Papers by Keyword: Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)

Abstract: In this paper the fatigue life of spur gear was investigated by changing the shot peening condition. From bending fatigue test depending on various shot peening intensity, fatigue characteristics were investigated. The causes of reduction in fatigue life were analyzed by observing the surface of gear with Scanning Electron Microscope(SEM), and impact of residual stress to fatigue characteristics was identified by measuring compressive residual stress depending peening intensity by depth. The results show that the optimum shot ball velocity is 65 m/s and optimum peening time is 8 minutes. From SEM image, the micro-crack was observed at the surface in case of over peening. This seems to be the factor which reduces fatigue life by decreasing compressive residual stress of surface.

Abstract: In this paper the life extension of automobile drive plates will be investigated. The material of specimen is a high carbon steel treated by shot peening, which is most important in the manufacturing process of drive plates. The optimum shot peening condition was investigated by changing the feeding speed and exposure time. The fatigue crack was observed at the fracturing surface of specimens by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The distribution of compressive residual stress induced by shot peening process was investigated by using X-ray diffraction. The number of cycles to failure increases at the beginning of exposure. The life cycle decreases after passing some interval of exposure, which will be called as optimum peening zone. Experimental results show that the residual stress distribution and the number of cycles to failure of a drive plate are greatly affected by peening process.

Abstract: A faulted rock usually shows the swelling behavior because of clay minerals which consist of the fault gouges. It makes rock mass unstable and threatens the safety of structures built in rock mass. This study was aimed at clarifying characteristics of physical and mechanical properties of faulted rock materials. At first, microstructures and mineralogical composition associated with faulting in the fault gouge zones were analyzed by using X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and SEM microphotographs. Physical properties of the faulted rock materials from fields were measured in the laboratory. It is well known that the mechanical properties are sensitive to the mineralogical assemblage and are affected by the shapes, distribution and preferred crystallographic orientation of the components. Material and direct shear tests were also conducted on faulted rock materials under saturated and unsaturated conditions. The mechanical results were analyzed together with the analyzed result of XRD and SEM.

Abstract: In this work the method of single-wall carbon nanotube synthesis based on chemical vapor deposition from ethanol vapor has been developed. The films grown have been characterized in detail by the electron microscopy and the Raman scattering techniques. A typical split tangential mode (at 1592 cm-1) and a number of "breathing" modes (150-270 cm-1) have been revealed in the Raman spectra for a variety of synthesis regimes. It was possible to change the geometrical parameters of nanotubes by playing with the synthesis conditions. A key role of the catalyst (Co, Co:Mo) preparation has been revealed. A special procedure of the catalyst crystal growth has been developed.

Abstract: The aim of this paper is the residual stress evaluation in dental implants and the improvement of adherence at the metal-ceramic interface. This study is focused on the development of a multi-layer system model of Hydroxyapatite/TiO2/Ti components. Our aim is to validate new methods of laser ablation deposition and sol-gel, by controlling the residual stresses and actual adherence to titanium substrates. We present a report of the growth of hydroxyapatite layers by PLD (pulsed laser deposition) and sol-gel deposition, and the measurement of their residual stresses.

Abstract: Two α-Al2O3/YAG composite powders have been prepared by reverse-strike precipitation, starting from chlorides aqueous solutions, the former containing 50 vol% of the two phases (labelled as AY50) and the latter made of 90 vol% of alumina and 10 vol% of YAG (AY90). The as-prepared powders were characterised by DTA/TG simultaneous analysis as well as by XRD analysis performed after calcination at different temperatures. A systematic TEM analysis was performed on AY50 powders pre-treated at different temperatures, in order to investigate the crystallites size evolution as a function of the temperature. After that, samples were compacted by uniaxial pressing and sintered at 1600°C for 3h. SEM observations revealed a homogeneous microstructure made of micronic alpha-alumina and YAG grains. For limiting grain growth through the decreasing of the maximum sintering temperature, an innovative activation procedure by coupling suitable thermal and mechanical treatments of the powders was performed. After that, high densification (>95% of the theoretical density) was easily achieved by performing a free sintering in the temperature range between 1320° and 1420°C, with different soaking times at the maximum temperature. The resulting sintered bodies showed an effective retention of the nano-size of the primary particles. By SEM, highly-homogeneous nanostructures, with an average grains size of about 200 and 300 nm for AY50 and AY90, respectively, were observed.

Abstract: Glassy carbon (GC) discs and platinum microcylindrical electrodes were modified with a layer of nickel(II) tetrakis 3-methoxy-4 hydroxyphenyl porphyrin (poly-TMHPP-Ni) of different loadings (Γ) between 0.6 and 10 nmol/cm2, and subsequently with a Nafion layer. The topography and in some cases the thickness of films were measured by means of contact mode AFM. SEM and optical microscopy observations were used for the comparative studies on a larger scale. The useful range of the coverage with modifying polymer was investigated. The optimal value of loading for the sensor was found to be in the range of 6-8 nmole of poly-TMHPP-Ni per cm2. We observed the Nafion layer uniformity in nanometric scale.

Abstract: Surface science methods including scanning Auger microscopy (SAM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectroscopy have been used to study the initial growth of chromate conversion coatings on aluminum 2024-T3 alloy, using a coating bath formed by dissolving CrO3, Na2Cr2O7 and NaF in water. The objective is to learn more about growth mechanism on the different microstructural regions of this alloy surface, including the second-phase particles and the alloy matrix.

Abstract: To obtain further progress and a more detailed understanding of the mechanisms involved in recrystallisation, new and more accurate techniques such as in-situ observations are necessary. This innovative method has been used to monitor the recrystallisation process in a FEGSEM equipped with hot stage. Observations are done in backscatter mode with particular attention to orientation contrast. EBSD maps of the observed areas can be acquired before and after recrystallisation. Details of the movement of the interfaces between the recrystallised region and the parent structure are recorded and analysed. The results show that the grain boundaries observed do not move smoothly but with a jerky motion. The recrystallising front sweeps through small areas, corresponding to single sub-grains or small groups of them, very rapidly and then stops at other sub-grain boundaries for varying time before progressing to the following area.

Abstract: The present work is part of a broader investigation of the effects of additives in zinc phosphate (ZPO) coating solutions that are designed for specific applications to Al and its alloys. ZPO conversion coatings improve the corrosion resistance of the Al substrate and increase the adhesion of paint. Coatings formed on 2024-T3 aluminum alloy, after dipping in ZPO coating baths containing Mn2+, have been studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), SEM, and scanning Auger microscopy (SAM). Variations are observed in coating morphology and composition as the amount of Mn2+ in the coating solution increases through the 0 to 2500 ppm range. Adhesion tests give information on the relative strength of the coating-substrate interaction at different microstructural areas.