Detection of Wear in One-Cathode Plasma Torch Electrodes and its Impact on Velocity and Temperature of Injected Particles

Wear at the electrode surfaces of a one-cathode plasma torch changes the characteristic fluctuation pattern of the plasma jet. This affects the trajectory of the particles injected into the plasma jet in a non-controllable way, which degrades the reproducibility of the process. Time-based voltage measurements and Fourier analysis were carried out on a one-cathode F4 torch at different wear conditions to determine the evolution of wear dependant characteristics. A significant correlation is observed between increasing torch wear and decreasing voltage roughness and high frequency noise. Furthermore, by means of particle diagnostic systems, the change in the particle velocity and temperature has been measured. The variations of the particle characteristics are significant and thus an influence on the sprayed coating microstructure is to be expected. This article is an invited paper selected from presentations at the 2007 International Thermal Spray Conference and has been expanded from the original presentation. It is simultaneously published in Global Coating Solutions, Proceedings of the 2007 International Thermal Spray Conference, Beijing, China, May 14-16, 2007, Basil R. Marple, Margaret M. Hyland, Yuk-Chiu Lau, Chang-Jiu Li, Rogerio S. Lima, and Ghislain Montavon, Ed., ASM International, Materials Park, OH, 2007.     

Influence of Strain Rate Sensitivity on Cube Texture Evolution in Aluminium Alloys

The influence of strain rate sensitivity on development of Cube texture and on the morphology of Cube-oriented grains is often neglected in simulations approaches. Therefore, crystal plasticity simulations and experiments were performed up to 73 pct of thickness reduction for cold rolling on Al 6016. It is found, that low values of strain rate sensitivity promote Cube grains fragmentation and avoid formation of transition bands already at 50 to 55 pct thickness reduction. High values of strain-rate sensitivity cause formation of Cube transition bands leaving thin Cube grains in the microstructure and delay their fragmentation. Other texture components are affected by changes in strain rate sensitivity as well. The Copper volume fraction in the final texture diminishes as the strain rate sensitivity decreases, while Brass and S components of the beta fiber show a moderately higher volume fraction when the strain rate sensitivity increases. The final volume fraction of Goss is highest when the strain rate sensitivity is 10⁻² but low if the strain rate sensitivity is 10⁻³ or raises up to 10⁻¹. Recrystallization texture components (P, Q) are not affected by strain rate sensitivity, while the invGoss fraction decreases for high values of strain rate sensitivity. The results found in cold rolling crystal plasticity simulations were compared with experimentally determined Cube distribution and texture components obtained through thickness for Al6016 rolled at 80 m/min and 600 m/min. Further crystal plasticity simulations were performed to predict the influence of strain rate sensitivity during several hot rolling conditions where activity of non-octahedral slip systems was included in the simulations. During hot rolling, high values of strain rate sensitivity contribute to Cube stabilization and promote formation of Copper texture and delay Brass and S.

     

Optimisation of precipitation for controlling recrystallisation of wrought Fe3Al based alloys

A Fe–26Al–5Cr (at.%) single-phase (:A2/B2/D0₃) alloy and two-phase (+TiC) alloys with different amounts of TiC particles have been hot rolled at 800 °C and the kinetics of static recrystallisation have been studied. In the alloys with a high amount of TiC, needle-like TiC of more than 1 μm in length formed during cooling after homogenisation in the single-phase region and coarsened during hot rolling. The large particles cause particle stimulated nucleation (PSN) and hence accelerate recrystallisation. In order to accomplish both strengthening by precipitates and inhibition of recrystallisation that deteriorates room-temperature ductility, a thermo-mechanical treatment consisting of hot deformation with a low amount of precipitates and a subsequent heat treatment for further precipitation is proposed. This process is difficult to carry out in the (Fe–26Al–5Cr)–TiC system due to the high precipitation temperature of TiC. The precipitation temperature is significantly decreased by replacing TiC by VC or MoC.     

Velocity dependent friction laws in contact mode atomic force microscopy

Friction forces in the tip–sample contact govern the dynamics of contact mode atomic force microscopy. In ambient conditions typical contact radii between tip and sample are in the order of a few nanometers. In order to account for the large interaction area the dynamics of contact mode atomic force microscope (AFM) is investigated under the assumption of a multi-asperity contact interface between tip and sample. Thus, the kinetic friction force between tip and sample is the product of the real contact area between both solids and the interfacial shear strength. The velocity strengthening of the lateral force is modeled assuming a logarithmic relationship between shear-strength and velocity. Numerical simulations of the system dynamics with this empirical model show the existence of two different regimes in contact mode AFM: steady sliding and stick–slip where the tip undergoes periodically stiction and kinetic friction. The state of the system depends on the scan velocity as well as on the velocity dependence of the interfacial friction force between tip and sample. Already small viscous damping contributions in the tip–sample contact are sufficient to suppress stick–slip oscillations.     

A combined ion-sputtering and electron-beam annealing device for the in vacuo postpreparation of scanning probes

We describe the setup, characteristics, and application of an in vacuo ion-sputtering and electron-beam annealing device for the postpreparation of scanning probes (e.g., scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) tips) under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions. The proposed device facilitates the straightforward implementation of a common two-step cleaning procedure, where the first step consists of ion-sputtering, while the second step heals out sputtering-induced defects by thermal annealing. In contrast to the standard way, no dedicated external ion-sputtering gun is required with the proposed device. The performance of the described device is demonstrated by SEM micrographs and energy dispersive x-ray characterization of electrochemically etched tungsten tips prior and after postprocessing.     

UV‐Light‐Driven Oxygen Pumping in a High‐Temperature Solid Oxide Photoelectrochemical Cell

A solid‐state photoelectrochemical cell is operated between 400 and 500 °C under 365 nm UV light. The cell consists of a photovoltaic part, based on a La_0.8Sr_0.2CrO₃/SrTiO₃ junction, and an electrochemical part including a zirconia solid electrolyte with a shared (La,Sr)FeO₃ electrode. The photovoltaic cell part leads to open circuit voltages up to 920 mV at 400 °C. Upon UV light, this driving force is used in the electrochemical part of the cell to pump oxygen from low to high partial pressures, i.e., to convert radiation energy to chemical energy. This demonstrates the feasibility of high‐temperature photoelectrochemical cells for solar energy storage. The detailed characterization of the different resistance contributions in the system by DC and AC methods reveals the parts of the cell to be optimized for finally achieving high‐temperature photoelectrochemical water splitting.     

Studies on uptake and distribution of antibiotics in red cabbage

A large source of antibiotic active compounds and resistant bacteria is livestock waste, distributed as fertilizer on fields, used for vegetable cultivation. Frequently consumed vegetable, contaminated by low levels of antibiotics, may contribute to the development of bacterial antibiotic resistance. The objective of this work was to estimate the possible role of red cabbage as reservoir and carrier of antibiotic contaminants into the food chain. Red cabbage was exposed to antibiotics in hydroponic cultures and farming conditions. Enrofloxacin (ENR), chlortetracycline (CTC), monensin (MON) and amoxicillin (AMO) were separately added to nutrient solutions. Analysed by sequential extraction and LC–MS/MS methods, the plants revealed a remarkable uptake of CTC and in particular ENR (old leaves 0.22 mg/kg fresh weight (fw) CTC, 6.0 mg/kg fw ENR; roots up to 215.0 mg/kg fw CTC, 14.6 mg/kg fw ENR). The uptake of MON was significantly lower and AMO was not detectable. Red cabbage was also grown on manure-fertilized plots. The pig manure contained defined amounts of CTC and ENR (50 and 150 mg/kg). At harvest the edible parts of cabbage had between 9.2 to 16.9 µg/kg fw ENR, while there was no evidence obtained for the uptake of CTC. Finally, production steps of canned red cabbage were examined for carry over effects. Traces of tetracycline (16.4–19.2 µg/kg fw) were detected in supplies of freshly harvested vegetable, grown conventionally, but not in the marketable final product.     

Material stocks in Germany's non-domestic buildings: a new quantification method

The building sector consumes large quantities of resources and generates high levels of construction and demolition (C&D) waste. From an ‘urban mining’ perspective, the building stock can be seen as a repository of natural resources. In order to manage this repository, evidence is needed on its quantity and dynamics. Although data exist for domestic buildings, little evidence exists for non-domestic buildings. A new method is presented to quantify the material stock of non-domestic buildings – based on the German building stock. The quantification process involves three steps: (1) material composition indicators (MCIs) are calculated with respect to various building types; (2) the country's total floor space is estimated and disaggregated; and (3) the total material stock is calculated. The main results are MCIs and the floor space for both domestic and non-domestic stocks, as well as the material mass in total. In Germany the total material mass of non-domestic buildings is approximately 6.8 billion tonnes, accounting for 44% of the entire building stock. The method can be adapted and validated for use in other countries. These results will assist both policy-makers and the construction industry to understand the potential for moving toward a more circular economy.