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This research investigated the bonding properties of AISI 321 austenitic stainless steel from microstructural, mechanical, and corrosion points of view. To obtain the optimal parameters of pulsed current gas tungsten arc welding (PCGTAW), the Taguchi method was used. A cyclic potentiodynamic polarization test evaluated the corrosion resistance of the welded samples. The optimal conditions were achieved when the background current, the pulse current, the frequency, and the percentage of the pulse on time were 50 amps, 140 amps, 5 Hz, and 50, respectively. On the other hand, the analysis of variance showed that the percentage of pulse on time equal to 36 and the background current equal to 46 amperes were the most influential factors on the surface current density of the austenitic stainless steel 321 connection using the PCGTAW process. The mechanical properties were assessed using punch shear testing. In the optimal condition, the maximum shear force and strength were 3200 N and 612 MPa, respectively. The results showed that the most critical factor affecting the bonding properties of 321 steel was the heat input.

Dissimilar welding is extensively used for oil and gas pipelines for new installations or repairs. Despite applying cathodic protection (CP) and coatings, corrosion and cracking can occur, usually on external surface of pipelines under coating disbondments close to weld lines. In this study, corrosion of dissimilar welded X-42 and grade B pipelines, under a simulated coating disbondment, is investigated. Welding was performed using shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) process. In order to simulate a coating disbondment, a corrosion cell containing 10 coupons was utilized. Coupons were exposed to a simulated soil solution purged with 5%CO2–95%N2 to maintain an anaerobic environment. CP potential of −870 mVSCE was applied to the open mouth of the disbondment. Results showed that by decreasing weld heat input from 0.74 to 0.61 kJ/mm, corrosion rate at the weld line increased. This was explained by formation of phases with higher corrosion rates (e.g. Widmanstatten and acicular ferrite). It was also observed that the corrosion rate at the weld line was higher than that at the heat affected zone (HAZ), followed by the base metals. The higher corrosion rate at the weld line and HAZ was explained by formation of acicular ferrite and secondary phases during the welding process. It was also observed that for similar heat inputs, the corrosion rate of dissimilar welded X-42 and grade B was higher than that of similar welded samples. This was possibly due to the minor galvanic effect between X-42 and the grade B pipeline steel. Keywords: Cathodic protection, Corrosion, Disbondment, Pipeline, Weld heat input

In this study, the effects of the second pulse resistance spot welding on the microstructure and mechanical properties of TRIP1100 steel were evaluated. The thermal process after welding was designed to improve metallurgical properties with pulse currents of 6kA, 9kA and 12kA after initial welding with 10kA current. The effect of the second pulse on mechanical and microstructural properties was investigated. The fracture of the welds was for pulsed samples of 6kA and 9kA PO with CTS test. Due to existence of the microstructure including the equaxial dendritic and finer in FZ in the pulsed current 9kA, the maximum fracture energy and maximum force were observed. A significant decrease in the FZ hardness in 6kA current was observed in the nanohardness results, which was attributed to existence martensitic and ferrite temper. The highest ratio of CTS / TSS was obtained for 6kA and 9kA, respectively, and force displacement rate was maximum in 9kA. The fracture surfaces included dendrites and dimples. The results of partial fracture revealed separation in the coherent boundaries of the coarse grain of the annealed region.

In the present study, the optimization of pulsed Nd:YAG laser welding parameters was done on a lap-joint of a 316L stainless steel foil in order to predict the weld geometry through response surface methodology. For this purpose, the effects of laser power, pulse duration, and frequency were investigated. By presenting a second-order polynomial, the above-mentioned statistical method was managed to be well employed to evaluate the effect of welding parameters on weld width. The results showed that the weld width at the upper, middle and lower surfaces of weld cross section increases by increasing pulse durationand laser power; however, the effects of these parameters on the mentioned levels are different. The effect of pulse duration in the models of weld upper, middle and lower widths was calculated as 76, 73 and 68%, respectively. Moreover, the effect of power on theses widths was determined as 18, 24 and 28%, respectively. Finally, by superimposing these models, optimum conditions were obtained to attain a full penetration weld and the weld with no defects.

Stainless steel bipolar plates are preferred choice for use in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs). However, regarding the working temperature of 80 °C and corrosive and acidic environment of PEMFC, it is necessary to apply conductive protective coatings resistant to corrosion on metallic bipolar plate surfaces to enhance its chemical stability and performance. In the present study, by applying Ni-Mo and Ni-Mo-P alloy coatings via electroplating technique, corrosion resistance was improved, oxid layers formation on substrates which led to increased electrical conductivity of the surface was reduced and consequently bipolar plates fuction was enhanced. Evaluation tests included microstructural and phase characterizations for evaluating coating components; cyclic voltammetry test for electrochemical behavior investigations; wettability test for measuring hydrophobicity characterizations of the coatings surfaces; interfacial contact resistance measurements of the coatings for evaluating the composition of applied coatings; and polarization tests of fuel cells for evaluating bipolar plates function in working conditions. Finally, the results showed that the above-mentioned coatings considerably decreased the corrosion and electrical resistance of the stainless steel.

In this work, poly (hydroxybutyrate co hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) composite nanofibrous scaffold containing hydroxyapatite/bredigite (HABR) nanoparticles was fabricated through electrospining method. The morphology of prepared nanofibers and the state of the nanoparticles dispersion in nanofiber matrix were investigated using scanning and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. Evaluation of the mechanical properties of the nanofibrous scaffolds revealed that there is a limit to the nanoparticle concentration at which nanoparticles can improve the mechanical properties of the nanofibrous scaffolds. According to the results, PHBV/HABR nanofibers showed higher wettability compared to PHBV nanofibers. In vitro cell culture assay was done using human fetal osteoblast cells on nanofibrous scaffold. MTS assay revealed that cell proliferation on the composite nanofibrous scaffold was significantly higher than those on the pure scaffold after 10 and 15 days. Scanning electron microscopy- Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and CMFDA colorimeter assay analysis showed that the cells on the PHBV/HABR scaffolds acquired higher mineral deposition than the cells on the pure PHBV and control sample scaffold. Based on the results we concluded that PHBV/HABR nanofibers scaffold with higher wettability, improved mechanical properties and cell behavior hold great potential in bone regeneration applications.

In this paper, the optimization of the surface composite of Mg AZ31B-carbon nanotub(CNT) via friction stir processing was investigated. Then, the most effective process parameters such as transverse speed, rotational speed, CNT weight percent and welding passes were studied by Response Surface Methodology (RSM) design of experiment. The specimens were also characterized by micro-hardness, tensile, shear punch and pin on disk dry sliding wear tests. The optimization results of hardness and weight reduction responses showed that the best conditions would be achievable with a transverse speed of 24 mm/min, rotational speed of 660 rpm, 4wt.% CNT and 3 welding passes. Moreover, fracture analysis of the surfaces proved a uniform distribution of CNTs in the matrix resulted in higher tensile and shear strength.

Super duplex stainless steel is a kind of duplex stainless steel that has pitting resistant equivalent number over than 40. Unified Numbering System (UNS) S32750 is a common super duplex stainless stee, that is mostly applied in oil and gas refinery industries, because of its proper corrosion-resistant properties . Therefore, joining of these steels by welding is very important, but the greatest problem in this regard is the corrosion and decrease in mechanical properties after welding.. In this research, UNS S32750has been joined by friction stir welding method. The tool being used in this research was a WC with 16mm shoulder diameter, 5 mm pin diameter, and 1.9 mm height. X-ray diffraction showed that harmful phases, such as sigma or chi have not been formed. Microstructure study indicated that grain size in the stir zone has decreased. Vickers Hardness Test Method has been applied on welded samples. Moderate microhardness of base metal was 285 Vickers but, the microhardness increased in the stir zone to 360 Vickers, because of decreasing the grain size. The cyclic polarization determined that potential and corrosion current of joint metal by friction stir welding method was similar to base metal. Also, it was revealed that ferrite percentage in the stir zone doesnchr('39')t decrease very much because the friction stir welding heat input is very low and the colding rate is very high.

In this study, Ni-Mo nanocrystalline alloys were prepared on steel substrates by electrodeposition method from citrate-ammonia bath by applying current densities 30, 60 and 100 mA/cm2. Results indicated that the obtained coatings were uniform and compact. Moreover, molybdenum content in the alloy and current efficiency decreased with increasing electrodeposition current density. X-ray diffraction analyses indicated that all coatings were composed of face-centered cubic solid solution of molybdenum in nickel with grain size of 9-5 nanometer. Moreover, the most intensive plane in X-ray diffragtogram was (111). On the othe hand, roughness measurements indicated that surface roughness escalated with increasing current density. Corrosion behavior study showed decrease in corrosion current density of substrate with applying Ni-Mo alloy coatings. In addition, corrosion current density reduced with increasing molybdenum content of the coating and the minimum amount was related to the coating with 13 atomic percent molybdenum.

Aluminium 5xxx alloys excellent properties make them suitable for many industrial applications. The corrosion behavior of this alloy family in industrial environments such as sea water is the main focus of many researches. Due to need for joining large segments of this alloys, the effect of single as well as multipass (double and triple pass) gas metal arc welding (GMAW) on microstructure and corrosion behavior of Al5083-H321 alloy was studied. For this purpose, ER5183 filler metal was used. Microstructures were evaluated using optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Corrosion measurements were performed using open circuit potential test, immersion test in 3.5%NaCl solution and polarization tests. Results indicated that the corrosion resistance of the two passes weldment was improved in comparison with the base metal and its icorr and Ecorr were equal to 0.087´10-6 (µA/cm2) and -0.4395 (V), respectively.

This paper reports on the mechanical properties of the dissimilar joints between AISI 316 austenitic stainless steel and St 37 low carbon steel achieved using friction stir welding technique. The welding was carried out by means of rotational speed of 800 rpm and linear speeds of 50,100,150 mm/min. EDS and XRD techniques were employed in order to determine possible phase transformations. Tensile test, shear punch test and microhardness measurements were conducted to evaluate the mechanical properties of the joints. The results of phase investigations showed that no carbide and brittle phase were detected at the joint boundary. Also, tensile test results demonstrated that failure occurred in the St 37 base metal. According to the shear punch test, the highest ultimate shear strength and yield shear strength was achieved for the sample welded at rotational speed of 800 rpm and linear speed of 150 mm/min, while this sample showed the least elongation. In addition, the highest microhardness was measured in the stir zone of austenitic stainless steel sample welded in the above mentioned welding condition, which can be attributed to the decrease in grain size caused by recrystallization process.

in this research, the kinetics of carbothermic reduction of molybdenite in the presence of sodium carbonate was studied. For this purpose, mixed powder of molybdenite, graphite, and sodium carbonate with 1:4:2 mole ratio was investigated using simultaneous thermal analysis (STA) at the heating rates of 10, 15 and 20 0C /min. The results of thermal analysis were evaluated through Friedman, Kissinger, Ozawa and Coats-Redfern methods. The activation energy of reduction reaction was determined 220 kj/mole, and it was found that the reaction was chemically controlled. To study the reaction mechanism, the mixed powder was heated to 400, 800 and 1100 0C in argon atmosphere at the heating rate of 10 0C/min. X- Ray diffraction of the reaction products and thermodynamic analysis at these temperatures indicated that carbothermic reduction of molybdenite in the presence of sodium carbonate would advance through the formation of intermediate phases, Na2MoO4 and MoO2

In this research, the compositing of the surface of AZ31B magnesium alloy with CNT was studied by FSP. The parameters under study were rotational speed (500-1500 rpm), transverse speed (12-44 mm/min), number of passes (1-4), and CNT weight fraction (0-2%). Microhardness testing, optical metallography, FESEM, and EDS analysis were employed for the characterization of the samples. The suitable limits for the transverse speed and rotational speed were 12-24mm/min and 870-1140 rpm, respectively. The highest hardness in the FSP without compositing was assigned to the transverse speed of 24 mm/min and rotational speed of 870 rpm with a hardness of about 60 Vickers and the stir region grain size of less than 5 microns. The Zener-Holman parameter was calculated for computation and the least value was related to the conditions of the transverse speed of 12-24 mm/min and rotational speed of 870 rpm; as a result, the samples with the finest grain size were theoretically and experimentally specified. The most homogenous structure with the highest hardness was related to the three-pass state with a hardness of 69 Vickers. The best rate was the CNT weight percentage with a %2 weight enjoying the highest hardness. The FESEM images confirmed the suitable distribution of CNTs in the background after the performance of the three-pass processing.

Phase transformations and the melting range of the interlayer BNi-3 were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, which showed three stages of crystallization during heating. There were three exothermic peaks that indicated crystallization in the solid state. The cobalt-based X-45 and FSX-414 superalloys were bonded with interlayer BNi-3 at a constant holding time of 10 min with bonding temperatures of 1010, 1050, 1100, and 1150 °C using a vacuum diffusion brazing process. Examination of microstructural changes in the base metals with light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy coupled with X-ray spectroscopy based on the energy distribution showed that increasing temperature caused a solidification mode, such that the bonding centerline at 1010 °C/10 min included a γ-solid solution, Ni 3 B, Ni 6 Si 2 B, and Ni 3 Si. The athermally solidified zone of the transient liquid phase (TLP)-bonded sample at 1050 °C/10 min involved a γ-solid solution, Ni 3 B, CrB, Ni 6 Si 2 B, and Ni 3 Si. Finally, isothermal solidification was completed within 10 min at 1150 °C. The diffusion-affected zones on both sides had three distinct zones: a coarse block precipitation zone, a fine and needle-like mixed-precipitation zone, and a needle-like precipitation zone. By increasing the bonding temperature, the diffusion-affected zone became wider and led to dissolution.

The recently developed additively manufacturing techniques have enabled the fabrication of porous biomaterials that mimic the characteristics of the native bone, thereby avoiding stress shielding and facilitating bony ingrowth. However, aseptic loosening and bacterial infection, as the leading causes of implant failure, need to be further addressed through surface biofunctionalization. Here, we used a combination of (1) plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) using Ca-, P-, and silver nanoparticle-rich electrolytes and (2) post-PEO hydrothermal treatments (HT) to furnish additively manufactured Ti-6Al-4V porous implants with a multi-functional surface. The applied HT led to the formation of hydroxyapatite (HA) nanocrystals throughout the oxide layer. This process was controlled by the supersaturation of Ca 2+ and PO 4 3- during the hydrothermal process. Initially, the high local supersaturation resulted in homogenous nucleation of spindle-like nanocrystals throughout the surface. As the process continued, the depletion of reactant ions in the outermost surface layer led to a remarkable decrease in the supersaturation degrees. High aspect-ratio nanorods and hexagonal nanopillars were, therefore, created. The unique hierarchical structure of the microporous PEO layer (pore size < 3 μm) and spindle-like HA nanocrystals (<150 nm) on the surface of macro-porous additively manufactured Ti-6Al-4V implants provided a favorable substrate for the anchorage of cytoplasmic extensions assisting cell attachment and migration on the surface. The results of our in vitro assays clearly showed the important benefits of the HT and the spindle-like HA nanocrystals including a significantly stronger and much more sustained antibacterial activity, significantly higher levels of pre-osteoblasts metabolic activity, and significantly higher levels of alkaline phosphatase activity as compared to similar PEO-treated implants lacking the HT., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Hydrogel scaffolds have been frequently utilized due to their ability to absorb water and develop similar body cell conditions. Specific drug delivery to the tissues ensures less adverse side effects and more efficiency. In the present study, carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC)-methylcellulose (MC)-pluronic (P) and zinc chloride hydrogels containing meloxicam loaded into nanoparticles were developed and characterized. Nanoparticles were incorporated at 3.5, 4.5 and 5.5% (w/v). Hydrogels containing the same amounts of the meloxicam solution were also prepared. Gelation time, swelling and degradation of the hydrogels were investigated. Hydrogels were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, and rheological analysis. Meloxicam release, chondrocytes attachment and growth on the hydrogels were also studied. Gelation time, swelling and the degradation rate of the hydrogels were found to be decreased by nanoparticles and increased with the addition of the meloxicam solution. SEM images also showed three-dimensional networks. The ATR-FTIR bands were shifted to the lower wave numbers in the hydrogels containing nanoparticles and shifted to the upper ones in the hydrogels containing meloxicam solution. Storage (G') and loss (G″) modulus were increased by the nanoparticles and reduced by the meloxicam solution. 100% of meloxicam was released from the hydrogels containing the meloxicam solution within 20 days, but it was released slowly from the hydrogels containing nanoparticles in 37days. Chondrocytes metabolic activity was increased on the 6th and 10th days for all hydrogels. Hydrogel containing nanoparticles showed good biocompatibility, bioadhesion, cell growth and expansion. The hydrogel could be, therefore, suitable as a new composite biomaterial for the regeneration of articular cartilage and meloxicam delivery to control the pain and inflammation in osteoarthritis., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Guided bone regeneration (GBR) has been established to be an effective method for the repair of defective tissues, which is based on isolating bone defects with a barrier membrane for faster tissue reconstruction. The aim of the present study is to develop poly (hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV)/fibrinogen (FG)/bredigite (BR) membranes with applicability in GBR. BR nanoparticles were synthesized through a sol-gel method and characterized using transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometer. PHBV, PHBV/FG, and PHBV/FG/BR membranes were fabricated using electrospinning and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, contact angle, pore size, thermogravimetric analysis and tensile strength. The electrospun PHBV, PHBV/FG, and PHBV/FG/BR nanofibers were successfully obtained with the mean diameter ranging 240-410 nm. The results showed that Young's modulus and ultimate strength of the PHBV membrane reduced upon blending with FG and increased by further incorporation of BR nanoparticles, Moreover hydrophilicity of the PHBV membrane improved on addition of FG and BR. The in vitro degradation assay demonstrated that incorporation of FG and BR into PHBV matrix increased its hydrolytic degradation. Cell-membrane interactions were studied by culturing human fetal osteoblast cells on the fabricated membrane. According to the obtained results, osteoblasts seeded on PHBV/FG/BR displayed higher cell adhesion and proliferation compared to PHBV and PHBV/FG membrane. Furthermore, alkaline phosphatase activity and alizarin red-s staining indicated enhanced osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of cells on PHBV/FG/BR membranes. The results demonstrated that developed electrospun PHBV/FG/BR nanofibrous mats have desired potential as a barrier membrane for guided bone tissue engineering. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 1154-1165, 2019., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

The present investigation reports corrosion and tribocorrosion behavior of anodic spark oxidation (ASO) coatings formed at 20 and -10 °C. Despite the numerous open pores on the layers formed at 20 °C , the plasma discharged channels were blocked on the surfaces of the subzero ASO coatings. According to polarization curves, the samples treated at -10 °C showed a significant increase in the corrosion resistance ( j corr of 0.75 nA cm -2 ). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy experiments illustrated lower capacitance and higher resistance of both inner and porous layers formed at low temperature. Subzero ASO coatings also demonstrated the lowest overall open circuit potential drop in tribocorrosion studies.

In the present study, Spark Plasma Sintered (SPSed) aluminium matrix composites were severely deformed through Friction stir processing (FSP). Pure aluminium powders and bimodal sized Al 2 O 3 particles (80 nm and 25 μm) were firstly mixed by ball milling and then consolidated by spark plasma sintering. The effect of the heat input as well the bimodal particle size of the alumina on the materials' microstructure and texture development was evaluated by electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD) analysis. The EBSD analysis clearly showed that the SPSed nanocomposites possessed bimodal aluminium matrix grain structure as well as a crystallography characterised by random texture. In addition, microstructural examination revealed that the partial recrystallisation occurred during SPS for all the nanocomposites. Also, it is revealed that the Zener pinning effect of Al 2 O 3 nanoparticles retarded recrystallised grain growth following recrystallisation during FSP and then leading to grain refinement of the aluminium. The results revealed that the heat generated during FSP has a remarkable effect on the grain distribution as well as on the crystallographic orientation. Also, a mixture of {112} <110> shear elements and an ideal strong B/B¯ component were observed. The microstructural changes, occurred during FSP in the stir zone region for Al-Al 2 O 3 nanocomposites, were attributed to both the discontinuous along with the continuous recrystallisation (DDRX/CDRX). It should be pointed out that with increasing the heat input, recrystallised grains portion increased., (© 2018 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2018 Royal Microscopical Society.)