Solidification morphology and phase selection in drop-tube processed Ni–Fe–Si intermetallics

Drop-tube processing was used to rapidly solidify droplets of Ni_64.7Fe₁₀Si_25.3 and Ni_59.7Fe₁₅Si_25.3 alloys. In the larger droplets, and therefore at low cooling rates, only two phases, γ-Ni₃₁Si₁₂ and β₁-Ni₃Si were observed. Conversely, in the smaller droplets, and therefore at higher cooling rates, the metastable phase Ni₂₅Si₉ was also observed. The critical cooling rate for the formation of Ni₂₅Si₉ was estimated as 5 × 10³ K s⁻¹. SEM and TEM analysis reveals three typical microstructures: (I) a regular structure, comprising single-phase γ-Ni₃₁Si₁₂ and a eutectic structure between γ-Ni₃₁Si₁₂ and β₁-Ni₃Si; (II) a refined lamellar structure with a lamellar spacing <50 nm comprising γ-Ni₃₁Si₁₂ and β₁-Ni₃Si; (III) an anomalous structure with a matrix of Ni₂₅Si₉ and only a very small proportion of a second, and as yet unidentified, phase. These results indicate that there is an extended stability field for Ni₂₅Si₉ in the Ni-rich part of the Ni–Fe–Si ternary system in comparison to the Ni–Si binary system. With an increase of cooling rate, an increasing fraction of small droplets experience high undercoolings and, therefore, can be undercooled into the Ni₂₅Si₉ stability field forming droplets consisting of only the anomalous structure (III). The Fe atoms are found to occupy different substitutional sites in different phase, i.e. Fe substitutes for Ni in the γ phase and Si in the L1₂ (β₁) phase respectively.     

The influence of thermal residual stresses and thermal generated dislocation on the mechanical response of particulate-reinforced metal matrix nanocomposites

Due to thermal expansion mismatch between reinforcing particles and matrix, thermal induced dislocations are generated in metal matrix nanocomposites (MMNCs) during cooling down from the processing temperature. These dislocations have been identified as an important strengthening mechanism in particulate-reinforced MMNCs. In this study, the development of thermal residual stresses and thermal induced dislocations in MMNCs are predicted using discrete dislocation simulation, assuming the whole material is under uniform temperature change. Shear deformation is applied after the composites are cooled down to room temperature and the influence of thermal residual stresses and thermal generated dislocation on the overall response of particulate-reinforced MMNCs are investigated. The results show that the thermal residual stresses are high enough to generate dislocations and the dislocation density is higher in the interfacial region than the rest of the matrix. The predicted mechanical behavior of the MMNCs matches the experimental results better when thermal residual stresses are included in the simulations.     

Dielectric response and energy storage efficiency of low content TiO2-polymer matrix nanocomposites

TiO₂/epoxy nanocomposites were prepared at different filler concentrations varying from 3 to 12 phr (parts per hundred resin per weight). The dispersion of TiO₂ was examined by Scanning Electron Microscopy and proved to be adequate. Differential Scanning Calorimetry was implemented to determine the glass to rubber transition temperature of the polymer matrix. The dielectric analysis was performed via Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy in a wide frequency and temperature range. Five different mechanisms were observed in the spectra of the examined composites which are identified, in terms of increasing temperature at constant frequency, as γ, β, Intermediate Dipolar Effect (IDE), α and Interfacial Polarization (IP) relaxation modes. The activation energies of all relaxation modes were calculated. Finally, the dielectric response of the TiO₂ nanocomposites compared to that of the TiO₂ microcomposites reveals that the former exhibit significantly higher energy storage efficiency even at lower TiO₂ concentration than the corresponding of the microcomposites.     

Performances at high temperature of RC bridge decks strengthened with EBR-FRP

Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) can be successfully used to externally strengthen reinforced concrete (RC) bridges where fire is not a primary concern. Nevertheless, common maintenance activity on a bridge deck, such as the laying of bituminous paving, can easily lead the FRP to temperatures higher than the glass transition temperature, T_g. Exceeding T_g does not necessarily imply a drastic reduction in strength and stiffness of the reinforcement. Nevertheless, the softening of the resin implies a drastic reduction in its adhesion properties. Therefore, the efficiency of the strengthening system for existing structures, which mainly depends on the effectiveness of the bond between FRP and concrete, is significantly affected by temperature.The relationships suggested by Italian and American codes in order to evaluate the limit strain for FRP debonding at normal temperature are modified to take into account the effect of high temperature. Then, performances at high temperature of RC bridge decks strengthened with externally bonded FRP plates (EBR) are investigated by considering thermal fields in the structural members which are different from the normal ones. Both fire and the laying of bituminous paving on the decks are considered. In addition, the thicknesses of the slabs and the protective layer are varied to assess their influence on the thermal field in the slabs. The results are discussed with reference to both ultimate and serviceability limit states.     

Structural performance of ballastless track slabs reinforced with BFRP and SFCB

Because of the inductive impedance caused by steel meshes in traditional reinforced ballastless track slabs, the electrical properties, primarily the rail resistance and inductance, of jointless track circuits are affected by electromagnetic induction between the slabs and the electric current in the rail. This problem results in poor transmission performance throughout the track circuit. Insulating sleeves or cards between the steel meshes have been used to improve the insulation capability of steel meshes in slabs; however, they reduce the bonding performance between the steel bars and concrete. Because of the good insulation properties of fiber-reinforced polymer composite bars (FRPs) and steel-fiber reinforced polymer composite bars (SFCBs), these composite materials have shown potential to overcome this insulation problem. However, the structural performance of the ballastless track slabs reinforced by basalt fiber reinforced polymer composite bars (BFRPs) and SFCBs, which play a key role in the structure and transportation safety, needs to be investigated. In this paper, six ballastless track slabs reinforced with BFRPs, SFCBs, and steel bars were constructed and tested. The following results were obtained. (1) Shear failures were observed for all slabs, both the BFRP and SFCB slabs meet the load level requirements, and SFCBs reinforcements have higher strength utilization compared with BFRPs reinforcements. (2) The bond-quality of SFCBs and BFRPs reinforcements proved slightly poorer than that of the steel bars. Because of the good corrosion resistance of the FRP, the maximum crack width limits can be slightly larger than that of the RC slabs. (3) Bischoff’s equation was initially used to calculate the deflection of partially prestressed concrete slabs under service loads. The results demonstrated a good agreement between the theoretical and experimental analysis. (4) Considering the tensile stiffness, the modified ACI equation was used to calculate the slabs’ crack width and the theoretical and experimental results showed a good agreement.     

Cylindrical conformal single-patch microstrip antennas based on three dimensional woven glass fiber/epoxy resin composites

Three dimensional integrated microstrip antenna (3DIMA) can carry the designed load while functioning as an antenna. In this study, the cylindrical conformal single-patch 3DIMAs with various curvatures were designed, simulated, fabricated and tested experimentally using a 3D orthogonal woven glass preform/epoxy resin composite system. The electromagnetic performances of the cylindrical microstrip antennas were analyzed. The simulated and tested results matched well and the return losses of the cylindrical conformal 3DIMAs with radii of curvatures of 60, 45 and 25 mm were less than −10 dB while resonant frequencies and their gain values were significantly influenced by the radius of curvature and the feeding direction. The 3DIMAs with the curvature perpendicular to the feeding directions showed more stable resonant frequencies and larger gain values than those of 3DIMAs with the curvature along their feeding directions.     

Hygrothermal deformation of orthotropic nanoplates based on the state-space concept

This paper deals with the investigation of the effect of hygrothermal conditions on the bending of nanoplates using Levy type solution model employing the state-space concept. The nanoplates are assumed to be subjected to a hygrothermal environment. The two-unknown function plate theory is used to derive the governing differential equations on the basis of Eringen's nonlocal elasticity theory. The governing equations contain the small scale effect as well as hygrothermal and mechanical effects. These equations are converted into a set of first-order linear ordinary differential equations with constant coefficients. Analytical solution of bending response for nanoplates under combinations of simply supported, clamped and free boundary conditions is obtained. Comparison of the results with those being in the open literature is made. The influences played by small scale parameter, temperature rise, the degree of moisture concentration, boundary conditions, plate aspect ratio and side-to-thickness ratio are studied.     

高强度管线钢落锤撕裂性能的试验

摘要：以X80管线钢为试验材料，采用金相显微镜和扫描电子显微镜，研究了显微组织、M/A、夹杂物对管线钢落锤撕裂性能的影响。结果表明，管线钢落锤撕裂性能（DWTT）随着多边形铁素体体积分数的增加而改善，当多边形铁素体的体积分数超过某一临界值(约28%)后，DWTT性能开始降低；组织中的M/A岛细小且弥散分布，其尺寸控制在纳米级别有利于改善DWTT性能；针对本研究试验钢，若其厚度方向上组织均匀、组织中铁素体体积分数为28%、M/A岛平均尺寸和比例分别为0.42μm和2.8%时，试验钢具有最好的落锤撕裂性能（韧性剪切面积率94.5%）。     

DRD2和5-HTR2A基因多态性及其交互作用对奥氮平治疗精神分裂症疗效的影响

目的：探讨多巴胺D2受体（dopamine D2 receptor, DRD2）和5-羟色胺2A受体（5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor, 5-HTR2A）基因多态性及其交互作用与奥氮平治疗精神分裂症疗效的关系。方法：纳入147例接受单一奥氮平治疗的精神分裂症住院患者为研究对象，采用阳性与阴性症状量表（PANSS）评定药物疗效，按PANSS减分率≥50%和<50%，分为有效组和无效组。采用多重高温连接酶检测反应技术（iMLDR）检测DRD2（rs1799978、rs1800497）和5-HTR2A（rs6311、rs6313）基因多态性；采用多因素Logistic回归分析各基因型和奥氮平疗效的关联性，采用多因子降维法（MDR）分析基因-基因的交互作用。结果：有效组和无效组rs1799978、rs6313位点基因型和等位基因频率分布差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05），而两组rs1800497、rs6311位点基因型和等位基因频率分布差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）；rs1799978位点GA和GG型患者奥氮平疗效较野生AA型好，其比值比（OR）及95%CI分别为5.101（1.118～23.267）、6.051（2.454～14.925）；rs6313位点CT和CC型患者奥氮平疗效较野生TT型好，其OR及95%CI分别为2.623（1.054～6.528）、3.412（1.180～9.869）；rs1799978、rs1800497和rs6313位点间存在交互作用，其交互模型为最优基因-基因交互作用模型（P<0.05），该模型检验样本准确度为0.727 3，交叉验证一致性为10/10。结论：DRD2（rs1799978）和5-HTR2A（rs6313）基因多态性可能与奥氮平治疗精神分裂症疗效相关，DRD2（rs1799978、rs1800497）和5-HTR2A（rs6313）对奥氮平疗效的影响存在交互作用。