Materials Science Forum Vols. 636-637

Abstract: The Zn-Ni layers were obtained by electrolytic method in the conditions of pulse current with symmetric current pause. The austenitic steel (OH18N9) was used as the cathode. The morphology, phase and surface chemical composition of the layers deposited at reduction current densities ic = 5 – 25 mAcm2, were defined. The surface morphology of deposited layers and surface chemical elements distribution were studied using a scanning electron microscope (JEOL JSM-6480). On the basis on this research, the possibility of deposition of Zn-Ni layers contained about 8 – 10 % at. Ni was exhibited. The optimal pulse current condition of Zn-Ni layers deposition were proposed namely ic=20mA•cm2, ton = toff = 2ms. It was stated, that surface chemical composition of Zn-Ni layers is independent on pulse current densities of deposition, whereas development of Zn-Ni surface increases with the increase in the pulse current density of deposition. The corrosion resistance investigations showed that passivation and heat treatment improved the corrosion resistance of Zn-Ni layers in 5% NaCl solution. Higher corrosion resistance of heated Zn-Ni layers is caused by the creation of Ni5Zn21 intermetallic phase. Moreover the heated Zn-Ni layers are characterized by slightly higher corrosion resistance compared with metallic Cd. Microhardness of the layers was investigated by Vickers diamond testing machine.

Abstract: This study was undertaken in the aim to try the limit of extraction of Zn from Zn-Ni system. The aim was realized by the addition of MoO42- ions into the galvanic bath containing Ni2+ and Zn2+ ions. Zn-Ni-Mo layers were deposited under galvanostatic conditions on (OH18N9) austenitic steel substrate. The influence of Na2MoO4 concentration in a bath on the surface morphology, chemical and phase composition and the corrosion resistance of obtained layers, was investigated. The properties of Zn-Ni-Mo layers were compared to the properties of electrolytic Zn-Ni layer. Structural investigations were performed by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) method. The surface morphology and chemical composition and surface chemical elements distribution of deposited layers were studied using a scanning electron microscope. Electrochemical corrosion resistance investigations were done by classical Stern method and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The potentiodynamic curves in the range of  0.05V to the potential of open circuit, were obtained. On the base of these curves the parameters like corrosion potential- Ecor, corrosion current density- icor and the polarization resistance- Rp were determined. These values served as a measure of the corrosion resistance of obtained layers. Results of impedance investigations were presented on the Nyquist Z”= f (Z’) and the Bode log Z = f (log) and  = f (log), diagrams. On the basis on this research, it was exhibited that surface morphology, chemical composition of Zn-Ni-Mo layers are dependent on Mo contents. The optimal content of Na2MoO4 in the bath for the sake of corrosion resistance in 5% NaCl, is found to be 1.2 gdm-3.

Abstract: In this paper the efficiency of two organic corrosion inhibitors, a migratory and an admixture inhibitor, was evaluated by electrochemical techniques in solutions simulating the interstitial electrolyte of concrete and on concrete slabs exposed to natural environmental conditions over a five-year period. From obtained results, the usefulness of the two products is discussed aiming its application in new structures to prevent chlorides induced corrosion and as a curative method for repairing reinforced concrete structures contaminated with chlorides and affected by reinforcement corrosion.

Abstract: The aim of this work was the production of a large surface area of hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) plasma-deposited thin films and their applicability in a miniaturized structure useful for preliminary analysis of organic mixtures. The HMDS plasma films were produced with different surface areas and morphologies, and all films adsorbed polar and non-polar organic compounds. A low cost miniaturized structure was manufactured in glass using a Milling cutter and covered with HMDS plasma films. Good agreement was observed between simulation and experimental results on those microstructures. The observed different performance between pure and mixtures of organic compound samples suggests that the proposed system is a simple setup that could be useful for rough analysis of a fuel.

Abstract: The aim of this work was to produce, to characterize and test selective membranes based on derivatives from organic fluorinated/silicon compounds. The produced composites presented silicon and fluorinated species on the surface. The morphology of these non uniform surfaces showed big domains in the micrometer scale but a closer view reveals structures also in the nanometer range. Contact angle measurements showed a mildly hydrophobic and organophilic surface. Polymeric tapes treated with this composite showed an increase on permeation rate for the organic compounds. An acrylic device that employed this modified polymeric tape was manufactured and used for sample pretreatment during chemical analysis.

Abstract: This work presents the corrosion behaviour of the as-prepared of Zn-TiO2 and ZnNi-TiO2 films in neutral Na2SO4 solution and a first attempt to correlate with their composition, morphology and structure. The films were prepared by galvanostatic pulse method onto steel electrodes, at room temperature. The X-ray diffraction study revealed that the ZnNi alloy consists of a homogenous Ni5Zn21 phase and that the preferred crystallographic orientation of Zn deposits changes in the presence of TiO2. The SEM results show that the morphology of the metallic coating is function of the metal phase composition and become more porous in the presence of 1.5 wt% TiO2.The corrosion parameters for the nanocomposite coatings were compared with those of pure Zn and ZnNi electrodeposits, and the ZnNi-TiO2 nanocomposite coating shows the less cathodic corrosion potential.

Abstract: NiTi alloy is known to have a potential interest specially for its superelasticity and shape memory effect (SME). Most of the research undergone up to now investigates such properties in bulk materials. The few works related to overlays (coatings) use magnetron sputtering for thin films and Vacuum Plasma Spray (VPS) for thicker coatings. VPS is the mostly used thermal spray technique regarding the Ti oxidation problems which considerably affect the so desired SME. The present work compares the microstructure of VPS NiTi coatings with those of High Velocity Oxygen Fuel HVOF and a liquid cooling device coupled to a Atmosphere Plasma Spraying (APS+Q), with optimized spraying conditions trying to minimize Ti oxidation. Apart from their characterization by Scanning Electron Microscopy, the main purpose is to further study how particles are retained within the coating so that Transmission Electron Microscopy is also employed. This has allowed the observation of amorphous and nanocrystalline phases as well as to the change from cubic B2 NiTi lattice to metastable lattices.

Abstract: Low energy high current pulsed electron beam (LEHCPEB) is a fairly new technique for surface modifications, including hardening, alloying and formation of metastable phases as well as improvement in wear and corrosion properties. The present contribution gives some new insights on the microstructure modifications encountered at the top surface of HCPEB treated metals. In particular, the potential of the technique for structure modifications associated with the use of the pulsed electron beam under “heating” and “melting” conditions are highlighted.

Abstract: In this work the depth of interfaces in multilayered structures was estimated. The fractions of positron annihilation as function of the implantation energy were estimated from an S-W plot and then converted into a function of the sample depth through the positron implantation profile in the multilayer system computed from a reduced positron profile. The results of this method in Ti/Al samples are comparable to those using the common analysis based on positron diffusion equations. The positron analyses results were compared with SIMS profiles for the same samples.

Abstract: Weight of a composite cylindrical pressure vessel is an important issue investigated here. Design variables include number of layers and thickness, ply angle, volume fraction, and material properties in each layer. The constraint is based on Hoffman criterion and the optimization technique is a messy genetic algorithm (mGA). It is shown that with multilayered structure, we can have a vessel with a weight less than half of that for a single layered composite vessel under a given internal pressure.