Papers by Author: Michal Landa

Abstract: Laser-based resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS) method was applied to measure elastic constants of a porous calcium titanate coating manufactured by water-stabilized plasma-spraying (WSP). To enhance the reflectivity of the polished surface of this material for the lasers applied at RUS measurements, a thin coating of sodium metasilicate (waterglass) was used. It is discussed how the metasilicate affects the acoustic properties of the underlying porous material and experimentally shown that such a surface treatment enables the characterization of the structural processes in these materials at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: Finite element modeling (FEM) was used for numerical simulations of mechanical performance of aperiodic silicon-carbide scaffold manufactured by robocasting. The FEM approach enabled reliable calculation of theeffective anisotropic elastic properties of the scaffold at the macro-scale, as well as of the acoustic band structureindicating the metamaterial-like behavior of the material at the micro-scale. In addition, the micromechanics of thescaffold was discussed based on the outputs of the model: the mechanisms of the extremely soft shearing modes wereidentified and the corresponding stress concentrations arising at the contact points in the scaffold were analyzedwith respect to the possible failure modes of the robocast structure.

Abstract: NiTi shape memory alloy thin film sputter-deposited on a large scale silicon wafer was characterized by means of instrumented (depth-sensing) indentation technique. Thickness of deposited thin film was measured by calotest device. Microstructure of thin film was observed using differential interference (Nomarski) contrast. It was shown that the local mechanical properties are different in areas containing different phases (austenite and martensite) according to different deposition conditions (kinetic energy of deposited atoms when impacting the substrate surface).

Abstract: Beta titanium alloys are promising biomedical material for their excellent biocompatibility and low elastic modulus. Moderate strength of those materials in beta-annealed condition can be increased by precipitation hardening of alpha phase, but this causes significant increase in elastic modulus. In this study, small additions of Fe and Si are used to increase strength of commercial Ti - 35Nb - 7Zr - 5Ta (TNZT) alloy. Alloys with iron content up to 2% and silicon content up to 1% were manufactured. Elastic properties were investigated by pulse-echo method and flow curves were determined from tensile tests. Modulus of elasticity is increases from initial 60 GPa to 80 GPa due to Fe and Si content. Strength and modulus of elasticity were then related to chemical composition. Yield stress is increased from 450 MPa to 700 MPa thanks to small Fe and Si additions. Fe causes solid solution strengthening exhibited by sharp yield point. (Ti,Zr)₅Si₃ intermetallic particles further increase strength via precipitation hardening. An alloy containing 0.5% Si and 2% Fe showed improved properties for biomedical use.

Abstract: Resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS) was applied to monitor the micro-cracking process occurring during cooling at polished surfaces of an ultrafine-grained AZ31 magnesium alloy. It was observed that although the net of micro-cracks covered only narrow regions along the edges of the sample, its appearance resulted in a strong increase of the attenuation of the free elastic vibrations, and was, thus, sensitively detectable from the evolution of the RUS resonant spectra with temperature. This approach enabled a reliable determination of the threshold temperature for micro-cracking.

Abstract: The Co₃₈Ni₃₃Al₂₉ alloy as a potential ferromagnetic shape memory alloy was investigated. The method of preparation of the unidirectional solidified single-crystals from cast material is described. The high-temperature annealing and subsequent quenching was found to be necessary condition for the shape memory behavior. The martensitic transformation temperatures of annealed samples were about 200 K determined from magnetic measurement while as-cast sample did not exhibit any sharp transformation. All martensitic structures observed at room temperature by microscopic methods are thus stress induced. These results agree with pseudoelastic behavior observed in annealed and quenched samples.

Abstract: In order to better understand the unique functional responses of shape memory alloys, improve the currently existing SMA modeling tools and used them beneficially in smart structure applications, it is desirable to investigate the deformation/transformation processes in these materials in action – i.e. under stress and temperature variation. In this work, an overview is presented on the applications of various recently developed or originally employed in-situ experimental methods and approaches to martensitic transformations in SMAs.

Abstract: Elastic constants of solids were, until recently, evaluated predominantly by pulse-echo ultrasonic methods which are based on measuring the speed of ultrasonic waves propagation in solids. Resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS) is a relatively novel method in which all components of elastic tensor are determined from measured resonance frequencies of a freely vibrating specimen. The RUS technique has been employed in this work to investigate temperature dependence of the elastic properties of the parent austenite phase in CuAlNi shape memory alloy single crystals. This phase exhibits very high elastic anisotropy (anisotropy factor A  12) and softening the shear coefficient C0 upon cooling when approaching the Ms transformation temperature. The complications (need for large number of resonant frequencies) emerging when one tries to determine all elastic constants of highly elastically anisotropic materials by the RUS technique are discussed. It is concluded that the shear coefficients C0 and C44, which are the most important for shape memory alloys, are, nevertheless, determined reliably.

Abstract: Results of several parallel molecular dynamics crack simulations in bcc iron crystals with up to 128 million atoms are presented. The crack (001)[010] of Griffith type is loaded in Mode I. We observe dislocation emission and twinning near the free sample surfaces and later plastically induced crack initiation.

Abstract: RUS−resonant ultrasound spectroscopy is a recent experimental−numerical method for the determination of moduli of elastic materials. Generally, all 21 elastic components of the elastic tensor can be determined by the numerical procedure based on the knowledge of a mechanical spectrum of a specimen. This involves the solution of a demanding inverse problem. Currently, the RUS technology allows the determination of material parameters of composite materials consisting of several layers with different material properties. In the present work, the fixed point iteration method in connection with the finite element method developed earlier is extended to optimize elastic moduli of layered materials. Properties of the fixed point iteration method are tested on a bicrystal specimen.