Iranian Journal of Materials science and Engineering
Volume:20 Issue: 4, Dec 2023

Two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is used as a promising flame retardant and smoke suppressant nano additive in polymer composites due to its high thermal stability and layered structure. In this study, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) was melt-blended with MoS2 (1wt. %) and a halogen-free intumescent flame retardant (IFR) system. The IFR system consisted of ammonium polyphosphate (APP), Melamine polyphosphate (MPP), and pentaerythritol (PER), with a total amount of 25 wt. %. The TPU/IFR/MoS2 composite exhibited outstanding flame-retardant properties, achieving a UL-94 V-0 rating and a limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of 34%. Reaction-to-fire performance of the TPU/IFR/MoS2 composite was evaluated by cone calorimeter test (CCT). The CCT results indicated high flame-retardant efficiency and considerable smoke suppression performance, along with a significant decrease in the peak heat release rate (PHRR: 65.9%), peak smoke production rate (PSPR: 65.6%), and peak CO production (PCOP: 60.7%) compared to the neat TPU. The significant improvement in fire performance of TPU composite was mainly attributed to the effects of the physical barrier of MoS2 and catalytic carbonization of the IFR system. These resulted in forming an intumescent compact carbonized layer during the combustion, effectively restricting dripping. The continuous structure of the residual char was revealed by FESEM. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated improved thermal behavior of the TPU composite in high temperatures. This work provides an effective method to improve the reaction to fire of TPU composites by incorporating traditional IFRs and MoS2, resulting in enhanced fire safety.

In the present work, development models of a new artificial human soft heart and artificial heart valves using nanocomposite materials and synthetics were designed, manufactured, and tested. The fabricated mechanical artificial heart valves were examined to determine the best service life for each type. The fatigue life results were implemented by using the transient repeated and continuously applied blood pressure on each produced value to simulate diastolic and systolic that occur in the natural heart at each pulse cycle. The obtained results showed that a 3D printing of a new generation soft artificial heart for a permanent replacement was implemented as an alternative to the high-cost available temporary implant mechanical hearts, which may exceed the price by tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars, with a working life of not more than five years. The obtained fatigue safety factors for the produced artificial valves using different materials and designs were decreased with the complexity of the movement of the moving parts of the valve. The highest rates were obtained when using the valves with flat, simple movement in one direction like the single-leaflet type valve, where all the used materials are suitable for the production of this type of valve. The highest obtained safety factor was reached (15). The lowest rates were recorded when using the highly flexible and strong PSN4 nanocomposite material for fabricating the mitral tri-leaflet valve (thick. = 1.0 mm) reached 1.91. This value decreases to 0.99 when using the same type and material of valve but with a thickness equal to 0.5 mm. It can be noted here that the only suitable for the manufacture of this artificial valve type is the nanocomposite polyetherimide/ silicone rubber with nano silica (PSN4), whereas the other used materials failed because the fatigue factor values are less than 1. The service life span of this material is about 9200 x 106 cycles, which is equivalent to about 290 years, followed by SIBSTAR 103 with a default age of 209.6 x 106 cycles or 9 years.

Deformation-induced α΄-martensite generally forms at shear bands in the coarse-grained austenite, while it nucleates at grain boundaries in the ultrafine-grained (UFG) austenite. The available kinetics models are related to the nucleation on the shear band intersections, and hence, their application to investigating the kinetics of α΄-martensite formation for the UFG regime cannot be justified. Accordingly, in the present work, the general Johnson–Mehl–Avrami–Kolmogorov (JMAK-type) model was implemented for comparing the kinetics of α΄-martensite formation in the UFG and coarse-grained regimes using an AISI 304L stainless steel. On the experimental front, the X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and the electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) maps were used for phase and microstructural analyses, respectively. It was revealed that the simple JMAK-type model, by considering the dependency of the volume fraction of α΄-martensite on the strain, is useful for modeling the experimental data, predicting the nucleation sites based on the theoretical Avrami exponents, and characterizing the transformation kinetics at low and high strains.

In the present investigation, an attempt was made to evaluate the dissolution behavior of Ti in molten KCl-LiCl. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of heated Ti plate at 800 oC for 4 h without carbon black in molten salt revealed that TiCl3 formation was feasible. For more assurance, Ti plate was heated at 950 oC for 4 h in the presence of carbon black to identify synthesized TiC. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images from precursors and the final product showed that nano-crystalline TiC formation from coarse Ti particles was almost impossible without Ti dissolution. Thermodynamics calculations using Factsage software proved that it was possible to form various TiClx compounds. The TiC formation mechanism can be discussed in two possible ways: a reaction between Ti ion and carbon black for synthesizing TiC (direct) and a reaction between TiCl4 and carbon black led to indirect TiC synthesis. Elemental mapping using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope (EDS) indicated that up to 815 oC, chlorine existed in the map.

Glasses in the B2O3-Li2 (O, Cl2, I2) system were prepared through the conventional melt-quenching method. Then, the conductivity of the molten and glassy states of these compositions was evaluated. Furthermore, the thermal and crystallization behavior of the glasses was determined using simultaneous thermal analysis (STA) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). The electrical conductivity of the melts was measured at temperatures ranging from 863 to 973 K, and the activation energy of the samples was calculated using the data obtained from ion conduction in the molten state and found to be in the vicinity of 32 kcal/mol. In glassy states, electrical conductivity was also measured. To determine this property, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy method (EIS) was used. In the molten state, temperature played an important role in the ion conductivity; however, at lower temperatures, other factors became important. Based on the results, the addition of LiI and LiCl to the B2O3-Li2O base glass system (75 B2O3, 10 Li2O, 7.5 LiI, 7.5 LiCl) (mol%) increases the ionic conductivity of the glass from 3.2 10-8 S.cm-1 to 1.4 10-7 S.cm-1 at 300 K.

Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of Zn-22Al alloy after post-ECAP natural/artificial aging were investigated. A homogenization treatment was applied to the casting samples. In addition, after preparing the samples for the ECAP, secondary homogenization treatment was done and then the samples quenched in the water to form a fine grain structure. After 8 passes of ECAP, some ECAPed samples were naturally aged and some ECAPed samples were artificially aged. Natural aging after 8 passes of ECAP showed that Zn-22Al alloy has a quasi-stable microstructure because limited grain growth occurred. Two-phase structure of Zn-22Al alloy prevented excessive grain growth after natural aging. On the other hand, artificial aging after 8 passes of ECAP caused a relatively much grain growth took place. In shorter times of artificial aging, the grain growth rate is faster due to the high surface energy of grain boundaries. On the contrary, as the time of artificial aging increased, the surface energy of grain boundaries decreased, which leads to a decrease in the grain growth rate. In addition, texture evolution was studied after aging artificial. Therefore, the main texture of α and η phases was determined.

The present work deals with the effect of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotube (MWCNT) and functionalized (carboxyl and amine) MWCNT on the mechanical properties of the PAEK (Poly Aryl Ether Ketone) polymer composite. The MWCNT and functionalized (carboxyl and amine) MWCNT concentration varied as 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 weight percentages. Compositeswere prepared by using a melt compounding method using a twin-screw extruder and all testing samples were prepared using an injection molding machine as per American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. Samples were tested for tensile strength, impact strength, flexural strength, heat deflection temperature, hardness, and density. There is an increase in the tensile strength, impact strength, flexural strength, and heat deflection temperature, with percentage increase in filler loading up to 0.5 %, followed by decrease in it with higher filler loading. The increase is maximum for amine functionalized MWCNT.

In this study, an epoxy-based nanocomposite reinforced with copper oxide-graphene oxide hybrid was investigated. Initially, the hybrid powder of CuO–GO with a weight ratio of 9:1 was prepared. The hybrid filler with different weight percentages ranging from 0.1–0.5 was used to reinforce the epoxy resin. The prepared samples were analyzed using XRD, FTIR, FESEM, TEM, and tensile testing. According to the XRD results and SEM images, the hybrid powder was successfully prepared, and the mechanical testing results showed an improvement in tensile strength in the composite samples. The best composite sample in terms of tensile strength was the one containing 0.3 wt% of hybrid reinforcement, which exhibited a 73% increase in strength compared to the neat resin sample.

The coated β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) with dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD) has attracted much attention in the biomaterials field due to the increase in its osteoconductivity. Besides, the porous bioceramic scaffolds with controlled pore sizes are significant in stimulating bone-like cell activity. In this study, the effect of the setting-time process and acidic-calcium phosphate (CaP) concentrations on the fabrication and properties of porous DCPD/ β-TCP scaffolds were studied. Subsequently, the specimens were examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), compression strength and Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR). The study results revealed that the porous DCPD/ β-TCP scaffolds with macro- and micropore sizes were successfully obtained after the 300-600 µm of porous β-TCP granules were exposed to an acidic-CaP solution. Furthermore, the setting-time process and acidic-CaP concentrations increased the DCPD interlocking between granules, and the mechanical strengths of scaffolds increased up to 0.5 MPa. Meanwhile, the porosity levels were changed based on the formation of DCPD crystals. This study was expected to provide novel insights to researchers in the field of bioceramics through its investigation on the creation of porous DCPD/ β-TCP scaffolds.

The polymer modified cementitious tile adhesives are very significant in construction sector. In order to considerably improve the bond qualities of the tile adhesive in polymer modified mortars, the proportions of constituent ingredients should be carefully selected. Consequently, to design high performance tile adhesives, interactions between all the components, such as the adhesion mechanisms between the polymers film and the substrate and the effect of various additives should be recognized. The effect of vinyl acetate ethylene (EVA), high alumina cement (HAC), and additives such as calcium formate and polycarboxylate on the adhesion qualities of ceramic tile adhesive was explored in this study. The findings indicated that these ingredients had an impact on the mortars' adhesive properties, and it is necessary to find their optimal amounts in order to achieve the maximum adherence. The results showed that the tensile strength of mortar was increased with increasing the polymer amounts. A microstructural analysis revealed that the polymer was distributed homogenously throughout the mortar.  The optimum amount of the used high alumina cement was determined 3 wt.%. Additionally, increasing the amount of accelerator and super plasticizer increased the tensile strength of ceramic tile adhesive by approximately 20-30%.

The growth of industries, populations, and industrial activities includes environmental pollutants. Pollution causes problems such as reduced light transmission, anaerobic conditions, and complications such as allergies and cancer for humans and other living organisms. The adsorption method is one of the most attractive, and efficient methods for removing environmental pollutants such as pharmaceuticals. Among the standard methods for wastewater treatment, adsorption is more efficient than other methods and is more economical. They have a meager price. Adsorption of pollutants can be an excellent way to remove toxic substances from polluted waters and industrial effluents. In this review, pharmaceutical removal by adsorption process was reviewed in details.

Friction stir additive manufacturing (FSAM) is a variant of sheet lamination additive manufacturing used to produce large, near-net-shaped 3D parts. Unlike traditional friction stir lap welding, FSAM introduces a new plate to one that is already joined, with the effective area limited to the nugget zone. The present study focuses on exploring the microstructure and microhardness around the nugget zone in a five-plate AA 7075-T651 laminate synthesized at 1000 rpm and 35 mm/min. Microhardness increased vertically in the weldment NZ, reaching 143 HV in the top layer with 2.0 μm fine equiaxed grains. The grains on the advancing and retreating sides were coarser compared to the nugget zone. A W-shaped microhardness profile appeared across layer interfaces. These findings contribute significantly to advancing the FSAM technique, particularly in manufacturing multi-layered, multi-pass laminates.

Phase transformations and the evolution of hardness during elevated-temperature annealing of Inconel 718 superalloy manufactured by the laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) were investigated. The microstructural evolution, elemental analysis, phase formation, and hardening were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Vickers indentation test, respectively. It was observed that the effect of annealing treatments is directly governed by the annealing parameters (i.e. time and temperature), for which the hardness measurement as a fruitful and convenient tool can reveal this effect. The increase of the hardness, which was obtained by the annealing (aging) treatments at the temperature range of 800-900 °C, indicated precipitation of the Ni3Nb γ˝ strengthening phase; while owing to the coarsening of precipitates as a results of overaging at this temperature range, the hardness decreased. For instance the length and aspect ratio of precipitates in the aged sample at 800 °C for 1 h is 67.14 nm and 0.32, respectively; while these values in the aged sample at 800 °C for 8 h is 78.34 nm and 0.44, respectively. On the other hand, the decrease of the hardness at temperatures of 950 and 1000 °C was attributed to the decrease of dislocation density in conjunction with the Ni2Nb Laves phase dissolution. Hence, it is crucial to determine the annealing parameters according to the required microstructure and properties.