Papers by Author: Alberto Somoza

Abstract: In the present work first results on structural properties of three commercial isomers of polybutadiene rubber are presented. To this aim, rheometry, PALS, DSC and swelling techniques were used. Different samples were prepared containing diverse amounts of dycumil peroxide as crosslinking agent and vulcanized at 433 K.A correlation among the experimental results obtained using different techniques is also discussed.

Abstract: Chemical modification of chitosan, specially grafting with different polymers is an important strategy in the production of bio-based materials with enhanced properties. In the present study, chitosan was grafted with n-butyl acrylate, in a surfactant-free emulsion polymerization. Stable dispersions with high grafting efficiency were obtained and the microstructure of the casted films was analyzed by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy and small angle X-ray scattering. Results are discussed in terms of the number and distribution of the grafting sites.

Abstract: A study on the microstructures developed during artificial aging of the 2024 alloy in nondeformed and 8% pre-deformed specimens is presented. The microstructural characterization was carried out using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), specifically, diffraction contrast and highresolution imaging. The S phase was found to precipitate heterogeneously on dislocations in both nondeformed and pre-deformed alloys. After the same artificial aging time, a larger density of S phase precipitates was obtained in the pre-deformed specimens. In non-deformed specimens, a high density of small nanometer-sized aggregates was found, that was absent in the pre-deformed specimens, that were identified as GP zones. To further analyze the small sized aggregates, artificially aged specimens with no previous deformation were also studied with Coincidence Doppler Broadening (CDB) of positron annihilation radiation. With this technique, information on the chemical environment around vacancy sites contained in the GP zones was obtained. Specifically, a composition close to (AlCu)2Mg was derived.

Abstract: Positron annihilation spectroscopy in two versions (lifetime and coincidence Doppler broadening) has been applied to investigate solute/vacancy interactions when minor amounts (<1wt.%) of Ag or Cu are added to the alloy Al-4Zn-3Mg (wt.%) during ageing at 150°C. The results show early clustering of vacancies with Zn (and with Cu, if present). Ag displays a strong interaction with vacancies in competition with Mg and forms clusters that may help further aggregation of the other alloying elements during artificial ageing. High Mg concentration is observed at the misfit interfaces of semi-coherent or incoherent precipitates.