Assessing efficacy of standard impregnation techniques on die-cast aluminum alloys using X-ray micro-CT

Utilizing lightweight Al alloys in various industrial applications requires achieving precise pressure tightness and leak requirements.Vacuum pressure impregnation(VPI)with thermosetting polymers is commonly used to address leakage defects in die-cast Al alloys.In this study,the efficacy of the VPI technique in sealing alloy parts was investigated using a combination of nondestructive micro X-ray computed tomography(micro XCT)and a standard leak test.The results demonstrate that the commonly used water leak test is insufficient for determining the sealing performance.Instead,micro XCT shows distinct advantages by enabling more comprehensive analysis.It reveals the presence of a low atomic number impregnates sealant within casting defects,which has low grey contrast and allows for visualizing primary leakage paths in 3D.The effective atomic number of impregnated resin is 6.75 and that of Al alloy is 13.69 by dual-energy X-ray CT.This research findings will contribute to enhancing the standard VPI process parameters and the properties of impregnating sealants to improve quality assurance for impregnation in industrial metals.

Time-resolved ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering beamline(BL10U1)at SSRF

The construction of a new beamline,BL10U1,was completed at the Shanghai synchrotron radiation facility in 2020.This multipurpose beamline was designed to provide X-ray scattering techniques such as ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering(USAXS),small-angle X-ray scattering(SAXS),wide-angle X-ray scattering,and microfocus SAXS(μSAXS)for a broad user community.To realize fast time-resolved USAXS experiments,the beamline adopted an in-vacuum undulator with a total length of 1.6 m as the photon source.An in-house cryogenic-cooled double multilayer monochromator was installed to deliver a photon flux of approximately 10^(13) photons/s at a photon energy of 10 keV.The three-year successful operation of this beamline demonstrated that the monochromator operated smoothly,as expected.BL10U1 has three end stations in succession:USAXS end station,μSAXS end station,and end station for industrial applications.The minimum scattering vector q~0.0042 nm^(-1) at 10 keV can be achieved at the USAXS end station equipped with a 28 m-long and 1.8 m-diameter vacuum flight tube.At theμSAXS end station,a beam spot of less than 10×8μm was achieved for micro-SAXS experiments.In contrast,in situ experimental instruments up to 5 m high and 8 m wide can be mounted at the industrial application end station,which offers industrial scientists the opportunity to use their large industrial equipment.BL10U1 opens up a new capability to investigate phenomena such as non-equilibrium and dynamic processes of materials with a wide length scale from angstroms to micrometers with millisecond time resolution.In this paper,we also report beamline design considerations and commissioning results.

Effects of Tube Voltage on Phase-Contrast Imaging for Different Microfocus X-Ray Tubes

In the past decade, phase-contrast imaging (PCI) has become a hot research with an increased improvement of the image contrast with respect to conventional absorption radiography. In this paper, effects of tube voltage (kVp) on propagation-based phase-contrast imaging have been investigated with two types of microfocus x-ray tubes, a conventional sealed x-ray tube with the focal spot size of 13 - 20 μm and an open x-ray tube with minimum focal spot size less than 2 μm. A cooled x-ray CCD detector with the pixel size of 24 μm was used to acquire digital images. Two thin plastic sheets with different thickness were used as radiography phantoms. Two different phenomena were observed for the two x-ray tubes. For the open tube, phase-contrast effect has a slight drop with the increasing of tube voltage, however, it is opposite for the sealed tube. A further investigation indicates that the variation of focal spot size causes the abnormal result for the sealed tube. It also shows that phase-contrast effect is more sensitive to focal spot size than tube voltage.

应用Micro-CT对小鼠全身脂肪扫描成像研究

目的 探讨扫描电压和X射线滤光片对小鼠全身脂肪扫描图像质量和对小鼠辐射剂量的影响。方法 选取C57BL/6小鼠6只,3只为正常对照小鼠,3只为高脂喂养的肥胖小鼠。应用Micro-CT对小鼠全身进行成像扫描,统计不同扫描条件下对小鼠的辐射剂量;使用Analyze12.0分析软件对小鼠皮下和内脏脂肪进行提取,然后评价扫描图像质量以及脂肪分布。结果 正常小鼠和肥胖小鼠的扫描结果表明,在扫描电压为70 kV和Al 1.0 mm X射线滤光片扫描条件下,小鼠皮下脂肪和内脏脂肪边界清晰且无伪影,图像质量高,辐射剂量小。使用Analyze 12.0软件分离的小鼠皮下脂肪和内脏脂肪连续且平滑,脂肪显示完整。结论本研究为临床研究患者皮下脂肪和内脏脂肪提供了理论依据,对CT扫描电压和X射线滤光片的选择提供了数据参考。在降低扫描电压和保证图像质量的前提下,最大限度的降低患者受到的辐射剂量。

Improvements to conventional X-ray tube-based cone-beam computed tomography system

Conventional X-ray tube-based cone-beam computed tomography(CX-CBCT) systems have great potential in industrial applications. Such systems can rapidly obtain a three-dimensional(3D) image of an object.Conventional X-ray tubes fulfill the requirements for industrial applications, because of their high tube voltage and power. Continuous improvements have been made to CX-CBCT systems, such as imaging time shortening,acquisition strategy optimization, and imaging software development, etc. In this study, a CX-CBCT system is developed. Additionally, some improvements to the CX-CBCT system are proposed based on the hardware conditions of the X-ray tube and detector. A near-detector(ND)geometry condition is employed to obtain a sharper image and larger detection area. An improved acquisition strategy is proposed to simplify operations and reduce total imaging time. In the ND geometry condition, a simplified method called FBP slice stacking(SS-FBP) is proposed, which can be applied to 3D image reconstruction. SS-FBP is timesaving relative to traditional methods. Furthermore, imaging software for the CX-CBCT system is developed in the MATLAB environment. Several imaging experiments were performed. The results suggest that the CX-CBCT system works properly, and that the above improvements are feasible and practical.

Experimental research on the feature of an x-ray Talbot–Lau interferometer versus tube accelerating voltage

X-ray Talbot-Lau interferometer has been used most widely to perform x-ray phase-contrast imaging with a con- ventional low-brilliance x-ray source, and it yields high-sensitivity phase and dark-field images of samples producing low absorption contrast, thus beating tremendous potential for future clinical diagnosis. In this work, by changing the accel- erating voltage of the x-ray tube from 35 kV to 45 kV, x-ray phase-contrast imaging of a test sample is performed at each integer value of the accelerating voltage to investigate the characteristic of an x-ray Talbot-Lau interferometer （located in the Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, Japan） versus tube voltage. Ex- perimental results and data analysis show that within a range this x-ray Talbot-Lau interferometer is not sensitive to the accelerating voltage of the tube with a constant fringe visibility of ~ 44%. This x-ray Talbot-Lau interferometer research demonstrates the feasibility of a new dual energy phase-contrast x-ray imaging strategy and the possibility to collect a refraction spectrum.

Effects of dry-wet cycles on three-dimensional pore structure and permeability characteristics of granite residual soil using X-ray micro computed tomography

Due to seasonal climate alterations,the microstructure and permeability of granite residual soil are easily affected by multiple dry-wet cycles.The X-ray micro computed tomography(micro-CT)acted as a nondestructive tool for characterizing the microstructure of soil samples exposed to a range of damage levels induced by dry-wet cycles.Subsequently,the variations of pore distribution and permeability due to drywet cycling effects were revealed based on three-dimensional(3D)pore distribution analysis and seepage simulations.According to the results,granite residual soils could be separated into four different components,namely,pores,clay,quartz,and hematite,from micro-CT images.The reconstructed 3D pore models dynamically demonstrated the expanding and connecting patterns of pore structures during drywet cycles.The values of porosity and connectivity are positively correlated with the number of dry-wet cycles,which were expressed by exponential and linear functions,respectively.The pore volume probability distribution curves of granite residual soil coincide with the χ^(2)distribution curve,which verifies the effectiveness of the assumption of χ^(2)distribution probability.The pore volume distribution curves suggest that the pores in soils were divided into four types based on their volumes,i.e.micropores,mesopores,macropores,and cracks.From a quantitative and visual perspective,considerable small pores are gradually transformed into cracks with a large volume and a high connectivity.Under the action of dry-wet cycles,the number of seepage flow streamlines which contribute to water permeation in seepage simulation increases distinctly,as well as the permeability and hydraulic conductivity.The calculated hydraulic conductivity is comparable with measured ones with an acceptable error margin in general,verifying the accuracy of seepage simulations based on micro-CT results.

Rietveld refinement of powder X-ray diffraction,microstructural and mechanical studies of magnesium matrix composites processed by high energy ball milling

This research reports the processing of magnesium matrix composites reinforced with silicon carbide(SiC)and aluminium oxide(Al_(2)O_(3))using powder metallurgy technique through high energy milling.Samples of Mg-SiC and Mg-Al_(2)O_(3)composites subjected to high energy ball milling for different vol%of secondary particles 20,30 and 40%of SiC and Al_(2)O_(3)are studied by X-Ray diffraction technique.The rietveld method as implemented in the Fullprof program is applied in order to determine the quantities of the resulting crystalline phases and amorphous phases at each stage of the mechanical treatment.Microstructural examination is carried out using Scanning Electron Microscope(SEM).In addition,crystal structural analysis using appropriate size and strain models is performed in order to handle the distinctive anistrophy that is observed in convinced crystallographic directions for the magnesium composite.The results are furnished in terms of crystalline domains size enlargement of the magnesium composites phases upon prolonged milling duration and discussed in the light of up to date views and theories on crystal growth of nanocrystaline materials.The hardness of the composite samples is calculated by Vickers’s Hardness tester.Further,dry sling wear test and corrosion test are performed for the fabricated composites.Composite with 30%secondary particles incorporated magnesium composites exhibits better wear and corrosion resistance than the other composites.

Linear and nonlinear torsional free vibration of functionally graded micro/nano-tubes based on modified couple stress theory

The linear and nonlinear torsional free vibration analyses of functionMly graded micro/nuno-tubes （FGMTs） are analytically investigated based on the couple stress theory. The employed non-classical continuum theory contains one material length scale parameter, which can capture the small scale effect. The FGMT model accounts for the through-radius power-law variation of a two-constituent material. Hamilton＇s principle is used to develop the non-classical nonlinear governing equation. To study the effect of the boundary conditions, two types of end conditions, i.e., fixed-fixed and fixed-free, are considered. The derived boundary value governing equation is of the fourthorder, and is solved by the homotopy analysis method （HAM）. This method is based on the Taylor series with an embedded parameter and is capable of providing very good approximations by means of only a few terms, if the initial guess and the auxiliary linear operator are properly selected. The analytical expressions are developed for the linear and nonlinear natural frequencies, which can be conveniently used to investigate the effects of the dimensionless length scale parameter, the material gradient index, and the vibration amplitude on the natural frequencies of FGMTs.

Computational Study on Micro Shock Tube Flows with Gradual Diaphragm Rupture Process

Gas flows through micro shock tubes are widely used in many engineering applications such as micro engines, particle delivery devices etc. Recently, few studies have been carried out to explore the shock wave excursions through micro shock tubes at very low Reynolds number and at rarefied gas condition. But these studies assumed centered shock and expansion waves, which are generally produced by instantaneous diaphragm rupture process. But in real scenario, the diaphragm ruptures with a finite rupture time and this phenomenon will significantly alter the shock wave propagation characteristics. In the present research, numerical simulations have been carried out on a two dimensional micro shock tube model to simulate the effect of finite diaphragm rupture process on the wave characteristics. The rarefaction effect was simulated using Maxwell’s slip wall equations. The results show that shock wave attenuates rapidly in micro shock tubes compared to conventional macro shock tubes. Finite diaphragm rupture causes the formation of non-centered shock wave at some distance ahead of the diaphragm. The shock propagation distance is also drastically reduced by the rupture effects.

Simulating Medical Imaging X-Ray Tubes with Various Parameters Using BEAMnrc Monte Carlo Software

Context: Medical imaging has a wide range of applications in today’s society. Basic projectional radiography, CT scans, mammograms and a range of other advanced technologies all use x-rays to create a large number of examinations every day across the world. The most essential component of such medical equipment is the x-ray tube, which creates and produces x-rays. Objective: We describe and investigate an abstract model-geometry of a simple x-ray tube utilizing the open-source software package of BEAMnrc of the EGSnrcmp family, which is well validated by several studies over the years, for high and low energy photons generation. Methodology: Our research focuses on two different electron beam energies: 120 keV and 30 keV. The 120 keV is the typical energy for simple projectional radiographic exams and CT examinations, whereas the 30 keV is the typical energy of mammography. Results: Two different anode materials are used for each case, Gold (Au) and Tungsten (W) for 120 keV because these are the most common in projectional radiography and CT;Molybdenum (Mo) and Rhodium (Rh) for 30 keV because with these targets most mammography exams are carried out. The aim of this work is to show how the BEAMnrc software package can simulate effectively x-ray generation of low-energy photons which are utilized in modern medical imaging procedures. We describe useful information on anode-target characteristics, such as anode angle, anode material, and metal filter materials, based on previous quality studies even by using software other than BEAMnrc. Conclusion: We demonstrate that BEAMnrc can be efficiently used for Monte Carlo modeling of low-energy photons.

流体在微小管径中的流量检测方法研究

随着国内半导体等精密制造业的发展,对于微小管径的计量需求不断增加。为弥补国内在微小管径的流量计量方面的不足,提出一种与温度无关的超声波测量微小管径的液体流量计设计方法。首先,阐述了超声波测量流量的原理,详细解释了基于超声信号特征点计算飞行时间的方法,然后根据测量精度要求保证了信号时序的同步,通过以STM32控制器为核心的样机实现了流量数据的实时测量,最后,搭建测量实验平台,验证该方法的有效性。以DN4管道进行液体流量检测实验,实验结果表明流量范围为5~50 mL/min时,测量相对误差均在2.0%以内,流量范围为50~800 mL/min时,测量相对误差均在1.5%以内,满足工业生产要求,具有较好的实用性。

井下多级并联微旋流器流量均布性分析及优化

采用多级并联微旋流器的方式实现井下油水分离,不仅可以提高采出液含油体积分数,同时能够满足高处理量要求。在井下工作时,若油水分离设备与套管间形成的油套环空流场结构不合理,会导致每级微旋流器组得到的流量不均匀,影响多级并联微旋流器分离装置的整体分离性能。基于数值模拟和响应面Box-Behnken试验设计方法,构建了分离装置和套管形成的油套环空流体域的结构参数与流量不均匀系数、最大压力损失间的数学模型,并对模型的有效性进行了验证。分析结果表明:当每级入口间距为400 mm、每级入口角度为90°、总级数为3级、出入口面积比为0.5时,优化后的流量不均匀系数从0.02653减小到0.01289,降幅达51.41%;与初始结构对比,当雷诺数在3000~8000范围内变化时,优化结构的流量不均匀系数在各种工况下比较稳定,最大可减小0.04708,最小为0.01125;优化后的结构呈现了较好的流量均匀分配性能及适应性。所得结果可为井下多级并联微旋流器的设计及应用提供参考。

聚合物三腔微管挤出口模结构对胀大变形的影响

聚合物熔体的模内流动状态与模外胀大变形直接影响微挤出制品的成型质量。文中基于Carreau模型,采用数值模拟方法,研究了聚合物三腔微管挤出过程中口模壁厚差与空心度结构特征对胀大变形行为的影响。结果表明,影响挤出胀大变形程度的关键因素是口模出口附近的轴向速度分布;内外壁厚差会导致较大壁厚位置处对应的型坯厚度增大,而较小壁厚位置处的型坯厚度减小,壁厚差变化对薄壁区域壁厚变形影响较大,达到91.4%;空心度减小能提升口模出口附近轴向速度分布均匀性,减小了70.1%的变形程度;基于胀大变形规律逆向补偿设计了口模形状与尺寸,明显改善了制品成型质量。研究结果对聚合物多腔微管的口模结构优化设计具有理论意义与工程应用价值。

微细金属管制造技术现状与研究进展

微细金属管具有微环境下的微通道封闭、定向导向、稳流导流等功能,被广泛应用于医疗、电工电子、传热、光学等领域。受加工工具小型化、尺寸效应对材料性能和摩擦行为的改变等限制,微细金属管的制备极具挑战性。总结了微细金属管常用制备技术的制备原理、特点、制造能力以及优缺点,包括热挤压成形、冷拔成形、无模拉拔成形以及电铸成形,并对微细金属管制造技术的未来发展趋势与研究重点进行了展望。

3003Al-H14薄壁微小通道扁管波形冲压成形尺寸对截面变形的作用规律

薄壁微小通道波形扁管是建设新能源汽车锂电池组恒温系统的绝佳材料,成形尺寸是影响其冲压成形截面变形的关键因素。建立了实验验证的3003Al-H14微小通道薄壁扁管的波形冲压-回弹有限元模型。基于所建模型,研究了截面高度、管坯壁厚、内外面相对弯曲半径缩放系数等成形尺寸,对截面变形率和平均截面变形率的作用规律。研究发现:①横截面上边缘孔的截面变形率通常较大,其余孔的截面变形率相对较小且大小一致;纵截面上孔的截面变形率呈现波峰波谷高、中间段低的分布特点。②扁管的截面变形率随着截面高度增大而增大,当截面高度超过4 mm时,扁管内的筋显著弯折,横截面塌陷严重。③扁管的平均截面变形率随着壁厚增大呈指数函数下降;当壁厚等于0.1 mm时,所有截面都畸变严重,而当壁厚超过0.3 mm时,最大截面畸变率下降至24.71%。④内外面相对弯曲半径的缩放系数越大,则内外面的实际弯曲程度越小,平均截面变形率也越小。研究成果对薄壁微小通道波形扁管的精确成形具有科学意义和工程价值。

利用Micro—PIV测量微管道内流量的研究

为了解决微管道（水力直径小于1mm）内流量测量问题，采用Micro—PIV对水力直径为230μm毛细玻璃管内流量进行测量。实验中对Re＝480～2260范围内流量进行测量，试验结果证明利用该技术完全可能实现微管道内流量精确测量。

XEN引流管植入联合丝裂霉素C治疗开角型青光眼

目的:探讨XEN引流管植入联合丝裂霉素C(MMC)治疗开角型青光眼(OAG)的临床疗效和安全性。方法:回顾性纳入OAG患者37例37眼,按初始接受抗青光眼手术治疗与否分为初次青光眼手术组17例17眼,多次青光眼手术组20例20眼,记录各随访时间点眼压、降眼压药物种类及并发症,术后随访时间大于1 a。结果:术后1 a,初次与多次青光眼手术组眼压分别从术前27.56±9.94、28.43±14.18 mmHg降至15.16±3.65、17.18±5.83 mmHg,分别下降55.01%和60.43%(t=4.863,P<0.001;t=3.255,P=0.004)。术后不同时间点两组眼压均较术前降低,时间有差异(F_(时间)=6.876,P_(时间)<0.001),组间及交互均无差异(F_(组间)=0.242,P_(组间)=0.626;F_(时间×组间)=0.959,P_(时间×组间)=0.458)。两组手术完全成功率分别为47%、45%,条件成功率为76%、75%(Z=-0.115,P=0.909),完全成功与条件成功累积生存率分析均无差异(χ^(2)=0.042,P=0.838;χ^(2)=0.004,P=0.949)。术后1 a随访时两组降眼压药物均由术前的3(2,3)种减少为1(0,2)种(Z=-3.289、-3.796,均P<0.001),组间无差异(Z=-0.581,P=0.561)。术后短期并发症以低眼压为主,前房出血次之,远期并发症以滤过泡包裹为主,除外引流管暴露及脱落各1眼,无其他严重并发症发生。结论:XEN引流管植入联合MMC治疗初次与多次青光眼手术OAG患眼均安全有效,但多次青光眼手术组滤过泡包裹发生率高。

水平微肋管内R513A冷凝换热特性研究

采用实验方法研究了R513A在光管和不同齿密度微肋管内的冷凝换热性能,并通过对比冷凝换热系数实验值与关联式的预测值,探究了现有关联式对R513A的适用性,实验在冷凝温度33、35、38℃,质量流速50~150 kg/(m^(2)·s)的工况范围内进行。实验结果表明:冷凝换热系数随质量流速的增大而增大,在低质量流速区域,微肋管的冷凝换热系数增长幅度更大;随着齿密度的增加,管内换热面积增大,但管内表面张力作用增强,相应的流动阻力增强,强化传热作用被削弱;与R134a相比,微肋管对R513A的强化传热效果更优;对于光管,Bashar关联式的预测效果最佳,Cavallini关联式与Dobson关联式在低质量流速区域的预测误差偏大;对于微肋管,Yu关联式的预测效果最理想,Cavallini关联式与Kedzierski关联式均低估了管内冷凝换热特性。以Kedzierski关联式为基础,拟合了新的修正关联式,修正关联式的预测值与实验值的一致性较好,其平均绝对误差与标准差分别为7.8%、8.5%。