A study on thermo mechanical fatigue life prediction of Ni-base superalloy

Gas turbine blades are exposed to high-temperature degradation environments due to flames and mechanical loads as a results of high-speed rotation during operation. In addition, blades are exposed to thermo-mechanical fatigue due to frequent start and shutdown. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the lifetime of blade materials.In this study, the TMF life of a Ni-base superalloy applied to gas turbine blade was predicted based on LCF and TMF test results. The LCF tests were conducted under various strain ranges based on gas turbine operating conditions. In addition, IP (in-phase) and OP (out of-phase) TMF tests were conducted under various strain ranges.Finally, a fatigue life prediction model was drawn from the LCF and TMF test results. The correlation between the LCF and TMF test results was also evaluated with respect to fatigue life.     

Gold extraction by chlorination using a pyrometallurgical process

The feasibility to recover the gold present in alluvial material, by means of a chlorination process, using chlorine as a reactive agent, has been studied. The influence of temperature and reaction time was studied through changes in the reactant solid. The techniques used to characterize the mineral samples and the reaction residues were stereomicroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence and scanning electronic microscopy. Results indicate that gold extraction is favored by increasing, both, the temperature and the reaction time. The best recovery values were of 98.23% at 873 K and 3600 s and of 98.73% at 873 K and 5400 s, with very low attack of the matrix containing the metal. The powder of pure gold was not chlorinated at this temperature level.     

Thermal and mechanical properties of polyamide 11 based composites reinforced with surface modified titanate nanotubes

The preparation of polyamide 11 (PA11) based composites reinforced with pristine and surface-modified titanate nanotubes (TTNT) is reported. Twin-screw melt compounding was used to produce composites with up to 2 wt% of TTNT. To enhance dispersion and TTNT compatibility with the thermoplastic, these were modified with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetry were used to demonstrate that surface modification prior to composite processing was successful, while scanning transmission electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis confirmed the retention of surfactants on TTNT in composites. Nevertheless, scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed incomplete dispersion of TTNT inside polyamide. The improved wettability on the TTNT–PA11 interface was observed for composites comprising surface-modified TTNT. Consequently, these composites exhibited better thermal and mechanical properties than those containing pristine TTNT. A significant rise of the decomposition temperature was detected in composites containing TTNT modified with CTAB, while the uppermost increment of the storage and Young’s modulus (of about 35% and 26%, respectively) was achieved in the composite comprising 0.5 wt% of TTNT modified with SDS. The increase of the nanofiller content improved the yield strength and led to the drop in the strain at break.     

Functionalization of Ti6Al4V scaffolds produced by direct metal laser for biomedical applications

Direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) is a powerful tool to produce titanium based biomaterials because the ease to convert 3D medical imaging data into solid objects with excellent mechanical and corrosion properties. DMLS samples can be functionalized by anodizing, allowing the growth of titanium oxide layers of enhanced properties. In the present paper, a complete characterization of the microstructure, mechanical properties and particularly, the corrosion behavior has been carried out to assess their possible use as biomaterial. The results of the anodized scaffolds are very promising, showing a Young Modulus near to the cortical bone and a low corrosion rate, ensuring their suitability for medical applications.     

Numerical investigation on steel fibre reinforced cementitious composite panels subjected to high velocity impact loading

Steel fibre reinforced cementitious composite (SFRCC) panels are numerically investigated for their performances under high velocity impact of short projectiles. Numerical responses are obtained using advanced constitutive material model of Riedel–Hiermaier–Thoma (RHT) for cementitious materials and adopting appropriate modelling techniques. Effects of steel fibre volume and the thickness of panels on the impact performance are mainly highlighted in this paper. Various characteristics phenomenon during impact on cementitious composite panels namely, spalling, cracking, scabbing and perforation, are captured which is a difficult task. Scabbing is likely to occur when tensile stresses at the back face of the panel exceed dynamic tensile strength of the material. Various critical aspects in numerical modelling like boundary conditions, material input parameters, and handling severe distortion of the Lagrangian based finite elements are appropriately explained. Design chart is also developed to determine optimum fibre volume and thickness for an impact energy level up to 2.2 kJ. The numerically predicted impact responses are found to corroborate well with experimental results.     

等离子喷涂铝电解可湿润TiB2阴极涂层研究进展

铝电解工业越来越多的采用石墨阴极,石墨阴极具有良好的导电性能,但石墨不被铝液湿润且和铝液形成Al4 C3,导致铝电解槽运行寿命短.可湿润TiB2涂层阴极因节能和延长槽寿命能够给铝电解工业带来显著效益.等离子喷涂是一种高效、灵活的沉积涂层的方法 ,能够在形状复杂或大表面积的基体上沉积金属间化合物、陶瓷或复合材料,涂层厚度可从数微米到数毫米.等离子喷涂制备可湿润性TiB2涂层阴极是可行有效的方法 ,本文评述了等离子喷涂制备可湿润TiB2阴极涂层的研究进展,简述了等离子喷涂工艺受到的影响因素(包括粉末性质、基体表面形貌和焰流性质)和涂层与基体材料结合的机制(包括机械结合、冶金结合和物理结合),分析和讨论了TiB2粉末制备、基体预处理、等离子喷涂工艺参数、涂层显微结构和性能等.最后,指出了等离子喷涂制备可湿润性TiB2涂层阴极工艺将来研究需要解决的几个关键问题.     

Spectroscopic and electrochemical investigations of lead–lead dioxide glasses and vitroceramics with applications for rechargeable lead–acid batteries

A new class of glass and vitroceramic electrodes with applications for rechargeable batteries was obtained by a melt quenching method. The structural characterization of the samples having the xPb·(100−x)PbO₂ composition, where x=0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mol% Pb, was performed by UV–vis and FTIR spectroscopies investigations.UV–vis and FTIR data reveal that the excess of lead content in the host matrix generates the transformation and/or disintegration of [PbO₆] octahedral structural units into [PbO₄] structural units or Pb²⁺ ions and non-bonding oxygen ions centers.The electrochemical performances of the glass and vitroceramics electrodes were investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The shapes of the cyclic voltammograms and redox peaks depend on the electrolyte solution concentration and the lead content in host matrix. Differences between these waves are determined by the type of electrochemically active species existing in the glass or glass ceramics. The improved performance of the vitroceramic electrodes is attributed to the presence of the lead metallic phase that seems to offer an easier route for the charge process of the electrodes. Thus, the presence of these phases generates more electrochemically active species, inhibits the secondary reactions implying PbO, takes up the ionic conduction of the larger electrolyte solution and increases the charge/discharge rate of the electrochemical processes.     

Effect of sintering temperature on the structural and magnetic properties of MgFe2O4 ceramics prepared by spark plasma sintering

Spark plasma sintering (SPS) is a powerful technique to produce fine grain dense ferrite at low temperature. This work was undertaken to study the effect of sintering temperature on the densification, microstructures and magnetic properties of magnesium ferrite (MgFe₂O₄). MgFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized via sol–gel self-combustion method. The powders were pressed into pellets which were sintered by spark plasma sintering at 700–900 °C for 5 min under 40 MPa. A densification of 95% of the theoretical density of Mg ferrite was achieved in the spark plasma sintered (SPSed) ceramics. The density, grain size and saturation magnetization of SPSed ceramics were found to increase with an increase in sintering temperature. Infrared (IR) spectra exhibit two important vibration bands of tetrahedral and octahedral metal-oxygen sites. The investigations of microstructures and magnetic properties reveal that the unique sintering mechanism in the SPS process is responsible for the enhancement of magnetic properties of SPSed compacts.