Evolution of thermoplastic shear localization and related microstructures in Awl/SiCp composites under dynamic compression

The localized shear deformation in the 2024 and 2124 Al matrix composites reinforced with SiC particles was investigated with a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) at a strain rate of about 2.0x10(3) s(-1). The results showed that the occurrence of localized shear deformation is sensitive to the size of SiC particles. It was found that the critical strain, at which the shear localization occurs, strongly depends on the size and volume fraction of SiC particles. The smaller the particle size, the lower the critical strain required for the shear localization. TEM examinations revealed that Al/SiCp interfaces are the main sources of dislocations. The dislocation density near the interface was found to be high and it decreases with the distance from the particles. The Al matrix in shear bands was highly deformed and severely elongated at low angle boundaries. The Al/SiCp interfaces, particularly the sharp corners of SiC particles, provide the sites for microcrack initiation. Eventual fracture is caused by the growth and coalescence of microcracks along the shear bands. It is proposed that the distortion free equiaxed grains with low dislocation density observed in the center of shear band result from recrystallization during dynamic deformation.

Shock tube study of JP-10 ignition delay time

JP-10 (exo-tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene, C10H16) ignition delay times were measured in a preheated shock tube. The vapor pressures of the JP-10 were measured directly by using a high-precision vacuum gauge, to remedy the difficulty in determining the gaseous concentrations of heavy hydrocarbon fuel arising from the adsorption on the wall in shock tube experiments. The whole variation of pressure and emission of the OH or CH radicals were observed in the ignition process by a pressure transducer and a photomultiplier with a monochromator. The emission of the OH or CH radicals was used to identify the time to ignition. Experiments were performed over the pressure range of 151-556 kPa, temperature range of 1000-2100 K, fuel concentrations of 0.1%-0.55% mole fraction, and stoichiometric ratios of 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0. The experimental results show that for the lower and higher temperature ranges, there are different dependency relationships of the ignition time on the temperature and the concentrations of JP-10 and oxygen.