Novel wood-plastic composite fabricated via modified steel slag:Preparation,mechanical and flammability properties

A novel method was developed to enhance the utilization rate of steel slag(SS).Through treatment of SS with phosphoric acid and aminopropyl triethoxysilane(KH550),we obtained modified SS(MSS),which was used to prepare MSS/wood-plastic composites(MSS/WPCs)by replacing talcum powder(TP).The composites were fabricated through melting blending and hot pressing.Their mechanical and combustion properties,which comprise heat release,smoke release,and thermal stability,were systematically investigated.MSS can improve the mechanical strength of the composites through grafting reactions between wood powder and thermoplastics.Notably,MSS/WPC#50(16wt%MSS)with an MSS-to-TP mass ratio of 1:1 exhibited optimal comprehensive performance.Compared with those of WPC#0 without MSS,the tensile,flexural,and impact strengths of MSS/WPC#50 were increased by 18.5%,12.8%,and 18.0%,respectively.Moreover,the MSS/WPC#50 sample achieved the highest limited oxygen index of 22.5%,the highest vertical burning rating at the V-1 level,and the lowest horizontal burning rate at 44.2 mm/min.The formation of a dense and stable char layer led to improved thermal stability and a considerable reduction in heat and smoke releases of MSS/WPC#50.However,the partial replacement of TP with MSS slightly compromised the mechanical and flame-retardant properties,possibly due to the weak grafting caused by SS powder agglomeration.These findings suggest the suitability of MSS/WPCs for high-value-added applications as decorative panels indoors or outdoors.

The effect of reactive plasticizer on viscoelastic and mechanical properties of solid rocket propellants based on different types of HTPB resin

Conventional plasticizers deteriorate mechanical and viscoelastic properties of the propellants due to their migration upon aging and long-term storage,which affects reliability and safety properties during exploitation.To address this issue,conventional plasticizer,dioctyl adipate(DOA),is replaced by reactive one,castor oil(CO).In addition,three different types of HTPB were used to obtain propellants with designed viscoelastic and mechanical properties.The CO increased propellants viscosity,without a significant impact on the propellant processability,regardless to the type of prepolymer.Conversely,mechanical properties were different depending on the type of resin,which were further analyzed by gel permeation chromatography(GPC).Addition of CO formed a denser polymer network and shifted T_(g) to higher values,compared to the compositions with DOA.The tensile strength of CO-containing propellants was lower at +20℃ and +50℃ compared to the reference compositions,while the strain at maximum load and strain at break were significantly increased with pronounced plastic deformation,especially for samples at -30℃.The inclusion of CO in the propellants composition gives more room for adjusting a wide range of mechanical properties.

First-principles and experimental investigations on ductility/brittleness of intermetallic compounds and joint properties in steel/aluminum laser welding

Morphology,distribution,composition,forming ability,structural stability and intrinsic mechanical properties of the intermetallic compounds(IMCs)formed in steel/aluminum laser welding were determined through scanning electron microscope,energy dispersive spectrometer,X-ray diffractometer and first-principles calculation.It was found that the mechanical properties of the joint are limited by the Fe−Al IMCs,whose brittleness is attributed to the orbital hybridization between Al(s),Al(p)and Fe(d).However,the joint properties are improved by adding interlayer,which is ascribed to some changes of electronic structure of the generated IMCs.The transition mechanism of IMCs changing from brittle to ductile is mainly due to the weak ability of interlayer elements to attract electrons.The mechanical properties of the joint are closely related to the ductility or brittleness of the IMCs.Moreover,the addition of Ti foil interlayer effectively improves the mechanical properties of the joints,which means that the experimental verification is in good agreement with the theoretical calculation predictions.

Impacts of Micro- and Nano-Plastics on Soil Properties and Plant Production in Agroecosystems: A Mini-Review

Micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) are tiny plastic particles resulting from plastic product degradation. Soil MNPs have been identified as potential influential factors affecting various soil properties and crop biomass productivity. This mini-review provides a synthesis of recent findings concerning their effects on soil physicochemical properties, microorganisms, organic carbon content, soil nutrients, greenhouse gas emissions, soil fauna, and their impacts on plant ecophysiology, growth, and production. The results indicate that MNPs may markedly impede soil aggregation ability, increase porosity, decrease soil bulk density, enhance water retention capacity, influence soil pH and electrical conductivity, and escalate soil water evaporation. Exposure to MNPs may predominantly induce changes in soil microbial composition, reducing the diversity and complexity of microbial communities and microbial activity while enhancing soil organic carbon stability, influencing soil nutrient dynamics, and stimulating organic carbon decomposition and denitrification processes, leading to elevated soil respiration and methane emissions, and potentially decreasing soil nitrous oxide emission. Additionally, MNPs may adversely affect soil fauna, diminish seed germination rates, promote plant root growth, yet impair plant photosynthetic efficacy and biomass productivity. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the impacts and mechanistic foundations of MNPs. Future research avenues are suggested to further explore the impacts and economic implications.

Aging behavior and mechanical properties of 6013 aluminum alloy processed by severe plastic deformation

Structural features, aging behavior, precipitation kinetics and mechanical properties of a 6013 Al–Mg–Si aluminum alloy subjected to equal channel angular pressing （ECAP） at different temperatures were comparatively investigated with that in conventional static aging by quantitative X-ray diffraction （XRD） measurements, differential scanning calorimetry （DSC） and tensile tests. Average grain sizes measured by XRD are in the range of 66-112 nm while the average dislocation density is in the range of 1.20×10^14-1.70×10^14 m^-2 in the deformed alloy. The DSC analysis reveals that the precipitation kinetics in the deformed alloy is much faster as compared with the peak-aged sample due to the smaller grains and higher dislocation density developed after ECAP. Both the yield strength （YS） and ultimate tensile strength （UTS） are dramatically increased in all the ECAP samples as compared with the undeformed counterparts. The maximum strength appears in the samples ECAP treated at room temperature and the maximum YS is about 1.6 times that of the statically peak-aged sample. The very high strength in the ECAP alloy is suggested to be related to the grain size strengthening and dislocation strengthening, as well as the precipitation strengthening contributing from the dynamic precipitation during ECAP.

Improvement in the mechanical properties of Al/SiC nanocomposites fabricated by severe plastic deformation and friction stir processing

Severely deformed aluminum sheets were processed by friction stir processing(FSP) with Si C nanoparticles under different conditions to improve the mechanical properties of both the stir zone and the heat affected zone(HAZ).In the case of using a simple probe and the same rotational direction(RD) of the FSP tool between passes,at least three FSP passes were required to obtain the appropriate distribution of nanoparticles.However,after three FSP passes,fracture occurred outward from the stir zone during transverse tensile tests;thus,the strength of the specimen was significantly lower than that of the severely deformed base material because of the softening phenomenon in the HAZ.To improve the mechanical properties of the HAZ,we investigated the possibility of achieving an appropriate distribution of nanoparticles using fewer FSP passes.The results indicated that using the threaded probe and changing the RD of the FSP tool between the passes effectively shattered the clusters of nanoparticles and led to an acceptable distribution of Si C nanoparticles after two FSP passes.In these cases,fracture occurred at the HAZ with higher strength compared to the specimen processed using three FSP passes with the same RD between the passes and with the simple probe.The fracture behaviors of the processed specimens are discussed in detail.

Factors Influencing High Temperature Thermo Plasticity of BNbRE Steel at the Third Brittle Zone

In view of fine cracks occurred on the surface of BNbRE continuous casting slabs for heavy rail in the practical production, the effect of two factors, i.e. deformation temperature, deformation velocity, on thermo plasticity of BNbRE steel at the third brittle zone was quantitatively investigated on GLEEBLE-1500D thermal-mechanical simulator after measuring the RA-T curve of BNbRE steel. The results provide experimental data for optimizing the technology of continuous casting secondary cooling zone and avoiding the occurrence of fine surface cracks.

Thermoplastic Starch Prepared with Different Plasticizers: Relation between Degree of Plasticization and Properties

Ethylene glycol, glycerol, sorbitol, formamide, and urea were used as plasticizers for the preparation of thermoplastic starch（TPS） from corn starch. The properties of TPS were tested by analysis method. The results showed that TPSs were more highly plasticized with amines than alcohols. For the same type of plasticizer, the degree of plasticization decreased as the molecular weight of plasticizer increased. The relationship between plasticization degree and TPS properties was characterized and described by mechanical properties and water absorption. The experimental results showed that when the degree of plasticization increased, the tensile strength decreased and the elongation at breakage and water absorption increased.

Effects of oil contamination and bioremediation on geotechnical properties of highly plastic clayey soil

Leakage of oil and its derivatives into the soil can change the engineering behavior of soil as well as cause environmental disasters.Also,recovering the contaminated sites into their natural condition and making contaminated materials as both environmentally and geotechnically suitable construction materials need the employment of remediation techniques.Bioremediation,as an efficient,low cost and environmentalfriendly approach,was used in the case of highly plastic clayey soils.To better understand the change in geotechnical properties of highly plastic fine-grained soil due to crude oil contamination and bioremediation,Atterberg limits,compaction,unconfined compression,direct shear,and consolidation tests were conducted on natural,contaminated,and bioremediated soil samples to investigate the effects of contamination and remediation on fine-grained soil properties.Oil contamination reduced maximum dry density(MDD),optimum moisture content(OMC),unconfined compressive strength(UCS),shear strength,swelling pressure,and coefficient of consolidation of soil.In addition,contamination increased the compression and swelling indices and compressibility of soil.Bioremediation reduced soil contamination by about 50%.Moreover,in comparison with contaminated soil,bioremediation reduced the MDD,UCS,swelling index,free swelling and swelling pressure of soil,and also increased OMC,shear strength,cohesion,internal friction angle,failure strain,porosity,compression index,and settlement.Microstructural analyses showed that oil contamination does not alter the soil structure in terms of chemical compounds,elements,and constituent minerals.While it decreased the specific surface area of the soil,and the bioremediation significantly increased the mentioned parameters.Bioremediation resulted in the formation of quasi-fibrous textures and porous and agglomerated structures.As a result,oil contamination affected the mechanical properties of soil negatively,but bioremediation improved these properties.

Experimental Research on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Concrete with Recycled Plastic Aggregates

In order to study the effect of recycled plastic particles on the physical and mechanical properties of concrete,recycled plastic concrete with 0,3%,5%and 7%content(by weight)was designed.The compressive strength,splitting tensile strength and the change of mass caused by water absorption during curing were measured.The results show that the strength of concrete is increased by adding recycled plastic into concrete.Among them,the compressive strength and the splitting tensile strength of concrete is the best when the plastic content is 5%.With the increase of plastic content,the development speed of early strength slows down.Silane coupling agent plays a positive role in the strength of recycled plastic concrete.The water absorption saturation of concrete has been basically completed in the early stage.The addition of silane coupling agent makes the porosity of concrete reduce and the water absorption of concrete become poor.By summing up the physical and mechanical properties of recycled plastic concrete,it could be found that the addition of recycled plastic was effective for the modification of concrete materials.Under the control of the amount of recycled plastic,the strength of concrete with recycled plastic aggregates can meet the engineering requirements.

Corrosion properties of plastically deformed AZ80 magnesium alloy

AZ80 magnesium alloys were deformed at 200,250,300,350 and 400℃ with different deformation degree of 50%,75%, 83%,87%and 90%,respectively.The corrosion properties of different deformed AZ80 samples were studied by galvanic test in 3.5%NaCl solution.The results show that plastic deformation could improve the corrosion resistance of AZ80 alloy;and the corrosion rate of AZ80 deformed at 250℃ with the deformation degree of 83%was the lowest,which was 33%of the as-cast AZ80 alloy.Further studies of the microstructure show that the refined grain size and continuously distribution ofβphase around the grain boundary did have a positive effect on the improvement of corrosion resistance of AZ80 alloys.For AZ80 alloys,the smaller the grain size is,the more homogeneous the structure is,and the better the corrosion resistance is.

Impact Wear Properties of Metal-Plastic Multilayer Composites Filled with Glass Fiber Treated with Rare Earth Element Surface Modifier

The friction and wear properties of metal-plastic multilayer composites filled with glass fiber, which is treated with rare earth element surface modifier, under impact load and dry friction conditions were investigated. Experimental results show that the metal-plastic multilayer composite filled with glass fiber exhibits excellent friction and impact wear properties when using rare earth elements as surface modifier for the surface treatment of glass fiber.

Preliminary study of the effects of EVA coupling agents on properties of wood-plastic composites

As a hot-melt adhesive, ethylene-vinyl-acetate （EVA） has been used in many industrial applications. But studies of the application of EVA in wood-plastic composites （WPC） are relatively few, so we have investigated the proposition of whether EVA is a suitable coupling agent for WPC or not. The results show that EVA with 8% VA is not a suitable coupling agent, because it reduces the mechanical properties of WPC without any significant effect on its physical properties. With an increase in the amount of wood powder, the mechanical properties of WPC decrease and the ability of water absorption of WPC increases.

Compressive and Fracture Properties of Syntactic Foam Filled with Hollow Plastic Bead(HPC)

The compressive mechanical properties of syntactic foams reinforced by hollow plastic beads were studied by the quasi-static compression test. The failure mechanism of syntactic foams was also investigated by macroscopic and microscopic observation on the fractured specimens. The experimental results show that the density of syntactic foams is still the key factor affecting their mechanical properties. The macroscopic and microscopic observation on the fractured specimens indicates that the main failure mode is the elastic-plastic collapse caused by shear.

IDENTIFICATION OF ELASTIC-PLASTIC MECHANICAL PROPERTIES FOR BIMETALLIC SHEETS BY HYBRID-INVERSE APPROACH

Analysis, evaluation and interpretation of measured signals become important components in engineering research and practice, especially for material characteristic parameters which can not be obtained directly by experimental measurements. The present paper proposes a hybrid-inverse analysis method for the identification of the nonlinear material parameters of any individual component from the mechanical responses of a global composite. The method couples experimental approach, numerical simulation with inverse search method. The experimental approach is used to provide basic data. Then parameter identification and numerical simulation are utilized to identify elasto-plastic material properties by the experimental data obtained and inverse searching algorithm. A numerical example of a stainless steel clad copper sheet is consid- ered to verify and show the applicability of the proposed hybrid-inverse method. In this example, a set of material parameters in an elasto-plastic constitutive model have been identified by using the obtained experimental data.

Analysis on plastic properties of reactive powder concrete continuous beams reinforced with GFRP bars

To study the plastic properties of reactive powder concrete continuous beams reinforced with GFRP bars,the calculation programs for moment redistribution coefficients are prepared by using nonlinear analysis methods such as moment-curvature,conjugate beam method and so on. By comparing the test results of existed FRP bars reinforced concrete continuous beams with simulation results,the accuracy of the calculation program is verified. Then 18 simulated GFRP bars reinforced reactive powder concrete continuous beams are selected whose change parameters are reinforcement ratio of mid-span and middle support. Through the nonlinear analysis of simulated beams,moment redistribution coefficients under mid-span concentrated loads,one-third point loads and uniformly distributed loads are obtained respectively. Thus the formula of moment redistribution coefficients is obtained by fitting moment redistribution coefficients and factors. The results show that the reactive powder concrete continuous beams reinforced with GFRP bars have good plastic properties.

Analysis of the elastic-plastic indentation properties of materials with varying ratio of hardness to Young’s modulus

The elastic-plastic indentation properties of materials with varying ratio of hardness to Young’s modulus(H/E) were analyzed with the finite element method. And the indentation stress fields of materials with varying ratio H/E on the surface were studied by the experiment. The results show that the penetration depth, contact radius, plastic pile-up and the degree of elastic recovery depend strongly on the ratio H/E. Moreover, graphs were established to describe the relationship between the elastic-plastic indentation parameters and H/E. The established graphs can be used to predict the H/E of materials when compared with experimental data.

The Effect of Plasticizers on Mechanical Properties and Water Vapor Permeability of Gelatin-Based Edible Films Containing Clay Nanoparticles

The effects of glycerol and sorbitol as two plasticizers on mechanical properties, water vapor permeability, thermal properties, color and capability of heat sealing of gelatin films (of phytophagous fish, bovine gelatin with high gel-forming ability, and bovine gelatin with low gel-forming ability) containing clay nanoparticles were studied in this research. For this purpose, 6 × 2 × 3 factorial experiments using the completely randomized design and comparison of the means at 95% confidence level (α = 0.05) were performed. Higher concentrations of plasticizers increased percentage elongation to the breaking point. When glycerol concentration was raised to over 20%, flexibility of the layers improved but their water vapor permeability increased. The minimum passage of water vapor was that of fish-skin gelatin films containing clay nanoparticles and 30% sorbitol, and the maximum that of bovine gelatin films with high gel-forming ability which contained nanoparticles but no plasticizers (p 0.05). All samples had heat sealing capability, and fish-skin gelatin films containing clay nanoparticles had better heat sealing capability compared with the other samples so that fish-skin gelatin films containing clay nanoparticles with 25% glycerol and 5% sorbitol had the highest flexibility and tensile strength, and remained attached to where they were heat sealed. Electron microscope images showed that films without plasticizers had uniform surfaces, but that samples containing glycerol at concentrations of over 0.20 g/g gelatin exhibited cavities between gelatin chains and that water vapor permeability in gelatin films containing clay nanoparticles.

A Simulation Software for the Prediction of Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Wood Plastic Composites

Modelling and simulation has become an important tool in research and development. Simulation models are used to develop better understanding of the internal properties and impact of various parameters on the final quality of the product or process. Simulation model reduces the number of experiments and saves the wastage of material, time and money and are widely used in automobile industry, aircrafts manufacturing, process engineering, training for military, health care sector and many more. Wood Plastic Composite （WPC） is a bio-composite made by mixing wood fibers and plastic granules together at high temperature by compression molding or injection molding. A large quantity of WPC is rejected due to poor quality and low mechanical strength. There is a need to improve the understanding of the wood plastic composites, with both theoretical and experimental analysis. The impact of various parameters and processing conditions on the final product is not known to the industry people, due to less simulation models in this field. A new simulation software WPC Soft is developed to predict the mechanical and thermal properties of WPC. The software can predict the mechanical and thermal properties of WPC. The simulation results were validated with the experimental results and it was observed that the predicted values are quite close to the experimental values and with the further refining of the model, prediction can be further improved. The present simulation software can be easily used by the industry people and it requires very little knowledge of computers or modeling for its operation.

Influence of Plastic and Coconut Shell (Cocos nucifera L.) on the Physico-Mechanical Properties of the 8/6 Composite Rafter

In this paper, the authors aim to propose the use of waste plastics as a binder in a coconut shell reinforcement for the development of an 8/6 size composite rafter to replace the natural 8/6 size backbone in construction. Following a study into the choice of the best proportions, a total of 30 size 8/6 composite rafters with different proportions of 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40% and 50% plastic content were developed. All the 8/6 composite rafters were subjected to mechanical (3-point bending strength and Monnin hardness) and physical (bulk density and water absorption) characterization analyses. The results show that flexural strength increases from 27.56 MPa to 33.30 MPa for proportions ranging from 20% to 35% plastic content. Above 35% plastic, the strength drops to 19.60 MPa for a 50% plastic content. Similarly, the Monnin hardness drops from 9 mm to 5 mm when the plastic content varies from 20 to 50%. As for the results of the physical characterisation, the values obtained for apparent density vary from 0.89 to 1 for proportions varying from 20% to 35% plastic content and drop to 0.94 for 50% plastic content. As for water absorption, values drop from 6.82% to 2.45% when the plastic content increases from 20% to 50%. These mechanical strengths stabilise at 35% plastic content. The development of an 8/6 chevron composite material based on plastic and coconut shell could therefore be a way of recovering waste and solving the problem of deforestation.