Grain growth kinetics in Dy-doped Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 ceramics

Dysprosium-doped bismuth sodium titanate ceramics were prepared using the conventional mixed-oxide method. The amount of dysprosium used was varied from 0 to 2 at.%. The mixed powders were calcined at 800 °C and checked for phase purity using X-ray diffraction technique. The calcined powders were then cold-pressed into pellets and sintered at 1050 °C for the time ranging from 2 to 48 h. The ceramics were checked for phases and microstructures using an X-ray diffractometer and a scanning electron microscope, respectively. The analysis showed that undoped BNT ceramics sintered at longer time exhibited a significant grain growth with non-uniform grain size distribution and shape. The Dy-doped BNT however showed a much more limited grain growth behavior, resulting in smaller grain size and more equiaxed grain shape. It was also found that all Dy-doped BNT ceramics sintered at 48 h possessed lower porosity than those sintered for shorter time.     

Sintering studies of nano-crystalline zinc oxide

Sintering and grain growth of nano-crystalline undoped ZnO has been studied in detail over a wide range of temperature and holding time. Below 800 °C, sintering of over 70% theoretical density is not observed, irrespective of particle size. At 900 °C for 6 h, the nano-crystalline sample sinters to 99% of theoretical density whereas the density for as received sample is 93% of theoretical density. However, at 1300 °C or higher, the densification is found to be much faster and after a few hours becomes independent of holding time. Grain growth studies reveal a similar feature of attaining saturation over holding time. The average saturated grain size is found to be ∼1.5 and ∼2.2 μm at 800 and 900 °C, respectively, while at 1300 °C or higher, it is in between 12 and 13 μm.     

Low temperature synthesis of aluminium titanate by an aqueous sol-gel route

Formation of aluminium titanate (AT) has been achieved at low temperature through sol-gel process using boehmite and titanium hydroxide as precursors by controlling the particle size at nanoscale followed by in-situ peptisation. The formations of AT phase, particle size distributions, sintering and thermal expansion characteristics, and microstructural features have been reported. DTA and XRD analysis have been performed to confirm the formation of AT. A 94% relative density was obtained for aluminium titanate sintered at 1550 °C with controlled grain size in the range of 2-3 μm.     

Microstructure evolution during metal forming processes

Recrystallization and grain growth evolutions during metal forming processes are considered. Coupling between the thermo-mechanical and microstructure processes is realized. Die forging of a rear-axle flange is simulated numerically on the base of the finite element method. Material parameters of the models are obtained experimentally. The influence of interpass and holding times on grain size distributions in the end product is shown.     

Drying of Prone to Twist Boards in a Pre-Twisted Position

A method to minimize twist has been investigated; i.e., drying the boards in a pre-twisted position. It has been found that Norway spruce boards can be deformed toward straightness by this method. The force exerted by a board on its holders during drying in a pre-twisted position has been measured. When the variation in torsional stiffness as a function of temperature and moisture content is accounted for, it is found that a creep deformation of the board occurs both during the drying phase and the cooling phase. In addition to mechano-sorptive creep, a deformation released by a change in temperature also seems to occur.     

AN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF THE GROWTH OF SMALL CORNER FATIGUE CRACKS IN ALUMINIUM 6061-T651

Results of an experimental investigation of the fatigue growth of small corner cracks emanating from small flaws are presented. Growth-arrest behaviour was observed, and increases in crack length during growth periods were of the order of the transverse grain size. For the test material, the corner crack front intersects, on average, only three–six grains in the small crack regime monitored, so only a small number of constrained, interior grains is encountered. It is suggested that the presence of partially constrained surface grains may contribute to the 'anomalous' growth behaviour which has been observed by a number of investigators.
The crack growth histories of the test data presented exhibit considerable scatter. It is shown that a Student's t -test can be used to estimate confidence intervals in order to provide a measure of the observed scatter. The variation in confidence intervals in the transition from small to long fatigue crack growth is discussed.     

液态硅铁直接颗粒化的原理和方法

从理论上说明在一定条件下,液态硅铁合金自由出口处形成液滴的体积仅与液体的表面张力和出流孔直径有关。且当该体积液滴的重力和上部液体的内聚力相等时,液滴即可分离自由下落。据此理论进行了试验,结果表明,液态硅铁合金可直接进入冷却液中形成球状颗粒。且当出流孔径d=8mm,浇注温度为1420℃,落差H=150mm,油层/水层为700mm/1000mm时,76%的颗粒形状几乎都近于圆球形,颗粒体积与理论计算值最大偏差不超过10%。同时,这种液态硅铁合金直接颗粒化的方法与机械破碎法相比具有简易、快捷、节能、高效的优点。     

Detoxification of cereal plant allelochemicals by aphids: Activity and molecular weights of glutathioneS-transferase in three species of cereal aphids

The activity and molecular weights of glutathioneS-transferase were studied in three species of cereal aphid:Metopolophium dirhodum, Sitobion avenae, andRhopalosiphum padi. The highest level of glutathioneS-transferase activity was recorded in extracts fromM. dirhodum and the lowest fromS. avenae, and extracts of larvae were more active than those from adults. The activity of this enzyme was higher in extracts ofS. avenae andR. padi previously fed on a moderately resistant wheat variety than on a susceptible variety. Gel filtration followed by SDS-PAGE revealed three protein bands in the active fractions. The first had a molecular weight of 28,500 and the second of 27,500 and were present in all three species of aphid. The third protein differed in the three species, having a molecular weight of 26,000 inS. avenae, 25,500 inM. dirhodum, and 24,000 inR. padi.     

Effect of thermal insulation on microstructural homogeneity and onset temperature of flash sintered materials

The present work aimed to reduce the microstructure heterogeneity inherent to flash sintering by using alumina blankets as a thermal insulator around ZnO cylindrical samples during the sintering process, under different electric field conditions. Thermal insulation significantly reduced the flash onset temperature and the grain size heterogeneity. For higher electric fields, a temperature reduction as high as 480 °C was observed, which also led to lower densification. These findings were discussed in terms of changes in the heat loss dynamics coupled with the adsorbed water retention, both promoted by the applied thermal insulation. A model to estimate the temperature at stage III of flash sintering was proposed. The final temperature reached with thermal insulation did not differ significantly from the ones without it. Thus, thermal insulation could represent an alternative route to flash sinter materials with lower furnace temperatures with energy savings up to 78 % and a more homogeneous microstructure.