Effect of vanadium and chromium on the microstructural features of V–Cr–Mn–Ni spheroidal carbide cast irons

The objective of this investigation is to study the influence of vanadium（5.0wt%–10.0wt%） and chromium（0–9.0wt%） on the microstructure and hardness of Cr-V-Mn-Ni white cast irons with spheroidal vanadium carbides. The alloys＇ microstructural features are presented and discussed with regard to the distribution of phase elements. The structural constituents of the alloys are spheroidal VC, proeutectoid cementite, ledeburite eutectic, rosette-shaped carbide eutectic（based on M7C3）, pearlite, martensite, and austenite. Their combinations and area fraction（AF） ratios are reported to be influenced by the alloys＇ chemical composition. Spheroidized VC particles are found to be sites for the nucleation of carbide eutectics. Cr and V are shown to substitute each other in the VC and M7C3 carbides, respectively. Chromium alloying leads to the formation of a eutectic（γ-Fe ＋ М7С3）, preventing the appearance of proeutectoid cementite in the structure. Vanadium and chromium are revealed to increase the total carbide fraction and the amount of austenite in the matrix. Cr is observed to play a key role in controlling the metallic matrix microstructure.     

Soft X‐ray Ptychographic Imaging and Morphological Quantification of Calcium Silicate Hydrates (C–S–H)

Morphological details of calcium silicate hydrate (C–S–H) stemming from the hydration process of Portland cement (PC) phases are crucial for understanding the PC‐based systems but are still only partially known. Here we introduce the first soft X‐ray ptychographic imaging of tricalcium silicate (C₃S) hydration products. The results are compared using both scanning transmission X‐ray and electron transmission microscopy data. The evidence shows that ptychography is a powerful method to visualize the details of outer and inner product C–S–H of fully hydrated C₃S, which have fibrillar and an interglobular structure with average void sizes of 20 nm, respectively. The high‐resolution ptychrography image enables us to perform morphological quantification of C–S–H, and, for the first time, to possibly distinguish the contributions of inner and outer product C–S–H to the small angle scattering of cement paste. The results indicate that the outer product C–S–H is mainly responsible for the q^?3 regime, whereas the inner product C–S–H transitions to a q^?2 regime. Various hypotheses are discussed to explain these regimes.     

Testing MKB-75 mullite-corundum articles in linings of casting ladles

The West Siberian Integrated Iron-and-Steel Works has tested in 350-ton casting ladles mullite-corundum refractories of grade MKB-75 (TU 14-8-633-95) produced by the Semiluki Refractory Plant. The use of these refractories in the ladles for casting steel into molds provides an endurance of 40 heats without replacing the slag zone or the bottom, which is 1.5 times higher than the endurance of ladles lined with conventional KVKB refractories. The use of MKB-75 refractories for continuous casting is inexpedient because of the elevated specific consumption and low endurance of the refractories.     

The Dipole Correction Method for Extracting Excited State Potentials and Electronic Transition Dipoles from Fluorescence Data

We have developed a new inversion scheme for the accurate extraction of excited state potentials from fluorescence line positions and line strengths which does not make use of the Franck Condon Approximation (FCA). Our “dipole correction” method also enables the extraction of the coordinate dependence of the electronic transition dipoles. The accuracy of the potential energy surfaces (PES) thus extracted is much higher than that of the FCA- derived PES. The procedure, illustrated for the Na₂ A(¹Σ⁺_u) → X(¹Σ⁺_g) P-branch emission, results in global errors of 0.1 cm⁻¹, and average errors near the PES minimum of 0.03 cm⁻¹, with A → X electronic transition dipole function accuracies better than 1×10⁻³ Debye. We also show that it is possible to use emission data from a few select states: Global errors as small as 0.08 cm⁻¹ for the Na₂ B(¹Π_u) PES, using emissions data from only the s=0–5 low-lying levels or the s=20–23 states, are demonstrated.     

Gas Pressure and Temperature Dependences of Thermal Conductivity of Porous Ceramic Materials: Part 1, Refractories and Ceramics with Porosity below 30%

A review of experimental results and theoretical models for thermal conductivities of ceramic materials with porosity less than 30% is given. It is shown that the abnormal non-monotonic pressure and temperature dependences of thermal conductivity arise from the effects of microcracks and porous grain boundaries, characterizing many industrial refractories, and from the competitive influences of classical and novel mechanisms of heat transfer in composite multiphase materials. The latter mechanisms include segregation and surface diffusion of impurities and defects in crystal structure, and the mechanism arising from chemical conversion and gas emission, occurring within pores of ceramic materials. A fractal model of porous materials' structure is proposed and used for analysis, explanation, and classification of thermophysical properties of ceramic materials measured in various thermodynamic conditions.     

发色团含有乙撑基或乙烯撑桥基的碳菁合成及其光谱和增感性能

本文研究发色团α,α′ 位上具有乙撑基和乙烯撑桥基的碳菁合成通法 ,染料的立体结构、质子化倾向和萤光特性。探讨了多甲川发色团的α,α′ 位桥基和中位取代基对硫碳菁在长波区域的电子吸收光谱的影响。研究结果指出 :多甲川链上含有乙撑桥的硫碳菁有可能使照相卤化银乳剂在远红区和近红外光谱区产生高效的光谱增感作用。     

Simulated weather variables effects on millet fertilized with phosphate rock in the Sahel

The Sudano–Sahelian agroecological zone is characterized by low and variable rainfall regimes and P deficiency. The present study complements previous research efforts and the objective was (i) to use the Newhall Simulation Model (NSM) to characterize three ICRISAT research sites, and (ii) to use output of NSM to develop an empirical model to guide efficient use of rainfall and fertilizers. The results show that length of the periods that rainfall exceeded evapotranspiration was larger in Bengou than in Gobery and Sadoré. Total positive moisture balance during the three growing seasons was 85.7 mm at Bengou and 19.7 mm at Sadoré. The model explained 52% of the variability in millet yields based on curvilinear response to P fertilizer, standardized May–June (R_mj) rainfall, and the number of wet days in the year (BW₃). Yields appear more sensitive to BW₃ than to R_mj. Their respective elasticity coefficients (E _c ) were 0.62 and 0.09. Assessment of the model using R²=0.76 and the D-index = 0.85 showed reasonable agreement between model estimation and actual field yields. The study demonstrates the application of simulation models as a cost-effective means in terms of time and funds to agronomic research.     

Yield stress distribution in injection‐moulded glassy polymers

A methodology for structural analysis simulations is presented that incorporates the distribution of mechanical properties along the geometrical dimensions of injection‐moulded amorphous polymer products. It is based on a previously developed modelling approach, where the thermomechanical history experienced during processing was used to determine the yield stress at the end of an injection‐moulding cycle. Comparison between experimental data and simulation results showed an excellent quantitative agreement, both for short‐term tensile tests as well as long‐term creep experiments over a range of strain rates, applied stresses, and testing temperatures. Changes in mould temperature and component wall thickness, which directly affect the cooling profiles and, hence, the mechanical properties, were well captured by the methodology presented. Furthermore, it turns out that the distribution of the yield stress along a tensile bar is one of the triggers for the onset of the (strong) localization generally observed in experiments. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry     

Experimental Study on Electrostatically Enhanced Granular Filters

Filtration of charged aerosols by granular bed filters enhanced by an externally applied electrostatic field was studied experimentally. The filtration efficiencies of latex aerosols by sand beds were measured for various aerosol and bed granule diameters. The results were compared with theoretical solutions. It was demonstrated that high filtration efficiencies of charged aerosols may be achieved when moderate electrostatic fields are applied to a filter.