Global and Local Mechanical Properties of Autogenously Laser Welded Ti-6Al-4V

Ti-6Al-4V sheets, 3.2-mm in thickness, were butt welded using a continuous wave 4 kW Nd:YAG laser welding system. The effect of two main process parameters, laser power and welding speed, on the joint integrity was characterized in terms of the joint geometry, defects, microstructure, hardness, and tensile properties. In particular, a digital image correlation technique was used to determine the local tensile properties of the welds. It was determined that a wide range of heat inputs can be used to fully penetrate the Ti-6Al-4V butt joints during laser welding. At high laser power levels, however, significant defects such as underfill and porosity, can occur and cause marked degradation in the joint integrity and performance. At low welding speeds, however, significant porosity occurs due to its growth and the potential collapse of instable keyholes. Intermediate to relatively high levels of heat input allow maximization of the joint integrity and performance by limiting the underfill and porosity defects. In considering the effect of the two main defects on the joint integrity, the underfill defect was found to be more damaging to the mechanical performance of the weldment than the porosity. Specifically, it was determined that the maximum tolerable underfill depth for Ti-6Al-4V is approximately 6 pct of the workpiece thickness, which is slightly stricter than the value of 7 pct specified in AWS D17.1 for fusion welding in aerospace applications. Hence, employing optimized laser process parameters allows the underfill depth to be maintained within the tolerable limit (6 pct), which in turn prevents degradation in both the weld strength and ductility. To this end, the ability to maintain weld ductility in Ti-6Al-4V by means of applying a high energy density laser welding process presents a significant advantage over conventional arc welding for the assembly of aerospace components.     

WO3 nano-ribbons: their phase transformation from tungstite (WO3·H2O) to tungsten oxide (WO3)

Tungsten oxide (WO₃) nano-ribbons (NRs) were obtained by annealing tungstite (WO₃·H₂O) NRs. The latter was synthesized below room temperature using a simple, environmentally benign, and low cost aging treatment of precursors made by adding hydrochloric acid to diluted sodium tungstate solutions (Na₂WO₄·2H₂O). WO₃ generates significant interests and is being used in a growing variety of applications. It is therefore important to identify suitable methods of production and better understand its properties. The phase transformation was observed to be initiated between 200 and 300 ^°C, and the crystallographic structure of the NRs changed from orthorhombic WO₃·H₂O to monoclinic WO₃. It was rigorously studied by annealing a series of samples ex situ in ambient air up to 800 ^°C and characterizing them afterward. A temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopy study was performed on tungstite NRs between minus 180 and 700 ^°C. Also, in situ heating experiments in the transmission electron microscope allowed for the direct observation of the phase transformation. Powder X-ray diffraction, electron diffraction, electron energy-loss spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were employed to characterize precisely this transformation.     

Study on crosslinked gelatin–montmorillonite nanoparticles for controlled drug delivery applications

Gelatin, because of its biodegradability and ecofriendly nature, has been the best choice for controlled release applications. Montmorillonite (MMT) clay shows a very important role in controlling drug delivery. Hence, an attempt was made in this work to prepare gelatin–MMT nanoparticles by desolvation method using acetone as precipitating agent, glutaraldehyde (GA) as crosslinking agent, and water as reaction media for controlled delivery of isoniazid, a drug for tuberculosis. Characterization of the MMT and isoniazid-loaded gelatin–MMT nanoparticles was carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction study, scanning electron microscopy study, and transmission electron microscopy study. The effect of MMT on gelatin nanoparticles was evaluated in terms of water uptake studies, and subsequently to the release of isoniazid drug in buffer solution at pH 1.2 (gastric pH) and pH 7.4 (intestinal pH). Swelling experiment indicated that the gelatin nanoparticles were very sensitive to the pH environment. The release profile of drug was studied by a UV–Visible spectrophotometer. Cytotoxicity study revealed that MMT-containing nanoparticles showed less cytotoxicity than MMT-free nanoparticles.     

FTIR micro‐reflectance absorption spectroscopic analysis of chemisorbed reaction films for tribological applications

Chemisorbed reaction films (CRFs) were prepared by using iron (Fe) particles (100–200 mess size) and thio (sulfur) derivatives of ethyl octadecenoate and methyl 12‐hydroxy octadecenoate in the light viscosity paraffin liquid medium. The reaction was conducted in a simulated condition of tribo‐chemical situation. CRFs were obtained in solid amorphous phase. The CRFs were examined for elemental composition and layer analysis using C‐H‐N‐O‐S analyzer and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy micro‐reflectance absorption spectroscopic technique. Further, the CRFs were isolated into organic solvent soluble fractions using polar solvents of increasing polar strength. Their elemental analyses were studied, and chemical constitutions were known. Friction coefficient and wear scar diameter were evaluated by high frequency reciprocating rig, PLINT TE‐77 machine. Thermal stability was studied using thermogravimetric analysis technique in nitrogen environment. These studies inferred that CRFs appeared varying in its composition, luster, phase, chemical structure and thermal stability. Nonetheless, these were also found anomalous in elemental distribution throughout the layer structure of the CRFs. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Variable-diameter deep mixing column for multi-layered soft ground improvement: Laboratory modeling and field application

Deep mixing columns are commonly employed for soft ground improvement. However, the diameter of a single conventional column is a constant and the area replacement ratio does not vary with depth. Hence, the conventional column is not the ideal solution for multi-layered soft grounds, where different layers have remarkably different soil properties. Accordingly, this study proposes a better solution, which is the variable-diameter deep mixing column with a large diameter in the soil layer having high compressibility and a small diameter in the soil layer having relatively low compressibility. In this study, small-scale laboratory model tests were firstly employed to compare the performance of two-layered soft grounds improved by a variable-diameter column and a conventional column. The additional vertical stress in the soil and the column, the excess pore water pressure, and the ground settlement were analyzed. Then, a field application of variable-diameter columns for multi-layered soft ground improvement was presented; the design considerations, column installation, and monitored settlement were introduced and analyzed. The results indicated that the additional stress in the soil and the column in the highly compressible soil layer were much lower in the variable-diameter column-improved ground than in the conventional column-improved ground. Consequently, the variable-diameter column-improved ground yielded less total settlement and less post-construction settlement compared to the conventional column-improved ground.     

Gate All Around Dopingless Nanotube TFET Biosensor with Si0.5Ge0.5 – Based Source

Silicon - Through this paper, we discuss how Tunnel Field Effect Transistors can be utilized for the detection of biomaterials hence acting as a biosensor. The device proposed is a 3-D Doping less...     

Friction and wear characteristics of organic thiophosphoro derivatives — a critical appraisal

The friction- and wear-reducing characteristics of a number of oil soluble sulphurised and phosphosulphurised derivatives for automotive and industrial applications have been reviewed. A critical appraisal of the suggested causes and mechanism of friction reduction and antiwear characteristics has been made. A review of the investigations carried out so far indicates that the creation of in situ films of simple inorganic salts, such as molybdenum disulphide, iron sulphide or phosphates of low shear strength and lamellar structures, does not appear to be the primary cause of low friction and wear. The authors have, therefore, undertaken a programme to synthesise and study the chemistry and tribochemical reactions in relation to friction and wear characteristics of hydrocarbon-soluble thiophosphoro derivatives of alkyl phenol, alcohols and fatty esters, in order to establish relationships between the reactivity, chemical nature and crystal structure of films formed on rubbing surfaces, and antifriction and antiwear characteristics. Molybdenum salts of various phosphorothio derivatives of pentadecylphenol and lauryl oleate of specific structures have been synthesised, and the friction and wear properties of their blends in mineral oil base stock have been studied. It can be clearly inferred from the results that type of bonding between sulphur, phosphorus and molybdenum, and reactivity of these derivatives with rubbing surfaces, determine their friction-reducing and antiwear characteristics. Their reactivity with iron and the nature of films formed are under investigation.     

Effect of Nanoclay/Nanosilica on the Mechanical Properties,Abrasion and Swelling Resistance of EPDM/SBR Composites

Silicon - In this research work, ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM)/styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) hybrid composites reinforced with nanoclay (NC) and nanosilica (NS) were prepared and...