Coupled finite element analysis of super heat resistant ceramic insulated wire

A coupled finite element analysis is used to understand the role of high ambient temperatures in promoting the growth of fatigue cracks in the various layers of super heat resistant ceramic insulated wire. Comparisons are made among three types of composite conductors. In all three, the core conductor material is copper. A second layer, moving outward from the center, uses either niobium or tantalum. The final portion of the composite conductor is formed of either nickel or titanium. These outer layers of the conducting portion of the wire are necessary to prevent diffusion of metal atoms from the conductor into the ceramic insulation which surrounds the composite conductor. The ceramic layer is made of alumina. After determining the state of stress and strain in the wire due to a series of high temperatures, cracks of varying initial sizes are placed in the material and a specialized finite element program, FRANC2DL, is used to analyze the path of the crack and the fatigue failure.