Preparation and Application of the Hydrophilic Amino-Silicone Softener by Emulsion Polymerization

The amino poly-siloxane was modified with self-made polyether silicones by the crafts of emulsion polymerization. We studied the emulsifier, the dosage of emulsifier initiator, polyether/silane coupling agent, pH value. There are some results of the research indicated in the following. First, there are many factors for the hydrophilic amino-silicone softener both on the polymerization process and the performance, such as the proportion and amount of emulsifier, initiator dosage, the mass ratio of the polyether and hydrogen silicone oil, the choice of silicone coupling agent, and the ratio and dosage of polyether silicones silane coupling agent. Second, the amount of hydrogen of the hydrogen silicones and the choice of catalyst are the key points on the synthesis of polyether silicones. The amount of hydrogen should be low and the catalyst must be economical and efficient and its introduction should be small and times, other more the holding time is not too long. The next one is that, in the process of hydrolysis of silane coupling agent, we need some acid to adjust pH value, or they will be broken down. The most important one but not the last is that the epoxy group can improve the products low-temperature supple and the persistence of the finishing fabric, furthermore it can reduce yellowing and has a good stability of the inorganic salt, however, it will be destroyed if the reaction temperature for epoxy is too high. What’s more, it is very economical and environmental that the process of emulsion is simple and with less emulsifier.

Observation of a Chemical Softener’s Effects on Stem-Specific Lignocellulosic <i>Brassica napus</i>(Type: Canola) (Cultivar: HYHEAR 3) Fiber Quality

Chemical softener (Cepreton UN) is used to soften the cellulosic fiber (cotton) in the textile industries to make clothes better to touch. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of Cepreton UN on both physical (length, aspect ratio, contact angle, and moisture regain) and mechanical (load at break, elongation at break, tensile stress, young’s modulus, and tenacity) properties of the lignocellulosic canola (HYREAR 3) fibers extracted from narrow, medium, and wide stems. ANOVA showed that fiber diameter had strong effects on elongation at break, load at break, tensile stress, young’s modulus, and aspect ratio for all fibers. Corrgram values showed that tensile stress, young’s modulus, and aspect ratio were negatively correlated to fiber diameter whereas load at break and tenacity were mostly positively correlated to fiber diameter. The fibers were treated with 2% and 10% Cepreton UN and compared with control fibers. In most cases, the fiber diameter was decreased in both 2% and 10% treated medium stem fibers. The mean values of elongation at break, load at break, tenacity, and contact angle were decreased for 10% and increased for 2% and the mean values of tensile stress, young’s modulus, and aspect ratio were decreased for 2% and increased for 10% treated medium stem fibers. Moisture regain (%) mostly decreased for 2%, and increased for 10% treated fibers. Low pH (4.5) had an almost similar effect on fibers as 2% Cepreton UN. Overall, 2% Cepreton UN treatment is found to be better than 10% to make canola fibers less stiff and low pH was found to be an alternative softener treatment strategy.

Engineering Thermoelectric Performance of α-GeTe by Ferroelectric Distortion

The rhombohedralα-GeTe can be approximated as a slightly distorted rock-salt structure along its[111]direction and possesses superb thermoelectric performance.However,the role of such a ferroelectric-like structural distortion on its transport properties remains unclear.Herein,we performed a systematic study on the crystal structure and electronic band structure evolutions of Ge_(1-x)Sn_(x)Te alloys where the degree of ferroelectric distortion is continuously tuned.It is revealed that the band gap is maximized while multiple valence bands are converged at x=0.6,where the ferroelectric distortion is the least but still works.Once undistorted,the band gap is considerably reduced,and the valence bands are largely separated again.Moreover,near the ferro-to-paraelectric phase transition Curie temperature,the lattice thermal conductivity reaches its minima because of significant lattice softening enabled by ferroelectric instability.We predict a peak ZT value of 2.6 at 673 K inα-GeTe by use of proper dopants which are powerful in suppressing the excess hole concentrations but meanwhile exert little influence on the ferroelectric distortion.

Numerical modelling of post-failure behaviors of coal specimens

A modelling approach consisting of best-fit relations to estimate the post-yield strength parameters is presented for simulating post-peak behavior beyond the point of residual strength of coal pillars having different w/h ratios.The model was developed based on back-analysis of the complete stress-strain behavior of specimens belonging to six different Indian coal seams with different w/h ratios of 0.5 e13.5.It was found that the simultaneous degradation of the cohesion and friction angle of the Mohr-Coulomb rock material characterizes the post-peak strength behavior of the rock.The resulting expressions are simplistic as they require parameters that can be easily determined using uniaxial and triaxial compression results.Eventually,the developed model was validated by simulating the triaxial tests of coal specimens with different sizes under varying confining stresses and comparing its findings with the published test results.The study showed that its implementation in the numerical model could reproduce laboratory-observed mechanical response,deformation behavior,and failure mechanism very closely.

A Simple Urea Approach to N-Dopedα-Mo_(2)C with Enhanced Superconductivity

Chemical doping is a critical factor in the development of new superconductors or optimizing the superconducting transition temperature(T_(c))of the parent superconducting materials.Here,a new simple urea approach is developed to synthesize the N-dopedα-Mo_(2)C.Benefiting from the simple urea method,a broad superconducting dome is found in the Mo_(2)C_(1−x)N_(x)(0≤x≤0.49)compositions.X-ray diffraction results show that the structure of𝛼α-Mo_(2)C remains unchanged and there is a variation of lattice parameters with nitrogen doping.Resistivity,magnetic susceptibility,and heat capacity measurement results confirm that T_(c)was strongly increased from 2.68K(x=0)to 7.05K(x=0.49).First-principles calculations and our analysis indicate that increasing nitrogen doping leads to a rise in the density of states at the Fermi level and doping-induced phonon softening,which enhances electron–phonon coupling.This results in an increase in𝑇T_(c)and a sharp rise in the upper critical field.Our findings provide a promising strategy for fabricating transition metal carbonitrides and provide a material platform for further study of the superconductivity of transition metal carbides.

Low-cycle fatigue behavior of solutionized and aged WE43 magnesium alloys at room temperature

The low-cycle fatigue behavior of solutionized(T4)and aged(T6)WE43 magnesium alloys was studied at room temperature.The total strain amplitudes(△ε_(t)/2)were 0.4%,0.5%,0.6%,0.7%and 1.0%.Detailed microstructure evolution was characterized by scanning electron microscope(SEM),electron backscattered diffraction(EBSD)and transmission electron microscopy(TEM).The results showed that plastic strain amplitude decreased with the increasing cycle number in T4 alloy,which is due to the dense persistent slip bands(PSBs)and dynamic precipitates hinderingdislocation slip.In contrast,the plastic strain amplitude increases gradually in T6 alloy,which is attributed to the enhanced activation of pyramidal slip.The low-cycle fatigue life of T6 alloy with larger fatigue ductility coefficient is longer than that of T4 alloy.The Coffin-Manson model can accurately predict the fatigue life of T4 and T6 alloys compared to Jahed-Varvani(JV)energy model.For T4 alloy,the fatigue damage mechanism was dominated by basal slip.For T6 alloy,the enhanced pyramidal slip plays an important role to accommodate plastic deformation.

A vector sum analysis method for stability evolution of expansive soil slope considering shear zone damage softening

Slope stability analysis is a classical mechanical problem in geotechnical engineering and engineering geology.It is of great significance to study the stability evolution of expansive soil slopes for engineering construction in expansive soil areas.Most of the existing studies evaluate the slope stability by analyzing the limit equilibrium state of the slope,and the analysis method for the stability evolution considering the damage softening of the shear zone is lacking.In this study,the large deformation shear mechanical behavior of expansive soil was investigated by ring shear test.The damage softening characteristic of expansive soil in the shear zone was analyzed,and a shear damage model reflecting the damage softening behavior of expansive soil was derived based on the damage theory.Finally,by skillfully combining the vector sum method and the shear damage model,an analysis method for the stability evolution of the expansive soil slope considering the shear zone damage softening was proposed.The results show that the shear zone subjected to large displacement shear deformation exhibits an obvious damage softening phenomenon.The damage variable equation based on the logistic function can be well used to describe the shear damage characteristics of expansive soil,and the proposed shear damage model is in good agreement with the ring shear test results.The vector sum method considering the damage softening behavior of the shear zone can be well applied to analyze the stability evolution characteristics of the expansive soil slope.The stability factor of the expansive soil slope decreases with the increase of shear displacement,showing an obvious progressive failure behavior.

Alternative splicing of the PECTINESTERASE gene encoding a cell wall-degrading enzyme affects postharvest softening in grape

The firmness of table grape berries is a crucial quality parameter. Despite extensive research on postharvest fruit softening, its precise molecular mechanisms remain elusive. To enhance our comprehension of the underlying molecular factors, we initially identified differentially expressed genes(DEGs) by comparing the transcriptomes of folic acid(FA)-treated and water-treated(CK) berries at different time points. We then analyzed the sequences to detect alternatively spliced(AS) genes associated with postharvest softening. A total of 2,559 DEGs were identified and categorized into four subclusters based on their expression patterns, with subcluster-4 genes exhibiting higher expression in the CK group compared with the FA treatment group. There were 1,045 AS-associated genes specific to FA-treated berries and 1,042 in the CK-treated berries, respectively. Gene Ontology(GO) annotation indicated that the AS-associated genes in CK-treated berries were predominantly enriched in cell wall metabolic processes,particularly cell wall degradation processes. Through a comparison between treatment-associated AS genes and subcluster-4 DEGs, we identified eight genes, including Pectinesterase 2(VvPE2, Vitvi15g00704), which encodes a cell wall-degrading enzyme and was predicted to undergo an A3SS event. The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction further confirmed the presence of a truncated transcript variant of VvPE2 in the FA-treated berries.Our study provides a comprehensive analysis of AS events in postharvest grape berries using transcriptome sequencing and underscores the pivotal role of VvPE2 during the postharvest storage of grape berries.

Influence of thermomechanical treatment on recrystallization and softening resistance of Cu-6.5Fe-0.3Mg alloy

The recrystallization and softening resistance of a Cu-6.5Fe-0.3Mg(mass fraction,%)alloy prepared by Process 1(cold rolling heat treatment)and Process 2(hot/cold rolling heat treatment)were studied using Vickers hardness tests,tensile tests,scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.The softening temperature,hardness and tensile strength of the alloy prepared by Process 2 were 110°C,HV 15 and 114 MPa higher,respectively,than those of the alloy prepared by Process 1 after aging at 300°C.The recrystallization activation energy of the alloys prepared by Process 1 and Process 2 were 72.83 and 98.11 kJ/mol,respectively.The pinning effects of the precipitates of the two alloys on grain boundaries and dislocations were basically the same.The softening mechanism was mainly attributed to the loss of dislocation strengthening.The higher Fe fiber density inhibited the average free migration path of dislocations and grain boundary migration in the alloy,which was the main reason for higher softening temperature of the alloy prepared by Process 2.

Flow softening behavior and microstructure evolution of Al-5Zn-2Mg aluminum alloy during dynamic recovery

The flow stress behavior and microstructure development of Al-5Zn-2Mg （7005） aluminum alloy were studied by hot compression tests at deformation temperatures between 300-500 ＆#176;C and strain rates between 0.05-50 s-1. The deformed structures of the samples were observed by optical microscopy （OM）, transmission electron microscopy （TEM） and electron backscattering diffraction （EBSD） analysis. The calculated activation energy is 147 kJ/mol, which is very close to the activation energy for lattice self-diffusion in aluminum （142 kJ/mol）. Dynamic recovery is the dominant restoration mechanism during the deformation. At high strain rate of 50 s-1, temperature rise due to deformation heating leads to a significant flow softening. Microstructure observations indicated that the remaining softening after deformation heating correction at high strain rate and the softening observed at high temperature are associated with grain coarsening induced by grain boundary migration during dynamic recovery process.

Effect of strain rate and deformation temperature on strain hardening and softening behavior of pure copper

The effects of the deformation temperature and the strain rate on the hot deformation behavior of pure copper were investigated based on compression tests. The expressions of strain hardening rate, dynamic recrystallization critical stress, saturated stress, dynamic recovery volume fraction and dynamic recrystallization volume fraction were determined. According to the processing map, the instability regions occur in regions of 400?450 °C, 0.001?0.05 s?1 and 450?750 °C, 0.05?1 s?1. The deformation mechanism in the stability region is dynamic recrystallization. The flow stress was predicted. The results also show that the true stress–true strain curves predicted by the extracted model are in good agreement with the experimental results.

Effects of Acetylsalicylic Acid (ASA) and Ethylene Treatments onRipening and Softening of Postharvest Kiwifruit

Kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa (A. Chev.) C. F. Liang et A. R. Ferguson cv. Bruno) was used toinvestigate the effects of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, 1.0 mmol/L, pH 3.5) and ethylene (100 mL/L) treat-ments on changes at endogenous salicylic acid (SA) levels and other senescence-related factors duringfruit ripening and softening at 20 ℃. The level of endogenous SA in ripening fruits declined and a closerelationship was observed between the change at endogenous SA level and the rate of fruit ripening andsoftening. ASA treatment elevated SA level in the fruit, slowed down the increases in lipoxygenase (LOX)and allene oxide synthase (AOS) activities, decreased the O22-. production in the preclimacteric phase andthe early phase of ethylene climacteric rise, maintained the stability of cell membrane, inhibited ethylenebiosynthesis, postponed the onset of the ethylene climacteric, and delayed the process of fruit ripeningand softening. On the contrary, application of ethylene to ripening kiwifruit resulted at a lower SA level, anaccelerated increases in the activities of LOX and AOS and the rate of O22-. production, an elevated relativeelectric conductivity and an advanced onset of ethylene climacteric, and a quicker fruit ripening andsoftening. It is suggested that the effects of ASA on ripening kiwifruit can be attributed to its ability toscavenge O22-. and/or to maintain stability of cell membrane.

FEM modeling of softened base metal in narrow-gap joint by CMT+P MIX welding procedure

A required finite element method（FEM） model applicable for narrow gap CMT and CMT＋P MIX welding was established based on the interactions between arc,base metal and filler metal.A novel method of simplifying wire feeding pulses and heat input pulses was supposed under the conduction of equivalent input.The method together with composed double-ellipse heat sources was included in the model.The model was employed in the investigation of thermal cycling and the identification of the softened zone of AA7A52 base plates.Low-frequency behavior emerged in the form of low-cooling rate sects,which were not expected under experimental conditions.The softened zone including the quenched zone and averaging zone of the base plate was much wider internal the base plate than that close to the surfaces.The reliability of the predictions in thermal cycling was supported by infrared imaging test results of the thermal cycle process.

Effects of water hardness on selective flocculation of diasporic bauxite

The effect of electrolyte on settling behavior of kaolinite was studied. Effects of hard water on selective flocculation of diasporic bauxite was tested and the measures were taken to eliminate the effects of Ca2＋ and Mg2＋ in hard water. The results indicated that, not only the concentration of electrolyte ions but also the ionic valence of the electrolyte ions affects the settling behavior of kaolinite; hard water significantly affects its selective flocculation owing to Ca2＋ and Mg2＋; general dispersants could not eliminate the effects of Ca2＋ and Mg2＋. Self-made softening agent in our lab could weaken or eliminate the effects of hard water on flocculation processes. The results of molecular dynamics simulation show that softening agent molecules could restrict Ca2＋ and prevent them from playing their roles, so as to eliminate the effects. The continuous pilot experiment results of bauxite flocculation were even better than those obtained in laboratory.

CENTRIFUGAL TEST STUDY ON THE BEHAVIOR OF SOFT CLAY AT SEA BOTTOM UNDER THE ACTION OF WAVE FORCE

The importance of studying the behavior of the soil at the sea bottom under the action of wave force has arisen with the development of offshore engineering.In this paper,the behavior of the soft clay under the action of wave forces is studied by performing centrifugal tests.The soil profile and the wave characters were simulated in the centrifugal model cell according to the typical environmental conditions of the oil fields in the Bohai gulf.Test results show that the soft clay layer will be seriously softened near the upper surface under the maximum wave height and slightly affected in the deeper layer,and that no liquefaction was recorded in the silty sand sublayer during the test.It is proven that the centrifugal test is a valid technique for simulating the interaction between soil and wave.

Storage stability of SBS modified bitumen based on mixed-level orthogonal array design

The styrene-butadiene-styrene（SBS） modified bitumens with different contents of SBS modifiers are stored in different conditions to study the storage stability of SBS modified bitumen.Mixed-level orthogonal array design（OAD） is used and factors such as SBS modifier content,storage time,storage temperature and container size are chosen in a mixed-level OAD with an OA16（31×44） matrix.Parameters like the separation softening point difference（the separation difference of the ring and ball softening point of the top and bottom samples） and the average softening point（the arithmetic mean of the softening points of the top and bottom samples） are proposed to evaluate the separation and the ageing of modified bitumen during storage in this experiment,respectively.The results reveal that the separation and the ageing during storage exhibit a complicated variation for storage temperature and time.The separation softening point difference decreases with the storage temperature rising from 20 to 120 ℃ and increases with the temperature exceeding 120 ℃,and the average softening point drops with the storage time being prolonged.Different storage conditions have various effects on the storage stability of SBS modified bitumen.

Heat Resisting Mechanism of Heat-Resisting Aluminum Alloy Conductor and Its Application in Transmission Line

In this paper the heat withstanding mechanism of heat-resisting aluminum alloy conductor is discussed, the types and performance of the conductor and its application on transmission lines are analyzed and introduced, and suggestions on accelerating exploitation and application of the conductor are put forward.

Characterization of dynamic microstructure evolution during hot deformation of Al-4.10Cu-1.42Mg-0.57Mn-0.12Zr alloy

The Al?4.10Cu?1.42Mg?0.57Mn?0.12Zr alloy was compressed to different strains at deformation temperature of 300 oC and strain rate of 10 s?1 on Gleeble?1500 system. The dynamic complex microstructures evolutions were investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The true stress?true strain curves exhibited a peak stress at critical strain, after which the flow stresses decreased monotonically, showing a dynamic flow softening. As the strain increased, the dislocation tangled to cell structure and sub-grain structure, which indicated the occurrence of dynamic recovery during deformation. Dynamic precipitations ofS (Al2CuMg),θ (Al2Cu) and Al3Zr phase were accelerated and coarsened by deformation. ContinuousS phases precipitated in the Al matrix and discontinuousS phases were found to be nucleated near the Al3Zr phase and at the sub-grain boundary. The flow softening mechanism was resulted from the reduction of dislocation density which attributed to dynamic recovery and precipitates coarsening.

关于杭州基坑的黏土软化模型参数研究

在岩土工程设计过程中,Mohr-Coulomb模型由于其力学参数简单易得,且相对贴近土体性质得到广泛采用。近年来虽然有很多更加能贴合土体性质的模型出现,却由于种种原因始终不如MohrCoulomb模型运用如此广泛。文章分析比对Mohr-Coulomb模型与Strain Hardening/Softening Mohr-Coulomb模型。旨在找到一种能对Mohr-Coulomb模型升级的本构模型,尽量满足结果精确,测量简单的要求。

Effect of MgO content in sinter on the softening–melting behavior of mixed burden made from chromium-bearing vanadium–titanium magnetite

The effect of sinter with different MgO contents on the softening-melting behavior of mixed burden made from chro- mium-bearing vanadium-titanium magnetite was investigated. The results show that with increasing MgO content in the sinter, the softening interval and melting interval increased and the location of the cohesive zone shifted downward slightly and became moderately thicker. The softening-melting characteristic value was less pronounced when the MgO content in the sinter was 2.98wt%-3.40wt%. Increasing MgO content in the sinter reduced the content and recovery of V and Cr in the dripped iron. In addition, greater MgO contents in the sinter resulted in the generation of greater amounts of high-melting-point components, which adversely affected the permeability of the mixed burden. When the softening-melting behavior of the mixed burden and the recovery of valuable elements were taken into account, proper MgO con- tents in the sinter and slag ranged from 2.98wt% to 3.40wt% and from 11.46wt% to 12.72wt%, respectively, for the smelting of burden made from chromium-bearing vanadium-titanium magnetite in a blast furnace.