Hardfacing by plasma transfer arc process

The plasma powder transferred arc welding process which uses feed stock in a powder form has similarities with plasma wire transferred arc welding. This paper describes a comparative study of the two processes using a cobalt-based alloy commercially known as stellite 6. This Co-based alloy is recognized for its superior cavitation erosion resistance. The aim of this paper is to investigate the potential of plasma transferred arc coatings for the protection and refurbishment of hydraulic turbine blades. Coatings were evaluated for the influence of plasma gas flow rate on coating dilution, geometry, hardness and microstructure. Coatings processed with the atomized stellite 6 powder feedstock showed a superior surface quality, lower dilution, better wettability and wider tracks. This study provided new information about the refurbishing of worn hydraulic turbine blades, leading to a longer service working life.     

Is Injury Occurrence Related to Lunar Cycles?

Injury data were analyzed to determine if any relationship existed between the dates of injury occurrences and the varying positions of the moon. Since the analysis of injury data from a single construction project yielded inconclusive results, a larger sample was sought. Data were obtained on all industrial injuries that were reported to the Missouri Division of Worker's Compensation in the years 1980 and 1981. The analysis of these injuries showed that there is no discernable pattern of injury occurrence relative to the lunar cycle.     

Blood lead content in a peri-urban population of the South American toad Bufo arenarum

Blood Pb concentration in a South American toad Bufo arenarum population (n = 152) was determined over 10 samplings carried out between December 1996 and November 1999. The studied population lived in the surroundings of the La Plata City, the largest industrial-urban setting of the Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. The presence of the metal was detected in all the samples tested, the mean concentration range being 1.99-4.66 mg dl(-1). Some preliminary environmental data on soil content of Pb in the sampling area suggest the anthropogenic origin of the metal possibly due to high rate of Pb-containing gasoline utilisation until recently. The reported results may reflect a sequel of a sustained local air-soil-water pollution process.     

Preparation and antibacterial properties of hybrid-zirconia films with silver nanoparticles

The antimicrobial effect of incorporating silver nanoparticles (AgNps) into zirconia matrix–polyether glycol was studied. AgNps of 4–6 nm in size were synthesized using the inverse micelles method, and different doses of metallic nanoparticles were incorporated into zirconia–polyether glycol mixtures during the ageing procedure. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) of the modified hybrid film showed a homogenous distribution of 20–80 nm diameter AgNps, indicating agglomeration of these structures during film modification; such agglomerations were greater when increasing the dosage of the colloidal system. The AgNps-hybrid films showed higher antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria than for Gram-negative bacteria. Hybrid films prepared with dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (AOT) stabilized AgNps presented enhanced antibacterial activity compared to that obtained through the addition of a high AgNO₃ concentration (0.3 wt%).     

Influence of the oxidation temperature on the non-trigonal Ge dangling bonds at the (1 0 0)Ge/GeO2 interface

GeO₂ was proposed as valuable passivation layer at the surface with Ge to integrate oxide with high dielectric constant in Ge-based logic devices. Hence, the identification of the defects present at different Ge/GeO₂ interfaces becomes a mandatory issue to predict the electrical features of devices based on such materials. High sensitive electrically detected magnetic resonance measurements were performed to study the microstructure of defects occurring at such an interface. The influence of the oxidation temperature on the electrically active paramagnetic traps was investigated.     

Chemical nature of the passivation layer depending on the oxidizing agent in Gd2O3/GeO2/Ge stacks grown by molecular beam deposition

In Ge-based metal oxide semiconductor technology, the insertion of a passivation layer seems to be crucial in unpinning the Fermi level at the interface and in reducing the amount of interface defects. GeO₂ was obtained by atomic oxygen (AO), molecular oxygen or ozone chemisorption. Atomic or molecular oxygen was used in the deposition of Gd₂O₃. Gd₂O₃ thin films were grown by molecular beam deposition directly on (1 0 0) Ge or on a GeO₂ interlayer. The chemical nature of the Gd₂O₃/Ge interface was characterized by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry depth profiles. Without GeO₂ layer Gd and Ge interdiffusion is observed and the concomitant formation of GeOGd bonds is also supported by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy energy shift at the Ge 3d peak and by a singularity in the interface defect energy distribution at ∼0.48 eV. Further, depending on the GeO₂ formation process, the profile shape of Ge and O related secondary ions at the GeO₂/Ge interface can be related with a defective Ge region close to the GeO₂/Ge. In particular, considering the ratio between Ge and GeO₂ related secondary ion signals, the interlayer passivated using AO turns out to be comparatively enriched in Ge, while the use of ozone for GeO₂ formation leads to a Ge deficient layer.     

Influence of the injection molding process on the mechanical properties of (PA6/GF/MMT) nanocomposite

This work describes the first part of a series of studies on the effect of injection molding conditions on the mechanical properties of polyamide 6/glass fiber/montmorillonite (PA6/GF/MMT) composites, wherein the effect of the injection molding mass temperature on the mechanical properties of the composite is investigated. The results demonstrate that composites processed at lower mass temperatures exhibited higher tensile strength and flexural strength. These findings are explained by the fact that the use of different mass temperatures leads to PA6 matrices with different degrees of crystallinity. In addition, changes in the mass temperature affect the fiber–matrix adhesion of the composite and the intercalation between the matrix and the various components in the nanocomposite. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:237–244, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers