Collaborative Research: Deformation and Damage Mechanisms in Ternary Carbides and Nitrides under Dynamic Conditions

该奖项的研究目标是通过结合实验方法，研究一类新型纳米层陶瓷（MAX相）及其固溶体在极端动态载荷条件下的力学响应。MAX相结合了陶瓷和金属的一些最佳特性，作为极端环境下潜在的多功能材料，引起了人们的广泛关注。对MAX相的初步研究表明，能够使陶瓷材料抵抗动态载荷的新的潜在物理机制尚未被发现和充分探索。在该奖项下进行的研究将阐明MAX相变形和损伤的物理机制，并解决有关MAX相在动态加载条件下作为温度函数的本构行为的基本问题，以及我们对准静态条件下MAX相变形和破坏机制的理解在多大程度上可以扩展到极高的变形率。从技术的角度来看，该项目的成功完成将使人们更深入地了解这种新型材料在极端使用条件下的成分、结构和机械性能之间的联系，从而促进发电、高超音速和轨道再入飞行、弹道防护等方面的进一步发展。教育和推广计划侧重于一系列活动，包括：在德克萨斯农工大学和罗德岛大学之间建立一个强大的综合研究、教育和推广合作，重点研究新型陶瓷在极端载荷条件下的机械行为；指导和培训陶瓷材料实验力学和材料科学领域的下一代专家；那么本科生和研究生之间的联系呢？通过在课程、研究项目和论文研究中密切参与研究，为他们的教育提供研究经验。

The research objective of this award is to investigate the mechanical response of a new class of nanolayered ceramics (MAX phases) and their solid solutions in extreme dynamic loading conditions through a combination of experimental approaches. MAX phases have attracted considerable attention as potential multifunctional materials for extreme environments since they combine some of the best attributes of ceramics and metals. Preliminary work on MAX phases suggests that new underlying physical mechanisms that can make ceramic materials resistant to dynamic loadings are yet to be discovered and fully explored. Studies conducted under this award will elucidate the physical mechanisms of deformation and damage in the MAX phases, and address fundamental questions regarding the constitutive behavior of the MAX phases under dynamic loading conditions as a function of temperature and to what extent our understanding of deformation and failure mechanisms of the MAX phases in quasi-static conditions can be extended to the extremely high deformation rates. From the technological point of view, successful completion of this project will result in a deeper understanding of the connections between composition, structure and mechanical properties in this novel class of materials for extreme service conditions, enabling further developments in power generation, hypersonic and orbital re-entry flights, ballistic protection, etc. The educational and outreach plan focus on a series of activities, including: building a strong integrated research, educational and outreach collaboration between Texas A&M and University of Rhode Island focused on mechanical behavior of novel ceramics under extreme loading conditions; mentoring and training the next generation of experts in the areas of experimental mechanics and materials science of ceramics materials; and linking undergraduate and graduate students? research experiences to their education through their close involvement in research during coursework, research projects, and thesis research.