A Thermodynamic Constitutive Model for Stress Induced Phase Transformation in Shape Memory Alloys

In this paper a thermodynamic constitutive model is developed for stress induced phase transformation in single crystalline and polycrystalline shape memory alloys (SMAs). Volume fractions of different martensite variants are chosen as internal variables to describe the evolution of microstructure state in the material. This model is then used in prediction the transformation behavior of a SMA (Cu-Al-Zn-Mn) under complex thermomechanical load (including complete and incomplete transformation in mechanical cycling, and proportional/non-proportional loading). (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Energy Conversion in Shape Memory Alloy Heat Engine Part I: Theory

Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) can be easily deformed to a new shape by applying a small external load at low temperature, and then recovers its original configuration upon heating. This unique shape memory phenomenon has inspired many novel designs. SMA based heat engine is one among them. SMA heat engine is an environment-friendly alternative to extract mechanical energy from low-grade energies, for instance, warm wastewater, geothermal energy, solar thermal energy, etc. The aim of this paper is to present an applicable theoretical model for simulation of SMA-based heat engines. First, a micro-mechanical constitutive model is derived for SMAs. The volume fractions of austenite and martensite variants are chosen as internal variables to describe the evolution of microstructure in SMA upon phase transition. Subsequently, the energy equation is derived based on the first thermodynamic law and the previous SMA model. From Fourier’s law of heat conduction and Newton’s law of cooling, both differential and integral forms of energy conversion equation are obtained.

Gamma -> Epsilon Martensite Transformation and Twinning Deformation in fcc Cobalt During Surface Mechanical Attrition Treatment

The deformation microstructure of face-centered cubic cobalt subjected to surface mechanical attrition treatment was studied as a function of strain levels. Strain-induced gamma --> epsilon transformation and twinning deformation were evidenced by transmission electron microscopy and were found to progress continuously in ultrafine and nanocrystalline grains as the strain increased.

Theory Of Phase Transformation And Reorientation In Single Crystalline Shape Memory Alloys

A constitutive model, based on an (n + 1)-phase mixture of the Mori-Tanaka average theory, has been developed for stress-induced martensitic transformation and reorientation in single crystalline shape memory alloys. Volume fractions of different martensite lattice correspondence variants are chosen as internal variables to describe microstructural evolution. Macroscopic Gibbs free energy for the phase transformation is derived with thermodynamics principles and the ensemble average method of micro-mechanics. The critical condition and the evolution equation are proposed for both the phase transition and reorientation. This model can also simulate interior hysteresis loops during loading/unloading by switching the critical driving forces when an opposite transition takes place.

Fatigue crack-growth rate in ferrite martensite dual-phase steel

An empirical study is made on the fatigue crack growth rate in ferrite-martensite dual-phase (FMDP) steel. Particular attention is given to the effect of ferrite content in the range of 24.2% to 41.5% where good fatigue resistance was found at 33.8%. Variations in ferrite content did not affect the crack growth rate when plotted against the effective stress intensity factor range  which was assumed to follow a linear relation with the crack tip stress intensity factor range ΔK. A high  corresponds to uniformly distributed small size ferrite and martensite. No other appreciable correlation could be ralated to the microstructure morphology of the FMDP steel. The closure stress intensity factor , however, is affected by the ferrite content with  reaching a maximum value of 0.7. In general, crack growth followed the interphase between the martensite and ferrite.

Dividing the fatigue crack growth process into Stage I and II where the former would be highly sensitive to changes in ΔK and the latter would increase with ΔK depending on the  ratio. The same data when correlated with the strain energy density factor range ΔS showed negligible dependence on mean stress or R ratio for Stage I crack growth. A parameter α involving the ratio of ultimate stress to yield stress, percent reduction of area and R is introduced for Stage II crack growth so that the  data for different R would collapse onto a single curve with a narrow scatter band when plotted against αΔS.

Melanocortin-1 receptor gene variants in four Chinese ethnic populations

There is strong relationship between melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene variants and human hair color and skin type. Based on a sequencing study of MC1R gene in 50 individuals from the Uygur, Tibetan, Wa and Dai ethnic populations, we discuss the occurre

Analysis of mitochondrial DNA variants in Japanese patients with schizophrenia

To test the hypothesis that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variants contribute to the susceptibility to schizophrenia, we sequenced the entire mtDNAs from 93 Japanese schizophrenic patients. Three non-synonymous homoplasmic variants in subunit six of the ATP s

Photodegradation dynamics of pure microcystin variants with illumination of fixed wavelength UV-lights

Photolysis of microcystins by UV irradiation and the effects of different environmental factors on efficiency of UV degradation were studied. The results indicated that the rates of the photolytical degradation reactions of microcystin-LR and RR-follow pseudo-first-order kinetic process. The results also showed that the concentrations of two microcystin variants decreased significantly by UV-C Irradiation; the wavelength and intensitiy of UV irradiation are two very important factors affecting the rate of degradation; temperature and pH value could also affect the half life of degradation rates. When irradiated by weaker UV-Iight, isomerization could be detected in the course of photolytical degradation. The concentrations of two isomers transformed from microcystin-LR reached its maximum at the third minute and decreased with the time afterwards. To simulate photolysis of microcystins in the field water body, microcystins with low concentration were used. It was found that UV-C illumination was capable of decomposing over 95% of microcystins within 40 min. In the presence of humic substances the photodecomposition slowed down to a certain extent. These results are valuable in using UV irradiation for elimination microcystins from raw water.

Screening of salt tolerant watercress variants on natural seawater contained medium

The responses of stem segments of watercress (Nasturtium officinale R. Br.) to 6-BA,NAA and 2,4-D were studied. MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/L 6-BA, 0.2 mg/L 2,4-D was used for callus initiation and maintenance. MS medium supplemented with 4.0 mg/L 6-BA was suitable for plant regeneration and MS medium without plant hormone supplement was used for rooting and plant propagation. For screening of salt tolerant calli, stem segments of watercress were plated onto callus initiation medium containing 1/3 natural seawater. Seventeen out of the 325 plated explants produced calli. The growth curves demonstrated that the growth rate of salt-tolerant calli on saline medium almost matched that of the control calli on normal medium. Some of the salt-tolerant calli were transferred to the normal regeneration medium or saline regeneration medium to induce plant regeneration. In the first case, buds and shoots were regenerated in the same way as those of control calli on normal regeneration medium. More than 1 000 regenerated shoots were obtained of which 83 regenerated shoots were cut and transferred to saline MS base medium. At first, all shoot growth was inhibited, but 40 days after the transfer, rapid-growing axillary shoots were observed on 16 of the original shoots but none on the control shoots on saline MS base medium. Moreover, green spots appeared on most calli 10 days after they were transferred to saline medium, however buds appeared only on 5 calli from the 30 transferred calli and at the end only 2 rapid-growing shoots were obtained from two calli. In total, 18 variant lines were obtained through. propagation of the salt-tolerant shoots on saline MS base medium. RAPD analysis was performed in 10 of the 18 salt-tolerant variant lines and DNA variation was detected in all the tested variant lines.