Secondary dendrite arm spacing and solute redistribution effects on the corrosion resistance of Al–10 wt% Sn and Al–20 wt% Zn alloys

In general, aluminum alloys provide the most significant part of all shaped casting manufactured. An optimum range of properties can be obtained as a function of different cooling rate processes, such as sand, plaster, investment, permanent molds and die castings. It is well known that the dendritic network affects not only the mechanical properties but also the corrosion resistance. However, the literature is scarce on reports concerning the influences of dendrite arm spacing on corrosion resistance and mechanical behavior. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of as-cast microstructure features, i.e., dendrite arm spacing and solute redistribution on the corrosion resistance of samples of aluminum alloys. In order to investigate the electrochemical behavior of solute and solvent of different aluminum systems, samples with the same order of magnitude of dendritic spacings were analyzed to permit comparison between Al–10 wt% Sn and Al–20 wt% Zn alloys. A casting water-cooled assembly promoting upward directional solidification was used in order to obtain controlled casting samples of these alloys. In order to characterize the dendritic structure, longitudinal sections from the directionally solidified specimens were analyzed by using optical and electronic microscopy techniques. The corrosion resistance was analyzed by both the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique and Tafel extrapolation method conducted in a 3% NaCl solution at room temperature. Although both systems present an Al-rich dendritic matrix, different responses to corrosive action as a function of dendritic spacing have been detected.     

Hydrochar as protein support: preservation of biomolecule properties with non-covalent immobilization

In this work, the ConBr lectin was non-covalently immobilized onto hydrochar (HC). This carbonaceous material was produced by the hydrothermal carbonization of glucose and then put to interact with the lectin, aiming to immobilize the biomolecule via electrostatic interactions. Samples obtained after the interaction were characterized by CHNS elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). FTIR results from the conjugated sample identified the presence of NH₂ ⁺ and NH₃ ⁺ groups of the protein and COO^? groups of the HC, indicating the occurrence of electrostatic interaction between the biomolecule and the support. Furthermore, the immobilization experiment was also performed using ConBr lectin marked with fluorescein isothiocyanate to assess the immobilization on the hydrochar using fluorescence emission analysis. Hemagglutination tests revealed that even after the conjugation with the HC, the agglutinating property of lectin toward erythrocytes (red blood cells) was preserved. Finally, our results indicate that non-covalent interactions represent an efficient mechanism for protein immobilization on the HC while maintaining the protein structure and its biological activity.     

The influences of macrosegregation, intermetallic particles, and dendritic spacing on the electrochemical behavior of hypoeutectic Al-Cu alloys

The purpose of this research is (1) to investigate the influence of Al(2)Cu intermetallic particles associated with the dendritic arm spacing on the corrosion resistance of different hypoeutectic Al-Cu alloys and (2) to evaluate the electrochemical behavior of a hypoeutectic Al-Cu alloy directionally solidified under unsteady-state heat flow. The as-cast samples were produced using vacuum arc remelting and vertical upward water-cooled solidification. Microscopic examinations were carried out with optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy + energy dispersiveX-ray analyses. To evaluate the surface corrosion behavior of such alloys, all corrosion tests were performed in a 0.5-M NaCl solution at 25 degrees C using an electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique and potentiodynamic polarization curve analysis. Based on the tests, corrosion rate and impedance parameters were obtained. The present research has underlined the use of appropriate techniques of characterization for determining Al(2)Cu distribution, morphology, and fraction within the typical microstructures of Al-Cu alloys. The experimental results have established correlations between the Al-rich phase dendritic arm size, the intermetallic particles distribution in the eutectic mixture, the macrosegregation profile, and the resulting corrosion resistance.     

Correlation between microstructure and corrosion behaviour of Bi-Zn solder alloys

ABSTRACT

Bi-Zn solder alloys with different Zn contents (1.5, 2.7 and 5wt-%) were prepared by casting and the correlation between the microstructure and corrosion behaviour by mean of direct current electrochemical tests was studied. The surface analysis of the hypoeutectic Bi-Zn alloy samples revealed the presence of needle-like ZnO and very small agglomerated spherical particles. By contrast, eutectic alloy presented the formation of a uniform and compact film of ZnO, which is related to the better distribution of Zinc in the Bi-rich matrix. Despite the increase in Zn content compared to the hypoeutectic alloy, the corrosion rate showed similar values regardless of its content in the alloy. The Bi-5wt-% Zn alloy presented the highest limiting current density, and consequently, the highest degree of corrosion of the studied alloys. The pro-eutectic phase consisting of large and thick Zn fibres is preferentially dissolved, promoting a selective attack that penetrates inside the sample.     

Application of an Artificial Intelligence Technique to Improve Purification in the Zone Refining Process

A combined theoretical and experimental approach was undertaken to quantitatively determine the influence of a variable solute distribution coefficient, k, on impurity distribution in multipass purification by zone refining. Axial impurity profiles have been experimentally determined for a number of zone passes. It has been shown that the adoption of a variable-k approach in the simulation of impurity profiles during different zone passes is generally much closer to the experimental profiles than the usual adoption of a constant k. An artificial intelligence technique interacts with the numerical model to determine the best molten zone size in each pass in order to provide maximum purification.     

Electrochemical behavior of a lead-free SnAg solder alloy affected by the microstructure array

The aim of this study is to evaluate the electrochemical corrosion behavior of a Sn–Ag solder alloy in a 0.5 M NaCl solution at 25 °C as a function of microstructural characteristics. Different microstructure morphologies, which can be found in Sn–Ag solder joints and that are imposed by the local solidification cooling rate, are evaluated and correlated to the resulting scale of the dendritic matrix and the morphology of the Ag₃Sn intermetallic compound. Cylindrical metallic molds at two different initial temperatures were employed permitting the effect of 0.15 °C/s and 0.02 °C/s cooling rates on the microstructure pattern to be experimentally examined. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) diagrams, potentiodynamic polarization curves and an equivalent circuit analysis were used to evaluate the electrochemical parameters. It was found that higher cooling rates during solidification are associated with fine dendritic arrays and a mixture of spheroids and fiber-like Ag₃Sn particles which result in better corrosion resistance than coarse dendrite arrays associated with a mixture of fibers and plate-like Ag₃Sn morphologies which result from very slow cooling rates.     

Ratios of UV,PAR and NIR components to global solar radiation measured at Botucatu site in Brazil

The relationships between the four radiant fluxes are analyzed based on a 4 year data archive of hourly and daily global ultraviolet (I_UV), photosynthetically active-PAR (I_PAR), near infrared (I_NIR) and broadband global solar radiation (I_G) collected at Botucatu, Brazil. These data are used to establish both the fractions of spectral components to global solar radiation and the proposed linear regression models. Verification results indicated that the proposed regression models predict accurately the spectral radiant fluxes at least for the Brazilian environment. Finally, results obtained in this analysis agreed well with most published results in the literature.     

Cell/dendrite transition and electrochemical corrosion of Pb-Sb alloys for lead-acid battery applications

The aim of this article is focused on a comparative experimental study of the electrochemical feature of as-cast Pb-2.2 wt.% Sb alloy with cellular/dendritic transition for applications in the manufacturing of lead-acid battery parts. A water-cooled unidirectional solidification system is used to obtain the alloy samples. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) plots, potentiodynamic polarization curves and equivalent circuit analysis are used to evaluate corrosion resistance in a 0.5 M H₂SO₄ solution at 25 °C. The cellular Pb-2.2 wt.% Sb alloy is found to have a current density which is of about 3 times lower than that of the dendritic Pb-2.2 wt.% Sb alloy. The Pb-2.2 wt.% Sb alloy has lower current density than both the Pb-1 wt.% Sb and the Pb-6.6 wt.% Sb alloys evidencing its potential for application as positive grid material in lead-acid batteries. It is also verified that a conventional casting with low cooling rate of about 0.6 °C s⁻¹ produces coarser cellular spacings which is more appropriate for the manufacturing of the Pb-2.2 wt.% Sb alloys grids due to its corresponding electrochemical behavior.     

Comparison of electrochemical performance of as-cast Pb-1 wt.% Sn and Pb-1 wt.% Sb alloys for lead-acid battery components

A comparative experimental study of the electrochemical features of as-cast Pb-1 wt.% Sn and Pb-1 wt.% Sb alloys is carried out with a view to applications in the manufacture of lead-acid battery components. The as-cast samples are obtained using a water-cooled unidirectional solidification system. Pb-Sn and Pb-Sb alloy samples having similar coarse cell arrays are subjected to corrosion tests in order to assess the effect of Sn or Sb segregation in the cell boundary on the electrochemical performance. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) diagrams, potentiodynamic polarization curves and an equivalent circuit analysis are used to evaluate the electrochemical parameters in a 0.5 M H₂SO₄ solution at 25 °C. Both the experimental and simulated EIS parameters evidence different kinetics of corrosion. The Pb-1 wt.% Sn alloy is found to have a current density which is of about three times lower than that of the Pb-1 wt.% Sb alloy which indicates that dilute Pb-Sn alloys have higher potential for application as positive grid material in maintenance-free Pb-acid batteries.     

Evaluating the effect of coolant pressure and flow rate on tool wear and tool life in the steel turning operation

High-pressure coolant (HPC) delivery is an emerging technology that delivers a high-pressure fluid to the tool and workpiece in machining processes. High fluid pressure allows for better penetration of the fluid into the cutting zone, enhancing the cooling effect, and decreasing tool wear through lubrication of the contact areas. The main objective of this work is to understand how tool wear mechanisms are influenced by fluid pressure under different cutting speeds in the finish turning of AISI 1045 steel using coated carbide tools. The main finding was that the use of a lower cutting speed (v _c ?=?490 m/min) in dry cutting resulted in tool life close to that obtained with cutting fluid, but when the cutting speed was increased (v _c ?=?570 m/min), the high-pressure coolant was effective in prolonging the life of the cutting tool. It was also concluded that, regardless of the cutting speed and cooling/lubrication system, the wear mechanisms were the same, namely abrasion and attrition.