A micropolar model for elastic properties in functionally graded materials

By considering the description of phase volume fractions, a micromechanics model is presented for predicting the elastic mechanical properties of isotropic two-phase functionally graded materials. The particle size dependence of the overall elasticity of functionally graded materials is not generally considered by classical continuum micromechanics; however, being based on micropolar theory, the presented micromechanics model is able to study such size effects. As the effective material properties vary gradually along the gradation direction, a functionally graded material can be divided into two distinct zones: the particle–matrix zone and the transition zone. In the particle–matrix zone, the matrix material is idealized as a micropolar continuum and Mori–Tanaka’s method is extended to the micropolar medium to evaluate the effective elastic properties. The effective properties across the gradation forms are further derived and the effects of particle size on the effective properties of a functionally graded materials are also studied. The validity and effectiveness of the present model is demonstrated by comparing the model results with other model outputs and experimental data.

Study on Surface Infiltration Casting of Low-Carbon Ductile Iron

In this essay, the surface microstructure of infiltration casting of low-carbon ductile iron was studied in detail. The results show that the micro hardness from the cast infiltration layer to the matrix zone increased at first and then decreased, the maximum micro hardness was about HV1400, maternal surface hardness are greatly enhanced. Low carbon ductile iron can obtain good surface microstructure by using casting infiltration technology. The hardness of alloy layer on low carbon ductile iron matrix is greatly improved.

Structure and Properties of Ductile Iron Strengthened by Laser Surface Alloying

The wear resistance, corrosion resistance, high temperature resistance layers were prepared on the surface of ductile iron via laser alloying process, using the mixed ponder of sub-micron carbides power as starting materials. The microstructures of the different laser alloying layers were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDS, TEM. The microhardness and wear resisitance of the laser alloying layers were examined. The results reveal that the flat alloyed coating combines metallurgically with the substrate. the laser area was composed by alloyed zone ,heat-affected zone and matrix zone. The alloyed zone was composed mainly by ledeburite and carbide, while martensite and retained austenite were contained in the heat affected zone, there is no significant change in the Matrix zone. Under conditions that the laser power, spot diameter remain unchanged, with in 400 ~ 1000 mm/min scanning speed, the hardness of alloyed coating increases with increasing scanning speed. The weightlessness of the alloyed samples under the dry sliding friction is one-sixteenth of ductile iron. The wear resisitance of the alloyed coating has improved significantly.

Development, comparative morphology and cornification of reptilian claws in relation to claws evolution in tetrapods

The development of claws in different reptiles and their cornification are analyzed using histological, ultrastructural and autoradiographic methods. Claws develop at the tip of digits in relation to the growth of the terminal phalanx and appear as modified scales. The apical epidermis of digit becomes thickened and is associated with a mesenchymal condensation or a dense mesenchyme. The dorsal side of the digit becomes the unguis while the ventral side becomes the sub-unguis. The corneous layer in the unguis is thicker than in the sub-unguis and accumulates hard-keratin while corneocytes remain separated or partially fused. Bundles of hard-keratin tend to accumulate in parallel orientation with respect to the surface and are directed toward the claw tip. The sub-unguis is formed by a softer corneous material and by a much thinner hard-keratin layer. Autoradiography after tritiated thymidine and histidine injection indicates that the growth of reptilian claws occurs along the entire epidermis of the claw. A proximal matrix zone for cell proliferation like in mammalian nails and claws is therefore absent in claws of reptiles. This observation indicates that the pattern of growth of reptilian and probably avian claws is different from that of mammals.

A Multiscale Framework for Elastic Deformation of Functionally Graded Composites

A micromechanics-based elastic model is developed for two-phase functionally graded composites with locally pair-wise particle interactions. In the gradation direction, there exist two microstructurally distinct zones: particle-matrix zone and transition zone. In the particle-matrix zone, the homogenized elastic fields are obtained by integrating the pair-wise interactions from all other particles over the representative volume element. In the transition zone, a transition function is constructed to make the homogenized elastic fields continuous and differentiable in the gradation direction. The averaged elastic fields are solved for transverse shear loading and uniaxial loading in the gradation direction.

Micromechanical Modeling of Functionally Graded Composites

A micromechanics-based elastic model is developed for two-phase functionally graded materials with locally pair-wise interactions between particles. While the effective material properties change gradually along the gradation direction, there exist two microstructurally distinct zones: particle-matrix zone and transition zone. In the particle-matrix zone, pair-wise interactions between particles are employed using a modified Green’s function method. By integrating the interactions from all other particles over the representative volume element, the homogenized elastic fields are obtained. The effective stiffness distribution over the gradation direction is further derived. In the transition zone, a transition function is constructed to make the homogenized elastic fields continuous and differentiable in the gradation direction. The model prediction is compared with other models and experimental data to demonstrate the capability of the proposed method.