Synthesis and degradation behavior of poly(propylene carbonate) derived from carbon dioxide and propylene oxide

High molecular weight and regular molecular structure poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) was successfully synthesized from carbon dioxide and propylene oxide. The PPC copolymer structure was an exact alternating copolymer as evidenced by the ¹³C‐NMR technique. Degradative behavior of the PPC was conducted by soil burial and buffer solution immersion (pH = 6) tests, respectively. The results showed that the weight loss of soil buried in PPC films increased more slowly than that immersed in the buffer solution after 6‐month exposure. However, the weight loss of sample immersed in the buffer solution increased rapidly during the first 2 months and reached a value of 4.59%. Water sorption measurement also revealed that the PPC membranes immersed in buffer solution were more hydrophilic than those in soil burial tests. The degradation mechanism of PPC membranes was correlated with the sample morphologies, FTIR, and ¹H‐NMR spectra. The SEM morphologies were consistent with the weight loss and water sorption measurements. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 1840–1846, 2004     

Properties of electron-beam-welded and laser-welded austenitic Fe-28Mn-5Al-1C alloy

Austenitic Fe-28Mn-5Al-1C alloy was welded by electron-beam and CW CO₂ laser techniques. Tensile tests, impact tests, potentiodynamic and cyclic polarization measurements were used to evaluate the mechanical properties and corrosion behaviour of the weld materials, Metallographic examination showed that the microstructure of the electron-beam-welded and laser-welded metals consisted mainly of the columnar and equiaxed austenitic structures. Grain growth in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) was minimal for welding with these two techniques. The tensile and impact tests indicated that the weld materials exhibited lower tensile strength, percentage elongation, percentage reduction in area and impact energy than those of the base alloy. The polarization measurements revealed that the anodic polarization behaviour of the HAZs of the electron-beam-welded and laser-welded materials was identical to that of the base alloy when exposed in 1M Na₂SO₄ solution. However, the electron-beam-welded and laser-welded metals exhibited a higher current density in the passive region than that of the base alloy when exposed to 1N H₂SO₄ acid solution.     

Recent progress in the development and properties of novel metal matrix nanocomposites reinforced with carbon nanotubes and graphene nanosheets

One-dimensional carbon nanotubes and two-dimensional graphene nanosheets with unique electrical, mechanical and thermal properties are attractive reinforcements for fabricating light weight, high strength and high performance metal-matrix composites. Rapid advances of nanotechnology in recent years enable the development of advanced metal matrix nanocomposites for structural engineering and functional device applications. This review focuses on the recent development in the synthesis, property characterization and application of aluminum, magnesium, and transition metal-based composites reinforced with carbon nanotubes and graphene nanosheets. These include processing strategies of carbonaceous nanomaterials and their composites, mechanical and tribological responses, corrosion, electrical and thermal properties as well as hydrogen storage and electrocatalytic behaviors. The effects of nanomaterial dispersion in the metal matrix and the formation of interfacial precipitates on these properties are also addressed. Particular attention is paid to the fundamentals and the structure–property relationships of such novel nanocomposites.     

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electrochemical characterization of a FeCrMoNiRu alloy in 0.5 M HCl solution

The spontaneous passivation behaviour of a Fe-22Cr-3Mo-5Ni alloy system containing small amounts of ruthenium in 0.5 M HCl solution has been investigated by means of immersion tests, electrochemical measurements and the XPS technique. The weight loss and electrochemical measurements show that increasing amounts of ruthenium (up to 0.3 wt%) in Fe-22Cr-3Mo-5Ni substantially improve resistance to attack by hydrochloric acid. The XPS results show that the spontaneously formed passive film on this alloy with ruthenium mainly consists of Cr and Mo oxyhydrox-ides. Molybdenum is incorporated as Mo⁴⁺ and Mo⁶⁺, while neither ruthenium nor nickel are found in the passive film. The effects of ruthenium additions on the spontaneous passivation of FeCrMoNi alloys are discussed.     

Some aspects of electron beam welded and laser welded ferritic Fe-22Cr-3Mo-5Ni-0.3Ru alloy

Ferritic Fe-22Cr-3Mo-5Ni-0.3Ru alloy was welded by electron beam (EB) and laser techniques. Tensile tests, impact tests, oxalic acid etch, electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation (EPR) and potential-time measurements were employed to investigate the mechanical properties, microstructural features and corrosion behaviour of the EB and laser welded metals. The oxalic acid etch tests revealed that the microstructure of the EB and laser welded metals consisted of columnar grains and cells, respectively. These structures were formed directly from the substrate by epitaxial solidification. Furthermore, the oxalic acid tests also showed that the EB and laser welded metals were immune to intergranular corrosion. Similar results were obtained by double loop EPR tests.     

Stress corrosion cracking behaviour of the duplex Fe-10Al-29Mn-0.4C alloy in 20% NaCl solution at 100° C

The stress corrosion cracking behaviour of the duplex Fe-10 Al-29 Mn-0.4 C alloy having two phases ( and) in an aqueous 20% NaCl solution (100° C) has been investigated using both the static constant load and dynamic slow strain rate tests. The constant load test shows that the duplex alloy investigated is immune to stress corrosion cracking in a 20% NaCl solution. However, the slow strain-rate test reveals that this alloy is susceptible to stress corrosion cracking at the stabilized corrosion potential, and also at potentials anodic and cathodic to this potential. Furthermore, the metallographic cross section of this duplex alloy after slow strainrate testing shows that the secondary cracks propagate transgranularly through the ferrite grains at and above the stabilized corrosion potential. However, the cracks propagate transgranularly in both the ferrite and austenite grains and also at the austenite-ferrite grain boundaries when the applied potential is cathodic to the stabilized corrosion potential.     

Melt processable and biodegradable aliphatic polycarbonate derived from carbon dioxide and propylene oxide

Alternating poly(propylene carbonate)s (PPC)s were successfully synthesized from carbon dioxide and propylene oxide in higher yield than previously reported. Such thermally stable and high molecular weight copolymers were achieved by optimizing the reaction conditions. The molecular structural change and mechanical properties of the alternating copolymer subjected to melt extrusion were examined by means of modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), NMR, and tensile tests. The MDSC and TGA results showed that the alternating copolymer generally exhibits a high glass‐transition temperature of above 40°C and a decomposition temperature of above 250°C. These PPCs can be readily melt processed under conditions similar to those for commercial polyolefins. For instance, they can be melt extruded in a temperature range from 150 to 170°C under varying extrusion pressures. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 3301–3308, 2003     

Synthesis and characterization of alternating copolymer from carbon dioxide and propylene oxide

High yield and pure zinc glutarate catalysts used for copolymerization of carbon dioxide and propylene oxide have been synthesized in different solvents by ultrasonic methodology. For the purposes of comparison, low‐yield zinc glutarates were also synthesized via mechanical stirring method with other synthetic conditions remaining unchanged. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction techniques confirmed the presence of high‐quality zinc glutarate catalysts. Accordingly, poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) can be synthesized from carbon dioxide and propylene oxide using the zinc glutarate catalysts. It was confirmed that the as‐prepared PPC had an alternating copolymer structure together with high molecular weight. The thermal and mechanical properties of the obtained PPC copolymer were determined by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and tensile test. DSC and TGA results showed that the PPC copolymer exhibited high glass transition temperature (39.39°C) and decomposition temperature (278°C) when compared to their corresponding values reported in the literature. Tensile test showed that the PPC film exhibited superior mechanical strength. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 2327–2334, 2002