Corrosion behavior of T24, T92, VM12, and AISI 304 steels exposed to KCl–NaCl–K2SO4–Na2SO4 salt mixtures

The corrosion mechanisms of T24, T92, VM12, and AISI 304 steels are studied under the influence of NaCl–KCl, NaCl–Na₂SO₄, and KCl–K₂SO₄ salt mixtures in a dry air atmosphere at 650°C for 15 days. NaCl–KCl was the most aggressive deposit and AISI 304 stainless steel exhibited the highest corrosion resistance. There was no relation between the Cr content of the ferritic steels and their corrosion resistance in NaCl–KCl. In contrast, the resistance of high-Cr steels was better when exposed to NaCl–Na₂SO₄ and KCl–K₂SO₄. The high-Cr and the low-Cr steels were more susceptible to NaCl–Na₂SO₄ and to KCl–K₂SO₄, respectively.     

Gluten-free cakes with walnut flour: a technological,sensory, and microstructural approach

Walnut flour (WF), a by-product of walnut oil production, is characterised by high polyunsaturated fatty acids, proteins, and fibre contents and presents suitability for bakery products. However, when using non-traditional ingredients, it is essential to evaluate the effect on the quality properties of the final product. So, this work aimed to assess the impact of WF on the technological, physicochemical, and sensory properties of gluten-free (GF) cakes. WF was added at a flour blend (cassava (CS) and maize (MS) starches and rice flour) at 0, 10%, 15%, and 20%. The results showed that WF modified starch gelatinisation, increased amylose–lipid complex (ALC) content, and made crumbs easier to chew. Besides, the total dietary fibre (TDF) and protein content significantly increased. Cakes with 15% WF presented the highest specific volume (SV) and no differences in overall acceptability with respect to control. Hence, WF is a suitable ingredient for gluten-free bakery products.     

Ammonia gas sensing and magnetic permeability of enhanced surface area and high porosity lanthanum substituted Co–Zn nano ferrites

This work reports magnetic permeability and ammonia gas sensing characteristics of La³⁺ substituted Co–Zn nano ferrites possessing chemical formula Co_0.7Zn_0.3La_xFe_2-2xO₄ (x = 0–0.1) synthesized by a sol-gel route. Refinement of X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the ferrite powders by the Rietveld technique has revealed the creation of single-phase spinel structure. The tenancy of constituent cations at tetrahedral/octahedral sites was obtained from the refinement of XRD. The crystallite sizes calculated from the W–H method vary from 20 to 24 nm. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) profiles of the ferrite samples were analyzed for the morphological details. The energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) patterns of the samples were obtained to test the elemental purity of the ferrites within their stoichiometry. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) image of the ferrite (x = 0.1) exhibits the spherical and oval shaped particles with a mean size of 20 nm. Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectra were analyzed to confirm the superseding of La³⁺ cations at octahedral sites. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis of nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms of the ferrites was performed to investigate the porous structure and to determine the surface area of the nanocrystalline ferrites. The oxidation states of the constituent ions were confirmed by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The complex permeability as a function of frequency was studied to explore the effects of structural parameters on the magnetic behaviour of the ferrites. Analysis of gas sensing properties of the ferrites have proved that the Co–Zn–La ferrite with controlled La composition can be utilized as an effective ammonia gas sensing material in commercial gas sensors.     

Evaluation and Characterization of Mechanical, Electrical, and Thermal Properties of Polymer Nanocomposites Reinforced with Different Allotropes of Carbon

The present work aims to present the results based on the processing of nanocomposites, which consist of matrix materials like epoxy and filler materials such as conjugated nanomaterials/allotropes of carbon, namely, carbon black, graphite, and multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) used for targeted applications. To improve the physical and chemical properties and to facilitate a better interfacial interface between the polymer and nanotube, functional MWCNT is used during the preparation of the composite. The prime objective of the study is to establish the thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties of nanocomposites using experimental methods. It has been observed from the experimental results that carbon nanotube (CNT) based composite exhibits higher mechanical (tensile and hardness) and thermal properties as compared with the others. The electrical properties are found to be better in a graphite-based composite. Although CNT has superior mechanical and thermal properties, the exorbitant price limits its use. Hence, the allotropes of carbon may be used judiciously considering both the cost and property requirements of the targeted application. The work also studies the dispersion state of nanofibers through scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

Microstructure and mechanical performance examination of 3D printed acrylonitrile butadiene styrene thermoplastic parts

Fused filament fabrication (FFF) is a process where thermoplastic materials are heated to its melting point and then extruded, layer by layer, to create a three dimensional printed part. Printing occurs in a layered manner, which leads to creation of voids (air gaps) in the 3D printed parts. These voids act as centers for crack initiation, propagation and therefore resulting bulk mechanical properties are lower. This paper focuses on microstructural characterization and analysis of fused filament fabricated tensile test coupons made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene polymer, at various design conditions. Comparable tensile modulus with injection molded specimens was obtained for FFF design condition that is, slice height (0.1778 mm), raster width (0.4064 mm), raster to raster air gap (−0.0015 mm), contour to raster air gap (−0.0508 mm) and raster angle (0°). Scanning electron microscope studies provided an understanding as to why FFF processed specimens yielded lower failure strain and an insight into the presence of intralayer voids in specimens having lower tensile modulus. The study confirmed that though bulk mechanicals were affected by the combined effect of inter, intra and interfacial voids, intravoids had a predominant influence.     

Dielectric properties and electromagnetic interference shielding studies of nickel oxide and tungsten oxide reinforced polyvinylchloride nanocomposites

ABSTRACT

Polyvinylchloride (PVC)/nickel oxide (NiO)/tungsten oxide (WO₃) nanocomposite films were prepared via solution casting technique. The crystallinity, morphology, and the analysis of dispersion state of PVC/NiO/WO₃ nanocomposite was carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The dielectric studies of nanocomposite films were investigated and a maximum dielectric constant of 2.3 with dielectric loss (tan δ) of 2.4 was attained. The EMI shielding studies were carried out in the X and Ku-band frequency range (8 GHz-18 GHz). The maximum SE of 15.78 dB in X-band and 12.05 dB in Ku-band was achieved for 75/20/5 compositions of the PVC/NiO/WO₃ nanocomposite.     

Structural,microstructural, and magnetic studies of Y3Fe5-xNixO12 garnet nanoparticles

This paper reports the structural and magnetic properties of a series of Y₃Fe_5-xNi_xO₁₂ (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2) nanopowders synthesized by the citrate combustion method. We have discussed the change in different properties with the variation in calcination temperatures as well as the Ni ion substitution in yttrium iron garnet. X-ray diffraction study confirmed the desired garnet phase formation in all the calcined powders, and the crystallinity improved with an increase in calcination temperature. The crystallite sizes were observed in the range 47–52 nm and 84–94 nm for the samples calcined at 800 and 1000 °C, respectively. Scanning electron micrographs confirmed that the grains were in the nanometre range (132–170 nm) at 800 °C and increased (351–363 nm) at 1000 °C. Larger grains at high calcination temperature resulted in the enhanced saturation magnetization and a decrease in coercivity. Curie temperature (T_c) was observed in the range 558–560 K for all the calcined Y₃Fe_5-xNi_xO₁₂ samples. Nickel substitution for iron sites in Y₃Fe_5-xNi_xO₁₂ decreased the saturation magnetization and enhanced the coercivity. This could be related to the substitution of Ni ions for tetrahedral iron sites, which changed the magnetic exchange interactions of different lattice sites. The magnetic anisotropy constant (K) increases with the enhancement of calcination temperature, whereas it decreases with nickel ion substitution in Y₃Fe_5-xNi_xO₁₂. This study suggests that the structural and magnetic properties can be tuned by Ni substitution for the Fe ions in Y₃Fe₅O₁₂ garnets at different calcination temperatures, which make them promising candidates for various technological applications.     

Dynamic mechanical analysis and broadband electromagnetic interference shielding characteristics of poly (vinyl alcohol)-poly (4-styrenesulfonic acid)-titanium dioxide nanoparticles based tertiary nanocomposites

ABSTRACT

Novel tertiary nanocomposite films comprising of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA), poly (4-styrenesulfonic acid) (PSSA) and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles (NP_S) were prepared using simple solvent casting method. The structural, thermal, morphological, thermo-mechanical and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding properties of PVA/PSSA/TiO₂ nanocomposite films were investigated. The EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) of PVA/PSSA/TiO₂ nanocomposite films in the X and Ku band was found to be 12 dB and 13 dB respectively at 25 wt% TiO₂ NPs loading. These results demonstrate the possible applications of PVA/PSSA/TiO₂ nanocomposite films as low cost, lightweight and flexible material for EMI shielding.