Characterization of nickel-niobium composite electrocoatings

The electrodeposition of nickel based composites is been performed in order to improve properties of nickel layers, such as hardness, wear resistance, lubrication, corrosion resistance and catalytic activity. In the present work Nb powders (20 mu m average size) and Ni were codeposited on 1020 carbon steel by galvanostatic electrolysis of Watts bath, using 10, 20 and 40 mA/cm(2) cathodic current density and 240, 400 and 550 rpm electrolyte stirring rate. The morphology and texture of the coatings, Nb incorporated volume fraction, microhardness, adhesion to the substrate and corrosion behavior were evaluated. The Ni-Nb composite layers presented a rough morphology with randomly oriented Ni grains, whereas pure Ni coatings were smooth and showed highly preferred orientation in the [110] or [100] direction. The volume fraction of Nb in the composites determined by image analysis ranged from 8.5 to 19%. The 400 rpm stirring rate led to the highest Nb content (16 to 19016) for all current densities investigated The microhardness of the composite layers was higher than that of pure Ni coatings due to refining of Ni grains induced by incoporation of Nb particles. The adhesion of the coatings estimated qualitatively by bend test was found satisfactory. The Ni-Nb composites presented lower corrosion rate than Ni coatings in both 3% NaCl and 20% H2SO4 solutions.

Composite materials obtained from textile fiber residue

This article presents the use of fibers residue from textile industry to minimize environmental problems associated with material accumulation. Composite materials utilizing textile fiber residues and high density polyethylene were prepared. Effect of treatment with hot water on fibers to prepare composites was studied to provide an improvement in mechanical properties of these materials. This treatment on fibers was evaluated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Experimental results of mechanical properties indicated higher mechanical strength for treated fiber composites compared to the untreated fiber composites.

Electrodeposition and characterization of Cu-Nb composite coatings

Copper coatings containing well-distributed Nb particles were obtained by co-electrodeposition in an acidic sulfate bath. Nb particle concentration in the bath was the most significant factor for the incorporation of Nb particles in copper, followed by stirring rate, whereas current density presented low significance. High Nb particle concentration and low stirring rate led to a higher incorporated Nb particle content. The microhardness of the composite layers was higher than that of pure copper deposits obtained under the same conditions due to copper matrix grain refinement and increased with the increase of both current density and incorporated Nb particle volume fraction. The corrosion resistance of Cu-Nb composites in 0.5 wt.% H(2)SO(4) solution at room temperature was higher than that of pure copper and increased with the increase of the Nb content. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Obtaining and stability verification of superconducting phases of the Nb-Al and Nb-Sn systems by mechanical alloying and low-temperature heat treatments

The development of Nb(3)Al and Nb(3)Sn superconductors is of great interest for the applied superconductivity area. These intermetallics composites are obtained normally by heat treatment reactions at high temperature. Processes that allow formation of the superconducting phases at lower temperatures (<1000 degrees C), particularly for Nb(3)Al, are of great interest. The present work studies phase formation and stability of Nb(3)Al and Nb(3)Sn superconducting phases using mechanical alloying (high energy ball milling). Our main objective was to form composites near stoichiometry, which could be transformed into the superconducting phases using low-temperature heat treatments. High purity Nb-Sn and Nb-Al powders were mixed to generate the required superconducting phases (Nb-25at.%Sn and Nb-25at.%Al) in an argon atmosphere glove-box. After milling in a Fritsch mill, the samples were compressed in a hydraulic uniaxial press and encapsulated in evacuated quartz tubes for heat treatment. The compressed and heat treated samples were characterized using X-ray diffractometry. Microstructure and chemical analysis were accomplished using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometry. Nb(3)Al XRD peaks were observed after the sintering at 800 degrees C for the sample milled for 30 h. Nb(3)Sn XRD peaks could be observed even before the heat treatment. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of bioglass additions on the sintering of Y-TZP bioceramics

The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of bioglass additions on the sintering and mechanical properties of yttria-stabilized zirconia ceramics, Y-TZP Samples containing different bioglass additions, varying between 0 and 30 wt.%, were cold uniaxial pressed at 80 MPa and sintered in air at 1200 degrees C or 1300 degrees C for 120 min. Sintered samples were characterized by X-ray Diffractometry and Scanning Electron Microscopy. Hardness and fracture toughness were determined using Vickers indentation method. As a preliminary biological evaluation, in vitro cytotoxicity tests by Neutral Red Uptake method (using mouse connective tissue cells, NCTC clone L929 from ATCC bank) were realized to determine the cytotoxicity level of ZrO(2)-bioglass ceramics. The increasing of bioglass amount leads to the decreasing of relative density due to martensitic (tetragonal-monoclinic) transformation during cooling of the sintered samples. Y-TZP samples sintered at 1300 degrees C containing 5 wt.% of bioglass presented the best results. with high relative density, hardness and fracture toughness of 11.3 GPa and 6.1 MPa m(1/2), respectively. Furthermore, the un-cytotoxic behavior was observed in all sintering conditions and bioglass amounts used in this study. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Influence of Granulometry and Organic Treatment of a Brazilian Montmorillonite on the Properties of Poly(styrene-co-n-butyl acrylate)/Layered Silicate Nanocomposites Prepared by Miniemulsion Polymerization

The influence of granulometry and organic treatment of a Brazilian montmorillonite (MMT) clay on the synthesis and properties of poly(styrene-co-n-butyl acrylate)/layered silicate nanocomposites was studied. Hybrid latexes of poly(styrene-co-butyl acrylate)/MMT were synthesized via miniemulsion polymerization using either sodium or organically modified MMT. Five clay granulometries ranging from clay particles smaller than 75 mu m to colloidal size were selected. The size of the clay particles was evaluated by Specific surface area measurements (BET). Cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride was used as an organic modifier to enhance the clay compatibility with the monomer phase before polymerization and to improve the clav distribution and dispersion within the polymeric matrix after polymerization. The sodium and organically modified natural clays as well as the composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. The latexes were characterized by dynamic light scattering. The mechanical, thermal, and rheological properties of the composites obtained were characterized by dynamical-mechanical analysis, thermogravimetry, and small amplitude oscillatory, shear tests, respectively. The results showed that smaller the size of the organically modified MMT, the higher the degree of exfoliation of nanoplatelets. Hybrid latexes in presence of Na-MMT resulted in materials with intercalated structures. (C) 2009 Wiley, Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 112: 1949-1958, 2009

Characterization of copper-silicon nitride composite electrocoatings

Silicon nitride particles were incorporated to electrolytic copper by co-electrodeposition in acidic sulfate bath, aiming the improvement of its mechanical resistance. Smooth deposits containing well-distributed silicon nitride particles were obtained. The current density did not show significant influence on incorporated particle volume fraction, whereas the variation of particle concentration in the bath had a more pronounced effect. The microhardness of the composite layers was higher than that of pure copper deposits obtained under the same conditions and increased with the increase of incorporated particle volume fraction. The microhardness of composites also increased with the increase of current density due to copper matrix grain refining. The composite coatings were slightly more corrosion resistant than pure copper deposits in 3.5% NaCl solutions.

Co-electrodeposition and characterization of Cu-Si(3)N(4) composite coatings

Smooth copper coatings containing well-distributed silicon nitride particles were obtained by co-electrodeposition in acidic sulfate bath. The cathodic current density did not show significant influence on incorporated particle volume fraction, whereas the increase of particle concentration in the bath led to its decrease. The increase of stirring rate increased the amount of embedded particles. The microhardness of the composite layers was higher than that of pure copper deposits obtained under the same conditions due to dispersion-strengthening and copper matrix grain refinement and increased with the increase of incorporated particle volume fraction. The microhardness of composites also increased with the increase of current density due to copper matrix grain refining. The composite coatings presented higher strength but lower ductility than pure copper layers. Pure copper and composite coatings showed the same corrosion resistance in 0.5 wt.% H(2)SO(4) solution at room temperature. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Mechanical properties and cytotoxicity of 3Y-TZP bioceramics reinforced with Al(2)O(3) particles

The influence of Al(2)O(3) addition and sintering parameters on the mechanical properties and cytotoxicity of tetragonal ZrO(2)-3 mol% Y(2)O(3) ceramics was evaluated. Samples containing 0, 10, 20 and 30 wt.% of Al(2)O(3) particles were prepared by cold uniaxial pressing (80 MPa) and sintered in air at 1500, 1550 and 1600 degrees C for 120 min. The effects of the sintering conditions on the microstructure were analyzed by X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Hardness and fracture toughness were determined by the Vickers indentation method and the mechanical resistance by four-point bending tests. As a preliminary biological evaluation, ""in vitro"" cytotoxicity tests were realized to determine the cytotoxic level of the ZrO(2)-Al(2)O(3) composites, using the neutral red uptake method with NCTC clones L929 from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) bank. Fully dense ceramic materials were obtained with a hardness ranging between 1340 HV and 1585 HV, depending on the amount of Al(2)O(3) in the ZrO(2) matrix. On the other hand, no significant influence of the Al(2)O(3) addition on fracture toughness was observed, exhibiting values near 8 MPa m(1/2) for all compositions and sintering conditions studied. The non-cytotoxic behavior, the elevated fracture toughness, the good bending strength (sigma(f) = 690 MPa) and the elevated Weibull`s modulus (m = 11) exhibited by the material, show that these ceramic composites are highly suitable biomaterials for dental implant applications. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.

Toughened ZrO2 ceramics sintered with a La2O3-rich glass as additive

In this study, the influence of the glass addition and sintering parameters on the densification and mechanical properties of tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (3Y-TZP) ceramics were evaluated. High-purity tetragonal ZrO2 powder and La2O3-rich glass were used as starting powders. Two compositions based on ZrO2 and containing 5wt.% and 10wt.% of La2O3-rich glass were studied in this work. The starting powders were mixed/milled by planetary milling, dried at 90 degrees C for 24 h, sieved through a 60 mesh screen and uniaxially cold pressed under 80 MPa. The samples were sintered in air at 1200 degrees C, 1300 degrees C, 1400 degrees C for 60 min and at 1450 degrees C for 120 min, with heating and cooling rates of 10 degrees C/min. Sintered samples were characterized by relative density, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanningelectron microscopy (SEM). Hardness and fracture toughness were obtained by Vickers indentation method. Dense sintered samples were obtained for all conditions. Furthermore, only tetragonal-ZrO2 was identified as crystalline phase in sintered samples, independently of the conditions studied. Samples sintered at 1300 degrees C for 60 min presented the optimal mechanical properties with hardness and fracture toughness values near to 12 GPa and 8.5 MPa m(1/2) respectively. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V, All rights reserved.

Infiltration of Al2O3/Y2O3 mix into SiC ceramic preforms

Silicon carbide ceramics are very interesting materials to engineering applications because of their properties. These ceramics are produced by liquid phase sintering (LPS), where elevated temperature and time are necessary, and generally form volatile products that promote defects and damage their mechanical properties. In this work was studied the infiltration process to produce SiC ceramics, using shorter time and temperature than LPS, thereby reducing the undesirable chemical reactions. SiC powder was pressed at 300 MPa and pre-sintered at 1550 degrees C for 30 min. Unidirectional and spontaneous infiltration of this preform by Al2O3/Y2O3 liquid was done at 1850 degrees C for 5, 10, 30 and 60 min. The kinetics of infiltration was studied, and the infiltration equilibrium happened when the liquid infiltrated 12 mm into perform. The microstructures show grains of the SiC surrounded by infiltrated additives. The hardness and fracture toughness are similar to conventional SiC ceramics obtained by LPS. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.

Effective Electromechanical Coupling Coefficients of Piezoelectric Adaptive Structures: Critical Evaluation and Optimization

This work presents a critical analysis of methodologies to evaluate the effective (or generalized) electromechanical coupling coefficient (EMCC) for structures with piezoelectric elements. First, a review of several existing methodologies to evaluate material and effective EMCC is presented. To illustrate the methodologies, a comparison is made between numerical, analytical and experimental results for two simple structures: a cantilever beam with bonded extension piezoelectric patches and a simply-supported sandwich beam with an embedded shear piezoceramic. An analysis of the electric charge cancelation effect on the effective EMCC observed in long piezoelectric patches is performed. It confirms the importance of reinforcing the electrodes equipotentiality condition in the finite element model. Its results indicate also that smaller (segmented) and independent piezoelectric patches could be more interesting for energy conversion efficiency. Then, parametric analyses and optimization are performed for a cantilever sandwich beam with several embedded shear piezoceramic patches. Results indicate that to fully benefit from the higher material coupling of shear piezoceramic patches, attention must be paid to the configuration design so that the shear strains in the patches are maximized. In particular, effective square EMCC values higher than 1% were obtained embedding nine well-spaced short piezoceramic patches in an aluminum/foam/aluminum sandwich beam.

Failure analysis of low velocity impact on thin composite laminates: Experimental and numerical approaches

The dynamic behavior of composite laminates is very complex because there are many concurrent phenomena during composite laminate failure under impact load. Fiber breakage, delaminations, matrix cracking, plastic deformations due to contact and large displacements are some effects which should be considered when a structure made from composite material is impacted by a foreign object. Thus, an investigation of the low velocity impact on laminated composite thin disks of epoxy resin reinforced by carbon fiber is presented. The influence of stacking sequence and energy impact was investigated using load-time histories, displacement-time histories and energy-time histories as well as images from NDE. Indentation tests results were compared to dynamic results, verifying the inertia effects when thin composite laminate was impacted by foreign object with low velocity. Finite element analysis (FEA) was developed, using Hill`s model and material models implemented by UMAT (User Material Subroutine) into software ABAQUS (TM), in order to simulate the failure mechanisms under indentation tests. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Reliability-based evaluation of design code provisions for circular concrete-filled steel columns

This paper presents an investigation of design code provisions for steel-concrete composite columns. The study covers the national building codes of United States, Canada and Brazil, and the transnational EUROCODE. The study is based on experimental results of 93 axially loaded concrete-filled tubular steel columns. This includes 36 unpublished, full scale experimental results by the authors and 57 results from the literature. The error of resistance models is determined by comparing experimental results for ultimate loads with code-predicted column resistances. Regression analysis is used to describe the variation of model error with column slenderness and to describe model uncertainty. The paper shows that Canadian and European codes are able to predict mean column resistance, since resistance models of these codes present detailed formulations for concrete confinement by a steel tube. ANSI/AISC and Brazilian codes have limited allowance for concrete confinement, and become very conservative for short columns. Reliability analysis is used to evaluate the safety level of code provisions. Reliability analysis includes model error and other random problem parameters like steel and concrete strengths, and dead and live loads. Design code provisions are evaluated in terms of sufficient and uniform reliability criteria. Results show that the four design codes studied provide uniform reliability, with the Canadian code being best in achieving this goal. This is a result of a well balanced code, both in terms of load combinations and resistance model. The European code is less successful in providing uniform reliability, a consequence of the partial factors used in load combinations. The paper also shows that reliability indexes of columns designed according to European code can be as low as 2.2, which is quite below target reliability levels of EUROCODE. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of fibre morphology on flocculation of fibre-cement suspensions

The objective of the present research was to evaluate the effect of fibre morphology (e.g., length, width, fibrillation, broken ends, content of fines and number of fibres per gram) on flocculation and drainage properties of fibre-cement suspensions and on physical properties of the fibre-cement composites. Mechanical refining was used to change the morphological properties of Eucalyptus and Pinus pulps. Results show that the mechanical refining increased the size of the formed flocs and decreased the concentration of free small particles (with dimensions between 1 and 20 pm) as a consequence of the increased fibrillation and content of fines, which increased the capacity of the fibres to capture the mineral particles. High levels of refining were necessary for Pinus pulp to obtain cement retention values similar to those obtained by unrefined Eucalyptus pulp. This is due to the higher number of fibres per gram in Eucalyptus pulp than in Pinus pulp. Pulp refining improved the packing of the particles and, although decreased the drainage rate. it contributed to a less porous structure, which improved the microstructure of the composite. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.