Investigation of tribological properties of boronized Fe-based SAE 1020 and TS-DDK 40 journal bearings at high loads

In practice, ferrous based materials are not used because they show similar properties to shaft material and are known to cause adhesive wear in journal bearings. With boronizing process, adhesive wear can significantly be decreased. In this study, boronizing has been applied to some ferrous based (SAE 1020, TS-DDK 40) journal bearings. Wear experiments were done on SAE 1050 steel shaft as counter abrader with 100 N loads, and 1500 rpm for 5 h by using a radial journal bearing test rig. Boronizing treatment increased wear resistance of SAE 1020, TS-DDK 40 about 10–25, and 5–7 times respectively.     

Uranium and thorium sequestration by a Pseudomonas sp.: mechanism and chemical characterization

The mechanism and chemical nature of uranium and thorium sequestration by a Pseudomonas strain was investigated by transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, FTIR spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) used in the tapping mode elucidated the morphological changes in bacterial cells following uranium and thorium binding. Transmission electron microscopy revealed intracellular sequestration of uranium and thorium throughout the cell cytoplasm with electron dense microprecipitations of accumulated metals. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis confirmed the cellular deposition of uranium and thorium. EDX and elemental analysis of sorption solution indicated the binding of uranium and thorium by the bacterial biomass via displacement of cellular potassium and calcium. The strong involvement of cellular phosphate, carboxyl and amide groups in radionuclide binding was ascertained by FTIR spectroscopy. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analyses confirmed cellular sequestration of crystalline uranium and thorium phosphates. Overall results indicate that a combined ion-exchange-complexation-microprecipitation mechanism could be involved in uranium and thorium sequestration by this bacterium. Atomic force microscopy and topography analysis revealed an undamaged cell surface with an increase in cell length, width and height following radionuclide accumulation. The arithmetic average roughness (R(a)) and root mean square (RMS) roughness (R(q)) values indicated an increase in surface roughness following uranium and thorium sequestration.     

Thermal stress developed during the laser cutting process: consideration of different materials

The laser cutting of metallic substrates results in the development of thermal stresses around the cut edges. Depending on the cutting speed, laser power intensity, and material properties, stress levels reaching and exceeding the yielding limit of the substrate material can result. In the present study, the laser cutting situation is simulated and temperature as well as thermal stress fields are computed for steel, Inconel 625, and Ti-6Al-4V alloy. The cutting speed of the laser is considered to be constant and a constant temperature heat source with a focused spot diameter is assumed along the kerf surface at the cut edge, resembling the laser heat source. The equations for energy and thermal stresses are solved numerically using the finite element method (FEM). It is found that the temperature decays sharply in the vicinity of the cut edges and that the equivalent stress attains high values in this region. Inconel 625 results in the highest thermal stress levels in the vicinity of the cut edges and is then followed by steel and titanium alloy.     

Synthesis and spectroelectrochemistry of dithieno(3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d)pyrrole derivatives

New π‐conjugated polymers containing dithieno(3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d)pyrrole (DTP) were successfully synthesized via electropolymerization. The effect of structural differences on the electrochemical and optoelectronic properties of the 4‐[4H‐dithieno(3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d)pyrrol‐4‐yl]aniline (DTP–aryl–NH₂), 10‐[4H‐dithiyeno(3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d)pirol‐4‐il]dekan‐1‐amine (DTP–alkyl–NH₂), and 1,10‐bis[4H‐dithieno(3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d)pyrrol‐4‐yl] decane (DTP–alkyl–DTP) were investigated. The corresponding polymers were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, NMR (¹H‐NMR and ¹³C‐NMR), and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. Changes in the electronic nature of the functional groups led to variations in the electrochemical properties of the π‐conjugated systems. The electroactive polymer films revealed redox couples and exhibited electrochromic behavior. The replacement of the DTP–alkyl–DTP unit with DTP–aryl–NH₂ and DTP–alkyl–NH₂ resulted in a lower oxidation potential. Both the poly(10‐(4H‐Dithiyeno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]pirol‐4‐il)dekan‐1‐amin) (poly(DTP–alkyl–NH₂)) and poly(1,10‐bis(4H‐dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]pyrrol‐4‐yl) decane) (poly(DTP–alkyl–DTP)) films showed multicolor electrochromism and also fast switching times (<1 s) in the visible and near infrared regions. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40701.     

Identification and characterization of metabolic properties of bacterial populations recovered from arsenic contaminated ground water of North East India (Assam)

Diversity of culturable bacterial populations within the Arsenic (As) contaminated groundwater of North Eastern state (Assam) of India is studied. From nine As contaminated samples 89 bacterial strains are isolated. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis reveals predominance of Brevundimonas (35%) and Acidovorax (23%) along with Acinetobacter (10%), Pseudomonas (9%) and relatively less abundant (<5%) Undibacterium, Herbaspirillum, Rhodococcus, Staphylococcus, Bosea, Bacillus, Ralstonia, Caulobacter and Rhizobiales members. High As(III) resistance (MTC 10–50 mM) is observed for the isolates obtained from As(III) enrichment, particularly for 3 isolates of genus Brevundimonas   (MTC 50 mM). In contrast, high resistance to As(V) (MTC as high as 550 mM) is present as a ubiquitous property, irrespective of isolates' enrichment condition. Bacterial genera affiliated to other groups showed relatively lower degree of As resistance [MTCs of 15–20 mM As(III) and 250–350 mM As(V)]. As(V) reductase activity is detected in strains with high As(V) as well as As(III) resistance. A strong correlation could be established among isolates capable of reductase activity and siderophore production as well as As(III) tolerance. A large number of isolates (nearly 50%) is capable of anaerobic respiration using alternate inorganic electron acceptors [As(V), Se(VI), Fe(III), ₃NO²⁻${{\text{NO}}_3}^{2\mathrm{-}}$, ₄SO²⁻${{\text{SO}}_4}^{2\mathrm{-}}$, S₂O₃²⁻${{\text{S}}_2{\text{O}}_3}^{2\mathrm{-}}$]. Ability to utilize different carbon sources ranging from C2–C6 compounds along with some complex sugars is also observed. Particularly, a number of strains is found to possess ability to grow chemolithotrophically using As(III) as the electron donor. The study reports for the first time the identity and metabolic abilities of bacteria in As contaminated ground water of North East India, useful to elucidate the microbial role in influencing mobilization of As in the region.     

Bi(III)4-methylpiperidinedithiocarbamate coprecipitation procedure for separation--pre-concentration of trace metal ions in water samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometric determination

A pre-concentration method was developed for determination of trace amounts of cadmium, copper and lead in water samples by FAAS after coprecipitation by using potassium 4-methylpiperidinedithiocarbamate (K4-MPDC) as a chelating agent and Bi(III) as a carrier element. This procedure is based on filtration of the solution containing precipitate on a cellulose nitrate membrane filter following Cd(II), Cu(II) and Pb(II) coprecipitation with Bi(III)4-MPDC and then the precipitates together with membrane filter were dissolved in concentrated nitric acid. The metal contents of the final solution were determined by FAAS. Several parameters including pH of sample solution, amount of carrier element and reagent, standing time, sample volume for precipitation and the effects of diverse ions were examined. The accuracy of the method was tested with standard reference material (MBH, C31XB20 and CRM BCR-32) and Cd, Cu and Pb added samples. Determination of Cd, Cu and Pb was carried out in sea water, river water and tap water samples. The recoveries were >95%. The relative standard deviations of determination were less than 10%.     

Magnetically Modified Waste Bark of Aegle marmelos Tree as a Promising Biosorbent for Uranium(VI) Sorption

Radiochemistry - Magnetically modified waste bark of the Aegle marmelos tree was prepared by using green synthesis method and was used in a batch system for U(VI) removal from aqueous solution. The...     

Experimental investigation of drying shrinkage cracking of composite mortars incorporating crushed tile fine aggregate

Drying shrinkage is generally classified as an important hardened concrete property. It expresses the strain occurring in hardened concrete due to the loss of water. During the drying process, free and absorbed water is lost from the concrete. When the drying shrinkage is restrained, cracks can occur, depending on the internal stresses in the concrete. The ingress of deleterious materials through these cracks can cause decrease in the compressive strength and the durability of concrete. In this study, being as a fine aggregate in mortars, crushed tile (CT) effect on drying shrinkage and drying shrinkage cracking is investigated. Thus, compressive and flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, and free and restrained drying shrinkage tests are conducted on mortar specimens produced with and without crushed tile fine aggregate. The ring test has been used in order to investigate the cracks induced by restrained drying shrinkage. In this way, free drying shrinkage strain, along with the number and development of drying shrinkage cracks, of the crushed tile fine aggregate mortar composites are quantified and observed.