Paradox Of Strength Research Articles

Enhancing strength-ductility synergy of Cu alloys with heterogeneous microstructure via rotary swaging and annealing

The trade-off of strength and ductility in the Cu alloys seriously restricts its wide application. In this study, the paradox of strength and ductility of the Cu alloy is ameliorated by rotary swaging (RS) and subsequent annealing, and reveals its microstructural evolution. It was found that the grain size was obviously refined after the RS, resulting in yield strength as high as 760 MPa but with a ductility of only 1.5 %. After annealing, the RS-350-20 sample (RS sample annealed at 350°C for 20 min) exhibited partial recrystallization at the edge and middle positions, while full recrystallization occurred at the center position, which formed a gradient grain size distribution. Tensile results showed that RS-350-20 sample exhibited an excellent combination of the yield strength of 495 MPa and ductility of 27%. High strength stemmed from residual deformation grains, recrystallized ultrafine/fine grains and heterogeneous deformation-induced (HDI) strengthening. The good ductility originated from recrystallized coarse grain, pronounced HDI hardening and activated deformation twins. In addition, microstructural characterization further revealed that dislocations were accumulated near the recrystallized grains to maintain strain continuity at the interface of deformed grains and recrystallized grains during tensile strain. With increasing strain, deformation twins were activated near the recrystallized grains, which facilitates high strain hardening capability meanwhile maintaining high strength. These findings provide insight for optimizing the strength and ductility of Cu alloys by a feasible processing.

Benjamin G. White. Pain and Paradox in 2 Corinthians: The Transformative Function of Strength in Weakness

Benjamin G. White. <i>Pain and Paradox in 2 Corinthians: The Transformative Function of Strength in Weakness</i>

Interpreting Pauline Paradox: A Response to Gorman’s Cruciformity Concept

Abstract Michael Gorman’s ‘cruciformity’ concept (recently re-articulated as ‘resurrectional cruciformity’) is commonly used to interpret Paul’s paradox of strength in weakness (e.g., 2 Cor. 4:7, 12:9–10). However, Gorman never discusses the current conceptions of Pauline paradox. An analysis and summary of this literature – with reference to 2 Cor. 12:9–10 – reveals that Gorman’s approach fails to produce a technical articulation of paradox, largely due to its underdeveloped congruence between strength and weakness (cf., v. 9a, 10b). This leaves his work vulnerable to theological distortion, including masochism. In response, it is argued that ‘strength in weakness’ involves two opposed realities occurring simultaneously and mutually qualifying one another, without conflation or isolation – i.e., a coinherent paradox. This model offers a generative, rather than kenotic, reading of strength in weakness, in which the paradox increases human potential. It also offers connections with early Christology that set the paradox in a fresh theological frame.

Administrative styles in the European Commission and the OSCE Secretariat: striking similarities despite different organizational settings

ABSTRACTWith the growing importance of international institutions for global governance, international bureaucracies gain increasing influence on policy-making. Whereas for national bureaucracies specific administrative styles have been identified, this contribution explores for the first time administrative styles of two international organizations. The European Union (EU) Commission and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) represent most different cases in matters of scope, autonomy and resources. The analysis of their specific patterns of policy initiation, policy formulation and policy implementation reveals striking similarities. Both organizations have developed an entrepreneurial style in policy initiation, a strategic approach to policy formulation and a mediating implementation style. These similarities lead to a paradox of weakness in the case of the OSCE and a paradox of strength in the case of the EU. These paradoxes can be understood by taking a closer look at the specific settings in which they are operating, in particular their dependence on member state resources and political support.

Paradoxes of Severe Plastic Deformation

AbstractSevere plastic deformation (SPD) can lead to emergence of microstructural features and properties in materials which are fundamentally different from the ones well known for conventional cold deformation. In particular, the instances of unusual phase transformations resulting in development of highly metastable states associated with formation of supersaturated solid solutions, disordering or amorphization and their further decomposition during heating, high thermal stability of the SPD‐produced nanostructures, and the paradox of strength and ductility in some SPD‐processed metals and alloys are discussed.

Paradox of Strength and Ductility in Metals Processed Bysevere Plastic Deformation

It is well known that plastic deformation induced by conventional forming methodssuch as rolling, drawing or extrusion can significantly increase the strength of metalsHowever, this increase is usually accompanied by a loss of ductility. For example, Fig.1 shows that with increasing plastic deformation, the yield strength of Cu and Almonotonically increases while their elongation to failure (ductility) decreases. Thesame trend is also true for other metals and alloys. Here we report an extraordinarycombination of high strength and high ductility produced in metals subject to severeplastic deformation (SPD). We believe that this unusual mechanical behavior is causedby the unique nanostructures generated by SPD processing. The combination ofultrafine grain size and high-density dislocations appears to enable deformation by newmechanisms. This work demonstrates the possibility of tailoring the microstructures ofmetals and alloys by SPD to obtain both high strength and high ductility. Materialswith such desirable mechanical properties are very attractive for advanced structuralapplications.