Search Results (229)

This paper proposes a process-mapped quality control framework for structural steel fabrication as a proof of concept for integrating normative requirements into a unified operational workflow. The study addresses the fragmentation of quality requirements in steel fabrication, where individual standards are often applied through separate inspections rather than as part of a coherent process model. The framework links material control, production preparation, assembly, welding, and anticorrosion protection through clearly defined quality gates. The framework is constructed through a qualitative design-oriented approach using SIPOC analysis and a detailed flowchart. It translates normative requirements into a coherent workflow that provides a structured basis for traceability, preventive quality assurance, and future integration with Construction 4.0. The paper suggests that process mapping can serve as a useful method for organizing quality control in steel construction projects and for transforming standards into an operational framework. Full article

Ensuring the integrity of external anti-corrosion coatings is critical to the safe operation of long-distance oil and gas pipelines. Construction-site images contain complex backgrounds, multi-scale targets, and many elongated or weak-boundary coating conditions, challenging conventional bounding-box regression under low-overlap conditions. We constructed a real-site dataset of 1388 images and 1756 annotated instances across six coating-condition categories from long-distance natural-gas pipeline construction sites. Building on YOLOv10n, we formulate a Scale–Aspect Adaptive Normalized Wasserstein Distance (SA-NWD) regression strategy that adjusts the NWD weight according to target scale and aspect ratio during training. Across six random seeds, SA-NWD achieved the highest mean Recall (0.459 vs. 0.437 baseline) and mAP@0.5 (0.451 vs. 0.431), whereas fixed-weight NWD achieved the highest mean mAP@0.5:0.95 (0.251 vs. 0.240 baseline). Ablation results support complementary scale and aspect-ratio guidance. Morphology-grouped analysis showed higher Recall for extremely elongated targets (0.714 vs. 0.659 for fixed-weight NWD), with lower cross-seed standard deviation (±0.027 vs. ±0.101). These results suggest that SA-NWD may benefit high-recall screening of morphologically complex coating conditions, while fixed-weight NWD may provide more stable high-IoU localization; both strategies retain the inference architecture, parameter count, and GFLOPs of the YOLOv10n baseline. Full article

Hydrophobic and superhydrophobic coatings have attracted considerable attention due to their ability to provide water repellency, self-cleaning, anti-corrosion, anti-icing, and anti-fouling properties, making them promising for a wide range of industrial applications. This review summarizes recent advances in the development of hydrophobic and superhydrophobic coatings, with particular emphasis on wetting mechanisms, material selection, coating formation approaches, durability issues, commercial implementation, and environmental aspects. The analysis examines the principal classes of materials used for coating fabrication, including polymeric materials, inorganic compounds, and composite systems. The mechanisms responsible for the formation of hydrophobic and superhydrophobic surfaces are discussed in terms of surface chemistry modification and hierarchical roughness generation. Attention is devoted to factors limiting long-term performance, such as mechanical wear, chemical degradation, ultraviolet exposure, climatic effects, hydrodynamic erosion, and adhesion-related failures, as well as to current strategies for improving durability. Commercially available technologies and their application areas are reviewed, and the environmental challenges associated with fluorinated compounds are considered. The analysis demonstrates that the combination of controlled surface morphology and reduced surface energy remains an effective approach for achieving durable hydrophobicity, with optimized coating systems reaching contact angles of 160–170° and retaining superhydrophobic properties for more than 500 h under demanding operating conditions. Future developments are expected to focus on environmentally friendly, multifunctional, and long-lasting coating systems. Full article

Under complex terrains and extreme environmental conditions such as high wind speeds, prestressed rock anchor foundations for onshore wind turbines are subjected to multiple coupled adverse effects during long-term service, including cyclic wind loading, temperature variation, groundwater intrusion, and rock mass weathering. These factors significantly affect structural performance and service life through corrosion and material degradation processes, while conventional design methods mainly focus on ultimate bearing capacity and lack a systematic consideration of corrosion-induced deterioration mechanisms and long-term performance evolution. Without changing the theoretical framework of current design codes, this study introduces a durability-oriented design concept and explicitly incorporates corrosion effects and material degradation into the analytical system of prestressed rock anchor foundations. First, from the perspective of anchor force evolution, a time-dependent analysis method for long-term prestress loss is established, considering the coupled effects of steel corrosion, material relaxation, and cyclic loading. Second, for the mechanical behavior of group anchor systems, a shear capacity model is proposed that accounts for rock mass strength degradation and grout–rock interface deterioration. Meanwhile, the coupling relationship between foundation void development and groundwater seepage is analyzed, revealing its critical role in the corrosion evolution process. On this basis, a coordinated design method for foundation dimensions and prestress parameters is developed to satisfy both load-bearing capacity and durability requirements. Finite element analysis is further conducted to verify the stress and deformation characteristics of the foundation–rock–anchor system under nonlinear conditions. Engineering case studies demonstrate that the proposed method not only meets bearing capacity requirements, but also effectively suppresses void development, reduces corrosion risk, delays structural performance degradation, and improves long-term service reliability. The findings provide a theoretical basis and engineering reference for the durability design and lifecycle performance optimization of prestressed rock anchor foundations for onshore wind power structures in extreme environments. Furthermore, the study underscores the critical role of advanced anti-corrosion coatings and surface protection systems in mitigating the coupled corrosion-degradation mechanisms, aligning with the scope of this Special Issue on corrosion protection and durability of infrastructure in harsh environments. Full article

Ice formation and corrosion pose dual threats to critical infrastructure, such as power systems. Developing composite coatings that integrate efficient photothermal de-icing with long-term corrosion protection is of great value. In this study, a ternary synergistic hydrophobic coating was constructed utilizing multi-component fillers with complementary light absorption properties and multi-scale structures. The surface morphology, microstructure, optical absorption, wettability, ice delay behavior, photothermal de-icing performance, and corrosion resistance were systematically characterized using SEM, UV-Vis-NIR, AFM, contact angle goniometry, infrared thermography, and electrochemical analysis. The results demonstrate that the multi-component fillers construct unique multi-scale microstructures within the PDMS matrix. This architecture not only enhances surface hydrophobicity and delays ice nucleation but also delivers outstanding photothermal de-icing performance owing to its excellent broadband light absorption capability. Meanwhile, electrochemical tests reveal that the coating exhibits superior corrosion protection, reducing the corrosion current density by nearly four orders of magnitude compared to the unmodified substrate. This enhancement mechanism is primarily attributed to the ternary synergy among the fillers, which integrates complementary photothermal conversion, surface microstructuring, and corrosion barrier effects. This work provides a crucial strategy for developing novel coatings that integrate both anti-icing and anti-corrosion functionalities. Full article

This study investigates the critical relationship between machining-induced surface integrity and the effectiveness of subsequent anti-corrosion protection for high-strength Al 7136-T76511 aerospace alloy. Given the alloy’s susceptibility to exfoliation corrosion, ensuring high-quality surface substrates for protective coatings is paramount. The research aims to model the influence of end milling parameters—cutting speed, depth of cut, and feed per tooth— on surface roughness to establish a topographical risk prognosis framework for subsequent coating vulnerability. A comprehensive full-factorial experimental design involving 150 distinct cutting regimes was evaluated on a CNC machining center. Statistical analysis using ANOVA showed that cutting speed is the most significant factor, contributing 83.89% to the variance of longitudinal Ra. A critical resonance zone was identified between 570 and 610 m/min, where the model predicts high instability and surface integrity degradation. The developed mathematical models achieved high precision, with coefficients of determination (R²) ranging between 85% and 88%. The research identifies a critical “danger zone” of dynamic instability between 570 and 610 m/min, where resonance significantly increases data dispersion (standard deviation = 0.112 µm compared to 0.051 µm in stable regimes). Findings demonstrate that even when average R_a values remain within industrial limits, vibration-induced micro-cracks, and severe chatter marks function as geometric precursors that theoretically lower the structural barrier efficiency of subsequent protective films. This study establishes that prioritizing process stability over nominal roughness minimization is essential for the structural integrity of critical aerospace components. Full article

This study focuses on ways to improve the adhesion of organic coatings in a duplex anticorrosion protection system for S235JRG2 steel. To this end, the steel was mechanically pretreated by blasting with synthetic corundum (F40). Subsequently, the effect of this treatment on the indirect increase in the adhesion of the organic coating applied to the inorganic coating was analyzed. The inorganic coatings comprised electrogalvanized zinc and hot-dip galvanized zinc, while the organic system consisted of a water-borne coating. The reference specimens comprised cold-rolled steel surfaces (without mechanical pretreatment) and chemically pretreated zinc layers (prepared by Cr³⁺-based passivation). The mechanical surface pretreatments were characterised by surface roughness parameters (ISO 21920-2). The quality of the deposited inorganic coatings was evaluated using metallographic cross-sections. The adhesion of the organic coatings was assessed by a pull-off adhesion test (ISO 4624). The quantitative evaluation (pull-off strength) was carried out using a universal testing machine, while the qualitative analysis, namely the extent of adhesive and cohesive failure, was performed by digital image analysis in ImageJ. Degradation testing was conducted in a neutral salt spray environment (ISO 9227). The results indicate that the most pronounced increase in adhesion can currently be achieved by means of a conversion interlayer. In terms of indirect adhesion enhancement, a statistically significant increase relative to the rolled reference specimen was demonstrated for the electrogalvanized zinc layer. The degradation test results likewise suggest a positive effect on the operational reliability of the components. These findings open up new scope for further research into more environmentally friendly mechanical surface pretreatment methods. Full article

The growing application of nanotechnology in wood modification has led to significant improvements in the durability, fire resistance, and biological stability of wood-based building materials, such as glued laminated timber (GLT), as well as related chemical products, including fire retardants and anticorrosion preservatives. While numerous review papers have focused on material performance and functionalisation strategies, a comprehensive analysis of the research methodologies employed in this field remains limited. This review addresses this gap by systematically examining the experimental and analytical methods used in studies on nanomaterial-modified wood surface treatments. Scientific articles published and indexed in the Web of Science and Scopus databases within the last ten years were selected using keywords related to wood, nanotechnology, and surface applications simulating industrial timber treatment processes applied in factories and construction sites. Publications were screened according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study selection process was conducted according to the PRISMA methodology, and 74 studies meeting the inclusion criteria were selected for the final analysis. Extracted methodological features were coded and analysed using frequency-based descriptive statistics. Considerable methodological heterogeneity was observed among the analysed studies. Softwood species, TiO₂- and ZnO-based nanomaterials, and brushing or immersion treatments represented the most frequently investigated research configurations. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), often combined with EDS and XRD analyses, occupied a central role within the analytical framework of nanomodified wood research. In contrast, long-term durability assessments, biological resistance testing, and fire-performance evaluations were comparatively underrepresented. The review also revealed substantial variability in the use of testing standards and statistical methods. By linking research methodologies to normative requirements for construction materials, this work provides a methodological framework supporting future research, standardisation, certification, and commercial implementation of nanomaterial-based wood protection systems. Full article

This study investigates the mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of a Co-free Fe₄₀Ni₃₀Cr₂₀V₈Mo₂ (at.%) multi-principal elements alloy (MPEA) designed for potential applications in aggressive environments. The alloy exhibits a balanced combination of strength and ductility, with a yield strength of approximately 258 MPa, an ultimate tensile strength of about 647 MPa, and a fracture elongation of around 52%, of which deformation is primarily governed by dislocation-mediated plasticity. In terms of corrosion performance, the alloy demonstrates excellent resistance in chloride-containing environments. Potentiodynamic polarization tests reveal a wide and stable passive region of approximately 1.28 V_SCE and a high pitting potential of about 0.975 V_SCE, indicating exceptional stability of the passive film. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) further confirms the high impedance and protective nature of the surface layer. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis reveals that the superior anti-corrosion property is attributed to the formation of a passive film enriched with protective Cr₂O₃ and V, Mo oxides, which collectively construct an effective barrier against chloride-induced attack by reducing donor density. This work provides valuable insights for the development of alternative alloys to replace Co-containing systems in demanding corrosive applications. Full article

Natural lacquer, a bio-based polymer derived from Toxicodendron vernicifluum, has attracted renewed scientific interest as a sustainable coating material with exceptional mechanical durability, chemical resistance, and aesthetic qualities. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the chemical composition, enzymatic curing mechanisms, and structure–property relationships of lacquer-based polymer systems, with particular focus on recent advances in functional modification and processing technology. Key findings indicate that laccase-catalyzed oxidative polymerization, operating optimally at pH 6.0–7.5 and 20–30 °C, governs the formation of a highly cross-linked urushiol network whose properties are fundamentally determined by side-chain unsaturation and emulsion stability. Mechanistic analysis reveals that polyurethane hybridization improves weathering resistance by introducing flexible aliphatic segments and additional hydrogen-bonding cross-links, while graphene oxide incorporation enhances anticorrosion performance through a physical barrier mechanism that prolongs ionic diffusion pathways. UV-curable LPEA derivatives achieve an 83% reduction in curing time relative to ambient-cured lacquer, enabling integration with industrial spray-coating lines. Despite these advances, several critical limitations remain inadequately resolved. Allergen reduction strategies have not yet achieved sufficient quantitative efficiency for large-scale commercial deployment, and the long-term stability of nanocomposite lacquer films under sustained UV exposure and hydrothermal conditions is not well established. Furthermore, most high-performance modification systems reported in the literature are demonstrated only on laboratory scale, with scalability, substrate compatibility, and lifecycle performance remaining largely unvalidated. The review identifies the absence of standardized performance evaluation protocols and the fragmentation of structure–property data across studies as key barriers to systematic progress, and proposes that future work prioritize the development of integrated processing–modification–performance frameworks to guide the rational design of next-generation lacquer-based functional materials. Full article

This study was conducted to explore how varying the concentration of nano-La₂O₃ particles in the plating bath influences the morphology, constitution, and corrosion resistance of Ni-B composite coatings deposited on N80 carbon steel via electroless plating. The novelty of this work lies in the systematic investigation on the co-deposition behavior and grain refinement mechanism of nano-La₂O₃ in electroless Ni-B system, which has been rarely reported in previous studies. The microstructure and chemical composition of the coatings were characterized through a combination of SEM, EDS, XPS and XRD analyses. SEM confirmed that a dense Ni-B/La₂O₃ composite coating was formed, with a uniform thickness of approximately 10 μm, and the nano-La₂O₃ particles were evenly distributed. XPS analysis verified the presence of B, C, O, Ni and La, while XRD analysis revealed a refinement in crystalline size due to the addition of the nanoparticles. The corrosion resistance enhancement mechanism is attributed to the triple synergistic effect: nano-La₂O₃ pins grain boundaries and refines Ni-B grains to the minimum average size of 12.943 nm at the optimal concentration of 8 g·L⁻¹; the refined grain structure promotes the formation of a continuous and dense Ni(OH)₂ passive film; the uniformly dispersed nanoparticles act as physical barriers to block the penetration of corrosive media. Electrochemical measurements demonstrated that this coating exhibited outstanding anti-corrosion performance, as confirmed by a remarkably positive corrosion potential (E_corr = −0.37189 V) and a minimal corrosion current density (I_corr = 3.7524 μA/cm²). The results conclusively show that nano-La₂O₃ reinforcement effectively enhances the corrosion protection performance of electroless Ni-B alloy coatings. Full article

Salt cavern Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) is one of the critical technologies for energy storage and an important infrastructure supporting the construction of new power systems and facilitating the achievement of the dual carbon goals. The salt rock resources in China are primarily composed of continental strata salt rocks, characterized by high heterogeneity, well-developed thin-layer interbedding, dissolution resistance among different lithologies, and significant creep variations. These features, to some extent, limit the improvement of wellbore construction accuracy, the reliability of abandoned well sealing, the safety of natural gas storage operations, and enhancements in gas injection–brine displacement efficiency. This study takes the continental bedded salt rock in the Dawenkou Basin as the research object and adopts a method combining theoretical analysis and field engineering verification to improve the systematic construction technology system, covering the whole process of drilling engineering, abandoned well plugging, the design of an injection and brine extraction device, and gas injection and brine drainage. The research results optimize four key technologies, including precise wellbore trajectory control, dual-section milling, and multi-stage redundant plugging of abandoned wells and long-term anti-corrosion completion with laser cladding, and dual-mode adaptive gas injection and brine drainage, and improve the technical system from wellbore construction to salt cavity formation. This study can provide valuable theoretical references and engineering demonstration guidance for underground space development projects in similar salt basins in China. Full article

High-pressure airless spray coating can atomize high-viscosity, high-solids coatings without compressed air and is widely used for large-scale anticorrosion applications, but robotic operation often produces substantial overspray that increases material waste, environmental burden, and lowers deposition efficiency. In this work, air-curtain blowing is investigated as an overspray control strategy for wall-climbing robotic airless spraying. A validated CFD framework was established using the realizable k–ε turbulence model coupled with a discrete-phase model (DPM) to simulate particle atomization, transport, impact, and escape, and to examine the effects of blowing angle and gap distance on the flow field and particle trajectories. Overspray performance was quantified using the wall deposition rate, hood collection rate, and particle escape rate. Experiments using a transparent spray hood with a mass collection system were conducted to validate the numerical predictions. The CFD results captured the measured trends in deposition and escape across the tested conditions. Among the evaluated parameters, a 60° blowing angle provided the most effective overspray reduction by redirecting particles toward the target surface. Overall, combining CFD analysis with experimental validation offers a practical methodology for designing and optimizing air-curtain systems to improve coating efficiency in automated high-pressure airless spray applications. Full article

Anti-corrosive coatings are among the most widely used methods for corrosion protection. Zero-dimensional (0D) carbon nanomaterials have attracted increasing attention due to their advantages, such as small size, high specific surface area, ease of surface functionalization, and strong interfacial regulation capability, which enable enhanced barrier properties, densification, and multifunctional protection of coatings. However, existing reviews have largely focused on the application of 2D carbon nanomaterials in anti-corrosive coatings, with a lack of systematic summaries on 0D carbon nanomaterials, particularly comprehensive reviews that combine quantitative bibliometric analysis with qualitative content analysis. To address this gap, this review employs a combined approach of bibliometric analysis and content analysis to systematically summarize the research progress of three typical types of 0D carbon nanomaterials, including nanodiamonds, fullerenes, and carbon dots, in the field of corrosion protective coatings. The quantitative analysis is conducted using CiteSpace 6.4 R.2 to reveal publication trends, research hotspots, and frontier evolution in this field, while the qualitative analysis selects representative studies to summarize application systems, performance characteristics, and underlying mechanisms. On this basis, the key challenges currently faced are identified, and future research directions are proposed. This review provides a systematic reference for the material design, mechanistic understanding, and engineering application of 0D carbon nanomaterial-based anti-corrosive coatings. Full article

This study investigates the antioxidant and anticorrosive properties of Mentha pulegium L. essential oil (MP EO) as a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to synthetic oxidation inhibitors. The antioxidant activity of MP EO was evaluated using the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, which demonstrated a strong electron-donating capacity and effective reduction of ferric ions, indicating promising antioxidant potential. The anticorrosive performance was assessed on mild steel in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ using potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results showed inhibition efficiencies of up to 75.8% at a concentration of 2 g/L. Molecular docking simulations revealed favorable binding interactions between the key oil components (pulegone and menthone) and the ROS-generating enzyme model (PDB ID: 2CDU), providing complementary mechanistic insight into their potential role in oxidative stress modulation. Additionally, quantum chemical calculations highlighted electronic properties favoring adsorption on metallic surfaces. Surface morphology analysis using SEM/EDX confirmed the formation of a protective film on steel in the presence of MP EO. These combined findings position Mentha pulegium essential oil as a potent, biodegradable candidate for both antioxidant applications and corrosion prevention in acidic environments. Full article