Mechanics of Materials Commons^™

Parametric Analysis Of Water Jet Descaling Efficiency Of Reheated Continuously Cast Thin Slab, Tochukwu P. Ojiako, Mario F. Buchely, Simon Lekakh, Ronald J. O'Malley, Richard Osei, Taha Tayebali

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Efficient oxide scale removal is critical for maintaining surface quality and process efficiency in steel manufacturing. This study optimizes water jet descaling by evaluating the performance of flat and rotary jet nozzles under varying process parameters. Using a combined approach of experimental analysis and computational fluid dynamics, it investigates the influence of pressure (138–275 bar), lead angle (0°, 15°, 25°), working distance (50–100 mm), and spray angle (15°–25°) on descaling efficiency. Findings indicate that flat jet nozzles achieve superior performance at short working distances due to concentrated impact forces, while rotary jet nozzles sustain efficiency over extended distances through dynamic …

Effect Of Gating Design On Filling And Inclusion Control In An Al-Killed Cr-Mo-Ni Steel, Kingsley T. Amatanweze, Koushik Balasubramanian, Soumava Chakraborty, Viraj A. Athavale, Mario F. Buchely, Laura N. Bartlett, Ronald J. O'Malley, Daniel M. Field, Krista R. Limmer, Katherine M. Sebeck

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The effect of gating system design on the inclusion population and size distribution in an aluminum-killed low-alloy advanced high strength steel casting was studied. A mold with four different gating systems: pressurized and non-pressurized with side risers, naturally pressurized with a side riser, and naturally pressurized with a top riser, was designed using computational fluid dynamics and solidification software. The design allowed inclusion populations in castings produced with each gating system to be compared during the same pouring event. Samples taken from different positions just below the top surface of each casting were analyzed using an SEM/EDS system with automated …

Effects Of Soil Properties On Cp Performance, Cecilia Segretario

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This research aims to evaluate the affect of various soil properties on the effectiveness of cathodic protection (CP) in preventing underground pipeline corrosion. Metal coupons of common pipeline materials with applied CP will be mounted in several separate controlled soil environments to manipulate real world underground corrosion scenarios. Each soil environment will have different physical properties by mixing the soil with a prepared chemical solution. The physical properties to be evaluated include pH, resistivity, and moisture content. At the end of a corrosion duration, weight loss method will be used to evaluate the corrosion rate over that period. Additionally, the …

Cochlear Electrode Insertion Training Model, Sarah Powell, Kaelyn E. Kraley, Nathan J. Smith

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Cochlear implant surgery is a delicate procedure performed by Otolaryngologists (ENTs) to implant an electronic device into the inner ear to provide a sense of sound for people who are profoundly deaf or hard of hearing. The current practices of training involve cadavers and 3D-printed models. Cadavers are commonly used but are expensive, single-use, and do not provide visual and haptic feedback, which are essential for medical students. 3D printed models are less commonly used and are hard to fabricate and not as realistic. If medical students are not properly trained for this delicate procedure, then risks are significantly increased …

Design And Development Of A Rapid Tensile Quench Rig, Tyler Jewell, Justin Naylor

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This report outlines the design process and implantation of a tensile quenching rig that incorporated forced convection and a frequency generator. When any metal is quenched, a vapor barrier forms around it. When this happens, it limits the heat flux that may occur until the barrier turns into just nucleate boiling. The vapor barrier acts as an insulator and causes the heat flux to fluctuate, causing uneven hardening which would limit the use of some materials. To combat this effect, we are trying to use forced convection, and something new, which is adding high frequency waves into the quenching process. …

Reuse Of Calcium Carbonate (Caco3) Recovered From Discarded Carpets As Filler In Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (Frp) Composites, Roshan Devkota

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Over four billion pounds of carpet are discarded annually in the United States, making carpet waste a significant environmental concern. Calcium carbonate (CaCo₃) constitutes up to 45% of the mass of most synthetic carpets. Reusing this CaCo₃ as a filler in the rapidly growing fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) industry, which is projected to reach USD 10.38 billion, presents a low-cost, practical approach to developing a market-based solution to post-consumer carpet waste.

This study investigates the reuse of CaCo₃ recovered from discarded carpet backing as a filler in FRP composites, focusing on its mechanical viability in comparison to virgin CaCo₃. The methodology …

Pulsed Arc Additive Manufacturing Of A Functionally Graded Er2209 Duplex Stainless Steel And Hsla-100 Structure: Morphology, Characterization, And Mechanical Performance, Stevens G. Hill Jr

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Wire arc additive manufacturing is a process well suited to the efficient production of large structures. Duplex stainless steel exhibits high corrosion resistance and good strength which can be highly beneficial for industrial use. However, its use is limited due to its cost and complexity in controlling microstructure to achieve desired properties. In many cases, it can be highly beneficial to manufacture a component which uses specialty steel grades such as duplex stainless steel only where necessary, and utilizes more affordable, commonly available steels for reinforcement or bulk structural support. A functionally graded material satisfies these requirements by providing a …

Optimization Of Tps Films Using An Adaptive Design Of Experiments Approach In A Bayesian Optimization Framework, Theresa Marks, Gracie White, Scott Lohman, Mayank Malhotra

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

Plastic pollution, amounting to 12 million tons annually, necessitates sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics. Compostable thermoplastic starch (TPS) films show promise but lack strength and durability compared to traditional plastics. This study employs an adaptive design of experiments (DoE) approach to enhance TPS films by optimizing testing points. The research focuses on varying concentrations of plasticizers (acetic acid and glycerol) in a water and potato starch mixture, aiming to identify the optimal ratio maximizing tensile strength and % elongation at break. Gaussian process regression (GPR) with uncertainty estimation and Bayesian optimization (BO) utilizing an acquisition function (AF) are employed. The …

Influence Of Hygrothermal Conditions Of The Bistability Of Asymmetric Carbon Fiber Laminate Composites, Celia Hill

All Theses

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates have widespread use in many industries because of their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. Carbon fiber laminates following an asymmetric layup orientation can exhibit bistability meaning the laminate can exist at two stable geometric configurations. The morphing characteristics of bistable CRFP has a growing level of interest because of its potential in various applications including space aircraft structures for easy repair, automotive structures for energy dissipation and ergonomics, robotics for flexible motion and energy harvesting. Existing research shows that both moisture and temperature affect the material properties and behavior of CFRP laminates, however, the influence of moisture …

Enhanced Redox Storage And Diverse Intercalation In Layered Metal Organic Frameworks With A Staggered Stacking Mode, Satya Prakash Suman

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Two-dimensional metal organic frameworks (2D MOFs) with honeycomb-like porous sheets are of growing interest for applications in electrochemical energy storage and electrocatalysis. Notably, 2D MOFs that host their porous sheets in eclipsed or slipped-parallel stacking modes possess continuous one-dimensional pores (1D) and have been widely studied. In contrast, related 2D MOFs with a staggered stacking mode have reduced porosity, are relatively rare, and are largely unexplored for applications. Here we report 2-fold enhanced redox storage and intercalation of diverse ions in a staggered-stacked, nonporous 2D MOF over its eclipsed-stacked, porous counterpart. Interestingly, both MOFs, despite undergoing similar ligand-centered redox processes, …

Elucidating The Effect Of Milled Glass And Graphite Fiber On The Quasi-Static Properties Of Vinyl Ester Resin Composites, Sarahi Mendivil

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Composite materials can be tailored to various applications, making them one of the most conventional materials. Their ability to enhance desired characteristics enables higher strength while maintaining light weight. However, understanding defects and manufacturing limitations is crucial for optimizing their fabrication processes. This paper focuses on the manufacturing processes of open molding with controlled variations to establish an optimal technique aimed at minimizing defects, such as bubble formation where the focus is on mitigating defects and ensuring uniform dispersion of fiber in fiber-reinforced composites. After refining the manufacturing process, composites with varying resin-to-fiber concentration ratios were manufactured using glass and …

Ultra-High Temperature Ceramics: Materials, Manufacturing, And Machine Development, Joseph Matthew Munoz

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This research aimed to advance the 3D printing of ultra-high-temperature ceramic matrix composites (UHTCMCs) and develop a custom Direct Ink Writing (DIW) system with multimaterial and in-line mixing capabilities. The study first focused on creating ZrB₂–SiC composites reinforced with aligned silicon carbide fibers (SiCf) using paste extrusion. By formulating suspensions with a preceramic polymer (SMP-10), ZrB₂, and SiCf, the study assessed how fiber alignment influenced key properties such as thermal and electrical conductivity and mechanical strength. Green curing and pyrolysis transformed the printed parts into UHTCMCs, with results showing substantial improvements in thermal conductivity—nearly double that of non-aligned parts—and a …

Intrinsic, Doped And Alloyed Gallium Oxide Films For Optoelectronics, Francelia Sanchez Escobar

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Due to the impressive advancement of present technology and increasing energy consumption, there is increasing demand for energy-efficient multifunctional devices based on low-cost, eco-friendly material systems. Gallium oxide (Ga2O3) is an emerging semiconductor with potential for the next generation of power electronics and optoelectronic devices due to its ultra-wide bandgap of 4.8 eV and high theoretical breakdown voltage of 8 MV/cm among other intrinsic properties. Some of the possible applications of β-Ga2O3 include ultra-violet (UV) solar blind photodetectors, field effect transistors, solar cells, and chemical sensors. However, to utilize its full potential, understanding the mechanistic aspects of thin film growth …

Greek Key-Inspired Fractal Metamaterials With Enhanced Flexibility And Energy Absorption., Zhennan Zhang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Architected materials with intricate three-dimensional (3D) geometries offer unique properties and functionalities but face challenges in manufacturing costs and complexity. This research explores the integration of simple 2D Greek Key-inspired lattices into fractal designs to achieve exceptional mechanical performance. Using 3D printing and kerfing, these fractal structures demonstrate enhanced flexibility and energy absorption capabilities. Through three-point bending and in-plane tensile tests, the 2D fractal lattices exhibited a 600-fold reduction in bending force and a tensile stretch capacity of up to 520%, significantly outperforming brittle parent materials. Out-of-plane compression tests revealed a five-fold increase in energy absorption compared to honeycomb structures, …

3d Printed Microfluidic Fabrication Methodology, Characterization, Mechanical Design, And Applications In Electrostatic Artificial Muscles And Benthic Microbial Fuel Cells, Terak B. Hornik

Master's Theses

The fabrication of microfluidic devices often requires specialized methods. The development of these methods requires careful characterization and understanding of the processes involved. Using primarily PolyJet 3D printing technology, microfluidics offers a wide scope of applications such as microfluidic benthic microbial fuel cells (MBMFCs) and electrostatic artificial muscles. MBMFCs benefit from the confinement of the microbes resulting in close proximity between the electrode and the organisms. Using a modular design called the Sponge, assembly and upscaling is possible. Electrostatic artificial muscles benefit from a microfluidic approach due to the non-linearity of electrostatic attraction creating disproportionate benefits when miniaturized. When designed …

Deep-Learning Based Microstructure Reconstruction And Generation, Cameron J. Maloney, Lucas Taliaferro

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Characterizing the microstructural behavior of materials is crucial for understanding their properties and performance. Traditional imaging methods, such as optical microscopy and electron microscopy, are effective but costly and time-consuming. Computational approaches can reduce costs and time while expanding the accessibility of microstructural analysis through the generation of new microstructure images. Traditional computational approaches, namely descriptor-based approaches, are slow but effective in low-data scenarios. Modern approaches use machine learning (ML), which is faster but often requires a lot of data to approach the performance of descriptor-based methods. This research leverages a special data-efficient Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) architecture to artificially …

Tension–Compression Fatigue Of A Hybrid Polymer-Matrix/Ceramic-Matrix Composite At Elevated Temperature, Marina B. Ruggles-Wrenn, Joshua Schmidt

Faculty Publications

Fully reversed tension–compression fatigue of a hybrid material comprising polymer matrix composite (PMC) co-cured with a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) was investigated. The PMC portion had a polyimide matrix reinforced with 15 plies of carbon fibers woven in an eight-harness satin weave (8HSW). The CMC portion had three plies of a quartz-fiber 8HSW fabric in a zirconia-based ceramic matrix. The hybrid PMC/CMC was developed for use in aerospace thermal protection systems (TPS). Hence, the experimental setup aimed to simulate the TPS service environment—the CMC side was kept at 329 °C, whereas the PMC side was open to laboratory air. Compression …

A First Step Towards Understanding Thermomechanical Behavior Of The Nb-Cr System Through Interatomic Potential Development And Molecular Dynamics Simulations, Lucas A. Heaton, Adib J. Samin

Faculty Publications

Utilizing a preliminary interatomic potential, this work represents an initial exploration into the thermomechanical behavior of NbCr solid solutions. Specifically, it examines the effect of different amounts of Cr solute, for which information in the literature is limited. The employed interatomic potential was developed according to the embedded atom model (EAM), and was trained on data derived from density functional theory calculations. While the potential demonstrated reasonable accuracy and predictive power when tested, various results highlight deficiencies and encourage further development and training. Mechanical strength, heat capacities, thermal expansion coefficients, and thermal conductivities were found to decrease with Cr content. …

A Multi-Material Platform For Imaging Of Single Cell-Cell Junctions Under Tensile Load Fabricated With Two-Photon Polymerization, Jordan Rosenbohm, Grayson Minnick, Bahareh Tajvidi Safa, Amir M. Esfahani, Xiaowei Jin, Haiwei Zhai, Nickolay V. Lavrik, Ruiguo Yang

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

We previously reported a single-cell adhesion micro tensile tester (SCAμTT) fabricated from IP-S photoresin with two-photon polymerization (TPP) for investigating the mechanics of a single cell-cell junction under defined tensile loading. A major limitation of the platform is the autofluorescence of IP-S, the photoresin for TPP fabrication, which significantly increases background signal and makes fluorescent imaging of stretched cells difficult. In this study, we report the design and fabrication of a new SCAμTT platform that mitigates autofluorescence and demonstrate its capability in imaging a single cell pair as its mutual junction is stretched. By employing a two-material design using IP-S …

The Effects Of Uv Degradation On Polycarbonate Plastics Under Dynamic Compressive Loading, Hannah Bradford

Honors Theses

The objective of this experiment was to analyze the dynamic properties of polycarbonate plastics subjected to accelerated ultraviolet (UV) exposure. This was done by subjecting rods of polycarbonate plastic to UV degradation in a QUV accelerated weathering machine for 375, 750, and 1500-hours. These rods were then tested under dynamic compression using a Split-Hopkinson Pressure Bar at an average strain rate of 1600/s. The Split-Hopkinson pressure bar works by rapidly compressing a sample between 3 axial rods sending an elastic wave through the sample. The strain gauges on the incident rod and the transmission rod transformed the elastic wave deformation …

Micro-Mechanical Characterization Of Uhpc Stiffness Mechanisms: Towards A Better Understanding Of Concrete Elastic Modulus, Charissa N. Puttbach

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Current design code equations for estimating the elastic modulus of specialty concretes like ultra-high performance concrete are not all suitable. Developing empirical curves from exhaustive experimental testing is challenging for concretes that may have high levels of cement replacement with mineral admixtures and fibers at varying volume contents. As such, an alternative approach is taken that seeks to understand the constituent microscale stiffness mechanisms and relate the results to the macroscale. Micropillars are fabricated on several cement paste phases using a focused ion beam. A modified pico-indenter is used to determine the linear and non-linear behavior under micro-compression loading. Micropillar …

Analysis Of Additively Manufactured Inconel 718 Combustion Behavior In Promoted Oxygen Environments, Dominic George Dieguez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Promoted combustion testing is a vital tool for engineers to establish the combustion and flammability characteristics of materials (metallic or otherwise) in oxygen enriched environments. Historically, much of the established data for metallic promoted combustion has been with regards to materials in their cast and wrought forms. However, with the emergence of additive manufacturing as a preferred method of fabrication, the need exists to evaluate how metals in that form behave. Recent testing has demonstrated that even if a metal or alloy is nominally the same with regards to chemistry, flammability between samples in the wrought form can differ significantly …

Earth Abundant Catalyst For Evironmental Sustainability Applications, Javier Hernandez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The development of experimental methodologies for synthesizing a diverse range of metallic and metal oxide nanoparticles tailored for sustainable water treatment applications was investigated. These nanoparticles are prepared using environmentally friendly and scalable synthesis methods, underscoring their potential for large-scale production. Synthesized nanoparticles are harnessed for various processes, including catalysis and electrocatalysis, with a primary objective of degrading and removing organic pollutants from water. Key to this research is the encapsulation of nanoparticles within solid supports. Multiple methodologies are explored to engineer supports that ensure nanoparticle stabilization, monodispersion, and prevent unintended release into the environment. Two alternative approaches were evaluated …

Blade Design And Validation Of Hydrokinetic Turbine To Harvest Water Current Energy, Setare Sadeqi

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The innovative aspect of this research lies in the careful integration of cutting-edge technologies throughout the entire process of designing, fabricating, and testing the carbon fiber propeller for the 3-bladed horizontal axis ocean current turbine (OCT). SolidWorks software played a pivotal role in the initial design phase, enabling a meticulous and precise modeling of the propeller's geometry. The utilization of SolidWorks allowed for a detailed exploration of various design parameters, ensuring that the propeller's structure and form were optimized for performance in ocean current conditions. Moving beyond the realm of virtual design, the choice of carbon fiber as the fabrication …

Numerical Simulation Of Laser Induced Elastic Waves In Response To Short And Ultrashort Laser Pulses., Alireza Zarei

All Dissertations

In an era of intensified market competition, the demand for cost-effective, high-quality, high-performance, and reliable products continues to rise. Meeting this demand necessitates the mass production of premium products through the integration of cutting-edge technologies and advanced materials while ensuring their integrity and safety. In this context, Nondestructive Testing (NDT) techniques emerge as indispensable tools for guaranteeing the integrity, reliability, and safety of products across diverse industries.

Various NDT techniques, including ultrasonic testing, computed tomography, thermography, and acoustic emissions, have long served as cornerstones for inspecting materials and structures. Among these, ultrasonic testing stands out as the most prevalent method, …

A Methodology For Determining Optimal Milling Parameters For Low-Taper Microtensile Sample Production, Zachary Wayne Barker

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Femtosecond lasers are beginning to see an increase in interest for industrial and high throughput microsample milling applications. Despite this, much of the literature regarding removal rate studies for ultrashort pulse laser milling continues to focus on single-pulse or similar experiments that have a very small time on target. The material volume removal rates of femtosecond milling can vary wildly depending on parameters like laser scan speed, hatch spacing, z-axis step size, and pulses on the material. Currently, there is no established methodology for determining the optimal values of these parameters for micromilling applications. This methodology was developed in this …

Effect Of The Microstructure On The Corrosion Behavior Of Alcunimn And Alcunimnsi High Entropy Alloys In A 3.5wt% Nacl Solution, Celine Chiong

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

In this study, the AlCuNiMn and AlCuNiMnSi high entropy alloys (HEAs) are investigated to characterize the effect of Si addition and subsequent annealing treatments on the corrosion behavior in a 3.5wt% NaCl solution at room temperature. The microstructure evolution from the as-received condition and after annealing at 600°C, 800°C, and 1000°C for 24 hours in air is examined. The microstructural transformation of HEAs is extensively reported in the literature. However, its impact on the corrosion resistance of HEAs has not received the same attention. In this study, an increase in the annealing temperature of the base AlCuNiMn alloy improved the …

Laser Powder Directed Energy Deposition (Lp-Ded) Inconel 718: Laser Power And Heat Treatment Effect On Microstructure And Mechanical Properties, Dana Victoria Godinez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This study examines the microstructure and mechanical properties (tensile, hardness, and fatigue endurance) of laser powder-directed energy deposition (LP-DED) printed specimens with varying deposition parameters. Five samples with power inputs ranging from 350 to 2620W, all of similar thicknesses, were evaluated to enable a direct comparison. The varying specimens were heat treated, including stress relief, hot isostatic pressing, solution, and two-step aging. The resulting microstructures and their corresponding hardness values were compared at each heat treatment stage. The fully heat-treated specimens' tensile properties and fatigue life were also examined and compared. Key findings of this study indicate that complete heat …

Feasibility Study For The Detection Of Damage To Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels With Phase Array Ultrasonic Testing, Jordan Scott Hitter

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

When discussing the field of Nondestructive Examination, there are various techniques and instrumentation that can be utilized for analysis of components. However, with newer technology and the development of newer forms of technique, it is critical to explore exactly how these can be applied. This work will aim to explore one newer technique, Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing, and determine the viability of its use for examining Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels (COPVs). Currently, the types of vessels have been used in a variety of ways such as in transportation vehicles. More notably, these vessels are used in aerospace applications hence the …

Microstructural Characterization And Oxidation Behavior Of Al-Cu-Ni-Mn And Al-Cu-Ni-Mn-Si Non-Body Centered Cubic High Entropy Alloys, Mckenna Mae Lin Hitter

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

High entropy alloys (HEA) differ from traditional alloying systems because five elements are mixed in equi-atomic proportions, as opposed to having one main principal element. As a result of exploring this new method of alloying, it was found that high entropy alloys demonstrate exceptional mechanical properties, an example being oxidation resistance, and are capable of enduring elevated temperatures. Seeing the potential that this new area of interest contains, studies involving a combination of elements to form various HEA have been performed. Most refractory metals are body-centered cubic and possess extremely high melting temperatures, so they are regularly considered when designing …