Maxwell's role in turning the concept of model into the methodology of modeling

This is a contribution towards a history and philosophy of modeling in its early stages in electromagnetism. In 1873, James Clerk Maxwell (1831–1879) hinted at the methodology of modeling at the end of his Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism. We focus on Maxwell's impact on physicists who immediately followed him, specifically Oliver Lodge (1851–1940) and George Francis FitzGerald (1851–1901). We begin with the role that the scientific concept of model played in the late nineteenth century, as assessed by Ludwig Boltzmann (1844–1906). We then discuss the role of hypothesis as a methodology, the appeal to (dynamical) illustration, and the way Maxwell applied model and working model in his studies of electromagnetism. We show that for Maxwell these key terms were kept distinct, but Lodge did not maintain these distinctions and, in this regard, FitzGerald followed Lodge. Notwithstanding Lodge's influence, Fitzgerald modified Maxwell's theory based on the mechanical model he designed, thereby implicitly taking the first step towards modeling. This methodology consists in drawing consequences from the (mechanical) model to the (electrodynamic) theory and modifying the latter in light of the functioning of the former. At the core of our argument is the thesis that it was a methodological novelty to move from the concept of model to the methodology of modeling. The introduction of modeling as a new methodology into physics in the late nineteenth century was a major event which deserves proper recognition.     

Effect of Al on microstructure and mechanical properties of as-extruded Mg–1Mn alloy sheet

The effect of Al addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of hot extruded Mg–1 Mn alloy sheet was investigated. The results revealed that the dynamic recrystallization was promoted by increasing Al content. The ultimate tensile strength and yield strength of the alloy increased with the increase of Al content. The Mg–9 Al–1 Mn alloy exhibited the highest strength, with tensile strength of 308 MPa, 307 MPa, 319 MPa, yield strength of 199 MPa, 207 MPa, 220 MPa and the elongation of 20.9%, 20.1%, 19.2% in 0°, 45°, 90°, respectively.The high strength was mainly attributed to the formation of fine dynamically recrystallized grains and large amounts of the second phase. The strengthening mechanism of the alloys was explained.     

Microstructure,mechanical properties and wear resistance of an Al–Mg–Si alloy produced by equal channel angular pressing

Microstructure, mechanical properties and wear resistance in an ultrafine-grained Al–Mg–Si alloy fabricated utilizing a combination of equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) and dynamic aging were investigated in this paper. The results indicated that the grain size of the ECAP alloy was significantly refined, i.e., to ~239 nm after three ECAP passes. Meanwhile, the yield and tensile strength of the ECAPed material reached 340 MPa and 445 MPa, respectively, while maintaining a significant uniform elongation of 14%. Wear resistance results demonstrated that the wear rate, wear depth and width of the ECAPed material decreased in comparison with the solution-treated (SST) and peak-aged (T6) conditions under a load range of 5–25 N. The adhesive wear that occurs in the undeformed specimens at 10 N does not appear in the ECAPed specimen at the same load, indicating that the ECAPed specimen delay the appearance of more serious wear mechanisms under certain loads. The cooperative interaction of high density nano-scale β" precipitates and dislocations resulted in a combination of super-high strength and good work hardening ability which suppressed the extension of cracks between the friction layer and the plastic deformation zone. As a consequence, the combination of ECAP and dynamic aging brings a significant improvement for antifriction performance of the 6061 aluminum alloy.     

Effect of heat treatment on microstructures and properties of a novel Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy for oil drilling

In view of the special requirements for strength, heat resistance and corrosion resistance of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy for oil drilling, the Al-6.2 Zn-2.5 Mg-1.6 Cu alloy was prepared by increasing Cu content on basis of Russian Series 1953 alloy. The effect of heat treatment on the microstructures and properties of the alloy was characterized by optical microscope(OM), scanning electron microscope(SEM) and transmission electron microscope(TEM), and investigated by tensile test at room temperature, thermal exposure test and corrosion test. The results show that the strength after T6 aging treatment exhibit a decrease trend as an increase of the solution temperature from465 °C to 480 °C. After the solution treated by the rate of 470 °C/1 h, second phases dissolve into the matrix very well and the strength property reaches optimum. The alloy has better comprehensive properties treated by a solution treatment of 470 °C/1 h and then followed by an aging treatment of 120 °C/24 h + 170 °C/1 h + 120 °C/24 h. Under the aging state, the precipitated phases inside the grains are suitable in size, while on the grain boundary distribute discontinuously and the precipitate-free zone is obvious. Besides, the alloy still maintain high tensile properties. The yield strength, tensile strength and elongation are 650 MPa, 686 MPa,12.0%, respectively. The yield strength retention after heat exposure is 92%. The alloy has good corrosion resistance and the exfoliation corrosion degree. The average corrosion rate in the H_2S and CO_2 environment is 0.0024 mm/a, which is far less than the required 0.12 mm/a. It is insensitive to H_2S and CO_2 environments.     

区分全同粒子的力学量

给出可以区分两个(或两个以上)全同粒子的情况和区分方法,从而给出更具有操作性的全同性原理     

MATLAB环境下振动力学虚拟教学实验软件的开发

以MATLAB作为工作语言和开发环境,开发了一个在MATLAB平台下的振动力学教学和实验软件,该课件包含了振动力学课程中的主要内容。本文介绍了软件开发的思路、方法及其特点。     

力学量算符本征函数的正交归一性

文中讨论了力学量算符本征函数的正交归一化性质,给出了得到正交归一化函数的方法。     

PP/TiO2复合材料的力学性能研究

采用熔融共混法制备了PP/TiO2复合材料,并研究了TiO2的表面处理、含量及粒径对复合材料的拉伸强度和缺口冲击强度两大主要力学性能的影响.实验结果表明,钛酸酯类偶联剂能很好地改善TiO2粒子与PP基体的界面相容性,从而使复合材料的力学性能提高;经表面处理后的纳米TiO2所填充复合材料的力学性能明显优于普通TiO2（微米级）;而且处理后的纳米TiO2在填充量为4%时对PP的增强增韧效果最佳.     

机械创新设计中创造性思维的研究

通过对创造性思维概念、基本特征、基本形式及其应用的研究，阐述了创造性思维在机械创新设计中的重要性，并且给出对老式电风扇进行创新设计的实例．     

机械密封的失效模式与临界平衡比的计算

介绍了与机械密封面积比（平衡比）有关的几种主要失效模式，如密封面开启失效、早期磨损、干运转、热裂、疱疤、相态失稳、倾斜失稳、液膜失稳、液膜破裂、汽化和丧失密封性等，并提出了考虑主要失效现象的临界平衡比公式。根据临界面积比的大小，可以判断所选用的机械密封平衡比是否合理；并进一步来确定该机械密封的合适面积比，给出了计算实例，计算结果可供机械密封设计时选用。