Deformation superposition effect of asphalt mixture based on experiments and micromechanical modeling

Under multi-wheel heavy load, the asphalt mixture is prone to exhibit the deformation superposition effect, which exacerbates the damage of pavement structure. Multi-point penetration tests and numerical simulations by discrete element method (DEM) are performed to investigate the deformation superposition effect and micromechanical characteristics of asphalt mixture. The effect of wheel spacing, wheel group, and the evolution of micromechanical deformation superposition behavior are analyzed. Results indicate that the deformation superposition resistance of the asphalt mixture under the multi-wheel load decreases dramatically with the decrease in wheel spacing and the increase in the number of wheels, specifically the wheel spacing is 54 mm and the number of wheels is 4. The DEM simulations reflect the micromechanical property of asphalt mixture in the multi-point penetration test. The reduction of tensile chains is the internal reason for asphalt mixture deformation superposition, indicating the decrease of the adhesive strength of the material. A remarkably positive correlation is found between the reduction of the tensile chain and the deformation effect coefficient. In the process of superposition, the aggregate skeleton force chains are gradually destroyed and decrease to zero until cracking. The numerical simulation outcome is consistent with the laboratory penetration test outcome.

Crystallite Size on Micromechanical Characteristics of WO3 Microparticles

This study evaluated the relationship between crystallite size and micromechanical characteristics of micrometersized monoclinic WO3 particles. To avoid the existence of other parameters in the measurement (such as impurities and porous structure in the particle), micrometer WO3 particles were prepared using a direct heat treatment of ultrapure micrometer-sized ammonium tungstate powders. The crystallite size was controlled independently in constant WO3 particle outer diameters to obtain a precise measurement result. The mechanical properties, i.e., hardness and Young’s modulus, were measured by load-controlled nanoindentation test on the singular WO3 particles. The force and displacement relationship data was plotted and analyzed to obtain the relationship between crystallite size and mechanical properties. The results revealed that the micromechanical properties of WO3 particles were strongly dependent on the crystallite size. The hardness and Young’s modulus values increased more than three times when increasing the crystallite size to about 40 nm. The study was completed with a proposed mechanism of crack propagation inside the particle due to static load. The study demonstrates the important role of crystallite size in determining the micromechanical characteristics of WO3 particles. The result is useful especially when utilizing WO3 microparticles for various processes involving extreme conditions, such as high pressure reaction.

Deformation Superposition Effect of Asphalt Mixture Based on Experiments and Micromechanical Modeling

Under multi-wheel heavy load, the asphalt mixture is prone to exhibit the deformation superposition effect, which exacerbates the damage of pavement structure. Multi-point penetration tests and numerical simulations by discrete element method (DEM) are performed to investigate the deformation superposition effect and micromechanical characteristics of asphalt mixture. The effect of wheel spacing, wheel group, and the evolution of micromechanical deformation superposition behavior are analyzed. Results indicate that the deformation superposition resistance of the asphalt mixture under the multi-wheel load decreases considerably with the increase in wheel spacing and the number of wheels. The DEM simulations reflect the micromechanical property of asphalt mixture in the multi-point penetration test. The reduction of tensile chains is the internal reason for asphalt mixture deformation superposition, indicating the decrease of the adhesive strength of the material. A remarkably positive correlation is found between the reduction of the tensile chain and the deformation effect coefficient. In the process of superposition, the aggregate skeleton force chains are gradually destroyed and decrease to zero until cracking. The numerical simulation outcome is consistent with the laboratory penetration test outcome.

A Comprehensive Study of Al0.6Ti0.4N Coatings Deposited by Cathodic Arc and HiPIMS PVD Methods in Relation to Their Cutting Performance during the Machining of an Inconel 718 Alloy

The structural, physical–chemical, and micromechanical characteristics of Al0.6Ti0.4N coatings deposited by different physical vapor deposition (PVD) methods, such as cathodic arc deposition (CAD), as well as advanced HiPIMS techniques were investigated in terms of their cutting performance during the machining of an Inconel 718 alloy. XRD studies had revealed that the HiPIMS coating featured lower residual stresses and more fine-grained structure. Electrochemical characterization with the potentiostat-impendence method shows that the HiPIMS coating has a significantly lower porosity than CAD. SEM and AFM studies of the surface morphology demonstrate that the HiPIMS coating has a smoother surface and an absence of droplet phases, in contrast with CAD. XRD, combined with FIB/TEM studies, shows a difference in the crystal structure of both coatings. The micromechanical characteristics of each coating, such as hardness, elastic modulus, fracture toughness, and adhesion to the substrate, were evaluated. The HiPIMS coating was found to possess a more beneficial combination of micromechanical properties compared to CAD. The beneficial characteristics of the HiPIMS coating alleviated the damage of the coated layer under operation. Combined with grain size refinement, this results in the improved adaptive performance of the HiPIMS coating through the formation of a greater amount of thermal barrier sapphire tribo-films on the friction surface. All of these characteristics contribute to the reduction of flank and crater wear intensity, as well as notching, leading to an improvement of the HiPIMS coating’s tool life.

EFFECT OF FRICTION ON THE MICROMECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF AISI 316L AUSTENITIC STEEL

In this paper, we investigate the possibility of using the friction method for modifying the microstructure and mechanical properties in the near-surface regions of AISI 316L austenitic steel specimens for the purpose of its practical application. It is shown that a region of severe plastic deformation arises near the friction surface, which transforms the initial fine-grained polycrystalline steel structure into a homogenized zone consisting of a deformed structure with plastic slip bands and weakly pronounced grain boundaries. The change in the microscopic structure results in an increase in this zone of values of micromechanical characteristics, such as microhardness (H), Young's modulus (E), plasticity index (H/E) and resistance index (H3/E2). The obtained results are of interest for the potential use of AISI 316L steel in medicine.