Influence of Erosion Induced by NaCl on the Mechanical Performances of Alkali-Activated Mineral Admixtures

In this paper,the influence of NaCl freeze-thaw(F-T)cycles and dry-wet(D-W)alternations on theflexural,com-pressive and bonding strengths of alkali-activatedfly ash(FA)and a blast furnace slag powder(BFS)is investi-gated.The considered NaCl concentration is 3%.The effect of polypropylenefibers on the mechanical strengths is also examined.Scanning electron microscopy(SEM),thermogravimetry(TG)and X-ray diffraction(XRD)are selected to discern the mechanisms underpinning the NaCl-induced erosion.The obtained results indicate that the best results in terms of material resistance are obtained with admixtures containing 60%BFS and 40%FA in terms of mass ratio and 3%polypropylenefibers in terms of volume ratio.The maximum rates of decrease of theflexural,compressive and bonding strengths after 300 NaCl F-T cycles are 21.5%,20.3%and 22.6%,respec-tively.The corresponding rates of decrease due to NaCl D-W alternations are 28.1%,26.1%and 31.5%,respec-tively.The TG curves show that the alkali-activating activity of BFS is higher than that of FA.Moreover,in thefirst case,the microstructure of the hydration products is more compact.The results also show that NaCl F-T cycles lead to increasing cracks in the alkali-activated BFS.

Influence of heat treatment on microstructure,mechanical and corrosion behavior of WE43 alloy fabricated by laser-beam powder bed fusion

Magnesium(Mg)alloys are considered to be a new generation of revolutionary medical metals.Laser-beam powder bed fusion(PBF-LB)is suitable for fabricating metal implants withpersonalized and complicated structures.However,the as-built part usually exhibits undesirable microstructure and unsatisfactory performance.In this work,WE43 parts were firstly fabricated by PBF-LB and then subjected to heat treatment.Although a high densification rate of 99.91%was achieved using suitable processes,the as-built parts exhibited anisotropic and layeredmicrostructure with heterogeneously precipitated Nd-rich intermetallic.After heat treatment,fine and nano-scaled Mg24Y5particles were precipitated.Meanwhile,theα-Mg grainsunderwent recrystallization and turned coarsened slightly,which effectively weakened thetexture intensity and reduced the anisotropy.As a consequence,the yield strength and ultimate tensile strength were significantly improved to(250.2±3.5)MPa and(312±3.7)MPa,respectively,while the elongation was still maintained at a high level of 15.2%.Furthermore,the homogenized microstructure reduced the tendency of localized corrosion and favoredthe development of uniform passivation film.Thus,the degradation rate of WE43 parts was decreased by an order of magnitude.Besides,in-vitro cell experiments proved their favorable biocompatibility.

Simultaneously enhanced thermal conductivity and mechanical performance of carbon nanotube reinforced ZK61 matrix composite

Alloying seriously deteriorates the thermal conductivity of magnesium(Mg)alloys,thus,restricts their applications in the fields of computer,communication,and consumer products.In order to improve the thermal conductivity of Mg alloys,adding carbon nanotube(CNT)combined with aging treatment is proposed in this work,i.e.fabricating the D-CNT(a kind of dispersed CNT)reinforced ZK61 matrix composite via powder metallurgy,and conducting aging treatment to the composite.Results indicate the as-aged ZK61/0.6 wt.%D-CNT composite achieved an excellent thermal conductivity of 166 W/(mK),exhibiting 52.3%enhancement in comparison with matrix,as well as tensile yield strength of 321 MPa,ultimate tensile strength of 354 of MPa,and elongation of 14%.The simultaneously enhanced thermal conductivity and mechanical performance are mainly attributed to:(1)the embedded interface of the D-CNT with matrix and(2)the coherent interface of precipitates with matrix.It is expected the current work can provide a clue for devising Mg matrix composites with integrated structural and functional performances,and enlarge the current restricted applications of Mg alloys.

An atomistic model of silk protein network for studying the effect of pre-stretching on the mechanical performances of silks

Silk protein builds one of the strongest natural fibers based on its complex nanocomposite structures.However,the mechanical performance of silk protein,related to its molecular structure and packing is still elusive.In this study,we constructed an atomistic silk protein network model,which reproduces the extensive connection topology of silk protein with structure details of theβ-sheet crystallites and amorphous domains.With the silk protein network model,we investigated the structure evolution and stress distribution of silk protein under external loading.We found a pre-stretching treatment during the spinning process can improve the strength of silk protein.This treatment improves the properties of silk protein network,i.e.,increases the number of nodes and bridges,makes the nodes distributed homogeneously,and induces the bridges in the network well aligned to the loading direction,which is of great benefit to the mechanical performances of silk protein.Our study not only provides a realized atomistic model for silk protein network that well represents the structures and deformations of silk proteins under loading,but also gains deep insights into the mechanism how the pre-loading on silk proteins during spinning improves the mechanical properties of silk fibers.

Ultrasonic solidification mechanism and optimized application performances of ternary Mg_(71.5)Zn_(26.1)Y_(2.4) alloy

One dimensional(1D) and three dimensional(3D) ultrasound sources were applied to the solidification process of Mg_(71.5)Zn_(26.1)Y_(2.4) alloy.The acoustic spectra were in-situ measured, based on which the cavitation intensities and dynamic solidification mechanism were further investigated. With the increase of ultrasonic dimension and amplitude, the primary Mg_(3)Zn_(6)Y phase was significantly refined from petals to nearly pentagonal shape. The sound field measurements showed that the transient cavitation played a decisive role in generating a high local undercooling, which facilitated the formation of icosahedral clusters and promoted the nucleation of primary Mg_(3)Zn_(6)Y phase. The morphological transition of(α-Mg+Mg_(3)Zn_(6)Y) eutectic from lamellar to anomalous structure occurred under 3D ultrasonic condition. The stable cavitation took the main responsibility because the high pressure excited by nonlinearly oscillating bubbles induced the preferential nucleation of α-Mg phase rather than Mg_(3)Zn_(6)Y phase. As compared with its static values, the tensile strength and compression plasticity of this alloy were increased by the factors of 1.9 and 2.1, and its corrosion resistance was also improved with the corrosion current density decreased by one order of magnitude.

Enhancement of the Mechanical Performance of SiCf/Phenolic Composites after High-temperature Pyrolysis Using ZrC/B_(4)C Particles

The composites were prepared by modifying silicon carbide fiber with particles of zirconium carbide(ZrC)and boron carbide(B_(4)C)and incorporating them into a phenolic resin matrix.The influence of ZrC and B_(4)C on the mechanical performance of SiCf/phenolic composites after high-temperature pyrolysis was studied through flexural performance test.The results show that the composite material has good thermal stability and high-temperature mechanical properties.After static ablation at 1400℃ for 15 minutes,the flexural strength of the composite material reaches 286 MPa,which is still 7.3%higher than at room temperature,indicating that the composite material still has good mechanical properties even after heat treatment at 1400℃.

Influence of iron powder content on the electromagnetic and mechanical performance of soft magnetic geopolymer composite

In the induction heating of airport pavement to remove snow and ice,soft magnetic geopolymer composite(SMGC)can be used to gather the dissipated electromagnetic energy,thus enhancing the energy utilization efficiency.The aim of this work is to analyze the influence mechanism of iron powder content on the electromagnetic and mechanical performance of SMGC,so as to provide theoretical guidance for the design of soft magnetic layer within airport pavement structure.The results show that the increase of iron powder content reduces the resistance and magnetoresistance of SMGC by decreasing the content of non-magnetic phases between iron powder.However,the reduction of iron powder spacing also provides a shorter transmission path for the inter-particle eddy currents in the SMGC specimen,which enhances the exchange coupling between iron powder,thus increasing the electromagnetic loss.Therefore,the compatibility between magnetic permeability and electromagnetic loss should be considered comprehensively in the mix design of SMGC.In addition,although iron powder can enhance the mechanical properties of SMGC by improving the density of geopolymer matrix,the excessive amount of iron powder can lead to a weak interfacial transition zone between geopolymer matrix and iron powder.According to the induction heating results,optimized SMGC can improve the energy transfer efficiency of induction heating by 24.03%.

High Water Resistance and Enhanced Mechanical Properties of Bio-Based Waterborne Polyurethane Enabled by in-situ Construction of Interpenetrating Polymer Network

In this study,acrylic acid was used as a neutralizer to prepare bio-based WPU with an interpenetrating polymer network structure by thermally induced free radical emulsion polymerization.The effects of the content of acrylic acid on the properties of the resulting waterborne polyurethane-poly(acrylic acid)(WPU-PAA)dispersion and the films were systematically investigated.The results showed that the cross-linking density of the interpenetrating network polymers was increased and the interlocking structure of the soft and hard phase dislocations in the molecular segments of the double networks was tailored with increasing the content of acrylic acid,leading to enhancement of the mechanical properties and water resistance of WPU-PAA films.Notably,with the increase in content of acrylic acid,the tensile strength,Young’s modulus,and toughness of the WPU-PAA-110 film increased by 3 times,and 8 times,and 2.4 times compared with WPU-PAA-80,respectively.The WPU-PAA-100 film showed the best water resistance,and the water absorption rate at 96 h was only 3.27%.This work provided a new design scheme for constructing bio-based WPU materials with excellent properties.

Biomedical rare-earth magnesium alloy:Current status and future prospects

Biomedical magnesium(Mg)alloys have garnered significant attention because of their unique biodegradability,favorable biocompatibility,and suitable mechanical properties.The incorporation of rare earth(RE)elements,with their distinct physical and chemical properties,has greatly contributed to enhancing the mechanical performance,degradation behavior,and biological performance of biomedical Mg alloys.Currently,a series of RE-Mg alloys are being designed and investigated for orthopedic implants and cardiovascular stents,achieving substantial and encouraging research progress.In this work,a comprehensive summary of the state-of-the-art in biomedical RE-Mg alloys is provided.The physiological effects and design standards of RE elements in biomedical Mg alloys are discussed.Particularly,the degradation behavior and mechanical properties,including their underlying action are studied in-depth.Furthermore,the preparation techniques and current application status of RE-Mg alloys are reviewed.Finally,we address the ongoing challenges and propose future prospects to guide the development of high-performance biomedical Mg-RE alloys.

Multifunctional HDPE/Cu biocidal nanocomposites for MEX additive manufactured parts: Perspectives for the defense industry

In this study, we investigated the performance improvement caused by the addition of copper(Cu)nanoparticles to high-density polyethylene(HDPE) matrix material. Composite materials, with filler percentages of 0.0, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, 8.0, and 10.0 wt% were synthesized through the material extrusion(MEX)3D printing technique. The synthesized nanocomposite filaments were utilized for the manufacturing of specimens suitable for the experimental procedure that followed. Hence, we were able to systematically investigate their tensile, flexural, impact, and microhardness properties through various mechanical tests that were conducted according to the corresponding standards. Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy was used to investigate the electrical/dielectric properties of the composites. Moreover, by employing means of Raman spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis(TGA) we were also able to further investigate their vibrational, structural, and thermal properties. Concomitantly, means of scanning electron microscopy(SEM), as well as atomic force microscopy(AFM), were used for the examination of the morphological and structural characteristics of the synthesized specimens, while energy-dispersive Xray spectroscopy(EDS) was also performed in order to receive a more detailed picture on the structural characteristics of the various synthesized composites. The corresponding nanomaterials were also assessed for their antibacterial properties regarding Staphylococcus aureus(S. aureus) and Escherichia coli(E. coli) with the assistance of a method named screening agar well diffusion. The results showed that the mechanical properties of HDPE benefited from the utilization of Cu as a filler, as they showed a notable improvement. The specimen of HDPE/Cu 4.0 wt% was the one that presented the highest levels of reinforcement in four out of the seven tested mechanical properties(for example, it exhibited a 36.7%improvement in the flexural strength, compared to the pure matrix). At the same time, the nanocomposites were efficient against the S. aureus bacterium and less efficient against the E. coli bacterium.The use of such multi-functional, robust nanocomposites in MEX 3D printing is positively impacting applications in various fields, most notably in the defense and security sectors. The latter becomes increasingly important if one takes into account that most firearms encompass various polymeric parts that require robustness and improved mechanical properties, while at the same time keeping the risk of spreading various infectious microorganisms at a bare minimum.

Effect of Aggregate Gradation on the Properties of 3D Printed Recycled Coarse Aggregate Concrete

A simplex centroid design method was employed to design the gradation of recycled coarse aggregate.The bulk density was measured while the specific surface area and average excess paste thickness were calculated with different gradations.The fluidity,dynamic yield stress,static yield stress,printed width,printed inclination,compressive strength and ultrasonic wave velocity of 3D printed recycled aggregate concrete(3DPRAC)were further studied.The experimental results demonstrate that,with the increase of small-sized aggregate(4.75-7 mm)content,the bulk density initially increases and then decreases,and the specific surface area gradually increases.The average excess paste thickness fluctuates with both bulk density and specific surface area.The workability of 3DPRAC is closely related to the average excess paste thickness.With an increase in average paste thickness,there is a gradual decrease in dynamic yield stress,static yield stress and printed inclination,accompanied by an increase in fluidity and printed width.The mechanical performance of 3DPRAC closely correlates with the bulk density.With an increase in the bulk density,there is an increase in the ultrasonic wave velocity,accompanied by a slight increase in the compressive strength and a significant decrease in the anisotropic coefficient.Furthermore,an index for buildability failure of 3DPRAC based on the average excess paste thickness is proposed.

Effect of Epoxy Resin on the Properties of Recycled Asphalt

To promote the recycling of reclaimed asphalt pavement(RAP),epoxy resin was used to prepare the epoxy-recycled asphalt mixtures.The effect of epoxy resin on the properties of aged asphalt binder was investigated based on the tensile test,flexural creep test,and laser scanning confocal microscopy.The curing characteristics and the mechanical performance of recycled asphalt with different epoxy contents were explored.The results show that the low-temperature performance,ductility,and strength of the aged asphalt binder were significantly improved when the epoxy content reached 40%.The curing time of epoxy-recycled asphalt should be at least 4 d to ensure the formation of good internal spatial network structure.

Analysis of mechanical performance of braided esophageal stent structure and its wires

This paper aims to find the relationship between the structural parameters and the radial stiffness of the braided stent and to understand the stress distribution law of the wires. According to the equation of the space spiral curve, a three-dimensional parametrical geometrical model is constructed. The finite element model is built by using the beam-beam contact elements and 3D beam elements. The constituent nitinol wires are assumed to be linear elastic material. The finite element analysis figures out that the radial stiffness of the stent and the stress distribution of the wires are influenced by all the structural parameters. The helix pitch of the wires is the most important factor. Under the condition of the same load and other structural parameters remaining unchanged, when the number of wires is 24, the stress of the wire crosssection is at the minimum. A comparison between the vitro experimental results and the analytical results is conducted, and the data is consistent, which proves that the current finite element model can be used to appropriately predict the mechanical performance of the braided esophageal stents.

Surface Deposition of Ni(OH)_(2) and Lattice Distortion Induce the Electrochromic Performance Decay of NiO Films in Alkaline Electrolyte

NiO,an anodic electrochromic material,has applications in energy-saving windows,intelligent displays,and military camouflage.However,its electrochromic mechanism and reasons for its performance degradation in alkaline aqueous electrolytes are complex and poorly understood,making it challenging to improve NiO thin films.We studied the phases and electrochemical characteristics of NiO films in different states(initial,colored,bleached and after 8000 cycles)and identified three main reasons for performance degradation.First,Ni(OH)_(2)is generated during electrochromic cycling and deposited on the NiO film surface,gradually yielding a NiO@Ni(OH)_(2)core-shell structure,isolating the internal NiO film from the electrolyte,and preventing ion transfer.Second,the core-shell structure causes the mode of electrical conduction to change from first-to second-order conduction,reducing the efficiency of ion transfer to the surface Ni(OH)_(2)layer.Third,Ni(OH)_(2)and NiOOH,which have similar crystal structures but different b-axis lattice parameters,are formed during electrochromic cycling,and large volume changes in the unit cell reduce the structural stability of the thin film.Finally,we clarified the mechanism of electrochromic performance degradation of NiO films in alkaline aqueous electrolytes and provide a route to activation of NiO films,which will promote the development of electrochromic technology.

Bio-based rejuvenators in asphalt pavements:A comprehensive review and analytical study

The pressing demand for sustainable advancements in road infrastructure has catalyzed extensive research into environmentally conscious alternatives for the maintenance and restoration of asphalt concrete pavements.This paper offers a comprehensive review and analysis of bio-based rejuvenators as a promising avenue for enhancing the longevity and sustainability of asphalt.Through a multifaceted exploration,it delves into various aspects of this innovative approach.Providing a thorough overview of bio-based rejuvenators,the study highlights their renewable and environmentally friendly characteristics.It conducts an in-depth examination of a wide spectrum of bio-derived materials,including vegetable oils,waste-derived bio-products,and biopolymers,through a comprehensive survey.The paper evaluates how bio-based rejuvenators enhance aged asphalt binders and mixes,effectively mitigating the adverse impacts of aging.Furthermore,it investigates how these rejuvenators address environmental concerns by identifying compatibility issues,assessing long-term performance,and evaluating economic feasibility.Finally,the paper outlines potential advancements and research pathways aimed at optimizing the utilization of bio-based rejuvenators in asphalt concrete,thereby contributing to the sustainable evolution of road infrastructure.

Research on the Internal Talent Training Path and Performance Evaluation Mechanism of New R&D Institutions in Zhejiang Province

New research and development(R&D)institutions are an important part of the national innovation system,playing an important role in promoting the transformation of scientific and technological achievements.In recent years,new R&D institutions have gradually become the driving force of innovation-driven development in China.Taking new R&D institutions in Zhejiang Province as the research object,this paper studies the internal talent training path and performance evaluation mechanism of new R&D institutions in Zhejiang Province by using the literature research method,comparison method,case verification method,and other methods.The investigation results show that there are problems such as lack of material and spiritual support and neglect of the absorption of local talents in the internal talent training,and there are problems such as unclear standards,insufficient data,and opaque processes in the performance evaluation mechanism,which greatly affect the establishment and improvement of the performance evaluation mechanism.Given the above problems,this paper puts forward a forward-looking,oriented,flexible,and compatible talent training path and performance evaluation mechanism,hoping to optimize the effective internal talent training path of new R&D institutions,improve the evaluation performance,and promote healthy development of new R&D institutions in Zhejiang Province.

Effect of alloy composition and heat treatment on mechanical performance of 6xxx aluminum alloys

The effect of alloy composition and heat treatment, including natural ageing and pre-ageing, on the mechanical performance of eight 6xxx alloys designed with systematically varying Si, Mg and Cu contents was studied. The results show that not only the alloy composition and heat treatment before forming influence the formability, but also they have an effect on the paint bake response of the alloys. Increasing the alloy Si content, decreasing Mg/Si ratio and adding 0.3% Cu （mass fraction） were generally found to improve the tensile ductility and formability of the alloys studied, while pre-ageing was found to decrease these properties. A full property profile of these alloys in terms of strength, tensile ductility, work hardening, strain rate sensitivity, forming limit and paint bake response was presented.

Effect of Cerium on Mechanical Performance and Electrical Conductivity of Aluminum Rod for Electrical Purpose

The effect of rare earth element Ce on mechanical performance and electrical conductivity of aluminum rod for electrical purpose were studied under industrial production condition. Using optical microscope, SEM, TEM, EDS and X-ray diffractometer, the microstructure and phase composition of aluminum rod were measured and analyzed. The results indicate that the content of rare earth element Ce is between 0.05% -0.16% in the aluminum rod for electrical purpose. Its tensile strength is enhanced to some extent. The research also discovers that the tensile strength is enhanced remarkably with impurity element Si content increases. Because influence of Si is big to the conductivity, the Si content should be controlled continuously strictly in the aluminum for electrical purpose. Adding rare earth element Ce reduces the solid solubility of Si in the aluminum matrix, and the negative effect of Si on the aluminum conductor reduces effectively. So the limit of in Si content in aluminum rod for electrical purpose can be relaxed moderately.

Influence of bismuth on microstructure,thermal properties,mechanical performance,and interfacial behavior of SAC305−xBiCu solder joints

This research sought to improve the properties of SAC305 solder joints by the addition of 1 and 2 wt.%Bi.The effects of bismuth doping on the microstructure,thermal properties,and mechanical performance of the SAC305−xBiCu solder joints were investigated.Bi-doping modified the microstructure of the solder joints by refining the primaryβ-Sn and eutectic phases.Bi-doping below 2 wt.%dissolved in theβ-Sn matrix and formed a solid solution,whereas Bi additions equal to or greater than 2 wt.%formed Bi precipitates in theβ-Sn matrix.Solid solution strengthening and precipitation strengthening mechanisms in theβ-Sn matrix increased the ultimate tensile strength and microhardness of the alloy from 35.7 MPa and 12.6 HV to 55.3 MPa and 20.8 HV,respectively,but elongation decreased from 24.6%to 16.1%.The fracture surface of a solder joint containing 2 wt.%Bi was typical of a brittle failure rather than a ductile failure.The interfacial layer of all solder joints comprised two parallel IMC layers:a layer of Cu6Sn5 and a layer of Cu3Sn.The interfacial layer was thinner and the shear strength was greater in SAC305−xBiCu joints than in SAC305Cu solder joints.Therefore,small addition of Bi refined microstructure,reduced melting temperature and improved the mechanical performance of SAC305Cu solder joints.

Preparation and Mechanical Performance of Rare Earth- Containing Composite Elastomer

Rare earth -containing PSBR sheet was prepared by reaction of rare earth alkoxide with quaternary ammonium salt of pyridine modified SBR (PSBR) latex, and then it was blended with natural rubber (NR) to produce rare earth - containing composite elastomer. It is found that mechanical performance can be improved remarkably. Analyzed by infrared spectrometry (IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and cross-linking densitometry, the relationship between structure and performance was discussed.