Residual stress measurement and lifetime evaluation of railway axles by neutron scattering technology

Hu, F.-F.*; Qin, T.-Y.*; Ao, N.*; 徐 平光; Su, Y. H.; Parker, J. D.*; 篠原 武尚; 菖蒲 敬久; Kang, G.-Z.*; Ren, M.-M.; et al.

Journal of Traffic and Transportation Engineering, 25(2), p.75 - 93, 2025/04

https://dx.doi.org/10.19818/j.cnki.1671-1637.2025.02.005

https://transport.chd.edu.cn/en/article/doi/10.19818/j.cnki.1671-1637.2025.02.005

https://transport.chd.edu.cn/cn/article/doi/10.19818/j.cnki.1671-1637.2025.02.005

To accurately predict the remaining lifetime of surface-strengthened railway axles, a damage tolerance method considering three-dimensional (3D) residual stresses was proposed. By taking the induction-hardened carbon steel S38C axle as an example, two-dimensional (2D) distribution characterization of residual strain and 3D residual stress measurement were performed through comprehensive application of the neutron Bragg-edge transmission imaging and angle-dispersive neutron diffraction experiments. A numerical method was employed to implant the 3D residual stress into the axle model, and the remaining lifetime of the full-scale axle was studied by coupling the measured load spectrum, press-fit loads, and residual stresses. Experimental results shows that, both axial and hoop directions present a compressive residual strain gradient layer of about 3 mm, with a maximum compressive residual strain of up to -4500 in the surface layer, yet a maximum tensile strain of up to 1000 in the core. The maximum axial and hoop compressive stresses of the axle are about -500 MPa and -303 MPa respectively, while radial stresses overall fluctuate in the zero mean stress range. At depths beyond 4.5 mm from the surface layer, all three components are tensile stresses. The axle surface layer is subjected to compressive residual stresses, and crack propagation does not occur if the crack depth is less than 4.5 mm. Nevertheless, cracks propagate accelerates when the crack depth is greater than 4.5 mm. Different crack propagation depth thresholds lead to a larger calculated remaining lifetime for the residual stress-free condition than for the case where 3D residual stresses are taken into account. However, the axle remaining service mileage of the axle of 227000 Km under the most conservative conditions exceeds 3.5 non-destructive inspection (NDI) cycles, with a large safety margin. The experimental results can provide a scientific reference for the development and optimization of NDI cycles for surface-strengthened railway axles.

Strong low-energy rattling modes enabled liquid-like ultralow thermal conductivity in a well-ordered solid

Liu, P.-F.*; Li, X.*; Li, J.*; Zhu, J.*; Tong, Z.*; 古府 麻衣子*; 楡井 真実; Xu, J.*; Yin, W.*; Wang, F.*; et al.

National Science Review, 11(12), p.nwae216_1 - nwae216_10, 2024/12

https://doi.org/10.1093/nsr/nwae216

Crystalline solids exhibiting inherently low lattice thermal conductivity () are of great importance in applications such as thermoelectrics and thermal barrier coatings. However, cannot be arbitrarily low and is limited by the minimum thermal conductivity related to phonon dispersions. In this work, we report the liquid-like thermal transport in a well-ordered crystalline CsAgTe, which exhibits an extremely low value of 0.18 WmK. On the basis of first-principles calculations and inelastic neutron scattering measurements, we find that there are lots of low-lying optical phonon modes at 3.1 meV hosting the avoided-crossing behavior with acoustic phonons. These strongly localized modes are accompanied by weakly bound rattling Ag atoms with thermally induced large amplitudes of vibrations. Using the two-channel model, we demonstrate that coupling of the particle-like phonon modes and the heat-carrying wave-like phonons is essential for understanding the low , which is heavily deviated from the temperature dependence of the standard Peierls theory. In addition, our analysis indicates that the soft structural framework with liquid-like motions of the fluctuating Ag atoms is the underlying cause that leads to the suppression of the heat conduction in CsAgTe. These factors synergistically account for the ultralow value. Our results demonstrate that the liquid-like heat transfer could indeed exist in a well-ordered crystal.

Numerical intercomparison of PHITS and Geant4 Monte Carlo codes for fast neutron inelastic scattering applications

Meleshenkovskii, I.*; Van den Brandt, K.*; 小川 達彦; Datema, C.*; Mauerhofer, E.*

European Physical Journal Plus (Internet), 139, p.565_1 - 565_9, 2024/07

https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-024-05372-z

速中性子散乱による非破壊分析は物質の成分分析手法として有用であるが、分析に用いられる中性子ビームや測定器には様々なパラメータがあり、実際の応用のためにはモンテカルロ放射線輸送計算コードによるシミュレーションなどで最適化する必要がある。しかし、モンテカルロ放射線輸送計算コードは核データや反応モデルによって散乱反応の観測量を計算していることから、既存コードが速中性子散乱を正確に描像できるかどうか、またコード間で観測量にどれほどの差異が生じるかは、信頼性の高いシミュレーションのために必要となる。そこで本研究では、世界的に広く用いられているモンテカルロ放射線輸送計算コードとしてPHITSとGeant4を例にとり、速中性子散乱における観測量を計算して相互に比較した。標的としてはホウ素、鉄、ネオジム、ディスプロシウムを用い、これらが2.5MeVの中性子に照射された際に、標的から出射する中性子のエネルギースペクトルを計算した。また、中性子照射された標的から生じるガンマ線を検出することを想定し、100keVから9000keVのガンマ線を、CeBrガンマ線検出器で検知した場合の波高スペクトルを計算した。これらの計算の結果、標的からの出射中性子スペクトルはホウ素ターゲットの場合に弾性散乱ピークと非弾性散乱成分の間に両コードで異なる傾向が見えるほかは、よく合致することが分かった。この傾向についても、弾性散乱の計算アルゴリズムの違いが原因であることが示唆されている。

Archie's cementation factors for natural rocks; Measurements and insights from diagenetic perspectives

Yuan, X.*; Hu, Q. H.*; Fang, X.*; Wang, Q. M.*; Ma, Y.*; 舘 幸男

Sedimentary Geology, 465, p.106633_1 - 106633_14, 2024/05

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sedgeo.2024.106633

Archie's cementation factor, m, is a critical parameter for petrophysical studies, and the value is influenced by several factors such as the shape, type, and size of grains, degrees of diagenesis, and associated pore structure. Using integrated experimental and theoretical approaches, the goal of this study is to obtain the cementation factor of rocks (both reservoir rock and caprock) and assess the impact of diagenesis processes on the values of the cementation factor. Thirteen samples of geologically diverse rocks (six mudstones, four fossiliferous limestones, two marbles, and one sandstone) were selected to achieve these research objectives. Two approaches, the diffusion of gas tracers and the Bosanquet formula calculation using pore-throat sizes from mercury intrusion porosimetry analyses, were used to derive the cementation factors of these rock samples. These rocks were categorized into two groups based on the correlation between average pore-throat diameter and diffusivity, and an exponential-law relationship between the cementation factor and porosity was determined for these sample groups. In addition, thin-section petrography and field emission-scanning electron microscopy observations were utilized to investigate diagenetic processes, with four diagenetic patterns being established: (1) strong compaction, strong cementation, and weak dissolution-diagenesis pattern; (2) weak compaction, medium cementation, and weak dissolution-diagenesis pattern; (3) weak compaction, medium cementation, and strong dissolution-diagenesis pattern; and (4) fracture-matrix pattern. The results indicated that diagenetic processes and microfractures contribute to the variability in the cementation factors in these rock samples.

A One-third magnetization plateau phase as evidence for the Kitaev interaction in a honeycomb-lattice antiferromagnet

Shangguan, Y.*; Bao, S.*; Dong, Z.-Y.*; Xi, N.*; Gao, Y.-P.*; Ma, Z.*; Wang, W.*; Qi, Z.*; Zhang, S.*; Huang, Z.*; et al.

Nature Physics, 19(12), p.1883 - 1889, 2023/09

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41567-023-02212-2

The magnetization of a quantum magnet can be pinned at a fraction of its saturated value by collective effects. One example of such a plateau phase is found in spin-1/2 triangular-lattice antiferromagnets. They feature strong geometrical frustration and the plateau phase therein is often interpreted as arising from an order-by-disorder mechanism driven by quantum fluctuations. Here we observe a one-third magnetization plateau under an applied magnetic field in the spin-1 antiferromagnet NaNiBiO with a honeycomb lattice, which, with conventional magnetic interactions, would not be geometrically frustrated. Based on our elastic neutron scattering measurements, we propose the spin structure of the plateau phase to be an unusual partial spin-flop ferrimagnetic order. Our theoretical calculations indicate that bond-anisotropic Kitaev interactions are the source of frustration that produces the plateau. These results suggest that Kitaev interactions provide a different route to frustration and phases driven by quantum fluctuations in high-spin magnets.

Extreme phonon anharmonicity underpins superionic diffusion and ultralow thermal conductivity in argyrodite AgSnSe

Ren, Q.*; Gupta, M. K.*; Jin, M.*; Ding, J.*; Wu, J.*; Chen, Z.*; Lin, S.*; Fabelo, O.*; Rodriguez-Velamazan, J. A.*; 古府 麻衣子; et al.

Nature Materials, 22(8), p.999 - 1006, 2023/08

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-023-01560-x

Ultralow thermal conductivity and fast ionic diffusion endow superionic materials with excellent performance both as thermoelectric converters and as solid-state electrolytes. Yet the correlation and interdependence between these two features remain unclear owing to a limited understanding of their complex atomic dynamics. Here we investigate ionic diffusion and lattice dynamics in argyrodite AgSnSe using synchrotron X-ray and neutron scattering techniques along with machine-learned molecular dynamics. We identify a critical interplay of the vibrational dynamics of mobile Ag and a host framework that controls the overdamping of low-energy Ag-dominated phonons into a quasi-elastic response, enabling superionicity. Concomitantly, the persistence of long-wavelength transverse acoustic phonons across the superionic transition challenges a proposed 'liquid-like thermal conduction' picture. Rather, a striking thermal broadening of low-energy phonons, starting even below 50 K, reveals extreme phonon anharmonicity and weak bonding as underlying features of the potential energy surface responsible for the ultralow thermal conductivity ( 0.5 WmK) and fast diffusion. Our results provide fundamental insights into the complex atomic dynamics in superionic materials for energy conversion and storage.

Weyl-Kondo semimetal behavior in the chiral structure phase of CeRhSn

岩佐 和晃*; Suyama, Kazuya*; 河村 聖子; 中島 健次; Raymond, S.*; Steffens, P.*; Yamada, Akira*; 松田 達磨*; 青木 勇二*; 川崎 郁斗; et al.

Physical Review Materials (Internet), 7(1), p.014201_1 - 014201_11, 2023/01

https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevMaterials.7.014201

The spin dynamics, crystalline-electric-field (CEF) level scheme, specific heat, and X-ray photoemission spectra (XPS) of CeRhSn were investigated, which exhibits anomalous semimetal transport in the chiral crystallographic phase. CEF excitations observed at approximately 7 and 39 meV are consistent with the two inequivalent Ce-ion cites in the chiral structure. Because of broader CEF excitations and a strong 4 peak at the Fermi level in the Ce 4 on-resonance spectrum, the hybridized Ce 4 electrons contribute to the semimetal carriers. In addition, the spin fluctuation associated with the Kramers doublet ground state is characterized by the peak located at 0.15 meV. The electronic state involving the spin fluctuation causes the behavior of specific heat below 0.6 K, which is attributed to linear dispersion relations of electrons of the Weyl Kondo semimetal in the chiral-lattice symmetry.

Transport model comparison studies of intermediate-energy heavy-ion collisions

Walter, H.*; Colonna, M.*; Cozma, D.*; Danielewicz, P.*; Ko, C. M.*; Kumar, R.*; 小野 章*; Tsang, M. Y. B*; Xu, J.*; Zhang, Y.-X.*; et al.

Progress in Particle and Nuclear Physics, 125, p.103962_1 - 103962_90, 2022/07

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ppnp.2022.103962

原子核-原子核衝突や原子核の状態方程式の研究において、反応計算モデルは重要なツールとなり、世界中で開発が進んでいる。本論文は、原子力機構のJQMD-2.0を含め、現在開発中の複数のコード開発者の協力により、これらコードを同じ条件で比較することで共通点や差異を明らかにしたプロジェクトTransport Model Evaluation Project (TMEP)を総括したものである。参加したコードはBoltzmann-Uehling-Uhlenbeck(BUU)法に基づく13のコードと、Quantum Molecular Dynamics (QMD)法に基づく12のコードであった。プロジェクトでは、Au原子核同士を衝突させてその終状態を観測する現実的な計算や、一辺が640nmの箱に核子を詰めて時間発展させる仮想的な計算を行った。その結果、BUU法コードとQMD法コードは計算原理が異なるため、計算の設定に関係なく系統的な差異が生じることが明らかになった。その一方で、同じ方法を採用するコード間の比較では、時間発展を細かく計算することでコード間の差は埋まっていき、一定の収束値を持つことが示された。この結果は今後開発される同分野のコードのベンチマークデータとして有用なものであるだけでなく、原子核基礎物理学の実験や理論研究の標準的な指針としても役に立つことが期待される。

Dynamical response of transition-edge sensor microcalorimeters to a pulsed charged-particle beam

奥村 拓馬*; 東 俊行*; Bennet, D. A.*; Caradonna, P.*; Chiu, I.-H.*; Doriese, W. B.*; Durkin, M. S.*; Fowler, J. W.*; Gard, J. D.*; 橋本 直; et al.

IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, 31(5), p.2101704_1 - 2101704_4, 2021/08

https://doi.org/10.1109/TASC.2021.3067793

超伝導転移端センサー(TES)マイクロ熱量計は、優れたエネルギー分解能と高い効率を持った、加速器施設での実験に理想的なX線検出器である。高強度パルス荷電粒子ビームを用いたTES検出器の性能を研究するために、日本の陽子加速器研究施設(J-PARC)でパルスミュオンビームを用いてX線スペクトルを測定した。X線エネルギーの実質的な時間的シフトがパルスミュオンビームの到着時間と相関していることを発見した。これは、最初のパルスビームからのエネルギー粒子の入射によるパルスパイルアップによって合理的に説明された。

Non-destructive analysis of samples with a complex geometry by NRTA

Ma, F.; Kopecky, S.*; Alaerts, G.*; 原田 秀郎; Heyse, J.*; 北谷 文人; Noguere, G.*; Paradela, C.*; alamon, L.*; Schillebeeckx, P.*; et al.

Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, 35(3), p.478 - 488, 2020/03

AA2019-0356.pdf:2.54MB

https://doi.org/10.1039/C9JA00342H

The use of Neutron Resonance Transmission Analysis to characterize homogeneous samples not fulfilling good transmission geometry conditions is discussed. Analytical expressions for such samples have been derived and implemented in the resonance shape analysis code REFIT. They were validated by experiments at the time-of-flight facility GELINA using a set of metallic natural copper samples. The expressions were used to derive sample characteristics by a least squares adjustment to experimental transmission data. In addition, the resonance parameters of Cu for energies below 6 keV, which are reported in the literature and recommended in evaluated data libraries, were verified. This research was implemented under the subsidiary for nuclear security promotion of MEXT.