NUMERICAL INVESTIGATION OF STRAIGHT-LINE LASER FORMING UNDER THE TEMPERATURE GRADIENT MECHANISM

Laser forraing is a new flexible and dieless forming technique. To achieve the high accuracy forming, the temperature gradient mechanism （TGM） is studied. In the analysis of TGM, the plate bends about x-axis and about y-axis as well. To understand the deformation trend, the numerical simulation of deformation of plate is conducted by choosing different laser powers, laser spot diameters, scanning speeds, lengths, widths and thicknesses. From the results of simulation, it can be seen that the laser spot diameter, the scanning speed, laser power and thickness of plate play dominant roles in the laser forming process. However, the bending angles αx and αy show different trends with the variation of parameters. In addition, in comparison with above four parameters, the effect of length and width of plate on the beading angle may be neglected, but their effects are significant for the bending radius R.

Effect of nitrogen introduction methods on the microstructure and properties of gradient cemented carbides

Gradient cemented carbides with the surface depleted in cubic phases were prepared following normal powder metallurgical pro-cedures.Gradient zone formation and the influence of nitrogen introduction methods on the microstructure and performance of the alloys were investigated.The results show that the simple one-step vacuum sintering technique is doable for producing gradient cemented carbides.Gradient structure formation is attributed to the gradient in nitrogen activity during sintering,but is independent from nitrogen introduced methods.A uniform carbon distribution is found throughout the materials.Moreover,the transverse rupture strength of the cemented carbides can be increased by a gradient layer.Different nitrogen carriers give the alloys distinguishing microstructure and mechanical properties,and a gradient alloy with ultrafine-TiC0.5N0.5 is found optimal.

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

Temporal variation of gravity field prior to the Ludian Ms6.5 and Kangding Ms6.3 earthquakes

Using mobile gravity data from the central area of Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces, the relationship between gravity variation and earthquakes was studied based on the Ludian Ms6.5 earthquake that occurred on August 3rd, 2014, and the Kangding Ms6.3 earthquake that occurred on November 22 nd, 2014; the mechanism of gravity variation was also explored. The results are as follows：（1） Prior to both earthquakes, gravity variation exhibited similar characteristics as those observed before both the Tangshan and Wenchuan earthquakes, in which typical precursor anomalies were positive gravity variation near the epicenter and the occurrence of a high-gravity-gradient zone across the epicenter prior to the earthquake.（2） A relatively accurate prediction of the occurrence locations of the two earthquakes was made by the Gravity Network Center of China（GNCC） based on these precursor anomalies. In the gravity study report on the 2014 earthquake trends submitted at the end of 2013, the Daofu-Shimian section at the junction of the Xianshuihe and Longmenshan fault zones was noted as an earthquake-risk region with a predicted magnitude of 6.5, which covered the epicenter of the Kangding Ms6.3 earthquake. In another report on earthquake trends in southwestern China submitted in mid-2014, the Lianfeng, Zhaotong fault zone was also classified as an earthquake-risk region with a magnitude of 6.0, and the central area of this region basically overlapped with the epicenter of the Ludian Ms6.5 earthquake.（3） The gravity variation characteristics are reasonably consistent with crustal movements, and deep material migration is likely the primary cause of gravity variation.

Revealing the Invisible： A New Approach for Enhancing Industrial Safety, Reliability and Remaining Life Assessment

Today＇s industry requires more reliable information on the current status of their hard assets; prognosis for continued usability of systems and better predictability of equipment life cycle maintenance. Therefore, an innovative technique for early detection of potential failure and condition monitoring is urgently required by many engineers. This document describes a novel approach to improve industrial equipment safety, reliability and life cycle management. A new field portable instrument called the ＂IMS （indicator of mechanical stresses）＂ utilizes magneto-anisotropic （＂cross＂） transducers to measure anisotropy of magnetic properties in ferromagnetic material. Mechanical stresses including residual stresses in Ferro-magnetic parts, are ＂not visible＂ to most traditional NDT （non-destructive testing） methods; for example, radiography and ultrasonic inspection. Stress build-up can be the first indicator that something is faulty with a structure. This can be the result of a manufacturing defect; or as assets age and fatigue, stress loads can become unevenly distributed throughout the metal. We outline the evaluation of IMS as a fast screening tool to provide structural condition or deterioration feedback in novel applications for pipelines, petrochemical refinery, cranes, and municipal infrastructure.