Mathematical Modeling of Wear Characteristics of 6061 Al-Alloy-SiCp Composite Using Response Surface Methodology

In the light of attractive wear characteristics as well as high strength to weight ratio, extensive research on Al-based Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) have been carried out globally in the last two decades. However, very limited research has been pursued on tribological behavior of Al-based MMC under combined action of rolling and sliding. This study investigates the wear behavior of 6061 Al-alloy/SiC with 10 vol.% SiCp against hardened and tempered AISI 4340 steel under combined rolling-sliding conditions. 2³ factorial design of experiments have been carried out to see the effect of few parameters, i.e., contact stress, speed and duration with respect to wear. The interaction effect has also been studied by 3D graphical contours. A mathematical model is developed using regression analysis technique for prediction of wear behavior of the MMC and adequacy of the model has been validated using analysis of variance (ANOVA) techniques. Finally, the optimization of parameter has also been done using Design Expert software. The results have shown that Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is an effective tool for prediction of wear behavior under combined sliding and rolling action. It is also found that the wear of MMC is much lower than hardened; tempered AISI 4340 steel and rolling speed has the maximum influence in wear of both materials under investigation.     

A comprehensive modeling framework for gate stack process dependence of DC and AC NBTI in SiON and HKMG p-MOSFETs

A comprehensive modeling framework involving mutually uncorrelated contribution from interface trap generation and hole trapping in pre-existing, process related gate insulator traps is used to study NBTI degradation in SiON and HKMG p-MOSFETs. The model can predict time evolution of degradation during DC and AC stress, time evolution of recovery after stress, impact of stress and recovery bias and temperature, and impact of several AC stress parameters such as pulse frequency, duty cycle, duration of last pulse cycle (half or full) and pulse low bias. The model can successfully explain experimental data measured using fast and ultra-fast methods in SiON and HKMG devices having different gate insulator processes. The trap generation and trapping sub components of the composite model have been verified by independent experiments. Data published by different groups are reconciled and explained. The model can successfully predict long time DC and AC stress data and has been used to determine device degradation at end of life as EOT is scaled for different HKMG devices.     

On electromagneto-thermoelastic plane waves under Green–Naghdi theory of thermoelasticity-II

The present work attempts to investigate the propagation of one-dimensional electromagneto-thermoelastic plane waves in an isotropic unbounded thermally and electrically conducting media with finite conductivity in the context of the theory of thermoelasticity of Green and Naghdi type-II. The heat conduction equation is affected with the Thomson coe?cient. Basic governing equations are modified by using Green–Naghdi theory of type-II. Our problem formulation derives two different systems. The first system is found to be coupled with the thermal field and represents the longitudinal wave. However, the second system represents transverse wave that is uncoupled with the thermal field. In both the cases, we identify waves that are affected with the magnetic field. Asymptotic expansions of dispersion relation solutions and various components of plane waves such as phase velocity, specific loss, and penetration depth are derived analytically for high- and low-frequency values in all cases. Analytical results predicting the limiting behavior of longitudinal and transverse waves are verified with the numerical results. The results of the present study are compared with the results of the thermoelastic case, and a detailed analysis of the effects of presence of the magnetic field under this theory has been presented.     

Mechanical Properties Anisotropy of Cold-Rolled and Solution-Annealed Ni-Based Hastelloy C-276 Alloy

This work describes a correlation among texture, in-plane anisotropy in tensile properties, and yield locus in Ni-based Hastelloy C-276 alloy. The alloy exhibits moderate values of in-plane anisotropy and anisotropy index, which has been attributed to the presence of moderate overall intensity of texture. The alloy displays two slopes in true plastic stress–strain curve and follows a Ludwigson relation. At low plastic strains, the sample displays the presence of annealing twins and less strain localization at grain boundaries, while the formation of deformation twins and high strain localization within the deformation twins and at the grain boundaries are observed in a high-strained region. The 45-deg and 67.5-deg orientation samples show relatively low ductility and low work-hardening exponent. This has been explained based on dislocation storage capacity and dynamic recovery coefficient using Kock–Mecking–Estrin analysis.     

Efficient fog removal from video

In this paper, a framework of real-time video processing for fog removal using uncalibrated single camera system is proposed. Intelligent use of temporal redundancy present in video frames paves the way for real-time implementation. Any fog removal algorithm for images acquired with uncalibrated single camera system can be extended to video using the proposed framework. For the purpose of real-time implementation, several fog removal algorithms for images are investigated and few top ranking algorithms in speed and quality are chosen. Simulation results confirm that proposed framework reduces the computation per frame significantly. Proposed fog removal framework has a wide application in navigation, transportation, and other industries.     

Studies on the dehydration kinetics and rehydration of YAG precursor powder in the hydroxyhydrogel form

YAG precursor powder was prepared in the hydroxyhydrogel form. Dehydration kinetic study and rehydration experiment was carried out to know the behavior of water molecules and hydroxide bonds present in the hydroxyhydrogel network structure with temperature. Rate constants and activation energies for dehydration and dehydroxylation were evaluated by static thermogravimetry. Percent rehydration was determined at different heat treatment temperatures. The results obtained were explained, correlated to establish the thermal stability of hydroxyhydrogel network structure and finally supported by the FTIR analysis.     

Fragmentation and granular transition of ceramics for high rate loading

The paper presents a numerical model to study the transition of brittle materials from a cracked solid to a granular medium under impact loading. The model addresses competitive crack coalescence in the transition regime and provides insight into the onset of comminution and the initial conditions for subsequent granular flow. Crack statistics obtained from initial flaws using a wing crack growth-based damage model have been used to discretely model elliptical cracks in three dimensions. These discrete cracks are either generated randomly in space or with a constraint that minimizes the intersection between neighboring cracks. These cracks are then allowed to coalesce with nearby cracks along with favorable directions and the output fragment statistics are predicted. A simple statistical model is proposed that suggests a transition criterion resembling the one obtained from the numerical model. Initial fragments are power-law distributed similarly to experimental observations and particle-based models. A generalized form of a microstructure-dependent granular transition criterion based on a threshold measure of crack lengths has been proposed. This model can be implemented in numerical codes to activate granular physics and calibrate the initial conditions of granular flow, such as fragment size and morphology.     

Improved mechanical and moisture resistance property of in situ polymerized transparent PMMA/Cellulose composites

This article evaluates the role of cellulosic fillers in a synthetic polymer matrix like polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) when incorporated by in situ suspension polymerization technique. Cellulose micro/nanofibers (CNF) were extracted from jute fibers and chemically modified with maleic anhydride (MACNF) to increase their interfacial compatibility with PMMA by participation of the MA moiety in the free radical polymerization with MMA. The effect of incorporating MACNF on the physical and mechanical properties of the PMMA matrix was investigated. Optical transparency was retained in the in situ prepared PMMA/cellulose composites (IPMC) similar to that of unreinforced PMMA. Another set of PMMA/cellulose composites was prepared by dispersing MACNF in PMMA matrix by ex situ solution dispersion method (EPMC). The modification of CNF with MA significantly improved the filler/matrix interfacial compatibility and in situ polymerization technique further enhanced the properties of the composites. The high moisture absorption tendency, which is a major drawback of the cellulose filled composites, remarkably reduced in IPMC. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:1748–1758, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of steam environment on severe core damage behaviour for VVER-1000 with the ASTEC V1 code

Severe accident studies for very low frequency events for VVER-1000 (V320) are carried out to estimate in-vessel damage progression under steam-rich and starved conditions. The analyses with code ASTEC, jointly developed by IRSN (France) and GRS, Germany), have shown the influence of steam environment on core heat-up followed by material relocation, hydrogen production, vessel failure and aerosol generation along with release to containment. Hydro-accumulator injection for studied transients also gives rise to a steam-rich environment enhancing the material oxidation depending on the injection time and period. The generated information along with PSA-Level 2 is helpful to decide Plant Damage State (PDS) and fruitfully develop accident management strategies for the plant.