Aluminium alloys are frequently pre-treated by a conversion coating before application of an organic coating in order to improve the corrosion resistance and adhesive properties of the surface and the corrosion resistance provided by the system. Chromate-containing conversion coatings are commonly used for this purpose. However, legislation limits future use of hexavalent chromium compounds due to their toxic and carcinogenic nature. Therefore, alternative, so-called chromium-free conversion coatings are being developed that are more environmentally-compliant.The purpose of the present work has therefore been to contribute to a better understanding of how the aluminium substrate affects the formation and properties of conversion coatings for adhesive bonding. In particular, a chrome-free zirconium-based conversion treatment process has been investigated as a possible replacement for conventional chromate conversion treatment. The influence of the conversion time on the thickness of the formed layer on pure aluminium was investigated using complementary surface analytical techniques. The conversion time was varied between 30 and 600 seconds.In this study, the structure and composition of zirconium-based chromium-free conversion coatings on magnetron sputtered superpure aluminium and a range of aluminium-copper alloys were characterised as a function of immersion time in the aqueous conversion bath to understand the mechanism of coating formation and protection. However, the presence of copper significantly influences the coating development and ultimately the performance of the conversion coatings formed on binary copper-containing aluminium alloys.The morphology and composition of the coatings have been probed using transmission electron microscopy, Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy and glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy, with loss of substrate through growth of the conversion coating also quantified. A comparison of the RBS spectra obtained for the superpure aluminium specimens after different immersion times revealed that zirconium (Zr) and oxygen (O) peaks were wider for longer immersion times, indicating thickening of the coating with increased immersion times. Thus, increasing the immersion time resulted in an increase in coating thickness but little change in coating composition occurred as determined by the RBS RUMP simulations. Alloying decreases the coating thickness, as well as metal consumption. Here, aspects of the corrosion behaviour of superpure aluminium and aluminium-copper alloys were also considered using electronoptical, electrochemical and surface analytical probing. The influence that short and prolonged treatment times exert on the performances of such conversion coating is discussed. The conversion coating formed after 60 s and 180 s of immersion in the zirconium-based conversion coating bath provide good corrosion resistance which can be attributed to the high stability of the compounds that constitute the surface oxide layer, and good adhesion properties.

Photovoltaic(PV) technology is promising due to its natural availability among energy harvesting technologies. There is a growing need for sustainable power sources that can function without being connected to a power source or needing regular battery replacements. Wearable PV cells are gaining popularity in different applications. However, most companies produce wearable PVs for terrestrial applications. Research on wearable PV applications for the marine environment remains limited because these cells suffer from several issues. This research compares commercially sourced wearable PV cells' maximum current consistency and electrical resistance for two testing conditions. The researcher followed standardized methods for these two laundering and corrosion testing conditions. The results revealed that current consistency values decreased over both types' laundering and corrosion testing conditions. However, electrical resistance values showed opposite trends. The findings of this study suggest that wearable PV cells may serve as a reliable source for powering electronic devices in marine environments.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:31:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissJPNR.pdf: 3002286 bytes, checksum: 62a2e2cd9b25b8284d5df444cfa8fb99 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-02-26 / Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos / Both the biotic and abiotic characteristics of a habitat determine which species can live in this habitat. The frontier of two different habitats creates a transition zone, called ecotone. The transition of the Atlantica Forest and the Restinga is normally related to the presence of salt. The salt is a border line for vegetation. In costal habitats, the salt spray increases the salt in the soil, besides having a direct effect on the vegetations tissues. Riparian vegetation on the other hand, has its characteristics linked with the characteristics of the adjacent water bodies. We worked in an estuary in Caraguatatuba, São Paulo, where the Atlantic and Restinga Forests co-occurs in its margins. Our objective was to determine how the salt spray and the estuary water influence the composition of the vegetation of the arboreal component of its margins. Our results show abiotic and floristical composition differences between three different ambients. The characteristics of the estuary water and soil have little influence and the salt spray has great influence on the separation of these ambients, but the salt spray did. / As características bióticas e abióticas de um ambiente determinam quais espécies que vão ocupá-lo. O encontro de ambientes diferentes gera uma zona de transição, chamada ecótono. A transição de Mata Atlântica e restinga estão em geral relacionadas com alterações na salinidade. O sal é um fator limitante para a vegetação. Em ambientes costeiros, o spray marinho é um dos meios pelo qual o sal atinge as plantas. Vegetações ripárias, por outro lado, têm suas características ligadas aos corpos d água que as cercam. Trabalhamos em um estuário em Caraguatatuba, São Paulo, onde Restinga e Mata Atlântica e se encontram nas suas margens. Nosso objetivo foi determinar de que forma o spray marinho e as características da água do estuário influenciam a composição arbórea da sua margem. Os resultados indicam que existem diferenças na composição florística que nos permitem dividir a margem do rio em três diferentes ambientes. As características da água e do solo do estuário têm pouca influência sobre essa divisão, ao contrário do spray marinho, que tem grande influência sobre ela.

The purpose of this research is to investigate the mechanical, microstructural and corrosion performance of the ferritic stainless steel coarse powders, used in Metal Injection Molding (MIM) process. Three coarser powders made by Höganäs AB, were examined along with a commercially available fine MIM powder and samples from sheet metal. The studied powders were individually mixed with binders and then injection molded in the shape of dog bone shaped tensile bars. These green samples were then debinded and sintered to examine under different characterization methods. The methods used for examining the samples were tensile test, hardness test, metallography, SEM, chemical analysis, and salt spray test. After a comparative study of these different materials, it turns out that the chemical composition and the process parameters have more effect on materials properties compared to only particle size distribution in studied materials. After this study, 434 coarse powder was preferred upon the PolyMIM 430 fine powder, because of its lower price and same performance as that of PolyMIM 430.

[pt] As mangueiras termoplásticas, um dos componentes funcionais mais importantes dos umbilicais, são compostas de tubo interno, reforço de fibra sintética e capa externa fabricada em material termoplástico com proteção contra ozônio e radiação ultravioleta (UV). A poliamida 11 (PA11) e o poliuretano termoplástico (TPU) são geralmente especificados para as capas externas, mas outros materiais que atendam a função podem ser utilizados, como o polietileno de alta densidade (PEAD). Independentemente do polímero selecionado para a fabricação das capas, elas precisam garantir a integridade das camadas inferiores da mangueira em um ambiente offshore severo devido à exposição constante ao sol e ao ambiente marítimo. Não é grande a quantidade de trabalhos que estudaram e correlacionaram os efeitos da sobreposição da radiação UV e ambiente salino nos materiais PA11, TPU e PEAD. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar as propriedades mecânicas e térmicas de PA11, TPU e PEAD, por meio de análises térmicas, espectroscópicas e de tração antes e após o envelhecimento por UV e névoa salina, a fim de simular um mecanismo de degradação semelhante ao da vida real das mangueiras termoplásticas e correlacionar o comportamento termomecânico dos três materiais após o envelhecimento. Os materiais utilizados para a fabricação das amostras deste estudo foram obtidos a partir de mangueiras não utilizadas, extrudadas com PA11, TPU e PEAD comerciais. As capas virgens foram submetidas as análises por infravermelho (FTIR), termogravimetria (TGA), termogravimetria derivativa (DTGA), calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC) e ensaio de tração, para obtenção das propriedades iniciais dos materiais. Em seguida, foram realizados os testes de envelhecimento, que foram desenvolvidos em quatro ciclos. O primeiro ciclo foi o envelhecimento por UV por 720h das amostras inicialmente na condição virgem (1° ciclo: UV), o segundo ciclo foi o envelhecimento por névoa salina por 720h das amostras envelhecidas do primeiro ciclo (2° ciclo: UV+NS), o terceiro ciclo foi o envelhecimento por névoa salina por 720h das amostras inicialmente na condição virgem (3° ciclo: NS) e o quarto ciclo foi o envelhecimento UV por 720h das amostras envelhecidas do terceiro ciclo (4° ciclo: NS+UV). Após o término de cada ciclo de envelhecimento, as amostras de PA11, TPU e PEAD foram submetidas à mesma análise das amostras virgens para fins comparativos. No FTIR todos os materiais apresentaram redução na intensidade dos picos característicos do material, associado a quebra de ligações das cadeias. No PEAD ocorreu o aumento do índice de carbonila e no TPU o surgimento de novo grupo funcional (estiramento C=C em alcenos), associados à oxidação da cadeia polimérica, cisão da cadeia e possível reticulação. Os testes térmicos mostraram um aumento na temperatura de degradação e pequena alteração na temperatura de fusão do PA11 associado à extração de plastificante; no PEAD e TPU ocorreu a diminuição da estabilidade térmica dos materiais após os envelhecimentos e não foram identificadas alterações na temperatura de fusão. Nos ensaios de tração foi verificado no PA11 e PEAD uma diminuição do módulo de elasticidade após os envelhecimentos, atribuída ao processo de cisão das cadeias poliméricas e consequente diminuição da massa molar e no TPU foi observado uma tendência ao aumento da tensão na deformação de 300% nas amostras envelhecidas por UV+NS, NS e NS+UV e uma tendência ao aumento da tensão de ruptura nas amostras envelhecidas por NS+UV, associado a uma concorrência entre a cisão de cadeias e reticulação. A partir dos resultados encontrados nesse estudo, pode-se concluir que o material menos afetado com os ciclos de envelhecimento em sua estrutura química e termicamente foi o PA11. Em relação ao comportamento mecânico, o TPU sofreu menos influência em suas propriedades comparado aos demais materiais. / [en] Thermoplastic hoses, one of the most important functional components of umbilicals, are composed of inner liner, synthetic fibre reinforcement and outer sheath manufactured from thermoplastic material with protection against ozone and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Polyamide 11 (PA11) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) are generally specified for the sheaths, but other materials that meet the function can be used, as high density polyethylene (HDPE). Regardless of the polymer selected for the sheath manufacturing, they need to guarantee the hose lower layers integrity in an offshore environment due to constant sun exposure and to the maritime environment. The amount of works that studied and correlated the effects of the overlap of UV radiation and saline environment on PA11, TPU and HDPE materials is not large. So, the objective of this work was to compare the mechanical and thermal properties of PA11, TPU and HDPE, by thermal, spectroscopic, and tensile analysis before and after UV and salt spray aging, in order to reproduce a degradation mechanism similar to real life of the thermoplastic hoses and relate the thermomechanical behavior of the three materials after aging to evaluate the material which best suits the use of the sheath. The materials used to manufacture the samples in this study were obtained from unused hoses, extruded with commercial PA11, TPU and HDPE. The virgin sheaths were submitted to infrared (FTIR), thermogravimetric (TGA), derivative thermogravimetric (DTGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis and tensile test, to obtain the initial properties of the materials. Then the aging tests were carried out, which were developed in four cycles. The first cycle was UV aging for 720h of samples initially in the virgin condition (1st cycle: UV), the second cycle was salt spray aging for 720h of aged samples from the first cycle (2nd cycle: UV+NS), the third cycle was salt spray aging for 720h of samples initially in the virgin condition (3rd cycle: NS) and the fourth cycle was UV aging for 720h of aged samples from the third cycle (4th cycle: NS+UV). After the end of each aging cycle, the PA11, TPU and HDPE samples were submitted to the same analysis as the virgin samples for comparative purposes. In FTIR, all materials had a reduction in the intensity of the material characteristic peaks, associated with breaking chain bonds. In HDPE, there was an increase in the carbonyl index and in TPU, the formation of a new functional group (C=C stretching in alkenes), associated with oxidation of the polymeric chain, chain scission and possible crosslinking. Thermal tests showed an increase in the degradation temperature and a small change in the melting temperature of PA11 associated with plasticizer extraction; in HDPE and TPU, there was a decrease in the thermal stability of the materials after aging and no changes in the melting temperature were identified. In the tensile tests, a decrease in the modulus of elasticity was observed in PA11 and HDPE after aging, attributed to the process of scission of the polymeric chains and consequent decrease in molar mass, and in TPU, a tendency to increase tension in deformation of 300% was observed in the samples aged by UV+NS, NS and NS+UV and a tendency to increase tensile strength in samples aged by NS+UV, associated with competition between chain scission and crosslinking. From the results found in this study, it can be concluded that the material least affected by aging cycles in its chemical structure and thermally was PA11. Regarding the mechanical behavior, TPU suffered less influence in its properties compared to other materials.

No description available.

Corrosion protection is very significant for metals in modern society from the view of industrial development. This thesis work project involves a research study that is aimed to investigate the effect of corrosion on the mechanical strength and magnetic properties of four no treated or treated Somaloy® component samples (Somaloy®700 1P,  Somaloy®700 3P, Somaloy®700HR 5P and Somaloy®110i 5P) provided by Höganäs AB and laminated steel sheets by salt spray test. The coatings for protection are phosphoric acid coating, sodium silicate coating, DCA-Modified silicone conformal coating and water-borne single coat paint respectively. Then the protective properties are evaluated by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) in 0.1 mol/L NaCl solution after 7 days exposure.   From transverse rupture strength (TRS) and hysteresis loop measurements by salt spray test, although the bar samples are treated coating, the corrosion decreases the mechanical strength to a certain extent more or less over time. For the magnetic properties, the corrosive environments hardly influence the magnetic parameters of the no treated or four types of coatings treated Somaloy® components. But the all kinds of magnetic parameters for laminated ring samples have a great variation after salt spray test.   In the EIS measurements, for the no treated samples, the initial corrosion resistance is only several hundred ohms and decreases after 1 hour, 8 hours and 1day exposure, then increases to a certain extent with time due to the corrosion products formed on the surface. For the sodium silicate coating, the initial corrosion resistance is approximately several ten thousands ohms and decreases rapidly only after 1 day exposure to several hundred ohms due to the sodium silicate film dissolves in the electrolyte solution and has no effective protective property. Then the following corrosion process is almost same as the no treated samples. For the water-borne single coat paint, the initial corrosion resistance can reach to several Giga-ohms and decreases over time, but can still stay at  level, indicating that this coating has a very good and effective protective properties.   EIS experiments indicate that water-borne single coat paint has a more effective protection than sodium silicate coating and can apply a better corrosion protection for the Somaloy® components   Key words: corrosion protection, soft magnetic composites, phosphoric acid coating, sodium silicate coating, DCA-Modified silicone conformal coating , water-borne single coat paint, salt spray test, TRS, hysteresis loop, EIS

Organic coatings are extensively used as protective coatings in several industries including the automotive and aircraft industries. The last few years have witnessed an increased interest in improving not only the mechanical properties but also the corrosion protection properties of organic coatings. Among the currently investigated methods of improving the performance of organic coatings is the incorporation of additives in the organic paint matrix. Vapor grown carbon nanofibers (VGCNFs) are a class of carbon fibers that are produced by catalytic dehydrogenation of a hydrocarbon at high temperatures. Depending on the method of synthesis and the post-treatment processes, the diameter of the VGCNFs is normally in the 10-300 nm range. The small size, light weight, high aspect ratio, and unique physical, thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties of VGCNF make it an ideal reinforcing filler in polymer matrix nanocomposites to enhance the mechanical properties of the pure polymeric material in high performance applications in several industries such as the automotive, aircraft, battery, sensors, catalysis, electronics, and sports industries. The main objective of the current investigation was to study the corrosion protection offered by the incorporation of VGCNFs into a commercial alkyd paint matrix applied to the surface of mild steel coupons. The corrosion protection was investigated by immersing samples in air saturated 3% NaCl solution (artificial seawater). The samples were studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) along with other measurements, including electrochemical (open circuit potential, cyclic voltammetry), chemical (salt spray test), electrical conductivity, and surface analysis (SEM, AFM, optical profilometry, and nanoindentation). The study involved the investigation of the effect of the weight percent (wt %) of the VGCNF as well as the coating film thickness on the corrosion protection performance of the coated steel samples when exposed to the corrosive electrolyte. By way of contrast, the EIS behavior of steel coupons coated with a paint coating incorporating different weight percents of powdered silicon carbide (SiC) particles was also studied. The EIS spectra were used to calculated and graph several corrosion parameters for the investigated systems. At the end, the studied coatings were ranked in order of their anticorrosive properties.

The dissertation thesis deals with the modification of the surface of advanced magnesium alloys with Ni-P based coatings. At the beginning of the theoretical part, the structures of the used magnesium alloys and the influence of individual alloying elements on their properties are characterized. In the following part of the thesis the current knowledge in the field of electroless deposition on metal substrates is summarized. The theoretical part of the thesis is closed with contemporary research study in the field of clarification and determination of possible mechanism of electroless deposition. For the subsequent investigation of the mechanism of electroless deposition on magnesium alloys, it was necessary to characterize the microstructure and composition of individual magnesium alloys in the first phase of the experimental part. The exact composition of elements was determined using glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy with EDS was used for composition of phases of magnesium alloys. Using scanning electron microscopy and detailed elemental analysis of the coated magnesium substrate, it was found that for optimal Ni-P coating deposition on magnesium alloys, acid pickling prior coating is required in a mixture of acetic acid and sodium nitrate. Using the XPS method, it was found that the phosphorus atom in the sodium dihydride-diphosphate reducing agent has a + V charge. 4 At the end of the experimental part scanning electron microscopy and detailed elemental analyses were used for monitoring of the Ni-P particles nucleation and growth in the first 120 seconds of the coating process.