Constitutive modelling and numerical simulation of multivariant phase transformation in superelastic shape‐memory alloys

This work concerns the micromechanical constitutive modelling, algorithmic implementation and numerical simulation of polycrystalline superelastic alloys under multiaxial loading. The model is formulated in finite deformations and incorporates the effect of texture. The numerical implementation is based on the constrained minimization of the Helmholtz free energy with dissipation. Simulations are conducted for thin tubes of Nitinol under tension–torsion, as well as for a simplified model of a biomedical stent. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Instron texture profile of buffalo milk cheddar cheese as influenced by composition and ripening changes

Buffalo milk Cheddar cheese samples of different ages were analysed for compositional attributes (CA), ripening indices (RI) and Instron Textural Profile (ITP). All samples were compositionally alike, except for pH and salt-in-moisture (SM) contents. RI showed significant variations. CA and RI showed highly significant correlations within themselves and with each other, except for moisture with pH, SM with moisture, MNFS, Fat and FDM and Fat with MNFS. The ITPs of cheeses showed significant variations and had highly significant intercorrelations indicating their interdependence. CA (except moisture and MNFS) and RI showed a highly significant correlationship with ITPs. Moisture content showed a highly significant correlationship with all ITPs, except cohesiveness and springiness, where it was significant. MNFS content showed significant correlations only with hardness and brittleness. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that MI was the most predominant factor influencing cheese texture, followed by pH, SM, FDM and TVFA. Knowing Ca and RI, the textural properties of cheeses can be forecast through mathematical equations. Similarly the age of cheese can also be predicted if RI and/or textural properties are known.     

Investigation of texture effect on visual colour difference evaluation

The texture effect on visual colour difference evaluation was investigated in this study. Five colour centers were selected and textured colour pairs were generated using scanned textile woven fabrics and colour‐mapping technique. The textured and solid colour pairs were then displayed on a characterized cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor for colour difference evaluation. The colour difference values for the pairs with texture patterns are equal to 5.0 CIELAB units in lightness direction. The texture level was represented by the half‐width of histogram, which is called texture strength in this study. High correlation was found between texture strength and visual colour difference for textured colour pairs, which indicates that an increasing of 10 units of texture strength in luminance would cause a decreasing of 0.25 units visual difference for the five colour centers. The ratio of visual difference between textured and solid colour pairs also indicates a high parametric effect of texture. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 30, 341–347, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/col.     

无间隙原子钢的微观结构特征和塑性应变比

采用Ｘ射线衍射的ＯＤＦ和ＬＰ分析技术，ＳＥＭ电子通道花样和蚀坑技术观测，研究了超深冲无间隙原子钢板的微观结构特征。结果表明：控制化学成分、保证基体纯净、优选工艺参数，促进强的γ－〈１１１〉∥Ｎ．Ｄ纤维织构的形成是获得优异成型性的关键。用ＣＭＴＰ方法，由ＯＤＦ织构数据从理论计算了塑性应变比（ｒ），表明ｒｍ值高达３．１８。文中讨论了再结晶织构形成机制。     

The Change of Body Temperature During Convective Drying of Cube-Shaped Apple Pieces

When using the convective drying method, the mass transfer between drying air and moisture diffusion of the material is very important. The moisture moves inside the material because of the volume change caused by the increased temperature. This movement is additionally affected by the texture of the material. According to the research dealing with colloid capillary porous texture of vegetables and fruit, the humidity migration inside the material occurs in both fluid and steam condition at the same time. This migration is stimulated by the heating and decreasing humidity along with the flow. In this research, winter varieties of apples (Jonathan, Golden Delicious, and Idared) were studied by heating of a 20 × 20 × 20 piece of apple with a thermocouple in it. On the basis of the measurements it can be stated that for the fruits with a high percentage of moisture (75-90%), when making the drying condition, the moisture gradient is influenced by the fractured cells of the cut area. It was found that the variety of apple is very important in relation to the heating and water loss gradient. According to the results, the wet volume change due to the heating highly influences the water loss. The models that describe the temperature of the material have a connection with the water loss.     

Allelopathic effects of giant foxtail on germination and radicle elongation of loblolly pine seed

Water extracts of giant foxtail grass inhibited germination and radicle elongation of loblolly pine seed in a laboratory test. Most of the toxic effects came from extracts of dried foxtail tops, with lesser amounts from fresh tops and roots. Soil texture affected the phytotoxicity of the extracts. Eight chemical compounds known to be phytotoxins inSetaria were identified in extracts of foxtail leaves but could not be found in soil samples under the leaves.     

Dependence of critical current density on microstructure and processing of high-Tc superconductors

Microstructural origins for reduced weak-link behavior in high-J_c melt-processed YBCO, spray pyrolyzed thick films of Tl-1223, metallic precursor Y-124 polycrystalline powder-in-tube (PIT) wires and PIT Bi-2212/2223 are discussed. Since the materials studied are the highest J_c, polycrystalline, high-T_c superconductors fabricated worldwide, the results provide important guidelines for further improvements in superconducting properties, thereby enabling practical applications of these materials. It is found that strongly linked current flow within domains of melt-processed 123 occurs effectively through a single crystal path. In c-axis oriented, polycrystalline Tl-1223 thick films, local in-plane texture has been found to play a crucial role in the reduced weak-link behavior. Formation of “colonies” of grains with a common c-axis and modest in-plane misorientation was observed. Furthermore, a colony boundary in general has a varying misorientation along the boundary. Large regions comprised primarily of low angle boundaries were observed. Percolative transport through a network of such small angle boundaries appears to provide the nonweak-linked current path. Although powder-in-tube BSCCO 2212 and 2223 also appear to have a “colony” microstructure, there are some important differences. Colonies in BSCCO consist of stacks of grains with similar c-axis orientation in contrast to colonies in Tl-1223 films where few grains are stacked on top of one another. Furthermore, most grains within a colony in BSCCO have the same lateral dimensions as that of the colony, resulting largely largely in “twist” boundaries. Further microstructural characterization of high-J_c PIT 2212 and 2223 is currently underway. In the case of Y-124 wires, weak macroscopic in-plane texture is found. Additional measurements are underway to determine if a sharper, local in-plane texture also exists. It is found that in three of the four types of superconductors studied, reduced weak-link behavior can be ascribed to some degree of biaxial alignment between grains, either on a “local” or a “global” scale.     

Growth of CeO_2, Y_2O_3 Buffer Layers for YBCO Coated Conductor

~~Growth of CeO_2, Y_2O_3 Buffer Layers for YBCO Coated Conductor     

Effect of pretreatments and freezing rate on the firmness of potato tissue after a freeze–thaw cycle

The texture of potato tissue after a freeze–thaw process using different freezing rates and different pretreatments was analysed, in order to select the best strategy for optimum preservation of the textural characteristics of pre‐frozen potato. Ten blanching conditions were tested and a two‐step blanching process with calcium chloride (0.07 g mL^?1) proved the most effective in protecting the tissue after a freeze–thaw process (maximum load force around 10–55% of the raw tissue, depending on potato batch, for air‐blast freezing and 20–60% for immersion freezing). Vacuum impregnation at 100 and 400 mbar, even when followed by different pre‐drying treatments to remove excess water, was very detrimental to resistance to a freeze–thaw process (maximum load force below 10% of the raw tissue for air‐blast freezing and below 20% for immersion freezing). Microstructure analysis confirmed better tissue integrity retention with ethyleneglycol immersion freezing instead of air‐freezing. Differences were found between batches with a 6‐month difference in storage time, indicating that the fresher batch was more suitable for freezing.