The performance of Marciniak–Kuczinsky approach on prediction of plastic instability of metals subjected to complex loadings

The objective of the present paper is to analyse the performance of Marciniak-Kuczinsky (MK) theory on the prediction of formability of sheet metals subjected to complex loadings. Advanced constitutive equations taking into account isotropic and anisotropic hardening are applied to describe the material mechanical behaviour under linear and complex loadings. A comparative study on their accuracy on predicting the forming limits for the studied material is performed. Two deep-drawing quality sheet metals are selected. Several strain path changes are taken into account. A good agreement between the theoretical and experimental results was obtained. MK theory is an efficient and valuable tool on the prediction of plastic flow localization of sheet metals under complex loadings when proper constitutive equations are used.publishe

The formability of twinning: induced plasticity steels predicted on the base of Marciniak-Kuczynski theory

The purpose of this work is to predict and analyze the formability of twinning – induced plasticity steels through the Marciniak-Kuczynski (MK) theory with emphasis on the solutions for improving the prediction results. The selected constitutive equations involve the Yld00-2d of Barlat et al. (2003) plane stress yield function, the Swift strain–hardening power law and the dislocation density based constitutive model proposed by Kim et al. (2013), taking into account the dislocation glide, twinning and dynamic strain aging. Three types of high manganese content TWIP steels sheet were selected. To understand the formability of the TWIP steel and the factors influencing it, a sensitive study on the effect of the mechanical properties of the TWIP steel on the MK theory concept and the predicted forming limits is performed. Using the dislocation density based microstructural model, the deformation twinning effect and the contribution of dynamic strain aging to the FLDs of TWIP steel is analyzed. The relevant influence of the sharpness of the yield surface in the biaxial stretching region in the prediction of FLDs of TWIP steels is highlighted. The extended MK model can be adapted to predict the forming limits of the TWIP steels by using an unusual high initial geometrical defect imposed by their high strain hardening. In this way it was showed that the MK theory cannot be applied for predicting the forming limits of TWIP steels unless by applying imperfection factors that are not physically reasonable. Therefore, new failure models are required for TWIP steel.publishe

The formability prediction of twinning-induced plasticity steels

The proposal of this work is to predict and analyse the formability of twinning-induced plasticity steels through the Marciniak-Kuczinsky approach with emphasis on the solutions for improving the prediction results. The selected constitutive equations involve the Yld2000-2d plane stress yield function and the Swift strain-hardening power law. To understand the formability of the TWIP steel and the factors influencing it, a sensitive study on the effect of the mechanical properties of the TWIP steel on the Marciniak-Kuczinsky (MK) theory concept and the predicted forming limits is performed.publishe

Strain path changes in aluminum

Sheet metal forming processes involve large plastic deformation and changes in strain path. In this work, a detailed analysis of a commercially pure aluminum sheet subjected to tension-tension sequences with pre-strain in the rolling direction (RD) and reloads along different directions is presented, taking into consideration the mechanical behavior and texture evolution. Two main hardening behavior tendencies are observed, depending whether the reloading direction occurs for an angle smaller or larger than 45º.publishe

Jet stream variability in a polar warming scenario – a laboratory perspective

We report on a set of laboratory experiments to investigate the effect of polar warming on the mid-latitude jet stream. Our results show that a progressive decrease in the meridional temperature difference slows down the eastward propagation of the jet stream and complexifies its structure. Temperature variability decreases in relation to the laboratory “Arctic warming” only at locations representing the Earth's polar and mid-latitudes, which are influenced by the jet stream, whilst such a trend is reversed in the subtropical region south of the simulated jet. The reduced variability results in narrower temperature distributions and hence milder extreme events. However, our experiments also show that the frequency of such events increases at polar and mid-latitudes with decreased meridional temperature difference, whilst it decreases towards the subtropics. Despite missing land–sea contrast in the laboratory model, we find qualitatively similar trends of temperature variability and extreme events in the experimental data and the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) reanalysis data

DNA adducts in peripheral blood lymphocytes from aluminum production plant workers determined by 32P-postlabeling and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

32P-Postlabeling analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) have been used to detect DNA adducts in peripheral blood lymphocytes from primary aluminum production plant workers who were exposed occupationally to a mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Preliminary results reported here are from a comparative study being performed in two aluminum plants. The levels of aromatic DNA adducts have been determined by the 32P-postlabeling assay in samples collected on two occasions, 1 year apart. PAH-DNA adduct levels have also been determined by competitive ELISA in the second set of DNA samples. The results show the necessity of follow-up biomonitoring studies to detect possible alterations in biological effect induced by changing exposures. The comparison of the results obtained by 32P-postlabeling and ELISA may lead to a better understanding of the power and weaknesses of the two methods applied in these studies

Development of a device compatible with universal testing machine to perform hole expansion and Erichsen cupping tests

The material characterization regarding sheet metal formability is usually assessed by the forming limit curve (FLC). The FLC requires specialized and expensive equipment, several samples with different geometries, and can be a very time-consuming procedure for data treatment. Alternatively, the hole expansion test (HET) and the Erichsen Cupping Test (ECT) can be used for routine evaluations of sheet metal mechanical behavior. These formability tests require fewer quantities of material and easy specimen preparation with a fast analysis of results. The HET and ECT procedures provide a proper evaluation of sheet material stretch-flangeability, formability, strength, and ductility. In this work, we developed a low-cost mechanical device capable of performing the HET and ECT tests using a universal testing machine. The equipment is designed to meet the test parameters set by ISO 16630 (HET) and ISO 20482 (ECT) standards. In order to verify its functionality, tests were carried out with the dual-phase steels DP600 and DP780. The corresponding values determined for the hole expansion ratio and the Erichsen index provided reliable results in terms of the accuracy and repeatability of the proposed testing device.publishe

The evaluation of laser weldability of the third-generation advanced high strength steel

To meet the demands of vehicular safety and greenhouse gas emission reduction, the automotive industry is increasingly using advanced high strength steels (AHSS) in the production of the components. With the development of the new generation of AHSS, it is essential to study their behavior towards manufacturing processes used in the automotive industry. For this purpose, the welding capability of newly developed third-generation Gen3 980T steel was investigated using the Nd:YAG (Neodymium:Yittrium Aluminum Garnet) laser-welding with different parameter conditions. The analysis was made by uniaxial tensile tests, micro-hardness, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The criteria used to evaluate the quality of the weld were the distance between the fracture and the weld bead and the surface finish. A relationship between the quality of the weld and the energy density was observed, expressed by a partial penetration for values below the optimal, and by irregularities in the weld bead and a high number of spatters for the values above the optimal.publishe

Fetal heart rate and fetal heart rate variability in Lipizzaner broodmares

Monitoring fetal heart rate (FHR) and fetal heart rate variability (FHRV) helps to understand and evaluate normal and pathological conditions in the foal. The aim of this study was to establish normal heart rate reference values for the ongoing equine pregnancy and to perform a heart rate variability (HRV) time-domain analysis in Lipizzaner mares. Seventeen middle- and late-term (days 121–333) pregnant Lipizzaner mares were examined using fetomaternal electrocardiography (ECG). The mean FHR (P = 0.004) and the standard deviation of FHR (P = 0.012) significantly decreased during the pregnancy. FHR ± SD values decreased from 115 ± 35 to 79 ± 9 bpm between months 5 and 11. Our data showed that HRV in the foal decreased as the pregnancy progressed, which is in contrast with the findings of earlier equine studies. The standard deviation of normal-normal intervals (SDNN) was higher (70 ± 25 to 166 ± 108 msec) than described previously. The root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) decreased from 105 ± 69 to 77 ± 37 msec between the 5th and 11th month of gestation. Using telemetric ECG equipment, we could detect equine fetal heartbeat on day 121 for the first time. In addition, the large differences observed in the HR values of four mare-fetus pairs in four consecutive months support the assumption that there might be ‘high-HR’ and ‘low-HR’ fetuses in horses. It can be concluded that the analysis of FHR and FHRV is a promising tool for the assessment of fetal well-being but the applicability of these parameters in the clinical setting and in studs requires further investigation