Shape memory properties of Ni-Ti based melt-spun ribbons

Shape-memory properties of equiatomic NiTi, Ni₄₅Ti₅₀Cu₅, and Ni₂₅Ti₅₀Cu₂₅ ribbons made by melt spinning have been studied by temperature inducing the martensitic transformation under constant tensile loads. Recoverable strains above 4 pct can be obtained under ∼100 MPa loads for the NiTi and Ni₄₅Ti₅₀Cu₅ ribbons, transforming to B19’ martensite. The B19 martensite is formed in the Ni₂₅Ti₅₀Cu₂₅ ribbon after crystallization, and according to the lowering in transformation strain as Cu content increases, the recoverable strain is close to 2.5 pct for ∼150 MPa load. The transformation temperatures exhibit a linear dependence on the applied stress, which can be quantitatively described by means of a Clausius-Clapeyron type equation. The NiTi and Ni₄₅Ti₅₀Cu₅ ribbons exhibited some degree of two-way shape-memory effect (TWSME) after thermomechanical cycling. Texture analyses performed on the different ribbons allow us to better understand the transformation strains obtained in each ribbon. The amounts of shape-memory effect (SME) and nonrecoverable strain shown by the studied ribbons are of the same order as those already observed in bulk materials, which makes melt spinning an ideal substitute to complicated manufacturing processes if really thin samples are needed. However, applicable stresses in melt-spun ribbons are limited by a relatively “premature” brittle fracture caused by irregularities in ribbon thickness.     

Nanodosimetric measurements with an avalanche confinement TEPC

This paper illustrates a tissue-equivalent proportional counter designed to have high gas gain and good energy resolution at nanometric simulated site sizes. Microdosimetric neutron and gamma spectra were measured in dimethyl ether and in propane-based tissue-equivalent gas mixture down to 35 nm. The comparison of experimental data with the results of Monte Carlo calculations shows a satisfactory agreement.     

Viable synthesis of a self-assembling regioregular thiophenic copolymer for second-order non-linear optics

Regioregular azobenzene-substituted polythiophenic copolymers were prepared by a regiospecific organometallic polycondensation procedure based on a Grignard metathesis reaction. Copolymers with a high content of chromophoric groups in the side chains and a high degree of configurational order of the backbones were obtained. A sample was also functionalized with hydroxyalkyl chains capable of setting up ordered supramolecular structures through hydrogen bonds. The final materials were fully characterized via NMR, IR, elemental analysis, GPC, DSC and X-ray diffraction. Moreover, measurements of NLO activity on polymer films showed the synthetic strategies adopted and monomers used to be correct. Values obtained by the in situ deprotection of the interacting functional groups after the alignment of the chromophorized side chains were very promising, proving the procedure to be suitable for industrial and commercial applications.     

Effect of orientation on the high-temperature superelasticity in Co49Ni21Ga30 single crystals

The temperature interval ΔT _SE of superelasticity in [001]-, [$ \bar 1 $ \bar 1 23]-, and [$ \bar 1 $ \bar 1 24]-oriented Co₄₀Ni₂₁Ga₃₀ (at. %) single crystals strained at compression has been studied. It is established that ΔT _SE in the [001]-oriented single crystal amounts to 441 K and the reversible B2-L1₀ martensite transformations in loaded samples take place at T ₂ = 698 K. In [$ \bar 1 $ \bar 1 23]- and [$ \bar 1 $ \bar 1 24]-oriented samples, ΔT _SE decreases to 233 K and the superelasticity is observed up to T ₂ = 523 K.     

Comparison of plume rise models against water tank experimental data for neutral and stable crossflows

The evaluation of the trajectories of plumes rising into a crossflow is relevant for the correct modelling of pollutant dispersal in the atmosphere. Plume rise models are therefore an important part of several dispersion models. There is a general consensus on the formulation of plume rise through solution of equations describing the conservation of energy and momentum in the plume closed with an empirical formulation of the entrainment rate of fresh air into the developing plume. However, there are differences in the entrainment coefficients found in different studies. In this work the trajectories of sixty plumes, simulated at small scale in a towing water tank, have been analysed in order to test the performance of widely used dispersion codes and to find statistically the best entrainment coefficients for the different models. The plumes simulated cover a wide range of scenarios from pure jets to buoyant plumes developing in both neutral and linearly stable stratified crossflows. A new analytical model for stable crossflows, representing an extension of an existing model, has been presented and tested. Results show that the entrainment coefficients are different for neutral and stable crossflows, especially for approximate analytical codes. In contrast, the coefficients of the integral model seem to be less sensitive to the stability of the crossflow. The entrainment coefficients found by the fitting of the analytical models are significantly lower than the measured spread rate of the plumes. In neutral crossflows the generalised Briggs model and the integral model give statistically similar performances. In stable crossflows the new analytical model as well as the integral model are able to predict the oscillation of the plumes around their equilibrium height; however, there is an underestimation of both the oscillation frequency and the downwind position of the maximum height. The use of an added mass coefficient allows, with almost the same entrainment coefficients, improved prediction of the oscillation frequency and of the maximum rise position. Measured plume height oscillations are more strongly damped than predicted ones.     

On the solution of the centre cracked plate with a quadratic thermal gradient

The problem of a centre-cracked plate of finite crack length to plate width ratio when subjected to a quadratic thermal gradient is studied. Stress intensity factors are derived from elastic analysis using an analytical approach and the finite element method. The analytical approach is exact only for an infinitely wide plate so that the finite element results enable the evaluation of finite width correction factors. Various techniques for evaluating the stress intensity factor under thermal loading are reviewed, and the preferred ones are applied to the present problem. The resulting finite width correction factors are compared to those derived for the tensile Mode I loading case.