Materials Science Forum Vol. 755

Abstract: In this work, results on the thermoluminescence dosimetry properties of beta particle irradiated ZnO obtained by thermal annealing of chemically synthesized ZnS are reported. ZnS powder was sintered at 950 °C during 24 h in air, in order to obtain pellet-shaped ZnO samples. The thermoluminiescence (TL) intensity of ZnO previously exposed to beta radiation increased as the dose increased in the 0.025-6.4 kGy interval studied. Characteristic glow curves exhibited two emission maxima at ~ 94 and ~ 341 °C. The dosimetric peak located at ~ 341 °C shifted towards lower temperatures as the dose increased, which indicates that second-order kinetic processes are involved in the thermoluminiescence emission. The dose response of ZnO showed a linear behaviour in the 0.025 Gy-0.8 kGy dose interval, which makes this material suitable and promising for medical, industrial and also space dosimetry applications. The thermoluminescence total signal faded down 48 % 6 h after irradiation and showed an asymptotic behaviour for longer times, due mainly to the ~ 341 °C stable and dosimetric glow peak.

Abstract: In recent years there have been many studies attempting to increase the mechanical properties and reliability of structural ceramic materials; the forming methods used for this purpose are based on multi-layered materials to induce residual stress between interface layers. In this work were made monolithic and multi-layered materials manufactured by casting in plaster of Paris molds using zircon and alumina as raw materials, mechanical and microstructure characterizations were compared, founding that, indeed, the laminar designs can substantially improve the mechanical properties of manufactured materials by the compressive stress between the interface layers.

Abstract: In this work electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and slow strain rate tests (SSRT) were used for the evaluation of API 5L X60 carbon steel in contact with a simulated soil solution called NS4. EIS monitoring before and after performing the tension tests was carried out. SSRT were carried out in NS4 solution at room temperature to simulate dilute ground water that has been found associated with stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of low carbon steel pipelines. A strain rate of 1x10^-6 sec^-1 was used. According to the analysis of SSRT, the X60 pipeline steel is highly resistant to SCC. In order to perform the electrochemical test, two working electrodes were considered, a complete specimen, before the SSRT and a fractured specimen after the SSRT. The analyses of results show that the electrochemical response was different in each samples. The corrosion rate (CR) obtained by the two corrosion techniques revealed that the CR of the fractured specimen was higher than the CR of the complete specimen. This behavior is attributed to the fact that the fractured specimen present a high degree of tortuosity and this condition activate the corrosion process. In addition, according to the cathodic Tafel slope, the reduction reacction was influenced by a difusion process. A combine fracture type in SSRT was observed: ductil and brittle with a transgranular appearance. Some pits and internal cracks close to the fracture zone were observed. The failure process and mechanism of X60 steel in NS4 solution are controlled by dissolution and hydrogen embrittlement.

Abstract: In this work orange pollen grains (Helianthus annuus) were immersed in a supersaturated ionic solution (similar to human extracellular fluid) during different times at 37 °C, atmospheric pressure and pH of 7.4. By Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) we confirmed the presence of the functional groups carbonyl, amide I, amide II, carboxyl and phosphate in both samples. Nevertheless, yellow pollen owns a greater amount of phosphate groups than orange pollen. By scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differences in the morphology, shape and size of both samples were not observed. In orange pollen grains, amorphous agglomerates can be observed for periods smaller to 14 days and spherical structures formed by nanocrystals of laminar form were observed on their surface at 17 days. By energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) confirms the presence of calcium and phosphorous in the agglomerates with different Ca/P ratio and by X-ray diffraction (XRD) the hydroxyapatite (HAp) phase was verified.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to study various aspects of liquid state diffusion bonding of cylindrical samples of Al₂O₃ and commercially pure niobium (99.7%) by brazing using a 25 µm thick 70Cu-30Zn (wt%) alloy as joining element. Initially, sintering of alumina powder was carried out in order to produce a 7 mm diameter samples at 1550°C by 120 minutes. Joining experiments were carried out on Al₂O₃/Cu-Zn/Nb/Cu-Zn/Al₂O₃ sandwich-like combinations at temperature of 920°C, 950°C and 980°C using different holding times under argon (Ar) atmosphere. The experimental results show a successful joining of alumina to niobium at 950°C and 980°C, however not at 920°C. Joining of Al₂O₃/Cu-Zn/Nb/Cu-Zn/Al₂O₃ occurred by the formation of a homogeneous diffusion zone with no interfacial cracking or porosity at the interface. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs show the layer formed in the reaction zone. It was observed that the width of the reaction zone increases with bonding temperature and time. Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) revealed that at any particular bonding temperature, Nb travel into the Cu-Zn joining element forming a circular precipitate phase near to the alumina ceramic.