Criteria and methodology for the evaluation of conservation interventions on treated porous stone susceptible to salt decay

Susceptibility of stone to salt decay is directly related to its microstructural and mechanical characteristics. In the present work, a porous stone from a quarry in Cyprus was examined. Samples of this stone were consolidated and protected with certain conservation materials. The modification of microstructural characteristics of the stone was evaluated by mercury intrusion porosimetry, while its mechanical characteristics were measured by compressive and bending strength tests. From these data, the susceptibility of Cyprus stone to salt (NaCl) decay was estimated. The values of crystallization pressure of NaCl were calculated and compared to the experimentally measured compressive and tensile strength of the stone, in order to examine the probability of stone disruption due to salt crystallization. The development of the phenomenon after coarse pores’ filling with crystals, i.e. crystallization of salts in capillaries or mechanical failure of the stone, was determined by thermodynamic analysis. Additionally, artificial weathering tests of marine salt spray were performed for the evaluation of stone’s durability after the conservation. The treated stone proved to be resistant to salt decay, as it presented ameliorated microstructural and mechanical characteristics, concerning decay due to soluble salt crystallization. The most possible thermodynamic scenario was small pores repletion with crystals, avoiding mechanical failure of the stone.     

Creep of PVDF monofilament sutures: service performance prediction from short-term tests

Isothermal short-term creep of poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) monofilament sutures was determined at several temperatures between 10 and 90 °C under the stress of 10 MPa. Long term service performance was predicted for 10 decades of time. The compliance master curve as a function of time fits a hyperbolic sine equation. The temperature shift factor as a function of the temperature a_T (T) is accurately represented by a general equation based on free volume. A simple relationship between the two parameters of the equation is explored. The viscoelasticity of PVDF is also seen in dynamic mechanical analysis performed at the frequency of 1 Hz. The origin of the viscoelastic character well present in the deformability of the PVDF in service is due to the occurrence of the α_c relaxation that is active at ∼50 °C (E″ peak at 1 Hz).     

Microstructure and properties of MoSi2–MoB and MoSi2–Mo5Si3 molybdenum silicides

MoSi₂-based intermetallics containing different volume fractions of MoB or Mo₅Si₃ were fabricated by hot-pressing MoSi₂, MoB, and Mo₅Si₃ powders in vacuum. Both classes of alloys contained approximately 5 vol.% of dispersed silica phase. Additions of MoB or Mo₅Si₃ caused the average grain size to decrease. The decrease in the grain size was typically accompanied by an increase in flexure strength, a decrease in the room temperature fracture toughness, and a decrease in the hot strength (compressive creep strength) measured around 1200 °C, except when the Mo₅Si₃ effectively became the major phase. Oxidation measurements on the two classes of alloys were carried out in air. Both classes of alloys were protected from oxidation by an in-situ adherent scale that formed on exposure to high temperature. The scale, although not analyzed in detail, is commonly recognized in MoSi₂ containing materials as consisting mostly of SiO₂. The MoB containing materials showed an increase in the scale thickness and the cyclic oxidation rate at 1400 °C when compared with pure MoSi₂. However, in contrast with the pure MoSi₂ material, oxidation at 1400 °C began with a weight loss followed by a weight gain and the formation of the protective silica layer. The Mo₅Si₃ containing materials experienced substantial initial weight losses followed by regions of small weight changes. Overall, the MoB and Mo₅Si₃ additions to MoSi₂ tended to be detrimental for the mechanical and oxidative properties.     

长颗粒(柱状晶)Si3N4陶瓷的研究及进展

Si3N4陶瓷材料由于具有很好的高温性能及高的力学性能，而被广泛地用于结构陶瓷，如切削刀具等。然而，因为其对缺陷很敏感，故易受灾难性的失效。人们发展了多种Si3N4增韧陶瓷，其中自增韧由于一些优异的性能越来越受到人们的重视。在此文中，着重介绍了影响Si3N4陶瓷长颗粒(柱状晶)晶粒生成的因素，并介绍了国内外对长颗粒Si3N4晶的控制研究。     

Equivalent Strains in Severe Plastic Deformation

The concept of equivalent plastic strain is discussed. Definitions may be based on kinematic arguments (like change of geometry) or on equivalence of plastic work. Complications arise when strain is accumulated in increments with variable strain path.     

镁基储氢材料的研究进展

本文回顾和总结了近几十年来，特别是近十年来镁基储氢材料的发展情况，重点综述了机械合金化Mg-Ni2合金体系的研究情况及其近期的进展，从储氢材料成份及配比，制造工艺改进以及材料的组织结构对材料性能的影响等各方面进行一定的分析和归纳，对储氢材料研究中出现的问题以及今后的发展方向都作了探讨。     

Controlling mechanical systems with backlash—a survey

Backlash is one of the most important non-linearities that limit the performance of speed and position control in industrial, robotics, automotive, automation and other applications. The control of systems with backlash has been the subject of study since the 1940s. This survey reveals that surprisingly few control innovations have been presented since the early path breaking papers that introduced the describing function analysis of systems with backlash. Promising developments are however taking place using adaptive and non-linear control strategies.     

Is construction procurement a key to sustainable development?

Has specialization of professional roles obstructed the holistic approach and sustainable development? A preliminary survey in Botswana involving construction professionals found that existing procurement systems have not integrated the efforts of the different project participants and also fail to fulfil the expectations of the users. A holistic approach involving the re-integration of construction disciplines by applying new procurement methods is proposed. An integrated, holistic way of working could provide a number of synergies through the consideration of the building project as an entire system. The implications include better decision making upstream, more efficient use of resources and the mitigation of negative environmental effects downstream.

La specialisation professionnelle est-elle un obstacle a l'approche globale et au developpement durable? Une etude preliminaire menee au Botswana et portant sur les metiers de la construction a revele que les systemes d'approvisionnement actuels n'integrent pas les efforts des differents participants a un projet et ne repondent pas aux attentes des utilisateurs. Cet article propose une approche globale dont le succes repose sur la reintegration de ces metiers et sur de nouvelles methodes d'approvisionnement. Une methode de travail integree et holistique, ou un projet de construction serait considere comme un systeme complet, pourrait faire naitre un certain nombre de synergies. Cette hypothese exige un meilleur processus decisionnel en amont une utilisation plus efficace des ressources et l'attenuation des effets negatifs sur l'environnement en aval.     

Design and performance of large low-cost solar water heating systems

An analysis is presented for the monthly performance evaluation of a simple design low cost solar water heating systems. A sample of typical results is presented which confirms their suitability as solar heating systems for summer peacking or as solar preheaters for year around loads.     

自韧Si3N4陶瓷的显微结构及其性能研究

利用热压的方法制得室温断裂韧性和抗弯强度分别为１１．２ＭＰａ·ｍ￣（１／２）、８２３ＭＰａ，高温（１３５０℃）断裂韧性和抗弯强度分别为２３．９ＭＰａ·ｍ￣（１／２）、６３０ＭＰａ的自韧Ｓｉ＿３Ｎ＿４陶瓷。研究了显微结构和力学性能之间的关系。结果表明：玻璃相的含量、β－Ｓｉ＿３Ｎ＿４的长径比等对性能有重要影响。分析了自韧Ｓｉ＿３Ｎ＿４陶瓷的增韧机理，通过ＳＥＭ明显观察到Ｓｉ＿３Ｎ＿４中存在裂纹偏转、分支和β－Ｓｉ＿３Ｎ＿４拔出现象。