abstract: Precursors of carbon fibers include rayon, pitch, and polyacrylonitrile fibers that can be heat-treated for high-strength or high-modulus carbon fibers. Among them, polyacrylonitrile has been used most frequently due to its low viscosity for easy processing and excellent performance for high-end applications. To further explore polyacrylonitrile-based fibers for better precursors, in this study, carbon nanofillers were introduced in the polymer matrix to examine their reinforcement effects and influences on carbon fiber performance. Two-dimensional graphene nanoplatelets were mainly used for the polymer reinforcement and one-dimensional carbon nanotubes were also incorporated in polyacrylonitrile as a comparison. Dry-jet wet spinning was used to fabricate the composite fibers. Hot-stage drawing and heat-treatment were used to evolve the physical microstructures and molecular morphologies of precursor and carbon fibers. As compared to traditionally used random dispersions, selective placement of nanofillers was effective in improving composite fiber properties and enhancing mechanical and functional behaviors of carbon fibers. The particular position of reinforcement fillers with polymer layers was enabled by the in-house developed spinneret used for fiber spinning. The preferential alignment of graphitic planes contributed to the enhanced mechanical and functional behaviors than those of dispersed nanoparticles in polyacrylonitrile composites. The high in-plane modulus of graphene and the induction to polyacrylonitrile molecular carbonization/graphitization were the motivation for selectively placing graphene nanoplatelets between polyacrylonitrile layers. Mechanical tests, scanning electron microscopy, thermal, and electrical properties were characterized. Applications such as volatile organic compound sensing and pressure sensing were demonstrated. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Materials Science and Engineering 2020

Orientador: Cristiane Inácio de Campos / Resumo: Nos últimos anos, o estudo do tratamento térmico na indústria madeireira vem chamando a atenção dos pesquisadores por ser mostrar como uma proposta de preservação sustentável em comparação aos tratamentos químicos tradicionalmente realizados. Com base nisto, este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o desempenho do painel compensado produzido com lâminas termorretificadas e coladas com a resina poliuretana à base de óleo de mamona, uma alternativa para substituição do adesivo fenol-formaldeído, que possui a vantagem de ser de origem natural e de não liberar substâncias nocivas ao homem e ao meio ambiente. O processo de termorretificação foi realizado em três diferentes temperaturas (160, 180 e 200°C) e para duas formas de tratamento (prensa e estufa). As alterações ocorridas nas lâminas, após o tratamento, foram avaliadas por meio de testes de rugosidade, utilizando um perfilômetro, e de molhabilidade pelo método de gota, utilizando um goniômetro, os quais mostraram que com o aumento da temperatura as lâminas ficaram menos rugosas e molháveis. O método prensa se mostrou mais efetivo para realizar a termodegradação da madeira na análise do teor de extrativos totais realizado seguindo a norma TAPPI T-257:2012. As alterações verificadas na lâmina impactaram as propriedades físico-mecânicos do painel acabado que foram avaliadas por meio de ensaios recomendados por documentos normativos brasileiros: massa específica aparente (ABNT NBR 9485:2011), inchamento em espessura (ABNT NBR 95... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: In recent years, the study of heat treatment in the wood industry has been attracting the attention of researchers as a proposal for sustainable use compared to the traditionally performed chemical methods. Based on this, this work aimed to evaluate the performance of plywood panel produced with heat-treated veneers and glued with a castor oil-based polyurethane resin, an alternative to replace the phenol-formaldehyde adhesive. The advantage of using polyurethane resin is its natural origin and do not release harmful substances to man and the environment. The heat treatment process was carried out at three different temperatures (160, 180 and 200 ° C) and for two forms of treatment. The changes occurred in the veneers, after treatment, were evaluated by roughness tests and wettability, using a goniometer. As the temperature increased, the veneers became less rough and wettable. The press method proved to be more effective to perform the thermo-degradation of wood in the analysis of the total extractive content carried based a TAPPI T-257: 2012 norm. The changes verified in the veneer impacted the physical-mechanical properties of the finished panel, which were evaluated through tests recommended by Brazilian normative documents: density (ABNT NBR 9485: 2011), thickness swelling (ABNT NBR 9535: 2011), moisture (ABNT NBR 9484: 2011), water absorption (ABNT NBR 9486: 2011 ), static bending test (ABNT NBR 9533: 2013) and glue shear strength (ABNT NBR ISO 12466-1: 2012). It was fo... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Laser cladding is a more recent approach to repair of aviation components within a damage tolerant framework, with its ability to restore not simply the geometric shape but the static and fatigue strength as well. This research analysed the fatigue performance of Ti-6Al-4V that has undergone a laser clad repair, comparing baseline specimens with laser clad repaired, and repaired and heat treated specimens. First an understanding of the microstructure was achieved by use of BSE imagery of the substrate, clad repaired region and post heat treated regions. The substrate of the material was identified with large grains which compared to a repaired clad region with a much finer grain structure that did not change with heat treatment. Next, performance of the specimens under tensile fatigue loading was conducted, with the clad specimens experiencing unexpectedly high fatigue performance when compared to baseline samples; the post heat treated specimen lasting significantly longer than all other specimens. It is theorised that the clad may have contributed to an increase in fatigue resilience due to its fine microstructure, when compared to the softer, more coarse substrate. The heat treatment is likely to have relaxed any residual stresses in the specimens leading to a reduction in any potential undesirable stresses, without impacting the microstructure. Residual stress analysis using EDD was unproductive due to the unexpected coarse microstructure and did not provide meaningful results. Fractography using the marker-band technique was explored with some success, proving a feesable method for measuring fatigue crack growth through a specimen post failure. Unfortunately fatigue crack growth throughout the entire fatigue life was not possible due to the tortuous fracture surface and potentially due to the fine micro-structure of the clad, resulting in interrupted marker-band formation. Future research shall expand on this work with a greater focus on residual stress analysis and its impact on fatigue.

The thesis deals with optimization of the manufacturing process of the muzzle device designed for assault rifle. The most common titanium alloy named Ti-6Al-4V was chosen for this task. The introduction summarizes previously existing types of muzzle devices and further describes the SLM technology with a special focus on titanium alloys processing. The optimization methods and their follow-up testing were designed according to theoretical knowledge that is summarized in the theoretical part of this work. Firstly, the aim was to describe the optimization of the manufacturing process with attention to preserving the relative density of the parts. Secondly, the mechanical properties of the parts that underwent different heat treatment were tested.The obtained data were then used to design and manufacture a muzzle device that underwent further testing in real condition afterwards.

The diploma thesis deals with the study of the influence of process parameters of AlSi7Mg0.6 aluminum alloy processing using the additive technology Selective Laser Melting. The main objective is to clarify the influence of the individual process parameters on the resulting porosity of the material and its mechanical properties. The thesis deals with the current state of aluminum alloy processing in this way. The actual material research of the work is carried out in successive experiments from the welding test to the volume test with subsequent verification of the mechanical properties of the material. Material evaluation in the whole work is material porosity, stability of individual welds, hardness of the material and its mechanical properties. The results are compared with the literature.

During high pressure pulsation tests repeated cracks of CP3. housings occur. High pressure pump CP3 is part of injection system Common Rail. Cracks can be caused by segregation of phosphorous from a washing medium on grain boundaries during subsequent heat treatment process. The present master´s thesis focuses on analysis of phosphorous compounds on specimen surface made from steel 20MnCr5, which were soaked in solutions with different concentration of phosphorous. Master’s thesis is also focused on potencial influence of phosphorous on structure and properties of this material. The first part of the thesis provides a summary of current knowledge in the studied field, experimental results can be found in the second part. The surface analysis XPS, the light microscopy, the scanning electron microscopy equipped by energy dispersive chemical analysis, the glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy, the methods of the phase analysis by means of the X-ray diffraction and impact test were used.

This diploma thesis is concerned with improving the mechanical properties of aluminium castings produced using investment casting technology by HIP (Hot Isostatic Pressing). Comparing the mechanical properties of separately casted test bars and integrally casted test bars for individual types of production. It was demonstrated that HIP technology has a positive effect on mechanical properties of castings, especially for ductility.

The thesis aims for the surface treatment of materials using electron beam. It includes a literary research describing physical principle and properties of the electron beam. This research also presents possible influencing of the beam and describes the construction of the device that generates the beam. Various applications of the electron beam for the material treatment are presented in the second part of the paper. Within this thesis an experiment with the heat treatment of the steel surface by the electron beam has been realized. The experiment was aimed at creating a layer as deep as possible without melting the surface. The results and their evaluation are presented in the experimental part of the thesis. The attention is also paid to selected process parameters.

Orientador: Julio Cesar Molina / Resumo: O tratamento térmico é um processo realizado com madeiras para aumentar a durabilidade e mudar a aparência. Nesse processo vários fatores devem ser observados para um melhor aproveitamento do potencial mecânico da madeira, dentre eles: tempo, temperatura e velocidade de aquecimento. Observa-se que na maioria dos estudos já realizados sobre esse tema algumas espécies de madeira ainda não tiveram todas as suas propriedades mecânicas analisadas. Além disso, a maior parte dos estudos desenvolvido no Brasil considera o aquecimento da madeira em estufa com ambiente controlado. O objetivo desse trabalho consistiu em avaliar a influência do tratamento térmico realizado industrialmente para as temperaturas 155, 165, 175 e 185 ºC nas propriedades químicas, físicas e mecânicas de madeiras de Eucalipto grandis (Eucalyptus grandis), Pinus taeda (Pinus taeda L.), Cedro indiano (Acrocarpus fraxinifolius) e Cedro australiano (Toona ciliata var. australis), em relação às respectivas propriedades das madeiras in natura. O tratamento térmico das madeiras foi realizado em autoclave com controle de temperatura e de pressão com ingestão de vapor saturado. Após o tratamento térmico a análise química identificou, para as quatro espécies estudadas, um aumento nos teores de extrativos e redução nos teores de holocelulose; o teor de lignina aumento para o Pinus taeda e o Cedro australiano e não apresentou modificações estatisticamente significantes para o Eucalipto grandis e Cedro indiano. A densidade ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Mestre

In this paper, we report that various kinds of active sites on graphite surface including active hydrophilic sites markedly affect the electrochemical performance of graphite anodes for lithium ion batteries under different humidity conditions. After depositing metals such as Ag and Cu by immersing and heat-treating, these active sites on the graphite surface were removed or covered and its electrochemical performance under the high humidity conditions was markedly improved. This suggests that lithium ion batteries can be assembled under less strict conditions and that it provides a valuable direction to lower the manufacturing cost for lithium ion batteries.