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.

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.

Arc additive manufacturing of gradient hot forging die with shaped waterways

Under the working environment of high temperature and strong load impact,hot forging die is prone to failure which reduces the service life of die.Using arc additive manufacturing in the die cavity,a gradient material hot forging die with high precision,superior per-formance,and conformal cooling channels is developed.This improves the toughness of the die cavity and reduces the working temperature,thereby forming an isothermal field,which is an effective method to enhance the lifespan of the hot forging die.Three kinds of gradient flux-cored wires are designed for the surface of 5CrNiMo steel,and the microstructure and mechanical properties between gradient interfaces were studied.Based on the spatial curved structure of shaped waterways in the hot forging die cavity,a study was conducted on the strategy of partitioned forming for the manufacturing of the die with shaped waterways.In order to avoid interference with the arc gun,the hot for-ging die is divided into four regions,namely the transition region,upper,middle,and lower region,based on a combination of cavity depth and internal U-shaped and quadrilateral structures.The results show that the developed flux-cored wires have good moldability with straight sides of deposited metal under different process parameters and flat surface without cracks,pores and other defects.Under the same working conditions,the life of hot forging die formed by the gradient materials is more than multiple times that of the single material hot forging die,and the temperature gradient field of the shaped waterway die is 7℃/cm smaller than that of traditional straight waterway.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of additive manufactured steel-Al structure materials with nickel gradient layers

The microstructure and mechanical properties of steel/Al structure material produced by additive manufacturing （AM） was investigated in this work based on the cold metal transfer welding. The results show that the microstructure gradually changed from the steel side to the aluminum side. The microstructure in the steel layer consisted of vermiform like ferrite and anstenite structure, while in the aluminum layer the microstructure was constituted by c^-A1 grains and typical reticulate distributive Al-Si eutectic structure. Besides, a 7 y.m thickness Ni-Al intermetallic compound layer was emerged at the interface of nickel and aluminum layer. The maximum room-temperature tensile strength of the Steel-Al structure materials was found to be 54 MPa, the rupture morphology showed a brittle fracture characteristic.

Residual Stress Distribution of Si_(3)N_(4)/SiC Gradient Material and the Effect of Residual Stress on Material Properties

The Si_(3)N_(4)/SiC gradient material with a gradient composition structure was prepared by a hot pressing sintering.The sinterability,distribution of residual stress and the effect of residual stress on mechanical properties of Si_(3)N_(4)/SiC gradient materials were studied.The research results show that,at 1750℃,Si_(3)N_(4)/SiC gradient materials with different ratios can achieve co-sintering,and the overall relative density of the sample reaches 98.5%.Interestingly,the flexural strength of Si_(3)N_(4)/SiC gradient material is related to its loading surface.The flexural strength of SiC as the loading surface is about 35%higher than that of Si_(3)N_(4)as the loading surface.The analysis of the residual stress of the material in the gradient structure shows that the gradient stress distribution between the two phases is a vital factor affecting the mechanical properties of the material.With the increase of SiC content in the gradient direction,the fracture toughness of each layer of Si_(3)N_(4)/SiC gradient materials gradually decreases.The surface hardness of the pure SiC side is lower than that reported in other literature.

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.

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.

GRADIENT SURFACE PLY MODEL OF SH WAVE PROPAGATION IN SAW SENSORS

Investigation of the propagation of the wave in SAW sensors is a basis for the research and design of the sensors. With the advance of the sensor, both the effect of environment on the surface ply and the geometry of waveguide are complicated. To consider the complication, a model with gradient surface ply and multilayer waveguide of SH wave propagation in sensor is proposed. The equation of wave velocity is derived by a transfer matrix method. Through the equation, the function of wave velocity increment via the change of parameters in the surface ply is obtained. The effect of the inhomogeneity on the function is also studied. Finally, some influencing factors of the behavior of the sensor are discussed.

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.

Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Ceramic/Metal Gradient Thermal Barrier Coatings

The ceramic/metal gradient thermal barrier coatings (CMGTBCs) which combined the conceptions of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) and functional gradient materials (FGMs) are investigated.The structure model studied in this paper is a general model which includes four different layers:pure ceramic layer,ceramic/metal gradient layer,pure metal layer,and substrate layer.The microstructures of gradient layer have different ceramics and metal volume fraction profile along with the direction of thickness.The profile function used to describe the gradient microstructures can be expressed in power-law or polynomial expression.The mechanical properties of CMGTBCs are obtained by means of microscopic mechanics.As special cases,the interactive solutions are given by Mori-Tanaka method,and the non-interactive solutions by dilute solution.The Young's modulus calculated by these methods are compared with those by other methods,e g,the rule of mixtures.

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.

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.

AN IN SITU SURFACE COMPOSITE AND GRADIENT MATERIAL OF Al-Si ALLOY PRODUCED BY ELECTROMAGNETIC FORCE

Because of the different conductivities between the primary phase (low electric conduc tivity) and the metal melt, electromagnetic force scarcely acts on the primary phase. Thus, an electromagnetic repulsive force applied by the metal melt exerts on the pri mary phase when the movement of the melt in the direction of electromagnetic force is limited. As a result, the repulsive force exerts on the primary phase to push them to move in the direction opposite to that of the electromagnetic force when the metal melt with primary phase solidifies under an electromagnetic force field. Based on this, a new method for production of in situ surface composite and gradient material by electromagnetic force is proposed. An in situ primary Si reinforced surface composite of Al-15wt%Si alloy and gradient material of Al-l9wt%Si alloy were produced by this method. The microhardness of the primary Si is HV1320. The reinforced phase size is in the range from 40μm to 100μm. The wear resistance of Al-Si alloy gradient material can be more greatly increased than that of their matrix material.

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.

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

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.

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.

AN ASYMPTOTIC METHOD FOR ANALYZING THE STRESS IN A FUNCTIONALLY GRADIENT MATERIAL LAYER ON A SURFACE OF A STRUCTURAL COMPONENT

A simple and effective method for analyzing the stress distribution in a Functionally Gradient Material(FGM) layer on the su;face of a structural component is proposed in this paper. Generally, the FGM layer is very thin compared with the characteristic length of the structural component, and the nonhomogeneity exists only in the thin layer. Based on these features, by choosing a small parameter I which characterizes the stiffness of the layer relative to the component, and expanding the stresses and displacements on the two sides of the interface according to the parameter lambda, then asymptotically using the continuity conditions of the stresses and displacements on the interface, a decoupling computing process of the coupling control equations of the layer and the structural component is realized. Finally, two examples are given to illustrate the application of the method proposed.