Effects Of Mechanical Stirring And Short Heat Treatment On Thixoformed Of Carbon Nanotube Aluminium Alloy Composite

The present work aimed to determine the effects of thixoforming and short T6 heat treatment processes on the microstructure and mechanical properties of thixoformed A356 alloy reinforced with 0.5 wt% multi-walled carbon nanotube (A356-MWCNT). The semisolid composite feedstock was produced by a mechanical stirring route followed by thixoforming, and finally, it was heat treated with a shorter solution treatment and artificial ageing hours. A premix of 0.5 wt% magnesium (Mg) as wettability agent and MWCNT was injected into molten A356 alloy at 650 °C. Mixing and stirring were performed by a using three-blade impeller at 500 rpm for 10 min, and the mixture was poured into a preheated mould. Microstructure studies show the mechanical stirring effects on the transformation of dendritic arms to mostly globular and rosette structures of α-Al. The formations of more spheroidised structure of eutectic silicon (Si) were predominant after the heat treatment, thereby revealing the effectiveness of shorter T6 heat treatment. Results of field emission scanning electron microscopy images showed uniform distribution and pull-out structures of MWCNT throughout the matrix, thereby justifying the effective load transfer and wettability between reinforcement and alloy matrix. Subsequently, the mechanical properties of the composite shown significant improvements after each stage. The yield strength (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elongation to fracture of cast A356 alloy increased from 115 MPa, 132.9 MPa and 1.8% to 135 MPa, 178.3 MPa and 3.1% respectively, in the A356-MWCNT. Consequently, these properties were further improved to 180 MPa, 255.8 MPa and 5.7% after the thixoforming process. The highest attainment of yield strength (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elongation to fracture after short T6 of A356-MWCNT were 215 MPa, 277.0 MPa and 7.6%, respectively. The hardness of the samples was improved from 59.5 HV in as-cast alloy to 106.4 HV in thixoformed short T6 A356-MWCNT

Water-Repellent Improvement of Green Composite Sheet Surface by Hydrophobic Modified-Silica Coating

The phenomenon of hydrophobic surface (contact angle of a water droplet exceeding 90°) has attracted a considerable research interest from academia and industry. Current studies have unveiled the fact that the hydrophobicity of a solid surface is governed by surface free energy and surface roughness. To date, many methods have been proposed for fabricating hydrophobic surfaces. In this paper, a facile, low cost, and time-saving approach for the improvement of water-repellent property of durian peel composite sheet surface is studied. A unique mixture of hydrophobic modified-silica particles and polystyrene was synthesised and applied onto the composite sheet via dip coating method. The hydrophobic property was characterised using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and water contact angle meter. Results show that a water repellent surface with a contact angle of 143.90° was generated, which is nearly superhydrophobic. This method could be an effective strategy for producing hydrophobic surfaces for promising potential applications in water repellency, self-cleaning, friction reduction, and antifouling

Influence of temperature on the phase behaviors and techniques toward formation of palm oil esters nanoemulsion

Palm oil esters (POEs), which are newly synthetic liquid wax esters with HLB value of 9.34, were proposed as a lipophilic phase for formation of nanoemulsion. Phase diagrams show domination of two-phase regions at all emulsification temperatures ranging from 30 to 80°C. Spontaneous and temperature-induced emulsification, high-shear and high pressure homogenization were utilized to form nanoemulsion. However, only high pressure homogenization successfully produced droplets sizes in the nano range. Thus, it was used to optimize the stability properties of POEs nanoemulsion. The manipulation of processing temperatures during the formation of emulsions could be used in lowering the droplets size of the emulsion

A comprehensive review of barriers to a functional Zakat system in Nigeria: what needs to be done?

Purpose: Muslims in Nigeria, like in many Muslim-majority countries, are striving to have a functional Zakat system in search of solutions to the perennial problem of poverty and its damning consequences. Nevertheless, there are still unsettled concerns arising from the current and widespread implementation of dissimilar (diverse) approaches to the Zakat system in various parts of the country. The purpose of this paper is to review comprehensively what are the hindrances of a vibrant Zakat system and how far the identified impediments may affect the system in the Nigerian context.Design/methodology/approach:The methodology adopted is the review of extant relevant literature in the field of scholarly publications.Findings: The findings of this study revealed that the fragmented implementation of the Zakat system within the context of the Nigerian democratic system of government lead to the weak governance with respect to law, administration and management; lack of a generally accepted fatwa from the Muslims scholars (Ulamas); absence of Zakat accounting standard; and low compliance behavior are the major barriers that require the attention of government and other stakeholders such as the traditional leaders, the accounting regulatory bodies, the Ulamas, as well as the economic and accounting researchers.Practical implications: It was recommended that the stakeholders should make concerted efforts toward ensuring success of the Zakat system for attaining salvation in the hereafter and for social security, as well as economic prosperity. Originality/value: The paper is the first paper that comprehensively reviews previous literature in the Zakat environment on factors that become barriers to implement a comprehensive Zakat system in Nigeria