Influence of voids on the flexural resistance of the NCF/RTM6 composites

A major difficulty to achieve maximum weight savings in the manufacture of composite structural components, is the tendency of these materials have the formation of voids and cracks in the interior and surface components. In aeronautical applications, controlling the volume fraction of fibers, resins and empty the components of composite is very hard. In this work, composites of epoxy matrix RTM6 reinforced with NCF (non crimp fabric carbon) processed by resin transfer molding (RTM) were characterized for porosity (P-ap) and density (rho(ad)). We used a method based on Archimedes' principle (ASTM C830) and the technique of helium pycnometer. The porosity values were compared with those determined by acid digestion (ASTM D3171). The mechanical properties of processed composites was evaluated by testing on the performing flexural and the results were correlated with the porosity value. All techniques tested to determine void content are satisfactory. The differents results can be justified for heterogeneous void distribution on laminate and differences among techniques characteristics. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of ICM11

Adsorption of transition-metal ions in ethanol solution by a nanomaterial based on modified silsesquioxane

The material octakis[3-(3-amino- 1,2,4-triazole)propyl]octasilsesquioxane (ATZ-SSQ) was synthesized and its potential was assessed for Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Zn(II) and Fe(III) from their ethanol solutions and compared with related 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole-propyl modified silica gel (ATZ-SG). The adsorption was performed using a batchwise process and both organofunctionalized surfaces showed the ability to adsorb the metal ions from ethanol solution. The Langmuir model allowed to describe the sorption of the metal ions on ATZ-SSQ and ATTZ-SG in a satisfactory way. The equilibrium is reached very quickly Q min) for ATZ-SSQ, indicating that the adsorption sites are well exposed. The maximum metal ion uptake values for Cu(II), Co(II), Zn(II), Ni(II) and Fe(III) were 0.86, 0.09, 0.19, 0.09 and 0.10 mmol g(-1), respectively, for the ATZ-SSQ, which were higher than the corresponding values 0.21, 0.04, 0.14, 0.05 and 0.07 mmol g(-1) achieved with the ATZ-SG. In order to obtain more information on the metal-ligand interaction of the complexes on the surface of the ATZ-SSQ, Cu(II) was used as a probe to determine the arrangements of the ligands around the central metal ion by electron spin resonance (ESR). The ATZ-SSQ was used for the separation and determination (in flow using a column technique) of the metal ions present in commercial ethanol. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Investigation about the copper adsorption on the chloropropylsilica gel surface modified with a nanostructured dendrimer DAB-Am-16: an analytical application for determination of copper in different samples

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

New Nanostructured Silica Adjuvant (SBA-15) Employed to Produce Antivenom in Young Sheep Using Crotalus durissus terrificus and Apis mellifera Venoms Detoxified by Cobalt-60

Equine antivenom is considered the only treatment for animal-generated envenomations, but it is costly. The study aimed to produce Apis mellifera (Africanized honeybee) and Crotalus durissus terrificus (C.d.t.) antivenoms using nanostructured silica (SBA-15) as adjuvant and cobalt-60 (60Co)-detoxified venoms utilizing young sheep. Natural and 60Co-irradiated venoms were employed in four different hyperimmunization protocols. Thus, 8 groups of 60- to 90-d-old sheep were hyperimmunized, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) serum titers collected every 14 d were assessed clinically daily, and individual weight were measured, until d 84. Incomplete Freund's (IFA) and nanostructured silica (SBA15) adjuvants were compared. The lethal dose (LD50) for both venoms was determined following intraperitoneal (ip) administration to mice. High-performance liquid chromatography on reversed phase (HPLC-RP) was used also to measure the 60Co irradiation effects on Apis venom. At the end of the study, sheep were killed in a slaughterhouse. Kidneys were histologically analyzed. LD50 was 5.97 mg/kg Apis and 0.07 mg/kg C.d.t. for native compared to 13.44 mg/kg Apis and 0.35 mg/kg C.d.t. for irradiated venoms. HPLC revealed significant differences in chromatographic profiles between native and irradiated Apis venoms. Native venom plus IFA compared with SBA-15 showed significantly higher antibody titers for both venoms. Apis-irradiated venom plus IFA or SBA-15 displayed similar antibody titers but were significantly lower when compared with native venom plus IFA. Weight gain did not differ significantly among all groups. 60Co irradiation decreased toxicity and maintained venom immunogenic capacity, while IFA produced higher antibody titers. SBA-15 was able to act as an adjuvant without producing adverse effects. Hyperimmunization did not affect sheep weight gain, which would considerably reduce the cost of antiserum production, as these sheep were still approved for human consumption even after being subjected to hyperimmunization.

Influence of Bioactive Glass and/or Acellular Dermal Matrix on Bone Healing of Surgically Created Defects in Rat Tibiae: A Histological and Histometric Study

The purpose of this study was to histologically analyze the influence of bioactive glass and/or acellular dermal matrix on bone healing in surgically created defects in the tibiae of 64 rats (Rattus norvegicus, albinus, Wistar). Materials and Methods: A 4-mm X 3-mm unicortical defect was created on the anterolateral surface of the tibia. Animals were divided into 4 groups: C, control; BG, the defect was filled with bioactive glass; ADM, the defect was covered with acellular dermal matrix; and BG/ADM, the defect was filled with bioactive glass and covered with acellular dermal matrix. Animals were sacrificed at 10 or 30 days postoperatively, and the specimens were removed for histologic processing. The formation of new bone in the cortical area of the defect was evaluated histomorphometrically. Results: At 10 and 30 days postoperatively, groups C (39.65% +/- 5.63% / 63.34% +/- 5.22%) and ADM (38.12% +/- 5.53 / 58.96% +/- 7.05%) presented a larger amount of bone formation compared to the other groups (P<.05). In the same periods, groups BG (13.10% +/- 6.29% / 29.5% +/- 5.56%) and BG/ADM (20.72% +/- 8.31% / 24.19% +/- 6.69%) exhibited statistically similar new bone formation. However, unlike the other groups, group BG/ADM did not present a significant increase in bone formation between the 2 time points. Conclusion: Based on these results, it can be concluded that all of the materials used in this study delayed bone healing in non-critical-size defects. INT J ORAL MAXILLOFAC IMPLANTS 2008;23:811-817

Low-power laser irradiation improves histomorphometrical parameters and bone matrix organization during tibia wound healing in rats

The influence of daily energy doses of 0.03, 0.3 and 0.9 J of He-Ne laser irradiation on the repair of surgically produced tibia damage was investigated in Wistar rats. Laser treatment was initiated 24 h after the trauma and continued daily for 7 or 14 days in two groups of nine rats (n=3 per laser dose and period). Two control groups (n=9 each) with injured tibiae were used. The course of healing was monitored using morphometrical analysis of the trabecular area. The organization of collagen fibers in the bone matrix and the histology of the tissue were evaluated using Picrosirius-polarization method and Masson's trichrome. After 7 days, there was a significant increase in the area of neoformed trabeculae in tibiae irradiated with 0.3 and 0.9 J compared to the controls. At a daily dose of 0.9 J (15 min of irradiation per day) the 7-day group showed a significant increase in trabecular bone growth compared to the 14-day group. However, the laser irradiation at the daily dose of 0.3 J produced no significant decrease in the trabecular area of the 14-day group compared to the 7-day group, but there was significant increase in the trabecular area of the 15-day controls compared to the 8-day controls. Irradiation increased the number of hypertrophic osteoclasts compared to non-irradiated injured tibiae (controls) on days 8 and 15. The Picrosirius-polarization method revealed bands of parallel collagen fibers (parallel-fibered bone) at the repair site of 14-day-irradiated tibiae, regardless of the dose. This organization improved when compared to 7-day-irradiated tibiae and control tibiae. These results show that low-level laser therapy stimulated the growth of the trabecular area and the concomitant invasion of osteoclasts during the first week, and hastened the organization of matrix collagen (parallel alignment of the fibers) in a second phase not seen in control, non-irradiated tibiae at the same period. The active osteoclasts that invaded the regenerating site were probably responsible for the decrease in trabecular area by the fourteenth day of irradiation. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of multiple firing and silica deposition on the zirconia-porcelain interfacial bond strength

Objectives. To test the hypothesis that multiple firing and silica deposition on the zirconia surface influence the bond strength to porcelain.Materials and methods. Specimens were cut from yttria-stabilized zirconia blocks and sintered. Half of the specimens (group S) were silica coated (physical vapor deposition (PVD)) via reactive magnetron sputtering before porcelain veneering. The remaining specimens (group N) had no treatment before veneering. The contact angle before and after silica deposition was measured. Porcelain was applied on all specimens and submitted to two (N2 and S2) or three firing cycles (N3 and S3). The resulting porcelain-zirconia blocks were sectioned to obtain bar-shaped specimens with 1 mm(2) of cross-sectional area. Specimens were attached to a universal testing machine and tested in tension until fracture. Fractured surfaces were examined using optical microscopy. Data were statistically analyzed using two-way ANOVA, Tukey's test (alpha = 0.05) and Weibull analysis.Results. Specimens submitted to three firing cycles (N3 and S3) showed higher mean bond strength values than specimens fired twice (N2 and S2). Mean contact angle was lower for specimens with silica layer, but it had no effect on bond strength. Most fractures initiated at porcelain-zirconia interface and propagated through the porcelain.Significance. The molecular deposition of silica on the zirconia surface had no influence on bond strength to porcelain, while the number of porcelain firing cycles significantly affected the bond strength of the ceramic system, partially accepting the study hypothesis. Yet, the Weibull modulus values of S groups were significantly greater than the m values of N groups. (C) 2012 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Modified Korteweg-de Vries hierarchy with hodograph transformation: Camassa-Holm and Harry-Dym hierarchies

In this paper, we present relations between Camassa-Holm (CH), Harry-Dym (HD) and modified Korteweg-de Vries (mKdV) hierarchies, which are given by the hodograph type transformation. (C) 2001 IMACS. Published by Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Eletrodo de pasta de carbono em minicavidade de contato sólido

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Chemical vapor deposition of multi-walled carbon nanotubes from nickel/yttria-stabilized zirconia catalysts

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) were produced by chemical vapor deposition using yttria-stabilized zirconia/nickel (YSZ/Ni) catalysts. The catalysts were obtained by a liquid mixture technique that resulted in fine dispersed nanoparticles of NiO supported in the YSZ matrix. High quality MWNT having smooth walls, few defects, and low amounts of by-products such as amorphous carbon were obtained, even from catalysts with large Ni concentrations (> 50 wt.%). By adjusting the experimental parameters, such as flux of the carbon precursor (ethylene) and Ni concentration, both the MWNT morphology and the process yield could be controlled. The resulting YSZ/Ni/MWNT composites can be interesting due to their mixed ionic-electronic transport properties, which could be useful in electrochemical applications.

Structure of magnetic poly(oxyethylene)-siloxane nanohybrids doped with Fe-II and Fe-III

Hybrid organic - inorganic nanocomposites doped with Fe-II and Fe-III ions and exhibiting interesting magnetic properties have been obtained by the sol - gel process. The hybrid matrix of these ormosils ( organically modified silicates), classed as di-ureasils and termed U( 2000), is composed of poly( oxyethylene) chains of variable length grafted to siloxane groups by means of urea crosslinkages. Iron perchlorate and iron nitrate were incorporated in the diureasil matrices, leading to compositions within the range 80 greater than or equal to n greater than or equal to 10, n being the molar ratio of ether-type O atoms per cation. The structure of the doped diureasils was investigated by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). For Fe-II-doped samples, SAXS results suggest the existence of a two-level hierarchical structure. The primary level is composed of spatially correlated siloxane clusters embedded in the polymeric matrix and the secondary, coarser level consists of domains where the siloxane clusters are segregated. The structure of Fe-III-doped hybrids is different, revealing the existence of iron oxide based nanoclusters, identified as ferrihydrite by wide-angle X-ray diffraction, dispersed in the hybrid matrix. The magnetic susceptibility of these materials was determined by zero-field-cooling and field-cooling procedures as functions of both temperature and field. The different magnetic features between Fe-II- and Fe-III-doped samples are consistent with the structural differences revealed by SAXS. While Fe-II-doped composites exhibit a paramagnetic Curie-type behaviour, hybrids containing Fe-III ions show thermal and field irreversibilities.

Influence of moisture absorption on mechanical behaviour of composites

Because of their application that normally demands high mechanical strength combined with low weight, the fibre/matrix interface became an important parameter concerning structural life. The problem of moisture absorption in materials has received attention in experimental studies on a composite systems as well as from a theorical point of view. The fibre/matrix interface plays an important role in the structural behaviour of composites due to the fact that load transfer from matrix to reinforce occurs at the interface. In this case the study of compatibility of fibre/matrix/environmental is essential to ensure a product that attend structural objectives, many times without failure possibilities. The composite used in this investigation is the carbon fibre/matrix epoxy composite, which was immersed in sea water standard during 94 days at 60 degrees C, submitted to tensile and compressive tests to study the influence of moisture absorption on mechanical behaviour. The interface was investigated through fracture surface analysis by SEM and a strong interface and a good adhesion fibre/matrix was observed.

Determination of the relative contribution of phenolic antioxidants in orange juice by voltammetric methods

The electrochemical oxidation of caffeic, chlorogenic, sinapic, ferulic and p-coumaric acids was investigated by cyclic voltammetry on acetate buffer pH 5.6 on glassy carbon electrode and modified glassy carbon electrode. According to their voltammetric behavior, the antioxidant activity of these phenolic acids was evaluated and the results pointed to the following sequence: caffeic acid (E-a = +0.31 V) > chlorogenic acid (+ 0.38 V) > sinapic acid (+ 0.45 V) > ferulic acid (+ 0.53 V) >p-coumaric acid (+ 0.73 V). The results were confirmed by DPPH test, which evidenced the strongest antiradical activity for compounds possessing the cathecol moiety (caffeic and chlorogenic acids). Linear calibration graphs were obtained for their determination at concentrations from 1 x 10(-4) to 1 x 10(-3) mol L-1. The method was applied to orange juice. Selectivity was illustrated by the analysis of caffeic and chlorogenic acids electrodeposited on a glassy carbon electrode previously modified by electrochemical activation in the presence of ascorbic acid. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of hygrothermal effects on the shear properties of Carall composites

Fiber metal laminates are the frontline materials for aeronautical and space structures. These composites consists of layers of 2024-T3-aluminum alloy and composite prepreg layers. When the composite layer is a carbon fiber prepreg, the fiber metal laminate, named Carall, offers significant improvements over current available materials for aircraft structures. While weight reduction and improved damage tolerance characteristics were the prime drivers to develop this new family of materials, it turns out that they have additional benefits, which become more and more important for today's designers, such as cost reduction and improved safety. The degradation of composites is due to environmental effects mainly on the chemical and/or physical properties of the polymer matrix leading to loss of adhesion of fiber/resin interface. Also, the reduction of fiber strength and stiffness are expected due to environmental degradation. Changes in interface/interphase properties leads to more pronounced changes in shear properties than any other mechanical properties. In this work, the influence of moisture in shear properties of carbon fiber/epoxy composites and Carall have been investigated by using interlaminar shear (ILSS) and Iosipescu tests. It was observed that hygrothermal conditioning reduces the Iosipescu shear strength of CF/E and Carall composites due to the moisture absorption in these materials. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Adsorption of chromium(VI) by titanium(IV) oxide coated on a silica gel surface

Titanium(IV) oxide, coated on the surface of silica gel (surface area, 308 m2 g-1; amount of Ti(IV) per gram of modified silica gel, 1.8 x 10(-3) mol), was used to adsorb CrO4(2-) ions from acidic solutions. The exchange capacity increased at lower pH values and was affected to some extent by the acid used. The material was used to preconcentrate Cr(VI) from 0.5 ppm solutions of chromate very efficiently and virtually 100% recovery was achieved in every instance.