Improvement in the properties of low carbon MgO-C refractories through the addition of graphite-SiC micro-composite

Graphite–SiC micro-composites have been prepared in–house by carbothermal reduction process. Controlling the process parameters including the weight ratio of SiO₂ to graphite as well as carbothermal reduction temperature during the micro-composite preparation favors the homogeneous formation of SiC with preferred morphologies like ribbons and whiskers/fibers. The micro-composite modified low carbon MgO-C refractories have exhibited significantly improved bulk properties over the standard composition. To understand the beneficial role of SiC reinforcement on hot strength performance under air oxidizing conditions, we propose a scaling parameter known as strength factor (fs) based on the ratio of hot strength (HMOR) to cold strength (CCS). Correlating the strength factor data (fs) with oxidative damage provides new insights into the reinforcing effects of distinct SiC morphologies in this new class of micro-composite fortified refractory systems over the standard compositions.     

A review of diamond synthesis by CVD processes

Diamond has some of the most extreme mechanical, physical and chemical properties of all materials. Within the last 50 years, a wide variety of manufacturing methods have been developed to deposit diamond layers under various conditions. The most common process for diamond growth is the chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Starting from the first publications until the latest results today, a range of different developments can be seen. Comparing the basic conditions and the process parameters of the CVD techniques, the technical limitations are shown. Processes with increased pressure, flow rate and applied power are the general tendency.     

Microstructure and properties of HfC and TaC-based ceramics obtained by ultrafine powder

HfC and TaC-based ceramics were hot pressed at 1900 °C for 5-20 min starting from synthesized ultrafine powders. The addition of 5 vol.% of MoSi₂ improved the densification, which increased from around 85-90% for the pure matrices to 95% for the composites. The flexural strength was measured at room temperature and at 1500 °C under protective atmosphere. The added value of this work consists in the utilization of cheap synthesized powders for the realization of the composites with properties comparable to those obtained using more expensive commercial powders. The effect of the nanometric size of the starting powder showed to have the potential to improve the densification behavior and the mechanical properties, however it is necessary a further optimization of the synthesis condition in order to avoid the formation of agglomerates of unreacted powder.     

Sintering of α-alumina for highly transparent ceramic applications

In this paper we present our results on the sintering of α alumina ceramics by hot isostatic pressing. It describes a simple method for obtaining precise relative density values on our almost 100% dense samples. Then, transparency results are discussed with respect to grain size and residual porosity measurements, comparing them to scattering calculations. Our results are not far from the best reported transmission values: almost 60% for a 1 mm thick sample. The other 40% diffuse light comes from the birefringence of alumina for the most part. However, they are transparent enough to see detailed structures at several kilometers through them.     

Production of dried ivy gourd sheet as a health snack

Ivy gourd (Coccinia grandis) has recently been recognized as a rich source of β-carotene. To add value to the fresh leaves a process to produce dried ivy gourd sheet as a health snack was the aim of this study. The effects of pretreatment, i.e., blanching in NaCl solution (0-3% w/v), and drying methods, i.e., hot air drying and vacuum drying at 60-80 °C, on the drying characteristics and quality, viz. colour, texture and β-carotene content of dried ivy gourd sheet were investigated. The results showed that dried sheet pretreated by brine blanching and vacuum drying resulted in better retention of colour and β-carotene as well as texture of the dried sheet as compared to the dried untreated and dried water blanched samples. Higher drying temperature also resulted in higher β-carotene retention due to shorter drying time.     

Formation, densification, and selected mechanical properties of hot pressed Al4SiC4, Al4SiC4 with 30 vol.% WC, and Al4SiC4 with 30 vol.% TiC

Powders of Al₄C₃ and SiC were combined by high-energy milling to produce Al₄SiC₄, Al₄SiC₄ + 30 vol.% TiC, and Al₄SiC₄ + 30 vol.% WC. Five different temperatures were used to hot press the constituents. XRD, SEM, relative density, and hardness measurements showed that formation of single-phase Al₄SiC₄ occurred at 1450 °C and full densification (99%) was achieved at 1500 °C. Both of these temperatures are lower than previously reported. Adding TiC and WC increases hardness, while WC improves densification (99.5%).     

Dynamic analysis of heat extraction rate by supercritical carbon dioxide in fractured rock mass based on a thermal-hydraulic-mechanics coupled model

Heat production from geothermal reservoirs is a typical heat transfer process involving a cold working fluid contacting a hot rock formation. Compared to the thermal-physical characteristics of water, supercritical CO₂ (scCO₂) has a higher heat storage capacity over a wide temperature-pressure range and may be favored as a heat transfer fluid. Singularly characteristic of scCO₂-based heat extraction is that the hydraulic-thermal properties of the scCO₂ vary dramatically and dynamically with the spatial pressure gradient during unsteady-state flow along fracture. This highly nonlinear behavior presents a challenge in the accurate estimation of heat extraction efficiency in scCO₂-based EGS. In this paper, a thermal–hydraulic-mechanical (THM) coupled model is developed by considering deformation of the fractured reservoir, non-Darcy flow and the varying thermal-physical properties of scCO₂. The proposed model is validated by matching the modeling temperature distribution with published data. The results show that during continuous injection of scCO₂, the fracture first widens and then narrows, ultimately reopening over the long term. The sequential fracture deformation behaviors are in response to the combined impacts of mechanical compression and thermally-induced deformation. By controlling the injection parameters of the scCO₂, it is found that the heat extraction rate is positively correlated to its pore pressure or mass flow rate. The heat extraction rate can be significantly enhanced, when the inlet temperature of scCO₂ is below its critical temperature. As a result, the heat increment recovered per unit mass of scCO₂ decreases as the hot rock is gradually cooled. Meanwhile, the heat increment recovered per unit mass of scCO₂ decreases by increasing the inlet temperature of scCO₂ or its mass flow rate, but increases as the outlet pressure rises. Furthermore, multi-linear regression indicates that controlling the inlet temperature of the scCO₂ can significantly improve the thermodynamic efficiency of heat extraction.     

采用热熔态高炉渣和转炉渣生产水泥熟料的探讨

通过对炼铁高炉渣、转炉渣和水泥熟料的组分进行对比分析,发现其组分比较接近。经初步探讨认为,优化高炉渣和转炉渣的成分,使两者在热熔状态下混合均匀,或同时配加部分矿物,可以生成和水泥熟料基本一致的组分。这样既充分利用了高炉渣和转炉渣及其余热,又减少了水泥熟料的资源消耗,达到了废渣综合利用、节能减排和低碳的目的。     

用后镁碳砖回收料加入量和粒度对镁碳砖性能的影响

对钢包用后镁碳砖进行拣选、除杂、破碎、颗粒分离处理,制成回收料,研究回收料加入量和粒度对镁碳砖性能的影响.结果发现:(1)引入回收料均不同程度降低了镁碳砖的致密度、常温耐压强度、高温抗折强度和抗渣侵蚀性,以引入≤0.074 mm回收料对其各项性能降低程度影响最大.(2)引入5～3 mm回收料对镁碳砖致密度影响最小,平均引入1%质量分数的5～3 mm回收料,其体积密度降低0.003 9 g·cm-3,显气孔率增加0.108 7%.(3)引入3 ～1 mm 回收料对镁碳砖常温耐压强度和高温抗折强度影响最小,乎均引入1%质量分数的3 ～1 mm回收料,其常温耐压强度降低1.66 MPa,高温抗折强度降低0.11 MPa.     

Characterising pre-preg and non-crimp-fabric composite single lap bonded joints

Pre-preg and non-crimp-fabric composite single lap bonded joints were manufactured and investigated to characterise the bond quality and static failure behaviour. A two-part epoxy adhesive was employed to bond composite laminates. The composite panels, which were treated with low pressure oxygen plasma, were bonded in a hot drape former and then cut to manufacture single lap bonded joints. The joints were examined using X-ray microtomography to evaluate the bond quality achieved in the hot drape former. Quasi-static tensile tests were conducted on the pre-preg and non-crimp-fabric composite single lap bonded joints. The fracture surfaces were examined using optical and scanning electron microscopy. The static failure behaviour and failure patterns observed in the two joint types were compared and discussed.