No description available.

With the increasing requirements for higher strength materials with high electrical conductivity, a lot of interest has been paid to develop Cu-based composites in the last 25 years. These composites have superior tensile strength, combined with good electrical conductivity, to that exhibited by pure Cu and conventional Cu alloys. To date, much of the research carried out on this composite has focused on the mechanical and electrical properties of the as processed material. However, there is a basic lack of understanding of the way in which the properties may change or degrade during service. Without this knowledge, these composites cannot be fully and safely exploited. Thus the objective of this study was to investigate the thermo-mechanical behaviour of a Cu-Cr composite, and the nature and extent of any damage mechanisms occurring within the composite over a wide range of experimental conditions. Neutron diffraction was used to investigate the deformation behaviour of the individual phases in the composite and their interaction through elastic and plastic loading at room temperature. For the composite, a fairly good agreement was observed in the phase strains predicted by the Eshelby theory and measured by neutron diffraction. In-situ tensile tests in the SEM were also performed to study the damage mechanism of the composite. Tensile and creep tests were carried out in air and in vacuum over a wide range of temperatures. To provide data for comparison with the composite material, pure Cu specimens were tested whenever possible. Creep resistance increases significantly with the introduction of Cr fibres into Cu. The higher creep rate of the composite in air than in vacuum is due to the gradual decrease of the cross-sectional area of the matrix due to increasing thickness of the oxide layer. Damage characteristics and distributions were found to be similar during tensile and creep testing.

L'objectif de cette thèse est de mettre en évidence l'influence de la microstructure initiale sur le glissement intergranulaire lors du fluage à haute température d'un superalliage polycristallin à base de nickel. Dans ce but, plusieurs microstructures sont obtenues à partir de la microstructure de référence de l'alliage NR6, par application de traitements thermiques spécifiques. L'influence des paramètres microstructuraux sur les déformations locales est ensuite étudiée à l'aide d'une technique de microextensométrie couplée à une analyse par diffraction des électrons rétrodiffusés. Il est ainsi possible de relier microstructure, déformations locales et comportement macroscopique en fluage. Pour la microstructure de référence de l'alliage NR6, la déformation opère principalement par cisaillement des phases γ et γ'. Ce mécanisme est favorable au glissement intergranulaire. L'absence de précipités tertiaires de phase γ' favorise le contournement des précipités secondaires par les dislocations. Ceci permet de réduire le glissement intergranulaire mais est également néfaste pour la résistance à la déformation de l'alliage. La présence de joints de grains dentelés augmente la résistance au glissement intergranulaire mais diminue la résistance à la déformation intragranulaire en favorisant le contournement des précipités. Ainsi la résistance globale à la déformation n'est pas affectée. Enfin, l'augmentation de la taille de grains n'a d'influence ni sur les mécanismes de déformation mis en jeu ni sur l'amplitude du glissement. Cependant, la fraction moins élevée de joints de grains induit une diminution de la contribution du glissement intergranulaire à la déformation globale. / The aim of this study is to highlight the influence of initial microstructure on grain boundary sliding during high-temperature creep of a polycrystalline nickel-based superalloy. To reach this goal, several microstructures are produced from the reference microstructure of NR6 alloy by adequate heat treatments. The influence of microstructural parameters on local deformations is then studied thanks to a microextensometry technique coupled with an electron back-scattered diffraction analysis. It thereby enables linking microstructure, local deformations and macroscopic creep behaviour. In the case of NR6 alloy reference microstructure, deformation occurs mainly by γ and γ' phases cutting by dislocations. This mechanism is grain boundary sliding-favourable. The absence of tertiary γ' phase precipitates promotes secondary precipitates bypassing by dislocations. This results in a reduction of grain boundary sliding but is also harmful to the alloy creep resistance. Grain boundary serration improves grain boundary sliding resistance but diminishes intragranular deformation resistance by favouring precipitate bypassing. Then global deformation resistance is not changed. Finally, grain size increase has influence neither on activated deformation mechanisms nor on sliding amplitude. However, the decrease of grain boundary fraction leads to a reduction of grain boundary sliding contribution to overall strain.

Unbonded post-tensioned (UPT) flat plate concrete slabs have seen widespread use in multi-storey office and condominium buildings since the 1960s. The popularity of these systems can be attributed to various economic and structural benefits, including reductions in slab thickness, storey height, building mass, and excellent deflection control over large spans. The “inherent fire resistance” of these systems is often quoted as a key additional benefit as compared with competing structural systems. Such statements are apparently based largely on satisfactory results from large scale standard fire resistance tests performed on UPT slabs during the 1960s and on experience from real fires in UPT buildings. However, much remains unknown about the true structural behaviour of continuous multiple bay UPT slabs in real building fires. For instance, relatively little data exist on the effects of elevated temperature on cold drawn prestressing steel under realistic, sustained service stress levels. The primary objective of this thesis is to provide a greater understanding of the high-temperature performance (predominantly related to prestress relaxation) of prestressing steel used in UPT flat plate slabs. A computational model is developed, extending previous research by others, to predict transient high temperature stress relaxation (i.e., prestress loss) for a tendon in a typical UPT multiple span flat plate concrete slab under transient heating and cooling. The computational model is validated by comparison against a series of novel high temperature experiments on locally-heated, stressed, and restrained prestressing tendons with realistic as-built configurations. Reasonable agreement between measured and predicted prestress losses is observed, although some refinement of the model’s input parameters may be required. Test data also indicate that the most crucial fire scenario on a UPT concrete slab may be localized heating rather than a global, fully developed fire. The model is subsequently used to predict the capacity in flexure and punching shear of a UPT flat plate structure under various spatial and temporal heating regimes. The results highlight the need for particular care in the construction of UPT slabs to ensure adequate, robust concrete cover for structural fire safety. / Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-24 18:27:25.559

During operational conditions of internal combustion turbines of turbojet engines, the impeller are stressed by load cycles which vary in time, temperature and stress. In the course of operation, the blades are exposed to a considerable number of degradation effects, particularly high-temperature corrosion, fatigue processes and creep. The presented work is aimed at the study of the structure cast nickel-base superalloy INCONEL 713 LC, creep tests exposured. The structural changes (degradation) was clasification by the help of image analyses. Operational conditions of heat parts, used in gas turbines and turbo-compressors, were simulated by creep tests of Inconel 713 LC nickel superalloy during a constant load of temperatures ranging from 750 up to 950°C. Changes in the structure dependent upon time, temperature and stress applied were analysed by means of light and electron microscopy methods and image analyses after the fracture of test bars.

No description available.

Les pales de turbine Haute Pression des turbines d'hélicoptères sont soumises à des sollicitations cycliques, thermiques et mécaniques, complexes. L'objectif de ce travail est de caractériser l'influence du cyclage thermique sur le comportement et l'endommagement en fluage de systèmes MCrAlY/superalliage à base de nickel et d'étudier les interactions entre le substrat et le revêtement à haute température. Dans un premier temps, des essais de vieillissement et de fluage isothermes ont été menés afin d'évaluer les dégradations environnementales et mécaniques de systèmes superalliage monocristallin CMSX-4/revêtement NiCoCrAlYTa, déposé selon différents procédés (codéposition électrolytique, projection HVOF). Ces essais de vieillissement isotherme et l'analyse microstructurale qui a été réalisée ont notamment permis d'évaluer le pouvoir protecteur des revêtements entre 950 et 1150°C. Des diagrammes d’occurrence de phases représentatifs de l'état de dégradation de ces revêtements ont été construits et ont montré une équivalence des deux procédés vis-à-vis de la protection du superalliage. Les essais de fluage isotherme ont ensuite confirmé cette équivalence et ont constitué une référence pour les essais de fluage cyclés thermiquement. La comparaison des essais de vieillissement et fluage isothermes a également montré que l’épaisseur de la zone d’interdiffusion entre le superalliage et le revêtement était indépendante de l’application d’une contrainte. Dans un second temps, une étude approfondie de l'influence du cyclage thermique sur le comportement en fluage à 1150°C des superalliages a été menée tout d'abord sur le superalliage MC2, pour évaluer l'effet des paramètres qui caractérisent les cycles thermiques (durée du palier à haute température, vitesses de refroidissement, effet de la température basse du cycle). L'effet du cyclage sur la vitesse de déformation et sur la durée de vie à rupture a été confirmé, et le rôle de la répétition des cycles thermiques sur l'accélération prématurée de l'endommagement de la structure du substrat et la déformation accrue a été mis en évidence. Enfin, le comportement en fluage cyclé thermiquement du système CMSX-4/NiCoCrAlYTa déposé par codéposition électrolytique a été caractérisé aux températures 1050 et 1150°C. Pour ces différentes conditions, particulièrement à 1150°C, il a de nouveau été montré sur ce matériau que les séquences rapides et successives de dissolution - re-précipitation de la phase γ' induisaient une accélération et une généralisation dans le substrat de la déstabilisation de la morphologie en radeaux. Dans une moindre mesure, il a également été montré que le cyclage thermique affecte la zone d'interdiffusion plus en profondeur dans le substrat. / Turbine blades of helicopters are subjected to complex thermal and mechanical cycles. The purpose of this work is to characterize the influence of the thermal cycling on high temperature creep behaviour and damage of MCrAlY coating / single crystal nickel-based superalloys systems, and to study the interactions between the superalloy and the coating. Firstly oxidation and isothermal creep tests have been performed to measure the environmental and mechanical resistance of systems made of CMSX-4 superalloy / NiCoCrAlYTa coating deposited by several processes (Tribomet process and HVOF spraying). Microstructure and chemical composition of both coatings were examined after oxidation and creep testing and quite similar observations were made for both coating processes. The combination of phases and chemical analysis after oxidation testing allowed the establishment of an occurrence diagram of phases for both coating processes, according to temperature and duration of exposure. The obtained diagrams seemed similar for both processes. Finally both processes appeared to be equivalent for the protection of CMSX-4 superalloy in isothermal oxidation and creep conditions. Moreover the growth of the inderdiffusion zone between coating and superalloy is independent of the stress. Secondly the influence of thermal cycling parameters on creep properties of the MC2 single crystal nickel-based superalloy has been studied at 1150°C and 80MPa.We have demonstrated that thermal cycling creep was more damaging than isothermal creep in terms of creep lifetime and rates. Furthermore, the number of low temperature incursions and low cooling and heating rates have severe detrimental effect on creep resistance, whereas the low temperature value of the thermal cycle is not significant. These results specify the role of re-precipitation and dissolution of γ’ particles during thermal cycling creep. Finally the effect of thermal cycling on high temperature creep of thin-walled and coated CMSX-4 single crystal superalloy was evaluated by performing thermal cycling and isothermal creep tests at 1050°C and 1150°C. The deleterious effect of thermal cycling on the creep behavior and lifetime has been confirmed, particularly for the condition at 1150°C and 80 MPa. Furthermore, the number of low temperature incursions has severe detrimental effect on creep resistance on account of the rafted microstructure destabilization induced by these sequences. These results confirm the role of re-precipitation and dissolution of γ’ particles during thermal cycling creep. Thermal cycling infers also on destabilization of subcoating zone in the superalloy but this effect seems to be secondary.

Hydrogen is the smallest element in the periodical table. It has been shown in several studies that hydrogen has a large influence on the corrosion and cracking behaviour of stainless steels. Hydrogen is involved in several of the most common cathode reactions during corrosion and can also cause embrittlement in many stainless steels. Some aspects of the effect of hydrogen on corrosion and hydrogen-induced stress cracking, HISC, of stainless steels were studied in this work. These aspects relate to activation of test specimens for uniform corrosion testing, modification of a test cell for dewpoint corrosion testing and the mechanism of hydrogen-induced stress cracking. The results from uniform corrosion testing of superduplex stainless steels indicated that there is a large difference between passive and activated surfaces in hydrochloric acid and in lower concentrations of sulphuric acid. Hence, initial activation of the test specimen until hydrogen evolution can have a large influence on the results. This may provide another explanation for the differences in iso-corrosion curves for superduplex stainless steels that have previously been attributed to alloying with copper and/or tungsten. In concentrated sulphuric acid, potential oscillations were observed; these oscillations activated the specimen spontaneously. Due to these potential oscillations the influence of activation was negligible in this acid. An experimental set-up was developed for testing dewpoint corrosion of stainless steels in a condensate containing 1 % hydrochloric acid. There was an existing experimental set-up that had to be modified in order to avoid azeotroping of the water and hydrogen chloride system. A separate flask with hydro chloric acid was included in the experimental set-up. The final set-up provided reasonably good agreement with field exposures in contrary to much higher corrosion rates in the original set-up. Relaxation and low temperature creep experiments have been performed with several stainless steels in this work. The aim was to understand how creep and relaxation relates to material properties and the relative ranking between the tested materials. For low temperature creep with a load generating stresses below the yield strength, as well relaxation at stress levels above and below the yield strength, the same ranking with respect to changes in mechanical properties of the steel grades was found. For low temperature creep with a load level above the yield strength, the same ranking was not obtained. This effect can most probably be explained by annihilation and generation of dislocations. During low temperature creep above the yield strength, dislocations were generated. In addition, low temperature creep experiments were performed forone superduplex stainless steel in two different product forms with differentaustenite spacing in the microstructure. The superduplex material experienced low temperature creep at a lower load level for the material with large austenite spacing compared to the one with smaller austenite spacing. Also this differenceis influenced by dislocations. In a material with small austenite spacing the dislocations have more obstacles that they can be locked up against. Studies of the fracture surfaces of hydrogen induced stress cracking, HISC, tested duplex stainless steels showed that HISC is a hydrogen-enhanced localised plasticity, HELP, mechanism. Here a mechanism that takes into account the inhomogeneous deformation of duplex stainless steels was proposed. This mechanism involves an interaction between hydrogen diffusion and plastic straining. Due to the different mechanical properties of the phases in a superduplex stainless steel, plastic straining due to low temperature creep can occur in the softer ferrite phase. A comparison between low temperature creep data showed that for the coarser grained material, HISC occurs at the load levelwhen creep starts. However, in the sample with small austenite spacing, HISC did not occur at this load level. Microhardness measurements indicated that the hydrogen level in the ferrite was not high enough to initiate cracking in the coarser material. The proposed mechanism shows that occurrence of HISC is an interaction between local plasticity and hydrogen diffusion. / QC20100618

The principal aim of this thesis is to characterise quantitatively the influence of high temperature creep upon the structure of ß-NiAl and ß-NiAl(Fe) single crystals. A non-destructive procedure is established following the classic line of X-ray structure analysis, namely controlling the chemical composition with the electron probe microanalysis, determining the unit cell contents from the combined lattice parameter and mass density measurements, and refining the structure parameters according to the X-ray reflection intensity. Specifically, two special single crystal X-ray diffraction methods, namely the back reflection Kossel technique and the back reflection Laue method, are applied for the determination of lattice parameter and for the collection of intensity data. All experimental measurements can be performed in non-destructive manner, which allows a direct comparison to be made between the crystal structure determined prior to and after a creep test.

Le fluage est l'un des phénomènes qui influencent le comportement des conducteurs aériens de transport d'énergie électrique. Il s'agit d'une déformation irréversible qui apparaît dans les structures soumises à des charges mécaniques permanentes. Ce phénomène commence à l'instant où la charge est appliquée et continue, à un taux décroissant, aussi longtemps que la charge et la température sont maintenues. Dans les conducteurs en portée, le fluage se manifeste par l'augmentation de la flèche et la réduction des distances sécuritaires entre les lignes et le sol. D'autre part, la température moyenne des conducteurs, transportant en continue un courant électrique important, peut être largement supérieure à la température ambiante, ce qui influence le phénomène de fluage des câbles. Dans ce cadre, s'inscrit ce projet de maîtrise qui consiste à évaluer l'effet de la température sur le comportement en fluage des conducteurs en mesurant l'allongement des fils qui les constituent. Pour ce faire, un banc d'essai de fluage des câbles a été conçu pour étudier le fluage sur les conducteurs et un banc d'essai de fluage des brins a été utilisé pour déterminer le comportement en fluage des fils. Pour les conducteurs, un essai préliminaire de fluage, de 400 heures, a été effectué sur un conducteur de type AAC (Orchid) pour valider le montage expérimental et vérifier l'effet de la mise en place des brins sur le fluage. Le câble a été testé à 38°C et à 25% de sa résistance à la traction assignée (RTA). Pour les essais sur les brins, les fils d'aluminium 1350-H19 et d'almélec ont été testés en fluage pendant 1000 heures. Les fils ont été soumis à quatre niveaux de température d'opération : 20°C, 38°C, 55°C et 70°C et à quatre niveaux de contrainte : 15%, 25%, 35% et 47% RTA pour l'aluminium et 8%, 15%, 25% et 35% RTA pour les fils en almélec. De plus, des essais de traction sur des fils en aluminium et en alliage d'aluminium ont été effectués pour évaluer l'effet du fluage et de la température sur le comportement mécanique des fils isolés. Ces résultats ont permis d'étudier l'effet de la température et de la contrainte sur le fluage des conducteurs à travers le fluage des fils. À partir des données expérimentales, une loi d'évolution de fluage a été établie et tient compte du taux de chargement et de la température.