Correlation Between Chemical Composition and Adherence of Cr and Co Coatings Deposited by Electric Arc

This paper presents the adhesive strength of FeCr and FeCoCr coatings produced by electric arc thermal spray process on carbon steel plates. Carbon steels are not resistant to corrosion and several methods are used in surface engineering to protect them from aggressive environments such as the marine one. The main objective of this work is the evaluation of the mechanical and metallurgical properties of coatings produced by thermal spray on carbon steel. Five chemical compositions were tested in order to give a large panel of possibility. Coatings were characterized by several methods to result in a screening of performance. The physical properties of coatings were also evaluated by adhesion quantification, using pull-off test, and microhardness measurement. The assessment of microstructural morphology by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was made. The open circuit potential was monitored to evaluate the corrosion tendency. SEM results showed uniformity in the deposited layer and low amount of oxide and porosity. The adhesive strength of FeCoCr alloy coatings was higher than other coating conditions. In the immersion test, all sealed conditions presented high corrosion potential. Semi-quantitative phase calculation was performed by the Rietveld method using XRD. The presence of FeCr, FeCo, and austenite phases was determined. Based on the performed characterizations, the findings suggested that the FeCrCo deposition, with an epoxy sealing, is suitable to be used as an efficient coating of carbon steel in aggressive corrosive environments.     

Discussion of Criteria for Prioritization of Predictive Maintenance of Building Fa?ades: Survey of 30 Experts

The practice of predictive maintenance depends significantly on the diagnosis of in-service performance and on the decision criteria for the selection of maintenance tasks. The definition of these criteria is limited because several actors are involved, each with their own perspectives of performance and maintenance needs. This paper discusses a set of 17 criteria to help the maintenance choice for building fa?ades, from three viewpoints: physical performance, risk, and costs. A group of experts was surveyed and 30 answers were received. Therefore, each criterion will be discussed according to the answers collected. The relative importance (using quantitative weights) and subclasses for each criterion are proposed.     

Influence of argon-ion bombardment of titanium surfaces on the cell behavior

Several studies in vitro and in vivo accomplished in dental implants have demonstrated that the chemical and physical properties of biomaterials are able to regulate the initial tecidual response around the implant. This tecidual response depends directly on the hydrophily, roughness, texture and chemical composition of the surface. Plasma treatment can be used to improve the surface properties of commercial pure Ti, in order to create different surface topographies, changes in roughness, and modifications in the surface wettability. In this study a surface modification in titanium Cp degree II was carried out, through the plasma treatment and using argon-ion bombardment. A comparison of surface properties and their influence on the cells behavior was also accomplished, besides the quantification of surface roughness, wettability and cellular proliferation. The results showed that the argon-ion bombardment influences the surface energy value, surface roughness and the surface topography of Ti materials. These parameters influence the cellular proliferation process.     

Surface copper enrichment by reduction of copper chromite catalyst employed for carbon monoxide oxidation

The effect of prereduction on CO oxidation activity of unsupported copper-chromite oxide catalysts was examined. Results were found to be in good agreement with two mechanisms for a surface copper enrichment due to CO prereduction which produced an activity increase in the copper-chromite catalyst.     

A data mining approach to classify serum creatinine values in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

Wireless Networks - Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is a treatment used by patients in the end-stage of chronic kidney diseases. Those patients need to be monitored using blood...     

The link between countries’ economic and scientific wealth has a complex dependence on technological activity and research policy

Scientometrics - We studied the research performance of 69 countries by considering two different types of new knowledge: incremental (normal) and fundamental (radical). In principle, these two...