Sharif Digital Repository

Functionally graded aluminum matrix composites (FGAMC) are new advanced materials with promising applications due to their unique characteristics in which composite nature is combined with graded structure. Different architectures of Al6061/SiCp composite laminates were fabricated by successive hot roll-bonding. For FGAMCs, two composite layers as outer strips and a layer of Al1050 as interlayer were applied. To investigate laminate toughness, the quasi-static three-point bending test was conducted in the crack divider orientation. Genetic programming as a soft computing technique was implemented to find mathematical correlations between architectural parameters and experimentally obtained... 

Good knowledge of fracture parameters and cracking behavior of self-compacting concrete (SCC) from early ages until the SCC becomes mature plays an important role in design of SCC structure and also in evaluation of durability and consequently prevention of damage. In this paper, variation of fracture parameters and corresponding ductility behavior of SCC at different ages (e.g. 3days, 7days, 28days and 90days) for SCC mixes with w/c ratios of 0.45 and 0.65 have been experimentally studied. To do so, three-point bending tests were carried out on 120 notched beams. Then, size effect method (SEM) and work of fracture method (WFM) were applied to interpret the results. The results of analyses... 

Addition of spinel (MgAl2O4) to Al2O3-ZrO2 composite inhibits alumina grain growth and produces phase boundaries that leads to formation of a ceramic matrix composite with special mechanical properties such as high temperature superplastic deformation. However, the room temperature mechanical properties of Alumina-zirconia-magnesia spinel composite (AZM) such as fracture toughness were rarely investigated by researchers. In this research the AZM nanocomposite powders were synthesized via the solution combustion method. The dense AZM composite samples were fabricated through gelcasting process. Phase analysis studies were performed on both powder and sintered samples and the effects of spinel... 

Researchers have examined different approaches to improve damage tolerance of discontinuously reinforced aluminum (DRA). In this study, three-layer DRA laminates containing two exterior layers of Al6061-15 vol.% SiCp and an interlayer of Al1050 were fabricated by hot roll bonding. Interfacial adhesion between the layers was controlled by means of rolling stain. The results of shear test revealed that, the bonding strength of laminates was influenced by number of rolling passes. Considering this effect, the role of interfacial bonding on the toughness of laminates was studied under three-point bending in the crack divider orientation. The quasi-static toughness of the laminates was greater... 

Addition of fine zirconia particles in the alumina matrix in order to produce ZTA composite is a well-known method for improving the mechanical properties of alumina ceramics such as flexural strength and fracture toughness. Increasing homogeneity and reducing alumina grain size are two key factors for achieving proper mechanical properties in this ceramic matrix composite. In this work two batches of ZTA powder precursor were prepared through mixing of alumina and zirconia by ball milling and in situ synthesis of ZTA composite via solution combustion method. The bending strength testing samples were fabricated through gel-casting process. The effects of different powder processing methods... 

Ferrite-bainite-martensite triple phase (TP) microstructures with different volume fractions of martensite were obtained by changing heat treatment time during austempering at 300 C. Room temperature impact properties of TP steels with different martensite volume fractions (VM) were determined by means of Charpy impact testing. The effects of test temperature on impact properties were also investigated for two selected microstructures containing 0 (the DP steel) and 8.5 vol.% martensite. Test results showed reduction in toughness with increasing VM in TP steels. Fracture toughness values for the DP and TP steels with 8.5 vol.% martensite were obtained from correlation between fracture... 

Damage tolerance improvement has been reported by laminating aluminum alloys and composites by researchers. Three-layer laminates comprising Al6061 outer layers and Al1050 interlayer have been roll bonded in this research. While most of the works done have focused on fracture properties of roll bonded Al laminates in crack arrester geometry, this study explores their behavior in crack divider configuration. Rolling strain is varied to control the interfacial bonding in laminates. The fracture behavior of laminates and the constituent material was examined via three-point bending and impact tests. This study presents significant improvement in damage tolerance of laminates compared to their... 

In this research, the effects of nano-sized MgO in Al2O 3-SiC composites were investigated. The overall changes in the density and mechanical properties of sintered samples (hardness, bending strength and toughness) were evaluated. After mixing, drying and uniaxial compaction of the powders, they were first heat-treated at low temperature in an electric furnace to remove any residuals. They were then heat-treated at high temperature (1700 °C) inside a graphite furnace in argon atmosphere for sintering (at normal and high pressure). The content of MgO in the Al 2O3-10 vol% SiC composite was 0, 500, 1000, and 1500 ppm. Thefracture toughness(KIC)of sintered composite with 10... 

This article describes a study on WC-10Co cemented carbides with different percent of grain growth inhibitors. Samples were prepared by the conventional powder metallurgy method, using WC and Co powder and different concentrations of VC and (Ta, Nb)C powder. All samples were processed using a hot isostatic press (HIP) and the effect of grain growth inhibitors on the microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. Additionally, microstructure and powder particle morphology were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The specimen's microstructure proved that the addition of VC is more effective at suppressing grain growth than... 

Effects of pozzolans and fibers on mechanical properties of RCC are addressed. The mechanical properties were evaluated using optimum moisture with different amounts of pozzolans, steel and polypropylene fibers. Using pozzolans, maximum increase in compressive strength was observed to occur between 28 and 90 days of age, rupture modulus was found to decrease; but toughness indices did not change considerably. The influence of steel fibers on compressive strength was often more significant than that of PP fibers; but neither steel nor PP fibers did contribute to increase in the rupture modulus independently from pozzolans. Also, the toughness indices increased when steel fibers were used  

The wide-gap aluminothermic rail welds with root opening of 50-70 mm were produced using plain carbon steel rail and non-alloy aluminothermic charge. Mechanical properties and micro-structure of the weld metal and HAZ as well as the impact energy and the fracture toughness of the welds were investigated. The yield and tensile strength of wide-gap welds were about 98% and 95% of the base metal, respectively. Both minimum and maximum hardnesses of the joint were seen in HAZ which were related to the grain coarsening and normalizing, respectively. The mean value of wide-gap weld fracture toughness is more than narrow-gap weld. Moreover, trans-granular cleavage indicated the brittle fracture... 

In this paper, the effects of both pozzolans and (steel and poly-propylene) fibers on the mechanical properties of roller compacted concrete are studied. Specimens for the experiments were made using a soil-based approach; thus, the Kango's vibration hammer was used for compaction. The tests in the first stage were carried out to determine the optimal moisture requirements for mix designs using cubic 150 × 150 × 150 mm specimens. In the tests of the second stage, the mechanical behaviors of the main specimens made using the optimal moisture obtained in the previous stage were evaluated using 28, 90, and 210 day cubic specimens. The mechanical properties of RCC pavements were evaluated using... 

To improve the strength and toughness of AISI 4340 steel, different microstructures, containing full bainite, bainite-ferrite, martensite-ferrite and full martensite were produced by different heat treatment cycles. Tensile, impact and hardness tests were carried out at room temperature. The ductile-brittle transition temperature was determined from impact data at different temperatures. The results showed that steel with bainite - 0.34 ferrite microstructure has the highest elongation and charpy impact energy, while its tensile strength and yield stress decreased in comparison to other microstructures. This increment was noticeable when bainite - 0.34 ferrite steel was tempered. The... 

In this paper, tensile strain energy absorption of two different hybrid modified epoxies has been systematically investigated. In one system, epoxy has been modified by amine-terminated butadiene acrylonitrile (ATBN) and hollow glass spheres as fine and coarse modifiers, respectively. The other hybrid epoxy has been modified by the combination of ATBN and recycled Tire particles. The results of fracture toughness measurement of blends revealed synergistic toughening for both hybrid systems in some formulations. However, no evidence of synergism is observed in tensile test of hybrid samples. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission optical microscope (TOM) and finite element (FEM)... 

To perform a long lasting, crack-free repair welding on ultrahigh strength steels, the filler metal must be chosen and applied properly. Avoiding several short-term repairs or replacements, the repaired weldment should reveal comparative characteristics such as wear resistance, toughness and hardness to base metal. In the present study, a novel functionally graded material have been introduced to obtain enhanced wear resistance and hardness at surface as well as improved fracture toughness at fusion line of repaired weldments. A comparative study of wear resistance of repaired weld metals has been carried out by pin-on-disk apparatus at 5N normal load and 0.14ms-1 sliding speed. Fracture... 

Microstructure and mechanical properties development of X80 weld metal by addition of different amounts of alloying elements such as Nickel and Manganese to the covering of electrodes were investigated. For this reason samples were welded with electrodes that Ni value changed between 0.8%- 3.5% in tow critical amounts of Mn: 0.7 and 1.6. Tensile test and microhardness results indicated the suitable ranges of Ni and Mn for acceptable mechanical properties. In addition, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were applied to link the microstructure with mechanical properties. The hardness of weld metals were found to increase linearly with Mn and Ni, which was attributed mainly to... 

To improve both strength and toughness of AISI 4340 steel three microstructures, full bainite, bainite-ferrite and tempered bainite-ferrite, were produced by heat treatment of this steel. Tensile, impact and hardness properties of these microstructures were compared. The results showed that with tempering of bainite-34% ferrite dual phase steel, elongation and charpy impact energy increased significantly in comparison to bainite and bainite-ferrite microstructures. Also ductile-brittle transition temperatures of bainite-ferrite and tempered bainite-ferrite steels were measured and confirmed superior toughness properties of this microstructure. Fracture surface analysis of charpy specimens... 

In this research, the welding characteristics of a new UHSLA steel, 35NiCrMoV123, have been studied in two general conditions (annealed and quench-tempered). Carbon equivalent value of 35NiCrMoV123 steel is near 0.9 which classifies it as a "very difficult to weld" steel. The effects of welding heat treatment cycle (preheat, interpass, and postheat) on metallurgical and mechanical properties of weldments have been investigated by tensile, impact toughness, and hardness tests, as well as optical microscopy observations. It has been observed that by employing high-temperature stress relief (600 °C), welding could be performed in annealed condition successfully. Also, the results indicate that... 

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of both rubbery phase and nanosilica on mechanical properties of epoxy. Three series of formulations based on epoxy including nanosilica, rubber and rubber/nanosilica were prepared. Transmission electron microscopy showed that nanoparticles were homogeneously dispersed throughout the epoxy matrix. Compression and fracture toughness tests along with scanning electron microscopy and transmission optical microscopy were also done to evaluate the properties of the compounds. Although the results of compression tests indicate that addition of nanosilica could not change elastic modulus and yield strength of neat resin significantly,... 

The objective of this paper is to study the influence of the second peak temperature during real and simulated welding on properties of the subcritically (S), intercritically (IC) and supercritically (SC) reheated coarse grained heat affected (CGHAZ) zones. The X80 high strength pipeline microalloyed steel was subject to processing in a double-pass tandem submerged arc welding process with total heat input of 6.98 kJ/mm and thermal cycles to simulate microstructure of reheated CGHAZ zones. This involved heating to a first peak temperature (TP1) of 1400 °C, then reheating to different second peak temperatures (TP2) of 700, 800 and 900 °C with a constant cooling rate of 3.75 °C/s. Toughness of...