[en] In the present work, the effect of homogenizing time and temperature on the mechanical properties and microstructural evaluation of dissimilar IN-738/MBF-80/FSX-414 TLP joints was studied. The joints were made at the optimum bonding temperature of 1150 °C and homogenized at 1175, 1200 and 1225 °C for 1–6 h. Light and electron microscopes were used to investigate the microstructure. To study the hardness and alloying elements concentration profiles across the joints, the microhardness test and Wave length-Dispersive x-ray Spectroscopy (WDS) analysis were used, respectively. x-Ray Diffraction was used for identification of the phases. Shear tests were performed to measure shear strength of the joints. The results showed that, after homogenizing treatment at 1200 °C for 3 h, undesirable phases in the joint region were eliminated markedly while these phases were stable after 1 h homogenizing at the same temperature. Recrystalization at the joint region close to the FSX-414 base metal was seen at this temperature. At the same region, homogenizing treatment at 1225 °C led to intercellular carbide dissolving and recrystallization. At this temperature, grain boundaries liquation and precipitation coarsening occurred. The results of shear tests showed that, the shear strength of the joints was enhanced by about twice after homogenizing at 1200 °C in respect to the as-bonded samples. - Highlights: • Homogenizing temperature of 1175 °C was not sufficient to remove undesirable phases such as carbides and borides in DAZ of FSX-414 half. • Undesirable phases at the joints were eliminated markedly after homogenizing at 1200 °C for 3 h. • Carbide dissolving, recrystallization, partially melting and precipitation coarsening occurred in the base metal and at the joints during homogenizing at 1225 °C. • Chromium and cobalt borides of Cr_2B, CoB and Co_4B were formed in the bonding surface of the FSX-414 half during homogenizing at 1225 °C. • Maximum shear strength of the joints was obtained at homogenizing temperature of 1200 °C, about twice in respect to the as-bonded sample.

[en] Joule heating of NiTi shape memory alloy wires is a commonly applied technique for heat treatment and shape setting in many applications. Another innovative use of this method is to produce functionally graded NiTi. In this study, NiTi wires with spatially varied shape memory characteristics along the length were created by electrical resistance over-aging of a Ni-rich superelastic NiTi alloy. The stress–strain behaviour of such wires exhibited some new and unique characteristics during the stress-induced martensitic transformation, including two discrete stress plateaus, stress serration during transition between the two stress plateaus and an arch-shaped stress plateau in the over-aged section. These unique features have direct implications to design using NiTi alloys and the underlying mechanisms are explained in this study. (paper)

[en] Highlights: • Steel pressure vessel failed during hydrostatic test. • Experimental failure analysis was performed. • Failure was caused by pitting on the lower part of inner wall of the vessel. • Finite element analysis was performed to assess the possibility of composite wrap repair. • Results showed that the composite repair is capable of withstanding test pressure. Two steel pressure vessels, part of an air compressor unit, failed during hydrostatic test at a pressure lower than proof pressure. Pressure drop and fluid leakage was noted during the test and later investigation revealed through-wall cracks on the shells of each vessel. Experimental and numerical investigation was employed to determine possible causes of failure and to propose a repair method for such vessels. Non-destructive testing (visual and ultrasonic) was performed to check the outer and inner surfaces of the vessel for possible cracks and to measure wall thickness. Optical and scanning electron microscopy was used to inspect crack surroundings and determine the size of the cracks. According to experimentally obtained results, excessive pitting corrosion at the bottom part of the vessel initiated cracks. In order to retain the functionality of the vessel, composite patch repair procedure is proposed. Numerical analysis was performed to determine pressure bearing capacity of the repaired vessel. Also, recommendations for avoidance of failure scenario for considered pressure vessels are given.

[en] Highlights: • Functionally graded shape memory alloys provide widened transformation stress and temperature windows in actuation application. • The property gradient was achieved in three ways: microstructural gradient, compositional gradient and geometrical gradient. • Property gradients created along the loading direction or perpendicular to that direction produce distinct thermomechanical behaviours. • A variety of techniques has been proposed for fabricating functionally graded shape memory alloy structures. Functionally graded shape memory alloys have the advantage of combining the functionalities of the shape memory effect and those of functionally graded structures. By proper design, they can exhibit new and complex deformation behaviour that is unmatched in uniform shape memory alloys. One obvious advantage of functionally graded shape memory alloys is their widened transformation stress and temperature windows that provide improved controllability in actuating applications. This paper reports on the concept, fabrication, experimentation and thermomechanical behaviour of several designs of functionally graded NiTi alloys, including compositionally graded, microstructurally graded and geometrically graded NiTi alloys, and the various techniques that may be used to create these functionally graded materials. It is found that the property gradients created along the loading direction or perpendicular to the loading direction produce distinct thermomechanical behaviours. The property gradient along the loading direction provides stress gradient over stress-induced transformation, which can be adjusted by the property gradient profile. The property gradient through the thickness direction of plate specimens and perpendicular to the loading direction provides four-way shape memory behaviour during stress-free thermal cycling after tensile deformation.

[en] Highlights: • Concentrations of 6 air pollutants were measured in taxis' cabin. • Effects of taxis' age and model, fuel, and refueling were investigated. • Refueling increased concentrations of pollutants for CNG and LPG fuels. • BTEX concentrations in all vehicle models were significantly higher for gasoline. • Vehicle age inversely affected formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. The air pollutant species and concentrations in taxis' cabins can present significant health impacts on health. This study measured the concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene (BTEX), formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde in the cabins of four different taxi models. The effects of taxi's age, fuel type, and refueling were investigated. Four taxi models in 3 age groups were fueled with 3 different fuels (gas, compressed natural gas (CNG), and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)), and the concentrations of 6 air pollutants were measured in the taxi cabins before and after refueling. BTEX, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde sampling were actively sampled using NIOSH methods 1501, 2541, and 2538, respectively. The average BTEX concentrations for all taxi models were below guideline values. The average concentrations (±SD) of formaldehyde in Model 1 to Model 4 taxis were 889 (±356), 806 (±323), 1144 (±240), and 934 (±167) ppbv, respectively. Acetaldehyde average concentrations (±SD) in Model 1 to Model 4 taxis were 410 (±223), 441 (±241), 443 (±210), and 482 (±91) ppbv, respectively. Refueling increased the in-vehicle concentrations of pollutants primarily the CNG and LPG fuels. BTEX concentrations in all taxi models were significantly higher for gasoline. Taxi age inversely affected formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. In conclusion, it seems that refueling process and substitution of gasoline with CNG and LPG can be considered as solutions to improve in-vehicle air concentrations for taxis.