An analysis of microband orientation in hot deformed aluminium alloy AA5052 using forward and reverse torsion

The effects of strain path reversal on the macroscopic orientation of microbands in AA5052 have been studied using high resolution electron backscatter diffraction. Deformation was carried using two equal steps of forward/forward or forward/reverse torsion at a temperature of 300°C and strain rate of 1s-1 to a total equivalent tensile strain of 0.5. In both cases microbands were found in the majority of grains examined with many having more than one set. The microbands appear to cluster at specific angles to the macroscopic deformation. For the forward/forward condition microbands clustered around -20° and +45° to the maximum principle stress direction and at ± 30-35° to the principal strain direction. For the forward/reverse condition significantly more spread in microband angle was observed though peaks were visible at ±35° with respect to principal stress direction and at -40° and +30° with respect to the principal strain direction of the reverse torsion. This suggests the microbands formed in the forward deformation have or are dissolving and any new microbands formed are related to the deformation conditions of the final strain path.

Inbreeding and testicular abnormalities in a bottlenecked population of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus)

Habitat destruction and fragmentation, interactions with introduced species or the relocation of animals to form new populations for conservation purposes may result in a multiplication of population bottlenecks. Examples are the translocations of koalas to French Island and its derivative Kangaroo Island population, with both populations established as insurance policies against koala extinction. In terms of population size, these conservation programs were success stories. However, the genetic story could be different. We conducted a genetic investigation of French and Kangaroo Island koalas by using 15 microsatellite markers, 11 of which are described here for the first time. The results confirm very low genetic diversity. French Island koalas have 3.8 alleles per locus and Kangaroo Island koalas 2.4. The present study found a 19% incidence of testicular abnormality in kangaroo Island animals. Internal relatedness, an individual inbreeding coefficient, was not significantly different in koalas with testicular abnormalities from that in other males, suggesting the condition is not related to recent inbreeding. It could instead result from an unfortunate selection of founder individuals carrying alleles for testicular abnormalities, followed by a subsequent increase in these alleles’ frequencies through genetic drift and small population-related inefficiency of selection. Given the low diversity and possible high prevalence of deleterious alleles, the genetic viability of the population remains uncertain, despite its exponential growth so far. This stands as a warning to other introductions for conservation reasons.

A heuristic model selection scheme for representing hot flow data using the hot torsion test results

The problem of "model selection" for expressing a wide range of constitutive behaviour adequately using hot torsion test data was considered here using a heuristic approach. A model library including several nested parametric linear and non-linear models was considered and applied to a set of hot torsion test data for API-X 70 micro-alloyed steel with a range of strain rates and temperatures. A cost function comprising the modelled hot strength data and that of the measured data were utilized in a heuristic model selection scheme to identify the optimum models. It was shown that a non-linear rational model including ten parameters is an optimum model that can accurately express the multiple regimes of hardening and softening for the entire range of the experiment. The parameters for the optimum model were estimated and used for determining variations of hot strength of the samples with deformation.

Post processing of the hot torsion test results using a multi-dimensional modelling approach

A model selection scheme was extended to a multi-dimensional representation of the hot torsion test torque, twist and twist rate data to calculate partial derivatives of the torque data with respect to twist and twist rate. These enabled calculation of the instantaneous strain and strain rate hardening indices in the Fields and Backofen method. The concept of an iso-parametric shape function has been borrowed from the finite element method for adding twist rate as a dependant variable to the torque-twist models identified by the model selection scheme. Expressions to calculate the hardening indices, when employing a rational model of torsion data, were derived and presented. Subsequently, the models were used for post processing the data and determining hot strength behaviour, taking into account variations of strain and strain rate hardening indices during the deformation. To substantiate the technique, the hot flow behaviour of API-X70 micro-alloyed steel was determined using a range of hot torsion test data for the material. The flow stress obtained using the instantaneous hardening indices were compared with that obtained by the orthodox technique. For the investigated cases, the onset of dynamic recrystallization (DRX) predicted by the presented technique deviated considerably from those obtained when the average indices were used.

Corrigendum : Inbreeding and testicular abnormalities in a bottlenecked population of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus)

The authors wish to alert readers to the following calculation errors, p. 304, first column, second paragraph (corrected text is shown in bold)

Orientation dependence of the substructure characteristics in a Ni- 30%Fe austenitic alloy deformed in hot torsion

The present work examines the microstructure and texture evolution in a Ni-30wt.%Fe austenitic model alloy deformed in torsion at 1000 °C, with a particular emphasis on the orientation dependence of the substructure characteristics within the deformed original grains. Texture of these grains was principally consistent with that expected for simple shear and comprised the main A, B and C components. The deformation substructure within the main texture component grains was characterised by "organised" arrays of parallel microbands with systematically alternating misorientations, locally accompanied by micro-shear bands within the C grains. With increasing strain, the mean subgrain size gradually decreased and the mean misorientation angle concurrently increased towards the saturation. The stored deformation energy within the main texture component grains was principally consistent with the respective Taylor factor values. The microband boundaries corresponded to the expected single slip {111} plane for the A oriented grains while these boundaries for the C oriented grains represented a variety of planes even for a single grain.

Surface wrinkling of the twinning induced plasticity steel during the tensile and torsion tests

'Heterogeneous twinning' is defined as plastic deformation due to the formation and progress of twins resulting in surface wrinkles on the deforming part when the initial grain size is relatively large compared to the typical size of the part. In the case of a Twinning Induced Plasticity (TWIP) steel with an initial grain size of ~160. m, the heterogeneous twinning generated visible wrinkles, an orange peel effect, under medium uni-axial strains. The heterogeneous twinning did not occur in the material subjected to high shear strains. The complications resulting from this phenomenon on strain hardening characterization of the TWIP steels using two commonly used mechanical tests, tensile and torsion are discussed along with some experimental aspects of heterogeneous twinning. © 2014.

A comprehensive method to identify the kinetics of static recrystallization using the hot torsion test results with an inverse solution

Many difficulties exist in directly following the static recrystallization of metals, particularly during hotworking. Indirect measurement of static recrystallization has been extensively performed in the literature where, for example, the recrystallization behavior of austenite in steels has commonly been measured indirectly using the fractional softening method. This method relies on the yield stress changes during recrystallization which are physically simulated by hot torsion or compression tests. However, the inherent heterogeneity of deformation during a mechanical test leads to a non-uniform static recrystallization distribution in the test sample. This, in turn, poses a serious question concerning the reliability of the measurement since the stress calculation techniques during recrystallization are not adequately developed in the existing literature. This paper develops a computer-based method to account for heterogeneous deformation during fractional softening measurements based on the hot torsion test data. The importance of the fractional softening gradient in determining the kinetics is emphasized and deficiencies in our understanding of the basic mechanisms are highlighted. A computer-based method is introduced to generate the experimental and computational components in a cost function. The cost function is then utilized by an inverse solution to calibrate the design parameters in a static recrystallization model.

Comparação entre a ultra-sonografia com dopplervelocimetria e análise hormonal na predição do achado de espermatozóides em biópsia testicular de pacientes com azoospermia

Resumo não disponível.

Efeito da exposição subcrônica a ondas de radiofreqüência geradas por um aparelho de telefone celular convencional na função testicular de ratos Wistar adultos

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Testicular volume and reproductive status of Wild Callithrix jacchus

ARAÚJO, Arrilton ; SOUSA, Maria Bernardete Cordeiro . Testicular volume and reproductive status of Wild Callithrix jacchus. International Journal of Primatology, v.29, p.1355–1364, 2008. DOI 10.1007/s10764-008-9291-4