CAMPBELL LAIRD

DESCRIPTION OF RESEARCH INTERESTS:

I am interested in understanding and predicting strength and fracture properties in a wide range of structural materials, including metals and alloys, and various classes of composites, eg. carbon/polymer, MMC's (metal matrix composites) and ceramic matrix composites. My main focus in metallic materials is cyclic deformation and fatigue, including the role of environment in fracture.

My approach is to employ model materials, such as single crystals and composites and to understand cyclic deformation in terms of dislocation behavior. I relate deformation to fracture through the role of localized deformation in causing fatigue. For example, the physics of load interacton in variable-amplitude fatigue (cumulative damage) are still not understood. I am using studies of persistent slip bands in monocrystals to explore how localized deformation behaves under variable loads, a nd thus to connect with the kinetics of crack propagation and prediction.

In the environmental aspects of fracture, I am using the AFM to study corrosion processes at sites of localized slip bands produced by fatigue. I am also developing the electrochemical fatigue sensor scientific background needed to support a new device for measuring the current state of fatigue damage in a structure.