Mechanical Behavior of Materials
Experimental characterization of the mechanical behavior of metallic and composite materials under static, quasi-static and dynamic loads is one of the most important research sectors of LTSM. The specific activities of LTSM in this area are the following:
Mechanical behavior under quasi-static loads (tension, compression, bending, torsion, buckling, fracture toughness, etc)
Fatigue
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Derivation of S-N curves and fatigue crack-growth curves,
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Effect of overloads and load interaction on the fatigue crack growth,
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Effect of alloy ingredients on fatigue crack growth, and
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Effect of microstructure on fracture behavior.
High-strain rate mechanical tests (split Hopkinson bars)
Non-destructive testing and metallographic characterization
- Hardness test,
- Ultrasound inspection,
- Metallographic characterization,
- Fractographic analysis, and
- Corrosion characterization.
High temperature testing
- Creep tests, and
- Testing in environmental chamber.
Corrosion tests
- Exposure to atmospheric corrosion,
- Tests with caustic spray,
- Split-up under tension and corrosion.
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| Fatigue of a composite specimen | Fracture toughness test |
3-point bending test in a composite bonded joint
Split Hopkinson tests
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| Exfoliation corrosion | Salt-spray corrosion |
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| Effect of corrosion on the mechanical properties of metallic bars used as concrete reinforcements | C-scan image of an adhesively bonded joint between composite plates |