Papers by Keyword: Particle Size

Abstract: The conductive polyaniline (PANi) with fine particles of sizes from 724 nm down to 191 nm has been successfully synthesized through chemical oxidation reaction. The synthesis of PANi was carried out in acidic media under HCl 1.5 M solution using ammonium persulphate (APS) as an oxidizing agent in the presence of anionic surfactants. Two different types of surfactant respectively Sodium Octyl Sulphate (SOS) and Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS) were brought into an investigation on the effect of the surfactant chain length of C₈ and C₁₂ to the particle size formation. Such molecular chain length is responsible for the particle size growth rate. It was found that the average particle size of PANi decreased gradually by the addition of SOS and SDS surfactants with 1 % concentration each. The particle of PANi with sizes 296 nm and 191 nm was obtained as analyzed by Particle Size Analyzer (PSA). These sizes are far below 724 nm, which obtained from the same reaction but with surfactant free. Other supporting indicators showed that the pH of reaction solution was somewhat more acidic after 7 hours of reaction when the surfactant with pH value range within 0.7 – 1.4 presence. The temperature of solution increased with time following the energy released reached 30-31°C within the first 30 minutes, which was lower when compared with that of surfactant free.

Abstract: The main aim of this paper is to present the research findings which come out from the experimental determination of the influence of input raw material properties and composition on the operating parameters of an injection press during the injection of biomass-plastic composites (BPC). During the injection process, important operating parameters such as injection speed, injection pressure and the temperature profile along the chamber can be recognized. In this research study, the aim was to produce BPCs of an acceptable and competitive level of quality which is determined from the final mechanical properties of BPCs. Using a variety combination of influencing variables the final quality of composites and also the operating parameters of the injection moulding press can be improved. Raw waste material variables influence, especially (a type of plastic matrix, type of biomass, particle size, moisture content) and biomass/plastic concentration ratio can be recognized during the production of composites. Their effect can be seen from the quality indicators and from the operating parameters of the injection press which has a direct impact on the production costs. The paper deals with the determination of the impact and the relationship between the input raw material variables and the operating parameters of the injection process (pressure, speed, and temperature profile). The experimental research findings were obtained using a semi-operational injection moulding press where the injection is provided by a working screw. As the input raw material, wheat straw and spruce sawdust, HDPE plastic matrix and recycled HDPE, represented by lids from PET bottles, was used. The effect of the input raw material composition was determined according to a combination and default levels of biomass/HDPE concentration ratio, using recycled HDPE instead of virgin HDPE and particle size of biomass.

Abstract: Rapid preparation of nanocrystalline γ-Fe₂O₃ powder with superparamagnetism was realized by cryomilling commercial Fe₂O₃ powder using liquid nitrogen. The effects of milling temperature and duration on the grain size, phase and microstructure of the nanocrystalline Fe₂O₃ powder were analyzed. Magnetic property of the nanocrystalline γ-Fe₂O₃ powder was also tested by magnetometer at room temperature. The results demonstrate that nanocrystalline γ-Fe₂O₃ powder with single phase can be prepared rapidly by cryomilling with liquid nitrogen. The mean particle size of γ-Fe₂O₃ powder can be reduced from 300 nm to 13 nm by cryomilling at −130 °C within 3 hours. The nanocrystalline γ-Fe₂O₃ powder shows superparamagnetism at room temperature.

Abstract: Titanium alloy powders were prepared from titanium rods by plasma rotating electrode process (PREP). The effects of powder preparation technology on the morphology and properties of titanium alloy powders were studied by laser particle size analyzer, scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction, powder comprehensive property tester and oxygen nitrogen analyzer. The results shown that the titanium alloy powder prepared by PREP had uniform particle size distribution, sphericity >93% and oxygen content <1000 ppm. For TA1 powder, the phase’s structure was mainly composed of HCP-α phase, while the TC4 powder mainly composed of α' phase. During the preparation process, the particle size and sphericity of the alloy powder increased with the increase of electrode speed. The smaller the particle size and the higher the sphericity of the alloy powder, the larger the compacting density and bulk density, but the powders fluidity became worse. At the same time, the oxygen content of the titanium alloy powder increased with the decrease of the particle size, while the nitrogen content was not affected by the powder size. The oxygen content of the titanium alloy powder increased as the particle size became smaller, and the nitrogen content was not affected by the powder size.

Abstract: In this study, Si and SiC powder with a critical particle size ranged from 0.1 to 0.4mm was added into MgO-C refractory as antioxidants. At 1200°C in air atmosphere, oxidation weight losses of cylindrical specimens with additives were measured and the effective diffusion coefficient of oxygen in refractories was calculated from the results. Thus, the effects of antioxidants particle size on the oxidation resistance were researched. The result shows that the particle size of antioxidant has a considerable influence on oxidation resistance of material. The oxidation resistance of MgO-C refractories increased at first as the critical particle size of Si powder increased from 0.1 to 0.2mm and then decreased as the critical particle size increased up to 0.4mm, while the oxidation resistance of MgO-C refractories decreased as the critical particle size of SiC additives increased from 0.1 to 0.4mm. The minimum effective diffusion coefficients of oxygen in MgO-C refractories added by Si and SiC were 10.90 and 14.09cm²/min, individually.

Abstract: In this study, mechanical activation is used to generate ultra-fine fly ash (UFA) for high volume fly ash（FA）cement composites. The effects of different content and medium particle size of FA on mortar`s electrical resistivity, chloride penetration and mechanical properties are investigated. The results show that the compressive strength and resistance to chloride permeability of specimens with UFA have been enhanced, owing to higher pozzolanic reaction and higher dissolution rate of Si and Al units of UFA to accelerate the generate of reaction products. However, At the early ages, electrical resistivity of specimens increases with the increase of UFA; at later ages, specimens have a higher electrical resistivity with the increase of UFA.

Abstract: In this paper are presented both the fill factor of 0.75 and an efficiency approaching 14.64 % of solar cell, which were achieved, despite the non-optimized process. A new Cu-based additive of pastes were applied for formation of front contact on silicon solar cells. Front contact were screen-printed using commercial silver paste containing the CuXX additive prepared at laboratory. It is the world's first copper based paste appropriate for high-temperature production processes of front contact of the solar cell.

Abstract: This research investigates the effects of particle size and weight percent on the hardness of A356 matrix composite reinforced with SiC particulates produced by semi-solid stir casting. The particle sizes of the reinforcing phase were in the form of 37 and 100 μm SiC powders with loading content of 5, 10, 15 and 20 percent by weight. A356 alloy was melted and SiC powder was then gradually added into the continuously stirred slurry to promote uniform distribution of the particulates. It has been found that in the as cast condition, the average hardness values of A356 reinforced with different amounts of 37μm SiC, increase as expected with increasing amounts of particulates. A356 reinforced with 100 μm 10 wt% SiC, followed by T6 treatment, exhibited the highest percentage of hardness increment.

Abstract: This paper investigates the influence of different types of silica fume on the crystallization process of medium density calcium silicate based products. The products are formed by a new technology that consists of two steps. In the first step, a mixture containing calcium silicate hydrates (C-S-H) is formed by reaction of lime with special silicas at temperatures below 100°C. This mixture is then molded into boards by a filter-pressing technique. In the second step, the boards are treated in hydrothermal conditions enabling the conversion of the C-S-H into important contents of xonotlite (Ca₆Si₆O₁₇(OH)₂); this is the most stable calcium silicate hydrate phase at high temperatures. In order to make C-S-H in pressure less conditions, the use of reactive forms of silica is required. In this work we used silica fume as reactive silica. To understand the influence of the silica fume on the formation of xonotlite, several properties were studied, such as particle size, purity and specific surface area (BET). It was found that the particle size distribution and degree of agglomeration for the silica fume were the most important properties. A proper dispersion technique must be applied in order to break the silica fume agglomerates, forming particles small enough to react with dissolved lime and to form C-S-H phases that are able to be converted into xonotlite under hydrothermal conditions. Finally, it was also found that the formation of xonotlite is favored by the use of high purity silica fume.

Abstract: Stainless steel components produced by powder metallurgy constitute an important and growing segment of the industry. The high energy ball milling process can be an alternative for the recycling of the stainless steel chips. A major advantage of stainless steel is its ability to be recyclable. The reuse of recyclable materials has as main objectives to minimize the environmental impacts and to rationalize the use of the energy chains. This work aims at the production of stainless steel, starting from machining chips pure, and with the addition of vanadium carbides by high energy planetary milling with ball to powder weight ratio 20:1, and mill speed of 350 rpm milled in argon atmosphere for 50h. The compaction of stainless steel samples with vanadium carbide was made in a cylindrical matrix at a pressure of 700 Mpa. The sintering process was performed in a vacuum atmosphere furnace at a temperature of 1200 ° C for 1h. Through the milling process with the addition of carbide it was possible to produce stainless steel powder with a mean particle size of 49 μm. By X-ray diffraction was observed the appearance of the ferritic, austenitic phase and the martensitic phase induced by deformation phase that remained even after the sintering. The density of the sintered material is around 77% of the melt, and the obtained porosity was low.