Estimation of strength properties of functionally graded structures with elliptical stress concentrators

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to elaborate new calculation schemes for evaluating the strength parameters of railway rolling stock parts with non-local properties of surface layers in the presence of elliptical stress concentrators. Design/methodology/approach: Using the proposed approaches of developed mathematical modelling and open software for calculating FEniCS, it were established the most dangerous angles of stress concentrator orientation and the required thickness of the hardened zones of parts, which ensures their minimum softening during operation. Findings: It is shown that for an elliptical stress concentrator with any orientation angle, there is a certain key size of surface hardening thickness, the exceeding the value of which does not have influence on the operational strength of the parts, but rise the price of technological operations. Research limitations/implications: In this paper proposes a method for computation the impact of the orientation of the surface elliptical stress concentrators on the contact strength of parts under conditions of dominate friction power loads. Practical implications: The obtained results were used to set the modes of plasma hardening, which increase the contact strength of railway parts with elliptical stress concentrators. Originality/value: Using the approaches of contact mechanics, mathematical and computer modelling, methods of controlling the contact strength of the parts with the surface elliptical stress concentrators were proposed for the first time.

Additive Manufacturing of Compositionally-Graded AISI 316L to CoCrMo Structures by Directed Energy Deposition

In the present study, compositionally-graded structures of AISI 316L and CoCrMo alloy are manufactured by powder-based laser-beam directed energy deposition (DED-LB). Through a process-integrated adjustment of powder flow, in situ alloying of the two materials becomes feasible. Thus, a sharp and a smooth transition with a mixture of both alloys can be realized. In order to investigate the phase formation during in situ alloying, a simulation approach considering equilibrium calculations is employed. The findings reveal that a precise compositional as well as functional gradation of the two alloys is possible. Thereby, the chemical composition can be directly correlated with the specimen hardness. Moreover, phases, which are identified by equilibrium calculations, can also be observed experimentally using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray-spectroscopy (EDS). Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) reveals epitaxial grain growth across the sharp transition region with a pronounced <001>-texture, while the smooth transition acts as nucleus for the growth of new grains with <101>-orientation. In light of envisaged applications in the biomedical sector, the present investigation demonstrates the high potential of an AISI 316L/CoCrMo alloy material combination.