Effects of gradient material structures on working stress and structural optimization

The effects of the structures of heat-insulating gradient materials on working stress were investigated by Abaqus software, and the structure was optimized accordingly. The results showed that the number of layers and the thickness of each layer were key factors affecting the heat-insulating performance. As the number of layers of the heat-insulating section increased, the heat-insulating performance of the gradient material improved. Similarly, as the thickness of each layer of the heat-insulating section increased, the heat-insulating performance enhanced. The working stress of the gradient material decreased as the compositional difference between adjacent layers was reduced. Furthermore, increasing the number of layers of the heat-insulating section led to a reduction of working stress. Similarly, increasing the thickness of each layer of the heat-insulating section also resulted in decreased working stress. Based on the understanding of how the structure influenced working stress, the gradient material structure was optimized. The optimized gradient material exhibited a significant reduction in working stress. After undergoing 450 repeated thermal shock cycles, the material showed no signs of spalling failure.