A previsão e entendimento da formação de tensões residuais oriundas da têmpera plena ou superficial nos aços tem sido objeto de estudo por um número considerável de pesquisadores, devido ao seu grande interesse tecnológico. Neste trabalho o objetivo principal consistiu no desenvolvimento de um modelo numérico para a previsão das tensões residuais em peças cilíndricas temperadas por indução. A têmpera por indução executada num componente previamente \"beneficiado\", isto é, temperado e revenido, é capaz de produzir uma camada superficial de alta dureza e tensões compressivas num núcleo resistente e tenaz. É esperado, entretanto, que o aumento da camada endurecida possa gerar tensões trativas indesejáveis abaixo da superfície, comprometendo a integridade estrutural do componente e levando as falhas prematuras. Portanto, neste trabalho ênfase foi dada no estudo da influência da profundidade de camada induzida no perfil e magnitude das tensões residuais em corpos de prova cilíndricos (c.ps.) de aço. O método de elementos finitos foi adotado para a solução do problema térmico (distribuição de temperatura) e estrutural (cálculo das tensões) com o emprego do programa ANSYS 5.3. Os efeitos metalúrgicos da mudança de fase Austenita - Martensita, responsável pelas altas tensões compressivas residuais na superfície, como resultado da expansão volumétrica inerente a esta transformação, foi modelado através de uma rotina FORTRAN especialmente desenvolvida neste trabalho e acoplada ao programa ANSYS 5.3. A criação da geometria do modelo e passos da solução foram automatizados através do uso da linguagem paramétrica APDL (ANSYS Parametric Design Language) do programa ANSYS 5.3. Trata-se de um problema termo-elasto-plástico onde as propriedades termo-físicas e mecânicas necessárias para o cálculo foram consideradas dependente da temperatura. Verificação e calibração do modelo computacional foi efetuada através da medição das ) tensões residuais em c.ps. cilíndricos de aço com o emprego da técnica de difração de raios X. Finalmente, são discutidos aspectos de precisão e principais fontes de erro, como também proposta de melhorias e futuras aplicações deste modelo. / Large efforts have been made to predict and understand the residual stresses formation in through hardening and case hardening of steel. In the present work the objective was to develop a model to predict the residual stresses in induction hardening of cylindrical steel bars. Induction hardening, i.e. electromagnetic heating and subsequent quenching, is a surface treatment of great use in industry because it is suitable to improve locally mechanical properties of the high stressed regions of the part. A hard surface layer with high compressive residual stress is normally obtained, while retaining ductility and toughness in the core. Applied to components that undergo severe duty cycles, such as gears, shafts axles and bearings, it is also clean, fast and suitable for on-line applications. It is expected however, that increasing the hardening depth leads to undesirable high subsurface tensile stress, which can cause premature failure of the component. Emphasis has been on investigating the influence of case depth on the residual stress distribution of the cylindrical steel specimens. A finite element model was developed to compute the temperature history, phase transformation and residual stress for the induction hardening process. The Austenite to Martensite phase transformation during quenching, responsible for the high surface compressive stress, as result of volume expansion, was evaluated by a custom FORTRAN routine linked to the ANSYS5.3 FEA code. The model geometry and solution process were automated by the use of ANSYS Parametric Design Language (APDL). The thermoelastoplastic behavior of the material was studied, considering material properties temperature dependent. The results of the calculations have been compared to experimental measurements of the residual stresses at the surface, using X Ray diffraction technique. Finally, accuracy and main source of erros are discussed. Future improvements and applications of this model are proposed.

Ce travail de thèse est consacré principalement à l’étude des relations entre la microstructure, le procédé de grenaillage et les champs de contraintes résiduelles dans le superalliage à base de nickel N18. Pour mettre en exergue le rôle de la microstructure, nous avons tout d’abord fabriqué quatre microstructures modèles de tailles de grains gamma et de précipités gamma' significativement différentes par différents chemins thermiques. Les échantillons ont été ensuite grenaillés par ultrason et enfin soit traités thermiquement ou sollicités en fatigue à chaud. Nous avons étudié les changements microstructuraux et mécaniques induits par chaque étape en s'appuyant sur différentes techniques de caractérisation (MEB, dureté, essais de traction et de fatigue). Nous montrons que la dureté et les propriétés en traction avant grenaillage ainsi que les modifications microstructurales et de dureté après grenaillage sont principalement dépendantes de la taille de précipités gamma'. Des mesures in situ de résistivité électrique ont permis de suivre les cinétiques de dissolution et de précipitation de la phase gamma' au cours de traitements thermiques. Les cinétiques ont été comparées à un modèle de précipitation développé pour l’alliage N18. Dans la suite, nous avons déterminé finement les contraintes résiduelles par diffraction des rayons X en laboratoire avec la méthode des « sin² psi » et au synchrotron avec la microdiffraction Laue couplée à des mesures d’énergies. La sensibilité de la microdiffraction a permis d’appréhender le rôle de la microstructure sur les champs de déformations et de contraintes à l’échelle du micromètre et de différencier la contribution des phases gamma et gamma', qui constitue l’une des principales difficultés de ce travail d’exploitation. Avant grenaillage, la déformation déviatorique est inférieure à 2 x 10-4 quelle que soit la taille de précipités gamma'. À l’issue du grenaillage, un décalage des profils de déformations et de contraintes de 100 µm est observé lorsque l'on compare la microstructure contenant de fins précipités gamma' (200 nm) à celle contenant des précipités gamma' grossiers (2000 nm). Les profils de contraintes obtenus avec la microdiffraction Laue montrent des différences significatives en comparaison à l’état de contraintes planes attendu à cœur de l’échantillon. Enfin, nous montrons qu’à l’issue d’un maintien isotherme ou d’un essai de fatigue interrompu, les déformations déviatoriques introduites par de grenaillage sont relaxées ou redistribuées / This thesis is mainly devoted to the study of the relation between microstructure, shot-peening process and residual stress fields in a N18 nickel-based superalloy. To highlight the effect of the microstructure, four simplified microstructures with significantly different gamma grain and gamma' precipitate sizes were designed using different heat treatments. Samples were then subjected to ultrasonic shot-peening and finally either to isothermal holding or to low-cycle fatigue test. Microstructural and mechanical modifications induced by each step were studied using different characterization techniques (SEM, hardness, tensile and fatigue tests). Hardness and tensile properties prior to shot-peening as well as microstructural and hardness modifications after shot-peening mainly depend on the gamma' precipitate size. In situ electrical resistivity measurements were used to follow gamma' dissolution and precipitation kinetics during heat treatments. The kinetics was compared to a model developed for the N18 alloy. Afterward, residual stresses were determined by conventional X-ray diffraction with the « sin² psi » method and synchrotron Laue microdiffraction coupled with energy measurements. The sensitivity of the microdiffraction technique allowed to understand the effect of the microstructure on strain and stress fields at the micrometer scale and to separate the contribution of gamma phase from that of gamma' phase, which is one of the major difficulties of this analysis. Prior to shot-peening, the deviatoric strain is less than 2 x 10-4 regardless of the gamma' precipitate size. After shot-peening, a shift of 100 µm on strain and stress profiles was observed between microstructures with fine gamma' precipitates (200 nm) and coarse gamma' precipitates (2000 nm). Stress profiles obtained with Laue microdiffraction method showed significant differences compared to the plane stress state expected in the sample. Finally, the deviatoric strains introduced by shot-peening are relaxed or redistributed after an isothermal holding or an interrupted fatigue test

Masters of Science - Msc (Physiotherapy) / Post-operative physiotherapy plays a vital role in the management of patients with incontinence in order to optimise the outcome of obstetric fistula surgery. Women who suffer residual urinary incontinence continue to experience shame, social isolation and institutional rejection. Incontinence continues to impair them leading to lower levels of role participation and restriction in most activities. Gynocare Fistula Center, Eldoret, receives a number of referrals for women with obstetric fistula requiring surgical and physiotherapy care. Many studies have focused on the determinants of surgical outcomes and social reintegration but none have focused on woman's perceptions and experiences with postoperative physiotherapy. While continence is not always achieved immediately after surgery, this study was designed to explore women's perceptions and experience of postoperative physiotherapy management at an obstetric fistula center in Eldoret,Kenya. Participants were then asked about their experiences and related perceptions and perceived challenges regarding the physiotherapy service following discharge from the Center. An explorative qualitative method was used to explore the women's perceptions and experiences of the post-operative physiotherapy management, as well as their perceived challenges regarding access to physiotherapy post discharge.

Re-processed oxide fuel product from the Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant (THORP) is stored in Type 316L stainless steel, using a design of several nested cans, with the outer can providing the safety case containment barrier. The research reported in this PhD thesis aims to support the safety case related to these storage cans, by identifying and characterising susceptible microstructure sites and associated material surface conditions. The overarching goal of this project is to understand the propensity of THORP storage cans towards localised corrosion and Environment Assisted Cracking (EAC) in HCl and chloride-bearing atmospheric environments. The investigation focused on two possible corrosion cases: (1) understanding the effect of surface finishing on material performance in chloride-containing atmospheric environments, and (2) characterising the effects of the HCl aqueous solutions inside the can, with potential formation of HCl vapour. Microstructure investigations were carried out on surface-treated type 316L coupon specimens. The application of aqua blasting resulted in a deformed near-surface microstructure, containing compressive residual stresses to a depth of 100-120 micrometres. Subsequent laser engraving produced a recrystallized surface layer with tensile residual stresses reaching to a depth of 200 micrometres. Changes of surface roughness topography were accompanied by the development of a thick oxide/hydroxide film after laser engraving. Atmospheric exposure revealed similar corrosion attack for all samples, with laser engraving exhibiting the lowest number of corrosion sites, but with the largest average depth of attack. In addition, laser engraving led to atmospheric-induced stress corrosion cracking (AISCC) within two weeks of exposure to 386 ug/cm2 MgCl2-laden droplet deposits, with crack growth rates similar to ground U-bend samples. Strategies to reduce the likelihood of AISCC of laser-engraved components are discussed. The influence of HCl concentration and exposure temperature on the corrosion type and rate of annealed and cold rolled type 316L stainless steel has also been investigated. Cold rolling of up to 20 % reduction was introduced, with potentio-dynamic polarization measurements conducted in 0.01 - 3 M HCl aqueous solution. Results are compared to microstructures immersed under open circuit conditions, and to HCl-laden droplet deposits at temperatures up to 80C. Corrosion type diagrams are introduced to describe the transition between uniform corrosion, mixed-mode uniform with pitting corrosion, and pitting corrosion only, as a function of temperature, HCl concentration, and cold deformation. SCC tests of type 316L stainless steel have been carried out at 110C, by exposing U-Bend samples to HCl-laden droplets and HCl vapour. The humidity of the environment was controlled using defined volume fractions of H2O in a sealed environmental chamber. HCl-laden droplets with chloride deposition densities exceeding 1.5 ug/cm2 led to SCC after 90 minutes of exposure, whereas no corrosion attack was observed for samples with exposure to 0.15 ug/cm2 HCl. Increasing HCl concentrations resulted in fewer, but longer cracks, reaching up-to several hundreds of micrometres in length. HCl vapour exposure was carried out by adding various volumes of HCl solution in a beaker to the sealed test chambers. These HCl vapour tests confirmed a change of corrosion type with HCl concentration, from pitting corrosion with SCC, to the occurrence of uniform corrosion.

Thin films and multilayers are widely used in many applications, ranging from X-ray optics to microelectronic devices. In service, the X-ray optics elements are exposed to the X-ray beam, which heats up the structure resulting in the thermal deformations, and consequently in distortions of the reflective surface. In addition, the excessive heating may activate interdiffusion in the multilayers coatings and result in degradation of their reflective performance and even film cracking. Therefore, analysis of the thermally-induced deformations and stresses in the X-ray optical elements is important. The presented work is organized in two major parts. The first part examines formation of the peculiar periodic crack patterns observed in the thermally loaded Mo/Si multilayers. Film stress evolution during thermal cycling of the multilayers on Si substrate is analyzed. Results of the high-speed microscopic observations of crack propagation in the annealed Mo/Si multilayers are presented. The observations provide experimental evidence of the mechanism underlying formation of the periodic crack patterns. In the second part, thermal deformations and the resulting surface curvature changes in the X-ray optics elements are analyzed. Finite element modeling is used to assess the potential to thermally control curvature in the X-ray mirrors consisting of the Mo/Si multilayers on a Si substrate. Influence of heating due to the X-ray beam irradiation on thermal deformations in the X-ray mirror bonded to a thick substrate is analyzed in-depth. The detailed consideration includes analysis of the thermal and structural mechanics simulations. Based on simulations of different model configurations, influence of structural composition on thermal distortions of the optics elements is addressed. Results of this analysis can be used to mitigate distortions of the X-ray optics caused by the X-ray beam and provide basis for further studies of thermally controlling surface curvature in the optical elements.

Mechanical surface treatments using an elastic-plastic cold working process can develop residual stresses on the surface of a workpiece. Compressive residual stresses on the surface increase resistance against surface crack propagation, so the overall mechanical performance can be improved by this technique. Compressive residual stresses can be created by different methods such as hammering, rolling, and shot peening. Shot peening is a well-established method to induce compressive residual stresses in the metallic components using cold working, and often ascribed to being beneficial to fatigue life in the aerospace and automobile industries. In this method, the surface is bombarded by high-velocity spherical balls which cause plastic deformation of the substrate, leading to a residual compressive stress after shot peening on the surface of the part. Computational modeling is an appropriate and effective way which can predict the amount of produced residual stresses and plastic deformation to obtain surface roughness after shot peening simulation. Finally, an experimental method to measure the magnitude of the residual stress using a nanoindentation technique was developed. The experimental indentation method was compared to both computational predictions (in aluminum) and with x-ray diffraction measurements of stress (in an alloy steel). The current study validates the relation between the nanoindentation method and numerical simulation for assessing the surface residual stresses resulting from single or multiple shot peening processes.

L’utilisation de revêtements et de couches minces déposés sur substrats est très recherchée dans de nombreuses applications. Les objectifs de ces revêtements et dépôts sont multiples (améliorer la durabilité des structures, leur résistance à l’usure et à la fatigue, etc.). D'autre part, les matériaux à gradient sont également développés en vue de répondre à de nouvelles exigences fonctionnelles, comme de meilleures tenues en température, en usure, en corrosion. Pour toutes ces applications, la caractérisation de ces revêtements et de ces matériaux à gradients, afin d’en déterminer leurs propriétés (épaisseur, constantes élastiques, adhérence, contraintes résiduelles, …etc), est déterminante pour le contrôle santé des pièces et pour leur fonctionnement optimal au cours de leur utilisation. Pour caractériser ces structures, nous avons choisi d’exploiter la dispersion des ondes de surface sur une large gamme de fréquences (10 à 60 MHz). Afin d’exciter ces ondes, des capteurs MEMS de type IDT-SAW ont été réalisés à différentes fréquences couvrant la totalité de la gamme fréquentielle considérée. L’excitation quasi-harmonique a été privilégiée dans le but d’obtenir des mesures précisesde vitesses de phase. Nous avons montré les potentialités de cette approche en caractérisant premièrement des structures à couche mince allant jusqu’à 500 nm et deuxièmement des structures amorphes à gradient de contraintes. / The use of coatings and thin layers deposited on substrates is highly sought in many applications. The objectives of these coatings and deposits are multiple (improve the durability of structures, their wear resistance and fatigue, etc.). On the other hand, gradient materials are being developed to meet new functional requirements, such as a better resistance to temperature, wear and corrosion. For all of these applications, the characterization of these coatings and gradient materials, in order to determine their properties (thickness, elastic constants, adherence, residual stresses, etc…), is decisive for the health control of pieces and for their optimum operation during their use. To characterize these structures, wechose to exploit the dispersion of surface acoustic waves over a wide frequency range (10 to 60 MHz).To excite these waves, SAW-IDT MEMS sensors have been carried out at different frequencies covering the entire frequency range we considered. The quasi-harmonic excitation was preferred to obtain accurate measures of phase velocities. We showed the potential of this approach by characterizing, first, thin layers structures (500 nm) and second, amorphous structures with a stressesgradient.

The Vickers residual stress field (VRSF) in soda-lime glass results from the elastic-plastic contact event that takes place when a Vickers diamond pyramid is loaded onto the surface of the material in an indentation cycle. The importance of elastic-plastic indentation lies in the contact damage that it gives rise to in the surface of the glass. Since such surface flaws can be characterised, with respect to shape and size, they offer the opportunity to study naturally occurring flaws in glass and brittle materials in general. The residual stress field is not passive; rather it exerts a crack opening force on the associated crack system during subsequent strength testing of a Vickers-indented sample through a residual stress field coefficient, c. Besides the strength-controlling properties, the elastic-plastic contact residual stress field is also important as a region where the influence of mechanical excitation on material properties such as hardness, H, and elastic modulus, E, can be studied. This thesis concerns studies that were made to characterise the Vickers residual stress field by first measuring the magnitude and distribution of stresses around it, using nanoindentation with a cube corner tip. With a Berkovich tip in nanoindentation, experiments were conducted in the VRSF to study the dependence of hardness, H and elastic modulus, E, on stresses in soda-lime glass: a strong E dependence on stress was observed, while H was not affected unless the stresses were high. In the process, a method was developed to determine the true contact area during elastic-plastic nanoindentation when the Oliver-Pharr method is used for the data analysis. The observed elastic modulus dependence on stress was then utilised in a study where it was shown that the VRSF responds differently to relaxation annealing on either side of the glass transition temperature. This result was then used to explain strength recovery trends in annealed Vickers-indented glass specimens.

The purpose of this thesis is non-destructive determination of residual stress state in the multi-pass welded steel plates by Magnetic Barkhausen Noise (MBN) technique. To control the effectiveness of the developed procedure, continuous MBN measurements on the heat affected zone and parent metal of the welded plates were performed. In the experimental part, various steel plates were welded with different number of weld passes. Various series of samples were prepared for residual stress and for angular deflection measurements. Microstructural investigation and hardness measurements were also conducted. The results were discussed to evaluate the effectiveness of MBN measurements to monitor the changes in the residual stress state in the welded components as a function of weld pass number.

This document describes work performed related to the determination of how elemental additions affect the interfacial fracture toughness of thermal barrier coatings at the bond coat/thermally grown oxide interface in gas turbines. These turbines are exposed to cyclical thermal loading, therefore a simulation was designed to model this interface in a temperature cycle between 200 K and 1000 K that included oxide growth between 2 μm and 27 μm. The fracture toughness of this interface was then determined to elucidate the function of elemental additions. It was shown that minimal concentrations of atomic species, such as hafnium and yttrium cause notable increases in the toughness of the bond coat/thermally grown oxide interface, while other species, such as sulphur, can dramatically reduce the toughness. Furthermore, it was shown that, contrary to some empirical results, the addition of platinum has a negligible effect on the fracture toughness of this interface.