Carbon activity in Fe-, Co-, Ni- and Mn-based melts at 1873 K

A method to determine the first order interaction parameters according to the data of the influence of alloying elements upon the carbon solubility in liquid metals has been developed. The calculated results for iron based melts have been found to be in a good agreement with literature data. The values obtained for Mn-, Fe-, Co- and Ni-based melts at 1873 K have been summarized in the series of linear equations depending on the number of alloying element in the periodical system. Calculated metal activity in binary Me-C (Me = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) melts shows good agreement with literature data.     

The effect of multiple martensitic transformations on diffusion of Fe and Ni atoms in Fe-31.7%Ni-0.06%C alloy

Diffusion characteristics of iron and nickel atoms were investigated using radioactive isotopes method in phase-hardened metastable iron-nickel Fe-31.7%Ni-0.06%C alloy with nanofragmented structure. It has been found that diffusion mobility of nickel and iron atoms in reverted austenite of Fe-31.7%Ni-0.06%C alloy significantly increases as the result of multiple γ-α-γ martensitic transformations. The diffusion coefficients of nickel and iron in the austenite at 400°C corresponded to the stationary diffusion coefficients at the temperatures above 900°C. The revealed diffusion acceleration at low temperatures is caused by high-density dislocations and additional low-angle subboundaries of disoriented nanofragments of reverted austenite and deformation twin subboundaries formed during multiple γ-α-γ cycles.     

Study of a Helium Film in 10 μm Porous Glass by Torsional Oscillator in Free Decay Mode

Dissipation and superfluid density of a thin helium film (superfluid transition at temperature T_c=0.88 K), placed in 10 m porous glass are studied as a function of oscillation amplitude or AC amplitude at fixed temperatures near superfluid transition. The measurements are performed using a high-Q torsional oscillator in the free decay mode as well as constant drive mode. Results show decreasing superfluid density with increasing velocity and non-monotonic behavior of the dissipation in the film.     

Propagation of diffuse light in a turbid medium with multiple spherical inhomogeneities

We develop a fast and accurate solver for the forward problem of diffusion tomography in the case of several spherical inhomogeneities. The approach allows one to take into account multiple scattering of diffuse waves between different inhomogeneities. Theoretical results are illustrated with numerical examples; excellent numerical convergence and efficiency are demonstrated. The method is generalized for the case of additional planar diffuse-nondiffuse interfaces and is therefore applicable to the half-space and slab imaging geometries.     

Isotactic and syndiotactic polypropylene/multi-wall carbon nanotube composites: synthesis and properties

Isotactic polypropylene (iPP) and syndiotactic polypropylene (sPP) nanocomposites containing 0.1–3.5 wt.% multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been synthesized via in situ polymerization method with the use of C₂- and C_s- symmetry zirconocenes activated by methylaluminoxane (MAO) in liquid propylene medium. Fracture morphology studies by SEM reveal different MWCNT dispersion efficiency in various polymer matrices, which arises from the catalytic peculiarities of the composite synthesis. Considerable Young’s modulus enhancement of iPP and sPP (25–66%) takes place even at low MWCNT loadings (below 0.5 wt.%). The obtained nanocomposites can find use as efficient electromagnetic shielding materials and microwave absorbing filters due to relatively low permittivity values and considerable dielectric losses in microwave range. Calorimetry data demonstrate that MWCNTs exert evident influence as nucleating agents causing the rise of iPP and sPP crystallization temperature. Considerable retardation effect on iPP thermal oxidative degradation has been observed: the temperature of maximal weight loss rate rises by ~52 °C upon incorporating only 1.4 wt.% MWCNTs.