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This paper describes the fabrication and characterization of porous SiC ceramics derived from highly-filled preceramic papers. The SiC ceramics were obtained by spark plasma sintering of stacked preceramic papers at temperatures of 2100 and 2200 °C under pressures of 5–60 MPa for 10 min. The microstructure and phase composition were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, respectively. Gas permeation tests were performed using hydrogen permeation cell at room temperature. It is revealed that the porosity of sintered SiC can be varied from 9 to 45 % depending on the sintering parameters. The shrinkage of the materials during spark plasma sintering occurs in four stages. The linear shrinkage value of the material increases from 7 to 47 % at 2100 °C and from 20 to 50 % for the samples sintered at 2100 and 2200 °C, respectively. Correlation dependencies between porosity and mechanical properties of the fabricated SiC were established. The obtained porous SiC ceramics exhibit high bending strength of 165 MPa and gas permeation flux of 78 molH 2 /m2/s at the porosity of 36 % that make it suitable for ceramic-based membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper investigates the effect of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Carbon fiber reinforced carbon and silicon carbide binary matrix (C/C–SiC) composite prepared by using the reactive melt infiltration technique. The CNFs used in this paper were generated through in-situ reaction in the pores of C/C preforms using the chemical vapor deposition. Results indicate introducing additional carbon sources in the form of CNFs in the C/C preform can remarkably improve the permeability of molten Si, resulting in higher density and more uniform microstructure of the RMI-deriver C/C–SiC composites. Consequently, the in-situ formation of CNFs reduces the residual Si content by 64.71% and increases the mechanical strength and modulus at room temperature by [22.31% and 17.89%] and after heat treatment at 1500 °C by [35.6% and 47.48%] with respect to no-CNF containing composites due to a lower amount of residual Si content and additional reinforcement effect of the unreacted CNFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents research on the impact of the material microstructure on the performance of Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells (MCFC). The study is motivated by the need to increase the operation time of MCFC stacks. As the MCFC stacks are mainly composed of porous materials, the paper shows the impact of the porosity on both fuel cell performance and degradation rate. The study is based on the mathematical model, validated through experiments with varying microstructure parameters, achieving an overall relative error of 8%. The study evaluated the performance of MCFC using anodes with different porosity and found that increasing anode porosity from 40% to 70% led to a nearly two-fold increase in maximum power density. However, from both the degradation test and polarization curves, the optimal level of porosity for the anode is around 55%. The porosity level at 55% ensures the highest catalytic surface of the electrodes and is a compromise between the mechanical properties of the electrode and its electrochemical properties. • New approach of 0D model of MCFC including materials microstructure influence is proposed. • The new model is prepared in MS Excel and Aspen HYSYS environments. • Experimental investigation for materials with predefined microstructire parameters was performed for model validation. • Variant analysis is presented for different porosity, tortuosity and constrictivity of MCFC anode. • An optimal scenario is suggested based on modleing results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increase in train speed and axle weight, the quality and service life of the rail (U71Mn steel) are more demanding. Aiming at the excellent properties of nickel/nickel-based alloys and ceramic materials, this paper prepares TiC/Ni45 composite coatings for rail repair by in-situ synthesis of ceramic phases using laser cladding technology. The effects of in-situ synthesized TiC on the physical phase, microstructure, microhardness and wear resistance were investigated and discussed in detail. The results show that the reaction of in-situ synthesized TiC can proceed positively, and the microstructure of the cladding layer mainly consists of the segregation of Cr, TiC particles, and substrate phase. With the increase of nickel-coated graphite and titanium powder, the average microhardness value of the cladding layer increased, and the average friction coefficient and wear volume decreased. When the mass fraction of (Ti + C) reaches 15 wt%, the average friction coefficient of the cladding layer reaches the minimum value. When the mass fraction reaches 20 wt%, the average microhardness of the cladding layer reaches 2.65 times that of the substrate, and the wear mechanism is transformed from mainly adhesive wear to abrasive, oxidative, and fatigue wear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Doping refractory metal silicates into the matrix of C/SiC composites is an effective means to improve their oxidation resistance. Previous studies have demonstrated that doping HfSiO 4 matrix availably enhanced the oxidation resistance of C/SiC composites, but the high raw material cost of HfSiO 4 limits its widespread application. This paper attempts to introduce ZrSiO 4 matrix, which has lower raw material cost and similar properties to HfSiO 4 , into C/SiC matrix through the same process. To clarify whether the microstructure of the refractory metal silicate doped matrix significantly impacts the oxidation behavior of C/SiC composites, the preparation temperature of ZrSiO 4 was increased to 1100 °C. The densification effect, oxidation behavior, and related mechanisms of C/SiC composites doped with ZrSiO 4 matrix were investigated and compared in detail with the previously studied C/SiC composites doped with HfSiO 4 matrix. Results show that the oxidation resistance behavior of C/SiC composites is relatively sensitive to the microstructure of the refractory metal silicate-doped matrix. At lower preparation temperatures of refractory metal silicates, the particle size of the composite matrix is significantly refined, which is conducive to improving the matrix densification degree of the composites and protecting more carbon fibers from erosion by the oxidizing environment, thus achieving a better oxidation resistance modification effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC), with its excellent tensile properties, can be used as an alternative to decorative materials that are heavy in cross-section, enabling architectural decoration field to develop in the direction of light weight and changeable shape. However, the extremely low water-binder ratio of UHPC produces obvious autogenous shrinkage, which leads to the development of many micro-cracks. When the micro-cracks develop to a certain extent, they can have a very negative impact on the finishing of the architecture. This paper studies the influence of medium-burnt quicklime dosing on the hydration process and mechanical properties of UHPC cured at room temperature and elucidates the mechanism by which medium-burnt quicklime reduces autogenous shrinkage in UHPC. The results show that the crystal growth pressure generated by the hydration of f-CaO (free calcium oxide) can significantly compensate the autogenous shrinkage of UHPC. The dosage of 3 % medium-burnt quicklime can make the mechanical properties and shrinkage properties of UHPC reach the relative optimum, and the autogenous shrinkage of UHPC can be reduced to 181.36 με. Although the medium-burnt quicklime reduces the hydration products by delaying the hydration of UHPC, it also can reduce the porosity and the percentage of the multi-harmful pores, and refine the pore aperture. In addition, the interfacial transition zone between the UHPC matrix and the steel fibres can be reduced due to the extrusion of Ca(OH) 2 crystal growth pressure on the surrounding crystals, resulting in a tighter lapping between the crystals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar thermal power generation is an important direction of energy utilization, and thermal storage materials are the key to ensure the continuous use of energy. In this paper, forsterite - zirconia composite ceramics were prepared by adding different contents of 3Y–ZrO 2 and their physical properties, phase composition, microstructure thermal shock resistance and thermal physical properties were studied. The results showed that the water absorption, bulk density and bending strength of sample A3 sintered at 1600 °C (59.10 wt% fused magnesia, 40.90 wt% quartz and 30 wt% 3Y–ZrO 2) were 0.35 %, 3.27 g/cm3 and 83.66 MPa, respectively. The crystal phase of sample A3 was forsterite and c-ZrO 2. Mg2+ and Y3+ replace Zr4+, formed oxygen vacancy in the anion position, distort the coordination layer and release some interlayer stress to promote the stability of c-ZrO 2. In the sintering process, the zirconia solid solution existed in the form of second phase, which reduced the growth rate of periclase, facilitated the pore discharge in the sample and promotes sintering. The thermal conductivity of forsterite - zirconia composite ceramics at room temperature was 5.52 W/(m·K). At 1000 °C, the specific heat capacity and heat storage density were 1.09 J/(g·K) and 1062.36 kJ/kg, respectively. The forsterite - zirconia composite ceramic prepared in this study was suitable for high temperature environment, its heat storage capacity was excellent, and it was suitable for high temperature heat storage system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

3D printing is an excellent choice for manufacture of ceramic cores; however, the inter-layer structures in 3D printed sample leads to anisotropy in microstructure and properties. In this paper, silica-based ceramic cores were prepared by digital light processing, and metallic Si powder was employed as mineralizer to relieve the anisotropy. The metallic Si powder converts into SiO 2 in oxidation reaction with significant volume expansion, which inhibits the shrinkage rate and partly fills the interlayer gaps of the ceramic core. Meanwhile, the metal Si powder leads to lower curing thickness in 3D printing, and thicken the interlayer gaps. Due to the cooperation of the oxidation reaction and decreased curing thickness by the metallic Si powder, the 0.4 wt% of metallic Si powder reduced the anisotropy in structure and mechanical property due to the alleviated inter-layer structure and the interlayer and intralayer strengths show optimal values of 11.4 MPa and 17.2 MPa at room temperature, respectively. This work inspires new guidance to 3D printing of ceramic cores with uniform microstructure and excellent mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insulators are vital components used in electrical transmission lines. It's crucial to keep their production cost low since they are widely used in electricity transmission. Instead of expensive alumina-based insulators, we can make cheaper ones using clay and bauxite found in nature. Adding more alumina makes them stronger, which is important for high voltage transmission. This paper aims to study the production process of bauxite-based insulators. We examined the insulators' structure using SEM images and EDAX spectrum analysis to see their formations, porosity ratio, and density. This research helps us learn more about these insulators and how they can be used effectively for high voltage transmission lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the effects of frequency on the flash sintering behavior and microstructure of Li 6.4 Ga 0.2 La 3 Zr 2 O 12 (0.2Ga-LLZO) were investigated. The results showed that an increase in frequency had little effect on the onset temperature, but this increase reduced the duration of the weak current stage the incubation stage. Moreover, this phenomenon led to a decrease in the power loss during the constant current stage. Scanning Electron Microscope images showed that the microstructure was symmetrically distributed, and the uniformity increased with increasing frequency. Finite element simulations and an IR thermocamera were used to analyze the temperatures of the specimens. The symmetric distribution of temperature during the flash sintering process was the root cause. The results of AC impedance spectroscopy showed that when the frequency of flash sintering was ≥ 400 Hz, the ionic conductivity of Ga-LLZO was greater than that of conventional sintering. The results of this work demonstrated the important role of frequency in controlling the microstructures of ceramic materials in flash sintering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, by adding Co, Mo, and Ni metal binder and using spark plasma coupling high-frequency induction (SP–HF) sintering technology, high-entropy (W,Nb,Mo,Ta,Ti)C cermet with good performance was successfully prepared at 1350 °C. The sintering temperature was much lower than that of the solid-state sintering temperature adopted for high-entropy carbide ceramics (about 2000 °C) while maintaining high hardness and fracture toughness. The effects of sintering temperature, holding time and sintering pressure on the mechanical properties of high-entropy (W,Nb,Mo,Ta,Ti)C cermet were investigated. The experimental results show that the SP-HF sintering can promote the liquid phase flow inside the high-entropy (W,Nb,Mo,Ta,Ti)C cermet and improve the density. The high-frequency induction sintering effect of the high-intensity magnetic metal binder phase (Co, Ni) promotes the rapid diffusion of the constituent phases using the vacancy mechanism and the metal liquid phase, which helps to form a high-entropy cermet solid solution at a lower temperature. The different high-entropy effects of the inner and outer layers of high-entropy (W,Nb,Mo,Ta,Ti)C cermet materials play a role in strengthening and toughening the materials, and effective solid solution strengthening is the main reason for improving mechanical properties. The mechanical properties of high-entropy (W,Nb,Mo,Ta,Ti)C cermet are the optimized at 1350 °C, holding time of 8 min, and sintering pressure of 35 MPa. The Vickers hardness, fracture toughness, and flexural strength are 18.38 ± 0.19 GPa, 9.65 ± 0.25 MPa · m1/2 and 970 ± 30 MPa, Vickers hardness was measured at 49 N load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zirconolite (CaZrTi 2 O 7) glass-ceramic is considered as a potential stable matrix for the immobilization of Pu or minor actinides (Np, Am, Cm). In this work, the phase combination and evolution of glass (SiO 2 –Al 2 O 3 –Na 2 O–CaO–ZrO 2 –TiO 2 –B 2 O 3) with La as an actinide surrogate were investigated during the process of heating and cooling. By employing controlled cooling process, the zirconolite glass-ceramic with a controllable crystal size was successfully fabricated in borosilicate glass. The results demonstrate that heating and cooling exhibit distinct phase combinations. Both crystallization temperature and duration exert a significant influence on the composition of crystalline phases and microstructure. During the cooling of the melt, an increased degree of supercooling leads to an enhanced crystallization of zirconolite and a significant reduction in crystal size. The experimental results demonstrate that the optimal condition for preparing zirconolite glass-ceramic is held at 950 °C, for 4 h by one-step method, at which time the crystal exhibits a slender acicular morphology with a size of about 30 μm. Most of the simulated nuclides are enriched in crystals, and the rest are dissolved in glass. Zirconolite exhibits thermodynamic instability at elevated temperatures (1000 °C–1100 °C). Following the phase transformation, a proportion of Zr sequestered by titanite, while any excess Zr is either remain dissolved in the glass or gets precipitated as baddeleyite. For La, Al and other elements previously fixed in zirconolite, they are re-released to the glass and partially fixed by titanite, which may be detrimental to the long-term release behavior of the waste forms. In the aqueous durability test, both zirconolite glass-ceramic and phase transformation samples exhibited a low leaching rate, with LR Si , LR Zr , and LR La values of approximately 5 × 10−3, 4 × 10−6, and 6 × 10−6 g·m−2·d−1, respectively, after 28 days of leaching. By controlling the cooling process (one-step method), this paper provides useful information on the preparation of zirconolite glass-ceramic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Microstructure and mechanical behavior of Al-xSi/AZ91D bimetallic composites were studied. • Thickness of interface of Al/Mg bimetallic composites decreased with increasing Si content. • Oxide inclusion defects in interface layer decreased with increasing Si content. • Increasing Si content resulted in an inconsistent preferred orientation of interface layer. • Shear strength of the composites increased with increasing Si content, obtaining a maximum value with 15 wt.% Si. In this paper, the effect of the Si content on microstructure evolution, mechanical properties, and fracture behavior of the Al-xSi/AZ91D bimetallic composites prepared by compound casting was investigated systematically. The obtained results showed that all the Al-xSi/AZ91D bimetallic composites had a metallurgical reaction layer (MRL), whose thickness increased with increasing Si content for the hypoeutectic Al-Si/AZ91D composites, while the hypereutectic Al-Si/AZ91D composites were opposite. The MRL included eutectic layer (E layer), intermetallic compound layer (IMC layer) and transition region layer (T layer). In the IMC layer, the hypereutectic Al-Si/AZ91D composites contained some Si solid solution and flocculent Mg 2 Si+Al-Mg IMCs phases not presented in the hypoeutectic Al-Si/AZ91D composites. Besides, increasing Si content, the thickness proportion of the T layer increased, forming an inconsistent preferred orientation of the MRL. The shear strengths of the Al-xSi/AZ91D bimetallic composites enhanced with increasing Si content, and the Al-15Si/AZ91D composite obtained a maximum shear strength of 58.6 MPa, which was 73.4% higher than the Al-6Si/AZ91D composite. The fractures of the Al-xSi/AZ91D bimetallic composites transformed from the T layer into the E layer with the increase of the Si content. The improvement of the shear strength of the Al-xSi/AZ91D bimetallic composites was attributed to the synergistic action of the Mg 2 Si particle reinforcement, the reduction of oxidizing inclusions and the ratio of Al-Mg IMCs as well as the orientation change of the MRL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper uncovers microstructural evolution and bonding mechanism of yttrium iron garnet ferrite (YIG) and magnesium titanate ceramic (MTC) brazed by bismuth-based glass ceramic. The resulting mechanical and dielectric properties of the proposed YIG/MTC joint were investigated in detail. The reaction mechanism was thoroughly studied. Micro and nano CoFe 2 O 4 were generated in the glass seam. Besides, a CoFe 2 O 4 reaction layer was formed at the interface of MTC/glass ceramic. The atoms stacked along the plane (220), and a complete coherent boundary was emerged between the CoFe 2 O 4 reaction layer and MTC ceramic subsequently. YBO 3 clusters were formed at YIG/glass interface and Bi 9 Ti 3 Fe 5 O 27 stripe phases were generated in the glass matrix. The joint shear strength increased with the brazing temperature increasing, and reached a maximum value of 72 MPa at 800 °C. The dielectric constant of YIG/MTC joint varied from 16.5 to 17.9, and the dielectric loss tangent was nearly 0.001 at higher frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ti 3 SiC 2 , as one of the most typical MAX ceramics, has been extensively studied as a potential high-temperature structural material. However, the restrictive relations between strength and toughness of Ti 3 SiC 2 and Ti 3 SiC 2 -based materials have hampered their industrial applications. Herein, we reported the successful fabrication of Ti 3 SiC 2 –(Ti 3 SiC 2 –C f) functionally graded materials (FGM) via hot-press sintering Ti 3 SiC 2 and short C f -derived preceramic papers. The microstructure evolution as well as the effect of sintering temperature on phase composition and interfacial reaction were investigated. Flexural strength and fracture toughness from ambient temperature to 1000 °C of the graded composites were determined to evaluate the mechanical performance. The results have shown that chemical reactions occurred between carbon fibers and Ti 3 SiC 2 matrix, which leads to the formation of SiC interfaces with strong covalent bonds. The newly developed Ti 3 SiC 2 –(Ti 3 SiC 2 –C f) graded composite materials exhibited excellent comprehensive performance as compared to that of monolithic Ti 3 SiC 2. The flexural strength and fracture toughness of the graded composite at room temperature can be reached to 526 MPa and 7.46 MPa m1/2, respectively. However, there is no significant change in flexural strength and fracture toughness from RT to 1000 °C. The fracture micrographs also reveal that fiber breaking、pulling out and debonding are the primary mechanisms that contribute to the superior mechanical properties of composites. The exceptional performance demonstrated in Ti 3 SiC 2 –(Ti 3 SiC 2 –C f) graded materials also makes them attractive choices for a variety of heatproof devices in aerospace sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the problems of low welding efficiency, large heat-affected zone, and poor welding quality in the process of welding thin-walled titanium tubes by argon arc welding, there are few studies on the use of high-frequency induction welding (HFIW) of thin-walled titanium alloy tubes. The evolution law of weld microstructure and mechanical properties of the thin-walled titanium tube needs to be further studied because of rapid welding speed and the small heat-affected zone of HFIW. Therefore, a novel manufacturing method via high-frequency induction welding is proposed in this paper to solve the existing problems. With an industrial-grade titanium TA2 tube (wall's thickness is 0.5 ​mm) as the research object, a comparative study is conducted in this research to examine the morphology, microstructure, microhardness, and tensile characteristics of welded joints at different welding power. The findings demonstrated a significant efficacy of HFIW in resolving these challenges. The mechanical properties and microstructue of heat-affected zone (HAZ) were characterized. The lowest hardness is measured at 202 HV, while the base material was recorded as 184 HV, when the welding speed of HFIW is set at 50 ​m/min. Meanwhile, the heat-affected zone has the highest hardness at 224 HV, a tensile strength of 446.8 ​MPa and a post-fracture elongation of 16%. The results showed that HFIW can not only greatly improve the welding efficiency, significantly improve the microstructure of weld joint and HAZ, and improve the mechanical properties of thin-walled titanium pipe, but also provide a highly feasible welding method for welding ultra-thin-walled pipes. • A novel method of high-frequency induction welding has been employed to achieve the welding of thin-walled pure titanium pipe. • An in-depth analysis of the microstructure of the welded joints was conducted, revealing the robust applicability of the technique. • Through the analysis of the mechanical properties of the welding, the results show that good expectations are obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MgAl 2 O 4 -SiC composites were prepared under flowing nitrogen at 1500 °C by using MgAl 2 O 4 powder, SiC powder, Al powder and Si powder as raw materials. Through microstructural observation and analysis, the effects of in situ Mg-Sialon and β-Sialon with different amounts of Si powder addition were investigated in this paper. The results show that the samples without Si addition main contained MgAl 2 O 4 , SiC and well development plate structure Mg-Sialon phase. After addition of Si powder, not only the above three phases appeared, but also β-Sialon phase appeared. Meanwhile, with increasing Si contents, the content of β-Sialon phase increased and samples were more dense, limiting the development of the plate structure Mg-Sialon phase. With increasing Si content from 0 wt% to 20 wt%, the apparent porosity shows decreased trend, while the bulk density and cold module of rupture show increased. The samples with 20 wt% Si addition can get the minimum apparent porosity (33.5 %), maximum bulk density (2.13 g•cm−3) and cold module of rupture (87.0 MPa). Besides, the formation mechanism of Mg-Sialon and β-Sialon was discussed in detail and the role of Si was elucidated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a series of AlN–Al nanocomposite films are prepared by reactive magnetron sputtering. The effects of N 2 flow rate on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the films are studied. The formation and evolution mechanism of the nanocomposite structure are revealed. The results show that with the decrease of N 2 flow rate, the microstructure goes through three stages: pure AlN, amorphous Al surrounded nanocrystalline AlN and AlN nanoparticle reinforced Al matrix composite. Benefiting from the good wettability of Al on AlN ceramics, the film deposited at 6 sccm N 2 flow rate forms a nanocomposite structure of about 8 nm AlN grains wrapped by 1–2 nm amorphous Al. The hardness of the films increases first and then decreases with the decrease of N 2 flow rate, ranging from 4 GPa to 25 GPa. The toughness of the films is analyzed by the ratio of H/E, H3/E2, the normalized plastic depth (δ H) and the morphology of large load indentation. The results show that the toughness of the nanocomposite film obtained at 6 sccm N 2 flow rate is significantly improved while maintaining the hardness equivalent to that of pure AlN film. The improvement in toughness comes from the microcracks initiated in AlN hindered by the surrounding Al phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcium-magnesium-alumina-silicate (CMAS) resistance has become a key parameter to evaluate the properties of thermal barrier coating (TBC) materials. The CMAS corrosion behavior of BMT ceramic as a novel candidate material for TBC is poorly understood. In this paper, the solid-state sintering process was used to prepare the BMT bulks, and the evolution of microstructure, phase composition, thermophysical properties, and mechanical properties of the BMT bulks exposed to CMAS corrosion were studied. The results indicate that obvious elemental interdiffusion between the CMAS melt and BMT occurred at 1250 °C, which changed the original phase composition and formed multiple substances including Ba(Al, Ca)Si 2 O 8 , Ba 2 MgSi 2 O 7 , BaTa 2 O 6 , Ba 2 Si 4 O 10 , etc. The microstructure of BMT also underwent changes due to differences in the diffusion coefficients of different elements. As corrosion time prolongs, an obvious porous columnar reaction layer formed on the sample surface, causing the CMAS melt to sustainably corrode the deep BMT, resulting in intragranular corrosion. In terms of properties, the thermophysical and mechanical properties of the BMT bulks corroded by CMAS deteriorated. The thermal conductivity at 1100 °C increased from 1.43 W m−1 · k−1 to 1.67 W m−1 · k−1. The average coefficient of thermal expansion at 200–1400 °C decreased from 11.60 × 10−6 K−1 to 10.95 × 10−6 K−1. The hardness dropped by 21 % compared to the original BMT bulk. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the CMAS resistance of BMT ceramic in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ZrO 2 –Al 2 O 3 -A 3 S 2 (3Al 2 O 3 ·2SiO 2) composites are ideal Casting filter materials with excellent mechanical properties and thermal shock resistance. In this paper, 3Y–ZrO 2 (3 mol% Y 2 O 3 -stabilized ZrO 2) was added to kaolin and α-Al 2 O 3 to prepare ZrO 2 –Al 2 O 3 -A 3 S 2 composites by pressureless sintering. The results showed that when the addition amount of 3Y–ZrO 2 is 15 wt%, the bending strength and fracture toughness of the composites sintered at 1600 °C are 152.51 MPa and 3.52 MPa m1/2, respectively. The bending strength increased to 161.83 MPa after 30 thermal shocks (1100 °C to room temperature), with an increase rate of 6.11 %. The ZrO 2 crystals are evenly distributed between corundum and mullite crystals, effectively preventing abnormal growth of corundum and mullite crystals, and a small number of pores exist in the samples, which could act as a "buffer zone" to prevent the expansion of cracks in the thermal shock, resulting in high mechanical strength and excellent thermal shock resistance for composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing novel solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with high stability running at low temperatures is an important objective in SOFC science. In the current paper, a comprehensive physics-based microstructure modeling using scanning electron microscope (SEM) image analysis was performed on several anode-support SOFCs operating at low temperatures with high stability. To bridge the gap in the literature regarding an accurate and realistic modeling, a new model was developed based on the variable fuel and air utilization factors and updated microstructure values (e.g., tortuosity, porosity, pore size, grain size). The model accuracy was verified by a thorough point-to-point validation for eight different cells with the configuration of Ni-YSZ (anode), YSZ (electrolyte), and GDC/PNO (cathode). Different temperatures, hydrogen, and air mass flow rates were used, for which an average error of less than 3% in the I-V curves was achieved. The microstructure of the cells, including cathode thickness (15–26 μm), anode-support thickness (350–460 μm), porosity (39 and 43%), grain size (1.1–1.4 μm), and pore radius (0.9–1.1 μm) were varied. Moreover, the effects of the critical operational and design parameters on the overpotential losses and cell performance were studied. The results show that a hydrogen flow rate of 43 sccm was ideal when the cell operated at 0.9 A/cm2 and 700 °C. Moreover, an average anode-support pore radius of 1.75 μm resulted in the best cell performance. It was also concluded that the electrolyte thickness has a higher effect on the cell performance compared to the cathode thickness. • Fabrication and testing of eight anode-supported tublar cells with different microstructures. • Introducing a physics-based microstructure model for SOFC based on variable fuel utilization factor. • Performing a comprehensive SEM image analysis for the fabricated cells. • Achieving an average error of less than 3% for the model compared to the experimental data. • Achieving an average optimum value of 1.75 μm for anode-support pore radius. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the improvement of the phase transition temperature of Ti by Al element and the excellent strengthening effect of TiC particles, this paper selects Ti 2 AlC as the precursor, striving to improve the high-temperature performance of the Ti matrix. The composites with 1–10 vol% Ti 2 AlC addition were fabricated by hot-pressing sintering. And a detailed study was conducted on the reaction process, microstructure, room and high temperature compression properties of the composites. The experimental results show that the separation of Al elements at the A-position occurs at around 700 °C in Ti 2 AlC, and the Al element is homogenized in the matrix during the subsequent sintering process. Micron sized TiC particles are mainly distributed at the Ti grain boundaries, while the content of sub-micron sized TiC particles entering the crystal increases with the increasing Ti 2 AlC addition. The interface mismatch between TiC and Ti is small, and the bonding is well. These microstructures enable composite materials to exhibit excellent mechanical properties, with 10 vol% Ti 2 AlC/Ti composite having a yield strength of 1858 MPa and an ultimate strength of 2200 MPa at room temperature, and maintaining a yield strength of 602 MPa and an ultimate strength of 1264 MPa at 500 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ZrO 2 –Al 2 O 3 (ATZ) ceramics are attracting high interest in biomedical applications because of their desirable mechanical performance and biocompatibility. However, strength and toughness are mutually exclusive in structural ceramics. In this paper, based on digital light processing, novel textured ATZ ceramics with obvious crystallographic orientations were fabricated by incorporating Al 2 O 3 platelets with a high aspect ratio and equiaxed particles into the ZrO 2 matrix. The optimized fracture toughness of 16.9 ± 0.8 MPa m1/2 was achieved in the textured ATZ ceramic, which was about 67.3 % higher than non-textured ZrO 2 ceramics, without sacrificing strength. The coupling toughening effects of macrolayer structure, equiaxed and platelet-shaped Al 2 O 3 particles, and ZrO 2 particles were responsible for the enhanced mechanical performance. The macroscale toughening of 3D-printed lamellar architecture led to effective energy dissipation. Additionally, the crack deflection and crack branching induced by dual-morphology Al 2 O 3 particles, accompanied by the phase transformation of the ZrO 2 matrix, were significant microscopic toughening mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The application of various LAM technologies to obtained aluminium alloys was reviewed. • Study on microstructures and mechanical properties for LAMed aluminum alloy was summarized. • The future development trend of LAMed aluminium alloys was forecasted. Laser Additive Manufacturing (LAM) is a promising rapid prototyping technique that is commonly used in aerospace and other areas due to its ability to manufacture complex structures quickly. Aluminum alloys have low density, high specific strength, and superior corrosion resistance, making them suitable for a wide range of applications. However, aluminum alloys have high laser reflectivity and thermal conductivity, easily oxidation and a high tendency for hot fractures and pores, making it difficult to obtain LAMed aluminum alloy. Furthermore, it is important to find an optimized laser processing method to obtain high quality (good microstructure and mechanical properties) LAMed aluminum structure. To address the aforementioned issues, as well as the current research status of LAMed aluminum alloys, this paper summarizes the microstructure and mechanical properties of aluminum alloys fabricated by various LAM technologies. The focus is on process application and technical characterization, as well as the issues of improving cracks and pores through different process parameters and post heat treatment. The text discusses the basic concept of aluminum alloys and the principles of some typical LAM processes. It also reviews recent research progress on microstructural characterization, strengthening mechanism evaluation, post heat treatment processes, and nanoparticle strengthening mechanisms. The aim is to establish a preliminary comprehensive relationship between LAM processes, microstructures, and mechanical properties. Finally, in conclusion, this paper forecasts the future development trends of LAMed aluminum alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterogeneity and uncertainty in a composite microstructure lead to either computational bottlenecks if modeled rigorously or to solution inaccuracies in the stress field and failure predictions if approximated. Although methods suitable for analyzing arbitrary and non-linear microstructures exist, their computational cost makes them impractical to use in large-scale structural analysis. Surrogate models or Reduced Order Models (ROMs) commonly enhance efficiencies but are typically calibrated with a single microstructure. Homogenization methods, such as the Mori–Tanaka method, offer rapid homogenization for a wide range of constituent properties. However, simplifying assumptions, like stress and strain averaging in phases, render the consideration of both deterministic and stochastic variations in microstructure infeasible. This paper illustrates a transformer neural network architecture that captures the knowledge of various microstructures and constituents, enabling it to function as a computationally efficient homogenization surrogate model. Given an image or an abstraction of an arbitrary composite microstructure of linearly elastic fibers in an elastoplastic matrix, the transformer network predicts the history-dependent, non-linear, and homogenized stress–strain response. Two methods for encoding microstructure features were tested: calculating two-point statistics using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for dimensionality reduction and employing an autoencoder with a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). Both methods accurately predict the homogenized material response. The developed transformer neural network offers an efficient means for microstructure-to-property translation, generalizable and extendable to a variety of microstructures. The paper describes the network architecture, training and testing data generation, and performance under cycling and random loadings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic has led to a large number of waste disposable medical face masks (DMFMs) worldwide, which seriously pollute the environment and threaten human health. In this paper, waste DMFMs were recycled as mask fiber and mixed into self-compacting recycled aggregates concrete (SCRAC) to form a mask fiber reinforced self-compacting recycled aggregates concrete (FRSCRAC). The effects of recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) replacement ratio, DMFM fiber content, and length on the working and mechanical properties of FRSCRAC were investigated. The results show that the specimens meet the requirements of self-compacting concrete (SCC) in terms of working and mechanical performance, but the RCA and DMFM fiber could reduce the workability of the FRSCRAC, and the higher the amount of RCA and DMFM fiber, the more obvious the reduction. At the same time, the mechanical properties of FRSCRAC increased as the decreasing RCA replacement ratio and growing DMFM fiber content. Compared with specimens without DMFM fiber reinforcement, the compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength, and elastic modulus were increased by 1.3%-9.6%, 1.46%-8.6%, 24.4%-54.69%, and 0.65%-4.73%, respectively. Moreover, the reduction of the DMFM fiber length is favorable to the mechanical properties of FRSCRAC as well. Furthermore, the X-ray CT and scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDS) techniques were applied to analyze the microstructure of typical specimens. The results showed that the DMFM fiber and surrounding mortar could form a multiphase composite, which reduces the porosity and improves interfacial stress transfer efficiency, thus enhancing the mechanical properties of FRSCRAC. In addition, based on the experimental results, the mechanical strength index of FRSCRAC and the calculation formula of its mutual conversion relationship were proposed. The research conclusions of this paper can provide a reference for the application of waste DMFM fibers in FRSCRAC. • Waste disposable medical face masks were recycled as fiber and mixed into self-compacting recycled aggregate concrete. • Parameters were investigated to make clear the influential mechanisms of waste fiber on recycled concrete performance. • The mechanical strength index of FRSCRAC and the calculation formula of its mutual conversion relationship were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuning the microstructure of composite energetic materials is an effective way to improve charging, safety, and combustion performance. In this paper, boron (B)/barium chromate (BaCrO 4) composite particles with controllable microstructure were prepared using droplet microfluidic technology (DMT). Based on the theory of droplet template self-assembly, composite particles with controllable morphology, size, and composition were prepared, revealing the regulation mechanism of the particle microstructure. The composite particles prepared using DMT exhibit a uniform distribution of characteristic elements, high circularity, smooth surface, enhanced bulk density, and excellent flow properties. The thermal decomposition characteristics, safety, and combustion properties of the samples were investigated by thermal weight loss, mechanical sensitivity, and combustion tests. Thermal weight loss and mechanical sensitivity tests showed that the samples had stable thermal decomposition properties and significantly increased mechanical stability compared to the control. The combustion test results showed that the DMT-prepared samples had a short ignition response time and significantly improved delay precision. This paper presents a straightforward method for preparing B/BaCrO 4 particles with high delay accuracy, which can serve as a reference for preparing other composites. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermal stability of gun propellants is related to significant safety issues in their development, production, storage, or transportation. Therefore, the study of improving the thermal stability of propellants has urgent and important practical significance. In this work, glycidyl azide polymer (GAP) with a relative molecular weight of 330 was added to the gun propellant to prepare modified NG-NC-RDX gun propellants containing different contents of oligomeric GAP. The ability of the propellant to cause discoloration of methyl violet test paper due to thermal decomposition, as well as the thermal weight loss and adiabatic decomposition behavior of the propellant, were characterized. And the differential charge density of GAP and NG, as well as the free volume and microstructure of GAP/NC and NG/NC blends, were compared, and the mechanism by which GAP improves the thermal stability of the propellant was discussed. When the content of GAP in the propellant changes from 0% to 16%, the time for the methyl violet test paper to change from purple to orange is prolonged from 87 minutes to 98 minutes. The initial decomposition temperature of thermal weight loss increased from 164.7 °C to 176.4 °C. The maximum temperature rise rate during adiabatic decomposition decreased from 0.95 °C·min−1 to 0.12 °C·min−1. According to MS simulation calculations, GAP provides a larger free volume and improves the uniformity of the mesoscopic phase structure of the propellant. The covalent effect of bond C-N 3 in GAP molecules is stronger than that of bond O-NO 2 in NG molecules. The thermal stability of the NG-NC-RDX propellant increases with the addition of GAP, and it increases with the increase of GAP content in the propellant. This work provides a scheme for improving the thermal stability of the gun propellant and offers a way to reduce the risk of thermal stimulation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the Zn additions combined with a novel severe plastic deformation (SPD) technology, screw twist extrusion (STE), is used to prepare Mg-xZn-1Mn alloys (x=0, 2, 4, 6) with fine grains and high ductility. By observing the microstructures, it is found that a gradient microstructure is obtained perpendicular to the extrusion direction (ED) in all four samples after STE. The STE process introduces twist extrusion strain into the samples, which causes the grain to twist and break, resulting in the weakening of the texture and the refinement of the grain. In addition, MgZn 2 phase is formed by the addition of high Zn, and the combination of MgZn 2 with twist shear strain further promoted dynamic recrystallization (DRX) to refine the grain and obtain the preferred texture, resulting in the increase of fracture elongation (FE). The FE of Mg-6Zn-1Mn sample improved from 18.4% to 27.8%, an 51.1% increase. This is mainly associated with the DRX mechanisms of continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX), discontinuous dynamic recrystallization (DDRX) and particle simulated nucleation (PSN). Meanwhile, the Schmid factor (SF) of basal slip increased with the addition of Zn, the basal slips in various samples are promoted obviously and FE is further enhanced. Thus, the novel STE technology combining with Zn additions provides an effective approach to improve the ductility of Mg-Zn-Mn alloys. • The ductility of Mg-Zn-Mn alloy is enhanced by Zn addition combined with STE process. • A variety of DRX behaviors have been studied in STEed Mg-χZn-Mn alloys. • The method proposed in this paper to enhance the ductility of Mg-Zn-Mn alloys is a good choice for the application of degradable biomedical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to investigate the microstructure of high-viscosity modified asphalt binder (HVA) containing high-content polymers and its effect on fatigue performance, as well as the applicability of different analytical methods and failure criteria of linear amplitude sweep (LAS) test to HVA. In this paper, two types of HVAs with different polymer contents, a commercial HVA, a conventional polymer-modified asphalt binder, and a base asphalt binder were first prepared or selected. Fluorescence microscopy tests, time sweep tests, and LAS fatigue tests were then performed on these binders. Finally, the fatigue properties of the different binders were analyzed in depth using different analytical methods and failure criteria. The results show that the polymers in HVA crosslink with each other to form a strong cross-linking structure, and the phase inversion of the polymers renders them into a continuous phase, which significantly improves the fatigue damage resistance of the HVA; moreover, the evolutions of stress with shear strain for the fatigue process of HVAs is related to the polymer network. Besides, the two-dimensional damage characteristic curve (DCC) cannot accurately reflect the evolution of the fatigue performance of HVA, and this paper suggests the use of a three-dimensional DCC curve with strain information. Furthermore, the 35% reduction in C 0 in the dissipative energy method is not a suitable failure criterion, a more accurate fatigue performance ranking can be obtained by using the yield stress as the failure criterion. Although the fatigue resistance of HVA after yield stress is theoretically considered using the pseudo-strain energy approach, HVA does not show a peak of stored pseudo-strain energy even when the strain is increased to 60% in the LAS test. Therefore, the maximum strain value (30%) in the standard LAS test is not sufficient in characterizing high-polymer HVAs because there is not enough fatigue accumulation of HVAs in this range, consequently, the maximum shear strain parameter in the LAS experiment needs to be reconsidered. • Polymer morphology and its crosslinking networks in HVA with high-content polymers were analyzed. • The fatigue properties of HVAs based on LAS test and different analytical methods are compared. • The fatigue crack length and its evolution of HVA are characterized. • The deficiencies of the LAS test to evaluate the fatigue resistance of HVA and suggestions for modifications are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strip-casting is a key step among processes for manufacturing the Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets. Current research on the process parameters of the strip casting process mostly relies on the trial-and-error method. In this paper, the influence of the cooling roller speed on the strip-cast Nd-Fe-B flakes is investigated by a combination of simulation and experiment. The microstructures of the strip-cast flakes prepared at different roller speeds are observed and analyzed. The simulation is further performed by using the thermal-fluid coupling method. The temperature field and cooling water flow field of the cooling rollers at different roller speeds are obtained to explain the principle of the microstructural evolution. The temperature field distribution affects the uniformity of the columnar grains on both sides of the strip-cast flake. Higher or lower temperature can also lead to the formation of α-Fe, cluster rare earth (RE) rich phases, or ultra-fine equiaxed grains. An increase in cooling water flow rate is helpful to obtain the columnar grain with even thickness. The simulation results are consistent with the microstructural results. Furthermore, the simulated results and microstructural analyses are combined to indirectly evaluate the trend of magnetic properties of final sintered magnets from the tested strip-cast flakes. By verifying the performance of magnets prepared under the condition of only changing the roller speed during the entire process flow, the measurement results are consistent with the evaluation results, proving that the combined analysis proposed in this paper can reasonably predict the trend of magnetic properties of sintered Nd-Fe-B permanent magnet materials from the strip-cast flakes prepared at different roller speeds. This paper can provide a transferable idea and method for using numerical simulation to assist in the design and production of Nd-Fe-B flakes and sintered magnets. • Formation of the microstructure of Nd-Fe-B strip-cast magnetic flakes was explained. • Effect of roller speed on the microstructure of magnetic flakes was discussed. • Thermal-fluid coupling during strip-casting was adopted to understand heat transfer. • Simulation and microstructure were combined to predict the trend of properties. • A method based on test and simulation was proposed to help the development of magnet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanical vibration was utilized to enhance the mechanical properties of the WAAM 2319 aluminum alloy and address issues related to coarse grains and porosity in this paper. The research aims to investigate the impact of varying vibration accelerations on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the specimens. The mechanism of solutes transfer caused by vibration has been described in this paper, which significantly improved elongation. The dendrites during growth were broken by vibration, which led to microstructure refinement. The solutes located in the interstices of the dendrites were transferred to the liquid phase by vibration, reducing the concentration of solutes in the interstices of the dendrites. The continuous coarse precipitation phase becomes intermittent and fine; resulting in increased matrix plasticity. With the increase of vibration acceleration, the elongation was significantly enhanced. The longitudinal elongation was enhanced more significantly because of the alternating distribution of INZ and ITZ, with longitudinal elongation showing a 29.3% increase and transverse elongation a 52.5% increase, while the UTS and YS was not changed significantly in the presence of multiple factors. • Mechanical vibration increases the elongation without affecting the UTS and YS. • Mechanical vibration applies reciprocating force to the dendrite, causing the fracture of the dendrite and the refinement of the grain. • Mechanical vibration induces solutes located in the dendrite interstices toliquid phase, reducing the solute concentration in the INZ. • Intermittent precipitation phases and fewer intragranular precipitation phasesin the INZ lead to increased elongation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modified bitumen is a critical material to ensure the durability of asphalt pavements. Traditional polymer-modified bitumen (PMB) has been widely researched and applied in the past two to three decades. Recently, a high-content SBS (Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene) polymer-modified bitumen (HSBSMB) with a higher SBS content of up to 7–9% by weight has started attracting interest from researchers. There are, however, still few specifications or technical guidelines for HSBSMB. To gain a better understanding of HSBSMB, the composition and structure of typical polymer SBS and base bitumen, the micromorphology and micromechanics of HSBSMB, its rheological and aging characteristics, as well as its asphalt mixture and field pavement performance were reviewed comprehensively in this paper. The content covered in this paper is primarily derived from 210 pertinent papers published between 1990 and 2023 in two databases, Web of Science and Google Scholar. It appears from our review that HSBSMB has a stronger internal polymer network than conventional SBSMB and thus exhibits better resistance to rutting, fatigue, and cracking as well as better aging resistance. Furthermore, findings from both laboratory scale and field pavement scale indicate that HSBSMB not only offers higher performance and durability but also leads to reduced pavement structural layer thicknesses in ensuring performance. However, many issues and challenges still remain before HSBSMB will become a viable option for large-scale application in road infrastructure, aspects such as the mechanism of its internal structural changes, the optimization of methods for evaluating its rheological properties, the life cycle assessment of its long-term benefits, as well as the storage stability and workability of HSBSMB. It is hoped that this review will contribute to a better understanding of HSBSMB and promote its application. • The chemical properties of SBS polymer and base bitumen as well as their interactions were comprehensively summarized. • The mechanisms of SBS in bitumen and polymer phase inversion were discussed under different microscopy techniques. • The current standard rheological evaluation methods may need to be improved for high-content SBS polymer-modified bitumen. • High-content SBS polymer-modified bitumen exhibits better resistance to rutting, fatigue, cracking, and aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the use of a Gaussian neighborhood mode filter for predicting grain growth in a manner similar to the solutions obtained by a Monte Carlo Potts model. This flexible grain growth model can quickly utilize modern, computationally optimized data science strategies on graphics processing units to simulate grain growth up to 100 times faster than the state-of-the-art, publicly available Monte Carlo Potts model. We show that, given the correct neighborhood, the mode filter can replicate normal grain growth in two or three dimensions. In addition, the paper briefly demonstrates the ability to model limited anisotropic in grain boundary energy and mobility. Anisotropic grain boundary energy is modeled by defining a weighted mode filter operation. Anisotropic grain boundary mobility is modeled by scaling and orienting the Gaussian neighborhood in a particular direction. • Novel three-dimensional anisotropic grain growth model using mode filter operations of random Gaussian neighborhoods. • Mode filter operations are proven to minimize the local Hamiltonian of the microstructure. • Simulations statistically align with Monte Carlo-Potts and Phase Field models and theoretical dihedral angle expectations. • Simulation runtime is over 100 times faster than a common multithreaded implementation of the Monte Carlo-Potts model. • Provided code is implemented in Pytorch, a common, graphics processing unit enabled, machine learning architecture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigated the microstructure and mechanical properties of AISI 430 ferritic stainless steel (FSS) after annealing in either the single-phase or two-phase region, followed by different cooling manners: water cooling, air cooling and furnace cooling. After annealing at 840 °C in the single-phase region, the sample consisted primarily of ferrite, with M 23 C 6 and M 2 (C, N) precipitates aligned mainly along the rolling direction (RD). For the water-cooled and air-cooled samples annealed at 950 °C in the double-phase region, they formed a dual-phase structure comprising ferrite and martensite, with precipitations primarily located within the martensite lath. Conversely, the sample subjected to annealing at 950 °C followed by furnace cooling displayed a single ferrite structure, owing to the decomposition of austenite. In this case, the precipitations were mainly found along the grain boundaries, with some also forming within the ferrite grain. The paper delved into the analysis of mechanical properties and strengthening mechanism through tensile experiments and fracture morphology examination. The influence of heating range and cooling manner on the yield characteristics of FSS was discussed. The results indicated that the air-cooled and furnace-cooled samples annealed at 840 °C displayed a clear yield platform in their tensile curves. Conversely, the samples treated with other heat treatments exhibited continuous yielding or no obvious yield platform. This difference may be attributed to the influence of heating temperature range and cooling manner on the distribution of dislocations and interstitial atoms within the ferrite grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the study of the reaction between limestone and sodium hydroxide solution. This reaction is used to produce alkali-activated mortars after curing and in the presence of unreactive siliceous sand. The kinetics of this reaction is investigated by semi-adiabatic calorimetry experiments. The formulation parameters are fixed but the curing parameters are tested: temperature (38 and 45°C) and time of drying (14, 25, 27 and 28 days). Their impact on reaction products (identified by FTIR and thermal analysis), on microstructure (SEM observations and porosity measurements) and on mechanical strength (flexural and compressive tests) are determined. The reaction was fast and a temperature drying was required to obtain stabilized hydration products in mortars. The products of the alkali-activation of limestone are double sodium/calcium carbonate (mainly pirssonite and with specific conditions of curing gaylussite) and calcium hydroxide. The microstructure and the proportions of reaction products, impacted by drying conditions, influence the mechanical strength of mortars. With an appropriate time (25 days) and temperature of drying (45°C), the compressive strength reached, after 28 days, almost 25 MPa. • The reaction between limestone and sodium hydroxide solution take place in two stages. • FTIR measurements allow the identification of stages of the reaction process. • Drying in the curing process is necessary to end the crystallization stage. • Curing temperature plays an important part in the nature of reaction products. • The microstructure and the strength of alkali-activated mortars are linked to the curing process (time and temperature). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to investigate the effects of stress aging treatment on the microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy. The alloys were subjected to SAT and stress-free aging treatment (SFAT) at 175 °C under different aging stress and aging time conditions. Various analytical techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron back-scatter diffraction (EBSD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), slow strain rate tensile, X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and potentiodynamic polarization, were employed to obtain results. The findings demonstrate heightened strength, improved corrosion resistance under SAT conditions in contrast to SFAT. The alloys subjected to SAT exhibit higher strength compared to SFAT, attributed to the diffusion of stress-induced dislocations and extensive nucleation of matrix precipitates. Furthermore, the presence of large-sized and discontinuous grain boundary precipitates impedes the anodic dissolution of grain boundaries and the expansion of stress corrosion, contributing to the enhanced corrosion resistance of the alloy. • The strength of the alloys showed an increasing and then decreasing trend with increasing applied stress, the correct application of SAT can improve the strength of alloys. • SAT results in lower I corr values compared to SFAT. S100 exhibits a larger capacitance arc in the Nyquist plots, indicative of superior corrosion resistance. • SAT improves the mechanical properties of the alloy. Applied stress facilitates dislocation diffusion and aggregation, creating additional nucleation sites that promote the nucleation and growth of precipitated phases. • SAT improves the corrosion resistance of the alloy. Applying aging stress beyond a specific threshold and extending the aging time both facilitated Gbps growth and widened the PFZ. Thereby enhancing the alloy's corrosion resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The tests on the fracture properties of ECC-CA were carried out. • CA mainly weaken the deformation capacity of ECC after 90% of peak load. • The mode of cracking in ECC-CA is significantly affected by the fiber cage effect. • The mechanism of action of CA was explored based on the microscopic characteristics. Engineered cementitious composites (ECC) have significantly high deformability, but their application in the field of engineered crack prevention is severely limited by their high shrinkage and high cost. To address this issue, a safer and more economical ECC was designed in this paper by adding coarse aggregate (CA) into the ECC matrix (i.e., ECC-CA). Then, experimental studies on the fracture properties of ECC-CA were carried out from both macroscopic and microscopic perspectives, by considering four CA mass contents and three CA particle sizes. The results show that ECC-CA maintains good mechanical properties and deformation capacity as ECC. Its crack mouth opening displacement corresponding to the largest particle size (13–17 mm) and the largest mass content (30 %) is equivalent to 47.8 % of that of ECC, which is about 40 times higher than that of conventional concrete. Further, the interfacial transition zone characteristics between each phase medium and matrix were analyzed in ECC-CA for the purpose of clarifying the crack initiation and evolution trends, elucidating the influence of CA on the fracture mechanism of ECC-CA (i.e., fiber cage effect) based on both macroscopic performance and microscopic characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnesium ammonium phosphate cement (MAPC), commonly used in emergency engineering applications, represents a novel type of rapid setting and early hardening cement. However, prolonged exposure to water causes the hydration product of MAPC, struvite, to partially dissolve into ions and leach out from the matrix, leading to poor water resistance. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) powder, which can adsorb onto the surface of cement particles and form a film upon dehydration, has the potential to encapsulate hydration products and improve the water resistance of MAPC. In this paper, the workability, rheological properties, mechanical strength, water resistance, hydration characteristics, hydration products and microstructure of MAPC modified by PVA powder were investigated. The results revealed that the addition of PVA powder prolonged the setting time of MAPC while enhancing the flexural strength, bonding strength, and water resistance. This improvement could be attributed to the adsorption of PVA powder onto the surface of magnesium oxide during the early hydration stages, which delayed hydration heat release and weakened the transformation of struvite into porous dittmarite. Furthermore, PVA powder cross-linked and formed a film between hydration products, resulting in a denser microstructure. • PVA powder effectively improves the water resistance of MAPC. • PVA powder can reducing the transformation of struvite into porous dittmarite. • The network formed by PVA film and hydration products densified the microstructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying ultra-trace amounts of divalent lead ions (Pb2+) with high response and selectivity, continues to be a pressing issue in identifying environmental pollutants and preventing health complications. This paper details how the in-situ electrodeposited Zn/Cu-BTC-NH 2 metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) boosts Pb2+ concentration for amino adsorption and facilitates ion transfer between Cu element and Pb2+. The modified coating of the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) exhibits a unique nano-reticulated structure loaded with octahedron particles, the nano-reticulated structure ensures the structural strength of the modified electrode layer, while the loaded octahedral particles enhancing electrocatalytic activity. The ultra-trace detection of Pb2+ at concentrations below μg·L−1 is accomplished by using the square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV) method, the fabricated Zn/Cu-BTC-NH 2 modified electrode signifies a detection threshold of 0.021 μg L−1 and a clearly ascending linear interval prior to the rise in Pb2+ concentration to 120 μg L−1. The reported electrochemical method for the precise identification of Pb2+ in water-based solutions offers a practical approach for modifying MOFs materials and detecting heavy metal ions. [Display omitted] • Fabricated a novel Zn/Cu-BTC-NH 2 MOFs electrochemical sensor for Pb2+ with an ultra-trace detection limit of 0.021 μg L−1. • The bimetallic joints ensure the unique structure of particles loaded nano-reticulated reinforcing microstructure. • The nano-reticulated microstructure bolsters the coatings' structural robustness and loaded octahedral particles enhanced electrocatalytic activity. • The recoveries to Pb2+ in interfering solution were 97.85 % and 96.17 % at 50 μg L−1 and 100 μg L−1 respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reusing of iron ore tailings (IOT), particularly as recycled aggregate to prepare concrete, plays an important role in reducing dependence on natural resources and solving the problem of waste accumulation. In this paper, the effects of IOT as aggregate on the flowability, compressive strength of ultra-high performance geopolymer concrete (UHPGC) were studied, and the enhancement mechanism of IOT on compressive strength was elucidated through microscopic characterizations. The results show that with the increase of IOT content, the flowability of UHPGC decreases, and the compressive strength increases first and then decreases. 25 % IOT replacement yielded the best compressive strength, and 50 % substitution of IOT was comparable to the without IOT regarding compressive strength. The microstructure analysis shows that the crystalline components in the IOT do not participate in the hydration reaction and have the effect of micro-aggregate filling. The amorphous components on the IOT dissolve rapidly in the early stage, participate in geological polymerization reaction, and produce synergistic effect with slag to promote the formation of hydration products. However, excessive IOT incorporation will inhibit the dissolution of slag active ions and hinder the formation of hydration products. In addition, the enhanced interfacial transition zone (ITZ) and mechanical interlocking effect formed by IOT can effectively inhibit the crack development of UHPGC. • Proper use of IOT as aggregate can increase compressive strength of UHPGC. • The enhancement mechanism of IOT was elucidated through microscopic characterizations. • This study provided a new route to improving the comprehensive utilization of IOT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glass fiber reinforced plastics (GFRP) have been widely used in the field of civil engineering infrastructure, while it also generating a large amount of waste glass fibers simultaneously. This paper uses waste glass fiber in self compacting recycled concrete (SCRC), forming a kind of waste glass fiber reinforced self-compacting recycled concrete (RGF-SCRC). The effects of recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) replacement ratio, water to binder (W/B) ratio, the content and type of glass fiber on the working and mechanical properties of RGF-SCRC were investigated. The results showed that the specimens could meet the requirements of self-compacting concrete (SCC) in terms of working performance, but the addition of RCA and glass fiber could reduce the workability of RGF-SCRC, when RCA is replaced with 100 % and the fiber content reaches 10 kg/m3, the slump expansion is reduced by 9.5 % and 12.4 %, respectively. The mechanical properties of RGF-SCRC decreased as the growing value of RCA replacement ratio and the W/B ratio, among them, the elastic modulus decreased the most, by 40.4 % and 30.0 %, respectively. Compared with the results of the control specimen, the properties could be improved significantly under an appropriate content of waste glass fiber: the cube compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, and elastic modulus of RGF-SCRC were increased by 1.3∼9.6 %, 13.5∼59.4 %, 17.8∼40.9 %, and 3.3∼13.4 %, respectively. However, excessive fiber content showed a negative effect on the mechanical properties. Specimens with the 7.5 kg/m3 alkali resistant glass fiber content showed the best mechanical properties. Moreover, the X-ray CT and scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques were applied to explore the influencing mechanism of waste glass fibers on RGF-SCRC. The results showed that after adding an appropriate content of waste glass fiber, the porosity and the number of large pores decreased, and the pore size and distribution became more reasonable, which enhanced the compactness of RGF-SCRC to some extent. The mechanical force and friction force anchored at the fiber end at the interface with the concrete matrix increase the bonding strength, thereby enhancing the mechanical properties of RGF-SCRC. This study achieve the resource utilization of waste glass fiber and improve the mechanical properties of concrete and the research results can provide a reference for the practical application of RGF-SCRC in civil engineering. • The waste glass fiber was applied in self compacting recycled concrete (SCRC). • Various parameters were investigated to make clear the influential mechanisms of glass fiber on the working and mechanical properties of waste glass fiber reinforced self-compacting recycled concrete. • The enhanced mechanism of fiber addition on SCRC was illustrated by the microstructure method and analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The volumetric instability of steel slag hinders its use in pavement layers and embankments. Accordingly, evaluating the swelling potential of steel slag and designing volumetrically stable steel slag mixtures is required to promote its sustainable utilization. This paper focuses on the comparison of the swelling response of basic-oxygen-furnace steel slag (BOFS), electric-arc-furnace steel slag (EAFS), BOFS-fly ash and BOFS-glass powder mixtures based on the results of three different types of tests: (i) long-term California bearing ratio (CBR) swelling, (ii) heated water bath swelling and (iii) autoclave tests. BOFS mixtures were prepared using glass powder or class F fly ash with 5%, 10%, and 20% replacement ratios. The compaction characteristics, permeability, and California bearing ratio (CBR) of steel slag and steel slag mixtures were also assessed within the framework of a detailed discussion of their swelling response. At the end of swelling tests, the measured maximum 1D strains of EAFS were all at negligible levels. Based on the test results, BOFS and BOFS-glass powder mixtures had ∼5.0–5.5% swelling strains after 20.5 months without signs of stabilization. 20% class F fly ash replacement stabilized the swelling strains of the mixture at about 0.75% after ∼3 months of monitoring in long-term tests. 1D swelling rates measured for all BOFS-class F fly ash mixtures decreased with increasing fly ash content. CBR and swelling response of BOFS-class F fly ash mixtures were more favorable compared to those of BOFS. The heated water bath tests provided higher estimates of the swelling strains compared to those obtained from autoclave tests for the steel slag mixtures that contain 15% or more fines. The results of this study showed that glass powder replacement is not effective in alleviating the swelling of BOFS. The volumetrically stable BOFS-class F fly ash mixtures indicated favorable mechanical properties for their use in pavement layers. [Display omitted] • Glass powder replacement is not effective in alleviating the swelling of BOF slag. • 20% class F fly ash replacement can suppress the 1D strains of BOF slag. • Autoclave may provide relatively low estimates of strain for steel slag with 15% or more fines. • Separate handling of EAF and ladle steel slag in the plants can help their utilization. • BOF steel slag-class F fly ash mixtures show potential to be used in bound pavement layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a bidirectional trifunctional splitter with a bilayer ridge structure for polarization-selective and polarization-insensitive outputs at the wavelength of 1550 nm. The configuration can realize a four-port output for both polarizations and TE-two/TM-three output. In the upper part of the bidirectional trifunctional splitter, for TE polarization, two outputs exhibit diffraction efficiencies greater than 49%, while for TM polarization, three outputs exhibit diffraction efficiencies greater than 32%. Furthermore, for the lower part of this beam splitter, under both TE and TM polarization, the diffraction efficiencies of four outputs exceed 24%. Compared to the previous beam splitter, the bidirectional trifunctional splitter exhibits superior uniformity and is capable of simultaneously achieving polarization-selective and polarization-insensitive outputs. Furthermore, the configuration is theoretically resistant to the geometric dimensions, which greatly reduces the difficulty of fabrication. This work exhibits a novel approach to the design of energy-splitting devices and optical communication systems with multiple outputs. • Novel bidirectional trifunctional splitter with a bilayer ridge on two sided microstructure. • Implementing four-port output either for two polarizations simultaneously or TE-two/TM-three output. • Exhibiting superior uniformity or achieving polarization-selective and polarization-insensitive outputs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]