Ti/Al_2O_3 Functionally Gradient Material Prepared by the Explosive Compaction/SHS Process

Ti1Al2O3 Functionally Gradient Material (FGM) was prepared by an explosive compaction/SHS process. Ten sheets of the compounding powder were laminated and pressed to get a green body of FGM. It was then compacted explosively By burying the explosive compaction body into a stoichiometric Al/TiO2 mixture and igniting the combustion of the stoichiometric Al/TiO2 mixture, the SHS reaction of the explosive compaction body was initiated by the heat released from the combustion of the stoichiometric Al/TiO2 mixture. In this way, Ti/Al2O3 FGM was synthesized. The adiabatic temperatures of each gradient layer were calculated when the preheating temperatures were 298 K and 1173 K, respectively The microstructure, composition and properties of Ti/Al2O3 FGM and the reaction mechanism of each gradient layer were studied. It was found that Ti/Al2O3 FGM prepared by the explosive compaction/SHS process had a high density and a high microhardness. Its structure, composition and properties showed apparent gradient distribution. The structure of the standard stoichiometric ratio gradient layer of FGM was a network structure. Its reaction mode could be described as follows: Al powder melted first, then the molten Al penetrated into the TiO2 zone and reacted with TiO2, and big pores were left in the original positions of Al powder. The reaction of gradient layers with the addition of Al3O3 as diluents was similar to that of the standard stoichiometric ratio gradient layer, so were their structure and composition. However, the reaction of gradient layers with the addition of Ti as diluents was more complex and the composition deviated slightly from the designed one

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of ZrO_2-Ni Functionally Gradient Material

The fabrication. microstructure and mechanical properties of ZrO2-Ni functionally gradient materials (FGM ) have been studied. FGM as well as non-FG M of ZrO2-Ni system was developed by powder metallurgical process. X-ray diffractometer (XRD ). electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA), scanning electron microscope (SEM ) and optical microscope were employed to investigate the crystalline phases. chemical composition and microstructure Experimental results demonstrate that the composition and microstructure of ZrO2-Ni FGM have the expected gradient distribution. There are no distinct interfaces in the FGM due to the gradient change of components. that is, the constituents are continuous in microstructure everywhere. Moreover, Vickers hardness and flexural strength were measured for the common composites as a function of composition. It is made clear that the mechanical properties of the FGM vary corresponding to the constitutional changes as well

Genetic Algorithm for the Thermal Stresses Optimum Design ofFunctionally Gradient Material Plate

Based on the thermal stress distribution for functionally gradient material (FGM) plates, a Genetic Algorithm (GA) method for the thermal stresses optimum design of FGM plate with computer technologies is given. The minimum thermal stresses combination distribution for FGM is obtained.

ANTI-PLANE FRACTURE ANALYSIS OF FUNCTIONALLY GRADIENT MATERIAL INFINITE STRIP WITH FINITE WIDTH

The special case of a crack under mode Ⅲ conditions was treated, lying parallel to the edges of an infinite strip with finite width and with the shear modulus varying exponentially perpendicular to the edges. By using Fourier transforms the problem was formulated in terms of a singular integral equation. It was numerically solved by representing the unknown dislocation density by a truncated series of Chebyshev polynomials leading to a linear system of equations. The stress intensity factor （SIF） results were discussed with respect to the influences of different geometric parameters and the strength of the non-homogeneity. It was indicated that the SIF increases with the increase of the crack length and decreases with the increase of the rigidity of the material in the vicinity of crack. The SIF of narrow strip is very sensitive to the change of the non-homogeneity parameter and its variation is complicated. With the increase of the non-homogeneity parameter, the stress intensity factor may increase, decrease or keep constant, which is mainly determined by the strip width and the relative crack location. If the crack is located at the midline of the strip or if the strip is wide, the stress intensity factor is not sensitive to the material non-homogeneity parameter.

Crack tip field in functionally gradient material with exponential variation of elastic constants in two directions

This paper presents an exact solution of the crack tip field in functionally gradient material with exponential variation of elastic constants. The dimensionless Poisson＇s ratios v0 of the engineering materials （iron, glass …… ） are far less than one; therefore, neglecting them, one can simplify the basic equation and the exact solution is easy to obtain. Although the exact solution for the case v0 ≠ 0 is also obtained, it is very complicated and the main result is the same with the case v0 = 0 （it will be dealt with in Appendix VII）. It has been found that the exponential term exp（ax ＋ by） in the constitutive equations becomes exp（ ax /2 ＋ by/2- kr /2 ） in the exact solution.

DESIGN AND PROPERTIES OF A FUNCTIONALLY GRADIENT CERAMIC TOOL MATERIAL

Based on the analyses of the severity of cutting process as well as the failure mechanisms of ceramic tools, a model for designing functionally gradient ceramic tool materials with symmetrical distribution is presented, by which a Al 2O 3/(W,Ti)C ceramic tool material FG 2 was developed. Multi objective optimization method was employed in designing the compositional distribution of this ceramic tool material. The results of both continuous and intermittent cutting tests are indicative of the much better cutting behavior of the functionally gradient ceramic tool FG 2 than that of the common ceramic tool SG 4.

NVESTIGATION OF PRODUCTOPN OF FUNCTIONALLY GRADIENT MATERIAL BY ELECTROLESS PLATING

Thispaper proposed a new methodof producing Ceramic/ Metalfunctionally gradient mate rialby electroless platingtechnique. The experimentof producing SiC/ Ni PFGM wascar ried out with self made electroless plating facilities. The results show that the thickness of FGMcoating andthegradientdistribution ofcompositioncanbecontrolled byoptimizingelec trolessplating technology and changing the parameters such as plating time, the additionspeed and concentration of SiCparticles. Analysisdemonstratesthatthereisastrongrelation ship amongthe SiCcontent,the microstructureandthe mechanicalproperty ofthe FGM.

ANTI-PLANE SHEAR CRACK IN A FUNCTIONALLY GRADIENT PIEZOELECTRIC MATERIAL

The main objective of this paper is to study the singular natureof the crack-tip stress and electric displacement field in afunctionally gradient piezoelectric medium having materialcoefficients with a discontinuous derivative. The problem isconsidered for the simplest possible loading and geometry, namely,the anti-plane shear stress and electric displacement in -plane oftwo bonded half spaces in which the crack is parallel to theinterface.

Functionally Gradient Material Laser Rapid Prototyping Technique

The functionally gradient material laser rapid prototyping system is developed based on the increasing material manufacture idea of the rapid prototyping. The system hardware is composed of a 5 kW CO2 laser, a three-dimensional numeric control table, a three-stock-bin coaxial powder delivery device, and an integration operation control desk. The system software is composed of the CAD slicing and scan filling module, materials component distributing design module, and hardware equipment integration drive module. The real time change proportion allocation technique of three metal powders, powder uniform mixing technique, and coaxial powder delivery technique are studied. According to the principle of the output powder cumulative volume invariable in unit time, the real time powder allocation formulae are deduced. The design method of the materials component distributing regularity in the part entity is studied. The gradient change regularity of the face gradient, line gradient, and point gradient is studied. A sort of the file layout of integrating material information and geometry information is brought forward.

THERMAL STRESSES ANALYSIS OF CERAMIC/METAL FUNCTIONALLY GRADIENT MATERIAL CYLINDER

In this paper, the composite cylinder system is made of three layers: metal, functionally gradient material (FGM) and ceramics is studied. The formulas of the steady_state temperature distribution and the associate thermal stress distribution in the cylinder are obtained. For ZrO 2/Ti_6Al_4V system, the distribution of steady_state temperature and thermal stress are calculated and discussed.

Relationship Between Thermal Shock Behavior and Cutting Performance of a Functionally Gradient Ceramic Tool

Based on the deep understanding of the requirements of cutting conditions on ceramic tools, a design model for functionally gradient ceramic tool materials with symmetrical composition distribution was presented in this paper, according to which an Al 2O 3-TiC functionally gradient ceramic tool material FG-1 was synthesized by powder-laminating and uniaxially hot-pressing technique. The thermal shock resistance of the Al 2O 3-TiC functionally gradient ceramics FG-1 was evaluated by water quenching and subsequent three-point bending tests of flexural strength diminution. Comparisons were made with results from parallel experiments conducted using a homogeneous Al 2O 3-TiC ceramics. Functionally gradient ceramics exhibited higher retained strength under all thermal shock temperature differences compared to homogeneous ceramics, indicating the higher thermal shock resistance. The experimental results were supported by the calculation of transient thermal stress field. The cutting performance of the Al 2O 3-TiC functionally gradient ceramic tool FG-1 was also investigated in rough turning the cylindrical surface of exhaust valve of diesel engine in comparison with that of a common Al 2O 3-TiC ceramic tool LT55. The results indicated that the tool life of FG-1 increased by 50 percent over that of LT55. Tool life of LT55 was mainly controlled by thermal shock cracking which was accompanied by mechanical shock. While tool life of FG-1 was mainly controlled by mechanical fatigue crack extension rather than thermal shock cracking, revealing the less thermal shock susceptibility of functionally gradient ceramics than that of common ceramics.

ELASTOPLASTIC OPTIMUM DESIGN OF Ni/TiC FUNCTIONAL GRADIENT MATERIAL

The thermal residual stresses developed in a disk-shaped, Ni/TiC functionally gradient material (FGM) during its fabrication are investigated by an elastic-plastic finite element numerical ap-proach. Constitutive relations for the graded Ni-TiC composite inter-layers between pure metal Ni and ceramic TiC are estimated by using an effectiv-medium approach, and effective plastic strain and stress distributions are computed for simulated cooling from an assumed fab-rication temperature. Analyses are performed for a fixed specimen ge-ometry and the graded region is treated as a series of perfectly bonded equal-thick layers. The results are compared with those obtained by on-ly considering elastic material response to assess the effect of plasticity on the optimum fabrication design of the Ni/TiC FGM. It is demon-strated that the consideration of plasticity is of critical importance for optimization of the metal/ceramic gradient materials.

Titanium diboride-metals gradient materials prepared by field activated diffusion bonding process

Functionally gradient samples are prepared by getting metal Ni or Cu bonded with Ni-matrix composites reinforced by TiB2 particles by field activated diffusion bonding process. The intermetallic compound of Ni3Al has been applied as a mediate layer in order to reduce residual stress. The microstracture, phase composition of the interfaces between the metal and Ni3Al are determined and the mechanical properties of the gradient materials are characterized. Elemental concentration profiles across the interfaces between layers showed significant diffusion dissolution and formation of firm bonds. Measured micro-hardness values of the sample increased monotonically from the metal substrate to the surface layer of composites. The values for the surface composite layer ranged from about 2 000 HK to 3 300 HK. The results of this investigation demonstrate the feasibility of field activated diffusion bonding process for rapid preparation of FGMs.

Hardness Measurement of (TiB_2-TiAl)/TiAl Symmetrically Function Gradient Materials

( TiB2-TiAl)/TiAl symmetrically function gradient materials ( FGM) were prepared by spark plasma sintering ( SPS). Owing to the difference, of the thermal expansion coefficients between TiB2 and TiAl, a compressive surface stress was introduced to the FGM fry the thermal expansion mismatch. The hardness values of the uniform materials and the FGM were tested, respectively. For the FGM with a compressive surface stress, hardness is obviously superior to that of the uniform material. When the FGM was subjected to heat treatment, the hardness decreased due to a partial relaxation of the compressive surface stress.

A Novel Technique for Preparation of Electrically Conductive ABS/Cu Polymeric Gradient Composites

A novel technique for preparing functionally gradient electrically conductive polymeric composites was developed by using of solution casting technique on the principle of Stokes＇ law. Acrylonitrile- butadiene-styrene/Cu （ABS/Cu） gradient polymeric composites were prepared successfully using this technique. The gradient structures, electrically conductive performance and mechanical properties of the ABS/Cu composites were investigated. Optical microscope observation shows that the gradient distribution of Cu particles in ABS matrix was formed along their thickness-direction. The electrically conductive testing results indicate that the order of magnitude of surface resistivity was kept in 10^15 Ω at ABS rich side, while that declined to 10^5 Ω at Cu particles rich side, and the percolation threshold was in the range of 2.82 vo1%- 4.74 vol% Cu content at Cu particles rich side. Mechanical test shows that the tensile strength reduced insignificantly as the content of Cu increases owing to the gradient distribution.

A universal spray printing strategy to prepare gradient hybrid architectures

Functionally gradient materials(FGMs)have attracted tremendous attention due to their unique properties and structures.However,it is still a great challenge to prepare scalable FGMs by a universal,cost-effective,and highly efficient method.Here,a strategy of combining in situ concentration regulation and spraying is developed to fabricate continuously gradient composite films(GCFs),where the component gradient variation can be well controlled.This strategy is universal and versatile,which is beneficial to inducing different components into GCFs with gradient distributions and further constructing them with diverse configurations on various substrates.The gradient design endows the composite films with excellent mechanical strength and gradient electron transport pathways,which ensures that GCFs directly serve as the electrodes in electrochemical devices.As a proof of concept,free-standing GCFs based on V2O5 nanomaterials are used as cathodes of aqueous zinc-ion batteries.The resultant devices deliver superior electrochemical performances in comparison with the counterparts of homogeneous case.Therefore,this universal strategy provides a promising route in the scalable production of FGMs and further extends their applications in various fields.

Finite Element Analysis of Thermal Stresses in Ceramic/Metal Gradient Thermal Barrier Coatings

This paper studied the thermal stresses of ceramicl metal gradient thermal barrier coating which combines the conceptions of ceramic thermal barrier coating （TBC） and functionally gradient material （FGM）. Thermal stresses and residual thermal stresses were calculated by an ANSYS finite element analysis software. Negative thermal expansion coefficient method was proposed and element birth and death method was applied to analyze the residual thermal stresses which have non-uniform initial temperature field. The numerical results show a good agreement with the analytical results and the experimental results.

Formation mechanism of inherent spatial heterogeneity of microstructure and mechanical properties of NiTi SMA prepared by laser directed energy deposition

Ni51Ti49 at.%bulk was additively manufactured by laser-directed energy deposition(DED)to reveal the microstructure evolution,phase distribution,and mechanical properties.It is found that the localized remelting,reheating,and heat accumulation during DED leads to the spatial heterogeneous distribution of columnar crystal and equiaxed crystal,a gradient distribution of Ni4Ti3 precipitates along the building direction,and preferential formation of Ni4Ti3 precipitates in the columnar zone.The austenite transformation finish temperature(Af)varies from-12.65℃(Z=33 mm)to 60.35℃(Z=10 mm),corresponding to tensile yield strength(σ0.2)changed from 120±30 MPa to 570±20 MPa,and functional properties changed from shape memory effect to superelasticity at room temperature.The sample in the Z=20.4 mm height has the best plasticity of 9.6%and the best recoverable strain of 4.2%.This work provided insights and guidelines for the spatial characterization of DEDed NiTi.

Developments in Processing of Functionally Gradient Metals and Metal–Ceramic Composites:A Review

Functionally gradient/graded materials （FGMs）, an emerging new class of materials, are the outcome of the recent innovative concepts in materials technology. FGMs are in their early stages of evolution and expected to have a strong impact on the design and development of new components and structures with better performance. FGMs exhibit gradual transitions in the microstructure and/or the composition in a specific direction, the presence of which leads to variation in the functional performance within a part. The presence of gradual transitions in material composition in FGMs can reduce or eliminate the deleterious stress concentrations and result in a wide gradation of physical and/or chemical properties within the material. Functionally graded metal-ceramic composites are also getting the attention of the researchers. Among the fabrication routes for FGMs such as chemical vapour deposition, physical vapour deposition, the sol-gel technique, plasma spraying, molten metal infiltration, self propagating high temperature synthesis, spray forming, centrifugal casting, etc., the ones based on solidification route are preferred for FGMs because of their economics and capability to make large size products. The present paper discusses and compares various solidification processing tech- niques available for the fabrication of functionally gradient metals and metal-ceramic composites and lists their properties and possible applications. The other processing methods are briefly described.

Optimization of axial symmetrical FGM under the transient-state temperate field

A numerical procedure for analyzing the temperature distribution in a hollow axisymmetric cylinder, made of functionally gradient material （FGM）, was investigated. Based on the thermal elasticity theory and the arbitrary difference precise integration （ADPI） method, temperature distribution through the FGM cylinder in the ring section under a transient-state temperature field was developed and presented. A genetic algorithm （GA） was applied to the thermal stress optimal design of an FGM hollow cylinder, and as a result, the minimum thermal stress distribution in the FGM cylinder was obtained. A corresponding numerical procedure regarding to a ceramic-metal FGM cylinder was perforrned. and the comnutational results were discussed.