Weld Solidification Cracking Behaviour of AA2195 Al–Cu–Li Alloy

In this study, weld solidification cracking behaviour of AA2195 Al–Cu–Li alloy was studied and compared with conventional AA2219 and AA2014 aluminium alloys. Cracking susceptibility was evaluated using varestraint test and Gleeble^® hot ductility test and the slope of liquidus temperature as function of liquid fraction was also evaluated. Solidification cracking susceptibility of AA2195, AA2219 and AA2014 alloys was ranked based on the above methods. Consistent trend in cracking susceptibility was observed in all the methods where AA2195 and AA2219 alloys showed highest and lowest cracking susceptibility, respectively.     

Accelerated Design of Eutectic High Entropy Alloys by ICME Approach

Eutectic high entropy alloy with seven components is designed based on the integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) framework. The framework includes thermodynamic prediction using calculation of phase diagrams (CALPHAD), microstructure simulation using phase-field method, and experimental validation. The designed alloy shows the eutectic structure consisting of FCC and laves phase in the composition range from 8.25 to 10 at. pct Ta. The simulation and experimental results are co-related and a framework is proposed that can be used for high entropy alloy design subjected to various manufacturing processes.

     

The effect of processing conditions on the rheological properties of blends of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene with high‐density polyethylene

Blends of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) with small amounts of ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) were prepared by melt mixing in a twin‐screw microcompounder. Two types of UHMWPE differing in their states of chain entanglement were used. The blend composition, time of mixing, and rotation speed of the screws were varied. Rheological properties of the blends were studied in oscillatory shear and uniaxial elongational tests. Reduction in phase angle measured in dynamic shear rheology and increase in extensional strain hardening were found to be useful indicators for quantifying the extent of mixing of the two components. Although the disentangled UHMWPE showed reasonable mixing with HDPE during typical residence times of melt compounding operations, the entangled UHMWPE remained essentially undissolved. The extent of mixing increased with mixing time and screw speed. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:821–829, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Characterization of a continuous CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> laser-welded Fe-Cu dissimilar couple

Continuous CO₂ laser welding of an Fe-Cu dissimilar couple in a butt-weld geometry at different process conditions is studied. The process conditions are varied to identify and characterize the microstructural features that are independent of the welding mode. The study presents a characterization of the microstructure and mechanical properties of the welds. Detailed microstructural analysis of the weld/base-metal interface shows features that are different on the two sides of the weld. The iron side can grow into the weld with a local change in length scale, whereas the interface on the copper side indicates a barrier to growth. The interface is jagged, and a banded microstructure consisting of iron-rich layers could be observed next to the weld/Cu interface. The observations suggest that solidification initiates inside the melt, where iron and copper are mixed due to convective flow. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of the weld region also indicates the occasional presence of droplets of iron and copper. The microstructural observations are rationalized using arguments drawn from a thermodynamic analysis of the Fe-Cu system.     

Photochromic films prepared by solid state processing of disentangled ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene and photochromic dyes composites

Disentangled ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (DPE) is a special grade of polyethylene (molecular weight, >10⁶ Da) which can be processed by an environment friendly solid state process on counter rotating two roll mill (TRM) below the melt temperature of the polymer. This unique processing property of DPE was utilized to develop smart DPE photochromic films. Photochromic dye like 'Spirooxazine' or 'Spiropyran' has been mixed with DPE resin powder prior to film formation without altering the DPE properties. These films could change their optical appearances on exposure to UV-light of wavelength 365 nm and the color change phenomenon of the films could also be replicated by sunlight. The color change observed is found to be reversible, that is, films could return to colorless form either spontaneously in dark or by thermal stimuli. Such smart property was imparted to DPE even at very low concentration (2,000 ppm) of photochromic dyes. Spectrophotometric studies were used to measure the rate of forward reaction with UV radiation and the rate of backward reaction in dark. In fact, DPE powder and photochromic dye composite was used to produce the compression molded disc to understand the color change phenomena. Moreover, it was observed that the photo-degradation rate of dye, could be retarded ~30% by using amphoteric Zinc phthalate salt. TGA and DSC studies confirmed that the characteristics of DPE film remained almost unaltered even after with preparation of film photochromic dyes.     

Influence of surfactants on rheological characteristics of dough and quality of parotta

The effect of the surfactants glycerol monostearate (GMS), lecithin, diacetyl tartaric acid esters of monoglycerides (DATEM), polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate (PS‐60) and sodium stearoyl‐2‐lactylate (SSL) on the rheological characteristics of dough and quality of parotta was studied. Use of the surfactants increased stability as measured by the farinograph, valorimeter value, extensograph ratio figure and extensograph area, indicating an increase in the strength of the dough. Surfactants reduced the mixograph peak height, mixograph area, apparent biaxial extensional viscosity, compressive stress, force decay parameter, hardness and adhesiveness, and increased the cohesiveness of dough. The values for peak viscosity increased with DATEM, PS‐60 and SSL and decreased with GMS and lecithin. Among the surfactants tested, SSL and PS‐60 brought about the greatest improvement in the quality of parotta, followed in decreasing order by DATEM, lecithin and GMS.     

Multifunctional Bismuth‐Doped Nanoporous Silica Glass: From Blue‐Green,Orange, Red,and White Light Sources to Ultra‐Broadband Infrared Amplifiers

Ultra‐broadband luminescent sources that emit light over an extremely wide wavelength range are of great interest in the fields of photonics, medical treatment, and precision measurement. Extensive research has been conducted on materials doped with rare‐earth and transition‐metal ions, but the goal of fabricating an ultra‐broadband emitter has not been attained. We present a facile method to realize this kind of novel light source by stabilizing “active” centers (bismuth) in a “tolerant” host (nanoporous silica glass). The obtained highly transparent materials, in which, unusually, multiple bismuth centers (Bi⁺, Bi²⁺, and Bi³⁺) can be stabilized, emit in an ultra‐broadband wavelength range from blue‐green, orange, red, and white to the near‐infrared region. This tunable luminescence covers the spectral range of the traditional three primary colors (RGB) and also the telecommunications windows.     

Amorphous and nano crystalline phase formation in Ni<Subscript>2</Subscript>MnGa ferromagnetic shape memory alloy synthesized by melt spinning

Melt spinning technique was used to synthesize Ni₂MnGa ferromagnetic shape memory alloy ribbons. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis of the ribbon synthesized at lower wheel speed (20 m/s) reveal the formation of very fine clusters of austenitic phase of Ni₂MnGa. However at higher wheel speed (30 m/s) the formation of martensite and nanoparticles of Ni₂MnGa with a size range of 10–20 nm in the amorphous matrix is observed. Also an amorphous phase was observed at higher wheel speed in some areas of the ribbon. Annealing (1000 °C, 1 h) of the ribbon synthesized at higher wheel speed resulted in martensite and γ (gamma) phases. Amorphous phase, Ni₂MnGa nanoparticles, and the martensite phase are analyzed in detail.

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Structure and Properties of β Nucleated Polypropylene Film Prepared by Tubular Water Quench Process

β-Nucleated isotactic polypropylene (iPP) films were prepared by tubular quench process. The stretching of the film during the process resulted in the formation of different polymorphs in nucleated iPP, whereas meso phase alone resulted in unnucleated iPP. The process conditions determine the formation of β crystals transforming into α crystals on stretching. The crystalline content and β phase decrease as the stretching speed increases. The β nucleated film samples are found to have voided surface. The degree of crystallinity and crystalline content define physical properties of the film.