Journal Description
Materials
Materials
is an international peer-reviewed, open access journal on materials science and engineering published semimonthly online by MDPI. The Portuguese Materials Society (SPM), Spanish Materials Society (SOCIEMAT) and Manufacturing Engineering Society (MES) are affiliated with Materials and their members receive discounts on the article processing charges.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), PubMed, PMC, Ei Compendex, CaPlus / SciFinder, Inspec, Astrophysics Data System, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering) / CiteScore - Q2 (Condensed Matter Physics)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 13.9 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 2.7 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the second half of 2023).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
- Testimonials: See what our editors and authors say about Materials.
- Companion journals for Materials include: Electronic Materials and Construction Materials.
Impact Factor:
3.4 (2022);
5-Year Impact Factor:
3.8 (2022)
Latest Articles
Silicone Nanocomposites with Enhanced Thermal Resistance: A Short Review
Materials 2024, 17(9), 2016; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17092016 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
Continuous technological progress places significant demands on the materials used in increasingly modern devices. An important parameter is often the long-term thermal resistance of the material. The use of heat-resistant polymer materials worked well in technologically advanced products. An economically justified direction in
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Continuous technological progress places significant demands on the materials used in increasingly modern devices. An important parameter is often the long-term thermal resistance of the material. The use of heat-resistant polymer materials worked well in technologically advanced products. An economically justified direction in searching for new materials is the area of polymer nanocomposite materials. It is necessary to appropriately select both the polymer matrix and the nanofillers best able to demonstrate the synergistic effect. A promising area of exploration for such nanocomposites is the use of organosilicon polymers, which results from the unique properties of these polymers related to their structure. This review presents the results of the analysis of the most important literature reports regarding organosilicon polymer nanocomposites with increased thermal resistance. Particular attention was paid to modification methods of silicone nanocomposites, focusing on increasing their thermal resistance related to the modification of siloxane molecular structure and by making nanocomposites using inorganic additives and carbon nanomaterials. Attention was also paid to such important issues as the influence of the dispersion of additives in the polymer matrix on the thermal resistance of silicone nanocomposites and the possibility of modifying the polymer matrix and permanently introducing nanofillers thanks to the presence of various reactive groups. The thermal stability mechanism of these nanocomposites was also analysed.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Advanced Composites)
Open AccessArticle
Microstructure Evolution and Recrystallization Mechanisms of a Cu–Cr–Sn Alloy during Thermal Deformation Process
by
Qian Yu, Zhen Yang, Lijun Peng, Haofeng Xie, Yicheng Cao, Yunqing Zhu and Feng Liu
Materials 2024, 17(9), 2015; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17092015 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
Thermal deformation behavior of Cu–Cr–Sn alloy ingots under deformation temperatures ranging from 600 °C to 950 °C and strain rates from 0.01 s−1 to 10 s−1 was investigated in detail. The thermal deformation constitutive equation and thermal processing map of the
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Thermal deformation behavior of Cu–Cr–Sn alloy ingots under deformation temperatures ranging from 600 °C to 950 °C and strain rates from 0.01 s−1 to 10 s−1 was investigated in detail. The thermal deformation constitutive equation and thermal processing map of the alloy were established, respectively. The activation energy Q was determined as 430.61 KJ/mol. The optimal deformation system corresponding to the hot working diagram was a deformation temperature of 900 °C and strain rate of 0.1 s−1. Under these deformation conditions, twin dynamic recrystallization (TDRX), continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX), and discontinuous dynamic recrystallization (DDRX) occurred simultaneously, with the twinning process causing the stress–strain curve to exhibit a wavy change. The thermal deformation microstructure of the alloy is co-regulated by different recrystallization mechanisms, with DDRX occurring mainly at low deformation temperatures, and both CDRX and DDRX occurring at high deformation temperatures.
Full article
Open AccessArticle
Influence of TiO2 Nanoparticles on the Physical, Mechanical, and Structural Characteristics of Cementitious Composites with Recycled Aggregates
by
Carmen Teodora Florean, Horațiu Vermeșan, Timea Gabor, Bogdan Viorel Neamțu, Gyorgy Thalmaier, Andreea Hegyi, Alexandra Csapai and Adrian-Victor Lăzărescu
Materials 2024, 17(9), 2014; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17092014 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of the addition of TiO2 nanoparticles (NTs) on the physical and mechanical properties, as well as the microstructural changes, of cementitious composites containing partially substituted natural aggregates (NAs) with aggregates derived from
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The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of the addition of TiO2 nanoparticles (NTs) on the physical and mechanical properties, as well as the microstructural changes, of cementitious composites containing partially substituted natural aggregates (NAs) with aggregates derived from the following four recycled materials: glass (RGA), brick (RGB), blast-furnace slag (GBA), and recycled textolite waste with WEEE (waste from electrical and electronic equipment) as the primary source (RTA), in line with sustainable construction practices. The research methodology included the following phases: selection and characterization of raw materials, formulation design, experimental preparation and testing of specimens using standardized methods specific to cementitious composite mortars (including determination of apparent density in the hardened state, mechanical strength in compression, flexure, and abrasion, and water absorption by capillarity), and structural analysis using specialized techniques (scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS)). The analysis and interpretation of the results focused primarily on identifying the effects of NT addition on the composites. Results show a decrease in density resulting from replacing NAs with recycled aggregates, particularly in the case of RGB and RTA. Conversely, the introduction of TiO2 nanoparticles resulted in a slight increase in density, ranging from 0.2% for RTA to 7.4% for samples containing NAs. Additionally, the introduction of TiO2 contributes to improved compressive strength, especially in samples containing RTA, while flexural strength benefits from a 3–4% TiO2 addition in all composites. The compressive strength ranged from 35.19 to 70.13 N/mm2, while the flexural strength ranged from 8.4 to 10.47 N/mm2. The abrasion loss varied between 2.4% and 5.71%, and the water absorption coefficient varied between 0.03 and 0.37 kg/m2m0.5, the variations being influenced by both the nature of the aggregates and the amount of NTs added. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis showed that TiO2 nanoparticles are uniformly distributed in the cementitious composites, mainly forming CSH gel. TiO2 nanoparticles act as nucleating agents during early hydration, as confirmed by EDS spectra after curing.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Additives/Admixtures on the Properties of Concretes and Cementitious Composites)
Open AccessArticle
Experimental Research on the Anti-Reflection Crack Performance of Basalt Fiber Modified Rubber Asphalt Stress-Absorbing Layer
by
Cheng Shen, Zhengguang Wu, Peng Xiao, Aihong Kang and Yangbo Wang
Materials 2024, 17(9), 2013; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17092013 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
Reflection cracks are one of the most common problems in semi-rigid base pavement. Setting a stress absorption layer can effectively delay the occurrence of reflection cracks, but further improvement is still needed in its interlayer bonding performance and anti-reflection crack performance. Considering the
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Reflection cracks are one of the most common problems in semi-rigid base pavement. Setting a stress absorption layer can effectively delay the occurrence of reflection cracks, but further improvement is still needed in its interlayer bonding performance and anti-reflection crack performance. Considering the excellent crack resistance of basalt fibers and the good elastic recovery ability of rubber asphalt, it is considered worthwhile to incorporate them into traditional stress absorption layers to improve performance. To simulate the actual pavement layer effect, composite specimens consisting of a cement-stabilized macadam base + basalt fiber rubber asphalt stress-absorbing layer + AC-20 asphalt mixture surface layer were prepared to evaluate their performance through interlayer direct shear tests, interlayer tensile tests, three-point bending tests, and overlay tests (OTs). To determine the optimal fiber blending combination, four fiber lengths (3 cm, 6 cm, 9 cm, 12 cm) and four fiber proportions (120 g/m2, 140 g/m2, 160 g/m2, 180 g/m2) were selected respectively. The specific effects of basalt fibers with different lengths and dosages were analyzed. The results show that compared with the absence of fibers, the improvement of interlayer bonding performance of rubber asphalt with basalt fibers is not significant, and it has certain limitations; however, the improvement of anti-reflective crack performance is significant, with an increase of up to 305.5%. This indicates that the network structure formed by basalt fibers and rubber asphalt stress absorption layer can effectively absorb and disperse external loads, causing an excellent crack resistance effect. Meanwhile, the results indicate that the main factor affecting its interlayer bonding strength and anti-reflective crack performance is the fiber content. Based on the comprehensive analysis of the performance and economy of the stress absorption layer of basalt fiber rubber asphalt, the optimal fiber parameter combination recommended is as fiber length 9 cm and fiber content 160 g/m2.These results can provide a reference for the design and performance evaluation of basalt fiber rubber asphalt stress absorption layer, and have certain application value.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Property Research of Advanced Asphalt-Based Materials)
Open AccessArticle
Study on Pyrolysis Characteristics of Phosphate Tailings under H2O Atmosphere
by
Yanping Yang, Yu Zhang, Dengpan Nie, Chenxin Sun and Jianxin Cao
Materials 2024, 17(9), 2012; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17092012 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
The pyrolysis separation of calcium and magnesium from phosphate tailings is an important process due to its high-value resource utilization. In this paper, aiming to address the problems of high energy consumption, a slow decomposition rate and the low activity of decomposition products
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The pyrolysis separation of calcium and magnesium from phosphate tailings is an important process due to its high-value resource utilization. In this paper, aiming to address the problems of high energy consumption, a slow decomposition rate and the low activity of decomposition products in the high-temperature pyrolysis of phosphate tailings, the medium-temperature pyrolysis of phosphate tailings under a H2O atmosphere was carried out, and the phase reconstruction and activation of pyrolysis process were discussed. The results showed that compared with N2, air and CO2 atmospheres, the pyrolysis process of phosphate tailings in a H2O atmosphere was changed from two stages to one stage, the starting decomposition temperature was reduced to 500 ℃ and the decomposition time was shortened to 30 min. The order of the influence of each factor on the pyrolysis of phosphate tailings was temperature > H2O pressure > holding time. Under the optimized pyrolysis conditions, the yield of CaMg(CO3)2 decomposition of phosphate tailings into MgO and CaO was 97.3% and 98.1%, respectively, and the reactivity of MgO was 31.6%. The distribution of Ca and Mg elements in the phosphate tailings after pyrolysis showed a negative correlation, and both of them no longer formed associated compounds; Ca mainly existed in the form of Ca(OH)2, Ca5(PO4)3F, CaSiO3 and CaF2, and Mg mainly existed in the form of MgO, MgF2 and Mg(OH)2.
Full article
Open AccessArticle
Improving the Tribological Properties of WE43 and WE54 Magnesium Alloys by Deep Cryogenic Treatment with Precipitation Hardening in Linear Reciprocating Motion
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Adrian Barylski, Krzysztof Aniołek, Grzegorz Dercz, Izabela Matuła, Sławomir Kaptacz, Jan Rak and Robert Paszkowski
Materials 2024, 17(9), 2011; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17092011 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
This paper presents the results of tribological tests on WE43 and WE54 magnesium alloys with rare earth metals performed in linear reciprocating motion for four different material couples (AISI 316-L steel, silicon nitride—Si3N4, WC tungsten carbide, and zirconium dioxide—ZrO
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This paper presents the results of tribological tests on WE43 and WE54 magnesium alloys with rare earth metals performed in linear reciprocating motion for four different material couples (AISI 316-L steel, silicon nitride—Si3N4, WC tungsten carbide, and zirconium dioxide—ZrO2). Additionally, magnesium alloys were subjected to a complex heat treatment consisting of precipitation hardening combined with a deep cryogenic treatment. The study presents the effect of deep cryogenic treatment combined with precipitation hardening on the tribological properties of WE43 and WE54 alloys. Tribological tests revealed the most advantageous results for the magnesium alloy—AISI 316-L steel friction node. For both alloys tested after heat treatment, a nearly 2-fold reduction in specific wear rate has been achieved. Furthermore, microscopic examinations of the wear track areas and wear products were performed, and the wear mechanisms and types of wear products occurring in linear reciprocating friction were determined. Wear measurements were taken using the 3D profilometric method and compared with the results obtained from calculations performed in accordance with ASTM G133 and ASTM D7755, which were modified to improve the accuracy of the calculation results (the number of measured profiles was increased from four to eight). Appropriately selected calculation methods allow for obtaining reliable tribological test results and enabling the verification of both the most advantageous heat treatment variant and material couple, which results in an increase in the durability of the tested alloys.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Friction, Wear and Corrosion Properties of Materials)
Open AccessArticle
Fabrication of High Thermal Conductivity Aluminum Nitride Ceramics via Digital Light Processing 3D Printing
by
Yuxin Tang, Zhenhai Xue, Guohong Zhou and Song Hu
Materials 2024, 17(9), 2010; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17092010 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
The sintering of high-performance ceramics with complex shapes at low temperatures has a significant impact on the future application of ceramics. A joint process of digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing technology and a nitrogen-gas pressure-assisted sintering method were proposed to fabricate AlN
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The sintering of high-performance ceramics with complex shapes at low temperatures has a significant impact on the future application of ceramics. A joint process of digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing technology and a nitrogen-gas pressure-assisted sintering method were proposed to fabricate AlN ceramics in the present work. Printing parameters, including exposure energy and time, were optimized for the shaping of green bodies. The effects of sintering temperature, as well as nitrogen pressure, on the microstructure, density, and thermal conductivity of AlN ceramics were systematically discussed. A high thermal conductivity of 168 W·m−1·K−1 was achieved by sintering and holding at a significantly reduced temperature of 1720 °C with the assistance of a 0.6 MPa nitrogen-gas pressure. Further, a large-sized AlN ceramic plate and a heat sink with an internal mini-channel structure were designed and successfully fabricated by using the optimized printing and sintering parameters proposed in this study. The heat transfer performance of the ceramic heat sink was evaluated by infrared thermal imaging, showing excellent cooling abilities, which provides new opportunities for the development of ceramic heat dissipation modules with complex geometries and superior thermal management properties.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Additive Manufacturing of Ceramics and Composites)
Open AccessArticle
Study of Precipitated Secondary Phase at 700 °C on the Electrochemical Properties of Super Duplex Stainless Steel AISI2507: Advanced High-Temperature Safety of a Lithium-Ion Battery Case
by
Byung-Hyun Shin, Seongjun Kim, Jinyong Park, Jung-Woo Ok, Dohyung Kim and Jang-Hee Yoon
Materials 2024, 17(9), 2009; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17092009 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
Super duplex stainless steel (SDSS) is a suitable structural material for various engineering applications due to its outstanding strength and corrosion resistance. In particular, its high-temperature strength can enhance the safety of electronic products and cars. SDSS AISI2507, known for its excellent strength
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Super duplex stainless steel (SDSS) is a suitable structural material for various engineering applications due to its outstanding strength and corrosion resistance. In particular, its high-temperature strength can enhance the safety of electronic products and cars. SDSS AISI2507, known for its excellent strength and high corrosion resistance, was analyzed for its microstructure and electrochemical behavior at the ignition temperature of Li-ion batteries, 700 °C. At 700 °C, AISI2507 exhibited secondary phase precipitation values of 1% and 8% after 5 and 10 h, respectively. Secondary phase precipitation was initiated by the expansion of austenite, forming sigma, chi, and CrN phases. The electrochemical behavior varied with the fraction of secondary phases. Secondary phase precipitation reduced the potential (From −0.25 V to −0.31 V) and increased the current density (From 8 × 10−6 A/cm2 to 3 × 10−6 A/cm2) owing to galvanic corrosion by sigma and chi. As the fraction of secondary phases increased (From 0.0% to 8.1%), the open circuit potential decreased (From −0.25 V to −0.32 V). Secondary phase precipitation is a crucial factor in reducing the corrosion resistance of SDSS AISI2507 and occurs after 1 h of exposure at 700 °C.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corrosion Technology and Electrochemistry of Metals and Alloys)
Open AccessArticle
Influence of Laser Treatment of Ti6Al4V on the Behavior of Biological Cells
by
Simon Syrovatka, Pavel Kozmin, Frantisek Holesovsky and Martin Sorm
Materials 2024, 17(9), 2008; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17092008 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
This article explores the enhancement of material surface properties of Ti6Al4V, potentially applicable to dental implants, through ultra-short pulse laser systems. This study investigates potential connections between surface wettability and biocompatibility, addressing the challenge of improving variability in material properties with specific laser
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This article explores the enhancement of material surface properties of Ti6Al4V, potentially applicable to dental implants, through ultra-short pulse laser systems. This study investigates potential connections between surface wettability and biocompatibility, addressing the challenge of improving variability in material properties with specific laser treatment. Several designed microstructures were manufactured using a picosecond laser system. After that, the wettability of these structures was measured using the sessile drop method. The basic behavior and growth activity of biological cells (MG-63 cell line) on treated surfaces were also analyzed. While the conducted tests did not conclusively establish correlations between wettability and biocompatibility, the results indicated that laser treatment of Ti6Al4V could effectively enlarge the active surface to better biological cell colonization and adhesion and provide a focused moving orientation. This outcome suggests the potential application of laser treatment in producing special dental implants to mitigate the issues during and following implantation.
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(This article belongs to the Topic Clinical and Experimental Research in Dentistry and Bioactive Materials)
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Open AccessArticle
Synergistic Effects of Boron and Rare Earth Elements on the Microstructure and Stress Rupture Properties in a Ni-Based Superalloy
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Qiang Tian, Shuo Huang, Heyong Qin, Ran Duan, Chong Wang and Xintong Lian
Materials 2024, 17(9), 2007; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17092007 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
The synergistic effects of boron (B) and rare earth (RE) elements on the microstructure and stress rupture properties were investigated in a Ni-based superalloy. The stress rupture lifetime at 650 °C/873 MPa significantly increased with the addition of B as a single element.
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The synergistic effects of boron (B) and rare earth (RE) elements on the microstructure and stress rupture properties were investigated in a Ni-based superalloy. The stress rupture lifetime at 650 °C/873 MPa significantly increased with the addition of B as a single element. Furthermore, the stress rupture lifetime reached its peak (303 h), with a certain amount of B and RE added together in test alloys. Although the grain size and morphology of the γ′ phase varied a little with the change in B and RE addition, they were not considered to be the main reasons for stress rupture performance. The enhancement in stress rupture lifetime was mostly attributed to the segregation of the B and RE elements, which increased the binding force of the grain boundary and improved its strength and plasticity. In addition, the enrichment of B and RE inhabited the precipitation of carbides along grain boundaries. Furthermore, nano-scale RE precipitates containing sulfur (S) and phosphorus (P) were observed to be distributed along the grain boundaries. The purification of grain boundaries by B and RE elements was favorable to further improve the stress rupture properties.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Processing, Microstructure and Properties Relationships of Steels)
Open AccessArticle
Turning Non-Sticking Surface into Sticky Surface: Correlation between Surface Topography and Contact Angle Hysteresis
by
Jingyuan Bai, Xuejiao Wang, Meilin Zhang, Zhou Yang and Jin Zhang
Materials 2024, 17(9), 2006; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17092006 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
We present a surface modification technique that turns CuNi foam films with a high contact angle and non-sticking property into a sticky surface. By decorating with mesh-like biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) and adjusting the surface parameters, the surface exhibits water-retaining capability even when
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We present a surface modification technique that turns CuNi foam films with a high contact angle and non-sticking property into a sticky surface. By decorating with mesh-like biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) and adjusting the surface parameters, the surface exhibits water-retaining capability even when being held upside down. The wetting transition process of droplets falling on its surface were systematically studied using the finite element simulation method. It is found that the liquid filled the surface microstructure and curvy three-phase contact line. Moreover, we experimentally demonstrated that this surface can be further applied to capture underwater air bubbles.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Microstructures and Advanced Functional Properties of Thin Films)
Open AccessArticle
Geometric Complexity Control in Topology Optimization of 3D-Printed Fiber Composites for Performance Enhancement
by
Tao Wu, Peiqing Liu and Jikai Liu
Materials 2024, 17(9), 2005; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17092005 - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
This paper investigates the impact of varying the part geometric complexity and 3D printing process setup on the resulting structural load bearing capacity of fiber composites. Three levels of geometric complexity are developed through 2.5D topology optimization, 3D topology optimization, and 3D topology
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This paper investigates the impact of varying the part geometric complexity and 3D printing process setup on the resulting structural load bearing capacity of fiber composites. Three levels of geometric complexity are developed through 2.5D topology optimization, 3D topology optimization, and 3D topology optimization with directional material removal. The 3D topology optimization is performed with the SIMP method and accelerated by high-performance computing. The directional material removal is realized by incorporating the advection-diffusion partial differential equation-based filter to prevent interior void or undercut in certain directions. A set of 3D printing and mechanical performance tests are performed. It is interestingly found that, the printing direction affects significantly on the result performance and if subject to the uni direction, the load-bearing capacity increases from the 2.5D samples to the 3D samples with the increased complexity, but the load-bearing capacity further increases for the 3D simplified samples due to directional material removal. Hence, it is concluded that a restricted structural complexity is suitable for topology optimization of 3D-printed fiber composites, since large area cross-sections give more degrees of design freedom to the fiber path layout and also makes the inter-layer bond of the filaments firmer.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Additive Manufacturing of Polymer-Fiber Composites)
Open AccessArticle
Effects of Cu/SnAgCu Powder Fraction and Sintering Time on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Transient Liquid Phase Sintered Joints
by
Dinh-Phuc Tran, Yu-Ting Liu and Chih Chen
Materials 2024, 17(9), 2004; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17092004 - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
The effects of the sintering duration and powder fraction (Ag-coated Cu/SnAgCu) on the microstructure and reliability of transient liquid phase sintered (TLPS) joints are investigated. The results show that two main intermetallic compounds (IMCs, Cu6Sn5 and Cu3Sn) formed
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The effects of the sintering duration and powder fraction (Ag-coated Cu/SnAgCu) on the microstructure and reliability of transient liquid phase sintered (TLPS) joints are investigated. The results show that two main intermetallic compounds (IMCs, Cu6Sn5 and Cu3Sn) formed in the joints. The Cu6Sn5 ratio generally decreased with increasing sintering time, Cu powder fraction, and thermal treatment. The void ratio of the high-Cu-fraction joints decreased and increased with increasing sintering and thermal stressing durations, respectively, whereas the low-Cu-fraction counterparts were stable. We also found that the shear strength increased with increasing thermal treatment time, which resulted from the transformation of Cu6Sn5 and Cu3Sn. Such findings could provide valuable information for optimizing the TLPS process and assuring the high reliability of electronic devices.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Welding of Alloy and Composites)
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Open AccessArticle
Rapid Prototyping of Anomalous Reflective Metasurfaces Using Spray-Coated Liquid Metal
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Glan Allan V. Manio, Matthew T. Kouchi, Saige J. Dacuycuy, Aaron T. Ohta and Wayne A. Shiroma
Materials 2024, 17(9), 2003; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17092003 - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) have the potential to improve wireless communication links by dynamically redirecting signals to dead spots. Although a reconfigurable surface is best suited for environments in which the reflected signal must be dynamically steered, there are cases where a static,
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Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) have the potential to improve wireless communication links by dynamically redirecting signals to dead spots. Although a reconfigurable surface is best suited for environments in which the reflected signal must be dynamically steered, there are cases where a static, non-reconfigurable anomalous reflective metasurface can suffice. In this work, spray-coated liquid metal is used to rapidly prototype an anomalous reflective metasurface. Using a pressurized air gun and a plastic thin-film mask, a metasurface consisting of a 6 × 4 array of Galinstan liquid–metal elements is sprayed within minutes. The metasurface produces a reflected wave at an angle of 28° from normal in response to a normal incident 3.5-GHz electromagnetic plane wave. The spray-coated liquid–metal metasurface shows comparable results to an anomalous reflective metasurface with copper elements of the same dimensions, demonstrating that this liquid–metal fabrication process is a viable solution for the rapid prototyping of anomalous reflective metasurfaces.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Liquid Metals: From Fundamentals to Applications)
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Open AccessArticle
High-Resolution Ultrasound to Quantify Sub-Surface Wrinkles in a Woven CFRP Laminate
by
Md Admay Amif and David A. Jack
Materials 2024, 17(9), 2002; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17092002 - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites are popular materials in the aerospace and automotive industries because of their low weight, high strength, and corrosion resistance. However, wrinkles or geometric distortions in the composite layers significantly reduce their mechanical performance and structural integrity. This
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Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites are popular materials in the aerospace and automotive industries because of their low weight, high strength, and corrosion resistance. However, wrinkles or geometric distortions in the composite layers significantly reduce their mechanical performance and structural integrity. This paper presents a method for non-destructively extracting the three-dimensional geometry, lamina by lamina, of a laminated composite. A method is introduced for fabricating consistent out-of-plane wrinkled CFRP laminate panels, simulating the in-service wrinkle observed in industries that utilize thick structure composites such as the vertical lift or wind power industries. The individual lamina geometries are extracted from the fabricated coupon with an embedded wrinkle from captured ultrasonic waveforms generated from single-element conventional ultrasonic (UT) scan data. From the extracted waveforms, a method is presented to characterize the wrinkle features within each individual lamina, specifically the spatially varying wrinkle height and intensity for the wrinkle. Parts were fabricated with visibly undetectable wrinkles using a wet layup process and a hot press for curing. Scans were performed in a conventional immersion tank scanning system, and the scan data were analyzed for wrinkle detection and characterization. Extraction of the layers was performed based on tracking the voltage peaks from A-scans in the time domain. Spatial Gaussian averaging was performed to smooth the A-scans, from which the surfaces were extracted for each individual lamina. The extracted winkle surface aligned with the anticipated wrinkle geometry, and a single parameter for quantification of the wrinkle intensity for each lamina is presented.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Non-destructive Testing of Materials and Parts: Techniques, Case Studies and Practical Applications)
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Open AccessArticle
Controlled Synthesis of Triangular Submicron-Sized CeO2 and Its Polishing Performance
by
Xingzi Wang, Ning Wang, Zhenyu Zhang, Xianmin Tan, Yuanyuan Zheng and Juanyu Yang
Materials 2024, 17(9), 2001; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17092001 - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
CeO2 is widely used in the field of chemical–mechanical polishing for integrated circuits. Morphology, particle size, crystallinity, and Ce3+ concentration are crucial factors that affect polishing performance. In this study, we successfully synthesized two novel triangular CeO2 abrasives with similar
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CeO2 is widely used in the field of chemical–mechanical polishing for integrated circuits. Morphology, particle size, crystallinity, and Ce3+ concentration are crucial factors that affect polishing performance. In this study, we successfully synthesized two novel triangular CeO2 abrasives with similar particle sizes (600 nm) but different morphologies and Ce3+ concentrations using a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method with high-concentration raw materials, and no surfactants or template agents were added. It is generally believed that CeO2 with a higher Ce3+ concentration leads to better polishing performance. However, the results of polishing indicate that CeO2 synthesized at 200 °C, despite its lower Ce3+ concentration, demonstrates outstanding polishing performance, achieving a polishing rate of 324 nm/min, and the Sa of Si wafers decreased by 3.6% after polishing. This suggests that, under similar particle size conditions, the morphology of CeO2 plays a dominant role in the mechanical effects during the polishing process. Additionally, compared to commercial polishing slurries, the synthesized samples demonstrated better polishing performance. This indicates that, in CMP, the pursuit of smaller spherical abrasives may not be necessary. Instead, the appropriate shape and particle size can better balance the material removal rate and surface roughness.
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(This article belongs to the Section Materials Chemistry)
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Recycling of Industrial Waste as Soil Binding Additives—Effects on Soil Mechanical and Hydraulic Properties during Its Stabilisation before Road Construction
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Witold Waciński, Ksawery Kuligowski, Małgorzata Olejarczyk, Marek Zając, Włodzimierz Urbaniak, Waldemar Cyske, Paweł Kazimierski, Robert Tylingo, Szymon Mania and Adam Cenian
Materials 2024, 17(9), 2000; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17092000 - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
To improve the in situ soil stabilization, different chemical additives are used (ion exchange compounds, additives based on H2SO4 or vinyl polymers, and organic additives using lignosulfonates). One interesting alternative is the production of additives from various waste materials. The
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To improve the in situ soil stabilization, different chemical additives are used (ion exchange compounds, additives based on H2SO4 or vinyl polymers, and organic additives using lignosulfonates). One interesting alternative is the production of additives from various waste materials. The extensive testing of waste-based blends with soil was performed; the mechanical (unconfined compressive strength (UCS)) and hydraulic (capillary rise, water absorption, and frost resistance (FR)) soil properties were measured. The optimization process led to obtaining additive compositions ensuring high strength and sealing properties: by-pass ash from the ceramics industry, waste H2SO4, pyrolytic waxes/oils from waste mixed plastics, waste tires and HDPE, and emulsion from chewing gum waste. For sandy soil, the following additives were the most promising: emulsion from pyrolytic wax (EPW) from waste PE foil (WPEF) with the addition of waste H2SO4, pyrolytic-oil emulsion from waste tires, EPW from waste mixed plastics with the addition of “by-pass” waste ash and NaOH, EPW from WPEF with the addition of NaOH, and EPW from WPEF reaching up to 93% FR, a 79.6% 7-day UCS increase, and a 27.6% of 28-day UCS increase. For clay: EPW from WPEF with the addition of NaOH, EPW from WPEF with the addition of waste H2SO4, and solely EPW from WPEF reaching up to 7.5% FR, an 80.7% 7-day UCS increase, and a 119.1% 28-day UCS increase.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Development of Building Materials Based on Industrial Waste 2nd Edition)
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Open AccessArticle
Effects of Steel Slag on the Hydration Process of Solid Waste-Based Cementitious Materials
by
Caifu Ren, Jixiang Wang, Kairui Duan, Xiang Li and Dongmin Wang
Materials 2024, 17(9), 1999; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17091999 - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
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Aiming to enhance the comprehensive utilization of steel slag (SS), a solid waste-based binder consisting of SS, granulated blast furnace slag (BFS), and desulfurization gypsum (DG) was designed and prepared. This study investigated the reaction kinetics, phase assemblages, and microstructures of the prepared
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Aiming to enhance the comprehensive utilization of steel slag (SS), a solid waste-based binder consisting of SS, granulated blast furnace slag (BFS), and desulfurization gypsum (DG) was designed and prepared. This study investigated the reaction kinetics, phase assemblages, and microstructures of the prepared solid waste-based cementitious materials with various contents of SS through hydration heat, XRD, FT-IR, SEM, TG-DSC, and MIP methods. The synergistic reaction mechanism between SS and the other two wastes (BFS and DG) is revealed. The results show that increasing SS content in the solid waste-based binder raises the pH value of the freshly prepared pastes, advances the main hydration reaction, and shortens the setting time. With the optimal SS content of 20%, the best mechanical properties are achieved, with compressive strengths of 19.2 MPa at 3 d and 58.4 MPa at 28 d, respectively. However, as the SS content continues to increase beyond 20%, the hydration process of the prepared binder is delayed. The synergistic activation effects between SS and BFS with DG enable a large amount of ettringite (AFt) formation, guaranteeing early strength development. As the reaction progresses, more reaction products CSH and Aft are precipitated. They are interlacing and overlapping, jointly refining and densifying the material’s microstructure and contributing to the long-term strength gain. This study provides a reference for designing and developing solid waste-based binders and deepens the insightful understanding of the hydration mechanism of the solid waste-based binder.
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Open AccessArticle
Design and Preparation Technology of Green Multiple Solid Waste Cementitious Materials
by
Yexin Ge, Xianping Liu, Zhonghe Shui, Xu Gao, Wu Zheng, Zengchao Zhu and Xudong Zhao
Materials 2024, 17(9), 1998; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17091998 - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
For solid waste-based cementitious materials, most scholars focus their research on the hydration reaction of cementitious materials, but there is still a lack of solid waste design that comprehensively considers mechanical properties and durability. Therefore, this article focuses on exploring the mix of
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For solid waste-based cementitious materials, most scholars focus their research on the hydration reaction of cementitious materials, but there is still a lack of solid waste design that comprehensively considers mechanical properties and durability. Therefore, this article focuses on exploring the mix of design and the microscopic and macroscopic properties of multi solid waste cementitious materials (MSWCMs), namely steel slag (SS), slag powder (SP), desulfurization gypsum (DG), fly ash (FA), and ordinary Portland cement (OPC). According to the orthogonal experimental results, the compressive strength of MSWCMs is optimal when the OPC content is 50% and the SS, SP, DG, and FA contents are 10%, 20%, 5%, and 15%, respectively. The MSWCMs group with an OPC content of 50% and SS, SP, DG, and FA contents of 5%, 15%, 5%, and 25% was selected as the control group. The pure OPC group was used as the blank group, and the optimal MSWCMs ratio group had a 28-day compressive strength of 50.7 megapascals, which was 14% and 7.6% higher than the control group and blank group, respectively. The drying shrinkage rate and resistance to chloride ions were also significantly improved, with maximum increases of 22.9%, 22.6%, and 8.9%, 9.8%, respectively. According to XRD, TG-DTG, and NMR testing, the improvement in macroscopic performance can be attributed to the synergistic effect between various solid wastes. This synergistic effect produces more ettringite (AFt) and C-(A)-S-H gel. This study provides a good theoretical basis for improving the comprehensive performance of MSWCMs and is conducive to reducing the use of cement, with significant economic and environmental benefits.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Properties and Applications of Cement and Concrete Composites)
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Open AccessArticle
Impact of Surface States in Graphene/p-Si Schottky Diodes
by
Piera Maccagnani and Marco Pieruccini
Materials 2024, 17(9), 1997; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17091997 - 25 Apr 2024
Abstract
Graphene–silicon Schottky diodes are intriguing devices that straddle the border between classical models and two-dimensional ones. Many papers have been published in recent years studying their operation based on the classical model developed for metal–silicon Schottky diodes. However, the results obtained for diode
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Graphene–silicon Schottky diodes are intriguing devices that straddle the border between classical models and two-dimensional ones. Many papers have been published in recent years studying their operation based on the classical model developed for metal–silicon Schottky diodes. However, the results obtained for diode parameters vary widely in some cases showing very large deviations with respect to the expected range. This indicates that our understanding of their operation remains incomplete. When modeling these devices, certain aspects strictly connected with the quantum mechanical features of both graphene and the interface with silicon play a crucial role and must be considered. In particular, the dependence of the graphene Fermi level on carrier density, the relation of the latter with the density of surface states in silicon and the coupling between in-plane and out-of-plane dynamics in graphene are key aspects for the interpretation of their behavior. Within the thermionic regime, we estimate the zero-bias Schottky barrier height and the density of silicon surface states in graphene/type-p silicon diodes by adapting a kown model and extracting ideality index values close to unity. The ohmic regime, beyond the flat band potential, is modeled with an empirical law, and the current density appears to be roughly proportional to the electric field at the silicon interface; moreover, the graphene-to-silicon electron tunneling efficiency drops significantly in the transition from the thermionic to ohmic regime. We attribute these facts to (donor) silicon surface states, which tend to be empty in the ohmic regime.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanodevices in 2D Materials: Theory and Simulations)
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