture mechanics approaches and by molecular dynamics method: crack propagation direction angle under mixed mode loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stepanova, Larisa; Bronnikov, Sergej

2018-03-01

The crack growth directional angles in the isotropic linear elastic plane with the central crack under mixed-mode loading conditions for the full range of the mixity parameter are found. Two fracture criteria of traditional linear fracture mechanics (maximum tangential stress and minimum strain energy density criteria) are used. Atomistic simulations of the central crack growth process in an infinite plane medium under mixed-mode loading using Large-scale Molecular Massively Parallel Simulator (LAMMPS), a classical molecular dynamics code, are performed. The inter-atomic potential used in this investigation is Embedded Atom Method (EAM) potential. The plane specimens with initial central crack were subjected to Mixed-Mode loadings. The simulation cell contains 400000 atoms. The crack propagation direction angles under different values of the mixity parameter in a wide range of values from pure tensile loading to pure shear loading in a wide diapason of temperatures (from 0.1 К to 800 К) are obtained and analyzed. It is shown that the crack propagation direction angles obtained by molecular dynamics method coincide with the crack propagation direction angles given by the multi-parameter fracture criteria based on the strain energy density and the multi-parameter description of the crack-tip fields.

Shear wave anisotropy from aligned inclusions: ultrasonic frequency dependence of velocity and attenuation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Figueiredo, J. J. S.; Schleicher, J.; Stewart, R. R.; Dayur, N.; Omoboya, B.; Wiley, R.; William, A.

2013-04-01

To understand their influence on elastic wave propagation, anisotropic cracked media have been widely investigated in many theoretical and experimental studies. In this work, we report on laboratory ultrasound measurements carried out to investigate the effect of source frequency on the elastic parameters (wave velocities and the Thomsen parameter γ) and shear wave attenuation) of fractured anisotropic media. Under controlled conditions, we prepared anisotropic model samples containing penny-shaped rubber inclusions in a solid epoxy resin matrix with crack densities ranging from 0 to 6.2 per cent. Two of the three cracked samples have 10 layers and one has 17 layers. The number of uniform rubber inclusions per layer ranges from 0 to 100. S-wave splitting measurements have shown that scattering effects are more prominent in samples where the seismic wavelength to crack aperture ratio ranges from 1.6 to 1.64 than in others where the ratio varied from 2.72 to 2.85. The sample with the largest cracks showed a magnitude of scattering attenuation three times higher compared with another sample that had small inclusions. Our S-wave ultrasound results demonstrate that elastic scattering, scattering and anelastic attenuation, velocity dispersion and crack size interfere directly in shear wave splitting in a source-frequency dependent manner, resulting in an increase of scattering attenuation and a reduction of shear wave anisotropy with increasing frequency.

Ply cracking in composite laminates

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Han, Youngmyong.

1989-01-01

Ply cracking behavior and accompanying stiffness changes in thermoset as well as thermoplastic matrix composites under various loading conditions are investigated. Specific topics addressed are: analytical model development for property degradations due to ply cracking under general in-plane loading; crack initiation and multiplication under static loading; and crack multiplication under cyclic loading. A model was developed to calculate the energy released due to ply cracking in a composite laminate subjected to general in-plane loading. The method is based on the use of a second order polynomial to represent the crack opening displacement and the concept of a through-the-thickness inherent flaw.more » The model is then used in conjunction with linear elastic fracture mechanics to predict the progressive ply cracking as well as first ply cracking. A resistance curve for crack multiplication is proposed as a means of characterizing the resistance to ply cracking in composite laminates. A methodology of utilizing the resistance curve to assess the crack density or overloading is also discussed. The method was applied to the graphite/thermoplastic polyimide composite to predict progressive ply cracking. However, unlike the thermoset matrix composites, a strength model is found to fit the experimental results better than the fracture mechanics based model. A set of closed form equations is also developed to calculate the accompanying stiffness changes due to the ply cracking. The effect of thermal residual stress is included in the analysis. A new method is proposed to characterize transverse ply cracking of symmetric balanced laminates under cyclic loading. The method is based on the concept of a through-the-thickness inherent flaw, the Paris law, and the resistance curve. Only two constants are needed to predict the crack density as a function of fatigue cycles.« less

Geometrically Nonlinear Field Fracture Mechanics and Crack Nucleation, Application to Strain Localization Fields in Al-Cu-Li Aerospace Alloys.

PubMed

Gupta, Satyapriya; Taupin, Vincent; Fressengeas, Claude; Jrad, Mohamad

2018-03-27

The displacement discontinuity arising between crack surfaces is assigned to smooth densities of crystal defects referred to as disconnections, through the incompatibility of the distortion tensor. In a dual way, the disconnections are defined as line defects terminating surfaces where the displacement encounters a discontinuity. A conservation statement for the crack opening displacement provides a framework for disconnection dynamics in the form of transport laws. A similar methodology applied to the discontinuity of the plastic displacement due to dislocations results in the concurrent involvement of dislocation densities in the analysis. Non-linearity of the geometrical setting is assumed for defining the elastic distortion incompatibility in the presence of both dislocations and disconnections, as well as for their transport. Crack nucleation in the presence of thermally-activated fluctuations of the atomic order is shown to derive from this nonlinearity in elastic brittle materials, without any algorithmic rule or ad hoc material parameter. Digital image correlation techniques applied to the analysis of tensile tests on ductile Al-Cu-Li samples further demonstrate the ability of the disconnection density concept to capture crack nucleation and relate strain localization bands to consistent disconnection fields and to the eventual occurrence of complex and combined crack modes in these alloys.

Weibull crack density coefficient for polydimensional stress states

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gross, Bernard; Gyekenyesi, John P.

1989-01-01

A structural ceramic analysis and reliability evaluation code has recently been developed encompassing volume and surface flaw induced fracture, modeled by the two-parameter Weibull probability density function. A segment of the software involves computing the Weibull polydimensional stress state crack density coefficient from uniaxial stress experimental fracture data. The relationship of the polydimensional stress coefficient to the uniaxial stress coefficient is derived for a shear-insensitive material with a random surface flaw population.

Processing of Alumina-Toughened Zirconia Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bansal, Narottam P.; Choi, Sung R.

2003-01-01

Dense and crack-free 10-mol%-yttria-stabilized zirconia (10YSZ)-alumina composites, containing 0 to 30 mol% of alumina, have been fabricated by hot pressing. Release of pressure before onset of cooling was crucial in obtaining crack-free material. Hot pressing at 1600 C resulted in the formation of ZrC by reaction of zirconia with grafoil. However, no such reaction was observed at 1500 C. Cubic zirconia and -alumina were the only phases detected from x-ray diffraction indicating no chemical reaction between the composite constituents during hot pressing. Microstructure of the composites was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Density and elastic modulus of the composites followed the rule-of-mixtures. Addition of alumina to 10YSZ resulted in lighter, stronger, and stiffer composites by decreasing density and increasing strength and elastic modulus.

Strain energy density and surface layer energy for a crack-like ellipse

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kipp, M. E.; Sih, G. C.

1973-01-01

Some of the fundamental concepts of sharp crack fracture criteria are applied to cracks and narrow ellipses. The strain energy density theory is extended to notch boundaries, where the energy in a surface layer is calculated and the location of failure initiation is determined. The concept of a core region near the notch tip, and its consequences, are examined in detail. The example treated is that of an elliptical cavity loaded uniformly at a large distance from the hole, and at an angle to the hole; the results are shown to approach that of the crack solution for narrow ellipses, and to display quite satisfactory agreement with recently published experimental data under both tensile and compressive loading conditions. Results also indicate that in globally unstable configurations in brittle materials, the original loading and notch geometry are sufficient to predict the subsequent crack trajectory with considerable accuracy.

Effect of laser power on the microstructure and mechanical properties of TiN/Ti3Al composite coatings on Ti6Al4V

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Zhengdao; Zhang, Xiancheng; Xuan, Fuzhen; Wang, Zhengdong; Tu, Shandong

2013-07-01

Laser nitriding is one of the effective techniques to improve the surface properties of titanium alloys and has potential application in the life extension of last-stage steam turbine blades. However, cracking of surface coating is a common problem due to heat concentration in laser nitriding process. Conventionally, the cracks can be avoided through heat treatment, which may have an important influence on the mechanical properties of coating. Crack-free TiN/Ti3Al IMC coatings on Ti6Al4V are prepared by plasma spraying and laser nitriding. The microstructures, phase constitutes and compositions of the coating are observed and analyzed with scanning electron microscopy(SEM), X-ray diffraction(XRD) and X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy(EDS). Microhardness, elastic modulus, fracture toughness of the coating are measured. The results show that the crack- and pore-free IMC coatings can be made through the proposed method; with increasing laser power, the amount and density of TiN phase in the coating first increased and then decreased, leading to the similar trend of microhardness and elastic modulus and the reverse trend of fracture toughness of the coating. Both the average microhardness and elastic modulus of the coating increase three times higher than those of the substrate. The volume fraction of the TiN reinforced phase in composite can be controlled by varying the laser power and the cracking problem in laser nitriding process is successfully solved.

Laser-induced cracks in ice due to temperature gradient and thermal stress

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Song; Yang, Ying-Ying; Zhang, Jing-Yuan; Zhang, Zhi-Yan; Zhang, Ling; Lin, Xue-Chun

2018-06-01

This work presents the experimental and theoretical investigations on the mechanism of laser-induce cracks in ice. The laser-induced thermal gradient would generate significant thermal stress and lead to the cracking without thermal melting in the ice. The crack density induced by a pulsed laser in the ice critically depends on the laser scanning speed and the size of the laser spot on the surface, which determines the laser power density on the surface. A maximum of 16 cracks within an area of 17 cm × 10 cm can be generated when the laser scanning speed is at 10 mm/s and the focal point of the laser is right on the surface of the ice with a laser intensity of ∼4.6 × 107 W/cm2. By comparing the infrared images of the ice generated at various experimental conditions, it was found that a larger temperature gradient would result in more laser-induced cracks, while there is no visible melting of the ice by the laser beam. The data confirm that the laser-induced thermal stress is the main cause of the cracks created in the ice.

Crack Damage Parameters and Dilatancy of Artificially Jointed Granite Samples Under Triaxial Compression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walton, G.; Alejano, L. R.; Arzua, J.; Markley, T.

2018-06-01

A database of post-peak triaxial test results was created for artificially jointed planes introduced in cylindrical compression samples of a Blanco Mera granite. Aside from examining the artificial jointing effect on major rock and rock mass parameters such as stiffness, peak strength and residual strength, other strength parameters related to brittle cracking and post-yield dilatancy were analyzed. Crack initiation and crack damage values for both the intact and artificially jointed samples were determined, and these damage envelopes were found to be notably impacted by the presence of jointing. The data suggest that with increased density of jointing, the samples transition from a combined matrix damage and joint slip yielding mechanism to yield dominated by joint slip. Additionally, post-yield dilation data were analyzed in the context of a mobilized dilation angle model, and the peak dilation angle was found to decrease significantly when there were joints in the samples. These dilatancy results are consistent with hypotheses in the literature on rock mass dilatancy.

Evidence of shallow fault zone strengthening after the 1992 M7.5 Landers, California, earthquake

USGS Publications Warehouse

Li, Y.-G.; Vidale, J.E.; Aki, K.; Xu, Fei; Burdette, T.

1998-01-01

Repeated seismic surveys of the Landers, California, fault zone that ruptured in the magnitude (M) 7.5 earthquake of 1992 reveal an increase in seismic velocity with time. P, S, and fault zone trapped waves were excited by near-surface explosions in two locations in 1994 and 1996, and were recorded on two linear, three-component seismic arrays deployed across the Johnson Valley fault trace. The travel times of P and S waves for identical shot-receiver pairs decreased by 0.5 to 1.5 percent from 1994 to 1996, with the larger changes at stations located within the fault zone. These observations indicate that the shallow Johnson Valley fault is strengthening after the main shock, most likely because of closure of cracks that were opened by the 1992 earthquake. The increase in velocity is consistent with the prevalence of dry over wet cracks and with a reduction in the apparent crack density near the fault zone by approximately 1.0 percent from 1994 to 1996.

Effect of microstructure on stress corrosion cracking of alloy 600 and alloy 690 in 40% NaOH

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, H. P.; Hwang, S. S.; Lim, Y. S.; Kuk, I. H.; Kim, J. S.

2001-02-01

Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) behaviors of Alloy 600, Alloy 690 and the Ni-10Cr-10Fe alloy have been studied using a C-ring in 40% NaOH solution at 315°C. The current density of Alloy 690 in polarization curves was higher at 200 mV above corrosion potential than that of Alloy 600. SCC resistance increased with Cr content for the chromium carbide free alloys, probably due to facilitation of SCC crack tip blunting with an increase in Cr content. Both thermally treated Alloy 600 and sensitized Alloy 600 have a comparable amount of intergranular carbide. But the former is more resistant to SCC than the latter, which might be attributed to the presence of the slight Cr depletion around the grain boundary in the former one. Sensitized Alloy 600 showed higher SCC resistance than the solution annealed one due to intergranular carbide in sensitized Alloy 600. This implies that the beneficial effect of intergranular carbide overrides the harmful effects of Cr depletion for sensitized Alloy 600. SCC resistance of Alloy 600 increased with grain size.

Dependence of CO2 Reactivity of Carbon Anodes on Pore Structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Tong; Xue, Jilai; Lang, Guanghui; Liu, Rui; Gao, Shoulei; Wang, Zengjie

2017-09-01

The correlation between the CO2 reactivity and pore structure of carbon anodes was experimentally investigated. The pore structures of the anodes before and after CO2 oxidation were characterized using image analysis. The porosity, mean pore diameter, and the number of micro-cracks decreased with increasing anode forming pressure, while they increased with over-compaction. With prolonged CO2 oxidation time, the porosity, pore density, mean pore diameter, pore aspect ratio, and the number of micro-cracks increased due to the merging of small pores, increased pore connectivity, and generation of new pores. The activation energy decreased with increasing porosity of the anodes' pitch phase due to easier CO2 penetration and reaction within the anodes. The results confirm that the fine pitch-coke phase of anodes is preferentially consumed, a cause of carbon dusting. Optimization of the pore structures to balance the pitch, coke, and butt phases may potentially further reduce carbon dusting.

The equivalence between dislocation pile-ups and cracks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, H. W.; Gao, Q.

1990-01-01

Cracks and dislocation pile-ups are equivalent to each other. In this paper, the physical equivalence between cracks and pile-ups is delineated, and the relationshps between crack-extension force, force on the leading dislocation, stress-intensity factor, and dislocation density are reviewed and summarized. These relations make it possible to extend quantitatively the recent advances in the concepts and practices of fracture mechanics to the studies of microfractures and microplastic deformations.

Passive wireless antenna sensor for strain and crack sensing—electromagnetic modeling, simulation, and testing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yi, Xiaohua; Cho, Chunhee; Cooper, James; Wang, Yang; Tentzeris, Manos M.; Leon, Roberto T.

2013-08-01

This research investigates a passive wireless antenna sensor designed for strain and crack sensing. When the antenna experiences deformation, the antenna shape changes, causing a shift in the electromagnetic resonance frequency of the antenna. A radio frequency identification (RFID) chip is adopted for antenna signal modulation, so that a wireless reader can easily distinguish the backscattered sensor signal from unwanted environmental reflections. The RFID chip captures its operating power from an interrogation electromagnetic wave emitted by the reader, which allows the antenna sensor to be passive (battery-free). This paper first reports the latest simulation results on radiation patterns, surface current density, and electromagnetic field distribution. The simulation results are followed with experimental results on the strain and crack sensing performance of the antenna sensor. Tensile tests show that the wireless antenna sensor can detect small strain changes lower than 20 με, and can perform well at large strains higher than 10 000 με. With a high-gain reader antenna, the wireless interrogation distance can be increased up to 2.1 m. Furthermore, an array of antenna sensors is capable of measuring the strain distribution in close proximity. During emulated crack and fatigue crack tests, the antenna sensor is able to detect the growth of a small crack.

Acoustic properties of a crack containing magmatic or hydrothermal fluids

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kumagai, H.; Chouet, B.A.

2000-01-01

We estimate the acoustic properties of a crack containing maginatic or hydrothermal fluids to quantify the source properties of long-period (LP) events observed in volcanic areas assuming that a crack-like structure is the source of LP events. The tails of synthetic waveforms obtained from a model of a fluid-driven crack are analyzed by the Sompi method to determine the complex frequencies of one of the modes of crack resonance over a wide range of the model parameters ??/a and ??f/??s, where ?? is the P wave velocity of the rock matrix, a is the sound speed of the fluid, and ??f and ??s are the densities of the fluid and rock matrix, respectively. The quality factor due to radiation loss (Qr) for the selected mode almost monotonically increases with increasing ??/a, while the dimensionless frequency (??) of the mode decreases with increasing ??/a and ??f/??s. These results are used to estimate Q and ?? for a crack containing various types of fluids (gas-gas mixtures, liquid-gas mixtures, and dusty and misty gases) for values of a, ??f, and quality factor due to intrinsic losses (Qi) appropriate for these types of fluids, in which Q is given by Q-1 = Qr-1 + Qi-1. For a crack containing such fluids, we obtain Q ranging from almost unity to several hundred, which consistently explains the wide variety of quality factors measured in LP events observed at various volcanoes. We underscore the importance of dusty and misty gases containing small-size particles with radii around 1 ??m to explain long-lasting oscillations with Q significantly larger than 100. Our results may provide a basis for the interpretation of spatial and temporal variations in the observed complex frequencies of LP events in terms of fluid compositions beneath volcanoes. Copyright 2000 by the American Geophysical Union.

Matrix density effects on the mechanical properties of SiC/RBSN composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bhatt, Ramakrishna T.; Kiser, James D.

1990-01-01

The room temperature mechanical properties were measured for SiC fiber reinforced reaction-bonded silicon nitride composites (SiC/RBSN) of different densities. The composites consisted of approx. 30 vol percent uniaxially aligned 142 micron diameter SiC fibers (Textron SCS-6) in a reaction-bonded Si3N4 matrix. The composite density was varied by changing the consolidation pressure during RBSN processing and by hot isostatically pressing the SiC/RBSN composites. Results indicate that as the consolidation pressure was increased from 27 to 138 MPa, the average pore size of the nitrided composites decreased from 0.04 to 0.02 microns and the composite density increased from 2.07 to 2.45 gm/cc. Nonetheless, these improvements resulted in only small increases in the first matrix cracking stress, primary elastic modulus, and ultimate tensile strength values of the composites. In contrast, HIP consolidation of SiC/RBSN resulted in a fully dense material whose first matrix cracking stress and elastic modulus were approx. 15 and 50 percent higher, respectively, and ultimate tensile strength values were approx. 40 percent lower than those for unHIPed SiC/RBSN composites. The modulus behavior for all specimens can be explained by simple rule-of-mixture theory. Also, the loss in ultimate strength for the HIPed composites appears to be related to a degradation in fiber strength at the HIP temperature. However, the density effect on matrix fracture strength was much less than would be expected based on typical monolithic Si3N4 behavior, suggesting that composite theory is indeed operating. Possible practical implications of these observations are discussed.

Matrix density effects on the mechanical properties of SiC fiber-reinforced silicon nitride matrix properties

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bhatt, Ramakrishna T.; Kiser, Lames D.

1990-01-01

The room temperature mechanical properties were measured for SiC fiber reinforced reaction-bonded silicon nitride composites (SiC/RBSN) of different densities. The composites consisted of approx. 30 vol percent uniaxially aligned 142 micron diameter SiC fibers (Textron SCS-6) in a reaction-bonded Si3N4 matrix. The composite density was varied by changing the consolidation pressure during RBSN processing and by hot isostatically pressing the SiC/RBSN composites. Results indicate that as the consolidation pressure was increased from 27 to 138 MPa, the average pore size of the nitrided composites decreased from 0.04 to 0.02 microns and the composite density increased from 2.07 to 2.45 gm/cc. Nonetheless, these improvements resulted in only small increases in the first matrix cracking stress, primary elastic modulus, and ultimate tensile strength values of the composites. In contrast, HIP consolidation of SiC/RBSN resulted in a fully dense material whose first matrix cracking stress and elastic modulus were approx. 15 and 50 percent higher, respectively, and ultimate tensile strength values were approx. 40 percent lower than those for unHIPed SiC/RBSN composites. The modulus behavior for all specimens can be explained by simple rule-of-mixture theory. Also, the loss in ultimate strength for the HIPed composites appears to be related to a degradation in fiber strength at the HIP temperature. However, the density effect on matrix fracture strength was much less than would be expected based on typical monolithic Si3N4 behavior, suggesting that composite theory is indeed operating. Possible practical implications of these observations are discussed.

Glass fiber addition strengthens low-density ablative compositions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chandler, H. H.

1974-01-01

Approximately 15% of E-glass fibers was added to compositions under test and greatly improved char stability. Use of these fibers also reduced thermal strains which, in turn, minimized char shrinkage and associated cracks, subsurface voids, and disbonds. Increased strength allows honeycomb core reinforcement to be replaced by equivalent amount of glass fibers.

46 CFR 164.015-4 - Inspections and tests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

...) Pounds/feet3 54.0 54.0 52.0 Volume loss on heat aging (maximum). 164.015-4(d) Percent 5.0 5.0 4.0... .06 Flexibility at 0 ±2F 164.015-4(j) No cracking No cracking Oil resistance 164.015-4(k) (1) (1) (1) Odor 164.015-4(l) (2) (2) (2) 1 No softening or swelling. 2 Not objectionable. (b) Density. The density...

Precision Composite Space Structures

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-10-15

large structures. 15. SUBJECT TERMS Composite materials, dimensional stability, microcracking, thermal expansion , space structures, degradation...Figure 32. Variation of normalized coefficients of thermal expansion α11(n), α22(n), and α33(n) with normalized crack density of an AS4/3501-6...coefficients of thermal expansion α11(n), α22(n), and α33(n) with normalized crack density of an AS4/3501-6 composite lamina with a fiber volume

Calculation of elastic properties in lower part of the Kola borehole from bulk chemical compositions of core samples

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Babeyko, A.Yu.; Sobolev, S.V.; Sinelnikov, E.D.

1994-09-01

In-situ elastic properties in deep boreholes are controlled by several factors, mainly by lithology, petrofabric, fluid-filled cracks and pores. In order to separate the effects of different factors it is useful to extract lithology-controlled part from observed in-situ velocities. For that purpose we calculated mineralogical composition and isotropic crack-free elastic properties in the lower part of the Kola borehole from bulk chemical compositions of core samples. We use a new technique of petrophysical modeling based on thermodynamic approach. The reasonable accuracy of the modeling is confirmed by comparison with the observations of mineralogical composition and laboratory measurements of density andmore » elastic wave velocities in upper crustal crystalline rocks at high confining pressure. Calculations were carried out for 896 core samples from the depth segment of 6840-10535m. Using these results we estimate density and crack-free isotropic elastic properties of 554 lithology-defined layers composing this depth segment. Average synthetic P-wave velocity appears to be 2.7% higher than the velocity from Vertical Seismic Profiling (VSP), and 5% higher than sonic log velocity. Average synthetic S-wave velocity is 1.4% higher than that from VSP. These differences can be explained by superposition of effects of fabric-related anisotropy, cracks aligned parallel to the foliation plain, and randomly oriented cracks, with the effects of cracks being the predominant control. Low sonic log velocities are likely caused by drilling-induced cracking (hydrofractures) in the borehole walls. The calculated synthetic density and velocity cross-sections can be used for much more detailed interpretations, for which, however, new, more detailed and reliable seismic data are required.« less

Crack networks in damaged glass

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mallet, Celine; Fortin, Jerome; Gueguen, Yves

2013-04-01

We investigate how cracks develop and propagate in synthetic glass samples. Cracks are introduced in glass by a thermal shock of 300oC. Crack network is documented from optical and electronic microscopy on these samples that have been submitted to a thermal shock only. Samples are cylinder of 80 mm length and 40 mm diameter. Sections were cut along the cylinder axis and perpendicular to it. Using SEM, crack lengths and apertures can be measured. Optical microscopy allows to get the crack distribution over the entire sample. The sample average crack length is 3 mm. The average aperture is 6 ± 3μm. There is however a clear difference between the sample core, where the crack network has approximatively a transverse isotrope symmetry and the outer ring, where cracks are smaller and more numerous. By measuring before and after the thermal treatment the radial P and S wave velocities in room conditions, we can determine the total crack density which is 0.24. Thermally cracked samples, as described above, were submitted to creep tests. Constant axial stress and lateral stress were applied. Several experiments were performed at different stress values. Samples are saturated for 48 hours (to get an homogeneous pore fluid distribution), the axial stress is increased up to 80% of the sample strength. Stress step tests were performed in order to get creep data. The evolution of strain (axial and radial strain) is measured using strain gages, gap sensors (for the global axial strain) and pore volume change (for the volumetric strain). Creep data are interpreted as evidence of sub-critical crack growth in the cracked glass samples. The above microstructural observations are used, together with a crack propagation model, to account for the creep behavior. Assuming that (i) the observed volumetric strain rate is due to crack propagation and (ii) crack aspect ratio is constant we calculate the creep rate. We obtain some value on the crack propagation during a 24 hours of constant stress test. At each of these test, crack propagate of 0.3 to 0.4 mm. From the initial average crack length of 3 mm, the crack reach the size of 5.8 mm at the end of a complete creep test (with 8 constant stress step of 24 hours).

The elasticity problem for a thick-walled cylinder containing a circumferential crack

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nied, H. F.; Erdogan, F.

1983-01-01

The elasticity problem for a long hollow circular cylinder containing an axisymmetric circumferential crack subjected to general nonaxisymmetric external loads is considered. The problem is formulated in terms of a system of singular integral equations with the Fourier coefficients of the derivative of the crack surface displacement as density functions. The stress intensity factors and the crack opening displacement are calculated for a cylinder under uniform tension, bending by end couples, and self-equilibrating residual stresses.

The elasticity problem for a thick-walled cylinder containing a circumferential crack

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nied, H. F.; Erdogan, F.

1982-01-01

The elasticity problem for a long hollow circular cylinder containing an axisymmetric circumferential crack subjected to general nonaxisymmetric external loads is considered. The problem is formulated in terms of a system of singular integral equations with the Fourier coefficients of the derivative of the crack surface displacement as density functions. The stress intensity factors and the crack opening displacement are calculated for a cylinder under uniform tension, bending by end couples, and self-equilibrating residual stresses.

Fatigue properties of an 1421 aluminum alloy processed by ECAE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mogucheva, A.; Kaibyshev, R.

2010-07-01

Fatigue properties and fatigue crack growth rate were examined in an Al-Mg-Li-Sc-Zr allow subjected to equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) with rectangular shape of channels up to a total strain of ~4 at a temperature of 325°C followed by solution treatment with subsequent oil quenching with aging. After this processing the fraction recrystallized was ~80pct; the deformed microstructure remains essentially unchanged under solution treatment due to high density of Al3Sc coherent dispersoids playing a role of effective pinning agents. It was shown that the fatigue limit of this material attained a value of ~185 MPa. Thermomechanical processing provided a decrease in fatigue crack propagation growth rate and an increase in the stress intensity factor, K1c, in comparison with extruded bar. However, characteristics of crack propagation resistance did not attain values suitable for application of this alloy for critical aircraft components.

Microstructure formation and fracturing characteristics of grey cast iron repaired using laser.

PubMed

Yi, Peng; Xu, Pengyun; Fan, Changfeng; Yang, Guanghui; Liu, Dan; Shi, Yongjun

2014-01-01

The repairing technology based on laser rapid fusion is becoming an important tool for fixing grey cast iron equipment efficiently. A laser repairing protocol was developed using Fe-based alloy powders as material. The microstructure and fracturing feature of the repaired zone (RZ) were analyzed. The results showed that regionally organized RZ with good density and reliable metallurgical bond can be achieved by laser repairing. At the bottom of RZ, dendrites existed in similar direction and extended to the secondary RZ, making the grains grow extensively with inheritance with isometric grains closer to the surface substrate. The strength of the grey cast iron base material was maintained by laser repairing. The base material and RZ were combined with robust strength and fracture resistance. The prevention and deflection of cracking process were analyzed using a cracking process model and showed that the overall crack toughness of the materials increased.

Microstructure Formation and Fracturing Characteristics of Grey Cast Iron Repaired Using Laser

PubMed Central

Liu, Dan; Shi, Yongjun

2014-01-01

The repairing technology based on laser rapid fusion is becoming an important tool for fixing grey cast iron equipment efficiently. A laser repairing protocol was developed using Fe-based alloy powders as material. The microstructure and fracturing feature of the repaired zone (RZ) were analyzed. The results showed that regionally organized RZ with good density and reliable metallurgical bond can be achieved by laser repairing. At the bottom of RZ, dendrites existed in similar direction and extended to the secondary RZ, making the grains grow extensively with inheritance with isometric grains closer to the surface substrate. The strength of the grey cast iron base material was maintained by laser repairing. The base material and RZ were combined with robust strength and fracture resistance. The prevention and deflection of cracking process were analyzed using a cracking process model and showed that the overall crack toughness of the materials increased. PMID:25032230

Theoretical predicting of permeability evolution in damaged rock under compressive stress

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vu, M. N.; Nguyen, S. T.; To, Q. D.; Dao, N. H.

2017-05-01

This paper outlines an analytical model of crack growth induced permeability changes. A theoretical solution of effective permeability of cracked porous media is derived. The fluid flow obeys Poisseuille's law along the crack and Darcy's law in the porous matrix. This solution exhibits a percolation threshold for any type of crack distribution apart from a parallel crack distribution. The physical behaviour of fluid flow through a cracked porous material is well reproduced by the proposed model. The presence of this effective permeability coupling to analytical expression of crack growth under compression enables the modelling of the permeability variation due to stress-induced cracking in a porous rock. This incorporation allows the prediction of the permeability change of a porous rock embedding an anisotropic crack distribution from any initial crack density, that is, lower, around or upper to percolation threshold. The interaction between cracks is not explicitly taken into account. The model is well applicable both to micro- and macrocracks.

The role of surface roughness on dislocation bending and stress evolution in low mobility AlGaN films during growth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bardhan, Abheek; Mohan, Nagaboopathy; Chandrasekar, Hareesh; Ghosh, Priyadarshini; Sridhara Rao, D. V.; Raghavan, Srinivasan

2018-04-01

The bending and interaction of threading dislocations are essential to reduce their density for applications involving III-nitrides. Bending of dislocation lines also relaxes the compressive growth stress that is essential to prevent cracking on cooling down due to tensile thermal expansion mismatch stress while growing on Si substrates. It is shown in this work that surface roughness plays a key role in dislocation bending. Dislocations only bend and relax compressive stresses when the lines intersect a smooth surface. These films then crack. In rough films, dislocation lines which terminate at the bottom of the valleys remain straight. Compressive stresses are not relaxed and the films are relatively crack-free. The reasons for this difference are discussed in this work along with the implications on simultaneously meeting the requirements of films being smooth, crack free and having low defect density for device applications.

How tough is Brittle Bone? Investigating Osteogenesis Imperfecta in Mouse Bone††

PubMed Central

Carriero, A.; Zimmermann, E. A.; Paluszny, A.; Tang, S. Y.; Bale, H.; Busse, B.; Alliston, T.; Kazakia, G.

2015-01-01

The multiscale hierarchical structure of bone is naturally optimized to resist fractures. In osteogenesis imperfecta, or brittle bone disease, genetic mutations affect the quality and/or quantity of collagen, dramatically increasing bone fracture risk. Here we reveal how the collagen defect results in bone fragility in a mouse model of osteogenesis imperfecta (oim), which has homotrimeric α1(I) collagen. At the molecular level we attribute the loss in toughness to a decrease in the stabilizing enzymatic crosslinks and an increase in non-enzymatic crosslinks, which may break prematurely inhibiting plasticity. At the tissue level, high vascular canal density reduces the stable crack growth, and extensive woven bone limits the crack-deflection toughening during crack growth. This demonstrates how modifications at the bone molecular level have ramifications at larger length scales affecting the overall mechanical integrity of the bone; thus, treatment strategies have to address multiscale properties in order to regain bone toughness. In this regard, findings from the heterozygous oim bone, where defective as well as normal collagen are present, suggest that increasing the quantity of healthy collagen in these bones helps to recover toughness at the multiple length scales. PMID:24420672

Finite volume method and multigrid acceleration in modelling of rapid crack propagation in full-scale pipe test

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ivankovic, A.; Muzaferija, S.; Demirdzic, I.

1997-07-01

Rapid Crack Propagation (RCP) along pressurised plastic pipes is by far the most dangerous pipe failure mode. Despite the economic benefits offered by increasing pipe size and operating pressure, both strategies increase the risk and the potential consequences of RCP. It is therefore extremely important to account for RCP in establishing the safe operational conditions. Combined experimental-numerical study is the only reliable approach of addressing the problem, and extensive research is undertaken by various fracture groups (e.g. Southwest Research Institute - USA, Imperial College - UK). This paper presents numerical results from finite volume modelling of full-scale test on medium density polyethylene gas pressurised pipes. The crack speed and pressure profile are prescribed in the analysis. Both steady-state and transient RCPs are considered, and the comparison between the two shown. The steady-state results are efficiently achieved employing a full multigrid acceleration technique, where sets of progressively finer grids are used in V-cycles. Also, the effect of inelastic behaviour of polyethylene on RCP results is demonstrated.

Athermal brittle-to-ductile transition in amorphous solids.

PubMed

Dauchot, Olivier; Karmakar, Smarajit; Procaccia, Itamar; Zylberg, Jacques

2011-10-01

Brittle materials exhibit sharp dynamical fractures when meeting Griffith's criterion, whereas ductile materials blunt a sharp crack by plastic responses. Upon continuous pulling, ductile materials exhibit a necking instability that is dominated by a plastic flow. Usually one discusses the brittle to ductile transition as a function of increasing temperature. We introduce an athermal brittle to ductile transition as a function of the cutoff length of the interparticle potential. On the basis of extensive numerical simulations of the response to pulling the material boundaries at a constant speed we offer an explanation of the onset of ductility via the increase in the density of plastic modes as a function of the potential cutoff length. Finally we can resolve an old riddle: In experiments brittle materials can be strained under grip boundary conditions and exhibit a dynamic crack when cut with a sufficiently long initial slot. Mysteriously, in molecular dynamics simulations it appeared that cracks refused to propagate dynamically under grip boundary conditions, and continuous pulling was necessary to achieve fracture. We argue that this mystery is removed when one understands the distinction between brittle and ductile athermal amorphous materials.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Overman, Nicole R.; Toloczko, Mychailo B.; Olszta, Matthew J.

High chromium, nickel-base Alloy 690 exhibits an increased resistance to stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in pressurized water reactor (PWR) primary water environments over lower chromium alloy 600. As a result, Alloy 690 has been used to replace Alloy 600 for steam generator tubing, reactor pressure vessel nozzles and other pressure boundary components. However, recent laboratory crack-growth testing has revealed that heavily cold-worked Alloy 690 materials can become susceptible to SCC. To evaluate reasons for this increased SCC susceptibility, detailed characterizations have been performed on as-received and cold-worked Alloy 690 materials using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and Vickers hardness measurements. Examinationsmore » were performed on cross sections of compact tension specimens that were used for SCC crack growth rate testing in simulated PWR primary water. Hardness and the EBSD integrated misorientation density could both be related to the degree of cold work for materials of similar grain size. However, a microstructural dependence was observed for strain correlations using EBSD and hardness which should be considered if this technique is to be used for gaining insight on SCC growth rates« less

How do subcritical cracking rates and styles influence rock erosion? A test case from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eppes, M. C.; Hancock, G. S.; Dewers, T. A.; Chen, X.; Eichhubl, P.

2017-12-01

There is a disconnect between measured rates of rock erosion and regolith production and our understanding of the factors and processes that drive them. Here we examine the mechanical weathering (cracking) characteristics of natural, bare bedrock outcrops characterized by 10Be derived erosion rates that vary from 2 to 40 m/my in the Blue Ridge Mountains, VA. Observed erosion rate variance generally correlates with rock type; we seek to characterize and quantify to what extent the mechanical weathering properties of the different rock types drive erosion rates. We assert that subcritical cracking constitutes the primary mechanism by which the outcrops increase their porosity and subsequently weather and erode. We therefore hypothesize that rock parameters that control rates and styles of subcritical cracking set the outcrop erosion rates. For each outcrop, we measured crack characteristics along transects: for every crack >2 cm length, we measured its length, width, orientation, and weathering characteristics (rounded vs sharp edges); and we measured the thickness of all `steps' (spallation remnants) encountered in the transects. For most outcrops, we collected surface samples in order to characterize their mineralogy and microcracking characteristics through thin section analysis. For each rock type, we collected samples for which we measured fracture toughness, as well as the subcritical crack growth index under different moisture conditions. Preliminary analysis of the field crack data indicates that each rock type (granite, sandstone, quartzite) is characterized by unique macro- and micro-scale crack characteristics consistent with known generic subcritical cracking parameters for those rocks. Crack density and length correlate with erosion rates in faster eroding rock types, but not slowly eroding ones. Overall, we hope these data will help to shed light on the driving and limiting factors for the mechanical production of porosity in rock at and near Earth's surface.

PLUTONIUM ALLOYS CONTAINING CONTROLLED AMOUNTS OF PLUTONIUM ALLOTROPES OBTAINED BY APPLICATION OF HIGH PRESSURES

DOEpatents

Elliott, R.O.; Gschneidner, K.A. Jr.

1962-07-10

A method of making stabilized plutonium alloys which are free of voids and cracks and have a controlled amount of plutonium allotropes is described. The steps include adding at least 4.5 at.% of hafnium, indium, or erbium to the melted plutonium metal, homogenizing the resulting alloy at a temperature of 450 deg C, cooling to room temperature, and subjecting the alloy to a pressure which produces a rapid increase in density with a negligible increase in pressure. The pressure required to cause this rapid change in density or transformation ranges from about 800 to 2400 atmospheres, and is dependent on the alloying element. (AEC)

A Model for Deformation and Fragmentation in Crushable Brittle Solids

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-03-01

diameter 7.94mm, was formed from an alloy of mass density 18 690 kg/m3. The concrete target was SAC-7 composition [6], with no reinforcing bars, 25.4mm...normalized density of micro- cracks in the substance. Similar approaches, albeit with various different ways of relating continuum damage variables to...This technique is naturally more realistic than element deletion for modeling discrete cracks , and is thought to be particularly useful for

A study of Laser Shock Peening on Fatigue behavior of IN718Plus Superalloy: Simulations and Experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chaswal, Vibhor

Laser shock peening (LSP) for improving fatigue life of IN718Plus superalloy is investigated. Fatigue geometry and LSP parameters were optimized using finite element method (FEM). Residual stress distributions estimated by FEM were validated using Synchrotron XRD and line focus lab XRD, and correlated with microhardness. An eigenstrain analysis of LSP induced edge deflections (measured with optical interferometry) was also conducted. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of single-spot LSP coupons shows sudden increase in dislocation density under LSP treated region. Total life fatigue was conducted at R=0.1 at 298K and 923K, with and without LSP. S-N curve endurance limit increases at both temperatures with FEM optimized LSP samples. Based on TEM of fatigue microstructure and LSP coupons, a mechanistic description of observed fatigue improvement is attempted. Often need arises to weld components, and weld heat-affected-zone reaches near-solvus temperatures. To simulate this treatment, sub-solvus hot-rolled IN718Plus is aged at 923K. We observe precipitation of thin eta-Ni3(Al, Ti) plates after 1000 hours, making the material susceptible to cracks, and lowering fatigue life. Effect of LSP on fatigue crack growth (FCG) is studied following ASTM guidelines on M(T) geometry at R=0.1. Acceleration in FCG rate with LSP is observed for this geometry and LSP condition. Prior FEM optimization was not conducted for FCG tests, and may account for lower FCG resistance after LSP. FCG results were corroborated with COD compliance based analysis. Crack measurements were done using potential drop method, and crack closure was analyzed. Effect of LSP on overload FCG was investigated by single-cycle 100% overload followed by single-spot LSP on the crack-tip plastic zone. Crack retardation occurs after application of overload+LSP. Effective contribution of overload+LSP to crack retardation is estimated. Fractographic analysis of LSP treated fatigue samples suggests sub-surface crack nucleation, and is analyzed based on stress concentration behavior of small cracks.

Effects of Laser Remelting and Oxidation on NiCrAlY/8Y2O3-ZrO2 Thermal Barrier Coatings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, S. Q.; Zhu, C.; Zhang, Y.

2018-02-01

In this study, three groups of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) samples were remelted by CO2 laser with different laser energy densities (1, 5 and 10 J/mm2) to seal the surface of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) coatings. Microscopic observations showed that the cracks size and the remelted depth in YSZ coatings increased. A 50-μm-thick dense layer was formed on the surface of YSZ coating in samples with 1 J/mm2 energy density. Microindentation tests showed that the Vickers hardness of YSZ coatings increases with the increase in laser energy density. After isothermal oxidation at 1200 °C for 200 h, thinner thermally growth oxides were found in laser remelted YSZ samples under energy density of 1 J/mm2 (6.32 ± 0.28 μm). Cyclic oxidation results showed that the weight gain per unit area of low energy density laser remelted TBCs was smaller than that of the high energy density laser remelted and as-sprayed TBCs.

Strip Yield Model Numerical Application to Different Geometries and Loading Conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hatamleh, Omar; Forman, Royce; Shivakumar, Venkataraman; Lyons, Jed

2006-01-01

A new numerical method based on the strip-yield analysis approach was developed for calculating the Crack Tip Opening Displacement (CTOD). This approach can be applied for different crack configurations having infinite and finite geometries, and arbitrary applied loading conditions. The new technique adapts the boundary element / dislocation density method to obtain crack-face opening displacements at any point on a crack, and succeeds by obtaining requisite values as a series of definite integrals, the functional parts of each being evaluated exactly in a closed form.

The effect of texture on the crack growth resistance of alumina

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Salem, Jonathan A.; Shannon, John L., Jr.; Bradt, Richard C.

1987-01-01

The crack growth resistance of a textured, extruded alumina body was compared with that of an isotropic, isopressed body of similar grain size, density, and chemistry. R-curve levels reflected the preferred orientation; however, R-curve slopes (dK sub IR/d Delta a) were the same in all instances, implying a similar crack growth resistive mechanism. Three orthogonal orientations of crack growth in the two structures exhibited similar forms of K sub IR versus Delta-a curves, for which a schematic diagram for polycrystalline ceramics is proposed.

Stress state of a piecewise uniform layered space with doubly periodic internal cracks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hakobyan, V. N.; Dashtoyan, L. L.

2018-04-01

The present paper deals with the stress state of a piecewise homogeneous plane formed by alternation junction of two distinct strips of equal height manufactured of different materials. There is a doubly periodic system of cracks on the plane. The governing system of singular integral equations of the first kind for the density of the crack dislocation is derived. The solution of the problem in the case where only one of the repeated strips contains one doubly-periodic crack is obtained by the method of mechanical quadratures.

Characterization of ion irradiation effects on the microstructure, hardness, deformation and crack initiation behavior of austenitic stainless steel:Heavy ions vs protons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gupta, J.; Hure, J.; Tanguy, B.; Laffont, L.; Lafont, M.-C.; Andrieu, E.

2018-04-01

Irradiation Assisted Stress Corrosion Cracking (IASCC) is a complex phenomenon of degradation which can have a significant influence on maintenance time and cost of core internals of a Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR). Hence, it is an issue of concern, especially in the context of lifetime extension of PWRs. Proton irradiation is generally used as a representative alternative of neutron irradiation to improve the current understanding of the mechanisms involved in IASCC. This study assesses the possibility of using heavy ions irradiation to evaluate IASCC mechanisms by comparing the irradiation induced modifications (in microstructure and mechanical properties) and cracking susceptibility of SA 304 L after both type of irradiations: Fe irradiation at 450 °C and proton irradiation at 350 °C. Irradiation-induced defects are characterized and quantified along with nano-hardness measurements, showing a correlation between irradiation hardening and density of Frank loops that is well captured by Orowan's formula. Both irradiations (iron and proton) increase the susceptibility of SA 304 L to intergranular cracking on subjection to Constant Extension Rate Tensile tests (CERT) in simulated nominal PWR primary water environment at 340 °C. For these conditions, cracking susceptibility is found to be quantitatively similar for both irradiations, despite significant differences in hardening and degree of localization.

Laboratory experiments for understanding mechanical properties of fractured granite under supercritical conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kitamura, M.; Takahashi, M.; Takagi, K.; Hirano, N.; Tsuchiya, N.

2017-12-01

To extract geothermal energy effectively and safely from magma and/or adjacent hot rock, we need to tackle many issues which require new technology development, such as a technique to control a risk from induced-earthquakes. On a development of induced-earthquake mitigation technology, it is required to understand roles of factors on occurrences of the induced-earthquake (e.g., strength, crack density, and fluid-rock reaction) and their intercorrelations (e.g., Asanuma et al., 2012). Our purpose of this series of experiments is to clarify a relationship between the rock strength and the crack density under supercritical conditions. We conducted triaxial deformation test on intact granite rock strength under high-temperature (250 - 750°C), high-pressure (104 MPa) condition at a constant load velocity (0.1 μm/sec) using a gas-rig at AIST. We used Oshima granite, which has initially <0.2 % of the porosity, 4.29±0.55 km/s in Vp (dry), and 2.49±0.19 km/s in Vs (dry). All experimental products showed the brittle feature having several oblique fracture surfaces, but the amount of stress drop became smaller at higher temperature. Young's modulus increased with decreasing the temperature from 32.3 GPa at 750°C to 57.4 GPa at 250°C. At 400 °C, the stress drop accelerated the deformation with 98 times faster velocity than that at load-point. In contrast, at 650°C and 750°C, the velocity during stress drop kept the same order of the load-point velocity. Therefore, the deformation mechanism may start to be changed from brittle to ductile when the temperature exceeds 650°C. Highly dense cracked granite specimens were formed by a rapid decompression test (RDT) using an autoclave settled at Tohoku University (Hirano et al., 2016JpGU), caused by a reduction of fluid pressure within 1-2 sec from vapor/supercritical state (10 - 48 MPa, 550 °C) to ambient pressure. The specimens after RDT show numerous microcracks on X-ray CT images. The RDT imposed the porosity increasing towards 3.75 % and Vp and Vs decreasing towards 1.37±0.52 km/s and 0.97±0.25 km/s. The Poisson's ratio shows the negative values in dry and 0.5 in wet. In the meeting, we will present results of triaxial deformation test on such cracked granites and show the relationship between strength and crack density under supercritical conditions.

Analysis of cracks induced by elevated temperature in rock using micro-focus X-ray CT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheon, D. S.; Park, E. S.

2016-12-01

Thermal energy storage facilities and deep borehole nuclear waste disposal in the underground are repeatedly applied by heat. The thermal stress induced by heat can generate micro-cracks and extend the existing micro-cracks of rocks. For long-term stabilities of the above facilities, the features of thermal induced cracks should be investigated. In this paper, we investigated occurred the features of thermal cracks using micro-focus X-ray CT before and after thermal experiments. Two different kinds of rock core specimens (limestone, granite) were heated within the furnace with the elevated temperatures of 250 °C, 400 °C and 550 °C. In thermal experiments, we heated rocks with the speed of 1.5 ºC /min to avoid thermal shock. Total 16 cases were subjected to X-ray imaging and post-processing to observe thermally induced fractures. Micro-cracks induced by thermal loading may not be extractable by a thresholding method such that the manual tracking within the ROI (Region of Interest) was implemented by using the VG Studio Software. Identified fractures were grouped by each object whose orientation was fitted by 3D plane. And then, its normal vector was computed and visualized. Nominal fractures (less than 10 voxel size) were excluded. Each fracture was projected on the 3D sphere and its volume was represented by color map. Thermal induced cracks in the limestone observed on CT images were very small. On the other hand, they could be more clearly observed in the granite. In case of limestone, the number of cracks is only 4 after heating up 550 °C and most of them occurred within the mineral. In case of granite, 157 cracks are detected both at the boundaries of minerals and within the mineral. In both rocks, the development of thermal cracks within a certain mineral was superior to them that occurred along the interface between minerals. After heating up to 550 °C the occurred cracks significantly increased. Crack volume was also similar pattern to the number of cracks. However the average volume of cracks in limestone is larger than granite. The normal vector of the cracks is similar to the bedding plane of limestone and texture of granite. These cracks affected the physical(density, elastic wave velocity) and mechanical properties(uniaxial compression strength , elastic modulus.

Prediction of corrosion fatigue crack initiation behavior of A7N01P-T4 aluminum alloy welded joints

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

An, J.; Chen, J.; Gou, G.; Chen, H.; Wang, W.

2017-07-01

Through investigating the corrosion fatigue crack initiation behavior of A7N01P-T4 aluminum alloy welded joints in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution, corrosion fatigue crack initiation life is formulated as Ni = 6.97 × 1012[Δσeqv1.739 - 491.739]-2 and the mechanism of corrosion fatigue crack initiation is proposed. SEM and TEM tests revealed that several corrosion fatigue cracks formed asynchronously and the first crack does not necessarily develop into the leading crack. The uneven reticular dislocations produced by fatigue loading are prone to piling up and tangling near the grain boundaries or the second phases and form the “high dislocation-density region” (HDDR), which acts as an anode in microbatteries and dissolved to form small crack. Thus the etching pits, HDDR near the grain boundaries and second phases are confirmed as the main causes inducing the initiation of fatigue crack.

Changes in crack shape and saturation during water penetration into stressed rock

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Masuda, K.; Nishizawa, O.

2012-12-01

Open cracks and cavities in rocks play important roles in fluid transport. Water penetration induced microcrack activities and caused the failure of rocks. Fluids in cracks affect earthquake generation mechanism through physical and physicochemical effects. Methods of characterizing crack shape and water saturation of rocks underground are needed for many scientific and industrial applications. It would be desirable to estimate the status of cracks using readily observable data such as elastic-wave velocities. We demonstrate a laboratory method for estimating crack status inside a cylindrical rock sample based on least-squares fitting of a cracked solid model to measured P- and S-wave velocities, and porosity derived from strain data. We used a cylinder (50 mm in diameter and 100 mm in length) of medium-grained granite. We applied a differential stress of 370 MPa, which corresponds to about 70% of fracture strength, to the rock sample under 30 MPa confining pressure and held it constant throughout the experiment. When the primary creep stage and acoustic emission (AE) caused by the initial loading had ceased, we injected distilled water into the bottom end of the sample at a constant pressure of 25 MPa until macroscopic fracture occurred. During water migration, we measured P waves and S waves (Sv and Sh), in five directions parallel to the top and bottom surfaces of the sample. We also measured strains of the sample surface and monitored AE. We created X-ray computer tomography (CT) images of the rock sample after the experiment in order to recognize the location and shape of fractured surfaces. We observed the different patterns of velocity changes in the upper and lower portions of the rock sample. Changes in P-wave velocities can be interpreted based on the crack density. S-waves showed the splitting with Vsv being faster than Vsh, corresponding to the second kind of anisotropy. We estimated two crack characteristics, crack shape and the degree of water saturation, and their changes during the loading and water migration into a granitic rock subjected to confining pressure and differential stress. We found that during injection of water to induce failure of a stressed rock sample, the aspect ratio of cracks increased and the degree of water saturation increased to about 70%. Laboratory derived method can be applicable for the well-planned observation in the field experiments. Monitoring in situ crack situations with seismic waves are useful for industrial and scientific applications such as sequestrations of carbon dioxide and waste, and measuring the regional stress field.

On cracking of charged anisotropic polytropes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Azam, M.; Mardan, S.A., E-mail: azam.math@ue.edu.pk, E-mail: syedalimardanazmi@yahoo.com

2017-01-01

Recently in [1], the role of electromagnetic field on the cracking of spherical polytropes has been investigated without perturbing charge parameter explicitly. In this study, we have examined the occurrence of cracking of anisotropic spherical polytropes through perturbing parameters like anisotropic pressure, energy density and charge. We consider two different types of polytropes in this study. We discuss the occurrence of cracking in two different ways ( i ) by perturbing polytropic constant, anisotropy and charge parameter ( ii ) by perturbing polytropic index, anisotropy and charge parameter for each case. We conclude that cracking appears for a wide rangemore » of parameters in both cases. Also, our results are reduced to [2] in the absence of charge.« less

The influence of loading on the corrosion of steel in cracked ordinary Portland cement and high performance concretes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jaffer, Shahzma Jafferali

Most studies that have examined chloride-induced corrosion of steel in concrete have focused on sound concrete. However, reinforced concrete is seldom uncracked and very few studies have investigated the influence of cracked concrete on rebar corrosion. Furthermore, the studies that have examined the relationship between cracks and corrosion have focused on unloaded or statically loaded cracks. However, in practice, reinforced concrete structures (e.g. bridges) are often dynamically loaded. Hence, the cracks in such structures open and close which could influence the corrosion of the reinforcing steel. Consequently, the objectives of this project were (i) to examine the effect of different types of loading on the corrosion of reinforcing steel, (ii) the influence of concrete mixture design on the corrosion behaviour and (iii) to provide data that can be used in service-life modelling of cracked reinforced concretes. In this project, cracked reinforced concrete beams made with ordinary Portland cement concrete (OPCC) and high performance concrete (HPC) were subjected to no load, static loading and dynamic loading. They were immersed in salt solution to just above the crack level at their mid-point for two weeks out of every four (wet cycle) and, for the remaining two weeks, were left in ambient laboratory conditions to dry (dry cycle). The wet cycle led to three conditions of exposure for each beam: (i) the non-submerged region, (ii) the sound, submerged region and (iii) the cracked mid-section, which was also immersed in the solution. Linear polarization resistance and galvanostatic pulse techniques were used to monitor the corrosion in the three regions. Potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical current noise and concrete electrical resistance measurements were also performed. These measurements illustrated that (i) rebar corroded faster at cracks than in sound concrete, (ii) HPC was more protective towards the rebar than OPCC even at cracks and (iii) there was a minor effect of the type of loading on rebar corrosion within the period of the project. These measurements also highlighted the problems associated with corrosion measurements, for example, identifying the actual corroding area and the influence of the length of rebar. The numbers of cracks and crack-widths in each beam were measured after the beam's initial exposure to salt solution and, again, after the final corrosion measurements. HPC beams had more cracks than the OPCC. Also, final measurements illustrated increased crack-widths in dynamically loaded beams, regardless of the concrete type. The cracks in both statically and dynamically loaded OPCC and HPC beams bifurcated at the rebar level and propagated parallel to the rebar. This project also examined the extent of corrosion on the rebars and the distribution of corrosion products in the concrete and on the concrete walls of the cracks. Corrosion occurred only at cracks in the concrete and was spread over a larger area on the rebars in HPC than those in OPCC. The damage due to corrosion was superficial in HPC and crater-like in OPCC. Regardless of the concrete type, there was a larger distribution of corrosion products on the crack walls of the dynamically loaded beams. Corrosion products diffused into the cement paste and the paste-aggregate interface in OPCC but remained in the crack in HPC. The most voluminous corrosion product identified was ferric hydroxide. Elemental analysis of mill-scale on rebar which was not embedded in concrete or exposed to chlorides was compared to that of the bars that had been embedded in uncontaminated concrete and in cracked concrete exposed to chlorides. In uncontaminated concrete, mill-scale absorbed calcium and silicon. At a crack, a layer, composed of a mixture of cement paste and corrosion products, developed between the mill-scale and the substrate steel. Based on the results, it was concluded that (i) corrosion occurred on the rebar only at cracks in the concrete, (ii) corrosion was initiated at the cracks immediately upon exposure to salt solution, (ii) the type of loading had a minor influence on the corrosion rates of reinforcing steel and (iv) the use of polarized area led to a significant underestimation of the current density at the crack. It is recommended that the effect of cover-depth on (i) the time to initiation of corrosion and (ii) the corrosion current density in cracked concrete be investigated.

STRESS CRACKING BEHAVIOR OF HDPE GEOMEMBRANES AND ITS PREVENTION

EPA Science Inventory

Geomembranes made from high density polyethylene (HOPE) have a high percent crystallinity and are therefore of concern with regard to stress cracking. A review of the literature plus our field exhuming of various sites-of-opportunity gave rise to twenty-five (25) situations wh...

Use of innovative concrete mixes for improved constructability and sustainability of bridge decks.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-11-01

Bridge deck crack surveys were performed on twelve bridges on US-59 south of Lawrence, Kansas, to determine the effects of : mixture proportions, concrete properties, deck type, and girder type on the crack density of reinforced concrete bridge decks...

On the phenomenon of curved microcracks in /(S)/90n/s laminates - Their shapes, initiation angles and locations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hu, Shoufeng; Bark, Jong S.; Nairn, John A.

1993-01-01

A variational analysis of the stress state in microcracked cross-ply laminates has been used to investigate the phenomenon of curved microcracking in /(S)/90n/s laminates. Previous investigators proposed that the initiation and orientation of curved microcracks are controlled by local maxima and stress trajectories of the principal stresses. We have implemented a principal stress model using a variational mechanics stress analysis and we were able to make predictions about curved microcracks. The predictions agree well with experimental observations and therefore support the assertion that the variational analysis gives an accurate stress state that is useful for modeling the microcracking properties of cross-ply laminates. An important prediction about curved microcracks is that they are a late stage of microcracking damage. They occur only when the crack density of straight microcracks exceeds the critical crack density for curved microcracking. The predicted critical crack density for curved microcracking agrees well with experimental observations.

Use of innovative concrete mixes for improved constructability and sustainability of bridge decks : [technical summary].

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-11-01

Bridge deck crack surveys were performed on twelve bridges on US-59 south of Lawrence, Kansas, to determine the effects of mixture proportions, concrete properties, deck type, and girder type on the crack density of reinforced concrete bridge decks.

Influence of surrounding environment on subcritical crack growth in marble

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nara, Yoshitaka; Kashiwaya, Koki; Nishida, Yuki; , Toshinori, Ii

2017-06-01

Understanding subcritical crack growth in rock is essential for determining appropriate measures to ensure the long-term integrity of rock masses surrounding structures and for construction from rock material. In this study, subcritical crack growth in marble was investigated experimentally, focusing on the influence of the surrounding environment on the relationship between the crack velocity and stress intensity factor. The crack velocity increased with increasing temperature and/or relative humidity. In all cases, the crack velocity increased with increasing stress intensity factor. However, for Carrara marble (CM) in air, we observed a region in which the crack velocity still increased with temperature, but the increase in the crack velocity with increasing stress intensity factor was not significant. This is similar to Region II of subcritical crack growth observed in glass in air. Region II in glass is controlled by mass transport to the crack tip. In the case of rock, the transport of water to the crack tip is important. In general, Region II is not observed for subcritical crack growth in rock materials, because rocks contain water. Because the porosity of CM is very low, the amount of water contained in the marble is also very small. Therefore, our results imply that we observed Region II in CM. Because the crack velocity increased in both water and air with increasing temperature and humidity, we concluded that dry conditions at low temperature are desirable for the long-term integrity of a carbonate rock mass. Additionally, mass transport to the crack tip is an important process for subcritical crack growth in rock with low porosity.

Adhesion strength of norbornene-based self-healing agents to an amine-cured epoxy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Guang Chun; Lee, Jong Keun; Kessler, Michael R.; Yoon, Sungho

2009-07-01

Self-healing is triggered by crack propagation through embedded microcapsules in an epoxy matrix, which then release the liquid healing agent into the crack plane. Subsequent exposure of the healing agent to the chemical catalyst initiates ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) and bonding of the crack faces. In order to improve self-healing functionality, it is necessary to enhance adhesion of polymerized healing agent within the crack to the matrix resin. In this study, shear bond strength between different norbornene-based healing agents and an amine-cured epoxy resin was evaluated using the single lap shear test method (ASTM D3163, modified). The healing agents tested include endodicyclopentadiene (endo-DCPD), 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene (ENB) and DCPD/ENB blends. 5-Norbornene-2-methanol (NBM) was used as an adhesion promoter, containing hydroxyl groups to form hydrogen bonds with the amine-cured epoxy. A custom synthesized norbornene-based crosslinking agent was also added to improve adhesion for ENB by increasing the crosslinking density of the adhesive after ROMP. The healing agents were polymerized with varying loadings of the 1st generation Grubbs' catalyst at different reaction times and temperatures.

Failure analysis of glass-ceramic insulators of shock tested vacuum (neutron) tubes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Spears, R.K.

1980-08-25

Eight investigative techniques were used to examine the glass-ceramic insulators in vacuum (neutron) tubes. The insulators were extracted from units that had been subjected to low temperature mechanical shock tests. Two of the three units showed reduced neutron output after these tests and an insulator on one of these two was cracked completely through which probably occurred during shock testing. The objective of this study was to determine if any major differences existed between the insulators of these tubes. After eight analyses, it was concluded that no appreciable differences existed. It appeared that cracking of the one glass-ceramic sample wasmore » initiated at inner-sleeve interface voids. For this sample, the interface void density was much higher than is presently acceptable. All insulators were made with glass-ceramic having a Na/sub 2/O content of 4.6 wt%. An increased Na/sub 2/O content will cause an increase in the coefficient of expansion and will reduce the residual stress level since the molybdenum has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the insulator. Thus, it is believed that a decrease in interface voids and an increase in Na/sub 2/O should aid in reduced cracking of the insulator during these tests.« less

Characterization of stress corrosion cracks in Ni-based weld alloys 52, 52M and 152 grown in high-temperature water

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xie, Yi; Wu, Yaqiao; Burns, Jatuporn

Ni-based weld alloys 52, 52M and 152 are extensively used in repair and mitigation of primary water stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in nuclear power plants. In the present study, a series of microstructure and microchemistry at the SCC tips of these alloys were examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and energy filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM). The specimens have similar chemical compositions and testing conditions. Intergranular (IG) and transgranular (TG) SCC was observed in all of them. The cracks were filled with nickel-oxidesmore » and partial precipitations of chrome carbides (CrCs), niobium carbides (NbCs), titanium nitrides (TiNs) and silicon carbides (SiCs), while iron (Fe) was largely dissolved into the solution. However, the crack densities, lengths and distributions were different for all three specimens. - Highlights: • Microstructure and microchemistry at the SCC tips of Ni-based weld alloys 52, 52M and 152 were examined. • The crack densities, lengths and distributions were found to be different for different alloys. • IGSCC and TGSCC were observed on alloy 52, only TGSCC was observed on alloy 52M and 152. • The cracks were filled by Ni-oxides and precipitated CrCs, NbCs, TiNs and SiCs.« less

Processing, microstructure and mechanics of functionally graded Al A359/SiC(p) composite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodriguez-Castro, Ramon

2000-11-01

Metal matrix composites (MMCs) have great promise for high temperature, high strength, wear resistant applications. However, their brittleness has limited their use in load bearing applications. Functionally graded MMCs with a reinforcement concentration higher on the surface than in the interior offer new opportunities, as these materials will have high surface hardness as well as high resistance to crack growth towards the interior. In this dissertation the processing and mechanical properties of a functionally graded MMC are investigated. Rectangular blocks (100 mmx60 mmx50 mm) of functionally graded SiC particulate reinforced aluminum A359 matrix composite were prepared by centrifugal casting techniques. The reinforcement volume fraction profiles varied as the centrifugal force was applied, owing to the different densities of Al and SiC. The casting at 1300 rpm (angular velocity) had a well-mixed, refined microstructure with the maximum SiC volume fraction of 44% near the outer surface of the blocks. This surface exhibited an elevated hardness. The effect of SiC particulate reinforcement on strengthening of A359 Al alloy was experimentally studied by tensile testing specimens prepared from the cast blocks. There was a continuous increase in tensile and yield strength with increasing SiC volume fractions in the range of 0.20 to 0.30. On the contrary, there was a reduction in tensile and yield strength for SiC concentrations in the range of 0.30 to 0.40. The elasticity modulus increased with increasing SiC volume fractions in the whole reinforcement range (0.20--0.40). Fractographic analysis by SEM revealed a ductile failure process of void growth in the matrix, but the amount of the void growth was less when the SiC concentration was higher. SEM also revealed SiC reinforcement fracture and decohesion, with the particle fracture increasing with the particle concentration. Appropriate flat specimens with a continuously graded microstructure for fracture mechanics testing were machined from the cast blocks. No published work has reported specimens of similar characteristics (size of the specimens and continuous reinforcement gradation). Fracture mechanics of the composite specimens with the crack parallel to the gradation in elastic properties was studied to investigate the effect of the nonhomogeneous microstructure on fracture toughness. Fatigue pre-cracking was used and a limited amount of fatigue crack propagation data was gathered. Low values of DeltaKth and increased crack growth resistance in the Paris region were observed for the functionally graded composite compared to a homogeneous 20 vol% composite. R-curve (KR) behavior of fracture was investigated in the functionally graded composite. At elevated SiC concentrations (low values of crack length), limited dissipation of energy by restrained plastic deformation of the matrix at the crack tip produced low fracture toughness values. On the contrary, at longer crack lengths SiC content decreased and there was more absorption of energy, resulting in higher fracture toughness values. In addition, the crack growth resistance behavior of the FGM composite was compared to the corresponding behavior of an Al A359/SiCp 20 vol% homogeneous composite. The latter exhibited a declining KR-curve behavior whereas the FGM composite displayed an increasing KR-curve behavior. Consequently, this increasing crack growth resistance behavior displayed by the functionally graded Al A359/SiCp composite shows that tailored changes in the microstructure could circumvent the low toughness inherent in MMCs.

The crack problem for a nonhomogeneous plane

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Delale, F.; Erdogan, F.

1982-01-01

The plane elasticity problem for a nonhomogeneous medium containing a crack is considered. It is assumed that the Poisson's ratio of the medium is constant and the Young's modulus E varies exponentially with the coordinate parallel to the crack. First the half plane problem is formulated and the solution is given for arbitrary tractions along the boundary. Then the integral equation for the crack problem is derived. It is shown that the integral equation having the derivative of the crack surface displacement as the density function has a simple Cauchy type kernel. Hence, its solution and the stresses around the crack tips have the conventional square root singularity. The solution is given for various loading conditions. The results show that the effect of the Poisson's ratio and consequently that of the thickness constraint on the stress intensity factors are rather negligible.

The crack problem for a nonhomogeneous plane

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Delale, F.; Erdogan, F.

1983-01-01

The plane elasticity problem for a nonhomogeneous medium containing a crack is considered. It is assumed that the Poisson's ratio of the medium is constant and the Young's modulus E varies exponentially with the coordinate parallel to the crack. First the half plane problem is formulated and the solution is given for arbitrary tractions along the boundary. Then the integral equation for the crack problem is derived. It is shown that the integral equation having the derivative of the crack surface displacement as the density function has a simple Cauchy type kernel. Hence, its solution and the stresses around the crack tips have the conventional square root singularity. The solution is given for various loading conditions. The results show that the effect of the Poisson's ratio and consequently that of the thickness constraint on the stress intensity factors are rather negligible.

Matrix cracking in laminated composites under monotonic and cyclic loadings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Allen, David H.; Lee, Jong-Won

1991-01-01

An analytical model based on the internal state variable (ISV) concept and the strain energy method is proposed for characterizing the monotonic and cyclic response of laminated composites containing matrix cracks. A modified constitution is formulated for angle-ply laminates under general in-plane mechanical loading and constant temperature change. A monotonic matrix cracking criterion is developed for predicting the crack density in cross-ply laminates as a function of the applied laminate axial stress. An initial formulation for a cyclic matrix cracking criterion for cross-ply laminates is also discussed. For the monotonic loading case, a number of experimental data and well-known models are compared with the present study for validating the practical applicability of the ISV approach.

Multifractality analysis of crack images from indirect thermal drying of thin-film dewatered sludge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Weiyun; Li, Aimin; Zhang, Xiaomin; Yin, Yulei

2011-07-01

Crack formation is inevitable during sludge drying because of the existence of uneven thermal stress. Experiments have been conducted to study crack pattern formation in thin film sludge. Crack images show that the thinner the sewage sludge film, the more even the crack distribution. The crack changes from a flaky texture to a banded structure with increasing thickness. Multifractal methods are proposed to analyze the crack image of four different thicknesses of dried sludge. Several parameters are conducted for quantification of the crack image and the results indicate that the width of spectra increases with thicker sludge film, that is to say, nonunifromity of crack distribution increases with increasing thickness, which proves that the multifractal method is sensitive enough to quantify the crack distribution and can be seen as a new approach for the changing research of crack images of sewage sludge drying.

Comparing crack damage evolution in rocks deformed under conventional and true triaxial loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Browning, J.; Meredith, P. G.; Stuart, C.; Healy, D.; Harland, S. R.; Mitchell, T. M.

2017-12-01

The vast majority of experimental studies investigate damage evolution using conventional triaxial stress states (σ1 > σ2 = σ3, CTA), whereas in nature the stress state is generally truly triaxial (σ1 > σ2 > σ3, TTA). We present a comparative study of crack damage evolution during CTA vs. TTA stress conditions using results from measurements made on cubic samples of sandstone deformed in three orthogonal directions with independently controlled stress paths. We have measured, simultaneously with stress and strain, changes in wave velocities in the three principal directions, together with acoustic emission (AE) output. Changes in wave velocities are associated with both elastic closure and opening of pre-existing cracks, and the inelastic formation of new cracks. By contrast, AE is associated only with the inelastic growth of new crack damage. The onset of new damage is shown to be a function of differential stress regardless of the magnitude of mean stress. Hence, we show that damage can form due to a decrease in the minimum principal stress, which reduces mean stress but increases the differential stress. We find an approximately fivefold decrease in the number of AE events in the TTA case in comparison to the CTA case. In essence, we create two end-member crack distributions; one displaying cylindrical transverse isotropy and the other planar transverse isotropy. Taken together, the AE data, the velocities and the crack densities indicate that the intermediate principal stress plays a key role in suppressing the total amount of crack growth and concentrating it in planes sub-parallel to the minimum stress. However, the size of individual cracks remains constant. Hence, the differential stress at which rocks fail (i.e. strength) will be significantly higher under TTA stress (where σ2 > σ3) than under CTA stress (where σ2 = σ3). Cyclic loading tests show that while individual stress states are important, the stress path by which these stress states are reached is equally important. Whether the stress state has been `visited' before is key to determining and understanding damage states. Further damage commences only when the previous maximum differential stress is exceeded, regardless of whether this is achieved by increasing the maximum principal stress or by decreasing the minimum principal stress.

Effects of H2S/HS- on Stress Corrosion Cracking Behavior of X100 Pipeline Steel Under Simulated Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria Metabolite Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Q.; Li, Z.; Liu, Z. Y.; Li, X. G.; Wang, S. Q.

2017-04-01

The effect of H2S/HS-, which simulates the main metabolites of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), on the electrochemical and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) behaviors of X100 steel was investigated in a near-neutral solution. The results showed that different H2S/HS- contents mainly affected the cathodic process of X100 electrochemical corrosion. As the concentration of H2S/HS- increased, the corrosion potential was shifted negatively, the corrosion current density was considerably increased, and the corrosion rate was linearly increased. Different rust layers with shifting structures were formed under different conditions and had different effects on electrochemical behaviors. However, sulfide mainly promoted local corrosion processes. With the synergistic effects of stress and H2S/HS-, SCC susceptibility was considerably enhanced. The accelerated process of hydrogen evolution by sulfide was crucial in enhancing SCC processes. In brief, the trace H2S/HS- generated by SRB metabolites played a positive role in promoting SCC.

Influence of anodizing conditions on generation of internal cracks in anodic porous tin oxide films grown in NaOH electrolyte

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zaraska, Leszek; Gawlak, Karolina; Gurgul, Magdalena; Dziurka, Magdalena; Nowak, Marlena; Gilek, Dominika; Sulka, Grzegorz D.

2018-05-01

Nanoporous tin oxide layers were synthesized via simple one-step anodic oxidation of a low-purity Sn foil (98.8%) in sodium hydroxide electrolyte. The process of pore formation at the early stage of anodization was discussed on the basis of concepts of oxygen bubble mould effect and viscous flow of oxide. The effect of anodizing conditions on the generation of internal cracks and fractures within the anodic film was investigated in detail. It was confirmed that crack-free tin oxide films can be obtained if the anodization is carried out at the potential of 4 V independently of the electrolyte concentration. On the other hand, the porous anodic film with a totally stacked internal morphology is obtained at the potential of 5 V in 0.1 M NaOH electrolyte. The generation of internal cracks and voids can be attributed to a much lower surface porosity and local trapping of O2 inside the pores of the oxide layer. However, increasing electrolyte concentration allows for obtaining less cracked porous films due to effective and uniform liberation of oxygen bubbles from the channels through completely open pore mouths. Furthermore, it was confirmed that uniformity of the anodic tin oxide layers can be significantly improved by vigorous electrolyte stirring. Finally, we observed that the addition of ethanol to the electrolyte can reduce anodic current density and the oxide growth rate. In consequence, less cracked anodic film can be formed even at the potential of 6 V. The generation of oxygen at the pore bottoms, together with the open pore mouths were found to be critical factors responsible for the anodic formation of crack-free porous tin oxide films.

Cracks growth behaviors of commercial pure titanium under nanosecond laser irradiation for formation of nanostructure-covered microstructures (with sub-5-μm)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pan, A. F.; Wang, W. J.; Mei, X. S.; Zheng, B. X.; Yan, Z. X.

2016-11-01

This study reported on the formation of sub-5-μm microstructures covered on titanium by cracks growth under 10-ns laser radiation at the wavelength of 532 nm and its induced light modification for production of nanostructures. The electric field intensity and laser power density absorbed by commercial pure titanium were computed to investigate the self-trapping introduced by cracks and the effect of surface morphology on laser propagation characteristics. It is found that nanostructures can form at the surface with the curvature radius below 20 μm. Meanwhile, variable laser fluences were applied to explore the evolution of cracks on commercial pure titanium with or without melt as spot overlap number increased. Experimental study was first performed at the peak laser fluence of 1.063 J/cm2 to investigate the microstructures induced only by cracks growth. The results demonstrated that angular microstructures with size between 1.68 μm and 4.74 μm was obtained and no nanostructure covered. Then, at the peak laser fluence of 2.126 J/cm2, there were some nanostructures covered on the melt-induced curved microstructured surface. However, surface molten material submerged in the most of cracks at the spot overlap number of 744, where the old cracks disappeared. The results indicated that there was too much molten material and melting time at the peak laser fluence of 2.126 J/cm2, which was not suitable for obtainment of perfect micro-nano structures. On this basis, peak laser fluence was reduced down to 1.595 J/cm2 and the sharp sub-5 μm microstructures with nanostructures covered was obtained at spot overlap number of 3720.

Fatigue Crack Prognostics by Optical Quantification of Defect Frequency

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chan, K. S.; Buckner, B. D.; Earthman, J. C.

2018-01-01

Defect frequency, a fatigue crack prognostics indicator, is defined as the number of microcracks per second detected using a laser beam that is scanned across a surface at a constant predetermined frequency. In the present article, a mechanistic approach was taken to develop a methodology for deducing crack length and crack growth information from defect frequency data generated from laser scanning measurements made on fatigued surfaces. The method was developed by considering a defect frequency vs fatigue cycle curve that comprised three regions: (i) a crack initiation regime of rising defect frequency, (ii) a plateau region of a relatively constant defect frequency, and (iii) a region of rapid rising defect frequency due to crack growth. Relations between defect frequency and fatigue cycle were developed for each of these three regions and utilized to deduce crack depth information from laser scanning data of 7075-T6 notched specimens. The proposed method was validated using experimental data of crack density and crack length data from the literature for a structural steel. The proposed approach was successful in predicting the length or depth of small fatigue cracks in notched 7075-T6 specimens and in smooth fatigue specimens of a structural steel.

Fracture analysis for a penny-shaped crack problem of a superconducting cylinder in a parallel magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, S. W.; Feng, W. J.; Fang, X. Q.; Zhang, G. L.

2014-11-01

In this work, the penny-shaped crack problem is investigated for an infinite long superconducting cylinder under electromagnetic forces. The distributions of magnetic flux density in the superconducting cylinder are obtained analytically for both the zero-field cooling (ZFC) and the field cooling (FC) activation processes, where the magnetically impermeable crack surface condition and the Bean model outside the crack region are adopted. Based on the finite element method (FEM), the stress intensity factor (SIF) and energy release rate (ERR) at the crack tips in the process of field descent are further numerically calculated. Numerical results obtained show that according to the maximal energy release rate criterion, the FC process is generally easier to enhance crack initiation and propagation than the ZFC activation process. On the other hand, for the FC activation process, the larger the maximal applied magnetic field, more likely the crack propagates. Additionally, crack size has important and slightly different effects on the crack extension forces for the ZFC and FC cases. Thus, all of the activation processes, the applied field and the diameter of the penny-shaped crack have significant effects on the intensity analysis and design of superconducting materials.

Prediction of microcracking in composite laminates under thermomechanical loading

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Maddocks, Jason R.; Mcmanus, Hugh L.

1995-01-01

Composite laminates used in space structures are exposed to both thermal and mechanical loads. Cracks in the matrix form, changing the laminate thermoelastic properties. An analytical methodology is developed to predict microcrack density in a general laminate exposed to an arbitrary thermomechanical load history. The analysis uses a shear lag stress solution in conjunction with an energy-based cracking criterion. Experimental investigation was used to verify the analysis. Correlation between analysis and experiment is generally excellent. The analysis does not capture machining-induced cracking, or observed delayed crack initiation in a few ply groups, but these errors do not prevent the model from being a useful preliminary design tool.

Towards crack-free ablation cutting of thin glass sheets with picosecond pulsed lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Mingying; Eppelt, Urs; Hartmann, Claudia; Schulz, Wolfgang; Zhu, Jianqiang; Lin, Zunqi

2017-08-01

We investigated the morphology and mechanism of laser-induced damage in the ablation cutting of thin glass sheets with picosecond laser. Two kinds of damage morphologies observed on the cross-section of the cut channel, are caused by high-density free-electrons and the temperature accumulation, respectively. Notches and micro-cracks can be observed on the top surface of the sample near the cut edge. The surface micro-cracks were related to high energy free-electrons and also the heat-affected zone. Heat-affected-zone and visible-cracks free conditions of glass cutting were achieved by controlling the repetition rate and spatial overlap of laser pulses.

Analysis of the progressive failure of brittle matrix composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thomas, David J.

1995-01-01

This report investigates two of the most common modes of localized failures, namely, periodic fiber-bridged matrix cracks and transverse matrix cracks. A modification of Daniels' bundle theory is combined with Weibull's weakest link theory to model the statistical distribution of the periodic matrix cracking strength for an individual layer. Results of the model predictions are compared with experimental data from the open literature. Extensions to the model are made to account for possible imperfections within the layer (i.e., nonuniform fiber lengths, irregular crack spacing, and degraded in-situ fiber properties), and the results of these studies are presented. A generalized shear-lag analysis is derived which is capable of modeling the development of transverse matrix cracks in material systems having a general multilayer configuration and under states of full in-plane load. A method for computing the effective elastic properties for the damaged layer at the global level is detailed based upon the solution for the effects of the damage at the local level. This methodology is general in nature and is therefore also applicable to (0(sub m)/90(sub n))(sub s) systems. The characteristic stress-strain response for more general cases is shown to be qualitatively correct (experimental data is not available for a quantitative evaluation), and the damage evolution is recorded in terms of the matrix crack density as a function of the applied strain. Probabilistic effects are introduced to account for the statistical nature of the material strengths, thus allowing cumulative distribution curves for the probability of failure to be generated for each of the example laminates. Additionally, Oh and Finney's classic work on fracture location in brittle materials is extended and combined with the shear-lag analysis. The result is an analytical form for predicting the probability density function for the location of the next transverse crack occurrence within a crack bounded region. The results of this study verified qualitatively the validity of assuming a uniform crack spacing (as was done in the shear-lag model).

Interaction between a circular inclusion and an arbitrarily oriented crack

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Erdogan, F.; Gupta, G. D.; Ratwani, M.

1975-01-01

The plane interaction problem for a circular elastic inclusion embedded in an elastic matrix which contains an arbitrarily oriented crack is considered. Using the existing solutions for the edge dislocations as Green's functions, first the general problem of a through crack in the form of an arbitrary smooth arc located in the matrix in the vicinity of the inclusion is formulated. The integral equations for the line crack are then obtained as a system of singular integral equations with simple Cauchy kernels. The singular behavior of the stresses around the crack tips is examined and the expressions for the stress-intensity factors representing the strength of the stress singularities are obtained in terms of the asymptotic values of the density functions of the integral equations. The problem is solved for various typical crack orientations and the corresponding stress-intensity factors are given.

Correlation between optical properties surface morphology of porous silicon electrodeposited by Fe3+ ion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mabrouk, Asma; Lorrain, N.; Haji, M. L.; Oueslati, Meherzi

2015-01-01

In this paper, we analyze the photoluminescence spectra (PL) of porous silicon (PS) layer which is elaborated by electrochemical etching and passivated by Fe3+ ions (PSF) via current density, electro-deposition and temperature measurements. We observe unusual surface morphology of PSF surface and anomalous emission behavior. The PSF surface shows regular distribution of cracks, leaving isolated regions or ;platelets; of nearly uniform thickness. These cracks become more pronounced for high current densities. The temperature dependence of the PL peak energy (EPL) presents anomalous behaviors, i.e., the PL peak energy shows a successive red/blue/redshift (S-shaped behavior) with increasing temperature that we attribute to the existence of strong potential fluctuations induced by the electrochemical etching of PS layers. A competition process between localized and delocalized excitons is used to discuss these PL properties. In this case, the potential confinement plays a key role on the enhancement of PL intensity in PSF. To explain the temperature dependence of the PL intensity, we have proposed a recombination model based on the tunneling and dissociation of excitons.

Development and Characterization of Embedded Sensory Particles Using Multi-Scale 3D Digital Image Correlation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cornell, Stephen R.; Leser, William P.; Hochhalter, Jacob D.; Newman, John A.; Hartl, Darren J.

2014-01-01

A method for detecting fatigue cracks has been explored at NASA Langley Research Center. Microscopic NiTi shape memory alloy (sensory) particles were embedded in a 7050 aluminum alloy matrix to detect the presence of fatigue cracks. Cracks exhibit an elevated stress field near their tip inducing a martensitic phase transformation in nearby sensory particles. Detectable levels of acoustic energy are emitted upon particle phase transformation such that the existence and location of fatigue cracks can be detected. To test this concept, a fatigue crack was grown in a mode-I single-edge notch fatigue crack growth specimen containing sensory particles. As the crack approached the sensory particles, measurements of particle strain, matrix-particle debonding, and phase transformation behavior of the sensory particles were performed. Full-field deformation measurements were performed using a novel multi-scale optical 3D digital image correlation (DIC) system. This information will be used in a finite element-based study to determine optimal sensory material behavior and density.

Damage Recovery in Carrara Marble

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meyer, G.; Brantut, N.; Mitchell, T. M.; Meredith, P. G.

2017-12-01

We investigate the effect of confining pressure on the recovery of elastic wave velocities following deformation episodes in Carrara Marble. Dry Carrara Marble cores were deformed in the ductile regime (Pc = 40 MPa) up to 3% axial strain. After deformation, samples were held at constant stress conditions for extended periods of time (5-8 days) whilst continuously recording volumetric strain and seismic wave velocities. The velocity data were used to invert for microcrack densities using an effective medium approach. Finally, thin sections were produced to characterise the microstructures after recovery. During deformation, elastic wave speeds decreased with increasing strain by more than 30% of the value for the intact rock due to the formation of distributed microcracks. Under constant hydrostatic pressure, wave speeds progressively recovered 12-90% of the initial drop, depending on the applied confining pressure. In contrast, the strain recovery (deformation towards the initial shape of the sample) during holding time is negligible (of the order of 10-4). Tests performed under nonhydrostatic (triaxial) stress conditions during recovery showed some time-dependent creep deformation together with very significant recovery of wave velocities. The recovery is interpreted as a progressive reduction in crack density within the sample. The process is highly dependent on confining pressure, which favours it. We propose that the driving process for wave speed recovery is the time-dependent increase of contact area between crack surfaces due to the formation and growth of asperity contacts. We develop a micromechanical model for crack closure driven by asperity creep, which shows a good fit to the experimental data. Most of the recovery is achieved in the initial few hours, implying it is the fastest recovery or healing process, and thus occurs prior to any chemical healing or mineral precipitation. Our data corroborate field observations of post-seismic fault behavior.

Effects of TiB2 Particle and Short Fiber Sizes on the Microstructure and Properties of TiB2-Reinforced Composite Coatings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Yinghua; Yao, Jianhua; Wang, Liang; Zhang, Qunli; Li, Xueqiao; Lei, Yongping; Fu, Hanguang

2018-03-01

In this study, particle and short fiber-reinforced titanium matrix composite coatings are prepared via laser in situ technique using (0.5 and 50 μm) TiB2 and Ti powder as cladding materials. The microstructure and properties of the composite coatings are studied, and the changing mechanism of the microstructure is discussed. The results reveal that particle agglomeration is prone to appear with using fine TiB2 particles. Decomposition of the particles preferentially occurs with using coarse TiB2 particles. The cracks and pores on the surface of the coating are formed at a lower laser energy density. With the increase in the laser energy density, cracking on the surface of the coating diminishes, but the coating exhibits depression behavior. The depression extent of the coating using fine TiB2 particle as the reinforcement is much less than that of the coating using coarse TiB2 particle. Moreover, the size of the aggregate and the tendency of cracking can be reduced with the increase in Ti addition. Meanwhile, short TiB fiber bundles are formed by the diffusion mechanism of rod aggregate, and randomly oriented TiB short fibers are formed mainly by the dissolution-precipitation mechanism of fine TiB2 particles. Moreover, the growth of short TiB fibers can be in an alternating manner between B27 and Bf structures. The micro-hardness and wear resistance of the coatings are evidently higher than that of the titanium alloy substrate. The wear resistance of the large size TiB2 coating is higher than that of the small size TiB2 coating under the condition of low load.

Matrix cracking with irregular fracture fronts as observed in fiber reinforced ceramic composites

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hu, K.X.; Yeh, C.P.; Wyatt, K.W.

1998-01-01

As a result of matrix cracking in fiber reinforced composites, fracture planforms assume a wide variation of profiles due to the fact that fiber bridging strongly affects the behavior of local crack fronts. This observation raises the question on the legitimacy of commonly used penny-shaped crack solutions when applied to fiber reinforced composites. Accordingly, investigation of the effects of fracture front profiles on mechanical responses is the thrust of this paper. The authors start with the solution of a penny-shaped crack in a unidirectional, fiber reinforced composite, which demonstrates necessity of considering wavy fracture fronts in fiber reinforced composites. Amore » theoretical framework for fiber reinforced composites with irregular fracture fronts due to matrix cracking is then established via a micromechanics model. The difference between small crack-size matrix cracking and large crack-size matrix cracking is investigated in detail. It is shown that the bridging effect is insignificant when matrix crack size is small and solution of effective property are obtained using Mori-Tanaka`s method by treating cracks and reinforcing fibers as distinct, but interacting phases. When the crack size becomes large, the bridging effects has to be taken into consideration. With bridging tractions obtained in consistency with the micromechanics solution, and corresponding crack energy backed out, the effective properties are obtained through a modification of standard Mori-Tanaka`s treatment of multiphase composites. Analytical solutions show that the generalization of a crack density of a penny-shaped planform is insufficient in describing the effective responses of fiber-reinforced composites with matrix cracking. Approximate solutions that account for the effects of the irregularity of crack planforms are given in closed forms for several irregular crack planforms, including cracks of cross rectangle, polygon and rhombus.« less

Fatigue crack propagation in additively manufactured porous biomaterials.

PubMed

Hedayati, R; Amin Yavari, S; Zadpoor, A A

2017-07-01

Additively manufactured porous titanium implants, in addition to preserving the excellent biocompatible properties of titanium, have very small stiffness values comparable to those of natural bones. Although usually loaded in compression, biomedical implants can also be under tensional, shear, and bending loads which leads to crack initiation and propagation in their critical points. In this study, the static and fatigue crack propagation in additively manufactured porous biomaterials with porosities between 66% and 84% is investigated using compact-tension (CT) samples. The samples were made using selective laser melting from Ti-6Al-4V and were loaded in tension (in static study) and tension-tension (in fatigue study) loadings. The results showed that displacement accumulation diagram obtained for different CT samples under cyclic loading had several similarities with the corresponding diagrams obtained for cylindrical samples under compression-compression cyclic loadings (in particular, it showed a two-stage behavior). For a load level equaling 50% of the yield load, both the CT specimens studied here and the cylindrical samples we had tested under compression-compression cyclic loading elsewhere exhibited similar fatigue lives of around 10 4 cycles. The test results also showed that for the same load level of 0.5F y , the lower density porous structures demonstrate relatively longer lives than the higher-density ones. This is because the high bending stresses in high-density porous structures gives rise to local Mode-I crack opening in the rough external surface of the struts which leads to quicker formation and propagation of the cracks. Under both the static and cyclic loading, all the samples showed crack pathways which were not parallel to but made 45 ° angles with respect to the notch direction. This is due to the fact that in the rhombic dodecahedron unit cell, the weakest struts are located in 45 ° direction with respect to the notch direction. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Numerical simulations of electric potential field for alternating current potential drop associated with surface cracks in low-alloy steel nuclear material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yeh, Chun-Ping; Huang, Jiunn-Yuan

2018-04-01

Low-alloy steels used as structural materials in nuclear power plants are subjected to cyclic stresses during power plant operations. As a result, cracks may develop and propagate through the material. The alternating current potential drop technique is used to measure the lengths of cracks in metallic components. The depth of the penetration of the alternating current is assumed to be small compared to the crack length. This assumption allows the adoption of the unfolding technique to simplify the problem to a surface Laplacian field. The numerical modelling of the electric potential and current density distribution prediction model for a compact tension specimen and the unfolded crack model are presented in this paper. The goal of this work is to conduct numerical simulations to reduce deviations occurring in the crack length measurements. Numerical simulations were conducted on AISI 4340 low-alloy steel with different crack lengths to evaluate the electric potential distribution. From the simulated results, an optimised position for voltage measurements in the crack region was proposed.

Hydrogen-assisted stable crack growth in iron-3 wt% silicon steel

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Marrow, T.J.; Prangnell, P.; Aindow, M.

1996-08-01

Observations of internal hydrogen cleavage in Fe-3Si are reported. Hydrogen-assisted stable crack growth (H-SCG) is associated with cleavage striations of a 300 nm spacing, observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). High resolution SEM revealed finer striations, previously undetected, with a spacing of approximately 30 nm. These were parallel to the coarser striations. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) also showed the fine striation spacing, and gave a striation height of approximately 15 nm. The crack front was not parallel to the striations. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of crack tip plastic zones showed {l_brace}112{r_brace} and {l_brace}110{r_brace} slip, withmore » a high dislocation density (around 10{sup 14}m{sup {minus}2}). The slip plane spacing was approximately 15--30 nm. Parallel arrays of high dislocation density were observed in the wake of the hydrogen cleavage crack. It is concluded that H-ScG in Fe-3Si occurs by periodic brittle cleavage on the {l_brace}001{r_brace} planes. This is preceded by dislocation emission. The coarse striations are produced by crack tip blunting and the fine striations by dislocations attracted by image forces to the fracture surface after cleavage. The effects of temperature, pressure and yield strength on the kinetics of H-SCG can be predicted using a model for diffusion of hydrogen through the plastic zone.« less

Phase-contrast x-ray imaging of microstructure and fatigue-crack propagation in single-crystal nickel-base superalloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Husseini, Naji Sami

Single-crystal nickel-base superalloys are ubiquitous in demanding turbine-blade applications, and they owe their remarkable resilience to their dendritic, hierarchical microstructure and complex composition. During normal operations, they endure rapid low-stress vibrations that may initiate fatigue cracks. This failure mode in the very high-cycle regime is poorly understood, in part due to inadequate testing and diagnostic equipment. Phase-contrast imaging with coherent synchrotron x rays, however, is an emergent technique ideally suited for dynamic processes such as crack initiation and propagation. A specially designed portable ultrasonic-fatigue apparatus, coupled with x-ray radiography, allows real-time, in situ imaging while simulating service conditions. Three contrast mechanisms - absorption, diffraction, and phase contrast - span the immense breadth of microstructural features in superalloys. Absorption contrast is sensitive to composition and crack displacements, and diffraction contrast illuminates dislocation aggregates and crystallographic misorientations. Phase contrast enhances electron-density gradients and is particularly useful for fatigue-crack studies, sensitive to internal crack tips and openings less than one micrometer. Superalloy samples were imaged without external stresses to study microstructure and mosaicity. Maps of rhenium and tungsten concentrations revealed strong segregation to the center of dendrites, as manifested by absorption contrast. Though nominally single crystals, dendrites were misoriented from the bulk by a few degrees, as revealed by diffraction contrast. For dynamic studies of cyclic fatigue, superalloys were mounted in the portable ultrasonic-fatigue apparatus, subjected to a mean tensile stress of ˜50-150 MPa, and cycled in tension to initiate and propagate fatigue cracks. Radiographs were recorded every thousand cycles over the multimillion-cycle lifetime to measure micron-scale crack growth. Crack openings were very small, as determined by absorption and phase contrast, and suggested multiple fracture modes for propagation along {111} planes at room temperature, which was verified by finite element analysis. With increasing temperature, cracks became Mode I (perpendicular to the loading axis) in character and more sensitive to the microstructure. Advancing plastic zones ahead of crack tips altered the crystallographic quality, from which diffraction contrast anticipated initiation and propagation. These studies demonstrate the extreme sensitivity of x-ray radiography for detailed studies of superalloys and crack growth processes.

Vibrations Caused By Cracked Turbopump Bearing Race

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goggin, David G.; Dweck, Robert A.

1990-01-01

Expansion gives rise to eccentricity. Report presents analysis of dynamic effects caused by cracking of inner race of ball bearing in turbopump. Crack manifested itself via increase in vibrations synchronous with rotation and smaller increase at twice frequency of rotation. Analysis conducted to verify these increases were caused solely by crack and to understand implications for future such cracks.

The effect of porosity and microcracking on the thermomechanical properties of cordierite

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shyam, A.; Bruno, G.; Watkins, T. R.

2015-08-28

The effect of porosity and microcracking on the mechanical properties (strength, fracture toughness, Young’s modulus, and fracture energy) and thermal expansion of diesel particulate filter (DPF) grade cordierite materials has been investigated. A method to deconvolute the effect of porosity and microcracking on Young’s modulus is proposed. In addition, the microcrack density and the pore morphology factor are calculated by applying a micromechanical differential scheme. The values of the investigated mechanical properties are shown to decrease with an increase in porosity, but the thermal expansion values are insensitive to porosity. The variation in mechanical properties as a function of porositymore » leads to distinct porosity dependence of thermal shock resistance for crack initiation and crack propagation for DPF grade synthetic cordierite.« less

Simulations and measurements of artificial cracks and pits in flat stainless steel plates using tone burst eddy-current thermography (TBET)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Libin, M. N.; Balasubramaniam, Krishnan; Maxfield, B. W.; Krishnamurthy, C. V.

2013-01-01

Tone Burst Eddy current Thermography (TBET) is a new hybrid, non-contacting, Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) method which employs a combination of Pulsed Eddy current Thermography (PEC) and Thermographic Non-Destructive Evaluation (TNDE). For understanding the influence of cracking and pitting on heat generation and flow within a metallic body, a fundamental knowledge of the detailed induced current density distribution in the component under test is required. This information enables us to calculate the amount of heat produced by the defects and how that heat diffuses to the surface where it is imaged. This paper describes simulation work done for artificial pits and cracks within pits on the far surface of poorly conducting metals like stainless steel. The first phase of this investigation simulates the transient thermal distribution for artificial 2D pit and crack-like defects using the finite element package COMSOL multi-physics with the AC/DC module and general heat transfer. Considering the reflection measurement geometry where thermal excitation and temperature monitoring are on the same surface, pitting reduces the material volume thereby contributing to a larger temperature rise for the same thermal energy input. A crack within a pit gives a further increase in temperature above the pure pit baseline. The tone burst frequency can be changed to obtain approximately uniform heating (low frequency) or heating of a thin region at the observation surface. Although front surface temperature changes due to 10% deep far-side pits in a 6 mm thick plate can be measured, it is not yet clear whether a 20% deep crack within this pit can be discriminated against the background. Both simulations and measurements will be presented. The objective of this work is to determine whether the TBET method is suitable for the detection and characterization of far side pitting, cracking and cracks within those pits.

A robust signal processing method for quantitative high-cycle fatigue crack monitoring using soft elastomeric capacitor sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kong, Xiangxiong; Li, Jian; Collins, William; Bennett, Caroline; Laflamme, Simon; Jo, Hongki

2017-04-01

A large-area electronics (LAE) strain sensor, termed soft elastomeric capacitor (SEC), has shown great promise in fatigue crack monitoring. The SEC is able to monitor strain changes over a mesoscale structural surface and endure large deformations without being damaged under cracking. Previous tests verified that the SEC is able to detect, localize, and monitor fatigue crack activities under low-cycle fatigue loading. In this paper, to examine the SEC's capability of monitoring high-cycle fatigue cracks, a compact specimen is tested under cyclic tension, designed to ensure realistic crack opening sizes representative of those in real steel bridges. To overcome the difficulty of low signal amplitude and relatively high noise level under high-cycle fatigue loading, a robust signal processing method is proposed to convert the measured capacitance time history from the SEC sensor to power spectral densities (PSD) in the frequency domain, such that signal's peak-to-peak amplitude can be extracted at the dominant loading frequency. A crack damage indicator is proposed as the ratio between the square root of the amplitude of PSD and load range. Results show that the crack damage indicator offers consistent indication of crack growth.

A Nanoindentation Study of the Plastic Deformation and Fracture Mechanisms in Single-Crystalline CaFe2As2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frawley, Keara G.; Bakst, Ian; Sypek, John T.; Vijayan, Sriram; Weinberger, Christopher R.; Canfield, Paul C.; Aindow, Mark; Lee, Seok-Woo

2018-04-01

The plastic deformation and fracture mechanisms in single-crystalline CaFe2As2 has been studied using nanoindentation and density functional theory simulations. CaFe2As2 single crystals were grown in a Sn-flux, resulting in homogeneous and nearly defect-free crystals. Nanoindentation along the [001] direction produces strain bursts, radial cracking, and lateral cracking. Ideal cleavage simulations along the [001] and [100] directions using density functional theory calculations revealed that cleavage along the [001] direction requires a much lower stress than cleavage along the [100] direction. This strong anisotropy of cleavage strength implies that CaFe2As2 has an atomic-scale layered structure, which typically exhibits lateral cracking during nanoindentation. This special layered structure results from weak atomic bonding between the (001) Ca and Fe2As2 layers.

A Nanoindentation Study of the Plastic Deformation and Fracture Mechanisms in Single-Crystalline CaFe 2As 2

DOE PAGES

Frawley, Keara G.; Bakst, Ian; Sypek, John T.; ...

2018-04-10

In this paper, the plastic deformation and fracture mechanisms in single-crystalline CaFe 2As 2 has been studied using nanoindentation and density functional theory simulations. CaFe 2As 2 single crystals were grown in a Sn-flux, resulting in homogeneous and nearly defect-free crystals. Nanoindentation along the [001] direction produces strain bursts, radial cracking, and lateral cracking. Ideal cleavage simulations along the [001] and [100] directions using density functional theory calculations revealed that cleavage along the [001] direction requires a much lower stress than cleavage along the [100] direction. This strong anisotropy of cleavage strength implies that CaFe 2As 2 has an atomic-scalemore » layered structure, which typically exhibits lateral cracking during nanoindentation. This special layered structure results from weak atomic bonding between the (001) Ca and Fe 2As 2 layers.« less

A Nanoindentation Study of the Plastic Deformation and Fracture Mechanisms in Single-Crystalline CaFe 2As 2

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Frawley, Keara G.; Bakst, Ian; Sypek, John T.

In this paper, the plastic deformation and fracture mechanisms in single-crystalline CaFe 2As 2 has been studied using nanoindentation and density functional theory simulations. CaFe 2As 2 single crystals were grown in a Sn-flux, resulting in homogeneous and nearly defect-free crystals. Nanoindentation along the [001] direction produces strain bursts, radial cracking, and lateral cracking. Ideal cleavage simulations along the [001] and [100] directions using density functional theory calculations revealed that cleavage along the [001] direction requires a much lower stress than cleavage along the [100] direction. This strong anisotropy of cleavage strength implies that CaFe 2As 2 has an atomic-scalemore » layered structure, which typically exhibits lateral cracking during nanoindentation. This special layered structure results from weak atomic bonding between the (001) Ca and Fe 2As 2 layers.« less

Role of lead in electrochemical reaction of alloy 600, alloy 690, Ni, Cr, and Fe in water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hwang, Seong Sik; Kim, Joung Soo; Kim, Ju Yup

2003-08-01

It has been reported that lead causes stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in the secondary side of steam generators (SG) in pressurized water reactors (PWR). The materials of SG tubings are alloy 600, alloy 690, or alloy 800, among which the main alloying elements are Ni, Cr, and Fe. The effect of lead on the electrochemical behaviors of alloy 600 and alloy 690 using an anodic polarization technique was evaluated. We also obtained polarization curves of pure Ni, Cr, and Fe in water containing lead. As the amount of lead in the solution increased, critical current densities and passive current densities of alloy 600 and alloy 690 increased, while the breakdown potential of the alloys decreased. Lead increased critical current density and the passive current of Cr in pH 4 and pH 10. The instability of passive film of steam generator tubings in water containing lead might arise from the instability of Cr passivity.

Processing of crack-free high density polycrystalline LiTaO3 ceramics

DOE PAGES

Chen, Ching-Fong; Brennecka, Geoff L.; King, Graham; ...

2016-11-04

Our work achieved high density (99.9%) polycrystalline LiTaO 3. The keys to the high density without cracking were the use of LiF-assisted densification to maintain fine grain size as well as the presence of secondary lithium aluminate phases as grain growth inhibitors. The average grain size of the hot pressed polycrystalline LiTaO 3 is less than 5 μm, limiting residual stresses caused by the anisotropic thermal expansion. Dilatometry results clearly indicate liquid phase sintering via the added LiF sintering aid. Efficient liquid phase sintering allows densification during low temperature hot pressing. Electron microscopy confirmed the high-density microstructure. Furthermore, Rietveld analysismore » of neutron diffraction data revealed the presence of LiAlO 2 and LiAl 5O 8 minority phases and negligible substitutional defect incorporation in LiTaO 3.« less

Concrete Cracking Prediction Including the Filling Proportion of Strand Corrosion Products.

PubMed

Wang, Lei; Dai, Lizhao; Zhang, Xuhui; Zhang, Jianren

2016-12-23

The filling of strand corrosion products during concrete crack propagation is investigated experimentally in the present paper. The effects of stirrups on the filling of corrosion products and concrete cracking are clarified. A prediction model of crack width is developed incorporating the filling proportion of corrosion products and the twisting shape of the strand. Experimental data on cracking angle, crack width, and corrosion loss obtained from accelerated corrosion tests of concrete beams are presented. The proposed model is verified by experimental data. Results show that the filling extent of corrosion products varies with crack propagation. The rust filling extent increases with the propagating crack until a critical width. Beyond the critical width, the rust-filling extent remains stable. Using stirrups can decrease the critical crack width. Stirrups can restrict crack propagation and reduce the rust filling. The tangent of the cracking angle increases with increasing corrosion loss. The prediction of corrosion-induced crack is sensitive to the rust-filling extent.

Concrete Cracking Prediction Including the Filling Proportion of Strand Corrosion Products

PubMed Central

Wang, Lei; Dai, Lizhao; Zhang, Xuhui; Zhang, Jianren

2016-01-01

The filling of strand corrosion products during concrete crack propagation is investigated experimentally in the present paper. The effects of stirrups on the filling of corrosion products and concrete cracking are clarified. A prediction model of crack width is developed incorporating the filling proportion of corrosion products and the twisting shape of the strand. Experimental data on cracking angle, crack width, and corrosion loss obtained from accelerated corrosion tests of concrete beams are presented. The proposed model is verified by experimental data. Results show that the filling extent of corrosion products varies with crack propagation. The rust filling extent increases with the propagating crack until a critical width. Beyond the critical width, the rust-filling extent remains stable. Using stirrups can decrease the critical crack width. Stirrups can restrict crack propagation and reduce the rust filling. The tangent of the cracking angle increases with increasing corrosion loss. The prediction of corrosion-induced crack is sensitive to the rust-filling extent. PMID:28772367

Effects of Heating on Teflon(Registered Trademark) FEP Thermal Control Material from the Hubble Space Telescope

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

deGroh, Kim; Gaier, James R.; Hall, Rachelle L.; Norris, Mary Jo; Espe, Matthew P.; Cato, Daveen R.

1999-01-01

Metallized Teflon(Registered Trademark) FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene) thermal control material on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is degrading in the space environment. Teflon(Registered Trademark) FEP thermal control blankets (space-facing FEP) retrieved during the first servicing mission (SM1) were found to be embrittled on solar facing surfaces and contained microscopic cracks. During the second servicing mission (SM2) astronauts noticed that the FEP outer layer of the multi-layer insulation (MLI) covering the telescope was cracked in many locations around the telescope. Large cracks were observed on the light shield, forward shell and equipment bays. A tightly curled piece of cracked FEP from the light shield was retrieved during SM2 and was severely embrittled, as witnessed by ground testing. A Failure Review Board (FRB) was organized to determine the mechanism causing the MLI degradation. Density, x-ray crystallinity and solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses of FEP retrieved during SM1 were inconsistent with results of FEP retrieved during SM2. Because the retrieved SM2 material curled while in space, it experienced a higher temperature extreme during thermal cycling, estimated at 200 C, than the SM1 material, estimated at 50 C. An investigation on the effects of heating pristine and FEP exposed on HST was therefore conducted. Samples of pristine. SM1, and SM2 FEP were heated to 200 C and evaluated for changes in density and morphology. Elevated temperature exposure was found to have a major impact on the density of the retrieved materials. Characterization of polymer morphology of as-received and heated FEP samples by NMR provided results that were consistent with the density results. These findings have provided insight to the damage mechanisms of FEP in the space environment.

The Microstructural Evolution of Fatigue Cracks in FCC Metals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gross, David William

The microstructural evolution during fatigue crack propagation was investigated in a variety of planar and wavy slip FCC metals. The planar materials included Haynes 230, Nitronic 40, and 316 stainless steel, and the wavy materials included pure nickel and pure copper. Three different sets of experiments were performed to fully characterize the microstructural evolution. The first, performed on Haynes 230, mapped the strain field ahead a crack tip using digital image correlation and electron backscatter diffraction techniques. Focused ion beam (FIB) lift-out techniques were then utilized to extract transmission electron microscopy (TEM) samples at specific distances from the crack tip. TEM investigations compared the measured strain to the microstructure. Overall, the strain measured via DIC and EBSD was only weakly correlated to the density of planar slip bands in the microstructure. The second set of experiments concerned the dislocation structure around crack tips. This set of experiments was performed on all the materials. The microstructure at arrested fatigue cracks on the free surface was compared to the microstructure found beneath striations on the fracture surfaces by utilizing FIB micromachining to create site-specific TEM samples. The evolved microstructure depended on the slip type. Strong agreement was found between the crack tip microstructure at the free surface and the fracture surface. In the planar materials, the microstructure in the plastic zone consisted of bands of dislocations or deformation twins, before transitioning to a refined sub-grain microstructure near the crack flank. The sub-grain structure extended 300-500 nm away from the crack flank in all the planar slip materials studied. In contrast, the bulk structure in the wavy slip material consisted of dislocation cells and did not transition to a different microstructure as the crack tip was approached. The strain in wavy slip was highest near the crack tip, as the misorientations between the dislocation cells increased and the cell size decreased as the crack flank was approached. The final set of experiments involved reloading the arrested crack tips in monotonic tension. This was performed on both the Haynes 230 and 316 stainless steel. This technique exposed the fracture surface and location of the arrested crack tip away from the free surface, allowing for a sample to be extracted via FIB micromachining and TEM evaluation of the microstructure. This permitted the crack tip microstructure to be investigated without exposing the microstructure to crack closure or free surface effects. These experiments confirmed what was inferred from the earlier experiments, namely that the banded structure was a product of the crack tip plastic zone and the refined structure was a product of the strain associated with crack advance. Overall the microstructural complexity presented in this work was much higher than would be predicted by current models of fatigue crack propagation. It is recommended that future models attempt to simulate interactions between the dislocations emitted during fatigue crack growth and the pre-existing microstructure to more accurately simulate the processes occurring at the crack tip during crack growth.

Comparison of 3 MeV C + ion-irradiation effects between the nuclear graphites made of pitch and petroleum cokes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chi, Se-Hwan; Kim, Gen-Chan

2008-10-01

Three million electron volt C + irradiation effects on the microstructure (crystallinity, crystal size), mechanical properties (hardness, Young's modulus) and oxidation of IG-110 (petroleum coke) and IG-430 (pitch coke) nuclear graphites were compared based on the materials characteristics (degree of graphitization (DOG), density, porosity, type of coke, Mrozowski cracks) of the grades and the ion-irradiation conditions. The specimens were irradiated up to ˜19 dpa at room temperature. Differences in the as-received microstructure were examined by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), optical microscope (OM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The ion-induced changes in the microstructure, mechanical properties and oxidation characteristics were examined by the Raman spectroscopy, microhardness and Young's modulus measurements, and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results of the as-received microstructure condition show that the DOG of the grades appeared the same at 0.837. The size of Mrozowski cracks appeared larger in the IG-110 of the higher open and total porosity than the IG-430. After an irradiation, the changes in the crystallinity and the crystallite size, both estimated by the Raman spectrum parameters, appeared large for the IG-430 and the IG-110, respectively. The hardness had increased after an irradiation, but, the hardness increasing behaviors were reversed at around 14 dpa. Thus, the IG-430 showed a higher increase before 14 dpa, but the IG-110 showed a higher increase after 14 dpa. No-clear differences in the increase of the Young's modulus were observed between the grades mainly due to a scattering in the measurements results. The IG-110 showed a higher oxidation rate than the IG-430 both before and after an irradiation. Besides the density and porosity, a possible contribution of the well-developed Mrozowski cracks in the IG-110 was noted for the observation. All the comparisons show that, even when the differences between the grades are not large, the results of the oxidation and hardness test show a higher irradiation sensitivity for the IG-110. The similar irradiation sensitivities between the grades were attributed to the same degree of graphitization (DOG) of the grades.

Experimental micromechanical approach to failure process in CFRP cross-ply laminates

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Takeda, N.; Ogihara, S.; Kobayashi, A.

The microscopic failure process of three different types of cross-ply laminates, (0/90{sub n}/0) (n = 4, 8, 12), was investigated at R.T. and 80 C. Progressive damage parameters, the transverse crack density and the delamination ratio, were measured. A simple modified shear-lag analysis including the thermal residual strains was conducted to predict the transverse crack density as a function of laminate strain, considering the constraint effect, as well as the strength distribution of the transverse layer. The analysis was also extended to the system containing delamination to predict the delamination length. A prediction was also presented for the transverse crackmore » density including the effect of the delamination growth. The prediction showed good agreement with the experimental results.« less

Rock Fracture Toughness Under Mode II Loading: A Theoretical Model Based on Local Strain Energy Density

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rashidi Moghaddam, M.; Ayatollahi, M. R.; Berto, F.

2018-01-01

The values of mode II fracture toughness reported in the literature for several rocks are studied theoretically by using a modified criterion based on strain energy density averaged over a control volume around the crack tip. The modified criterion takes into account the effect of T-stress in addition to the singular terms of stresses/strains. The experimental results are related to mode II fracture tests performed on the semicircular bend and Brazilian disk specimens. There are good agreements between theoretical predictions using the generalized averaged strain energy density criterion and the experimental results. The theoretical results reveal that the value of mode II fracture toughness is affected by the size of control volume around the crack tip and also the magnitude and sign of T-stress.

Crack classification and evolution in anisotropic shale during cyclic loading tests by acoustic emission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Miaomiao; Tan, Chengxuan; Meng, Jing; Yang, Baicun; Li, Yuan

2017-08-01

Characterization and evolution of the cracking mode in shale formation is significant, as fracture networks are an important element in shale gas exploitation. In this study we determine the crack modes and evolution in anisotropic shale under cyclic loading using the acoustic emission (AE) parameter-analysis method based on the average frequency and RA (rise-time/amplitude) value. Shale specimens with bedding-plane orientations parallel and perpendicular to the axial loading direction were subjected to loading cycles with increasing peak values until failure occurred. When the loading was parallel to the bedding plane, most of the cracks at failure were shear cracks, while tensile cracks were dominant in the specimens that were loaded normal to the bedding direction. The evolution of the crack mode in the shale specimens observed in the loading-unloading sequence except for the first cycle can be divided into three stages: (I) no or several cracks (AE events) form as a result of the Kaiser effect, (II) tensile and shear cracks increase steadily at nearly equal proportions, (III) tensile cracks and shear cracks increase abruptly, with more cracks forming in one mode than in the other. As the dominant crack motion is influenced by the bedding, the failure mechanism is discussed based on the evolution of the different crack modes. Our conclusions can increase our understanding of the formation mechanism of fracture networks in the field.

Influence of dissolved hydrogen on the fatigue crack growth behaviour of AISI 4140 steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramasagara Nagarajan, Varun

Many metallic structural components come into contact with hydrogen during manufacturing processes or forming operations such as hot stamping of auto body frames and while in service. This interaction of metallic parts with hydrogen can occur due to various reasons such as water molecule dissociation during plating operations, interaction with atmospheric hydrogen due to the moisture present in air during stamping operations or due to prevailing conditions in service (e.g.: acidic or marine environments). Hydrogen, being much smaller in size compared to other metallic elements such as Iron in steels, can enter the material and become dissolved in the matrix. It can lodge itself in interstitials locations of the metal atoms, at vacancies or dislocations in the metallic matrix or at grain boundaries or inclusions (impurities) in the alloy. This dissolved hydrogen can affect the functional life of these structural components leading to catastrophic failures in mission critical applications resulting in loss of lives and structural component. Therefore, it is very important to understand the influence of the dissolved hydrogen on the failure of these structural materials due to cyclic loading (fatigue). For the next generation of hydrogen based fuel cell vehicles and energy systems, it is very crucial to develop structural materials for hydrogen storage and containment which are highly resistant to hydrogen embrittlement. These materials should also be able to provide good long term life in cyclic loading, without undergoing degradation, even when exposed to hydrogen rich environments for extended periods of time. The primary focus of this investigation was to examine the influence of dissolved hydrogen on the fatigue crack growth behaviour of a commercially available high strength medium carbon low alloy (AISI 4140) steel. The secondary objective was to examine the influence of microstructure on the fatigue crack growth behaviour of this material and to determine the hydrogen induced failure mechanism in this material during cyclic loading. The secondary objective of this investigation was to determine the role of inclusions and their influence in affecting the fatigue crack growth rate of this material. Compact tension and tensile specimens were prepared as per ASTM E-647, E-399 and E-8 standards. The specimens were tested in three different heat treated conditions i.e. annealed (as received) as well as two austempered conditions. These specimens were precharged with hydrogen (ex situ) using cathodic charging method at a constant current density at three different time periods ranging from 150 to 250 hours before conducting fatigue crack growth tests. Mode 1 type fatigue tests were then performed in ambient atmosphere at constant amplitude using load ratio R of 0.1. The near threshold fatigue crack growth rate, fatigue threshold and the fatigue crack growth rate in the linear region were determined. Fatigue crack growth behaviour of specimens without any dissolve hydrogen were then compared with the specimens with different concentration of dissolved hydrogen. The test results show that the dissolved hydrogen concentration increases with the increase in charging time in all three heat treated conditions and the hydrogen uptake shows a strong dependence on the microstructure of the alloy. It was also observed that the microstructure has a significant influence of on the fatigue crack growth and SCC behaviour of the alloy with dissolved hydrogen. As the dissolved hydrogen concentration increases, the fatigue threshold was found to decrease and the near threshold crack growth rate increases in all three heat treated conditions showing the deleterious effect of hydrogen, but to a different extent in each condition. Current test results also indicate that the fatigue crack growth rates in the linear region increases as the dissolved hydrogen content increases in all three heat treated conditions. It is also observed that increasing the austempering temperature decreases the resistance to hydrogen embrittlement. An interesting phenomenon was also observed in annealed specimen charged with hydrogen for 250 h which had an unusually high fatigue threshold (DeltaKth).

Stress Ratio Effects on Crack Opening Loads and Crack Growth Rates in Aluminum Alloy 2024

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Riddell, William T.; Piascik, Robert S.

1998-01-01

The effects of stress ratio (R) and crack opening behavior on fatigue crack growth rates (da/dN) for aluminum alloy (AA) 2024-T3 were investigated using constant-delta K testing, closure measurements, and fractography. Fatigue crack growth rates were obtained for a range of delta K and stress ratios. Results show that constant delta K fatigue crack growth for R ranging from near 0 to 1 is divided into three regions. In Region 1, at low R, da/dN increases with increasing R. In Region 2, at intermediate R, fatigue crack growth rates are relatively independent of R. In Region 3, at high R, further increases in da/dN are observed with increasing R.

Fatigue crack initiation of magnesium alloys under elastic stress amplitudes: A review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, B. J.; Xu, D. K.; Wang, S. D.; Han, E. H.

2017-12-01

The most advantageous property of magnesium (Mg) alloys is their density, which is lower compared with traditional metallic materials. Mg alloys, considered the lightest metallic structural material among others, have great potential for applications as secondary load components in the transportation and aerospace industries. The fatigue evaluation of Mg alloys under elastic stress amplitudes is very important in ensuring their service safety and reliability. Given their hexagonal close packed structure, the fatigue crack initiation of Mg and its alloys is closely related to the deformation mechanisms of twinning and basal slips. However, for Mg alloys with shrinkage porosities and inclusions, fatigue cracks will preferentially initiate at these defects, remarkably reducing the fatigue lifetime. In this paper, some fundamental aspects about the fatigue crack initiation mechanisms of Mg alloys are reviewed, including the 3 followings: 1) Fatigue crack initiation of as-cast Mg alloys, 2) influence of microstructure on fatigue crack initiation of wrought Mg alloys, and 3) the effect of heat treatment on fatigue initiation mechanisms. Moreover, some unresolved issues and future target on the fatigue crack initiation mechanism of Mg alloys are also described.

Intragranular cracking as a critical barrier for high-voltage usage of layer-structured cathode for lithium-ion batteries

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yan, Pengfei; Zheng, Jianming; Gu, Meng

LiNi 1/3Mn 1/3Co 1/3O 2 (NMC333) layered cathode is often fabricated as secondary particles of consisting of densely packed primary particles, which offers advantage of high energy density and alleviation of cathode side reactions/corrosions, but introduces other drawbacks, such as intergranular cracking. Here, we report unexpected observations on the nucleation and growth of intragranular cracks in the commercial NMC333 layered cathode by using advanced S/TEM. We found that the formation of the intragranular cracks is directly associated with high voltage cycling, which is an electrochemically driven and diffusion controlled process. The intragranular cracks were noticed to be characteristically initiated frommore » grain interior, a consequence of dislocation based crack incubation mechanism. This observation is in sharp contrast with the general theoretical models, predicting the initiation of intragranular cracks from grain boundaries or particle surface. As a result, our study indicates that maintain a structural stability is the key step toward high voltage operation of layered cathode materials.« less

Creep Behavior and Durability of Cracked CMC

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bhatt, R. T.; Fox, Dennis; Smith, Craig

2015-01-01

To understand failure mechanisms and durability of cracked Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs), Melt Infiltration (MI) SiCSiC composites with Sylramic-iBN fibers and full Chemical vapour infiltration SiCSiC composites with Sylramic-ion bombarded BN (iBN) and Hi-Nicalon -S fibers were pre-cracked between 150 to 200 megapascal and then creep and Sustained Peak Low Cycle Fatigue (SPLCF) tested at 13150 C at stress levels from 35 to 103 megapascal for up to 200 hours under furnace and burner rig conditions. In addition creep testing was also conducted on pre-cracked full Chemical vapour infiltration SiCSiC composites at 14500 C between 35 and 103 megapascal for up to 200 hours under furnace conditions. If the specimens survived the 200 hour durability tests, then they were tensile tested at room temperature to determine their residual tensile properties. The failed specimens were examined by Scanning electron microscope (SEM) to determine the failure modes and mechanisms. The influence of crack healing matrix, fiber types, crack density, testing modes and interface oxidation on durability of cracked Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) will be discussed.

Linking Grain Boundary Microstructure to Stress Corrosion Cracking of Cold Rolled Alloy 690 in PWR Primary Water

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bruemmer, Stephen M.; Olszta, Matthew J.; Toloczko, Mychailo B.

2012-10-01

Grain boundary microstructures and microchemistries are examined in cold-rolled alloy 690 tubing and plate materials and comparisons are made to intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) behavior in PWR primary water. Chromium carbide precipitation is found to be a key aspect for materials in both the mill annealed and thermally treated conditions. Cold rolling to high levels of reduction was discovered to produce small IG voids and cracked carbides in alloys with a high density of grain boundary carbides. The degree of permanent grain boundary damage from cold rolling was found to depend directly on the initial IG carbide distribution. Formore » the same degree of cold rolling, alloys with few IG precipitates exhibited much less permanent damage. Although this difference in grain boundary damage appears to correlate with measured SCC growth rates, crack tip examinations reveal that cracked carbides appeared to blunt propagation of IGSCC cracks in many cases. Preliminary results suggest that the localized grain boundary strains and stresses produced during cold rolling promote IGSCC susceptibility and not the cracked carbides and voids.« less

Intragranular cracking as a critical barrier for high-voltage usage of layer-structured cathode for lithium-ion batteries

DOE PAGES

Yan, Pengfei; Zheng, Jianming; Gu, Meng; ...

2017-01-16

LiNi 1/3Mn 1/3Co 1/3O 2 (NMC333) layered cathode is often fabricated as secondary particles of consisting of densely packed primary particles, which offers advantage of high energy density and alleviation of cathode side reactions/corrosions, but introduces other drawbacks, such as intergranular cracking. Here, we report unexpected observations on the nucleation and growth of intragranular cracks in the commercial NMC333 layered cathode by using advanced S/TEM. We found that the formation of the intragranular cracks is directly associated with high voltage cycling, which is an electrochemically driven and diffusion controlled process. The intragranular cracks were noticed to be characteristically initiated frommore » grain interior, a consequence of dislocation based crack incubation mechanism. This observation is in sharp contrast with the general theoretical models, predicting the initiation of intragranular cracks from grain boundaries or particle surface. As a result, our study indicates that maintain a structural stability is the key step toward high voltage operation of layered cathode materials.« less

Modeling of crack growth under mixed-mode loading by a molecular dynamics method and a linear fracture mechanics approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stepanova, L. V.

2017-12-01

Atomistic simulations of the central crack growth process in an infinite plane medium under mixed-mode loading using Large-Scale Atomic/Molecular Massively Parallel Simulator (LAMMPS), a classical molecular dynamics code, are performed. The inter-atomic potential used in this investigation is the Embedded Atom Method (EAM) potential. Plane specimens with an initial central crack are subjected to mixed-mode loadings. The simulation cell contains 400,000 atoms. The crack propagation direction angles under different values of the mixity parameter in a wide range of values from pure tensile loading to pure shear loading in a wide range of temperatures (from 0.1 K to 800 K) are obtained and analyzed. It is shown that the crack propagation direction angles obtained by molecular dynamics coincide with the crack propagation direction angles given by the multi-parameter fracture criteria based on the strain energy density and the multi-parameter description of the crack-tip fields. The multi-parameter fracture criteria are based on the multi-parameter stress field description taking into account the higher order terms of the Williams series expansion of the crack tip fields.

Mechanisms of the micro-crack generation in an ultra-thin AlN/GaN superlattice structure grown on Si(110) substrates by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shen, X. Q., E-mail: xq-shen@aist.go.jp; Takahashi, T.; Ide, T.

2015-09-28

We investigate the generation mechanisms of micro-cracks (MCs) in an ultra-thin AlN/GaN superlattice (SL) structure grown on Si(110) substrates by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. The SL is intended to be used as an interlayer (IL) for relaxing tensile stress and obtaining high-quality crack-free GaN grown on Si substrates. It is found that the MCs can be generated by two different mechanisms, where large mismatches of the lattice constant (LC) and the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) play key roles in the issue. Different MC configurations (low-density and high-density MCs) are observed, which are considered to be formed during the differentmore » growth stages (SL growth and cooling down processes) due to the LC and the CTE effects. In-situ and ex-situ experimental results support the mechanism interpretations of the MCs generation. The mechanism understanding makes it possible to optimize the SL IL structure for growing high-quality crack-free GaN films on Si substrates for optical and electronic device applications.« less

TOPSIS based parametric optimization of laser micro-drilling of TBC coated nickel based superalloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parthiban, K.; Duraiselvam, Muthukannan; Manivannan, R.

2018-06-01

The technique for order of preference by similarity ideal solution (TOPSIS) approach was used for optimizing the process parameters of laser micro-drilling of nickel superalloy C263 with Thermal Barrier Coating (TBC). Plasma spraying was used to deposit the TBC and a pico-second Nd:YAG pulsed laser was used to drill the specimens. Drilling angle, laser scan speed and number of passes were considered as input parameters. Based on the machining conditions, Taguchi L8 orthogonal array was used for conducting the experimental runs. The surface roughness and surface crack density (SCD) were considered as the output measures. The surface roughness was measured using 3D White Light Interferometer (WLI) and the crack density was measured using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The optimized result achieved from this approach suggests reduced surface roughness and surface crack density. The holes drilled at an inclination angle of 45°, laser scan speed of 3 mm/s and 400 number of passes found to be optimum. From the Analysis of variance (ANOVA), inclination angle and number of passes were identified as the major influencing parameter. The optimized parameter combination exhibited a 19% improvement in surface finish and 12% reduction in SCD.

Timing of seed dispersal generates a bimodal seed bank depth distribution

USGS Publications Warehouse

Espinar, J.L.; Thompson, K.; Garcia, L.V.

2005-01-01

The density of soil seed banks is normally highest at the soil surface and declines monotonically with depth. Sometimes, for a variety of reasons, peak density occurs below the surface but, except in severely disturbed soils, it is generally true that deeper seeds are older. In seasonally dry habitats that develop deep soil cracks during the dry season, it is possible that some seeds fall down cracks and rapidly become deeply buried. We investigated this possibility for three dominant clonal perennials (Scirpus maritimus, S. litoralis, and Juncus subulatus) in the Don??ana salt marsh, a nontidal marsh with a Mediterranean climate located in southwest Spain. Two species, which shed most of their seed during the dry season and have seeds with low buoyancy, had bimodal viable seed depth distributions, with peak densities at the surface and at 16-20 cm. A third species, which shed most seeds after soil cracks had closed and had seeds with high buoyancy, had viable seeds only in surface soil. Bimodal seed bank depth distributions may be relatively common in seasonally dry habitats with fine-textured soils, but their ecological significance has not been investigated.

Differences in the Microstructure and Fatigue Properties of Dentin Between Residents of North and South America

PubMed Central

Ivancik, J.; Naranjo, M.; Correa, S.; Ossa, A.; Tay, F.R.; Pashley, D.H.; Arola, D.

2014-01-01

Spatial variations in the microstructure of dentin contribute to its mechanical behavior. Objective The objective of this investigation was to compare the microstructure and fatigue behavior of dentin from donors of two different countries. Methods Caries-free third molars were obtained from dental practices in Colombia, South America and the US to assemble two age-matched samples. The microstructure of the coronal dentin was evaluated at three characteristic depths (i.e. deep, middle and superficial dentin) using scanning electron microscopy and image processing techniques. The mechanical behavior of dentin in these three regions was evaluated by the fatigue crack growth resistance. Cyclic crack growth was achieved in-plane with the dentin tubules and the fatigue crack growth behavior was characterized in terms of the stress intensity threshold and the Paris Law parameters. Results There was no difference in the tubule density between the dentin of patients from the two countries. However, there were significant differences (p≤0.05) in the tubule lumen diameters between the two groups in the deep and peripheral regions. In regards to the fatigue resistance, there was a significant increase (p≤0.05) in threshold stress intensity range, and a significant decrease in fatigue crack growth coefficient with increasing distance from the pulp in teeth from the US donors. In contrast, these properties were independent of location for the dentin of teeth from the Colombian donors. Conclusions The microstructure of dentin and its mechanical behavior appear to be a function of patient background, which may include environmental factors and/or ethnicity. PMID:24960115

A two scale analysis of tight sandstones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adler, P. M.; Davy, C. A.; Song, Y.; Troadec, D.; Hauss, G.; Skoczylas, F.

2015-12-01

Tight sandstones have a low porosity and a very small permeability K. Available models for K do not compare well with measurements. These sandstones are made of SiO_2 grains, with a typical size of several hundreds of micron. These grains are separated by a network of micro-cracks, with sizes ranging between microns down to tens of nm. Therefore, the structure can be schematized by Voronoi polyhedra separated by plane and permeable polygonal micro-cracks. Our goal is to estimate K based on a two scale analysis and to compare the results to measurements. For a particular sample [2], local measurements on several scales include FIB/SEM [3], CMT and 2D SEM. FIB/SEM is selected because the peak pore size given by Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry is of 350nm. FIB/SEM imaging (with 50 nm voxel size) identifies an individual crack of 180nm average opening, whereas CMT provides a connected porosity (individual crack) for 60 nm voxel size, of 4 micron average opening. Numerical modelling is performed by combining the micro-crack network scale (given by 2D SEM) and the 3D micro-crack scale (given by either FIB/SEM or CMT). Estimates of the micro-crack density are derived from 2D SEM trace maps by counting the intersections with scanlines, the surface density of traces, and the number of fracture intersections. K is deduced by using a semi empirical formula valid for identical, isotropic and uniformly distributed fractures [1]. This value is proportional to the micro-crack transmissivity sigma. Sigma is determined by solving the Stokes equation in the micro-cracks measured by FIB/SEM or CMT. K is obtained by combining the two previous results. Good correlation with measured values on centimetric plugs is found when using sigma from CMT data. The results are discussed and further research is proposed. [1] Adler et al, Fractured porous media, Oxford Univ. Press, 2012. [2] Duan et al, Int. J. Rock Mech. Mining Sci., 65, p75, 2014. [3] Song et al, Marine and Petroleum Eng., 65, p63, 2015.

Thermal Barrier and Protective Coatings to Improve the Durability of a Combustor Under a Pulse Detonation Engine Environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ghosn, Louis J.; Zhu, Dongming

2008-01-01

Pulse detonation engine (PDE) concepts are receiving increasing attention for future aeronautic propulsion applications, due to their potential thermodynamic cycle efficiency and higher thrust to density ratio that lead to the decrease in fuel consumption. But the resulting high gas temperature and pressure fluctuation distributions at high frequency generated with every detonation are viewed to be detrimental to the combustor liner material. Experimental studies on a typical metal combustion material exposed to a laser simulated pulse heating showed extensive surface cracking. Coating of the combustor materials with low thermal conductivity ceramics is shown to protect the metal substrate, reduce the thermal stresses, and hence increase the durability of the PDE combustor liner material. Furthermore, the temperature fluctuation and depth of penetration is observed to decrease with increasing the detonation frequency. A crack propagation rate in the coating is deduced by monitoring the variation of the coating apparent thermal conductivity with time that can be utilized as a health monitoring technique for the coating system under a rapid fluctuating heat flux.

A multi-scale approach for near-surface pavement cracking and failure mechanisms

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2010-10-31

Nearsurface cracking is one of the predominant distress types in flexible pavements. The occurrence of : nearsurface cracking, also sometimes referred to as topdown cracking, has increased in recent years : with the increased construction of...

Reflectivity of crack sealant.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2002-01-01

Crack sealing is used in road maintenance but presents a problem when crack seal material visually pops out on the roadway, making it difficult to see lane stripes. This problem will increase as New Mexico increases its use of crack sealants. This su...

Final Report on Initial Samples Supplied by LLNL for Task 3.3 Binder Burnout and Sintering Schedule Optimisation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Walls, P

Sixteen of the twenty-one samples have been investigated using the scanning laser dilatometer. This includes all three types of samples with different preparation routes and organic content. Cracks were observed in all samples, even those only heated to 300 C. It was concluded that the cracking was occurring in the early part of the heat treatment before the samples reached 300 C. Increase in the rate of dilation of the samples occurred above 170 C which coincided with the decomposition of the binder/wax additives as determined by differential thermal analysis. A comparison was made with SYNROC C material (Powder Runmore » 143), samples of which had been CIPed and green machined to a similar diameter and thickness as the 089mm SRTC pucks. These samples contained neither binder nor other organic processing aids and had been kept in the same desiccator as the SRTC samples. The CIPed Synroc C samples sintered to high density with zero cracks. As the cracks made up only a small contribution to the change in diameter of the sample compared to the sintering shrinkage, useful information could still be gained from the runs. The sintering curves showed that there was much greater shrinkage of the Type III samples containing only the 5% PEG binder compared to the Type I which contained polyolefin wax as processing aid. Slight changes in gradient of the sintering curve were observed, however, due to the masking effect of the cracking, full analysis of the sintering kinetics cannot be conducted. Even heating the samples to 300 C at 1.0 or 0.5 C/min could not prevent crack formation. This indicated that heating rate was not the critical parameter causing cracking of the samples. Sectioning of green bodies revealed the inhomogeneous nature of the binder/lubricant distribution in the samples. Increased homogeneity would reduce the amount of binder/lubricant required, which should in turn, reduce the degree of cracking observed during heating to the binder burnout temperature. A combination of: (1) use of a higher forming pressure, (2) reduction of organics content, (3) improvement in the distribution of the organic wax and binder components throughout the green body, could possibly alleviate cracking. Ultrasonic emulsification of the binder and wax with a small quantity of water prior to adding to the ball or attrition mill is advised to ensure more even distribution of the wax/binder system. This would also reduce the proportion of organic additives required. The binder burnout stage of the operation must first be optimized (i.e. production of pucks with no cracks) prior to optimization of the sintering stage.« less

Gear crack propagation investigations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lewicki, David G.; Ballarini, Roberto

1996-01-01

Analytical and experimental studies were performed to investigate the effect of gear rim thickness on crack propagation life. The FRANC (FRacture ANalysis Code) computer program was used to simulate crack propagation. The FRANC program used principles of linear elastic fracture mechanics, finite element modeling, and a unique re-meshing scheme to determine crack tip stress distributions, estimate stress intensity factors, and model crack propagation. Various fatigue crack growth models were used to estimate crack propagation life based on the calculated stress intensity factors. Experimental tests were performed in a gear fatigue rig to validate predicted crack propagation results. Test gears were installed with special crack propagation gages in the tooth fillet region to measure bending fatigue crack growth. Good correlation between predicted and measured crack growth was achieved when the fatigue crack closure concept was introduced into the analysis. As the gear rim thickness decreased, the compressive cyclic stress in the gear tooth fillet region increased. This retarded crack growth and increased the number of crack propagation cycles to failure.

Mathematical model governing laser-produced dental cavity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yilbas, Bekir S.; Karatoy, M.; Yilbas, Z.; Karakas, Eyup S.; Bilge, A.; Ustunbas, Hasan B.; Ceyhan, O.

1990-06-01

Formation of dental cavity may be improved by using a laser beam. This provides nonmechanical contact, precise location of cavity, rapid processing and increased hygienity. Further examination of interaction mechanism is needed to improve the application of lasers in density. Present study examines the tenperature rise and thermal stress development in the enamel during Nd YAG laser irradiation. It is found that the stresses developed in the enamel is not sufficiently high enough to cause crack developed in the enamel.

Effects of hydroxyapatite/Zr and bioglass/Zr coatings on morphology and corrosion behaviour of Rex-734 alloy.

PubMed

Say, Y; Aksakal, B

2016-06-01

To improve corrosion resistance of metallic implant surfaces, Rex-734 alloy was coated with two different bio-ceramics; single-Hydroxyapatite (HA), double-HA/Zirconia(Zr) and double-Bioglass (BG)/Zr by using sol-gel method. Porous surface morphologies at low crack density were obtained after coating and sintering processes. Corrosion characteristics of coatings were determined by Open circuit potential and Potentiodynamic polarization measurements during corrosion tests. Hardness and adhesion strength of coating layers were measured and their surface morphologies before and after corrosion were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), XRD and EDX. Through the SEM analysis, it was observed that corrosion caused degradation and sphere-like formations appeared with dimples on the coated surfaces. The coated substrates that exhibit high crack density, the corrosion was more effective by disturbing and transmitting through the coating layer, produced CrO3 and Cr3O8 oxide formation. It was found that the addition of Zr provided an increase in adhesion strength and corrosion resistance of the coatings. However, BG/Zr coatings had lower adhesion strength than the HA/Zr coatings, but showed higher corrosion resistance.

Mode I stress intensity factors of slanted cracks in plates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ismail, Al Emran; Ghazali, Mohd Zubir Mohd; Nor, Nik Hisyamudin Muhd

2017-01-01

This paper presents the roles of slanted cracks on the stress intensity factors (SIF) under mode I tension and bending loading. Based on the literature survey, lack of solution of SIFs of slanted cracks in plain strain plates are available. In this work, the cracks are modelled numerically using ANSYS finite element program. There are two important parameters such as slanted angles and relative crack length. SIFs at the crack tips are calculated according to domain integral method. Before the model is further used, it is validated with the existing model. It is found that the present model is well agreed with the previous model. According to finite element analysis, there are not only mode I SIFs produced but also mode II. As expected the SIFs increased as the relative crack length increased. However, when slanted angles are introduced (slightly higher than normal crack), the SIFs increased. Once the angles are further increased, the SIFs decreased gradually however they are still higher than the SIFs of normal cracks. For mode II SIFs, higher the slanted angels higher the SIFs. This is due to the fact that when the cracks are slanted, the cracked plates are not only failed due to mode I but a combination between both modes I and II.

Effect of Hydrogen Charging on the Stress Corrosion Behavior of 2205 Duplex Stainless Steel Under 3.5 wt.% NaCl Thin Electrolyte Layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Tianliang; Liu, Zhiyong; Hu, Shanshan; Du, Cuiwei; Li, Xiaogang

2017-05-01

The effect of hydrogen charging on the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) behavior of 2205 duplex stainless steel (DSS) under 3.5 wt.% NaCl thin electrolyte layer was investigated on precharged samples through hydrogen determination, electrochemical measurement, and slow strain rate tensile test. Results show that hydrogen charging weakens the passive film without inducing any obvious trace of localized anodic dissolution. Therefore, hydrogen charging increases the SCC susceptibility of 2205 DSS mainly through mechanism of hydrogen embrittlement rather than mechanism of localized anodic dissolution. 2205 DSS shows a more susceptibility to hydrogen under the TEL when hydrogen charging current density (HCCD) is between 20 and 50 mA cm-2. The increasing trend is remarkable when hydrogen charging current density increases from 20 to 50 mA cm-2 and fades after 50 mA cm-2.

Stable Tearing and Buckling Responses of Unstiffened Aluminum Shells with Long Cracks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Starnes, James H., Jr.; Rose, Cheryl A.

1999-01-01

The results of an analytical and experimental study of the nonlinear response of thin, unstiffened, aluminum cylindrical shells with a long longitudinal crack are presented. The shells are analyzed with a nonlinear shell analysis code that accurately accounts for global and local structural response phenomena. Results are presented for internal pressure and for axial compression loads. The effect of initial crack length on the initiation of stable crack growth and unstable crack growth in typical shells subjected to internal pressure loads is predicted using geometrically nonlinear elastic-plastic finite element analyses and the crack-tip-opening angle (CTOA) fracture criterion. The results of these analyses and of the experiments indicate that the pressure required to initiate stable crack growth and unstable crack growth in a shell subjected to internal pressure loads decreases as the initial crack length increases. The effects of crack length on the prebuckling, buckling and postbuckling responses of typical shells subjected to axial compression loads are also described. For this loading condition, the crack length was not allowed to increase as the load was increased. The results of the analyses and of the experiments indicate that the initial buckling load and collapse load for a shell subjected to axial compression loads decrease as the initial crack length increases. Initial buckling causes general instability or collapse of a shell for shorter initial crack lengths. Initial buckling is a stable local response mode for longer initial crack lengths. This stable local buckling response is followed by a stable postbuckling response, which is followed by general or overall instability of the shell.

Stable Tearing and Buckling Responses of Unstiffened Aluminum Shells with Long Cracks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Starnes, James H., Jr.; Rose, Cheryl A.

1998-01-01

The results of an analytical and experimental study of the nonlinear response of thin, unstiffened, aluminum cylindrical shells with a long longitudinal crack are presented. The shells are analyzed with a nonlinear shell analysis code that accurately accounts for global and local structural response phenomena. Results are presented for internal pressure and for axial compression loads. The effect of initial crack length on the initiation of stable crack growth and unstable crack growth in typical shells subjected to internal pressure loads is predicted using geometrically nonlinear elastic-plastic finite element analyses and the crack-tip-opening angle (CTOA) fracture criterion. The results of these analyses and of the experiments indicate that the pressure required to initiate stable crack growth and unstable crack growth in a shell subjected to internal pressure loads decreases as the initial crack length increases. The effects of crack length on the prebuckling, buckling and postbuckling responses of typical shells subjected to axial compression loads are also described. For this loading condition, the crack length was not allowed to increase as the load was increased. The results of the analyses and of the experiments indicate that the initial buckling load and collapse load for a shell subjected to axial compression loads decrease as the initial crack length increases. Initial buckling causes general instability or collapse of a shell for shorter initial crack lengths. Initial buckling is a stable local response mode for longer initial crack lengths. This stable local buckling response is followed by a stable postbuckling response, which is followed by general or overall instability of the shell.

Localized fluid discharge in subduction zones: Insights from tension veins around an ancient megasplay fault (Nobeoka Thrust, SW Japan)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Otsubo, M.; Hardebeck, J.; Miyakawa, A.; Yamaguchi, A.; Kimura, G.

2017-12-01

Fluid-rock interactions along seismogenic faults are of great importance to understand fault mechanics. The fluid loss by the formation of mode I cracks (tension cracks) increases the fault strength and creates drainage asperities along the plate interface (Sibson, 2013, Tectonophysics). The Nobeoka Thrust, in southwestern Japan, is an on-land example of an ancient megasplay fault and provides an excellent record of deformation and fluid flow at seismogenic depths of a subduction zone (Kondo et al., 2005, Tectonics). We focus on (1) Pore fluid pressure loss, (2) Amount of fault strength recovery, and (3) Fluid circulation by the formation of mode I cracks in the post-seismic period around the fault zone of the Nobeoka Thrust. Many quartz veins that filled mode I crack at the coastal outcrops suggest a normal faulting stress regime after faulting of the Nobeoka Thrust (Otsubo et al., 2016, Island Arc). We estimated the decrease of the pore fluid pressure by the formation of the mode I cracks around the Nobeoka Thrust in the post-seismic period. When the pore fluid pressure exceeds σ3, veins filling mode I cracks are constructed (Jolly and Sanderson, 1997, Jour. Struct. Geol.). We call the pore fluid pressure that exceeds σ3 "pore fluid over pressure". The differential stress in the post-seismic period and the driving pore fluid pressure ratio P* (P* = (Pf - σ3) / (σ1 - σ3), Pf: pore fluid pressure) are parameters to estimate the pore fluid over pressure. In the case of the Nobeoka Thrust (P* = 0.4, Otsubo et al., 2016, Island Arc), the pore fluid over pressure is up to 20 MPa (assuming tensile strength = 10 MPa). 20 MPa is equivalent to <10% of the total pore fluid pressure around the Nobeoka Thrust (depth = 10 km, density = 2.7 kg/m3). When the pore fluid pressure decreases by 4%, the normalized pore pressure ratio λ* (λ* = (Pf - Ph) / (Pl - Ph), Pl: lithostatic pressure; Ph: hydrostatic pressure) changes from 0.95 to 0.86. In the case of the Nobeoka Thrust, the fault strength can increase by up to 10 MPa (assuming frictional coefficient = 0.6). 10 MPa is almost equivalent to the stress drop values in large trench type earthquakes. Hence, we suggest that the fluid loss caused by the formation of mode I cracks in the post-seismic period may play an important role by increasing frictional strength along the megasplay fault.

Crack Initiation and Growth Behavior of Cold-Sprayed Ni Particles on IN718 Alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cavaliere, P.; Silvello, A.

2017-04-01

Cold spray processing parameters, governing particle velocity and impact energy, are analyzed in the present paper for pure Ni sprayed on IN718 substrates. Finite element modeling (FEM) was used to calculate the particle impact velocity and temperature as a function of gas temperature and pressure and particle density and dimensions. Experimental evidence underlines the possibility of performing repairing through cold spray thanks to the good level of adhesion achievable by employing optimal combinations of materials and spray processing parameters. In the present paper, the potential repairing of cracked superalloys sheets, by employing cold spray technology, is presented. 30° surface V-notched IN718 panels have been repaired by using pure Ni cold-sprayed powders. The bending behavior of the repaired sheets was analyzed by FEM and mechanical testing in order to compare the properties with those belonging to the unrepaired panels. Simulations and mechanical results showed a reduction in the stress intensity factor, a modification of the crack initiation site and a crack retardation in the repaired structures if compared with the unrepaired ones. The K factor was quantified; the resistance of repaired panels was increased of more than eight times in the case of repairing with Ni cold spray particles. Geometrical and mechanical properties of the coating-substrate interfaces, such as adhesion strength and residual stresses influencing the coatings behavior, were largely analyzed.

Fatigue and Creep Crack Propagation behaviour of Alloy 617 in the Annealed and Aged Conditions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Julian K. Benz; Richard N. Wright

2013-10-01

The crack propagation behaviour of Alloy 617 was studied under various conditions. Elevated temperature fatigue and creep-fatigue crack growth experiments were conducted at 650 and 800 degrees C under constant stress intensity (triangle K) conditions and triangular or trapezoidal waveforms at various frequencies on as-received, aged, and carburized material. Environmental conditions included both laboratory air and characteristic VHTR impure helium. As-received Alloy 617 displayed an increase in the crack growth rate (da/dN) as the frequency was decreased in air which indicated a time-dependent contribution component in fatigue crack propagation. Material aged at 650°C did not display any influence on themore » fatigue crack growth rates nor the increasing trend of crack growth rate with decreasing frequency even though significant microstructural evolution, including y’ (Ni3Al) after short times, occurred during aging. In contrast, carburized Alloy 617 showed an increase in crack growth rates at all frequencies tested compared to the material in the standard annealed condition. Crack growth studies under quasi-constant K (i.e. creep) conditions were also completed at 650 degrees C and a stress intensity of K = 40 MPa9 (square root)m. The results indicate that crack growth is primarily intergranular and increased creep crack growth rates exist in the impure helium environment when compared to the results in laboratory air. Furthermore, the propagation rates (da/dt) continually increased for the duration of the creep crack growth either due to material aging or evolution of a crack tip creep zone. Finally, fatigue crack propagation tests at 800 degrees C on annealed Alloy 617 indicated that crack propagation rates were higher in air than impure helium at the largest frequencies and lowest stress intensities. The rates in helium, however, eventually surpass the rates in air as the frequency is reduced and the stress intensity is decreased which was not observed at 650 degrees C.« less

A multi\\0x2010scale approach for near\\0x2010surface pavement cracking and failure mechanisms.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2010-11-30

Nearsurface cracking is one of the predominant distress types in flexible pavements. The occurrence of : nearsurface cracking, also sometimes referred to as topdown cracking, has increased in recent years : with the increased construction of...

Electrical Mapping of Silver Nanowire Networks: A Versatile Tool for Imaging Network Homogeneity and Degradation Dynamics during Failure.

PubMed

Sannicolo, Thomas; Charvin, Nicolas; Flandin, Lionel; Kraus, Silas; Papanastasiou, Dorina T; Celle, Caroline; Simonato, Jean-Pierre; Muñoz-Rojas, David; Jiménez, Carmen; Bellet, Daniel

2018-05-22

Electrical stability and homogeneity of silver nanowire (AgNW) networks are critical assets for increasing their robustness and reliability when integrated as transparent electrodes in devices. Our ability to distinguish defects, inhomogeneities, or inactive areas at the scale of the entire network is therefore a critical issue. We propose one-probe electrical mapping (1P-mapping) as a specific simple tool to study the electrical distribution in these discrete structures. 1P-mapping has allowed us to show that the tortuosity of the voltage equipotential lines of AgNW networks under bias decreases with increasing network density, leading to a better electrical homogeneity. The impact of the network fabrication technique on the electrical homogeneity of the resulting electrode has also been investigated. Then, by combining 1P-mapping with electrical resistance measurements and IR thermography, we propose a comprehensive analysis of the evolution of the electrical distribution in AgNW networks when subjected to increasing voltage stresses. We show that AgNW networks experience three distinctive stages: optimization, degradation, and breakdown. We also demonstrate that the failure dynamics of AgNW networks at high voltages occurs through a highly correlated and spatially localized mechanism. In particular the in situ formation of cracks could be clearly visualized. It consists of two steps: creation of a crack followed by propagation nearly parallel to the equipotential lines. Finally, we show that current can dynamically redistribute during failure, by following partially damaged secondary pathways through the crack.

Crustal flushing and its relationship to magnetic and hydrothermal processes on the East Pacific Rise crest

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wright, Dawn J.; Haymon, Rachel M.; Fornari, Daniel J.

1995-01-01

The deep-towed Argo I optical/acoustical vehicle and a geographic information system (GIS) have been used to establish the abundance, widths, and spatial distribution of fissures, as well as the relative age distribution of lavas along the narrow (less than 500 m wide) axial zone of the East Pacific Rise (EPR) from 9 deg 12 min to 9 deg 54 min N. On a second-order scale (approximately 78 km long), wider but less numerous fissures are found in the northern portion of the survey area; this changes to narrower, more abundant fissures in the south. A profile of the cumulative width added by fissures to the axial zone exhibits minima in three areas along strike (near 9 deg 49 min, 9 deg 35 min, and 9 deg 15 min N), where the most recent eruptions have occurred above sites of magmatic injection from the upper mantle, filling and covering older fissures. On a fourth-order scale (5-15 km long) the mean density of fissuring on a given segment is greater where relative axial lava age is greater. Fissure density also correlates with hydrothermal vent abundance and type. Increased cracking toward segment tips is observed at the second-order scale, whereas fourth-order segments tend to be more cracked in the middle. Cracking on a fourth-order scale may be driven by the propagation of dikes, rather than by the far-field plate stresses. The above relations constrain the model of Haymon et al. (1991) in which individual fourth-order segments are in different phases of a volcanic-hydrothermal-tectonic cycle.

Damage instability and Earthquake nucleation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ionescu, I. R.; Gomez, Q.; Campillo, M.; Jia, X.

2017-12-01

Earthquake nucleation (initiation) is usually associated to the loss of the stability of the geological structure under a slip-weakening friction acting on the fault. The key parameters involved in the stability of the fault are the stress drop, the critical slip distance but also the elastic stiffness of the surrounding materials (rocks). We want to explore here how the nucleation phenomena are correlated to the material softening during damage accumulation by dynamic and/or quasi-static processes. Since damage models are describing micro-cracks growth, which is generally an unstable phenomenon, it is natural to expect some loss of stability on the associated micro-mechanics based models. If the model accurately captures the material behavior, then this can be due to the unstable nature of the brittle material itself. We obtained stability criteria at the microscopic scale, which are related to a large class of damage models. We show that for a given continuous strain history the quasi-static or dynamic problems are instable or ill-posed (multiplicity of material responses) and whatever the selection rule is adopted, shocks (time discontinuities) will occur. We show that the quasi-static equilibria chosen by the "perfect delay convention" is always stable. These stability criteria are used to analyze how NIC (Non Interacting Crack) effective elasticity associated to "self similar growth" model work in some special configurations (one family of micro-cracks in mode I, II and III and in plane strain or plain stress). In each case we determine a critical crack density parameter and critical micro-crack radius (length) which distinguish between stable and unstable behaviors. This critical crack density depends only on the chosen configuration and on the Poisson ratio.

Laser Engineered Net Shape (LENS) Technology for the Repair of Ni-Base Superalloy Turbine Components

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Dejian; Lippold, John C.; Li, Jia; Rohklin, Stan R.; Vollbrecht, Justin; Grylls, Richard

2014-09-01

The capability of the laser engineered net shape (LENS) process was evaluated for the repair of casting defects and improperly machined holes in gas turbine engine components. Various repair geometries, including indentations, grooves, and through-holes, were used to simulate the actual repair of casting defects and holes in two materials: Alloy 718 and Waspaloy. The influence of LENS parameters, including laser energy density, laser scanning speed, and deposition pattern, on the repair of these defects and holes was studied. Laser surface remelting of the substrate prior to repair was used to remove machining defects and prevent heat-affected zone (HAZ) liquation cracking. Ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation techniques were used as a possible approach for detecting lack-of-fusion in repairs. Overall, Alloy 718 exhibited excellent repair weldability, with essentially no defects except for some minor porosity in repairs representative of deep through-holes and simulated large area casting defects. In contrast, cracking was initially observed during simulated repair of Waspaloy. Both solidification cracking and HAZ liquation cracking were observed in the repairs, especially under conditions of high heat input (high laser power and/or low scanning speed). For Waspaloy, the degree of cracking was significantly reduced and, in most cases, completely eliminated by the combination of low laser energy density and relatively high laser scanning speeds. It was found that through-hole repairs of Waspaloy made using a fine powder size exhibited excellent repair weldability and were crack-free relative to repairs using coarser powder. Simulated deep (7.4 mm) blind-hole repairs, representative of an actual Waspaloy combustor case, were successfully produced by the combination use of fine powder and relatively high laser scanning speeds.

Age-related changes in the plasticity and toughness of human cortical bone at multiple length-scales

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zimmermann, Elizabeth A.; Schaible, Eric; Bale, Hrishikesh

2011-08-10

The structure of human cortical bone evolves over multiple length-scales from its basic constituents of collagen and hydroxyapatite at the nanoscale to osteonal structures at nearmillimeter dimensions, which all provide the basis for its mechanical properties. To resist fracture, bone’s toughness is derived intrinsically through plasticity (e.g., fibrillar sliding) at structural-scales typically below a micron and extrinsically (i.e., during crack growth) through mechanisms (e.g., crack deflection/bridging) generated at larger structural-scales. Biological factors such as aging lead to a markedly increased fracture risk, which is often associated with an age-related loss in bone mass (bone quantity). However, we find that age-relatedmore » structural changes can significantly degrade the fracture resistance (bone quality) over multiple lengthscales. Using in situ small-/wide-angle x-ray scattering/diffraction to characterize sub-micron structural changes and synchrotron x-ray computed tomography and in situ fracture-toughness measurements in the scanning electron microscope to characterize effects at micron-scales, we show how these age-related structural changes at differing size-scales degrade both the intrinsic and extrinsic toughness of bone. Specifically, we attribute the loss in toughness to increased non-enzymatic collagen cross-linking which suppresses plasticity at nanoscale dimensions and to an increased osteonal density which limits the potency of crack-bridging mechanisms at micron-scales. The link between these processes is that the increased stiffness of the cross-linked collagen requires energy to be absorbed by “plastic” deformation at higher structural levels, which occurs by the process of microcracking.« less

High-Resolution Characterizations of Grain Boundary Damage and Stress Corrosion Cracks in Cold-Rolled Alloy 690

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bruemmer, S. M.; Olszta, M. J.; Toloczko, M. B.; Thomas, L. E.

Unidirectional cold rolling has been shown to promote intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) in alloy 690 tested in PWR primary water. High-resolution scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have been employed to investigate the microstructural reasons for this enhanced susceptibility in two stages, first examining grain boundary damage produced by cold rolling and second by characterization of stress corrosion crack tips. The degree of permanent grain boundary damage from cold rolling was found to depend directly on the initial IG precipitate distribution. Cold rolling to high levels of reduction was discovered to produce small IG voids and cracked carbides in alloys with a high density of grain boundary carbides. For the same degree of cold rolling, alloys with few IG carbides exhibited much less permanent damage. Although this difference in grain boundary damage appears to correlate with measured SCC growth rates, crack tip examinations reveal no interaction between the preexisting voids and cracked carbides with the propagation. In many cases, these features appeared to blunt propagation of IGSCC cracks. High-resolution characterizations are described for cold-rolled alloy 690 CRDM tubing and plate materials to gain insights into IGSCC mechanisms.

Hydrogen Permeability of Polymer Matrix Composites at Cryogenic Temperatures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grenoble, Ray W.; Gates, Thomas S

2005-01-01

This paper presents experimental methods and results of an ongoing study of the correlation between damage state and hydrogen gas permeability of laminated composite materials under mechanical strains and thermal loads. A specimen made from IM-7/977-2 composite material has been mechanically cycled at room temperature to induce microcrack damage. Crack density and tensile modulus were observed as functions of number of cycles. Damage development was found to occur most quickly in the off-axis plies near the outside of the laminate. Permeability measurements were made after 170,000 cycles and 430,000 cycles. Leak rate was found to depend on applied mechanical strain, crack density, and test temperature.

Shock Initiation of Thermally Expanded TATB

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mulford, Roberta; Swift, Damian

2011-06-01

The plastic-bonded explosive PBX-9502 undergoes unusual hysteretic thermal expansion, or ``ratchet growth'' as a consequence of the uniaxial thermal expansion of the graphitic structure of the major component, TATB explosive. Upon thermal cycling, the density of the material can be reduced by as much as 9%, resulting in a distinct increase in the shock sensitivity of the solid. Run distances to detonation have been measured in thermally expanded samples of PBX-9502, using embedded particle velocity gauges and shock tracker gauges. Uniaxial shocks were generated using a light gas gun, to provide a repeatable stimulus for initiation of detonation. We have applied a porosity model to adjust standard Pop plot data to the reduced density of our samples, to investigate whether the sensitivity of the PBX 9502 increases ideally with the decreasing density, or whether the microscopically non-uniform expansion that occurs during ``ratchet growth'' leads to abnormal sensitivity, possibly as a result of cracking or debonding from the binder, as observed in micrographs of the sample.

Cracks and blisters formed close to a silicon wafer surface by He-H co-implantation at low energy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cherkashin, N., E-mail: nikolay.cherkashin@cemes.fr; Darras, F.-X.; Claverie, A.

2015-12-28

We have studied the effect of reducing the implantation energy towards low keV values on the areal density of He and H atoms stored within populations of blister cavities formed by co-implantation of the same fluence of He then H ions into Si(001) wafers and annealing. Using a variety of experimental techniques, we have measured blister heights and depth from the surface, diameter, areal density of the cracks from which they originate as functions of implantation energy and fluence. We show that there is a direct correlation between the diameters of the cracks and the heights of the associated blisters.more » This correlation only depends on the implantation energy, i.e., only on the depth at which the cracks are located. Using finite element method modeling, we infer the pressure inside the blister cavities from the elastic deformations they generate, i.e., from the height of the blisters. From this, we demonstrate that the gas pressure within a blister only depends on the diameter of the associated crack and not on its depth position and derive an analytical expression relating these parameters. Relating the pressure inside a blister to the respective concentrations of gas molecules it contains, we deduce the areal densities of He and H atoms contained within the populations of blisters. After low-energy implantations (8 keV He{sup +}, 3 keV H{sup +}), all the implanted He and H atoms contribute to the formation of the blisters. There is no measurable exo-diffusion of any of the implanted gases, in contrast to what was assumed at the state of the art to explain the failure of the Smart-Cut technology when using very low energy ion implantation for the fabrication of ultra-thin layers. Alternative explanations must be investigated.« less

Slow plastic deformation of extruded NiAl-10TiB2 particulate composites at 1200 and 1300 K

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whittenberger, J. D.; Kumar, S.; Mannan, S. K.; Viswanadham, R. K.

1990-01-01

A dispersion of 1-micron TiB2 particles in the B2 crystal structure NiAl intermetallic can effectively increase its elevated temperature strength, in association with increasing deformation resistance with TiB2 volume fraction. Attention is presently given to alternative densification methods, which may increase the initial as-fabricated dislocation density and lead to enhanced elevated-temperature strength. The 'XD' extrusion method was used to produce NiAl with 10 vol pct TiB2. Although apparent extrusion defects were occasionally found, neither grain-boundary cracking nor particle-matrix separation occurred.

An elastic-plastic fracture mechanics analysis of weld-toe surface cracks in fillet welded T-butt joint

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fu, B.

1994-12-31

This paper describes an elastic-plastic fracture mechanics (EPFM) study of shallow weld-toe cracks. Two limiting crack configurations, plane strain edge crack and semi-circular surface crack in fillet welded T-butt plate joint, were analyzed using the finite element method. Crack depth ranging from 2 to 40% of plate thickness were considered. The elastic-plastic analysis, assuming power-law hardening relationship and Mises yield criterion, was based on incremental plasticity theory. Tension and bending loads applied were monotonically increased to a level causing relatively large scale yielding at the crack tip. Effects of weld-notch geometry and ductile material modeling on prediction of fracture mechanicsmore » characterizing parameter were assessed. It was found that the weld-notch effect reduces and the effect of material modeling increases as crack depth increases. Material modeling is less important than geometric modeling in analysis of very shallow cracks but is more important for relatively deeper cracks, e.g. crack depth more than 20% of thickness. The effect of material modeling can be assessed using a simplified structural model. Weld magnification factors derived assuming linear elastic conditions can be applied to EPFM characterization.« less

Fracture Property of Y-Shaped Cracks of Brittle Materials under Compression

PubMed Central

Zhang, Xiaoyan; Zhu, Zheming; Liu, Hongjie

2014-01-01

In order to investigate the properties of Y-shaped cracks of brittle materials under compression, compression tests by using square cement mortar specimens with Y-shaped crack were conducted. A true triaxial loading device was applied in the tests, and the major principle stresses or the critical stresses were measured. The results show that as the branch angle θ between the branch crack and the stem crack is 75°, the cracked specimen has the lowest strength. In order to explain the test results, numerical models of Y-shaped cracks by using ABAQUS code were established, and the J-integral method was applied in calculating crack tip stress intensity factor (SIF). The results show that when the branch angle θ increases, the SIF K I of the branch crack increases from negative to positive and the absolute value K II of the branch crack first increases, and as θ is 50°, it is the maximum, and then it decreases. Finally, in order to further investigate the stress distribution around Y-shaped cracks, photoelastic tests were conducted, and the test results generally agree with the compressive test results. PMID:25013846

The effect of pre-stress cycles on fatigue crack growth - An analysis of crack growth mechanism. [in Al alloy plates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kang, T. S.; Liu, H. W.

1974-01-01

Cyclic prestress increases subsequent fatigue crack growth rate in 2024-T351 aluminum alloy. This increase in growth rate, caused by the prestress, and the increased rate, caused by temper embrittlement as observed by Ritchie and Knott (1973), cannot be explained by the crack tip blunting model alone. Each fatigue crack increment consists of two components, a brittle and a ductile component. They are controlled by the ductility of the material and its cyclic yield strength, respectively.

Microcrack healing in non-ferrous metal tubes through eddy current pulse treatment.

PubMed

Xu, Wenchen; Yang, Chuan; Yu, Haiping; Jin, Xueze; Guo, Bin; Shan, Debin

2018-04-16

This study proposed a novel method to heal microcrack within Mg alloy tubes using high density eddy current pulse treatment (ECPT). Through electromagnetic induction inside a copper coil connected with a high density pulse power source supply, the high density (greater than 5 × 10 9  A/m 2 ) and short duration eddy current was generated in tube specimens of Mg alloy. The results show that the microcracks in tube specimens was healed evidently and the mechanical properties of the tubes subjected to ECPT were improved simultaneously. The crack healing during ECPT was ascribed to not only the thermal stress around the microcrack tips and the softening or melting of metals in the vicinity of microcrack tips, but also the squeezing action acted by the Lorentz force. In the inward-discharging scheme, both the compressive radial stress and tangential stress induced by the Lorentz force contributed to more sufficient crack healing and thus better mechanical properties of tube specimens after the ECPT experiment, compared to the outward-discharging scheme. The ECPT can heal microcracks automatically without directly contacting tubular specimens and is not limited by the length of tubular workpieces, exhibiting great potential for crack healing in non-ferrous alloy tubes.

Some considerations on instability of combined loaded thin-walled tubes with a crack

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shariati, M.; Akbarpour, A.

2016-05-01

Instability of a thin-walled stainless steel tube with a crack-shaped defect under combined loading is studied in this paper. Furthermore, the effects of the tube length, crack orientation, and crack length on the buckling behavior of tubes are investigated. The behavior of tubes subjected to combined is analyzed by using the finite element method (by Abaqus software). For cracked tubes with a fixed thickness, the buckling load decreases as the tube length and the ratio of the tube length to its diameter increase. Moreover, the buckling load of cracked tubes under combined loading also decreases with increasing crack length.

Resonance of a fluid-driven crack: Radiation properties and implications for the source of long-period events and harmonic tremor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chouet, Bernard

1988-05-01

A dynamic source model is presented, in which a three-dimensional crack containing a viscous compressible fluid is excited into resonance by an impulsive pressure transient applied over a small area ΔS of the crack surface. The crack excitation depends critically on two dimensionless parameters called the crack stiffness, C = (b/μ)(L/d), and viscous damping loss, F = (12ηL)/(ρƒd2α), where b is the bulk modulus, η is the viscosity, ρƒ is the density of the fluid, μ is the rigidity, α is the compressional velocity of the solid, L is the crack length, and d is the crack thickness. The first parameter characterizes the ability of the crack to vibrate and shapes the spectral signature of the source, and the second quantifies the effect of fluid viscosity on the duration of resonance. Resonance is sustained by a very slow wave trapped in the fluid-filled crack. This guided wave, called the crack wave, is similar to the tube wave propagating in a fluid-filled borehole; it is inversely dispersive, showing a phase velocity that decreases with increasing wavelength, and its wave speed is always lower than the acoustic velocity of the fluid, decreasing rapidly as the crack stiffness increases. The source spectrum shows many sharp peaks characterizing the individual modes of vibration of the crack; the variation of spectral shape, both in the number and width of peaks, is surprisingly complex, reflecting the interference between the lateral and longitudinal modes of resonance, as well as nodes for these modes. The far-field spectrum is marked by narrow-band dominant and subdominant peaks that reflect the interaction of the various source modes. The frequency of the dominant spectral peak radiated by the source is independent of the radiation direction. The frequency, bandwidth, and spacing of the resonant peaks are strongly dependent on the crack stiffness, larger values of the stiffness factor shifting these peaks to lower frequencies and decreasing their bandwidth. The excitation of a particular mode depends on the position of the trigger and on the extent of the crack surface affected by the pressure transient. Fluid viscosity decreases the amplitudes of the main spectral peaks, smears out the finer structure of the spectrum, and greatly reduces the duration of the radiated signal. The energy loss by radiation is stronger for high frequencies, producing a seismic signature that is marked by a high-frequency content near the onset of the signal and dominated by a longer-period component of much longer duration in the signal coda. Such signature is in harmony with those displayed by long-period events observed on active volcanoes and in hydrofracture experiments. The very low velocity which is possible in a crack with high stiffness (C ≥ 100) also provides an attractive explanation for very long period tremor, such as type 2 tremor at Aso volcano, Japan, without the requirement of an unrealistically large magma container. The standing wave pattern set up on the crack surface by the sustained resonance in the fluid is observable in the near field of the crack, suggesting that the location and extent of the source may be estimated from the mapping of the pattern of nodes and antinodes seen in its vicinity. According to the model, the long-period event and harmonic tremor share the same source but differ in the boundary conditions for fluid flow and in the triggering mechanism setting up the resonance of the source, the former being viewed as the impulse response of the tremor generating system and the latter representing the excitation due to more complex forcing functions.

Propellant Crack Tip Ignition and Propagation under Rapid Pressurization

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-10-01

that the ignition-delay time decreases and the heat flux to the propellant surface increases as the pressurization rate is increased. The decrease in...leading to ignition. The model predicts the experimental obseriation that the ignition delay time decreases as the pressurization rate is increased...pressurization rate on both crack propagation velocity and time variation of crack shape was studied. Experimental results indicated that the crack velocity

Combined mode I stress intensity factors of slanted cracks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ismail, A. E.; Rahman, M. Q. Abdul; Ghazali, M. Z. Mohd; Zulafif Rahim, M.; Rasidi Ibrahim, M.; Fahrul Hassan, Mohd; Nor, Nik Hisyamudin Muhd; Ariffin, A. M. T.; Zaini Yunos, Muhamad

2017-08-01

The solutions of stress intensity factors (SIFs) for slanted cracks in plain strain plate are hard to find in open literature. There are some previous solutions of SIFs available, however the studies are not completed except for the case of plain stress. The slanted cracks are modelled numerically using ANSYS finite element program. There are ten slanted angles and seven relative crack depths are used and the plate contains cracks which is assumed to fulfil the plain strain condition. The plate is then stressed under tension and bending loading and the SIFs are determined according to the displacement extrapolation method. Based on the numerical analysis, both slanted angles and relative crack length, a/L played an important role in determining the modes I and II SIFs. As expected the SIFs increased when a/L is increased. Under tension force, the introduction of slanted angles increased the SIFs. Further increment of angles reduced the SIFs however they are still higher than the SIFs obtained using normal cracks. Under bending moment, the present of slanted angles are significantly reduced the SIFs compared with the normal cracks. Under similar loading, mode II SIFs increased as function of a/L and slanted angles where increasing such parameters increasing the mode II SIFs.

Spatial organization of seismicity and fracture pattern at the boundary between Alps and Dinarides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bressan, Gianni; Ponton, Maurizio; Rossi, Giuliana; Urban, Sandro

2016-04-01

The paper affords the study of the spatial organization of seismicity in the easternmost region of the Alps (Friuli, in NE Italy and W Slovenia), dominated by the interference between the Alpine and the Dinaric tectonic systems. Two non-conventional methods of spatial analysis are used: fractal analysis and principal component analysis (PCA). The fractal analysis helps to discriminate the cases in which hypocentres clearly define a plane, from the ones in which hypocenter distribution tends to the planarity, without reaching it. The PCA analysis is used to infer the orientation of planes fitting through earthquake foci, or the direction of propagation of the hypocentres. Furthermore, we study the spatial seismicity pattern at the shallow depths in the context of a general damage model, through the crack density distribution. The results of the three methods concur to a complex and composite model of fracturing in the region. The hypocentre pattern fills only partially a plane, i.e. has a fractal dimension close to 2. The three exceptions regard planes with Dinaric trend, without interference with Alpine lineaments. The shallowest depth range (0-10 km depth) is characterized by the activation of planes with variable orientations, reflecting the interference between the Dinaric and the Alpine tectonic structures, and closely bound to the variation of the mechanical properties of the crust. The seismicity occurs mostly in areas characterized by a variation from low to moderate crack density, indicating the sharp transition from zones of low damage to zones of moderate damage. Low crack density indicates the presence of more competent rocks capable of sustaining high strain energy while high crack density areas pertain to highly fractured rocks that cannot store high strain energy. Brittle failure, i.e. seismic activity, is favoured within the sharp transitions from low to moderate crack density zones. The orientation of the planes depicting the seismic activity, indeed, coincides with the orientation of the faults generated along the flanks of past carbonate platforms both in Friuli and western Slovenia. In the deepest depth range (10-20-km depth), on the contrary, the study evidences the dominance of the tectonic Dinaric system to the NW of the External Dinarides, in depth. This depth interval is characterized by a more organized pattern of seismicity. Seismic events mainly locate on the Dinaric lineaments in the northern and eastern parts of the region considered, while on Alpine thrusts in the western and southern parts.

Thermal Cracking to Improve the Qualification of the Waxes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, B.; Agblevor, F. A.; Chen, C. G.; Feng, J.

2018-05-01

Thermal cracking of waxes at mild conditions (430-500°C) has been reconsidered as a possible refining technology for the production of fuels and chemicals. In this study, the more moderate thermal cracking was investigated to process Uinta Basin soft waxes to achieve the required pour point so that they can be pumped to the refineries. The best thermal cracking conditions were set 420°C and 20 minutes. The viscosity and density of the final liquid product were respectively achieved as 2.63 mP•s and 0.784 g/cm3 at 40°C. The result of FT-IR analysis of the liquid product indicated that the unsaturated hydrocarbons were produced after thermal cracking, which was corroborated by the 13C NMR spectrum. The GC analysis of the final gas product indicated that the hydrogen was produced; the dehydrogenation reaction was also proved by the elemental analysis and HHV results. The pour point of the final liquid product met the requirement.

Formation and prevention of fractures in sol-gel-derived thin films.

PubMed

Kappert, Emiel J; Pavlenko, Denys; Malzbender, Jürgen; Nijmeijer, Arian; Benes, Nieck E; Tsai, Peichun Amy

2015-02-07

Sol-gel-derived thin films play an important role as the functional coatings for various applications that require crack-free films to fully function. However, the fast drying process of a standard sol-gel coating often induces mechanical stresses, which may fracture the thin films. An experimental study on the crack formation in sol-gel-derived silica and organosilica ultrathin (submicron) films is presented. The relationships among the crack density, inter-crack spacing, and film thickness were investigated by combining direct micrograph analysis with spectroscopic ellipsometry. It is found that silica thin films are more prone to fracturing than organosilica films and have a critical film thickness of 300 nm, above which the film fractures. In contrast, the organosilica films can be formed without cracks in the experimentally explored regime of film thickness up to at least 1250 nm. These results confirm that ultrathin organosilica coatings are a robust silica substitute for a wide range of applications.

Cohesive Modeling of Transverse Cracking in Laminates with a Single Layer of Elements per Ply

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

VanDerMeer, Frans P.; Davila, Carlos G.

2013-01-01

This study aims to bridge the gap between classical understanding of transverse cracking in cross-ply laminates and recent computational methods for the modeling of progressive laminate failure. Specifically, the study investigates under what conditions a finite element model with cohesive X-FEM cracks can reproduce the in situ effect for the ply strength. It is shown that it is possible to do so with a single element across the thickness of the ply, provided that the interface stiffness is properly selected. The optimal value for this interface stiffness is derived with an analytical shear lag model. It is also shown that, when the appropriate statistical variation of properties has been applied, models with a single element through the thickness of a ply can predict the density of transverse matrix cracks

On prediction of crack in different orientations in pipe using frequency based approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naniwadekar, M. R.; Naik, S. S.; Maiti, S. K.

2008-04-01

A technique based on measurement of change in natural frequencies and modeling of crack by rotational spring is employed to detect a crack with straight front in different orientations in a section of straight horizontal steel hollow pipe (outer diameter 0.0378 m and inner diameter 0.0278 m). Crack orientations in the range 0-60° with the vertical have been examined and sizes/depths in the range 1-4 mm through the wall of thickness 5 mm have been studied. Variation of rotational spring stiffness with crack size and orientation has been obtained experimentally by deflection and vibration methods. The spring stiffness reduces as expected, with an increase in crack size; it increases with an increase in the crack orientation angle. The crack location has been predicted with a maximum error of 7.29%. The sensitivity of the method for prediction of crack location on variations in experimental data has been examined by changing the difference between the frequencies of pipes with and without crack by ±10%. The method is found to be very robust; the maximum variation in location is 2.68%, which is much less than the change in frequency difference introduced.

Nanographene reinforced carbon/carbon composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bansal, Dhruv

Carbon/Carbon Composites (CCC) are made of carbon reinforcement in carbon matrix and have high thermal stability and fatigue resistance. CCC are used in nose cones, heat shields and disc brakes of aircrafts due to their exceptional mechanical properties at high temperature. The manufacturing process of CCC involves a carbonization stage in which unwanted elements, except carbon, are eliminated from the polymer precursor. Carbonization results in the formation of voids and cracks due to the thermal mismatch between the reinforcement and the matrix and expulsion of volatiles from the polymer matrix. Thermal cracks and voids decrease the density and mechanical properties of the manufactured CCC. In this work, Nanographene Platelets (NGP) were explored as nanofillers to fill the voids/cracks and reduce thermal shrinkage in CCC. They were first compared with Vapor Grown Carbon Nanofibers (VGCNF) by dispersion of different concentrations (0.5wt%, 1.5wt%, 3wt%) in resole-type phenolic resin and were characterized to explore their effect on rheology, heat of reaction and wetting behavior. The dispersions were then cured to form nanocomposites and were characterized for morphology, flexure and thermal properties. Finally, NGP were introduced into the carbon/carboncomposites in two stages, first by spraying in different concentrations (0.5wt%, 1.5wt%, 3wt%, 5wt %) during the prepreg formation and later during densification by directly mixing in the corresponding densification mix. The manufactured NGP reinforced CCC were characterized for microstructure, porosity, bulk density and mechanical properties (Flexure and ILSS) which were further cross-checked by non-destructive techniques (vibration and ultrasonic). In this study, it was further found that at low concentration (≤ 1.5 wt%) NGP were more effective in increasing the heat of reaction and in decreasing the viscosity of the phenolic resin. The decrease in viscosity led to better wetting properties of NGP / phenolic dispersions compared to VGCNF/phenolic dispersions. In nanocomposites, at low concentration (≤ 1.5 wt%), NGP were effective in increasing the flexure strength, char content and lowering the porosity and coefficient of thermal expansion of neat phenolic resin. At higher concentration (>1.5wt%), NGP had a tendency to agglomerate and lost their effectiveness. The behavior observed in nanocomposites continued in manufactured CCC. The highest Inter Laminar Shear Strength (ILSS), flexure strength/modulus, stiffness and density was observed at 1.5 wt% NGP. In CCC at concentrations > 1.5 wt%, the properties (ILSS, flexure, stiffness, density) decreased due to agglomeration but they were still higher compared to that of neat CCC (without NGP).

Electrophoretically active sol-gel processes to backfill, seal, and/or densify porous, flawed, and/or cracked coatings on electrically conductive material

DOEpatents

Panitz, Janda K.; Reed, Scott T.; Ashley, Carol S.; Neiser, Richard A.; Moffatt, William C.

1999-01-01

Electrophoretically active sol-gel processes to fill, seal, and/or density porous, flawed, and/or cracked coatings on electrically conductive substrates. Such coatings may be dielectrics, ceramics, or semiconductors and, by the present invention, may have deposited onto and into them sol-gel ceramic precursor compounds which are subsequently converted to sol-gel ceramics to yield composite materials with various tailored properties.

Sudden bending of cracked laminates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sih, G. C.; Chen, E. P.

1980-01-01

A dynamic approximate laminated plate theory is developed with emphasis placed on obtaining effective solution for the crack configuration where the 1/square root of r stress singularity and the condition of plane strain are preserved. The radial distance r is measured from the crack edge. The results obtained show that the crack moment intensity tends to decrease as the crack length to laminate plate thickness is increased. Hence, a laminated plate has the desirable feature of stabilizing a through crack as it increases its length at constant load. Also, the level of the average load intensity transmitted to a through crack can be reduced by making the inner layers to be stiffer than the outer layers. The present theory, although approximate, is useful for analyzing laminate failure to crack propagation under dynamic load conditions.

Elastic anisotropy due to aligned cracks in porous rock

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Thomsen, L.

1995-08-01

All theoretical expression which relate the characteristics of saturated aligned cracks to the associated elastic anisotropy are restricted in some important way, for example to the case of stiff pore fluids, or of the absence of equate porosity, or of a moderately high frequency band. Because of these restrictions, previous theory is not suitable for application to the upper crust, where the pore fluid is brine (K{sub f}{approx}K{sub s}/20), the equant porosity is often substantial ({phi}{sub p}>0.1), and the frequency band is sonic to seismic. This work removes these particular restrictions, recognizing in the process an important mechanism of dispersion.more » A notable feature of these more general expressions is their insensitivity, at low frequency, to the aspect ratio of the cracks; only the crack density is critical. An important conclusion of this more general model is that many insights previously achieved, concerning the shear-wave splitting due to vertical aligned saturated cracks, are sustained. However, conclusions on crack orientation or crack aspect ratio, which were derived from P-wave data or from shear-wave `critical angles`, may need to be reconsidered. Further, the non-linear coupling between pores and cracks, due to pressure equalization effects, means that the (linear) Schoenberg-Muir calculus may not be applied to such systems. The theory received strong support from recent data by Rathore et al. on artificial samples with controlled crack geometry.« less

Study on Corrosion-induced Crack Initiation and Propagation of Sustaining Loaded RCbeams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhong, X. P.; Li, Y.; Yuan, C. B.; Yang, Z.; Chen, Y.

2018-05-01

For 13 pieces of reinforced concrete beams with HRB500 steel bars under long-term sustained loads, at time of corrosion-induced initial crack of concrete, and corrosion-induced crack widths of 0.3mm and 1mm, corrosion of steel bars and time-varying behavior of corrosion-induced crack width were studied by the ECWD (Electro-osmosis - constant Current – Wet and Dry cycles) accelerated corrosion method. The results show that when cover thickness was between 30 and 50mm,corrosion rates of steel bars were between 0.8% and 1.7% at time of corrosion-induced crack, and decreased with increasing concrete cover thickness; when corrosion-induced crack width was 0.3mm, the corrosion rate decreased with increasing steel bar diameter, and increased with increasing cover thickness; its corrosion rate varied between 0.98% and 4.54%; when corrosion-induced crack width reached 1mm, corrosion rate of steel bars was between 4% and 4.5%; when corrosion rate of steel bars was within 5%, the maximum and average corrosion-induced crack and corrosion rate of steel bars had a good linear relationship. The calculation model predicting the maximum and average width of corrosion-induced crack is given in this paper.

Dynamics of a fluid-driven crack in three dimensions by the finite difference method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chouet, Bernard

1986-12-01

The finite difference method is applied to the study of the dynamics of a three-dimensional fluid-filled crack excited into resonance by the sudden failure of a small barrier of area ΔS on the crack surface. The impulse response of the crack is examined for various ratios of crack width to crack length and for several values of the crack stiffness C = (b/μ)(L/d), where b is the bulk modulus of the fluid, μ is the rigidity of the solid, and L and d are the crack length and crack thickness, respectively. The motion of the crack is characterized by distinct time scales representing the duration of brittle failure and the periods of acoustic resonance in the lateral and longitudinal dimensions of the source. The rupture has a duration proportional to the area of crack expansion and is the trigger responsible for the excitation of the crack into resonance; the resonant periods are proportional to the crack stiffness and to the width and length of the crack. The crack wave sustaining the resonance is analogous to the tube wave propagating in a fluid-filled borehole. It is dispersive, showing a phase velocity that decreases with increasing wavelength. Its wave speed is always lower than the acoustic velocity of the fluid and shows a strong dependence on the crack stiffness, decreasing as the stiffness increases. The initial motion of the crack surface is an opening, and the radiated far-field compressional wave starts with a strong but brief compression which has a duration proportional to the crack stiffness and size of the rupture area; the amplitude of this pulse increases with the area of rupture but decreases with increasing stiffness. Flow into the newly created cavity triggers a pressure drop in the fluid, which produces a partial collapse of the wall propagated over the crack surface at the speed of the crack wave. The collapse of the crack surface generates a weak long-period component of dilatation following the compressional first motion in the far-field P wave train; the dilatational component is clearer in the signal from stiffer cracks when seen in the direction of the rupture. The energy loss by radiation is stronger for high frequencies, resulting in a progressive enrichment of the crack response in lower frequencies over the duration of resonance. These source characteristics translate into a far-field signature that is marked by a high-frequency content near its onset and dominated by a longer-period component in its coda. The source duration shows a strong dependence on the fluid viscosity and associated viscous damping at the crack wall.

The effects of alteration and porosity on seismic velocities in oceanic basalts and diabases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carlson, R. L.

2014-12-01

velocities in the lavas that cap normal oceanic crust are affected by both crack porosity and alteration of the primary mineral phases, chiefly to clays. Porosity accounts for 75-80% of the velocity variation in sonic log velocities in the lava sections of Holes 504B and 1256D, but the effect of alteration on the properties of the basalts has not been assessed. In this analysis, the grain velocities in basalt and diabase samples are estimated from an empirical linear relationship between grain density and the P wave modulus. The theoretical velocity in fresh, zero-porosity basalt, or diabase is 6.96 ± 0.07 km/s. Grain velocities in the diabase samples are statistically indistinguishable from the theoretical velocity, and show no variation with depth; alteration does not significantly affect the velocities in the diabase samples from Hole 504B. This result is consistent with previous analyses, which demonstrated that velocities in the dikes are controlled by crack porosity. In basalt lab samples, alteration reduces the average sample grain velocity to 6.74 ± 0.02 km/s; cracks at the sample scale further reduce the velocity to 5.86 ± 0.03 km/s, and large-scale cracks in the lavas reduce the average in situ velocity to 5.2 ± 0.3 km/s. Cracks account for nearly 90% of the difference between seismic (in situ) velocities and the theoretical velocity in the unaltered solid material. Basalt grain velocities show a small, but significant systematic increase with depth; the influence of alteration decreases with depth in the lavas, reaching near zero at the base of the lavas in Holes 504B and 1256D. This article was corrected on 16 JAN 2015. See the end of the full text for details.

Discrete Element Model for Simulations of Early-Life Thermal Fracturing Behaviors in Ceramic Nuclear Fuel Pellets

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hai Huang; Ben Spencer; Jason Hales

2014-10-01

A discrete element Model (DEM) representation of coupled solid mechanics/fracturing and heat conduction processes has been developed and applied to explicitly simulate the random initiations and subsequent propagations of interacting thermal cracks in a ceramic nuclear fuel pellet during initial rise to power and during power cycles. The DEM model clearly predicts realistic early-life crack patterns including both radial cracks and circumferential cracks. Simulation results clearly demonstrate the formation of radial cracks during the initial power rise, and formation of circumferential cracks as the power is ramped down. In these simulations, additional early-life power cycles do not lead to themore » formation of new thermal cracks. They do, however clearly indicate changes in the apertures of thermal cracks during later power cycles due to thermal expansion and shrinkage. The number of radial cracks increases with increasing power, which is consistent with the experimental observations.« less

Chloride Permeability of Damaged High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Cement Composite by Repeated Compressive Loads.

PubMed

Lee, Byung Jae; Hyun, Jung Hwan; Kim, Yun Yong; Shin, Kyung Joon

2014-08-11

The development of cracking in concrete structures leads to significant permeability and to durability problems as a result. Approaches to controlling crack development and crack width in concrete structures have been widely debated. Recently, it was recognized that a high-performance fiber-reinforced cement composite (HPFRCC) provides a possible solution to this inherent problem of cracking by smearing one or several dominant cracks into many distributed microcracks under tensile loading conditions. However, the chloride permeability of HPFRCC under compressive loading conditions is not yet fully understood. Therefore, the goal of the present study is to explore the chloride diffusion characteristics of HPFRCC damaged by compressive loads. The chloride diffusivity of HPFRCC is measured after being subjected to various repeated loads. The results show that the residual axial strain, lateral strain and specific crack area of HPFRCC specimens increase with an increase in the damage induced by repeated loads. However, the chloride diffusion coefficient increases only up to 1.5-times, whereas the specific crack area increases up to 3-times with an increase in damage. Although HPFRCC shows smeared distributed cracks in tensile loads, a significant reduction in the diffusion coefficient of HPFRCC is not obtained compared to plain concrete when the cyclic compressive load is applied below 85% of the strength.

Assessment of the Effectiveness of Clay Soil Covers as Engineered Barriers in Waste Disposal Facilities with Emphasis on Modeling Cracking Behavior

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-06-01

escaping the clay and keeping its compacted conditions constant. Other stabilizing additives such as surfactants or cement and applications such as foamed ...not a local phenomenon. Once a crack is formed, increasing the width of the crack at the surface by additional shrinkage will also extend the depth...at the surface, increasing the width of the crack by additional shrinkage will drive the crack deeper into the soil mass, expos- ing new surfaces to

Near-Threshold Fatigue Crack Growth Behavior of Fine-Grain Nickel-Based Alloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Newman, John A.; Piascik, Robert S.

2003-01-01

Constant-Kmax fatigue crack growth tests were performed on two finegrain nickel-base alloys Inconel 718 (DA) and Ren 95 to determine if these alloys exhibit near-threshold time-dependent crack growth behavior observed for fine-grain aluminum alloys in room-temperature laboratory air. Test results showed that increases in K(sub max) values resulted in increased crack growth rates, but no evidence of time-dependent crack growth was observed for either nickel-base alloy at room temperature.

A two-stage model of fracture of rocks

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kuksenko, V.; Tomilin, N.; Damaskinskaya, E.; Lockner, D.

1996-01-01

In this paper we propose a two-stage model of rock fracture. In the first stage, cracks or local regions of failure are uncorrelated occur randomly throughout the rock in response to loading of pre-existing flaws. As damage accumulates in the rock, there is a gradual increase in the probability that large clusters of closely spaced cracks or local failure sites will develop. Based on statistical arguments, a critical density of damage will occur where clusters of flaws become large enough to lead to larger-scale failure of the rock (stage two). While crack interaction and cooperative failure is expected to occur within clusters of closely spaced cracks, the initial development of clusters is predicted based on the random variation in pre-existing Saw populations. Thus the onset of the unstable second stage in the model can be computed from the generation of random, uncorrelated damage. The proposed model incorporates notions of the kinetic (and therefore time-dependent) nature of the strength of solids as well as the discrete hierarchic structure of rocks and the flaw populations that lead to damage accumulation. The advantage offered by this model is that its salient features are valid for fracture processes occurring over a wide range of scales including earthquake processes. A notion of the rank of fracture (fracture size) is introduced, and criteria are presented for both fracture nucleation and the transition of the failure process from one scale to another.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ivanov, Yuri, E-mail: yufi55@mail.ru; National Research Tomsk State University, 36 Lenina Str., Tomsk, 634050; National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, 30 Lenina Str., Tomsk, 634050

The present work is devoted to numerical simulation of temperature fields and the analysis of structural and strength properties of the samples surface layer of boron carbide ceramics treated by the high-current pulsed electron-beam of the submillisecond duration. The samples made of sintered boron carbide ceramics are used in these investigations. The problem of calculating the temperature field is reduced to solving the thermal conductivity equation. The electron beam density ranges between 8…30 J/cm{sup 2}, while the pulse durations are 100…200 μs in numerical modelling. The results of modelling the temperature field allowed ascertaining the threshold parameters of the electronmore » beam, such as energy density and pulse duration. The electron beam irradiation is accompanied by the structural modification of the surface layer of boron carbide ceramics either in the single-phase (liquid or solid) or two-phase (solid-liquid) states. The sample surface of boron carbide ceramics is treated under the two-phase state (solid-liquid) conditions of the structural modification. The surface layer is modified by the high-current pulsed electron-beam produced by SOLO installation at the Institute of High Current Electronics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia. The elemental composition and the defect structure of the modified surface layer are analyzed by the optical instrument, scanning electron and transmission electron microscopes. Mechanical properties of the modified layer are determined measuring its hardness and crack resistance. Research results show that the melting and subsequent rapid solidification of the surface layer lead to such phenomena as fragmentation due to a crack network, grain size reduction, formation of the sub-grained structure due to mechanical twinning, and increase of hardness and crack resistance.« less

The structure and properties of boron carbide ceramics modified by high-current pulsed electron-beam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ivanov, Yuri; Tolkachev, Oleg; Petyukevich, Maria; Teresov, Anton; Ivanova, Olga; Ikonnikova, Irina; Polisadova, Valentina

2016-01-01

The present work is devoted to numerical simulation of temperature fields and the analysis of structural and strength properties of the samples surface layer of boron carbide ceramics treated by the high-current pulsed electron-beam of the submillisecond duration. The samples made of sintered boron carbide ceramics are used in these investigations. The problem of calculating the temperature field is reduced to solving the thermal conductivity equation. The electron beam density ranges between 8…30 J/cm2, while the pulse durations are 100…200 μs in numerical modelling. The results of modelling the temperature field allowed ascertaining the threshold parameters of the electron beam, such as energy density and pulse duration. The electron beam irradiation is accompanied by the structural modification of the surface layer of boron carbide ceramics either in the single-phase (liquid or solid) or two-phase (solid-liquid) states. The sample surface of boron carbide ceramics is treated under the two-phase state (solid-liquid) conditions of the structural modification. The surface layer is modified by the high-current pulsed electron-beam produced by SOLO installation at the Institute of High Current Electronics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia. The elemental composition and the defect structure of the modified surface layer are analyzed by the optical instrument, scanning electron and transmission electron microscopes. Mechanical properties of the modified layer are determined measuring its hardness and crack resistance. Research results show that the melting and subsequent rapid solidification of the surface layer lead to such phenomena as fragmentation due to a crack network, grain size reduction, formation of the sub-grained structure due to mechanical twinning, and increase of hardness and crack resistance.

Locating and characterizing a crack in concrete with diffuse ultrasound: A four-point bending test.

PubMed

Larose, Eric; Obermann, Anne; Digulescu, Angela; Planès, Thomas; Chaix, Jean-Francois; Mazerolle, Frédéric; Moreau, Gautier

2015-07-01

This paper describes an original imaging technique, named Locadiff, that benefits from the diffuse effect of ultrasound waves in concrete to detect and locate mechanical changes associated with the opening of pre-existing cracks, and/or to the development of diffuse damage at the tip of the crack. After giving a brief overview of the theoretical model to describe the decorrelation of diffuse waveforms induced by a local change, the article introduces the inversion procedure that produces the three dimensional maps of density of changes. These maps are interpreted in terms of mechanical changes, fracture opening, and damage development. In addition, each fracture is characterized by its effective scattering cross section.

Compliance matrices for cracked bodies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ballarini, R.

1986-01-01

An algorithm is developed to construct the compliance matrix for a cracked solid in the integral-equation formulation of two-dimensional linear-elastic fracture mechanics. The integral equation is reduced to a system of algebraic equations for unknown values of the dislocation-density function at discrete points on the interval from -1 to 1, using the numerical procedure described by Gerasoulis (1982). Sample numerical results are presented, and it is suggested that the algorithm is especially useful in cases where iterative solutions are required; e.g., models of fiber-reinforced concrete, rocks, or ceramics where microcracking, fiber bridging, and other nonlinear effects are treated as nonlinear springs along the crack surfaces (Ballarini et al., 1984).

Effect of Powder-Suspended Dielectric on the EDM Characteristics of Inconel 625

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Talla, Gangadharudu; Gangopadhyay, S.; Biswas, C. K.

2016-02-01

The current work attempts to establish the criteria for powder material selection by investigating the influence of various powder-suspended dielectrics and machining parameters on various EDM characteristics of Inconel 625 (a nickel-based super alloy) which is nowadays regularly used in aerospace, chemical, and marine industries. The powders include aluminum (Al), graphite, and silicon (Si) that have significant variation in their thermo-physical characteristics. Results showed that powder properties like electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, density, and hardness play a significant role in changing the machining performance and the quality of the machined surface. Among the three powders, highest material removal rate was observed for graphite powder due to its high electrical and thermal conductivities. Best surface finish and least radial overcut (ROC) were attained using Si powder. Maximum microhardness was found for Si due to its low thermal conductivity and high hardness. It is followed by graphite and aluminum powders. Addition of powder to the dielectric has increased the crater diameter due to expansion of plasma channel. Powder-mixed EDM (PMEDM) was also effective in lowering the density of surface cracks with least number of cracks obtained with graphite powder. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated possible formation of metal carbides along with grain growth phenomenon of Inconel 625 after PMEDM.

Numerical modeling of nonlinear modulation of coda wave interferometry in a multiple scattering medium with the presence of a localized micro-cracked zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Guangzhi; Pageot, Damien; Legland, Jean-Baptiste; Abraham, Odile; Chekroun, Mathieu; Tournat, Vincent

2018-04-01

The spectral element method is used to perform a parametric sensitivity study of the nonlinear coda wave interferometry (NCWI) method in a homogeneous sample with localized damage [1]. The influence of a strong pump wave on a localized nonlinear damage zone is modeled as modifications to the elastic properties of an effective damage zone (EDZ), depending on the pump wave amplitude. The local change of the elastic modulus and the attenuation coefficient have been shown to vary linearly with respect to the excitation amplitude of the pump wave as in previous experimental studies of Zhang et al. [2]. In this study, the boundary conditions of the cracks, i.e. clapping effects is taken into account in the modeling of the damaged zone. The EDZ is then modeled with random cracks of random orientations, new parametric studies are established to model the pump wave influence with two new parameters: the change of the crack length and the crack density. The numerical results reported constitute another step towards quantification and forecasting of the nonlinear acoustic response of a cracked material, which proves to be necessary for quantitative non-destructive evaluation.

Principles and Application of Magnetic Rubber Testing for Crack Detection in High-Strength Steel Components: II. Residual-Field Inspection

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-12-01

and low Hmax. In this way, the flux density in the material for the specimen with intermediate k (k = 36.4) magnetised using Hmax = 250 Oe... aerospace components for surface-breaking fatigue cracks. In the residual-field variant of MRT, inspections are performed following the application...packages which can adequately predict the fields produced in practical residual-field MRT. Finally, central- conductor MRT, for which there are fewer

Electrophoretically active sol-gel processes to backfill, seal, and/or densify porous, flawed, and/or cracked coatings on electrically conductive material

DOEpatents

Panitz, J.K.; Reed, S.T.; Ashley, C.S.; Neiser, R.A.; Moffatt, W.C.

1999-07-20

Electrophoretically active sol-gel processes to fill, seal, and/or density porous, flawed, and/or cracked coatings on electrically conductive substrates. Such coatings may be dielectrics, ceramics, or semiconductors and, by the present invention, may have deposited onto and into them sol-gel ceramic precursor compounds which are subsequently converted to sol-gel ceramics to yield composite materials with various tailored properties. 6 figs.

Thermo-Mechanical Fatigue Crack Growth of RR1000

PubMed Central

Pretty, Christopher John; Whitaker, Mark Thomas; Williams, Steve John

2017-01-01

Non-isothermal conditions during flight cycles have long led to the requirement for thermo-mechanical fatigue (TMF) evaluation of aerospace materials. However, the increased temperatures within the gas turbine engine have meant that the requirements for TMF testing now extend to disc alloys along with blade materials. As such, fatigue crack growth rates are required to be evaluated under non-isothermal conditions along with the development of a detailed understanding of related failure mechanisms. In the current work, a TMF crack growth testing method has been developed utilising induction heating and direct current potential drop techniques for polycrystalline nickel-based superalloys, such as RR1000. Results have shown that in-phase (IP) testing produces accelerated crack growth rates compared with out-of-phase (OOP) due to increased temperature at peak stress and therefore increased time dependent crack growth. The ordering of the crack growth rates is supported by detailed fractographic analysis which shows intergranular crack growth in IP test specimens, and transgranular crack growth in 90° OOP and 180° OOP tests. Isothermal tests have also been carried out for comparison of crack growth rates at the point of peak stress in the TMF cycles. PMID:28772394

Cracking on anisotropic neutron stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Setiawan, A. M.; Sulaksono, A.

2017-07-01

We study the effect of cracking of a local anisotropic neutron star (NS) due to small density fluctuations. It is assumed that the neutron star core consists of leptons, nucleons and hyperons. The relativistic mean field model is used to describe the core of equation of state (EOS). For the crust, we use the EOS introduced by Miyatsu et al. [1]. Furthermore, two models are used to describe pressure anisotropic in neutron star matter. One is proposed by Doneva-Yazadjiev (DY) [2] and the other is proposed by Herrera-Barreto (HB) [3]. The anisotropic parameter of DY and HB models are adjusted in order the predicted maximum mass compatible to the mass of PSR J1614-2230 [4] and PSR J0348+0432 [5]. We have found that cracking can potentially present in the region close to the neutron star surface. The instability due cracking is quite sensitive to the NS mass and anisotropic parameter used.

Phacoemulsification using a chisel-shaped illuminator: enhanced depth trench, one-shot crack, and phaco cut.

PubMed

Wi, Jaemin; Seo, Hyejin; Lee, Jong Yeon; Nam, Dong Heun

2016-01-01

To evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of intracameral illuminator-assisted nucleofractis technique in cataract surgery. Since June 2012, this novel technique has been performed in all cataract cases by one surgeon (approximately 300 cases of various densities). Trenching continues until the posterior plate white reflex between an endonucleus and an epinucleus is identified (enhanced depth trench). After trenching, cracking is initiated with minimal separation force, and completion of cracking is confirmed by posterior capsule reflex (one-shot crack). With followability enhanced by an elliptical phaco mode, the divided nucleus is efficiently cut into small fragments by a chisel-shaped illuminator (phaco cut). We have not experienced any capsular bag or zonular complications, and the effective phacoemulsification time seemed to be shorter than that with the conventional technique. This technique simplifies the complete division of the nucleus, which is the most challenging step in safe and efficient phacoemulsification.

Crack propagation from a filled flaw in rocks considering the infill influences

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, Xu; Deng, Yan; Li, Zhenhua; Wang, Shuren; Tang, C. A.

2018-05-01

This study presents a numerical and experimental study of the cracking behaviour of rock specimen containing a single filled flaw under compression. The primary aim is to investigate the influences of infill on crack patterns, load-displacement response and specimen strength. The numerical code RFPA2D (Rock Failure Process Analysis) featured by the capability of modeling heterogeneous materials is employed to develop the numerical model, which is further calibrated by physical tests. The results indicate that there exists a critical infill strength which controls crack patterns for a given flaw inclination angle. For case of infill strength lower than the critical value, the secondary or anti-cracks are disappeared by increasing the infill strength. If the infill strength is greater than the critical value, the filled flaw has little influence on the cracking path and the specimen fails by an inclined crack, as if there is no flaw. The load-displacement responses show specimen stiffness increases by increasing infill strength until the infill strength reaches its critical value. The specimen strength increases by increasing the infill strength and almost keeps constant as the infill strength exceeds its critical value.

Frost cracks.. . a common defect in white fir in California

Treesearch

Willis W. Wagener

1970-01-01

Frost crack, a radial split of wood and bark, reduces the merchantability of commercial timber. Data on this defect in white fin stands of the Sierra Nevada, California, showed that frost cracks were two to three times more prevalent on trees of the east slope than those of the west slope. Percent of trees with frost cracks increased as tree diameter growth increased...

Crack Driving Forces in a Multilayered Coating System for Ceramic Matrix Composite Substrates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ghosn, Louis J.; Zhu, Dongming; Miller, Robert A.

2005-01-01

The effects of the top coating thickness, modulus and shrinkage strains on the crack driving forces for a baseline multilayer Yttria-Stabilized-Zirconia/Mullite/Si thermal and environment barrier coating (TEBC) system for SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composite substrates are determined for gas turbine applications. The crack driving forces increase with increasing modulus, and a low modulus thermal barrier coating material (below 10 GPa) will have no cracking issues under the thermal gradient condition analyzed. Since top coating sintering increases the crack driving forces with time, highly sintering resistant coatings are desirable to maintain a low tensile modulus and maintain a low crack driving force with time. Finite element results demonstrated that an advanced TEBC system, such as ZrO2/HfO2, which possesses improved sintering resistance and high temperature stability, exhibited excellent durability. A multi-vertical cracked structure with fine columnar spacing is an ideal strain tolerant coating capable of reducing the crack driving forces to an acceptable level even with a high modulus of 50 GPa.

Dynamic toughness in elastic nonlinear viscous solids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, S.; Guo, T. F.; Cheng, L.

2009-02-01

This work addresses the interrelationship among dissipative mechanisms—material separation in the fracture process zone (FPZ), nonelastic deformation in the surrounding background material and kinetic energy—and how they affect the macroscopic dynamic fracture toughness as well as the limiting crack speed in strain rate sensitive materials. To this end, a micromechanics-based model for void growth in a nonlinear viscous solid is incorporated into a microporous strip of cell elements that forms the FPZ. The latter is surrounded by background material described by conventional constitutive relations. In the first part of the paper, the background material is assumed to be purely elastic. Here, the computed dynamic fracture toughness is a convex function of crack velocity. In the second part, the background material as well as the FPZ are described by similar rate-sensitivity parameters. Voids grow in the strain rate strengthened FPZ as the crack velocity increases. Consequently, the work of separation increases. By contrast, the inelastic dissipation in the background material appears to be a concave function of crack velocity. At the lower crack velocity regime, where dissipation in the background material is dominant, toughness decreases as crack velocity increases. At high crack velocities, inelastic deformation enhanced by the inertial force can cause a sharp increase in toughness. Here, the computed toughness increases rapidly with crack velocity. There exist regimes where the toughness is a non-monotonic function of the crack velocity. Two length scales—the width of the FPZ and the ratio of the shear wave speed to the reference strain rate—can be shown to strongly affect the dynamic fracture toughness. Our computational simulations can predict experimental data for fracture toughness vs. crack velocity reported in several studies for amorphous polymeric materials.

Transverse Isotropy of Phyllite Under Brazilian Tests: Laboratory Testing and Numerical Simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Guowen; He, Chuan; Chen, Ziquan; Su, Ang

2018-04-01

Phyllite is a low-grade, metamorphic rock with well-developed foliation. We characterized the fracture pattern and failure strength of phyllite specimens under Brazilian tests. The specimens were obtained from the Zhegu mountain tunnel in China and had different foliation-loading angles, namely 0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75° and 90°. The processes for the initiation and propagation of macro-cracks were recorded using high-speed photography. The evolution of micro-cracks was analyzed based on the results of acoustic emission (AE) tests. The failure process of the specimens during the Brazilian tests was simulated with a new numerical approach based on the particle discrete element method. The influence of foliation strength and the microstructure of the rock matrix were also studied numerically. The experimental results showed that the failure strength of the specimens was related to their fracture patterns and the areas of their fracture surfaces. The initial cracking point of the specimens appeared at the upper or lower loading position, and the cracks propagated to the boundaries of the specimens along or across foliation. The temporal distributions of the AE counts and AE energy of the specimens were affected predominantly by the fracture pattern, and we divided these distributions into two modes: the peak mode and the uniformly distributed mode. The numerical results indicated that the fracture surface was roughly parallel to the loading direction and that the surface was located in the central part of the disk specimens for rocks with loose structure (low coordination number or large crack density) or with strong foliation, i.e., foliation with high shear strength. The failure pattern and trends of variation in failure strength as a function of foliation-loading angles varied with the ratio of cohesion to the tensile strength of foliation, the crack density, and the coordination number.

Biological Dimensions of Crack Morphology in Dryland Soils

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

DeCarlo, K. F.; Spiegel, M.; Caylor, K. K.

2014-12-01

Macropores and cracks have an integral role in soil hydrology, and the physicochemical factors that induce them have been the subject of much laboratory research. How these processes translate to field soils, however, is often obfuscated by the biological elements present that complicate its formation and dynamics. In this study, we investigated the biological influence of herbivores and vegetation on 3D crack morphology in a dryland swelling soil (black cotton/vertisol). Fieldwork was conducted at and near the Kenya Long-Term Exclosure Experiment (KLEE) plots in Mpala, central Kenya, where three different soil regions were identified: highly vegetated areas, animal trails, and termite mounds. Crack networks were physically characterized by pouring liquid resin into the soil and excavating them when dry, after which they were imaged and quantified using medical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Cracking intensity of each cast was corrected via soil moisture and bulk density measurements at 5 cm intervals over 30 cm. 3D characterization of the soil system shows that mechanical compaction is a major influence in the formation of extensive and deep cracks in animal trails, with megaherbivores (e.g. elephants) inducing the most extreme cracks. Bioturbation is seen as a major influence in the formation of shallower cracks in termite mounds, as termites loosen and aerate the soil and reduce the soil's cohesive properties. Highly vegetated soils show a large degree of variability: small, disconnected soil patches induced by vegetative cover and a larger root network results in smaller and shallower cracks, but full vegetative cover induces deep and irregular cracks, possibly due to diverted rainfall. Our results highlight the intricate connections between the biology and physics that dictate soil processes in a complex soil system at the field scale.

Improved modified pressure imaging and software for egg micro-crack detection and egg quality grading

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Cracks in the egg shell increase a food safety risk. Especially, eggs with very fine, hairline cracks (micro-cracks) are often undetected during the grading process because they are almost impossible to detect visually. A modified pressure imaging system was developed to detect eggs with micro-crack...

Aerogel/Particle Composites for Thermoelectric Devices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Paik, Jong-Ah; Sakamoto, Jeffrey; Jones, Steven

2006-01-01

Optimizing solution chemistry and the addition of titania and fumed silica powder reduces shrinkage. These materials would serve to increase thermal efficiency by providing thermal insulation to suppress lateral heat leaks. They would also serve to prolong operational lifetime by suppressing sublimation of certain constituents of thermoelectric materials (e.g., sublimation of Sb from CoSb3) at typical high operating temperatures. [The use of pure silica aerogels as cast-in-place thermal-insulation and sublimation-suppression materials was described in "Aerogels for Thermal Insulation of Thermoelectric Devices" (NPO-40630), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 30, No. 7 (July 2006), page 50.] A silica aerogel is synthesized in a solgel process that includes preparation of a silica sol, gelation of the sol, and drying of the gel in a solvent at a supercritical temperature and pressure. The utility of pure silica aerogel is diminished by a tendency to shrink (and, therefore, also to crack) during the gelation and supercritical-drying stages. Moreover, to increase suppression of sublimation, it is advantageous to make an aerogel having greater density, but shrinkage and cracking tend to increase with density. A composite material of the type under investigation consists mostly of titania oxide powder particles and a small addition of fumed silica powder, which are mixed into the sol along with other ingredients prior to the gelation stage of processing. The silica aerogel and fumed silica act as a binder, gluing the titania particles together. It is believed that the addition of fumed silica stiffens the aerogel network and reduces shrinkage during the supercritical-drying stage. Minimization of shrinkage enables establishment of intimate contact between thermoelectric legs and the composite material, thereby maximizing the effectiveness of the material for thermal insulation and suppression of sublimation. To some extent, the properties of the composite can be tailored via the proportions of titania and other ingredients. In particular (see figure), the addition of a suitably large proportion of titania (e.g., 0.6 g/cu cm) along with a 10-percent increase in the amount of tetraethylorthosilicate [TEOS (an ingredient of the sol)] to an aerogel component having a density 40 mg/cm3makes it possible to cast a high-average-density (>0.1 g/cm3) aerogel/particle composite having low shrinkage (2.3 percent).

Analysis of stress corrosion cracking in alloy 718 following commercial reactor exposure

DOE PAGES

Leonard, Keith J.; Gussev, Maxim N.; Stevens, Jacqueline N.; ...

2015-08-24

Alloy 718 is generally considered a highly corrosion-resistant material but can still be susceptible to stress corrosion cracking (SCC). The combination of factors leading to SCC susceptibility in the alloy is not always clear enough. In this paper, alloy 718 leaf spring (LS) materials that suffered stress corrosion damage during two 24-month cycles in pressurized water reactor service, operated to >45 MWd/mtU burn-up, was investigated. Compared to archival samples fabricated through the same processing conditions, little microstructural and property changes occurred in the material with in-service irradiation, contrary to high dose rate laboratory-based experiments reported in literature. Though the lackmore » of delta phase formation along grain boundaries would suggest a more SCC resistant microstructure, grain boundary cracking in the material was extensive. Crack propagation routes were explored through focused ion beam milling of specimens near the crack tip for transmission electron microscopy as well as in polished plan view and cross-sectional samples for electron backscatter diffraction analysis. It has been shown in this study that cracks propagated mainly along random high-angle grain boundaries, with the material around cracks displaying a high local density of dislocations. The slip lines were produced through the local deformation of the leaf spring material above their yield strength. Also, the cause for local SCC appears to be related to oxidation of both slip lines and grain boundaries, which under the high in-service stresses resulted in crack development in the material.« less

Effective properties of a poroelastic medium containing a distribution of aligned cracks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Galvin, R. J.; Gurevich, B.

2009-07-01

We simulate the effect of fractures by considering them to be thin circular cracks in a poroelastic background. Using the solution of the scattering problem for a single-crack and multiple-scattering theory, we estimate the attenuation and dispersion of elastic waves in a porous medium containing a sparse distribution of cracks. When comparing with a similar model, in which multiple-scattering effects are neglected, we find that there is agreement at high frequencies and discrepancies at low frequencies. We conclude that the interaction between cracks should not be neglected at low frequencies, even in the limit of weak crack density. Since the models only agree with each other at high frequencies, when the time available for fluid diffusion is small, we conclude that the interaction between cracks, which is a result of fluid diffusion, is negligible at high frequencies. We also compare our results with a model for spherical inclusions and find that the attenuation for spherical inclusions has exactly the same dependence upon frequency but a difference in magnitude, which depends upon frequency. Since the attenuation curves are very close at low frequencies, we conclude that the effective medium properties are not sensitive to the shape of an inclusion at wavelengths that are large compared with the inclusion size. However, at frequencies such that the wavelength is comparable to or smaller than the inclusion size, the effective properties are sensitive to the greater compliance of the flat cracks, and more attenuation occurs at a given frequency as a result.

Method of fabricating thin-walled articles of tungsten-nickel-iron alloy

DOEpatents

Hovis, Jr., Victor M.; Northcutt, Jr., Walter G.

1982-01-01

The present invention relates to a method for fabricating thin-walled high-density structures oftungsten-nickel-iron alloys. A powdered blend of the selected alloy constituents is plasma sprayed onto a mandrel having the desired article configuration. The sprayed deposit is removed from the mandrel and subjected to liquid phase sintering to provide the alloyed structure. The formation of the thin-walled structure by plasma spraying significantly reduces shrinkage, and cracking while increasing physical properties of the structure over that obtainable by employing previously known powder metallurgical procedures.

Method of fabricating thin-walled articles of tungsten-nickel-iron alloy

DOEpatents

Hovis, V.M. Jr.; Northcutt, W.G. Jr.

The present invention relates to a method for fabricating thin-walled high-density structures of tungsten-nickel-iron alloys. A powdered blend of the selected alloy constituents is plasma sprayed onto a mandrel having the desired article configuration. The sprayed deposit is removed from the mandrel and subjected to liquid phase sintering to provide the alloyed structure. The formation of the thin-walled structure by plasma spraying significantly reduces shrinkage, and cracking while increasing physical properties of the structure over that obtainable by employing previously known powder metallurgical procedures.

Data-Science Analysis of the Macro-scale Features Governing the Corrosion to Crack Transition in AA7050-T7451

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Co, Noelle Easter C.; Brown, Donald E.; Burns, James T.

2018-05-01

This study applies data science approaches (random forest and logistic regression) to determine the extent to which macro-scale corrosion damage features govern the crack formation behavior in AA7050-T7451. Each corrosion morphology has a set of corresponding predictor variables (pit depth, volume, area, diameter, pit density, total fissure length, surface roughness metrics, etc.) describing the shape of the corrosion damage. The values of the predictor variables are obtained from white light interferometry, x-ray tomography, and scanning electron microscope imaging of the corrosion damage. A permutation test is employed to assess the significance of the logistic and random forest model predictions. Results indicate minimal relationship between the macro-scale corrosion feature predictor variables and fatigue crack initiation. These findings suggest that the macro-scale corrosion features and their interactions do not solely govern the crack formation behavior. While these results do not imply that the macro-features have no impact, they do suggest that additional parameters must be considered to rigorously inform the crack formation location.

Ballistic Impact of Braided Composites with a Soft Projectile

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roberts, Gary D.; Pereira, J. Michael; Revilock, Duane M., Jr.; Binienda, Wieslaw K.; Xie, Ming; Braley, Mike

2002-01-01

Impact tests using a soft gelatin projectile were performed to identify failure modes that occur at high strain energy density during impact loading. Failure modes were identified for aluminum plates and for composites plates and half-rings made from triaxial carbon fiber braid having a 0/+/- 60deg architecture. For aluminum plates, a large hole formed as a result of crack propagation from the initiation site at the center of the plate. For composite plates, fiber tensile failure occurred in the back ply at the center of the plate. Cracks then propagated from this site along the +/-60deg fiber directions until triangular flaps opened to form a hole. For composite half-rings fabricated with 0deg fibers aligned circumferentially, fiber tensile failure also occurred in the back ply. Cracks first propagated from this site perpendicular the 0deg fibers. The cracks then turned to follow the +/-60deg fibers and 0deg fibers until rectangular flaps opened to form a hole. Damage in the composites was localized near the impact site, while cracks in the aluminum extended to the boundaries.

Crack Opening Displacement Behavior in Ceramic Matrix Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sevener, Kathy; Tracy, Jared; Chen, Zhe; Daly, Sam; Kiser, Doug

2017-01-01

Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC) modeling and life prediction strongly depend on oxidation, and therefore require a thorough understanding of when matrix cracks occur, the extent of cracking for given conditions (time-temperature-environment-stress), and the interactions of matrix cracks with fibers and interfaces. In this work, the evolution of matrix cracks in a melt-infiltrated Silicon Carbide/Silicon Carbide (SiC/SiC) CMC under uniaxial tension was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with digital image correlation (DIC) and manual crack opening displacement (COD) measurements. Strain relaxation due to matrix cracking, the relationship between COD's and applied stress, and damage evolution at stresses below the proportional limit were assessed. Direct experimental observation of strain relaxation adjacent to regions of matrix cracking is presented and discussed. Additionally, crack openings were found to increase linearly with increasing applied stress, and no crack was found to pass fully through the gage cross-section. This observation is discussed in the context of the assumption of through-cracks for all loading conditions and fiber architectures in oxidation modeling. Finally, the combination of SEM with DIC is demonstrated throughout to be a powerful means for damage identification and quantification in CMC's at stresses well below the proportional limit.

Hierarchical columnar silicon anode structures for high energy density lithium sulfur batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piwko, Markus; Kuntze, Thomas; Winkler, Sebastian; Straach, Steffen; Härtel, Paul; Althues, Holger; Kaskel, Stefan

2017-05-01

Silicon is a promising anode material for next generation lithium secondary batteries. To significantly increase the energy density of state of the art batteries with silicon, new concepts have to be developed and electrode structuring will become a key technology. Structuring is essential to reduce the macroscopic and microscopic electrode deformation, caused by the volume change during cycling. We report pulsed laser structuring for the generation of hierarchical columnar silicon films with outstanding high areal capacities up to 7.5 mAh cm-2 and good capacity retention. Unstructured columnar electrodes form a micron-sized block structure during the first cycle to compensate the volume expansion leading to macroscopic electrode deformation. At increased silicon loading, without additional structuring, pronounced distortion and the formation of cracks through the current collector causes cell failure. Pulsed laser ablation instead is demonstrated to avoid macroscopic electrode deformation by initial formation of the block structure. A full cell with lithiated silicon versus a carbon-sulfur cathode is assembled with only 15% overbalanced anode and low electrolyte amount (8 μl mgsulfur-1). While the capacity retention over 50 cycles is identical to a cell with high excess lithium anode, the volumetric energy density could be increased by 30%.

Crack problem in superconducting cylinder with exponential distribution of critical-current density

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Yufeng; Xu, Chi; Shi, Liang

2018-04-01

The general problem of a center crack in a long cylindrical superconductor with inhomogeneous critical-current distribution is studied based on the extended Bean model for zero-field cooling (ZFC) and field cooling (FC) magnetization processes, in which the inhomogeneous parameter η is introduced for characterizing the critical-current density distribution in inhomogeneous superconductor. The effect of the inhomogeneous parameter η on both the magnetic field distribution and the variations of the normalized stress intensity factors is also obtained based on the plane strain approach and J-integral theory. The numerical results indicate that the exponential distribution of critical-current density will lead a larger trapped field inside the inhomogeneous superconductor and cause the center of the cylinder to fracture more easily. In addition, it is worth pointing out that the nonlinear field distribution is unique to the Bean model by comparing the curve shapes of the magnetization loop with homogeneous and inhomogeneous critical-current distribution.

Brittle Materials Design, High Temperature Gas Turbine

DTIC Science & Technology

1977-08-01

hubs were inspected radiographi - cally and by fluoresent dye penetrant. The dye penetrant revealed tight cracks on the inner axial faces of hub A... radiography of green parts has proved effective in detecting major flaws. Slip cast Si3N4 test bars having a density of 2.7 gm/cc show four point MOR...this run. Post inspection showed all ceramic parts to be crack free. The rotor failed during a subsequent run at 50,000 rpm and 2300°F T.I.T. (10

Numerical approach for ECT by using boundary element method with Laplace transform

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Enokizono, M.; Todaka, T.; Shibao, K.

1997-03-01

This paper presents an inverse analysis by using BEM with Laplace transform. The method is applied to a simple problem in the eddy current testing (ECT). Some crack shapes in a conductive specimen are estimated from distributions of the transient eddy current on its sensing surface and magnetic flux density in the liftoff space. Because the transient behavior includes information on various frequency components, the method is applicable to the shape estimation of a comparative small crack.

Gaseous hydrogen embrittlement of high strength steels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gangloff, R. P.; Wei, R. P.

1977-01-01

The effects of temperature, hydrogen pressure, stress intensity, and yield strength on the kinetics of gaseous hydrogen assisted crack propagation in 18Ni maraging steels were investigated experimentally. It was found that crack growth rate as a function of stress intensity was characterized by an apparent threshold for crack growth, a stage where the growth rate increased sharply, and a stage where the growth rate was unchanged over a significant range of stress intensity. Cracking proceeded on load application with little or no detectable incubation period. Gaseous hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility increased with increasing yield strength.

Fracture resistance and fatigue crack growth characteristics of two Al-Cu-Mg-Zr alloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sarkar, Bhaskar; Lisagor, W. B.

1992-01-01

The dependence of strength, fracture resistance, and fatigue crack growth rate on the aging conditions of two alloy compositions based on Al-3.7Cu-1.85Mg-0.2Mn is investigated. Mechanical properties were evaluated in two heat treatment conditions and in two orientations (longitudinal and transverse). Compact tension specimens were used to determine fatigue crack growth characteristics and fracture resistance. The aging response was monitored on coupons using hardness measurements determined with a standard Rockwell hardness tester. Fracture resistance is found to increase with increasing yield strength during artificial aging of age-hardenable 2124-Zr alloys processed by powder metallurgy techniques. Fatigue crack growth rate increases with increasing strength. It is argued that these changes are related to deformation modes of the alloys; a homogeneous deformation mode tends to increase fracture resistance and to decrease the resistance to the fatigue crack propagation rate.

Random polycrystals of grains containing cracks: Model ofquasistatic elastic behavior for fractured systems

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Berryman, James G.; Grechka, Vladimir

2006-07-08

A model study on fractured systems was performed using aconcept that treats isotropic cracked systems as ensembles of crackedgrains by analogy to isotropic polycrystalline elastic media. Theapproach has two advantages: (a) Averaging performed is ensembleaveraging, thus avoiding the criticism legitimately leveled at mosteffective medium theories of quasistatic elastic behavior for crackedmedia based on volume concentrations of inclusions. Since crack effectsare largely independent of the volume they occupy in the composite, sucha non-volume-based method offers an appealingly simple modelingalternative. (b) The second advantage is that both polycrystals andfractured media are stiffer than might otherwise be expected, due tonatural bridging effects ofmore » the strong components. These same effectshave also often been interpreted as crack-crack screening inhigh-crack-density fractured media, but there is no inherent conflictbetween these two interpretations of this phenomenon. Results of thestudy are somewhat mixed. The spread in elastic constants observed in aset of numerical experiments is found to be very comparable to the spreadin values contained between the Reuss and Voigt bounds for thepolycrystal model. However, computed Hashin-Shtrikman bounds are much tootight to be in agreement with the numerical data, showing thatpolycrystals of cracked grains tend to violate some implicit assumptionsof the Hashin-Shtrikman bounding approach. However, the self-consistentestimates obtained for the random polycrystal model are nevertheless verygood estimators of the observed average behavior.« less

Vibration analysis of partially cracked plate submerged in fluid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Soni, Shashank; Jain, N. K.; Joshi, P. V.

2018-01-01

The present work proposes an analytical model for vibration analysis of partially cracked rectangular plates coupled with fluid medium. The governing equation of motion for the isotropic plate based on the classical plate theory is modified to accommodate a part through continuous line crack according to simplified line spring model. The influence of surrounding fluid medium is incorporated in the governing equation in the form of inertia effects based on velocity potential function and Bernoulli's equations. Both partially and totally submerged plate configurations are considered. The governing equation also considers the in-plane stretching due to lateral deflection in the form of in-plane forces which introduces geometric non-linearity into the system. The fundamental frequencies are evaluated by expressing the lateral deflection in terms of modal functions. The assessment of the present results is carried out for intact submerged plate as to the best of the author's knowledge the literature lacks in analytical results for submerged cracked plates. New results for fundamental frequencies are presented as affected by crack length, fluid level, fluid density and immersed depth of plate. By employing the method of multiple scales, the frequency response and peak amplitude of the cracked structure is analyzed. The non-linear frequency response curves show the phenomenon of bending hardening or softening and the effect of fluid dynamic pressure on the response of the cracked plate.

Effect of heating rate on thermal cracking characteristics and kinetics of Xinjiang oil sand bitumen by TG-FTIR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hao, Junhui; Zhang, Jinhong; Qiao, Yingyun; Tian, Yuanyu

2017-08-01

This work was aimed to investigate effects of heating rate on thermal cracking behaviors, distribution of gaseous products and activation energy of the thermal cracking process of Xinjiang oil sand bitumen (OSB). The thermal cracking experiments of Xinjiang OSB were performed by using thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) at various heating rates of 10, 20, 50, 80 and 120 K/min. The evolving characteristic of gaseous products produced from the thermal cracking process was evaluated by the Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) connected with TG. The kinetic parameters of the thermal cracking process of Xinjiang OSB at each of heating rate were determined by the Coats-Redfern model. The result show that the temperature intervals of DE volatilization stage and main reaction stage, the ((dw/dt) max and Tmax in thermal cracking process of Xinjiang OSB all increased with the increasing heating rate. While the heating rate has not obvious effect on the coke yield of Xinjiang OSB. Furthermore, the maximum absorbance of gaseous products and corresponding temperature became larger as the heating rate increases. The activation energy of this two stage both presented increasing trend with the rising heating rate, while the increasing content of that of DE volatilization stage was weaker compared to that of main reaction stage.

Crack healing behavior of hot pressed silicon nitride due to oxidation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Choi, S. R.; Tikare, V.

1992-01-01

It is shown that limited oxidation of an MgO-containing, hot-pressed silicon nitride ceramic at 800 deg C and above results in increased strength due to crack healing. Slight oxidation of the surface produces enstatite and cristobalite which fills in cracks. More extensive oxidation leads to strength degradation due to the formation of new flaws by the evolution of N2 gas at the surface. The apparent fracture toughness also increased at 800 deg C and above due to oxidation. Bonds formed between the two surfaces of the crack during oxidation leads to a reduction in stress intensity at the crack tip, suggesting that valid high-temperature toughness values cannot be obtained in an air environment. The increase in strength due to crack healing by oxidation can be achieved without compromising the fatigue properties of the silicon nitride ceramic.

Arms Against Illness: Crack Cocaine and Drug Policy in the United States.

PubMed

Watkins; Fullilove; Fullilove

1998-01-01

The emergence of crack cocaine use in the United States during the mid-1980s was one of the most significant public health problems of that era. Crack use contributed to a series of sexually transmitted disease epidemics, to epidemic increases in violent injuries and homicides, and to significant increases in the incidence and prevalence of cocaine addiction. Despite these threats to health and safety, a national public health campaign to counter crack-related morbidity and mortality was never mounted. To the contrary, the strongest response to the crack epidemic has come from the police and the courts. As a result, crack-related crimes have accounted for dramatic increases in the numbers of adolescents and adults imprisoned in the United States. Scarce attention to the public health dimensions of these policies, let alone the human rights implications, has been catastrophic for affected individuals and communities.

Elastic Properties of 3D-Printed Rock Models: Dry and Saturated Cracks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, L.; Stewart, R.; Dyaur, N.

2014-12-01

Many regions of subsurface interest are, or will be, fractured. In addition, these zones many be subject to varying saturations and stresses. New 3D printing techniques using different materials and structures, provide opportunities to understand porous or fractured materials and fluid effects on their elastic properties. We use a 3D printer (Stratasys Dimension SST 768) to print two rock models: a solid octahedral prism and a porous cube with thousands of penny-shaped cracks. The printing material is ABS thermal plastic with a density of 1.04 g/cm3. After printing, we measure the elastic properties of the models, both dry and 100% saturated with water. Both models exhibit VTI (Vertical Transverse Isotropic) symmetry due to laying (about 0.25 mm thick) of the printing process. The prism has a density of 0.96 g/cm3 before saturation and 1.00 g/cm3 after saturation. Its effective porosity is calculated to be 4 %. We use ultrasonic transducers (500 kHz) to measure both P- and shear-wave velocities, and the raw material has a P-wave velocity of 1.89 km/s and a shear-wave velocity of 0.91 km/s. P-wave velocity in the un-saturated prism increases from 1.81 km/s to 1.84 km/s after saturation in the direction parallel to layering and from 1.73 km/s to 1.81 km/s in the direction perpendicular to layering. The fast shear-wave velocity decreases from 0.88 km/s to 0.87 km/s and the slow shear-wave velocity decreases from 0.82 km/s to 0.81 km/s. The cube, printed with penny-shaped cracks, gives a density of 0.79 g/cm3 and a porosity of 24 %. We measure its P-wave velocity as 1.78 km/s and 1.68 km/s in the direction parallel and perpendicular to the layering, respectively. Its fast shear-wave velocity is 0.88 km/s and slow shear-wave velocity is 0.70 km/s. The penny-shaped cracks have significant influence on the elastic properties of the 3D-printed rock models. To better understand and explain the fluid effects on the elastic properties of the models, we apply the extended anisotropic Gassmann's equations to predict the effects of saturation changes. We find that the predictions match observations from the experimental data within 1 % difference.

On the response of dynamic cracks to increasing overload

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gumbsch, P.

1996-12-01

One of the most interesting questions in the dynamics of brittle fracture is how a running brittle crack responds to an overload, i.e., to a mechanical energy release rate larger than that due to the increase in surface energy of the two cleavage surfaces. To address this question, dynamically running cracks in different crystal lattices are modelled atomistically under the condition of constant energy release rate. Stable crack propagation as well as the onset of crack tip instabilities are studied. It will be shown that small overloads lead to stable crack propagation with steady state velocities which quickly reach themore » terminal velocity of about 0.4 of the Rayleigh wave speed upon increasing the overload. Further increasing the overload does not change the steady state velocity but significantly changes the energy dissipation process towards shock wave emission at the breaking of every single atomic bond. Eventually the perfectly brittle crack becomes unstable, which then leads to dislocation generation and to the production of cleavage steps. The onset of the instability as well as the terminal velocity are related to the non-linearity of the interatomic interaction.« less

[The effect of notch's angle and depth on crack propagation of zirconia ceramics].

PubMed

Chen, Qingya; Chen, Xinmin

2012-10-01

This paper is aimed to study the effect of notch's angle and depth on crack propagation of zirconia ceramics. We fabricated cuboid-shaped zirconia ceramics samples with the standard sizes of 4. 4 mm x 2. 2 mm x 18 mm for the experiments, divided the samples into 6 groups, and prepared notches on these samples with different angles and depth. We placed the samples with loads until they were broke, and observe the fracture curve of each sample. We then drew coordinates and described the points of the fracture curve under a microscope, and made curve fitting by the software-Origin. When the notch angle beta = 90 degrees, the crack propagation is pure type I; when beta = 60 degrees, the crack propagation is mainly type I; and when beta = 30 degrees, the crack propagation is a compound of type I and type III. With the increasing of the notch depth, the effect of notch angles on crack propagation increases. In addition, Notch angle is a very important fracture mechanics parameter for crack propagation of zirconia ceramics. With the increasing of notch depth, the impact of notch angle increases.

Detection and monitoring of surface micro-cracks by PPP-BOTDA.

PubMed

Meng, Dewei; Ansari, Farhad; Feng, Xin

2015-06-01

Appearance of micrometer size surface cracks is common in structural elements such as welded connections, beams, and gusset plates in bridges. Brillouin scattering-based sensors are capable of making distributed strain measurements. Pre-pump-pulse Brillouin optical time domain analysis (PPP-BOTDA) provides a centimeter-level spatial resolution, which facilitates detection and monitoring of the cracks. In the work described here, in addition to the shift in Brillouin frequency (distributed strains), change in the Brillouin gain spectrum (BGS) width is investigated for the detection and monitoring of surface micro-cracks. A theoretical analysis was undertaken in order to verify the rationality of the proposed method. The theoretical approach involved simulation of strain within a segment of the optical fiber traversing a crack and use of the simulated strain distribution in the opto-mechanical relations in order to numerically obtain the change in the BGS. Simulations revealed that the increase in crack opening displacements is associated with increase in BGS width and decrease in its peak power. Experimental results also indicated that the increases in crack opening displacements are accompanied with increases in BGS widths. However, it will be difficult to use the decrease in BGS power peak as another indicator due to practical difficulties in establishing generalized power amplitude in all the experiments. The study indicated that, in combination with the shift in Brillouin frequency, the increase in BGS width will provide a strong tool for detection and monitoring of surface micro-crack growths.

The effectiveness of the fly-ash slurry injection method to eliminate depressed transverse cracks.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-01-01

One of the primary causes of increasing roughness in asphalt pavements in Kansas has been naturally occurring transverse cracks. Maintenance forces continually tried to seal the cracks; however, the cracks continued to grow wider and the depressions ...

A new perspective on the generation of the 2016 M6.4 Meilung earthquake, southwestern Taiwan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Z.

2017-12-01

In order to investigate the likely generation mechanism of the 2016 M6.4 Meilung earthquake, a large number of high-quality travel times from P- and S-wave source-receiver pairs are used jointly in this study to invert three-dimensional (3-D) seismic velocity (Vp, Vs) and Poisson's ratio structures at high resolution. We also calculated crack density, saturate fracture, and bulk-sound velocity from our inverted Vp, Vs, and s models. In this way, multi-geophysical parameter imaging revealed that the 2016 Meilung earthquake occurred along a distinctive edge portion exhibiting high-to-low variations in these parameters in both horizontal and vertical directions across the hypocenter. We consider that a slow velocity and high-Poisson ratio body that has high-crack density and somewhat high-saturate fracture anomalies above the hypocenter under the coastal plain represents fluids contained in the young fold-and-thrust belt relative to the passive Asian continental margin in southwestern Taiwan. Intriguing, a continuous low Vp and Vs zone with high Poisson ratio, crack density and saturate fracture anomalies across the Laonung and Chishan faults is also clearly imaged in the northwestern upper crust beneath the coastal plain and western foothills as far as the southeastern lower crust under the central range. We therefore propose that this southeastern extending weakened zone was mainly the result of a fluid intrusion either from the young fold-and-thrust belt associated with the passive Asian continental margin in the shallow crust or the subducted Eurasian continental (EC) plate in the lower crust and uppermost mantle. We suggest that fluid intrusion into the upper Oligocene to Pleistocene shallow marine and clastic shelf units of the Eurasian continental crust and/or the relatively thin uppermost part of the transitional Pleistocene-Holocene foreland due to the subduction of the EC plate along the deformation front played a key role in earthquake generation in southwestern Taiwan. Such fluid penetration would reduce Vp, and Vs while increasing Poisson ratio and saturate fracture across the source area, leading to mechanical strength failure of the rock matrix in the relative weakened and brittle seismogenic layer and triggering the 2016 earthquake.

Highly Segmented Thermal Barrier Coatings Deposited by Suspension Plasma Spray: Effects of Spray Process on Microstructure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xiaolong; Honda, Hiroshi; Kuroda, Seiji; Araki, Hiroshi; Murakami, Hideyuki; Watanabe, Makoto; Sakka, Yoshio

2016-12-01

Effects of the ceramic powder size used for suspension as well as several processing parameters in suspension plasma spraying of YSZ were investigated experimentally, aiming to fabricate highly segmented microstructures for thermal barrier coating (TBC) applications. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) was used to observe the atomization process and the velocity distribution of atomized droplets and ceramic particles travelling toward the substrates. The tested parameters included the secondary plasma gas (He versus H2), suspension injection flow rate, and substrate surface roughness. Results indicated that a plasma jet with a relatively higher content of He or H2 as the secondary plasma gas was critical to produce highly segmented YSZ TBCs with a crack density up to 12 cracks/mm. The optimized suspension flow rate played an important role to realize coatings with a reduced porosity level and improved adhesion. An increased powder size and higher operation power level were beneficial for the formation of highly segmented coatings onto substrates with a wider range of surface roughness.

High-Heat-Flux Cyclic Durability of Thermal and Environmental Barrier Coatings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zhu, Dongming; Ghosn, Louis L.; Miller, Robert A.

2007-01-01

Advanced ceramic thermal and environmental barrier coatings will play an increasingly important role in future gas turbine engines because of their ability to protect the engine components and further raise engine temperatures. For the supersonic vehicles currently envisioned in the NASA fundamental aeronautics program, advanced gas turbine engines will be used to provide high power density thrust during the extended supersonic flight of the aircraft, while meeting stringent low emission requirements. Advanced ceramic coating systems are critical to the performance, life and durability of the hot-section components of the engine systems. In this work, the laser and burner rig based high-heat-flux testing approaches were developed to investigate the coating cyclic response and failure mechanisms under simulated supersonic long-duration cruise mission. The accelerated coating cracking and delamination mechanism under the engine high-heat-flux, and extended supersonic cruise time conditions will be addressed. A coating life prediction framework may be realized by examining the crack initiation and propagation in conjunction with environmental degradation under high-heat-flux test conditions.

The Impact of In Vitro Accelerated Aging, Approximating 30 and 60 Years In Vivo, on Commercially Available Zirconia Dental Implants.

PubMed

Monzavi, Mona; Noumbissi, Sammy; Nowzari, Hessam

2017-04-01

Despite increased popularity of Zirconia dental implants, concerns have been raised regarding low temperature degradation (LTD) and its effect on micro-structural integrity. This study evaluated the effect of LTD on four types of Zirconia dental implants at 0, 30, and 60 years of artificial aging. The impact of aging on t-m transformation and micro crack formation was measured. Accelerated aging at 15 and 30 hours, approximating 30 and 60 years in vivo, aged 36 Zirconia dental implants: Z systems ® (A), Straumann ® (B), Ceraroot ® (C), and Zeramex ® (D). Focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopic analysis determined the micro structural features, phase transformation, and the formation of micro cracks. At 15 hours, type A implant presented with micro cracks and t-m transformation of 0.9 µm and 3.1 µm, respectively. At 30 hours, micro cracks remained shallow (1 µm). At 15 hours, type B implant presented micro cracks (0.7 µm) and grain transformation (1.2 µm). At 30 hours, these features remained superficial at 0.6 and 1.5 µm, respectively. Type C implant presented surface micro cracks of 0.3 µm at 15 hours. The depth of t-m transformation slightly increased to 1.4 µm. At 30 hours, number of micro cracks increased at the surface to an average depth of 1.5 µm. Depth of t-m transformation increased to an average of 2.5 µm. At 15 hours, micro cracks remained superficial (0.8 µm) for type D implant and depth of t-m transformation increased to 2.3 µm. At 30 hours, the depth of micro cracks increased to an average of 1.3 µm followed by increased t-m transformation to a depth of 4.1 µm. Depth of grain transformation remained within 1-4 µm from the surface. The effect of aging was minimal for all Zirconia implants. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Shell cracking strength in almond (Prunus dulcis [Mill.] D.A. Webb.) and its implication in uses as a value-added product.

PubMed

Ledbetter, C A

2008-09-01

Researchers are currently developing new value-added uses for almond shells, an abundant agricultural by-product. Almond varieties are distinguished by processors as being either hard or soft shelled, but these two broad classes of almond also exhibit varietal diversity in shell morphology and physical characters. By defining more precisely the physical and chemical characteristics of almond shells from different varieties, researchers will better understand which specific shell types are best suited for specific industrial processes. Eight diverse almond accessions were evaluated in two consecutive harvest seasons for nut and kernel weight, kernel percentage and shell cracking strength. Shell bulk density was evaluated in a separate year. Harvest year by almond accession interactions were highly significant (p0.01) for each of the analyzed variables. Significant (p0.01) correlations were noted for average nut weight with kernel weight, kernel percentage and shell cracking strength. A significant (p0.01) negative correlation for shell cracking strength with kernel percentage was noted. In some cases shell cracking strength was independent of the kernel percentage which suggests that either variety compositional differences or shell morphology affect the shell cracking strength. The varietal characterization of almond shell materials will assist in determining the best value-added uses for this abundant agricultural by-product.

Investigation of Dynamic Crack Coalescence Using a Gypsum-Like 3D Printing Material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Chao; Zhao, Gao-Feng; Zhu, Jianbo; Zhao, Yi-Xin; Shen, Luming

2016-10-01

Dynamic crack coalescence attracts great attention in rock mechanics. However, specimen preparation in experimental study is a time-consuming and difficult procedure. In this work, a gypsum-like material by powder bed and inkjet 3D printing technique was applied to produce specimens with preset cracks for split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) test. From micro X-ray CT test, it was found that the 3D printing technique could successfully prepare specimens that contain preset cracks with width of 0.2 mm. Basic mechanical properties of the 3D printing material, i.e., the elastic modulus, the Poisson's ratio, the density, the compressive strength, the indirect tensile strength, and the fracture toughness, were obtained and reported. Unlike 3D printed specimens using polylactic acid, these gypsum-like specimens can produce failure patterns much closer to those observed in classical rock mechanical tests. Finally, the dynamic crack coalescence of the 3D printed specimens with preset cracks were captured using a high-speed camera during SHPB tests. Failure patterns of these 3D printed specimens are similar to the specimens made by Portland cement concrete. Our results indicate that sample preparation by 3D printing is highly competitive due to its quickness in prototyping, precision and flexibility on the geometry, and high material homogeneity.

Using Peer-Referral Chains with Incentives to Promote HIV Testing and Identify Undiagnosed HIV Infections Among Crack Users in San Salvador

PubMed Central

Glasman, Laura R.; Dickson-Gomez, Julia; Lechuga, Julia; Tarima, Sergey; Bodnar, Gloria; de Mendoza, Lorena Rivas

2016-01-01

In El Salvador, crack users are at high risk for HIV but they are not targeted by efforts to promote early HIV diagnosis. We evaluated the promise of peer-referral chains with incentives to increase HIV testing and identify undiagnosed HIV infections among networks of crack users in San Salvador. For 14 months, we offered HIV testing in communities with a high prevalence of crack use. For the following 14 months, we promoted chains in which crack users from these communities referred their peers to HIV testing and received a small monetary incentive. We recorded the monthly numbers of HIV testers, and their crack use, sexual risk behaviors and test results. After launching the referral chains, the monthly numbers of HIV testers increased significantly (Z = 6.90, p < .001) and decayed more slowly (Z = 5.93, p < .001), and the total number of crack-using testers increased nearly fourfold. Testers in the peer-referral period reported fewer HIV risk behaviors, but a similar percentage (~5 %) tested HIV positive in both periods. More women than men received an HIV-positive diagnosis throughout the study (χ2(1, N = 799) = 4.23, p = .040). Peer-referral chains with incentives can potentially increase HIV testing among networks of crack users while retaining a focus on high-risk individuals. PMID:26687093

A Three-Stage Mechanistic Model for Solidification Cracking During Welding of Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aucott, L.; Huang, D.; Dong, H. B.; Wen, S. W.; Marsden, J.; Rack, A.; Cocks, A. C. F.

2018-03-01

A three-stage mechanistic model for solidification cracking during TIG welding of steel is proposed from in situ synchrotron X-ray imaging of solidification cracking and subsequent analysis of fracture surfaces. Stage 1—Nucleation of inter-granular hot cracks: cracks nucleate inter-granularly in sub-surface where maximum volumetric strain is localized and volume fraction of liquid is less than 0.1; the crack nuclei occur at solute-enriched liquid pockets which remain trapped in increasingly impermeable semi-solid skeleton. Stage 2—Coalescence of cracks via inter-granular fracture: as the applied strain increases, cracks coalesce through inter-granular fracture; the coalescence path is preferential to the direction of the heat source and propagates through the grain boundaries to solidifying dendrites. Stage 3—Propagation through inter-dendritic hot tearing: inter-dendritic hot tearing occurs along the boundaries between solidifying columnar dendrites with higher liquid fraction. It is recommended that future solidification cracking criterion shall be based on the application of multiphase mechanics and fracture mechanics to the failure of semi-solid materials.

Seismic anisotropy and its precursory change before eruptions at Piton de la Fournaise volcano, La Réunion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Savage, M. K.; Ferrazzini, V.; Peltier, A.; Rivemale, E.; Mayor, J.; Schmid, A.; Brenguier, F.; Massin, F.; Got, J.-L.; Battaglia, J.; DiMuro, A.; Staudacher, T.; Rivet, D.; Taisne, B.; Shelley, A.

2015-05-01

The Piton de la Fournaise volcano exhibits frequent eruptions preceded by seismic swarms and is a good target to test hypotheses about magmatically induced variations in seismic wave properties. We use a permanent station network and a portable broadband network to compare seismic anisotropy measured via shear wave splitting with geodetic displacements, ratios of compressional to shear velocity (Vp/Vs), earthquake focal mechanisms, and ambient noise correlation analysis of surface wave velocities and to examine velocity and stress changes from 2000 through 2012. Fast directions align radially to the central cone and parallel to surface cracks and fissures, suggesting stress-controlled cracks. High Vp/Vs ratios under the summit compared with low ratios under the flank suggest spatial variations in the proportion of fluid-filled versus gas-filled cracks. Secular variations of fast directions (ϕ) and delay times (dt) between split shear waves are interpreted to sense changing crack densities and pressure. Delay times tend to increase while surface wave velocity decreases before eruptions. Rotations of ϕ may be caused by changes in either stress direction or fluid pressure. These changes usually correlate with GPS baseline changes. Changes in shear wave splitting measurements made on multiplets yield several populations with characteristic delay times, measured incoming polarizations, and fast directions, which change their proportion as a function of time. An eruption sequence on 14 October 2010 yielded over 2000 shear wave splitting measurements in a 14 h period, allowing high time resolution measurements to characterize the sequence. Stress directions from a propagating dike model qualitatively fit the temporal change in splitting.

Near-threshold fatigue crack behaviour in EUROFER 97 at different temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aktaa, J.; Lerch, M.

2006-07-01

The fatigue crack behaviour in EUROFER 97 was investigated at room temperature (RT), 300, 500 and 550 °C for the assessment of cracks in first wall structures built from EUROFER 97 of future fusion reactors. For this purpose, fatigue crack growth tests were performed using CT specimens with two R-ratios, R = 0.1 and R = 0.5 ( R is the load ratio with R = Fmin/ Fmax where Fmin and Fmax are the minimum and maximum applied loads within a cycle, respectively). Hence, fatigue crack threshold, fatigue crack growth behaviour in the near-threshold range and their dependences on temperature and R-ratio were determined and described using an analytical formula. The fatigue crack threshold showed a monotonous dependence on temperature which is for R = 0.5 insignificantly small. The fatigue crack growth behaviour exhibited for R = 0.1 a non-monotonous dependence on temperature which is explained by the decrease of yield stress and the increase of creep damage with increasing temperature.

Deformation and spallation of a magnesium alloy under high strain rate loading

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, M.; Lu, L.; Li, C.

2016-04-01

We investigate deformation and damage of a magnesium alloy, AZ91, under high strain rate (similar to 10(5) s(-1)) loading via planar impact. The soft-recovered specimens are examined with electron back-scatter diffraction (EBSD). EBSD analysis reveals three types of twinning: {1012} extension, {10 (1) over bar1} contraction, and {10 (1) over bar1}-{10 (1) over bar2) double twinning, and their number density increases with increasing impact velocity. The extension twins dominate contraction and double twins in size and number. Dislocation densities of the recovered specimens are evaluated with x-ray diffraction, and increase with increasing impact velocity. X-ray tomography is used to resolvemore » three-dimensional microstructure of shock-recovered samples. The EBSD and tomography results demonstrate that the second phase, Mg17Al12, plays an important role in both deformation twinning and tensile cracking. Deformation twinning appears to be a common mechanism in deformation of magnesium alloys at low, medium and high strain rates, in addition to dislocation motion. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.« less

Experimental research on the electromagnetic radiation (EMR) characteristics of cracked rock.

PubMed

Song, Xiaoyan; Li, Xuelong; Li, Zhonghui; Cheng, Fuqi; Zhang, Zhibo; Niu, Yue

2018-03-01

Coal rock would emit the electromagnetic radiation (EMR) while deformation and fracture, and there exists structural body in the coal rock because of mining and geological structure. In this paper, we conducted an experimental test the EMR characteristics of cracked rock under loading. Results show that crack appears firstly in the prefabricated crack tip then grows stably parallel to the maximum principal stress, and the coal rock buckling failure is caused by the wing crack tension. Besides, the compressive strength significantly decreases because of the precrack, and the compressive strength increases with the crack angle. Intact rock EMR increases with the loading, and the cracked rock EMR shows stage and fluctuant characteristics. The bigger the angle, the more obvious the stage and fluctuant characteristics, that is EMR becomes richer. While the cracked angle is little, EMR is mainly caused by the electric charge rapid separates because of friction sliding. While the cracked angle is big, there is another significant contribution to EMR, which is caused by the electric dipole transient of crack expansion. Through this, we can know more clear about the crack extends route and the corresponding influence on the EMR characteristic and mechanism, which has important theoretical and practical significance to monitor the coal rock dynamical disasters.

Discharge properties of Mg-Al-Mn-Ca and Mg-Al-Mn alloys as anode materials for primary magnesium-air batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuasa, Motohiro; Huang, Xinsheng; Suzuki, Kazutaka; Mabuchi, Mamoru; Chino, Yasumasa

2015-11-01

The discharge behaviors of rolled Mg-6 mass%Al-0.3 mass%Mn-2 mass%Ca (AMX602) and Mg-6 mass%Al-0.3 mass%Mn (AM60) alloys used as anodes for Magnesium-air batteries were investigated. The AMX602 alloy exhibited superior discharge properties compared to the AM60 alloy, especially at low current density. The discharge products of the AMX602 alloy were dense and thin, and many cracks were observed at all current densities. In addition, the discharge products were detached at some sites. These sites often corresponded to the positions of Al2Ca particles. The comparison of the discharge and corrosion tests indicated that the dense and thin discharge products of AMX602 were easily cracked by dissolution of the Mg matrix around Al2Ca particles, and the cracks promoted the penetration of the electrolyte into the discharge products, retaining the discharge activity. In contrast, concerning the AM60 alloy, thick discharge products were formed on the surface during discharge, and cracking of the discharge products hardly occurred, degrading the discharge properties. Localized and deeply corroded pits that could result from the detachment of metal pieces from the anode during discharge were partly observed in the AM60 alloy. It is suggested that these detached metal pieces are another reason for the low discharge properties of the AM60 alloy.

Effects of ply thickness on thermal cycle induced damage and thermal strain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tompkins, Stephen S.

1994-07-01

An experimental study was conducted to determine the effects of ply thickness in composite laminates on thermally induced cracking and changes in the coefficient of thermal expansion, CTE. A graphite-epoxy composite material, P75/ERL 1962, in thin (1 mil) and thick (5 mils) prepregs was used to make cross-ply laminates, ((0/90)(sub n))s, with equal total thickness (n=2, n=10) and cross-ply laminates with the same total number of plies (n=2). Specimens of each laminate configuration were cycled up to 1500 times between -250 and 250 F. Thermally induced microdamage was assessed as a function of the number of cycles as was the change in CTE. The results showed that laminates fabricated with thin-plies microcracked at significantly different rates and reached significantly different equilibrium crack densities than the laminate fabricated with thick-ply and n=2. The CTE of thin-ply laminates was less affected by thermal cycling and damage than the CTE of thick-ply laminates. These differences are attributed primarily to differences in interply constraints. Observed effects of ply thickness on crack density was qualitatively predicted by a combined shear-lag stress/energy method.

Effects of ply thickness on thermal cycle induced damage and thermal strain

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tompkins, Stephen S.

1994-01-01

An experimental study was conducted to determine the effects of ply thickness in composite laminates on thermally induced cracking and changes in the coefficient of thermal expansion, CTE. A graphite-epoxy composite material, P75/ERL 1962, in thin (1 mil) and thick (5 mils) prepregs was used to make cross-ply laminates, ((0/90)(sub n))s, with equal total thickness (n=2, n=10) and cross-ply laminates with the same total number of plies (n=2). Specimens of each laminate configuration were cycled up to 1500 times between -250 and 250 F. Thermally induced microdamage was assessed as a function of the number of cycles as was the change in CTE. The results showed that laminates fabricated with thin-plies microcracked at significantly different rates and reached significantly different equilibrium crack densities than the laminate fabricated with thick-ply and n=2. The CTE of thin-ply laminates was less affected by thermal cycling and damage than the CTE of thick-ply laminates. These differences are attributed primarily to differences in interply constraints. Observed effects of ply thickness on crack density was qualitatively predicted by a combined shear-lag stress/energy method.

Effect of Microstructure on Time Dependent Fatigue Crack Growth Behavior In a P/M Turbine Disk Alloy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Telesman, Ignacy J.; Gabb, T. P.; Bonacuse, P.; Gayda, J.

2008-01-01

A study was conducted to determine the processes which govern hold time crack growth behavior in the LSHR disk P/M superalloy. Nineteen different heat treatments of this alloy were evaluated by systematically controlling the cooling rate from the supersolvus solutioning step and applying various single and double step aging treatments. The resulting hold time crack growth rates varied by more than two orders of magnitude. It was shown that the associated stress relaxation behavior for these heat treatments was closely correlated with the crack growth behavior. As stress relaxation increased, the hold time crack growth resistance was also increased. The size of the tertiary gamma' in the general microstructure was found to be the key microstructural variable controlling both the hold time crack growth behavior and stress relaxation. No relationship between the presence of grain boundary M23C6 carbides and hold time crack growth was identified which further brings into question the importance of the grain boundary phases in determining hold time crack growth behavior. The linear elastic fracture mechanics parameter, Kmax, is unable to account for visco-plastic redistribution of the crack tip stress field during hold times and thus is inadequate for correlating time dependent crack growth data. A novel methodology was developed which captures the intrinsic crack driving force and was able to collapse hold time crack growth data onto a single curve.

Effect of cold work on the stress corrosion cracking behavior of Alloy 690 in supercritical water environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Kai; Du, Donghai; Gao, Wenhua; Guo, Xianglong; Zhang, Lefu; Andresen, Peter L.

2018-01-01

The stress corrosion cracking (SCC) behavior of Alloy 690 with 0, 20% and 30% cold work (CW) was studied in supercritical water (SCW) environment with an emphasis on CW and creep on the CGRs (CGR). SCC and creep CGRs increased with %CW, which correlated hardness very well. Microscopic characterization of the crack tip and fracture surface showed obvious cavity-like features, which is clear evidence of creep attack. The creep CGRs in inert gas were comparable to the SCC CGRs in SCW, indicating that creep is a major factor in crack growth. Increasing level of CW was found to increase the creep susceptibility, and high activation energies for creep crack growth were observed between 500 °C and 550 °C.

Influence of Laser Glazing on the Characterization of Plasma-Sprayed YSZ Coatings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yan; Liu, Jiangwei; Liao, Hanlin; Darut, Geoffrey; Stella, Jorge; Poirier, Thierry; Planche, Marie-Pierre

2017-01-01

In this study, 8 wt.% yttria-stabilized zirconia powder was deposited on the substrates by atmospheric plasma spray. The coatings were post-treated by laser glazing under different parameters in order to densify them. The characterization of the laser molten pools under different laser treatment conditions was studied. Preheating processes were also employed. Scanning electron microscopy observations of the surface and cross section of as-sprayed and laser-glazed coatings were carried out to investigate the influence of laser glazing on the microstructure on laser-glazed coatings. The results show that preheating processes improve the coating in terms of deepening the laser-glazed layer, reducing the number of vertical cracks and surface density of cracks and widening the molten pool. Finally, the influences of linear energy density on the characterization of the glazed layer are discussed.

Evaluation of nondestructive testing techniques for the space shuttle nonmetallic thermal protection system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tiede, D. A.

1972-01-01

A program was conducted to evaluate nondestructive analysis techniques for the detection of defects in rigidized surface insulation (a candidate material for the Space Shuttle thermal protection system). Uncoated, coated, and coated and bonded samples with internal defects (voids, cracks, delaminations, density variations, and moisture content), coating defects (holes, cracks, thickness variations, and loss of adhesion), and bondline defects (voids and unbonds) were inspected by X-ray radiography, acoustic, microwave, high-frequency ultrasonic, beta backscatter, thermal, holographic, and visual techniques. The detectability of each type of defect was determined for each technique (when applicable). A possible relationship between microwave reflection measurements (or X-ray-radiography density measurements) and the tensile strength was established. A possible approach for in-process inspection using a combination of X-ray radiography, acoustic, microwave, and holographic techniques was recommended.

Role of fiber-stitching in eliminating transverse fracture in cross-ply ceramic composites

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lu, T.J.; Hutchinson, J.W.

1995-12-31

A theoretical study of the feasibility of using fiber stitching to prevent transverse matrix cracking in cross-ply ceramic composites is first reported. The prototype problem solved is a curved composite beam subject to pure bending (the C-specimen), which develops a transverse tensile stress Go acting across its circumferential mid-plane. This transverse stress is cause for concern if the beam is unstitched since there is no mechanism to arrest a matrix crack once one becomes critical. Fiber stitches normal to this plane are introduced to bridge a circumferential matrix crack lying along the mid-plane of the specimen. Results are presented formore » the energy release rate of this matrix crack as a function of a nondimensional parameter characterizing the density and fiber sliding stress of the fiber stitches. A parameter is identified which assures the applicability of the classical ACK (Aveston, Cooper and Kelly) limit for a steady-state matrix crack subject to {sigma}{sub 0}. The results obtained can be used to choose the level of stitching such that transverse matrix cracking will be excluded. The second problem we address is thermal delamination in a cross-ply ceramic composite plate due to high temperature gradients applied in the thickness direction. It is shown that a preexistent crack with a size of the order of the plate thickness will propagate unstably when a moderately large through-thickness temperature gradient is enforced. The possibility of using cross-fiber stitches to suppress thermal delamination cracking is discussed.« less

Probabilistic Description of Fatigue Crack Growth Under Constant-and Variable-Amplitude Loading

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-03-01

plane, see figure 14. The length of the defected crack component and its angle, b and q, respectively, in Figure 15 were found to depend on the crack...length at which the defection occurs; as the crack length increases, b increases while q decreases. Due to the orientation of the deflected component...Breakpoint Voltage to Fun. Generator Output Setpoint Voltage Take Function Generator Gate High Start Test LNext page 153 Q! ~From last ag lastr DMAe 70

Thermal Shock Resistance of Si3N4/h -BN Composites Prepared via Catalytic Reaction-Bonding Route

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Wanli; Peng, Zhigang; Dai, Lina; Shi, Zhongqi; Jin, Zhihao

2017-09-01

Si3N4/h-BN ceramic matrix composites were prepared via a catalytic reaction-bonding route by using ZrO2 as nitridation catalyst, and the water quenching (fast cooling) and molten aluminum quenching tests (fast heating) were carried out to evaluate the thermal shock resistance of the composites. The results showed that the thermal shock resistance was improved obviously with the increase in h-BN content, and the critical thermal shock temperature difference (Δ T c) reaches as high as 780 °C when the h-BN content was 30 wt.%. The improvement of thermal shock resistance of the composites was mainly due to the crack tending to quasi static propagating at weak bonding interface between Si3N4 and h-BN with the increase in h-BN content. For the molten aluminum quenching test, the residual strength showed no obvious decrease compared with water quenching test, which could be caused by the mild stress condition on the surface. In addition, a calculated parameter, volumetric crack density ( N f), was presented to quantitative evaluating the thermal shock resistance of the composites in contrast to the conventional R parameter.

Brittleness Effect on Rock Fatigue Damage Evolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nejati, Hamid Reza; Ghazvinian, Abdolhadi

2014-09-01

The damage evolution mechanism of rocks is one of the most important aspects in studying of rock fatigue behavior. Fatigue damage evolution of three rock types (onyx marble, sandstone and soft limestone) with different brittleness were considered in the present study. Intensive experimental tests were conducted on the chosen rock samples and acoustic emission (AE) sensors were used in some of them to monitor the fracturing process. Experimental tests indicated that brittleness strongly influences damage evolution of rocks in the course of static and dynamic loading. AE monitoring revealed that micro-crack density induced by the applied loads during different stages of the failure processes increases as rock brittleness increases. Also, results of fatigue tests on the three rock types indicated that the rock with the most induced micro-cracks during loading cycles has the least fatigue life. Furthermore, the condition of failure surfaces of the studied rocks samples, subjected to dynamic and static loading, were evaluated and it was concluded that the roughness of failure surfaces is influenced by loading types and rock brittleness. Dynamic failure surfaces were rougher than static ones and low brittle rock demonstrate a smoother failure surface compared to high brittle rock.

Effect of service exposure on fatigue crack propagation of Inconel 718 turbine disc material at elevated temperatures

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jeong, Dae-Ho; Choi, Myung-Je; Goto, Masahiro

In this study, the fatigue crack propagation behavior of Inconel 718 turbine disc with different service times from 0 to 4229 h was investigated at 738 and 823 K. No notable change in microstructural features, other than the increase in grain size, was observed with increasing service time. With increasing service time from 0 to 4229 h, the fatigue crack propagation rates tended to increase, while the ΔK{sub th} value decreased, in low ΔK regime and lower Paris' regime at both testing temperatures. The fractographic observation using a scanning electron microscope suggested that the elevated temperature fatigue crack propagation mechanismmore » of Inconel 718 changed from crystallographic cleavage mechanism to striation mechanism in the low ΔK regime, depending on the grain size. The fatigue crack propagation mechanism is proposed for the crack propagating through small and large grains in the low ΔK regime, and the fatigue crack propagation behavior of Inconel 718 with different service times at elevated temperatures is discussed. - Highlights: • The specimens were prepared from the Inconel 718 turbine disc used for 0 to 4229 h. • FCP rates were measured at 738 and 823 K. • The ΔK{sub th} values decreased with increasing service time. • The FCP behavior showed a strong correlation with the grain size of used turbine disc.« less

Numerical investigation on the prefabricated crack propagation of FV520B stainless steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pan, Juyi; Qin, Ming; Chen, Songying

FV520B is a common stainless steel for manufacturing centrifugal compressor impeller and shaft. The internal metal flaw destroys the continuity of the material matrix, resulting in the crack propagation fracture of the component, which seriously reduces the service life of the equipment. In this paper, Abaqus software was used to simulate the prefabricated crack propagation of FV520B specimen with unilateral gap. The results of static crack propagation simulation results show that the maximum value of stress-strain located at the tip of the crack and symmetrical distributed like a butterfly along the prefabricated crack direction, the maximum stress is 1990 MPa and the maximum strain is 9.489 × 10-3. The Mises stress and stress intensity factor KI increases with the increase of the expansion step, the critical value of crack initiation is reached at the 6th extension step. The dynamic crack propagation simulation shows that the crack propagation path is perpendicular to the load loading direction. Similarly, the maximum Mises stress located at the crack tip and is symmetrically distributed along the crack propagation direction. The critical stress range of the crack propagation is 23.3-43.4 MPa. The maximum value of stress-strain curve located at the 8th extension step, that is, the crack initiation point, the maximum stress is 55.22 MPa, and the maximum strain is 2.26 × 10-4. On the crack tip, the stress changed as 32.24-40.16 MPa, the strain is at 1.292 × 10-4-1.897 × 10-4.

Carbonate fuel cell matrix

DOEpatents

Farooque, Mohammad; Yuh, Chao-Yi

1996-01-01

A carbonate fuel cell matrix comprising support particles and crack attenuator particles which are made platelet in shape to increase the resistance of the matrix to through cracking. Also disclosed is a matrix having porous crack attenuator particles and a matrix whose crack attenuator particles have a thermal coefficient of expansion which is significantly different from that of the support particles, and a method of making platelet-shaped crack attenuator particles.

Permeability enhancement by shock cooling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Griffiths, Luke; Heap, Michael; Reuschlé, Thierry; Baud, Patrick; Schmittbuhl, Jean

2015-04-01

The permeability of an efficient reservoir, e.g. a geothermal reservoir, should be sufficient to permit the circulation of fluids. Generally speaking, permeability decreases over the life cycle of the geothermal system. As a result, is usually necessary to artificially maintain and enhance the natural permeability of these systems. One of the methods of enhancement -- studied here -- is thermal stimulation (injecting cold water at low pressure). This goal of this method is to encourage new thermal cracks within the reservoir host rocks, thereby increasing reservoir permeability. To investigate the development of thermal microcracking in the laboratory we selected two granites: a fine-grained (Garibaldi Grey granite, grain size = 0.5 mm) and a course-grained granite (Lanhelin granite, grain size = 2 mm). Both granites have an initial porosity of about 1%. Our samples were heated to a range of temperatures (100-1000 °C) and were either cooled slowly (1 °C/min) or shock cooled (100 °C/s). A systematic microstructural (2D crack area density, using standard stereological techniques, and 3D BET specific surface area measurements) and rock physical property (porosity, P-wave velocity, uniaxial compressive strength, and permeability) analysis was undertaken to understand the influence of slow and shock cooling on our reservoir granites. Microstructurally, we observe that the 2D crack surface area per unit volume and the specific surface area increase as a result of thermal stressing, and, for the same maximum temperature, crack surface area is higher in the shock cooled samples. This observation is echoed by our rock physical property measurements: we see greater changes for the shock cooled samples. We can conclude that shock cooling is an extremely efficient method of generating thermal microcracks and modifying rock physical properties. Our study highlights that thermal treatments are likely to be an efficient method for the "matrix" permeability enhancement of granitic geothermal reservoirs.

Effect of crack curvature on stress intensity factors for ASTM standard compact tension specimens

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Alam, J.; Mendelson, A.

1983-01-01

The stress intensity factors (SIF) are calculated using the method of lines for the compact tension specimen in tensile and shear loading for curved crack fronts. For the purely elastic case, it was found that as the crack front curvature increases, the SIF value at the center of the specimen decreases while increasing at the surface. For the higher values of crack front curvatures, the maximum value of the SIF occurs at an interior point located adjacent to the surface. A thickness average SIF was computed for parabolically applied shear loading. These results were used to assess the requirements of ASTM standards E399-71 and E399-81 on the shape of crack fronts. The SIF is assumed to reflect the average stress environment near the crack edge.

Simulation Analysis of the Mutual Influence of the Stress Intensity Factor on the Multiple Blisters Caused by Hydrogen Induced Damage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ji, Congwei; Zhang, Shaojie; Wang, Hehui

2018-03-01

Hydrogen blisters are taken as the research object by using the finite element software ABAQUS. The stress intensity factors of blister cracks are numerically calculated at varying depths and different edge distances for established three-dimensional finite element models of single-blister and double-blisters, respectively. The mutual influence of the stress intensity factors of the multiple blisters is obtained. It shows that the blister crack is easier to expand when the crack is closer to inner wall of the cylinder. What’s more, the crack growth rate increases firstly and then decreases as the increasing of the distance between two blisters cracks. The investigated result is of great reference value for predicting the trend of blister crack growth.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Larson, Natalie M.; Zok, Frank W.

One route for producing fiber-reinforced ceramic-matrix composites entails repeated impregnation and pyrolysis of a preceramic polymer in a fiber preform. The process relies crucially on the development of networks of contiguous cracks during pyrolysis, thereby allowing further impregnation to attain nearly-full densification. The present study employs in-situ x-ray computed tomography (XCT) to reveal in three dimensions the evolution of matrix structure during pyrolysis of a SiC-based preceramic polymer to 1200 °C. Observations are used to guide the development of a taxonomy of crack geometries and crack structures and to identify the temporal sequence of their formation. A quantitative analysis ismore » employed to characterize effects of local microstructural dimensions on the conditions required to form cracks of various types. Complementary measurements of gas evolution and mass loss of the preceramic polymer during pyrolysis as well as changes in mass density and Young's modulus provide context for the physical changes revealed by XCT. Furthermore, the findings provide a foundation for future development of physics-based models to guide composite fabrication processes.« less

Sudden bending of a cracked laminate

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sih, G. C.; Chen, E. P.

1981-01-01

The intensification of stresses near a through crack in the laminate that suddenly undergoes bending is investigated. A dynamic plate theory is developed which includes the effects of material inhomogeneity in the thickness direction and realistic crack edge stress singularity and distribution. Numerical examples indicate that (1) the crack moment intensity tends to decrease as the crack length to laminate thickness is increased, and (2) the average load intensity transmitted to a through crack can be reduced by making the inner layers to be stiffer than the outer layers.

Surface-crack growth: Models, experiments, and structures; Proceedings of the Symposium, Sparks, NV, Apr. 25, 1988

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reuter, Walter G. (Editor); Underwood, John H. (Editor); Newman, James C., Jr. (Editor)

1990-01-01

The present volume on surface-crack growth modeling, experimental methods, and structures, discusses elastoplastic behavior, the fracture analysis of three-dimensional bodies with surface cracks, optical measurements of free-surface effects on natural surfaces and through cracks, an optical and finite-element investigation of a plastically deformed surface flaw under tension, fracture behavior prediction for rapidly loaded surface-cracked specimens, and surface cracks in thick laminated fiber composite plates. Also discussed are a novel study procedure for crack initiation and growth in thermal fatigue testing, the growth of surface cracks under fatigue and monotonically increasing load, the subcritical growth of a surface flaw, surface crack propagation in notched and unnotched rods, and theoretical and experimental analyses of surface cracks in weldments.

Ab initio Investigation of Helium in Vanadium Oxide Nanoclusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Danielson, Thomas; Tea, Eric; Hin, Celine

Nanostructured ferritic alloys (NFAs) are strong candidate materials for the next generation of fission reactors and future fusion reactors. They are characterized by a large number density of oxide nanoclusters dispersed throughout a BCC iron matrix, where current oxide nanoclusters are primarily comprised of Y-Ti-O compounds. The oxide nanoclusters provide the alloy with high resistance to neutron irradiation, high yield strength and high creep strength at the elevated temperatures of a reactor environment. In addition, the oxide nanoclusters serve as trapping sites for transmutation product helium providing substantially increased resistance to catastrophic cracking and embrittlement. Although the mechanical properties and radiation resistance of the existing NFAs is promising, the problem of forming large scale reactor components continues to present a formidable challenge due to the high hardness and unpredictable fracture behavior of the alloys. An alternative alloy has been previously proposed and fabricated where vanadium is added in order to form vanadium oxide nanoclusters that serve as deflection sites for crack propagation. Although experiments have shown evidence that the fracture behavior of the alloys is improved, it is unknown whether or not the vanadium oxide nanoclusters are effective trapping sites for helium. We present results obtained using density functional theory investigating the thermodynamic stability of helium with the vanadium oxide matrix to make a comparison of trapping effectiveness to traditional Y-Ti-O compounds.

Continuous fiber ceramic matrix composites for heat engine components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tripp, David E.

1988-01-01

High strength at elevated temperatures, low density, resistance to wear, and abundance of nonstrategic raw materials make structural ceramics attractive for advanced heat engine applications. Unfortunately, ceramics have a low fracture toughness and fail catastrophically because of overload, impact, and contact stresses. Ceramic matrix composites provide the means to achieve improved fracture toughness while retaining desirable characteristics, such as high strength and low density. Materials scientists and engineers are trying to develop the ideal fibers and matrices to achieve the optimum ceramic matrix composite properties. A need exists for the development of failure models for the design of ceramic matrix composite heat engine components. Phenomenological failure models are currently the most frequently used in industry, but they are deterministic and do not adequately describe ceramic matrix composite behavior. Semi-empirical models were proposed, which relate the failure of notched composite laminates to the stress a characteristic distance away from the notch. Shear lag models describe composite failure modes at the micromechanics level. The enhanced matrix cracking stress occurs at the same applied stress level predicted by the two models of steady state cracking. Finally, statistical models take into consideration the distribution in composite failure strength. The intent is to develop these models into computer algorithms for the failure analysis of ceramic matrix composites under monotonically increasing loads. The algorithms will be included in a postprocessor to general purpose finite element programs.

Gear Crack Propagation Path Studies: Guidelines for Ultra-Safe Design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lewicki, David G.

2001-01-01

Design guidelines have been established to prevent catastrophic rim fracture failure modes when considering gear tooth bending fatigue. Analysis was performed using the finite element method with principles of linear elastic fracture mechanics. Crack propagation paths were predicted for a variety of gear tooth and rim configurations. The effects of rim and web thicknesses, initial crack locations, and gear tooth geometry factors such as diametral pitch, number of teeth, pitch radius, and tooth pressure angle were considered. Design maps of tooth/rim fracture modes including effects of gear geometry, applied load, crack size, and material properties were developed. The occurrence of rim fractures significantly increased as the backup ratio (rim thickness divided by tooth height) decreased. The occurrence of rim fractures also increased as the initial crack location was moved down the root of the tooth. Increased rim and web compliance increased the occurrence of rim fractures. For gears with constant pitch radii, coarser-pitch teeth increased the occurrence of tooth fractures over rim fractures. Also, 25 deg pressure angle teeth had an increased occurrence of tooth fractures over rim fractures when compared to 20 deg pressure angle teeth. For gears with constant number of teeth or gears with constant diametral pitch, varying size had little or no effect on crack propagation paths.

Influence of High Cycle Thermal Loads on Thermal Fatigue Behavior of Thick Thermal Barrier Coatings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zhu, Dongming; Miller, Robert A.

1997-01-01

Thick thermal barrier coating systems in a diesel engine experience severe thermal Low Cycle Fatigue (LCF) and High Cycle Fatigue (HCF) during engine operation. In the present study, the mechanisms of fatigue crack initiation and propagation, as well as of coating failure, under thermal loads which simulate engine conditions, are investigated using a high power CO2 laser. In general, surface vertical cracks initiate early and grow continuously under LCF and HCF cyclic stresses. It is found that in the absence of interfacial oxidation, the failure associated with LCF is closely related to coating sintering and creep at high temperatures, which induce tensile stresses in the coating after cooling. Experiments show that the HCF cycles are very damaging to the coating systems. The combined LCF and HCF tests produced more severe coating surface cracking, microspallation and accelerated crack growth, as compared to the pure LCF test. It is suggested that the HCF component cannot only accelerate the surface crack initiation, but also interact with the LCF by contributing to the crack growth at high temperatures. The increased LCF stress intensity at the crack tip due to the HCF component enhances the subsequent LCF crack growth. Conversely, since a faster HCF crack growth rate will be expected with lower effective compressive stresses in the coating, the LCF cycles also facilitate the HCF crack growth at high temperatures by stress relaxation process. A surface wedging model has been proposed to account for the HCF crack growth in the coating system. This mechanism predicts that HCF damage effect increases with increasing temperature swing, the thermal expansion coefficient and the elastic modulus of the ceramic coating, as well as the HCF interacting depth. A good agreement has been found between the analysis and experimental evidence.

The growth of small corrosion fatigue cracks in alloy 2024

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Piascik, Robert S.; Willard, Scott A.

1993-01-01

The corrosion fatigue crack growth characteristics of small surface and corner cracks in aluminum alloy 2024 is established. The damaging effect of salt water on the early stages of small crack growth is characterized by crack initiation at constituent particle pits, intergranular microcracking for a less than 100 micrometers, and transgranular small crack growth for a micrometer. In aqueous 1 percent NaCl and at a constant anodic potential of -700 mV(sub SCE), small cracks exhibit a factor of three increase in fatigue crack growth rates compared to laboratory air. Small cracks exhibit accelerated corrosion fatigue crack growth rates at low levels of delta-K (less than 1 MPa square root of m) below long crack delta-K (sub th). When exposed to Paris regime levels of crack tip stress intensity, small corrosion fatigue cracks exhibit growth rates similar to that observed for long cracks. Results suggest that crack closure effects influence the corrosion fatigue crack growth rates of small cracks (a less than or equal to 100 micrometers). This is evidenced by similar small and long crack growth behavior at various levels of R. Contrary to the corrosion fatigue characteristics of small cracks in high strength steels, no pronounced chemical crack length effect is observed for Al by 2024 exposed to salt water.

The generalized fracture criteria based on the multi-parameter representation of the crack tip stress field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stepanova, L. V.

2017-12-01

The paper is devoted to the multi-parameter asymptotic description of the stress field near the crack tip of a finite crack in an infinite isotropic elastic plane medium subject to 1) tensile stress; 2) in-plane shear; 3) mixed mode loading for a wide range of mode-mixity situations (Mode I and Mode II). The multi-parameter series expansion of stress tensor components containing higher-order terms is obtained. All the coefficients of the multiparameter series expansion of the stress field are given. The main focus is on the discussion of the influence of considering the higher-order terms of the Williams expansion. The analysis of the higher-order terms in the stress field is performed. It is shown that the larger the distance from the crack tip, the more terms it is necessary to keep in the asymptotic series expansion. Therefore, it can be concluded that several more higher-order terms of the Williams expansion should be used for the stress field description when the distance from the crack tip is not small enough. The crack propagation direction angle is calculated. Two fracture criteria, the maximum tangential stress criterion and the strain energy density criterion, are used. The multi-parameter form of the two commonly used fracture criteria is introduced and tested. Thirty and more terms of the Williams series expansion for the near-crack-tip stress field enable the angle to be calculated more precisely.

Effects of stitching on fracture toughness of uniweave textile graphite/epoxy laminates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sankar, Bhavani V.; Sharma, Suresh

1995-01-01

The effects of through-the-thickness stitching on impact damage resistance, impact damage tolerance, and Mode 1 and Mode 2 fracture toughness of textile graphite/epoxy laminates were studied experimentally. Graphite/epoxy laminates were fabricated from AS4 graphite uniweave textiles and 3501-6 epoxy using Resin Transfer Molding. The cloths were stitched with Kevlar(tm) and glass yarns before resin infusion. Delamination was implanted during processing to simulate impact damage. Sublaminate buckling tests were performed in a novel fixture to measure Compression After Impact (CAI) strength of stitched laminates. The results show that CAI strength can be improved up to 400% by through-the-thickness stitching. Double Cantilever Beam tests were performed to study the effect of stitching on Mode 1 fracture toughness G(sub 1c). It was found that G(sub 1c) increased 30 times for a low stitching density of 16 stitches/sq in. Mode 2 fracture toughness was measured by testing the stitched beams in End Notch Flexure tests. Unlike in the unstitiched beams, crack propagation in the stitched beams was steady. The current formulas for ENF tests were not found suitable for determining G(sub 2C) for stitched beams. Hence two new methods were developed - one based on crack area measured from ultrasonic C-scanning and the other based on equivalent crack area measured from the residual stiffness of the specimen. The G(sub 2c) was found to be at least 5-15 times higher for the stitched laminates. The mechanisms by which stitching increases the CAI strength and fracture toughness are discussed.

Crack growth through the thickness of thin-sheet Hydrided Zircaloy-4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raynaud, Patrick A. C.

In recent years, the limits on fuel burnup have been increased to allow an increase in the amount of energy produced by a nuclear fuel assembly thus reducing waste volume and allowing greater capacity factors. As a result, it is paramount to ensure safety after longer reactor exposure times in the case of design-basis accidents, such as reactivity-initiated accidents (RIA). Previously proposed failure criteria do not directly address the particular cladding failure mechanism during a RIA, in which crack initiation in brittle outer-layers is immediately followed by crack growth through the thickness of the thin-wall tubing. In such a case, the fracture toughness of hydrided thin-wall cladding material must be known for the conditions of through-thickness crack growth in order to predict the failure of high-burnup cladding. The fracture toughness of hydrided Zircaloy-4 in the form of thin-sheet has been examined for the condition of through-thickness crack growth as a function of hydride content and distribution at 25°C, 300°C, and 375°C. To achieve this goal, an experimental procedure was developed in which a linear hydride blister formed across the width of a four-point bend specimen was used to inject a sharp crack that was subsequently extended by fatigue pre-cracking. The electrical potential drop method was used to monitor the crack length during fracture toughness testing, thus allowing for correlation of the load-displacement record with the crack length. Elastic-plastic fracture mechanics were used to interpret the experimental test results in terms of fracture toughness, and J-R crack growth resistance curves were generated. Finite element modeling was performed to adapt the classic theories of fracture mechanics applicable to thick-plate specimens to the case of through-thickness crack growth in thin-sheet materials, and to account for non-uniform crack fronts. Finally, the hydride microstructure was characterized in the vicinity of the crack tip by means of digital image processing, so as to understand the influence of the hydride microstructure on fracture toughness, at the various test temperatures. Crack growth occurred through a microstructure which varied within the thickness of the thin-sheet Zircaloy-4 such that the hydrogen concentration and the radial hydride content decreased with increasing distance from the hydride blister. At 25°C, the fracture toughness was sensitive to the changes in hydride microstructure, such that the toughness KJi decreased from 39 MPa√m to 24 MPa√m with increasing hydrogen content and increasing the fraction of radial hydrides. The hydride particles present in the Zircaloy-4 substrate fractured ahead of the crack tip, and crack growth occurred by linking the crack-tip with the next hydride-induced primary void ahead of it. Unstable crack growth was observed at 25°C prior to any stable crack growth in the specimens where the hydrogen content was the highest. At 375°C as well as in most cases at 300°C, the hydride particles were resistant to cracking and the resistance to crack-growth initiation was very high. As a result, for this bend test procedure, crack extension was solely due to crack-tip blunting instead of crack growth in all tests at 375°C and in most cases at 300°C. The lower bound for fracture toughness at these temperatures, the parameter KJPmax, had values of K JPmax˜54MPa√m at both 300°C and 375°C. For cases where stable crack growth occurred at 300°C, the fracture toughness was K Ji˜58MPa√m and the tearing modulus was twice as high as that at 25°C. It is believed that the failure of hydrided Zircaloy-4 thin-wall cladding can be predicted using fracture mechanics analyses when failure occurs by crack growth. This failure mechanism was observed to occur in all cases at 25°C and in some cases at 300°C. However, at more elevated temperatures, such as 375°C, failure will likely occur by a mechanism other than crack growth, possibly by an imperfection-induced shear instability.

Edge-Cracking Behavior of CoCrFeMnNi High-Entropy Alloy During Hot Rolling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Won, Jong Woo; Kang, Minju; Kwon, Heoun-Jun; Lim, Ka Ram; Seo, Seong Moon; Na, Young Sang

2018-05-01

This work investigated edge-cracking behavior of equiatomic CoCrFeMnNi high-entropy alloy during hot rolling at rolling temperatures 500 ≤ T R ≤ 1000 °C. Edge cracks did not form in the material rolled at 500 °C, but widened and deepened into the inside of plate as T R increased from 500 °C. Edge cracks were most severe in the material rolled at 1000 °C. Mn-Cr-O type non-metallic inclusion and oxidation were identified as major factors that caused edge cracking. The inclusions near edge region acted as preferential sites for crack formation. Connection between inclusion cracks and surface cracks induced edge cracking. Rolling at T R ≥ 600 °C generated distinct inclusion cracks whereas they were not serious at T R = 500 °C, so noticeable edge cracks formed at T R ≥ 600 °C. At T R = 1000 °C, significant oxidation occurred at the crack surface. This accelerated edge crack penetration by embrittling the crack tip, so severe edge cracking occurred at T R = 1000 °C.

Using Peer-Referral Chains with Incentives to Promote HIV Testing and Identify Undiagnosed HIV Infections Among Crack Users in San Salvador.

PubMed

Glasman, Laura R; Dickson-Gomez, Julia; Lechuga, Julia; Tarima, Sergey; Bodnar, Gloria; de Mendoza, Lorena Rivas

2016-06-01

In El Salvador, crack users are at high risk for HIV but they are not targeted by efforts to promote early HIV diagnosis. We evaluated the promise of peer-referral chains with incentives to increase HIV testing and identify undiagnosed HIV infections among networks of crack users in San Salvador. For 14 months, we offered HIV testing in communities with a high prevalence of crack use. For the following 14 months, we promoted chains in which crack users from these communities referred their peers to HIV testing and received a small monetary incentive. We recorded the monthly numbers of HIV testers, and their crack use, sexual risk behaviors and test results. After launching the referral chains, the monthly numbers of HIV testers increased significantly (Z = 6.90, p < .001) and decayed more slowly (Z = 5.93, p < .001), and the total number of crack-using testers increased nearly fourfold. Testers in the peer-referral period reported fewer HIV risk behaviors, but a similar percentage (~5 %) tested HIV positive in both periods. More women than men received an HIV-positive diagnosis throughout the study (χ(2)(1, N = 799) = 4.23, p = .040). Peer-referral chains with incentives can potentially increase HIV testing among networks of crack users while retaining a focus on high-risk individuals.

On Generating Fatigue Crack Growth Thresholds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Forth, Scott C.; Newman, James, Jr.; Forman, Royce G.

2003-01-01

The fatigue crack growth threshold, defining crack growth as either very slow or nonexistent, has been traditionally determined with standardized load reduction methodologies. These experimental procedures can induce load history effects that result in crack closure. This history can affect the crack driving force, i.e. during the unloading process the crack will close first at some point along the wake or blunt at the crack tip, reducing the effective load at the crack tip. One way to reduce the effects of load history is to propagate a crack under constant amplitude loading. As a crack propagates under constant amplitude loading, the stress intensity factor range, Delta K, will increase, as will the crack growth rate. da/dN. A fatigue crack growth threshold test procedure is experimentally validated that does not produce load history effects and can be conducted at a specified stress ratio, R. The authors have chosen to study a ductile aluminum alloy where the plastic deformations generated during testing may be of the magnitude to impact the crack opening.

Cracking evolution behaviors of lightweight materials based on in situ synchrotron X-ray tomography: A review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Y.; Wu, S. C.; Hu, Y. N.; Fu, Y. N.

2018-03-01

Damage accumulation and failure behaviors are crucial concerns during the design and service of a critical component, leading researchers and engineers to thoroughly identifying the crack evolution. Third-generation synchrotron radiation X-ray computed microtomography can be used to detect the inner damage evolution of a large-density material or component. This paper provides a brief review of studying the crack initiation and propagation inside lightweight materials with advanced synchrotron three-dimensional (3D) X-ray imaging, such as aluminum materials. Various damage modes under both static and dynamic loading are elucidated for pure aluminum, aluminum alloy matrix, aluminum alloy metal matrix composite, and aluminum alloy welded joint. For aluminum alloy matrix, metallurgical defects (porosity, void, inclusion, precipitate, etc.) or artificial defects (notch, scratch, pit, etc.) strongly affect the crack initiation and propagation. For aluminum alloy metal matrix composites, the fracture occurs either from the particle debonding or voids at the particle/matrix interface, and the void evolution is closely related with fatigued cycles. For the hybrid laser welded aluminum alloy, fatigue cracks usually initiate from gas pores located at the surface or sub-surface and gradually propagate to a quarter ellipse or a typical semi-ellipse profile.

Crack Growth Behavior in the Threshold Region for High Cycle Fatigue Loading

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Forman, Royce G.; Zanganehgheshlaghi, Mohannad

2014-01-01

The research results described in this paper presents a new understanding of the behavior of fatigue crack growth in the threshold region. It is believed by some crack growth experts that the ASTM load shedding test method does not produce true or valid threshold properties. The concern involves the observed fanning of threshold region da/dN data plots for some materials in which the low R-ratio data fans out or away from the high R-ratio data. This data fanning or elevation of threshold values is obviously caused by an increase in crack closure in the low R-ratio tested specimens. This increase in crack closure is assumed by some investigators to be caused by a plastic wake on the crack surfaces that was created during the load shedding test phase. This study shows that the increase in crack closure is the result of an extensive occurrence of crack bifurcation behavior in some materials, particularly in aluminum alloys, when the crack tip cyclic yield zone size becomes less than the grain size of the alloy. This behavior is related to the high stacking fault energy (SFE) property of aluminum alloys which results in easier slip characteristics. Therefore, the particular fanning behavior in aluminum alloys is a function of intrinsic dislocation property of the materials and that the fanned data represents valid material properties. However, for corrosion sensitive steel alloys used in this study the fanning was caused by a build-up of iron oxide at the crack tip from fretting corrosion.

Carbonate fuel cell matrix

DOEpatents

Farooque, M.; Yuh, C.Y.

1996-12-03

A carbonate fuel cell matrix is described comprising support particles and crack attenuator particles which are made platelet in shape to increase the resistance of the matrix to through cracking. Also disclosed is a matrix having porous crack attenuator particles and a matrix whose crack attenuator particles have a thermal coefficient of expansion which is significantly different from that of the support particles, and a method of making platelet-shaped crack attenuator particles. 8 figs.

Analysis of small crack behavior for airframe applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcclung, R. C.; Chan, K. S.; Hudak, S. J., Jr.; Davidson, D. L.

1994-01-01

The small fatigue crack problem is critically reviewed from the perspective of airframe applications. Different types of small cracks-microstructural, mechanical, and chemical-are carefully defined and relevant mechanisms identified. Appropriate analysis techniques, including both rigorous scientific and practical engineering treatments, are briefly described. Important materials data issues are addressed, including increased scatter in small crack data and recommended small crack test methods. Key problems requiring further study are highlighted.

Crack propagation and the material removal mechanism of glass-ceramics by the scratch test.

PubMed

Qiu, Zhongjun; Liu, Congcong; Wang, Haorong; Yang, Xue; Fang, Fengzhou; Tang, Junjie

2016-12-01

To eliminate the negative effects of surface flaws and subsurface damage of glass-ceramics on clinical effectiveness, crack propagation and the material removal mechanism of glass-ceramics were studied by single and double scratch experiments conducted using an ultra-precision machine. A self-manufactured pyramid shaped single-grit tool with a small tip radius was used as the scratch tool. The surface and subsurface crack propagations and interactions, surface morphology and material removal mechanism were investigated. The experimental results showed that the propagation of lateral cracks to the surface and the interaction between the lateral cracks and radial cracks are the two main types of material peeling, and the increase of the scratch depth increases the propagation angle of the radial cracks and the interaction between the cracks. In the case of a double scratch, the propagation of lateral cracks and radial cracks between paired scratches results in material peeling. The interaction between adjacent scratches depends on the scratch depth and separation distance. There is a critical separation distance where the normalized material removal volume reaches its peak. These findings can help reduce surface flaws and subsurface damage induced by the grinding process and improve the clinical effectiveness of glass-ceramics used as biological substitute and repair materials. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Airframe integrity based on Bayesian approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hurtado Cahuao, Jose Luis

Aircraft aging has become an immense challenge in terms of ensuring the safety of the fleet while controlling life cycle costs. One of the major concerns in aircraft structures is the development of fatigue cracks in the fastener holes. A probabilistic-based method has been proposed to manage this problem. In this research, the Bayes' theorem is used to assess airframe integrity by updating generic data with airframe inspection data while such data are compiled. This research discusses the methodology developed for assessment of loss of airframe integrity due to fatigue cracking in the fastener holes of an aging platform. The methodology requires a probability density function (pdf) at the end of SAFE life. Subsequently, a crack growth regime begins. As the Bayesian analysis requires information of a prior initial crack size pdf, such a pdf is assumed and verified to be lognormally distributed. The prior distribution of crack size as cracks grow is modeled through a combined Inverse Power Law (IPL) model and lognormal relationships. The first set of inspections is used as the evidence for updating the crack size distribution at the various stages of aircraft life. Moreover, the materials used in the structural part of the aircrafts have variations in their properties due to their calibration errors and machine alignment. A Matlab routine (PCGROW) is developed to calculate the crack distribution growth through three different crack growth models. As the first step, the material properties and the initial crack size are sampled. A standard Monte Carlo simulation is employed for this sampling process. At the corresponding aircraft age, the crack observed during the inspections, is used to update the crack size distribution and proceed in time. After the updating, it is possible to estimate the probability of structural failure as a function of flight hours for a given aircraft in the future. The results show very accurate and useful values related to the reliability and integrity of airframes in aging aircrafts. Inspection data shown in this dissertation are not the actual data from known aircrafts and are only used to demonstrate the methodologies.

Effect on structure and mechanical property of tungsten irradiated by high intensity pulsed ion beam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mei, Xianxiu; Zhang, Xiaonan; Liu, Xiaofei; Wang, Younian

2017-09-01

The anti-thermal radiation performance of tungsten was investigated by high intensity pulsed ion beam technology. The ion beam was mainly composed of Cn+ (70%) and H+ (30%) at an acceleration voltage of 250 kV under different energy densities for different number of pulses. GIXRD analysis showed that no obvious phase structural changes occurred on the tungsten, and microstress generated. SEM analysis exhibited that there was no apparent irradiation damage on the surface of tungsten at the low irradiation frequency (3 times and 10 times) and at the low energy density (0.25 J/cm2 and 0.7 J/cm2). Cracks appeared on the surface of tungsten after 100-time and 300-time irradiation. Shedding phenomenon even appeared on the surface of tungsten at the energy densities of 1.4 J/cm2 and 2.0 J/cm2. The surface nano-hardness of tungsten decreased with the increase of the pulse times and the energy density. The tungsten has good anti-thermal radiation properties under certain heat load environment.

Generating Fatigue Crack Growth Thresholds with Constant Amplitude Loads

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Forth, Scott C.; Newman, James C., J.; Forman, Royce G.

2002-01-01

The fatigue crack growth threshold, defining crack growth as either very slow or nonexistent, has been traditionally determined with standardized load reduction methodologies. Some experimental procedures tend to induce load history effects that result in remote crack closure from plasticity. This history can affect the crack driving force, i.e. during the unloading process the crack will close first at some point along the wake, reducing the effective load at the crack tip. One way to reduce the effects of load history is to propagate a crack under constant amplitude loading. As a crack propagates under constant amplitude loading, the stress intensity factor, K, will increase, as will the crack growth rate, da/dN. A fatigue crack growth threshold test procedure is developed and experimentally validated that does not produce load history effects and can be conducted at a specified stress ratio, R.

Understanding breakage in curly hair.

PubMed

Camacho-Bragado, G A; Balooch, G; Dixon-Parks, F; Porter, C; Bryant, H

2015-07-01

In 2005, the L'Oréal Institute for hair and skin research carried out a multiethnic study to investigate hair breakage in women residing in the U.S.A. In this study it was reported that a large percentage (96%) of the African-American respondents experience breakage. A combination of structural differences and grooming-induced stresses seem to contribute to the higher breakage incidence in the African-American group as the chemical composition of African-American hair is not significantly different from other ethnic groups. Some authors have proposed that the repeated elongation, torsion and flexion actions may affect the components of the hair fibre. However, considering the different properties of cuticle and cortex, one would expect a different wearing mechanism of each, leading to the ultimate failure of hair. Knowing in detail how each part of the structure fails can potentially lead to better ways to protect the hair from physical insults. To investigate crack propagation and fracture mechanisms in African-American hair. Virgin hair of excellent quality was collected, with informed consent, from a female African-American volunteer. A series of controlled mechanical stresses was applied to 10-mm hair sections using a high-resolution mechanical stage (20 mN) up to the fracture of the fibre. The surface was monitored using scanning electron microscopy imaging during the stress application. X-ray tomographic microscopy images were acquired and quantified to detect changes in energy absorption as a function of applied stress that could be linked to increase in crack density. Analysis of the mechanical response of hair combined with the two imaging techniques led us to propose the following mechanism of hair breakage: cuticle sliding; failure of the cuticle-cortex interface; nucleation of intercellular cracks and growth of cracks at the cuticle-cortex junction; and propagation of intercellular cracks towards the surface of the hair and final breakage when these cracks merge at the cuticular junction. The combination of scanning electron microscopy and X-ray tomography provided new information about the fracture of hair. Mechanical damage from grooming and some environmental factors accumulate in hair creating internal cracks that eventually result in breakage at unpredictable sites and therefore a continuous care regimen for the hair throughout the life cycle of the fibres is recommended. © 2015 The Authors BJD © 2015 British Association of Dermatologists.

Behavior and influence of desiccation cracking in loess landfill covers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Tao; Lan, Ji-wu; Qiu, Qing-wen; He, Hai-jie; Li, He

2017-11-01

In the northwest region of China, loess was the main closure cover material of local landfills. Tests in a full-scale testing facility were conducted to investigate the behavior and influence of desiccation cracking in loess landfill covers. The desiccation cracks in the loess landfill cover intersected with T-shape, and the intersection angles were close to 90 degrees. The desiccation cracks formed as a result of drying, and would heal with the increase of moisture content of the loess. In addition, desiccation cracking in loess covers would promote the formation of preferential flow channels. As a consequence, the gas permeability of the loess cover was improved, and methane emissions increased obviously.

Damage Mechanisms and Controlled Crack Propagation in a Hot Pressed Silicon Nitride Ceramic. Ph.D. Thesis - Northwestern Univ., 1993

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Calomino, Anthony Martin

1994-01-01

The subcritical growth of cracks from pre-existing flaws in ceramics can severely affect the structural reliability of a material. The ability to directly observe subcritical crack growth and rigorously analyze its influence on fracture behavior is important for an accurate assessment of material performance. A Mode I fracture specimen and loading method has been developed which permits the observation of stable, subcritical crack extension in monolithic and toughened ceramics. The test specimen and procedure has demonstrated its ability to generate and stably propagate sharp, through-thickness cracks in brittle high modulus materials. Crack growth for an aluminum oxide ceramic was observed to be continuously stable throughout testing. Conversely, the fracture behavior of a silicon nitride ceramic exhibited crack growth as a series of subcritical extensions which are interrupted by dynamic propagation. Dynamic initiation and arrest fracture resistance measurements for the silicon nitride averaged 67 and 48 J/sq m, respectively. The dynamic initiation event was observed to be sudden and explosive. Increments of subcritical crack growth contributed to a 40 percent increase in fracture resistance before dynamic initiation. Subcritical crack growth visibly marked the fracture surface with an increase in surface roughness. Increments of subcritical crack growth loosen ceramic material near the fracture surface and the fracture debris is easily removed by a replication technique. Fracture debris is viewed as evidence that both crack bridging and subsurface microcracking may be some of the mechanisms contributing to the increase in fracture resistance. A Statistical Fracture Mechanics model specifically developed to address subcritical crack growth and fracture reliability is used together with a damaged zone of material at the crack tip to model experimental results. A Monte Carlo simulation of the actual experiments was used to establish a set of modeling input parameters. It was demonstrated that a single critical parameter does not characterize the conditions required for dynamic initiation. Experimental measurements for critical crack lengths, and the energy release rates exhibit significant scatter. The resulting output of the model produces good agreement with both the average values and scatter of experimental measurements.

Spiral crack patterns observed for melt-grown spherulites of poly(L-lactic acid) upon quenching.

PubMed

Matsuda, Futoshi; Sobajima, Takamasa; Irie, Satoshi; Sasaki, Takashi

2016-04-01

In this paper, we demonstrate the characteristic spiral cracking that appears on the surface of melt-grown poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) spherulites with relatively large sizes (greater than 0.4mm in diameter). The crack occurs via thermal shrinkage upon quenching after crystallization. Although concentric cracks on polymer spherulites have been found to occur in quite a few studies, spiral crack patterns have never been reported so far. The present spiral crack was observed for thick spherulites (> 10 μm), whereas the concentric crack pattern was frequently observed for thin spherulites (typically 5 μm). The present PLLA spherulites exhibited a non-banded structure with no apparent structural periodicity at least on the scale of the spiral pitch, and thus no direct correlation between the crack pattern and the spherulitic structure was suggested. The spiral was revealed to be largely Archimedean of which the spiral pitch increases with an increase in the thickness of the spherulite. This may be interpreted in terms of a classical mechanical model for a thin layer with no delamination from the substrate.

AE characteristic for monitoring of fatigue crack in steel bridge members

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoon, Dong-Jin; Jung, Juong-Chae; Park, Philip; Lee, Seung-Seok

2000-06-01

Acoustic emission technique was employed for the monitoring of crack activity in both steel bridge members and laboratory specimen. Laboratory experiment was carried out to identify AE characteristics of fatigue cracks for compact tension specimen. The relationship between a stress intensity factor and AE signals activity as well as conventional AE parameter analysis was discussed. A field test was also conducted on a railway bridge, which contain several fatigue cracks. Crack activities were investigated while in service with strain measurement. From the results, in the laboratory tests, the features of three parameters such as the length of crack growth, the AE energy, and the cumulative AE events, showed the almost same trend in their increase as the number of fatigue cycle increased. From the comparisons of peak amplitude and AE energy with stress intensity factor, it was verified that the higher stress intensity factors generated AE signals with higher peak amplitude and a large number of AE counts. In the field test, real crack propagation signals were captured and the crack activity was verified in two cases.

Hunter-Schreger Band patterns in human tooth enamel

PubMed Central

Lynch, Christopher D; O’Sullivan, Victor R; Dockery, Peter; McGillycuddy, Catherine T; Sloan, Alastair J

2010-01-01

Using light microscopy, we examined Hunter-Schreger Band (HSB) patterns on the axial and occlusal/incisal surfaces of 160 human teeth, sectioned in both the buccolingual and mesiodistal planes. We found regional variations in HSB packing densities (number of HSBs per mm of amelodentinal junction length) and patterns throughout the crown of each class of tooth (maxillary and mandibular: incisor, canine, premolar, and molar) examined. HSB packing densities were greatest in areas where functional and occlusal loads are greatest, such as the occlusal surfaces of posterior teeth and the incisal regions of incisors and canines. From this it is possible to infer that the behaviour of ameloblasts forming enamel prisms during amelogenesis is guided by genetic/evolutionary controls that act to increase the fracture and wear resistance of human tooth enamel. It is suggested that HSB packing densities and patterns are important in modern clinical dental treatments, such as the bonding of adhesive restorations to enamel, and in the development of conditions, such as abfraction and cracked tooth syndrome. PMID:20579171

Eddy current standards - Cracks versus notches

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hagemaier, D. J.; Collingwood, M. R.; Nguyen, K. H.

1992-10-01

Eddy current tests aimed at evaluating cracks and electron-discharge machined (EDM) notches in 7075-T6 aluminum specimens are described. A comparison of the shape and amplitude of recordings made from both transverse and longitudinal scans of small EDM notches and fatigue cracks showd almost identical results. The signal amplitude and phase angle increased with an increase of EDM notch and crak size. It is concluded that equivalent eddy current results obtained from similar-size surface cracks and notches in aluminum can be used to establish a desired sensitivity level for inspection.

Literature Survey on Weld-Metal Cracking

DTIC Science & Technology

1952-08-01

quench cracking in cast steel. A statistical investigation was made into the causes of quench cracking in low-alloy-steel gun tubes (FlZ). A definite...decreased with increased pouring temperature, finishing temperature, and forging reduction. Spretnak and Wells(F2O) also made a statistical analysis of...per cent to avoid hot cracks and fissures. Lee(I20) made a statistical study of the bead-cracking susceptibility of weld metal deposited with Type 307

Un Jalón, Un Volteón, y Otra Vez: High-Risk Crack Smoking Paraphernalia in México City.

PubMed

Valdez, Avelardo; Nowotny, Kathryn M; Negi, Nalini; Mora, Eduardo Zafra; Cepeda, Alice

2016-01-01

During the past decade, crack smoking has increased in Mexico among poor urban populations. Despite this increasing prevalence, little is known about the types of paraphernalia used and related sharing practices and physical harms. Data come from in-depth semi-structured interviews and observations with 156 current crack smokers in Mexico City. Findings reveal a complex, crack-smoking process in Mexico City that represents an interconnected structure of paraphernalia items and pipes that could contribute to detrimental health consequences. Specifically, we identify essential paraphernalia items that make the smoking of crack possible; describe the homemade construction of two categories of pipes; and detail the sharing practices and physical harms associated with these paraphernalia. Results point towards a smoking process that is embedded in impoverished urban neighborhoods sustained by an accessible street-level crack market. Discussed are the policy and intervention implications associated with reducing crack-related health consequences in Mexico and other Latin American countries.

Un Jalón, Un Volteón, y Otra Vez: High-Risk Crack Smoking Paraphernalia in México City

PubMed Central

Valdez, Avelardo; Cepeda, Alice; Nowotny, Kathryn M.; Mora, Eduardo Zafra; Negi, Nalini

2016-01-01

During the past decade, crack smoking has increased in Mexico among poor urban populations. Despite this increasing prevalence, little is known about the types of paraphernalia used and related sharing practices and physical harms. Data come from in-depth semi-structured interviews and observations with 156 current crack smokers in Mexico City. Findings reveal a complex, crack-smoking process in Mexico City that represents an interconnected structure of paraphernalia items and pipes that could contribute to detrimental health consequences. Specifically, we identify essential paraphernalia items that make the smoking of crack possible; describe the home- made construction of two categories of pipes; and the sharing practices and physical harms associated with these paraphernalia. Results point towards a smoking process that is embedded in impoverished urban neighborhoods sustained by an accessible street-level crack market. Discussed are the policy and intervention implications associated with reducing crack related health consequences in Mexico and other Latin American countries. PMID:27356211

Characterization of weld metal microstructure in a Ni-30Cr alloy with additions of niobium and molybdenum

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wheeling, Rebecca A., E-mail: wheeling.8@osu.edu; Lippold, John C., E-mail: lippold.1@osu.edu

2016-05-15

Additions of niobium (Nb) and molybdenum (Mo) were made to an Alloy 690 base alloy in order to investigate the formation of a eutectic constituent at the end of solidification and to evaluate the effect of the eutectic liquid on backfilling (or healing) of solidification cracks. Solidification cracking was induced using the cast pin tear test (CPTT) and regions of backfilling were located and characterized via optical and electron microscopy. Computational predictions of fraction eutectic and composition of the eutectic constituent were compared to experimental findings and were found to correlate well in both cases. The extent of crack backfillingmore » increased significantly with increasing Nb content, but the addition of Mo did not seem to influence the amount of eutectic constituent or the degree of backfilling. SEM/EDS analysis confirmed that the eutectic composition is constant and that increasing Nb above 4 wt% has little effect on expanding the solidification temperature range, but has a beneficial effect on mitigating solidification cracking by a crack healing effect. - Highlights: • Increasing fraction eutectic as a function of Nb, as predicted by ThermoCalc™, is consistent with image analysis results. • Nb, unlike Mo, had a significant effect on the fraction eutectic formed. • Both influence the composition of the eutectic. • Thermocalc™ predictions regarding Nb content in eutectic are consistent with EDS results, but are high for the Mo content. • Increased levels of niobium resulted in a higher degree of crack backfilling and leads to a lower cracking susceptibility. • Mo may influence the eutectic liquid along solidification grain boundaries, improving backfill and thus cracking resistance.« less

An experimental study on fatigue performance of cryogenic metallic materials for IMO type B tank

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Jin-Sung; You, Won-Hyo; Yoo, Chang-Hyuk; Kim, Kyung-Su; Kim, Yooil

2013-12-01

Three materials SUS304, 9% Ni steel and Al 5083-O alloy, which are considered possible candidate for International Maritime Organization (IMO) type B Cargo Containment System, were studied. Monotonic tensile, fatigue, fatigue crack growth rate and Crack Tip Opening Displacement tests were carried out at room, intermediate low (-100 °C) and cryogenic (-163 °C) temperatures. The initial yield and tensile strengths of all materials tended to increase with decreasing temperature, whereas the change in elastic modulus was not as remarkable. The largest and smallest improvement ratio of the initial yield strengths due to a temperature reduction were observed in the SUS304 and Al 5083- O alloy, respectively. The fatigue strengths of the three materials increased with decreasing temperature. The largest increase in fatigue strength was observed in the Al 5083-O alloy, whereas the 9% Ni steel sample showed the smallest increase. In the fatigue crack growth rate test, SUS304 and Al 5083-O alloy showed a decrease in the crack propagation rate, due to decrease in temperature, but no visible improvement in da/dN was observed in the case of 9% Ni steel. In the Crack Tip Opening Displacement (CTOD) test, CTOD values were converted to critical crack length for the comparison with different thickness specimens. The critical crack length tended to decrease in the case of SUS304 and increase for the Al 5083-O alloy with decreasing temperature. In case of 9% Ni steel, change of critical crack length was not observed due to temperature decrease. In addition, the changing material properties according to the temperature of the LNG tank were analyzed according to the international code for the construction and equipment of ships carrying liquefied gases in bulk (IGC code) and the rules of classifications.

Hot deformation characterization of duplex low-density steel through 3D processing map development

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mohamadizadeh, A.; Zarei-Hanzaki, A., E-mail: zareih@ut.ac.ir; Abedi, H.R.

The high temperature deformation behavior of duplex low-density Fe–18Mn–8Al–0.8C steel was investigated at temperatures in the range of 600–1000 °C. The primary constitutive analysis indicated that the Zener–Hollomon parameter, which represents the coupled effects of temperature and strain rate, significantly varies with the amount of deformation. Accordingly, the 3D processing maps were developed considering the effect of strain and were used to determine the safe and unsafe deformation conditions in association with the microstructural evolution. The deformation at efficiency domain I (900–1100 °C\\10{sup −} {sup 2}–10{sup −} {sup 3} s{sup −} {sup 1}) was found to be safe at differentmore » strains due to the occurrence of dynamic recrystallization in austenite. The safe efficiency domain II (700–900 °C\\1–10{sup −} {sup 1} s{sup −} {sup 1}), which appeared at logarithmic strain of 0.4, was characterized by deformation induced ferrite formation. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the microband formation and crack initiation at ferrite\\austenite interphases were the main causes of deformation instability at 600–800 °C\\10{sup −} {sup 2}–10{sup −} {sup 3} s{sup −} {sup 1}. The degree of instability was found to decrease by increasing the strain due to the uniformity of microbanded structure obtained at higher strains. The shear band formation at 900–1100 °C\\1–10{sup −} {sup 1} s{sup −} {sup 1} was verified by electron backscattered diffraction. The local dynamic recrystallization of austenite and the deformation induced ferrite formation were observed within shear-banded regions as the results of flow localization. - Graphical abstract: Display Omitted - Highlights: • The 3D processing map is developed for duplex low-density Fe–Mn–Al–C steel. • The efficiency domains shrink, expand or appear with increasing strain. • The occurrence of DRX and DIFF increases the power efficiency. • Crack initiation at α/γ interphase and shear banding lead to failure.« less

The effect of crack blunting on the competition between dislocation nucleation and cleavage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fischer, Lisa L.; Beltz, Glenn E.

2001-03-01

To better understand the ductile versus brittle fracture behavior of crystalline materials, attention should be directed towards physically realistic crack geometries. Currently, continuum models of ductile versus brittle behavior are typically based on the analysis of a pre-existing sharp crack in order to use analytical solutions for the stress fields around the crack tip. This paper examines the effects of crack blunting on the competition between dislocation nucleation and atomic decohesion using continuum methods. We accomplish this by assuming that the crack geometry is elliptical, which has the primary advantage that the stress fields are available in closed form. These stress field solutions are then used to calculate the thresholds for dislocation nucleation and atomic decohesion. A Peierls-type framework is used to obtain the thresholds for dislocation nucleation, in which the region of the slip plane ahead of the crack develops a distribution of slip discontinuity prior to nucleation. This slip distribution increases as the applied load is increased until an instability is reached and the governing integral equation can no longer be solved. These calculations are carried out for various crack tip geometries to ascertain the effects of crack tip blunting. The thresholds for atomic decohesion are calculated using a cohesive zone model, in which the region of the crack front develops a distribution of opening displacement prior to atomic decohesion. Again, loading of the elliptical crack tip eventually results in an instability, which marks the onset of crack advance. These calculations are carried out for various crack tip geometries. The results of these separate calculations are presented as the critical energy release rates versus the crack tip radius of curvature for a given crack length. The two threshold curves are compared simultaneously to determine which failure mode is energetically more likely at various crack tip curvatures. From these comparisons, four possible types of material fracture behavior are identified: intrinsically brittle, quasi-brittle, intrinsically ductile, and quasi-ductile. Finally, real material examples are discussed.

Enhancing the oxidation resistance of graphite by applying an SiC coat with crack healing at an elevated temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Jae-Won; Kim, Eung-Seon; Kim, Jae-Un; Kim, Yootaek; Windes, William E.

2016-08-01

The potential of reducing the oxidation of the supporting graphite components during normal and/or accident conditions in the Very High Temperature Reactor (VHTR) design has been studied. In this work efforts have been made to slow the oxidation process of the graphite with a thin SiC coating (∼ 10 μm). Upon heating at ≥ 1173 K in air, the spallations and cracks were formed in the dense columnar structured SiC coating layer grown on the graphite with a functionally gradient electron beam physical vapor deposition (EB-PVD. In accordance with the formations of these defects, the sample was vigorously oxidized, leaving only the SiC coating layer. Then, efforts were made to heal the surface defects using additional EB-PVD with ion beam bombardment and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The EB-PVD did not effectively heal the cracks. But, the CVD was more appropriate for crack healing, likely due to its excellent crack line filling capability with a high density and high aspect ratio. It took ∼ 34 min for the 20% weight loss of the CVD crack healed sample in the oxidation test with annealing at 1173 K, while it took ∼ 8 min for the EB-PVD coated sample, which means it took ∼4 times longer at 1173 K for the same weight reduction in this experimental set-up.

The Evolution of Elastic Moduli With Increasing Crack Damage During Cyclic Stressing of Etna Basalt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heap, M. J.; Meredith, P. G.; Vinciguerra, S.; Boon, S. A.

2007-12-01

Volcanic edifices, such as Mt. Etna volcano, are commonly subject to cycles of pressurization and depressurization over extended periods of time due to repeated episodes of magma emplacement from deep reservoirs to shallow depths. Such repeated episodes of deformation can lead to an increase in the level of crack damage within the rocks of the edifice, and hence changes in their elastic properties. Importantly, a number of volcano monitoring techniques, such as seismic tomography and ground deformation modeling, rely on accurate knowledge of elastic properties. However, the effect of cyclic stressing on mechanical and elastic properties of volcanic rock remains unclear. To this end, we report results of changes in elastic moduli from stress-cycling experiments on samples of extrusive basalt from Mount Etna, Italy. The basalt contains an extensive pre-existing network of isotropic, interconnected microcracks caused by cooling. Both oven-dry and water-saturated samples were initially loaded to 20 MPa at a constant rate and then unloaded to 8 MPa. Samples were then sequentially reloaded and unloaded at the same rate with the peak stress in each subsequent cycle increased by 10 MPa. Stress-cycling was continued until each sample failed. Results from oven-dry samples showed a gradual reduction in sample stiffness with each increasing stress cycle that resulted in a total decrease in Young's modulus of approximately 30% and an increase in Poisson's ratio of approximately 60%. Results from water-saturated samples showed an almost identical trend. These changes in moduli are attributed to the growth of new cracks in each stress cycle and, hence, an increase in the total crack density. This is supported by the observation of increased acoustic emission (micro-seismic) output in each cycle. We also observed the Kaiser stress-memory effect, where acoustic emission on each cycle only occurs when the maximum stress in the previous cycle has been exceeded. During the deformation history of volcanic edifices, however, the stress in each pressurization cycle may not always exceed that of the previous cycle. In order to better understand this more realistic situation, we also report results from cyclic stressing experiments where the peak stress in each cycle has been randomly selected to be either higher or lower than that of the previous cycle. In this case we observed a more complex manifestation of the Kaiser effect, where AE output in any cycle was only observed when the stress in that cycle exceeded the maximum stress on any previous cycle.

Evaluation of fatigue crack behavior in electron beam irradiated polyethylene pipes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pokharel, Pashupati; Jian, Wei; Choi, Sunwoong

2016-09-01

A cracked round bar (CRB) fatigue test was employed to determine the slow crack growth (SCG) behavior of samples from high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes using PE4710 resin. The structure property relationships of fatigue failure of polyethylene CRB specimens which have undergone various degree of electron beam (EB) irradiation were investigated by observing fatigue failure strength and the corresponding fracture surface morphology. Tensile test of these HDPE specimens showed improvements in modulus and yield strength while the failure strain decreased with increasing EB irradiation. The CRB fatigue test of HDPE pipe showed remarkable effect of EB irradiation on number of cycles to failure. The slopes of the stress-cycles to failure curve were similar for 0-100 kGy; however, significantly higher slope was observed for 500 kGy EB irradiated pipe. Also, the cycle to fatigue failure was seen to decrease as with EB irradiation in the high stress range, ∆σ=(16 MPa to 10.8 MPa); however, 500 kGy EB irradiated samples showed longer cycles to failure than the un-irradiated specimens at the stress range below 9.9 MPa and the corresponding initial stress intensity factor (∆KI,0)=0.712 MPa m1/2. The fracture surface morphology indicated that the cross-linked network in 500 kGy EB irradiated PE pipe can endure low dynamic load more effectively than the parent pipe.

Linear Cracking in Bridge Decks

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2018-03-01

Concrete cracking in bridge decks remains an important issue relative to deck durability. Cracks can allow increased penetration of chlorides, which can result in premature corrosion of the reinforcing steel and subsequent spalling of the concrete de...

Matrix fatigue crack development in a notched continuous fiber SCS-6/Ti-15-3 composite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hillberry, B. M.; Johnson, W. S.

1990-01-01

In this study the extensive matrix fatigue cracking that has been observed in notched SCS-6/Ti-15-3 composites is investigated. Away from the notch uniform spacing of the fatigue cracks develops. Closer to the notch, fiber-matrix debonding which occurs increases the crack spacing. Crack spacing and debond length determined from shear-lag cylinder models compare favorably with experimental observations. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) fractography showed that the principal fatigue crack initiation occurred around the zero degree fibers. Interface failure in the 90 degree plies does not lead to the development of the primary fatigue cracking.

Matrix fatigue crack development in a notched continuous fiber SCS-6/Ti-15-3 composite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hillberry, B. M.; Johnson, W. S.

1990-01-01

In this study the extensive matrix fatigue cracking that has been observed in notched SCS-6/Ti-15-3 composites is investigated. Away from the notch a uniform spacing of the fatigue cracks develops. Closer to the notch, fiber-matrix debonding which occurs increases the crack spacing. Crack spacing and debond length determined from shear-lag cylinder models compare favorably with experimental observations. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) fractography showed that the principal fatigue crack initiation occurred around the zero degree fibers. Interface failure in the 90 degree plies does not lead to the development of the primary fatigue cracking.

The Development of Engineering Tomography for Monolithic and Composite Materials and Components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hemann, John

1997-01-01

The research accomplishments under this grant were very extensive in the areas of the development of engineering tomography for monolithic and composite materials and components. Computed tomography was used on graphite composite pins and bushings to find porosity, cracks, and delaminations. It supported the following two programs: Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) and Southern Research institute (SRI). Did research using CT and radiography on Nickel based Superalloy dogbones and found density variations and gas shrinkage porosity. Did extensive radiography and CT of PMC composite flywheels and found delamination and non-uniform fiber distribution. This grant supported the Attitude Control Energy Storage Experiment (ACESE) program. Found broken fibers and cracks of outer stainless steel fibers using both radiographic and CT techniques on Pratt and Whitney fuel lines; Supported the Pratt & Whitney and Aging Aircraft engines program. Grant research helped identify and corroborate thickness variations and density differences in a silicon nitride "ROTH" tube using computed tomography.

Strain Measurements within Fibre Boards. Part II: Strain Concentrations at the Crack Tip of MDF Specimens Tested by the Wedge Splitting Method

PubMed Central

Sinn, Gerhard; Müller, Ulrich; Konnerth, Johannes; Rathke, Jörn

2012-01-01

This is the second part of an article series where the mechanical and fracture mechanical properties of medium density fiberboard (MDF) were studied. While the first part of the series focused on internal bond strength and density profiles, this article discusses the fracture mechanical properties of the core layer. Fracture properties were studied with a wedge splitting setup. The critical stress intensity factors as well as the specific fracture energies were determined. Critical stress intensity factors were calculated from maximum splitting force and two-dimensional isotropic finite elements simulations of the specimen geometry. Size and shape of micro crack zone were measured with electronic laser speckle interferometry. The process zone length was approx. 5 mm. The specific fracture energy was determined to be 45.2 ± 14.4 J/m2 and the critical stress intensity factor was 0.11 ± 0.02 MPa.

Imaging inert fluorinated gases in cracks: perhaps in David's ankles.

PubMed

Kuethe, Dean O; Scholz, Markus D; Fantazzini, Paola

2007-05-01

Inspired by the challenge of determining the nature of cracks on the ankles of Michelangelo's statue David, we discovered that one can image SF(6) gas in cracks in marble samples with alacrity. The imaging method produces images of gas with a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 100-250, which is very high for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in general, let alone for an image of a gas at thermal equilibrium polarization. To put this unusual SNR in better perspective, we imaged SF(6) in a crack in a marble sample and imaged the lung tissue of a live rat (a more familiar variety of sample to many MRI scientists) using the same pulse sequence, the same size coils and the same MRI system. In both cases, we try to image subvoxel thin sheets of material that should appear bright against a darker background. By choosing imaging parameters appropriate for the different relaxation properties of SF(6) gas versus lung tissue and by choosing voxel sizes appropriate for the different goals of detecting subvoxel cracks on marble versus resolving subvoxel thin sheets of tissue, the SNR for voxels full of material was 220 and 14 for marble and lung, respectively. A major factor is that we chose large voxels to optimize SNR for detecting small cracks and we chose small voxels for resolving lung features at the expense of SNR. Imaging physics will cooperate to provide detection of small cracks on marble, but David's size poses a challenge for magnet designers. For the modest goal of imaging cracks in the left ankle, we desire a magnet with an approximately 32-cm gap and a flux density of approximately 0.36 T that weighs <500 kg.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kruska, Karen; Zhai, Ziqing; Bruemmer, Stephen M.

Due to its superior resistance to corrosion and stress corrosion cracking (SCC), high Cr, Ni-base Alloy 690 is now commonly used in pressurized water reactors (PWRs). Even though highly cold-worked (CW) Alloy 690 has been shown to be susceptible to SCC crack growth in PWR primary water environments, an open question remains whether SCC initiation was possible for these materials under constant load test conditions. Testing has been performed on a series of CW alloy 690 CRDM tubing specimens at constant load for up to 9,220 hours in 360°C simulated PWR primary water. A companion paper will discuss the overallmore » testing approach and describe results on different alloy 690 heats and cold work levels. The focus of the current paper is to illustrate the use of focused ion beam (FIB), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for the high-resolution investigation of precursor damage and intergranular (IG) crack nucleation in these specimens. Three-dimensional (3D) FIB/SEM imaging has been conducted on a series of grain boundary (GB) damage precursors, such as IG small cavities, local corrosion and even shallow cracks observed at the specimen surface. Contrast variations and EDS mapping were used to distinguish oxides, carbides and cavities from the matrix material. Nanometer-sized cavities were observed associated with GB carbides in the highly CW specimens. Shallow IG cracks were present in the 30%CW specimens and exhibited oxidized crack flanks and a higher density of cavities ahead of the oxide front in all cases. The shape and distribution of carbides and cavities in the plane of the cracked GBs was analyzed in 3D to gain a mechanistic understanding of the processes that may be leading to crack initiation in highly CW alloy 690.« less

Electrodeposition of nickel-iridium alloy films from aqueous solutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Wangping; Jiang, Jinjin; Jiang, Peng; Wang, Zhizhi; Yuan, Ningyi; Ding, Jianning

2018-03-01

Nickel-iridium (Ni-Ir) alloy films were electrodeposited from aqueous solutions on copper substrates under galvanostatic conditions. The effects of bath composition and deposition time on the faradaic efficiency (FE), partial current densities, chemical composition, morphology and crystallographic structure of the films were studied. The results show that the Ni-Ir alloys with Ir content as high as 37 at% and FE as high as 44% were obtained. Increase in concentration of citric acid had little or no effect on the composition of the alloys, but resulted in a significant decrease in FE and partial current densities of Ni and Ir. The FE and the partial current density of Ni slightly decreased with increasing Ir3+ concentration, however, Ir content increased while partial current density of Ir remained stable. The increase of Ni2+ concentration could result in the increase of the FE and the rate of Ni-Ir deposition, and even no cracks formed on the surface. The surface average roughness and root mean square roughness of the film were 6.8 ± 0.3 nm and 5.4 ± 0.3 nm, respectively. The mixture phases contained significant amounts of Ni oxides and a small amount of metallic Ni, Ir and Ir oxides on the surface. After argon ion sputter cleaning, the film was mainly composed of metallic Ni and Ir. The film consisted of the amorphous and nanocrystalline phases. The Ni content in the deposits was higher than that in the electrolyte, the co-deposition of Ni-Ir alloy was a normal deposition.

Too much FCC catalyst activity can cut yields

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wichers, W.R.; Upson, L.

1984-03-19

For many people working in the field of catalytic cracking, high equilibrium catalyst activity is inherently good. It is surprising how many times this line of reasoning is accepted by the refiner. There also seems to be something psychologically satisfying in seeing an equilibrium catalyst report where the catalyst activity is reported as a high number. Generally, everyone is happy when the reported activity of equilibrium catalyst is increasing and unhappy when it is going down. In the past, increasing catalyst activity did result in improved operations. For units that operated with substantial amounts of bed cracking, higher activity catalystmore » allowed the amount of bed cracking to be reduced and the relative amount of cracking that occurred in the riser to be increased. The switch from bed to riser cracking decreased catalytic coke make and gasoline overcracking, thus reducing regenerator temperature and improving gasoline yields.« less

Preparation of Shrinkage Compensating Concrete with HCSA Expansive Agent

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Changcheng; Jia, Fujia

2017-10-01

Shrinkage compensating concrete (SCC) has become one of the best effective methods of preventing and reducing concrete cracking. SCC is prepared by HCSA high performance expansive agent for concrete which restrained expansion rate is optimized by 0.057%. Slump, compressive strength, restrained expansion rate and cracking resistance test were carried out on SCC. The results show that the initial slump of fresh SCC was about 220mm-230mm, while slump after 2 hours was 180mm-200mm. The restrained expansion rate of SCC increased with the mixing amount of expansive agent. After cured in water for 14 days, the restrained expansion rate of C35 and C40 SCC were 0.020%-0.032%. With the dosage of expansive agent increasing, restrained expansion rate of SCC increased, maximum compressive stress and cracking stress improved, cracking temperature fell, thus cracking resistance got effectively improvement.

Tungsten and beryllium armour development for the JET ITER-like wall project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maier, H.; Hirai, T.; Rubel, M.; Neu, R.; Mertens, Ph.; Greuner, H.; Hopf, Ch.; Matthews, G. F.; Neubauer, O.; Piazza, G.; Gauthier, E.; Likonen, J.; Mitteau, R.; Maddaluno, G.; Riccardi, B.; Philipps, V.; Ruset, C.; Lungu, C. P.; Uytdenhouwen, I.; EFDA contributors, JET

2007-03-01

For the ITER-like wall project at JET the present main chamber CFC tiles will be exchanged with Be tiles and in parallel a fully tungsten-clad divertor will be prepared. Therefore three R&D programmes were initiated: Be coatings on Inconel as well as Be erosion markers were developed for the first wall of the main chamber. High heat flux screening and cyclic loading tests carried out on the Be coatings on Inconel showed excellent performance, above the required power and energy density. For the divertor a conceptual design for a bulk W horizontal target plate was investigated, with the emphasis on minimizing electromagnetic forces. The design consisted of stacks of W lamellae of 6 mm width that were insulated in the toroidal direction. High heat flux tests of a test module were performed with an electron beam at an absorbed power density up to 9 MW m-2 for more than 150 pulses and finally with increasing power loads leading to surface temperatures in excess of 3000 °C. No macroscopic failure occurred during the test while SEM showed the development of micro-cracks on the loaded surface. For all other divertor parts R&D was performed to provide the technology to coat the 2-directional CFC material used at JET with thin tungsten coatings. The W-coated CFC tiles were subjected to heat loads with power densities ranging up to 23.5 MW m-2 and exposed to cyclic heat loading for 200 pulses at 10.5 MW m-2. All coatings developed cracks perpendicular to the CFC fibres due to the stronger contraction of the coating upon cool-down after the heat pulses.

Mechanical properties and crack growth behavior of polycrystalline copper using molecular dynamics simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qiu, Ren-Zheng; Li, Chi-Chen; Fang, Te-Hua

2017-08-01

This study investigated the mechanical properties and crack propagation behavior of polycrystalline copper using a molecular dynamics simulation. The effects of temperature, grain size, and crack length were evaluated in terms of atomic trajectories, slip vectors, common neighbor analysis, the material’s stress-strain diagram and Young’s modulus. The simulation results show that the grain boundary of the material is more easily damaged at high temperatures and that grain boundaries will combine at the crack tip. From the stress-strain diagram, it was observed that the maximum stress increased as the temperature decreased. In contrast, the maximum stress was reduced by increasing the temperature. With regard to the effect of the grain size, when the grain size was too small, the structure of the sample deformed due to the effect of atomic interactions, which caused the grain boundary structure to be disordered in general. However, when the grain size was larger, dislocations appeared and began to move from the tip of the crack, which led to a new dislocation phenomenon. With regards to the effect of the crack length, the tip of the crack did not affect the sample’s material when the crack length was less than 5 nm. However, when the crack length was above 7.5 nm, the grain boundary was damaged, and twinning structures and dislocations appeared on both sides of the crack tip. This is because the tip of the crack was blunt at first before sharpening due to the dislocation effect.

Predictions and Experimental Microstructural Characterization of High Strain Rate Failure Modes in Layered Aluminum Composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khanikar, Prasenjit

Different aluminum alloys can be combined, as composites, for tailored dynamic applications. Most investigations pertaining to metallic alloy layered composites, however, have been based on quasi-static approaches. The dynamic failure of layered metallic composites, therefore, needs to be characterized in terms of strength, toughness, and fracture response. A dislocation-density based crystalline plasticity formulation, finite-element techniques, rational crystallographic orientation relations and a new fracture methodology were used to predict the failure modes associated with the high strain rate behavior of aluminum layered composites. Two alloy layers, a high strength alloy, aluminum 2195, and an aluminum alloy 2139, with high toughness, were modeled with representative microstructures that included precipitates, dispersed particles, and different grain boundary (GB) distributions. The new fracture methodology, based on an overlap method and phantom nodes, is used with a fracture criteria specialized for fracture on different cleavage planes. One of the objectives of this investigation, therefore, was to determine the optimal arrangements of the 2139 and 2195 aluminum alloys for a metallic layered composite that would combine strength, toughness and fracture resistance for high strain-rate applications. Different layer arrangements were investigated for high strain-rate applications, and the optimal arrangement was with the high toughness 2139 layer on the bottom, which provided extensive shear strain localization, and the high strength 2195 layer on the top for high strength resistance. The layer thickness of the bottom high toughness layer also affected the bending behavior of the roll-boned interface and the potential delamination of the layers. Shear strain localization, dynamic cracking and delamination were the mutually competing failure mechanisms for the layered metallic composite, and control of these failure modes can be optimized for high strain-rate applications. The second major objective of this investigation was the use of recently developed dynamic fracture formulations to model and analyze the crack nucleation and propagation of aluminum layered composites subjected to high strain rate loading conditions and how microstructural effects, such as precipitates, dispersed particles, and GB orientations affect failure evolution. This dynamic fracture approach is used to investigate crack nucleation and crack growth as a function of the different microstructural characteristics of each alloy in layered composites with and without pre-existing cracks. The zigzag nature of the crack paths were mainly due to the microstructural features, such as precipitates and dispersed particles distributions and orientations ahead of the crack front, and it underscored the capabilities of the fracture methodology. The evolution of dislocation density and the formation of localized shear slip contributed to the blunting of the propagating crack. Extensive geometrical and thermal softening due to the localized plastic slip also affected crack path orientations and directions. These softening mechanisms resulted in the switching of cleavage planes, which affected crack path orientations. Interface delamination can also have an important role in the failure and toughening of the layered composites. Different scenarios of delamination were investigated, such as planar crack growth and crack penetration into the layers. The presence of brittle surface oxide platelets in the interface region also significantly influenced the interface delamination process. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Optical Microscopy (OM) characterization provided further physical insights and validation of the predictive capabilities. The inherent microstructural features of each alloy play a significant role in the dynamic fracture, shear strain localization, and interface delamination of the layered metallic composite. These microstructural features, such as precipitates, dispersed particles, and GB orientations and distributions can be optimized for desired behavior of metallic composites.

Three-dimensional CTOA and constraint effects during stable tearing in a thin-sheet material

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dawicke, D. S.; Newman, J. C., Jr.; Bigelow, C. A.

1995-01-01

A small strain theory, three-dimensional elastic-plastic finite element analysis was used to simulate fracture in thin sheet 2024-T3 aluminum alloy in the T-L orientation. Both straight and tunneled cracks were modeled. The tunneled crack front shapes as a function of applied stress were obtained from the fracture surface of tested specimens. The stable crack growth behavior was measured at the specimen surface as a function of applied stress. The fracture simulation modeled the crack tunneling and extension as a function of applied stress. The results indicated that the global constraint factor, alpha(sub g), initially dropped during stable crack growth. After peak applied stress was achieved, alpha(sub g) began to increase slightly. The effect of crack front shape on alpha(sub g) was small, but the crack front shape did greatly influence the local constraint and through-thickness crack-tip opening angle (CTOA) behavior. The surface values of CTOA for the tunneled crack front model agreed well with experimental measurements, showing the same initial decrease from high values during the initial 3mm of crack growth at the specimen's surface. At the same time, the interior CTOA values increased from low angles. After the initial stable tearing region, the CTOA was constant through the thickness. The three-dimensional analysis appears to confirm the potential of CTOA as a two-dimensional fracture criterion.

Fractographic analysis of gaseous hydrogen induced cracking in 18Ni maraging steel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gangloff, R. P.; Wei, R. P.

1978-01-01

Electron microscope fractographic analysis supplemented an extensive study of the kinetics of gaseous hydrogen assisted cracking in 18Ni maraging steel. Temperature determined the crack path morphology in each steel which, in turn, was directly related to the temperature dependence of the crack growth rate. Crack growth in the low temperature regime proceeded along prior austenite grain boundaries. Increasing the temperature above a critical value produced a continuously increasing proportion of transgranular quasi-cleavage associated with lath martensite boundaries. The amount of transgranular cracking was qualitatively correlated with the degree of temperature-induced deviation from Arrhenius behavior. Fractographic observations are interpreted in terms of hypothesized mechanisms for gaseous hydrogen embrittlement. It is concluded that hydrogen segregation to prior austenite and lath martensite boundaries must be considered as a significant factor in developing mechanisms for gaseous embrittlement of high strength steels.

Fracture Toughness of Thin Plates by the Double-Torsion Test Method

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Salem, Jonathan A.; Radovic, Miladin; Lara-Curzio, Edgar; Nelson, George

2006-01-01

Double torsion testing can produce fracture toughness values without crack length measurement that are comparable to those measured via standardized techniques such as the chevron-notch, surface-crack-in-flexure and precracked beam if the appropriate geometry is employed, and the material does not exhibit increasing crack growth resistance. Results to date indicate that 8 < W/d < 80 and L/W > 2 are required if crack length is not considered in stress intensity calculations. At L/W = 2, the normalized crack length should be 0.35 < a/L < 0.65; whereas for L/W = 3, 0.2 < a/L < 0.75 is acceptable. In addition, the load-points need to roll to reduce friction. For an alumina exhibiting increasing crack growth resistance, values corresponding to the plateau of the R-curve were measured. For very thin plates (W/d > 80) nonlinear effects were encountered.

Investigation on the Crack Behaviour in Kevlar 49 Based Composite Materials using Extended Finite Element Method for Aerospace Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Handa, Danish; Sekhar Dondapati, Raja; Kumar, Abhinav

2017-08-01

Ductile to brittle transition (DTBT) is extensively observed in materials under cryogenic temperatures, thereby observing brittle failure due to the non-resistance of crack propagation. Owing to its outstanding mechanical and thermal properties, Kevlar 49 composites are widely used in aerospace applications under cryogenic temperatures. Therefore, in this paper, involving the assumption of linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM), mechanical characterization of Kevlar 49 composite is done using Extended Finite Element Method (X-FEM) technique in Abaqus/CAE software. Further, the failure of Kevlar 49 composites due to the propagation of crack at room temperature and the cryogenic temperature is investigated. Stress, strain and strain energy density as a function of the width of the Kevlar specimen is predicted, indicates that Kevlar 49 composites are suitable for use under cryogenic temperatures.

Detection of small-size solder ball defects through heat conduction analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Xiuyun; Chen, Yaqiu; Lu, Xiaochuan

2018-02-01

Aiming to solve the defect detection problem of a small-size solder ball in the high density chip, heat conduction analysis based on eddy current pulsed thermography is put forward to differentiate various defects. With establishing the 3D finite element model about induction heating, defects such as cracks and void can be distinguished by temperature difference resulting from heat conduction. Furthermore, the experiment of 0.4 mm-diameter solder balls with different defects is carried out to prove that crack and void solder can be distinguished. Three kinds of crack length on a gull-wing pin are selected, including 0.24 mm, 1.2 mm, and 2.16 mm, to verify that the small defect can be discriminated. Both the simulation study and experiment result show that the heat conduction analysis method is reliable and convenient.

Micro-indentation fracture behavior of human enamel.

PubMed

Padmanabhan, Sanosh Kunjalukkal; Balakrishnan, Avinash; Chu, Min-Cheol; Kim, Taik Nam; Cho, Seong Jai

2010-01-01

The purpose of this study was to determine the crack resistance behavior (K(R)) of human enamel in relation to its microstructure. Human molar teeth were precision cut, polished and tested using Vickers micro-indentation at different loads ranging from 0.98 to 9.8 N. Five indentation load levels were considered, 20 indentation cracks for each load level were introduced on the surface of the test specimen (10 indentations per tooth) and their variability was evaluated using Weibull statistics and an empirical model. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to analyze the crack morphology and propagation mechanisms involved. The results showed that enamel exhibited increasing cracking resistance (K(R)) with increasing load. It was found that the crack propagation mainly depended on the location and the microstructure it encountered. SEM showed the formation of crack bridges and crack deflection near the indentation crack tip. The crack mode was of Palmqvist type even at larger loads of 9.8 N. This was mainly attributed to the large process zone created by the interwoven lamellar rod like microstructure exhibited by the enamel surface. This study shows that there are still considerable prospects for improving dental ceramics and for mimicking the enamel structure developed by nature.

Tensile stress-dependent fracture behavior and its influences on photovoltaic characteristics in flexible PbS/CdS thin-film solar cells.

PubMed

Lee, Seung Min; Yeon, Deuk Ho; Mohanty, Bhaskar Chandra; Cho, Yong Soo

2015-03-04

Tensile stress-dependent fracture behavior of flexible PbS/CdS heterojunction thin-film solar cells on indium tin oxide-coated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates is investigated in terms of the variations of fracture parameters with applied strains and their influences on photovoltaic properties. The PbS absorber layer that exhibits only mechanical cracks within the applied strain range from ∼0.67 to 1.33% is prepared by chemical bath deposition at different temperatures of 50, 70, and 90 °C. The PbS thin films prepared at 50 °C demonstrate better mechanical resistance against the applied bending strain with the highest crack initiating bending strain of ∼1.14% and the lowest saturated crack density of 0.036 μm(-1). Photovoltaic properties of the cells depend on the deposition temperature and the level of applied tensile stress. The values of short-circuit current density and fill factor are dramatically reduced above a certain level of applied strain, while open-circuit voltage is nearly maintained. The dependency of photovoltaic properties on the progress of fractures is understood as related to the reduced fracture energy and toughness, which is limitedly controllable by microstructural features of the absorber layer.

Strain Measurements within Fibreboard. Part III: Analyzing the Process Zone at the Crack Tip of Medium Density Fiberboards (MDF) Double Cantilever I-Beam Specimens

PubMed Central

Rathke, Jörn; Müller, Ulrich; Konnerth, Johannes; Sinn, Gerhard

2012-01-01

This paper is the third part of a study dealing with the mechanical and fracture mechanical characterization of Medium Density Fiberboards (MDF). In the first part, an analysis of internal bond strength testing was performed and in the second part MDF was analyzed by means of the wedge splitting experiment; this part deals with the double cantilever I beam test, which is designed for measuring the fracture energy as well as stress intensity factor in Mode I. For a comparison of isotropic and orthotropic material behavior, finite element modeling was performed. In addition to the calculation of fracture energy the stress intensity factor was analyzed by means of finite elements simulation and calculation. In order to analyze strain deformations and the process zone, electronic speckle pattern interferometry measurements were performed. The results revealed an elongated process zone and lower results for KIC if compared to the wedge splitting experiment. The Gf numbers are higher compared to the wedge splitting results and can be explained by the thicker process zone formed during the crack propagation. The process zone width on its part is influenced by the stiff reinforcements and yields a similar crack surface as with the internal bond test.

Characterization of crack-tip microstructures via synchrotron fractography in Mo and Mo-Nb alloy crystals

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hmelo, A.B.

1987-01-01

The nature of the plastic relaxation associated with the semi-brittle cleavage fracture of a series of pre-cracked molybdenum-niobium alloy single crystals was investigated as a function of composition and temperature from 77/sup 0/ to 298/sup 0/K. Conventional optical microscopy and white-beam Synchrotron X-Ray Fractography (SXRF) were used to examined the structure of a thin layer a few microns thick at the remnant of the precursor crack plastic zone. The plastic work of fracture was evaluated by measuring the lattice curvature associated with networks of dislocations beneath the cleavage surface. Using SXRF, lattice curvature is detected as asterism on photographic plates,more » and is associated with an excess density of edge dislocations of one sign. The results are in qualitative agreement with a previous determination of the fracture toughness of these specimens. Excess edge-dislocation density of one sign has been shown to vary as a function of temperature and composition, in a way consistent with previous studies of total dislocation content in these materials. Unlike the etch-pit analysis that can reveal the total dislocation content only, the tensor bases analysis described here allows the activity on individual slip systems to be distinguished.« less

Research notes : reflective cracking : year 3 report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2001-10-01

Transverse cracking is a major problem on US Highway 97. The design life of the pavement is shortened due to premature cracking, thus increasing maintenance costs. : In September 1998, a test section near Chemult was established to study the effectiv...

Research notes : the war on reflective cracking.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1999-08-01

Transverse cracking is a major problem on Highway 97. The design life of the pavement is shortened due to premature cracking, thus increasing maintenance costs. In September 1998, a test section near Chemult was established to study the effectiveness...

Role of multiple cusps in tooth fracture.

PubMed

Barani, Amir; Bush, Mark B; Lawn, Brian R

2014-07-01

The role of multiple cusps in the biomechanics of human molar tooth fracture is analysed. A model with four cusps at the bite surface replaces the single dome structure used in previous simulations. Extended finite element modelling, with provision to embed longitudinal cracks into the enamel walls, enables full analysis of crack propagation from initial extension to final failure. The cracks propagate longitudinally around the enamel side walls from starter cracks placed either at the top surface (radial cracks) or from the tooth base (margin cracks). A feature of the crack evolution is its stability, meaning that extension occurs steadily with increasing applied force. Predictions from the model are validated by comparison with experimental data from earlier publications, in which crack development was followed in situ during occlusal loading of extracted human molars. The results show substantial increase in critical forces to produce longitudinal fractures with number of cuspal contacts, indicating a capacity for an individual tooth to spread the load during mastication. It is argued that explicit critical force equations derived in previous studies remain valid, at the least as a means for comparing the capacity for teeth of different dimensions to sustain high bite forces. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dynamics of diffusive bubble growth and pressure recovery in a bubbly rhyolitic melt embedded in an elastic solid

USGS Publications Warehouse

Chouet, Bernard A.; Dawson, Phillip B.; Nakano, Masaru

2006-01-01

We present a model of gas exsolution and bubble expansion in a melt supersaturated in response to a sudden pressure drop. In our model, the melt contains a suspension of gas bubbles of identical sizes and is encased in a penny-shaped crack embedded in an elastic solid. The suspension is modeled as a three-dimensional lattice of spherical cells with slight overlap, where each elementary cell consists of a gas bubble surrounded by a shell of volatile-rich melt. The melt is then subjected to a step drop in pressure, which induces gas exsolution and bubble expansion, resulting in the compression of the melt and volumetric expansion of the crack. The dynamics of diffusion-driven bubble growth and volumetric crack expansion span 9 decades in time. The model demonstrates that the speed of the crack response depends strongly on volatile diffusivity in the melt and bubble number density and is markedly sensitive to the ratio of crack thickness to crack radius and initial bubble radius but is relatively insensitive to melt viscosity. The net drop in gas concentration in the melt after pressure recovery represents only a small fraction of the initial concentration prior to the drop, suggesting the melt may undergo numerous pressure transients before becoming significantly depleted of gases. The magnitude of pressure and volume recovery in the crack depends sensitively on the size of the input-pressure transient, becoming relatively larger for smaller-size transients in a melt containing bubbles with initial radii less than 10-5 m. Amplification of the input transient may be large enough to disrupt the crack wall and induce brittle failure in the rock matrix surrounding the crack. Our results provide additional basis for the interpretation of volume changes in the magma conduit under Popocatépetl Volcano during Vulcanian degassing bursts in its eruptive activity in April–May 2000.

Mitigation strategies for early-age shrinkage cracking in bridge decks.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2010-04-01

Early-age shrinkage cracking has been observed in many concrete bridge decks in Washington State and elsewhere around the U.S. The cracking increases the effects of freeze-thaw damage, spalling, and corrosion of steel reinforcement, thus resulting in...

Numerical Simulation on the Dynamic Splitting Tensile Test of reinforced concrete

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Zhuan; Jia, Haokai; Jing, Lin

2018-03-01

The research for crack resistance was of RC was based on the split Hopkinson bar and numerical simulate software LS-DYNA3D. In the research, the difference of dynamic splitting failure modes between plane concrete and reinforced concrete were completed, and the change rule of tensile stress distribution with reinforcement ratio was studied; also the effect rule with the strain rate and the crack resistance was also discussed by the radial tensile stress time history curve of RC specimen under different loading speeds. The results shows that the reinforcement in the concrete can impede the crack extension, defer the failure time of concrete, increase the tension intensity of concrete; with strain rate of concrete increased, the crack resistance of RC increased.

In-situ 3D visualization of composite microstructure during polymer-to-ceramic conversion

DOE PAGES

Larson, Natalie M.; Zok, Frank W.

2017-10-31

One route for producing fiber-reinforced ceramic-matrix composites entails repeated impregnation and pyrolysis of a preceramic polymer in a fiber preform. The process relies crucially on the development of networks of contiguous cracks during pyrolysis, thereby allowing further impregnation to attain nearly-full densification. The present study employs in-situ x-ray computed tomography (XCT) to reveal in three dimensions the evolution of matrix structure during pyrolysis of a SiC-based preceramic polymer to 1200 °C. Observations are used to guide the development of a taxonomy of crack geometries and crack structures and to identify the temporal sequence of their formation. A quantitative analysis ismore » employed to characterize effects of local microstructural dimensions on the conditions required to form cracks of various types. Complementary measurements of gas evolution and mass loss of the preceramic polymer during pyrolysis as well as changes in mass density and Young's modulus provide context for the physical changes revealed by XCT. Furthermore, the findings provide a foundation for future development of physics-based models to guide composite fabrication processes.« less

Assessment of crack opening area for leak rates

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sharples, J.K.; Bouchard, P.J.

1997-04-01

This paper outlines the background to recommended crack opening area solutions given in a proposed revision to leak before break guidance for the R6 procedure. Comparisons with experimental and analytical results are given for some selected cases of circumferential cracks in cylinders. It is shown that elastic models can provide satisfactory estimations of crack opening displacement (and area) but they become increasingly conservative for values of L{sub r} greater than approximately 0.4. The Dugdale small scale yielding model gives conservative estimates of crack opening displacement with increasing enhancement for L{sub r} values greater than 0.4. Further validation of the elastic-plasticmore » reference stress method for up to L{sub r} values of about 1.0 is presented by experimental and analytical comparisons. Although a more detailed method, its application gives a best estimate of crack opening displacement which may be substantially greater than small scale plasticity models. It is also shown that the local boundary conditions in pipework need to be carefully considered when evaluating crack opening area for through-wall bending stresses resulting from welding residual stresses or geometry discontinuities.« less

Corrosion-Fatigue Crack Growth in Plates: A Model Based on the Paris Law

PubMed Central

Toribio, Jesús; Matos, Juan-Carlos; González, Beatriz

2017-01-01

In this paper, a Paris law-based model is presented whereby crack propagation occurs under cyclic loading in air (fatigue) and in an aggressive environment (corrosion-fatigue) for the case of corner cracks (with a wide range of aspect ratios in the matter of the initial cracks) in finite-thickness plates of 316L austenitic stainless steel subjected to tension, bending, or combined (tension + bending) loading. Results show that the cracks tend during their growth towards a preferential propagation path, exhibiting aspect ratios slightly lower than unity only for the case of very shallow cracks, and diminishing as the crack grows (increasing the relative crack depth)—more intensely in the case of bending than in the case of tension (the mixed loading tension/bending representing an intermediate case). In addition, the crack aspect ratios during fatigue propagation evolution are lower in fatigue (in air) than in corrosion-fatigue (in aggressive environment). PMID:28772798

Fatigue crack detection by nonlinear spectral correlation with a wideband input

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Peipei; Sohn, Hoon

2017-04-01

Due to crack-induced nonlinearity, ultrasonic wave can distort, create accompanying harmonics, multiply waves of different frequencies, and, under resonance conditions, change resonance frequencies as a function of driving amplitude. All these nonlinear ultrasonic features have been widely studied and proved capable of detecting fatigue crack at its very early stage. However, in noisy environment, the nonlinear features might be drown in the noise, therefore it is difficult to extract those features using a conventional spectral density function. In this study, nonlinear spectral correlation is defined as a new nonlinear feature, which considers not only nonlinear modulations in ultrasonic waves but also spectral correlation between the nonlinear modulations. The proposed nonlinear feature is associated with the following two advantages: (1) stationary noise in the ultrasonic waves has little effect on nonlinear spectral correlation; and (2) the contrast of nonlinear spectral correlation between damage and intact conditions can be enhanced simply by using a wideband input. To validate the proposed nonlinear feature, micro fatigue cracks are introduced to aluminum plates by repeated tensile loading, and the experiment is conducted using surface-mounted piezoelectric transducers for ultrasonic wave generation and measurement. The experimental results confirm that the nonlinear spectral correlation can successfully detect fatigue crack with a higher sensitivity than the classical nonlinear coefficient.

Analytical Round Robin for Elastic-Plastic Analysis of Surface Cracked Plates: Phase I Results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wells, D. N.; Allen, P. A.

2012-01-01

An analytical round robin for the elastic-plastic analysis of surface cracks in flat plates was conducted with 15 participants. Experimental results from a surface crack tension test in 2219-T8 aluminum plate provided the basis for the inter-laboratory study (ILS). The study proceeded in a blind fashion given that the analysis methodology was not specified to the participants, and key experimental results were withheld. This approach allowed the ILS to serve as a current measure of the state of the art for elastic-plastic fracture mechanics analysis. The analytical results and the associated methodologies were collected for comparison, and sources of variability were studied and isolated. The results of the study revealed that the J-integral analysis methodology using the domain integral method is robust, providing reliable J-integral values without being overly sensitive to modeling details. General modeling choices such as analysis code, model size (mesh density), crack tip meshing, or boundary conditions, were not found to be sources of significant variability. For analyses controlled only by far-field boundary conditions, the greatest source of variability in the J-integral assessment is introduced through the constitutive model. This variability can be substantially reduced by using crack mouth opening displacements to anchor the assessment. Conclusions provide recommendations for analysis standardization.

A Fundamental Investigation of Crack and Surrounding Damage in Stiff Clays

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-09-01

equation of state is written in terms of entropy production. A generalized flux is identified as the centroidal movement of the damage zone, and the...on the following governing equation. I I a14 ( 1.1] Ti = z ’_Xc + "_.wXrOt + a.’X ef = 0 where Si is the global entropy production, 1, , and a are...convenient to express the internal energy density u in terms of i Gibb’s potential density and the entropy density s [6.3] u = g + Ts +’ijciji Here

Fatigue Strength Prediction for Titanium Alloy TiAl6V4 Manufactured by Selective Laser Melting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leuders, Stefan; Vollmer, Malte; Brenne, Florian; Tröster, Thomas; Niendorf, Thomas

2015-09-01

Selective laser melting (SLM), as a metalworking additive manufacturing technique, received considerable attention from industry and academia due to unprecedented design freedom and overall balanced material properties. However, the fatigue behavior of SLM-processed materials often suffers from local imperfections such as micron-sized pores. In order to enable robust designs of SLM components used in an industrial environment, further research regarding process-induced porosity and its impact on the fatigue behavior is required. Hence, this study aims at a transfer of fatigue prediction models, established for conventional process-routes, to the field of SLM materials. By using high-resolution computed tomography, load increase tests, and electron microscopy, it is shown that pore-based fatigue strength predictions for a titanium alloy TiAl6V4 have become feasible. However, the obtained accuracies are subjected to scatter, which is probably caused by the high defect density even present in SLM materials manufactured following optimized processing routes. Based on thorough examination of crack surfaces and crack initiation sites, respectively, implications for optimization of prediction accuracy of the models in focus are deduced.

Effect of Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Parameters on Hydrogen-Assisted Cracking of Type 321 Stainless Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rozenak, Paul; Unigovski, Yaakov; Shneck, Roni

2016-05-01

The susceptibility of AISI type 321 stainless steel welded by the gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process to hydrogen-assisted cracking (HAC) was studied in a tensile test combined with in situ cathodic charging. Specimen charging causes a decrease in ductility of both the as-received and welded specimens. The mechanical properties of welds depend on welding parameters. For example, the ultimate tensile strength and ductility increase with growing shielding gas (argon) rate. More severe decrease in the ductility was obtained after post-weld heat treatment (PWHT). In welded steels, in addition to discontinuous grain boundary carbides (M23C6) and dense distribution of metal carbides MC ((Ti, Nb)C) precipitated in the matrix, the appearance of delta-ferrite phase was observed. The fracture of sensitized specimens was predominantly intergranular, whereas the as-welded specimens exhibited mainly transgranular regions. High-dislocation density regions and stacking faults were found in delta-ferrite formed after welding. Besides, thin stacking fault plates and epsilon-martensite were found in the austenitic matrix after the cathodic charging.

Highly flexible transparent electrodes based on mesh-patterned rigid indium tin oxide.

PubMed

Sakamoto, Kosuke; Kuwae, Hiroyuki; Kobayashi, Naofumi; Nobori, Atsuki; Shoji, Shuichi; Mizuno, Jun

2018-02-12

We developed highly bendable transparent indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes with a mesh pattern for use in flexible electronic devices. The mesh patterns lowered tensile stress and hindered propagation of cracks. Simulations using the finite element method confirmed that the mesh patterns decreased tensile stress by over 10% because of the escaped strain to the flexible film when the electrodes were bent. The proposed patterned ITO electrodes were simply fabricated by photolithography and wet etching. The resistance increase ratio of a mesh-patterned ITO electrode after bending 1000 times was at least two orders of magnitude lower than that of a planar ITO electrode. In addition, crack propagation was stopped by the mesh pattern of the patterned ITO electrode. A mesh-patterned ITO electrode was used in a liquid-based organic light-emitting diode (OLED). The OLED displayed the same current density-voltage-luminance (J-V-L) curves before and after bending 100 times. These results indicate that the developed mesh-patterned ITO electrodes are attractive for use in flexible electronic devices.

The crack and wedging problem for an orthotropic strip

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cinar, A.; Erdogan, F.

1982-01-01

The plane elasticity problem for an orthotropic strip containing a crack parallel to its boundaries is considered. The problem is formulated under general mixed mode loading conditions. The stress intensity factors depend on two dimensionless orthotropic constants only. For the crack problem the results are given for a single crack and two collinear cracks. The calculated results show that of the two orthotropic constants the influence of the stiffness ratio on the stress intensity factors is much more significant than that of the shear parameter. The problem of loading the strip by a rigid rectangular lengths continuous contact is maintained along the wedge strip interface; at a certain critical wedge length the separation starts at the midsection of the wedge, and the length of the separation zone increases rapidly with increasing wedge length.

The static breaking technique for sustainable and eco-environmental coal mining.

PubMed

Bing-yuan, Hao; Hui, Huang; Zi-jun, Feng; Kai, Wang

2014-01-01

The initiating explosive devices are prohibited in rock breaking near the goaf of the highly gassy mine. It is effective and applicable to cracking the hard roof with static cracking agent. By testing the static cracking of cubic limestone (size: 200 × 200 × 200 mm) with true triaxial rock mechanics testing machine under the effect of bidirectional stress and by monitoring the evolution process of the cracks generated during the acoustic emission experiment of static cracking, we conclude the following: the experiment results of the acoustic emission show that the cracks start from the lower part of the hole wall until they spread all over the sample. The crack growth rate follows a trend of "from rapidness to slowness." The expansion time is different for the two bunches of cracks. The growth rates can be divided into the rapid increasing period and the rapid declining period, of which the growth rate in declining period is less than that in the increasing period. Also, the growth rate along the vertical direction is greater than that of the horizontal direction. Then the extended model for the static cracking is built according to the theories of elastic mechanics and fracture mechanics. Thus the relation formula between the applied forces of cracks and crack expansion radius is obtained. By comparison with the test results, the model proves to be applicable. In accordance with the actual geological situation of Yangquan No. 3 Mine, the basic parameters of manpower manipulated caving breaking with static crushing are settled, which reaps bumper industrial effects.

Extended Hall-Petch Relationships for Yield, Cleavage and Intergranular Fracture Strengths of bcc Steel and Its Deformation and Fracture Behaviors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heo, N. H.; Heo, Y.-U.; Kwon, S. K.; Kim, N. J.; Kim, S.-J.; Lee, H.-C.

2018-03-01

Extended Hall-Petch relationships for yield ( σy ), cleavage ( σ_{cl} ) and intergranular fracture ( σ_{ig} ) strengths of pure iron have been established through the direct calculation of the proportional constant (k) and the estimation of the friction stress (σ0 ) . The magnitude orders of k and σ0 are generally ky < k_{cl} < k_{ig} and σ_{y0} < σ_{cl0} < σ_{ig0} , respectively. Based on the Hall-Petch relationships, micro-yielding in a bcc steel occurs at the instance that the pile-up dislocations within a specific grain showing the Schmid factor of 0.5 propagate into the neighboring grain. The initial brittle crack is formed at the instance that the flow strength exceeds the brittle fracture strength. Once the brittle crack is formed, it grows catastrophically. Due to the smallest and ky and σ_{y0} , the cleavage and the intergranular fracture occur always after micro-yielding. The {100} cleavage fracture of the steel is due to the lowest theoretical {100} cleavage strength. Due to the thermal components included in cleavage and intergranular fracture strengths, they show also the temperature and strain rate dependence observed in yield strength. The increase in susceptibility to brittle fracture with decreasing temperature and increasing strain rate is due to the increase in dislocation density which causes the high work hardening rate.

A study of fiber volume fraction effects in notched unidirectional SCS-6/Ti-15V-3Cr-3Al-3Sn composite. Ph.D. Thesis Final Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Covey, Steven J.

1993-01-01

Notched unidirectional SCS-6/Ti-15-3 composite of three different fiber volume fractions (vf = 0.15, 0.37, and 0.41) was investigated for various room temperature microstructural and material properties including: fatigue crack initiation, fatigue crack growth, and fracture toughness. While the matrix hardness is similar for all fiber volume fractions, the fiber/matrix interfacial shear strength and matrix residual stress increases with fiber volume fraction. The composite fatigue crack initiation stress is shown to be matrix controlled and occurs when the net maximum matrix stress approaches the endurance limit stress of the matrix. A model is presented which includes residual stresses and presents the composite initiation stress as a function of fiber volume fraction. This model predicts a maximum composite initiation stress at vf approximately 0.15 which agrees with the experimental data. The applied composite stress levels were increased as necessary for continued crack growth. The applied Delta(K) values at crack arrest increase with fiber volume fraction by an amount better approximated using an energy based formulation rather than when scaled linear with modulus. After crack arrest, the crack growth rate exponents for vf37 and vf41 were much lower and toughness much higher, when compared to the unreinforced matrix, because of the bridged region which parades with the propagating fatigue crack. However, the vf15 material exhibited a higher crack growth rate exponent and lower toughness than the unreinforced matrix because once the bridged fibers nearest the crack mouth broke, the stress redistribution broke all bridged fibers, leaving an unbridged crack. Degraded, unbridged behavior is modeled using the residual stress state in the matrix ahead of the crack tip. Plastic zone sizes were directly measured using a metallographic technique and allow prediction of an effective matrix stress intensity which agrees with the fiber pressure model if residual stresses are considered. The sophisticated macro/micro finite element models of the 0.15 and 0.37 fiber volume fractions presented show good agreement with experimental data and the fiber pressure model when an estimated effective fiber/matrix debond length is used.

Experimental assessment of an RFID-based crack sensor for steel structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

E Martínez-Castro, R.; Jang, S.; Nicholas, J.; Bansal, R.

2017-08-01

The use of welded steel cover plates had been a common design practice to increase beam section capacity in regions of high moment for decades. Many steel girder bridges with cover plates are still in service. Steel girder bridges are subject to cyclic loading, which can initiate crack formation at the toe of the weld and reduce beam capacity. Thus, timely detection of fatigue cracks is of utmost importance in steel girder bridge monitoring. To date, crack monitoring methods using in-house radio frequency identification (RFID)-based sensors have been developed to complement visual inspection and provide quantitative information of damage level. Offering similar properties at a reduced cost, commercial ultra-high frequency (UHF) passive RFID tags have been identified as a more financially viable option for pervasive crack monitoring using a dense array of sensors. This paper presents a study on damage sensitivity of low-cost commercial UHF RFID tags for crack detection and monitoring on metallic structures. Using backscatter power as a parameter for damage identification, a crack sensing system has been developed for single and multiple tag configurations for increased sensing pervasiveness. The effect on backscatter power of the existence and stage of crack propagation has been successfully characterized. For further automation of crack detection, a damage index based on the variation of backscatter power has also been established. The tested commercial RFID-based crack sensor contributes to the usage of this technology on steel girder bridges.

Identification of breathing cracks in a beam structure with entropy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wimarshana, Buddhi; Wu, Nan; Wu, Christine

2016-04-01

A cantilever beam with a breathing crack is studied to detect and evaluate the crack using entropy measures. Closed cracks in engineering structures lead to proportional complexities to their vibration responses due to weak bi-linearity imposed by the crack breathing phenomenon. Entropy is a measure of system complexity and has the potential in quantifying the complexity. The weak bi-linearity in vibration signals can be amplified using wavelet transformation to increase the sensitivity of the measurements. A mathematical model of harmonically excited unit length steel cantilever beam with a breathing crack located near the fixed end is established, and an iterative numerical method is applied to generate accurate time domain dynamic responses. The bi-linearity in time domain signals due to the crack breathing are amplified by wavelet transformation first, and then the complexities due to bi-linearity is quantified using sample entropy to detect the possible crack and estimate the crack depth. It is observed that the method is capable of identifying crack depths even at very early stages of 3% with the increase in the entropy values more than 10% compared with the healthy beam. The current study extends the entropy based damage detection of rotary machines to structural analysis and takes a step further in high-sensitivity structural health monitoring by combining wavelet transformation with entropy calculations. The proposed technique can also be applied to other types of structures, such as plates and shells.

Modeling time-dependent corrosion fatigue crack propagation in 7000 series aluminum alloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mason, Mark E.; Gangloff, Richard P.

1994-01-01

Stress corrosion cracking and corrosion fatigue experiments were conducted with the susceptible S-L orientation of AA7075-T651, immersed in acidified and inhibited NaCl solution, to provide a basis for incorporating environmental effects into fatigue crack propagation life prediction codes such as NASA FLAGRO. This environment enhances da/dN by five to ten-fold compared to fatigue in moist air. Time-based crack growth rates from quasi-static load experiments are an order of magnitude too small for accurate linear superposition prediction of da/dN for loading frequencies above 0.001 Hz. Alternate methods of establishing da/dt, based on rising-load or ripple-load-enhanced crack tip strain rate, do not increase da/dt and do not improve linear superposition. Corrosion fatigue is characterized by two regimes of frequency dependence; da/dN is proportional to f(exp -1) below 0.001 Hz and to F(exp 0) to F(exp -0.1) for higher frequencies. Da/dN increases mildly both with increasing hold-time at K(sub max) and with increasing rise-time for a range of loading waveforms. The mild time-dependence is due to cycle-time-dependent corrosion fatigue growth. This behavior is identical for S-L nd L-T crack orientations. The frequency response of environmental fatigue in several 7000 series alloys is variable and depends on undefined compositional or microstructural variables. Speculative explanations are based on the effect of Mg on occluded crack chemistry and embritting hydrogen uptake, or on variable hydrogen diffusion in the crack tip process zone. Cracking in the 7075/NaCl system is adequately described for life prediction by linear superposition for prolonged load-cycle periods, and by a time-dependent upper bound relationship between da/dN and delta K for moderate loading times.

Self-healing of early age cracks in cement-based materials by mineralization of carbonic anhydrase microorganism

PubMed Central

Qian, Chunxiang; Chen, Huaicheng; Ren, Lifu; Luo, Mian

2015-01-01

This research investigated the self-healing potential of early age cracks in cement-based materials incorporating the bacteria which can produce carbonic anhydrase. Cement-based materials specimens were pre-cracked at the age of 7, 14, 28, 60 days to study the repair ability influenced by cracking time, the width of cracks were between 0.1 and 1.0 mm to study the healing rate influenced by width of cracks. The experimental results indicated that the bacteria showed excellent repairing ability to small cracks formed at early age of 7 days, cracks below 0.4 mm was almost completely closed. The repair effect reduced with the increasing of cracking age. Cracks width influenced self-healing effectiveness significantly. The transportation of CO2and Ca2+ controlled the self-healing process. The computer simulation analyses revealed the self-healing process and mechanism of microbiologically precipitation induced by bacteria and the depth of precipitated CaCO3 could be predicted base on valid Ca2+. PMID:26583014

Effects of microrolling parameters on the microstructure and deformation behavior of pure copper

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jing, Yi; Zhang, Hong-mei; Wu, Hao; Li, Lian-jie; Jia, Hong-bin; Jiang, Zheng-yi

2018-01-01

Microrolling experiments and uniaxial tensile tests of pure copper under different annealing conditions were carried out in this paper. The effects of grain size and reduction on non-uniform deformation, edge cracking, and microstructure were studied. The experimental results showed that the side deformation became more non-uniform, resulting in substantial edge bulge, and the uneven spread increased with increasing grain size and reduction level. When the reduction level reached 80% and the grain size was 65 μm, slight edge cracks occurred. When the grain size was 200 μm, the edge cracks became wider and deeper. No edge cracks occurred when the grain size was 200 μm and the reduction level was less than 60%; edge cracks occurred when the reduction level was increased to 80%. As the reduction level increased, the grains were gradually elongated and appeared as a sheet-like structure along the rolling direction; a fine lamellar structure was obtained when the grain size was 20 μm and the reduction level was less than 60%.

Evaluation of the cyclic behavior of aircraft turbine disk alloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cowles, B. A.; Sims, D. L.; Warren, J. R.

1978-01-01

Five aircraft turbine disk alloys representing various strength and processing histories were evaluated at 650 C to determine if recent strength advances in powder metallurgy have resulted in corresponding increases in low cycle fatigue (LCF) capability. Controlled strain LCF tests and controlled load crack propagation tests were performed. Results were used for direct material comparisons and in the analysis of an advanced aircraft turbine disk, having a fixed design and operating cycle. Crack initiation lives were found to increase with increasing tensile yield strength, while resistance to fatigue crack propagation generally decreased with increasing strength.

Hydrogen Cracking in Gas Tungsten Arc Welding of an AISI Type 321 Stainless Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rozenak, P.; Unigovski, Ya.; Shneck, R.

The effects of in situ cathodic charging on the tensile properties and susceptibility to cracking of an AISI type 321 stainless steel, welded by the gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process, was studied by various treatments. Appearance of delta-ferrite phase in the as-welded steels in our tested conditions was observed with discontinuous grain boundaries (M23C6) and a dense distribution of metal carbides MC ((Ti, Nb)C), which precipitated in the matrix. Shielding gas rates changes the mechanical properties of the welds. Ultimate tensile strength and ductility are increases with the resistance to the environments related the increase of the supplied shielding inert gas rates. Charged specimens, caused mainly in decreases in the ductility of welded specimens. However, more severe decrease in ductility was obtained after post weld heat treatment (PWHT). The fracture of sensitized specimens was predominantly intergranular, whereas the as-welded specimens exhibited massive transgranular regions. Both types of specimen demonstrated narrow brittle zones at the sides of the fracture surface and ductile micro-void coalescences in the middle. Ferrite δ was form after welding with high density of dislocation structures and stacking faults formation and the thin stacking fault plates with e-martensite phase were typically found in the austenitic matrix after the cathodical charging process.

Development of damage suppression system using embedded SMA foil in CFRP laminates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ogisu, Toshimichi; Nomura, Masato; Ando, Norio; Takaki, Junji; Kobayashi, Masakazu; Okabe, Tomonaga; Takeda, Nobuo

2001-07-01

Some recent studies have suggested possible applications of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) for a smart health monitoring and suppression of damage growth. The authors have been conducting research and development studies on applications of embedded SMA foil actuators in CFRP laminates as the basic research for next generation aircrafts. First the effective surface treatment for improvement of bonding properties between SMA and CFRP was studied. It was certified that the anodic oxide treatment by 10% NaOH solution was the most effective treatment from the results of peel resistance test and shear strength test. Then, CFRP laminates with embedded SMA foils were successfully fabricated using this effective surface treatment. The damage behavior of quasi-isotropic CFRP laminates with embedded SMA foils was characterized in both quasi-static load-unload and fatigue tests. The relationship between crack density and applied strain was obtained. The recovery stress generated by embedded SMA foils could increase the onset strain of transverse cracking by 0.2%. The onset strain of delmination in CFRP laminates was also increased accordingly. The shear-lag analysis was also conducted to predict the damage evolution in CFRP laminates with embedded SMA foils. The adhesive layers on both sides of SMA foils were treated as shear elements. The theoretical analysis successfully predicted the experimental results.

Crack healing in silicon nitride due to oxidation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Choi, Sung R.; Tikare, Veena; Pawlik, Ralph

1991-01-01

The crack healing behavior of a commercial, MgO-containing, hot pressed Si3N4 was studied as a function of temperature in oxidizing and inert annealing environments. Crack healing occurred at a temperature 800 C or higher due to oxidation regardless of crack size, which ranged from 100 microns (indentation crack) to 1.7 mm (SEPB precrack). The resulting strength and apparent fracture toughness increased at crack healing temperature by 100 percent and 300 percent, respectively. The oxide layer present in the crack plane was found to be highly fatigue resistant, indicating that the oxide is not solely silicate glass, but a mixture of glass, enstatite, and/or cristobalite that was insensitive to fatigue in a room temperature water environment.

Firing test of propellant-cracked solid motor under X-ray TV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fujiwara, Tsutomu; Tanemura, Toshiharu; Itoh, Katsuya; Kakuta, Yoshiaki; Shimizu, Morio; Takahashi, Michio

This paper presents the effects of a big crack on the combustion behaviors of the scaled-down Japanese H-I upper stage motors of the National Space Development Agency (NASDA). The big crack was generated by cooling down the propellant grain below -100 C; the crack was identified and measured with the X-ray computer tomography (CT) system designed for medical use. It was found that the crack spread widely from inner bore to liner and fore-and-aft of the motor. The firing test of the propellant-cracked solid motor was performed under X-ray TV observation, and the motor exploded just after the ignition because of the abrupt chamber pressure increase due to flame propagation into the crack.

Examination of coating failure by acoustic emission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Berndt, Christopher C.

1985-01-01

Coatings of NiCrAlY bond coat with a zirconia - 12 wt percent yttria overlay were applied to disc-shaped specimens of U-700 alloy. A waveguide of 1 mm diameter platinum was TIG welded to the specimen and allowed it to be suspended in a tubular furnace. The specimen was thermally cycled to 1150 C, and the acoustic emission (AE) monitored. The weight gain per thermal cycle was also measured. A computer system based on the IBM-XT microcomputer was used extensively to acquire the AE data with respect to temperature. This system also controlled the temperature by using a PD software loop. Several different types of AE analyses were performed. A major feature of these tests, not addressed by previous work in this area, was that the coatings covered 100 percent of the specimen and also that the AE was amplified at two different levels. It is believed that this latter feature allows a qualitative appraisal of the relative number of cracks per AE event. The difference in AE counts between the two channels is proportional to the number of cracks per AE event, and this parameter may be thought of as the crack density. The ratio of the AE count difference to the AE count magnitude of one channel is inversely proportional to the crack growth. Both of these parameters allow the crack distribution and crack growth within each specimen to be qualitatively followed during the thermal cycling operation. Recent results which used these principles will be presented.

The effect of cathodic polarization on the corrosion fatigue behavior of a precipitation hardened aluminum alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, E. F.; Duquette, D. J.

1986-02-01

Fatigue experiments were conducted on polycrystalline and monocrystalline samples of a high purity Al, 5.5 wt pct Zn, 2.5 wt pct Mg, 1.5 wt pct Cu alloy in the peak-hardened heat treatment condition. These experiments were conducted in dry laboratory air and in 0.5 N NaCl solutions at the corrosion potential and at applied potentials cathodic to the corrosion potential. It has been shown that saline solutions severely reduce the fatigue resistance of the alloy, resulting in considerable amounts of intergranular crack initiation and propagation under freely corroding conditions for polycrystalline samples. Applied cathodic potentials resulted in still larger decreases in fatigue resistance and, for poly crystals, increases in the degree of transgranular crack initiation and propagation. Increasing amounts of intergranular cracking were observed when applied cyclic stresses were reduced (longer test times). The characteristics of cracking, combined with results obtained on tensile tests of deformed and hydrogen charged samples, suggest that environmental cracking of these alloys is associated with a form of hydrogen embrittlement of the process zones of growing cracks. Further, it is suggested that stress corrosion cracking and corrosion fatigue of these alloys occurs by essentially the same mechanism, but that the often observed transgranular cracking under cyclic loading conditions occurs due to enhanced hydrogen transport and/or concentrations associated with mobile dislocations at growing crack tips.

Acquisition of Inertia by a Moving Crack

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goldman, Tamar; Livne, Ariel; Fineberg, Jay

2010-03-01

We experimentally investigate the dynamics of “simple” tensile cracks. Within an effectively infinite medium, a crack’s dynamics perfectly correspond to inertialess behavior predicted by linear elastic fracture mechanics. Once a crack interacts with waves that it generated at earlier times, this description breaks down. Cracks then acquire inertia and sluggishly accelerate. Crack inertia increases with crack speed v and diverges as v approaches its limiting value. We show that these dynamics are in excellent accord with an equation of motion derived in the limit of an infinite strip [M. Marder, Phys. Rev. Lett. 66, 2484 (1991)PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.66.2484].

The Evolution of Cracks in Maluanshan Granite Subjected to Different Temperature Processing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Guanghui; Zuo, Jianping; Li, Liyun; Ma, Teng; Wei, Xu

2018-06-01

The understanding of the change in the physical and mechanical properties of rock before and after heating is of great significance for the site selection of mattamore and the exploitation of geothermal resources. It is known that before and after heating, the changes in wave velocity, wave velocity anisotropy and permeability of rock are due to the evolution of cracks in the rock. In this study, the wave velocity and permeability of granite specimen from the Maluanshan tunnel in Shenzhen, China, were measured after high-temperature processing at atmospheric pressure. The effects of temperature on the properties of rock based on the acoustics and permeability were measured and analyzed. The evolution of the cracks in Maluanshan granite was inverted through the change rule of the cracks, wave velocity anisotropy and permeability with temperature. The main conclusions were as follows: (1) Both granite P and S wave velocities decreased with the increasing temperature, and the thermal cracking occurred in four stages: between 50 and 250 °C, the crack stabilization development stage was in effect; between 250 and 300 °C, an accelerated development stage of the cracks existed; between 300 and 350 °C, a shift stage for the cracks was entered; and finally, from 350 to 700 °C, the cracks continued into a further development stage; (2) The coefficient of variation could be used to reflect the structural feature change of the rocks in the study of the wave velocity anisotropy. The structures of cracks were observed to change before and after 300 °C. (3) The Maluanshan granite permeability increases with the increasing processing temperature. It was observed that the higher the processing temperature, the larger the increase in the permeability rate. A porosity function was used as a variable to analyze the relationship between the porosity function and permeability as follows: from 50 to 200 °C, the permeability was determined by the microcracks; 200-400 °C was the transition stage; and between 400 and 700 °C, the permeability was determined by the macrocracks.

Modeling Cyclic Fatigue Hysteresis Loops of 2D Woven Ceramic Matrix Composites at Elevated Temperatures in Steam

PubMed Central

Li, Longbiao

2016-01-01

In this paper, the cyclic fatigue hysteresis loops of 2D woven SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) at elevated temperatures in steam have been investigated. The interface slip between fibers and the matrix existing in matrix cracking modes 3 and 5, in which matrix cracking and interface debonding occurred in longitudinal yarns, is considered as the major reason for hysteresis loops of 2D woven CMCs. The hysteresis loops of 2D SiC/SiC composites corresponding to different peak stresses, test conditions, and loading frequencies have been predicted using the present analysis. The damage parameter, i.e., the proportion of matrix cracking mode 3 in the entire matrix cracking modes of the composite, and the hysteresis dissipated energy increase with increasing fatigue peak stress. With increasing cycle number, the interface shear stress in the longitudinal yarns decreases, leading to transition of interface slip types of matrix cracking modes 3 and 5. PMID:28773544

Influence of heat treatment on microstructure and hot crack susceptibility of laser-drilled turbine blades made from Rene 80

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Osterle, W.; Krause, S.; Moelders, T.

2008-11-15

Turbine components from conventionally cast nickel-base alloy Rene 80 show different hot cracking susceptibilities depending on their heat treatment conditions leading to slightly different microstructures. Electron probe micro-analysis, focused ion beam technique and analytical transmission electron microscopy were applied to reveal and identify grain boundary precipitates and the {gamma}-{gamma}'-microstructure. The distribution of borides along grain boundaries was evaluated statistically by quantitative metallography. The following features could be correlated with an increase of cracking susceptibility: i) Increasing grain size, ii) increasing fraction of grain boundaries with densely spaced borides, iii) lack of secondary {gamma}'-particles in matrix channels between the coarse cuboidalmore » {gamma}'-precipitates. The latter feature seems to be responsible for linking-up of cracked grain boundary precipitates which occurred as an additional cracking mechanism after one heat treatment, whereas decohesion at the boride-matrix-interface in the heat affected zone of laser-drilled holes was observed for both heat treatments.« less

Shield gas induced cracks during nanosecond-pulsed laser irradiation of Zr-based metallic glass

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Hu; Noguchi, Jun; Yan, Jiwang

2016-10-01

Laser processing techniques have been given increasing attentions in the field of metallic glasses (MGs). In this work, effects of two kinds of shield gases, nitrogen and argon, on nanosecond-pulsed laser irradiation of Zr-based MG were comparatively investigated. Results showed that compared to argon gas, nitrogen gas remarkably promoted the formation of cracks during laser irradiation. Furthermore, crack formation in nitrogen gas was enhanced by increasing the peak laser power intensity or decreasing the laser scanning speed. X-ray diffraction and micro-Raman spectroscopy indicated that the reason for enhanced cracks in nitrogen gas was the formation of ZrN.

Stress intensity factors for deep cracks emanating from the corner formed by a hole intersecting a plate surface

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcgowan, J. J.; Smith, C. W.

1976-01-01

The stress intensity factors (SIFs) at the end points of flaws emanating from the corner formed by the intersection of a plate with a hole were determined using stress freezing photoelasticity and a numerical technique known as the Taylor series correction method to extract the SIF values from the photoelastic data. The geometries studied were crack depth to thickness ratios of about 0.2, 0.5, and 0.75; crack depth to crack length ratios of about 1.0 to 2.0; and crack length to hole radius ratios of about 0.5 to 2.0. The SIFs were determined at the intersection of the flaw border with the plate surface (KS) and with the edge of the hole (KH). It is shown that extension of a crack emanating from a corner of intersection of a hole with a plate under monotonically increasing load is not self-similar and that as the flaw depth increases, KH decreases and KS increases. Existing theories and design criteria significantly overestimate the SIF at both the hole and the surface except for shallow flaws at the hole and deep flaws at the surface.

Fatigue crack growth model RANDOM2 user manual, appendix 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boyce, Lola; Lovelace, Thomas B.

1989-01-01

The FORTRAN program RANDOM2 is documented. RANDOM2 is based on fracture mechanics using a probabilistic fatigue crack growth model. It predicts the random lifetime of an engine component to reach a given crack size. Included in this user manual are details regarding the theoretical background of RANDOM2, input data, instructions and a sample problem illustrating the use of RANDOM2. Appendix A gives information on the physical quantities, their symbols, FORTRAN names, and both SI and U.S. Customary units. Appendix B includes photocopies of the actual computer printout corresponding to the sample problem. Appendices C and D detail the IMSL, Ver. 10(1), subroutines and functions called by RANDOM2 and a SAS/GRAPH(2) program that can be used to plot both the probability density function (p.d.f.) and the cumulative distribution function (c.d.f.).

Optimizing Probability of Detection Point Estimate Demonstration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Koshti, Ajay M.

2017-01-01

Probability of detection (POD) analysis is used in assessing reliably detectable flaw size in nondestructive evaluation (NDE). MIL-HDBK-18231and associated mh18232POD software gives most common methods of POD analysis. Real flaws such as cracks and crack-like flaws are desired to be detected using these NDE methods. A reliably detectable crack size is required for safe life analysis of fracture critical parts. The paper provides discussion on optimizing probability of detection (POD) demonstration experiments using Point Estimate Method. POD Point estimate method is used by NASA for qualifying special NDE procedures. The point estimate method uses binomial distribution for probability density. Normally, a set of 29 flaws of same size within some tolerance are used in the demonstration. The optimization is performed to provide acceptable value for probability of passing demonstration (PPD) and achieving acceptable value for probability of false (POF) calls while keeping the flaw sizes in the set as small as possible.

Numerical calculation and experimental research on crack arrest by detour effect and joule heating of high pulsed current in remanufacturing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Jing; Zhang, Hongchao; Deng, Dewei; Hao, Shengzhi; Iqbal, Asif

2014-07-01

The remanufacturing blanks with cracks were considered as irreparable. With utilization of detour effect and Joule heating of pulsed current, a technique to arrest the crack in martensitic stainless steel FV520B is developed. According to finite element theory, the finite element(FE) model of the cracked rectangular specimen is established firstly. Then, based on electro-thermo-structure coupled theory, the distributions of current density, temperature field, and stress field are calculated for the instant of energizing. Furthermore, the simulation results are verified by some corresponding experiments performed on high pulsed current discharge device of type HCPD-I. Morphology and microstructure around the crack tip before and after electro pulsing treatment are observed by optical microscope(OM) and scanning electron microscope(SEM), and then the diameters of fusion zone and heat affected zone(HAZ) are measured in order to contrast with numerical calculation results. Element distribution, nano-indentation hardness and residual stress in the vicinity of the crack tip are surveyed by energy dispersive spectrometer(EDS), scanning probe microscopy(SPM) and X-ray stress gauge, respectively. The results show that the obvious partition and refined grain around the crack tip can be observed due to the violent temperature change. The contents of carbon and oxygen in fusion zone and HAZ are higher than those in matrix, and however the hardness around the crack tip decreases. Large residual compressive stress is induced in the vicinity of the crack tip and it has the same order of magnitude for measured results and numerical calculation results that is 100 MPa. The relational curves between discharge energies and diameters of the fusion zone and HAZ are obtained by experiments. The difference of diameter of fusion zone between measured and calculated results is less than 18.3%. Numerical calculation is very useful to define the experimental parameters. An effective method to prevent further extension of the crack is presented and can provide a reference for the compressor rotor blade remanufacturing.

Macro and micro mechanics behavior of granite after heat treatment by cluster model in particle flow code

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tian, Wen-Ling; Yang, Sheng-Qi; Huang, Yan-Hua

2018-02-01

In this paper, a cluster model in particle flow code was used to simulate granite specimens after heat treatment under uniaxial compression. The results demonstrated that micro-cracks are randomly distributed in the specimen when the temperature is below 300 {°}C, and have partial coalescence when the temperature is up to 450 {°}C, then form macro-cracks when the temperature is above 600 {°}C. There is more inter-granular cracking than intra-granular cracking, and their ratio increases with increasing temperature. The micro-cracks are almost constant when the temperature decreases from 900 {°}C to room temperature, except for quartz α -β phase transition temperature (573 {°}C). The fracture evolution process is obviously affected by these cracks, especially at 600-900 {°}C. Elevated temperature leads to easily developed displacement between the grains, and the capacity to store strain energy becomes weaker, corresponding to the plasticity of granite after heat treatment.

Ultrasonic Characterization of Fatigue Cracks in Composite Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Workman, Gary L.; Watson, Jason; Johnson, Devin; Walker, James; Russell, Sam; Thom, Robert (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

Microcracking in composite structures due to combined fatigue and cryogenic loading can cause leakage and failure of the structure and can be difficult to detect in-service. In aerospace systems, these leaks may lead to loss of pressure/propellant, increased risk of explosion and possible cryo-pumping. The success of nondestructive evaluation to detect intra-ply microcracking in unlined pressure vessels fabricated from composite materials is critical to the use of composite structures in future space systems. The work presented herein characterizes measurements of intraply fatigue cracking through the thickness of laminated composite material by means of correlation with ultrasonic resonance. Resonant ultrasound spectroscopy provides measurements which are sensitive to both the microscopic and macroscopic properties of the test article. Elastic moduli, acoustic attenuation, and geometry can all be probed. The approach is based on the premise of half-wavelength resonance. The method injects a broadband ultrasonic wave into the test structure using a swept frequency technique. This method provides dramatically increased energy input into the test article, as compared to conventional pulsed ultrasonics. This relative energy increase improves the ability to measure finer details in the materials characterization, such as microcracking and porosity. As the microcrack density increases, more interactions occur with the higher frequency (small wavelength) components of the signal train causing the spectrum to shift toward lower frequencies. Several methods are under investigation to correlate the degree of microcracking from resonance ultrasound measurements on composite test articles including self organizing neural networks, chemometric techniques used in optical spectroscopy and other clustering algorithms.

Indentation studies on Y[sub 2]O[sub 3]-stabilized ZrO[sub 2]; 1: Development of indentation-induced cracks

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kaliszewski, M.S.; Behrens, G.; Heuer, A.H.

1994-05-01

The development of Vickers indent-induced cracks with increasing indent load has been studied in two Y[sub 2]O[sub 3]-stabilized ZrO[sub 2] ceramics. Such cracks form as radial or Palmqvist cracks at low loads, assume kidney'' shapes at intermediate loads, and finally form median (half-penny) cracks at high loads. The plastic zone directly beneath the indent is uncracked; a significant portion of the plasticity induced by indentation occurs by martensitic transformation.

Cracking behavior and microstructure of austenitic stainless steels and alloy 690 irradiated in BOR-60 reactor, phase I.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen, Y.; Chopra, O. K.; Soppet, W. K.

2010-02-16

Cracking behavior of stainless steels specimens irradiated in the BOR-60 at about 320 C is studied. The primary objective of this research is to improve the mechanistic understanding of irradiation-assisted stress corrosion cracking (IASCC) of core internal components under conditions relevant to pressurized water reactors. The current report covers several baseline tests in air, a comparison study in high-dissolved-oxygen environment, and TEM characterization of irradiation defect structure. Slow strain rate tensile (SSRT) tests were conducted in air and in high-dissolved-oxygen (DO) water with selected 5- and 10-dpa specimens. The results in high-DO water were compared with those from earlier testsmore » with identical materials irradiated in the Halden reactor to a similar dose. The SSRT tests produced similar results among different materials irradiated in the Halden and BOR-60 reactors. However, the post-irradiation strength for the BOR-60 specimens was consistently lower than that of the corresponding Halden specimens. The elongation of the BOR-60 specimens was also greater than that of their Halden specimens. Intergranular cracking in high-DO water was consistent for most of the tested materials in the Halden and BOR-60 irradiations. Nonetheless, the BOR-60 irradiation was somewhat less effective in stimulating IG fracture among the tested materials. Microstructural characterization was also carried out using transmission electron microscopy on selected BOR-60 specimens irradiated to {approx}25 dpa. No voids were observed in irradiated austenitic stainless steels and cast stainless steels, while a few voids were found in base and grain-boundary-engineered Alloy 690. All the irradiated microstructures were dominated by a high density of Frank loops, which varied in mean size and density for different alloys.« less

Study of Ferrite During Refinement of Prior Austenite Grains in Microalloyed Steel Continuous Casting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Jiang; Wen, Guanghua; Tang, Ping

2017-12-01

The formation of coarse prior austenite grain is a key factor to promote transverse crack, and the susceptibility to the transverse crack can be reduced by refining the austenite grain size. In the present study, the high-temperature confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) was used to simulate two types of double phase-transformation technologies. The distribution and morphology of ferrites under different cooling conditions were analyzed, and the effects of ferrite distribution and morphology on the double phase-transformation technologies were explored to obtain the suitable double phase-change technology for the continuous casting process. The results indicate that, under the thermal cycle TH0 [the specimens were cooled down to 913 K (640 °C) at a cooling rate of 5.0 K/s (5.0 °C/s)], the width of prior austenite grain boundaries was thick, and the dislocation density at grain boundaries was high. It had strong inhibition effect on crack propagation; under the thermal cycle TH1 [the specimens were cooled down to 1073 K (800 °C) at a cooling rate of 5.0 K/s (5.0 °C/s) and then to 913 K (640 °C) at a cooling rate of 1.0 K/s (1.0 °C/s)], the width of prior austenite grain boundary was thin, and the dislocation density at grain boundaries was low. It was beneficial to crack propagation. After the first phase change, the developed film-like ferrite along the austenite grain boundaries improved the nucleation conditions of new austenitic grains and removed the inhibition effect of the prior austenite grain boundaries on the austenite grain size.

Reactive Silicate Coatings for Protecting and Bonding Reinforcing Steel in Cement-Based Composites

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-12-01

wire. Selected sections of cracked enamel were maintained in the wet condition and examine periodical for evidence of gel formation and crack ... enamel containing portland cement will protect the underlying reinforcing steel in an aggressive environment. d) If the enamel coating is cracked ...oxidized. The increase in volume cracks the concrete around the reinforcement and weakens the steel members. When the steel is separated from the

Change of Hot Cracking Susceptibility in Welding of High Strength Aluminum Alloy AA 7075

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holzer, M.; Hofmann, K.; Mann, V.; Hugger, F.; Roth, S.; Schmidt, M.

High strength aluminum alloys are known as hard to weld alloys due to their high hot crack susceptibility. However, they have high potential for applications in light weight constructions of automotive industry and therefore it is needed to increase weldability. One major issue is the high hot cracking susceptibility. Vaporization during laser beam welding leads to a change of concentration of the volatile elements magnesium and zinc. Hence, solidification range of the weld and therefore hot cracking susceptibility changes. Additionally, different welding velocities lead to changed solidification conditions with certain influence on hot cracking. This paper discusses the influence of energy per unit length during laser beam welding of AA 7075 on the change of element concentration in the weld seam and the resulting influence on hot cracking susceptibility. Therefore EDS-measurements of weld seams generated with different velocities are performed to determine the change of element concentration. These quantitative data is used to numerically calculate the solidification range in order to evaluate its influence on the hot cracking susceptibility. Besides that, relative hot crack length and mechanical properties are measured. The results increase knowledge about welding of high strength aluminum alloy AA 7075 and hence support further developing of the welding process.

In situ SEM observation of microscale strain fields around a crack tip in polycrystalline molybdenum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, J. J.; Li, W. C.; Jin, Y. J.; Wang, L. F.; Zhao, C. W.; Xing, Y. M.; Lang, F. C.; Yan, L.; Yang, S. T.

2016-06-01

In situ scanning electron microscopy was employed to investigate the crack initiation and propagation in polycrystalline molybdenum under uniaxial tensile load at room temperature. The microscale grid pattern was fabricated using the sputtering deposition technology on the specimen surface covered with a fine square mesh copper grid. The microscale strain fields around the crack tip were measured by geometric phase analysis technique and compared with the theoretical solutions based on the linear elastic fracture mechanics theory. The results showed that as the displacement increases, the crack propagated mainly perpendicular to the tensile direction during the fracture process of molybdenum. The normal strain ɛ xx and shear strain ɛ xy are relatively small, and the normal strain ɛ yy holds a dominant position in the deformation fields and plays a key role in the whole fracture process of molybdenum. With the increase in displacement, the ɛ yy increases rapidly and the two lobes grow significantly but maintain the same shape and orientation. The experimental ɛ yy is in agreement with the theoretical solution. Along the x-axis in front of the crack tip, there is minor discrepancy between the experimental ɛ yy and theoretical ɛ yy within 25 μm from the crack tip, but the agreement between them is very good far from the crack tip (>25 μm).

Enhanced thermoelectric performance of amorphous Nb based oxynitrides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Music, Denis; Geyer, Richard W.; Hans, Marcus

2015-12-01

Using density functional theory, amorphous Nb0.27Ru0.06O0.56N0.10 was designed to facilitate a combination of an enhanced Seebeck coefficient and low electrical resistivity. Based on a positive Cauchy pressure, ductile behavior is expected. To verify these predictions, the transport and mechanical properties of amorphous thin films were evaluated. Metallic electrical resistivity and the Seebeck coefficient of -94 μV K-1 are obtained, which is consistent with our predictions. As there is no crack formation, these samples can be perceived as ductile. We demonstrate that the power factor can be increased by an order of magnitude, while keeping the thermal fatigue low.

The crack and wedging problem for an orthotropic strip

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cinar, A.; Erdogan, F.

1983-01-01

The plane elasticity problem for an orthotropic strip containing a crack parallel to its boundaries is considered. The problem is formulated under general mixed mode loading conditions. The stress intensity factors depend on two dimensionless orthotropic constants only. For the crack problem the results are given for a single crack and two collinear cracks. The calculated results show that of the two orthotropic constants the influence of the stiffness ratio on the stress intensity factors is much more significant than that of the shear parameter. The problem of loading the strip by a rigid rectangular lengths continuous contact is maintained along the wedge strip interface; at a certain critical wedge length the separation starts at the midsection of the wedge, and the length of the separation zone increases rapidly with increasing wedge length. Previously announced in STAR as N82-26707

Factors limiting the domestic density of Triatoma infestans in north-west Argentina: a longitudinal study.

PubMed Central

Cecere, M. C.; Gürtler, R. E.; Chuit, R.; Cohen, J. E.

1998-01-01

Reported are the environmental and demographic risk factors associated with the domestic infestation and density of Triatoma infestans in three heavily infested rural villages in Santiago del Estero Province, Argentina. In a one-factor unadjusted analysis, the number of T. infestans captured per person-hour was associated significantly and negatively with the use of domestic insecticides by householders, type of thatch used in the roofs and the age of the house; and positively with the following: degree of cracking of the indoor walls and presence of hens nesting indoors. In one model, using multiple linear regression and a backward stepwise elimination procedure, most of the variation in the overall abundance of T. infestans was explained by insecticide use and the presence of hens nesting indoors; in another model using the same procedure it was explained by insecticide use, bug density in 1988 and previous spraying with deltamethrin in 1985. Variations in bug density per capture stratum (household goods, beds, walls and roof) were explained by the bug density in other strata and by one or two of the following risk factors: hens nesting indoors, type of roof, presence of cracks in the walls and number of people living in the house. Bug density might be locally controlled by the availability of refuges in the roofs and walls, by the presence of hens nesting indoors and by the use of domestic insecticides. Certain local materials, such as a grass known as simbol, could be successfully used in rural housing improvement programmes aimed at reducing the availability of refuges for insects in the roof. PMID:9803588

Factors limiting the domestic density of Triatoma infestans in north-west Argentina: a longitudinal study.

PubMed

Cecere, M C; Gürtler, R E; Chuit, R; Cohen, J E

1998-01-01

Reported are the environmental and demographic risk factors associated with the domestic infestation and density of Triatoma infestans in three heavily infested rural villages in Santiago del Estero Province, Argentina. In a one-factor unadjusted analysis, the number of T. infestans captured per person-hour was associated significantly and negatively with the use of domestic insecticides by householders, type of thatch used in the roofs and the age of the house; and positively with the following: degree of cracking of the indoor walls and presence of hens nesting indoors. In one model, using multiple linear regression and a backward stepwise elimination procedure, most of the variation in the overall abundance of T. infestans was explained by insecticide use and the presence of hens nesting indoors; in another model using the same procedure it was explained by insecticide use, bug density in 1988 and previous spraying with deltamethrin in 1985. Variations in bug density per capture stratum (household goods, beds, walls and roof) were explained by the bug density in other strata and by one or two of the following risk factors: hens nesting indoors, type of roof, presence of cracks in the walls and number of people living in the house. Bug density might be locally controlled by the availability of refuges in the roofs and walls, by the presence of hens nesting indoors and by the use of domestic insecticides. Certain local materials, such as a grass known as simbol, could be successfully used in rural housing improvement programmes aimed at reducing the availability of refuges for insects in the roof.

Residual strength of thin panels with cracks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Madenci, Erdogan

1994-01-01

The previous design philosophies involving safe life, fail-safe and damage tolerance concepts become inadequate for assuring the safety of aging aircraft structures. For example, the failure mechanism for the Aloha Airline accident involved the coalescence of undetected small cracks at the rivet holes causing a section of the fuselage to peel open during flight. Therefore, the fuselage structure should be designed to have sufficient residual strength under worst case crack configurations and in-flight load conditions. Residual strength is interpreted as the maximum load carrying capacity prior to unstable crack growth. Internal pressure and bending moment constitute the two major components of the external loads on the fuselage section during flight. Although the stiffeners in the form of stringers, frames and tear straps sustain part of the external loads, the significant portion of the load is taken up by the skin. In the presence of a large crack in the skin, the crack lips bulge out with considerable yielding; thus, the geometric and material nonlinearities must be included in the analysis for predicting residual strength. Also, these nonlinearities do not permit the decoupling of in-plane and out-of-plane bending deformations. The failure criterion combining the concepts of absorbed specific energy and strain energy density addresses the aforementioned concerns. The critical absorbed specific energy (local toughness) for the material is determined from the global specimen response and deformation geometry based on the uniaxial tensile test data and detailed finite element modeling of the specimen response. The use of the local toughness and stress-strain response at the continuum level eliminates the size effect. With this critical parameter and stress-strain response, the finite element analysis of the component by using STAGS along with the application of this failure criterion provides the stable crack growth calculations for residual strength predictions.

Synchrotron x-ray microtomography of the interior microstructure of chocolate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lügger, Svenja K.; Wilde, Fabian; Dülger, Nihan; Reinke, Lennart M.; Kozhar, Sergii; Beckmann, Felix; Greving, Imke; Vieira, Josélio; Heinrich, Stefan; Palzer, Stefan

2016-10-01

The structure of chocolate, a multicomponent food product, was analyzed using microtomography. Chocolate consists of a semi-solid cocoa butter matrix and a dense network of suspended particles. A detailed analysis of the microstructure is needed to understand mass transport phenomena. Transport of lipids from e.g. a filling or liquid cocoa butter is responsible for major problems in the confectionery industry such as formation of chocolate bloom, which is the formation of visible white spots or a grayish haze on the chocolate surface and leads to consumer rejections and thus large sales losses for the confectionery industry. In this study it was possible to visualize the inner structure of chocolate and clearly distinguish the particles from the continuous phase by taking advantage of the high density contrast of synchrotron radiation. Consequently, particle arrangement and cracks within the sample were made visible. The cracks are several micrometers thick and propagate throughout the entire sample. Images of pure cocoa butter, chocolate without any particles, did not show any cracks and thus confirmed that cracks are a result of embedded particles. They arise during the manufacturing process. Thus, the solidification process, a critical manufacturing step, was simulated with finite element methods in order to understand crack formation during this step. The simulation showed that cracks arise because of significant contraction of cocoa butter, the matrix phase, without any major change of volume of the suspended particles. Tempering of the chocolate mass prior to solidification is another critical step for a good product quality. We found that samples which solidified in an uncontrolled manner are less homogeneous than tempered samples. In summary, our study visualized for the first time the inner microstructure of tempered and untempered cocoa butter as well as chocolate without sample destruction and revealed cracks, which might act as transport pathways.

Experimental study of ELM-like heat loading on beryllium under ITER operational conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spilker, B.; Linke, J.; Pintsuk, G.; Wirtz, M.

2016-02-01

The experimental fusion reactor ITER, currently under construction in Cadarache, France, is transferring the nuclear fusion research to the power plant scale. ITER’s first wall (FW), armoured by beryllium, is subjected to high steady state and transient power loads. Transient events like edge localized modes not only deposit power densities of up to 1.0 GW m-2 for 0.2-0.5 ms in the divertor of the machine, but also affect the FW to a considerable extent. Therefore, a detailed study was performed, in which transient power loads with absorbed power densities of up to 1.0 GW m-2 were applied by the electron beam facility JUDITH 1 on beryllium specimens at base temperatures of up to 300 °C. The induced damage was evaluated by means of scanning electron microscopy and laser profilometry. As a result, the observed damage was highly dependent on the base temperatures and absorbed power densities. In addition, five different classes of damage, ranging from ‘no damage’ to ‘crack network plus melting’, were defined and used to locate the damage, cracking, and melting thresholds within the tested parameter space.

Predicting the 3D fatigue crack growth rate of small cracks using multimodal data via Bayesian networks: In-situ experiments and crystal plasticity simulations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rovinelli, Andrea; Sangid, Michael D.; Proudhon, Henry

Small crack propagation accounts for most of the fatigue life of engineering structures subject to high cycle fatigue loading conditions. Determining the fatigue crack growth rate of small cracks propagating into polycrystalline engineering alloys is critical to improving fatigue life predictions, thus lowering cost and increasing safety. In this work, cycle-by-cycle data of a small crack propagating in a beta metastable titanium alloy is available via phase and diffraction contrast tomography. Crystal plasticity simulations are used to supplement experimental data regarding the micromechanical fields ahead of the crack tip. Experimental and numerical results are combined into a multimodal dataset andmore » sampled utilizing a non-local data mining procedure. Furthermore, to capture the propensity of body-centered cubic metals to deform according to the pencil-glide model, a non-local driving force is postulated. The proposed driving force serves as the basis to construct a data-driven probabilistic crack propagation framework using Bayesian networks as building blocks. The spatial correlation between the postulated driving force and experimental observations is obtained by analyzing the results of the proposed framework. Results show that the above correlation increases proportionally to the distance from the crack front until the edge of the plastic zone. Moreover, the predictions of the propagation framework show good agreement with experimental observations. Finally, we studied the interaction of a small crack with grain boundaries (GBs) utilizing various slip transmission criteria, revealing the tendency of a crack to cross a GB by propagating along the slip directions minimizing the residual Burgers vector within the GB.« less

Predicting the 3D fatigue crack growth rate of small cracks using multimodal data via Bayesian networks: In-situ experiments and crystal plasticity simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rovinelli, Andrea; Sangid, Michael D.; Proudhon, Henry; Guilhem, Yoann; Lebensohn, Ricardo A.; Ludwig, Wolfgang

2018-06-01

Small crack propagation accounts for most of the fatigue life of engineering structures subject to high cycle fatigue loading conditions. Determining the fatigue crack growth rate of small cracks propagating into polycrystalline engineering alloys is critical to improving fatigue life predictions, thus lowering cost and increasing safety. In this work, cycle-by-cycle data of a small crack propagating in a beta metastable titanium alloy is available via phase and diffraction contrast tomography. Crystal plasticity simulations are used to supplement experimental data regarding the micromechanical fields ahead of the crack tip. Experimental and numerical results are combined into a multimodal dataset and sampled utilizing a non-local data mining procedure. Furthermore, to capture the propensity of body-centered cubic metals to deform according to the pencil-glide model, a non-local driving force is postulated. The proposed driving force serves as the basis to construct a data-driven probabilistic crack propagation framework using Bayesian networks as building blocks. The spatial correlation between the postulated driving force and experimental observations is obtained by analyzing the results of the proposed framework. Results show that the above correlation increases proportionally to the distance from the crack front until the edge of the plastic zone. Moreover, the predictions of the propagation framework show good agreement with experimental observations. Finally, we studied the interaction of a small crack with grain boundaries (GBs) utilizing various slip transmission criteria, revealing the tendency of a crack to cross a GB by propagating along the slip directions minimizing the residual Burgers vector within the GB.

Predicting the 3D fatigue crack growth rate of small cracks using multimodal data via Bayesian networks: In-situ experiments and crystal plasticity simulations

DOE PAGES

Rovinelli, Andrea; Sangid, Michael D.; Proudhon, Henry; ...

2018-03-11

Small crack propagation accounts for most of the fatigue life of engineering structures subject to high cycle fatigue loading conditions. Determining the fatigue crack growth rate of small cracks propagating into polycrystalline engineering alloys is critical to improving fatigue life predictions, thus lowering cost and increasing safety. In this work, cycle-by-cycle data of a small crack propagating in a beta metastable titanium alloy is available via phase and diffraction contrast tomography. Crystal plasticity simulations are used to supplement experimental data regarding the micromechanical fields ahead of the crack tip. Experimental and numerical results are combined into a multimodal dataset andmore » sampled utilizing a non-local data mining procedure. Furthermore, to capture the propensity of body-centered cubic metals to deform according to the pencil-glide model, a non-local driving force is postulated. The proposed driving force serves as the basis to construct a data-driven probabilistic crack propagation framework using Bayesian networks as building blocks. The spatial correlation between the postulated driving force and experimental observations is obtained by analyzing the results of the proposed framework. Results show that the above correlation increases proportionally to the distance from the crack front until the edge of the plastic zone. Moreover, the predictions of the propagation framework show good agreement with experimental observations. Finally, we studied the interaction of a small crack with grain boundaries (GBs) utilizing various slip transmission criteria, revealing the tendency of a crack to cross a GB by propagating along the slip directions minimizing the residual Burgers vector within the GB.« less

Role of transient water pressure in quarrying: A subglacial experiment using acoustic emissions

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cohen, D.; Hooyer, T.S.; Iverson, N.R.; Thomason, J.F.; Jackson, M.

2006-01-01

Probably the most important mechanism of glacial erosion is quarrying: the growth and coalescence of cracks in subglacial bedrock and dislodgement of resultant rock fragments. Although evidence indicates that erosion rates depend on sliding speed, rates of crack growth in bedrock may be enhanced by changing stresses on the bed caused by fluctuating basal water pressure in zones of ice-bed separation. To study quarrying in real time, a granite step, 12 cm high with a crack in its stoss surface, was installed at the bed of Engabreen, Norway. Acoustic emission sensors monitored crack growth events in the step as ice slid over it. Vertical stresses, water pressure, and cavity height in the lee of the step were also measured. Water was pumped to the lee of the step several times over 8 days. Pumping initially caused opening of a leeward cavity, which then closed after pumping was stopped and water pressure decreased. During cavity closure, acoustic emissions emanating mostly from the vicinity of the base of the crack in the step increased dramatically. With repeated pump tests this crack grew with time until the step's lee surface was quarried. Our experiments indicate that fluctuating water pressure caused stress thresholds required for crack growth to be exceeded. Natural basal water pressure fluctuations should also concentrate stresses on rock steps, increasing rates of crack growth. Stress changes on the bed due to water pressure fluctuations will increase in magnitude and duration with cavity size, which may help explain the effect of sliding speed on erosion rates. Copyright 2006 by the American Geophysical Union.

The creep and intergranular cracking behavior of Ni-Cr-Fe-C alloys in 360{degree}C water

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Angeliu, T.M.; Paraventi, D.J.; Was, G.S.

1995-09-01

Mechanical testing of controlled-purity Ni-xCr-9Fe-yC alloys at 360 C revealed an environmental enhancement in IG cracking and time-dependent deformation in high purity and primary water over that exhibited in argon. Dimples on the IG facets indicate a creep void nucleation and growth failure mode. IG cracking was primarily located at the interior of the specimen and not necessarily linked to direct contact with the environment. Controlled potential CERT experiments showed increases in IG cracking as the applied potential decreased, suggesting that hydrogen is detrimental to the mechanical properties. It is proposed that the environment, through the presence of hydrogen, enhancesmore » IG cracking by enhancing the matrix dislocation mobility. This is based on observations that dislocation-controlled creep controls the IG cracking of controlled-purity Ni-xCr-9Fe-yC in argon at 360 C and grain boundary cavitation and sliding results that show the environmental enhancement of the creep rate is primarily due to an increase in matrix plastic deformation. However, controlled potential CLT experiments did not exhibit a change in the creep rate as the applied potential decreased. While this does not clearly support hydrogen assisted creep, the material may already be saturated with hydrogen at these applied potentials and thus no effect was realized. Chromium and carbon decrease the IG cracking in high purity and primary water by increasing the creep resistance. The surface film does not play a significant role in the creep or IG cracking behavior under the conditions investigated.« less

Creep and intergranular cracking behavior of nickel-chromium-iron-carbon alloys in 360 C water

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Angeliu, T.M.; Paraventi, D.J.; Was, G.S.

1995-11-01

Mechanical testing of controlled-purity Ni-x% Cr-9% Fe-y% C alloys at 360 C revealed an environmental enhancement in intergranular (IG) cracking and time-dependent deformation in high-purity (HP) and primary water (PW) over that exhibited in argon. Dimples on the IG facets indicated a creep void nucleation and growth failure mode. IG cracking was located primarily in the interior of the specimen and was not necessarily linked to the environment. Controlled-potential constant extension rate tensile (CERT) experiments showed increases in IG cracking as the applied potential decreased, suggesting that hydrogen was detrimental to the mechanical properties. It was proposed that the environment,more » through the presence of hydrogen, enhanced IG cracking by enhancing the matrix dislocation mobility. This conclusion was based on observations that dislocation creep controlled IG cracking of controlled-purity Ni-x% Cr-9% Fe-y% C in argon at 360 C. Grain-boundary cavitation (GBC) and sliding (GBS) results showed environmental enhancement of the creep rate primarily resulted from an increase in matrix plastic deformation. However, controlled-potential constant load tensile (CLT) experiments did not indicate a change in the creep rate as the applied potential decreased. While this result did not support hydrogen-assisted creep, the material already may have been saturated with hydrogen at these applied potentials, and thus, no effect was realized. Chromium and carbon decreased IG cracking in HP and PW by increasing the creep resistance. The surface film did not play a significant role in the creep or IG cracking behavior under the conditions investigated.« less

Damage, crack growth and fracture characteristics of nuclear grade graphite using the Double Torsion technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Becker, T. H.; Marrow, T. J.; Tait, R. B.

2011-07-01

The crack initiation and propagation characteristics of two medium grained polygranular graphites, nuclear block graphite (NBG10) and Gilsocarbon (GCMB grade) graphite, have been studied using the Double Torsion (DT) technique. The DT technique allows stable crack propagation and easy crack tip observation of such brittle materials. The linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) methodology of the DT technique was adapted for elastic-plastic fracture mechanics (EPFM) in conjunction with a methodology for directly calculating the J-integral from in-plane displacement fields (JMAN) to account for the non-linearity of graphite deformation. The full field surface displacement measurement techniques of electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) and digital image correlation (DIC) were used to observe and measure crack initiation and propagation. Significant micro-cracking in the fracture process zone (FPZ) was observed as well as crack bridging in the wake of the crack tip. The R-curve behaviour was measured to determine the critical J-integral for crack propagation in both materials. Micro-cracks tended to nucleate at pores, causing deflection of the crack path. Rising R-curve behaviour was observed, which is attributed to the formation of the FPZ, while crack bridging and distributed micro-cracks are responsible for the increase in fracture resistance. Each contributes around 50% of the irreversible energy dissipation in both graphites.

The fracture characteristic of three collinear cracks under true triaxial compression.

PubMed

Liu, Jianjun; Zhu, Zheming; Wang, Bo

2014-01-01

The mechanical behavior of multicracks under compression has become a very important project in the field of fracture mechanics and rock mechanics. In this paper, experimental and numerical studies on the fracture property of three collinear cracks under compression were implemented. The specimens were a square concrete plate, and the cracks were made by a very thin film. The tests were conducted by using true triaxial loading device. In the numerical study, the Abaqus code was employed. The effect of crack orientation and the confining stress on cracked specimen compressive strength were investigated. The results show that the critical stresses of cracked specimens change with crack inclination angles, and, as the angle is 45°, the critical stress is the lowest; the critical stresses increase with the confining stresses.

The Fracture Characteristic of Three Collinear Cracks under True Triaxial Compression

PubMed Central

Liu, Jianjun; Zhu, Zheming; Wang, Bo

2014-01-01

The mechanical behavior of multicracks under compression has become a very important project in the field of fracture mechanics and rock mechanics. In this paper, experimental and numerical studies on the fracture property of three collinear cracks under compression were implemented. The specimens were a square concrete plate, and the cracks were made by a very thin film. The tests were conducted by using true triaxial loading device. In the numerical study, the Abaqus code was employed. The effect of crack orientation and the confining stress on cracked specimen compressive strength were investigated. The results show that the critical stresses of cracked specimens change with crack inclination angles, and, as the angle is 45°, the critical stress is the lowest; the critical stresses increase with the confining stresses. PMID:24790569

Effect of flaw size and temperature on the matrix cracking behavior of a brittle ceramic matrix composite

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Anandakumar, U.; Webb, J.E.; Singh, R.N.

The matrix cracking behavior of a zircon matrix - uniaxial SCS 6 fiber composite was studied as a function of initial flaw size and temperature. The composites were fabricated by a tape casting and hot pressing technique. Surface flaws of controlled size were introduced using a vicker`s indenter. The composite samples were tested in three point flexure at three different temperatures to study the non steady state and steady state matrix cracking behavior. The composite samples exhibited steady state and non steady matrix cracking behavior at all temperatures. The steady state matrix cracking stress and steady state crack size increasedmore » with increasing temperature. The results of the study correlated well with the results predicted by the matrix cracking models.« less

Comparison of the microstructure, deformation and crack initiation behavior of austenitic stainless steel irradiated in-reactor or with protons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stephenson, Kale J.; Was, Gary S.

2015-01-01

The objective of this study was to compare the microstructures, microchemistry, hardening, susceptibility to IASCC initiation, and deformation behavior resulting from proton or reactor irradiation. Two commercial purity and six high purity austenitic stainless steels with various solute element additions were compared. Samples of each alloy were irradiated in the BOR-60 fast reactor at 320 °C to doses between approximately 4 and 12 dpa or by a 3.2 MeV proton beam at 360 °C to a dose of 5.5 dpa. Irradiated microstructures consisted mainly of dislocation loops, which were similar in size but lower in density after proton irradiation. Both irradiation types resulted in the formation of Ni-Si rich precipitates in a high purity alloy with added Si, but several other high purity neutron irradiated alloys showed precipitation that was not observed after proton irradiation, likely due to their higher irradiation dose. Low densities of small voids were observed in several high purity proton irradiated alloys, and even lower densities in neutron irradiated alloys, implying void nucleation was in process. Elemental segregation at grain boundaries was very similar after each irradiation type. Constant extension rate tensile experiments on the alloys in simulated light water reactor environments showed excellent agreement in terms of the relative amounts of intergranular cracking, and an analysis of localized deformation after straining showed a similar response of cracking to surface step height after both irradiation types. Overall, excellent agreement was observed after proton and reactor irradiation, providing additional evidence that proton irradiation is a useful tool for accelerated testing of irradiation effects in austenitic stainless steel.

Effect of Mechanical Heterogeneity on the Crack Driving Force of a Reactor Pressure Vessel Outlet Nozzle DMW Joint

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lingyan, Zhao; Yinghao, Cui; He, Xue

2017-12-01

The welding mechanical heterogeneity, load complexity, material and geometrical structure makes it very difficult to assess the structural integrity of dissimilar metal weld (DMW) joints. Based on a numerical simulated approach of the continuous change of material mechanical property in the buttering layer, a reactor pressure vessel (RPV) outlet nozzle DMW joint with service loads is studied, effect of mechanical heterogeneity on the stress-strain field and stress triaxiality at the semi-elliptical surface crack front are discussed. The analyses show that once the crack extends into the high hardness zone of Alloy 182 buttering, the strain decreases sharply, the strain gradient increases and the crack propagation slows down. The influence of strength mismatch on the stress triaxiality at the shallow crack front is greater than that at the deep crack front. The interaction between strength mismatch and crack depth directly affects the crack growth direction.

The influence of temperature on fatigue-crack growth in a mill annealed Ti-6Al-4V alloy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wei, R. P.; Ritter, D. L.

1972-01-01

To understand the influence temperature on the rate of fatigue crack growth in high strength metal alloys, constant load amplitude, fatigue crack growth experiments were carried out using a 1/4-inch-thick (6.35 mm) mill annealed Ti-6Al-4V alloy plate as a model material. The rates of fatigue crack growth were determined as a function of temperature, ranging from room temperature to about 290 C (or, about 550 F/563K) and as a function of the crack tip stress intensity factor in a dehumidified high purity argon environment. Limited correlative experiments indicate that dehumidified oxygen and hydrogen have no effect on the rate of fatigue crack growth in this alloy, while distilled water increased the rate of crack growth slightly in the range tested. Companion fractographic examinations suggest that the mechanisms for fatigue crack growth in the various environments are essentially the same.

Statistical investigation of fatigue crack initiation and growth around chamfered rivet holes in Alclad 2024 T3 as affected by corrosion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fadragas, M. I.; Fine, M. E.; Moran, B.

1994-01-01

In panel specimens with rivet holes cracks initiate in the blunted knife edge of the chamfered rivet hole and propagate inward as well as along the hole. The fatigue lifetime to dominant crack information was defined as the number of cycles, N500 micrometer, to formation of a 500 micrometer long crack. Statistical data on N500 micrometer and on crack propagation after N500 micrometer were obtained for a large number of uncorroded specimens and specimens corroded in an ASTM B 117 salt spray. Considerable variation in N500 micrometer and crack propagation behavior was observed from specimen to specimen of the same nominal geometry with chamfered rivet holes increased the probability for both early formation and later formation of a propagating 500 micrometer fatigue crack. The growth of fatigue cracks after 500 micrometer size was little affected by prior salt spray.

Fatigue crack growth at elevated temperature 316 stainless steel and H-13 steel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, W. C.; Liu, H. W.

1976-01-01

Crack growths were measured at elevated temperatures under four types of loading: pp, pc, cp, and cc. In H-13 steel, all these four types of loading gave nearly the same crack growth rates, and the length of hold time had negligible effects. In AISI 316 stainless steel, the hold time effects on crack growth rate were negligible if the loading was tension-tension type; however, these effects were significant in reversed bending load, and the crack growth rates under these four types of loading varied considerably. Both tensile and compressive hold times caused increased crack growth rate, but the compressive hold period was more deleterious than the tensile one. Metallographic examination showed that all the crack paths under different types of loading were largely transgranular for both CTS tension-tension specimens and SEN reversed cantilever bending specimens. In addition, an electric potential technique was used to monitor crack growth at elevated temperature.

Crack identification for reinforced concrete using PZT based smart rebar active sensing diagnostic network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, N. N.; Wu, F.

2016-04-01

An active sensing diagnostic system using PZT based smart rebar for SHM of RC structure has been currently under investigation. Previous test results showed that the system could detect the de-bond of concrete from reinforcement, and the diagnostic signals were increased exponentially with the de-bonding size. Previous study also showed that the smart rebar could function well like regular reinforcement to undertake tension stresses. In this study, a smart rebar network has been used to detect the crack damage of concrete based on guided waves. Experimental test has been carried out for the study. In the test, concrete beams with 2 reinforcements have been built. 8 sets of PZT elements were mounted onto the reinforcement bars in an optimized way to form an active sensing diagnostic system. A 90 kHz 5-cycle Hanning-windowed tone burst was used as input. Multiple cracks have been generated on the concrete structures. Through the guided bulk waves propagating in the structures from actuators and sensors mounted from different bars, crack damage could be detected clearly. Cases for both single and multiple cracks were tested. Different crack depths from the surface and different crack numbers have been studied. Test result shows that the amplitude of sensor output signals is deceased linearly with a propagating crack, and is decreased exponentially with increased crack numbers. From the study, the active sensing diagnostic system using PZT based smart rebar network shows a promising way to provide concrete crack damage information through the "talk" among sensors.

Intrinsic Origins of Crack Generation in Ni-rich LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 Layered Oxide Cathode Material.

PubMed

Lim, Jin-Myoung; Hwang, Taesoon; Kim, Duho; Park, Min-Sik; Cho, Kyeongjae; Cho, Maenghyo

2017-01-03

Ni-rich LiNi 0.8 Co 0.1 Mn 0.1 O 2 layered oxide cathodes have been highlighted for large-scale energy applications due to their high energy density. Although its specific capacity is enhanced at higher voltages as Ni ratio increases, its structural degradation due to phase transformations and lattice distortions during cycling becomes severe. For these reasons, we focused on the origins of crack generation from phase transformations and structural distortions in Ni-rich LiNi 0.8 Co 0.1 Mn 0.1 O 2 using multiscale approaches, from first-principles to meso-scale phase-field model. Atomic-scale structure analysis demonstrated that opposite changes in the lattice parameters are observed until the inverse Li content x = 0.75; then, structure collapses due to complete extraction of Li from between transition metal layers. Combined-phase investigations represent the highest phase barrier and steepest chemical potential after x = 0.75, leading to phase transformations to highly Li-deficient phases with an inactive character. Abrupt phase transformations with heterogeneous structural collapse after x = 0.81 (~220 mAh g -1 ) were identified in the nanodomain. Further, meso-scale strain distributions show around 5% of anisotropic contraction with lower critical energy release rates, which cause not only micro-crack generations of secondary particles on the interfaces between the contracted primary particles, but also mechanical instability of primary particles from heterogeneous strain changes.

Catalytic cracking of a Wilmington vacuum oil gas and selected hydrotreated products: Topical report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wells, J.W.; Zagula, E.J.

1987-05-01

The catalytic cracking of a Wilmington vacuum gas oil and the products from mild hydrotreating and severe hydrotreating of this gas oil was evaluated over a low metal equilibrium catalyst in a microconfined bed unit (MCBU). Two levels of catalytic cracking severity were evaluated for these three samples. The performance and product analysis showed that hydrotreating improves the quality of catalytic cracker feedstock and the resultant products. The results also indicated that a level of hydrotreating exists above which the quality of the liquid products and the yields of coke and heavy oil are not affected significantly by the severitymore » of the catalytic cracking process. As expected, the sulfur and nitrogen content of the liquid products (gasolines, light cycle oil, and heavy cycle oil) were found to decrease as the severity of the feed hydrotreating increased. The distribution of sulfur and nitrogen in the liquid products was found to be independent of cracking conditions or product yields for a given level of hydrogenation. Analysis of the gas products shows that the degree of hydrogen transfer increases with the severity of hydrogenation. As cracking severity increases, the apparent degree of hydrogen transfer decreases, and the concentration of olefinic compounds increases relative to the saturated compounds. In the future, these results will be compared to similar results from a Mayan vacuum gas oil. 10 refs., 17 figs., 10 tabs.« less

Brittle Fracture Mechanics of Snow : In Situ Testing and Distinct Element Modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faillettaz, J.; Daudon, D.; Louchet, F.

A snow slab avalanche release usually results from the rupture of the snow cover at the interface between an upper layer (slab) and an underlying substrate. Amazingly, the models proposed so far to predict this kind of rupture were only based on continuum mechanics, as they did not take into account the existing cracks or cohesion defects at the interface between the two layers, and their possible unstable propagation that eventually triggers the avalanche. This is why the present work, essentially devoted to human triggered avalanches, is based instead on Griffith's fracture approach, widely used in modelling brittle fracture of materials. The possible rupture scenario involves a propagation in a shear mode of a "basal crack" nucleated and gradually grown at the interface by the skier's weight, followed by a mode I opening and propagation of a "crown crack" at the top of the sheared zone. Different avalanche sizes are predicted according whether the basal crack propagation reaches or not the Griffith's instabil- ity size before crown crack opening (Louchet 2000). Accurate predictions therefore require a precise knowledge of snow toughness values in both modes. A theoretical estimation of toughness considering snow as an ice foam was proposed by Kirchner and Michot (2000), but the question of whether these results may be extended to an assembly of sintered grains is still open. A mode I toughness measurement of snow was also published for the first time by Kirchner and Michot on samples gathered in the Vosges range. In the present work, we developed an experimental set similar to Michot's, in order to measure mode I toughness: a vertical crack of increasing size is gradually machined from the top surface in an horizontal snow beam until failure takes place under its own weight. The toughness value is computed from the snow weight and the crack length at the onset of rapid crack propagation. A similar device was designed for mode II testing, but is still under development. The experimental cam- paign carried out in the Alps during the 2000-2001 winter on homogeneous sintered snow with a density of 200 kg/m3 (typical of a snow slab) gave results of the same or- der of magnitude as Michot's. A numerical modeling of these toughness experiments was performed using a distinct element code, considering snow as a cohesive granu- lar material. Both crack propagation and rupture patterns are in close agreement with experiments. References: Kirchner, Michot, Suzuki 2000 Fracture thoughness of snow in tension 1 Philisophical Magazine A, vol 80,N5, p1265-1272. Louchet 2001,A transition in dry snow slab avalanche triggering modes, Annales de glaciologie, vol 32,Symphosium on Snow, Avalanches and Impact of the Frest Cover, Innsbruck,Austria,22-26 may 2000, p2285-289 2

The failure of brittle materials under overall compression: Effects of loading rate and defect distribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paliwal, Bhasker

The constitutive behaviors and failure processes of brittle materials under far-field compressive loading are studied in this work. Several approaches are used: experiments to study the compressive failure behavior of ceramics, design of experimental techniques by means of finite element simulations, and the development of micro-mechanical damage models to analyze and predict mechanical response of brittle materials under far-field compression. Experiments have been conducted on various ceramics, (primarily on a transparent polycrystalline ceramic, aluminum oxynitride or AlON) under loading rates ranging from quasi-static (˜ 5X10-6) to dynamic (˜ 200 MPa/mus), using a servo-controlled hydraulic test machine and a modified compression Kolsky bar (MKB) technique respectively. High-speed photography has also been used with exposure times as low as 20 ns to observe the dynamic activation, growth and coalescence of cracks and resulting damage zones in the specimen. The photographs were correlated in time with measurements of the stresses in the specimen. Further, by means of 3D finite element simulations, an experimental technique has been developed to impose a controlled, homogeneous, planar confinement in the specimen. The technique can be used in conjunction with a high-speed camera to study the in situ dynamic failure behavior of materials under confinement. AlON specimens are used for the study. The statically pre-compressed specimen is subjected to axial dynamic compressive loading using the MKB. Results suggest that confinement not only increases the load carrying capacity, it also results in a non-linear stress evolution in the material. High-speed photographs also suggest an inelastic deformation mechanism in AlON under confinement which evolves more slowly than the typical brittle-cracking type of damage in the unconfined case. Next, an interacting micro-crack damage model is developed that explicitly accounts for the interaction among the micro-cracks in brittle materials. The model incorporates pre-existing defect distributions and a crack growth law. The damage is defined as a scalar parameter which is a function of the micro-crack density, the evolution of which is a function of the existing defect distribution and the crack growth dynamics. A specific case of a uniaxial compressive loading under constant strain-rate has been studied to predict the effects of the strain-rate, defect distribution and the crack growth dynamics on the constitutive response and failure behavior of brittle materials. Finally, the effects of crack growth dynamics on the strain-rate sensitivity of brittle materials are studied with the help of the micro-mechanical damage model. The results are compared with the experimentally observed damage evolution and the rate-sensitive behavior of the compressive strength of several engineering ceramics. The dynamic failure of armor-grade hot-pressed boron carbide (B 4C) under loading rates of ˜ 5X10-6 to 200 MPa/mus is also discussed.

Gear Crack Propagation Path Studies-- Guidelines Developed for Ultrasafe Design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lewicki, David G.

2002-01-01

Effective gear designs balance strength, durability, reliability, size, weight, and cost. However, unexpected gear failures may occur even with adequate gear tooth design. To design an extremely safe system, the designer must ask and address the question "What happens when a failure occurs?" With regard to gear-tooth bending fatigue, tooth or rim fractures may occur. For aircraft, a crack that propagated through a rim would be catastrophic, leading to the disengagement of a rotor or propeller, the loss of an aircraft, and possible fatalities. This failure mode should be avoided. However, a crack that propagated through a tooth might or might not be catastrophic, depending on the design and operating conditions. Also, early warning of this failure mode might be possible because of advances in modern diagnostic systems. An analysis was performed at the NASA Glenn Research Center to develop design guidelines to prevent catastrophic rim fracture failure modes in the event of gear-tooth bending fatigue. The finite element method was used with principles of linear elastic fracture mechanics. Crack propagation paths were predicted for a variety of gear tooth and rim configurations. The effects of rim and web thicknesses, initial crack locations, and gear-tooth geometry factors such as diametral pitch, number of teeth, pitch radius, and tooth pressure angle were considered. Design maps of tooth and rim fracture modes, including the effects of gear geometry, applied load, crack size, and material properties were developed. The occurrence of rim fractures significantly increased as the backup ratio (rim thickness divided by tooth height) decreased. The occurrence of rim fractures also increased as the initial crack location was moved down the root of the tooth. Increased rim and web compliance increased the occurrence of rim fractures. For gears with constant-pitch radii, coarser-pitch teeth increased the occurrence of tooth fractures over rim fractures. Also, 25 degree pressure angle teeth increased the occurrence of tooth fractures over rim fractures in comparison to 20 pressure angle teeth. For gears with a constant number of teeth or for gears with constant diametral pitch, varying size had little or no effect on crack propagation paths.

Growth of surface and corner cracks in beta-processed and mill-annealed Ti-6Al-4V

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bell, P. D.

1975-01-01

Empirical stress-intensity expressions were developed to relate the growth of cracks from corner flaws to the growth of cracks from surface flaws. An experimental program using beta-processed Ti-6Al-4V verified these expressions for stress ratios, R greater than or equal to 0. An empirical crack growth-rate expression which included stress-ratio and stress-level effects was also developed. Cracks grew approximately 10 percent faster in transverse-grain material than in longitudinal-grain material and at approximately the same rate in longitudinal-grain mill-annealed Ti-6Al-4V. Specimens having surface and corner cracks and made of longitudinal-grain, beta-processed material were tested with block loads, and increasing the stresses in a block did not significantly change the crack growth rates. Truncation of the basic ascending stress sequence within a block caused more rapid crack growth, whereas both the descending and low-to-high stress sequences slowed crack growth.

78 FR 26286 - Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-06

... inspections for cracking of the overwing frames, and corrective actions if necessary. That NPRM was prompted by multiple reports of cracks of overwing frames. This action revises that NPRM by revising the... cracking, which could sever a frame and increase the loading of adjacent frames, and could result in damage...

A Continuum-Atomistic Analysis of Transgranular Crack Propagation in Aluminum

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yamakov, V.; Saether, E.; Glaessgen, E.

2009-01-01

A concurrent multiscale modeling methodology that embeds a molecular dynamics (MD) region within a finite element (FEM) domain is used to study plastic processes at a crack tip in a single crystal of aluminum. The case of mode I loading is studied. A transition from deformation twinning to full dislocation emission from the crack tip is found when the crack plane is rotated around the [111] crystallographic axis. When the crack plane normal coincides with the [112] twinning direction, the crack propagates through a twinning mechanism. When the crack plane normal coincides with the [011] slip direction, the crack propagates through the emission of full dislocations. In intermediate orientations, a transition from full dislocation emission to twinning is found to occur with an increase in the stress intensity at the crack tip. This finding confirms the suggestion that the very high strain rates, inherently present in MD simulations, which produce higher stress intensities at the crack tip, over-predict the tendency for deformation twinning compared to experiments. The present study, therefore, aims to develop a more realistic and accurate predictive modeling of fracture processes.

The fracture criticality of crustal rocks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crampin, Stuart

1994-08-01

The shear-wave splitting observed along almost all shear-wave ray paths in the Earth's crust is interpreted as the effects of stress-aligned fluid-filled cracks, microcracks, and preferentially oriented pore space. Once away from the free surface, where open joints and fractures may lead to strong anisotropy of 10 per cent or greater, intact ostensibly unfractured crustal rock exhibits a limited range of shear-wave splitting from about 1.5 to 4.5 per cent differential shear-wave velocity anisotropy. Interpreting this velocity anisotropy as normalized crack densities, a factor of less than two in crack radius covers the range from the minimum 1.5 per cent anisotropy observed in intact rock to the 10 per cent observed in heavily cracked almost disaggregated near-surface rocks. This narrow range of crack dimensions and the pronounced effect on rock cohesion suggests that there is a state of fracture criticality at some level of anisotropy between 4.5 and 10 per cent marking the boundary between essentially intact, and heavily fractured rock. When the level of fracture criticality is exceeded, cracking is so severe that there is a breakdown in shear strength, the likelihood of progressive fracturing and the dispersal of pore fluids through enhanced permeability. The range of normalized crack dimensions below fracture criticality is so small in intact rock, that any modification to the crack geometry by even minor changes of conditions or minor deformation (particularly in the presence of high pore-fluid pressures) may change rock from being essentially intact (below fracture criticality) to heavily fractured (above fracture criticality). This recognition of the essential compliance of most crustal rocks, and its effect on shear-wave splitting, has implications for monitoring changes in any conditions affecting the rock mass. These include monitoring changes in reservoir evolution during hydrocarbon production and enhanced oil recovery, and in monitoring changes before and after earthquakes, amongst others.

Relationship between architecture, filament breakage and critical current decay in Nb3Sn composite wires repeatedly in-plane bent at room temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Badica, P.; Awaji, S.; Oguro, H.; Nishijima, G.; Watanabe, K.

2006-04-01

Six Nb3Sn composite wires with different architectures ('central and near-the-edge reinforcement') were repeatedly in-plane bent at room temperature (in-plane 'pre-bending'). Breakage behaviour was revealed from scanning electron microscopy observations by semi-quantitative analysis of the filament crack formation and evolution. Cracks are formed in the transversal and longitudinal directions. Transversal cracks show some tolerance to the applied bending strain due to the fact that filaments are composite materials; residual Nb core can arrest development of a partial transversal crack initiated in the Nb3Sn outer part of the filament. Together with the density of cracks C and the evolution of this parameter with pre-bending strain, ɛpb, in different regions of the wire, R-ɛpb curves are important to understand breakage behaviour of the wires. R is the ratio (number of full transversal cracks)/(number of full transversal cracks + number of partial transversal cracks). Parameters C and R allow us to reveal and satisfactorily understand the wire architecture—breakage—critical current decay relationship when pre-bending treatment is applied. As a consequence, breakage criteria necessary to minimize Ic decay were defined and the positive influence of the reinforcement in preventing breakage was observed. It was also found that, in this regard, more Nb in the CuNb reinforcement, for the investigated wires, is better, if the heat treatment for the wire synthesis is performed at 670 °C for 96 h. A different heat treatment, 650 °C for 240 h, is less efficient in preventing filament breakage. Our results suggest the possibility of control and improvement of the breakage susceptibility of the filaments in the wires and, hence, of the bending Ic decay, through the wise design of the wire architecture (i.e. by correlating design with the choice of composing materials and heat treatments).

Catalytic thermal cracking of post-consumer waste plastics to fuels: Part 1 - Kinetics and optimization

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to investigate thermal and catalytic pyrolysis of waste plastics such as prescription bottles (polypropylene/PP), high density polyethylene, landfill liners (polyethylene/PE), packing materials (polystyrene/PS), and foams (polyurethane/PU) into crude plastic...

Notes on Experiments.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Physics Education, 1984

1984-01-01

Describes (1) oil slick interference rings in the laboratory; (2) cracking of glass by impact; (3) multipurpose prism for refractometry and light path demonstrations; and (4) determination of liquid densities and volumes of solid bodies by the reaction force on a vessel. Procedures used and equipment needed are discussed. (JN)

Glass-to-cryogenic-liquid transitions in aqueous solutions suggested by crack healing

PubMed Central

Kim, Chae Un; Tate, Mark W.; Gruner, Sol M.

2015-01-01

Observation of theorized glass-to-liquid transitions between low-density amorphous (LDA) and high-density amorphous (HDA) water states had been stymied by rapid crystallization below the homogeneous water nucleation temperature (∼235 K at 0.1 MPa). We report optical and X-ray observations suggestive of glass-to-liquid transitions in these states. Crack healing, indicative of liquid, occurs when LDA ice transforms to cubic ice at 160 K, and when HDA ice transforms to the LDA state at temperatures as low as 120 K. X-ray diffraction study of the HDA to LDA transition clearly shows the characteristics of a first-order transition. Study of the glass-to-liquid transitions in nanoconfined aqueous solutions shows them to be independent of the solute concentrations, suggesting that they represent an intrinsic property of water. These findings support theories that LDA and HDA ice are thermodynamically distinct and that they are continuously connected to two different liquid states of water. PMID:26351671

Spark Plasma Co-Sintering of Mechanically Milled Tool Steel and High Speed Steel Powders

PubMed Central

Pellizzari, Massimo; Fedrizzi, Anna; Zadra, Mario

2016-01-01

Hot work tool steel (AISI H13) and high speed steel (AISI M3:2) powders were successfully co-sintered to produce hybrid tool steels that have properties and microstructures that can be modulated for specific applications. To promote co-sintering, which is made difficult by the various densification kinetics of the two steels, the particle sizes and structures were refined by mechanical milling (MM). Near full density samples (>99.5%) showing very fine and homogeneous microstructure were obtained using spark plasma sintering (SPS). The density of the blends (20, 40, 60, 80 wt % H13) was in agreement with the linear rule of mixtures. Their hardness showed a positive deviation, which could be ascribed to the strengthening effect of the secondary particles altering the stress distribution during indentation. A toughening of the M3:2-rich blends could be explained in view of the crack deviation and crack arrest exerted by the H13 particles. PMID:28773603

Spark Plasma Co-Sintering of Mechanically Milled Tool Steel and High Speed Steel Powders.

PubMed

Pellizzari, Massimo; Fedrizzi, Anna; Zadra, Mario

2016-06-16

Hot work tool steel (AISI H13) and high speed steel (AISI M3:2) powders were successfully co-sintered to produce hybrid tool steels that have properties and microstructures that can be modulated for specific applications. To promote co-sintering, which is made difficult by the various densification kinetics of the two steels, the particle sizes and structures were refined by mechanical milling (MM). Near full density samples (>99.5%) showing very fine and homogeneous microstructure were obtained using spark plasma sintering (SPS). The density of the blends (20, 40, 60, 80 wt % H13) was in agreement with the linear rule of mixtures. Their hardness showed a positive deviation, which could be ascribed to the strengthening effect of the secondary particles altering the stress distribution during indentation. A toughening of the M3:2-rich blends could be explained in view of the crack deviation and crack arrest exerted by the H13 particles.

Subcritical crack growth in soda-lime glass in combined mode I and mode II loading

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Singh, Dileep; Shetty, Dinesh K.

1990-01-01

Subcritical crack growth under mixed-mode loading was studied in soda-lime glass. Pure mode I, combined mode I and mode II, and pure mode II loadings were achieved in precracked disk specimens by loading in diametral compression at selected angles with respect to the symmetric radial crack. Crack growth was monitored by measuring the resistance changes in a microcircuit grid consisting of parallel, electrically conducting grid lines deposited on the surface of the disk specimens by photolithography. Subcritical crack growth rates in pure mode I, pure mode II, and combined mode I and mode II loading could be described by an exponential relationship between crack growth rate and an effective crack driving force derived from a mode I-mode II fracture toughness envelope. The effective crack driving force was based on an empirical representation of the noncoplanar strain energy release rate. Stress intensities for kinked cracks were assessed using the method of caustics and an initial decrease and a subsequent increase in the subcritical crack growth rates of kinked cracks were shown to correlate with the variations of the mode I and the mode II stress intensities.

Cracking-assisted fabrication of nanoscale patterns for micro/nanotechnological applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Minseok; Kim, Dong-Joo; Ha, Dogyeong; Kim, Taesung

2016-05-01

Cracks are frequently observed in daily life, but they are rarely welcome and are considered as a material failure mode. Interestingly, cracks cause critical problems in various micro/nanofabrication processes such as colloidal assembly, thin film deposition, and even standard photolithography because they are hard to avoid or control. However, increasing attention has been given recently to control and use cracks as a facile, low-cost strategy for producing highly ordered nanopatterns. Specifically, cracking is the breakage of molecular bonds and occurs simultaneously over a large area, enabling fabrication of nanoscale patterns at both high resolution and high throughput, which are difficult to obtain simultaneously using conventional nanofabrication techniques. In this review, we discuss various cracking-assisted nanofabrication techniques, referred to as crack lithography, and summarize the fabrication principles, procedures, and characteristics of the crack patterns such as their position, direction, and dimensions. First, we categorize crack lithography techniques into three technical development levels according to the directional freedom of the crack patterns: randomly oriented, unidirectional, or multidirectional. Then, we describe a wide range of novel practical devices fabricated by crack lithography, including bioassay platforms, nanofluidic devices, nanowire sensors, and even biomimetic mechanosensors.

Biaxial fatigue crack propagation behavior of perfluorosulfonic-acid membranes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Qiang; Shi, Shouwen; Wang, Lei; Chen, Xu; Chen, Gang

2018-04-01

Perfluorosulfonic-acid membranes have long been used as the typical electrolyte for polymer-electrolyte fuel cells, which not only transport proton and water but also serve as barriers to prevent reactants mixing. However, too often the structural integrity of perfluorosulfonic-acid membranes is impaired by membrane thinning or cracks/pinholes formation induced by mechanical and chemical degradations. Despite the increasing number of studies that report crack formation, such as crack size and shape, the underlying mechanism and driving forces have not been well explored. In this paper, the fatigue crack propagation behaviors of Nafion membranes subjected to biaxial loading conditions have been investigated. In particular, the fatigue crack growth rates of flat cracks in responses to different loading conditions are compared, and the impact of transverse stress on fatigue crack growth rate is clarified. In addition, the crack paths for slant cracks under both uniaxial and biaxial loading conditions are discussed, which are similar in geometry to those found after accelerated stress testing of fuel cells. The directions of initial crack propagation are calculated theoretically and compared with experimental observations, which are in good agreement. The findings reported here lays the foundation for understanding of mechanical failure of membranes.

Hydrogen-Induced Delayed Cracking in TRIP-Aided Lean-Alloyed Ferritic-Austenitic Stainless Steels.

PubMed

Papula, Suvi; Sarikka, Teemu; Anttila, Severi; Talonen, Juho; Virkkunen, Iikka; Hänninen, Hannu

2017-06-03

Susceptibility of three lean-alloyed ferritic-austenitic stainless steels to hydrogen-induced delayed cracking was examined, concentrating on internal hydrogen contained in the materials after production operations. The aim was to study the role of strain-induced austenite to martensite transformation in the delayed cracking susceptibility. According to the conducted deep drawing tests and constant load tensile testing, the studied materials seem not to be particularly susceptible to delayed cracking. Delayed cracks were only occasionally initiated in two of the materials at high local stress levels. However, if a delayed crack initiated in a highly stressed location, strain-induced martensite transformation decreased the crack arrest tendency of the austenite phase in a duplex microstructure. According to electron microscopy examination and electron backscattering diffraction analysis, the fracture mode was predominantly cleavage, and cracks propagated along the body-centered cubic (BCC) phases ferrite and α'-martensite. The BCC crystal structure enables fast diffusion of hydrogen to the crack tip area. No delayed cracking was observed in the stainless steel that had high austenite stability. Thus, it can be concluded that the presence of α'-martensite increases the hydrogen-induced cracking susceptibility.

Hydrogen-Induced Delayed Cracking in TRIP-Aided Lean-Alloyed Ferritic-Austenitic Stainless Steels

PubMed Central

Papula, Suvi; Sarikka, Teemu; Anttila, Severi; Talonen, Juho; Virkkunen, Iikka; Hänninen, Hannu

2017-01-01

Susceptibility of three lean-alloyed ferritic-austenitic stainless steels to hydrogen-induced delayed cracking was examined, concentrating on internal hydrogen contained in the materials after production operations. The aim was to study the role of strain-induced austenite to martensite transformation in the delayed cracking susceptibility. According to the conducted deep drawing tests and constant load tensile testing, the studied materials seem not to be particularly susceptible to delayed cracking. Delayed cracks were only occasionally initiated in two of the materials at high local stress levels. However, if a delayed crack initiated in a highly stressed location, strain-induced martensite transformation decreased the crack arrest tendency of the austenite phase in a duplex microstructure. According to electron microscopy examination and electron backscattering diffraction analysis, the fracture mode was predominantly cleavage, and cracks propagated along the body-centered cubic (BCC) phases ferrite and α’-martensite. The BCC crystal structure enables fast diffusion of hydrogen to the crack tip area. No delayed cracking was observed in the stainless steel that had high austenite stability. Thus, it can be concluded that the presence of α’-martensite increases the hydrogen-induced cracking susceptibility. PMID:28772975

Fatigue and mechanical properties of nickel-titanium endodontic instruments.

PubMed

Kuhn, Grégoire; Jordan, Laurence

2002-10-01

Shape memory alloys are increasingly used in superelastic conditions under complex cyclic deformation situations. In these applications, it is very difficult to predict the service life based on the theoretical law. In the present work, fatigue properties of NiTi engine-driven rotary files have been characterized by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and mechanical testing (bending). The DSC technique was used to measure precise transformation. The degree of deformation by bending was studied with combined DSC and mechanical property measurements. In these cold-worked files, the high dislocation density influences the reorientation processes and the crack growth. Some thermal treatments are involved in promoting some changes in the mechanical properties and transformation characteristics. Annealing around 400 degrees C shows good results; the recovery allows a compromise between an adequate density for the R-Phase germination and a low density to limit the brittleness of these instruments. In clinical usage, it is important to consider different canal shapes. It could be proposed that only few cycles of use is safe for very curved canals but to follow the manufacturer's advise for straight canals.

Nonstationary envelope process and first excursion probability

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yang, J.

1972-01-01

A definition of the envelope of nonstationary random processes is proposed. The establishment of the envelope definition makes it possible to simulate the nonstationary random envelope directly. Envelope statistics, such as the density function, joint density function, moment function, and level crossing rate, which are relevent to analyses of catastrophic failure, fatigue, and crack propagation in structures, are derived. Applications of the envelope statistics to the prediction of structural reliability under random loadings are discussed in detail.

Heat-Affected Zone Liquation Cracking Resistance of Friction Stir Processed Aluminum-Copper Alloy AA 2219

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karthik, G. M.; Janaki Ram, G. D.; Kottada, Ravi Sankar

2017-04-01

In the current work, the effect of friction stir processing on heat-affected zone (HAZ) liquation cracking resistance of aluminum-copper alloy AA 2219 was evaluated. In Gleeble hot-ductility tests and longitudinal Varestraint tests, the FSPed material, despite its very fine dynamically recrystallized equiaxed grain structure, showed considerably higher susceptibility to HAZ liquation cracking when compared to the base material. Detailed microstructural studies showed that the increased cracking susceptibility of the FSPed material is due to (i) increase in the amount of liquating θ phase (equilibrium Al2Cu) and (ii) increase in the population of grain boundary θ particles. An important learning from the current work is that, in certain materials like alloy 2219, the use of FSP as a pretreatment to fusion welding can be counterproductive.

Hydroisomerization of n-hexadecane: remarkable selectivity of mesoporous silica post-synthetically modified with aluminum

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sabyrov, Kairat; Musselwhite, Nathan; Melaet, Gérôme

As the impact of acids on catalytically driven chemical transformations is tremendous, fundamental understanding of catalytically relevant factors is essential for the design of more efficient solid acid catalysts. In this work, we employed a post-synthetic doping method to synthesize a highly selective hydroisomerization catalyst and to demonstrate the effect of acid strength and density, catalyst microstructure, and platinum nanoparticle size on the reaction rate and selectivity. Aluminum doped mesoporous silica catalyzed gas-phase n-hexadecane isomerization with remarkably high selectivity to monobranched isomers (~95%), producing a substantially higher amount of isomers than traditional zeolite catalysts. Mildly acidic sites generated by post-syntheticmore » aluminum grafting were found to be the main reason for its high selectivity. The flexibility of the post-synthetic doping method enabled us to systematically explore the effect of the acid site density on the reaction rate and selectivity, which has been extremely difficult to achieve with zeolite catalysts. We found that a higher density of Brønsted acid sites leads to higher cracking of n-hexadecane presumably due to an increased surface residence time. Furthermore, regardless of pore size and microstructure, hydroisomerization turnover frequency linearly increased as a function of Brønsted acid site density. In addition to strength and density of acid sites, platinum nanoparticle size affected catalytic activity and selectivity. The smallest platinum nanoparticles produced the most effective bifunctional catalyst presumably because of higher percolation into aluminum doped mesoporous silica, generating more 'intimate' metallic and acidic sites. Finally, the aluminum doped silica catalyst was shown to retain its remarkable selectivity towards isomers even at increased reaction conversions.« less

Hydroisomerization of n-hexadecane: remarkable selectivity of mesoporous silica post-synthetically modified with aluminum

DOE PAGES

Sabyrov, Kairat; Musselwhite, Nathan; Melaet, Gérôme; ...

2017-01-01

As the impact of acids on catalytically driven chemical transformations is tremendous, fundamental understanding of catalytically relevant factors is essential for the design of more efficient solid acid catalysts. In this work, we employed a post-synthetic doping method to synthesize a highly selective hydroisomerization catalyst and to demonstrate the effect of acid strength and density, catalyst microstructure, and platinum nanoparticle size on the reaction rate and selectivity. Aluminum doped mesoporous silica catalyzed gas-phase n-hexadecane isomerization with remarkably high selectivity to monobranched isomers (~95%), producing a substantially higher amount of isomers than traditional zeolite catalysts. Mildly acidic sites generated by post-syntheticmore » aluminum grafting were found to be the main reason for its high selectivity. The flexibility of the post-synthetic doping method enabled us to systematically explore the effect of the acid site density on the reaction rate and selectivity, which has been extremely difficult to achieve with zeolite catalysts. We found that a higher density of Brønsted acid sites leads to higher cracking of n-hexadecane presumably due to an increased surface residence time. Furthermore, regardless of pore size and microstructure, hydroisomerization turnover frequency linearly increased as a function of Brønsted acid site density. In addition to strength and density of acid sites, platinum nanoparticle size affected catalytic activity and selectivity. The smallest platinum nanoparticles produced the most effective bifunctional catalyst presumably because of higher percolation into aluminum doped mesoporous silica, generating more 'intimate' metallic and acidic sites. Finally, the aluminum doped silica catalyst was shown to retain its remarkable selectivity towards isomers even at increased reaction conversions.« less

Experimental Study of Oxygen-Assisted Crack Growth in Alloy 718 and Alloy TI-1100

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-02-01

Ghonem et al [21 proposed that the crack growth rate increases as the grain boundary area exposed to oxygen penetration increases Consequently, the grain...recent work by Chang and al is worthwhile to be mentioned to this respect [3]. These authors used a modified heat treatment to produce a coarser grain...interesting experiment was carried out in the work of Ghonem et al [8] on a fine grain size (20-50jurm) Alloy 718. They carried out crack growth

Critical flaw size in silicon nitride ball bearings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Levesque, George Arthur

Aircraft engine and bearing manufacturers have been aggressively pursuing advanced materials technology systems solutions to meet main shaft-bearing needs of advanced military aircraft engines. Ceramic silicon nitride hybrid bearings are being developed for such high performance applications. Though silicon nitride exhibits many favorable properties such as high compressive strength, high hardness, a third of the density of steel, low coefficient of thermal expansion, and high corrosion and temperature resistance, they also have low fracture toughness and are susceptible to failure from fatigue spalls emanating from pre-existing surface flaws that can grow under rolling contact fatigue (RCF). Rolling elements and raceways are among the most demanding components in aircraft engines due to a combination of high cyclic contact stresses, long expected component lifetimes, corrosive environment, and the high consequence of fatigue failure. The cost of these rolling elements increases exponentially with the decrease in allowable flaw size for service applications. Hence the range of 3D non-planar surface flaw geometries subject to RCF is simulated to determine the critical flaw size (CFS) or the largest allowable flaw that does not grow under service conditions. This dissertation is a numerical and experimental investigation of surface flaws in ceramic balls subjected to RCF and has resulted in the following analyses: Crack Shape Determination: the nucleation of surface flaws from ball impact that occurs during the manufacturing process is simulated. By examining the subsurface Hertzian stresses between contacting spheres, their applicability to predicting and characterizing crack size and shape is established. It is demonstrated that a wide range of cone and partial cone cracks, observed in practice, can be generated using the proposed approaches. RCF Simulation: the procedure and concerns in modeling nonplanar 3D cracks subject to RCF using FEA for stress intensity factor (SIF) trends observed from parametrically varying different physical effects are plotted and discussed. Included are developments in contact algorithms for 3D nonplanar cracks, meshing of nonplanar cracks for SIFs, parametric studies via MATLAB and other subroutines in python and FORTRAN. Establishing Fracture Parameters: the fracture toughness, K c, is determined by using numerical techniques on experimental tests namely the Brazilian disc test and a novel compression test on an indented ball. The fatigue threshold for mixed-mode loading, Keff, is determined by using a combination of numerical modeling and results from the V-ring single ball RCF test. CFS Determination: the range of 3D non-planar surface flaw geometries subject to RCF are simulated to calculate mixed mode SIFs to determine the critical flaw size, or the largest allowable flaw that does not grow under service conditions. The CFS results are presented as a function of Hertzian contact stress, traction magnitude, and crack size. Empirical Equations: accurate empirical equations (response functions) for the KI, KII, and K III SIFs for semi-elliptical surface cracks subjected to RCF as a function of the contact patch diameter, angle of crack to the surface, max pressure, position along the crack front, and aspect ratio of the crack are developed via parametric 3D FEA. Statistical Probability of Failure: since the variability in mechanical properties for brittle materials is high a probabilistic investigation of variations in flaw size, flaw orientation, fracture toughness, and Hertzian load on failure probability is conducted to statistically determine the probability of ball failure for an existing flaw subjected to the service conditions. (Full text of this dissertation may be available via the University of Florida Libraries web site. Please check http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/etd.html)

The influence of electrolyte additives on the anodic dissolution of aluminum in alkaline solutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boehnstedt, W.

1980-09-01

The paper describes the effect of electrolyte additives on the anodic dissolution of aluminum in alkaline solutions. The dissolution is accelerated by the addition of small quantities of gallium or indium ions to the electrolyte indicated by the shift of the zero current potential by about 250 mV on the current-potential curve. Scanning electron microscope studies showed that gallium ions produce many small cracks in the aluminum electrode and collect at the grain boundary areas, increasing the electrode surface; this enlargement, in combination with increased electrolyte agitation due to greater hydrogen evolution, provides higher current densities at the same potential. It is concluded that this process will widen the possibilities of using aluminum and its alloys in high-rate batteries.

Effect of Boron Microalloying Element on Susceptibility to Hydrogen Embrittlement in High Strength Mooring Chain Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, H.; Cheng, X. Y.; Shen, H. P.; Su, L. C.; Zhang, S. Y.

The susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement in high strength mooring chain steel with different boron content (0, 0.003 %, 0.008 %) were investigated by electrochemical hydrogen charging technique and tensile test. The results revealed that appropriate boron content can effectively depress hydrogen induced embrittlement. Precharged with a low current density, this effect seemed to be unobvious. It gradually became clearly with the increasing current density. The increase of resistance to the hydrogen embrittlement for 3B and 8B after adding appropriate boron was attributed to three facts. The first was that the segregation of boron atoms along grain boundaries reduced the grain boundary segregation of phosphorus, which prohibited hydrogen concentration at the grain boundaries, depressing the possibility of the intergranular fracture due to H. The second was that the segregation of boron increased intergranular cohesion, enhanced grain boundary strength, and refined the final microstructure. The third was that the addition of boron changed the state of hydrogen traps, leading to the small amount of diffusible hydrogen. That is to say, hydrogen transferred to these defects by dislocations was accordingly decreased, which led to the low sensitive of hydrogen induced cracking.

Application of High-Density Electropulsing to Improve the Performance of Metallic Materials: Mechanisms, Microstructure and Properties

PubMed Central

Sheng, Yinying; Hua, Youlu; Zhao, Xueyang; Chen, Lianxi; Zhou, Hanyu; Wang, James; Berndt, Christopher C.; Li, Wei

2018-01-01

The technology of high-density electropulsing has been applied to increase the performance of metallic materials since the 1990s and has shown significant advantages over traditional heat treatment in many aspects. However, the microstructure changes in electropulsing treatment (EPT) metals and alloys have not been fully explored, and the effects vary significantly on different material. When high-density electrical pulses are applied to metals and alloys, the input of electric energy and thermal energy generally leads to structural rearrangements, such as dynamic recrystallization, dislocation movements and grain refinement. The enhanced mechanical properties of the metals and alloys after high-density electropulsing treatment are reflected by the significant improvement of elongation. As a result, this technology holds great promise in improving the deformation limit and repairing cracks and defects in the plastic processing of metals. This review summarizes the effect of high-density electropulsing treatment on microstructural properties and, thus, the enhancement in mechanical strength, hardness and corrosion performance of metallic materials. It is noteworthy that the change of some properties can be related to the structure state before EPT (quenched, annealed, deformed or others). The mechanisms for the microstructural evolution, grain refinement and formation of oriented microstructures of different metals and alloys are presented. Future research trends of high-density electrical pulse technology for specific metals and alloys are highlighted. PMID:29364844

Degradation and mechanism of the mechanics and durability of reinforced concrete slab in a marine environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Sheng-xing; Liu, Guan-guo; Bian, Han-bing; Lv, Wei-bo; Jiang, Jian-hua

2016-04-01

An experimental research was conducted to determine the corrosion and bearing capacity of a reinforced concrete (RC) slab at different ages in a marine environment. Results show that the development of corrosion-induced cracks on a slab in a marine environment can be divided into three stages according to crack morphology at the bottom of the slab. In the first stage, cracks appear. In the second stage, cracks develop from the edges to the middle of the slab. In the third stage, longitudinal and transverse corrosion-induced cracks coexist. The corrosion ratio of reinforcements nonlinearly increases with the age, and the relationship between the corrosion ratio of the reinforcements and the corrosion-induced crack width of the concrete is established. The flexural capacity of the corroded RC slab nonlinearly decreases with the age, and the model for the bearing capacity factor of the corroded RC slab is established. The mid-span deflection of the corroded RC slab that corresponds to the yield of the reinforcements linearly increases with the increase in corrosion ratio. Finally, the mechanisms of corrosion morphology and the degradation of the mechanical properties of an RC slab in a marine environment are discussed on the basis of the basic theories of steel corrosion in concrete and concrete structure design.

Development of a High Chromium Ni-Base Filler Metal Resistant to Ductility Dip Cracking and Solidification Cracking

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hope, Adam T.

Many nuclear reactor components previously constructed with Ni-based alloys containing 20 wt% Cr have been found to be susceptible to stress corrosion cracking. The nuclear power industry now uses high chromium (˜30wt%) Ni-based filler metals to mitigate stress corrosion cracking. Current alloys are plagued with weldability issues, either solidification cracking or ductility dip cracking (DDC). Solidification cracking is related to solidification temperature range and the DDC is related to the fraction eutectic present in the microstructure. It was determined that an optimal alloy should have a solidification temperature range less than 150°C and at least 2% volume fraction eutectic. Due to the nature of the Nb rich eutectic that forms, it is difficult to avoid both cracking types simultaneously. Through computational modeling, alternative eutectic forming elements, Hf and Ta, have been identified as replacements for Nb in such alloys. Compositions have been optimized through a combination of computational and experimental techniques combined with a design of experiment methodology. Small buttons were melted using commercially pure materials in a copper hearth to obtain the desired compositions. These buttons were then subjected to a gas tungsten arc spot weld. A type C thermocouple was used to acquire the cooling history during the solidification process. The cooling curves were processed using Single Sensor Differential Thermal Analysis to determine the solidification temperature range, and indicator of solidification cracking susceptibility. Metallography was performed to determine the fraction eutectic present, an indicator of DDC resistance. The optimal level of Hf to resist cracking was found to be 0.25 wt%. The optimal level of Ta was found to be 4 wt%. gamma/MC type eutectics were found to form first in all Nb, Ta, and Hf-bearing compositions. Depending on Fe and Cr content, gamma/Laves eutectic was sometimes found in Nb and Ta-bearing compositions, while Hf-bearing compositions had gamma/Ni7Hf2 as the final eutectic to solidify. This study found that the extra Cr in the current generation alloys promotes the gamma/Laves phase eutectic, which expands the solidification temperature range and promotes solidification cracking. Both Ta-bearing and Hf-bearing eutectics were found to solidify at higher temperatures than Nb-bearing eutectics, leading to narrower solidification temperature ranges. Weldability testing on the optimized Ta-bearing compositions revealed good resistance to both DDC and solidification cracking. Unexpectedly, the optimized Hf-bearing compositions were quite susceptible to solidification cracking. This led to an investigation on the possible wetting effect of eutectics on solidification cracking susceptibly, and a theory on how wetting affects the solidification crack susceptibility and the volume fraction of eutectic needed for crack healing has been proposed. Alloys with eutectics that easily wet the grain boundaries have increased solidification crack susceptibility at low volume fraction eutectics, but as the fraction eutectic is increased, experience crack healing at relatively lower fraction eutectics than alloys with eutectics that don't wet as easily. Hf rich eutectics were found to wet grain boundaries significantly more than Nb rich eutectics. Additions of Mo were also found to increase the wetting of eutectics in Nb-bearing alloys.

Analysis of delamination in cross-ply laminates initiating from impact induced matrix cracking

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Salpekar, S. A.

1993-01-01

Two-dimensional finite element analyses of (02/90(8)/02) glass/epoxy and graphite/epoxy composite laminates were performed to investigate some of the characteristics of damage development due to an impact load. A cross section through the thickness of the laminate with fixed ends, and carrying a transverse load in the center, was analyzed. Inclined matrix cracks, such as those produced by a low-velocity impact, were modeled in the 90 deg ply group. The introduction of the matrix cracks caused large interlaminar tensile and shear stresses in the vicinity of both crack tips in the 0/90 and 90/0 interfaces, indicating that matrix cracking may give rise to delamination. The ratio of Mode I to total strain energy release rate, G(I)/G(total), at the beginning of delamination, calculated at the two (top and bottom) matrix crack tips was 60 and 28 percent, respectively, in the glass/epoxy laminate. The corresponding ratio was 97 and 77 percent in the graphite/epoxy laminate. Thus, a significant Mode I component of strain energy release rate may be present at the delamination initiation due to an impact load. The value of strain energy release rate at either crack tip increased due to an increase in the delamination length at the other crack tip and may give rise to an unstable delamination growth under constant load.

Proof test and fatigue crack growth modeling on 2024-T3 aluminum alloy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Newman, J. C., Jr.; Poe, C. C., Jr.; Dawicke, D. S.

1990-01-01

Pressure proof testing of aircraft fuselage structures has been suggested as a means of screening critical crack sizes and of extending their useful life. The objective of this paper is to study the proof-test concept and to model the crack-growth process on a ductile material. Simulated proof and operational fatigue life tests have been conducted on cracked panels made of 2024-T3 aluminum alloy sheet material. A fatigue crack-closure model was modified to simulate the proof test and operational fatigue cycling. Using crack-growth rate and resistance-curve data, the model was able to predict crack growth during and after the proof load. These tests and analyses indicate that the proof test increases fatigue life; but the beneficial life, after a 1.33 or 1.5 proof, was less than a few hundred cycles.

Simulation and experiment for depth sizing of cracks in anchor bolts by ultrasonic phased array technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Shan

2018-04-01

There have been lots of reports about the occurrence of cracks in bolts in aging nuclear and thermal power plants. Sizing of such cracks is crucial for assessing the integrity of bolts. Currently, hammering and visual tests are used to detect cracks in bolts. However, they are not applicable for sizing cracks. Although the tip diffraction method is well known as a crack sizing technique, reflection echoes from threads make it difficult to apply this technique to bolts. This paper addresses a method for depth sizing of cracks in bolts by means of ultrasonic phased array technology. Numerical results of wave propagation in bolts by the finite element method (FEM) shows that a peak associated within the vicinity of a crack tip can be observed in the curve of echo intensity versus refraction angle for deep cracks. The refraction angle with respect to this peak decreases as crack depth increases. Such numerical results are verified by experiments on bolt specimens that have electrical discharge machining notches or fatigue cracks with different depths. In the experiment, a 10-MHz linear array probe is used. Depth of cracks in bolts using the refraction angle associated with the peak is determined and compared to actual depths. The comparison shows that accurately determining a crack depth from the inspection results is possible.

Computational Modeling of Micro-Crack Induced Attenuation in CFRP Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roberts, R. A.; Leckey, C. A. C.

2012-01-01

A computational study is performed to determine the contribution to ultrasound attenuation in carbon fiber reinforced polymer composite laminates of linear elastic scattering by matrix micro-cracking. Multiple scattering approximations are benchmarked against exact computational approaches. Results support linear scattering as the source of observed increased attenuation in the presence of micro-cracking.

Impact Cratering Physics al Large Planetary Scales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahrens, Thomas J.

2007-06-01

Present understanding of the physics controlling formation of ˜10^3 km diameter, multi-ringed impact structures on planets were derived from the ideas of Scripps oceanographer, W. Van Dorn, University of London's, W, Murray, and, Caltech's, D. O'Keefe who modeled the vertical oscillations (gravity and elasticity restoring forces) of shock-induced melt and damaged rock within the transient crater immediately after the downward propagating hemispheric shock has processed rock (both lining, and substantially below, the transient cavity crater). The resulting very large surface wave displacements produce the characteristic concentric, multi-ringed basins, as stored energy is radiated away and also dissipated upon inducing further cracking. Initial calculational description, of the above oscillation scenario, has focused upon on properly predicting the resulting density of cracks, and, their orientations. A new numerical version of the Ashby--Sammis crack damage model is coupled to an existing shock hydrodynamics code to predict impact induced damage distributions in a series of 15--70 cm rock targets from high speed impact experiments for a range of impactor type and velocity. These are compared to results of crack damage distributions induced in crustal rocks with small arms impactors and mapped ultrasonically in recent Caltech experiments (Ai and Ahrens, 2006).

An experimental study on fracture mechanical behavior of rock-like materials containing two unparallel fissures under uniaxial compression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Yan-Hua; Yang, Sheng-Qi; Tian, Wen-Ling; Zeng, Wei; Yu, Li-Yuan

2016-06-01

Strength and deformability characteristics of rock with pre-existing fissures are governed by cracking behavior. To further research the effects of pre-existing fissures on the mechanical properties and crack coalescence process, a series of uniaxial compression tests were carried out for rock-like material with two unparallel fissures. In the present study, cement, quartz sand, and water were used to fabricate a kind of brittle rock-like material cylindrical model specimen. The mechanical properties of rock-like material specimen used in this research were all in good agreement with the brittle rock materials. Two unparallel fissures (a horizontal fissure and an inclined fissure) were created by inserting steel during molding the model specimen. Then all the pre-fissured rock-like specimens were tested under uniaxial compression by a rock mechanics servo-controlled testing system. The peak strength and Young's modulus of pre-fissured specimen all first decreased and then increased when the fissure angle increased from 0° to 75°. In order to investigate the crack initiation, propagation and coalescence process, photographic monitoring was adopted to capture images during the entire deformation process. Moreover, acoustic emission (AE) monitoring technique was also used to obtain the AE evolution characteristic of pre-fissured specimen. The relationship between axial stress, AE events, and the crack coalescence process was set up: when a new crack was initiated or a crack coalescence occurred, the corresponding axial stress dropped in the axial stress-time curve and a big AE event could be observed simultaneously. Finally, the mechanism of crack propagation under microscopic observation was discussed. These experimental results are expected to increase the understanding of the strength failure behavior and the cracking mechanism of rock containing unparallel fissures.

Fractographic Observations on the Mechanism of Fatigue Crack Growth in Aluminium Alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alderliesten, R. C.; Schijve, J.; Krkoska, M.

Special load histories are adopted to obtain information about the behavior of the moving crack tip during the increasing and decreasing part of a load cycle. It is associated with the crack opening and closure of the crack tip. Secondly, modern SEM techniques are applied for observations on the morphology of the fractures surfaces of a fatigue crack. Information about the cross section profiles of striations are obtained. Corresponding locations of the upper and the lower fracture surface are also explored in view of the crack extension mechanism. Most experiments are carried out on sheet specimens of aluminum alloys 2024-T3, but 7050-T7451 specimens are also tested in view of a different ductility of the two alloys.

Modeling and monitoring of tooth fillet crack growth in dynamic simulation of spur gear set

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guilbault, Raynald; Lalonde, Sébastien; Thomas, Marc

2015-05-01

This study integrates a linear elastic fracture mechanics analysis of the tooth fillet crack propagation into a nonlinear dynamic model of spur gear sets. An original formulation establishes the rigidity of sound and damaged teeth. The formula incorporates the contribution of the flexible gear body and real crack trajectories in the fillet zone. The work also develops a KI prediction formula. A validation of the equation estimates shows that the predicted KI are in close agreement with published numerical and experimental values. The representation also relies on the Paris-Erdogan equation completed with crack closure effects. The analysis considers that during dN fatigue cycles, a harmonic mean of ΔK assures optimal evaluations. The paper evaluates the influence of the mesh frequency distance from the resonances of the system. The obtained results indicate that while the dependence may demonstrate obvious nonlinearities, the crack progression rate increases with a mesh frequency augmentation. The study develops a tooth fillet crack propagation detection procedure based on residual signals (RS) prepared in the frequency domain. The proposed approach accepts any gear conditions as reference signature. The standard deviation and mean values of the RS are evaluated as gear condition descriptors. A trend tracking of their responses obtained from a moving linear regression completes the analysis. Globally, the results show that, regardless of the reference signal, both descriptors are sensitive to the tooth fillet crack and sharply react to tooth breakage. On average, the mean value detected the crack propagation after a size increase of 3.69 percent as compared to the reference condition, whereas the standard deviation required crack progressions of 12.24 percent. Moreover, the mean descriptor shows evolutions closer to the crack size progression.

Microcracking in composite laminates under thermal and mechanical loading. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Maddocks, Jason R.

1995-01-01

Composites used in space structures are exposed to both extremes in temperature and applied mechanical loads. Cracks in the matrix form, changing the laminate thermoelastic properties. The goal of the present investigation is to develop a predictive methodology to quantify microcracking in general composite laminates under both thermal and mechanical loading. This objective is successfully met through a combination of analytical modeling and experimental investigation. In the analysis, the stress and displacement distributions in the vicinity of a crack are determined using a shear lag model. These are incorporated into an energy based cracking criterion to determine the favorability of crack formation. A progressive damage algorithm allows the inclusion of material softening effects and temperature-dependent material properties. The analysis is implemented by a computer code which gives predicted crack density and degraded laminate properties as functions of any thermomechanical load history. Extensive experimentation provides verification of the analysis. AS4/3501-6 graphite/epoxy laminates are manufactured with three different layups to investigate ply thickness and orientation effects. Thermal specimens are cooled to progressively lower temperatures down to -184 C. After conditioning the specimens to each temperature, cracks are counted on their edges using optical microscopy and in their interiors by sanding to incremental depths. Tensile coupons are loaded monotonically to progressively higher loads until failure. Cracks are counted on the coupon edges after each loading. A data fit to all available results provides input parameters for the analysis and shows them to be material properties, independent of geometry and loading. Correlation between experiment and analysis is generally very good under both thermal and mechanical loading, showing the methodology to be a powerful, unified tool. Delayed crack initiation observed in a few cases is attributed to a lack of preexisting flaws assumed by the analysis. Some interactions between adjacent ply groups are attributed to local stress concentrations. These two effects are not captured by the analysis due to its global nature. The analysis is conservative in these cases and agrees well with data after the observed onset of cracking.

Mode I and mixed I/III crack initiation and propagation behavior of V-4Cr-4Ti alloy at 25{degrees}C

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, H.X.; Kurtz, R.J.; Jones, R.H.

1997-04-01

The mode I and mixed-mode I/III fracture behavior of the production-scale heat (No. 832665) of V-4Cr-4Ti has been investigated at 25{degrees}C using compact tension (CT) specimens for a mode I crack and modified CT specimens for a mixed-mode I/III crack. The mode III to mode I load ratio was 0.47. Test specimens were vacuum annealed at 1000{degrees}C for 1 h after final machining. Both mode I and mixed-mode I/III specimens were fatigue cracked prior to J-integral testing. It was noticed that the mixed-mode I/III crack angle decreased from an initial 25 degrees to approximately 23 degrees due to crack planemore » rotation during fatigue cracking. No crack plane rotation occurred in the mode I specimen. The crack initiation and propagation behavior was evaluated by generating J-R curves. Due to the high ductility of this alloy and the limited specimen thickness (6.35 mm), plane strain requirements were not met so valid critical J-integral values were not obtained. However, it was found that the crack initiation and propagation behavior was significantly different between the mode I and the mixed-mode I/III specimens. In the mode I specimen crack initiation did not occur, only extensive crack tip blunting due to plastic deformation. During J-integral testing the mixed-mode crack rotated to an increased crack angle (in contrast to fatigue precracking) by crack blunting. When the crack initiated, the crack angle was about 30 degrees. After crack initiation the crack plane remained at 30 degrees until the test was completed. Mixed-mode crack initiation was difficult, but propagation was easy. The fracture surface of the mixed-mode specimen was characterized by microvoid coalescence.« less

Fatigue crack growth in unidirectional and cross-ply SCS-6/Timetal 21S titanium matrix composite

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Herrmann, D.J.

1994-01-01

Fatigue crack growth in unidirectional and cross-ply SCS-6/ Timetal(R) 21S titanium matrix composite was investigated. Fatigue crack growth tests were performed on (0){sub 4}, (90){sub 4}, and (0/90){sub s} center notch specimens. The (0){sub 4} and (0/90){sub s} fatigue crack growth rates decreased initially. Specimens removed prior to failure were polished to the first row of fibers and intact fibers in the wake of the matrix crack were observed. These bridging fibers reduced the stress intensity range that the matrix material was subjected to, thus reducing the crack growth rate. The crack growth rate eventually increased as fibers failed inmore » the crack wake but the fatigue crack growth rate was still much slower than that of unreinforced Timetal(R) 21S. A model was developed to study the mechanics of a cracked unidirectional composite with any combination of intact and broken fibers in the wake of a matrix crack. The model was correlated to fatigue crack growth rate tests. The model was verified by comparing predicted displacements near the crack surface with Elber gage (1.5 mm gage length extensometer) measurements. The fatigue crack growth rate for the (90){sub 4} specimens was faster than that of unreinforced Timetal(registered trademark) 21S. Elber gage displacement measurements were in agreement with linear elastic fracture mechanics predictions, suggesting that linear elastic fracture mechanics may be applicable to transversely loaded titanium matrix composites.« less

Acoustic Emission Weld Monitoring in the 2195 Aluminum-Lithium Alloy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walker, James L.

2005-01-01

Due to its low density, the 2195 aluminum-lithium alloy was developed as a replacement for alloy 2219 in the Space Shuttle External Tank (ET). The external tank is the single largest component of the space shuttle system. It is 154 feet long and 27.6 feet in diameter, and serves as the structural backbone for the shuttle during launch, absorbing most of the 7 million plus pounds of thrust produced. The almost 4% decrease in density between the two materials provides an extra 7500 pounds of payload capacity necessary to put the International Space Station components into orbit. The ET is an all-welded structure; hence, the requirement is for up to five rewelds without hot cracking. Unfortunately, hot cracking during re-welding or repair operations was occurring and had to be dealt with before the new super lightweight tank could be used. Weld metal porosity formation was also of concern because it leads to hot cracking during weld repairs. Accordingly, acoustic emission (AE) nondestructive testing was employed to monitor the formation of porosity and hot cracks in order to select the best filler metal and optimize the weld schedule. The purpose of this work is to determine the feasibility of detecting hot cracking in welded aluminum-lithium (Al-Li) structures through the analysis of acoustic emission data. By acoustically characterizing the effects of reheating during a repair operation, the potential for hidden flaws coalescing and becoming "unstable" as the panel is repaired could be reduced. Identification of regions where microcrack growth is likely to occur and the location of active flaw growth in the repair weld will provide the welder with direct feedback as to the current weld quality enabling adjustments to the repair process be made in the field. An acoustic emission analysis of the source mechanisms present during welding has been conducted with the goals of locating regions in the weld line that are susceptible to damage from a repair operation, identifying the formation of critically sized flaws and providing accept/reject criteria for the quality of a weld as it is performed.

Influence of Pore-Fluid Pressure on Elastic Wave Velocity and Electrical Conductivity in Water-Saturated Rocks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Higuchi, A.; Watanabe, T.

2013-12-01

Pore-fluid pressure in seismogenic zones can play a key role in the occurrence of earthquakes (e.g., Sibson, 2009). Its evaluation via geophysical observations can lead to a good understanding of seismic activities. The evaluation requires a thorough understanding of the influence of the pore-fluid pressure on geophysical observables like seismic velocity and electrical conductivity. We have studied the influence of pore-fluid pressure on elastic wave velocity and electrical conductivity in water-saturated rocks. Fine grained (100-500μm) biotite granite (Aji, Kagawa pref., Japan) was used as rock samples. The density is 2.658-2.668 g/cm3, and the porosity 0.68-0.87%. The sample is composed of 52.8% plagioclase, 36.0% Quartz, 3.0% K-feldspar, 8.2% biotite. SEM images show that a lot of grain boundaries are open. Few intracrystalline cracks were observed. Following the method proposed by David and Zimmerman (2012), the distribution function of crack aspect ratio was evaluated from the pressure dependence of compressional and shear wave velocities in a dry sample. Cylindrical sample has dimensions of 25 mm in diameter and 30 mm in length, and saturated with 0.01 mol/l KCl aqueous solution. Compressional and shear wave velocities were measured with the pulse transmission technique (PZT transducers, f=2 MHz), and electrical conductivity the two-electrode method (Ag-AgCl electrodes, f=1 Hz-100 kHz). Simultaneous measurements of velocities and conductivity were made using a 200 MPa hydrostatic pressure vessel, in which confining and pore-fluid pressures can be separately controlled. The pore-fluid is electrically insulated from the metal work of the pressure vessel by using a newly designed plastic device (Watanabe and Higuchi, 2013). The confining pressure was progressively increased up to 25 MPa, while the pore-fluid pressure was kept at 0.1 MPa. It took five days or longer for the electrical conductivity to become stationary after increasing the confining pressure. Elastic wave velocities and electrical conductivity showed reproducibly contrasting changes for a small increase in the confining pressure. The elastic wave velocities increased only by 5% as the confining pressure increased from 0.1 MPa to 25 MPa, while the electrical conductivity decreased by an order of magnitude. Based on the SEM examinations, open grain boundaries work as cracks. The changes in elastic wave velocities and electrical conductivity must be caused by the closure of open grain boundaries. Most (˜80%) of the decrease in electrical conductivity occurred below the confining pressure of 5 MPa. As the confining pressure increased from 0.1 MPa to 5 MPa, cracks with the aspect ratio smaller than 7.5×10-5 were closed. The decrease in porosity was only 0.0005%. Such a small change in porosity caused a large change in electrical conductivity. The connectivity of fluid was maintained at the confining pressure of 25 MPa by cracks with the aspect ratio larger than 3.7×10-4. Simultaneous measurements have provided us a lot of information on the microstructure of fluid-bearing rocks.

DUCTILE-PHASE TOUGHENED TUNGSTEN FOR PLASMA-FACING MATERIALS IN FUSION REACTORS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Henager, Charles H.; Setyawan, Wahyu; Roosendaal, Timothy J.

2017-05-01

Tungsten (W) and W-alloys are the leading candidates for plasma-facing components in nuclear fusion reactor designs because of their high melting point, strength retention at high temperatures, high thermal conductivity, and low sputtering yield. However, tungsten is brittle and does not exhibit the required fracture toughness for licensing in nuclear applications. A promising approach to increasing fracture toughness of W-alloys is by ductile-phase toughening (DPT). In this method, a ductile phase is included in a brittle matrix to prevent on inhibit crack propagation by crack blunting, crack bridging, crack deflection, and crack branching. Model examples of DPT tungsten are exploredmore » in this study, including W-Cu and W-Ni-Fe powder product composites. Three-point and four-point notched and/or pre-cracked bend samples were tested at several strain rates and temperatures to help understand deformation, cracking, and toughening in these materials. Data from these tests are used for developing and calibrating crack-bridging models. Finite element damage mechanics models are introduced as a modeling method that appears to capture the complexity of crack growth in these materials.« less

Shear Strength and Cracking Process of Non-persistent Jointed Rocks: An Extensive Experimental Investigation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Asadizadeh, Mostafa; Moosavi, Mahdi; Hossaini, Mohammad Farouq; Masoumi, Hossein

2018-02-01

In this paper, a number of artificial rock specimens with two parallel (stepped and coplanar) non-persistent joints were subjected to direct shearing. The effects of bridge length ( L), bridge angle ( γ), joint roughness coefficient (JRC) and normal stress ( σ n) on shear strength and cracking process of non-persistent jointed rock were studied extensively. The experimental program was designed based on Taguchi method, and the validity of the resulting data was assessed using analysis of variance. The results revealed that σ n and γ have the maximum and minimum effects on shear strength, respectively. Also, increase in L from 10 to 60 mm led to decrease in shear strength where high level of JRC profile and σ n led to the initiation of tensile cracks due to asperity interlocking. Such tensile cracks are known as "interlocking cracks" which normally initiate from the asperity and then propagate toward the specimen boundaries. Finally, the cracking process of specimens was classified into three categories, namely tensile cracking, shear cracking and combination of tension and shear or mixed mode tensile-shear cracking.

Research on Wheel Steel Welding Cracks Caused by Quenching Stress

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guan-nan, Li

Wheel steel products of Han Steel occurred welding cracking when using in a wheel factory, by analyzing the crack in the wheel steel weld cracking with microstructure analysis and spectrum analysis, test results showed the grain in heat affect zone serious grow, and the user at the end of the flash-butt quenched from a high temperature to room temperature at welding seam, larger cooling rate to generate sufficiently large quenching stress, increased the risk of cracking along the grain boundary. When the stress reaches a certain level, there will be a greater area of the grain cracks at the location of welding seam, eventually leading to weld cracking. We develop measures for improvement to solving this problem, we suggest that the cooling mode at welding seam should be slow cooling or air cooling after the rim welding process, welding current range is 7800 9500 amps, upsetting time is 0.2 seconds, these measures can improve the welding quality of wheel steel products and reduce the risk of welding cracks.

Closure of fatigue cracks at high strains

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Iyyer, N. S.; Dowling, N. E.

1985-01-01

Experiments were conducted on smooth specimens to study the closure behavior of short cracks at high cyclic strains under completely reversed cycling. Testing procedures and methodology, and closure measurement techniques, are described in detail. The strain levels chosen for the study cover from predominantly elastic to grossly plastic strains. Crack closure measurements are made at different crack lengths. The study reveals that, at high strains, cracks close only as the lowest stress level in the cycle is approached. The crack opening is observed to occur in the compressive part of the loading cycle. The applied stress needed to open a short crack under high strain is found to be less than for cracks under small scale yielding. For increased plastic deformations, the value of sigma sub op/sigma sub max is observed to decrease and approaches the value of R. Comparison of the experimental results with existing analysis is made and indicates the limitations of the small scale yielding approach where gross plastic deformation behavior occurs.

Effects of hydrogen on fatigue crack growth of iron aluminides

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Castagna, A.; Stoloff, N.S.

Three Fe-Al alloys, FAP-Y, FA-129, and Fe-35a%Al, containing 16, 28, and 35a%Al, respectively, have been subjected to fatigue crack growth testing in moist air, in oxygen, and in gaseous hydrogen. In each case hydrogen and air were embrittling. Crack growth rates increased significantly as frequency decreased. Fatigue crack growth results have been compared with those for other structural iron-base alloys. Surprisingly, FAP-Y displays the highest crack growth rate of any alloy examined, except at very low levels of stress intensity range. The mechanisms for embrittlement by hydrogen and by moisture in air are discussed.

Accelerated Near-Threshold Fatigue Crack Growth Behavior of an Aluminum Powder Metallurgy Alloy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Piascik, Robert S.; Newman, John A.

2002-01-01

Fatigue crack growth (FCG) research conducted in the near threshold regime has identified a room temperature creep crack growth damage mechanism for a fine grain powder metallurgy (PM) aluminum alloy (8009). At very low DK, an abrupt acceleration in room temperature FCG rate occurs at high stress ratio (R = Kmin/Kmax). The near threshold accelerated FCG rates are exacerbated by increased levels of Kmax (Kmax less than 0.4 KIC). Detailed fractographic analysis correlates accelerated FCG with the formation of crack-tip process zone micro-void damage. Experimental results show that the near threshold and Kmax influenced accelerated crack growth is time and temperature dependent.

Crack Monitoring Method for an FRP-Strengthened Steel Structure Based on an Antenna Sensor.

PubMed

Liu, Zhiping; Chen, Kai; Li, Zongchen; Jiang, Xiaoli

2017-10-20

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) has been increasingly applied to steel structures for structural strengthening or crack repair, given its high strength-to-weight ratio and high stiffness-to-weight ratio. Cracks in steel structures are the dominant hidden threats to structural safety. However, it is difficult to monitor structural cracks under FRP coverage and there is little related research. In this paper, a crack monitoring method for an FRP-strengthened steel structure deploying a microstrip antenna sensor is presented. A theoretical model of the dual-substrate antenna sensor with FRP is established and the sensitivity of crack monitoring is studied. The effects of the weak conductivity of carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs) on the performance of crack monitoring are analyzed via contrast experiments. The effects of FRP thickness on the performance of the antenna sensor are studied. The influence of structural strain on crack detection coupling is studied through strain-crack coupling experiments. The results indicate that the antenna sensor can detect cracks in steel structures covered by FRP (including CFRP). FRP thickness affects the antenna sensor's performance significantly, while the effects of strain can be ignored. The results provide a new approach for crack monitoring of FRP-strengthened steel structures with extensive application prospects.

Crack Monitoring Method for an FRP-Strengthened Steel Structure Based on an Antenna Sensor

PubMed Central

Liu, Zhiping; Li, Zongchen

2017-01-01

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) has been increasingly applied to steel structures for structural strengthening or crack repair, given its high strength-to-weight ratio and high stiffness-to-weight ratio. Cracks in steel structures are the dominant hidden threats to structural safety. However, it is difficult to monitor structural cracks under FRP coverage and there is little related research. In this paper, a crack monitoring method for an FRP-strengthened steel structure deploying a microstrip antenna sensor is presented. A theoretical model of the dual-substrate antenna sensor with FRP is established and the sensitivity of crack monitoring is studied. The effects of the weak conductivity of carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs) on the performance of crack monitoring are analyzed via contrast experiments. The effects of FRP thickness on the performance of the antenna sensor are studied. The influence of structural strain on crack detection coupling is studied through strain–crack coupling experiments. The results indicate that the antenna sensor can detect cracks in steel structures covered by FRP (including CFRP). FRP thickness affects the antenna sensor’s performance significantly, while the effects of strain can be ignored. The results provide a new approach for crack monitoring of FRP-strengthened steel structures with extensive application prospects. PMID:29053614

Insights into oil cracking based on laboratory experiments

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hill, R.J.; Tang, Y.; Kaplan, I.R.

2003-01-01

The objectives of this pyrolysis investigation were to determine changes in (1) oil composition, (2) gas composition and (3) gas carbon isotope ratios and to compare these results with hydrocarbons in reservoirs. Laboratory cracking of a saturate-rich Devonian oil by confined, dry pyrolysis was performed at T = 350-450??C, P = 650 bars and times ranging from 24 h to 33 days. Increasing thermal stress results in the C15+ hydrocarbon fraction cracking to form C6-14 and C1-5 hydrocarbons and pyrobitumen. The C6-14 fraction continues to crack to C 1-5 gases plus pyrobitumen at higher temperatures and prolonged heating time and the ?? 13Cethane-?? 13Cpropane difference becomes greater as oil cracking progresses. There is considerable overlap in product generation and product cracking. Oil cracking products accumulate either because the rate of generation of any product is greater than the rate of removal by cracking of that product or because the product is a stable end member under the experimental conditions. Oil cracking products decrease when the amount of product generated from a reactant is less than the amount of product cracked. If pyrolysis gas compositions are representative of gases generated from oil cracking in nature, then understanding the processes that alter natural gas composition is critical. ?? 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Investigation of Hot Cracking Behavior in Transverse Mechanically Arc Oscillated Autogenous AA2014 T6 TIG Welds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biradar, N. S.; Raman, R.

2012-09-01

Hot cracking studies on autogenous AA2014 T6 TIG welds were carried out. Significant cracking was observed during linear and circular welding test (CWT) on 4-mm-thick plates. Weld metal grain structure and amount of liquid distribution during the terminal stages of solidification were the key cause for hot cracking in aluminum welds. Square-wave AC TIG welding with transverse mechanical arc oscillation (TMAO) was employed to study the cracking behavior during linear and CWT. TMAO welds with amplitude = 0.9 mm and frequency = 0.5 Hz showed significant reduction in cracking tendency. The increase in cracking resistance in the arc-oscillated weld was attributed to grain refinement and improved weld bead morphology, which improved the weld metal ductility and uniformity, respectively, of residual tensile stresses that developed during welding. The obtained results were comparable to those of reported favorable results of electromagnetic arc oscillation.