Effects of substrate materials on fracture toughness measurement in adhesive joints

To understand the effects of substrate materials on the fracture behavior of adhesive joints, experimental studies and finite element analyses have both been conducted for double-cantilever-beams (DCB) with aluminum and steel substrates at different bond thickness (h). Numerical results show that the region dominated by the crack singularity is much smaller than by the bond thickness. Very small plastic deformation may hence violate the requirements for small-scale yielding where the crack-tip field can be characterized uniquely by the stress intensity factor. Both critical strain energy release rate and J-integral for the joints with steel substrate are lower than those for the joints with aluminum substrate. Compared to the critical strain energy release rate, the critical J-integral is less sensitive to the substrate material if small plastic deformation occurs before cohesive failure takes place through the adhesive layer. For the joints with aluminum substrate, the fracture toughness initially increases and then decreases with bond thickness. Elastic–plastic crack-tip analysis indicates that at the same level of loading, a higher opening stress is observed in the joint with a smaller bond thickness. A self-similar stress field can be obtained by the normalised loading parameter, J/hσ₀.     

Plastic flow localization in mechanism-based strain gradient plasticity

The theory of mechanism-based strain gradient (MSG) plasticity is used to study plastic flow localization in ductile materials. Unlike classical plasticity, the thickness of the shear band in MSG plasticity can be determined analytically from a bifurcation analysis, and the shear band thickness is directly proportional to the intrinsic material length, (μ/σ_Y)²b associated with strain gradients, where μ is the shear modulus, σ_Y is the yield stress, and b is the Burgers vector. The shear band thickness also depends on the softening behavior of the material. The analytical solution of the shear strain rate yields that the maximum shear strain rate inside the shear band is two orders of magnitude higher than that outside, which is a clear indication of plastic flow localization. The limitation of the present model is also discussed.     

A study of the plastic buckling of axially compressed cylindrical shells with a thick-shell theory

A thick shell theory is used to calculate the critical load of plastic buckling of axially compressed cylindrical shells. The buckling equations are derived with the principle of virtual work on the basis of a transverse shear deformable displacement field. The deformation theory of plasticity is used for constitutive equations. To fit the uniaxial stress–strain curve, the Ramberg–Osgood equation is used. In the numerical examples special attention is paid to the dependence of the buckling mode on the ratios of radius to thickness R/h and length to radius L/R. This dependence divides the (R/h,L/R)-plane into simply connected regions each of which corresponds to a buckling mode. These regions form a “buckling mode map”.     

Free vibration analyses of simply supported beams carrying multiple point masses and spring-mass systems with mass of each helical spring considered

In the conventional finite element method (FEM), the dynamic characteristics of a longitudinally vibrating rod with mass density ρ_r, Young's modulus E_r, cross-sectional area A_r and total length ℓ_r are considered to be the same as those of a helical spring with stiffness constant k_r=A_rE_r/ℓ_r and total mass m_r=ρ_rA_rℓ_r. For a lumped-mass model, the mass matrix of a rod element is a 2×2 diagonal one with each of its non-zero coefficients to be equal to one half of the total rod mass (i.e., 0.5m_r). Furthermore, the dynamic characteristics of a rod on the basis of last “lumped-mass” model have been found to be very close to those on the basis of “consistent-mass” model. Thus, one can easily take into account of the inertial effect of a helical spring using a massless one with “one half of its total mass”, respectively, concentrated at its two ends (in Method 2) instead of modeling it by an elastic rod with uniform mass per unit length (in Method 1). When one more spring-mass system is attached to the beam, the total number of unknown constants increases “one” in Method 2 and “two” in Method 1, thus, Method 2 will reduce more effort than Method 1 for studying the dynamic behaviors of a beam carrying a number of spring-mass systems with mass of each helical spring considered. In this paper, the formulations of Methods 1 and 2 are presented first and then the numerical examples are illustrated to confirm the reliability of the presented theory and the developed computer programs. Finally, the effect concerning mass of each helical spring of the spring-mass systems is studied.     

Molecular dynamics simulation of deformation behavior in amorphous polymer: nucleation of chain entanglements and network structure under uniaxial tension

In order to clarify the mechanical behavior of molecular chains in amorphous polymers, a molecular dynamics simulation is conducted on a nanoscopic specimen of amorphous polyethylene under uniaxial tension. The specimen involves 3542 random coil molecular chains composed of 500–1500 methylene monomers with about two million methylene groups. The stress–strain curve shows a linear elastic relationship at the initial stage of _zz0.03 at . Then the material “yields” by elongating without stress increase up to the strain of 1.5, where strain hardening appears. Careful investigation of changes in dihedral angle and morphology of all molecular chains reveals that the gauche→trans transition takes place during yielding, generating a new network-like structure composed of entangled molecular clusters and oriented chains bridging them. The strain hardening is due to the directional orientation and stretching of molecular chains between entanglements in the nucleated structure.     

Modeling mechanical response of intumescent mat material at room temperature

Intumescent mat material is widely used to support ceramic substrates in catalytic converters and behaves very much like hyper-foam material under compressive loading. Experiments show that compressive loading curves depend on the ram speed and the number of cycles. The unloading curves show different slopes and paths that depend less on the ram speed and number of cycles. The slopes of the unloading curves decrease as the plastic strain increases; this is referred to as “softening” in this study. The effects of rate, softening, and plastic deformation must be considered to model the mechanical response of intumescent mat material. Finite deformation theory is applied with a multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient tensor. The developed theory is implemented as an implicit finite element algorithm in ABAQUS^TM/STANDARD. The necessary material parameters are extracted from experiments. Numerical simulations show good agreement with experiments.     

Closed-form solution for wedge cutting force through thin metal sheets

A simple kinematic model is developed which describes the main features of the process of the cutting of a plate by a rigid wedge. It is assumed in this model that the plate material curls up into two inclined cylinders as the wedge advances into the plate. This results in membrane stretching up to fracture of the material near the wedge tip, while the “flaps” in the wake of the cut undergo cylindrical bending. Self-consistent, single-term formulas for the indentation force and the energy absorption are arrived at by relating the “far-field” and “near-tip” deformation events through a single geometric parameter, the instantaneous rolling radius. Further analysis of this solution reveals a weak dependence on the wedge angle and a strong dependence on friction coefficient. The final equation for the approximate cutting force over a range of wedge semiangles 10° ≤ θ ≤ 30° and friction coefficients 0.1 ≤ μ ≤ 0.4 is: F = 3.28σ₀(δ_t)^0.2l^0.4t^1.6μ^0.4, which is identical in form and characteristics to the empirical results recently reported by Lu and Calladine [Int. J. Mech. Sci.32, 295–313 (1990)].This analysis is believed to resolve a controversy recently developed in the literature over the interpretation of plate cutting experiments.     

Creep characterization of type 316LN and HT-9 stainless steels by the K-R creep damage model

The Kachanov and Rabotnov (K-R) creep damage model was interpreted and applied to type 316LN and HT-9 stainless steels. Seven creep constants of the model,A, B. k, m, λ, γ, andq were determined for type 316LN stainless steel. In order to quantify a damage parameter, the cavity was interruptedly traced during creep for measuring cavity area to be reflected into the damage equation. For type 316LN stainless steel, λ=ε _R /ε* and λ _f =ε/ε _R were 3.1 and increased with creep strain. The creep curve with λ=3.1 depicted well the experimental data to the full lifetime and its damage curve showed a good agreement whenr=24. However for the HT-9 stainless steel, the values of A and A/ were different as λ=6.2 and λ _f =8.5, and their K-R creep curves did not agree with the experimental data. This mismatch in the HT-9 steel was due to the ductile fracture by softening of materials rather than the brittle fracture by cavity growth. The differences of the values in the above steels were attributed to creep ductilities at the secondary and the tertiary creep stages.     

A universal slip-line model with non-unique solutions for machining with curled chip formation and a restricted contact tool

A universal slip-line model and the corresponding hodograph for two-dimensional machining which can account for chip curl and chip back-flow when machining with a restricted contact tool are presented in this paper. Six major slip-line models previously developed for machining are briefly reviewed. It is shown that all the six models are special cases of the universal slip-line model presented in this paper. Dewhurst and Collins's matrix technique for numerically solving slip-line problems is employed in the mathematical modeling of the universal slip-line field. A key equation is given to determine the shape of the initial slip-line. A non-unique solution for machining processes when using restricted contact tools is obtained. The influence of four major input parameters, i.e. (a) hydrostatic pressure (P_A) at a point on the intersection line of the shear plane and the work surface to be machined; (b) ratio of the frictional shear stress on the tool rake face to the material shear yield stress (τ/k); (c) ratio of the undeformed chip thickness to the length of the tool land (t₁/h); and (d) tool primary rake angle (γ₁), upon five major output parameters, i.e. (a) four slip-line field angles (θ, η₁, η₂, ψ); (b) non-dimensionalized cutting forces (F_c/kt₁w and F_t/kt₁w); (c) chip thickness (t₂); (d) chip up-curl radius (R_u); and (e) chip back-flow angle (η_b), is theoretically established. The issue of the “built-up-edge” produced under certain conditions in machining processes is also studied. It is hoped that the research work of this paper will help in the understanding of the nature and the basic characteristics of machining processes.     

Asymptotic analysis of extrusion of porous metals

Plane strain extrusion of fully dense and porous metals is analysed using asymptotic techniques. The extrusion die is assumed to taper gradually down the extrusion axis. The asymptotic expansions are based on a small parameter ε which is defined as the ratio of the total reduction of the original cross-section to the length of the reduction region. Coulomb's law is used to model the frictional forces that develop along the metal-die interface and the coefficient of friction is assumed to be of order ε. Analytical solutions for the first two terms in the expansions are obtained. In the case of the fully dense metals, it is shown that the leading order [O(1)] solution involves “slab flow.” It is also shown that the next term in the expansion of the solution is O(ε²), and this provides a theoretical justification for the use of the so-called “slab methods” of analysis for dies of moderate slope. An asymptotic analysis of the extrusion of porous metals with dilute concentration of voids is also carried out. Gurson's plasticity model is used to describe the constitutive behavior of the material. The leading order solution is the same as that of the fully dense material and the effects of porosity enter as an O(ε) correction. In order to verify the asymptotic solutions developed, detailed finite element calculations are carried out for both the fully dense and the porous material. The asymptotic solutions agree well with the results of the finite element calculations.     

Measurement of springback

Springback, the elastically-driven change of shape of a part after forming, has been measured under carefully-controlled laboratory conditions corresponding to those found in press-forming operations. Constitutive equations emphasizing low-strain behavior were generated for three automotive body alloys: drawing-quality silicon-killed steel; high-strength low-alloy steel; and 6022-T4 aluminum. Strip draw-bend tests were then conducted using a range of die radii (3<R/t<17), friction coefficients (0<μ<0.20), and controlled tensile forces (0.5<F_b/F_y<1.5). Springback angles and curvatures were measured for bend and bend–unbend areas of the specimen, the latter corresponding to the “sidewall curl” region, which dominates the geometric change and the dependence on process variables. Friction coefficient and R/t (die-radius-to-sheet-thickness) greater than 5 have modest but measurable effects over the ranges tested. As expected, strip tension dominates the springback sensitivity, with higher forces reducing springback. For 6022-T4, springback is dramatically reduced as the tensile stress approaches the yield stress, corresponding to the appearance of a persistent anticlastic curvature. The presence of this curvature, orthogonal to the principal curvature, violates the simple two-dimensional models of springback reported in the literature. The measured springback angles and curvatures are reported both in graphical summary and tabular form for use in assessing analytical models of springback.     

Fatigue strength assessment of spot-welded lap joint using strain energy density factor

One of the recent issues in design of the spot-welded structure such as the automobile body is to develop an economical prediction method of the fatigue design criterion without additional fatigue test. In this paper, as one of basic investigation for developing such methods, fracture mechanical approach was investigated. First, the Mode I, Mode II and Mode III, stress intensity factors were analyzed. Second, strain energy density factor (S) synthetically including them was calculated. And finally, in order to decide the systematic fatigue design criterion by using this strain energy density factor, fatigue data of the δP-N _f obtained on the various in-plane bending type spot-welded lap joints were systematically re-arranged in the °S-N _f relation. And its utility and reliability were verified by the theory of Weibull probability distribution function. The reliability of the proposed fatigue life prediction value at 10⁷ cycles by the strain energy density factor was estimated by 85%. Therefore, it is possible to decide the fatigue design criterion of spot-welded lap joint instead of the δP-N _f relation.     

Welding wave on the contact spot of solids

In this paper the theoretical model of adhesion between clean solid surfaces is presented. Material behaviour is described by hydrodynamic equations for viscous liquid and by the Gruneisen equation of state. This approach is quite suitable for quantitative analysis of mechanical processes running under high pressures. The model states that growth of a bonded area can occur in a regime of self-propagating welding wave (WW). WW originates at any active point where initial bonding takes place and further moves at velocity U_wwγ/η (γ is surface energy and η is viscosity of material). According to the model presented surface energy plays the key role in adhesion.     

An experimental study of the burst strength of rotating disks

Details are given of a spinning rig for burst tests on metal disks in vacuo at speeds in excess of 100,000 rpm. The permanent strain distributions and the instability and fracture conditions are observed in the spinning of disks of vacuum remelted alloy steel. It is shown for hollow disks of uniform thickness that at instability two “necks” form at either side of the bore and the bore becomes oval with the direction of the minimum diameter passing through the two “necked” regions.Good correlation between theoretical and experimental strain distributions at instability are obtained provided the ratio of outside to inside radius of the disk is greater than 10. The theory is based on a rigid-plastic material and it is thought that better correlation for radius ratios less than 10 would be achieved if elastic strains were taken into account in the theory.     

A polar model for synovial fluid with reference to human joints

An analysis of “Boosted Lubrication” between two approaching solids, one of which is porous, is presented with reference to normally loaded living human joints. Micropolar fluid has been considered to represent the synovial fluid in the fluid film region between the approaching surfaces and the flow of viscous fluid in the porous matrix due to filtration through the porous material. Such a situation analysed in two regions separately using the slip flow model introduced by Beavers and Joseph. The effect of concentration, shape and size of the micro molecules on the bearing characteristics is discussed. The results are in accordance with those of Dowson et al.⁸     

A two-level optimization procedure for material characterization of composites using two symmetric angle-ply beams

A two-level optimization procedure for determining elastic constants E₁, E₂, G₁₂, and ν₁₂ of laminated composite materials using measured axial and lateral strains of two symmetric angle-ply beams with different fiber angles subjected to three-point-bending testing is presented. In the first-level optimization process, the theoretically and experimentally predicted axial and lateral strains of a [(45°/−45°)₆]_s beam are used to construct the strain discrepancy function which is a measure of the sum of the squared differences between the experimental and theoretical predictions of the axial and lateral strains. The identification of the material constants is then formulated as a constrained minimization problem in which the best estimates of shear modulus and Poisson's ratio of the beam are determined to make the strain discrepancy function a global minimum. In the second-level optimization process, shear modulus and Poisson's ratio determined in the first level of optimization are kept constant and Young's moduli of the second angle-ply beam with fiber angles different from 45° are identified by minimizing the strain discrepancy function established at this level of optimization. The suitability of the proposed procedure for material characterization of composite materials has been demonstrated by means of a number of examples.     

Mechanical analysis of the scratching of metals and polymers with conical indenters at moderate and large strains

Scratch test provides a convenient mean to study the surface mechanical properties and the tribological performances of materials. The representative strain of the material in this test increases with the attack angle β of the indenter and so for a conical indenter increases as its apical angle 2θ decreases. But the mechanical analysis of this test by analytic models is very intricate. First we perform a preliminary discussion of the various aspects of the problem by considering the plane strain scratching of materials by wedges. After we present the conditions of the numerical simulations of the scratch test with conical indenters with a three-dimensional (3D) finite element code. These simulations provide the scratch geometry (contact surface, elastic recovery), the plastic strain map and the volume average plastic strain, the scratch hardness and the force ratio, the apparent friction coefficient μ₀=F_t/W. So we compare the behaviour of polymeric and metallic materials in scratch test at low and large strain and relate their difference in scratching resistance to their rheological properties. Polymers develop more higher elastic strains than metals a phenomenon which is characterised at low strain by the yield stress to Young's modulus ratio ε_e=σ_y/E. For θ=70.3° where pure ploughing occurs we study the scratching of elastic perfectly plastic solids with various values of ε_e under zero friction. Some comparisons with the behaviour in indentation are performed and we study the influence of friction in the scratching of workhardened steel with the same cone. At high strain the main rheological difference is the workhardening behaviour: it is described by a power law for metals and an exponential law for polymers. For θ decreasing from 70.3 to 20° we compare the behaviour of a cold worked steel to the behavour of polycarbonate, a thermoplastic polymer: a transition from ploughing to ploughing–cutting occurs only for steel.     

New cylinder liner surfaces for low oil consumption

Anticipated emission legislation and reduced fuel consumption are the main driving forces when developing new engines. Optimization of the active surfaces in the piston system is one possible way to meet the above demands. In this study the effects of surface topography and texture direction of the ring/liner contact on oil film thickness and friction were simulated and experimentally tested. “Low wear” results from the experimental wear tests with “glide honed” smooth liner surfaces supported the “low friction” simulation results. In addition a new wear volume sensitive surface roughness parameter, R_ktot, based on the Abbot–Firestone bearing area curve was introduced.     

An efficient approach to characterize pseudo-merohedral twins by precession electron diffraction: Application to the LaGaO3 perovskite

Pseudo-merohedral twins are frequently observed in crystals displaying pseudo-symmetry. In these crystals, many [u v w] zone axis electron diffraction patterns are very close and can only be distinguished from intensity considerations. On conventional diffraction patterns (selected-area electron diffraction or microdiffraction), a strong dynamical behaviour averages the diffracted intensities so that only the positions of the reflections on a pattern can be considered. On precession electron diffraction patterns, the diffracted beams display an integrated intensity and a “few-beam” or “systematic row” behaviour prevails which strongly reduces the dynamical interactions. Therefore the diffracted intensity can be taken into account. A procedure based on observation of the weak extra-reflections connected with the pseudo-symmetry is given to identify without ambiguity any zone axis. It is successfully applied to the identification and characterization of {1 2 1} reflection twins present in the LaGaO₃ perovskite.     

Effect of cyclic loading on the yield surface evolution of 18G2A low-alloy steel

Experimental analysis is presented of the plastic properties of 18G2A steel (notation according to Polish Standards) in the as-received state, and of the same material subjected to cyclic predeformation in different directions of the two-dimensional stress space (σ_xx, τ_xy). The analysis was made by studying the position in stress space and by determination of typical dimensions of the yield surfaces. The initial yield surface has been determined using a number of specimens which were loaded up to the plastic range along different stress directions, and this surface was used as the starting point for comparative studies of yield surfaces of the cyclic prestrained material. Cyclic predeformations were induced by loading at ambient temperature. After predeformation, yield surfaces were determined by the technique of sequential probes of the single specimen. The anisotropic yield condition due to Szczepiński was shown to model the experimental results well. Prior cyclic loading induced the softening effect observed during subsequent monotonic loading of the steel in the plastic strain range considered.