Resumo em Inglês:

Silicon carbide has been extensively used in structural applications, especially at high temperatures. In this work, Y2O3, Al2O3 and SiO2 were added to beta-SiC in order to obtain highly dense ceramics. Sintering was conducted in a dilatometer and in a graphite resistance furnace and the densification behaviour was studied. Sintered samples were characterised by density measurements, the crystalline phases were identified by X-ray diffraction. Microstructural observation of polished and polished/etched samples was carried out with help of scanning electron microscopy. Silicon carbide ceramics with more than 90% of the theoretical density were obtained by pressureless sintering if a suitable proportion of the additives is used.

Resumo em Inglês:

The susceptibility of a duplex stainless steel UNS S31803 to thermal embrittlement at 475 °C was evaluated by means of mechanical tests (impact energy and hardness), magnetic measurements (hysteresis and thermomagnetic analysis) and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the material undergoes severe embrittlement and hardening in the first 100 h. The corrosion resistance of the ferrite phase in a 10%HNO3 + 0.05%HF solution deteriorated after 500 h of ageing. The Curie temperature (Tc) was the most sensitive magnetic property to the microstructural changes that promote embrittlement. Tc increases with ageing time due to the progressive reduction of chromium in the Fe-rich matrix during spinodal decomposition.

Resumo em Inglês:

Thin solid films of CeO2-SnO2 (17 mol% Sn) and CeO2-SnO2:X (X = Li, C and Si) were prepared by the sol-gel route, using an aqueous-based process. The addition of Li, C and Si to the precursor solution leads to films with different electrochemical performances. The films were deposited by the dip-coating technique on ITO coated glass (Donnelly Glass) at a speed of 10 cm/min and submitted to a final thermal treatment at 450 °C during 10 min in air. The electrochemical and optical properties of the films were determined from the cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry measurements using 0.1 M LiOH as supporting electrolyte. The ion storage capacity of the films was investigated using in situ spectroelectrochemical method and during the insertion/extraction process the films remained transparent. The powders were characterized by thermal analysis (DSC/TGA) and X-ray diffraction.

Resumo em Inglês:

The present work reports an investigation of the influence of the radial spacing between cathodes on the iron sintering process by hollow cathode electrical discharge, with surface enrichment of the alloying elements Cr and Ni. Pressed cylindrical samples of 9.5 mm diameter and density of 7.0 ± 0.1 g/cm³ were prepared by compaction of Ancorsteel 1000C iron powder. These samples, constituting the central cathode, were positioned concentrically in the interior of an external cathode machined from a tube of stainless steel AISI 310 (containing: 25% Cr, 16% Ni, 1.5% Mn, 1.5% Si, 0.03% C and the remainder Fe). Sintering was done at 1150 °C, for 120 min, utilizing radial spacings between the central and hollow cathodes of 3, 6 and 9 mm and a gas mixture of 80% Ar and 20% H2, with a flow rate of 5 cm³/s at a pressure of 3 Torr. The electric discharge was generated using a pulsed voltage power source, with a period of 200 mus. The radial spacing had only a slight influence on the quantity of atoms of alloying elements deposited and diffused on the surface of the sample. Analysis with a microprobe showed the presence of chrome (up to 4.0%) and nickel (up to 3.0%, in at. %) at the surface of the samples. This surface enrichment can be attributed to the mechanism of sputtering of the metallic atoms present in the external cathode, with the deposition of these elements on the sample surface and consequent diffusion within the sample.

Resumo em Inglês:

Polypropylene with special properties can be obtained by metallocenic catalysts. These catalytic systems represent the beginning of a new age in polyolefins technology. In this work, the influence of the addition of a syndiotactic polypropylene (s-PP) on the processability and mechanical properties of a commercial isotactic polypropylene (i-PP) obtained by metallocenic catalysts was evaluated. Increasing addition of s-PP promoted better processability, with an increase in the impact strength and a decrease in the stress at break. A reduction of the crystallinity in the polymeric blends was verified. The more significant influence of the s-PP addition was observed for the mi-PP, compared to the ZNi-PP.

Resumo em Inglês:

One of the most important compounds that are used in structural ceramics is alumina. During the last years, a variety of synthesis methods have been developed to obtain raw materials with suitable characteristics in terms of particle composition, size and shape. Controlled precipitation method (CP) allows to reach these demands and with this method is possible to control the synthesis to guarantee characteristics of the ceramic powder. One stage of the CPM is the formation of intermediate complexes of cations whose oxide derives to obtain. In this work the results of study of the formation of aluminum intermediate complexes are presented. We used potentiometric and conductimetric titration to follow the advance of the process. We utilized UV-visible and IR spectroscopies to characterize the liquid phase present in the system.

Resumo em Inglês:

Current technological advances require that the raw materials used in the production of electric devices and structural materials present special characteristics of chemical purity, size distribution and morphology of the particles. Tin oxides are mainly used as gas sensor and as surges suppressor (varistor). To achieve an appropriate control on the mentioned characteristics, we use the method of controlled precipitation (MPC), which allowed us to obtain certain characteristics in other oxides. When using the MPC, it is necessary to determine the complexes that are formed and their nature. In this work we present results of study on the formation of complexes in the system SnCl2 - NH4OH - H2O. To study the system during the constant addition of the base (NH4OH) to the solution of tin salt, we used potentiometric and conductimetric titration. For the determination of the nature of the formed tin complexes, the solid phase was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) while the liquid phase was analyzed by UV-visible and infrared spectroscopies.

Resumo em Inglês:

This article discusses the development of a test bench and a methodology for the study of composite resin abrasive wear. To evaluate the operation of the test bench and to compare the proposed methodology with other existing ones, a study was made of the five composites most commonly used by dentists. The one-way ANOVA method and the Tukey test were used to statistically analyze the results by multiple comparisons of the groups of resins tested. Using the proposed methodology, these resins were classified in an increasing order of abrasive wear strength, as follows: Charisma (the lowest abrasive wear strength), Tetric, TPH, Herculite and Z-100 (the highest abrasive wear strength) (p < 0.05). In comparison to other methodologies, the results of the proposed methodology presented the lowest coefficient of variation.

Resumo em Inglês:

Rheological properties of aqueous suspensions (48 vol%) of zircon-alumina mixtures containing different amounts of polyelectrolyte as dispersant were studied. Slip casting in a plaster mold and pressure filtration at 8 MPa experiments were performed to correlate the rheological properties of the suspensions with the relative density of green casts. Flow curves fitted satisfactorily to the Casson model. The Casson viscosity values remained nearly constant whereas Casson yield stress parameter decreased to a minimum and then increased with increasing the amount of dispersant added. The influence of particle size distribution (PSD) of the powder mixtures on Casson yield stress parameter and on the minimum viscosity was also examined. Green densities increased as yield stress Casson parameter decreased. The mixture of alumina and zircon as fine and coarse powders produced bimodal PSD which maximized the green density of the compacts. Some weakly flocculated suspensions having low apparent viscosity and small yield stress produced casts with relatively high densification. This is attributed to a slight higher viscosity at low shear rates of these suspensions in which settling of particles and /or segregation of components can not occur.

Resumo em Inglês:

The aim of this work was to compare the in vitro wear and roughness of different composite resins after toothbrushing. Six resins were tested: Revolution (Kerr), Natural Flow (DFL), Flow It! (Jeneric-Pentron), Fill Magic Flow (Vigodent) - flowable composites, Silux Plus (3M) - microfilled composite, and Z100 (3M) - hybrid composite. Eight disks were prepared for each group (n = 48), with 12 mm in diameter and 1mm thick. The specimens were stored in distilled water at 37 °C for 7 days, polished (Super Snap), weighed and submitted to the initial roughness test. Each sample was fixed on plexiglass plates and subjected to simulated toothbrushing. After abrasion, the samples were removed from the plates, weighed and submitted to the post-abrasion roughness test. Statistical analysis was performed by using ANOVA and Tukey's test. Pearson's test was used to verify correlation between wear and roughness. Data showed a similar resistance to wear of Natural Flow and Z100, both presenting minimum mass loss and surface roughness. Silux Plus presented the roughest surface after toothbrushing.

Resumo em Inglês:

Lanthanum-modified lead zirconate titanate (PLZT) ceramics were obtained with high transmittance in the visible range by a combination of an inexpensive chemical processing and hot pressing. Optical, microstructural, pyroelectric, ferroelectric and dielectric properties characterized in this study attested the applicability of the employed method in the production of PLZT transparent ferroelectric ceramics. In fact, the corresponding analyzed physical parameters are in very good agreement with those obtained in samples traditionally prepared by other methods. Furthermore, due to high sample quality, a phenomenological analysis of the PLZT 10/65/35 relaxor features was performed in these ceramics.

Resumo em Inglês:

The influence of the application of residues from the cellulose and paper industry in construction mortar was investigated. Mortars were prepared with CPI-S-32 or CPII-Z-32 Portland cements and sand in a 1:3 proportion. Four solids residues, i.e., Fiber, Dregs, Bottom Ash and Grit, were incorporated in the mortars in varying proportions. The bottom ash and dregs were used in place of cement, while fiber and grit were used to replace sand. The aging time of the samples was varied from 7 to 28 days. The results demonstrated that the type of cement and the aging time exerted a strong influence on the samples' microstructure and resistance to axial compression. The best values were obtained at 28 days of age with the CPI-S-32 cement. On the other hand, the type of residue and its concentration also affected microstructure and resistance to axial compression. The best results were obtained from bottom ash and grit.

Resumo em Inglês:

This research aimed at defining a route for recovering precious metals from a very heterogeneous gold bearing sulphide and arsenide concentrate that was partially roasted and dumped by the 1960s when Santo António mine closed. Gold occurs in this concentrate as free particles in the range of 10-100 mum, most of them still enclosed in the pyrite and arsenopyrite matrix. Its content varies from 20 to 150 g of Au/ton, being higher at the dump upper levels and in the finer concentrate fractions. Preliminary tests demonstrated the refractoriness of this product, since the leaching with conventional cyanide solutions and with other leaching solutions gave very low recoveries. However, high concentrated cyanide solutions recover more than 60% of Au, although with high NaCN and lime consumptions and poor settling characteristics. Iron was shown to be highly dissolved in these solutions. Some prior treatments clearly favoured the cyanidation process, in particular a roasting step. Thus, a large number of roasting experiments was carried out to define the most favourable conditions for recovering gold. However, no clear relationship between roasting conditions and gold dissolution was found due to the heterogeneity of the product and high variance of gold experimental recoveries. These recoveries were calculated considering gold contained in both the leaching residues and leachates, and uncertainties of these results are relatively high. Roasting the product at 450-700 °C for 1 h guarantees a high probability to dissolve at least 74% Au in a highly concentrated NaCN solution stirred for 24 h. The 600-700 °C roasting range is clearly preferable for consuming less cyanide and lime. Pre-washing the roasted product seems not to reduce the cyanide consumption. Regarding the silver recovery, the NaCN and lime consumption are higher while using the products roasted at the lowest tested temperatures. Products roasted at higher temperatures have better settling performance.

Resumo em Inglês:

This work proposes a procedure to estimate the dynamic damped behavior of fiber reinforced composite beams in flexural vibrations. A set of experimental dynamic tests were carried out in order to investigate the natural frequencies and modal shapes. These results are used to evaluate the damping factors by the program FREQ. These damping factors are then used as input to a damped dynamic analysis by the Finite Element Method, using Rayleigh Model. A good agreement between theoretical and experimental results was obtained. Thus, it became possible to validate the proposed procedure to evaluate dynamic damped behavior of composite beams.