Al-Cu-Fe QUASICRYSTALLINE PHASE FORMATION BY MECHANICAL ALLOYING

Al-Cu-Fe alloys were prepared from elemental powders in a high-energy planetary ball mill. A sequence of solid state reactions resulting in quasicrystal (QC) phase formation takes place during heating of the as-milled powder. These reactions were studied by both differential scanning calorimetry and x-ray diffraction methods. Mechanically alloyed powders were consolidated by cold and hot pressing, as well as by explosive compaction. After annealing at sufficiently high temperatures, the consolidated samples are single-phase QC, except the ones consolidated by explosion. The high reactivity of the as-milled alloys causes the appearance of high porosity of the consolidated samples after the annealing.     

Potential applications for steel and titanium metal foams

Techniques for making metal cellular structures have been successfully developed to commercialize aluminium and nickel foam. Work to extend these methods to create steel and titanium foams is well advanced. The question arises: in which applications might they find success? Here we apply a general methodology for exploring potential applications to answer this question.     

Synthesis and Physicochemical Properties of Partially and Fully Epoxidized Methyl Linoleate Derived from Jatropha curcas Oil

Partial epoxidation of methyl linoleate was carried out at room temperature (30 °C) using a methyltrioxorhenium catalyst in the presence of pyridine and urea‐hydrogen peroxide. Full epoxidation of methyl linoleate was carried out using the Prilezhaev method. The reactions were monitored using the oxirane oxygen content value. The products from partial and full epoxidation were analyzed using GC‐FID, FTIR, NMR and GC–MS. Methyl 9,10‐epoxy‐12Z‐octadecenoate and methyl 12,13‐epoxy‐9Z‐octadecenoate were obtained as the major products from partial epoxidation, with a percent yield of 46 %. The product from full epoxidation afforded 97 % yield with methyl 9,10‐12,13‐diepoxyoctadecanoate as the major component. Physicochemical properties such as kinematic viscosity, viscosity index, crystallization temperature and oxidative stability were examined. Fully epoxidized methyl linoleate exhibits superior kinematic viscosity and oxidative stability due to the complete conversion of double bonds to epoxy groups. Partially epoxidized methyl linoleate exhibits intermediate kinematic viscosity, viscosity index, crystallization temperature and oxidative stability.     

Selection of Applications for a Material

Finding an application for a given (not necessarily new) material is an elusive problem. Methods for material selection to fill a given application are now well developed. But the inverse problem – that of finding applications for a new material – has no such established methodology. The article discusses some general approaches to the problem and demonstrates recent progress in implementing them.     

Extraction,transesterification and process control in biodiesel production from Jatropha curcas

Biodiesel has gained worldwide popularity as an alternative energy source due to its renewable, non‐toxic, biodegradable and non‐flammable properties. It also has low emission profiles and is environmentally beneficial. Biodiesel can be used either in pure form or blended with conventional petrodiesel in automobiles without any major engine modifications. Various non‐edible and edible oils can be used for the preparation of biodiesel. With no competition with food uses, the use of non‐edible oils as alternative source for engine fuel will be important. Among the non‐edible oils, such as Pongamia, Argemone and Castor, Jatropha curcas has tremendous potential for biodiesel production. J. curcas, growing mainly in tropical and sub‐tropical climates across the developing world, is a multipurpose species with many attributes and considerable potentials. In this article, we review the oil extraction and characterization, the role of different catalysts on transesterification, the current state‐of‐the‐art in biodiesel production, the process control and future potential improvement of biodiesel production from J. curcas.     

Problems of vibration adjustment of gas-turbine power units

Some specific features pertinent to the vibration activity of domestically made gas-turbine power units are described, which should be taken into account during the adjustment of gas turbines, especially during their balancing. We also show characteristic changes in vibrations under transient conditions (before stabilization), the duration of which may exceed the time of operation under load. Recommendations for rotor balancing are given.     

Biolubricants: Raw materials,chemical modifications and environmental benefits

The depletion of the world's crude oil reserve, increasing crude oil prices, and issues related to conservation have brought about renewed interest in the use of bio‐based materials. Emphasis on the development of renewable, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly industrial fluids, such as lubricants, has resulted in the widespread use of natural oils and fats for non‐edible purposes. In this study, we have reviewed the available literature and recently published data related to bio‐based raw materials and the chemical modifications of raw materials. Additionally, we have analyzed the impacts and benefits of the use of bio‐based raw materials as functional fluids or biolubricants. The term biolubricants applies to all lubricants, which are both rapidly biodegradable and non‐toxic to humans and other living organisms, especially in aquatic environments. Biodegradability provides an indication of the persistence of the substance in the environment and is the yardstick for assessing the eco‐friendliness of substances. Scientists are discovering economical and safe ways to improve the properties of biolubricants, such as increasing their poor oxidative stability and decreasing high pour points. “Green” biolubricants must be used for all applications where there is an environmental risk.     

Comparative Evaluation of Physicochemical Properties of Jatropha Seed Oil from Malaysia,Indonesia and Thailand

The jatropha oil was extracted from the jatropha seeds collected from different origins viz., Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. The physicochemical properties such as density, viscosity, percentage free fatty acid (FFA), iodine value, saponification value and peroxide value of the extracted jatropha seed oil were evaluated. The evaluation of fatty acid composition using gas chromatography (GC) revealed that, oleic (42.4–48.8%) and linoleic acid (28.8–34.6%) are the dominant fatty acids present in the jatropha seed oil. The saturated fatty acids such as palmitic and stearic acid lie in the range 13.25–14.5 and 7–7.7%, respectively. The observed major triacylglycerol (TAG) composition was OOL (22.94–25.75%) and OLL (15.52–20.77%).     

Synthesis, characterization and physicochemical properties of oleic acid ether derivatives as biolubricant basestocks

Petroleum is a finite source as well as causing several environmental problems. Therefore petroleum needs to be replaced by alternative and sustainable sources. Plant oils and oleochemicals derived from them represent such alternative sources; the use of oleochemicals as biobased lubricants is of significant interest. This article presents a series of chemical modification on oleic acid to yield synthetic biolubricant basestocks. Measuring of density, volatility, cloud point (CP), pour point (PP), flash point (FP), viscosity index (VI), onset temperature (OT) and signal maximum temperature (SMT) was carried out for each compound. Furthermore, the friction and wear properties were measured using high-frequency reciprocating rig (HFRR). The results showed that octadecyl 9-octadecyloxy-10-hydroxyoctadecanoate exhibited the most favorable low-temperature performance (CP %ndash;26°C, PP %ndash;28°C) and the lowest ball wear scan diameter (42 μm) while propyl 9-propyloxy-10-hydroxyoctadecanoate exhibited the higher oxidation stability (OT 156°C).     

Improvement of the photostabilization of PVC films in the presence of 2N‐salicylidene‐5‐(substituted)‐1,3, 4‐thiadiazole

The photostabilization of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) films by 2N‐salicylidene‐5‐(substituted)‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole compounds was investigated. The PVC films containing concentration of complexes 0.5% by weight were produced by the casting method from tetrahydrofuran (THF) solvent. The photostabilization activities of these compounds were determined by monitoring the carbonyl, polyene, and hydroxyl indices with irradiation time. The changes in viscosity average molecular weight of PVC with irradiation time were also tracked (using THF as a solvent). The quantum yield of the chain scission (ϕ_cs) of these complexes in PVC films was evaluated and found to range between 4.72 × 10⁻⁸ and 8.99 × 10⁻⁸. Results obtained showed that the rate of photostabilization of PVC in the presence of the additive followed the trend: According to the experimental results obtained, several mechanisms were suggested depending on the structure of the additive. Among them, UV absorption, peroxide decomposer, and radical scavenger for photostabilizer mechanisms were suggested. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011