scholarly journals Development of Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Materials from Termite Hill Soil Stabilized with Cement for Low-Cost Housing in Chad

Buildings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 86
Author(s):  
Assia Aboubakar Mahamat ◽  
Numfor Linda Bih ◽  
Olugbenga Ayeni ◽  
Peter Azikiwe Onwualu ◽  
Holmer Savastano ◽  
...  

This paper explores the effects of cement stabilization (5, 10, 15 and 20 wt%) on the structural and mechanical properties (compressive/flexural strengths and fracture toughness) of abandoned termite mound soil. The crystal structures and crystallinity of the constituents were determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), while the microstructure was characterized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The functional groups were also identified using Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR). The compressive/flexural strengths of the stabilized and un-stabilized termite mound soil were also studied after curing for 7, 14 and 28 days. The fracture toughness mechanism was analyzed with the aid of the R-curve method. Additionally, the underlying deformation and cracking mechanisms are elucidated via in-situ/ex-situ optical and scanning electron microscopy. The stabilized termite mound soil displayed the highest mechanical properties of 13.91 MPa, 10.25 MPa and 3.52 kPa·m1/2 for compressive strength, flexural strength and fracture toughness, respectively. Besides displaying good mechanical properties and being locally available at no cost, renewable and an eco-friendly material, the termite mound soil will contribute to lowering the cost of housing in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Chad.

2013 ◽  
Vol 745-746 ◽  
pp. 652-656
Author(s):  
Yang Miao ◽  
Wen Liu ◽  
Lei Zhuang ◽  
Hui Ling Cheng ◽  
Qing Sen Meng

In this paper, Mechanical alloying (MA) and field activated and pressure assisted synthesis (FAPAS) were used for preparing the ultra-hard, super-abrasive AlMgB14-xTiB2 composite ceramic. The samples were fabricated at 1500 under a pressure of 60 MPa. The microstructures and compositions of samples were observed and determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD). It was indicated that addition of TiB2 was effective for increasing both quantities. A maximum Vichers hardness of 38.5GPa and a fracture toughness of 3.85MPam½ of AlMgB14 reinforced with 70 wt.% of TiB2 were achieved. Abrasion wear tests showed that adding TiB2 would improve the wearability obviously.


2012 ◽  
Vol 476-478 ◽  
pp. 1031-1035
Author(s):  
Wei Min Liu ◽  
Xing Ai ◽  
Jun Zhao ◽  
Yong Hui Zhou

Al2O3-TiC-ZrO2ceramic composites (ATZ) were fabricated by hot-pressed sintering. The phases and microstructure of the composites were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The relative density and mechanical properties (flexural strength, fracture toughness and Vicker’s hardness) of the composites were tested. The results show that the microstructure of the composites was the gray core-white rim. With the increase of sintering temperature, the relative density and mechanical properties of the composites increased first and then decreased. The composite sintered at 1705°C has the highest synthetical properties, and its relative density, flexural strength, fracture toughness and Vickers hardness are 98.3%,970MPa,6.0 MPa•m1/2and 20.5GPa, respectively.


2021 ◽  
pp. 095400832110055
Author(s):  
Yang Wang ◽  
Yuhui Zhang ◽  
Yuhan Xu ◽  
Xiucai Liu ◽  
Weihong Guo

The super-tough bio-based nylon was prepared by melt extrusion. In order to improve the compatibility between bio-based nylon and elastomer, the elastomer POE was grafted with maleic anhydride. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) were used to study the compatibility and micro-distribution between super-tough bio-based nylon and toughened elastomers. The results of mechanical strength experiments show that the 20% content of POE-g-MAH has the best toughening effect. After toughening, the toughness of the super-tough nylon was significantly improved. The notched impact strength was 88 kJ/m2 increasing by 1700%, which was in line with the industrial super-tough nylon. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) were used to study the crystallization behavior of bio-based PA56, and the effect of bio-based PA56 with high crystallinity on mechanical properties was analyzed from the microstructure.


IUCrJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristian-R. Boruntea ◽  
Peter N. R. Vennestrøm ◽  
Lars F. Lundegaard

During screening of the phase space using KOH and 1-methyl-4-aza-1-azoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane hydroxide (1-methyl-DABCO) under hydrothermal zeolite synthesis conditions, K-paracelsian was synthesized. Scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and ex situ powder X-ray diffraction analysis revealed a material that is compositionally closely related to the mineral microcline and structurally closely related to the mineral paracelsian, both of which are feldspars. In contrast to the feldspars, K-paracelsian contains intrazeolitic water corresponding to one molecule per cage. In the case of K-paracelsian it might be useful to consider it a link between feldspars and zeolites. It was also shown that K-paracelsian can be described as the simplest endmember of a family of dense double-crankshaft zeolite topologies. By applying the identified building principle, a number of known zeolite topologies can be constructed. Furthermore, it facilitates the construction of a range of hypothetical small-pore structures that are crystallo-chemically healthy, but which have not yet been realized experimentally.


2012 ◽  
Vol 512-515 ◽  
pp. 706-709 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang Ling Zhou ◽  
Yan Yan Wang ◽  
Zhi Qiang Cheng ◽  
Chong Hai Wang ◽  
Rui Xiang Liu

ZrB2-20%volSiC ceramic composites with different volume of BN short fiber were fabricated by the hot-pressing sintering under 2000°C. The content of BN short fiber changed from 0 to 15vol%. The density, flexural strength, fracture toughness and thermal expansions coefficient were studied. The microstructures of the samples were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the introducing of BN short fiber into the ZrB2-20%volSiC lead to a serious of change to the mechanical properties of the ceramic. When the content of the BN short fiber is 10vol%, the flexural strength and fracture toughness reach 422.1MPa and 6.15 MPa•m 1/2 respectively. And the mechanism of the increasing toughness was studied.


2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siriporn Sirikingkaew ◽  
Nuta Supakata

This study presents the development of geopolymer bricks synthetized from industrial waste, including fly ash mixed with concrete residue containing aluminosilicate compound. The above two ingredients are mixed according to five ratios: 100:0, 95:5, 90:10, 85:15, and 80:20. The mixture's physico-mechanical properties, in terms of water absorption and the compressive strength of the geopolymer bricks, are investigated according to the TIS 168-2546 standard. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses are used to investigate the microstructure and the elemental and phase composition of the brick specimens. The results indicate that the combination of fly ash and concrete residue represents a suitable approach to brick production, as required by the TIS 168–2546 standard.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruy A. Sá Ribeiro ◽  
Marilene G. Sá Ribeiro ◽  
Gregory P. Kutyla ◽  
Waltraud M. Kriven

To determine the viability of using a local resource for geopolymer synthesis, geopolymers were synthesized using metakaolin made from clay mined in the Amazonian region of Brazil. Samples were made with mixed potassium-sodium and pure sodium metakaolin-based geopolymer. Samples were also made using commercial metakaolin (CMK) from BASF, Inc. as a comparison to the Amazonian metakaolin (AMK). Scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate the microstructure of the materials. X-ray diffraction was able to confirm the formation of geopolymer. The mechanical properties of AMK material were nearly equivalent to those based on CMK. Neither CMK nor AMK reacted completely, although samples made with CMK showed less unreacted material. By increasing the mixing intensity and duration, the amount of residual unreacted material was substantially reduced, and mechanical properties were improved.


2014 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Aldirmaz ◽  
I. Aksoy

In this study, some physical and mechanical properties in Cu-9.97%Al-4.62%Mn (wt%) alloy were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and compression deformation test. Bainite phase were obtained in the samples according to SEM and XRD analyses. Compression stress was applied on the alloy in order to investigate the deformation effect on the bainite phase transformation. On the surface of the Cu-9.97%Al-4.62%Mn alloy after the deformation, both bainite and martensite variants formed.


Author(s):  
Mohammad K. Hossain ◽  
Samira N. Shaily ◽  
Hadiya J. Harrigan ◽  
Terrie Mickens

A completely biodegradable composite was fabricated from an herbal polymer, soy protein concentrate (SPC) resin. Soy protein was modified by adding 30 wt% of glycerol and 5 wt% of poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) to enhance its mechanical as well as thermal property. 3%, 5%, 10%, and 20% nanoclay (NC) were infused into the system. To evaluate its mechanical properties, crystallinity, thermal properties, bonding interaction, and morphological evaluation, tensile, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) tests, and optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) evaluation were performed. Tensile tests showed that the addition of nanoclay improved the mechanical properties of the modified resin. Soy protein is hydrophilic due to the presence of amino acids that contain various polar groups such as amine, carboxyl, and hydroxyl. As a result, polar nanoclay particles that are exfoliated can be evenly dispersed in the SPC resin. From experimental results, it is clear that adding of nanoclay with SPC resin significantly increased the stiffness of the SPC resin. A combination of 5% clay, 30% glycerol, and 5% PVA with the modified SPC resulted in the maximum stress of 18 MPa and Young modulus of 958 MPa. The modified SPC showed a reduced failure strain as well. X-ray diffraction curves showed an improvement of crystallinity of the prepared resin with increasing amount of nanoclay. Interaction among soy, glycerol, PVA, and nanoclay was clearly demonstrated from the FTIR analysis. Optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs revealed rougher surface in the nanoclay infused SPC samples compared to that of the neat one. SEM evaluation revealed rougher fracture surface in the NC infused samples.


2017 ◽  
Vol 726 ◽  
pp. 292-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Wu ◽  
Shao Cun Liu ◽  
Xiu Rong Jiang

The microstructures of the prepared Ti(C, N)-based cermets with various ratios of Co to Ni+Co were studied using X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mechanical properties such as transverse rupture strength (TRS), fracture toughness (K1C) and hardness (HRA) were also measured. The results showed that when Ni was partly replaced by Co, the core size of hard particle and the thickness of rim phase changed. With the increasing of the ratio of Co to Ni+Co, the porosity of the cermets increased gradually, the fracture toughness of the cermets decreased gradually, the transverse rupture strength increased firstly and then decreased, the hardness changed slightly。When the ratio of Co to Ni+Co was 0.2, the cermets had better transverse rupture strength (TRS), which was characterized by fine grains and the moderate thickness of rim phase in the binder.


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