Evaluations of All-in-One, Polycarboxylate-Based Superplasticizer with Viscosity Modifying Agents for the Application of Normal-Strength, High-Fluidity Concrete

High fluidity concrete exhibits an excellent self-compacting property. However, the application of typical high-fluidity concrete is limited in the normal strength range (18~35 MPa) due to the large amount of binder. Therefore, it is important to solve these problems by adding a viscosity modifying agent (VMA) with a superplasticizer (PCE), which helps to improve the fluidity of the concrete. In addition, the rheology and stability of the concrete with VMA can be improved by preventing bleeding and segregation issues. Current studies focused on the physical phenomena of concrete such as the fluidity, rheological properties, and compressive strength of normal-strength, high-fluidity concrete (NSHFC) with different types of a polycarboxylate-based superplasticizer (NPCE). The obtained results suggested that the combinations of all-in-one polycarboxylate-based superplasticizers (NPCE) did not cause any cohesion or sedimentation even stored for a long time. The combination of three types of VMA showed the best fluidity (initial slump flow of 595~630 mm) without any segregation and bleeding, and the compressive strength at 28 days was also found to be the highest: 34–37 MPa. From these results, the combination of PCE (2.0%) + HPMC (0.3%) + WG (0.1%) + ST (0.1%) showed an 18% higher plastic viscosity and -4.4% lower yield stress than Plain.

Simultaneous Improvement in Mechanical Properties and Fatigue Crack Propagation Resistance of Low Carbon Offshore Structural Steel EH36 by Cu–Cr Microalloying

Improving the mechanical performance of low-carbon offshore steel is of great significance in shipbuilding applications. In this paper, a new Cu-Cr microalloyed offshore structural steel (FH36) was developed based on EH36. The microstructure, mechanical properties, and fatigue crack propagation properties of rolled plates of FH36, EH36, and normalizing rolled EH36 plates (EH36N) manufactured by a thermo-mechanical control process (TMCP) were analyzed and compared (to simplify, the two rolled specimens are signified by FH36T and EH36T, respectively). FH36T showed an obvious advantage in elongation with the value of 29%, 52.2% higher than the EH36T plates. The normalizing process led to a relatively lower yield stress (338 MPa), but substantially increased the elongation (33%) and lessened the yield ratio from 0.77 to 0.67. Electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD) analysis showed that SFs of the deformation texture of FH36T and EH36N along the transverse direction (TD) and normal direction (ND) were much higher than those of the EH36T plate, which enhanced the lateral movement ability in the width and thickness direction, enhancing the ductility. Moreover, FH36 plates showed a better fatigue crack propagation resistance than rolled EH36 plates. The formation of the jagged shape grain boundaries is believed to induce a decrease of effective stress intensity factor during the fatigue crack propagation process.

Analysis of post-weld heat treatments of AISI 2205 duplex stainless steel

Duplex stainless steels are essential for many industries. Regularly used in highly aggressive environments, they often undergo a welding process, whether for joining components or repair operations. This process can modify the ferrite/austenite ratio and form secondary phases, impairing its properties. As a result, in some cases, it is recommended that post-welding heat treatment be carried out to restore the mechanical and metallurgical properties of the welded joint. In this work, the effect of solubilization heat treatment on the mechanical properties of duplex stainless steel welded joints by the autogenous Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) process is studied. A systematic review was performed in the Scopus database to understand the effects of post-welding heat treatments on microstructure, hardness, tensile and impact behavior. Two solubilization temperatures were chosen through this review: 1050 °C and 1150 °C during 15 min. These thermal treatments were carried out in 3 tensile test specimens of each condition studied, including the welded joint without any heat treatment, called as-received condition. The heat treatments resulted in higher elongation and lower yield stress and stress strength. The one-way ANOVA showed no significant difference between yield strength, tensile strength and elongation between heat-treated conditions specimens. Although, the region where the specimens fractured varied. In the future, a microstructural characterization will be performed to understand the mechanical behavior observed

Development of Low-Yield Stress Co–Cr–W–Ni Alloy by Adding 6 Mass Pct Mn for Balloon-Expandable Stents

This is the first report presenting the development of a Co–Cr–W–Ni–Mn alloy by adding 6 mass pct Mn to ASTM F90 Co–20Cr–15W–10Ni (CCWN, mass pct) alloy for use as balloon-expandable stents with an excellent balance of mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. The effects of Mn addition on the microstructures as well as the mechanical and corrosion properties were investigated after hot forging, solution treatment, swaging, and static recrystallization. The Mn-added alloy with a grain size of ~ 20 µm (recrystallization condition: 1523 K, 150 seconds) exhibited an ultimate tensile strength of 1131 MPa, 0.2 pct proof stress of 535 MPa, and plastic elongation of 66 pct. Additionally, it exhibited higher ductility and lower yield stress while maintaining high strength compared to the ASTM F90 CCWN alloy. The formation of intersecting stacking faults was suppressed by increasing the stacking fault energy (SFE) with Mn addition, resulting in a lower yield stress. The low-yield stress is effective in suppressing stent recoil. In addition, strain-induced martensitic transformation during plastic deformation was suppressed by increasing the SFE, thereby improving the ductility. The Mn-added alloys also exhibited good corrosion resistance, similar to the ASTM F90 CCWN alloy. Mn-added Co–Cr–W–Ni alloys are suitable for use as balloon-expandable stents.

Ricochet of steel spheres on sand with varying water content

The explosion of a building generates plenty of debris that flies far away. The flying debris is hazardous because it contains large amounts of kinetic energy. Therefore, determining the safety distance from the debris is essential. However, debris ricochet that collides onto the ground affects the safety distance because the ricochet phenomenon is influenced by the condition of the medium. In this study, experiments and finite element analysis were performed to investigate the ricochet based on the water content of sand. From a direct shear test, the internal friction angle and cohesion of sand were obtained based on the water content. The effects of internal friction angle and adhesion on the yield stress and ricochet were investigated. The results indicated that as the water content increased, the internal friction angle increased and then decreased, and the cohesion continued to decrease. The yield stress was proportional to the internal friction angle and inversely proportional to adhesion. Therefore, lower yield stress resulted in deeper penetration of debris, leading to higher energy loss, which increased the kinetic energy loss factor. Thus, the condition of the medium should be considered for setting a proper safety distance suitable for the surrounding environment of the building.

Rheological Properties of Cemented Paste Backfill with Alkali-Activated Slag

This study investigates the time-dependent rheological behavior of cemented paste backfill (CPB) that contains alkali-activated slag (AAS) as a binder. Rheological measurements with the controlled shear strain method have been conducted on various AAS-CPB samples with different binder contents, silicate modulus (Ms: SiO2/Na2O molar ratio), fineness of slag and curing temperatures. The Bingham model afforded a good fit to all of the CPB mixtures. The results show that AAS-CPB samples with high binder content demonstrate a more rapid rate of gain in yield stress and plastic viscosity. AAS-CPB also shows better rheological behavior than CPB samples made up of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) at identical binder contents. It is found that increasing Ms yields lower yield stress and plastic viscosity and the rate of gain in these parameters. Increases in the fineness of slag has an adverse effect on rheological behavior of AAS-CPB. The rheological behavior of both OPC- and AAS-CPB samples is also strongly enhanced at higher temperatures. AAS-CPB samples are found to be more sensitive to the variation in curing temperatures than OPC-CPB samples with respect to the rate of gain in yield stress and plastic viscosity. As a result, the findings of this study will contribute to well understand the flow and transport features of fresh CPB mixtures under various conditions and their changes with time.

Rheological Characterization of Carbopol® Dispersions in Water and in Water/Glycerol Solutions

The influence of the solvent type on the rheological properties of Carbopol ® NF 980 dispersions in water and in water/glycerol solutions is investigated. The material formulation, preparation procedure, common experimental challenges and artifact sources are all addressed. Transient and steady-state experiments were performed. For both solvent types, a clearly thixotropic behavior occurs slightly above the yield stress, where the avalanche effect is observed. For larger stresses, thixotropy is always negligible. Among other findings, it is observed that, for a given Carbopol concentration, the dispersion in the more viscous solvent possesses a lower yield stress and moduli, a larger power-law index, and a longer time to reach steady state.

Analisys of Welding Crack on The Under Frame of Wagon for Cement Bags Transportation Using Euro Code, Measurement and Finite Element

The Underframe of Wagon steel structure have both complex geometry and loading conditions producing complex Underframe structure behaviour which is hard to estimate and analyse using the traditional fatigue calculation methods. The impacts of the loading direction, loading type and detail geometrical shapes, i.e. Underframe components which are working in a group, need to be considered carefully in the stress analysis. Using the assumption of elastic behavior for all the underframe structural systems, in which sources of stress increased that have significant effects on the fatigue strength capacity are several included, can over/lower yield stress values to be analyzed in fatigue design. The application of the advanced stress assessment methods in the welding area using the Euro Code calculation studied in this paper produces more accurate stress results that can explain welding crack during operation in The car body of Wagon Steel. Based on Euro Code stress assesment, FEM analysis and measurement can be known that crack on the welding joint of wagon bottom part due to lack finishing of the welding joint. The IIW recommendations can be use in order to repair welding joint finishing to avoid crack fatigue.

The Proportion of Fermented Milk in Dehydrated Fermented Milk–Parboiled Wheat Composites Significantly Affects Their Composition, Pasting Behaviour, and Flow Properties on Reconstitution

Dairy and cereal are frequently combined to create composite foods with enhanced nutritional benefits. Dehydrated fermented milk–wheat composites (FMWC) were prepared by blending fermented milk (FM) and parboiled wheat (W), incubating at 35 °C for 24 h, drying at 46 °C for 48 h, and milling to 1 mm. Increasing the weight ratio of FM to W from 1.5 to 4.0 resulted in reductions in total solids (from 96 to 92%) and starch (from 52 to 39%), and increases in protein (15.2–18.9%), fat (3.7–5.9%), lactose (6.4–11.4%), and lactic acid (2.7–4.2%). FMWC need to be reconstituted prior to consumption. The water-holding capacity, pasting viscosity, and setback viscosity of the reconstituted FMWC (16.7% total solids) decreased with the ratio of FM to W. The reconstituted FMWC exhibited pseudoplastic flow behaviour on shearing from 18 to 120 s−1. Increasing the FM:W ratio coincided with a lower yield stress, consistency index, and viscosity at 120 s−1. The results demonstrate the critical impact of the FM:W ratio on the composition, pasting behavior, and consistency of the reconstituted FMWC. The difference in consistency associated with varying the FM:W ratio is likely to impact on satiety and nutrient value of the FMWCs.

Influence of Thermal Ageing on Microstructure and Tensile Properties of P92 Steel

Microstructure and tensile properties of P92 steel in the normalized and tempered, and thermal aged at 923 K for 5000 h and 10,000 h conditions have been investigated. Laves phase precipitate was observed in the thermal-aged steels. The size of Laves phase precipitate increased with increase in thermal exposure. This was also confirmed from the observation that the area fraction of Laves phase precipitate was higher in the 5000 h aged condition which decreased with further increase in thermal exposure. On the other hand, the size and area fraction of M23C6 precipitate were found increased in the 5000 h aged steel, further continued to enhanced precipitation of fine M23C6 in the 10,000 h aged steel. This resulted in significant increase in area fraction and comparable size with the steel aged for 5000 h. Hardness of the steel was decreased with increase in the duration of ageing. Thermal-aged steels exhibited lower yield stress, ultimate tensile strength and relatively higher ductility in comparison with steel in the normalized and tempered condition. The increase in lath width and recovery of dislocation structure under thermal-aged condition resulted in lower tensile strength and hardness. An extensive Laves phase formation and coarsening by loss of tungsten in the matrix led to decrease in the tensile strength predominantly in the 5000 h aged steel. The tensile strength of 10,000 h aged steel was comparable with that of 5000 h aged steel due to enhanced precipitation of fine M23C6 in the steel due to enhanced mobility of carbon in the absence of tungsten in the matrix.