Thermal dehydrochlorination of pure PVC polymer: Part I—thermal degradation kinetics by thermogravimetric analysis

Thermal degradation of PVC occurs in two stages, with each stage subdivided into two substages. The first refers to the dehydrochlorination, where hydrochloric acid is formed, and giving polyene structures. Hitherto, the degradation mechanism and action of hydrochloric acid as a catalyst during the dehydrochlorination stage are poorly known. Recently, the importance of the tacticity has gained attention for its influence on the dehydrochlorination mechanism. The present work focused on the dehydrochlorination stage, studying the molecular structure by FTIR analysis and the kinetic parameters by TGA analysis in Nitrogen atmosphere, based on three mathematical methods: Friedman, Kissinger, and Flynn-Wall-Ozawa. The sample was a pure homopolymer obtained by suspension polymerization. The dehydrochlorination kinetics follows a first order reaction model and occurs by nucleation and growth. The dehydrochlorination begins with the loss of very labile chlorine atoms present in defective and isotactic molecular segments. The formed HCl acts as a catalyst in the degradation. Following 40% conversion, a drop in Ea is observed. After that, chlorine atoms present in syndiotactic and atactic sequences, are released and, added to the large number of polyene chain sequences, and an increase in Ea is observed up to 60% conversion, where the dehydrochlorination stage is concluded.     

Polydimethylsiloxane based polyurethane and its composite with layered double hydroxide: Synthesis and its thermal properties

This investigation reports the synthesis of a new class of polyurethane (PU) based on bis(hydroxyalkyl) polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as diol and isophorone diisocyanate as diisocyanate followed by the preparation of PU/layered double hydroxide (PU/LDH) nanocomposite via ex-situ technique. Nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy studies confirm the formation of PU and incorporation of PDMS into the PU backbone. Thermogravimetry analysis revealed that thermal stability of the composite improves significantly with incorporation of LDH into the PU matrix. This may be accredited to the barrier effect rendered by the LDH layers. Differential scanning calorimetry study reveals that with the incorporation of LDH, glass transition temperature (T_g) of the composite increases for an optimum level of loading beyond which it remains constant.     

Analysis of surface integrity for minimum quantity lubricant—MQL in grinding

The quality of machined components is currently of high interest, for the market demands mechanical components of increasingly high performance, not only from the standpoint of functionality but also from that of safety. Components produced through operations involving the removal of material display surface irregularities resulting not only from the action of the tool itself, but also from other factors that contribute to their superficial texture. This texture can exert a decisive influence on the application and performance of the machined component. This article analyzes the behavior of the minimum quantity lubricant (MQL) technique and compares it with the conventional cooling method. To this end, an optimized fluid application method was devised using a specially designed nozzle, by the authors, through which a minimum amount of oil is sprayed in a compressed air flow, thus meeting environmental requirements. This paper, therefore, explores and discusses the concept of the MQL in the grinding process. The performance of the MQL technique in the grinding process was evaluated based on an analysis of the surface integrity (roughness, residual stress, microstructure and microhardness). The results presented here are expected to lead to technological and ecological gains in the grinding process using MQL.     

纳米粒子对钢/钢摩擦副摩擦学性能影响的试验研究

选用合成极压蜗杆油、未加油性剂和极压剂的半成品蜗杆油作为基础试验油 ,将超微金刚石粉、纳米铁粒子和纳米铜粒子分别以两种不同质量比分散到半成品蜗杆油中。在 MM-2 0 0型磨损实验机上 ,考察纳米粒子的抗磨减摩性 ,并与传统的油性剂、极压剂进行比较。同时探索应用于钢 /钢副硬齿面的新型抗磨减摩添加剂。试验结果发现 :平均粒径尺寸为 5 nm的超微金刚石粉具有优于传统油性剂、极压剂的抗磨减摩性能 ,可以大大降低钢 /钢副的摩擦 ,减小磨损。但钢 /钢副中不宜使用含有纳米铁粒子的润滑油。     

Ti-6Al-4V钛合金相颗粒粗化动力学及形貌变化

以Ti-6Al-4V钛合金为例，研究了韧性双相合金不同温度保时相颗粒变化情况。结果表明，在α相颗粒粗化的同时，还伴随着α相形貌由“短棒状”向等轴状转变。在800℃和600℃保温时，α相颗粒粗化机制均为Al原子从其他α相颗粒中沿晶界或相界以一维扩散的方式转移到粗化的相颗粒上来。α相颗粒形貌的改变，分为两个阶段，第一阶段为颗粒内部物质的转移为主；第二阶段为其他α相颗粒物质沿晶界或相界扩散到颗粒比较短的方向上以使该颗粒等轴化。对于800℃保温，第一阶段为颗粒内部Al原子以晶格扩散的方式转移；600℃时，颗粒内物质的转移则沿晶界或相界以一维扩散为主。     

Corrosion protection of NdFeB magnets by phosphating with tungstate incorporation

In this investigation the effect of surface treatments on the corrosion resistance of a commercial NdFeB sintered magnet has been investigated. A solution of 10 g L^− 1 NaH₂PO₄, acidified to pH 3.8 has been used for phosphating this magnet. The corrosion resistance of the phosphated magnet was investigated in a 0.10 mol L^− 1 Na₂SO₄ solution by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry with rotating disc electrode. The obtained results reveal that the resistance decreases with exposure time due to the development of pores and/or defects in the conversion coating exposing the substrate to corrosive attack. The effect of tungstate incorporation into the phosphate conversion coating resulting from a phosphating treatment prior to immersion in the tungstate solution was evaluated. The proposed treatment consists of re-immersing the phosphated samples in a 0.1 mol L^− 1 Na₂WO₄ solution during 72 h at the open circuit potential (OCP). Under these conditions, the corrosion resistance of the magnet was improved and this was attributed to the formation of a protective layer due to the adsorption of tungstate anions at the metallic substrate exposed in the coating, decreasing metal dissolution.     

Importance of Reservoir Tributaries to Spawning of Migratory Fish in the Upper Paraná River

Regulation of rivers by dams transforms previously lotic reaches above the dam into lentic ones and limits or prevents longitudinal connectivity, which impairs access to suitable habitats for the reproduction of many migratory fish species. Frequently, unregulated tributaries can provide important habitat heterogeneity to a regulated river and may mitigate the influence of impoundments on the mainstem river. We evaluated the importance of tributaries to spawning of migratory fish species over three spawning seasons, by comparing several abiotic conditions and larval fish distributions in four rivers that are tributaries to an impounded reach of the Upper Paraná River, Brazil. Our study confirmed reproduction of at least 8 long‐distance migrators, likely nine, out of a total of 19 occurring in the Upper Paraná River. Total larval densities and percentage species composition differed among tributaries, but the differences were not consistent among spawning seasons and unexpectedly were not strongly related to annual differences in temperature and hydrology. We hypothesize that under present conditions, densities of larvae of migratory species may be better related to efficiency of fish passage facilities than to temperature and hydrology. Our study indicates that adult fish are finding suitable habitat for spawning in tributaries, fish eggs are developing into larvae, and larvae are finding suitable rearing space in lagoons adjacent to the tributaries. Our findings also suggest the need for establishment of protected areas in unregulated and lightly regulated tributaries to preserve essential spawning and nursery habitats. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.