Detection of cracks in scratching tests in ceramic materials through acoustic emission

The mechanisms of material removal and the interactions among scratches performed in ceramic materials were investigated using acoustic emission signals, and scanning electron microscopy, in scratching experiments. Several testing conditions were used to produce different types of removing mechanism on a glass as well as on a polycrystalline alumina sample composed by heterogeneous grain size. It is known that the material removing process on a polycrystalline ceramic involves intergranular microfracture and grain dislodgement, unlike the chipping produced by the extension of lateral cracks in non-granular materials, such as glass. Distinct settings for velocities, loads, and two types of diamond indenter were tested. The material removal was carried out by three different methods of scratching: single passes, repeated overlapping passes, and parallel scratches. As a general result, there was a clear relationship between the acoustic emission signals and the damage intensity occurred in the material removal. More specifically, there were differences in the acoustic emission signal levels in the scratches made on the alumina and on the glass owing to the material removal mechanisms associated with the structure of these materials. A gradual increase in the acoustic emission levels was observed when the number of repeated passes was increased as a result of the damage accumulation process followed by severe material removal. It was also noticed that the acoustic emission signals were capable of reflecting the interactions between two parallel scratches.

PET containers in Brazil: Opportunities and challenges of a logistics model for post-consumer waste recycling

The use of post-consumer materials is directly related to reducing the cost of production and extraction of natural resources. Non-recyclable materials are randomly disposed in the environment. Brazil is one of the largest consumers of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles. The purpose of this paper is to describe the opportunities and challenges of the logistics model for post-consumer PET bottle recycling in Brazil, while providing knowledge of its practices along the recycling chain. The results describe the need to educate those directly and indirectly involved in the process: to reduce consumption in order to reduce the amount of waste generated: to structure the post-consumer reverse chain and engage industrial sectors and government, through public policies, to support cleaner technologies along the PET bottle production chain. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Variables Involved in the Planting of Rice in the Rice Husk

Rice production in Brazil in 2010 was approximately 12,2 million tons, and to reach that amount several planting techniques were used with different strains of rice in different rice-growing areas. Since Rice Husk Ash (RHA) is the pozzolan of vegetable origin most studied by researchers working in the area of pozzolanic materials, the present paper evaluates the influence that the form of planting, the climate, the soil, the strain of rice and the origin/amount of nitrogen-based fertilizers used in rice cultivation has on the chemical composition and crystallographic properties of RHA. The results obtained in this paper, confirm the importance of carrying out routine chemical analysis and X-Ray diffraction to maintain the quality control of the CCAs produced, because in situations of large-scale production, husks of different origins may be used.

Defense reactions of Dermatobia hominis (Diptera : Cuterebridae) larval hemocytes

The defense reactions against biological (Histoplasma capsulatum and Escherichia coli) and non-biological materials (China ink and nylon thread) were tested in vivo in third instar larvae of Dermatobia hominis. The cellular defense performed by larval hemocytes was observed under electron microscopy. China ink particles were phagocytosed by granular cells 5 h after injection. E. coli cells were internalized by granular cells as early as 5 min after injection and totally cleared 180 min post-injection, when many hemocytes appeared disintegrated and others in process of recovering. H. capsulatum yeasts provoked, 24 h after being injected, the beginning of nodule formation. Nylon thread was encapsulated 24 h after the introduction into the hemocoel. Our results suggest that granular cells were the phagocytic cells and also the responsible for the triggering of nodule and capsule formation. In the presence of yeasts cells and nylon thread, they released their granules that chemotactically attracted the plasmatocytes that on their turn, flattened to surround and isolate the foreign material.

Alternatives Panels from Waste Plastics Reinforced With Fibers of Pupunha Palm for Use in Civil Construction and Furniture Industry

In order to cooperate in minimizing the problems of the current and growing volume of waste, this work aims at the production of panels made from industrial waste -thermoplastic (Polypropylene - PP; Polyethylene - PE and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene - ABS) reinforced with agro-industrial waste - pupunha palm waste (shells and sheaths). The properties of the panels were evaluated: density, thickness swelling, water absorption and moisture content. It was used the ASTM D1037; EN 317; and ANSI A208.1 standards regarding particle boards. The best results in physical tests were treatments 1 (100% waste plastic), 6 (60% plastic waste and 40% waste of pupunha) and 7 (70% waste plastic and 30% waste of pupunha). The best results in the mechanical tests were treatments 3 (30% de residuos plasticos e 70% de residuos da pupunha), 4 (40% de residuos plasticos c 60% de residuos da pupunha) and 5 (50% de residuos plasticos e 50% de residuos da pupunha). For mechanical tests it was concluded that the results of modulus of rupture and of modulus of elasticity the best treatments were those with more fibers. In the tensile tests perpendicular to the surface, it is clear that using more waste plastics leads to the best results. It was concluded that the waste can be used as raw material for the production of alternative materials mainly in civil construction and furniture industries, and it can be employed in urban or rural environment, given the concept of eco-efficient products.

Intense and broad photoluminescence at room temperature in structurally disordered Ba[Zr0.25Ti0.75]O-3 powders: An experimental/theoretical correlation

Intense and broad photoluminescence (PL) emission at room temperature was observed on structurally disordered Ba[Zr0.25Ti0.75]O-3 (BZT) powders synthesized by the polymeric precursor method. BZT powders were annealed at 573 K for different times and at 973 K for 2 h in oxygen atmosphere. The single-phase cubic perovskite structure of the powder annealed at 973 K for 2 It was identified by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform Raman techniques. PL emission increased with the increase of annealing time, which reached its maximum value in the powder annealed at 573 K for 192 h. First principles quantum mechanical calculations based on density functional theory (B3LYP level) were employed to study the electronic structure of ordered and disordered models. The theoretical calculations and experimental measurements of Ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy indicate that the presence of intermediary energy levels in the band gap is favorable for the intense and broad PL emission at room temperature in disordered BZT powders. The PL behavior is probably due the existence of a charge gradient on the disordered structure, denoted by means of a charge transfer process from [TiO5]-[ZrO6] or [TiO6]-[ZrO5] clusters to [TiO6]-[ZrO6] clusters. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

HMDSO plasma polymerization and thin film optical properties

Thin films were deposited from hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) in a glow discharge supplied with radiofrequency (rf) power. Actino-metric optical emission spectroscopy was used to follow trends in the plasma concentrations of the species SiH (414.2 nm), CH (431.4 nm), CO (520.0 nm), and H (656.3 nm) as a function of the applied rf power (range 5 to 35 W). Transmission infrared spectroscopy (IRS) was employed to characterize the molecular structure of the polymer, showing the presence of Si-H, Si-O-Si, Si-O-C and C-H groups. The deposition rate, determined by optical interferometry, ranged from 60 to 130 nm/min. Optical properties were determined from transmission ultra violet-visible spectroscopy (UVS) data. The absorption coefficient α, the refractive index n, and the optical gap E04 of the polymer films were calculated as a function of the applied power. The refractive index at a photon energy of 1 eV varied from 1.45 to 1.55, depending on the rf power used for the deposition. The absorption coefficient showed an absorption edge similar to other non-crystalline materials, amorphous hydrogenated carbon, and semiconductors. For our samples, we define as an optical gap, the photon energy E04 corresponding to the energy at an absorption of 104 cm-1. The values of E04 decreased from 5.3 to 4.6 as the rf power was increased from 5 to 35 W. © 1995.

Caracterizacion metalografica de aleaciones metalicas utilizadas como biomateriales en implantes quirurgicos

In this work, the chemical structure, the microstructure and the surface morphology of two non-ferrous materials used in dental implants (Ti-6Al-4V and Co-Cr-Mo) were studied. This was done by chemical analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy disperse spectroscopy (EDS), and strength measurements (HV). Metallographic studies reveal that titanium alloy surface present a fine granular binary phase structure, while cobalt alloy present cast dendrite structures with an intense precipitation of carbides. To correlate the macro and microstructure with the mechanical behavior of the material, microhardness measurements were performed. Using the Vickers hardening method, the Ti-6Al-4V alloy yielded strength mean values smaller than the Co-Cr-Mo alloy. Their values are associated to the chemical composition and to the microstructural distribution of these materials. The Ti-6Al-4V alloy presents hardness similar to dental enamel, which suggests better performance as dental implant.

Color stability after accelerated aging of two silicones, pigmented or not, for use in facial prostheses

One of the greatest challenges faced by buccomaxillofacial prosthetists is to reproduce the patient's exact skin color and provide adequate esthetics. To reach this objective, professionals must use materials with easy characterization and that maintain color over long periods of time. The objective of this study was, thus, to evaluate the color stability of two types of silicones, Silastic 732 and Silastic MDX4-4210. Twenty-four test specimens were made from each type of silicone and were divided into a colorless group and groups intrinsically pigmented with ceramics, cosmetics or iron oxide. The specimens were submitted to an accelerated system of aging for non-metallic materials. Readings were carried out initially and after periods corresponding to 163, 351, 692 and 1,000 hours of aging, using a reflection spectrophotometer analysis, and color alterations were calculated by the CIE L*a*b* system. The data were submitted to variance analysis and Tukey's test at a 5% level of probability. The results demonstrated that, irrespective of the period of time analyzed, all the materials underwent some type of chromatic alteration (ΔE > 0). The test specimens made with Silastic 732 and MDX4-4210, without pigmentation, presented the lowest color alteration values after 1,000 hours of aging. Of the pigments, ceramic presented the lowest color alteration values and cosmetic powder presented the highest values. Thus, it may be concluded that the materials without the incorporation of pigments presented similar color alteration values, and did not differ statistically. The cosmetic powder used in this study was the pigment that most altered the color of the test specimens. © 2009 Sociedade Brasileira de Pesquisa Odontológica.

Efeito do condicionamento ambiental em compósitos soldados de PPS/fibras contínuas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Estudo da usinagem por torneamento de ligas de alumínio

The non-ferrous materials have got so many mechanical, physical and chemical advantageous properties so that is provided to them consolidated position in industry. In this context, aluminium alloys have been seen a lot on many applications of engineering areas – specially on automotive, aeronautical and aerospace due to their main properties such as low density, high corrosion resistance, favorable structure weight / material resistance relation, among others characteristics that are mencioned through this study. This study aims to analyze the aluminium alloys behavior on a general context when they are used on turning process, taking for examples the 6262 and 7050 aluminium alloys. In this way, the analysis studies the datas obtained during the turning tests realized on 3 steps each one; those datas are concerning the medium and total rugosities – obtained with the assistance of a portable Surface Roughness Finish Tester, as well as the chips obtained during the tests - visual analysis, and the cutting tools wear – with the assistance of an optical microscope, under different conditions of application of cutting fluids (dry machining, application of coolant in abundance and MQL – Minimum Quantity of Lubricant). The results concerning this study show detailed information about influence of cutting fluids on the machining by turning of the aluminium alloys related on this work and also about aluminium alloys in general when they are used on turning processes with different conditions from one another. By this way, it was evident the MQL technique is the best one for the 6262 alloy. However, for 7050 alloy, it was evident that the dry machining is responsible for the best results

Analise dos esforços de laminação no dimensionamento de um laminador de bancada

The industry produces rolled, starting to and passing through casting forming processes, for example, in the case in question the rolling. A large portion of rolled products are flat, these have specific characteristics during their production and properties after finished that must be analyzed. For this a study of these properties must be made in materials samples, in order to be able to first know the material in question or provide new properties to the material through the process of rolling flat products. In this way is interesting that the students of mechanical engineering have knowledge of rolling trials, and from this can better understand the behavior of rolled. With this purpose the project of a benchtop rolling mill for the rolling of flat is needed, this work is the project of a sizing of one rolling mill non-ferrous materials

Aplicação da logística reversa como solução para gestão dos resíduos eletrônicos

The present study aimed to analyze how develops the reverse logistics process applied in electrical and electronic products. Such analysis was obtained through literature search and with the completion of a case study, which was developed at the company's Oxil Reverse Manufacture, showing the advantages obtained as well as the difficulties faced in the implementation of the reverse logistics process. The development of this research shows its importance in so far as the residues generated by electronic components, which are one of the most harmful to the environment and harmful to human health, highly possessing heavy metals and non-biodegradable materials in their composition. In this way, the components collected from this activity, should be properly recycled, reused and finally housed in suitable location, these steps that are part of the reverse logistics process

Avaliação das características físico-químicas e microbiológicas dos componentes fibrosos obtidos da moagem úmida de grãos de milho

Fibers are non-digestible materials by human organism, and they are insoluble in specific conditions. The corn fiber has been used as an alternative to enrich the food products for human consumption, in order to add nutritious value to this co-product. This study aimed at determining the chemical and fractions components of corn fiber, extracted by semi-wet milling in laboratory (LabF), and by semi-humid milling in industrial process (IndF); and microbiological analyses were perform in the last fraction. The fiber composition differed significantly among these two products as to moisture, ash, lipids, proteins, insoluble dietary fiber, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), cellulose and lignin contents. The sample IndF showed microbiological parameters in compliance with the specifications for consumption. The investigated corn fiber may effectively contribute to increase the fiber intake in the diet. As the industrially processed fiber (IndF) showed compliant microbiological parameters with the specifications for food, this component might be incorporated into the food products formulation.

Efeito do tratamento alcalino da fibra na resistência mecânica do compósito epóxi/capim-sapê

Due to growing concerns for reducing environmental damage caused by the use of non-renewable raw materials, there is a growing demand for research related to aggregate technology with environmental preservation. Thus, the use of non-renewable materials and less aggressive materials has been gaining attention. About composite materials, the exchange of synthetic fibers by natural fibers, especially vegetable fiber as reinforcement, has been increasing, due to its physical-chemical properties such as mechanical strength, nontoxic, low cost, low density, processing flexibility, non-abrasive to the process equipment, requiring simple surface treatments, etc. This objective was to process composites reinforced with long fibers of sapegrass in epoxy matrix and characterize the composites through mechanical tests. Three groups of composites were prepared according to the treatment received by the reinforcement: without treatment, alkali treatment at concentration of 5% w/v and alkali treatment at 10% w/v concentration. The materials were analyzed by tensile and flexural, and tests also optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results were statistically analyzed. As the main result, the alkali treatment of 5% in the sapegrass fibers increases the tensile and flexural strength, as a consequence of the improve adhesion between matrix and reinforcement