Search

The substitution of La2O3 by Tb2O3 was studied for glass samples with a chemical composition described by: 75P2O5 + (25 − x) La2O3 + xTb2O3, where x = 5, 10, 15, 20 mol%. The mechanical properties were predicted via the Makishima–Mackenzie model. The study demonstrated that when increasing the Tb2O3 content from 5 to 20 mol%, the elastic moduli of the glasses decreased, while the dissociation energy, packing density, and micro-hardness increased. In addition, the radiation shielding properties were studied using the MCNP5 code, which was utilized to simulate the linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) of the investigated samples. Furthermore, the mass attenuation coefficients (MAC) of the glasses were determined. The highest MAC was reported for the sample with 20 mol% of Tb2O3 and decreased from 0.358 to 0.0515 cm2/g between 0.184 and 1.408 MeV. Furthermore, the effective atomic number (Zeff), equivalent atomic number (Zeq), exposure buildup factor (EBF), and the energy absorption buildup factor (EABF) of the glasses were calculated utilizing BXCOM software. The substitution of La2O3 by Tb2O3 was revealed to enhance the shielding features of the TLP samples.

Yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) with cerium admixture (Ce:YAG) was plasma sprayed using two different devices – gas-stabilized plasma (GSP) torch and water-stabilized plasma (WSP) torch. Coatings on stainless steel as well as self-standing plates were produced. Besides microstructure and crystallographic characterizations, dielectric tests were performed on these coatings. They included capacitance (i.e. relative permittivity), loss tangent and volume resistivity measurements. After spraying, the YAG crystal phase was preserved without any decomposition, but an amorphous fraction was detected in the as-sprayed coatings deposited by both processes. The dielectric behavior of the coatings was influenced by imperfections like splat boundaries, pores and thin cracks. The Ce:YAG samples were successfully plasma sprayed by both spray techniques. Selected aspects of wear were measured and compared with a single-crystal. The dielectric properties are comparable with the single-crystal and highly promising, particularly the loss tangent with values so low that they were not found in any other as-sprayed ceramic coating.

Ceramic engineers have investigated the rheology of the refractory concrete to keep the balance between the desired characteristics of castables and its flow demeanor. The rheology of refractory concrete determines their application manner and a considerable fraction of its properties are largely affected by its flowability. This article gives a brief introduction to refractory concretes. It discusses the variable determinants of castables’ rheology according to their significance and their relation to each other. The measurements of rheology were examined by conventional techniques and the mathematical models of viscosity and rheometry approaches are also used for clarification. Insights into the rheology of alumina–silica containing castables were speculated through exploring submicron and nano-sized particles. The rheology of refractory concrete can be adapted properly according to the application manner and the specified requirements.

Calcium phosphates are biomaterials widely used in bone tissue engineering. In recent years, the alternative of obtaining these materials with antimicrobial properties, has been explored due to the multiple advantages that this would imply in the design of devices or implants that prevent the failure of these associated with bacterial colonization. The goal of the present work was obtaining gold nanoparticles supported on biphasic calcium phosphates (BCPs) with high crystallinity by one-step solution combustion technique, and with antimicrobial response, a fact that can significantly reduce the production cost of these materials. X-ray diffractograms (XRD) showed that prepared powders have high crystallinity owing to high temperatures during the combustion reaction, also Rietveld refinement showed that the inclusion of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) influenced the phases’ ratio obtained. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed agglomeration of particles with morphologies with shape tending to be equigranular, while the presence of AuNPs was corroborated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). All samples that were obtained in a single step, by solution combustion, showed antimicrobial behavior validated through the inhibition halos, whereas particles subjected to thermal treatment lost their antimicrobial response.

In this study, porous carbon has been prepared through potassium hydroxide (KOH) activation of coconut fiber (CF) and subsequent carbonization in the presence of an inert gas. The activated carbons (AC) were prepared via carbonization of the precursor at different temperatures. Subsequently, their electromagnetic wave absorption (EMWA) performance was investigated at X-band frequency. The phase crystallinity, porous features, and degree of graphitization of the activated carbons were studied using XRD, nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm, and Raman spectroscopy, respectively. Using the BET method, the activated carbon prepared at 750 °C displayed a high specific surface area of 602.9 m2 g−1 and an average pore size of 6 nm, which confirms the extant of mesopores. The EMWA was studied using COMSOL Multiphysics software based on the finite element method. Results show that the activated carbon prepared at 750 °C attained an optimal reflection loss of −45.6 dB at 10.96 GHz with a corresponding effective bandwidth of 3.5 GHz at a thickness of 3.0 mm. In conclusion, this study interestingly shows that porous carbon obtained from coconut fiber has great potential for attenuating electromagnetic waves.

Maltose and pectin-assisted low-temperature combustion modified sol–gel process was employed to synthesize nanopowders of Ce0.8Sm0.2O2−δ (SDC 20), Ce0.81Nd0.095Sm0.095O2−δ (NSDC). The sample's powder was sintered at 1250 oC for 6 h to form dense ceramics with a relative density greater than 95%. The Rietveld refinement of powder XRD patterns indicates a single-phase material with a cubic fluorite structure. The Raman spectroscopy studies confirm solid solution with evidence of more oxygen vacancies in sample NSDC to sample SDC 20. The SEM images of the samples show a high-dense surface with few pores. The EDX results confirm the sample's chemical composition. Impedance measurements were carried out to study electrical properties. The NSDC sample showed improved conductivity (3.06 × 10-2 S/cm at 600 °C) over SDC 20 (2.16 × 10-2 S/cm at 600 °C) with lower activation energy (0.81 eV). Specific grain (σ*g) and grain boundary (σ*gb) conductivity values were calculated using porosity corrections to the Bricklayer model.

Current trends in the ceramic industry see an increasing interest on porcelain stoneware, by which is possible to produce large tiles and slabs. These products are manufactured by spray-dried powders, which have excellent technological properties but require high energy and water consumption. Dry-processed granulates allow to reduce such a consumption, but suffer from a different technological behavior. A solution to improve the environmental sustainability of ceramic tile-making is mixing powders prepared by the wet and the dry routes. The technological features of industrially manufactured mixed powders was investigated (rheological properties, compaction response and firing behavior) in order to point out advantages and possible pitfalls. Dry-processed and spray-dried granulates exhibit different distributions of size, shape and moisture that reflect on distinct rheological and compaction behaviors. Mixed powders show a more or less accentuated deviation from linearity between the end terms. This fact makes possible to add up to ∼50% dry granulates by keeping the technological properties close to current industrial bodies. Sparings of water, energy and CO2 emission for the milling and granulation stages are estimated for a mix 50% spray-dried and 50% dry-processed powders.

Chitosan-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles were prepared by coprecipitation followed by reaction with chitosan and different volumes of glutaraldehyde. Coating was modified by varying the volume of glutaraldehyde and reaction time. XRD pattern shows maxima compatible Fe3O4 structure. FTIR spectroscopia confirms the presence of chitosan, more evident in samples with higher chitosan content, as denoted by TGA. TEM images of samples with low glutaraldehyde content reveal particles coated with a homogeneous chitosan shell. Meanwhile, those prepared with high glutaraldehyde volume show nanoparticles dispersed in an organic matrix. Samples present almost superparamagnetic behavior with magnetization saturation values that are reduced as the content of organic matter increases. Regarding the stability of these samples in solution, the presence of a homogeneous coating improves the initial suspension, although it does not prevent its subsequent aggregation over time. However, this aggregation process is reduced for sample synthesized with 1 mL of glutaraldehyde after 6 h of reaction.

Ruthner powder is a by-product of the steel hot-rolling process. This study introduces a new application area for this waste material by investigating its activity for the oxygen evolution reaction. Ruthner powder with the α-Fe2O3 phase structure was deposited on the carbon paper substrates using the electrophoretic deposition (EPD) process to fabricate the electrodes. The effect of the concentration of cetrimonium bromide ([CTAB]) and the Ruthner powder ([RP]) in the EPD cell on the morphology and activity of the electrodes were investigated by SEM, LSV, and EIS techniques. The results revealed the formation of a homogenous layer on the carbon paper when [CTAB] and [RP] were respectively 0.4 g.l−1 and 0.2 g.l−1. The obtained electrode showed the best activity among all fabricated electrodes. In particular, its onset overpotential and overpotential at a current density of 10 mA.cm−2 were respectively 85% and 25% lower than those of bare carbon electrodes.

In this article, it is intended to evaluate the performances of previously synthesized different nanometric compounds as SOFC components under real conditions. For this purpose, anodic supports SOFCs have been manufactured in different configurations. The compounds NiO-(Y2O3)0.08(ZrO2)0.92 (NiO–YSZ), (Y2O3)0.08(ZrO2)0.92 (YSZ), Sm0.2Ce0.8O1.9 (SDC), La0.6Sr0.4FeO3 (LSF) and LaNi0.6Fe0.4O3 (LNF) were used as anode support, electrolyte, barrier, cathode and contact layer, respectively. To obtain the cells, the anode supports were produced by uniaxial pressing and the remaining layers were added using the airbrush technique, assembling them by different sintering processes. The cells developed have been electrochemically tested in a temperature range between 750 and 865 °C. Additionally, degradation tests have been carried out under constant current. Moreover, to characterize the microstructure of the cells, a scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analyzer has been used. The results obtained show that the incorporation of cathode and contact layers increases the power densities and decreases the total resistances of the cells with respect to the cell without cathode, especially with the addition of the LNF contact layer. Despite the improvement obtained, more tests have to be carried out in order to optimize the performance of SOFC devices in degradation tests.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the production of glass ceramics from novel combinations of fly ash, glass cullet, blast furnace slag and copper slag solid wastes. The CaO/SiO2 molar ratios of the mixtures were 0.17–0.39. Glass ceramics were produced by thermal treatment of frits obtained by quenching in water. The results show that samples with a high Fe2O3 content (>4 wt%) are not adequate for glass-ceramic formation, as a result of the effect of ferric iron, Fe3+, which increases the network connectivity, on the stability of the glass. The mechanical properties of the ceramic materials were as follows: elastic modulus of 97.8–106 GPa, Vickers microhardness of 612–701 MPa, fracture toughness of 0.45–0.84 MPa m1/2, and friction coefficient of 0.57–1.0. For the glass ceramics, the mass loss did not exceed 1% in NaOH and 15% in HNO3 as a result of the crystalline phases formed. The ceramic materials developed in this research could be considered for potential applications in the production of glazes for residential or industrial tiles and coatings, among others.

Elephant ivory has a long history as a highly valued commodity in many cultures because of its unique physical, chemical and mechanical properties that served both human wants and needs. Importantly, ivory allowed for aesthetic expression not possible historically with other materials: it carves well and lasts long even under heavy usage. And as such it has, over millennia, made its way into high-value ornaments, weaponry and household objects as well as false teeth and hip-replacements. Outside the human world, in the wild, for the animal, exceptional toughness is required of the elephant’s ivory when a tusk is being used to leverage trees to breaking point or act as a weapon in fights between bulls the size and weight of trucks. Little wonder that ivory has evolved properties and qualities so desired by ancient designers, artists, carvers and medics as well as modern pianists, pool players and, tragically, as ostentatious displays of wealth. But this very nature of ivory is endangering the life and future of its key source, the elephant. This menace posed by human greed does, as it must, restrict, limit and prohibit the continued use of natural ivory. While modern composite materials have largely displaced the functional need for ivory, most of them lack its intriguing properties. Elephant ivory (which is the most important ivory traded even now) is a dense, multifaceted bone-like material of rather complex 3-dimensional construction and levels of porosity. Museum curators and antiquarians care about these properties of ivory for two reasons: regarding its historical value as material (in the sense of workable substance) and concerning its requirements for preservation and display.

The purpose of this work is to study the influence of the immersion temperature and the treatment time of the ion exchange of soda-lime glass in molten KNO3 bath on its mechanical properties, and in particular the erosion resistance using Sahara sand and alumina abrasives. EDS analysis showed that the depth of penetration of K+ into glass increases as temperature and treatment time increase. The effect of ion exchange temperature and time on mechanical reinforcement was studied by micro-indentation, scratch test, wear and erosion test. All of these mechanical properties are improved after ion exchange treatments; erosion and wear resistance behave the same, either by using natural abrasives such as Sahara sand or by using an aggressive abrasive as alumina grits. The increase in the ion exchange time induces an increase in Vickers hardness of about 15–40% compared to annealed glass. Samples processed at 520 °C for a short period of 2 h show better mechanical properties compared to samples processed at 480 °C for longer times. In this case, the sample has a higher surface density which made the glass in compression not only because the potassium ions occupy the ionic substitution spaces but also the free spaces.

Potential use of raw clayey deposits from El Jadida, Morocco, in the manufacture of traditional ceramic products has been evaluated through a careful sampling and an in-depth characterization of the outcropping features around Ouled Sidi Ali Ben Youssef area (El Jadida city). We collected six representative clay-rich materials (C1–C6) for subsequent analyses by several spectroscopic and mineralogical techniques including physico-chemical, mineralogical, and thermal analyses. Our results revealed high amounts of oxides, mainly SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, CaO and MgO. Those ferruginous clays were found suitable for dark ceramic bodies. Further mineralogical examination confirmed low to medium contents of clay minerals, but subordinated by quartz, calcite, dolomite and plagioclase as the main nonclay minerals. Ternary diagram plots indicated that the studied clays were suitable for structural clay products and clay roofing tiles. C5 sample exhibited the best physico-chemical and mineralogical properties due to its illitic nature (64%), low quartz content (28%), high plasticity index (32) and lower loss on ignition (10.84%). Therefore, C5 clayey sample was selected as a potential candidate to be mixed with expanded perlite (EP) for the production of insulating ceramics. Specimen were prepared from the new mixture (i.e., C5 and EP) by pressing and firing at 1100 °C. The obtained ceramic bodies were ascertained by addressing their bulk density, water absorption, shrinkage, bending strength, thermal conductivity, structural and mineralogical properties.

The mechanical properties of crystalline materials can be efficiently optimized using a hierarchical twinned structure. Conventional deformation mechanisms for coherent Σ3 boundaries generally involve three basic models: cross-slip, partial dislocation step, and full dislocation step. In this study, we report a novel deformation mechanism that allows the co-existence of twin-separation, phase transformations, grain rotation, and cracking, around a triple junction of twin boundaries in a hierarchical twinned high-entropy alloy. The deformation mechanisms in the reference high-entropy alloy (Fe-30Mn-10Co-10Cr at.%) were investigated using LAADF-STEM. The triple junction of the hierarchical twinned structure gradually deformed during in-situ strain and showed mechanisms significantly different from that observed in the purely twinned structures. These new mechanisms are referred to as “novel synergetic deformation mechanisms of hierarchical twin boundaries.” Understanding the fundamental mechanisms of the hierarchical twin boundaries under deformation could assist the design of strong and ductile bulk materials with hierarchical twinned structure.

©2020 SECV.Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. This is an open access article under the CCBY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), With the aim to contrast existing historical documentation with information provided by the own materials, an archeometric study of a representative set of tiles from the Monastery of El Escorial was undertaken. The ensemble, composed of 19 ceramic fragments, covers examples from the 16th and 17th century, either from Talavera or Toledo provenances, and was selected according to stylistic criteria. The goals of the study consisted in determining the average chemical composition of the ceramic body, its textural and microstructural characteristics, the crystalline phases to establish firing temperatures, also in studying these aspects in the enamel or glaze layer, as well as in identifying the chromophores for the coloring of the decorations. Conventional techniques such as binocular magnifying glass, XRF spectrometry, petrographic observation by thin-section, XRD, FESEM with EDS microanalysis and visible spectrophotometry were used. Resulting data indicated the use of calcareous clays for the body (22.0–25.5wt.% CaO), the presence of neoformed phases such as gehlenite, diopside and anortite which suggest a firing temperature between 950 and 1050°C approximately, lead-based glazes (∼25.0wt.% PbO on average) with SnO2-opacifier (∼57.0wt.% on average) and Co2+, Cu2+, Fe3+-ions and lead antimoniate for blue, green, brown and yellow decorative colors, respectively.

Mullite is one of the preferred aluminosilicates for both traditional and advanced ceramics. This paper reports the use of simplex-centroid mixture design to prepare mullite–glass ceramics by reactive sintering. The phase composition and technological properties of formulations containing kaolinitic clay, kaolin waste and alumina were investigated after sintering at 1400 °C. The sintering behavior was assessed by dilatometry. Microstructural analysis indicated the crystalline phases mullite, residual quartz, cristobalite, and α-alumina. A glassy phase was also identified as a matrix embedding mullite grains (as seen by X-ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy). In kaolin waste-rich formulations, a liquid phase sintering mechanism favored the densification process and the mechanical resistance. Highly significant statistical models allow correlating the concentrations of raw materials with linear firing shrinkage, water absorption and apparent porosity. Overall results stand out for the potential of using kaolin waste in the preparation of mullite–glass ceramics.

Resumen En este trabajo se presenta un estudio en el que se aplica la teoria funcional de densidad (DFT), utilizando el software CASTEP, para cristales de silicato (K2SiO3, K2Si2O5 y K2Si4O9) y de oxido de silicio (cuarzo). La densidad de estados (DOS) de estos silicatos muestra que los dos tipos de atomos de oxigeno, puente (BO) y no puente (NBO), tienen una distribucion electronica significativamente diferente en los orbitales 2p y 2s, debido a un ambiente quimico inmediato diferente. Esto lleva a un desplazamiento a energias menores de las bandas de valencia s y p de la densidad de estados parcial (PDOS) del NBO de alrededor de 2 eV respecto de la PDOS del BO. En el cristal de menor contenido en K2O (K2Si4O9), se incrementan los enlaces covalentes Si-O debido a la transferencia de carga electronica del orbital 4s del atomo de potasio al NBO, y de este NBO al atomo de silicio y, finalmente, a todos los atomos del tetraedro, lo que permite mejorar la fuerza de enlace del sistema. Este hecho resulta en que el material final tenga una mayor resistencia mecanica. Por otro lado, en el K2Si2O5 (el cual posee un NBO por tetraedro) el enlace Si-O es mas debil con respecto al del K2Si4O9, tendencia que se acentua en el K2SiO3 (que posee dos NBO por tetraedro). Esta misma tendencia sigue la dureza Vickers calculada teoricamente. Este estudio se ha aplicado a vidrios de silicato de potasio obtenidos experimentalmente y se han comparado varias propiedades mecanicas con las teoricas de los respectivos cristales de igual composicion quimica. Los NBO tanto de cristales como de vidrios se han cuantificado a partir de las unidades estructurales Qn. Se ha observado que las propiedades mecanicas de los vidrios no pueden ser explicadas unicamente por las contribuciones de los tetraedros libres unidos por el vertice y caracterizados por sus BO y NBO como funcion de la concentracion en K2O, es decir por los Qn. Esto es debido a que la DFT de CASTEP para sistemas cristalinos considera todo orden de interaccion. Por ello es necesario utilizar estructuras a alcance intermedio, denominadas como unidades estructurales rigidas (RSU). La contribucion de los tetraedros libres se ha calculado usando la dureza Vickers del cristal y un factor de apantallamiento por la perdida de la interaccion de medio y largo alcance. En el trabajo se explica el comportamiento de la dureza Vickers y modulo de Young de vidrios de SiO2-K2O en un amplio rango de composiciones molares.

The reaction between chamotte and active carbon at high temperature and low oxygen partial pressure conditions has been investigated. Both components react at temperatures above 1400 °C where cristobalite is reduced by the carbon while increases the mullite content. At 1600 °C mullite tends to disappear due to the reduction reaction leading to the formation of alumina. The reaction between chamotte and active carbon in these conditions produces the reduction of silica and mullite. This process increases with the reaction time although not all the active carbon is consumed. The graphite nanodomain size of the active carbon tends to decrease with respect to the original size with both the temperature and the reaction time. The microstructures of the obtained materials present a glassy phase due to the inherent presence of impurities in chamotte, and where small particles, pores and mullite needles are also observed. The presence of this glassy phase becomes more pronounced with the treating temperature while solid particles and pores tend to disappear, moreover, the formation of the glassy phase occurs in a less extent due to the higher concentration of active carbon. The presence of the liquid glassy phase also favours the formation of the long-needle like mullite crystals.

Basalts, which cover about 70% of the Earth's surface, are igneous rocks originating from cooling and solidifying the magma on the Earth's surface. Products obtained from the melting of rocks have a wide market and can be considered the precursors of glass-ceramic technology. These materials are promising due to the possibility of converting low-cost natural raw materials into products with excellent mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties. In this article, a general overview of the basic principles for obtaining basaltic glass-ceramic materials will be made, as well as their properties, applications, and potentialities.

Fabrication of thin-wall components using the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) additive manufacturing (AM) technology was investigated for two “hard-to-weld” high gamma prime Ni-based superalloys RENE 65 (R65) and RENE 108 (R108). Simple block parts with wall thicknesses of 0.25 mm, 1.00 mm, and 5.00 mm are printed using a bidirectional laser scanning strategy without layer-wise rotation. Parts with walls thinner than 5 mm fail before reaching the designated build height. Results indicate that reduction of limiting build height (LBH) corresponds to the reduction of part thickness and is unaffected by alloy composition. On the contrary, the number of internal micro-cracks along columnar grain boundaries in the build direction (BD) increases with part thickness and is significantly higher in R108 than R65. These findings suggest that reduced LBH in parts with thinner walls is not caused by internal micro-crack formation. Fractography and finite element analysis (FEA) of the in-process thermal stresses show that the LBH trend is not explained by the conventional cracking mechanism. Simulations suggest that part thickness affects stress distribution leading to more substantial distortion and consequent failure to add layers for continued fabrication of thinner parts.

This research has addressed a complete study of the bioactivity of bioactive glass coatings obtained by atmospheric plasma spraying. The coatings have been characterized in terms of microstructure, adhesion, crystalline phases and bioactivity. Hydroxycarbonate apatite formation was also monitored following a standard protocol and the in vitro cell response was evaluated by human osteoblast-like cells (MG-63 cells) incubation. The obtained coatings shown a microstructure typical of glass coatings. A simulated body fluid test proved that coatings are capable of developing a surface layer of hydroxycarbonate apatite whereas the appearance of this phase takes place at a longer time than that observed for the powder feedstock. Cell-culture test showed multidirectional growth of MG-63 cells which promoted good contact between cells and the surface of the coating. This study has confirmed a positive effect of the coatings in terms of surface bioactivity and, more interestingly, it has proven an adequate cell-material interaction on the coating surface. Este trabajo ha abordado un estudio completo de la bioactividad de recubrimientos de vidrio bioactivo depositados mediante proyección térmica por plasma atmosférico. Se han caracterizado la microestructura, la adherencia, las fases cristalinas y la bioactividad de los recubrimientos obtenidos. También se ha estudiado la formación de hidroxiapatita carbonatada siguiendo un protocolo estándar y se ha evaluado la respuesta in vitro de los recubrimientos mediante su incubación con osteoblastos humanos (células MG-63). Los recubrimientos obtenidos han mostrado una microestructura típica de recubrimientos de vidrio. Tras la inmersión en fluido biológico simulado, se ha comprobado que el recubrimiento es capaz de desarrollar una capa superficial de hidroxiapatita carbonatada, aunque la velocidad de aparición de esta capa es menor que la observada para el polvo de vidrio de partida. El ensayo de cultivo celular ha mostrado un crecimiento multidireccional de las células MG-63, dando lugar a un buen contacto entre las células y la superficie del recubrimiento. Este estudio ha confirmado un efecto positivo de los recubrimientos en términos de bioactividad de la superficie y, lo que es más interesante, ha demostrado una adecuada interacción célula-material sobre la superficie del recubrimiento.

Zirconia and silver oxide substituted 1393 bioactive glasses (1393Zr and 1393Zr–1Ag) were prepared by sol-gel technique and sintered at 900–1100 °C. ZrO2 incorporation into the glass was on the sole purpose of mechanical performance augmentation, while Ag2O being antibacterial, their incorporation on microbial efficacy, in vitro bioactivity and cytocompatibility were assessed. The Ag2O incorporated glass showed minimal effect on bioactivity of the parent glass. Both the cytocompatibility (U2-OS cells using MTT assay) and antibacterial efficacy (by using Bacillus subtilis; and Escherichia coli) were found significantly improved in silver doped glass than the undoped one. Excellent mechanical performance was also observed in 1393Zr-1Ag compared to the both pure 1393 glass and 1393Zr. Thus, Ag2O incorporation into 1393Zr not only introduced the bactericidal efficacy, but also enhanced the mechanical properties of the glass, while leaving bioactivity unharmed. Thus the Ag2O incorporated 1393Zr seems a potential biomaterial for bone tissue engineering application.

In this present study, synthetic tobermorites are prepared using bio-waste (snail shell) and municipal waste (container glasses) as lime and silica precursors respectively. Six batch compositions were formulated with varying combination of soda-lime glass and snail shell ash. The bodies were sintered at 950 °C for a holding period of 2 h in an electric muffle furnace. Analyses such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDS), Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffractometry (XRD) were used to assess the microstructure, functional groups and the phase composition of the prepared tobermorites respectively. The results of the morphology shows that the tobermorites possess irregular but spherical shaped grain with coated water films while the EDS shows the presence of Ca and Si with small amount of Al confirming tobermorite. The FT-IR indicates Ca–O–Si and Si–O–Si as main functional groups while the phase composition investigated by XRD indicate low intensity peaks of calcium silicate (CaSiO3).

Representative ‘Blue speckled’ (13–16th centuries) and ‘Brown speckled’ (13–21st centuries) wares recovered from the excavations in Qalhât or collected around Bahlâ city (Sultanate of Oman) were characterized by XRPD, SEM-EDS, Raman/optical microspectroscopy, and thermal expansion. Minerals present in the body (quartz, augite and albite as major phases, calcite, dolomite, rutile, anatase, phosphate, hematite and magnetite as minor phases) were identified by XRPD and/or Raman spectroscopy. SEM-EDXS microanalysis was performed on the glazes in order to compare their composition, especially the type of flux. The firing temperatures measured from the thermal expansion curves range between 1080 °C and 1150 °C. This preliminary study confirms that the first differentiation can be made by considering non-invasive Raman technique and thermal expansion measurement is sufficient to get an extensive comparison of the wares. A local place of production is likely for the body of all samples but importation of the glazes of ‘Blue speckled’ wares is questioned. Modern Bahlâ productions cannot be considered to have inherited the Qalhât ones. Ba-rich, cassiterite-opacified glaze corresponding to the Late Islamic Arabic Period appears as a new technology without a connection to the ancient one.

We consider two important problems concerning the interaction between a cycloid surface and a screw dislocation. First, we examine the interaction between a traction-free and charge-free periodic cycloid wavy surface and a screw dislocation under anti-plane mechanical and in-plane electrical loading in a hexagonal piezoelectric solid. With the aid of conformal mapping and analytic continuation, we derive an elementary closed-form solution of the two-dimensional analytic vector function in the image plane characterizing the electroelastic field in the piezoelectric solid. The stresses, electric displacements, strains and electric fields in both the corresponding Cartesian and the curvilinear coordinate systems are determined. The image force acting on the piezoelectric screw dislocation is then obtained using the generalized Peach–Koehler formula. For a cusped cycloid surface, the resultant stress and electric displacement intensity factors at the cusp tips and crack extension force on the cusp tips are presented. Secondly, we use essentially the same approach to investigate the problem of the interaction of a screw dislocation with a traction-free and conducting cycloid surface in a hexagonal piezoelectric half-plane. A simple dislocation emission criterion is proposed.

In this study, the impact of varying spraying current on tribological performance and microstructural properties for coating was investigated. Atmospheric plasma spraying (APS) was used as the technique of depositing coatings on Q235 grade steel (equivalent to ASTM A36 mild steel). The coated samples were characterized using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), adhesion testers and microhardness tester. Scratch tests were carried out under ambient and dry environments using a pin-on-plate configuration against Tungsten Carbide (WC) body (pin/stylus) for a constant load. It was found that samples sprayed under higher current had better adhesive bond and erosion wear resistance, they also had the lowest wear loss and least percentage porosity. Additionally, hardness was improved almost 10 times of the base material in comparison to lower current samples. Resumen: En este estudio se investigó el impacto de la corriente de pulverización variable sobre el rendimiento tribológico y las propiedades microestructurales para el recubrimiento del Cr2O3. La pulverización con plasma atmosférico (PPA) se usó como la técnica para depositar recubrimientos de Cr2O3 sobre acero de grado Q235 (equivalente al acero dulce ASTM A36). Las muestras recubiertas se caracterizaron usando microscopía óptica (MO), microscopía electrónica de barrido (MEB), espectroscopia de energía dispersiva (EED), probadores de adherencia y probadores de microdureza. Las pruebas se llevaron a cabo en medios ambientales y secos utilizando una configuración de pin en placa contra el cuerpo de carburo de tungsteno (WC) (pin/stylus) para una carga constante. Se encontró que las muestras rociadas con una corriente más alta tenían un mejor enlace adhesivo y una mejor resistencia al desgaste por erosión, también tenían menor pérdida de desgaste y menor porcentaje de porosidad. Además, se mejoró la dureza casi 10 veces del material base en comparación con muestras de corriente más baja.

International audience; A simple, first order description of the formation of ε- and α′-martensite in meta-stable austenitic Fe–Mn alloys containing 12–35 wt% Mn was developed. Given the initial volume fractions of ε- and α′-martensite in the non-deformed material, it is possible to calculate the evolution of phase fractions as a function of applied strain. An accurate estimate of the initial amounts of ε- and α′-martensite based solely on the Mn content of the alloy, could not be obtained due to the important role of microstructure features and processing conditions on the martensitic transformations.

Ceramic Injection Moulding (CIM) is an advanced powder processing technology launched three decades ago which has become a growing attractive alternative for new technical applications, such as thermal management and wireless charging. Porcelain-type ceramics can allow the introduction of new feedstocks into the CIM market at a competitive cost, in comparison with the conventional alumina and zirconia feedstocks. During the CIM manufacturing process, several factors related to the starting powder characteristics have an influence on the quality and properties of the final components, such as the mixing behaviour and the feedstock flow properties, as well as injection, debinding and sintering parameters. In this work, the viability of three porcelain-based powders to successfully achieve injectable mixtures for CIM is described. The mixing behaviour and the feedstocks flow behaviour as a function of its solids loading is evaluated. In this way, the ideal attributes for a CIM porcelain powder are discussed, studying the first process stages through to the production of a sintered component by injection moulding. Finally, density, hardness, bending strength and microstructural properties of the selected porcelain are investigated and a cost-efficient ceramic feedstock is suggested for aesthetic and electrical applications. Resumen: El moldeo por inyección de cerámica (en inglés, Ceramic Injection Moulding [CIM]) es una tecnología avanzada de conformado de polvos establecida hace tres décadas que recientemente se ha convertido en una atractiva alternativa para nuevas aplicaciones avanzadas, como la gestión térmica y la recarga inalámbrica de dispositivos. Las cerámicas de tipo porcelana permiten la introducción de nuevos feedstocks en el mercado CIM a precios más bajos en comparación con los tradicionales de alúmina y zircona. Existen varios factores que influyen en la calidad y las propiedades de los componentes finales en el procesado CIM y que están relacionados con las características del polvo de partida, como son el comportamiento durante el mezclado y la fluidez del feedstock, así como los parámetros de inyección, eliminación y sinterización. En este trabajo se describe la viabilidad de tres porcelanas para obtener mezclas inyectables que puedan procesarse con éxito mediante CIM. Se muestra la estabilización del par de torsión durante el proceso de mezclado, así como la fluidez de los diferentes feedstocks en función de la carga cerámica. Asimismo, se discuten las cualidades que idealmente se buscan en un polvo para ser procesados mediante CIM. Finalmente, se muestran los resultados obtenidos de densidad, propiedades microestructurales y propiedades mecánicas (dureza y resistencia a la flexión) de la porcelana seleccionada, y se demuestra que la mezcla inyectable diseñada a precio competitivo puede utilizarse para aplicaciones estéticas y eléctricas en futuros trabajos.

Transparent and conductive Ti-doped In2O3 (TIO)/Ag/Ti-doped In2O3 (TAT) multilayer films were deposited on colorless poly imide (CPI) substrates by direct current (DC) and radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering at room temperature. During deposition the thickness of both the top and bottom TIO layer was fixed at 30 nm, while the thickness of the Ag interlayer was varied, to 5, 10, and 15 nm, to enhance the optical, electrical and mechanical properties of the films. In the XRD analysis the TIO films did not show any characteristic peaks in the diffraction pattern. The 10 nm thick Ag inter layer showed some characteristic peaks of Ag (111), (200), (220) and (311), respectively, and the grain size of the Ag interlayer enlarged as Ag thickness increased. To investigate the most efficient Ag interlayer thickness, a figure of merit (FOM) based on the opto-electrical performance of the transparent conducting films was compared. The films with a 10 nm thick Ag interlayer exhibited a higher FOM of 1.71 × 10-2 Ω-1 than the other films. When the radius of the film's curvature was reduced to 1.7 mm, the TIO single layer films showed a 13 times increase in sheet resistance, while the TAT (30/10/30 nm) films showed an insignificant change in sheet resistance. From the observed results, it was concluded that the Ag interlayer in the TAT multilayer films enhanced the opto-electrical performance of the films and also acted as a potent bridge which assured the high flexibility endurance of the films.

The bonding properties of adhesives are mainly affected by surface roughness, topography and chemical adsorption. In this paper, we studied the effects of surface pretreatment of Al 2024-T3 (bare) in terms of surface roughness, topography and surface free energy. Surface pre-treatment included solvent cleaning, FPL etching, PAA and CAA treatment. The surface energy and roughness of the aluminum surface were significantly increased by the anodizing treatment. Single lap shear and fatigue tests were performed to investigate bonding properties and durability. The evaluation revealed that the surface energy and surface roughness resulting from the aluminum surface treatment had a significant impact on bonding properties and durability. PAA treated surfaces had the highest bonding strength, and CAA treated surfaces had superior bonding retention performance in hot water or salt spray environments. The results of the fatigue test most clearly demonstrated how the surface pretreatment of the aluminum alloy differently affected bonding performance. (Received March 27, 2021; Accepted May 10, 2021)

This study proposed a constitutive equation to predict the change in yield strength according to the behavior of β″ metastable precipitates, which have a profound effect on strength among materials precipitated during the T6 heat treatment of Al-Mg-Si alloy. The β″ precipitate is a metastable phase before it becomes a β (Mg2Si) precipitate, and is distributed in the form of nano-scale rods in the aluminum alloy matrix. Existing precipitation strengthening models assume the shape of the precipitate to be spherical, and in that case the equation that depends on the Orowan mechanism with the average precipitate size and distribution should dominate. However, precipitates are formed in various shapes and sizes by anisotropic growth. In particular, rod-shaped precipitates are not suitable for the existing precipitation strengthening model. In this study, an Al-Mg-Si alloy was fabricated by gravity casting followed by T6 heat treatment. The new precipitation strengthening effect equation proposes that the β″ precipitate affects yield strength during plastic deformation of the Al-Mg-Si alloy. The proposed precipitation strengthening effect equation probabilistically considers the Critical Resolved Shear Stress (CRSS), which varies depending on the angle between the dislocation and the precipitate, when the dislocation passes through a rod-shaped precipitate.

This investigation aims to improving mechanical properties of normal concrete such as compressive strength, tensile strength, and flexural strength by using integral waterproof admixture (IWP) and also decreasing absorption of concrete, using different mix proportions of concrete, study shows a good increment of compressive strength for all mixes by using integral waterproof and also increasing the flexural and tensile strengths. The study contains also a sulfate attack study on normal mixes and integral waterproof mixes. Different percentages of IWP used in the study containing 0.0%, 1% ,1.5% and 2% for each 100 kg cement. Concrete mixes with 2% IWP admixture and 1:1:1.5 mix proportions give the highest values of compressive, tensile, and flexural strength in the study. compressive strength improved from 33.6MPa for reference 1:1:1.5 mix to 39.8 MPa by using IWP, also less absorption concrete obtained, the absorption was lowered from 3.5% to 1.7%, also deterioration in strength due to sulfate attack was small compared with reference mixes, same to other mixes 1:2:4, 1:1.5:3 that also improved by IWP admixture and lead to increasing mechanical properties and reducing absorption and sulfate attack.

Instable operation of a drilling string can be caused by design flaws, unreasonably selected drilling modes, as well as specific features of the drilling by bit, fixed on a long flexible rod with initial irregularities. It was established that a drilling string under the influence of constant torque and longitudinal feed load is deformed along a screw line. It was shown that the source of the dynamic state initiation of a rotating drilling string is an alternative friction between rock and the instrument, as well as variation of potential energy of the drilling string at its twisting and untwisting. At the string twisting the potential anergy is accumulating, at the untwisting it is released. In this case the drilling sting length begins to increase and the work of feed force is imposed to this shifting resulting in the instrument beat over the rock. The torsion oscillating process causes longitudinal periodic shifting of the string end, which lead to joint longitudinal and bending oscillations of the whole drilling column. Systems of differential equations obtained describing the joint bending-longitudinal oscillations of a drilling string, caused by torsion vibrations, initiating at the contact of a drilling instrument with rock. Approximate solutions of the systems presented, which take place with the basic natural frequency of the torsion oscillations of a two-mass system instrument - string - rotator drive. In this case the amplitudes of the drilling string bending oscillations are associated with characteristics variation of the friction between the instrument and the rock as well as with the angular frequency of the drilling string rotation. Zones of dynamic instability at rotation of the deformed drilling string due to acting force factors, as well as initial irregularities and centrifugal forces revealed. It was shown that they are initiated at critical speeds of the drilling string rotation, which coincides with any natural frequency of the bending oscillations of the stave. To intensify the drilling process, recommendation elaborated for equipping the rotary drilling rig with an additional pneumatic hammer. A calculated diagram of a drilling string, equipped by an additional pneumatic hammer considered. Parameters of the hammer in terms of frequency and amplitude are matched with the translational speed of well drilling. The total longitudinal and transverse shifts can be obtained by superposition of self-exciting and induces shifts.

There are a number of technical solutions to utilize the waste gases of electric arc furnaces (EAF) for scrap preheating thus returning back the heat into the technological process. The waste gases can be utilized also for steam or hot water production. The preliminary scrap heating before charging it into EAF is more perspective. Technical features of various types scrap heaters considered, including conveyer and shaft scrap heating technologies with continuous (Contiarc, Consteel, Comelt, BBC-Brusa) and periodic charging (Fuchs Systemtechnik, COSS, backet). It was shown that application of scrap heaters for EAF ensures saving of electric energy, increase of metal yield, decrease of dust and gases level in the shop, decrease of negative impact on environment. The disadvantages include frequent and costly repairs of the facilities, impossibility to control some factors having effect on the process of scrap heating. It was shown that when designing new EAFs with a charge exceeding 100 t, horizontal facilities are more preferrable, while for EAFs of small volumes shaft heaters suit better. At EAF modernizing it is recommended to use shaft heaters and back­et-thermos, since it is easier to construct a vertical furnace than a horizontal one with minimal length of 100 m. It was noted that hor­izontal heaters operate better in terms of technology, since ensure continuous charging by scrap, but at that occupy a considerable space in the shop. When comparing vertical heaters and backet by all the characteristics including heat-engineering and designingones, vertical shaft heaters prevail.

Plasma torches of Russian origin concede to import metal-cutting plasma facilities by several parameters, in particular energy efficiency, quality of cut, degree of automation. To increase efficiency and safety of domestic electro-plasma technologies itь is necessary to perfect methods of analysis of known design solutions to provide new developments. The results of the plasma torch­es design widely used in metallurgical and machine-building technologies for air-plasma cutting of metals presented. It was noted that productivity, cutting quality and reliability of plasma equipment should be chosen as the main criteria of efficiency for plasma cutting technology. It was shown that special attention should be paid to improving the gas-vortex stabilizing method for the plasma forming gas, which ensures the efficiency of both the plasma torch and the plasma cutting process as a whole. Results of studies of a complex system for arranging the flow of plasma-forming gas through the channels of the gas-air path in the plasma torch and the subsequent creation of new systems for stabilizing the arc discharge of metal cutting DC plasma torches with high technological capabilities presented. The study was carried out by the methods of numerical simulation of gas-dynamic and thermo-physical pro­cesses for various designs of plasma torches. Optimized designs of plasma torches with various variants of gas-vortex stabilization systems were elaborated. A series of elaborated torches, which includes a single-stream plasma torches ПМВР-5 for precision cutting of medium thickness metals, as well as two-stream plasma torches ПМВР-9 for cutting metals of small and medium thicknesses presented. The last plasma torches use the technology of narrow-jet or compressed plasma and have no domestic analogues. A meth­odology of metal-cutting plasma torches designing by gas-dynamic, thermo-physical and acoustic criteria was elaborated. The results of experimental studies showed that the use of new ПМВР-5 plasma torches allows to obtain precision cuts corresponding to the 1st and 2nd quality classes according to GOST 14792-80 on steels of the 09Г2С type of medium thickness. It was also shown that the use of new plasma torches makes it possible to perform precision finishing plasma cutting on low-carbon steels of medium thickness (without additional mechanical processing of the cutting edge) in the production technologies of welded joints.

The work is dedicated to the effects of climatic factors on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in terms of changes in the structure and interaction of polymer molecules. The kinetic concept of the strength of PET has been developed, and the factors influencing the strength have been considered. Effects of moisture, thermal oxidative destruction, and UV-radiation on the structure of PET have been investigated. Polymers’ properties predicting, durability and their computer modeling have been analyzed. A model of changes in PET properties under the influence of temperature, moisture and UV-radiation was constructed using the methods of a full factorial experiment. It has been shown that in the initial period of exposure, adsorption and diffusion of moisture, hydrolysis and surface oxidation occur; prolonged and constant exposure to UV-radiation break the bonds formed by moisture, then the C–C and C–O bonds in the PET molecule brake and new intermolecular bonds are formed. In the amorphous state of PET, the breaking of bonds in the polymer chain and the formation of bonds between two adjacent polymer chains, the formation of more densely packed nodes, the destruction of the polymer and its aging, are equally probable. Temperature has a secondary effect, facilitating both hydrolysis and oxidation and polymer degradation.

To use effectively internal raw material base, JSC “Ural Steel” accomplished I category major overhaul of the blast furnace No. 2. The main purpose of the overhaul was to design a rational profile which could ensure an ability to operate with a charge containing 95 % of Mikhailovskii GOK (mining and concentrating plant) pellets having basicity of 0.5 by CaO/SiO2. The blast furnace No. 2 having useful volume of 1232 m3, was constructed by design of Danieli Corus, the Netherlands, and was blown in on December 30, 2020. In the process of guarantee tests, step-by-step increase of Mikhailovskii GOK pellets (Fetotal = 60.5 %, CaO/SiO2 = 0.5) content in the charge iron ore part was being accomplished from 55 to 95.1%. Charging of the blend containing pellets in the amount of 55% of iron ore part, was done by charging system 4OOCC + 1COOCC (Ore - Coke) with filling level 1.5 m. Under conditions of pellets part increase in the blend, the charging system was changed to decrease their content at the periphery, to increase it in the ore ridge zone and make it intermediate between periphery and the ore ridge. At the pellets share in the iron ore raw materials 0.75 the charging system was used as the following: 3OOCC + 1COOC + 1COOCC, while at the content 95.1% the following charging system was used: 2COOC + 2COOC + 1COOCC. It was noted that in the period of guarantee tests the furnace running was smooth. The average silicon content in the hot metal was 0.70% at the standard deviation 0.666. Sulfur content in the hot metal did not exceed 0.024%, the blowing and natural gas consumption figures were 2100 m3/min and 11000 m3/min correspondently, oxygen content in the blowing 26.5%, hot blowing and top smoke pressure figures were 226.5 and 109.8 KPa correspondently. The productivity of the furnace was reached as high as 2358 t/day at the specific coke rate 433 kg/t of hot metal. After guarantee tests completion, the pellets content in the iron ore part was decreased gradually from 95 down to 50%. The decreasing was made by 5% in every 6 hours of operation. Application of the mastered technology of the blast furnace No. 2 with the increased share of pellets will enable to stably supply the blast furnaces No. 1, 3 and 4 by iron ore raw materials in the proportion of 30-35% of pellets and 65-70% of sinter.

Refractory lining is an integral part of metallurgical facilities and requires constant perfection. Examples of successful interaction of specialists-steelmakers, companies-manufacturers of refractories and engineering companies on increasing efficiency of refractories application in steel industry presented. The wide application of drying and heating stations of steel ladles, EAFs, BOFs was noted because of using refractory gunned castable at their current repairs. The growth of unmolded refractory share in the BF production was shown. At the stoves repair technology of guniting and shotcreting is widely used. Transfer to application of modern concrete at lining of shoots, ramming mixtures and repairs with application of liquid concrete addition resulted in a decrease of labor­ intensiveness of repair work, accelerated the process of repair and considerably decreased specific consumption of refractory materi­als. Nevertheless, within a predictable period, despite of increase of unmolded refractories application, it is expected that the molded refractories would take the main share of the refractory market in the steelmaking. Creation of partial load conditions in a metallurgical facility is an important factor for increasing lining resistivity. Slag foaming in EAF screens radiation from electrodes in the process of the furnace running. Blowing of the final slag (preliminary enriched by magnesium oxide in case of necessity) forms a scull on the working surface of the BOF lining, thus preventing intensive contact of the refractory lining with steel melt and slag. Modem technologies of instrumental control the lining state of metallurgical facility within the period of its running considered, which allowto accomplish operation of hot repair at particular arears of the lining, avoiding overconsumption of the repair material. It was noted that apart from the task of decreasing specific expenses for refractory materials, the customers most often estimate the indirect costs, cover of loss and obtaining additional profit due to increase of metal production because of increase of overhaul period and decrease of time of lining repair. This is the purpose of cooperation of specialists of refractories manufacturers and metallurgical plants.