Work

A novel laser-based high temperature mechanical property characterization method

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: In this work, a novel method was reduced to practice using a 50-W CO2 continuous wave (CW) laser to bulk heat metal specimens for uniaxial tensile tests in a controlled pressure chamber. The ability to rapidly heat a localized area on the specimen gauge length removes many of the issues and limitations that other high temperature testing methods inherently experience. Graphite coated aluminum and copper dog bone specimens were tested. Digital Image Correlation (DIC) and infrared (IR) thermography are employed to determine strain and temperature distributions in the specimens under test, while a thermocouple was used to measure the temperature at the back of the specimen. Three tests for each metal were performed: one at room temperature (for benchmark) and two at a higher temperature. A COMSOL model was prepared, and the laser deposition was simulated by using the Beer Lambert equation coupled to the energy eq. A MAX-phase specimen is also tested for proving the method for very high temperatures (>1800 °C). This method is capable of generating large thermal gradients (~1000 °C/mm) through the specimen thickness for simulating the thermal shock that materials may experience under normal operating conditions. A prescribed or more homogeneous though-thickness temperature gradient could also be achieved via beam splitting and heating from the top and bottom of the specimen concurrently. This technique is a viable alternative to other existing high temperature methods (i.e., single and multizone furnaces, induction, and joule heating), but with the added benefits of free access and viewing of the specimen for enabling additional non-contact measurements.

Source: Materials Characterization

DOI: 10.1016/j.matchar.2025.115393

Authors: Christopher Rudolf, Maurizio Manzo, Scott Mathews, David Rogers

Institutions: United States Naval Research Laboratory, University of North Texas

Language: English

Topic: Mechanical and Thermal Properties Analysis

Subfield: Mechanical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,320

Funders: Office of Naval Research, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory