Key Engineering Materials Vol. 991

Abstract: Sr-doped CaMnO₃ materials have wide applications due to their thermal and electrical properties. The importance of the synthesis of Sr-doped CaMnO₃ material for various applications encourages researchers to evaluate and refine the synthesis process. In this study, Ca_1-xSr_xMnO₃ (x = 0; 0.05; 0.1; 0.15; 0.2) system has been prepared by sol-gel method followed by conventional sintering process at 850°C for 8 hr. A thorough discussion has been made on the outcomes derived from the investigation on the structural, electrical, and thermal properties of Sr-doped CaMnO₃ system using powder x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, DC fourprobe method, thermal expansion studies, and thermoelectric power analyses. The XRD patterns of all prepared samples exhibited single phase with orthorhombic crystal structure (space group Pnma). Rietveld refinements were performed for all the patterns by using Fullprof software to extract the structural properties. The values of unit cell volume of samples tend to increase with the increment of dopant concentration, whereas the crystallite size values were decreased with dopant concentration. The microstructures of all the samples were studied using SEM, and elemental compositions were confirmed from the EDS results. Linear thermal expansion coefficients of all the samples were found to have moderate values in the temperature range from 30°C to 800°C. The electrical properties of all the system of samples were studied in the temperature range from 30°C to 400°C using DC fourprobe conductivity setup. It was found that all the samples exhibited semiconductor nature. Sr-content on the A-site suppress the electrical resistivity up to 10% of concentration and 5% dopant content exhibited the lowest electrical resistivity. The values of Seebeck coefficient found to vary from -160 µV/K to -124 µV/K with the increase of dopant content in the parent compound.

Abstract: The electrical properties measurements have been performed in a homogeneous alignment parallelepiped cell containing 4-methoxy benzylidene- 4-butylaniline (MBBA) liquid crystal doped with 0.02%wt tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB). The measurement of the complex permittivity was conducted in the nematic phase, covering a frequency range of 42 Hz to 5 MHz. A new relaxation mode was observed in the low-frequency region, which was not present in pure MBBA. The obtained dielectric dispersion could be fitted using the double Cole–Cole formula to determine the relaxation frequencies. The steady-state current exhibited a nonlinear dependence on the applied voltage, and hysteresis was observed in the transient current-voltage characteristic curve.

Abstract: The aging of the precipitate product is a crucial stage in forming particles using the precipitation method. In this study, the aging time in atmospheric ambient was investigated for its impact on the formation and properties of zinc oxide particles. The zinc oxide particles were synthesized using an ultrasound-assisted precipitation method. The diffraction pattern confirmed the crystallinity and crystallite size of zinc oxide decreases with increasing aging time. The UV-Vis absorption spectrum analysis revealed that 24 hours of aging resulting zinc oxide with a bandgap close to that bulk zinc oxide band gap energy. The scanning electron microscope image showed an alteration of zinc oxide morphology from rod to flake-like particle as the aging time. The crystallinity, morphology, and optical properties of zinc oxide particles are significantly affected by aging time. The results suggested that aging time in the ultrasound-assisted precipitation method can be used to engineer the suitable properties of zinc oxide particles for its application.

Abstract: Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a promising class of materials that have a wide range of applications, from gas storage to catalysis. The synthesis of MOFs from the ZnImBImZnO framework has been carried out using hydrothermal and solvothermal methods. By using different metal-ligand molar ratios and solvents, we have discovered that MOFs can be formed both in DMF and water solvents. The products obtained were studied using various techniques, including SEM, PSA, and FTIR, to confirm their formation Our research has shown that MOFs synthesized with different concentrations and solvents show different size distributions. This suggests that the choice of solvent and concentration can be used to control the size and morphology of the MOFs. Furthermore, we have found that the formation of the MOFs framework also directs the morphology of the Zn(II)-imidazole complex and ZnO NFs. Our results provide important insights into the synthesis and properties of MOFs. Moreover, the contact angle measurement data for the ZnImBImZnO framework indicates that it is unequivocally hydrophilic. By understanding the factors that influence the properties of MOFs, we can design new materials with specific properties tailored to different applications. This exciting research area has the potential to revolutionize many fields, from energy storage to drug delivery. Our results provide important insights into the properties of MOFs and pave the way for developing new materials with tailored properties.

Abstract: Permanent biomedical implants pose several issues in long term scenarios like infections, inflammation, implant fracture, tissue damage, cancerous tumors formation, and skin allergies. Biodegradable biomedical implants are a new interest that function by degrading internally after achieving the implant goal. Shape memory alloys like Nitinol and Iron based shape memory alloys have applications in biomaterials due to the excellent property of super elasticity and shape memory effect respectively with the ease of small surgery requirement. To achieve biodegradability, the alloy composition is to be set while not compromising other properties such as biocompatibility, mechanical properties, shape memory properties, and magnetic properties. Slow corrosion rates of Fe-Mn alloys are reported and alloying addition, surface modifications, and novel manufacturing techniques are suggested to overcome this problem. In this study, the effect of addition of copper addition effect on the degradation behavior of Fe-30Mn-5Si is investigated. Austenite is the major phase present in both samples and small amounts of martensite are also present. For 10% copper, an additional copper rich phase is formed along the grain boundaries as it was beyond the solubility limit of iron matrix. The electrochemical corrosion test shows that 10% Cu addition resulted in 1.72 times higher corrosion rate than that of 5% Cu addition. As 5% Cu addition is within the solubility limit of iron matrix, and it forms a solid solution with iron that creates a passive layer during corrosion testing results in slower degradation.

Abstract: Ultra-high Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) is a highly versatile polymer known for its exceptional mechanical properties, however, its limited life as an implant material for Total Joint Replacement (TJR) necessitates surface modification to extend its lifespan. This study aims to enhance the surface properties of UHMWPE through application of ceramic coatings. Magnetron sputtering method was used to deposit thin film of white Titania (TiO₂) on the material’s surface. To evaluate the surface characteristics, such as surface roughness, uniformity and structure, coated and uncoated samples were analyzed through Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD). The material performance in relation to biological context was investigated through Contact Angle measurement. A comparative analysis of coated and uncoated samples was then performed. The coated samples showed better wettability compared to uncoated sample. This fact highlights the hydrophilic nature of film. The results of the coated UHMWPE suggest that this surface modification technique could significantly extend the lifespan of UHMWPE implants in TJR, potentially addressing the current limitations associated with their longevity.

Abstract: Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) has been used as a bearing material in total joint replacements due to its excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility. The acetabular cup in total hip replacement and the tibial component in total knee replacement is widely fabricated from UHMWPE. The use of UHMWPE in total joint replacements is well established, and the goal is to improve its mechanical properties, wear resistance, and oxidation resistance. The quality and life span of the artificial joints can be further increased by enhancing the relevant mechanical properties of UHMWPE. The addition of filler material to UHMWPE is an effective way to enhance its relevant properties. In this study, relevant properties of UHMWPE were enhanced by incorporating an appropriate filler. Reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) was selected as a filler material as it improves mechanical properties, wear resistance, toughness, and thermal stability. Graphene oxide (GO) was synthesized by Modified Hummer’s Method (MHM), and it was thermally reduced to obtain rGO. The synthesized GO was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) which confirmed the accurate synthesis. The reduction of GO was validated by the disappearance of (OH) broad peak in the FTIR analysis. The rGO/UHMWPE nanocomposite was prepared by adding 0.7 wt.% of rGO employing the solvent mixing method. The morphology of the composite was validated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Tensile and Izod Impact tests were performed on the samples which showed an increase in tensile strength of 33.2% and the impact strength increased by 140.5%. The rGO/UHMWPE nanocomposite with greater tensile and impact strength is an excellent candidate to produce orthopedic implants with superior properties.

Abstract: The TIG welding technique in pulsed current using inverter welding equipment allows the realization of welds at a high technological and qualitative level due to the advantages that the process offers, the control of the welding pool, of the energy introduced in the components, the increase of the arc stability when using low welding currents or when welding at high speeds. Some manufacturers of welding equipment [1, 2] propose the option of using pulsed current on manual metal arc welding sources to increase the technological performance, primarily for the control of the welding pool by using low values of the current frequency below 10Hz, but with limited possibilities to modify the other parameters of the welded joint. The paper proposes the use of TIG welding equipment in pulsed current, in manual metal arc welding using the pulsed welding technique, starting from the advantages that this equipment offers in terms of the much greater possibility of adjusting all the parameters of the pulsed current according to the technological needs. This is possible because the two welding processes use welding equipment with identical external static volt-ampere characteristics.

Abstract: TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding has more and more application options. To always create new ways of optimization, a more in-depth study of the effects on the components subject to joining is necessary. The paper includes a study on the hardness resulting in the specific areas of the welded joint, using TIG welding with high frequency pulsed arc, applied to join some stainless-steel plates. The relative variation of the hardness was determined and analysed, in correlation with the process parameters. The study is part of the research on obtaining a good energy efficiency in the welding process, based on the requirements imposed on the quality of the joints.