Thermodynamic Evaluation of the Phase Stability and Microstructural Characterization of a Cast B1914 Superalloy

The boron-carbon superalloys (BC alloys) were developed to reduce the carbon content of the alloys to less than 0.02 wt.% and increase the boron content to 0.1 wt.% in some Ni-based superalloys. In this study, we have used characterization techniques, such as DTA, XRD, SEM coupling, and thermodynamic calculation using Thermo-Calc software, to obtain information about the phase transformation reaction temperatures and the elemental compositions of the microstructural constituents encountered in the B1914 superalloy. The microstructure of the B1914 superalloy was composed of a gamma (γ) phase with a dendritic structure and gamma prime (γ′) phase with a cuboidal shape. Precipitates of γ′ and a lamellar eutectic, composed of γ/(Mo,Cr,Ni)₃B₂, were identified in the interdendritic region. The thermodynamic calculation results have shown to be a valuable tool for predicting the transformation temperature, such as liquidus, γ’ solvus, and incipient melting point. These transformations are important parameters used in casting simulation software for determining the heat treatment and welding repair conditions for parts made from this alloy.     

Role of Crystallographic Textures on Failure Behavior in HSLA Grade-420 Steel During Cold Rolling

The microstructural and textural evolution was analyzed during rolling at room temperature to obtain detailed information about the failure behavior in HSLA grade-420 steel. Electron backscatter diffraction measurements were carried out in both non-cracked and cracked areas after cold rolling to find a correlation between microstructural parameters (i.e., grain orientation, grain boundary characteristics and Taylor factor) and crack propagation. The results showed that the crack tended to propagate along grains oriented with {001} planes parallel to the normal direction with high Taylor factor value. The special boundaries associated with the {111}, {110} and {221} planes were indicated as crack resistance, while ∑ 5, 13a and 17a, which related to the {001} planes, were crack-susceptible. Transgranular cracking was subjected within grains with high Taylor factor, while mismatch in Taylor factor between neighboring grains could provide an easy path for intergranular crack propagation.     

Steroid bioconversion: Towards green processes

There is an increasing trend towards reducing the use of organic solvents in industry due to environmental constraints and the adoption of green chemistry guidelines. To overcome the low volumetric productivity of aqueous bioconversion systems involving sparingly water soluble hydrophobic compounds, processes are being developed and designed to incorporate green solvent such as supercritical fluids, ionic liquids and natural oils, and liquid polymers, among others as an alternative to organic solvents. Moreover, processes are developed and redesigned to use/reuse chemicals and reagents derived from waste or renewable feed stocks in order to diminish E-factors.In this work, the use of green solvents as key components in the bioconversion media for a multi-step microbial bioconversion was assessed in a suspended whole cell system, combined with the use of by-products as raw materials, ultimately used as carbon source for cell growth and as sterol substrate for bioconversion. The model system is the selective cleavage of the side-chain of β-sitosterol performed by free resting cells of Mycobacterium sp. NRRL B-3805, a well-established industrial multi-enzymatic process involving the use of nine catabolic enzymes in a 14-step metabolic pathway.Bioconversion yields in silicone media were higher than the ones obtained in polyethylene glycol (PEG), polypropylene glycol (PPG) and ionic liquids, as well as in dioctyl phthalate (DOP), an organic solvent that has previously been shown to allow high conversion yields. Total conversion of 12 mM substrate in silicone media was consistently obtained at the end of 120-h bioconversion runs. Similar bioconversion profiles were attained during a 50-fold scale-up, maintaining constant the power consumption per unit of volume.     

Polymeric coatings for photostability enhancement of poly(p‐phenylene vinylene) derivative films

Poly(p‐phenylene vinylene) (PPV) derivatives are an important class of conjugated polymers, known for their applications as electroluminescent materials for light‐emitting devices and sensors. These derivatives are highly susceptible to photodegradation by the combined action of oxygen and light. Here, the use of various commercial polymers as protective coatings against the photodegradation of PPV derivatives was explored. Cast films of two similar PPV derivatives, poly[(2‐methoxy‐5‐n‐hexyloxy)‐p‐phenylene vinylene] and poly[2‐methoxy‐5‐(2‐ethylhexyloxy)‐p‐phenylene vinylene], were submitted to photodegradation by exposure to white light under atmospheric conditions in order to verify if the type of side chain (linear or branched) had an effect on the photodegradation. No significant differences in the photodegradation behaviour between the two polymers were noticed. The following commercial polymers were tested as protective coatings for the PPV derivative cast films: 99 and 80% hydrolysed poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and starch. The best results were achieved using coatings of 99% hydrolysed PVA, which increased about 700 times the time necessary for complete degradation of the PPV derivative films. The results show the effectiveness of this coating in minimizing and, possibly, controlling the effects of the photodegradation of PPV derivative films, which can be useful in many applications, e.g. oxygen sensors. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

A morphological view of the sodium 4,4′‐distyrylbiphenyl sulfonate fluorescent brightness distribution on regenerated cellulose fibers

Evidence of the sorption of the whitening agent sodium 4,4′‐distyrylbiphenyl sulfonate in the presence of the anionic surfactant sodium dodecylsulfate or the cationic surfactant dodecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride on regenerated cellulose fibers is given by several microscopy techniques. Scanning electron microscopy provided images of the cylindrical fibers with dimensions of 3.5 cm (length) and 13.3 μm (thickness), with empty cores of 1 μm diameter and a smooth surface. Atomic force microscopy showed a fiber surface with disoriented nanometric domains using both tapping‐mode height and phase image modes. Atomic force microscopy also showed that the whitening agent and surfactant molecules were sorbed onto the fiber surface, in agreement with the adsolubilization sorption model. Transmission electron microscopy showed fibers with nanometric parallel cylinders, surrounded by holes where the fluorescent whitening molecules accumulated. On the basis of these techniques, we conclude that the sorption process occurs preferentially on the fiber surface in contact with the water solution, and under saturated conditions, the whitening agent penetrates into the pores and are simultaneously sorbed on the pore walls bulk, forming molecular aggregates. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

A study on the colloidal nature of urea‐formaldehyde resins and its relation with adhesive performance

Urea‐formaldehyde (UF) resins present a swollen colloidal phase dispersed within a continuous water phase containing soluble oligomers. The main goal of the present investigation is to clarify the physical and chemical nature of those two phases and elucidate their impact on the bonding process. Optical and electronic microscopy has provided information on the morphology of the colloidal phase, showing primary particles and particle agglomerates. Mechanisms are suggested for the colloidal stabilization and dilution‐induced flocculation. Three commercial UF resins with different F/U molar ratios were studied using particle size distribution (PSD) analysis. The results showed the influence of the resin's degree of condensation and the aging status on the size of the colloidal structures. Gel permeation chromatography analysis was performed on samples of different resins and of the respective continuous and dispersed phases, separated by centrifugation. The quantified fraction of insoluble molecular aggregates present in the chromatograms was related to the resins synthesis conditions and age. Differential scanning calorimetry and tensile shear strength tests were performed to evaluate the reactivity and adhesive performance of each phase. It is suggested that the colloidal phase acts as a reactive filler at the wood joint interfaces, contributing for the resins bonding performance. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Brazing of UNS S32101 and UNS S32304 lean duplex stainless steels and UNS S32750 super duplex with AWS A5.3 BNi-7 (Ni–Cr–P) filler metal

Summary

Weld metals solidified in the ferritic-austenitic solidification mode (FA mode) have dual phases of ferrite and austenite in their as-solidified condition, where ferrite exhibits different morphologies depending on the chemical composition and welding conditions. This paper describes an investigation of the effect of the solidification and transformation sequence on the formation of final ferrite morphologies. Austenite is formed through either a eutectic reaction or peritectic reaction at the dendrite boundaries after the primary formation of ferrite. During the eutectic formation of austenite, the <100>_δ direction of the primary ferrite and the <100>_γ direction of the eutectic austenite are parallel to each other and lie along the growth direction of the primary dendrites. However, any specific lattice plane relationship between the two phases is not identified. During cooling after solidification, the austenite extends into the primary ferrite via solid-state transformation, and the final morphology of the ferrite is vermicular without any coherent orientation relationship between the primary ferrite and eutectic austenite. During peritectic formation of austenite, the Kurdjumov-Sachs orientation relationship is established between the primary ferrite and peritectic austenite, and the <100>_γ direction of the peritectic austenite is not parallel to the growth direction of the primary dendrites. During cooling after solidification, the primary ferrite transforms into austenite, and the final morphology of the ferrite is lathy, since the primary ferrite and peritectic austenite have a favourable coherent orientation.     

Dynamic formation of SEBS copolymer submicrometric structures

Highly ordered A-B-A block copolymer arrangements in the submicrometric scale, resulting from dewetting and solvent evaporation of thin films, have inspired a variety of new applications in the nanometric world. Despite the progress observed in the control of such structures, the intricate scientific phenomena related to regular patterns formation are still not completely elucidated. SEBS is a standard example of a triblock copolymer that forms spontaneously impressive pattern arrangements. From macroscopic thin liquid films of SEBS solution, several physical effects and phenomena act synergistically to achieve well-arranged patterns of stripes and/or droplets. That is, concomitant with dewetting, solvent evaporation, and Marangoni effect, Rayleigh instability and phase separation also play important role in the pattern formation. These two last effects are difficult to be followed experimentally in the nanoscale, which render difficulties to the comprehension of the whole phenomenon. In this paper, we use computational methods for image analysis, which provide quantitative morphometric data of the patterns, specifically comprising stripes fragmentation into droplets. With the help of these computational techniques, we developed an explanation for the final part of the pattern formation, i.e. structural dynamics related to the stripes fragmentation.