Development of magnesium composite alloy by a new method combining B2O3 addition and melt stirring

For developing high performance magnesium alloys, a new method in combination of B2O3 addition and melt stirring was applied. When 0.3%, 6% and 12%（ mass fraction） B2O3 was added into pure Mg, many twins were produced in each alloy. The average grain size of Mg was about 200 μm. In Mg-6Al alloy, the grain size is decreased from 50 to 35 μm by B2O3 addition. In Mg-6RE （rare earth） alloys, the grain size is decreased from 35 to 15 μm. The grain size of Mg-9Al- 6Ti-3B2O3 alloy is about 5 μm. The hardness of pure Mg does not change by B2O3 addition. In Mg-6Al alloy, the hardness is increased by addition of 3% B2O3, however, the hardness of Mg-6RE alloy is decreased by B2O3 addition. Addition of B2O3 into Mg-Al, Mg-RE and Mg-Al-Ti alloys makes the fine grain structures, the hardness of Mg-RE alloy is decreased. This strange behavior may be interpreted with existence of many fine pores in the alloy. The mechanical properties of composite Mg-9Al-6Ti with 3?O3 are higher than those of AZ91C. The present results demonstrate the potential of this new method for developing high performance magnesium alloys.     

Simple evaluation of aortic arch calcification by chest radiography in hemodialysis patients

Vascular calcification is associated with a poor prognosis in dialysis patients. It can be assessed with computed tomography but simple inoffice techniques may provide useful information. We compared the results obtained with a simple noninvasive technique with those obtained using multidetector computed tomography for aortic arch calcification volume (AoACV) in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients. The enrolled study subjects were 63 (32 men and 31 women) maintenance HD patients. Calcification of the aortic arch was semiquantitatively estimated with a AoAC score (AoACS) on plain chest radiology. The AoACV was increased, with a mean value of 6.6 ranging from 0% to 36.5%. The coefficient of intraobserver variation was less than 2.5%. Aortic arch calcification score was highly correlated with AoACV (r=0.635, P<0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed age (F value=12.62, P<0.001) and pulse pressure (F value=4.54, P=0.037) to be significant independent determinants of AoACS. In conclusion, a simple measurement of AoACS may be useful for inoffice imaging to choose a therapeutic regimen in HD patients.     

Influence of sub-micrometer notches on the fracture of single crystal silicon thin films

The influence of notches on the fracture of single crystal silicon thin films was investigated. The tests were conducted on notched and smooth tensile specimens micromachined on a silicon wafer. The specimen geometry was 100 μm long, 50 μm wide and 5 μm thick. For the notched specimen, a V‐shaped sub‐micrometer notch was introduced on one edge of it by using a focused ion beam (FIB) process. The notch lengths ranged from 0.07 to 1.3 μm. Four types of specimens with different surfaces and tensile orientations were tested. The smooth specimens showed scattered fracture strengths and ‘collapsed’ fractures. For the restrictive‐shaped notches, the critical length was 0.5 μm. The short‐notched (<0.5 μm) specimens also showed ‘collapsed’ fractures, and the stress concentrations on notch tips decreased their fracture strengths. For the long‐notched (>0.5 μm) specimens, the notch was equivalent to a crack in the Griffith model and the crack mainly propagated on {111} cleaved planes.     

A new methodology to guarantee the structural integrity of Al2O3/SiC composite using crack healing and a proof test

Structural ceramics are brittle and sensitive to flaws. As a result, the structural integrity of a ceramic component may be seriously affected by inherent flaws. Self-crack-healing is an excellent answer to this problem. At the moment, however, there is no technique to heal embedded flaws. Therefore, a technique to guarantee the reliability of ceramic components is demanded, and thus a technique using crack healing followed by proof test was developed by K. Ando et al. to accomplish this. With this technique, testing the mechanical behaviour of the crack-healed zone is very important for ensuring the structural integrity of a ceramic component. In this study, first Al₂O₃/SiC composite with an excellent crack-healing ability was sintered. Second, a crack was introduced on the sample (3 mm × 4 mm × 36 mm), which reduced the bending strength by about 80%, and subsequently the crack was healed. Third, a proof test was carried out on the crack-healed sample. Last, using the crack-healed and proof-tested sample, a fracture test was carried out up to 1373 K. The measured minimum fracture stress (σ_Fmin) was compared with the theoretical minimum strength (σ_G) from room temperature (R.T.) to 1373 K. It was concluded that σ_G showed good agreement with σ_Fmin up to 1373 K and that the crack healing followed by proof test was an excellent technique to increase the survival probability by administering a proof test and to guarantee the reliability of Al₂O₃/SiC composite.     

Low-Molecular Weight Components in Sarcoplasm Promoting the Color Formation of Processed Meat Products

Possible endogenous components having a promoting effect on the color formation of processed meat products were identified from two subfractions, B and C, in the low-molecular weight sarcoplasm fraction. Thin-layer chromatography indicated that subfraction B contained GSH, ATP and IMP, while subfraction C contained IMP and ribose. The presence of GSH and IMP in subfraction B was confirmed by the ultraviolet absorption spectra. GSH promoted the color formation and the decomposition of nitrite in both aqueous model and meat systems. The promoting effect was remarkable in the former system. ATP, IMP and ribose enhanced CFA when added with GSH to the meat system. This suggests that the combined action of these identified endogenous components contribute to the color formation of processed meat products in the rapid curing process.     

Dyeing Properties of Reactive Cationic Dyes Containing a Vinyl-sulphonvl Group on Acrylic Fibre Blends

The preparation of reactive azo cationic dyes containing a vinylsulphonyl group derived from 2-aminobenzothiazole and its derivatives is described. Their dyeing properties on blends of acrylic–cellulosic, polyester–cellulosic fibre and on cotton and synthetic fibres are investigated. The relationship between absorption spectra and pH of dye solution is assessed.     

Effect of shot peening on fatigue limit of surface flawed samples

The effects of shot peening on the fatigue limit of specimens having a semicircular notch of varied surface length, 2a , are investigated. In the case of un-peened specimens, the fatigue limit of specimens having a notch of a = 0.05 mm was equal to that of the un-notched specimens. However, the fatigue limit of a = 0.3 mm was 46% smaller than that of the un-notched specimens. On the contrary, in the case of peened specimens, the fatigue limit of a = 0.2 mm was equal to that of the un-notched specimens and furthermore, that of a = 0.3 mm was only 5% smaller than that of the un-notched specimens. Multiple non-propagating cracks were observed in peened specimens after fatigue testing. The stress intensity factor of the maximum non-propagating crack size corresponded to that of a = 0.2 mm notch. These results indicate that shot peening increases fatigue limit and decreases the likelihood that a surface flaw will result in failure.     

Cavitation peening to improve the fatigue strength of nitrocarburized steel

Shot peening is a commonly employed technique used to improve the fatigue strength of nitrocarburized components. However, the compound layer of the component can be broken by this technique. Cavitation peening (CP) is an alternative shotless technique, which can increase the fatigue strength of the component without separation of the compound layer. To evaluate the potential of CP as a means for improving fatigue strength, nitrocarburized carbon steel (JIS S50C) has been analyzed in the non‐peened and CP conditions. The fatigue strength of CP specimens was increased by 15% in comparison with that of non‐peened specimens. This increase in the fatigue strength of CP specimen was achieved by the increase in the maximum hardness and compressive residual stress within the diffusion zone.     

Electron cyclotron current drive on WT-III by a 56 GHz gyrotron

Electron cyclotron current drive (EC-CD) experiments have been carried out at the fundamental and the second harmonics on the WT-III tokamak using extraordinary mode radiation at 56GHz launched from the low field side. The EC driven current of 24 kA is attained at the power level of 100 kW and the plasma with the density of 2 × 10¹²cm^?3 and the electron temperature of several hundreds eV can be sustained during the EC pulse. The efficiency of EC-CD is 1·0 × 10^?2 (10¹⁹m^?2 A W^?1) at the fundamental and 3·5 × 10^?2 at the second harmonic. The unidirectional high energy electrons in the initial target plasma is necessary for EC-CD