Titanium diffusion coatings on austenitic steel obtained by the pack cementation method

The surface of specimens made of 316L austenitic steel was modified by titanium diffusion. The diffusion coatings were obtained by packing in a powder mixture consisting of titanium powder, NH4Cl and Al2O3 powder. The procedure required high temperatures, over 900 °C, and long durations. Atomic titanium was formed in the muffle during the process. Titanium atoms from the metallic part surfaces diffuse towards the interior and a diffusion layer is formed as a function of the steel composition. Titanium diffusion into the surface of 316L austenitic steel determines the formation of a complex coating: a thin layer of TiN at the exterior and a layer consisting of compounds containing Ti, Ni and Fe in the interior of the coating. The obtained coatings were continuous, adherent and had a hardness higher than that of the substrate material. The diffusion coatings were investigated by optical and electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Vickers microhardness tests

The Dependence of the XRD Morphology of Some Bionanocomposites on the Silicate Treatment

The degree of intercalation of the polyvinyl alcohol-starch blend with the layered silicate is increased if the silicates is untreated or intercalated with ammonium ions that contain small radicals. If untreated silicate like NaMMT is used, it is possible to obtain exfoliated-intercalated nanocomposites. The materials based on PVOH, starch, and Nanocor I 28, Nanocor I 33, or Cloisite 15 A can be intercalated nanocomposites. If the blend of PVOH and starch is reinforced with Cloisite 93 A, microcomposites can result. The study will continue with the analysis of the new morphologies considering the transmission electron microscopy (TEM)

JSCS–3823 Original scientific paper

Titanium diffusion coatings on austenitic steel obtained by the pack cementation metho

PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PVA COMPOSITES WITH CELLULOSE NANOFIBERS OBTAINED BY ULTRASONICATION

Cellulose nanofibers were obtained from microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) by the action of hydrodynamic forces associated with ultrasound. Nanofibers isolated from MCC by applying different ultrasonication conditions were characterized to elucidate their morpho-structural features by field emission scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and dynamic light scattering. Several differences were observed regarding the size of the nanofibers obtained in different ultrasonic conditions, but no significant changes in the crystalline structure of cellulose nanofibers were detected. The obtained cellulose fibers were used at low levels (1 to 5 wt.%) as reinforcements in a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix. The mechanical and thermal properties of the PVA/cellulose fibers nanocomposites films were determined. The tensile strength and modulus of the PVA film were significantly improved by the addition of cellulose nanofibers. Slightly higher onset degradation temperatures were obtained for PVA composites in comparison to neat PVA, showing an increase of the thermal stability caused by the addition of cellulose fibers