Oxygen-enrichment of YBa2Cu3 YBa2Cu3O7-δ using the fluidization techniqueusing the fluidization technique

The oxygen-deficient phase of the highT _c superconductor, YBa₂Cu₃O₇, was oxygen-enriched using the fluidization technique to give good superconducting properties. The normal method of oxygen treatment at 900°C for 24 h and at 600°C for 24 h has been reduced to just one treatment at 600°C for 12 h by the fluidization technique to achieve almost the same strength of superconducting signal for the YBa₂Cu₃O₇ powder, which establishes the attractiveness of the latter route for the large-scale preparation of superconducting material. The particle sizes were in the range 0–90, 90–180 and 180–420 μm. The fluidized particles were crystalline with orthorhombic distortion.T _c ^onset , estimated using the a.c. magnetic susceptibility method, was 91·3 K. The volume fraction of superconducting material in the product was 83·7–85·3%, one of the highest values reported so far for YBa₂Cu₃O₇.     

Analysis of frictional energy dissipation on an annular surface with harmonic loading

Metallic mating surfaces in structural joints offer a good source of frictional energy dissipation resulting in a damped dynamic structural response. This paper reports the results of experiments where the energy dissipation per cycle occurring at a preloaded flat metallic annular interface subjected to cyclic tangential forces is measured. The effects of certain pertinent joint variables on this frictional energy dissipation are investigated by the application of Response Surface Methodology. A central composite rotatable design was utilized for developing empirical expressions for energy loss. The methodology presented suggests a useful technique for tribological research.     

A comparative investigation of interfacial adhesion behaviour of polyamide based self-reinforced polymer composites by single fibre and multiple fibre pull-out tests

Abstract

Interfacial adhesion of composite materials plays an important role in their mechanical properties and performance. In the present investigation, analysis of the interfacial properties of self-reinforced polyamide composites by using microbond multiple fibre pull-out test is emphasised. Microbond specimens prepared through thermal processing are tested for their interfacial properties by multiple fibre bundle pull-out tests and compared with that of traditional single fibre pull-out test specimens. Multiple fibre pull-out addresses the volume fraction as well as eliminates the possibility of fibre breakage before matrix shear. Higher scatter in the data in the samples is addressed in the present studies. FTIR and Fractographic studies are carried out for deep understanding of the post pull-out interfacial adhesion.     

Comparison of TiAIN,AICrN, and AICrN/TiAIN coatings for cutting-tool applications

Monolayer and bilayer coatings of TiAlN, AlCrN, and AlCrN/TiAlN were deposited onto tungsten carbide inserts using the plasma enhanced physical vapor deposition process. The microstructures of the coatings were characterized using scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and atomic force microscopy （AFM）. The SEM micrographs revealed that the AlrN and AlCrN/TiAlN coatings were uniform and highly dense and contained only a limited number of microvoids. The TiAIN coating was non-uniform and highly porous and contained more micro droplets. The hardness and scratch resistance of the specimens were measured using a nanoindentation tester and scratch tester, respectively. Different phases formed in the coatings were analyzed by X-ray diffraction （XRD）. The AlCrN/TiAlN coating exhibited a higher hardness （32.75 GPa）, a higher Young＇s modulus （561.97 GPa）, and superior scratch resistance （LcN = 46 N） compared to conventional coatings such as TiAlN, A1CrN, and TiN.     

Effect of shot peening on the fatigue and fracture behaviour of two titanium alloys

The fatigue and fracture behaviour of two titanium alloys, the near-alpha IMI-685 and alpha-beta IMI-318, were studied in the machined and polished (MP) as well as the machined, polished and shot (glass-bead) peened (MPS) conditions. Glass-bead peening reduced the room-temperature as well as the high-temperature (450°C) fatigue life of alloy IMI-685 at high stress amplitudes, _a, approaching the proof stress, _ps, of the material (LCF region). When the applied stress amplitude (0–770 MPa, HCF region) was comparable to the peen-induced peak longitudinal residual stress, _LP, i.e. (_LP/a)=0.92, an improvement in the room-temperature fatigue life of IMI-685 was observed. When the (_LP/a) ratio was less than this value, decreases in the fatigue life were seen. The room-temperature fatigue behaviour of IMI-318 at high stress amplitudes was similar to that of IMI-685. The decrease in the fatigue life of this alloy, at a stress amplitude (770 MPa) where improvement was observed for IMI-685, could be attributed to the higher relaxation of peen-induced residual stresses in IMI-318 compared with IMI-685. Glass-bead peening improved the hightemperature (450°C) fatigue life of IMI-685 at a low stress amplitude (465 MPa; (_a/PS)=0.87). The crack-initiation sites in the MP and the MPS conditions were at the surface for both the alloys. However, fracture in the surface layers of the alloys appeared more brittle in the peened (MPS) rather than in the unpeened (MP) condition.     

Effects of cyclic stressing,heat treatment and shot-peening pressure on the residual stress distribution in two titanium alloys

Using the method of drilling holes, the residual stress distributions were determined in two titanium alloys, IMI-685 and IMI-318, in the machined, polished, shot-peened and cyclically stressed (MPSC) as well as the heat-treated and quenched (HTQ) conditions. In IMI-318, the effect of shot-peening pressure on the residual stress distribution was also studied. Tensile cyclic stressing relaxed the shot-peen induced residual stresses in the longitudinal direction and the extent of relaxation depended on the degree of cyclic softening present in the material. In both alloys, in the post- heat-treated and quenched condition, the residual stresses were tensile in nature. In IMI-318, a decrease in the shot-peening pressure led to residual stresses of lower magnitudes. The peak residual stress was present closer to the surface when the shot-peening pressure was increased.     

High‐performance electromagnetic interference shielding material based on an effective mixing protocol

A facile and economic method is developed for the fabrication of new lightweight materials with high electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding performance, good mechanical properties and low electrical percolation threshold through melt mixing. Electrical properties, DC conductivity, EMI shielding performance and mechanical properties of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT)/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposites with varying filler loading of MWCNTs were investigated. High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy was used to determine the distribution of MWCNTs in the PTT matrix. The newly developed nanocomposites show excellent dielectric and EMI shielding properties. Theoretical electrical percolation threshold was achieved at 0.21 wt% loading of MWCNTs, due to the high aspect ratio and the three‐dimensional network formation of MWCNTs. Experimental DC conductivity values were compared with those of theoretical models such as the Voet, Bueche and Scarisbrick models, which showed good agreement. The PTT/3% MWCNT composite showed an EMI shielding value of ～38 dB (99.99% attenuation) with a sample thickness of 2 mm. Power balance was used to determine the actual contribution of reflection, absorption and transmission loss to the total EMI shielding value. The nanocomposites showed good tensile and impact properties and the composite with 2% MWCNTs exhibited an improvement in tensile strength of as much as 96%. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry     

Framework flexibility of sodium zirconium phosphate: role of disorder, and polyhedral distortions from Monte Carlo investigation

A detailed Monte Carlo investigation of the structural changes of the framework of sodium zirconium phosphate, [Zr₂P₃O₁₂]⁻,—NASICON (acronym for Na-SuperIonic CONductor)—accommodating alkali ions of varying sizes (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺ and Cs⁺) is carried out over a range of temperatures. Simulation results are critically compared with the structural models proposed earlier and available experimental results. Anisotropic changes of the rhombohedral cell parameters—a contracts while c expands with the size of the alkali ion substituted—is observed in good agreement with previous experimental results. The mechanism of anisotropic variation of lattice parameters involves dominantly, coupled rotations of the polyhedra as proposed by Alamo and co-workers. It is, however, observed that the distortions of the PO₄ tetrahedra and ZrO₆ octahedra are significant, and accounts for nearly one-third of the total change in a and c—parameters as the size of the alkali ion increases. This suggests that ‘rigid’ polyhedral models, permitting only angular distortions of the polyhedra, are of limited quantitative applicability in these solids. The same mechanism is found to be responsible for the low/anisotropic thermal expansion of these solids. Evidence that the polyhedral rotations are dynamic, opposed to a static-frozen-in disorder, is provided.