Fibre/matrix intermetallic phase formation in novel aluminium-basalt composites

A novel aluminium-basalt metal matrix composite has been produced by employing a combination of stir mixing and ultrasonication processing techniques. A study of the matrix-fibre interface has revealed the formation of Al-Si-Ca and Al-Fe-Si-Mn intermetallic compounds (IMC) with both phases displaying a polyhedral morphology. The new composite exhibited a tensile strength of 189 MPa, resulting in a 13 % improvement over the monolithic Al alloy. A 22% increase in yield strength and a 33% increase in wear resistance were also achieved, although the flexural and elastic moduli remained unchanged. It is proposed that these IMCs assist in load transfer from the matrix to the fibres

Comparative analysis of structure and properties of Nb-B inoculated direct chill cast AA4032 alloy extruded from as-cast and homogenised conditions

Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Al-Si wrought piston alloys can lack properties due to inefficient grain refining. A novel Al-Nb-B grain refiner was introduced some time ago, but has still not been assessed in industry for wrought alloys. This paper describes the first trial of Al-Ni-B addition and its impact on the full-scale manufacturing, structure, and properties of the AA4032 products extruded with and without billet homogenization. It is shown that Nb-B inoculation gives opportunities not only to have a refined as-cast structure but also a more homogenous distribution of the solute. In contrast, homogenization drives nucleation and coarsening of the Mg2Si phase that is retained during further extrusion and heat treatment also affecting the precipitation and properties. It was observed that non-homogenized specimens perform better during machining and tensile testing compared to homogenized specimens. The results are supported by electron microscopy investigations of microstructure formation during different steps in downstream processing.UK Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC Grant: The Future Liquid Metal Engineering Research Hub, under grant number EP/N007638/1); Constellium

Coping strategies of Nigerian Military Service Personnel: A Survey of an Army Cantonment in Northern Nigeria.

Background: The peculiar characteristics of a military career, such as the specific professional military aims or tasks, working environment, strict subordination typical to military structures and formal and informal relationships, influence the type of coping strategies employed by individuals. The authors present the first study on coping strategies in a Nigerian military population. The study is aimed at determining the pattern of coping strategies employed by service personnel in the course of their duties and its correlation with socio-demographic parameters of this population.Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study carried out among 193 servicemen. Samples were drawn by stratified multistage sampling in which respondents were stratified according to gender, military units and rank. Data was collected using socio-demographic questionnaire and the full COPE scale.Results: Regarding specific coping strategies; 'turning to religion' (mean:- 14.09 ±2.551), was the most commonly used coping strategy, followed by planning (mean:- 12.6±3.059), positive re-interpretation and growth (mean:- 12.27±2.917) and then active coping (mean: - 12.11±2.896). Alcohol/drug use (mean:- 5.65 ±2.566) was the least used coping strategy among respondents. A statistically significant relationship was found between some coping strategies and gender (“Emotion Focussed Coping” greater among females, P= 0.017), educational status (“Denial”:- P=0.004, “Mental Disengagement ” : - P=0.038, “Behavioural Disengagement”:- P=0.000), and marital status (“Planning” highest among the divorced /separated group, P=0.019; “Suppression of Competing Activities” highest among single respondents, P=0.033; while “Humour” highest among the widowed, P=0.005), as well as the military ranks (emotion focused coping was greater among the lower ranks, P=0.042) of the service personnel. There was no statistically significant difference among the various age groups of the respondents with the various coping strategies.Conclusion: This study demonstrated that personnel of the Nigerian Army exhibited significant differences in their coping strategies associated with specific socio-demographic parameters. The authors recommend an intensification of army personnel training on the positive coping skills.Keywords: Military, Coping, Service, Northern Nigeria

Microstructural characteristics of a novel aluminium/basalt composite

Use of recycled aluminium feed-stock is limited due to its purity. Recycled aluminium can be reprocessed using just 5% of the energy required for virgin alloy production making it a resource of strategic importance. However, only half the aluminium produced/annum in the UK is of recycled origin. This limitation in uptake is due to excess iron in mixed alloy assemblies such as cars. The iron content generally forms detrimental acicular intermetallics. In this study we propose the addition of basalt fibres as reinforcement in addition to provoking a beneficial chemical reaction resulting in the transformation of the acicular intermetallics into a more desirable blocky morphology.Brunel University London, Erasmus + program and Innovate U

A retrospective study of viral skin diseases of cattle, sheep and goats in Plateau State, Nigeria

Viral skin diseases namely lumpy skin disease (LSD), bovine papilloma (BP), goat pox (GTP) and contagious ecthyma (CE) have been reported in Plateau State, but our search through literatures did not reveal any documented prevalence rates of these diseases. A retrospective study of LSD, BP, GTP and CE was carried out based on Jos abattoir (2005-2016) and laboratory records of National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria (2010-2016). Based on the Jos Abattoir records, the prevalence rates were as follows LSD: 0.13% and BP 0.5% in Cattle. The prevalence of CE was 4.2%in sheep and 3.6% in goats. While LSD was diagnosed only in 2005, 2008 and 2016, BP was diagnosed every year except 2013, 2015 and 2016. Comparatively, CE was diagnosed in every year and month of the period reviewed. The analysis of records revealed that 11 samples were submitted for lab confirmation from suspected cases of LSD, 45.4% of which were positive by PCR. Additionally, 10 samples submitted for lab confirmation from suspected cases of GTP and 40% of the samples analyzed were positive by PCR. Of the 11 samples submitted for lab confirmation of CE, 36.4% of samples were confirmed to be CE by PCR. The laboratory results validate the Jos abattoir records which confirm that LSD, GTP and CE occur in Plateau State, Nigeria.Keywords: Abattoir, Plateau State, Prevalence, Retrospective, Viral skin disease