Various physical parameters of solvents within two component, PMMA + Solvent films are analyzed for their impact upon the coating uniformity of spin deposited PMMA films. Towards this end, a model is presented for describing the surface behavior of spin-on films during the latter stages of deposition, correlating the tendency of a film toward non-uniform deposition to physical characteristics of the spin-on solution. A finite difference solution to this model is presented for two-component, spin-on films that is shown to effectively predict the uniformity of the resulting thin-film layers. The model is then used to determine the impact of specific film parameters upon the predicted spin-on uniformity of the film. Based upon these results, the interdependency between evaporation rate, solvent viscosity, surface tension and rotation rate in determining the uniformity of the spin-on film is evaluated by comparing the model predictions against those found in actual spin-on, two component films. The results from this model are used to provide a physical explanation for why certain surface non-uniformities begin to develop during spin coating.

A campanha dos refratários magnesianos aplicados como revestimento de trabalho de panelas de aciaria depende da soma de diversos fatores como resistência à corrosão, resistência à oxidação do carbono, estabilidade termomecânica, entre outros. A concepção microestrutural do refratário pode influenciar de forma benéfica ou deletéria no desempenho do refratário in situ. Nesta tese de doutorado os refratários magnesianos comerciais de panela de aciaria foram estudados sob três diferentes aspectos: redução da oxidação prematura do carbono, formação da fase espinélio de alumina e magnésio e resistência ao choque térmico e ao dano por choque térmico. Para reduzir a oxidação precoce do carbono foi desenvolvido um coating cerâmico que atua como uma eficiente barreira física, reduzindo o contato do oxigênio da atmosfera de aquecimento com o carbono presente no refratário. Como resultado reduz-se a oxidação prematura do carbono e eleva-se a vida útil do revestimento. A formação da fase espinélio de magnésia e alumina também influencia o desempenho termomecânico destes refratários, principalmente devido ao incremento volumétrico decorrente de sua formação. Nesta tese foram estudados os mecanismos de formação desta fase in situ, demonstrando experimentalmente o caminho preferencial que leva à formação desta fase mineralógica. O comportamento termomecânico dos refratários magnesianos foi determinado em função da resistência ao choque térmico (parâmetros R, R\'\'\') e quanto à resistência ao dano por choque térmico (parâmetro R\'\'\'\' e Rst). Estes parâmetros foram correlacionados com as respectivas características microestruturais destes refratários. Os resultados apresentados por esta tese de doutorado compõe uma importante ferramenta técnica para as indústrias produtoras de aço e de refratários por fornecer subsídio técnico e científico para fundamentar alterações em refratários já existentes e colaborar com o desenvolvimento de novos refratários de engenharia com elevado desempenho e maior vida útil. / The campaign of magnesium based refractories of steel ladles depends on the sum of many factors, such as corrosion resistance, carbon oxidation resistance, thermomechanical stability, among others. The microstructural conception of the refractory can influence the performance in situ in a beneficially or deleterious way. In this doctoral thesis, the commercial magnesium refractory of steel ladles were studied under three different aspects: reducing the premature oxidation of carbon present into the refractory matrix, formation of the spinel MgAl2O4 and the resistance to thermal shock and thermal shock damage. To reduce the premature oxidation of carbon, it was developed a ceramic coating that acts as an effective physical barrier, reducing the contact of the atmosphere\'s oxygen with the carbon in the refractory. As a result, the premature oxidation of carbon was reduced and the refractory system\'s lifespan increased. The formation of the MgAl2O4 spinel also influences the thermomechanical performance of these refractories, mainly due to increase of volume due to its formation. In this thesis were studied the mechanisms of formation of this phase in situ, experimentally showing the mechanism that leads to the formation of this mineral phase. The thermomechanical behavior of refractories MgO-C, Al2O3-MgO-C and MgO-Al2O4-C was determined according to the thermal shock resistance (R, R\'\'\' parameters) and the resistance to thermal shock damage (R\'\'\'\' and Rst parameters). Those parameters were correlated with their respective microstructural characteristics of refractories. The results presented in this doctoral thesis make up an important technical tool for steelworks and refractory industries by providing technical and scientific aid to support changes in existing refractories and collaborate with the development of new refractory engineering with higher performance and longer life.

Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), which is available in different degrees of substitution and viscosity designations, is one of the most commonly used cellulosic polymers in aqueous film coating. It is relatively easy to process due to its non-tacky nature and has been known to produce smooth and clear films. For aqueous film coating, it is cost effective to use a coating formulation containing a high concentration of polymer without affecting the viscosity or spray rate and compromising on the quality of the film coat. Hence, it is ideal to use a polymer of low viscosity grade. The rheological properties of HPMC with various viscosity grades were determined. It was found that HPMC Methocel E3 had the lowest viscosity and was the least affected by the increase in polymer concentration. Additives can modify the film properties, including the glass transition temperature of the coating polymer. Glass transition temperature influences the viscosity of the coating solution and the mechanical properties, adhesion and permeability of the film coat. Various concentrations of different additives were incorporated in HPMC formulations to study the effect on these properties. Some long-chain fatty acids were included in the study to investigate if their hydrophobic carbon chains could retard moisture permeation of HPMC films. It was observed that HPMC films containing water-soluble additives produce films with clarity similar to those without additives, whereas those with hydrophobic additives tend to be patchy or hazy in appearance. A vinyl pyrrolidone / vinyl acetate copolymer (S630) was investigated for its influence on HPMC films, comparing the results with a commonly used plasticizer, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and another copolymer, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Intrinsic properties of the solutions, such as viscosity and glass transition temperature, were evaluated. / The effect of S630 on the film properties, such as physical appearance, surface roughness, moisture permeation and mechanical properties, as well as its ability to promote better adhesion of the film coat to the core surface, were compared. S630 was found to be effective both as a film-former and plasticizer, reducing the glass transition temperature and viscosity, but enhancing the tensile strength, elongation and work of failure of the cast film. The water vapour permeability was slightly increased but not to the same extent as with polyethylene glycol PEG). A 10% concentration of this copolymer increased the adhesive strength and toughness of the HPMC film coat. Aqueous film coating was carried out in the ultra-coater, using HPMC coating formulations containing 8% w/w of solids, without or with 10% concentration (based on dry weight of total solids) of the additives, PEG, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and S630, for coating the tablets. Capsule-shaped lactose tablet cores of specific surface area, hardness, weight, friability and disintegration time were used to study the process variables. Process variables, including air flow rate, temperature and humidity, coating application rate or pump flow rate, atomising air pressure and speed of the rotating disk, were investigated in order to obtain the optimum operating conditions for these solutions. It was found that the process parameters were similar for all the coating formulations containing 8% solid. The additives used in the coating formulations had little influence on the coating process. The ultra-coater was an effective unit for the aqueous film coating of tablets with a batch size of not less than 5 kg.

In the last years, intensive research on new tunable solid state laser materials has been carried out. For the spectral range from 1300 to 1600 nm the Cr4+ ion seems to be the most promising laser-ion. In order to meet the the demand of broad-band devices, we employed the Cr4+ doped YAG crystal fibers with high optical quality thin films design and coating (high index material TiO2, low index material SiO2) to achieve the development of high efficiency crystal fiber lasers. In this thesis, crystal fiber was used as the laser gain medium, and coated with optical thin films at both end faces (input face 900-1100 nm AR and 1300-1600 nm HR; output face 1300-1600 nm HR) as the laser cavity to reduce the loss and promote laser efficiency. During the experiment, we tried to optimize the coating conditions to acquire high density, stable index and low absorption coefficient thin films. With different thin film thickness and stacking designs, the electric field distribution was designed to be away from the laser interface and high index region to increase the laser-induced damage threshold and lifetime for high power pumping. In addition, CaO and Cr2O3 were deposited on Cr4+:YAG source rods before the laser-heated-pedestal growth to increase CaO and Cr2O3 doping concentration for higher fluorescence efficiency and signal saturation power.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2007. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains x, 235 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis--Auburn University, 2006. / Abstract. Includes bibliographic references (p.94-97).

Thesis (MTech (Mechanical Engineering))--Peninsula Technikon, 2003 / Systematic laser cladding experiments were performed using a mixture of a Nickel base alloy powder mixed with tungsten carbide powder (percentage contents of tungsten carbide from 10% to 40%) on EN8 steel substrate with pre-placed powder method. Laser cladding of the Nickel base alloy powder + 50% tungsten carbide powder on EN9 steel substrate was performed with powder injection method as well. A Finite Element Method for calculating the surface temperature distribution was used to help prediction of temperature distribution laser cladding results. Composition of cladding materials was designed; a sticking agent was chosen for the pre-placed powder method. Clad coatings were obtained for different process parameters for laser cladding, and a detailed study of the affects of these parameters has been carried out. The characteristic microstructure and properties of the clad layers and interface were investigated by using an optical microscope, a micro hardness tester and a makeshift wear test. A comprehensive review is presented on the dilution of the coating and the typical problems experienced with the coating substrate interface. The results show that microstructure of clad layers comprise three zones: the cladding layer, bonding zone and heat-affected zone. The results showed that tungsten carbide particles increased the hardness and wear resistance as expected. Wear resistance of laser cladding coating is 3.5 times than that of substrate. The micro hardness range of the cladding layer is from RV 981.5 to RV 1187, which is 2-3 times than that of substrate. The micro hardness varies from cladding coating to transition layer then to heat affected zone and substrate along a gradient.

A campanha dos refratários magnesianos aplicados como revestimento de trabalho de panelas de aciaria depende da soma de diversos fatores como resistência à corrosão, resistência à oxidação do carbono, estabilidade termomecânica, entre outros. A concepção microestrutural do refratário pode influenciar de forma benéfica ou deletéria no desempenho do refratário in situ. Nesta tese de doutorado os refratários magnesianos comerciais de panela de aciaria foram estudados sob três diferentes aspectos: redução da oxidação prematura do carbono, formação da fase espinélio de alumina e magnésio e resistência ao choque térmico e ao dano por choque térmico. Para reduzir a oxidação precoce do carbono foi desenvolvido um coating cerâmico que atua como uma eficiente barreira física, reduzindo o contato do oxigênio da atmosfera de aquecimento com o carbono presente no refratário. Como resultado reduz-se a oxidação prematura do carbono e eleva-se a vida útil do revestimento. A formação da fase espinélio de magnésia e alumina também influencia o desempenho termomecânico destes refratários, principalmente devido ao incremento volumétrico decorrente de sua formação. Nesta tese foram estudados os mecanismos de formação desta fase in situ, demonstrando experimentalmente o caminho preferencial que leva à formação desta fase mineralógica. O comportamento termomecânico dos refratários magnesianos foi determinado em função da resistência ao choque térmico (parâmetros R, R\'\'\') e quanto à resistência ao dano por choque térmico (parâmetro R\'\'\'\' e Rst). Estes parâmetros foram correlacionados com as respectivas características microestruturais destes refratários. Os resultados apresentados por esta tese de doutorado compõe uma importante ferramenta técnica para as indústrias produtoras de aço e de refratários por fornecer subsídio técnico e científico para fundamentar alterações em refratários já existentes e colaborar com o desenvolvimento de novos refratários de engenharia com elevado desempenho e maior vida útil. / The campaign of magnesium based refractories of steel ladles depends on the sum of many factors, such as corrosion resistance, carbon oxidation resistance, thermomechanical stability, among others. The microstructural conception of the refractory can influence the performance in situ in a beneficially or deleterious way. In this doctoral thesis, the commercial magnesium refractory of steel ladles were studied under three different aspects: reducing the premature oxidation of carbon present into the refractory matrix, formation of the spinel MgAl2O4 and the resistance to thermal shock and thermal shock damage. To reduce the premature oxidation of carbon, it was developed a ceramic coating that acts as an effective physical barrier, reducing the contact of the atmosphere\'s oxygen with the carbon in the refractory. As a result, the premature oxidation of carbon was reduced and the refractory system\'s lifespan increased. The formation of the MgAl2O4 spinel also influences the thermomechanical performance of these refractories, mainly due to increase of volume due to its formation. In this thesis were studied the mechanisms of formation of this phase in situ, experimentally showing the mechanism that leads to the formation of this mineral phase. The thermomechanical behavior of refractories MgO-C, Al2O3-MgO-C and MgO-Al2O4-C was determined according to the thermal shock resistance (R, R\'\'\' parameters) and the resistance to thermal shock damage (R\'\'\'\' and Rst parameters). Those parameters were correlated with their respective microstructural characteristics of refractories. The results presented in this doctoral thesis make up an important technical tool for steelworks and refractory industries by providing technical and scientific aid to support changes in existing refractories and collaborate with the development of new refractory engineering with higher performance and longer life.

The efficacy of combined diamond and diamond like carbon coatings, to allow for effective and efficient dry turning of aluminium alloy Al 6082, has been investigated. Optimised diamond and diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings were combined and deposited onto a WC-Co insert using chemical vapour deposition (CVD) methods. DLC coatings were developed by testing the effects of bias voltage, deposition time and gas pressure. During the development of the DLC layer, the effects of substrate geometry and positioning in the deposition chamber were investigated. It was discovered that coating characteristics could vary significantly across the samples as a result of geometrical effects. This contradicted claims that, as plasma enhanced CVD is a non-line of sight deposition method, any variation in the coating due to geometry would be negligible. SEM analysis revealed coating thickness to increase by over 50%. AFM measurements showed coating roughness to increase by up to 30 times, whilst Raman spectroscopy highlighted a significant decrease in sp3 bonding. This variation in characteristics was seen, through the use of scratch testing, to translate into significantly reduced tribological performance. Friction was increased by 60% and critical load was only half of that of the coating applied to flat surface. The combined coatings were characterised and machining performance was evaluated. Coating characteristics were examined using SEM, AFM and Raman spectroscopy. Cutting trials designed to simulate the expected tool life were conducted. Micro and nano-crystalline diamond coatings, with and without an additional DLC layer were trialled along with a single layer DLC coating. Commercially available uncoated and TiN coating inserts of identical geometry were also trialled as a reference. The results showed that the addition of the DLC layer effectively reduced the roughness of the diamond, however, this did not translate into reduced adhesion of the aluminium to the cutting tip. It has been shown that for this particular machining scenario, a smoother coating effectively increased friction and adhesion of the workpiece material. The investigation has highlighted that due to the complex dynamics of material transfer effects in sliding, it cannot be assumed that a smoother surface layer will lead to improved tribological performance.

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