Code-to-code comparison study on rotor aeromechanics in descending flight

This paper conducts the aeromechanics study using the two different rotorcraft computational structural dynamics (CSD) codes, CAMRAD II and DYMORE II, for the rotor in low-speed descending flight. The three test cases of the HART (Higher-harmonic control aeroacoustic rotor test) I -baseline, minimum noise, and minimum vibration- are considered in this study of the blade-vortex interaction (BVI) airloads, rotor trim, blade elastic deformations, and blade structural loads. The two prediction results are compared to each other for a code-to-code comparison study as well as to the measured data. Although CAMRAD II and DYMORE II use different theories and models, most of the prediction results are similar to each other and compared fairly well with the wind tunnel test data. For all the three test cases, the two rotorcraft CSD analyses show good prediction on the fluctuations of the section normal force (M²C_n) due to BVI, but both over-predict the trimmed collective pitch angle. The blade elastic deformations, such as flap deflection and elastic torsion deformation at the tip, are reasonably predicted by both rotorcraft CSD analyses. But, the CAMRAD II result using the multiple-trailer wake model with consolidation is slightly better than the DYMORE II prediction with the single wake panel model particularly for the elastic torsion deformation in the baseline case. In addition, CAMRAD II and DYMORE II both correlate reasonably the blade structural loads, such as flap bending, lead-lag bending, and torsion moments, with the measured data; however, the CAMRAD II results are moderately better than the DYMORE II predictions.     

Fabrication of chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol/amine modified carbon nanotube composite films for rapid chromate removal

Composite adsorbent films with amine and hydroxyl functionalities were synthesized from chitosan (CS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and amine-modified carbon nanotubes (a-MWCNT) by solvent casting method. Weight proportions of CS to PVA and weight percent of a-MWCNT were optimized to achieve highest chromate removal capacity. Structural characteristics of the composites were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and thermal gravimetric analysis. Accordingly, incorporation of a-MWCNT to CS/PVA structure resulted in the generation of nanochannels, which enhanced adsorption capacity. Moreover, the composite comprising 0.4% wt. a-MWCNT provided over 99% of Cr (VI) removal from 50 mg L⁻¹ Cr (VI) solution within five minutes of contact time. Redlich–Peterson and Radke–Prausnitz isotherm models provided the highest conformity to adsorption data. Maximum chromate sorption capacity of CS/PVA/a-MWCNT composite film was determined as 134.2 mg g⁻¹ being 172% higher than that of CS/PVA. Regeneration was best achieved in 1.0 M NaOH and the composite was shown to retain at least 70% of its original capacity after five consecutive adsorption–desorption cycles.     

Design of Lu2O3-reinforced Cf/SiC-ZrB2-ZrC ultra-high temperature ceramic matrix composites: Wetting and interfacial reactivity by ZrSi2 based alloys

The wettability and infiltration of molten ZrSi₂ and ZrSi₂-Lu₂O₃ alloys into C_f/SiC and B₄C-infiltrated C_f/SiC composites were investigated to understand the interfacial interactions that occur during the development of C_f/SiC-ZrC and C_f/SiC-ZrB₂-ZrC-Lu₂O₃ materials. A significant evaporation of Si from the liquid affected the wetting behaviour of the alloy when tested in a vacuum at 1670 °C. The better wetting and spreading of the alloy over the surface was observed for the composites with lower overall porosity (12 %). On the other hand, the formation of an outer dense layer, followed up by the uniform infiltrated region up to ～ 1 mm was observed for the C_f/SiC with higher porosity (21 %). The infiltrated alloy reacted with SiC matrix to form ZrC or with B₄C-infiltrated SiC matrix to form ZrB₂-ZrC-SiC. The Lu₂O₃ particles were not wetted by the melt, and were pushed away of the reaction zone by the solidification front.     

Interfacial reaction in ASZ/A384 Al composite and its influence on mechanical properties

In an ASZ/A384 Al composite, the interfacial reaction was observed to take place between the SiO₂ binder layer and Mg within the matrix to form MgAl₂O₄ at the interface. Formation of MgAl₂O₄ at the interface between ASZ short fibers and the Al matrix alloy is believed to enhance the interfacial bonding strength, resulting in improved composite strength. However, the interfacial reaction in the ASZ/A384 Al proceeds at the expense of Mg in the matrix, resulting in a composite devoid of Mg bearing precipitates such as Al₂CuMg and Mg₂Si.     

Effect of surface coating on the screw loosening of dental abutment screws

Regardless of the type of performed restoration, in most cases, a screw connection is employed between the abutment and implant. For this reason, implant screw loosening has remained a problem in restorative practices. The purpose of this study was to compare the surface of coated/plated screws with titanium and gold alloy screws and to evaluate the physical properties of coated/plated material after scratch tests via FE-SEM (field emission scanning electron microscopy) investigation. GoldTite, titanium screws provided by 3i (Implant Innovation, USA) and TorqTite, titanium screws by Steri-Oss (Nobel Biocare, USA) and gold screws and titanium screws by AVANA (Osstem Implant, Korea) were selected for this study. The surface, crest, and root of the abutment screws were observed by FE-SEM. A micro-diamond needle was also prepared for the scratch test. Each abutment screw was fixed, and a scratch on the surface of the head region was made at constant load and thereafter the fine trace was observed with FE-SEM. The surface of GoldTite was smoother than that of other screws and it also had abundant ductility and malleability compared with titanium and gold screws. The scratch tests also revealed that teflon particles were exfoliated easily in the screw coated with teflon. The titanium screw had rough surface and low ductility. The clinical use of gold-plated screws is recommended as a means of preventing screw loosening.     

High temperature oxidation of Ti−48%Al−2%W intermetallics

Powder metallurgically produced Ti-48% Al-2%W alloys were oxidized between 800 and 1050°C in air. The W-addition was quite effective in providing isothermal and cyclic oxidation resistance. The alloys oxidized parabolically up to 1050°C during isothermal oxidation, with small weight gains. The scales were adherent up to 900°C during cyclic oxidation. Oxide scales consisted primarily of an outer TiO₂ layer, an intermediate Al₂O₃ layer, and an inner (TiO₂+Al₂O₃) mixed layer. Tungsten was present below the intermediate Al₂O₃ layer. and also at the scale-matrix interface as W-enriched compounds. Below the oxide scale, a Ti₃Al zone containing some W and O existed.     

A scanning tunneling microscopy tip with a stable atomic structure

A single stable adatom on a {110}-type plane of a tungsten tip is created via field-evaporation in a field-ion microscope (FIM) operating at room temperature. This single adatom has sufficient surface mobility at room temperature and migrates, in one-dimension, along a <111>-type direction toward an edge of a {110}-type plane, due to the existence of an electric field gradient. The plane edge has a higher local electric field than its center, since it has a higher local geometric curvature. This result implies that the stable position of a single adatom during a scan of a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) tip on a surface is at the edge and not at the center of a {110}-type plane at room temperature. Therefore, the electron wave function of a tip is not symmetric and this fact should be taken into account in a careful analysis of STM images. Also a tip with a dislocation emerging at a {110}-type plane is suggested as an improved STM tip configuration, as the step at the surface, created by the intersection of the dislocation with it, is a perpetual source of single adatoms.     

Reassessment of Ni-Al and Ni-Fe-Al solidus temperatures

Solidus temperatures of the B2 NiAl phase have been determined by high-temperature differential thermal analysis for binary melt compositions Ni_xAl_100−x (45<x<57) and for ternary alloys Fe_yNi_50−yAl₅₀ (0≤y≤50). It was shown that the melting temperature of the stoichiometric Ni₅₀Al₅₀ phase is 1681 °C, which is 43 K higher than some literature data. The solidus line at the Ni-rich side of the Ni-Al phase diagram exhibits a steeper slope than that reported previously. Substituting Fe for Ni, the decrease of solidus temperature along the isoplethal section with 50 at.% Al of the ternary Ni-Fe-Al phase diagram exhibits a steep initial slope of −13 K/at.% Fe for small Fe-fractions, which changes into a nearly linear decrease with an average slope of −8.5 K/at.% Fe.     

Poly(N-methylaniline) coatings on stainless steel by electropolymerization

Poly(N-methylaniline) (PNMA) coatings have been electropolymerized on 304 stainless steel alloy by potentiodynamic, galvanostatic and potentiostatic synthesis techniques from aqueous solutions of 0.1 M N-methylaniline (NMA) and 0.3 M oxalic acid. Characterization of PNMA coatings was carried out by cyclic voltammetry, UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy techniques. Corrosion behavior of PNMA coated stainless steel electrodes was investigated using linear anodic potentiodynamic polarization, Tafel test, chronoamperometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques in 0.5 M aqueous HCl solutions. Corrosion test results showed that PNMA coatings possessed protection to uncoated stainless steel against corrosion.     

Pd/Ge(or Si)/Pd/Ti/Au ohmic contacts to n-type InGaAs for AlGaAs/GaAs HBTs

Pd/Ge/Pd/Ti/Au and Pd/Si/Pd/Ti/Au ohmic contacts to n-type InGaAs were investigated for applications to AlGaAs/GaAs HBT emitter ohmic contacts. In the Pd/Ge/Pd/Ti/Au ohmic contact, a minimum specific contact resistivity of 1.1×10⁻⁶ Ωcm² was achieved by annealing at 425°C/10s, but the ohmic performance was slightly degraded with increasing annealing temperature due to the reaction between the ohmic contact materials and the InGaAs substrate. However, a non-spiking planar interface and relatively good ohmic contact (high-10⁻⁶ Ωcm²) were maintained after annealing at 450°C/10s. In the Pd/Si/Pd/Ti/Au ohmic contact, in spite of the lower barrier height of the metal-InGaAs junction, as-deposited contacts showed non-ohmic behaviors due to the presence of the insulating Si layer. However, the specific contact resistivity decreased remarkably to 4.3×10⁻⁷ Ωcm² by annealing at 425°C/10s. Minimum specific contact resistivity of 3.9×10⁻⁷ Ωcm² was achieved by annealing at 400°C/20s. RF performance of the AlGaAs/GaAs HBT was also examined by employing the Pd/Ge/Pd/Ti/Au and Pd/Si/Pd/Ti/Au systems as emitter ohmic contacts. Cutoff frequencies were 65.0 GHz and 74.4 GHz, respectively, and maximum oscillation frequencies were 51.3 GHz and 52.5 GHz, respectively, indicating very successful high frequency operations.