Papers by Author: Dong Liu

Abstract: The role of stress state on the fracture properties of a quasi-brittle material are explored using reactor core Gilsocarbon graphite. The objective of the experiment was to study the initial propagation of cracks. Cruciform specimens have been tested by a biaxial flexural loading method. Pre-slots of 10 mm width and up to a quarter of the depth of the specimen were introduced at the centre of the specimen by electric discharge machining. The slots are located between two through-thickness holes, which are designed to guide crack propagation. A loading jig has been designed and built that allows a range of biaxial loading states to be applied by variation of the length of the loading arms. Clip gauges are used to measure the crack mouth opening displacements. Preliminary tests have studied the fracture of specimens under different loading conditions.

Abstract: Micro-scale cantilever beam specimens have been created in air plasma sprayed thermal barrier coatings (APS-TBC) by focus-ion beam milling and tested in-situ using a force measurement technique. The elastic modulus, fracture toughness and the flexural strength of the specimens are calculated from the loading-deflection curve. In addition, the failure modes of the tested TBC are analysed.

Abstract: In this paper, we explored the relationship between thermal aging and the residual stresses developed within a thermal barrier coating (TBC) and the underlying thermally grown oxide (TGO). Superalloy model specimens (CMSX4) with a curved geometry designed to simulate key features of turbine blades coated with air plasma sprayed (APS) 7 wt.% Y₂O₃-stabilised ZrO₂ applied to an Amdry 995 bond coat were oxidised in the temperature range 900°C to 975°C for various lengths of time. Stress measurements on both the TBC and the underlying TGO were made at positions of known curvature using Raman and photo-stimulated piezo-luminescence spectroscopy (PLPS). The residual stress values reflect the interaction between TGO and TBC, which has the potential to be used as an indicator of service lifetime. The results are discussed with respect to the origin of the stress changes and the long term integrity of the coating.