Strength,sorption and abrasion characteristics of concrete using ferrochrome ash (FCA) and lime as partial replacement of cement

This paper presents the results of experimental investigations and microstructure study carried out to evaluate the possibility of utilization of ferrochrome ash (FCA), a waste product from ferroalloys industries for partial replacement of cement in concrete preparation. FCA is used in four different substitution rates such as 10, 20, 30 and 40% along with 7% lime. Various strength and durability tests were conducted to understand the effects of FCA and lime on performance of concrete. Test results revealed that replacement of cement by FCA in various % with 7% lime enhanced the 28 days compressive strength 1.5–13.5%, flexural strength 4.5–9%, bond strength 15–29%, abrasion resistance 10–23% and reduced the sorptivity 25–43%. The concrete containing 40% FCA and 7% lime, replacing 47% of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) in total, exhibited strength of normal concrete or even more at all ages. XRD and petrography studies confirmed the results of mechanical and durability properties.     

The Influence of Adherend Topography on the Fracture Toughness of Aluminium-Epoxy Adhesive Joints in Humid Environments

The adherend surface topography has a dramatic effect on the durability of structural bonds formed between aluminium and an epoxy adhesive. Systematic changes in the micro-roughness of an aluminium adherend were achieved using an ultra-milling technique to prepare surfaces with topographies ranging from ultra-flat to a sawtooth profile with a base angle of approximately 60° and a peak-to-valley depth of 10 μm. The fracture toughness of double-cantilever beam specimens, stressed in the Mode 1 direction and exposed to a humid environment was found to change by a factor of approximately one hundred as the sawtooth profile angle was increased. These changes in fracture toughness may be accounted for through complex interrelationships between moisture diffusion and interphase mechanical properties, each with a strong dependence on the surface micro-topography.     

Influence of Ammonium Pentaborate (APB) on the Performance of Urea Formaldehyde (UF) Adhesives for Plywood

Ammonium pentaborate (APB) was used to modify urea formaldehyde (UF) resins, in which the formaldehyde to urea molar ratio was set at 1.80, 1.50, 1.25, and 1.05. Some specific properties, including gel time, free formaldehyde content in UF, bond strength, and formaldehyde emission levels from plywood were evaluated. The result showed that APB increased the gel time length, but also decreased free formaldehyde content and emission levels, which was reduced mostly by 79.0% and 81.4%, respectively. The result of bond strength indicated that APB was proper to modify high F/U molar ratio of UF resin regardless of the loading level, but a recommended loading level should be considered to relevantly lower the F/U molar ratio of UF. The suggested loading level of APB to UF is 8.0% to 6.0%, 6.0%, and 4.0% to UF resin with F/U molar ratio of 1.8, 1.5, and 1.25 separately.     

Bond strength prediction for deformed steel rebar embedded in recycled coarse aggregate concrete

This paper summarizes the results of an experimental investigation into the bond behavior between recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) and deformed steel rebars, with the main variables being the recycled coarse aggregate replacement ratio (RCAr) and water-to-cement ratio of the concrete mixture. The investigation into splitting cracking strength indicates that the degradation of the bond splitting tensile stress of the cover concrete was affected by not only the roundness of the coarse aggregate particles but also the weak interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between the cement paste and the RCA that has a more porous structure in the ITZ than normal concrete. In this study, a linear relationship between the bond strength and the density of the RCA was found, but the high compressive strength reduced the effects of the parameters. To predict the bond strength of RAC using the main parameters, a multivariable model was developed using nonlinear regression analysis. It can be inferred from this study that the degradation characteristic of the bond strength of RAC can be predicted well, whereas other empirical equations and code provisions are very conservative.     

Matter Timed

At best, the ageing of materials is regarded as lending a patina to historic buildings. In reality, however, materials often age disgracefully and unevenly, requiring a high level of maintenance and refurbishment. What if materials could be engineered and integrated into buildings not only to enhance but to heal? Martina Decker , Assistant Professor in the College of Architecture and Design at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), looks at pioneering research that is being undertaken into performative, time-dependent materials.     

The effect of combined use of chitosan and PIPS on push-out bond strength of root canal filling materials

Adhesion of root canal filling materials to root dentin is important for the long-term success of the treatment. Push-out bond strength test is used to evaluate the adhesion capacity of root canal filling materials to root canal walls. The aim of the present study is to compare the bond strength of root canal filling materials to root dentin after irrigation with EDTA, chitosan and the combination of chitosan and PIPS irridation using push-out bond strength test. Forty-eight extracted teeth were resected until 13-mm long roots were obtained. Root canals were prepared with a size-25 OneShape instrument. Samples were divided into three groups each including 15 roots. Group 1: Canals were rinsed with 0.2% chitosan and subjected to laser irridation with PIPS at the same time. Group 2: Canals were rinsed with 0.2% chitosan. Group 3: Canals were rinsed with EDTA. All canals were filled with .06 tapered gutta-percha and AH-plus sealer. One-mm thick slices were taken from coronal, middle and apical one-thirds of the roots. Push-out bond strength was determined using a Universal Testing Machine. One root from each group was observed under SEM to evaluate the degree of smear removal. Statistical analysis was performed with Kruskall-Wallis test. Results showed that bond strength values were statistically similar in overall evaluation for all groups (p > .05). In segmental evaluation, group 1 revealed the highest bond strength in apical one-third compared to other groups (p < .05).     

Effects of mixing techniques and dentin moisture conditions on push-out bond strength of ProRoot MTA and Biodentine

Objective: To evaluate the influence of manual and mechanical mixing techniques as well as the effects of moisture on the push-out bond strength of ProRoot MTA (Dentsply Tulsa Dental, Tulsa, OK, USA) and Biodentine (Septodont, Saint Maur des Fosses, France) to radicular dentin.

Material and methods: Two hundred and forty dentin discs were assigned into three groups with respect to the moisture condition tested: (1) dry, (2) paper points, (3) wet. The discs were further divided into four subgroups according to the calcium silicate cements (CSCs) and mixing techniques used: (1) ProRoot MTA mixed manually, (2) ProRoot MTA mixed mechanically, (3) Biodentine mixed manually, and (4) Biodentine mixed mechanically. Bond strengths of the cements to root canal dentin were measured using a push-out test setup. The data were statistically analyzed using three-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc test p = 0.05.

Results: The data indicated that the push-out bond strength values were significantly affected by CSCs, mixing techniques, and moisture conditions (p < 0.001). Dry conditions caused a significant decrease in bond strength values for both CSCs (p < 0.001). The mean bond strength of Biodentine was significantly higher than that of ProRoot MTA, regardless of the mixing techniques and moisture conditions (p < 0.001). Mechanical mixing favored bond strength values statistically compared to manual mixing (p < .001).

Conclusion: The mixing techniques and moisture conditions have an effect on the push-out bond strengths of ProRoot MTA and Biodentine. Dry samples and manual mixing of cements deteriorate the push-out bond strengths values.     

Vapor Phase Selective Catalytic Oxidation of Cyclohexane over 13X Supported Metal Oxides in the Presence of Ozone

This article reports the application of ozone for the selective oxidation of cyclohexane over 13X molecular sieve supported various metal oxides at ambient temperatures. From the SEM, XRD and HR-TEM results, the impregnated metal oxides are highly dispersed on the support. The activity results reveal that Co/MS, Mo/MS, Cu/MS, and Ag/MS catalysts produce cyclohexanone/cyclohexanol as selective oxidation products, whereas Ce/MS, Mn/MS, and V/MS catalysts yield, predominantly, CO and CO₂. Among them, Co/MS catalyst exhibits better conversion of 12.2% with selectively of 58% to cyclohexanone/cyclohexanol, which is attributed to the simultaneous activation of ozone and cyclohexane (-C-H bond) at ambient conditions.     

PAN基炭纤维中SP~2杂化的C-C原子共价键距与微观结构之间关系的研究

利用X射线衍射方法,对不同碳化温度下制备的PAN基炭纤维样品的结构参数（La、Lc、d002）及sp2杂化的碳原子层面内的C－C原子键距a0进行了测量,给出了层面内C－C原子键距随结构参数的变化规律,同时对炭纤维的电子特性进行了初步讨论。     

High-Q microwave dielectrics in low-temperature sintered (Zn1−xNix)3Nb2O8 ceramics

The effects of Ni substitution for Zn on microwave dielectric properties of (Zn_1−xNi_x)₃Nb₂O₈ (x = 0.02–0.08) ceramics were investigated in this study. The XRD patterns of the sintered samples reveal single-phase formation with a monoclinic structure. The tremendous improvement of Q × f value can be achieved by a small level of Ni substitution (x = 0.05). The τ_f value was found to decrease with a decreasing A-site bond valence. In addition, B₂O₃ and CuO were used as a sintering aid to lower the sintering temperature from 1180 to 900 °C. Excellent microwave dielectric properties (ɛ_r ∼ 20.7, Q × f ∼ 98,000 GHz and τ_f ∼ −85.2 ppm/°C) and a chemical compatibility with Ag electrodes can be obtained for 4 wt% B₂O₃–CuO doped (Zn_0.95Ni_0.05)₃Nb₂O₈ ceramics sintered at 930 °C for 2 h. This constitutes a very promising material for LTCC applications.