Formation of spherical nanocrystalline silicon carbide via carbothermal reduction of water glass and sugar

Abstract

A simple method was developed to synthesise spherical nanocrystalline silicon carbide via carbothermal reduction of water glass and sugar. The overall process is composed of three steps: the preparation of spray dried precursors, carbonisation of the precursors and carbothermal reduction. The precursors and products were characterised by XRD, infrared, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, SEM and TEM. The results show that carbothermal reduction of the precursors could be completed at 1500°C for 2 h. The as prepared product is spherical nanocrystalline β-SiC powders with the diameter about 13·6 nm and the BET specific areas of 17 m² g^–1. In addition, the powder is of high purity, because sodium oxide in the precursor could be eliminated by the escape of sodium at high temperature.     

Production of MgAl2O4 – Ti(C,N) composite ceramics by aluminothermic reduction in reducing atmosphere

Abstract

In the presence of N₂ and CO gases, MgAl₂O₄ – Ti(C,N) composite has been synthesised by aluminothermic reduction. The phase characterisation and microstructure of this novel composite were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). The results show that the nitridation reaction begins at 1100°C. With an increase of temperature, TiC starts to appear and forms Ti(C,N) solid solution with TiN; the grain size of Ti(C,N) grows with increasing temperature and the final product is MgAl₂O₄ – Ti(C,N).     

INDEX: An INDustrial Building Design EXpert

This paper presents an account of a research project concerned with the application of artificial intelligence techniques to structural design in civil engineering. INDEX is a rule-based system for the design of industrial buildings that is being developed at the University of Edinburgh. It has a blackboard architecture and its knowledge base is organized into a hierarchy of two levels. The main focus of this paper is to summarize the implementation aspects of one of its knowledge modules, ALTSEL which is responsible for the preliminary design. The organization of knowledge inside the ALTSEL module is briefly outlined using a number of representative rules from its sub-modules. The use of the Edinburgh PROLOG Blackboard Shell in the development of INDEX is also described briefly.     

Influence of Cold Rolling Reduction on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of TWIP Steel

The influence of cold rolling reduction on microstructure and mechanical properties of the TWIP (ttwinning induced plasticity) steel was investigated. The results indicated that the steel had better comprehensive mechanical properties when cold rolling reduction was about 65.0% and the annealing temperature was 1000℃. The tensile strength of the steel is about 640MPa and the yield strength is higher than 255MPa, while the elongation is above 82%. The microstructure is composed of austenitic matrix and annealing twins at room temperature, at the same time, a significant amount of annealing twins and stacking faults are observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Mechanical twins play a dominant role during deformation, and result in excellent mechanical properties.     

Disintegration of Northern Cape iron ores under reducing conditions

Abstract

Cracking occurs in the first step of gaseous reduction of hematite iron ore, to magnetite, and can lead to the formation of fine material, with deleterious effects on operation of shaft furnaces. To study this, samples of three ore types from the Northern Cape iron ore field in South Africa, and one blended ore from this region, were studied. The methods were high temperature microscopy (during reduction) and quantification of fines formation following reduction disintegration tests. The ore types do differ significantly with regards to their propensity to form fines. Although disintegration is clearly triggered by reduction, no direct correlation could be established between the degree of reduction and the amount of fines generated. Reduction disintegration increased with higher hydrogen percentages (>5%) in the reduction gas, and at higher temperatures (in the 500–700°C range). Disintegration of the samples decreased at temperatures >750°C. There was no correlation between the presence of gangue minerals and fines formation.     

Applications for plasma transferred arc welded tools during hot steel tube making

Abstract

This paper describes applications of a tool reinforcement technology, using plasma transferred arc (PTA) welding, in hot metal rolling. The coating of large NbC particles shows a remarkable performance in the suppression of galling. As the rolling temperature increases, a matrix material with high temperature resistance to deformation is recommended. The tool life is slightly longer when a thick scale layer exists on the hot metal surface, but when the scale is eliminated the new tool demonstrates excellent capability. The new tool also shows a higher level of performance when rolling hot titanium and hot stainless steel. The application philosophy of PTA welded tools is demonstrated.     

Evaluation,degradation and life assessment of coatings for land based combustion turbines

Abstract

Use of metallic and thermal barrier coatings to protect hot section blades and vanes of combustion turbines for power generation has been common practice for the past three and one decades respectively. Because these coatings must be optimised with respect to both different forms of corrosion and modes of operation (base load versus peak load), their performance may be machine specific. Industrial end users generally do not have detailed knowledge of the failure mechanisms of the coatings and the basis for selecting coatings to suit specific requirements, topics the present review seeks to address. The evolution of protective coatings, coating failure mechanisms and a methodology for selecting machine specific coatings are described. The methodology, which can be used to rank and optimise coating systems and to predict the remaining life of coatings, forms the basis of a computer code known as COATLIFE. The ingredients of this methodology, i.e. degradation modelling and thermomechanical fatigue life prediction, are reviewed.     

Periodic reverse current electrodeposited nickel pigmented anodised aluminium

Abstract

Aluminium anodically oxidised in sulphuric acid electrolyte was pigmented by an electrolytic colouring process with the use of alternating and periodic reverse current. The applied pigmentation electrolytes were based on nickel. The study reports on resistance against humidity of a selective Ni–Al₂O₃ layer. The samples before and after testing were analysed and compared. The quality of the coating, optical properties and influence of humidity on morphology and composition of the coatings were investigated. The influence of moisture on the quality of the selective Ni–Al₂O₃ layer is comparable to the commercial solar absorber type.     

减轻自然灾害,为人类造福——写在“国际减轻自然灾害十年”之始

本文阐述了”国际减轻自然灾害十年”的来历和宗旨;我国和世界的灾害;减轻灾害以“预防为主”的方针以及建立和发展灾害工程学.