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The performance of solid solution aging treatment on aluminum matrix composites prepared by powder metallurgy and reinforced with 6061 aluminum alloy powder as matrix; meanwhile, nano silicon carbide particles (nm SiCp), submicron silicon carbide particles (1 µm SiCp) and Ti particles were studied. The Al/SiCp composite powder was prepared by high-energy ball milling, and then cold-pressed, sintered, hot-extruded, and then heat-treated with different solution temperatures and aging times for the extruded composites. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and extrusion testing were used to analyze and test the microstructure and mechanical properties of aluminum matrix composites. The results show that after the multi-stage solid solution at 530 °C×2 h+535 °C×2 h+540 °C×2 h, the particles are mainly equiaxed grains and uniformly distributed. There is no reinforcement agglomeration, and the surface is dense and the insoluble phase is basically dissolved. In the matrix, the strengthening effect is good, and the hardness and compressive strength are 179.43 HV and 680.42 MPa, respectively. Under this solution process, when the aluminum matrix composites are aged at 170 °C for 10 h, the hardness and compressive strength can reach their peaks and increase to 195.82 HV and 721.48 MPa, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, new titanium matrix composites (TMCs) with in situ synthesized multiphase (TiB, TiC, Ti5Si3) hybrid reinforcement were prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS) using Ti555-type titanium alloy (Ti–5.4Al–4.03Mo–3.93V–2.37Cr–0.01Zr) and B4CP, CNT, and SiCP as primary powders. The effects of different reinforcements on the hot corrosion performance of the materials were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the corrosion weight gain, corrosion thickness and corrosion products were analyzed and tested. The results showed that the corrosion products of the base alloy, TMC1 (3.5 vol % B4CP) and TMC3 (3.5 vol % B4CP + 1.5 vol % CNT) were mainly Al2O3, TiO2, NaTiO2 and TiS2, while TMC2 (3.5 vol % B4CP + 1.5 vol % SiCP), in addition to the above products SiO2 was also detected, which has a good corrosion resistance. Furthermore, the corrosion weight gain and corrosion depth of the matrix, TMC1, TMC3, and TMC2 gradually decreased, with corrosion depths of 49, 37, 23, and 14 μm, respectively, indicating that the corrosion resistance of the composites gradually increased, with TMC2 having the best corrosion resistance and the lowest corrosion weight gain of 10.264 mg cm–2. Throughout the corrosion process, the excellent hot corrosion resistance the degree is TMC2 > TMC3 > TMC1 > matrix in order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are common clinical disorders characterized by recurrent diarrhea and abdominal pain. Although their pathogenesis has not been fully clarified, disruptions in intestinal motility and immune function are widely accepted as contributing factors to both conditions, and the brain-gut axis plays a key role in these processes. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) employs a holistic approach to treatment, considers spleen and stomach impairments and liver abnormality the main pathogenesis of these two diseases, and offers a unique therapeutic strategy that targets these interconnected pathways. Clinical evidence shows the great potential of TCM in treating FGIDs and IBD. This study presents a systematic description of the pathological mechanisms of FGIDs and IBD in the context of the brain-gut axis, discusses clinical and preclinical studies on TCM and acupuncture for the treatment of these diseases, and summarizes TCM targets and pathways for the treatment of FGIDs and IBD, integrating ancient wisdom with contemporary biomedical insights. The alleviating effects of TCM on FGID and IBD symptoms are mainly mediated through the modulation of intestinal immunity and inflammation, sensory transmission, neuroendocrine-immune network, and microbiota and their metabolism through brain-gut axis mechanisms. TCM may be a promising treatment option in controlling FGIDs and IBD; however, further high-quality research is required. This review provides a reference for an in-depth exploration of the interventional effects and mechanisms of TCM in FGIDs and IBD, underscoring TCM's potential to recalibrate the dysregulated brain-gut axis in FGIDs and IBD., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Liu, Luo, Ma, Zhang, Sheng, Li, Li and Zhao.)