Spatial Variation Of Material Properties Research Articles

On the Dynamic Response of Disordered Composites

A formulation is obtained that is to be satisfied by the mean (i.e., statistical averaged) field quantities in a statistical sample of heterogeneous, linearly elastic solids. Inertia effects are included in the analysis. A low frequency-long wavelength theory is extracted from the general formulation as an approximation to be used when spatial variations of the mean field quantities are slow relative to spatial variations of the material properties of the inhomogeneous solids. The temporal variations are restricted to slow variations on a time scale defined by the spatial variations of material properties and a characteristic wave speed. The predictions of the low frequency-long wavelength theory can be given a purely deterministic interpretation. Some aspects of the latter formulation are investigated. In particular, it is shown that the infinite wavelength limit reduces to an effective modulus theory. The effective elastic moduli tensor is identical to one that is obtained on ignoring inertia effects from the outset; the mass density to be used is the “averaged” mass density. By retaining correction terms it is then shown that elastic wave propagation will always exhibit both dispersion and decay over large enough propagation distances.

Microsound waveguides and waveguide components

Several ultrasonic techniques were applied to carbon/carbon brake disks for the evaluation of spatial variations in material properties that are attributable to the manufacturing process. In a carbon/carbon brake disk manufactured by a combination of pitch impregnation and vapor infiltration methods, the spatial variation of ultrasonic velocity was measured and found to be consistent with the nonuniform densification behavior in the manufacturing process. Low frequency (e.g. 1–5 MHz) through-transmission scans were used for mapping out the material property inhomogeneity. These results were compared with that obtained by dry-coupling ultrasonics. A good correlation was found between ultrasonic velocity and material density on a set of small blocks cut out of the disk. Pulse-echo C-Scans (10–25 MHz) were used to image near-surface material property anomalies associated with certain steps in the manufacturing process. Ultrasonic velocities in the in-plane directions were affected more by the relative contents of fabric and chopped fiber, and less by the void content.

Liquid brake system for aircraft

Several ultrasonic techniques were applied to carbon/carbon brake disks for the evaluation of spatial variations in material properties that are attributable to the manufacturing process. In a carbon/carbon brake disk manufactured by a combination of pitch impregnation and vapor infiltration methods, the spatial variation of ultrasonic velocity was measured and found to be consistent with the nonuniform densification behavior in the manufacturing process. Low frequency (e.g. 1–5 MHz) through-transmission scans were used for mapping out the material property inhomogeneity. These results were compared with that obtained by dry-coupling ultrasonics. A good correlation was found between ultrasonic velocity and material density on a set of small blocks cut out of the disk. Pulse-echo C-Scans (10–25 MHz) were used to image near-surface material property anomalies associated with certain steps in the manufacturing process. Ultrasonic velocities in the in-plane directions were affected more by the relative contents of fabric and chopped fiber, and less by the void content.