Key Engineering Materials Vols. 510-511

Abstract: Ethylene-propylene diene ter-monomer (EPDM) filled with asbestos are widely used as thermal insulation in space vehicles because of its low specific gravity, low temperature flexibility, high ozone and oxygen resistant, superior thermal and ablation characteristics. However, asbestos has been banned worldwide because of its carcinogenic nature. This study was aimed to replace asbestos by environmental friendly and low specific gravity filler, cork in thermal insulation for space vehicles. Various batches of cork filled EPDM were obtained by compounding 0, 10, 20, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 100Phr (parts per hundred parts of rubber) of cork powder with EPDM in Two-roll-mill in presence of other necessary compounding ingredients. The resulted vulcanizates were characterized for mechanical, thermal and ablation performances. It was observed that cork loadings significantly enhanced tensile strength and hardness of EPDM. However, elongation at break of EPDM decreased with the increase of cork concentration. Moreover, no significant reduction in density of EPDM was obtained instead of compounding with lower specific gravity cork powder. Temperatures cures in Thermo-gravimetric analysis shifted to lower temperature with increasing of cork percentage in the formulation. Furthermore, char formation of the EPDM composites decreased with the increase of cork Phr in the composition which was the indication of degrading thermal stability of EPDM by cork powders. It can be concluded that on the basis of mechanical properties asbestos can be replaced by cork powder however, cork filled EPDM exhibited inferior thermal properties as compared to asbestos filled EPDM.

Abstract: In this paper, a study on the electrochemical behaviour and electrical properties of Al-Zn and Al-Zn-Sn alloys in tropical seawater using open circuit potential (OCP) measurement and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) are reported. The results from both the OCP and EIS tests show that surface activation was observed in the Al-Zn alloy with the addition of 1.34 wt.% Sn which can be manifested by the shift of OCP values towards more electronegative direction. The EIS spectra of Al-Zn alloy exhibits a semicircle loop, while the EIS spectra for the Al-Zn-Sn alloy exhibits a semicircle with a semicircle inductive loop. The change in EIS spectra for Al-Zn-Sn alloy is correlated to the increase of surface activation resulting in a less stable passive layer. Equivalent circuits models were proposed to fit the impedance spectra and the corresponding electrical parameters with optimum values were deduced. The modulus impedance in the low frequency region or polarization resistance, R_pol obtained for the Al-Zn-Sn alloy, R_pol = 2.76 kΩ cm²) is slightly decreased compared to the corresponding value of the Al-Zn alloy, R_pol = 3.97 kΩ cm²), indicating a considerable reduction in the protective capability of the oxide layer on the Al-Zn-Sn alloy. It appears that the heterogeneous oxide film and pores formed on the Al-Zn-Sn alloy play a key role in reducing total resistance to the flow of electron at the alloy-electrolyte interface.

Abstract: The ceramic-metal composites that have all phases continuous throughout the structure are known as Interpenetrating Phase Composites (IPCs) and they have many applications in various fields. In this investigation ZrO₂-Ni IPCs of varied compositions were synthesized using tubular furnace and microwave furnace routs. Samples were Characterized using BET surface area, Pycnometer density, dilatometry and scanning electron microscopy. The Electrical parameters of the composites were measured using impedance spectrometer. Results indicate that threshold percolation reached at 40 volume percent of Ni in both cases. Moreover, no significant difference was observed in BET surface area and CTE of composites prepared by conventional and microwave sintering processes.

Abstract: We measured the dc electrical resistivity as a function of temperature and dielectric parameters in the frequency range 100 Hz to 3 MHz of nanosized Zr-Mn spinel ferrites with nominal composition CoFe_2-2xZr_xMn_xO₄ (0.1 x 0.4). The dc electrical resistivity decreased with the rise in temperature for all the samples, showing a semiconductor like behavior. From the dc electrical resistivity the activation energy and drift mobility are determined. Both the drift mobility and activation energy increase with a rise in x. The dielectric constant, dielectric (losses) and ac electrical resistivity as a function of frequency are also reported. The low field ac magnetic susceptibility measurement showed that the ferrimagentic transition temperature is in the range of 4395 K to 6585 K.

Abstract: Isotropic and anisotropic NdFeB permanent magnets were prepared by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) and SPS followed hot deformation (HD), respectively, using melt spun NdFeB ribbons with various compositions as starting materials. It is found that, based on RE-rich composition, SPSed magnets sintered at low temperatures (<700 C) almost maintained the uniform fine grain structure inherited from rapid quenching. At higher temperatures, a distinct two-zone (coarse grain and fine grain zones) structure was formed in the SPSed magnets. The SPS temperature and pressure have important effects on the grain structure, which led to the variations in the magnetic properties. By employing low SPS temperature and high pressure, high-density magnets with negligible coarse grain zone and an excellent combination of magnetic properties can be obtained. For single phase NdFeB alloy, because of the deficiency of Nd-rich phases, it is relatively difficult to consolidate micro-sized melt spun powders into high density bulk magnet, but generally a larger particle size is beneficial to achieve better magnetic properties. Anisotropic magnets with a maximum energy product of ~38 MGOe were produced by the SPS+HD process. HD did not lead to obvious grain growth and the two-zone structure still existed in the hot deformed magnets. The results indicated that nanocrystalline NdFeB magnets without significant grain growth and with excellent properties could be obtained by SPS and HD processes.

Abstract: This study is focused on the development of isotropic Fe-Cr-Co based permanent magnets. Two compositions Fe-25Co-30Cr-3.5Mo-0.8Ti-0.8 and Fe-24 Co-32Cr-0.5Si-0.8V-0.8Ti were tried to optimize by adjusting heat treatment cycle. A modified single step heat treatment cycle was established which made processing easy and quick. Alloys were prepared in tri-arc melting furnace under inert atmosphere of Argon. Samples were solution treated at 1250 °C for 5 hours followed by water quenching. Then a spinodal decomposition heat treatment cycle in the temperature range 620 645 °C was applied in order to produce magnetism in this material. Samples were characterized for metallographic, chemical, structural and magnetic properties using Optical microscope, Scanning electron microscope equipped with Energy dispersive spectrometer, X-ray diffractometer and DC magnetometer. This study reveals that magnetic properties are sensitive to the spinodal decomposition temperature. Only + 5 °C change in temperature from optimum temperature can cause remarkable attenuation in magnetic properties. Magnetic properties of the alloys were achieved by controlling the spinodal decomposition temperature and subsequent cooling rate. The best magnetic properties in Mo and V containing alloys were obtained as 880 Oe (H_c), 7960 G (B_r), 2.3 MGOe (BH_max) and 700 Oe (H_c), 7750 G (B_r), 1.8 MGOe (BH_max), respectively.

Abstract: Investigation of transition phenomena accompanying the evolution of metallic phase of electric arc into gaseous phase is very important for the further progress in such fields as plasma technologies, electrical apparatus, plasmatrons and other technical applications. Some aspects of this transition are considered in presented paper on the base of mathematical model described dynamics of phenomena in the arc column, near-electrode zones, anode and cathode solids. Cathode and anode phenomena such as ion bombardment, thermionic emission, inverse electron flux, evaporation, radiation, heat conduction etc. are considered in dependence on time, current, opening velocity, parameters of the gas and contact materials. The conditions of the arc transition from one phase to another are formulated in terms of above characteristics and increasing of gas ionization level. Special experiments with two contacts materials, and have been carried to verify the mathematical model. The results of calculation and experimental data enables us to conclude that in metallic arc phase (short arc length), which is characterized by material transfer from the anode to the cathode, the erosion of contacts is considerably small than erosion of contacts both for resistive and inductive circuits, while in gaseous arc phase (long arc length) with opposite material transfer the rate of erosion depends on the inductance. If the inductance, then contacts have smaller erosion in comparison with contacts, however for inductive circuits situation is quite different, thus use of contacts in the case of long arcs burning in gaseous phase is more preferable. It was found also that the addition of niobium diselenide (1%) and tantalum (5%) into silver contact material which are sublimating into arc plasma enables to change ionization potential, that leads to decreasing of the arc temperature, arc duration and contact erosion.

Abstract: Strontium hexa-ferrite nanoparticles were prepared successfully by simple co-precipitation method. The XRD analysis confirmed the formation of single phase MFe₁₂O₁₉ (M=Sr). Parameters such as crystallite size, lattice constant, X-ray density and porosity were calculated from the X-ray diffraction data. The crystallite sizes were in the range 12-26 nm. The temperature dependent dc electrical resistivity measurements showed that the material was highly. Dielectric constant and dielectric loss factor (tanδ) were measured in the frequency range 20Hz-3MHz. The anomalous behavior of dielectric loss revealed a very important behavior of the prepared sample of SrFe₁₂O₁₉ in different frequency regions and that could be used for new applications of this material. The magnetic properties were determined from the hystersis loop obtained from vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The Curie temperature was determined by susceptometer. This material is potentially suitable for use as a recording medium in identification cards and credit cards and for the fabrication of permanent magnets.

Abstract: Copper thin films are potentially used in optical and laser applications due to their intrinsic reflective indexes in visible and infrared region of the spectrum. The reflective properties of the thin films are mainly driven by their thickness, structure, and residual strain induced during the processing stages. Copper thin films of various thicknesses were deposited on glass slides using a thermal evaporation unit. The deposited substrates were thermally treated, in inert environment for 30 minutes, for various temperatures. Further, the substrates were characterized using various techniques. Structural studies of the thin films were carried out using XRD on the as deposited and heat treated films to study the phases, the crystallographic preferred orientation, residual strain and crystallite size. The polycrystalline Cu phase was revealed and no oxide phases were identified. The films were preferentially oriented along (111). The crystallite size increases while the residual strain decreases as the film thickness increases. The crystallite sizes were very small as compared to the film thickness. The optical properties of these coatings were investigated by double beam spectrophotometer. It was found that reflectance of these coatings strongly depends upon the film thickness and post deposition heat treatment. The optimum deposition procedure was established to obtain the enhanced reflecting power.

Abstract: Ni-Zn ferrite nanoparticles with Cr doping, having the general formula Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Cr_xFe_2-xO₄ (x = 0.1, 0.3, 0.5) were prepared by simplified sol-gel method and sintered at 750±5°C. The structural and magnetic properties of the samples sintered at 750±5°C were studied. From X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, it was confirmed that the samples have single phase spinel structure. The crystallite size was calculated from the most intense peak (3 1 1) using the Debye Scherrer formula and was found to be in the range of 29-34 nm. The scanning electron microscope images showed that the particle size of the samples were in the range 60-120nm. Quantum design PPMS model 6700 was used to study magnetic properties of these samples. The effect of Cr doping on the magnetic properties was explained on the basis of cations distribution in the crystal structure.