Improvement of dielectric breakdown strength and energy storage performance in Er2O3–modified 0.95Sr0.7Ba0.3Nb2O6-0.05CaTiO3 lead-free ceramics

In this study, 0.95?Sr_0.7Ba_0.3Nb₂O₆-0.05CaTiO₃-x wt% Er₂O₃ ceramics (SBNCTEx; x?=?0–5) were synthesized using traditional solid-state method, and we investigated the microstructure, energy storage properties as well as the relationship between dielectric breakdown strength and interfacial polarization. As compared with pure 0.95?Sr_0.7Ba_0.3Nb₂O₆-0.05CaTiO₃ ceramics, the Er₂O₃ dopants suppressed the grain growth of SBNCTEx, and the doped ones showed the dense microstructure. The secondary phase was found for x?≥?1 according to the EDS results, and the influence of the secondary phase on relative dielectric breakdown strength has also been studied. The dielectric breakdown strength increased from 18.1?kV/mm to 34.4?kV/mm, which is good for energy storage. The energy storage density of 0.28?J/cm³ and the energy storage efficiency of 91.4% were obtained in the SBNCTE5 ceramics. The results indicate that SBNCTE ceramics can be used as energy storage capacitors.     

A novel Ag–CuAlO2 sealant for reactive air brazing of 3YSZ and AISI 310S

Based on reactive air brazing (RAB), we designed a new type of sealant (Ag–xCuAlO₂) for joining 3 mol.% yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) ceramics and AISI 310S stainless steel. The CuAlO₂ content affected the wettability of the sealant on the YSZ surface, and the joints had a high shear strength when Ag–2 wt.%CuAlO₂, which had a small contact angle on the YSZ substrate, was used as the sealant. In addition, the thickness of the oxide layer was reduced compared to that for the Ag–CuO sealant. The effects of the processing parameters on the microstructure and shear strength of the joints were investigated, and the as-brazed joints reached their highest shear strength (93.7 MPa) when brazed at 1040 °C for 30 min. After high-temperature oxidation at 800 °C for 200 h, the shear strength of the joints remained at 50 MPa, and no apparent change in the microstructure was observed, proving that the joints possessed excellent oxidation resistance.     

Effects of corrosion in liquid fluoride salt on the tensile strength of domestic SiC fibers

The relationship between the tensile strength of corroded domestic second-generation (2ed-gen) SiC fibers at various temperatures for 500 h in 46.5LiF-11.5NaF-42.0KF (mol. %) eutectic salt and the typical microstructure was studied. Weibull theory was used to analyze the critical defects that caused the tensile fracture, and the microstructure of fibers before and after corrosion was characterized. It is concluded that the decrease of tensile strength after corrosion at 800 °C is caused by the surface injury of fibers, which led to the shift of critical defects from the internal defects of virgin fibers to surface defects. Moreover, corrosion at higher temperature accelerates the corrosion process and dissolve the surface O-contained layer thoroughly. This shifts the critical defects back to the internal defects and will be helpful for the recovery of tensile strength of corroded fibers at the higher temperature.     

Ergonomically based design of tractor control tools

Musculoskeletal injuries are well-known disorders among the agricultural tractor operators. Overexertion is a critical factor which can agitate these injuries. Physical body characteristics should be measured for an ergonomically best-fit-optimal design for the operators. In this study, a designed setup was employed to derive the applied forces by tractor operators on the control tools. The different muscle strengths including leg/foot strength, hand push/pull strength, and torque strength applied by both hands were measured. A comparison was made for the obtained values for different strengths by considering the effects of hand dominance. The obtained data were used to estimate the maximum allowed forces in these tools. In contrast to the previous studies, the minimum allowed actuating forces of the pedals were calculated using reasonable assumptions. These values could provide more comfort and less exhaustion for the tractor operators. The obtained ranges were benchmarked against corresponding recommended values in some standards (ISO, ISIRI, and ASABE family). The results revealed the unsuitability of evaluated standards for a proper design and the excessive overestimation of those recommended values (in some cases more than 3 times). In all of the design procedure, a suitable attention was paid to accommodate it with more than 90% of target population.Relevance to industryA prosperous industry which considers ergonomic factors in the design of agricultural machine workplace can overcome the disorders and generate more comfort. Evaluating more exact mechanical forces can result in a suitable design of workplace.     

Strength of pure alumina ceramics above 1 GPa

Up to now, commercially available alumina ceramics were claimed to have strength between 400 and 550 MPa. However, our study shows strength ~ 2 times higher for commercially available alumina than commonly believed. The average and characteristic strength, measured on 31 pure alumina ceramic discs by ball on three balls (B3B) test, were 1205 ± 93 MPa and 1257 MPa, respectively, with a Weibull modulus of m = 11.8. Tested specimens were in form of discs with a diameter of 5 mm and thickness 0.5 mm. The grain size distribution of the alumina is bimodal with an average grain size of ~ 850 nm measured at the surface. The fracture reveals a mixed transgranular / intergranular failure mode. To avoid incorporation of additional flaws, the discs were tested as sintered. The characteristic flexural strength measured in B3B was recalculated according to Weibull theory for standard 4-point bending bars of size 3 × 4 × 45 mm as bend 856 MPa. The measured strength of nearly 900 MPa shows the potential of strength for high purity alumina ceramics.     

Experimental and numerical study on compressive performance of perforated brick masonry after fire exposure

This paper discusses the compressive performance of perforated brick masonry after fire exposure. Compressive strength tests of the mortar, clay perforated brick, and perforated brick masonry specimens were performed in accordance with ISO834 fire tests of different durations. The temperature distribution of the masonry materials and specimens was simulated using the finite element software ABAQUS, with the thermal parameters of masonry materials recommended by European standard Eurocode 6 and related literature. The compressive strength reduction factors of mortar and clay perforated brick exposed to different fire durations were calculated via the layered method suggested by European standard Eurocode 1. In addition, the compressive strength reduction factors after cooldown were obtained from the experimental data of the masonry materials, and by considering further reductions in the compressive strength after cooling from high temperatures. Experimental data of the masonry specimens were compared with the numerical results obtained using the reduction factors proposed in this work. The comparison revealed an overall acceptable approximation. Thus, the method presented in this paper can be used to evaluate the residual capacity of masonry structures after fire.     

Strength and dilatancy behaviors of deep sands in Shanghai with a focus on grain size and shape effect

With rapid development of infrastructures like tunnels and open excavations in Shanghai, investigations on deeper soils have become critically important. Most of the existing laboratory works were focused on the clayey strata up to Layer 6 in Shanghai, i.e. at depth of up to 40 m. In this paper, Layers 7, 9, and 11, which were mostly formed of sandy soils at depth of up to 150 m, were experimentally investigated with respect to physico-mechanical behaviors. The stress–strain behaviors were analyzed by the consolidated drained/undrained (CD/CU) triaxial tests under monotonic loading. One-dimensional (1D) oedometer tests were performed to investigate the consolidation properties of the sandy soils. Specimens were prepared at three different relative densities for each layer. Also, the micro-images and particle size analyzers were used to analyze the shape and size of the sand grains. The influences of grain size, density, and angularity on the stress–strain behaviors and compressibility were also studied. Compared to the other layers, Layer 11 had the smallest mean grain size (D₅₀), highest compressibility, and lowest shear strength. In contrast, Layer 9 had the largest mean grain size, lowest compressibility, and highest shear strength. Layer 7 was of intermediate mean grain size, exhibiting more compressibility and less shear strength than that of Layer 9. Also, the critical state parameters and maximum dilatancy rate of different layers were discussed.     

DP980+Z烘烤硬化值与退火温度的关系

摘要：为了研究退火温度对镀锌DP980+Z烘烤硬化值的影响，退火温度控制在760～820℃之间，系统分析退火温度对烘烤硬化值的影响。通过准静态拉伸试验机测量烘烤硬化值及抗拉强度，采用lepara试剂对组织中的马氏体进行着色，利用金相显微镜及图像处理软件测量马氏体的体积分数；采用扫描电镜观察DP980+Z的双相组织特点，并且将组织图片通过CAD转化成有限元图进行网格划分，建立代表性体积单元（RVE），通过有限元分析铁素体、马氏体强度对烘烤硬化值的影响。在同样的变形量情况下，DP980+Z的原始屈服强度越高，烘烤硬化值越高。     

Liquid phase sintering and characterization of SiC ceramics

The present study focuses on the sintering of silicon carbide-based ceramics (SiC) by liquid phase sintering (LPS) followed by characterization of the produced ceramics. AlN/Re₂O₃ mixtures were used as additives in the LPS process. In the first step, the LPS-SiC materials were produced in a graphite resistance furnace in the form of discs at different temperatures. The conditions with the best results regarding real density and relative density were taken as reference for sintering in the form of prismatic bars. In the second step, these samples were evaluated regarding fracture toughness (K_IC), by the Single Edge V Notch Beam – SEVNB – method, and flexural strength. K_IC behavior was evaluated according to the depth and curvature radius of the notches. Reliable K_IC values were presented when the ceramic displayed a small curvature radius at the notch tip. When the radius was large, it did not maintain the square root singularity of the notch tip. Tests were carried out to determine K_IC values in atmospheric air and water. K_IC results were lower in water than air, with a decrease ranging between 2.56% and 11.26%. The observations indicated a direct grain size correlation between K_IC values and fracture strength of the SiC ceramics.