Quantitative assessment of the surface crack density in thermal barrier coatings

In this paper, a modified shear-lag model is developed to calculate the surface crack density in thermal barrier coatings（TBCs）. The mechanical properties of TBCs are also measured to quantitatively assess their surface crack density. Acoustic emission（AE） and digital image correlation methods are applied to monitor the surface cracking in TBCs under tensile loading. The results show that the calculated surface crack density from the modified model is in agreement with that obtained from experiments. The surface cracking process of TBCs can be discriminated by their AE characteristics and strain evolution. Based on the correlation of energy released from cracking and its corresponding AE signals, a linear relationship is built up between the surface crack density and AE parameters, with the slope being dependent on the mechanical properties of TBCs.

Effect of Thermal Convection on Density Segregation in Binary Granular Gases with Dissipative Lateral Walls

Molecular dynamics simulations are employed to investigate the effect of thermal convection induced only by dissipative lateral walls on density segregation of the strongly driven binary granular gases under low gravity conditions. It is found that the thermal convection due to dissipative lateral walls has significant influence on the segregation intensity of the system. The dominant factor in determining the degree of segregation achieved by the system is found to be the relative convection rate between differing species. Moreover, a qualitative explanation is proposed for the relationship between the thermal convection due to dissipative lateral walls and the observed segregation intensity profiles.

Effects of Co_(2)O_(3)Addition on Microstructure and Properties of SiC Composite Ceramics for Solar Absorber and Storage

SiC composite ceramics for solar absorber and storage integration are new concentrating solar power materials.SiC composite ceramics for solar absorber and storage integration were fabricated using SiC,black corundum and kaolin as the raw materials,Co_(2)O_(3)as the additive via pressureless graphite-buried sintering method in this study.Influences of Co_(2)O_(3)on the microstructure and properties of SiC composite ceramics for solar absorber and storage integration were studied.The results indicate that sample D2(5wt%Co_(2)O_(3))sintered at 1480℃exhibits optimal performances for 119.91 MPa bending strength,93%solar absorption,981.5 kJ/kg(25-800℃)thermal storage density.The weight gain ratio is 12.58 mg/cm2after 100 h oxidation at 1000℃.The Co_(2)O_(3)can decrease the liquid phase formation temperature and reduce the viscosity of liquid phase during sintering.The liquid with low viscosity not only promotes the elimination of pores to achieve densification,but also increases bending strength,solar absorption,thermal storage density and oxidation resistance.A dense SiO_(2) layer was formed on the surface of SiC after 100 h oxidation at 1000℃,which protects the sample from further oxidation.However,excessive Co_(2)O_(3)will make the microstructure loose,which is disadvantageous to the performances of samples.

First-Principles Study of the High-Temperature Behaviors of the Willemite-Ⅱ and Post-Phenacite Phases of Silicon Nitride

The structural and elastic properties of the recently-discovered wⅡ- and δ-Si3N4 are investigated through the plane-wave pseudo-potential method within ultrasoft pseudopotentials.The elastic constants show that wⅡ- and δ-Si3N4 are mechanically stable in the pressure ranges of 0-50 GPa and 40-50 GPa,respectively.The α→wⅡ phase transition can be observed at 18.6 GPa and 300 K.The β→δ phase transformation occurs at pressures of 29.6,32.1,35.9,39.6,41.8,and 44.1 GPa when the temperatures are100,200,300,400,500,and 600 K,respectively.The results show that the interactions among the N-2s,Si-3s,3p bands（lower valence band） and the Si-3p,N-2p bands（upper valence band） play an important role in the stabilities of the wⅡ and S phases.Moreover,several thermodynamic parameters（thermal expansion,free energy,bulk modulus and heat capacity） of δ-Si3N4 are also obtained.Some interesting features are found in these properties.δ-Si3N4 is predicted to be a negative thermal expansion material.The adiabatic bulk modulus decreases with applied pressure,but a majority of materials show the opposite trend.Further experimental investigations with higher precisions may be required to determine the fundamental properties of wⅡ- andδ-Si3N4.

Lithospheric structure and evolution of the North China Craton:An integrated study of geophysical and xenolith data

Determination of the physical and chemical structures of the inaccessible continental lithosphere by comprehensive geophysical and geochemical studies can provide valuable information on its formation and evolution.Extensive studies from various disciplines have revealed complex lithospheric modification of the North China Craton(NCC),but less attention has been paid to an integrated study from different fields.Here we provide an integrated constraint on the lithospheric mantle structure of the NCC by comprehensive semiology,gravity and thermal studies with xenolith data involving depth(levels in the lithosphere),property(chemical and physical),and timing(formation and reworking ages).Our results suggest that the NCC has a relatively heterogeneous lithospheric mantle.Its margins and internal weak zones,especially in the eastern NCC,are generally underlain by the fertile,weakly metasomatized mantle with generally young formation ages.In contrast,its core tends to preserve the refractory,strongly metasomatized mantle with ages roughly coupled to the overlying Archean crust.Such a lithospheric structure shows the preferential modification of the lithospheric mantle in the eastern NCC and in the peripheral regions of the western NCC.The interior of the craton,especially most of the western NCC,remains stable and has been weakly modified.