New Deformation Twinning Mechanism Generates Zero Macroscopic Strain In Nanocrystalline Metals

Macroscopic strain was hitherto considered a necessary corollary of deformation twinning in coarse-grained metals. Recently, twinning has been found to be a preeminent deformation mechanism in nanocrystalline face-centered-cubic (fcc) metals with medium-to-high stacking fault energies. Here we report a surprising discovery that the vast majority of deformation twins in nanocrystalline Al, Ni, and Cu, contrary to popular belief, yield zero net macroscopic strain. We propose a new twinning mechanism, random activation of partials, to explain this unusual phenomenon. The random activation of partials mechanism appears to be the most plausible mechanism and may be unique to nanocrystalline fcc metals with implications for their deformation behavior and mechanical properties.

Effect of Microstructural Interfaces on the Mechanical Response of Crystalline Metallic Materials

Advances in nano-scale mechanical testing have brought about progress in the understanding of physical phenomena in materials and a measure of control in the fabrication of novel materials. In contrast to bulk materials that display size-invariant mechanical properties, sub-micron metallic samples show a critical dependence on sample size. The strength of nano-scale single crystalline metals is well-described by a power-law function, σαD^-n, where D is a critical sample size and n is a experimentally-fit positive exponent. This relationship is attributed to source-driven plasticity and demonstrates a strengthening as the decreasing sample size begins to limit the size and number of dislocation sources. A full understanding of this size-dependence is complicated by the presence of microstructural features such as interfaces that can compete with the dominant dislocation-based deformation mechanisms. In this thesis, the effects of microstructural features such as grain boundaries and anisotropic crystallinity on nano-scale metals are investigated through uniaxial compression testing. We find that nano-sized Cu covered by a hard coating displays a Bauschinger effect and the emergence of this behavior can be explained through a simple dislocation-based analytic model. Al nano-pillars containing a single vertically-oriented coincident site lattice grain boundary are found to show similar deformation to single-crystalline nano-pillars with slip traces passing through the grain boundary. With increasing tilt angle of the grain boundary from the pillar axis, we observe a transition from dislocation-dominated deformation to grain boundary sliding. Crystallites are observed to shear along the grain boundary and molecular dynamics simulations reveal a mechanism of atomic migration that accommodates boundary sliding. We conclude with an analysis of the effects of inherent crystal anisotropy and alloying on the mechanical behavior of the Mg alloy, AZ31. Through comparison to pure Mg, we show that the size effect dominates the strength of samples below 10 μm, that differences in the size effect between hexagonal slip systems is due to the inherent crystal anisotropy, suggesting that the fundamental mechanism of the size effect in these slip systems is the same.

Influences of CO2 laser annealing on mechanical and laser-induced damage properties of ZrO2 thin films

Zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) thin films were deposited on BK7 glass substrates by the electron beam evaporation method. A continuous wave CO2 laser was used to anneal the ZrO2 thin films to investigate whether beneficial changes could be produced. After annealing at different laser scanning speeds by CO2 laser, weak absorption of the coatings was measured by the surface thermal lensing (STL) technique, and then laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) was also determined. It was found that the weak absorption decreased first, while the laser scanning speed is below some value, then increased. The LIDT of the ZrO2 coatings decreased greatly when the laser scanning speeds were below some value. A Nomarski microscope was employed to map the damage morphology, and it was found that the damage behavior was defect-initiated both for annealed and as-deposited samples. The influences of post-deposition CO2 laser annealing on the structural and mechanical properties of the films have also been investigated by X-ray diffraction and ZYGO interferometer. It was found that the microstructure of the ZrO2 films did not change. The residual stress in ZrO2 films showed a tendency from tensile to compressive after CO, laser annealing, and the variation quantity of the residual stress increased with decreasing laser scanning speed. The residual stress may be mitigated to some extent at proper treatment parameters. (c) 2007 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Fabrication and mechanical property of carbon nanotube/metal composites

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are known to exhibit extraordinary mechanical properties such as high tensile strength, the highest Young modulus etc. These, combining with their large aspect ratio, make CNTs an excellent additive candidate to complement or substitute traditional carbon black or glass fiber fillers for the development of nano-reinforced composites. CNTs have thus far been used as additives in polymers, ceramics and metals to be pursued on practical applications of their composites. © 2010 IEEE.

Plastic deformation of metals and alloys

This chapter focuses on relationships between plastic deformation structures and mechanical properties in metals and alloys deforming by dislocation glide. We start by summarizing plastic deformation processes, then look at the fundamental mechanisms of plastic deformation and explore how deformation structures evolve. We then turn to experimental techniques for characterization which have allowed deformation microstructures to be quantified in terms of common structural parameters. The microstructural evolution has been described over many length scales and analyzed theoretically based on general principles. The deformation microstructures are related to work hardening stages. Finally we identify correlations between a wide range of microstructural features and mechanical properties, particularly flow stress, and use experimental observations to illustrate their inter-relationships.

Mechanical and chemical bonding properties of ground state BeH2

The crystal structure, mechanical properties and electronic structure of ground state BeH2 are calculated employing the first-principles methods based on the density functional theory. Our calculated structural parameters at equilibrium volume are well consistent with experimental results. Elastic constants, which well obey the mechanical stability criteria, are firstly theoretically acquired. The bulk modulus B, Shear modulus G, Young's modulus E, and Poisson's ratio upsilon are deduced from the elastic constants. The bonding nature in BeH2 is fully interpreted by combining characteristics in band structure, density of states, and charge distribution. The ionicity in the Be-H bond is mainly featured by charge transfer from Be 2s to H 1s atomic orbitals while its covalency is dominated by the hybridization of H 1s and Be 2p states. The Bader analysis of BeH2 and MgH2 are performed to describe the ionic/covalent character quantitatively and we find that about 1.61 (1.6) electrons transfer from each Be (Mg) atom to H atoms.

A novel (W-Al)-C-Co composite cemented carbide prepared by mechanical alloying and hot-pressing sintering

Novel cemented carbides (W0.4Al0.6)C-0.5-Co With different cobalt contents were prepared by mechanical alloying and hot-pressing technique. Hot-pressing technique as a common technique was performed to fabricate the bulk bodies of the hard alloys. The novel cemented carbides have good mechanical properties compared with WC-Co. The density and operation cost of the novel material were much lower than the WC-Co system. It was easy to process submicroscale sintering with the novel materials and obtain the rounded particles in the bulk materials. There is almost no eta-phase in the (W0.4Al0.6)C-0.5-CO cemented carbides system although the carbon deficient obtains the astonishing value of 50%.

Dynamic mechanical and thermal properties of plasticized poly(lactic acid)

The blends of low molecular weight triacetin (TAC) and oligomeric poly(1,3-butylene glycol adipate) (PBGA) were used as multiple plasticizers to lubricate poly(lactic acid) (PLA) in this study. The thermal and mechanical properties of plasticized polymers were investigated by means of dynamic mechanical analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to analyze the morphologies of the blends. Multiple plasticizers were effective in lowering the glass transition temperature (T-g) and the melting temperature (T-m) of PLA. Moreover, crystallinity of PLA increased with increasing the con-tent of multiple plasticizers. Tensile strength of the blends decreased following the increasing of the plasticizers, but increased in elongation at break. AFM topographic images showed that the multiple plasticizers dispersed between interfibrillar regions. Moreover, the fibrillar crystallite formed the quasicrosslinkings, which is another cause for the increase in elongation at break.

Tremolite-reinforced nylon 66 composites: Mechanical and rheological properties

The reinforcement effect of an acicular inorganic filler, tremolite, on nylon 66 was studied. The mechanical properties of tremolite-filled nylon 66 composites and the effect of the filler particle size on them were obtained. The dynamic mechanical properties and rheological properties of the composites were measured. Two treatments, silane and unsaturated polyester, were used to improve the interface between tremolite and the nylon matrix. The morphologies of the composites were investigated using SEM. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) and poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine blends as ureteral biomaterials: characterisation of mechanical and surface properties, degradation and resistance to encrustation in vitro.

This study describes the physicochemical properties and in vitro resistance to encrustation of solvent cast films composed of either poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL), prepared using different ratios of high (50,000) to low (4000) (molecular weight) m.wt., or blends of PCL and the polymeric antimicrobial complex, poly(vinylpyrrolidone)-iodine (PVP-I). The incorporation of PVP-I offered antimicrobial activity to the biomaterials. Films were characterised in terms of mechanical (tensile analysis, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis) and surface properties (dynamic contact angle analysis, scanning electron microscopy), whereas degradation (at 37degreesC in PBS at pH 7.4) was determined gravimetrically. The resistance of the films to encrustation was evaluated using an in vitro encrustation model. Reductions in the ratio of high:low-m.wt. PCL significantly reduced the ultimate tensile strength, % elongation at break and the advancing contact angle of the films. These effects were attributed to alterations in the amorphous content and the more hydrophilic nature of the films. Conversely, there were no alterations in Young's modulus, the viscoelastic properties and glass-transition temperature. Incorporation of PVP-I did not affect the mechanical or rheological properties of the films, indicative of a limited interaction between the two polymers in the solid state. Manipulation of the high:low m.wt. ratio of PCL significantly altered the degradation of the films, most notably following longer immersion periods, and resistance to encrustation. Accordingly, maximum degradation and resistance to encrustation was observed with the biomaterial composed of 40:60 high:low m.wt. ratios of PCL; however, the mechanical properties of this system were considered inappropriate for clinical application. Films composed of either 50:50 or 60:40 ratio of high:low m.wt. PCL offered an appropriate compromise between physicochemical properties and resistance to encrustation. This study has highlighted the important usefulness of degradable polymer systems as ureteral biomaterials

A simple model of atomic interactions in noble metals based explicitly on electronic structure

A total energy tight-binding model with a basis of just one s state per atom is introduced. It is argued that this simplest of all tight-binding models provides a surprisingly good description of the structural stability and elastic constants of noble metals. By assuming inverse power scaling laws for the hopping integrals and the repulsive pair potential, it is shown that the density matrix in a perfect primitive crystal is independent of volume, and structural energy differences and equations of state are then derived analytically. The model is most likely to be of use when one wishes to consider explicitly and self-consistently the electronic and atomic structures of a generic metallic system, with the minium of computation expense. The relationship to the free-electron jellium model is described. The applicability of the model to other metals is also considered briefly.

Incorporation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes to acrylic based bone cements: Effects on mechanical and thermal properties

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bone cement–multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposites with a weight loading of 0.1% were prepared using 3 different methods of MWCNT incorporation. The mechanical and thermal properties of the resultant nanocomposite cements were characterised in accordance with the international standard for acrylic resin cements. The mechanical properties of the resultant nanocomposite cements were influenced by the type of MWCNT and method of incorporation used. The exothermic polymerisation reaction for the PMMA bone cement was significantly reduced when thermally conductive functionalised MWCNTs were added. This reduction in exotherm translated in a decrease in thermal necrosis index value of the respective nanocomposite cements, which potentially could reduce the hyperthermia experienced in vivo. The morphology and degree of dispersion of the MWCNTs in the PMMA matrix at different scales were analysed using scanning electron microscopy. Improvements in mechanical properties were attributed to the MWCNTs arresting/retarding crack propagation through the cement by providing a bridging effect into the wake of the crack, normal to the direction of crack growth. MWCNT agglomerations were evident within the cement microstructure, the degree of these agglomerations was dependent on the method used to incorporate the MWCNTs into the cement.

Effect of impeller speed on mechanical and dissolution properties of high-shear granules

Impeller speed is one of the most crucial process variables that affect the properties of the granules produced in a high-shear granulator. Several reports can be found in literature that discuss the influence of impeller speed on the granules size. For instance some researchers like Knight report an increase of granule size with impeller speed [1] and [2], while others (Scheaefer et al. and Ramaker et al.) observed a decrease of granules size with increasing impeller speed [3] and [4]. However there is limited work reported in literature on the effect of the impeller speed on the mechanical properties of granules. Mechanical properties are important as they affect the performance of the granules on the other downstream process such as transportation and handling. The work reported here serves to address the missing in knowledge gap regarding the influence of impeller speed on mechanical properties granules. How the granulation system responds to the changes in the impeller speeds depends on binder that is used in the process. For this reason the two extreme cases, of a low viscosity binder system and high viscosity binder system are considered in this research. For low viscosity binder system it was observed that the granule size decreased with increasing impeller speed whilst for the high viscosity binder system the opposite was observed by Knight [1]. The granule strength, the Young's modulus and yield strength of the high viscosity granules increased with increasing impeller speed where as the opposite trends were observed for the low viscosity binder granules.

Influence of nanoclays on mechanical and barrier properties of hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber nanocomposites

In this research, two different methods have been investigated for optimising the preparation of hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber/clay nanocomposites. Commercially available organoclay (Cloisite 20A) has been considered for the preparation of rubber nanocomposites. A detailed analysis has been made to investigate the morphological structure and mechanical behaviour at room temperature and at elevated temperature. Also the influence of organoclays on permeability has been studied. Structural analysis indicates very good dispersion for a low loading of 5 parts per hundred (phr) amount of nanoclays. Significant improvements in mechanical properties have been observed with the addition of organoclays at both room and elevated temperatures. Even with the low level of addition of nanoclays, there was a remarkable reduction in permeability. © Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining 2011.

Structure, mechanical, and electrical properties of high-density polyethylene/multi-walled carbon nanotube composites processed by compression molding and blown film extrusion

The structure and properties of melt mixed high-density polyethylene/multi-walled carbon nanotube (HDPE/MWCNT) composites processed by compression molding and blown film extrusion were investigated to assess the influence of processing route on properties. The addition of MWCNTs leads to a more elastic response during deformations that result in a more uniform thick-ness distribution in the blown films. Blown film composites exhibit better mechanical properties due to the enhanced orientation and disentanglement of MWCNTs. At a blow up ratio (BUR) of 3 the breaking strength and elongation in the machine direction of the film with 4 wt % MWCNTs are 239% and 1054% higher than those of compression molded (CM) samples. Resistivity of the composite films increases significantly with increasing BURs due to the destruction of conductive pathways. These pathways can be recovered partially using an appropriate annealing process. At 8 wt % MWCNTs, there is a sufficient density of nanotubes to maintain a robust network even at high BURs.