Australasian microtektites across the Antarctic continent: Evidence from the Sør Rondane Mountain range (East Antarctica)

The~790 ka Australasian(micro)tektite strewn field is one of the most recent and best-known examples of impact ejecta emplacement as the result of a large-scale cratering event across a considerable part of Earth's surface(>10%in area).The Australasian strewn field is characterized by a tri-lobe pattern consisting of a large central distribution lobe,and two smaller side lobes extending to the west and east.Here,we report on the discovery of microtektite-like particles in sedimentary traps,containing abundant micrometeorite material,in the Sør Rondane Mountain(SRM)range of East Antarctica.The thirty-three glassy particles display a characteristic pale yellowcolor and are predominantly spherical in shape,except for a single dumbbell-shaped particle.The vitreous spherules range in size from220 to 570μm,with an average diameter of~370μm.This compares relatively well with the size distribution(75–778μm)of Australasian microtektites previously recovered from the TransantarcticMountains(TAM)and located ca.2500–3000 km fromthe SRM.In addition,the chemical composition of the SRM particles exhibits limited variation and is nearly identical to the‘normal-type’(i.e.,<6%MgO)TAM microtektites.The Sr and Nd isotope systematics for a single batch of SRM particles(n=26)strongly support their affiliation with TAMmicrotektites and the Australasian tektite strewn field in general.Furthermore,Sr isotope ratios and Nd model ages suggest that the target material of the SRM particles was composed of a plagioclase-or carbonate-rich lithology derived from a Paleo-or Mesoproterozoic crustal unit.The affiliation to the Australasian strewn field requires long-range transportation,with estimated great circle distances of ca.11,600 km from the hypothetical source crater,provided transportation occurred along the central distribution lobe.This is in agreement with the observations made for the Australasian microtektites recovered from Victoria Land(ca.11,000 km)and Larkman Nunatak(ca.12,000 km),which,on average,decrease in size and alkali concentrations(e.g.,Na and K)as their distance from the source crater increases.The values for the SRMparticles are intermediate to those of the Victoria Land and Larkman Nunatak microtektites for both parameters,thus supporting this observation.We therefore interpret the SRM particles as‘normal-type’Australasian microtektites,which significantly extend the central distribution lobe of the Australasian strewn field westward.Australasian microtektite distribution thus occurred on a continent-wide scale across Antarctica and allows for the identification of new,potential recovery sites on the Antarctic continent as well as the southeastern part of the Indian Ocean.Similar to volcanic ash layers,the~790 ka distal Australasian impact ejecta are thus a record of an instantaneous event that can be used for time-stratigraphic correlation across Antarctica.

Towards Cr（VI）-free anodization of aluminum alloys for aerospace adhesive bonding applications： A review

For more than six decades, chromic acid anodizing （CAA） has been the central process in the surface pre-treatment of aluminum for adhesively bonded aircraft structures. Unfortunately, this electrolyte contains hexavalent chromium （Cr（VI））, a compound known for its toxicity and carcinogenic properties. To comply with the new strict international regulations, the Cr（VI）-era will soon have to come to an end. Anodizing aluminum in acid electrolytes produces a self-ordered porous oxide layer. Although different acids can be used to create this type of structure, the excellent adhesion and corrosion resistance that is currently achieved by the complete Cr（VI）-based process is not easily matched. This paper provides a critical overview and appraisal of proposed alternatives to CAA, including combinations of multiple anodizing steps, pre- and post anodizing treatments. The work is presented in terms of the modifications to the oxide properties, such as morphological features （e.g., pore size, barrier layer thickness） and surface chemistry, in order to evaluate the link between fundamental principles of adhesion and bond performance.

New insights into the mechanism of localised corrosion induced by TiN-containing inclusions in high strength low alloy steel

This work investigated the chemical and electrochemical mechanisms of localised corrosion triggered by CaS·xMgO·y Al_(2)O_(3)·TiN complex inclusions in high strength low alloy steel(HSLAS)under a simulated marine environment.Special focus was given to the role of the TiN portion of the inclusion on the initiation and growth of the corrosion pits.The thermodynamic process of pitting initiation was investigated by Gibbs free energy,Pourbaix diagram and first principle calculation.Localised corrosion is mainly induced by inclusions and triggered by dissolution of adjacent distorted matrix.Chemical dissolution of CaS portion in CaS·xMgO·y Al_(2)O_(3)·TiN complex inclusion creates an acidic aggressive environment that accelerates the further dissolution of inclusion and matrix.Galvanic coupling effect between TiN inclusion and matrix is directly verified.TiN covered with a TiOfilm acts as the cathodic phase in galvanic corrosion,although it has a lower Volta potential than the matrix.This is an unusual correlation with the scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy result,which has been explained for this special system.

Review on modelling of corrosion under droplet electrolyte for predicting atmospheric corrosion rate

Atmospheric corrosion of metals is the most common type of corrosion which has a significant impact on the environment and operational safety in various situations of everyday life.Some of the common examples can be observed in land,water and air transportation systems,electronic circuit boards,urban and offshore infrastructures.The dew drops formed on metal surface due to condensation of atmospheric moisture facilitates corrosion as an electrolyte.The corrosion mechanisms under these droplets are different from classically known bulk electrolyte corrosion.Due to thin and non-uniform geometric thickness of the droplet electrolyte,the atmospheric oxygen requires a shorter diffusion path to reach the metal surface.The corrosion under a droplet is driven by the depletion of oxygen in the center of the droplet compared to the edge,known as differential aeration.In case of a larger droplet,differential aeration leads to preferential cathodic activity at the edge and is controlled by the droplet geometry.Whereas,for a smaller droplet,the oxygen concentration remains uniform and hence cathodic activity is not controlled by droplet geometry.The geometry of condensed droplets varies dynamically with changing environmental parameters,influencing corrosion mechanisms as the droplets evolve in size.In this review,various modelling approaches used to simulate the corrosion under droplet electrolytes are presented.In the efforts of developing a comprehensive model to estimate corrosion rates,it has been noted from this review that the influence of geometric evolution of the droplet due to condensation/evaporation processes on corrosion mechanisms are yet to be modelled.Dynamically varying external factors like environmental temperature,relative humidity,presence of hygroscopic salts and pollutants influence the evolution of droplet electrolyte,making it a complex phenomenon to investigate.Therefore,an overview of available dropwise condensation and evaporation models which describes the formation and the evolution of droplet geometry are also presented from an atmo s pheric corrosion viewpoint.