Flame retarding effects of nanoclay on wood–fiber composites

This research article focuses on investigating the effects of nanoclay particles on the flame retarding characteristics of wood–fiber/plastic composites (WPC) using ASTM D635. The processing aspects of nanocomposites with WPC are presented. The processing techniques for controlling the degree of exfoliation and the cost aspect are also described. It turns out that the coupling agent used for wood–fibers is also effective for the exfoliation of clay, and therefore, no additional cost is required. This research indicates that the structure of nanocomposites (i.e., the degree of exfoliation) and the clay content used have a large impact on the flame retardancy of WPC. The flame retardancy is investigated as a function of these parameters. Based on this, a cost‐effective way to improve flame retardancy of WPC is presented. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:308–313, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Mechanical properties and foaming behavior of cellulose fiber reinforced high‐density polyethylene composites

This article investigates the effects of fiber length and maleated polymers on the mechanical properties and foaming behavior of cellulose fiber reinforced high‐density polyethylene composites. The results from the mechanical tests suggested that long fibers provided higher flexural and impact properties than short fibers. In addition, the maleated high‐density polyethylene increased flexural strength significantly, while the maleated thermoplastic elastormers increased notched Izod impact strength dramatically. On the other hand, the results from the extrusion foaming indicated that the composites with long and short fibers demonstrated similar cell morphology, i.e., a similar average cell size and cell size distribution. However, the addition of maleated high‐density polyethylene caused an increase of the average cell size and cell size distribution in the composites. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Corrosion behaviour of squeeze-cast aluminium alloy-silicon carbide composites

The corrosion behaviour of squeeze-cast Al alloy (LM11) separately dispersed with 10 vol% SiC fibres and SiC particles was investigated in 3% aqueous NaCl solution by general corrosion as well as potentiodynamic polarization techniques. Erosion-corrosion tests were also performed on the specimens in the solution. The base alloy was also subjected to identical tests to examine the influence of the presence of SiC in the matrix. The base alloy showed a lower corrosion rate than the composites. Furthermore, the alloy containing SiC fibres showed a higher corrosion rate than the one with SiC particle dispersion. Erosioncorrosion tests indicated that the rate of material loss followed a trend similar to that in other corrosion tests. The material loss was significantly higher in the case of erosion-corrosion tests. In addition to pitting and attack at the CuAl₂ precipitate-Al interface in the matrix, dispersoid-matrix interfacial attack by the corrosion medium was also observed in the case of composites. On the other hand, erosion-corrosion revealed occasional partial removal of the dispersoid due to the impingement of the electrolyte. The tendency of the dispersoid removal by the impinging electrolyte was predominantly more in the case of the composites dispersed with SiC fibres. Results are explained in terms of the interfacial bonding as well as the shape of the dispersoid.     

Economic Impact of Software Patching and Optimal Release Scheduling

Because of highly distributed nature of software products, the task of improving software reliability is becoming a complex job. Specialized tools and techniques are being used to isolate the risky software modules. In order to retain in market, firms are required not only to provide the software on time but also to endow with continuous processing. Product updating is the process that comes to safeguard the firm's image at this point of time. And one such attribute of updating is providing software patches. Today, almost all software firms are providing either patching, module exchange or service pack application processes consequent to a release. This paper proposes a scheduling policy for a software product and shows the importance of patching in lowering the system outages and making the system more cost effective. Validation on the proposed policy has been done using real life software failure data set of Tandem Computers. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

扭转挤出技术制备再生碳纤维增强聚苯乙烯化学发泡复合材料

采用再生碳纤维（RCF）作为增强体和成核剂及扭转挤出技术制备了聚苯乙烯（PS）/RCF为主体成分的硬质泡沫,利用三维（3D）层析成像技术、电子显微镜等对泡沫材料的微观结构、泡孔形态进行了研究。结果表明,在扭转挤出过程中,聚合物熔体产生了扭转螺旋流动,使纤维充分分散并沿流动方向取向;并且改善了整个体系的混合和温度性能,使得泡孔形态整体较为均匀;此外,泡沫质量受到机头温度的影响,且当机头温度高于180 ℃时,制品表面变得凹凸不平,气体发生逃逸现象;RCF的加入,会使气泡会沿着RCF取向方向生长,但是添加过多的RCF,会影响气泡成核。     

Solid wastes generation in India and their recycling potential in building materials

Presently in India, about 960 million tonnes of solid waste is being generated annually as by-products during industrial, mining, municipal, agricultural and other processes. Of this ∼350 million tonnes are organic wastes from agricultural sources; ∼290 million tonnes are inorganic waste of industrial and mining sectors and ∼4.5 million tonnes are hazardous in nature. Advances in solid waste management resulted in alternative construction materials as a substitute to traditional materials like bricks, blocks, tiles, aggregates, ceramics, cement, lime, soil, timber and paint. To safeguard the environment, efforts are being made for recycling different wastes and utilise them in value added applications. In this paper, present status on generation and utilization of both non-hazardous and hazardous solid wastes in India, their recycling potentials and environmental implication are reported and discussed in details.     

钢渣矿渣掺合料对水泥性能的影响

研究了钢渣的掺入量对水泥浆体性能的影响,以及钢渣单掺和钢渣与矿渣复掺对水泥胶砂强度的影响。结果表明:钢渣的掺入可以改善水泥浆体的流动性,凝结时间随钢渣掺量增加而延长。单掺钢渣时,水泥胶砂强度下降明显。钢渣与矿渣复掺会相互激发、相互促进水化,水泥胶砂强度变化不大,且钢渣在复合粉中的比例为20%,替代水泥量为50%时,28 d强度已超过基准样。