Cyclic-oxidation behavior of TiAl and of TiAl alloys

The cyclic-oxidation behavior of (in w/o) Ti-36Al, Ti-35Al-0.1C, Ti-35Al-1.4V-0.1C and Ti-35Al-5Nb-0.1C was studied between 800 and 1000° C in air. A few experiments were also performed in oxygen. Scale spallation after oxidation in air occurs during cooling on TiAl, TiAl-C, and TiAl-V at or close to the metal/scale interface when a critical scale thickness has been achieved. This process repeats and can lead to a stratified scale. These three materials form scales composed of an inward-growing fine-grain mixture of TiO₂-Al₂O₃ and an outward-growing coarse-grain TiO₂ layer or TiO₂+Al₂O₃ mixture. The TiAl-Nb alloy had a significantly different behavior. The scale on this material grew very slowly because a protective Al₂O₃ layer formed at the metal/scale interface. This behavior resulted in much better resistance to spallation because the critical scale thickness was reached only after a much longer time, and is different from the behavior of the other three alloys. Oxidation in air leads to slight nitridation of the subsurface zone beneath the scale. In comparison to oxidation in air, oxidation in oxygen improves the cyclicoxidation behavior. Whereas the scale formed in air was uniformly thick over the entire surface, the scale grown in oxygen varied locally in structure and thickness. A large fraction of the surface was covered with a thin Al₂O₃ layer, while the remaining part formed a two-layer scale similar to that formed in air. The results are discussed briefly in the light of a recently published model for scale spallation under compressive stress, however, quantitative estimations are not possible due to a lack of relevant data.     

Prediction of creep failure in aeroengine materials under multi-axial stress states

The creep and creep rupture behaviour of two, significantly different, aeroengine materials, namely a nickel-base superalloy at 700°C and a high temperature titanium alloy at 650°C, were studied. Experimental creep tests were conducted on uniaxial specimens and axisymmetric notched bars under constant tensile loads conditions. From the uniaxial creep test results, a creep continuum damage model was established for each of the materials. The skeletal point stress approach was used to obtain the approximate creep rupture stress criterion in the multi-axial generalization of the creep continuum damage models. This approximation was cross-checked using axisymmetric Finite Element (FE) analyses in a trial and error procedure. Multi-axial creep continuum damage models were then used in further FE creep analyses to predict the creep rupture times in specimens subjected to different tensile loads. The FE predictions of the rupture times in these notched specimens were found to be in good agreement with the experimental results for the nickel-base superalloy (Waspaloy) at 700°C and the titanium alloy (IMI834) at 650°C.     

Concept for a gas-cell-driven drug delivery system for therapeutic applications

This paper presents a concept for an implantable micro-pump based on hydrogen-generating gas cells. The gas-generating cell is separated from the drug reservoir by an expandable latex membrane. The system offers linear drug delivery with flowrates ranging from 8 nl/s to 2 microl/s and a total delivery volume of up to 160 ml. Drugs can be dispensed over a wide backpressure range. The device is scalable based on the size of the gas-producing cell and requires no external energy source. Possible fields of application include in vivo local drug delivery for chemotherapy, diabetes, and pain management.     

Multispectral fluorescence lifetime imaging by TCSPC

We present a fluorescence lifetime imaging technique with simultaneous spectral and temporal resolution. The technique is fully compatible with the commonly used multiphoton microscopes and nondescanned (direct) detection. An image of the back-aperture of the microscope lens is projected on the input of a fiber bundle. The input of the fiber bundle is circular, and the output is flattened to match the input slit of a spectrograph. The spectrum at the output of the spectrograph is projected on a 16-anode PMT module. For each detected photon, the encoding logics of the PMT module deliver a timing pulse and the number of the PMT channel in which the photon was detected. The photons are accumulated by a multidimensional time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) process. The recording process builds up a four-dimensional photon distribution over the times of the photons in the excitation pulse period, the wavelengths of the photons, and the coordinates of the scan area. The method delivers a near-ideal counting efficiency and is capable of resolving double-exponential decay functions. We demonstrate the performance of the technique for autofluorescence imaging of tissue.     

Machining simulation and system integration combining FE analysis and cutting mechanics modelling

This work presents a method for machining complex three-dimensional surfaces using only one axis of controlled motion for positioning a cutting tool on a specially designed numerically controlled (NC) machine. This single controlled axis lathe is configured like a lathe, but is used to produce complex sculptured surfaces out of wood. This is accomplished by mechanically linking two axes of motion to produce a fixed helical footprint of a tool path with constant step-over distance. As the linked axes are rotated, their location is measured by an encoder and passed directly to a personal computer (PC). Software running on the PC determines the depth of the computer-controlled axis. The depth information is used to control the depth axis. Several test pieces have been machined out of cedar for evaluating the method.     

UHV application of spring-loaded Teflon seals

Large, bakeable, rotatable ultrahigh vacuum seals capable of operation at 10(-11) Torr are described. They employ doubly differentially pumped commercially available spring-loaded Teflon seals. A static version is very convenient for quick access as it requires nearly negligible sealing force other than atmospheric force.     

Effect of CO2 and O2 Mixed Injection on the Decarburization and Manganese Retention in High-Mn Twinning-Induced Plasticity Steels

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B - In order to achieve decarburization and manganese retention simultaneously, CO2 was introduced in the smelting process of high-Mn twinning-induced...     

X-ray Radioscopic Visualization of Bubbly Flows Injected Through a Top Submerged Lance into a Liquid Metal

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B - We present an experimental study on the formation and behavior of a liquid metal bubbly flow arising from a downward gas injection through a top...     

The role of emergency medical services in primary injury prevention. East Carolina Injury Prevention Program

Recent studies have shown a high frequency of genetic hemochromatosis in the Caucasian population. In addition, the well known organ involvement of genetic hemochromatosis was evident; more than 50% of patients develop a typical arthropathy which may result in severe physical disability. Among approximately 5000 patients referred to the rheumatology outpatient clinics of Bad Nauheim and Frankfurt with different rheumatologic diagnoses, 11 patients with typical signs of hemochromatotic arthropathy were identified. In none of those cases had the diagnosis "genetic hemochromatosis" been previously established. These patients had been treated for rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatologic disorders over several years. All showed severe organ dysfunction due to iron overload, resulting in a reduced life expectancy. This investigation shows that knowledge of the typical signs of hemochromatotic arthropathy could lead to an earlier diagnosis of genetic hemochromatosis which is necessary to prevent the complications of iron overload in those patients.