Photodegradation of ethylene–propylene copolymer and ethylene–propylene–ethylidenenorbornene terpolymer

Significant progress has been made in recent years regarding the photooxidation of olefin copolymers, but questions still remain. This paper reviews the progress and probes the photooxidative chemistry of ethylene–propylene (EP) and ethylene/propylene/diene monomer (EPDM) copolymers. Both stabilized and unstabilized polymer plaques were irradiated in a xenon are and the surface chemistry followed using infra-red spectroscopy. Model compounds were used to help elucidate the chemistry caused by unique structural features present in the copolymers. Volatile products evolved during photooxidation were determined giving valuable insight into the degradation chemistry.     

Dislocation Structures in Creep-Deformed Polycrystalline MgO

Secondary creep of polycrystalline MgO with grain sizes of 100 and 190 μm was investigated at 1300° to 1460°C under compressive loads of 2.5 to 5.5 kgf/mm². The dependence of creep rate on load follows a power law with an exponent of 3.2±0.3. The process is thermally activated, with an activation energy of 76 ± 12 kcal/mol. The creep rate is independent of grain size. The dislocation structure was investigated by transmission electron microscopy. The total dislocation density follows the relation, σ= bG √ρ, commonly found for metals. The dislocations form a 3-dimensional network in which many dislocation segments lie in their slip or climb planes. On the basis of this structure, a model is proposed in which glide is the principal cause of deformation but the rate-limiting process, i.e. annealing of the network, is diffusion-controlled. Theoretical estimates and experimental results agree within 1 order of magnitude.     

Leaching of Polyphase Nuclear Waste Ceramics: Microstructural and Phase Characterization

The leaching of complex polyphase nuclear waste ceramics is described in the context of the geochemically established dissolution behavior of the constituent phases. Static leach tests conducted on ceramic monoliths in deionized water, in simulated silicate, and in brine groundwaters, conforming to Materials Characterization Center standards and an accelerated, microscopic leach test, were used to identify the processes. Dissolution and formation of surface passivation layers are discussed in terms of hydrolysis and the adsorption of the metal hydroxocomplexes onto the monolith surface. The factors observed to affect dissolution are pertinent to the leaching of other polyphase nuclear waste ceramics.     

Habit Changes of Sapphire Grown from PbO-PbF2, and MoO3-PbF2 Fluxes

Single crystals of Al₂O₃ (sapphire) were grown from PbO-PbF₂ and MoO₃-PbF₂ fluxes; they varied from flat plates (PbF₂-rich melts) to equidimensional crystals (PbO- or MoO₃-rich melts). The primary growth planes are basal {0001}, first-order rhombohedral {1011}, and second-order rhombohedral {0112}. The habit change is interpreted on the basis of F^- contamination and Pb²⁺ surface adsorption. Possible ion species in the melts and their relative importance on crystal growth from these systems are discussed.     

Lipids of seven cereal grains

Grain samples of representative varieties of barley, corn, oats, rye, sorghum, triticale, and wheat grown commercially in the north central US were analyzed. Chemical constituents of the varieties studied are presented to provide an overview of their characteristics. Lipids of the milled grain samples were solvent extracted, classified by silicic acid column chromatography, and separated by thin layer chromatography. Fatty acid composition of the total lipid was determined by gas liquid chromatography and the fatty acid content was determined by saponification and extraction. Total lipid content of the grains ranged from 2.3% for ‘Polk’ wheat to 6.6% for ‘Chief’ oats. Lipid composition varied considerably. The row crops, corn and sorghum, have a high neutral lipid and low glycolipid content. The small grain varieties have a more balanced distribution among neutral lipids, glycolipids, and phospholipids. Fatty acid composition of the total lipid was similar for all grains. Minor qualitative differences were noted among the lipid classes of the 7 cereals.     

Hertzian Stress Cracks in Beryllia and Glass

The effect of Hertzian stresses resulting from loads acting at the points of contact of beryllia spheres was determined. As-drawn glass and glass ground with various grades of silicon carbide were indented with beryllia spheres, 1 in. in diameter. Also, pairs of these beryllia spheres were pressed together. Circular cracks due to Hertzian stresses were produced; an optical technique was developed for detecting them in a beryllia surface. The outer crack radius was proportional to the cube root of the maximum applied load. Average values obtained for the respective inner crack radii were used to determine average values of the minimum load to fracture these materials. The average minimum load to fracture 1 in. diameter beryllia spheres in air at room temperature under dynamic loading was 235 1b. The crack radius in glass and beryllia was about 20% greater than the radius of the contact surface. This was not significantly affected (in glass) by flaw density. It is considered that the Hertz analysis does not give the correct location and value of the maximum tensile stress when finite displacements of material occur.     

Origin of Grain-Boundary Diffusion in MgO

Preferential diffusion of Ni²⁺ and Co²⁺ along grain boundaries was observed in certain bicrystals of MgO. This enhancement is attributed to impurity segregation at the boundary. The identified impurities responsible for the effect are the principal impurities in the single-crystal MgO: Ca, Si, and Fe. No enhancement was observed in any bicrystal prepared above 1300°C, a temperature similar to that at which studies of the mechanical properties of MgO have implied a reabsorption of impurity precipitates into solid solution. It is concluded that enhanced grain-boundary diffusion of cations in MgO is an extrinsic, rather than an intrinsic, property of the boundary.     

Gaseous ammonia as a refining agent for cottonseed oils

In this investigation the application of gaseous ammonia to cottonseed oil refining was explored. The ammonia reacted quantitatively with the free fatty acids in the oil; its solubility in coftonseed oil was determined as a function of pressure. In “degumming” it was more efficient in removing phosphatides than other agents. A reduction in refining loss resulted for oils refined with gaseous ammonia as outlined and compared with the standard AOCS cup loss analysis. However, the oil colors were substantially higher even though the ammonia treated oils were re-refined with caustic solution. Results using cottonseed oil-hexane “miscellas” containing less than 70% oil showed low refining losses, but the colors were estremely high. Above 70% oil content the losses were higher, but the colors were lower. The colors never equalled “standard cup” results. This study was sponsored by the Texas Engineering Experiment Station and the Cotton Research Committee of Texas.     

Simulation of carbon nanotube based p-n junction diodes

Taking advantage of the unique characteristics of an ambipolar carbon nanotube field effect transistor (CNTFET), a ‘p-n junction’ is simulated along the single-walled carbon nanotube channel using two separate gates close to the source and drain of the CNTFET, respectively. The current-voltage characteristics of the double-gated CNTFET are calculated using a semiclassical method based on the Schottky barrier field effect transistor mechanism. The calculation results show a good rectification performance of the p-n junction.