Mullite-bonded SiC-whisker-reinforced SiC matrix composites: Preparation,characterization, and toughening mechanisms

A novel mullite-bonded SiC-whisker-reinforced SiC matrix composite (SiCw/SiC, SiC whisker-to-SiC powder mass ratio of 1:9) was designed and successfully prepared. Before preparing the composite, the inexpensive lab-made SiCw was first modified by an oxidation/leaching process and then coated with Al₂O₃. The kinetics results indicate that the oxidation process can be described by improved shrinking-cylinder models. The aspect ratio of SiCw improved after modification. Subsequently, raw materials with a SiC–SiO₂–Al₂O₃ triple-layered structure were obtained after the Al₂O₃-coating process and used as feedstocks during the subsequent hot-pressing sintering. Finally, the characterization of the composites indicates that the mullite-bonded sample performs better (relative density of 93.8?±?1.4%, flexural strength of 533.3?±?18.2?MPa, fracture toughness of 13.6?±?2.1?MPa?m^1/2, and Vickers hardness of 20.6?±?2.5?GPa) than the reference sample without the mullite interface. The improved toughness could essentially be attributed to the moderately strong interface bonding and effective load transfer effects of the mullite interface.     

Preparation of composites based on recycled polypropylene and automotive shredder residue

In past research, mechanical recycling of automotive shredder residue (ASR) has led to serious deterioration of material performance, and real‐scale application in this way still remains a challenge. Here, we report a sustainable approach called solid‐state shear milling (SSSM) for the production of high‐performance polypropylene (PP)/ASR composites with robust mechanical performance on a commercial scale. After the SSSM process, the obtained 50/50 wt% PP/ASR composite exhibited a 41.3% increase in tensile strength, 32.9% increase in flexural strength and 55.0% increase in impact toughness when compared with corresponding composites made by traditional direct melt blending. In particular, the toughness of the material can be improved by further addition of PP grafted with maleic anhydride with toughness comparable to that of recycled PP, and a 325% increase in toughness can be obtained with addition of styrene–butadiene–styrene block copolymer grafted with maleic anhydride. This PP/ASR composite shows good processability and high thermal stability, and meets the requirements of many applications for nonstructural products. The approach presented in this paper highlights a novel technique for ASR recycling. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry     

Polyurethane/doxorubicin nanoparticles based on electrostatic interactions as pH‐sensitive drug delivery carriers

In order to obtain a pH‐sensitive delivery carrier for doxorubicin (DOX), DOX‐loaded polyurethane (PU·DOX) nanoparticles were readily prepared in water by electrostatic interactions between amphiphilic polyurethane with carboxyl pendent groups (PU‐COOH) and doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX·HCl). The structures of the products obtained were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ¹H NMR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, UV–visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. The average hydrodynamic size of the PU·DOX nanoparticles was around 182 nm with negative surface charge (?1.1 mV) and a spherical or rodlike shape. PU·DOX nanoparticles had a higher drug‐loading content of 14.1 wt%. The in vitro drug release properties of PU·DOX nanoparticles were investigated at pH 4.0, 5.0 and 7.4, respectively. PU·DOX nanoparticles exhibited a good pH‐sensitive drug release property, but there was almost no release of DOX from PU·DOX nanoparticles at pH 7.4. The in vitro cellular uptake assay and the Cell Counting Kit‐8 assay demonstrated that PU·DOX nanoparticles had a higher level of cellular internalization and higher inhibitory effects on the proliferation of human breast cancer (MCF‐7) cells than pure DOX. The enhancement of the inhibition effects resulted from increasing apoptosis‐inducing effects on MCF‐7 cells, which was related to the enhancement of Bax expression and the reduction of Bcl‐2 expression confirmed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and western blot assay. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry     

Isothermal crystallization kinetics and subsequent melting behavior of β‐nucleated isotactic polypropylene/graphene oxide composites with different ordered structure

The effects of ordered structure on isothermal crystallization kinetics and subsequent melting behavior of β‐nucleated isotactic polypropylene/graphene oxide (iPP/GO) composites were studied using differential scanning calorimetry. The ordered structure status was controlled by tuning the fusion temperature (T_f). The results showed that depending on the variation of crystallization rate, the whole T_f range could be divided into three regions: Region I (T_f > 179 °C), Region II (170 °C ≤ T_f ≤ 179 °C) and Region III (T_f < 170 °C). As T_f decreased from Region I to Region III, the crystallization rate would increase substantially at two transition points, due to the variation of the ordered structure status. Calculation of Avrami exponent n indicated that the ordered structure induced the formation of two‐dimensional growing crystallites rather than three‐dimensional growing crystallites. Moreover, in the case of isothermal crystallization, the ordered structure effect (OSE) can also greatly increase the relative content of β‐phase (β_c). In Region II, OSE took place, resulting in evident increase of β_c, achieving 92.4% at maximum. The variation of the isothermal crystallization temperature (T_iso) had little influence on the T_f range (Region II) of the OSE. The higher T_f in Region II was more favorable for the formation of higher β_c. The ordered structure was favorable for the improvement of the nucleating efficiency of β‐nucleating agent (β‐NE), and was more effective for the improvement of lower β‐NE. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of Cobalt Content on the Oxidation and Corrosion Behavior of Ni–Fe-Based Superalloy for Ultra-Supercritical Boiler Applications

The oxidation and corrosion behavior of three model alloys with different cobalt contents (6–20 wt%) were investigated in static air and a simulated coal ash/gas environment at 750 °C. The model alloys follow a parabolic law approximately during the oxidation in static air. High cobalt level improves the oxidation resistance, however, without noticeable improvement in coal ash/gas corrosion resistance. The sample with the highest cobalt content grows the thinnest oxide layer and the fewest internal oxidation products in the oxidation test. Cobalt in the model alloys promotes the establishment of a protective chromium oxide scale during the oxidation test, but did not show much difference in restraining the inward diffusion of sulfur by increasing its content. The oxidation and corrosion products formed on the sample surface consist mainly of a protective chromium oxide film. Internal aluminum oxide particles have been found especially along the grain boundaries of the base alloy.     

Probing the Rayleigh–Benard convection phase change mechanism of low-melting-point metal via lattice Boltzmann method

A double distribution function lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) with multirelaxation time is implemented to simulate the Rayleigh–Benard convection melting of a typical low-melting-point metal in a rectangular cavity. Typical cases frequently encountered in practice with constant heat flux/constant temperature boundary conditions are parametrically investigated, with corresponding dimensionless results outlined; the influence of inclination angle of the cavity is also clarified. The computational speed of the current LBM would reach about 40 times faster than that of conventional finite volume method as performed by commercial software Fluent. The obtained results would be valuable for guiding practical thermal design.     

Investigation of flame characteristics using various design parameters in a pulverized coal burner for oxy‐fuel retrofitting

In oxy‐coal combustion for carbon capture and storage, oxygen and recirculated CO₂ are used as oxidizers instead of air to produce CO₂‐rich flue gas. Owing to differences between the physical and chemical properties of CO₂ and N₂, the development of a burner and boiler system based on fundamental understanding of the flame type, heat transfer, and NOx emission is required. In this study, computational fluid dynamic analysis incorporating comprehensive coal conversion models was performed to investigate the combustion characteristics of a 30 MWth tangential vane swirl pulverized coal burner. Various burner design parameters were evaluated, including the influence of the burner geometry on the swirl strength, direct O₂ injection, and O₂ concentrations in the primary and secondary oxidizers. The flame characteristics were sensitive to the oxygen concentration in the primary oxidizer. The performance of direct O₂ injection around the primary oxidizer with low O₂ concentration was dependent on the mixing of the fuel and oxidizer. The predictions showed that swirl number adjustment and careful direct oxygen injection design are essential for retrofitting air‐firing pulverized coal burners as oxy‐firing burners.     

爆炸冲击波超压加载伪随机网壳的分布规律研究

采用缩比模型爆炸试验与数值仿真相结合的方法,开展了爆炸冲击波超压加载伪随机网壳的分布规律研究。首先,选取具有代表性的某伪随机140面体网壳结构,开展了缩比模型爆炸试验,获得了表面特征测点的冲击波超压数据;之后,对比分析了试验与仿真结果的误差及原因,以试验数据为基础,建立了爆炸冲击波与某伪随机140面体网壳结构相互作用的数值仿真模型,并对空中爆炸和地面爆炸的3种不同距离共6种工况下,网壳结构的特征表面超压作用过程进行了计算和分析,拓展了试验结果;最后,对伪随机网壳表面冲击波超压分布规律进行了研究,并提出了增强网壳结构安全性的防护措施,为伪随机网壳结构抗冲击安全设计提供了参考。结果表明:与传统对称网壳结构相比,伪随机网壳在超压峰值分布规律和作用机制等方面都更为复杂,受到结构伪随机特性的影响,在相似位置表面,超压峰值也有明显差异;网壳迎爆面底部和中部超压峰值与其他部位相比,一般较高;在网壳外一定距离构筑防爆墙和加固网壳中部及底部节点的方法,可提升伪随机网壳结构的抗冲击安全性。     

障板上矩形薄板在浅水环境中的振动及声辐射解析分析

通过推导得到浅水环境中矩形板声辐射阻抗矩阵的解析表达,进一步结合振动假设模态方法及辐射表面单元辐射器思想求解浅水环境中矩形板的振动响应,分析水深对矩形板模态附加质量的影响,给出矩形板模态附加质量随水深的变化情况,得到波导模态的激发对附加质量的影响,并通过对辐射抗矩阵的特征分析得到附加质量在板上分布的主要模式;进一步结合声辐射模态辐射效率,分析水深变化对矩形板振动响应峰值及远场声辐射的影响,分析结果表明:水深度变化对振动响应峰值及声辐射功率的影响与第1阶声辐射模态的辐射效率随深度的变化具有一致性。