Structure and Properties of BaFe_(12)O_(19) Coated Fly Ash Cenospheres by Sol-Gel Process

Thin films of barium hexaferrite were prepared on fly ash cenosphere particles by the sol-gel method using Fe（ NO3 ）3 ·9H2O, Ba（ NO3 ）2 and citric acid as raw materials. The prepared films were characterized by differential thermal and thermogravimetric analysis （DTA-TG）, X-ray diffraction analysis （XRD）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, energy dispersive spectroscopy （EDX）, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS）, and vibrating sample magnetometry . The magnetic and structural properties of barium hexaferrite coated cenosphere particles were also studied. The experimental results show that even and continual barium hexaferrite coatings were prepared on fly ash cenospheres , and the magnetic conductivity was imparted to these non-conducting oxide ceramic particles. The low density barium hexaferrite coated cenosphere particles may be atilized for manufacturing microwave absorbing materials.

Hollow Cancrinite Zeolite Spheres in situ Transformed from Fly Ash Cenosphere

A novel hollow microsphere structure with cancrinite zeolite grown from the shell of fly ash cenosphere has been successfully prepared through in situ transformation in vapor phase; the orientation and morphology of cancrinite can be greatly improved by adding tetrapropylammonium hydrate into the synthetic system.

Analysis of Mechanical Characteristics of Fly Ash Cenospheres Reinforced Epoxy Composites

Fly ash cenospheres（FACs） as a recycling material of industrial waste has become a competitor for other inorganic particle fillers. Epoxy resin（EP） composites reinforced with different content of FACs as well as different size grading ratio were prepared. The surface modification of FACs particles was conducted before incorporating into EP matrix. The impact and flexural strengths and the flexural modulus were investigated, and the fracture surfaces of the testing samples were analyzed using SEM. Results showed that FACs had an obvious effect on the mechanical characteristics of the FACs/EP composites. With increasing weight fraction of FACs, the impact and flexural strengths and the flexural modulus of EP composite samples increased, and reached the highest values when the weight fraction of FACs reached 15 wt%. The mechanical characteristics of the FACs/EP composites however deteriorated with further increasing of FACs content. For the EP composites reinforced with different size grading ratio of FACs, the larger proportion of small FACs particles, the better mechanical properties of the EP composites. The results were analyzed from the aspect of the plastic deformation, new surface formation and fracture absorption energy. The synergistic effect of the size grading ratio of FACs was not obvious, which would be further investigated.

Effect of cenospheres addition on microstructure and properties of AZ91D alloy

The cenospheres/AZ91D composites were fabricated by melt stir method. The phases, microstructure and tensile fracture morphology of the composites were analyzed using XRD, Olympus metallurgical microscopy and SEM methods. The thermal expansion coefficient(CTE) and tensile properties were measured. The results showed that the cenospheres distribute uniformly in the Mg alloy matrix and refine the matrix microstructure. Mg2 Si and MgO were found in addition to α-Mg and β-Mg17Al12 phases using XRD. The CTE of the composites reduced after the cenospheres are added. The yield strength of the composites increases significantly with an increase in the mass fraction and a decrease in the size of the cenospheres. The tensile strength of the composites achieves maximum when the mass fraction of cenospheres is 9wt.% and the size of cenospheres is 80 μm. The fracture mechanism of the composites is cleavage fracture.

Corrosion Behavior of Cenosphere Reinforced Al7075 Metal Matrix Composite —An Experimental Approach

Aluminum-based metal matrix composites (MMCs) are considered in several technological applications owing to their enhanced mechanical properties when compared with monolithic metals. Research on the mechanical properties MMCs was done by many researchers;however in depth study on the oxidation behavior of cenosphere, reinforced MMCs are required, since the application of Aluminum-based MMCs is extensively used in applications like automobile, navigation and aviation, where the demand on light weight corrosion resistance material is very much required. In the present work varied compositions of Al7075 grade Aluminum-cenosphere composites use liquid metallurgy route adopting stir casting approach. The experimental study was aimed at experimental investigations of developed composites under different corrosive environments. The corrosion tests were carried out as per ASTM standards. Salt spray test using NaCl was carried out as per ASTM B117 and immersion tests using NaCl and NaOH as corrodents were carried out by following ASTM G31 standards. The results obtained from the tests revealed that as increase in weight % of reinforcement, corrosion resistance increases up to 7.5% reinforcement, and further the corrosion resistance decreases marginally. Solution heat treated samples exhibited higher resistance to oxidation than cast samples in all corrosive environments. The SEM images show the presence of micro cracks and occurrence of pitting corrosion on the corrosion tested specimens.

Effect of Methyl Methacrylate– Acrylonitrile -Butadiene–Styrene (MABS) on the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Poly (Methyl Methacrylate) (PMMA)-Fly Ash Cenospheres (FAC) Filled Composites

With the advent of plastics and the wide range of fillers that are available have made modifications as precise as the tailored resins themselves. To modify the properties of polymer either by using fillers or by preparation of polymer blends gives rise to new materials with tailored properties. More complex, three-component systems, obtained by the addition of polymeric modifier to polymer filled composites may be of interest. Use of Fly ash cenospheres is very attractive because it is inexpensive and its use can reduce the environmental pollution to a significant extent. In the present study, Poly (Methyl Methacrylate) (PMMA)-Fly ash cenospheres composites were prepared using extrusion followed by Injection molding. The effect of matrix modification with Methyl methacrylate– acrylonitrile -butadiene–styrene (MABS) on the performance of PMMA- Fly ash cenospheres compositions was also, studied. It was found that with the addition of Fly ash cenospheres particulate as filler in PMMA showed marginal reduction in Tensile Strength, % Elongation and Impact strength and improvement in Flexural Strength, Heat Deflection Temperature and Vicat Softening Point. Compared with PMMA-cenospheres composites, the notched Impact Strength of the PMMA/MABS/cenospheres composites showed marginal enhancement in values at higher loading of cenospheres. The optimum performances in mechanical and thermal properties were obtained when the ratio of MABS to cenospheres was 1:2.

Characteristic comparison of metal films coated onto the cenosphere by chemical and magnetron sputtering methods

Metal-coated cenospheres have been widely used in industries. Different coating methods result in different characteristic metal films. The metal film on the cenosphere by chemical coating does not appear to be very smooth, exhibiting metal piled up and pin holes on the surface and leaving some spots uncoated. Meanwhile, the metal film is not tightly absorbed onto cenospheres and is easy to peel off. However, the metal film prepared by magnetron sputtering is compact, smooth and without pin holes. The film has good affinity to the cenosphere surface. Such films do not separate with it even when the cenosphere is crushed. Both the metal t＇rims give the same XRD patterns, indicating that the crystal structure of the metal films by these two methods is the same. Chemical coating is a complex process and harmful to the environment, but it fits ultrafine powder coating （the particle size can be less than 2 μm）. The magnetron sputtering method is environmental friendly and works quickly, but this method requires specially designed equipment and does not work for ultrafine powders. If the particle size is less than 30 μm, the coating process is hard to carry on.

Studies in Effect of Low Concentration of Cenosphere on Mechanical, Thermal, Electrical, Crystallinity, Colorimetric and Morphological Properties of Epoxy Cured with Triethylenetetramine

Cenospheres are produced in very large amount in thermal power plants. They are always looked upon as fillers used to reduce the density and cost of the polymer. If cenosphere particles are allowed to remain properly dispersed by taking it in lower concentration, significant improvement in its mechanical, thermal, electrical, crystallinity, colorimetric and morphological properties are expected. To make it happen, epoxy/cenosphere composites were prepared, having lower concentration of cenosphere. Concentration of cenosphere in epoxy, cured with triethylenetetramine, was changed as 0, 3, 5, 7 and 10. Tensile Strength, Tensile Modulus, Percentage Elongation at Break and Crystallinity decreased, whereas, Flexural Strength and Flexural Modulus were found to have increased by 50% and above 100% respectively at 7 phr loading of cenosphere in epoxy. Thermal and electrical stability also increased with increase in concentration of cenosphere in the epoxy, however, the samples became blackish with increased addition of cenosphere. Using SEM analysis it was found that, cenospheres were properly and uniformly dispersed at 7 phr concentration and formed aggregates at 10 phr concentration.

Effect of Micro Size Cenosphere Particles Reinforcement on Tribological Characteristics of Vinylester Composites under Dry Sliding Conditions

In this paper the friction and wear characteristics of vinylester and cenosphere reinforced vinylester composites have been investigated under dry sliding conditions, under different applied normal load and sliding speed. Wear tests were carried using pin on a rotating disc under ambient conditions. Tests were conducted at normal loads 10, 30, 50 and 70 N and under sliding velocity of 1.88, 3.14, 4.39 and 5.65 m/s. The results showed that the coefficient of friction decreases with the increase in applied normal load values under dry conditions. On the other hand for pure vinylester specific wear rate increases with increase in applied normal load. However the specific wear rate for 2%, 6%, 10% and 15% cenosphere reinforced vinylester composite decreases with the increase in applied normal load under dry conditions. The results showed that with increase in the applied normal load and sliding speed the coefficient of friction and spe- cific wear rate decreases under dry sliding conditions. It is also found that a thin film formed on the counterface seems to be effective in improving the tribological characteristics. The specific wear rates for pure vinylester and vinylester composite under dry sliding condition were in the order of 10-6 mm3/Nm. The results showed that the inclusion of cenosphere as filler materials in vinylester composites will increase the wear resistance of the composite significantly. SEM analysis has been carried to identify the wear mechanism.

Effect of Heat Treatment on Tensile and Corrosion Properties of LM6 Hybrid Metal Matrix Composite Reinforced with Cenosphere and Red Mud

The increased expectation of automotive, aviation and marine industries pertaining to the enhanced properties and their use in elevated temperature conditions and also corrosive environments leads to the development of the newer material to meet the requirements. The requirements of the automobile and marine applications call for the increased mechanical properties and lower density accompanied with higher resistance to oxidation. Hence the present research work is aimed at the development of Hybrid metal matrix composites (HMMCs) using low-density base material and reinforcements. The aluminum of grade LM6 is preferred material in automobile industries, because it can be cast to any complex geometry and possess good machinability, further upon heat treatment, the properties of LM6 alloy can be enhanced to meet the industry requirements. However, requirements of automobile industries consist of increased mechanical properties, lower density and higher corrosion resistance. Hence, in the present research work, it is aimed to develop newer composite material using LM 6 grade Aluminum alloy as matrix material which is reinforced with varied percent Cenosphere and Red mud.

Effect of Cenosphere Concentration on the Mechanical, Thermal, Rheological and Morphological Properties of Nylon 6

Cenospheres are widely used as filler in thermoset plastics and concrete mainly for density reduction of the material. But there is no work noted of using cenosphere as filler in thermoplastics. In this paper cenosphere concentration was varied from 0 to 10 phr of nylon 6 and the effect of the same on the mechanical, thermal, rheological and morphological properties of the composite were studied. Elongation was found to have increased by 83% and impact strength by 44% at 2.5 phr loading of cenosphere. Flexural strength increased upto 25% at 10 phr content of cenosphere.

A Review on Utilization of Light Weight Fly Ash Cenosphere as Filler in both Polymer and Alloy-Based Composites

Fly Ash Cenospheres(FACs)are obtained from the coal power plants in the form of hollow spherical particles by burning the coal.FAC was started to use in early 1980-1985 as lightweight filler material in producing composites of cementitious and at present many researchers are focusing on use of FAC as filler in polymer and metals.In this paper,the systematic review on research activities and application of FAC in manufacturing light weight products are done.The influence of FAC on the physical and mechanical properties of incorporated polymer and alloy-based composites were summarized.Prospects of future for its use were also suggested and summarized in this paper.

SURFACE METALLIZATION OF CENOSPHERES AND PRECIPITATORS BY ELECTROLESS PLATING

This paper reports the use of a colloidal Pd0 catalysis system to metallize the surface of precipitators separated from coal fly-ash, and metals such as Cu, Ni etc. are deposited on the precipitators surface. Alternatively, according to the characteristic surface of cenospheres, an Ag coating catalysis system is adopted to first deposit Ag on the cenospheres surface, followed, if necessary, by the deposition of other metals such as Cu, Ni, etc. on the Ag coating to produce monolayer and multilayer metal-coated cenospheres. The surface characteristics and the morphologies of the metal coatings are examined in detail with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. It can be shown that the quality of metal coatings derived from the Ag coating catalysis system, is better than that of the colloidal Pd0 catalysis system.

Synthesis of CeO_2/fly ash cenospheres composites as novel photocatalysts by modified pyrolysis process

A novel fly ash cenospheres（FACs）-supported CeO2 composite（CeO2/FACs） was successfully synthesized by the modified pyrolysis process.The prepared composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction（XRD）, scanning electron microscopy（SEM）, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy（XPS）, and diffuse reflection spectra（DRS） techniques.XRD results indicated that the CeO2 film coated on cenospheres was a face-centered cubic structure.SEM images confirmed that the CeO2 film was relatively compact.XPS results showed that Ce was present as both Ce4＋ and Ce3＋ oxidation states in CeO2 film coated on FACs substrate.The bandgap of the composite was narrower compared with the pure CeO2.The as-prepared material exhibited good photocatalytic activity for the decolorization of methylene blue（MB） under visible light irradiation, and the first-order reaction rate constant（k） of 0.0028 min–1 for CeO2/FACs composite was higher than 0.0015 min–1 of pure CeO2.The fact that they floated on water meant that CeO2/FACs composites were easily recovered from water by filtration after the reaction.The recycling test revealed that the composites were quite stable during the MB photocatalytic decolorization.The CeO2/ FACs catalyst was therefore promising for practical use in the degradation of pollutants or water cleanup.

Effects of Semi-solid Isothermal Heat Treatment on Microstructures and Damping Capacities of Fly Ash Cenosphere/AZ91D Composites

The fly ash cenosphere/AZ91D composites were successfully prepared and isothermally heat-treated at different tem- peratures for different time. The effects of semi-solid isothermal heat treatment on the microstructures and damping capacities of fly ash cenosphere/AZ91D composites were investigated. With the increase in isothermal temperature or holding time, the small liquid droplets within grains increased in size but decreased in quantity. The average size and shape factor of Mg2Si particles increased with the rise of isothermal temperature. The damping capacities of the composites were improved by isothermal heat treatment. At room temperature, the composites after heat treatment at 520 and 550 ℃ had a higher damping capacity due to interface damping when the strain amplitude was lower than about 8.8 × 10^-5, and the composite after heat treatment at 580 ℃ had a better damping capacity because of the dislocation damping under the condition of high strain amplitude. The damping capacities of the composites increased with the rise of the test temper- ature, and the damping mechanisms varied depending on different test temperatures. The interface damping played an important role when the test temperature was below about 100 ℃, and the dislocation damping and grain boundary damping took effect with the rise of test temperature.

Experimental studies of ash film fractions based on measurement of cenospheres geometry in pulverized coal combustion

In pulverized coal particle combustion, part of the ash forms the ash film and exerts an inhibitory influence on combustion by impeding the diffusion of oxygen to the encapsulated char core, while part of the ash diffuses toward the char core. Despite the considerable ash effects on combustion, the fraction of ash film still remains unclear. However, the research of the properties of cenospheres can be an appropriate choice for the fraction determination, being aware that the formation of cenospheres is based on the model of coal particles with the visco-plastic ash film and a solid core. The fraction of ash film X is the ratio of the measuring mass of ash film and the total ash in coal particle. In this paper, the Huangling bituminous coal with different sizes was burnt in a drop-tube furnace at 1273, 1473, and 1673 K with air as oxidizer. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) and cross-section analysis have been used to study the geometry of the collected cenospheres and the effects of combustion parameters on the fraction of ash film. The results show that the ash film fraction increases with increasing temperature and carbon conversion ratio but decreases with larger sizes of coal particles. The high fraction of ash film provides a reasonable explanation for the extinction event at the late burnout stage. The varied values of ash film fractions under different conditions during the dynamic combustion process are necessary for further development of kinetic models.

Synthesis of novel CeO_2–BiVO_4/FAC composites with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic properties

To utilize visible light more effectively in photocatalytic reactions, a fly ash cenosphere （FAC）-supported CeO2-BiV04 （CeO2-BiVO4/FAC） composite photocatalyst was prepared by modified metalorganic decomposition and impregnation methods. The physical and photophysical properties of the composite have been characterized by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, scanning electron microscope （SEM） and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy （EDX）, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS）, and UV-Visible diffuse reflectance spectra. The XRD patterns exhibited characteristic diffraction peaks of both BiVO4 and Ce02 crystalline phases. The XPS results showed that Ce was present as both Ce4＋ and Ce3＋ oxidation states in Ce02 and dispersed on the surface of BiV04 to constitute a p-n heterojunction composite. The absorption threshold of the CeO2-BiVO4/FAC composite shifted to a longer wavelength in the UV-Vis absorption spectrum compared to the pure Ce02 and pure BiV04. The composites exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity for Methylene Blue （MB） degradation under visible light irradiation. It was found that the 7.5 wt.% CeO2-BiVO4/FAC composite showed the highest photocatalytic activity for MB dye wastewater treatment.

Thermal Conduction and Insulation Modification in Asphalt-Based Composites

The relationship between thermal conductivity and properties of mixing particles is required for quantitative study of heat transfer processes in asphalt-based materials. In this paper, we measured the e？ective ther- mal conductivity of asphalt-based materials with thermal conduction （graphite） and insulation （cenosphere） powders modification. By taking account of the particle shape, volume fraction, the thermal conductivity of filling particles and base asphalt, we present a new differential effective medium formula to predict the thermal conductivity modification in asphalt-based composite. Our theoretical predications are in good agreement with the experiment data. The new model can be applied for predicting the thermal properties of asphalt-based mixture, which is available for most of thermal modification in two-phase composites.