Effects of the joining process on the microstructure and properties of liquid-phase-sintered SiC-SiC joints formed with Ti foil

The joining of liquid-phase sintered SiC (LPS-SiC) ceramics was conducted using spark plasma sintering (SPS), through solid state diffusion bonding, with Ti-metal foil as a joining interlayer. Samples were joined at 1400 °C, under applied pressures of either 10 or 30 MPa, and with different atmospheres (argon, Ar, vs. vacuum). It was demonstrated that the shear strength of the joints increased with an increase in the applied joining pressure. The joining atmosphere also affected on both the microstructure and shear strength of the SiC joints. The composition and microstructure of the interlayer were examined to understand the mechanism. As a result, a SiC-SiC joining with a good mechanical performance could be achieved under an Ar environment, which in turn could provide a cost-effective approach and greatly widen the applications of SiC ceramic components with complex shape.     

高耸桥墩保护性爆破拆除关键技术

为解决高耸钢砼桥墩上部倾斜导致的工程质量不合格问题,采用保护性控制爆破将上部倾斜部分钢砼桥墩予以拆除,同时保留下部未偏斜部分桥墩不受破坏。采用开设组合形状切口,预开定向窗、导向窗;设置组合高差卸荷槽,预伤钢筋弱化抗压抗拉能力为关键措施的控制爆破方案。方案实施取得了十分满意的效果,上部拟拆除部分桥墩顺利倾倒下坠,下部保留部分桥墩完好无损。采用保护性控制爆破技术能高效、安全地解决类似高耸钢砼桥墩(构筑物)部分拆除、部分保留利用的问题,并能取得可观的经济、社会效益。     

Analysis and proposition of limiting current density measurement protocol

Limiting current density at different temperatures, backpressures, and balance gases can be used to separate molecular diffusion resistance, Knudsen diffusion resistance and local transport resistance of membrane electrode assembly (MEA). However, the measurement of limiting current density has no unified protocol. The diverse choices in the literature, either in the control of current or voltage or in the atmosphere like relative humidity and O₂ concentrations, make it difficult to compare the results and identify the true bottleneck hindering the mass transport. In this work, the current-voltage curves obtained by current scanning/stepping and voltage scanning/stepping methods under dilute O₂ of different concentrations and a wide range of relative humidity were measured and analyzed systematically. It is found that the voltage stepping method is superior to the other three ways of control for the reliable determination of the limiting current density. Aided with simultaneous electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurement, the limiting current density can be determined with pinpoint accuracy. When the limiting current density is just used to qualitatively evaluate different MEA, the voltage scanning method can be used instead for its high time efficiency. The selection of the atmosphere also plays an important role in suppressing the distortion from excessive water and reducing the spurious contribution from proton conduction resistance. It is found that O₂ concentrations at 0.5 vol% and relative humidity at 90% can give the best estimation of O₂ transport resistance in membrane electrode assembly.     

钕铁硼化学镀防护及在模拟海洋大气环境中的腐蚀行为

采用化学镀方法在钕铁硼表面分别制备Ni-P合金镀层、Ni-Mo-P合金镀层、Ni-P/PTFE复合镀层和Ni-Mo-P/PTFE复合镀层,并研究了不同化学镀层在模拟海洋大气环境中的腐蚀行为。结果表明:Ni-P合金镀层、Ni-Mo-P合金镀层、Ni-P/PTFE复合镀层和Ni-Mo-P/PTFE复合镀层都完整覆盖钕铁硼表面,它们的粗糙度差别不大,在模拟海洋大气环境中的腐蚀失重都低于钕铁硼的腐蚀失重,容抗弧半径增大且电荷转移电阻有不同程度的提高。与Ni-P合金镀层和Ni-Mo-P合金镀层相比,Ni-P/PTFE复合镀层和Ni-Mo-P/PTFE复合镀层具有优良的耐腐蚀性能,原因在于PTFE颗粒较均匀的沉积在镀层表面增加一道屏蔽层,也起到阻碍腐蚀介质渗透腐蚀的作用。尤其是Ni-Mo-P/PTFE复合镀层,其表面更致密,PTFE颗粒沉积更均匀,能更有效延缓腐蚀介质与钕铁硼接触,显著提高钕铁硼在模拟海洋大气环境中的耐腐蚀性能。     

控轧控冷中碳非调质钢的高周疲劳性能

 采用中碳非调质钢制造的轴类等零件常承受交变载荷，因而对钢材疲劳性能具有高的要求。为了评估控轧控冷工艺生产的非调质钢棒材的疲劳性能，利用旋转弯曲疲劳试验机研究了一种常用的钒微合金化中碳非调质钢38MnVS及对比钢38MnS的高周疲劳性能。结果表明，与38MnS钢相比，38MnVS钢中铁素体体积分数增加，组织明显细化；相分析表明约有54%的钒处于M（C，N）相中，且尺寸小于10 nm的M（C，N）粒子质量分数为32%，这些细小粒子的析出强化增量约为116 MPa。38MnVS钢的疲劳极限较38MnS钢提高了62 MPa，提高幅度约为18%；疲劳极限比从38MnS钢的0.43提高到38MnVS钢的0.48。M（C，N）相的析出强化及组织细化是38MnVS钢较38MnS钢具有优异疲劳性能的主要原因，但其疲劳性能仍低于锻态非调质钢。根据试验结果及文献数据，给出了预测铁素体＋珠光体型非调质钢疲劳极限的简便方法。     

Chitosan Microspheres as Carriers for pH‐Indicating Species in Corrosion Sensing

Chitosan microspheres containing bromocresol green, cresol red, and phenolphthalein for corrosion detection, through pH change, are synthesized in order to be used in protective coatings for aluminium alloys. Microspheres containing corrosion detection species are characterized morphologically (SEM) and physico‐chemically (FTIR, TGA). Release studies (UV–vis) are performed in corrosion‐promoting conditions (pH, NaCl), and detection studies by immersion in media associated with corrosion activity while microspheres' sensing activity is evaluated visually. Electrochemical characterization of AA2024 substrates in the presence of chitosan spheres is performed to understand material performance, and a color change is observed as a result of local pH increase in cathodic areas when corrosion takes place. These findings can be correlated with the results from release studies and seem a promising approach for corrosion sensing purposes, not only because pH increase is possible to detect due to corrosion, but also because chitosan is considered an environmentally friendly material.     

Effect of Mo on corrosion behavior of Ni20Cr–xMo alloys in air with NaCl–KCl–CaCl2 vapor at 570°C

The effect of Mo on the corrosion behavior of Ni20Cr–xMo alloys in an oxidizing chlorine-containing atmosphere using air mixed with the salt-vapor mixture of NaCl–KCl–CaCl₂ at 570°C was investigated. The results revealed that the corrosion performance of the Ni20Cr alloys in the oxidizing chlorine atmosphere was improved by Mo addition of up to 3 wt%. The Mo-free alloy formed a potassium chromate during corrosion as a result of the reaction between the Cr₂O₃ scale and KCl vapor. The chromate formation increased the chlorine potential at the scale surface and induced the breakdown of the protective Cr₂O₃ scale, resulting in internal chromium chloride precipitates and a Cr-depleted zone. In contrast, the presence of Mo resulted in the formation of a NiO scale, which did not react with the salt vapors and, therefore, prevented the formation of chromates. The beneficial effect of Mo on the high-temperature chlorination of Ni–Cr alloys in salt-vapor-containing atmospheres was ascribed to the suppression of chlorine generation due to NiO scale formation.     

Reproducible,biocompatible medical materials from biologically derived polysaccharides: Processing and Characterization

Natural polysaccharides like chitosan and dextran have garnered considerable interest in biomedical applications due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and nontoxicity. Nonetheless, the development of a reproducible class of medical devices from these materials is challenging and has had limited success. Chitosan and dextran are inherently variable and synthesis using these materials is prone to inconsistencies. In this study, we put forward a robust product development regimen that allows these natural materials to be developed into a reproducible class of biomaterials. First, an array of validated characterization methods (Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, titrations, Ultraviolet spectroscopy, Size Exclusion Chromatography—Multi-Angle Light Scattering, Size Exclusion Chromatography—Refractive Index, and proprietary methods) were developed that allowed rigorous specifications to be set for unprocessed chitosan and dextran, chitosan and dextran intermediates, and chemically modified materials—acrylated chitosan (aCHN) and oxidized dextran (oDEX). Second, a robust and reproducible synthesis scheme involving various in-process controls was developed to chemically modify the unprocessed polysaccharides. Third, purification methods to remove byproducts and low-molecular-weight impurities for both aCHN and oDEX were developed. The study presents a viable strategy for converting variable, natural materials into a reproducible class of biomaterials that can be applied in various biomedical applications. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48454.     

Combined constant speed control method for a wind generator equipped with hydraulic energy storage

A wind generator equipped with hydraulic energy storage (WG‐HES) uses hydraulic transmission systems instead of gearbox transmissions, thus eliminating high‐power converters and reducing the tower‐top cabin weight. When there is no wind or the wind speed is extremely low, the pressured oil released by accumulators is used to drive a motor to operate at a constant speed, thereby generating constant‐frequency power. However, few studies have examined the constant speed control characteristics for generating electricity using only an accumulator group. In this study, a combined constant speed (CCS) proportional–integral–derivative (PID) control method based on “variable displacement and throttling” is proposed, which includes two closed loops and one regulating loop. First, a simulation model of the CCS PID control method for a variable motor was established in the Simcenter Amesim program. The influence of different PID parameters on the anti‐interference ability of the constant speed control of the motor was analyzed under a given load step. Then, we obtained the range of control parameter values and a set of optimal values. Second, the effectiveness of the CCS control method and the accuracy of the simulation results were verified on a 600‐kW WG‐HES system prototype. The results verified that the CCS control method has good anti‐interference ability and can meet the requirements of constant speed control for a variable motor under the best PID parameters. These results can provide a basis for developing control strategies for WG‐HESs when there is no wind or at low wind speeds.