The effect of additives on the thermal stability of poly(vinyl chloride)

The effect of a range of organic additives on the thermal stability of poly(vinyl chloride), both with and without a chloroparaffin extender, was studied using a number of experimental techniques. Of the additives used the best overall balance was provided by pentaerythritol, which increased stability when the extender was present and had no effect when it was absent. The congo red test emerged as the most suitable technique, being consistent and inexpensive and able to screen several additives simultaneously. Isothermal differential thermal analysis correlated with the congo red test but required more expensive equipment, was time-consuming and demanded good mixing of the poly(vinyl chloride) compound to give reproducible results. Thermogravimetry was not sufficiently sensitive and the heat stability test was the least useful of all.     

Electroclinic measurement of the coefficients of Landau expansion of some ferroelectric liquid crystals

The electroclinic effect in the smectic A phase of ferroelectric liquid crystals is a sensitive probe for measuring the soft mode response near the A-C* transition point. It is possible to evaluate several coefficients of the Landau theory describing the A-C* transition by simultaneously measuring the frequency dependence of both the optical signal and the current through the sample. We have made such measurements on a couple of homologous series [2S,3S]-4′-(2-chloro-3-methyl pentanoyloxy) phenyl-trans-4″-n alkoxy cinnamates synthesized in our labortory. The results show that the Landau meanfield theory is adequate to describe the A-C* phase transition in these compounds. Presented at the 15th International Liquid Crystal Conference, Budapest, 3–8 July 1994.     

Effect of pretreatments and freezing rate on the firmness of potato tissue after a freeze–thaw cycle

The texture of potato tissue after a freeze–thaw process using different freezing rates and different pretreatments was analysed, in order to select the best strategy for optimum preservation of the textural characteristics of pre‐frozen potato. Ten blanching conditions were tested and a two‐step blanching process with calcium chloride (0.07 g mL^?1) proved the most effective in protecting the tissue after a freeze–thaw process (maximum load force around 10–55% of the raw tissue, depending on potato batch, for air‐blast freezing and 20–60% for immersion freezing). Vacuum impregnation at 100 and 400 mbar, even when followed by different pre‐drying treatments to remove excess water, was very detrimental to resistance to a freeze–thaw process (maximum load force below 10% of the raw tissue for air‐blast freezing and below 20% for immersion freezing). Microstructure analysis confirmed better tissue integrity retention with ethyleneglycol immersion freezing instead of air‐freezing. Differences were found between batches with a 6‐month difference in storage time, indicating that the fresher batch was more suitable for freezing.     

Modelling of the extraction equilibrium of zinc from chloride solutions with tri-n-octylphosphine oxide

The extraction of zinc from chloride solutions with tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) dissolved in benzene has been thermodynamically studied based on the law of mass action. A model employing the simplified Pitzer equations for stoichiometric activity coefficient estimations is found to be effective for the explanation and prediction of the distribution data, and the thermodynamic extraction constant is determined as log K_et = 5.16 ± 0.11 at 20°C.     

Influence of process variables on the drying of potato slices

Investigation of the effects of varying air velocity, slice thickness, and pre-treatment with sodium chloride solutions and surface active agents on drying potato slices indicated that the drying occurred entirely in the falling rate period and was controlled by the mechanism of liquid diffusion. The rate of drying, and therefore the diffusion coefficients, increased with the addition of sodium chloride and surface active agents. Diffusion coefficients were also influenced by air velocity and slice thickness, suggesting that the rate of drying of potato slices is controlled by a combination of internal and external resistances.     

The rate of corrosion of concrete reinforcement and possibilities of its mathematical modelling

The paper describes a method for the mathematical modelling of steel reinforcement corrosion rate. This method is based exclusively on experimental results and expression of the influence of significant corrosion factors in the form of functional relations. The method takes into account the reality of the effects of corrosion factors, their contigency and complexity, and various circumstances occurring in practice. It represents one way towards the development of methods for the prediction of service life of reinforced concrete and structures.     

On the specific reactivity of platinum segregated layers on Pt80X20 (111) (X= Ni,Co, Fe) alloys

The influence of alloying of Pt with 20 at.% of Ni, Co and Fe has been studied in the hydrogenation of 1,3 butadiene. Iron induces the more important modifications, with both higher activity and selectivity. The results are discussed in terms of the surface segregation, the local order in surface and the electronic properties measured by photoemission of core levels.     

Effects of α‐form or β‐form nuclei on polymorphic crystalline morphology of poly(butylene adipate)

The effects of α‐form and β‐form nuclei on polymorphic morphology of poly(butylene adipate) (PBA) upon recrystallization from the molten state up to various T_max values were examined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) and polarized light microscopy (PLM). In this study, PBA with complex melting and polymorphism behaviour was used as a model for examining different types and extents of residual nuclei. As the PBA initially containing the sole α‐crystal was brought to a molten state of various T_max, the extents of trace α‐form crystal nuclei varied and were dependent on T_max. Furthermore, it did not matter whether, initially, the PBA contained α‐ or β‐form crystals (or both) because only a single type of α‐nuclei could be left upon treatment to the molten liquid state at T_max. Therefore, only the α‐crystal in PBA had ‘memory capacity’ in the molten liquid state while the β‐crystal did not. This was so because the latter had been completely transformed into the solid state prior to being heated into a liquid. PBA crystallized before α‐nuclei could be packed into α‐crystal, regardless of the crystallization temperature (T_c). For recrystallization from molten PBA without any nuclei, the crystalline polymorphism was correspondingly influenced by T_c. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

The influence of NaCl and CO2 on the atmospheric corrosion of magnesium alloy AZ91

The influence of NaCl and CO₂ on the atmospheric corrosion of magnesium alloy AZ91 is studied in the laboratory. Samples were exposed under carefully controlled air and flow conditions; the relative humidity was 95%, the temperature was 22.0°C and the concentration of CO₂ was < 1 ppm or 350 ppm. Different amounts of sodium chloride (0–70 μg/cm²) were added before exposure. The corrosion products were analyzed by gravimetry, ion chromatography, X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Mass gain and metal loss results are reported. The combination of high humidity and NaCl is very corrosive towards AZ91. However, the NaCl‐induced corrosion is inhibited by ambient concentrations of CO₂. Exposure in the absence of CO₂ gives rise to heavy pitting, with brucite, Mg(OH)₂, being the dominant corrosion product. In the presence of CO₂ a layer of hydrated magnesium hydroxy carbonate, Mg₅(CO₃)₄(OH)₂ · 5 H₂O forms. A tentative corrosion mechanism is presented that explains the behavior in the two environments.     

一种用于强振环境的转速传感器

该文介绍一种简单、可靠、小巧的转速传感器。它的特点是在强振环境下仍具有很高的可靠,可用于坦克底盘、重型工程机械,燃气轮机组等机械作为转速监测。