Iranian Journal of Materials science and Engineering
Volume:18 Issue: 1, Mar 2021

Cu-based alloys have a wide range of applications in the electronics industry, communications industry, welding industries, etc. Regarding the type and percentage of the second phase, changing in the alloying elements has a significant effect on the mechanical and electrical properties of copper composites. The aim of the present work is to synthesize, investigate, and compare the micro-structure, micro-hardness, and electrical properties of different Cu-based nanocomposites. For this purpose, Cu-Al, Cu-Al2O3, Cu-Cr, and Cu-Ti were fabricated via ball milling of copper with 1, 3, and 6 weight percentages. The vial speed was 350 rpm and the ball-to-powder weight ratio was kept at 15:1. The milling process was performed at different times in Argon. Next, the prepared composites were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Based on XRD patterns, crystallite size, lattice strain, and lattice constant were calculated by Rietveld refinement using Maud software. The results show a decrease of crystallite size, and an increase of the internal strain and lattice constant by rising the alloying elements in all composites. Then, the produced powders compressed via the cold press and annealed at 650˚C. Finally; the micro-hardness and the electrical resistance of the manufactured tablets were measured. The results of these analyses show that micro-hardness is increased by enhancement of the reinforcement material, due to the rising of the work hardening. Cu-6wt%Ti with 312 Vickers and Cu-1wt%Al2O3 with 78 Vickers had the highest and lowest micro-hardness, respectively. Moreover, the results of the electrical resistance indicate a dramatic rise in the electrical resistance by increasing the amount of alloying material, which Cu-1wt%Al with 0.26 Ω had the highest electrical conductivity.

In this research, using impregnation method, spinel cobalt and copper ferrites nanoparticles are synthesized on the surface of hematite. Synthesized powders were characterized and examined by FTIR, XRF, XRD, FESEM, BET and EDS analysis and the dye degradation were investigated by UV-vis and AAS methods. Specific surface area increased especially in the sample containing cobalt, which indicates the precise of synthesis and the creation of high surface nano particles at hematite surface. The size of particles was in the nano scale and a good uniformity observed in the structure. The results indicated a significant increase in the catalytic ability of hematite nano composite after synthesis. Their catalytic capability investigated by the Fenton reaction with complete removal of methylene blue from the solution via UV-vis irradiation. The samples stability discovered to be excellent by the AAS method.

Finite element analysis has been carried out to investigate the effect of various parameters on axisymmetric hot extrusion process using aluminum alloy. The objective of the present work is to investigate the effect of friction coefficient, die angle, die-profile radius and predefined temperature of workpiece through FEM simulation of extrusion process. Nodal temperature distribution, heat flux, peak temperature at nodes and peak flux induced are identified as the output variables to assess the thermo-mechanical deformation behavior of aluminum alloy. Mesh sensitivity analysis is performed for the evaluation of mesh convergence as well as depicts the accuracy of present FEM model. Higher will be the coefficient of friction between interacting surfaces of die-billet assembly, more will be the increment in nodal temperature in billet. Higher will be the coefficient of friction, higher will be the generation of heat flux within billet, as this is achieved for highest coefficient of friction. Peak nodal temperature diminishes with increase in die profile radius nearly by 17 %.Maximum heat flux diminishes non-linearly by 30% with increase in die profile radius. Maximum nodal temperature increases nearly linearly by 14% with increment in predefined temperature of billet. Maximum heat flux decreases non-linearly by 5 % with increment in the initial temperature of workpiece. Validation of present numerical model is established on the basis of deformation behavior in terms of evolution of nodal temperature distribution upon comparison with previous studies available in literature.

Translucent porcelain with appropriate workability has been considered beneficial for light and shadow to be used in the production of ceramic artworks. In addition, using low firing temperature encourages more artists to use this body. The soft-paste cellulose composite porcelain is composed of similar amount of high Borax/Calcia leadless frit and Kaolin with 3% Vee gum T as a plasticizer. In order to increase workability and green strength, five units of soft-paste porcelain (SP) slip was mixed by one unit bleached bagasse pulp of sugar cane slip in volume and then cellulose containing soft-paste porcelain (CSP) slip was made. The samples were formed by hand, dried and then fired at the optimum temperature of 1120  for 5 hours. Results showed that the SP sample became self-glazed after firing while cellulose increased porosity in CSP. Microstructure analysis showed a large amount of glass phase, which improved translucency of the bodies. Moreover, mullite needle-shaped crystals were derived from the flux-penetrated clay because of less viscous molten body matrix. XRD results clearly showed that the fritted soft-paste porcelain consists of quartz, mullite, anorthite and albite in the fired state. Spectrophotometry showed that adding cellulose to the porcelain body slightly increased translucency in the wavelength ranges 400 to 500 nm.

Microscopic studies has shown that adjacent to the interface between cement paste and aggregate, there exists an area with high porosity and low binding compounds that is referred to as interfacial transition zone (ITZ). ITZ in concrete and mortar imposes a number of negative effects, including flexural and compressive strengths reduction and permeability enhancement. That’s why many research attempts have been devoted to limit ITZ and its negative effects. The present study investigates the possibility of utilizing fine Portland cement (PC) clinker as a reactive aggregate in mortar for the same purpose. For this, natural quartz sand in normal mortar (NM) was totally replaced with PC clinker of the same particle size distribution and the most important engineering properties of the new mortar referred to as Reactive Aggregate Mortar (RAM) were measured and compared with NM as control. The results of compressive strengths measurements represented 65% and 21% increases at curing ages of 7 and 90 days, respectively, for RAM compared to NM. Chloride penetration depth in RAM displayed reductions by about 33% and 26% after 14 and 28 days of exposure, respectively. The effect of PC clinker reactivity on the microstructure and size of ITZ was studied by using scanning electron microscopy.

Separation of samarium and lutetium was investigated through solvent extraction from their mixed aqueous species using commercial extractants of D2EHPA and PC88A. The Response Surface Method (RSM) was utilized to design the solvent extraction experiments. In which, a Central Composite Design (CCD) was applied to set the optimum conditions for highest separation factors between Sm and Lu. Design of Experiments (DOE) was conducted by making use of four operating variables, namely initial pH of the aqueous solutions (A: 0.2–2.6), extractant concentration (B: 0.01-0.09 molar), mole fraction of D2EHPA in the extractant mixture (C: 0 - 0.8) and a type of acidic solution (D: sulfuric and nitric acid) at three levels. The results indicated that the initial pH was the most paramount variable in solvent extraction of samarium and lutetium, while in the case of lutetium, the molar fraction of D2EHPA in the mixed extractants was non-influential. The statistical model predictions were confirmed by experiments for both samarium and lutetium extraction with high validity parameter of 97 and 98%, respectively. The optimum conditions for samarium and lutetium separation were identified as: A=0.8, B= 0.05, C= 0.2 and D= sulfuric acid. According to the findings of the model, the desirability value at the optimum conditions was evaluated as about 0.93, in which 71% of lutetium was extracted while the amount of extracted samarium was only less than 1%.

Niobium addition is an appropriate approach for improvement of superalloy’s operation. The purpose of this study is twofold: (1) to investigate on the η and γ/ phase precipitations along with (2) to identify the high-temperature tensile properties in A286 and Nb-A286, as a modified type. The heat treatment of both alloys was carried out in a two-stage aging procedure at 760°C for 16 h and 820°C for 2 to 30 hours, following characterized by optical and Scanning electron (SEM-EDS) microscopies, differential thermal analysis (DTA) and high temperature tensile tests. The results showed that niobium addition was increased the volume fraction of γ/ phase, from 10.7% to 12%, decreased its size, from 94 to 71 nm, and rising the γ/-dissolution temperature from 987°C to 1007°C. Moreover, the γ/ to η phase transformation was sluggishly occurred in Nb-A286 due to more stable of γ/ precipitations. Furthermore, the Nb-A286 alloy demonstrates higher mechanical properties than A286 one, approximately 100MPa improvement, which it was contributed to the much large volume fraction and finer size of more stabilized γ/ phase.

This study deals with the effects of erbium (Er) addition on the microstructural evolution and tensile properties of Al-Mg2Si in-situ metal matrix composites. The morphology of primary Mg2Si and eutectic phases were observed in details using optical microscope and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the increase of Er content has a slight effect on the size and morphology of primary Mg2Si phases, but the eutectic structure evolves from the coarse structure into the fine one. Also, with Er addition the eutectic mixtures of Al and Mg2Si with fibrous morphology has been developed instead of the flake like Al-Mg2Si eutectic microstructure. Meanwhile, Al3Er phase was observed in the samples containing Er. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the composite changes under the various content of Er. The maximum strength was found at the 0.6 wt% Er with the fine eutectic microstructure. The study of SEM micrographs from the fracture surface of composites revealed that Er addition changes the fracture mode from brittle to ductile one with fine dimples. The mechanism of microstructural evolution was discussed in details.

As an alternative to conventional fertilizers, e.g. NPK (the Nitrogen-Phosphorous-Potassium containing chemical fertilizers) which release their nutrients in a short period of time, due to high solubility in irrigation water, glass fertilizers are ideal as they release macro- and micronutrients for crops and plant nourishment. Also, despite conventional ones, they have no ground-water pollution. In the present study, glass fertilizers were synthesized via Polymer-Derived Ceramics (PDC) method. Despite the melt-casting procedure, PDC needs lower temperatures in heat treatment. The precursors consist of poly-siloxane and active fillers. Thus, thanks to gaseous release during heat treatment of the present active fillers, i.e. Ca(OH)2, MgCO3, and Al(OH)3, a porous microstructure can be generated. In order to manipulate the pore size and specific surface area, fractions of active fillers were used as calcined. The experiments showed that upon increase of non-calcined active fillers, the specific surface area and the amount of porosity was increased due to more gaseous release during heat treatment. Thus, affected by microstructure, the release rate of macro and micro-elements was higher in the sample containing non-calcined active fillers, in comparison to other samples. Additionally, the porous samples were able to be loaded by extra nutrients containing Nitrogen, like KNO3.

The Nano Hydroxyapatite (HAp), HAp/PEG and HAp/PVP powders derived from both Gastropod shell (natural source) and chemical precursor by the precipitation method were characterized through various characterization techniques such as FT-IR, XRD, SEM-EDX, TEM, Antibacterial activity and SBF analysis. Based on the structural, chemical, morphological and biological characteristics, HAp/PVP from natural and chemical precursors have been compared successfully. Calculated structural parameters, crystallinity index, C/P ratio, morphology, antibacterial activity and SBF analysis of the products show that HAp/PVP-S (derived from a natural source) exhibits good mechanical property, rod like morphology, good antibacterial activity and apatite formation ability at 14 days. EDX analysis also shows the presence of carbon and sodium in HAp/PVP-S. Comparative analysis reveals that characteristics of HAp/PVP-S such as high carbonate content, low crystallite size, poor crystalline nature, presence of trace metal, non-stoichiometric elemental composition and rod like crystals which are matched with the characteristics of biological apatite. Thus, the HAp/PVP-S has the ability to form bone apatite.

In this study, the effect of annealing treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of Nb-10Hf-1Ti wt.% produced by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) was investigated. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, hardness, and uniaxial tension test were used. Annealing treatment was carried out in a vacuum of 10-3 Pa at 1150 °C for 1, 3, 5, and 7 hours and in an argon atmosphere at 1350 °C for 5 hours. Internal oxidation and subsequent hafnium oxide formation causes the hardening of the C103 alloy and drastically increases hardness and tensile strength. Although HfO2 particles formed in the grain boundary cause brittleness and cleavage fracture of samples. Volume fraction, particle size, and mean interparticle spacing of oxides significantly change by annealing and subsequently the mechanical properties are affected. The SPSed sample at 1500 ℃ is softened by annealing at 1150 ℃ for 5 hours and its hardness and yield strength are reduced from 303 Hv to 230 Hv and 538 MPa to 490 MPa respectively. While annealing at 1350 ℃for 5 hours increases hardness and yield strength increases to 343 Hv and 581 MPa.

As we all know, corrosion of pipelines by hydrogen sulfide is the most worrying factor in the production and transport of oil and gas. In this work the corrosion behavior of API 5L X70MS and X70MO low carbon steels in hydrogen sulfide environments was investigated. Hydrogen induced cracking and sulfide stress cracking tests were carried out according to NACE TM0177 standard. After testing, blisters and cracks were observed only in X70MO steel, probably due to its lower grain refinement and banded microstructure. Internal cracks seem to be initiated in elongated MnS inclusions. Corrosion process was studied by obtaining potentiodynamic polarization curves, which were registered after open circuit potential measurements, at room temperature. Both steels showed general corrosion in NACE 177A solutions, but the corrosion rate values ​​in H2S-saturated solution were about an order of magnitude higher than those ones in deaerated solution. Hydrogen permeation w::as char::acterized in accordance with ASTM G148 standard. In deaerated H2SO4 solution, permeation measurements were similar for both steels. In H2S-saturated solution, X70 MO exhibited higher hydrogen oxidation current values ​​than X70 MS. H2S seems to promote the reduction of protons and increase the concentration of hydrogen atoms in the solution/steel interface, favoring the diffusion process. As X70MO has a coarse microstructure, it offers more pathways for hydrogen diffusion.