Whisker growth on SnAgCu–xPr solders in electronic packaging

The addition of rare earth Pr into Sn3.8Ag0.7Cu solder results in the formation of PrSn₃ phase, which can induce the whiskers growth. After several hours’ exposure at room temperature in air, different morphologies of whiskers appear in the regions of PrSn₃ intermetallic compounds. The Pr content and storage time are the main parameters for affecting the whiskers growth at ambient temperature. The oxidation mechanism of PrSn₃ phase was used to explain the whiskers growth, the compressive stress is proposed as the driving force for whisker growth.     

Hydrothermal synthesis of zirconium oxide nanoparticles and its characterization

The paper presents the preparation and investigations of zirconium oxide (ZrO₂) nanoparticles that were synthesized by hydrothermal method. The products were characterized by means of powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The crystal structure was determined using X-ray diffraction. The morphology and the particle size were studied using (SEM) and (TEM). The spherical shaped particles were confirmed through the SEM analysis. The transmission electron microscopic analysis confirmed the formation of the nanoparticles with the particle size. The FT-IR and Raman spectrum ascertained the strong presence of ZrO₂ nanoparticles. The optical properties were obtained from UV–visible absorption spectrum and also PL emission spectrum. The dielectric constant and the dielectric loss were measured as a function of frequency and temperature.     

Preparation and structural study of Mg<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Zn<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>TiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> ceramics and their dielectric properties from 1 Hz to 7.7 GHz

A series of Mg_1?x Zn _x TiO₃, x = 0–0.5 (MZT0–MZT0.5) ceramics was synthesised and characterised. The dielectric properties of the samples in the frequency range of 1 Hz–7.7 GHz were explored using three different methods: a contacting electrode method, a parallel-plate method and a perturbed resonator method. The electrical properties in the space charge and dipolar polarisation frequency ranges are discussed in relation to the phase composition and microstructure data. Differences in the zinc substitution divided the dielectrics into two groups, namely MZT0–MZT0.2 and MZT0.3–MZT0.5, each with different amount of a main Mg_1?x Zn _x TiO₃ solid solution phase and a secondary solid solution phase. Zinc substitution promoted the density of the ceramics, improved the purity of the main phase and increased the permittivity for frequencies up to 10⁸ Hz, but reduced the permittivity in the microwave range. In the MZT0.3–MZT0.5 samples, for frequencies less than 1 MHz the quality (Q × f) factors were lower and log σ _a.c, the AC conductivity, was higher than for the MZT0–MZT0.2 samples. Above 10 MHz, the (Q × f) factors and log σ _a.c of the two groups were similar.     

Methylene blue photocatalytic degradation under visible irradiation of Al doped ZnO powders by hydrothermal synthesis sensitized with octa-iso-pentyloxyphthalocyanine lead

AZO powders were sensitized through chemisorption method by octa-iso-pentyloxy phthalocyanine lead and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results showed that after sensitization process AZO photo physical properties improved greatly in visible regions. Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue was studied under visible irradiation in aqueous solution and the pseudo first order model was used to obtain kinetic information of the photocatalytic degradation. The results indicated that photocatalytic activities of PbPc(iso-PeO)₈-AZO were better than of AZO powders.     

A critical discussion on rebar electrical continuity and usual interpretation thresholds in the field of half-cell potential measurements in steel reinforced concrete

Corrosion of steel in reinforced concrete structures is a recurrent problem affecting civil engineering structures and costing the world billions of dollars per year. This physical phenomenon mainly results from chloride ingress or concrete carbonation. Corrosion can be diagnosed through a nondestructive method such as half-cell potential measurements. The present paper studies this method on a reinforced concrete wall containing eighteen unconnected steel bars and subjected to chloride-induced macrocell corrosion. Three corrosion systems with different configurations of connections between the steel bars are generated, involving three different anode-to-cathode surface ratios. Then, half-cell potential variations are observed versus macrocell corrosion current. The results lead to a critical discussion regarding the physical relevance of the usual potential threshold method to detect corroding rebars in reinforced concrete structures. In addition, the experiments demonstrate that electrical continuity between reinforcing steel bars is not necessary to get meaningful information about the macrocell corrosion system. At last, the paper show that the electric field (potential gradient) relative to a macrocell corrosion system may be measured by connecting the measurement system (reference electrode?+?voltmeter) to any electrochemical system in electrolytic contact with the concrete.     

Bamboo reinforced concrete: a critical review

The use of small diameter whole-culm (bars) and/or split bamboo (a.k.a. splints or round strips) has often been proposed as an alternative to relatively expensive reinforcing steel in reinforced concrete. The motivation for such replacement is typically cost—bamboo is readily available in many tropical and sub-tropical locations, whereas steel reinforcement is relatively more expensive—and more recently, the drive to find more sustainable alternatives in the construction industry. This review addresses such ‘bamboo-reinforced concrete’ and assesses its structural and environmental performance as an alternative to steel reinforced concrete. A prototype three bay portal frame, that would not be uncommon in regions of the world where bamboo-reinforced concrete may be considered, is used to illustrate bamboo reinforced concrete design and as a basis for a life cycle assessment of the same. The authors conclude that, although bamboo is a material with extraordinary mechanical properties, its use in bamboo-reinforced concrete is an ill-considered concept, having significant durability, strength and stiffness issues, and does not meet the environmentally friendly credentials often attributed to it.     

The assessment of ceramic and mixed recycled aggregates for high strength and low shrinkage concretes

Very few studies on recycled aggregate concretes (RC) have been extended to the use of recycled ceramic and mixed aggregates in relation with high strength concretes. In the main they concentrate only on the analysis of the physical and mechanical properties. This study deals with the investigation of the influence that different percentages (up to 30% substitution for natural aggregates) of high porous ceramic and mixed recycled aggregates have over the plastic, autogenous and drying shrinkage of the concretes. The physical and mechanical properties as well as the chloride resistance were also determine in order to assess the viability of the use of ceramic and mixed recycled aggregates in high strength concretes. The results revealed that the employment of highly porous recycled aggregates reduced the plastic and autogenous shrinkage values of the concrete with respect to those obtained by conventional concrete (CC). Although the total drying shrinkage of the recycled concrete proved to be 25% higher than that of the CC concrete, the CC concrete had in fact a higher shrinkage value than that of the RC from 7 to 150 days of drying. It can be concluded that the RC concrete produced employing up to 30% of fine ceramic aggregates (FCA, with 12% of absorption capacity) achieved the lowest shrinkage values and higher mechanical and chloride ion resistance. In addition, the concrete produced with low percentage (10–15%) of recycled mixed aggregates also had similar properties to conventional concrete.     

Assessing abrasion performance of self-consolidating concrete containing synthetic fibers using acoustic emission analysis

The key objective of this investigation was to evaluate the abrasion resistance of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) with and without synthetic fibers (SynFs). The abrasion resistance of normal concrete was also investigated in this study for comparison. The abrasion test was performed on concrete specimens according to the rotating-cutter method along with continuous monitoring of acoustic emission (AE) using attached AE sensors. The effects of changing concrete type and incorporating various types (flexible and semi-rigid) and lengths of SynFs on the abrasion behaviour were investigated with the aid of AE analysis. AE signal characteristics such as amplitude, signal strength, number of hits, and duration were gathered during testing. Furthermore, the collected AE data was used to complete b-value analysis as well as intensity analysis resulting in three additional parameters: b-value, severity (S_r), and historic index (H(t)). The results showed that the AE parameters were directly correlated with the abrasion damage in all tested mixtures. Adding SynFs to all SCC mixtures enhanced their abrasion resistance. The flexible fibers variety exhibited better abrasion performance on average than the semi-rigid fibers. Meanwhile, longer fibers showed lower abrasion resistance than the shorter ones with the same type. The results also indicated that AE intensity analysis was able to determine the ranges for H(t) and S_r that identify the extent of damage due to abrasion of SynF-reinforced SCC.     

Dynamic material properties of wood subjected to low-velocity impact

This article studied the effects of low-velocity impact on the failure stresses and stiffness using a pendulum test. The specimens were of variable depth (20, 30, and 40 mm), a width of 50 mm, length of 650 mm, and span-length of 480 mm. The smallest specimen depth was similar to specimen sizes tested in the literature used to create the duration of load curve, while the largest specimen depth are considered structural size specimens. The impact was predicted using a numerical approach with Euler–Bernoulli beam, as well as Timoshenko beam theory, with a plastic contact law. The models were validated for impact from a low release-angle (where the beam remained elastic), but could use improvement for the force prediction at a high incidence velocity. The measured force signals were used as forcing functions to obtain the dynamic failure stresses for all of the evaluated specimens, and the Timoshenko–Goens–Hearmon Method to derive the dynamic E. The resulting strain rates ranged from 9.11?×?10^?5 s^?1 for the quasi-static specimens up to 25 s^?1 for the greatest incidence velocity. The results from this study suggest different duration of load factors than the Madison Curve, influencing the design of structures subjected to dynamic loading.