Effect of reinforcement gradient on steady state creep in a variable thickness rotating disc made of non-linear FGM

Abstract

Steady state creep analysis in a rotating disc with linearly varying thickness has been carried out. The disc under investigation is made of functionally graded composite containing non-linear distribution of silicon carbide particles in a matrix of pure aluminium along the radius of the disc. The creep behaviour of the disc has been described by a threshold stress-based law with a stress exponent as 5. The stresses and strain rates are estimated in the FGM disc and compared with a similar disc but having uniform distribution of reinforcement. The study reveals that the creep response of an FGM disc, in terms of strain rates, is significantly superior to a uniform composite disc. Further, by employing FGM disc with higher reinforcement, the magnitude of strain rates and extent of distortion in the disc could be reduced significantly.