Partikelform und Porosität von biogenen Pyrolysekoksen

Char particles from pyrolyzed biomass vary in particle size and shape. On average, the particles are more elongated the larger their size. The average size‐specific elongation is almost alike for all investigated samples, i.e. independent from their source material and process. The particle collectives cannot be characterized accurately with classical particle size distributions, which assume spherical particle shape. Accounting for their shape, they can be described more accurately with particle size distributions that are based on an ellipsoid model. The high bulk porosity is mainly attributed to the spaces between particles.     

The nature of polymer grafts and substrate shape on the surface degradation of poly(l‐lactide)

Surface grafting of functional polymers is an effective method to alter material properties and degradation behavior. Two different substrate shapes of poly(l ‐lactide) (PLLA), i.e., films and microparticles, were surface‐grafted with hydrophilic monomers, and their surface degradation was monitored. Surface grafting with a hydrophilic and acidic polymer graft [acrylic acid (AA)] induced large alterations in the surface morphology and topography of the films. In contrast, hydrophilic and neutral polymer grafts [acrylamide (AAm)] had no significant effect on the surface degradation behavior, while the PLLA reference and co‐monomeric (AA/AAm) polymer‐grafted samples exhibited intermediate surface degradation rates. The grafted PAA chains induced a local acidic environment on the surface of the substrates, which in turn catalyzed the surface degradation process. This effect was more pronounced in the films than in the microparticles. Thus, the nature of the grafted chains and substrate geometry were shown to affect the surface degradation behavior of PLLA substrates. © 2015 The Authors Journal of Applied Polymer Science Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42736.     

Haftfeste Direktmetallisierung von Kunststoffen durch Beschichtung mit Ionen

Direct metallization of plastics by high powerimpulse magnetron sputtering Even if polymers are today industrially used for decades the direct metallization of plastics is still a hot topic for research and development. Especially in light of the ban of hexavalent chromium an increasing demand for well‐adhering plastic metallization arises. High power impulse magnetron sputtering HIPIMS is a recent technology that can offer a high potential for successfully solving this challenge. This article focuses on the direct metallization of plastics by HIPIMS. In the frame of the investigations any pretreatment was ignored and the different polymers were directly under vacuum metallized. Compared to conventional mid‐frequency sputtering a significant improvement in adhesion was shown for different polymers. In detail the metallization of Plexiglas (PMMA) was investigated, since this polymer is highly challenging with respect to plasma processes. Due to the UV radiation damage of PMMA during plasma deposition direct metallization is usually not possible. Using ionized deposition it was possible to directly metallize the substrates with excellent adhering films without any interface layers or special pretreatments. The characterization of the substrate‐coating interface showed that for the well adhering films a cohesive fracture, i.e. a fracture within the polymer occurred.     

Influence of nitriding on corrosion resistance of martensitic X17CrNi16‐2 stainless steel

Nitriding increases surface hardness and improves wear resistance of stainless steels. However, nitriding can sometimes reduce their corrosion resistance. In this paper, the influence of nitriding on the corrosion resistance of martensitic stainless steel was investigated. Plasma nitriding at 440 °C and 525 °C and salt bath nitrocarburizing were carried out on X17CrNi16‐2 stainless steel. Microhardness profiles of the obtained nitrided layers were examined. Phase composition analysis and quantitative depth profile analysis of the nitrided layers were preformed by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and glow‐discharge optical emission spectrometry (GD‐OES), respectively. Corrosion behaviour was evaluated by immersion test in 1% HCl, salt spray test in 5% NaCl and electrochemical corrosion tests in 3.5% NaCl aqueous solution. Results show that salt bath nitrocarburizing, as well as plasma nitriding at low temperature, increased microhardness without significantly reducing corrosion resistance. Plasma nitriding at a higher temperature increased the corrosion tendency of the X17CrNi16‐2 steel.     

Untersuchungen zur Dauerfestigkeit carbonitrierter Proben aus den Einsatzstählen 18CrNiMo7‐6und 20MnCr5

The endurance limit of carbonitrided specimens of 18CrNiMo7‐6 and 20MnCr5 case hardening steels were examined under bending conditions. Four variants were manufactured differing in heat treatment and surface conditions. Besides conventional gas carburised variants, carbonitrided specimens with a low and a raised nitrogen content of 0.2 and 0.45% at the surface as well as a carbonitrided and ground variant were examined. The specimens were tested with stress ratios R = –1 and 0. Depending on the nitrogen content cyclic loading evokes compressive residual stresses at the specimens' surfaces, caused by elastic‐plastic deformation. Specimens of the ground variant show additionally a decrease of the residual austenite content when cycled. The induced compressive residual stresses are substantially responsible for high endurance limits at both stress ratios and are the key for understanding the beneficial effect of carbonitriding in this regard.