In vitro microbiologically-induced concrete corrosion behavior of Ag^(+) loaded zeolite-polyurethane coating for concrete sewer applications

Microbiologically-induced concrete corrosion(MICC)refers to chemical reactions between biologically produced sulphuric acid and with hydration products in the hardened concrete paste,resulting in an early reduction of strength,deterioration,and very severe circumstances,structural failure.This paper explores the bactericidal characteristics of cementitious materials with surface coated with modified zeolite-polyurethane.The zeolite-polyurethane coating incorporated with silver was studied in environments inoculated with A.thiooxidans bacteria for 8 consecutive weeks.The antibacterial characteristics were evaluated in terms of pH,optical density(OD),sulphate production and bacteria count to determine the effectiveness of the zeolite-polyurethane coatings in environments inoculated with A.thiooxidans bacteria producing the sulphuric acid.The results revealed that the samples incorporated with silver modified zeolites generally showed antibacterial performance(regardless of the zeolite type)compared with unmodified polyurethane coating.This was evaluated by the lack of bacteria attachment and the deformed microcolonies on the sample surface,lag in pH reduction,increase in OD,and sulphate production.The silver zeolites gained their antibacterial performance from the release of silver ions(Ag^(+))when the sample comes into contact with aqueous solutions.This results in the inhibition of cell functions of the bacteria and subsequently causes cell damage.

Role of Ag addition on microstructure,mechanical properties,corrosion behavior and biocompatibility of porous Ti-30 at%Ta shape memory alloys

In the present study,the thermal,mechanical,and biological properties of xAg/Ti-30Ta(x=0,0.41,0.82 and 2.48 at%)shape memory alloys(SMAs)were investigated.The study was conducted using optical and scanning electron microscopy(SEM),X-ray diffractometry(XRD),compression test,and shape memory testing.The xAg/Ti-Ta was made using a powder metallurgy technique and microwave-sintering process.The results revealed that the addition of Ag has a significant effect on the pore size and shape,whereas the smallest pore size of 11μm was found with the addition of 0.41 at%along with a relative density of 72%.The fracture stress and strain increased with the addition of Ag,reaching the minimum values around 0.41 at%Ag.Therefore,this composition showed the maximum stress and strain at fracture region.Moreover,0.82 Ag/Ti-Ta shows more excellent corrosion resistance and biocompatibility than other percentages,obtaining almost the same behaviour of the pure Ti and Ti-6Al-4V alloys,which can be recommended for their promising and potential response for biomaterial applications.

Microstructure and superelastic properties of free forged Ti-Ni shape-memory alloy

Elemental titanium(Ti)and nickel(Ni)powders were consolidated by spark plasma sintering(SPS)to fabricate Ti-51%Ni(mole fraction)shape-memory alloys(SMAs).The objective of this study is to enhance the superelasticity of SPS produced Ti-Ni alloy using free forging as a secondary process.Products from two processes(with and without free forging)were compared in terms of microstructure,transformation temperature and superelasticity.The results showed that,free forging effectively improved the tensile and shape-memory properties.Ductility increased from 6.8%to 9.2%after forging.The maximum strain during superelasticity increased from 5%to 7.5%and the strain recovery rate increased from 72%to 92%.The microstructure of produced Ti-51%Ni SMA consists of the cubic austenite(B2)matrix,monoclinic martensite(B19′),secondary phases(Ti3Ni4,Ti2Ni and TiNi3)and oxides(Ti4Ni2O and Ti3O5).There was a shift towards higher temperatures in the martensitic transformation of free forged specimen(aged at 500°C)due to the decrease in Ni content of B2 matrix.This is related to the presence of Ti3Ni4 precipitates,which were observed using transmission electron microscope(TEM).In conclusion,free forging could improve superelasticity and mechanical properties of Ti-51%Ni SMA.

Investigation of three steps of hot corrosion process in Y_2O_3 stabilized ZrO_2 coatings including nano zones

Phase transformation of tetragonal ZrO2 to monoclinic phase and also increment of bond coat oxidation kinetic（TGO thickening） can substantially restrict the life time of thermal barrier coating systems（TBCs）. So, nanostructured and conventional Y2O3 stabilized ZrO2 coatings were evaluated in fused V2O5-Na2SO4 salts during thermal exposure in air. Microstructural characterization showed lower hot corrosion products（monoclinic zirconia, YVO4 crystals） formation and reduction of TGO thickness in thermal barrier coating system consisting of nanostructured Y2O3 stabilized ZrO2（YSZ） top coat. It was found that inhomogeneities, pores and micro-cracks played a principal role in the molten salts infiltration into the YSZ coating during three steps of hot corrosion process. In the nanostructured YSZ coating with tri-model structure, nano zones which surrounded by fully molten parts could fill the aforementioned defects and could act as barrier for the oxygen and corrosive molten salts penetration into the TBC.

Effect of Y_2O_3 stabilized ZrO_2 coating with tri-model structure on bi-layered thermally grown oxide evolution in nano thermal barrier coating systems at elevated temperatures

Bi-layered thermally grown oxide （TGO） layer plays a major role in the spallation of Y2O3 stabilized ZrO2 （YSZ） layer form the bond coat in the thermal barrier coating （TBC） systems during oxidation. On the other hand, bi-layered TGO formation and growth in the TBC systems with nanostructured YSZ have not been deeply investigated during cyclic oxidation. Hence, Inconel 738/NiCrAlY/normal YSZ and Inconel 738/NiCrAlY/nano YSZ systems were pre-oxidized at 1000 °C and then subjected to cyclic oxidation at 1150 °C. According to microstructural observations, nanostructured YSZ layer over the bond coat should have less mi-cro-cracks and pinholes, due to the compactness of the nanostructure and the presence of nano zones that resulted in lower O infiltration into the nanothermal barrier coating system, formation of thinner and nearly continuous mono-layered thermally grown oxide on the bond coat during pre-oxidation, lower spinels formation at the Al2O3/YSZ interface and finally, reduction of bi-layered thermally grown oxide thickness during cyclic oxidation. It was found that pre-heat treatment and particularly coating microstructure could influence microstructural evolution （bi-layered TGO thickness） and durability of thermal barrier coating systems during cyclic oxidation.