Some experimental data on a gas discharge between a flowing electrolyte and a metal electrode

Experimental data on a gas discharge obtained for comparatively high currents (4–11 A), powers (5–15 kW), and current density at a liquid cathode (0.8–1.0 A/cm²) are presented. As the electrolyte, a solution of sodium salt in distilled water was used. The losses on the liquid cathode were significantly diminished by decreasing its electric resistance. Regimes in which the thermal efficiency of a discharge apparatus is equal to ∼80% have been determined. __________ Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 79, No. 3, pp. 109–115, May–June, 2006.     

Wear characteristics of a new type austenitic stainless steel

In order to solve the problem of the poor wear resistance in conventional austenitic stainless steels, a new type austenitic stainless steel was designed based on Fe–Mn–Si–Cr–Ni shape memory alloys in this article. Studies on its wear resistance and wear mechanism have been carried out by comparison with that of AISI 321 stainless steel using friction wear tests, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope. Results showed that the wear resistance of Fe–14Mn–5.5Si–12Cr–5Ni–0.10C alloy was better than that of AISI 321 stainless steel both in dry and oily friction conditions owing to the occurrence of the stress-induced γ → ε martensitic phase transformation during friction process. This article also compared the corrosion performance of the two stainless steels by testing the corrosion rate. Results showed that the corrosion rate of Fe–14Mn–5.5Si–12Cr–5Ni–0.10C alloy was notably lower in NaOH solution and higher in NaCl solution than that of AISI 321 stainless steel.     

Wettability of NiAl by a liquid Ni–Si–B alloy

An investigation of the wettability of the intermetallic compound NiAl by a liquid Ni–4.5 wt% Si–3.2 wt% B filler metal is presented in this paper. Dynamic observations of spreading of Ni–Si–B droplets, conducted using hot-stage light microscopy, are correlated with post-cooling microscopy and analysis. The paper examines the influence of the oxide layer on the NiAl substrates, on the progression of spreading of the Ni–Si–B liquid. Termination of spreading of the Ni–Si–B droplets by the onset of isothermal solidification at the spreading front is considered. Spreading of the Ni–Si–B droplets was found to be rapid until the onset of isothermal solidification at the spreading front. However, once isothermal solidification commenced, negligible further spreading was observed. The Ni–Si–B filler metal was observed to spread by undermining of the substrate oxide. However, a marked reaction occurred between the substrate oxide and the Ni–Si–B filler metal. This reaction served to remove the substrate oxide layer. The paper contrasts the mechanisms of substrate oxide undermining and isothermal solidification of liquid Ni–Si–B droplets on NiAl with those occurring during the spreading of the same liquid on pure nickel and Ni–Cr alloys. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Structure and tribological characteristics of a cast heterogeneous alloy before and after laser treatment

The positive influence of laser treatment on the formation of the structure of the surface layer of a Fe– Cr–Cu–C–Ti cast alloy and its tribological characteristics under conditions of boundary lubrication is shown.     

Hydrogen as a working atmosphere for manufacturing permanent magnets based on rare-earth metals

The phase compositions and magnetic properties of permanents magnets of the systems Sm – Co and Nd – Fe – B are analyzed. Features of the hydrogenation–disproportionation–desorption–recombination (HDDR) process in the Nd₂ Fe₁₄ B intermetallic are considered. Using the Dd – Fe – B system as an example, we assess stages of manufacture of commercial permanent magnets and show the prospect of using hydrogen as a working atmosphere for the manufacture of magnetic powder. It is established that the HDDR of Dd – Fe – B alloys leads to their homogenization, grain refinement to a grain size of 0.2 to 0.5 μm, and an increase in the volume content of the main ferromagnetic phase Dd₂ Fe₁₄ B. By optimizing such a treatment, we managed to increase the magnetic energy (by 10%) and the lift force (by 25 – 27%) of Dd – Fe – B commercial permanent magnets.     

Nucleation and growth mechanism of apatite on a bioactive and degradable ceramic/polymer composite with a thick polymer layer

Nucleation and growth mechanism of apatite on a bioactive and degradable PLLA/SiO₂–CaO composite with a thick PLLA surface layer were investigated compared to that on a bioactive but non-degradable polyurethane (PU)/SiO₂–CaO composite with a thick PU surface layer. The bioactive SiO₂–CaO particles were made by a sol–gel method from tetraethyl orthosilicate and calcium nitrate tetrahydrate under acidic condition followed by heat treatment at 600 °C for 2 h. The PLLA/SiO₂–CaO and PU/SiO₂–CaO composites were then prepared by a solvent casting method which resulted in thick PLLA and PU surface layers, respectively, due to precipitation of SiO₂–CaO particles during the casting process. Two composites were exposed to SBF for 1 week and this exposure led to form uniform and complete apatite coating layer on the PLLA/SiO₂–CaO composite but not on the PU/SiO₂-CaO composite. These results were interpreted in terms of the degradability of the polymers. A practical implication of the results is that a post-surface grinding or cutting processes to expose bioactive ceramics to the surface of a composite with a thick biodegradable polymer layer is not required for providing apatite forming ability, which has been considered as one of the pragmatic obstacles for the application as a bone grafting material.     

Preparation of a pitch-based activated carbon with a high specific surface area

Pitch based activated carbons (PAC) with a high specific surface area were produced by a direct chemical activation route in which oxidative stabilized pitch derived from ethylene tar oil was reacted with potassium hydroxide under various activation conditions. It was found that PACs with a surface area of around 2600–3600 m² g^-1 could be obtained under suitable activation conditions. N₂ adsorption (at 77 K) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy experiments showed that the PAC has a uniformly developed micropore structure and a narrow pore size distribution (radius 0.8–1.6 nm). Abundant oxygen-containing functional groups (such as C–OH, C–O–C, C=O, COOR etc.) were found to exist on its surface. Compared with a commercially available activated carbon (AC) and also a pitch based activated carbon fibre, PAC has a quicker adsorption–desorption velocity and a larger adsorptive capacity to benzene due to its higher surface area. Clear surface differences between PAC and AC were observed by transmission electron microscopy. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Study of thermodynamic properties of liquid binary alloys by a pseudopotential method

On the basis of the Percus–Yevick hard-sphere model as a reference system and the Gibbs–Bogoliubov inequality, a thermodynamic perturbation method is applied with the use of the well-known model potential. By applying a variational method, the hard-core diameters are found which correspond to a minimum free energy. With this procedure, the thermodynamic properties such as the internal energy, entropy, Helmholtz free energy, entropy of mixing, and heat of mixing are computed for liquid NaK binary systems. The influence of the local-field correction functions of Hartree, Taylor, Ichimaru–Utsumi, Farid–Heine–Engel–Robertson, and Sarkar–Sen–Haldar–Roy is also investigated. The computed excess entropy is in agreement with available experimental data in the case of liquid alloys, whereas the agreement for the heat of mixing is poor. This may be due to the sensitivity of the latter to the potential parameters and dielectric function.     

Effect of polymers on the nanostructure and on the carbonation of calcium silicate hydrates: a scanning transmission X-ray microscopy study

This study investigated the effects of organic polymers (polyethylene glycol and hexadecyltrimethylammonium) on structures of calcium silicate hydrates (C–S–H) which is the major product of Portland cement hydration. Increased surface areas and expansion of layers were observed for all organic polymer modified C–S–H. The results from attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared (ATR–FTIR) spectroscopic measurements also suggest lowered water contents in the layered structures for the C–S–H samples that are modified by organic polymers. Scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) results further supports this observation. We also observed difference in the extent of C–S–H carbonation due to the presence of organic polymers. No calcite formed in the presence of HDTMA whereas formation of calcite was observed with C–S–H sample modified with PEG. We suggest that the difference in the carbonation reaction is possibly due to the ease of penetration and diffusion of the CO₂. This observation suggests that CO₂ reaction strongly depends on the presence of organic polymers and the types of organic polymers incorporated within the C–S–H structure. This is the first comprehensive study using STXM to quantitatively characterize the level of heterogeneity in cementitious materials at high spatial and spectral resolutions. The results from BET, XRD, ATR–FTIR, and STXM measurements are consistent and suggest that C–S–H layer structures are significantly modified due to the presence of organic polymers, and that the chemical composition and structural differences among the organic polymers determine the extent of the changes in the C–S–H nanostructures as well as the extent of carbonation reaction.     

Observed behavior of various oxide inclusions in front of a solidifying low-carbon steel shell

The engulfment and pushing (extrusion) of inclusions during solidification play an important role in the formation of a steel structure and, as a result, for the mechanical properties of the final steel product. The aim of this study is to gain knowledge about the behavior of non-metallic inclusions at the interface between a growing solid front and a liquid phase. The focus is on the effect of the titanium and titanium oxide content on the inclusions and the different phenomena, which occurs at the solid/liquid interface. This was studied in samples of low-carbon steels de-oxidized by different combinations of Al, Ca, and Ti. For this purpose, each metal sample of 0.19 g was melted at a temperature close to 1550 °C in an argon atmosphere and solidified under different solidification rates. A direct observation of inclusion behavior during solidification was made using a confocal scanning laser microscope equipped with an infrared gold image furnace. The alloying elements in the sample varied between: C 0.002–0.044; Si 0.02–1.33; Mn 0.12–1.33; P 0.003–0.016; S 0.003–0.01; Al 0.002–0,033; Ni 0–0.28; Cr 0–0.25; Ti 0.008–0.065; Ca 0.0007–0.002; O 0.002–0.0114 and N 0.0028–0.0056 (mass%). Several types of inclusions with different morphologies were found within the sample. The morphology of the observed inclusions on the molten steel surface varied from round alumina and calcium-oxide-rich inclusion to needle-shaped titanium oxide-rich inclusions. The observed motions of the inclusions at the vicinity of the front of the solidifying steels were classified. At a low solidifying velocity and a small inclusion size, inclusions flowed away from the solidifying front. Furthermore, they also or got pushed a distance and thereafter flowed away from the interface. At a medium velocity and a slightly bigger size, inclusions tend to get pushed in front of the solidifying front. Another observation was that at a high velocity and a large particle size, inclusions tend to get engulfed or pushed and then engulfed by the progressing front. The relationship among the morphology, chemical composition of inclusions and the solidifying velocity is discussed in this article.     

Estimation of dynamic fatigue strengths in brittle materials under a wide range of stress rates

This paper aims to statistically estimate the dynamic fatigue strength in brittle materials under a wide range of stress rates. First, two probabilistic models were derived on the basis of the slow crack growth (SCG) concept in conjunction with two-parameter Weibull distribution. The first model, Model I, is a conventional probabilistic delayed-fracture model based on a concept wherein the length of the critical crack growth due to SCG is enough larger than the initial crack length. For the second model, Model II, a new probabilistic model is derived on the basis of a concept wherein the critical cracks have widely ranging lengths. Next, a four-point bending test using a wide range of stress rates was performed for soda glass and alumina ceramics. We constructed fracture probability–strength–time diagrams (F–S–T diagrams) with the experimental results of both materials using both models. The F–S–T diagrams described using Model II were in good agreement with plots of the fracture strength and the fracture time of both materials more so than Model I.     

Theoretical substantiation of the possibility of inducing a ponderomotive thermodynamic force in a solid and a gas

Based on the principle of least action extended by the author to heat conduction in a solid, owing to the formal analogy between time and absolute temperature stated in the 1980s by means of the formalism of the Hamilton—Jacobi equation an expression is obtained for the ponderomotive thermodynamic force in a solid and a gas. Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 71, No. 5, pp. 917–926, September–October, 1998.     

Calculation of the viscosity of liquid Ag- and Au-based alloys: a pseudopotential approach

The viscosity of liquid alloys of Ag–In, Ag–Ge, Ag–Sn, Ag–Sb, and Au–Sn is analyzed in terms of a pseudo-potential method with special emphasis on its variation with the composition. The computational problems associated with the divergence of the key quantities of the theory are solved by presuming the oscillating part of the effective potential to decay exponentially with the distance. The disregard of the influence from neighbor atoms at distances of more than 10 times the hard core diameter is not believed to have an essential impact on the results. All systems under investigation show negative deviations from the additive law which complies well with the experimental findings. The predictions from a semi-empirical model based on simple physical quantities are also taken into consideration. The good overall agreement suggests that the semi-empirical model offers a useful, in many circumstances, more accessible alternative.     

Simulation of the supersonic turbulent flow around a cylinder with coaxial disks

The turbulent axisymmetric flow around a stepped body — a cylinder with coaxial front and rear disks — has been calculated with the aid of a VP2/3 package based on multiblock computational technologies and the generalized procedure of pressure correction. The computational model has been tested with the example of a supersonic flow around a sphere. The numerical forecasts made with the use of Spalart–Allmares shear stress transfer and eddy viscosity transfer models have been compared with the data of the aeroballistic experiment, wind tunnel tests, and the results of the calculation of the flow around the disk–cylinder arrangement by a simplified zonal model in a wide range of variation of the incident flow Mach number (from 1.5 to 4). We have obtained a good agreement between the calculated transverse flow density distributions in the front stalling zone and those determined from the interferograms for the wave-drag-rational disk–cylinder arrangement. The influence of the rear disk on the drag of the disk–cylinder–disk arrangement has been estimated.     

Decyl bis phosphonate–protein surface modification of Ti–6Al–4V via a layer-by-layer technique

Titanium and its alloys have been applied in orthopedics due to their biocompatibility, mechanical, and physical properties. Here we use decyl bis phosphonate (DBP) and collagen I to modify Ti–6Al–4V through layer-by-layer technique in order to improve its bioactivity. The abilities of bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorption and biomimetic mineralization of different sample surfaces were studied. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and water contact angle data showed that DBP and collagen I were assembled on substrates successfully. The absorbance of BSA solution acquired from ultraviolet spectrophotometer (UV) indicated that samples of Ti–6Al–4V/DBP/Collagen and Ti–6Al–4V/DBP/Collagen/DBP adsorbed BSA most, followed by Ti–6Al–4V/DBP and Ti–6Al–4V. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) photos and X-ray diffraction (XRD) data showed that sample of Ti–6Al–4V/DBP/Collagen had better bioactivity in inducing HA formation than other samples tested in this investigation.     

Fracture toughness diagrams of a notched body

To describe fracture toughness diagrams of notched bodies, a model of the cohesion zone near the notch root and an averaging criterion of stresses in this zone were employed. The geometric stress concentration factor and biaxiality coefficient affect greatly the shape of fracture toughness diagram. The notch root critical stress intensity factor is a decreasing function of geometric stress concentration factor. __________ Translated from Problemy Prochnosti, No. 5, pp. 142–148, September–October, 2006. Report on International Conference “Dynamics, Strength, and Life of Machines and Structures” (1–4 November 2006, Kiev, Ukraine).     

Compressor-adsorber with a heat pipe

A design and mathematical model of a compressor-adsorber employing a heat pipe are described. Based on numerical solution, the effect of the finning parameters on adsorber efficiency is analyzed. Academic Scientific Complex “A. V. Luikov Heat and Mass Transfer Institute of the Academy of Sciences of Belarus,” Minsk, Belarus. Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 69, No. 4, pp. 531–539, July–August, 1996.     

Preparation of collagen modified photopolymers: a new type of biodegradable gel for cell growth

In this study a new branched methacrylated poly(propylene glycol-co-lactic acid) (PPG–PLA–IEM) and methacrylated cellulose acetate butyrate resin (CAB–IEM) were synthesized. Hydrogels with various amounts of PPG–PLA–IEM and CAB–IEM (25, 50 and 75 wt% IEM modified) were prepared by photopolymerization. Collagen tethered PEG–monoacrylate (PEGMA–collagen) was prepared and introduced as a bioactive moiety to modify the hydrogel in order to enhance cell affinity. In vitro attachment and growth of 3T3 mouse fibroblasts and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) on the hydrogels with and without collagen were also investigated. It was observed that, the collagen improves the cell adhesion onto the hydrogel surface. With the increasing amount of collagen, cell viability increased by 28% for ECV304 (P < 0.05) and 30% for 3T3 (P < 0.05).     

Processing conditions, morphology and properties of a polycarbonate + a thermotropic polymer liquid crystal blend

We have investigated phase structure – properties relationships of polycarbonate (PC) + a polymer liquid crystal (PLC) blends processed in a twin-screw extruder at several conditions. The PLC is PET/0.82 PHB – a copolyester of poly(ethylene terephtalate) and p -hydroxybenzoic acid. For comparison the blend was additionally extruded in a wide range of shear rates in a capillary rheometer at two different spinning rates and compression-molded. The blend processed in the rheometer exhibits lower values of modulus and tensile strength than the blend extruded due to destruction of the initial orientation and dispersion level gained during extrusion. The orientation of PLC-rich islands increases up to the shear rate of 50–100 s^–1, whereas deformation at higher shear rates exhibits a droplet–breakup phenomenon, confirmed by SEM micrographs. The rheological measurements (oscillation mode) evidence a high shear thinning of the PLC. By contrast, the influence of the deformation rate on the viscosity for PC and the blend is negligible, suggesting also a low interaction level in the interfacial area. This conclusion was confirmed by dynamic mechanical measurements. As expected, our experiments prove that structure and properties of the blend are affected by processing (shear and elongation) conditions. Increasing shear rate leads to elongation of dispersed domains but exceeding critical values can lead to droplet breakup and destruction of created structure. The unique morphology created during extrusion can be destroyed during additional processing (in rheometer). Formation of fibrils is also dependent on additional treatment – spinning speed. Optimized spinning speed can lead to 50% increase in stiffness of the blend. Electronic Publication     

Entropy formulations for a class of scalar conservations laws with space-discontinuous flux functions in a bounded domain

In this paper, the mathematical analysis of a quasilinear parabolic–hyperbolic problem in a multidimensional bounded domain Ω is carried out. In a region Ω _p a diffusion–advection–reaction-type equation is set, while in the complementary Ω _h ≡ Ω\ Ω _p , only advection–reaction terms are taken into account. First, the definition of a weak solution u is provided through an entropy inequality on the whole domain Q by using the classical Kuzhkov entropy pairs and the F. Otto framework to transcribe the boundary conditions on ∂Ω ∩ ∂Ω _h . Since Γ _hp contains the outward characteristics for the first-order operator set in Q _h , the uniqueness proof begins by focusing on the behavior of u in the hyperbolic layer and then in the parabolic one where u fulfills a variational equality that takes into account the entered data from Q _h . The existence property uses a vanishing-viscosity method.