ELASTOPLASTIC ANALYSIS OF THERMAL CYCLING - LAYERED MATERIALS WITH COMPOSITIONAL GRADIENTS

Elastoplastic analyses are presented for the cyclic thermal response in multi-layered materials which comprise layers of fixed compositions of a metal and a ceramic, and a compositionally graded interface. Analytical solutions for the characteristic temperature at which the onset of thermally induced plastic deformation occurs are derived for the layered composite. Solutions for the evolution of curvature and thermal strains, and for the initiation of plastic yielding are also obtained for different combinations of the geometry, physical properties and compositional gradation for both thermoelastic and thermoplastic deformation. Finite-element formulations incorporating continuous and smooth spatial variations in the composition and properties of the graded layer are used to simulate the evolution of thermal stresses, the accumulation of plastic strains, and the development of monotonic and cyclic plastic zones at the interfaces, edges and free surfaces of different layers during thermal cycling. Engineering diagrams detailing the effects of compositional gradients are also presented for optimizing thermal residual stresses, layer geometry, acid plastic strain accumulation.