Key Engineering Materials Vols. 592-593

Abstract: Presented research is involved in excess electrical currents created when the silicon material contains cracks and fractures. We performed transport characteristics measurements and electrical noise measurement as well as sample visible and deep infra-red imaging. It turns out that mechanical induced defects are followed by specific electric characteristics. We observe crack-related local breakdowns and local overheating. It is also followed by the electrical current fluctuation in the 1/f form. All regions are thermally but also electrically stressed and the irreversible sample degradation originates. It could be pointed out that our detection methods are very sensitive and they could be also used for analyses of different materials.

Abstract: The results of many bending tests of fiber reinforced concrete specimens did not produce a clear answer to the question whether the fibers are activated before the macro-crack. Our diagnostic method is based on the measurement of acoustic emission signals during three-point bending tests of concrete specimens with stress concentrator. Acoustic emission activity measurement could help us to answer the question if the fibers are activated before the macro-crack is able to seen by human eyes. Several groups of concrete samples with various concrete composition formulas have been prepared for our experiment. This contribution describes the prepared concrete composition, measurement system and also includes the experimental results of one concrete samples set.

Abstract: Acoustic emission (AE) is one of the most used nondestructive technique since it offers a great potential due to its ability of quantitative evaluation such as source location and source characterization. A common set of recorded acoustic emission signals has an extraordinarily wide dynamic range. Thus, the input gain of the A/D converter plays a key role due in information loss considering limitation of high signal amplitudes and domination of quantization noise at low levels. The usage of a logarithmic preamplifier extends the dynamic range of conventional A/D converters, thus increases the accuracy and signal-to-noise ratio of weak acoustic emission signals.

Abstract: This paper deals with the damage assessment in stone blocks dismantled from a historic bridge construction. Nonlinear ultrasonic spectroscopy and impact echo methods were used for evaluating the stone block integrity structure. Harmonic analysis of the sample response on well defined ultrasonic excitation was used in the case of nonlinear ultrasonic method application. The amplitude dependent spectral changes of the probing signals were measured in the damaged blocks. Measurement results showed that the analysis of amplitude dependent spectral changes is a promising method for the damage assessment in structures. The Impact-Echo method is a technique for detecting defects in material structure such as stone blocks. It is based on monitoring the propagation of elastic waves from a short-duration mechanical impact. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the technique and to discuss the important parameters involved in this type of testing. The impact echo method is used to generate low-frequency stress waves from 500 Hz to 50 kHz that propagate into the structure and are reflected by defects and external surfaces.

Abstract: Composite materials such as concrete or polymer fiber composites contain a large number of inhomogeneities. It is possible to use the method of partial discharges to detect existing inhomogeneities. Tested materials covered with metal electrodes on both sides represent a parallel plate capacitor. Partial discharges have an impact on conductivity at a high electric field and they are important sources of current noise and acoustic emission signals. The concrete samples were measured before and after mechanical loading by the method of partial discharges and the correlation between them was studied. This method may be used for the diagnosis of inhomogeneities and cracks in composite materials.

Abstract: This paper deals with the basic research of cyclic damage during the initial stages of fatigue process using the non-destructive testing methods. The acoustic emission method was used for monitoring of the microstructure changes during fatigue loading. The electrical potential measurements of specimen and microscopic observation were used mainly to detect the first short cracks and their propagation. The fatigue tests at room temperature were conducted on titanium alloy and creep-resistant steel specimens under bending and tension loading. The aim of the study was to compare the acoustic emission signal at different types of loading until fracture and to analyze in detail the signal changes in initial stages of fatigue process. This analysis was primarily based on the waveform similarity and division into classes. The results show the high sensitivity of the acoustic emission technology in the transition from the stage of surface relief evolution to the stage of crack nucleation and propagation.

Abstract: This paper presents the results of analysis of superalloys microstructures with different structures: polycrystalline nickel-based superalloy René 80, Mar-M 200Hf directionally solidified with columnar grains and single crystal CMSX-4. Microstructure studies were performed using a scanning electron microscope Hitachi FE-SEM SU-70 and S-3400N equipped with a Thermo Scientific Noran System for analysis of chemical composition by X-ray dispersion. Metallographic microsections of the rods before and after heat treatment was performed, which were electrolytically etched using different reagents. The morphology of γ phase precipitates in the interdendritic areas and dendritic cores was analyzed. Single crystal rods of nickel superalloy CMSX-4 were cast by Bridgman technique in a vacuum furnace of ALD Vacuum Technologies. Rods were withdrawn with rate: 1mm/min and 5mm/min. EDS X-ray microanalysis showed significant differences in chemical composition between the cores dendrites and eutectic regions. Significant differences in the number of dendrites, the shape and length of the arms were observed. A lower speed rate causes that amount of eutectic is lower but value of primary dendrite arm spacing is higher, while a higher withdraw rate increases the amount of eutectic and decreases primary dendrite arm spacing.

Abstract: Managing the emerging internal mechanical stress in chips particularly if they are 3D-tscked is a key task to maintain performance and reliability of microelectronic products. Hence, a strong need of a physics-based simulation methodology/flow emerges. This physics-based simulation, however, requires materials parameters with high accuracy. A full-chip analysis can then be performed, balancing the need for local resolution and computing time. Therefore, effective composite-type materials data for several regions of interest are needed. Advanced techniques to measure FEA-and design-relevant properties such as local and effective Youngs modulus and effective CTE values were developed and described in this paper. These data show a clear orientation dependence, caused by the chip design.

Abstract: This paper deals with fracture of neutron irradiated austenitic Ti-stabilized stainless steel 08Ch18N10T. The steel had been tested in air and in water environment (320°C) using several tests representing different stress strain conditions for crack initiation and growth; Slow Strain Rate and Crack Growth Rate tests were performed in the water. Without irradiation the steel did not suffer from stress corrosion cracking in the water, but on irradiated specimens appeared areas of intergranular fracture mixed with transgranular cleavage-like facets and secondary cracks typical for IASCC phenomenon. The differences between fracture of irradiated and non-irradiated specimens in air and in water are documented and discussed.

Abstract: In this paper the influence of fast neutron flux on the structural features and properties of VVER-1000 reactor pressure vessel steels was studied. It is shown that for high Ni steels the flux effect is due to hardening and non-hardening mechanisms of radiation embrittlement.