Biodegradation of hydrophilic–hydrophobic hydrogels and its effect on albumin release

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of composition ratio of a new class of bicomponent biodegradable hydrogels and the molecular weights of the constituents on the hydrolytic degradability of the hydrogels and their release of bovine serum albumin (BSA). Biodegradable hydrogels were prepared from dextran derivative of allyl isocyanate (dex-AI) and poly (D,L) lactide diacrylate macromer (PDLLAM) over a wide range of dex-AI to PDLLAM composition ratio. The results obtained indicated that the hydrolytic degradation of these biodegradable hydrogels could be controlled by adjusting the composition ratio of dex-AI to PDLLAM or by changing their molecular weights. Along with the hydrogel degradation, water content of the hydrogels changed, and 3D porous network structure was observed. Generally, as the PDLLAM composition in the hydrogels increased, the rate of weight loss increased due to the hydrolytic degradation of the PDLLAM. The increase in molecular weights of either dex-AI or PDLLAM would decrease the degradation rate of the dex-AI/PDLLAM hydrogels. BSA release data correlated well with the hydrogel degradation profiles, suggesting that the extent and rate of BSA release would be mainly controled by hydrogel degradation. As the PDLLAM composition in the hydrogel increased, the extent and rate of BSA release also increased. An increase in the molecular weights of the hydrogel constituents, however, led to a decrease in BSA release.     

Pozzolanic reaction of glass powder and its role in controlling alkali–silica reaction

It is well recognized that finely ground soda-lime glass exhibits high pozzolanic reactivity. Fine glass grains will not undergo an Alkali-silica reaction (ASR) in the presence of alkali, and can even mitigate the ASR between alkali and reactive aggregates. Influences of the pozzolanic reaction of glass powder on solid phases, pore solution in cement paste, and the ASR mitigating effect are investigated in the study. The pozzolanic reaction of glass not only consumes portlandite to form in-situ C-S-H, which appears as reaction rim around glass grains, and precipitated C-S-H, but also reduces monosulfate level. The impacts of the pozzolanic reaction on species in pore solution are characterized by increased aluminum, sulfate, sodium, and silicon concentrations and decreased calcium concentration. The increase in aluminum and sulfate concentrations results from the decrease in solid monosulfate. Glass powder controls ASR by increasing aluminum concentration in pore solution to reduce the dissolution of amorphous silica from reactive aggregates.     

Review on microstructure evolution in Sn–Ag–Cu solders and its effect on mechanical integrity of solder joints

The use of Pb-bearing solders in electronic assemblies is avoided in many countries due to the inherent toxicity and environmental risks associated with lead. Although a number of “Pb-free” alloys have been invented, none of them meet all the standards generally satisfied by a conventional Pb–Sn alloy. A large number of reliability problems still exist with lead free solder joints. Solder joint reliability depends on mechanical strength, fatigue resistance, hardness, coefficient of thermal expansion which are influenced by the microstructure, type and morphology of inter metallic compounds (IMC). In recent years, Sn rich solders have been considered as suitable replacement for Pb bearing solders. The objective of this review is to study the evolution of microstructural phases in commonly used lead free xSn–yAg–zCu solders and the various factors such as substrate, minor alloying, mechanical and thermo-mechanical strains which affect the microstructure. A complete understanding of the mechanisms that determine the formation and growth of interfacial IMCs is essential for developing solder joints with high reliability. The data available in the open literature have been reviewed and discussed.     

The effect of internal particle heat conduction on heat transfer analysis of turbulent gas–particle flow in a dilute state

In many cases the conduction mechanism inside a particle can not be ignored (large particles, low thermal conductivity and high porosity) during turbulent gas–particle flows. However, the accurate solution might be difficult to apply. Therefore, we first develop here the ability to conduct accurate solution and then we define the criterion for which the internal conductivity might be ignored. A combination between commercial C.F.D. code and user defined programs was developed to predict numerically the gas–particle velocity and temperature profiles. The selected criterion (defined at the outlet of the pipe’s cross-section), referred to the relation between the computational desirable average temperature difference without ignoring internal heat conductivity and the average particles temperature by ignoring internal heat conductivity, determines whether to consider the heat conduction mechanism in numerical simulations or to ignore it. It was found that the average particles temperature for T _p =  f(r) is lower than the case when T _p =  constant. Also, it was found that the non-dimensional temperature difference criterion is a continuous function of [Bi ×  (d _p/D)] for a specific geometry, various pipe and particle diameters, various particles’ thermal conductivities, constant heat flux and Re number. The numerical code enables to extend the classical criterion for Bi number of solids to various gas–particle systems and different operational conditions.     

Precipitation and its effect on age-hardening behavior of as-cast Mg–Gd–Y alloy

Microstructures evolution of Mg–7Gd–3Y–0.4Zr (wt.%) alloy during aging at 200 °C was investigated by using optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results showed that the alloy could exhibit remarkable age-hardening response by optimum solid solution and aging conditions. Especially, the highest Vickers hardness (HV) of this alloy was obtained when it was aged at 200 °C for 120 h, which was mainly attributed to a dense distribution of β′ precipitation in the matrix.     

Study of the martensitic transformation in NiTi–epoxy smart composite and its effect on the overall behavior

In this work, the effect of wire phase transformation on the overall thermo-mechanical behavior of NiTi–epoxy composites has been investigated. The shape memory wire received in as drawn condition was subjected to three heat treatments which results to different transformation characteristics. Composite specimens were manufactured by casting followed by curing and post curing process. The mechanical behavior of samples has been determined using standard tensile test. The effect of wire volume fraction and test temperature was investigated as well.It is found that the martensitic transformation occurring in the wire affects the mechanical behavior of the composite specimens. In this way, using the wire with higher transformation stress improves the composite tensile strength. This is achieved either by increasing the test temperature or by using the wires heat treated at lower temperatures. From the experimental results, the martensitic transformation can change the debonding mode. It seems that on the constraint of matrix, the transformation occurs simultaneously at several points in wires that result in regular debonded/undebonded pattern.     

Application of pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for the identification of polymeric materials in failure analysis in the automotive industry

The application of analytical pyrolysis–gas chromatography mass spectrometry (Py–GC/MS) in the failure analysis of two hydraulic cylinders and their rubber membranes from the automotive industry were presented.     

Effects of freezing–thawing pretreatment on anaerobic digestion of wheat straw and its kinetics analysis

Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy - In this study, freezing–thawing (FT) pretreatment of different freezing time and freezing temperatures was investigated to find the effect on...     

Analysis of martensite–austenite constituent and its effect on toughness in submerged arc welded joint of low carbon bainitic steel

Martensite–austenite (M–A) constituent formed during welding is generally recognized as an important factor to decrease the toughness of welded joint. In this article, the morphology and chemical composition of M–A constituent in the low carbon bainitic steel welded joint was analysed in detail by means of optical microscope, transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope with electron probe microanalysis. The experimental results show that the M–A constituent formed in the different sub-zones presents different morphologies and different amounts. The maximum amount of M–A constituent occurs in the coarse grained heat affected zone (HAZ). It is evident that the carbon atoms segregate on the M–A constituent and carbon concentration on the slender M–A constituent is higher than that on the massive M–A constituent. Meanwhile, the distribution profile of silicon on the M–A constituent shows an obvious inhomogeneity. Most of M–A constituents have a twinned structure and/or a high dislocation density. According to impact testing results, the crack initiation energy in the HAZ specimens deteriorates significantly because the large M–A constituent can assist the formation of cleavage crack. On the other hand, the coarse prior austenite grain in the HAZ lowers the crack propagation energy.     

Grain boundary character distribution and its effect on corrosion of Ni–23Cr–16Mo superalloy

Grain boundary character distribution (GBCD) of the Hastelloy C2000 alloy (Ni–23Cr–16Mo) and the effect of coincidence site lattice (CSL) grain boundaries on corrosion resistance were examined by electron backscattered diffraction and electrochemical experiments. Various deformation followed by annealing was applied to optimise the GBCD of the alloy. After grain boundary engineering (GBE) treatment, the proportion of CSL boundaries increased from 37.7% to 62.4% and the corrosion current density of the specimens decreased in NaCl solution. The results indicated that GBE treatment is responsible for preferable corrosion resistance due to the increase of the fraction of special low energy grain boundaries with perfect grain boundary atom arrangement after thermomechanical process.     

Precipitation characteristics of μ-phase in wrought nickel-base alloys and its effect on their properties

Thermal exposures consisting of 1–16000 h at 540, 650, 760, and 870°C were used to study the susceptibility of selected nickel-base alloys to precipitation of -phase and its effect on mechanical strength and corrosion resistance. Analytical electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction were used to characterize the -phase. A -phase of the type Mo₆Ni₇ in nickel-base alloys was found to be stabilized by critical concentrations of iron in an excess of about 3 wt%. Generally, the -phase had a characteristic defect structure consisting of twins and stacking faults, and it exhibited a preferential tendency for precipitation at existing molybdenum-rich carbide particles within the alloy matrix and at grain boundaries. Precipitation of -phase was found to produce a moderate loss of room-temperature tensile ductility; however, it resulted in a considerable degradation of impact toughness and corrosion resistance. In contrast, it had no significant effect on elevated temperature tensile properties. A correlation was found to exist between the Ni/Fe + Co ratio as well as the Mo + W content of the alloy and susceptibility to precipitation of -phase.     

Tool wear and its effect on microstructure and properties of friction stir processed Ti–6Al–4V

Ti–6Al–4V alloy was subjected to friction stir processing at rotation rates of 400, 800 and 1200 rpm using a polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (pcBN) tool and tool wear at different travel distances was investigated. At high rotation rates of 800 and 1200 rpm, the greatest tool wear, including mechanical and chemical wear, occurred at the initial tool plunge point. Detailed microstructural examinations on the tool plunge point at 1200 rpm by transmission electron microscopy indicated that the “onion ring” structure in the stir zone was caused by a variation in the distribution of TiB particles. Two similar but not identical spatial phase sequences around BN particles, BN–TiB₂–TiB–α-Ti (N) and BN–TiB₂–TiB–transformed β-Ti (N), as well as Ti2N phase were identified. The reaction mechanism between the tool and the Ti matrix was discussed. Moreover, when the tool wear reached a steady-state condition, the effect of tool wear on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the stir zone was evaluated. A fully transformed β with a Widmanstatten structure was observed at all rotation rates and the average size of prior β grains increased with the rotation rate. The tool wear led to an increment in hardness and tensile strength but a loss of ductility of the stir zone.     

Review of effect of P and Sr on modification and porosity development in Al–Si alloys

Abstract

The benefits of Sr additions to Al–Si alloys to modify the eutectic are often impaired by the development of porosity, sometimes to the degree that benefits are negated. Experimental reports are reviewed in this paper, suggesting an explanation in terms of the oxide population in the melt. The unmodified silicon particles are nucleated by AlP, which has in turn nucleated on oxide bifilms. The oxide bifilms, which are essentially cracks, are straightened by the crystalline growth of Si particles, leading to increased crack size and consequently reduced mechanical properties. The addition of Sr improves properties by suppressing the formation of Si on bifilms and thereby preventing the straightening of the pre-existing cracks. Si is now forced to precipitate at a lower temperature as a coral-like eutectic. Unfortunately, the bifilms are now freed (the primary Si particles no longer exist to grow around and sequester the bifilms), remaining in suspension in the liquid metal, allowing them to act to block interdendritic flow and aid the initiation of the formation of pores, countering the benefits of the improved structure.     

The effect of Ta on structure and magnetic properties in Fe–N films

Microstructure and magnetic properties of Fe–Ta–N alloy films near the eutatic composition were studied. The four systematic alloy films with different Ta content were prepared by reactive sputtering. The dependence of structures and magnetic properties on Ta and annealing were investigated by VSM and X-ray diffraction. It is found that Ta atoms replace Fe in α-Fe lattice and have strong affinity for nitrogen, which inhibits the formation of γ-Fe₄N phase in Fe–Ta–N films. The TaN phase precipitates in grain boundaries and suppresses the growth of α-Fe(N) crystalline during annealing. Coercivity varies with the change of microstructure.     

Combined effect of thermal dispersion and radiation on free convection in a fluid saturated, optically thick porous medium

The present article considers a numerical study on the combined effect of thermal dispersion and thermal radiation on the non-Darcy natural convection flow over a vertical flat plate kept at higher and constant temperature in a fluid saturated porous medium. Forchheimer extension is used in the flow equations. The coefficient of thermal diffusivity has been assumed to be the sum of molecular diffusivity and the dispersion thermal diffusivity due to mechanical dispersion. Rosseland approximation is used to describe the radiative heat flux in the energy equation. The non-dimensional governing equations are solved by the finite element method (FEM). The resulting non-linear integral equations are linearized and solved by the Newton–Raphson iteration. The finite element implementations are prepared using Matlab software packages. Numerical results for the details of the stream function, velocity and temperature contours as well as heat transfer rates in terms of Nusselt number are presented and discussed.     

The effect of size of the SiC inclusions in the AlN–SiC composite structure on its electrophysical properties

AlN–SiC–Y₃Al₅O₁₂ composite materials with a high absorption of microwave frequency (27–65 dB/cm) produced by pressureless sintering of mixtures consisting of AlN(2H), Y₂O₃, and SiC (6H) in 46, 4, 50 wt %, respectively, have been studied. The SiC components of the mixtures were used in sizes of 1, 5, and 50 μm. It has been shown that the resistivity of the developed materials depends essentially on the materials structures: sizes of SiC inclusions, distances between them, and state of the interfaces. It has been found that the increase of the SiC inclusions sizes in the material structure from 3 to 7 μm results in the decrease of the resistivity from 10⁴ to 90 Ω·m, and at the decrease of the SiC inclusions sizes from 3 to 0.5 μm there forms a SiC uninterrupted skeleton, which also decreases the resistivity to 210 Ω·m. Thus, composite materials that contain 50 wt % SiC (inclusions sizes of 3 μm) are the most efficient in producing absorbers of microwave radiation. Interlayers of yttrium aluminum garnet, which are located at the SiC grains boundaries, prevent the forming of AlN(2H)–SiC(6H) solid solutions and thus, make it possible to keep high dielectric characteristics of a composite material based on aluminum nitride and afford a high absorption of a microwave radiation.     

Study of Pd–Ag dental alloys: examination of effect of casting porosity on fatigue behavior and microstructural analysis

The goals of this study were to investigate the fatigue limits of two Pd–Ag alloys (Ivoclar Vivadent) with differing mechanical properties and varying proportions of secondary alloying elements, examine the effect of casting porosity on fatigue behavior, and determine the effect of casting size on microstructures and Vickers hardness. The alloys selected were: IPS d.SIGN 59 (59.2Pd–27.9Ag–8.2Sn–2.7In–1.3Zn); and IS 64 (59.9Pd–26.0Ag–7.0Sn–2.8Au–1.8 Ga–1.5In–1.0Pt). Tension test bars, heat-treated to simulate dental porcelain application, were subjected to cyclic loading at 10 Hz, with R-ratio of −1 for amplitudes of compressive and tensile stress. Two replicate specimens were tested at each stress amplitude. Fracture surfaces were examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Sectioned fatigue specimens and additional cast specimens simulating copings for a maxillary central incisor restoration were also examined with the SEM, and Vickers hardness was measured using 1 kg load. Casting porosity was evaluated in sectioned fatigue fracture specimens, using an image analysis program. The fatigue limit (2 × 10⁶ loading cycles) of IS 64 was approximately 0.20 of its 0.2% yield strength, while the fatigue limit of d.SIGN 59 was approximately 0.25 of its 0.2% yield strength. These relatively low ratios of fatigue limit to 0.2% yield strength are similar to those found previously for high-palladium dental alloys, and are attributed to their complex microstructures and casting porosity. Complex fatigue fracture surfaces with striations were observed for both alloys. Substantial further decrease in the number of cycles for fatigue failure only occurred when the pore size and volume percentage became excessive. While the heat-treated alloys had equiaxed grains with precipitates, the microstructural homogenization resulting from simulated porcelain firing differed considerably for the coping and fatigue test specimens; the latter specimens had significantly higher values of Vickers hardness.     

Stress and failure analysis of crimped metal–composite joints used in electrical insulators subjected to bending

Experimental and numerical investigations are carried out on metal/fibreglass-reinforced-plastic joints integrated in electrical insulators subject to bending. Numerical stress and strain distributions through the bond are calculated with a solid 3D finite element model and the damage initiation in the composite is highlighted. The simulations are compared to experimental data obtained from several joint specimens tested under bending on an experimental setup equipped with strain gauges and a six-channel acoustic emission system. Good correlation between the finite element predictions and the test results is found. The investigations have identified the stress concentrations in the rod, the onset of damage when the load–displacement curve characterizing the bending test deviates from linearity, and the different failure mechanisms.