Corrosion behavior of ferritic stainless steel with 15wt% chromium for the automobile exhaust system

The effect of chloride ion concentration, pH value, and grain size on the pitting corrosion resistance of a new ferritic stainless steel with 15wt% Cr was investigated using the anodic polarization method. The semiconducting properties of passive films with different chloride ion concentrations were performed using capacitance measurement and Mott-Schottky analysis methods. The aging precipitation and intergranular corrosion behavior were evaluated at 400- 900℃. It is found that the pitting potential decreases when the grain size increases. With the increase in chloride ion concentration, the doping density and the flat-bland potential increase but the thickness of the space charge layer decreases. The pitting corrosion resistance increases rapidly with the decrease in pH value. Precipitants is identified as Nb（C,N） and NbC, rather than Cr-carbide. The intergranular corrosion is attributed to the synergistic effects of Nb（C,N） and NbC precipitates and Cr segregation adjacent to the precipitates.     

Dynamic response of cylindrical cavity to anti-plane impact load by using analytical approach简

The transient response of an unlimited cylindrical cavity buried in the infinite elastic soil subjected to an anti-plane impact load along the cavern axis direction was studied. Using Laplace transform combining with contour integral of the Laplace inverse transform specifically, the general analytical expressions of the soil displacement and stress are obtained in the time domain, respectively. And the numerical solutions of the problem computed by analytical expressions are presented. In the time domain, the dynamic responses of the infinite elastic soil are analyzed, and the calculation results are compared with those from numerical inversion proposed by Durbin and the static results. One observes good agreement between analytical and numerical inversion results, lending the further support to the method presented. Finally, some valuable shear wave propagation laws are gained： the displacement of the soil remains zero before the wave arrival, and after the shear wave arrival, the stress and the displacement at this point increase abruptly, then reduce and tend to the static value gradually at last. The wave attenuates along the radial, therefore the farther the wave is from the source, the smaller the stress and the displacement are, and the stress and the displacement are just functions of the radial distance from the axis.     

Biodegradable starch/poly （vinyl alcohol） film reinforced with tita- nium dioxide nanoparticles

Biodegradable starch/poly （vinyl alcohol）/nano-titanium dioxide （ST/PVA/nano-Ti02） nanocomposite films were prepared via a solution casting method. Their biodegradability, mechanical properties, and thermal properties were also studied in this paper. A general full factorial experimental approach was used to determine effective parameters on the mechanical properties of the prepared films. ST/PVA/TiO2 nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and X-ray diffraction （XRD）. The results of mechanical analysis show that ST/PVA films with higher contents of PVA have much better mechanical properties. In thermal analysis, it is found that the addition of Ti02 nanoparticles improves the thermal stability of the films. SEM micrographs, taken from the fracture surface of samples, illustrate that the addition of PVA makes the film softer and more flexible. The results of soil burial biodegradation indicate that the biodegradability of ST/PVA/TiO2 films strongly depends on the starch proportion in the film matrix. The degradation rate is increased by the addition of starch in the films.     

Preparation and visible-light photocatalytic property of nanostructu- red Fe-doped TiO2 from titanium containing electric furnace molten slag

Nanostructured Fe-doped titanium dioxide was synthesized from titanium containing electric furnace molten slag （TCEFMS） by using an alkali fusion, followed by a hydrolyzation-acidolysis-cMcination route. The effects of Mkali/slag mass ratio, calcinating temperature, calcinating time, and water/slag mass ratio on the extraction efficiency and purity of products were systematically studied in this paper. It is indicated that the best extraction efficiency of nanostructured Fe- doped titanium dioxide is 99.35%, when the molten slag is calcinated at 700℃ for 1 h with the mass ratio of alkali/molten slag of 1.5：1. The influence of alkali/slag mass ratio on the photocatalytic activity of final products was evaluated by the photodegradation of methyl blue under visible light irradiation. A maximum photodegradation efficiency of 88.12% over 30 min was achieved under the optimum conditions.     

Effect analysis of friction and damping on anti-backlash gear based on dynamics model with time-varying mesh stiffness

A nonlinear model of anti-backlash gear with time-varying friction and mesh stiffness was proposed for the further study on dynamic characteristics of anti-backlash gear. In order to improve the model precision, applied force analysis was completed in detail, and single or double tooth meshing states of two gear pairs at any timing were determined according to the meshing characteristic of anti-backlash gear. The influences of friction and variations of damping ratio on dynamic transmission error were analyzed finally by numerical calculation and the results show that anti-backlash gear can increase the composite mesh stiffness comparing with the mesh stiffness of the normal gear pair. At the pitch points where the frictions change their signs, additional impulsive effects are observed. The width of impulsive in the same value of center frequency is wider than that without friction, and the amplitude is lower. When gear pairs mesh in and out, damping can reduce the vibration and impact.     

Nonlinear adaptive optimal control for vehicle handling improvement through steer-by-wire system简

A control algorithm for improving vehicle handling was proposed by applying right angle to the steering wheel, based on the nonlinear adaptive optimal control （NAOC）. A nonlinear 4-DOF model was initially developed, then it was simplified to a 2-DOF model with reasonable assumptions to design observer and optimal controllers. Then a simplified model was developed for steering system. The numerical simulations were carried out using vehicle parameters for standard maneuvers in dry and wet road conditions. Moreover, the hardware in the loop method was implemented to prove the controller ability in realistic conditions. Simulation results obviously show the effectiveness of NAOC on vehicle handling and reveal that the proposed controller can significantly improve vehicle handling during severe maneuvers.     

Recent developments on applications of sequential loop closing and diagonal dominance control schemes to industrial multivariable system

With a focus on an industrial multivariable system, two subsystems including the flow and the level outputs are analysed and controlled, which have applicability in both real and academic environments. In such a case, at first, each subsystem is distinctively represented by its model, since the outcomes point out that the chosen models have the same behavior as corresponding ones. Then, the industrial multivariable system and its presentation are achieved in line with the integration of these subsystems, since the interaction between them can not actually be ignored. To analyze the interaction presented, the Gershgorin bands need to be acquired, where the results are used to modify the system parameters to appropriate values. Subsequently, in the view of modeling results, the control concept in two different techniques including sequential loop closing control （SLCC） scheme and diagonal dominance control （DDC） schemes is proposed to implement on the system through the Profibus network, as long as the OPC （OLE for process control） server is utilized to communicate between the control schemes presented and the multivariable system. The real test scenarios are carried out and the corresponding outcomes in their present forms are acquired. In the same way, the proposed control schemes results are compared with each other, where the real consequences verify the validity of them in the field of the presented industrial multivariable system control.     

Martensitic transformation and magnetic properties of aged Ni-Fe-Ga-Ti shape memory alloy

This article reports the effect of ageing on the microstructure, martensitic transformation, magnetic properties, and mechanical properties of Ni51FelsGa27Ti4 shape memory alloy. There are five specimens of this alloy aged at 573 up to 973 K for 3 h per each. This range of ageing temperature greatly affects the microstructure of the alloy. As the ageing temperature increased from 573 up to 973 K, the microstructure of Ni51FelsGa27Ti4 alloy gradually changed from the entirely martensitic matrix at 573 K to the fully austenitic microstructure at 973 K. The volume fraction of precipi- tated Ni3Ti particles increased with the ageing temperature increasing from 573 to 773 K. Further increasing the ageing temperature to 973 K decreased the content of Ni3Ti in the microstructure. The martensitic transformation tempera- ture was decreased steadily by increasing the ageing temperature. The magnetization saturation, remnant magnetization, and coercivity increased with the ageing temperature increasing up to 773 K. A further increase in ageing temperature decreased these raagnetic properties. Moreover, the hardness values were gradually increased at first by increasing the ageing temperature to 773 K, and then dramatically decreased to the lowest value at 973 K.     

Numerical evaluation of buckling behavior in space structure considering geometrical parameters with joint rigidity简

The buckling behavior of single layer space structure is very sensitive. The joint rigidity, moreover, is one of the main factors of stability which may determine the entire failure behavior. Thus, the reasonable stiffness of joint system, which is neither total pin assumption nor perfect fix condition, is very important to apply to the real single layer space one. Therefore, the purpose of this work was to investigate the buckling behavior of single layer space structure, using the development of the upgraded stiffness matrix for the joint rigidity. To derive tangential stiffness matrix, a displacement function was assumed using translational and rotational displacement at the node. The geometrical nonlinear analysis was simulated not only with perfect model but also with imperfect one. As a result, the one and two free nodal numerical models were investigated using derived stiffness matrix. It was figured out that the buckling load increases in proportion to joint rigidity with rise-span ratio. The stability of numerical model is very sensitive with the initial imperfection, responding of bifurcation in the structure.     

A practical robust nonlinear controller for maglev levitation system

In order to explore the precise dynamic response of the maglev train and verify the validity of proposed controller, a maglev guideway-electromagnet-air spring-cabin coupled model is developed in the first step. Based on the coupled model, the stresses of the modules are analyzed, and it is pointed out that the inherent nonlinearity, the inner coupling, misalignments between the sensors and actuators, and external disturbances are the main issues that should be considered for the maglev engineering. Furthermore, a feedback linearization controller based on the mathematical model of a maglev module is derived, in which the nonlinearity, coupling and misalignments are taken into account. Then, to attenuate the effect of external disturbances, a disturbance observer is proposed and the dynamics of the estimation error is analyzed using the input-to-state stability theory. It shows that the error is negligible under a low-frequency disturbance. However, at the high-frequency range, the error is unacceptable and the disturbances can not be compensated in time, which lead to over designed fluctuations of levitation gap, even a clash between the upper surface of electromagnet and lower surface of guideway. To solve this problem, a novel nonlinear acceleration feedback is put forward to enhancing the attenuation ability of fast varying disturbances. Finally, numerical comparisons show that the proposed controller outperforms the traditional feedback linearization controller and maintains good robustness under disturbances.     

Vacuum preloading combined electroosmotic strengthening of ultra-soft soil

To assess the effectiveness of vacuum preloading combined electroosmotic strengthening of ultra-soft soil and study the mechanism of the process, a comprehensive experimental investigation was performed. A laboratory test cell was designed and applied to evaluate the vacuum preloading combined electroosmosis. Several factors were taken into consideration, including the directions of the electroosmotic current and water induced by vacuum preloading and the replenishment of groundwater from the surrounding area. The results indicate that electroosmosis together with vacuum preloading improve the soil strength greatly, with an increase of approximately 60%, and reduce the water content of the soil on the basis of consolidation of vacuum preloading, howeve~ further settlement is not obvious with only 1.7 mm. The reinforcement effect of vacuum preloading combined electroosmosis is better than that of electroosmosis after vacuum preloading. Elemental analysis using X-ray fluorescence proves that the soil strengthening during electroosmotic period in this work is mainly caused by electroosmosis-induced electrochemical reactions, the concentrations of Al2O3 in the VPCEO region increase by 2.2%, 1.5%, and 0.9% at the anode, the midpoint between the electrodes, and the cathode, respectively.     

Electrical and mechanical properties of vapour grown gallium monotelluride crystals

The physical vapour deposition （PVD） of gallium monotelluride （GaTe） in different crystalline habits was established in the growth ampoule, strongly depending on the temperature gradient. Proper control on the temperatures of source and growth zones in an indigenously fabricated dual zone furnace could yield the crystals in the form of whiskers and spherulites. Optical and electron microscopic images were examined to predict the growth mechanism of morphologies. The structural parameters of the grown spherulites were determined by X-ray powder diffraction （XRD）. The stoichiometric composition of these crystals was confirmed using energy dispersive analysis by X-rays （EDAX）. The type and nature of electrical conductivity were identified by the conventional hot probe and two probe methods, respectively. The mechanical parameters, such as Vickers microhardness, work hardening index, and yield strength, were deduced from microindentation measurements. The results show that the vapour grown p-GaTe crystals exhibit novel physical properties, which make them suitable for device applications.     

Microstructural and mechanical properties of A1-4.5wt% Cu rein- forced with alumina nanoparticles by stir casting method

The microstructure and mechanical properties of A1-4.5wt% Cu Mloy reinforced with different volume fractions （1.5vo1%, 3vo1%, and 5vo1%） of alumina nanoparticles, fabricated using stir casting method, were investigated. CMculated amounts of alumina nanoparticles （about ~50 nm in size） were ball-milled with aluminum powders in a planetary ball mill for 5 h, and then the packets of milled powders were incorporated into molten Al-4.5wt% Cu alloy. Microstructural studies of the nanocomposites reveal a uniform distribution of alumina nanoparticles in the A1-4.5wt% Cu matrix. The results indicate an outstanding improvement in compression strength and hardness due to the effect of nanoparticle addition. The aging behavior of the composite is also evaluated, indicating that the addition of alumina nanoparticles can accelerate the aging process of the Mloy, resulting in higher peak hardness values.     

Interfacial intermetallic compound growth and shear strength of low-silver SnAgCuBiNi//Cu lead-free solder joints

The growth rule of the interfacial intermetallic compound （IMC） and the degradation of shear strength of Sn-0.SAg-0.5Cu-2.0Bi-0.05Ni （SACBN）/Cu solder joints were investigated in comparison with Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu （SAC305）/ Cu solder joints aging at 373, 403, and 438 K. The results show that （Cul-x,Nix）6Sn5 phase forms between the SACBN solder and Cu substrate during soldering. The interracial IMC thickens constantly with the aging time increasing, and the higher the aging temperature, the faster the IMC layer grows. Compared with the SAC305/Cu couple, the SACBN/Cu couple exhibits a lower layer growth coefficient. The activation energies of IMC growth for SACBN/Cu and SAC305/Cu couples are 111.70 and 82.35 kJ/mol, respectively. In general, the shear strength of aged solder joints declines continuously. However, SACBN/Cu solder joints exhibit a better shear strength than SAC305/Cu solder joints.     

Cadmium in agricultural soils,vegetables and rice and potential health risk in vicinity of Dabaoshan Mine in Shaoguan,China

Soil cadmium （Cd） contamination resulted from mining and smelting is a major environmental concern,and health risk associated with Cd exposure to multi-media through muti-pathway is increasing.Cd concentrations in soils,vegetables and paddy rice were investigated,and potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks exposure to Cd were estimated at six villages around the Dabaoshan Mine,South China.A total of 87 soil samples were found to exceed the China＇s maximum permission level （MPL） for Cd,while the highest value of 4.42 mg/kg was found near irrigation ditch associated with Hengshi River in Xinyi （XY） Village.Cd contents in vegetables and rice exceeded the maximum permissible concentration by more than five times in every village.Cadmium accumulation in plants is in the order of celery 〉 lactuca sativa L 〉 Chinese cabbage 〉 Romaine lettuce 〉 asparagus lettuce 〉 mustard 〉 cabbage mustard 〉 cabbage.The mean hazard quotient （HQ） of all villages is in the range of [5.29,25.75],and the mean values of cancer risk for investigated areas are more than 10 times greater than the USEPA （2009） threshold limit value of 10-4.Moreover,human non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks are mainly attributable to paddy rice intake,followed by vegetables intake,soil ingestion,inhalation,and dermal contact.The results indicate that Cd has a huge potential risk on human health for the local residents.     

Preparation of CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 system glass from molten blast furnace slag

To use the potential heat of molten blast furnace slag completely, a CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 system glass （MSG） was prepared from the molten industrial slag. The corresponding method proposed in this study utilized both slag and its potential heat, improving the production rate and avoiding the environmental pollution. Using appropriate techniques, an MSG with uniform color and superior performances was produced. Based on the experimental results and phase diagram, the chemical composition of MSG by mass is obtained as follows：CaO 27%-33%, SiO2 42%-51%, Al2O3 11%-14%, MgO 6%-8%, and Na2O＋K2O 1%-4%. Thermodynamic processes of MSG preparation were analyzed, and the phases and microstructures of MSG were investigated by X-ray diffraction （XRD） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. The results show that alkali metal oxides serve as the fluxes, calcium oxide serves as the stabilizer, and alumina reinforces the Si-O network. XRD and SEM analyses show that, the prepared MSG displays the glass-feature patterns, the melting process is more complete, and the melt viscosity is lowered with an increase in calcium oxide content;however, a continuous increase in slag content induces the crystalli-zation of glass, leading to the formation of glass subphase. The optimum content of molten slag in MSG is 67.37wt%. With respect to bend-ing strength and acid/alkali resistance, the performance of MSG is better than that of ordinary marble.     

Effect of some operational variables on bubble size in a pilot-scale mechanical flotation machine简

This work aims to provide a relationship of how the key operational variables of frother type and impeller speed affect the size of bubble （D32）. The study was performed using pilot-scale equipment （0.8 m^3） that is up to two orders of magnitude larger than equipment used for studies performed to date by others, and incorporated the key process variables of frother type and impeller speed. The results show that each frother family exhibits a unique CCC95-HLB relationship dependent on n （number of C-atoms in alkyl group） and m （number of propylene oxide group）. Empirical models were developed to predict CCC95 from HLB associated with other two parameters a and ft. The impeller speed-bubble size tests show that D32 is unaffected by increased impeller tip speed across the range of 4.6 to 9.2 m/s （representing the industrial operating range）, although D32 starts to increase below 4.6 m/s. The finding is valid for both coalescing and non-coalescing conditions. The results suggest that the bubble size and bubble size distribution （BSD） being created do not change with increasing impeller speed in the quiescent zone of the flotation.     

Thermodynamics and kinetics of alumina extraction from fly ash using an ammonium hydrogen sulfate roasting method

A novel method was developed for extracting alumina （Al2O3） from fly ash using an ammonium hydrogen sulfate （NH4HSO4） roasting process, and the thermodynamics and kinetics of this method were investigated. The thermodynamic results were verified experi-mentally. Thermodynamic calculations show that mullite present in the fly ash can react with NH4HSO4 in the 298-723 K range. Process op-timization reveals that the extraction rate can reach up to 90.95% when the fly ash reacts with NH4HSO4 at a 1：8 mole ratio of Al2O3/NH4HSO4 at 673 K for 60 min. Kinetic analysis indicates that the NH4HSO4 roasting process follows the shrinking unreacted core model, and inner diffusion through the product layer is the rate-controlling step. The activation energy is calculated to be 16.627 kJ/mol;and the kinetic equation can be expressed as 1-（2/3）α-（1-α）2/3=0.0374t exp[-16627/（RT）], whereαis the extraction rate and t is the roasting temperature.     

Recycle of valuable products from oily cold rolling mill sludge

Oily cold rolling mill （CRM） sludge contains lots of iron and alloying elements along with plenty of hazardous organic components, which makes it as an attractive secondary source and an environmental contaminant at the same time. The compound methods of ＂vacuum distillation ＋ oxidizing roasting＂ and ＂vacuum distillation ＋ hydrogen reduction＂ were employed for the recycle of oily cold rolling mill sludge. First, the sludge was dynamically vacuum distilled in a rotating furnace at 50 r/rain and 600℃ for 3 h, which removed almost hazardous organic components, obtaining 89.2wt% ferrous resultant. Then, high purity ferric oxide powders （99.2wt%） and reduced iron powders （98.9wt%） were obtained when the distillation residues were oxidized and reduced, respectively. The distillation oil can be used for fuel or chemical feedstock, and the distillation gases can be collected and reused as a fuel.     

Feasibility of developing composite action between concrete and cold-formed steel beam

Cold-formed steel structures are steel structure products constructed from sheets or coils using cold rolling, press brake or bending brake method. These structures are extensively employed in building construction industry due to their light mass, ductility by economic cold forming operations, favorable strength-to-mass ratio and other factors. The utilization of cold formed steel sections with concrete as composite can hugely reduce the construction cost. However, the use of cold formed steel members in composite concrete beams has been very limited. A comprehensive review of developments in composite beam with cold formed steel sections was introduced. It was revealed that employing cold-formed steel channel section to replace reinforcement bars in conventional reinforced concrete beam results in a significant cost reduction without reducing strength capacity. The use of composite beam consisting of cold-formed steel open or close box and filled concrete could also reduce construction cost. Lighter composite girder for bridges with cold-formed steel of U section was introduced. Moreover, types of shear connectors to provide composite action between cold-formed steel beam and concrete slab were presented. However, further studies to investigate the effects of metal decking on the behavior of composite beam with cold-formed steel section and introduction of ductile shear connectors were recommended.