Investigation of dual phase transformation of commercial low alloy steels: Effect of holding time at low inter-critical annealing temperatures

Dual phase steels are a class of steels characterized by a microstructure consisting of a soft ferrite matrix with hard martensite islands at the grain boundaries. The temperature in the dual phase (α + γ) region and the holding time are two important parameters in the intercritically annealing process. In this study, different grades of commercial low alloy steels have been heat treated to a constant annealing temperature by changing the holding time. It is observed that the effect of holding time is dependent on the steel composition. In this context, a microstructural examination has been carried out using optical, scanning electron microscope and electron probe micro-analysis and hardness values have been determined.     

Equilibrium and kinetic mechanism for Reactive Black 5 sorption onto high lime Soma fly ash

Batch adsorption studies were carried out for the sorption of C.I. Reactive Black 5, a reactive dye, onto high lime fly ash, obtained from Soma Thermal Power Plant (Turkey), to be low cost adsorbent. The effect of various experimental parameters such as contact time, adsorbent dose and initial dye concentration were investigated. Determination of the adsorption equilibrium concentrations was determined by UV-vis spectrophotometry analytical method. Equilibrium data were fitted to the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm equations and the equilibrium data were found to be well represented by the Freundlich isotherm equation. The adsorption kinetics of C.I. Reactive Black 5 onto high lime fly ash were also studied to characterize of the surface complexation reaction. A pseudo-second-order mechanism has been developed to predict the rate constant of the adsorption, the equilibrium capacity and initial adsorption rate with the effect of initial concentration. A single-stage batch adsorber design of the adsorption of C.I. Reactive Black 5 onto high lime fly ash has been studied based on the Freundlich isotherm equation.     

Polymeric N‐allyl vinylpyridinium salts as addition–fragmentation type initiators for cationic polymerization

Polymeric allyl pyridinium salts were synthesized from styrene and 4‐vinyl pyridine copolymers by quaternization and counteranion exchange reactions. The initiation capability of these copolymers, in conjunction with a photochemical free radical source such as benzoin, via an addition –fragmentation mechanism in the cationic polymerization of cyclohexene oxide is investigated. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Formation of triphenylmethyl cation during the photolysis of phenylazotriphenyl methane: a laser flash photolysis study

The photolysis of phenylazotriphenyl methane (PAT) in dichloromethane and acetonitrile solution at λ_inc = 347nm and at 23°C results in the formation of triphenyl methyl (trityl) radicals and trityl ions. The quantum yields in dichloromethane solution are Φ(Ph₃C^•) = 0·060 and Φ(Ph₃C⁺) = 0·004. Trityl ions are assumed to be formed by electron transfer between radicals formed by the photodecomposition of PAT. The yield of trityl ions is significantly increased upon irradiation of PAT solutions containing also an onium salt (N-ethoxy-2-methyl pyridinium hexafluorophosphate; (EMP⁺PF₆^-). This is due to the oxidation of trityl radicals by EMP⁺ ions. Trityl ions generated in this way were found to be capable of initiating the cationic polymerization of cyclohexene oxide. © 1998 SCI.     

Mechanical Properties of TiTaHfNbZr High-Entropy Alloy Coatings Deposited on NiTi Shape Memory Alloy Substrates

TiTaHfNbZr high-entropy alloy (HEA) thin films with thicknesses of about 750 and 1500 nm were deposited on NiTi substrates by RF magnetron sputtering using TiTaHfNbZr equimolar targets. The thorough experimental analysis on microstructure and mechanical properties of deposited films revealed that the TiTaHfNbZr films exhibited amorphous and cauliflower-like structure, where grain size and surface roughness increased concomitant with film thickness. More importantly, the current findings demonstrate that the TiTaHfNbZr HEA films with mechanical properties of the same order as those of the NiTi substrate constitute promising biomedical coatings effective in preventing Ni release.     

Synthesis and Photopolymerizations of New Crosslinkers for Dental Applications

Summary: Five new crosslinkers for use in dental composites were synthesized. Four are based on TBHMA: 1 via reaction of TBBr and Bisphenol A; 2 by hydrolysis of t‐butyl groups of the first monomer to give a diacid derivative; 3 by conversion of the first monomer to an amide derivative using benzyl amine; 4 by conversion of the first monomer to amide derivative using APTES. The AHM‐based monomer 5 was synthesized from the Michael addition of APTES to AHM. The photopolymerization behaviors of the synthesized monomers with Bis‐GMA, TEGDMA and HEMA were investigated using photodifferential scanning calorimetry at 40 °C using DMPA as photoinitiator. The polymerization rates and degrees of conversion for mixtures of any of the monomers 1 – 4 with Bis‐GMA:TEGDMA were found to be similar to Bis‐GMA:TEGDMA, higher than Bis‐GMA:HEMA, and also higher than mixtures with Bis‐GMA:HEMA. The incorporation of TBHMA‐based monomers into the conventional resin mixture (Bis‐GMA and TEGDMA) reduced the polymerization shrinkages. Monomer 5 and its mixtures polymerized much faster and to higher degrees of conversion than the other investigated systems, however, this system exhibited the largest volume shrinkage.

Structures of some of the new crosslinkers synthesized.     

Effect of Intercritical Annealing Parameters on Dual Phase Behavior of Commercial Low-Alloyed Steels

 It is known that dual phase (DP) heat treatments and alloying elements have a strong effect on martensitic transformations and mechanical properties. In the present work, the effects of some intercritical annealing parameters (heating rate, soaking temperature, soaking time, and quench media) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of cold rolled DP steel were studied. The microstructure of specimens quenched after each annealing stage, was analyzed using optical microscopy. The tensile properties, determined for specimens submitted to complete annealing cycles, are influenced by the volume fractions of multi phases (originated from martensite, bainite and retained austenite), which depend on annealing processing parameters. The results obtained showed that the yield strength (YS) and the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) increase with the increasing intercritical temperature and cooling rate. This can be explained by higher martensite volume ratio with the increased volume fraction of austenite formed at the higher temperatures and cooling rates. The experimental data also showed that, for the annealing cycles carried out, higher UTS values than ~ 800 MPa could be obtained with the S3 steel grade.     

Hydrogen from biomass – Present scenario and future prospects

Hydrogen is considered in many countries to be an important alternative energy vector and a bridge to a sustainable energy future. Hydrogen is not an energy source. It is not primary energy existing freely in nature. Hydrogen is a secondary form of energy that has to be manufactured like electricity. It is an energy carrier. Hydrogen can be produced from a wide variety of primary energy sources and different production technologies. About half of all the hydrogen as currently produced is obtained from thermo catalytic and gasification processes using natural gas as a starting material, heavy oils and naphtha make up the next largest source, followed by coal. Currently, much research has been focused on sustainable and environmental friendly energy from biomass to replace conventional fossil fuels. Biomass can be considered as the best option and has the largest potential, which meets energy requirements and could insure fuel supply in the future. Biomass and biomass-derived fuels can be used to produce hydrogen sustainably. Biomass gasification offers the earliest and most economical route for the production of renewable hydrogen.     

Shape memory behavior of high strength NiTiHfPd polycrystalline alloys

Systematic characterization of the shape memory properties of a quaternary Ni_45.3–Ti_29.7–Hf₂₀–Pd₅ (at.%) polycrystalline alloy was performed in compression after selected aging treatments. Precipitation characteristics were revealed by transmission electron microscopy. The effects of aging temperature and time on transformation temperatures, recoverable and residual strains, and temperature and stress hystereses were determined by differential scanning calorimetry, constant-load thermal cycling experiments and isothermal strain cycling (superelasticity) tests. The crystal structure and lattice parameters of the transforming phases were determined from X-ray diffraction analysis. It was revealed that precipitation hardening significantly improved the shape memory properties of the NiTiHfPd alloy. Under optimum aging conditions, shape memory strains of up to 4% under 1 GPa were possible, and superelasticity experiments resulted in full strain recovery without any plastic deformation, even at stress levels as high as 2 GPa. The NiTiHfPd polycrystalline alloy exhibited very high damping capacity/absorbed energy (30–34 J cm^?3) and work output (30–35 J cm^?3), which were attributed to the ability to operate at high stress levels without significant plastic deformation and to a high mechanical hysteresis (>900 MPa) at temperatures ranging from 20 °C to 80 °C.     

Thermal oxidative degradation kinetics and thermal properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate) modified with poly(lactic acid)

The thermal oxidative degradation kinetics of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) copolymers modified with poly(lactic acid) (PLA) were investigated with thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). The thermal properties of the modified products were also determined by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) technique. Waste PET (P100) obtained from postconsumer water bottles was modified with a low‐molecular‐weight PLA. The PET/PLA weight ratio was 90/10 (P90) and 50/50 (P50) in the modified samples. The thermal oxidative degradation kinetics of the modified samples was compared with those of PET (P100). The segmented block and/or random copolymer structure of the modified samples formed by a transesterification reaction between the PLA and PET units in solution and the length of the aliphatic and aromatic blocks were found to have a great effect on the degradation behavior. On the basis of the results of the degradation kinetics determined by Kissinger method, the degradation rate of the samples decreased in the order of P50 > P90 > P100, depending on the amount of PLA in the copolymer structure. However, the degradation activation energies (E_A) of the samples decreased in the order of P100 > P90 > P50. It was concluded that the degradation rate and mechanism were affected significantly by the incorporation of PLA into the copolymer structure. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008