Student Number : 0400486V - MSc (Eng) dissertation - School of Electrical and Information Engineering - Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment / The Voltage Dip Test Facility at the University of the Witwatersrand utilises a resistive load during testing of variable speed drives. This method produces valuable results regarding the performance of drives under dip conditions. It has been shown that load type does influence the performance of drives and this variation cannot be tested under current conditions as only linear loading is attainable with resistive loads. This thesis proposes a programmable load based on the concept of field-oriented control of an induction motor. The concepts involved with field-oriented control are discussed and shown to be suitable for this application. An implementation strategy utilising custom-designed software and an off-the-shelf VSD is developed and executed. The performance of the programmable load is analysed under both steady-state and dynamic conditions.

This thesis is focused on corrosion protection of magnesium alloys AZ 91. Very important is material corrosion in some environments and last but not least surface treatment as grinding, polishing and etching. Theoretical part of this thesis is about magnesium and magnesium alloy. It focuses on properties, in order to determine the best procedure for corrosion protection. It characterize material corrosion- for example corrosion in special environment (atmosphere, water, etc.) or elektrolyte corrosion. Big part of theoretical part is focused on electrochemistry, in particular kinetic aspects (Tafel diagrams, corrosion current, etc.) and potentiostatic testing, where are observed properties of material in relation to potential: corrosion potential Ecorr, brakedown potential Ebd and repassivation potential Erp. This work present preparing, utilization and positive or negative aspects of corrosion protection. Metallography is important too since metallographical preparation is crucial for the research on the material. Described metallography procedures are mounting, grinding, polishing, etching and interpretation. Experimental part of this thesis is in particular about corrosion properties of magnesium alloy AZ 91. It focuses on calculation of corrosion rate in defferent environments. Principle is mass defekt of the alloy. The environments are: destilled water, hot service water and 3% NaCl solution (like sea water). Last but not least are important. procedure manipulation with materials. Very important are choice and composition of solutions, etching time, choice of polishing cloth, lubricant solution and good pressure. Beacuse of this aspects can be show corrosion action of environments on magnesium alloy AZ 91 by photographies.

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