Effects of heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of Inconel 625 alloy fabricated by wire arc additive manufacturing process

The microstructure and mechanical properties of Inconel 625 alloy fabricated by wire arc additive manufacturing process were evaluated under as-prepared and heat-treated conditions. A dendritic Ni-based solid solution phase along with (Nb, Ti)C carbide, Laves, and δ-Ni₃Nb secondary phases were developed in the microstructure of the as-prepared alloy. Solution heat treatment led to the dissolution of Laves and Ni₃Nb phases. In addition, dendrites were replaced with large columnar grains. Aging heat treatment resulted in the formation of grain boundary M₂₃C₆ carbide and nanometric γ″ precipitates. Hardness, yield and tensile strengths, as well as elongation of the as-prepared part, were close to those of the cast alloy and its fracture occurred in a transgranular ductile mode. Solution heat treatment improved hardness and yield strength and declined the elongation, but it did not have a considerable impact on the tensile strength. Furthermore, aging heat treatment caused the tensile properties to deteriorate and changed the fracture to a mixture of transgranular ductile and intergranular brittle mode.     

Comparison of Cu–Al–Ni–Mn–Zr shape memory alloy prepared by selective laser melting and conventional powder metallurgy

This work aimed to investigate and critically analyze the differences in microstructural features and thermal stability of Cu−11.3Al−3.2Ni−3.0Mn−0.5Zr shape memory alloy processed by selective laser melting (SLM) and conventional powder metallurgy. PM specimens were produced by sintering 106−180 µm pre-alloyed powders under an argon atmosphere at 1060 °C without secondary operations. SLM specimens were consolidated through melting 32−106 µm pre-alloyed powders on a Cu−10Sn substrate. Mechanical properties were measured through Vickers hardness testing. Differential scanning calorimetry was conducted to assess the martensitic transformation temperatures. X-ray diffraction patterns were collected to identify the metallurgical phases. Optical and scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze the microstructural features. β′₁ martensite was found, irrespective of the processing route, although coarser martensitic variants were present in PM-specimens. In conventional powder metallurgy samples, intergranular eutectoid constituents and stabilized austenite also formed at room temperature. PM-specimens showed similar average hardness values to the SLM-specimens, albeit with high standard deviation linked to the porosity. The specimens processed by SLM showed reversible martensitic transformation (T₀=171 °C). PM-processed specimens did not show shape memory effects.     

Incorporation of sugarcane bagasse in the development of high dietary fibre noodles

Sugarcane bagasse (SB) is one of the most abundant food wastes. In this research, SB was incorporated into the development of noodles at three different ratios, i.e. 5%, 10% and 15%. Total dietary fibre of noodles significantly increased from 3.39% (control noodles; – without SB) to 13.85% with 15% SB incorporation. All SB incorporated noodles (SBNs) were qualified to be labelled as ‘High in dietary fibre’. The 15% SBN had the highest fibre content and lowest dialyzable glucose, but the organoleptic properties were the lowest. Due to that, 5% SBN was deemed to be the most suitable ratio for noodles incorporation, as it had the closest value towards the commercial noodles in terms of colour, texture, fibre content and dialyzable glucose concentration of noodles samples. In terms of sensory evaluation, the 5% SBN had the highest overall acceptability, and the ratio was suitable for noodles development.     

超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法检测多基质保健食品中27种非法添加降糖类化合物

目的 建立超高效液相色谱-三重四极杆质谱检测保健食品中27种降糖类非法添加化合物的方法。方法 4种不同基质保健品样品经甲醇超声提取后，采用Waters XBridge Amide色谱柱 (2.1 mm×100 mm, 3.5 μm)，以5 mmol/L甲酸铵水溶液和5 mmol/L甲酸铵乙腈作为流动相进行梯度洗脱，分离苯乙双胍、二甲双胍、伏格列波糖、阿卡波糖、丁二胍共5种化合物；采用Waters CORTECS T3色谱柱 (2.1 mm×100 mm, 2.7 μm)，以0.1%甲酸水溶液和乙腈作为流动相进行梯度洗脱，分离维达列汀、罗格列酮、西他列汀、吡格列酮等22种化合物；环格列酮采用电喷雾离子化负离子模式，其余26种化合物采用电喷雾离子化正离子模式，以多反应监测方式进行检测。结果 伏格列波糖、阿卡波糖、达格列净、卡格列净、曲格列酮、环格列酮6种化合物在250 ng/mL~12.5 μg/mL范围内线性关系良好，其余21种化合物在5~250 ng/mL范围内线性关系良好，线性相关系数r均大于0.99；27种化合物检出限(limit of detection, LOD)范围为1~1000 μg/kg；在低、中、高三水平加标，其回收率均在70%~120%范围内，相对标准偏差(relative standard deviation, RSD)为0.7%~10% (n=6)。结论 本方法快速、灵敏、高效、准确，适用范围广，可用于保健食品中降糖类化合物的高通量检测。     

Understanding the psychological benefits in organic consumerism: An empirical exploration

This research builds on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) by proposing two additional constructs: warm glow and self-expressive benefits which could further drive consumer attitude and purchase intentions in the context of organic food consumption. We employed structural equation modelling (SEM) technique with Smart PLS 3.0 (Partial Least Squares) for the analysis of the hypothesised relationships between these psychological factors and the constructs of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). The theoretical model was tested with samples from India (n = 471) and the USA (n = 440) collected using Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (M Turk). Results confirmed the importance of warm glow and self-expressive benefits in organic consumerism in both markets. The study makes an important contribution in adding these two constructs to the TPB and then suggests practical tips to policy makers.     

Sustainable control strategies for plant protection and food packaging sectors by natural substances and novel nanotechnological approaches

An overview is provided of the current technological strategies (also at the nanoscale level) recently involved in plant and/or food protection. In addition, the potential use of natural and sustainable substances, instead of traditional synthesized molecules or chemical-based compounds, is addressed both with respect to packaging systems and novel pesticide formulations. In this context, nanotechnological approaches represent promising strategies for the entire agriculture industry chain, from the field to consumers. Traditional plant protection strategies are often insufficient and the application of chemical-based pesticides has negative effects on animals, humans and the environment. Novel greener tools could represent efficient alternatives for the management of plant diseases using promising strategies; the use of nanotechnologies allows the promotion of the more efficient assembly and subsequent release of environmentally sustainable active principles, limiting the use of chemicals in terms of economic losses. At the same time, new sustainable, antimicrobial and antioxidant systems have been rapidly promoted and investigated in the food packaging sector as a valid eco-friendly possibility for improving the safety and quality of food products and reducing and/or limiting the environmental impact with respect to traditional materials. Together, the scientific community and the growing interest of consumers have promoted the development of new edible and eco-friendly packaging that reduces waste and any environmental impact. In this context, the aim is to provide evidence of the usefulness of strategies aiming to limit agrochemicals, as well as the potential of nanomaterials, in sustainable plant and food protection for agriculture management and the packaging sector. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry     

Consumer confidence in the safety of milk and infant milk formula in China

A series of food safety incidents related to domestically produced dairy in China harmed consumer confidence and caused a dramatic decrease in dairy consumption from 2008 to 2010. Compared with previous studies that mainly assessed consumer confidence in food or dairy in general, this study focused on 2 specific dairy products, milk and infant milk formula (IMF). Based on data from 934 Chinese consumers, confidence in the safety of milk and IMF was measured by using a multi-item scale with 2 dimensions—optimism and pessimism. We found that Chinese consumers were optimistic about the safety of milk and IMF but, at the same time, were concerned about the risks related to milk and IMF. Chinese consumers have less confidence in IMF than in milk. Structural equation modeling indicated that consumer trust in manufacturers and third parties in the dairy supply chain and confidence in other foods, such as meat and fish, can foster consumer confidence in the safety of milk and IMF, while the extent of recall of the melamine infant formula incident in 2008 and trait worry exert negative effects. In addition, consumers with more children or less family income are likely to be more confident in domestically produced IMF. These insights into consumer confidence and its determinants can assist dairy supply chains and regulatory institutions in formulating effective risk communication strategies to strengthen consumer confidence.