Temperature-dependent damping mechanism in ferroelastic-reinforced composites

Abstract

Phase field modeling and computer simulations were conducted to uncover the fundamental mechanism behind the peak in damping capacity observed in BaTiO3-reinforced composites, considering both insulating and conductive cases. The damping capacity curve obtained from these simulations, which varies with temperature, reveals dual peaks near Tc for both cases. The first peak, labeled Peak I, occurs below Tc and is attributed to temperature-induced domain reorientation. The second peak, labeled Peak II, occurs above Tc and arises from stress-induced phase transitions between paraelastic and ferroelastic states. This transition results in a double-loop strain–stress hysteresis, akin to the polarization-field hysteresis observed in ferroelectric systems at and above Tc. Between Peak I and Peak II, there is a dip in damping capacity just below Tc, caused by the diminished ferroelasticity of BaTiO3 particles near this critical temperature. In composite materials, the dual peaks merge into a single peak due to the heterogeneous nature of Tc, influenced by various factors that either raise or lower Tc. This convergence aligns with experimental observations.