Mechanical and durability properties of adobe blocks filled with date palm wastes

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amine Zaidi ◽  
Ouarda Izemmouren ◽  
Bachir Taallah ◽  
Abdelhamid Guettala
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Date Palm ◽  
Water Resistance ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Housing Shortage ◽  
Content Type ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Poor Countries ◽  
Earthen Construction ◽  
Palm Waste

Purpose Earthen construction does not meet today’s requirements due to certain limitations such as low water resistance and its high vulnerability to cracking damage. The purpose of this study is to improve the mechanical properties and low durability of adobe blocks by incorporating date palm wastes as a natural reinforcement and lime as a stabilizer. Design/methodology/approach Soil from the region of Biskra in Algeria was mixed with sand and lime in suitable ratios. Then, date palm wastes were added to the previous mixture at different ratios (0.3%, 0.6% and 0.9%) by dry mix weight to manufacture adobes. Cubical and cylindrical specimens were prepared and tested in a laboratory to investigate the curing time, mechanical and durability characteristics of the formulated blocks. In addition, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests were used to identify the materials. Findings It has been observed that the addition of lime to the soil is very beneficial for its stabilization, in particular for an optimum of 12%. The presence of date palm waste in the mixture (soil + lime) generated a significant improvement in tensile strength reaching a rate of about 67%. The same observation was made for the tests of resistance to dry abrasion, resistance to erosion, attack by external sulphate and wetting/drying. However, for cases of compressive strength, water absorption and swelling an unfavorable effect was recorded. Originality/value Based on the above-mentioned findings, this paper presents a novel solution to increase the durability of adobe materials using date palm wastes with oven curing at 65°C for about nine days. Adopting such an approach would certainly encourage building durable mud housing on a large scale. This can contribute to solving the acute housing shortage, particularly in poor countries.

Study in performance and morphology of polyamide 12 produced by selective laser sintering technology

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 813-820 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junjie Wu ◽  
Xiang Xu ◽  
Zhihao Zhao ◽  
Minjie Wang ◽  
Jie Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Selective Laser Sintering ◽  
Polarized Light ◽  
Chain Scission ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Laser Sintering ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Scanning Calorimetry ◽  
Content Type ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Polyamide 12

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of selective laser sintering (SLS) method on morphology and performance of polyamide 12. Design/methodology/approach Crystallization behavior is critical to the properties of semi-crystalline polymers. The crystallization condition of SLS process is much different from others. The morphology of polyamide 12 produced by SLS technology was investigated using scanning electron microscopy, polarized light microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and wide-angle X-ray diffraction. Findings Too low fill laser power brought about bad fusion of powders, while too high energy input resulted in bad performance due to chain scission of macromolecules. There were three types of crystal in the raw powder material, denoted as overgrowth crystal, ring-banded spherulite and normal spherulite. Originality/value In this work, SLS samples with different sintering parameters, as well as compression molding sample for the purpose of comparison, were made to study the morphology and crystal structure of sintered PA12 in detail.

Investigation of Residual Stress/Strain and Texture in a Large Dissimilar Metal Weld Using Synchrotron Radiation and Neutrons

2013 ◽  
Vol 772 ◽  
pp. 193-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carsten Ohms ◽  
Rene V. Martins
Keyword(s):  
Synchrotron Radiation ◽  
Neutron Diffraction ◽  
Residual Stresses ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
High Energy ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Butt Weld ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Component Size ◽  
Thin Slice

Bi-metallic piping welds are frequently used in light water nuclear reactors to connect ferritic steel pressure vessel nozzles to austenitic stainless steel primary cooling piping systems. An important aspect for the integrity of such welds is the presence of residual stresses. Measurement of these residual stresses presents a considerable challenge because of the component size and because of the material heterogeneity in the weld regions. The specimen investigated here was a thin slice cut from a full-scale bi-metallic piping weld mock-up. A similar mock-up had previously been investigated by neutron diffraction within a European research project called ADIMEW. However, at that time, due to the wall thickness of the pipe, stress and spatial resolution of the measurements were severely restricted. One aim of the present investigations by high energy synchrotron radiation and neutrons used on this thin slice was to determine whether such measurements would render a valid representation of the axial strains and stresses in the uncut large-scale structure. The advantage of the small specimen was, apart from the easier manipulation, the fact that measurement times facilitated a high density of measurements across large parts of the test piece in a reasonable time. Furthermore, the recording of complete diffraction patterns within the accessible diffraction angle range by synchrotron X-ray diffraction permitted mapping the texture variations. The strain and stress results obtained are presented and compared for the neutron and synchrotron X-ray diffraction measurements. A strong variation of the texture pole orientations is observed in the weld regions which could be attributed to individual weld torch passes. The effect of specimen rocking on the scatter of the diffraction data in the butt weld region is assessed during the neutron diffraction measurements.

Dependence of hydrogen embrittlement on annealing time in medium-Mn steels

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juanping Xu ◽  
Jinxu Li ◽  
Zheng Wang ◽  
Hao Fu ◽  
Ming Wu
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Embrittlement ◽  
Annealing Time ◽  
Martensite Transformation ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Warm Rolling ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Electron Backscattered Diffraction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Two Samples

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of the soft annealing time on the microstructure and hydrogen embrittlement (HE) of Fe-0.22C-11.54Mn-2.05Al steels. Design/methodology/approach Steels A and B with different morphologies were prepared by cold rolling after warm rolling, long/short softening annealing and finally annealing at 700 °C for 30 min. Uncharged and charged samples were subjected to tensile, and HE behavior was studied by electron backscattered diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Findings The two samples exhibited similar tensile strengths. The homogeneous equiaxed microstructure of steel B was found to be more conducive to relieve its HE sensitivity. Steel A exhibited bimodal-grained microstructures – blocky and lath. The formation of crack in the blocky grains of steel A resulted in a significant reduction in its plasticity and tensile strength. Originality/value The high HE susceptibility of steel A is mainly connected with the inhomogeneity of martensite transformation.

Develop artificial neural network numerical modeling to study fluid flow and heat transfer of dispersed nanoparticles through base liquid

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tawfeeq Abdullah Alkanhal
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Hybrid Nanofluid ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Flow And Heat Transfer ◽  
Heat Transfer Capacity ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Heat Transfers ◽  
Base Liquid

Purpose This paper aims to disperse the silicon dioxide in water (as the mono nanofluid [MN]) and then, carbon nanotube (CNT)-silica composite in water (as the hybrid nanofluid [HN]). Design/methodology/approach Nanofluids have gained lots of attention through the recent years. Due to their usage in the industries and also medical applications, they have high protentional to be studied in different aspects. The most common study for the nanofluids is to understand the heat transfer capacity for each material in each fluid. These material(s) or fluid(s) can be one (mono nanofluid) or more than one (hybrid nanofluid). Findings The mixture of two solids is to assess the unique properties of each material and also to decrease the cost of experiments. The heat transfers for both MN and HN were measured at volume fractions up to 1.0%, and temperatures up to 50°C. Also, the heat transfers were compared. By more CNT, thermal conductivity was enhanced about 17.39% (from 12.42% of MN to 29.81% of HN). Originality/value X-Ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) were examined for mono solids and the composite. After the experimental study, for MN and HN, four novel correlations calculated.

High temperature corrosion behaviour of aluminised FC 25 cast iron using pack cementation

2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 236-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Somrerk Chandra-Ambhorn ◽  
Neramit Krasaelom ◽  
Tummaporn Thublaor ◽  
Sirichai Leelachao
Keyword(s):  
Cast Iron ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Corrosion Behaviour ◽  
Mass Gain ◽  
High Temperature Corrosion ◽  
Pack Cementation ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Seat Insert

Purpose This study aims to apply the pack cementation to develop the Fe-Al layers on the surface of FC 25 cast iron in order to increase the high-temperature corrosion resistance of the alloy. Design/methodology/approach Pack cementation was applied on the surface of FC 25 cast iron at 1,050°C. The bare and aluminised alloys were subjected to the oxidation test in 20 per cent O2-N2 at 850 °C. Scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used for characterisation. Findings The layers of pack cementation consisted of Fe2Al5, FeAl2 and FeAl, and solid solution alloyed with Al. The oxidation kinetics of the bare cast iron was parabolic. Mass gain of the aluminised cast iron was significantly decreased compared with that of the bare cast iron. This was because of the protective alumina formation on the aluminised alloy surface. Al in the Fe–Al layer also tended to be homogenised during oxidation. Originality/value Even though the aluminising of alloys was extensively studied, the application of that process to the FC 25 cast iron grade was originally developed in this work. The significantly reduced mass gain of the aluminised FC 25 cast iron makes the studied alloy be promising for the use as a valve seat insert in an agricultural single-cylinder four-stroke engine, which might be run by using a relatively cheaper fuel, i.e. LPG, but as a consequence requires the higher oxidation resistance of the engine parts.

The Croonian Lecture, 1970 The structural basis of muscular contraction

1971 ◽  
Vol 178 (1051) ◽  
pp. 131-149 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Muscular Contraction ◽  
Important Change ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
New Era ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Biology I ◽  
The Times ◽  
Polypeptide Chains

A previous occasion on which the Croonian lecture was directly concerned with the mechanism of muscular contraction was in 1945, when it was delivered by Professor W. T. Astbury. On that occasion he commented that it was a sign of the times that a physicist should be asked to give the Croonian lecture, and went on to say, and I quote: ‘We are at the dawn of a new era, the era of “molecular biology”, as I like to call it, and there is an urgency about the need for more intensive application of physics and chemistry, and specially structural analysis, to biological problems.’ These were very prophetic words, and, as a physicist just entering biology, I was much interested to read them, and to learn about his experiments. The basic experimental finding which Astbury reported (1947) was that there did not seem to be any important change in the wide angle X-ray diagram from muscle upon contraction; hence it followed that muscles did not contract by any process which simply involved the large-scale disorientation of originally well-ordered polypeptide chains, nor by an alteration in chain configuration in the well-ordered parts of the structure. Astbury suggested instead that there might be ‘specifically active foci’ which one could perhaps paraphrase as ‘larger structural units’ (i.e. larger than individual polypeptide chains) concerned in contraction, which might be studied in the electron microscope or by low angle X-ray diffraction.

Corrosion inhibition of N80 steel in 10% HCl + 8% HBF4solution

2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Juan Du ◽  
Yuning He ◽  
Pingli Liu ◽  
Yigang Liu ◽  
Xianghai Meng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Corrosion Inhibition ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Corrosion Morphology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
X Ray ◽  
N80 Steel ◽  
Corrosion Reaction ◽  
Hydrolysis Of ◽  
Scanning Electron

PurposeThis paper aims to analyze the corrosion and corrosion inhibition of N80 in 10 per cent HCl + 8 per cent fluoroboric acid (HBF4) solution for acidizing operation.Design/methodology/approachThe corrosion rate, kinetic parameters (Ea, A) and thermodynamic parameters (ΔH, ΔS) of N80 steel in fresh acid and spent acid, 10 per cent HCl + 8 per cent HBF4, 10 per cent HCl and 8 per cent HBF4solutions were calculated through immersion tests. The corrosion and inhibition properties were studied through X-ray diffraction and electrochemical measurements. The corrosion morphology of the corrosion product was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).FindingsThe results demonstrated that the spent acid was the main cause of acidification corrosion, and the HBF4would cause serious corrosion to N80 steel. The results showed that the N80 steel was more seriously corroded in the spent acid than in fresh acid, and the hydrolysis of HBF4accelerates the dissolution process of N80 steel anode to control the corrosion reaction. The results showed that the acidification will definitely cause serious corrosion to the oil tube; therefore, necessary anti-corrosion measures must be taken in the acidification process.Originality/valueThe results showed that acidizing the formation with 10 per cent HCl + 8 per cent HBF4will definitely cause serious corrosion to the oil tube, especially when the spent acid flows back. Therefore, necessary anti-corrosion measures must be taken in the acidification process, especially in the spent acid flowback stage.

Corrosion inhibition of organic amine on Q235 steel in ammonium sulfate slurry of ammonia flue gas desulfurization system

2017 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 432-442
Author(s):  
Zhouyang Lian ◽  
Zhengwei Luo ◽  
Lirui Yuan ◽  
Mulin Guo ◽  
Wuji Wei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ammonium Sulfate ◽  
Flue Gas ◽  
Inhibition Efficiency ◽  
Flue Gas Desulfurization ◽  
Protective Film ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Q235 Steel ◽  
Maximum Value

Purpose This paper aims to evaluate diethylenetriamine (DETA) as an inhibitor on Q235 (Gr. D) steel in ammonia flue gas desulfurization (AFGD) system. Design/methodology/approach This research was carried out by weight loss, electrochemical measurements, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectrometry. The effects of DETA on crystallization of ammonium sulfate and its co-crystallization were also investigated by X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. Findings The inhibition efficiency of DETA reached a maximum value of 98.96 per cent. DETA is postulated to adsorb on Q235 steel surface, resulting in the formation of a protective film by the accumulation of many flat particles, and the thickness of protective film is 8 μm. DETA had no effect on the crystallization of ammonium sulfate product. Originality/value DETA can be used in AFGD system as an inhibitor to protect the equipment well.

In-Situ Diffraction Studies of Gas Storage Materials on a Laboratory X-Ray System

2013 ◽  
Vol 1544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Sommariva ◽  
Harald van Weeren ◽  
Olga Narygina ◽  
Jan-André Gertenbach ◽  
Christian Resch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Reaction Chamber ◽  
Hydrogen Gas ◽  
Gas Pressure ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Structural Modifications ◽  
Model Studies

ABSTRACTThe sorption processes for hydrogen and carbon dioxide are of considerable, and growing interest, particularly due to their relevance to a society that seeks to replace fossil fuels with a more sustainable energy source. X-ray diffraction allows a unique perspective for studying structural modifications and reaction mechanisms that occur when gas and solid interact. The fundamental challenge associated with such a study is that experiments are conducted while the solid sample is held under a gas pressure. To date in-situ high gas pressure studies of this nature have typically been undertaken at large-scale facilities such as synchrotrons or on dedicated laboratory instruments. Here we report high-pressure XRD studies carried out on a multi-purpose diffractometer. To demonstrate the suitability of the equipment, two model studies were carried out, firstly the reversible hydrogen cycling over LaNi5, and secondly the structural change that occurs during the decomposition of ammonia borane that results in the generation of hydrogen gas in the reaction chamber. The results have been finally compared to the literature. The study has been made possible by the combination of rapid X-ray detectors with a reaction chamber capable of withstanding gas pressures up to 100 bar and temperatures up to 900 °C.

An investigation of physical properties and photovoltaic performance of methylammonium lead-tin iodide (CH3NH3Sn1-xPbxI3) solar cells

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Omid Malekan ◽  
Mehdi Adelifard ◽  
Mohamad Mehdi Bagheri Mohagheghi
Keyword(s):  
Thin Films ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Photovoltaic Performance ◽  
Perovskite Solar Cells ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
X Ray ◽  
High Absorption Coefficient ◽  
High Absorption

Purpose In the past several years, CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite material has been extensively evaluated as an absorber layer of perovskite solar cells due to its excellent structural and optical properties, and greater than 22% conversion efficiency. However, improvement and future commercialization of solar cells based on CH3NH3PbI3 encountered restrictions due to toxicity and instability of the lead element. Recently, studies on properties of lead-free and mixture of lead with other cations perovskite thin films as light absorber materials have been reported. The purpose of this paper was the fabrication of CH3NH3Sn1-xPbxI3 thin films with different SnI2 concentrations in ambient condition, and study on the structural, morphological, optical, and photovoltaic performance of the studied solar cells. The X-ray diffraction studies revealed the formation of both CH3NH3PbI3 and CH3NH3SnI3 phases with increasing the Sn concentration, and improvement in crystallinity and morphology was also observed. All perovskite layers had a relatively high absorption coefficient >104 cm−1 in the visible wavelengths, and the bandgap values varied in the range from 1.46 to 1.63 eV. Perovskite solar cells based on these thin films have been fabricated, and device performance was investigated. Results showed that photo-conversion efficiency (PCE) for the pure CH3NH3PbI3sample was 1.20%. With adding SnI2, PCE was increased to 4.48%. Design/methodology/approach In this work, the author mixed tin and lead with different percentages in the perovskite thin film. Also, the preparation of these layers and also other layers to fabricate solar cells based on them were conducted in an open and non-glove box environment. Finally, the effect of [Sn/Pb] ratio in the CH3NH3Sn1-xPbxI3 layers on the structural, morphological, optical, electrical and photovoltaic performance have been investigated. Findings CH3NH3Sn1-xPbxI3 (x = 0.0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.0) perovskite thin films have been grown by a spin-coating technique. It was found that as tin concentration increases, the X-ray diffraction and FESEM images studies revealed the formation of both CH3NH3PbI3 and CH3NH3SnI3 phases, and improvement in crystallinity, and morphology; all thin films had high absorption coefficient values close to 104 cm−1 in the visible region, and the direct optical bandgap in the layers decreases from 1.63 eV in pure CH3NH3SnI3 to 1.46 eV for CH3NH3Sn0.0.25Pb0.75I3 samples; all thin films had p-type conductivity, and mobility and carrier density increased; perovskite solar cells based on these thin films have been fabricated, and device performance was investigated. Results showed that photo-conversion efficiency (PCE) for the pure CH3NH3PbI3sample was 1.20%. With adding SnI2, PCE was increased to 4.48%. Originality/value The preparation method seems to be interesting as it is in an ambient environment without the protection of nitrogen or argon gas.

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