Effects of Temperature on the Evolution of Yield Surface and Stress Asymmetry in A356–T7 Cast Aluminium Alloy

As the electrification of vehicle powertrains takes prominence to meet stringent emission norms, parts of internal combustion engines like cylinder heads are subjected to an increased number of thermal load cycles. The cost-effective design of such structures subjected to cyclic thermo-mechanical loads relies on the development of accurate material models capable of describing the continuum deformation behaviour of the material. This study investigates the effect of temperature on the evolution of flow stress under cyclic loading in A356-T7 + 0.5% Cu cast aluminium alloy commonly used in modern internal combustion engine cylinder heads. The material exhibits peak stress and flow stress asymmetry with the stress response and flow stress of the material under compressive loading higher than under tension. This peak and flow stress asymmetry decrease with an increase in temperature. To compare this stress asymmetry against conventional steel, cyclic strain-controlled fatigue tests are run on fully pearlitic R260 railway steel material. To study the effect of mean strain on the cyclic mean stress evolution and fatigue behaviour of the alloy, tests with tensile and compressive mean strains of +0.2% and −0.2% are compared against fully reversed (Rε = −1) strain-controlled tests. The material exhibits greater stress asymmetry between the peak tensile and peak compressive stresses for the strain-controlled tests with a compressive mean strain than the tests with an identical magnitude tensile mean strain. The material exhibits mean stress relaxation at all temperatures. Reduced durability of the material is observed for the tests with tensile mean strains at lower test temperatures of up to 150 °C. The tensile mean strains at elevated temperatures do not exhibit such a detrimental effect on the endurance limit of the material.

An Experimental Study of the Tension-Compression Asymmetry of Extruded Ti-6.5Al-2Zr-1Mo-1V under Quasi-Static Conditions at High Temperature

The tension-compression asymmetry (TCA) behavior of an extruded titanium alloy at high temperatures has been investigated experimentally in this study. Uniaxial tensile and compressive tests were conducted from 923 to 1023 K with various strain rates under quasi-static conditions. The corresponding yield stress and asymmetric strain hardening behavior were obtained and analyzed. In addition, the microstructure at different temperatures and stress states indicates that the extruded TA15 profile exhibits a significant yield stress asymmetry at different testing temperatures. The flow stress and yield stress during tension are greater than compression. The yield stress asymmetry decreases with the increase in temperature. The alloy also exhibits TCA behavior on the strain hardening rate. Its mechanical response during compression is more sensitive than tension. A dynamic recrystallization phenomenon is observed instead of twin generated in tension and compression under high-temperature quasi-static conditions. The grains are elongated along the tensile direction and deformed by about 45° along the compressive load axis. Finally, the TCA of Ti-6.5Al-2Zr-1Mo-1V (TA15) alloy is due to slip displacement. The tensile deformation activates basal <a>, prismatic <a> and pyramidal <c + a> slip modes, while the compressive deformation activates only prismatic <a> and pyramidal <c + a> slip modes.

Analysis of influencing factors affecting the operational reliability of low-voltage asynchronous electric motors

THE PURPOSE. The main purpose of the work is a comprehensive study of external influences that affect the operational reliability of low-voltage asynchronous motors. Attention is focused on the evaluation of the operational reliability of electric motors, the systematization of their operating conditions, with the simultaneous impact of a group of operational factors. Among these factors that are subject to detailed analysis, we will highlight the following: the asymmetry of the stress and its duration, loading of the motor, the temperature of the environment. In this regard, it becomes obvious that the task of improving the operational reliability of low-voltage asynchronous electric motors depends on a qualitative study of the quantitative values of external influencing factors in various operating modes of electric motors. METHODS. The tool for implementing this task is a visual and effective simulation tool Simulink interactive programming environment Matlab. RESULTS. The research was performed on an asynchronous electric motor with a short-circuited rotor AIR160S8 with PH = 7,5 kW, rated speed n = 1500 rpm. The physical processes of the electric motor under study were modeled by changing the following parameters: the coefficient of stress asymmetry in the reverse sequence (K2U), the load on the motor shaft (Kz), the ambient temperature (tocr), and the duration of stress asymmetry in the reverse sequence (T). Based on the obtained simulation results, groups of planes of the studied quantities are constructed. CONCLUSION. A set of studies performed using the Matlab software package allowed us to estimate the limits of acceptable values of external factors and identify the area of acceptable operation of asynchronous motors. The analysis and discussion of the research results were carried out, and measures were proposed to improve the operational reliability of asynchronous electric motors.

Analysis of influencing factors affecting the operational reliability of low-voltage asynchronous electric motors

THE PURPOSE. The main purpose of the work is a comprehensive study of external influences that affect the operational reliability of low-voltage asynchronous motors. Attention is focused on the evaluation of the operational reliability of electric motors, the systematization of their operating conditions, with the simultaneous impact of a group of operational factors. Among these factors that are subject to detailed analysis, we will highlight the following: the asymmetry of the stress and its duration, loading of the motor, the temperature of the environment. In this regard, it becomes obvious that the task of improving the operational reliability of low-voltage asynchronous electric motors depends on a qualitative study of the quantitative values of external influencing factors in various operating modes of electric motors. METHODS. The tool for implementing this task is a visual and effective simulation tool Simulink interactive programming environment Matlab. RESULTS. The research was performed on an asynchronous electric motor with a short-circuited rotor AIR160S8 with PH = 7,5 kW, rated speed n = 1500 rpm. The physical processes of the electric motor under study were modeled by changing the following parameters: the coefficient of stress asymmetry in the reverse sequence (K2U), the load on the motor shaft (Kz), the ambient temperature (tocr), and the duration of stress asymmetry in the reverse sequence (T). Based on the obtained simulation results, groups of planes of the studied quantities are constructed. CONCLUSION. A set of studies performed using the Matlab software package allowed us to estimate the limits of acceptable values of external factors and identify the area of acceptable operation of asynchronous motors. The analysis and discussion of the research results were carried out, and measures were proposed to improve the operational reliability of asynchronous electric motors.

Effect of Landscape Elements on the Symmetry and Variance of the Spatial Distribution of Individual Birds within Foraging Flocks of Geese

Behavioural instability is a newly coined term used for measuring asymmetry of bilateral behavioural traits as indicators of genetic or environmental stress. However, this concept might also be useful for other types of data than bilateral traits. In this study, behavioural instability indices of expected behaviour were evaluated as an indicator for environmental stress through the application of aerial photos of foraging flocks of geese. It was presumed that geese would increase anti-predator behaviour through the dilution effect when foraging near the following landscape elements: wind turbines, hedgerows, and roads. On this presumption, it was hypothesized that behavioural instability of spatial distribution in flocks of geese could be used as indicators of environmental stress. Asymmetry in spatial distribution was measured for difference in flock density across various distances to disturbing landscape elements through the following indices; behavioural instability of symmetry and behavioural instability of variance. The behavioural instability indices showed clear tendencies for changes in flock density and variance of flock density for geese foraging near wind turbines, hedgerows, and roads indicating increasing environmental stress levels. Thus, behavioural instability has proven to be a useful tool for monitoring environmental stress that does not need bilateral traits to estimate instability but can be applied for indices of expected behaviour.

TENSOR STRESS ASYMMETRY AS A MECHANISM FOR THE FORMATION OF DIPOLE VORTEX INTO THE JET FLOW IN THE COASTAL ZONE

The theoretical conclusions about the effect of asymmetry of the stress tensor on the formation of dipolar vortex structures are built on the basis of laboratory experiments. The results of computer simulation of the mushroom current are provided.