Structural,Micromechanical and Tribological Characterization of Zn–Ni Coatings: Effect of Sulfate Bath Composition

Zn and Zn–Ni alloy coatings were electrodeposited on mild steel from sulfate-based bath containing Sn as additive. The effect of Ni content on the microstructure, morphology, microhardness and the tribological behavior of these coatings were studied and discussed. Adding Sn in the sulfate bath had a significant effect on the surface morphology, particularly on the Zn–8 wt% Ni coatings. By increasing the Ni concentration from 8 to 14 wt%, the X-ray patterns showed that the phase structure of Zn–Ni alloy coatings was changed from η-phase Ni₃Zn₂₂ to γ-phase Ni₅Zn₂₁. The plastic deformation and delamination were found to be wear mechanisms for the investigated coatings. While the Zn–14 wt% Ni alloys had the best wear resistance, Zn films had the most severe wear volume loss and the highest friction coefficient.     

Turkey liver: Physicochemical characteristics and functional properties of protein fractions

Turkey liver is an important edible meat by-product. However, it is generally unprocessed, underutilized and low-priced compared to mammalian livers. The present investigation was conducted to provide information on physicochemical composition and functional characteristics of turkey liver. Proximate composition (%) was: moisture (72.3 ± 1.2), protein (21.9 ± 0.6), fat (2.9 ± 1.6), carbohydrate (1.4 ± 0.7), and total ash (1.5 ± 0.1). Cholesterol, glycogen and total heme pigments (g/kg) in the turkey liver were 2.05 ± 0.06, 5.36 ± 0.01 and 2.3 ± 0.08, respectively. Contents in saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (%) were 42.5, 14.6 and 32.6 respectively. Interestingly, turkey liver fat also contains 5% of camphor (oxygenated monoterpene). Mineral concentrations (mg/kg) in liver were: Na (817 ± 14), K (1390 ± 90), Ca (31.4 ± 0.3), Mg (23 ± 0.4), Fe (161 ± 5), Zn (40 ± 2) and Cu (34 ± 2). Liver proteins extracted at 5 or 10 g/l NaCl showed the highest foaming capacity (P < 0.05). Addition of xanthan (1-3 g/l) to liver proteins improved both foam formation and its stability (P < 0.05). Turkey liver also showed interesting emulsifying properties. The emulsion stability of liver proteins was more pronounced at high NaCl concentration (20 g/l). The highest emulsion stability was obtained at acidic or basic pH values (P < 0.05) and decreased at pH 6.     

Thermally stable antimicrobial polyvinylchloride/maleimido aromatic hydrazide composites

Antimicrobial novel substituted maleimido aromatic hydrazides were synthesized from N‐[4‐(chlorocarbonyl) phenyl] maleimide with salicylhydrazide, p‐aminobenzohydrazide, or p‐aminosalicylhydrazide. They were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), hydrogen‐1 nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H‐NMR), mass spectra, elemental analyses, and antimicrobial activities. These derivatives were investigated as thermal stabilizers for rigid poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) at 180°C in air by measuring the rate of dehydrochlorination, the extent of discoloration, and the changes that occurred in the molecular masses of the degraded PVC samples. The previously reported stabilizing efficiency data of a nonsubstituted derivative, which was synthesized from N‐[4‐(chlorocarbonyl) phenyl] maleimide with benzohydrazide, is also given for comparison. The results reveal the greater stabilizing efficiency of the investigated derivatives as shown by their longer thermal stability (Ts) periods and lower dehydrochlorination rates in relation to dibasic lead carbonate, cadmium‐barium‐zinc stearate, and n‐octyltin mercaptide industrial stabilizers. The stabilizing efficiency increases with the introduction of electron donating substituent groups in the aromatic ring of the stabilizer molecules. Moreover, the investigated stabilizers impart better color stability for the degraded samples as compared with the reference stabilizers. A synergistic effect is achieved when the materials under investigation were mixed in various weight ratios with any of the reference stabilizers, reaching its maximum at equivalent weight ratio of the investigated stabilizer to the reference one. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 22:247–258, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Perpendicular Weak Permanent Magnetic Field Effect on the Electrodeposited Nanostructured ZnO Film and its Kinetic Corrosion Behavior

Protection of Metals and Physical Chemistry of Surfaces - In this work the effect of the permanent weak magnetic field on the electrodeposited ZnO nanostructured film on the ITO substrate...     

Thermally stable antimicrobial PVC/maleimido phenyl urea composites

Four novel antimicro bial maleimido phenyl urea derivatives were synthesized from N-[4-(chlorocarbonyl) phenyl] maleimide with phenyl urea derivatives (p-methyl, o-chloro and p-carboxy). They were characterized by FTIR, ¹H-NMR, mass spectra, elemental analyses and antimicrobial activities. These derivatives were investigated as thermal stabilizers for rigid poly(vinyl chloride) at 180 °C in air by measuring the rate of dehydrochlorination and the extent of discoloration. The results reveal the greater stabilizing efficiency of the investigated derivatives as shown by their longer thermal stability periods (Ts) and lower dehydrochlorination rates in relation to dibasic lead carbonate, cadmium-barium-zinc stearate and n-octyltin mercaptide industrial stabilizers. The stabilizing efficiency increases with the introduction of electron donating substituent groups in the aromatic ring of the stabilizer molecules. Moreover, the investigated stabilizers impart better color stability for the degraded samples as compared with the reference stabilizers.     

Following Spur Gear Crack Propagation in the Tooth Foot by Finite Element Method

The objective of this study was to follow the crack propagation in the tooth foot of a spur gear by using Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) and the Finite Element Method (FEM). The tooth foot crack propagation is a function of Stress Intensity Factors (SIF) that play a very crucial role in the life span of the gear. A two-dimensional quasi-static analysis is carried out using a program that determines the gear geometry, coupled with the Finite Element Code (ANSYS). The study estimates the stress intensity factors and monitors their variations on the tooth foot according to crack depth, crack propagation angle, and the crack position. An appropriate methodology for predicting the crack propagation path is applied by considering gear tooth behavior in bending fatigue. The results are used to predict/prevent catastrophic rim fracture failure modes from occurring in critical components.     

A new real-time retinal tracking system for image-guided laser treatment

A new system is proposed for tracking sensitive areas in the retina for computer-assisted laser treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV). The system consists of a fundus camera using red-free illumination mode interfaced to a computer that allows real-time capturing of video input. The first image acquired is used as the reference image and utilized by the treatment physician for treatment planning. A grid of seed contours over the whole image is initiated and allowed to deform by splitting and/or merging according to preset criteria until the whole vessel tree is demarcated. Then, the image is filtered using a one-dimensional Gaussian filter in two perpendicular directions to extract the core areas of such vessels. Faster segmentation can be obtained for subsequent images by automatic registration to compensate for eye movement and saccades. An efficient registration technique is developed whereby some landmarks are detected in the reference frame then tracked in the subsequent frames. Using the relation between these two sets of corresponding points, an optimal transformation can be obtained. The implementation details of proposed strategy are presented and the obtained results indicate that it is suitable for real-time location determination and tracking of treatment positions.     

The use of new technologies in coloration of textile fibers

Textile coloration is a wet process that uses dyes, chemicals, and large volume of water. The chemical wet processing of textiles continues to expand each year using new technologies. The driving force being the need for cleaner, cost-effective, and value-added textile products. This review will provide a summary of recent developments in the coloration of textile fiber. Emphasis will be paid to the new technologies, in particular those based on physicochemical means such as nanotechnology, electrochemistry, supercritical carbon dioxide coloration, plasma, ultrasonic and microwave, and their uses in the coloration of textile fibers.