Influence of Heating Rate on Ferrite Recrystallization and Austenite Formation in Cold-Rolled Microalloyed Dual-Phase Steels

Compared with other dual-phase (DP) steels, initial microstructures of cold-rolled martensite-ferrite have scarcely been investigated, even though they represent a promising industrial alternative to conventional ferrite-pearlite cold-rolled microstructures. In this study, the influence of the heating rate (over the range of 1 to 10 K/s) on the development of microstructures in a microalloyed DP steel is investigated; this includes the tempering of martensite, precipitation of microalloying elements, recrystallization, and austenite formation. This study points out the influence of the degree of ferrite recrystallization prior to the austenite formation, as well as the importance of the cementite distribution. A low heating rate giving a high degree of recrystallization, leads to the formation of coarse austenite grains that are homogenously distributed in the ferrite matrix. However, a high heating rate leading to a low recrystallization degree, results in a banded-like structure with small austenite grains surrounded by large ferrite grains. A combined approach, involving relevant multiscale microstructural characterization and modeling to rationalize the effect of the coupled processes, highlights the role of the cold-worked initial microstructure, here a martensite-ferrite mixture: recrystallization and austenite formation commence in the former martensite islands before extending in the rest of the material.     

Systemic inflammatory load in humans is suppressed by consumption of two formulations of dried,encapsulated juice concentrate

Chronic inflammation contributes to an increased risk for developing chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. A high “inflammatory load” is defined as elevated inflammation markers in blood or other tissues. We evaluated several markers of systemic inflammation from healthy adults and tested the hypothesis that two formulations of encapsulated fruit and vegetable juice powder concentrate with added berry powders (FVB) or without (FV) could impact markers of inflammatory load. Using a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled approach, 117 subjects were randomly assigned to receive placebo, FV, or FVB capsules. Blood was drawn at baseline and after 60 d of capsule consumption. We measured inflammatory markers (high sensitivity C‐Reactive Protein, Monocyte Chemotactic Protein‐1, Macrophage Inflammatory Protein 1‐β, and Regulated upon Activation, Normal T cell Expressed and Secreted), superoxide dismutase, and micronutrients (β‐carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E). Results showed Monocyte Chemotactic Protein‐1, Macrophage Inflammatory Protein 1‐β, and RANTES levels were significantly reduced and superoxide dismutase and micronutrient levels were significantly increased in subjects consuming both FV and FVB, relative to placebo. Data suggest a potential health benefit by consuming either formulation of the encapsulated juice concentrates through their anti‐inflammatory properties.     

Self-nanoscaling of the soft magnetic phase in bulk SmCo/Fe nanocomposite magnets

Fabrication of bulk nanocomposite materials, which contain a magnetically hard phase and a magnetically soft phase with desired nanoscale morphology and composition distribution has proven to be challenging. Here we demonstrate that SmCo/Fe(Co) hard/soft nanocomposite materials can be produced by distributing the soft magnetic α-Fe(Co) phase particles homogenously in a hard magnetic SmCo phase matrix through a combination of high-energy ball milling and a warm compaction. Severe plastic deformation during the ball milling results in nanoscaling of the soft phase with size reduction from micrometers to ~15 nm. Up to 35% of the soft phase can be incorporated into the composites without coarsening. This process produces fully dense bulk isotropic nanocomposite materials with remarkable energy-product enhancement (up to 300%) owing to effective inter-phase exchange coupling.     

Influence of the nature of aggregates on the behaviour of concrete subjected to elevated temperature

An experimental study is carried out on concretes composed of three different types of aggregates: semi crushed silico-calcareous, crushed calcareous and rolled siliceous. For each aggregate type, two water/cement ratios (W/C), 0.6 and 0.3 are studied. Aggregates and concrete specimens were subjected to 300, 600 and 750 °C heating–cooling cycles. We analyse the evolution of thermal, physical and mechanical properties of concrete in terms of behaviour and physical characteristic evolutions of aggregates with temperature. The study of thermal behaviour of aggregates showed the importance of initial moisture state for the flints. The crystallisation and microstructure of quartz play an important role in the thermal stability of siliceous aggregates. The residual mechanical behaviour of concrete varies depending on the aggregate and the influence of aggregates is also dependent on paste composition. This study allowed to better understand the influence of chemical and mineralogical characteristics of aggregates on the thermomechanical behaviour of concrete.     

Impact of ac/dc spark anodizing on the corrosion resistance of Al–Cu alloys

An ac/dc spark anodization method was used to deposit an oxide film (6 ± 3 μm in thickness) on the Al–Cu alloy AA2219. The oxide films were formed at 10 mA/cm² for 30 min in an alkaline silicate solution, showing three main stages of growth. Scanning electron microscopy and electron microprobe analysis revealed that the oxide films are not uniform and consist of three main layers, an inner Al-rich barrier layer (∼1 μm), an intermediate Al–Si mixed oxide layer (∼2 ± 1 μm), and an outer porous Si-rich layer (∼3 ± 3 μm). In addition, microscopic analysis showed that the Al₂Cu intermetallics present in the alloy have not been excessively oxidized during the anodization process and thus are retained beneath the oxide film, as desired. The coating passivity and corrosion resistance, evaluated using linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) in pH 7 borate buffer solution and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in 0.86 M NaCl solution, respectively, were both significantly improved after spark-anodization.     

β-Casein hydrolysate generated by the cell envelope-associated proteinase of Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. lactis CRL 581 protects against trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis in mice

Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. lactis CRL 581, a thermophilic lactic acid bacterium used as a starter culture for the manufacture of several fermented dairy products, possesses an efficient proteolytic system that is able to release a series of potentially bioactive peptides (i.e., antihypertensive and phosphopeptides) from α- and β-caseins. Considering the potential beneficial health effects of the peptides released by L. delbrueckii ssp. lactis CRL 581 from milk proteins, the aim of this work was to analyze the anti-mutagenic and anti-inflammatory properties of the casein hydrolysates generated by the cell envelope-associated proteinase of this bacterium. The ability of α- and β-casein hydrolysates to suppress the mutagenesis of a direct-acting mutagen 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide on Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 and TA 100 increased concomitantly with the time of casein hydrolysis. The anti-inflammatory effect of the β-casein hydrolysate was evaluated using a trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced Crohn's disease murine model. The hydrolysate was administered to mice 10 d before the intrarectal inoculation of TNBS. The mice that received β-casein hydrolysate previously to TNBS showed decreased mortality rates, faster recovery of initial body weight loss, less microbial translocation to the liver, decreased β-glucuronidase and myeloperoxidase activities in the gut, and decreased colonic macroscopic and microscopic damage compared with the animals that did not receive this hydrolysate. In addition, β-casein hydrolysate exerted a beneficial effect on acute intestinal inflammation by increased interleukin 10 and decreased IFN-γ production in the gut. Our findings are consistent with the health-promoting attributes of the milk products fermented by L. delbrueckii ssp. lactis CRL 581 and open up new opportunities for developing novel functional foods.     

Factors controlling the time evolution of the corrosion potential of aluminum in alkaline solutions

The mechanism of corrosion of 99.99% purity aluminum in alkaline solutions was investigated, through detailed examination of open-circuit potential transients. These transients displayed a characteristic time dependence, in which the potential first decreased over a few seconds to a minimum of −1.7 to −1.9 V vs. Ag/AgCl, and then slowly increased over a period of hours. The value of the minimum potential of electropolished foils, along with its dependence on pH and aluminate ion concentration, indicated that it was determined by the Nernst potential for the oxidation of surface aluminum hydride (AlH₃). This finding supports the direct role of hydride in the dissolution process. The increase of anodic polarization after the minimum potential occurred in two stages, the first correlated with the buildup of surface hydride, and the second with surface enrichment of Cu and Fe impurities.     

Preparation and characterization of precursors of Y2O3 stabilized ZrO2 by metal-organic compounds

8 mol% Y₂O₃-stabilized ZrO₂ has been prepared by four routes which involve yttrium and zirconium metal organic compounds as starting materials. The thermal decomposition of the precursors has been investigated by means of thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction and SEM technique with regard to their chemical homogeneity and phase composition. The possible reactions during precursor preparations are discussed.     

Dramatic changes in the temporal trends of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in herring gull eggs from the Laurentian Great Lakes: 1982-2006

DecaBDE is a current-use, commercial formulation of an additive, polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardant composed of > 97% 2,2',3,3',4,4',5,5',6,6'-decabromoDE (BDE-209). Of the 43 PBDE congeners monitored, we report on the temporal trends (1982-2006) of quantifiable PBDEs, and specifically BDE-209, in pooled samples of herring gull (Larus argentatus) eggs from seven colonies spanning the Laurentian Great Lakes. BDE-209 concentrations in 2006 egg pools ranged from 4.5 to 20 ng/g wet weight (ww) and constituted 0.6-4.5% of sigma39PBDE concentrations among colonies, whereas sigma(octa)BDE and sigma(nona)BDE concentrations constituted from 0.5 to 2.2% and 0.3 to 1.1%, respectively. From 1982 to 2006, the BDE-209 doubling times ranged from 2.1 to 3.0 years, whereas for sigma(octa)BDEs and sigma(nona)BDEs, the mean doubling times ranged from 3.0 to 11 years and 2.4 to 5.3 years, respectively. The source of the octa- and nona-BDE congeners, e.g., BDE-207 and BDE-197, are the result of BDE-209 debromination, and they are either formed metabolically in Great Lakes herring gulls and/or bioaccumulated from the diet and subsequently transferred to their eggs. In contrast to BDE-209 and the octa- and nona-BDEs, congeners derived mainly from PentaBDE and OctaBDE mixtures, e.g., BDE-47, -99, and -100, showed rapid increases up until 2000; however, there was no increasing trend post-2000. The data illustrates that PBDE concentrations and congener pattern trends in the Great Lakes herring gull eggs have dramatically changed between 1995 and 2006. Regardless of BDE-209 not fitting the pervasive criteria as a persistent and bioaccumulative substance, it is clearly of increasing concern in Great Lake herring gulls, and provides evidence that regulation of DecaBDE formulations is warranted.