Numerical Simulation of Thermal Conductivity and Thermal Stress in Lightweight Refractory Concrete with Cenospheres.

The main objective of this paper was to investigate the heat transfer of modified lightweight refractory concrete at the microscopic scale. In this work, such material was treated as a porous composite based on the compound of calcium aluminate cement and aluminosilicate cenospheres. The presence of air inclusions within the cenospheres was an essential factor in the reduction in thermal performance. Due to the intricacy of the subject investigated, our research employed numerical, theoretical, and experimental approaches. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging was performed to study the composite microstructure with a special focus on geometry, dimensions, and the distribution of cenospheres. Based on the experimental analysis, simplified geometrical models were generated to reproduce the main features of the composite matrix and cenospheres. A finite element framework was used to determine the effective thermal conductivity of such domains as well as the thermal stresses generated in the sample during the heat flow. A considerable difference in thermal properties was revealed by comparing the simulation results of the pure composite matrix and the samples, indicating a varying arrangement of cenosphere particles. The numerical results were complemented by a theoretical study that applied analytical models derived from the two-phase mixture theory-parallel and Landauer. A satisfactory agreement between numerical and theoretical results was achieved; however, the extension of both presented approaches is required.

Discrete Element Framework for Determination of Sintering and Postsintering Residual Stresses of Particle Reinforced Composites.

In this paper, the discrete element method framework is employed to determine and analyze the stresses induced during and after the powder metallurgy process of particle-reinforced composite. Applied mechanical loading and the differences in the thermal expansion coefficients of metal/intermetallic matrix and ceramic reinforcing particles during cooling produce the complex state of stresses in and between the particles, leading to the occurrence of material defects, such as cracks, and in consequence the composite degradation. Therefore, the viscoelastic model of pressure-assisted sintering of a two-phase powder mixture is applied in order to study the stress field of particle assembly of intermetallic-ceramic composite NiAl/Al2O3. The stress evaluation is performed at two levels: macroscopic and microscopic. Macroscopic averaged stress is determined using the homogenization method using the representative volume element. Microscopic stresses are calculated both in the body of particles and in the contact interface (necks) between particles. Obtained results are in line with the cooling mechanism of the two-phase materials.

Micro-Macro Relationships in the Simulation of Wave Propagation Phenomenon Using the Discrete Element Method.

The present work is aimed to investigate the capability of the discrete element method (DEM) to model properly wave propagation in solid materials, with special focus on the determination of elastic properties through wave velocities. Reference micro-macro relationships for elastic constitutive parameters have been based on the kinematic hypothesis as well as obtained numerically by simulation of a quasistatic uniaxial compression test. The validity of these relationships in the dynamic analysis of the wave propagation has been checked. Propagation of the longitudinal and shear wave pulse in rectangular sample discretized with discs has been analysed. Wave propagation velocities obtained in the analysis have been used to determine elastic properties. Elastic properties obtained in the dynamic analysis have been compared with those determined by simulation of the quasistatic compression test.

Discrete Element Modeling of Intermetallic Matrix Composite Manufacturing by Powder Metallurgy.

This paper presents a numerical and experimental analysis of manufacturing of intermetallic ceramic composites by powder metallurgy techniques. The scope of the paper includes the formulation and development of an original numerical model of powder metallurgy of two-phase material within the framework of the discrete element method, simulations of powder metallurgy processes for different combinations of process parameters, and a verification of the numerical model based on own experimental results. Intermetallic-based composite NiAl⁻Al 2 O 3 has been selected as representative material for experimental and numerical studies in this investigation. Special emphasis was given to the interactions between the intermetallic and ceramic particles by formulating the special model for adhesive contact bond. In order to properly represent a real microstructure of a two-phase sintered body, a discrete element specimen was generated using a special algorithm. Numerical validation showed the correct numerical representation of a sintered two-phase composite specimen. Finally, micromechanical analysis was performed to explain the macroscopic behavior of the sintered sample. The evolution of the coordination number, a number of equilibrium contacts, and the distribution of the cohesive neck size with respect to time are presented.

High resolution SEM characterization of nano-precipitates in ODS steels.

The performance of the present-day scanning electron microscopy (SEM) extends far beyond delivering electronic images of the surface topography. Oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steel is on of the most promising materials for the future nuclear fusion reactor because of its good radiation resistance, and higher operation temperature up to 750°C. The microstructure of ODS should not exceed tens of nm, therefore there is a strong need in a fast and reliable technique for their characterization. In this work, the results of low-kV SEM characterization of nanoprecipitates formed in the ODS matrix are presented. Application of highly sensitive photo-diode BSE detector in SEM imaging allowed for the registration of single nm-sized precipitates in the vicinity of the ODS alloys. The composition of the precipitates has been confirmed by TEM-EDS.