Effect of complexation of oxidised corn starch with mineral elements on physicochemical properties

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of complexation of oxidised starch with mineral elements on its physicochemical properties. Corn starch was oxidised with sodium hypochlorite and, afterwards, modified with ions of potassium, magnesium and iron. Thus, native and modified starches were analysed for: contents of mineral elements, colour parameters (L*a*b*), water binding capacity and solubility in water at temperature of 60 and 80 °C. Thermodynamic characteristics of gelatinisation by DSC, molecular weight distribution by GPC, intrinsic viscosity and pasting properties by RVA were studied. The efficiency of incorporation of metal ions into oxidised corn starch was about 30%, 20% and 20% for potassium, magnesium and iron ions, respectively. The complexation with potassium ions caused the greatest changes in the molecular weight distribution and the intrinsic viscosity of starches and viscosity of starch pastes. Only modification of starch with iron ions affected the colour parameters of the starch. Incorporation of metal ions into starch resulted also in changes in its water binding capacity and solubility in water.     

Model study of the crosslinking of polydimethylsiloxanes by peroxides

The decompositions of di-t-butyl peroxide (TBP) and diaroyl peroxides in permethylated silicone oil (47V20) have been studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Results show the importance of the solubility of the peroxide in the silicone on their rate of disappearance. For the diaroyl peroxides, according to the nature of the substituents on the phenyl ring and the concentration of the peroxide, the decomposition occurs in solution and/or in the solid phase. Decomposition in solution began at a lower temperature than in the solid phase, which took place immediately after melting and was quite instantaneous. Decomposition of these peroxides was also performed in octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D₄) and decamethyltetrasiloxane (DMTS). According to DSC results, D₄ seems to be a better model of the silicone than the linear one. Analyses of the products of the decomposition of TBP and dibenzoyl peroxide (BP) in this model showed that the dehydrodimer of D₄ was produced in low yield relative to peroxide. The main compounds obtained were high molecular weight compounds, which were apparently different for the two peroxides. The free radical origin of these products has been proven in the case of TBP by the addition of TEMPO in the reaction medium.     

In-Situ and Real-Time Investigation of Columnar-to-Equiaxed Transition in Metallic Alloy

In this article, we present a review of observations during Al-3.5 wt pct Ni alloy solidi.cation experiments performed at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble. These experiments provide direct access to dynamical phenomena during columnar growth (initial transient and breakdown of a planar solid-liquid interface), and for the first time to the transition from columnar-to-equiaxed microstructure (nucleation ahead of a columnar front and blocking of a columnar front by an equiaxed microstructure) and fully equiaxed growth (propagation of an effective front). Based on these experimental observations, critical parameters such as columnar growth velocity variation during the transition or equiaxed-grain diameter are measured and discussed. This article is based on a presentation made in the symposium entitled “Solidi.cation Modeling and Microstructure Formation: In Honor of Prof. John Hunt,” which occurred March 13–15, 2006, during the TMS Spring Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, under the auspices of the TMS Materials Processing and Manufacturing Division, Solidification Committee.     

Pressure effects on flow and fracture of Be-Al alloys

The flow and fracture behavior of Be-Al alloys were determined in tension with different levels of superimposed pressure. The Be-Al alloys were prepared by Brush Wellman, Inc. (Cleveland, OH) from prealloyed powders processed to either a hot isostatically pressed (“hipped”) or cold isostatically pressed and extruded condition. Significant effects of pressure on both the flow and ductility have been observed at room temperature, with implications on the formability of these materials. The effects of changes in processing conditions and stress state on the flow and fracture behavior are summarized in addition to both optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination of the fracture surfaces. Separate other studies on the alloy constituents (e.g., Al and Be) are also reported. The results are also compared to previous works on monolithic materials and composites tested with high pressure.