Title: Nonlinear thermo-mechanics of smart functionally graded rotating disks for adaptive hydromechatronics

Authors: Pankaj Thakur; Priya Gulial

Addresses: Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science and Technology, ICFAI University, Himachal Pradesh – 174101, India ' Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science and Technology, ICFAI University, Himachal Pradesh – 174101, India

Abstract: This study investigates the nonlinear thermo-mechanical behaviour of functionally graded (FG) hyperbolic rotating disks with rigid shaft inclusions and radially varying density. The disks are composed of Ti-6Al-4V/GFRP composites, with properties following a power-law gradation indexed by m. Using a generalised strain-displacement formulation, non-dimensional equilibrium equations capture axisymmetric deformations under combined thermal and mechanical loading. Numerical results show that material gradation and shaft geometry significantly influence performance. Under isothermal conditions, GFRP-rich disks (m = 0) achieve up to 42% higher yielding angular speed than Ti-6Al-4V-rich disks (m =1.25), while thermal loading reduces this advantage. Radial stress at the bore decreases ~22% in GFRP-rich disks, whereas circumferential stress rises 15%-20% in Ti-6Al-4V-rich disks. Radial displacements increase 27%-30%, further amplified 16%-28% under thermal effects. These findings highlight the trade-off between high-speed capacity and thermo-mechanical stability, providing a framework for optimising FG disks in aerospace, energy storage, and hydromechatronic systems.

Keywords: functionally graded materials; FGMs; rotating disks; thermo-mechanical coupling; density gradation; smart shaft inclusions.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHM.2026.154221

International Journal of Hydromechatronics, 2026 Vol.9 No.2, pp.187 - 209

Received: 04 Aug 2025
Accepted: 04 Sep 2025
Published online: 17 Jun 2026 *

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