Application of functionally graded materials for severe plastic deformation and smart materials: experimental study and finite element analysis
Functionally graded materials (FGMs) refer to the composite materials where the compositions or the microstructures are locally varied so that a certain variation of the local material properties is achieved. Determination of compositional gradient and the process of making an FGM are dependen...
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Format: | Thesis |
Language: | English |
Published: |
2012
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/2545/1/24p%20SAIFULNIZAN%20JAMIAN.pdf |
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Summary: | Functionally graded materials (FGMs) refer to the composite materials where the
compositions or the microstructures are locally varied so that a certain variation of the
local material properties is achieved. Determination of compositional gradient and the
process of making an FGM are dependent on its intended use. In this study, new possible
applications of FGM and its production process were investigated. Three possible
application of FGM were proposed.
First, the novel technique in producing ultra fine grain of difficult-to-work materials
by equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) process at ambient temperature was
developed by using FGM. For this study, Ti as the difficult-to-work material was tightly
encapsulated in a hollow host material made of Al-based FGM matrix. The Al-based
FGM as a host material assists the deformation of Ti. The ECAP process was simulated
by the finite element method (FEM) to determine the appropriate compositional gradient
of Al-based FGM and the position to embed Ti wire. FEM was conducted with Ti
embedded into a different host material type as well as different die channel geometry.
The strain distribution of the specimen after a single ECAP pass was analyzed. From the
obtained results, it is found that the strain distribution in Ti is strongly influenced by the
host material and the shape of the die channel. An experimental work was carried out to
confirm the ability of the proposed technique in producing ultra fine grain of Ti. The host
material was prepared by embedding Al-Al3Ti alloy into Al. Three types of the Al-Al3Ti
alloys with different Al3Ti volume fractions were used to prepare the host materials.
ECAP for specimens was carried out for up to eight passes by route A. The
microstructure and hardness of ECAPed specimens were investigated. The changes in
microstructure and the increase in the hardness value of Ti with increased number of
ECAP passes are evidences showing that Ti is successfully deformed by this technique.
Second, new types of FGM crash boxes with stepwise strength gradient in longitudinal
directions were proposed. The property of the proposed FGM crash boxes were analyzed
using FEM. Crash behavior of the crash box under axial quasi-static and dynamic impact
loads were studied. The obtained load-displacement curves and the crash failure patterns
then were evaluated to assess the effect of the stepwise strength gradient of the crash-box.
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Moreover, four different shapes of cross-sectional i.e. square, circle, pentagon and
hexagon were considered. The results show that the FGM crash box is superior to than
the homogeneous crash box in overall crashworthiness. Although there were no trigger
mechanism introduced, the FGM crash boxes experience the progressive crushing
initiated at the impact side.
Third, the FGMs were applied in pipe and pressure vessel field. A solution procedure
for finite element thermo-visco-plasticity and creep analysis in an FGM thick-walled
pressure vessel subjected to thermal and internal pressure was presented. The thick�walled pressure vessel was replaced by a system of discrete rectangular cross-section ring
elements interconnected along circumferential nodal circles. The property of FGM was
assumed to be continuous function of volume fraction of material composition. The
thermo-visco-plasticity and creep behavior of the structures were obtained by the use of
an incremental approach. The obtained results show that the material composition
significantly affects the stress as a function of time at the inside and outside surface of
thick-walled pressure vessel. The use of FGM can adjust the stress distribution in the
structure.
Moreover, one of the FGM fabrication method, centrifugal casting, was investigated.
Two types of centrifugal casting method namely, centrifugal solid-particle method
(CSPM) and centrifugal mixed-powder method (CMPM), were used to fabricate Al/SiC
FGM. Formations of graded distribution of SiC particles within molten Al by CSPM and
CMPM under huge centrifugal force were examined and simulated. The movement of
SiC particles in viscous liquid under centrifugal force was explained theoretically based
on Stoke’s law. The effect of composition gradient of particles on viscosity was taken
into account. Also, the effect of temperature distribution on viscosity and density were
considered. A computer code to simulate the formation of compositional gradient in an
Al/SiC FGM manufactured by CSPM and CMPM was developed. From the obtained
results, it was found that the SiC particles can be graded from inner to outer surface of
Al/SiC FGM by CSPM. Meanwhile by CMPM, the SiC particles can be dispersed on the
surface of Al/SiC FGM. The graded distribution in Al/SiC FGM under huge centrifugal
force was significantly affected by the mold temperature but less affected by the initial
temperature of molten Al and casting atmosphere. |
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