Enhancing the temperature stability of PLA by compounding strategies

The low thermal stability of polylactid acid (PLA) limits its use for various applications such as microwave‐ready dishes or hot beverage packaging. Furthermore, contained items might be damaged by occurring temperature peaks during transport (e.g., shipping container internal temperature exceeds 80°C) or other usage (e.g., car dashboard heated by sun). The aim of this study was the development of a PLA compound with an operating temperature above 100°C. Therefore, different formulations (e.g., stereocomplex of PLLA and PDLA, cross‐linking of PLA or use of commercial additives) were identified and compounds with varying conditions produced and tested regarding their thermal and mechanical properties. The results showed clearly possible routes for improving the thermal properties of PLA. Using such compounds respectively processing routes and additives helps to overcome one of the most significant problems when using PLA. The higher operating temperature of this biopolymer will lead to a wider field of application and will avoid shipping hazards. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:2849–2858, 2015. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Magnesium global development: Outcomes from the TMS 2007 annual meeting

The magnesium industry is experiencing dramatic growth, due in part to the demands of the automotive industry to improve fuel economy and emissions. As a result, the TMS annual magnesium symposium is one of the fastest-growing subject areas at TMS. In addition, TMS is recognized as the global light metals community’s preeminent forum for the presentation of magnesium science and technological issues. As a focal point of the 2007 TMS Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida, the TMS Magnesium Committee held its first plenary session with expert representatives from around the world. In order to address the surge in magnesium technology in recent years, the TMS Magnesium Globalization plenary session included a variety of subjects that ranged from economic to technical.     

Apparatus for steady-state kinetic measurements of the catalytic reduction of nitric oxide by ammonia on iron oxide

The reduction of nitric oxide with ammonia on an unsupported iron oxide catalyst has been studied in a continuous-flow recycle reactor using simulated flue gas. The responses of the employed reactor system to step and pulse inputs of tracer indicate that the system could be regarded as a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR). Preliminary tests were carried out to determine the effect of temperature and particle size on the measured reaction rates. Additional experiments were performed in order to study the influence of oxygen and water concentration on these rates. A gas chromatographic system has been developed to analyze the gas components NO, N₂O, NO₂, NH₃, H₂O, O₂, CO₂ and N₂. In addition, the concentrations of NO and NO₂ were measured with a nondisperse infrared (NDUV/NDIR) analyzer.     

Method for monitoring positions in three dimensions

This article presents a fundamentally new method for controlling the position of an object in three-dimensional space by using a microinterferometer. This method assures high accuracy and efficiency. The method can be used for verifying accuracy of contact gauges in position-measuring machinery. Translated from Izmeritel'naya Tekhnika, No. 4, pp. 17–18, April, 1996.     

INFLUENCE OF HEAT TREATMENT ON DAMPING BEHAVIOUR OF THE MAGNESIUM WROUGHT ALLOY AZ61

The effect of isochronal heat treatments for 1h on variation of damping, hardness and microstructural change of the magnesium wrought alloy AZ61 was investigated. Damping and hardness behaviour could be attributed to the evolution of precipitation process. The influence of precipitation on damping behaviour was explained in the framework of the dislocation string model of Granato and Lücke.     

New methods for estimating deformations in measurement of the linear parameters of precision parts in the nanometric range

New measurement methods and measurement instrumentation with resolution of 0.1 nm are developed that make it possible to achieve objective reliable estimation of the influence that deformations exert on the accuracy with which precision parts are monitored in the nanometric range and to determine the parameters of these deformations. Translated from Izmeritel’naya Tekhnika, No. 12, pp. 6–10, December, 2008.