Synthesis of Spinel-Hydroxyapatite Composite Utilizing Bovine Bone and Beverage Can

Spinel-based hydroxyapatite composite (SHC) has been synthesized utilizing bovine bones as the source of the hydroxyapatite (HAp) and beverage cans as the aluminum (Al) source. The bovine bones were defatted and calcined in the air atmosphere to transform them into hydroxyapatite. The beverage cans were cut and milled to obtain fine Al powder and then sieved to obtain three different particle mesh size fractions: +100#, −140# + 170#, and −170#, or Al particle size of >150, 90–150, and <90 µm, respectively. The SHC was synthesized using the self-propagating intermediate-temperature synthesis (SIS) method at 900 °C for 2 h with (HAp:Al:Mg) ratio of (87:10:3 wt.%) and various compaction pressure of 100, 171, and 200 MPa. It was found that the mechanical properties of the SHC are influenced by the Al particle size and the compaction pressure. Smaller particle size produces the tendency of increasing the hardness and reducing the porosity of the composite. Meanwhile, increasing compaction pressure produces a reduction of the SHC porosity. The increase in the hardness is also observed by increasing the compaction pressure except for the smallest Al particle size (<90 µm), where the hardness instead becomes smaller.

Fibre alignment and mechanical performance of carbon fibre Sheet Moulding Compounds under different preform compaction

This work investigates the effect of preform compaction on the mechanical performance and flow-induced fibre alignment of carbon fibre reinforced Sheet Moulding Compounds (SMCs). Two groups of panels have been compression moulded from reclaimed carbon fibre tows in vinyl-ester resin with low (0.5 MPa) and high (10 MPa) preform compaction pressure Additionally, a low-cost fibre orientation analysis method has been further improved in terms of reliability, and a novel flow assessment method has been developed for carbon fibre SMCs. This approach revealed greater fibre alignment with the flow direction in the lower faces of panels as a result of greater contact time with the heated mould and a lower charge viscosity at the time of pressing. As expected, greater fibre alignment in the flow direction was observed outside the initial charge coverage area in both types of panels, where the flow was greatest. Due to additional fibre flow during the high-pressure compaction stage, the mean degree of flow alignment in the high compaction panel was 47% higher than that of the low compaction panel. Improvements in the tensile stiffness (8%) and strength (32%) were also observed as a result of the high-pressure compaction stage and associated flow alignment.

Experimental study on preparation of fuel by low-temperature pyrolysis of plastic waste combined with desiccated sludge after preforming

Take plastic waste and dried sludge as raw materials, use pressure testing machine and high temperature hot pressing mold to test under different parameters. The effect of raw material ratio, low-temperature pyrolysis temperature, molding pressure and heating time on the physical properties of the molded fuel after low-temperature pyrolysis, such as relaxation density, fall strength, compressive strength and water permeability, are studied. Single factor tests show that the general range of mixed molding parameters is: mixture ratio (dry sludge: composite plastics) 85:15~75:25, temperature 150~250°C, heating time 20~40min, compaction pressure 2~6MPa. Orthogonal test is designed on the basis of single factor test. The results show that the most important factor affecting the relaxation density of molding fuel is molding pressure, the most important factor affecting compressive strength is the ratio of raw materials, and the most important factor affecting water permeability is heating time. The fall strength is less affected by various factors. It is due to the stickiness of the molded plastic after softening, which strengthens the “cohesion” between the raw materials, and will not be explored in the orthogonal experiment. The optimal combination of relaxation density molding parameters is the ratio (dry sludge: composite plastics) 80:20, temperature 250°C, heating time 30min, compaction pressure 6MPa; the optimal combination of compressive strength molding parameters is 75:25, 250°C, 30min, 6MPa; the optimal combination of anti-moisture absorption performance molding parameters is 85:15, 150°C, 30min, 2MPa.

Application of probability-based multi-objective optimization in material engineering

Introduction/purpose: Althought many methods have been proposed to deal with the problem of material selection, there are inherent defects of additive algorithms and subjective factors in such algorithms. Recently, a probability-based multi-objective optimization was developed to solve the inherent shortcomings of the previous methods, which introduces a novel concept of preferable probability to reflect the preference degree of the candidate in the optimization. In this paper, the new method is utilized to conduct an optimal scheme of the switching material of the RF-MEMS shunt capacitive switch, the sintering parameters of natural hydroxyapatite and the optimal design of the connecting claw jig. Methods: All performance utility indicators of candidate materials are divided into two groups, i.e., beneficial or unbeneficial types for the selection process; each performance utility indicator contributes quantitatively to a partial preferable probability and the product of all partial preferable probabilities makes the total preferable probability of a candidate, which transfers a multi-objective optimization problem into a single-objective optimization one and represents a uniquely decisive index in the competitive selection process. Results: Cu is the appropriate material in the material selection for RF - MEMS shunt capacitive switches; the optimal sintering parameters of natural hydroxyapatite are at 1100°C and 0 compaction pressure; and the optimal scheme is scheme No 1 for the optimal design of a connecting claw jig. Conclusion: The probability-based multi-objective optimization can be easily used to deal with an optimal problem objectively in material engineering.

Taguchi Grey Relational Optimization of the Multi-mechanical Characteristics of Kaolin Reinforced Hydroxyapatite: Effect of Fabrication Parameters

Comparative study of kaolin reinforced hydroxyapatite (KHAp) and pure HAp using different production parameters has been done through traditional experimentation. However, the quantitative effect, optimization of kaolin reinforcement and fabrication parameters have not been investigated. Hence, this study examines the effect of kaolin reinforcement, compaction pressure and sintering temperature on the experimental mechanical properties of HAp. Taguchi design assisted by grey relational analysis was employed with L36 (2**2 3**1) orthogonal array. The Minitab 16 software was used to analyze the Taguchi design. The result showed a disparity in kaolin reinforcement as the optimum condition for individual mechanical properties, but the grey relational analysis showed better mechanical properties with kaolin reinforcement, 500 Pa compaction pressure and 1100 oC sintering temperature. The obtained result further revealed kaolin reinforcement as a strong and promising reinforcing material for high strength clinical application, having a contribution of 93.16% on compressive strength of HAp. Therefore, future studies can be conducted in the use of different wt% of kaolin on the multi-response mechanical characteristics of HAp.

The effect of lamina configuration and compaction pressure on mechanical properties of laminated gigantochloa apus composites

This study aims to investigate the mechanical properties of bamboo apus (gigantochloa apus) as a natural reinforced composite material. Bamboo’s laminates of gigantochloa apus were used as reinforcement on the epoxy resin matrix. The parameters examined in this study are the configuration of lamina and compaction pressure. Laminate configuration varies in the number, thickness and direction of the lamina. Compaction pressures of 1.5 MPa, 2 MPa, and 2.5 MPa were used to fabricate the Laminated Bamboo Composites (LBCs). The stem of bamboo with a length of 400 mm was split to obtain bamboo lamina with a size of 400×20 mm. The thickness of bamboo lamina is varied between 1 mm, 1.5 mm, and 2 mm. The bamboo lamina is then preserved by watering it with a preservative solution in the form of 2.5 % sodium tetraborate solution and dried in an oven until the water content reaches 10 %. LBCs were made with a hand lay-up method. After the LBCs were molded, they were pressed with 3 variations of dies compaction 1.5 MPa, 2 MPa and 2.5 MPa. The tensile and bending tests were carried out on the LBCs. Tensile testing is performed in accordance with ASTM standard D3039 and the bending tests were conducted based on ASTM standard D7264. The results show that at each compaction pressure, the highest tensile and bending strength was achieved by LBCs with a thickness of 1 mm of bamboo lamina and 7 layers of bamboo laminates. The LBC with thinner bamboo lamina reinforcement and more layers has the highest tensile strength and bending strength, even it has a lower mass fraction. The LBCs with laminates oriented 0° exhibited greater tensile and bending strengths than the LBCs with laminates structured –45°/+45° and 0°/90°. The LBCs with the 0° laminates direction is matrix fracture followed by lamina fracture. In the 0°/90° direction, matrix fracture is followed by delamination in the 90° and 0° laminates direction. Delamination and lamina clefting were observed in LBCs with laminates oriented +45°/–45°.

Rapid Characterization Method for SMC Materials for a Preliminary Selection

In electrical machines, laminated steels are commonly adopted as soft magnetic materials, while for permanent magnets, sintered ferrites and NdFeB are the most common solutions. On the other hand, the growing demand for volume reduction with the increment of efficiency leads to the necessity of exploring other magnetic materials able to face the challenge better than the traditional ones. Bonded magnets have been used to replace sintered magnets, obtaining a better use of space and particular magnetic properties. Instead, for the magnetic circuit, Soft Magnetic Composites (SMC) allow realizing very complex magnetic design (3D path for flux) with iron loss reduction at medium-high frequencies, especially for the eddy currents loss contribution. On the other hand, SMC materials have such drawbacks as low mechanical properties and high hysteresis losses. For this reason, in this work, different studies considering several variables have been carried out. SMCs were produced through a moulding process; inorganic and organic layers to cover ferromagnetic particles were used, adopting different coating processes. Particular tests have been performed for a quicker and more indicative overview of the materials obtained. The single sheet tester (SST) is easier than traditional toroidal methods; on the other hand, the multiplicity of variables affects the SMC materials and their process. For this reason, coercivity and conductibility tests permit rapid measurement and provide a direct classification of the produced SMCs, providing the main information needed to select suitable materials. Results highlighted that choosing the more appropriate SMC material is possible after using these simple preliminary tests. After these tests, it was possible to argue that with 0.2 wt% of phenolic resin as the organic layer (and compaction pressure of 800 MPa), it is possible to produce a good SMC. On the other hand, the SMC with 0.2 wt% of epoxy resin (and compaction pressure of 800 MPa) gives a minor coercivity value. Additionally, despite the SMC with the inorganic layer, 0.2 wt% of nano-ferrites showing the best coercivity values (specifically for vacuum treatment at 600 °C), their resistivity was unsatisfactory.

New Considerations on the Determination of the Apparent Shear Viscosity of Polymer Melt with Micro Capillary Dies

Capillary rheometers have been widely used for the rheological measurement of polymer melts. However, when micro capillary dies are used, the results are usually neither accurate nor consistent, even under the same measurement conditions. In this work, theoretical modeling and experimental studies were conducted for a more profound understanding of the mechanism by which the initial and boundary conditions influence the inaccuracy in the apparent shear viscosity determination with micro capillary dies (diameters: 500 μm, 200 μm, 100 μm). The results indicate that the amount of polymer initially in the barrel, the pre-compaction pressure and the capillary die diameter have a significant influence on the development of the micro scale inlet pressure, which directly determines the accuracy of the measurement at low and medium shear rates. The varying melt compressibility was confirmed to be the main factor directly related to the inaccuracy in the micro scale apparent shear viscosity determination. It is suggested that measures such as reducing the amount of polymer initially in the barrel and increasing the pre-compaction pressure could be used to reduce the measurement inaccuracy.