Journal of Advanced Materials in Engineering (Esteghlal)

---

Physical properties of cotton yarns are affected by the characteristics of cotton fibers such as fineness, length, maturity and strength. This relationship has been worked out by means of multivariable regression and stepwise method for an open-end spun (NeC 20) cotton yarn. Moreover, with the help of linear programming, it was made possible to determine the percentage of different cottons in the blend with the aim of reducing the yarn price to a minimum while keeping the yarn quality to a certain level.

---

The new techniques in seismic design of structures are usually attributed to high damping ratios. In such systems, the assumption of classical (i.e. proportional) damping is not valid and in most cases they should be considered as Non-classical systems. Since the analytical tools for studying the behavior of such structures are not easily available, the present work attempts to find the limits, in which, a non-classical system can be approximated as a classical one. This is accomplished, first, by introducing the mass participation factor for non-classical systems. Subsequently, a relevant spectrum analysis technique such systems is developed. Using the spectrum analysis technique, the limitation of damping ratios in which two different types of Mass Isolated structures can be approximated as classical ones are determined. The results indicate that in the usual range of damping capacity for such structures, a well distribution of dashpots along the height of the system considerably reduces the non-classical characteristics of the structure.

---

Deterioration of concrete, which is mainly due to ignorance of environmental and service conditions, causes considerable costs for the construction industry. With this in mind, in this paper, results of investigation into the major causes of concrete deterioration in the Urumie Lake are presented. For the purposes of this investigation, samples were obtained by mixing two types of cement (OPC types 1&2), micro silica, anti oxide, water proof and air entraining agent, with different w/c ratios and tested at the ages of 7,14, and 28 days. In addition to compression strength, tensile strength of the samples was measured. Regarding the durability studies, abrasion resistance, electrical resistivity, chloride penetration, water absorption and freeze-thaw tests were carried out under both laboratory and real conditions in the Urumieh lake. Based on our findings recommendations are made about optimum w/c ratio, most suitable types of cement, optimum percentage of micro silica content, and additive .

---

In this paper, an analytical method for noncircular shape extrusion is presented. Using this method, non-linear deformation field can be described with Hermit cubic spline which is prescribed by the boundary conditions of the die at its entryand exit. The upper bound method has been used to obtain optimum coefficient of the tangential boundary conditions. The results show that the optimum tangential parameter and the extrusion force determined by this method have good agreement with those obtained from other established methods. Also physical modeling tests show that optimum non-linear die could reduce extrusion force and strain variation compared with those in a linear die.

---

---

In this research, a 3-D mathematical model is developed for simulating electromagnetic continuous removal of inclusions from molten metals. The model includes the computation of electromagnetic force field and fluid flow in the presence of electromagnetic forces. The results of flow field together with electromagnetic force field were further used for calculating the trajectory of inclusions in the molten metal. Parametric studies were performed to evaluate the effects of various parameters such as magnetic field intensity, inclusion size, and fluid velocity on inclusion removal efficiency in molten magnesium. In order to verify the mathematical model and visualize the trajectories of particles in the melt flow under electromagnetic force, a physical model was constructed. The predicted particle trajectories and separation in the physical model were compared with those obtained from experiments, which showed a relatively good agreement.

---

Composite and nanocomposite Ni-Co/SiC coatings were synthesized by electro-codeposition of micro and nano-sized SiC particles with average diameter of 10m and 20nm using horizontal electrodes. Surface morphology, chemical composition, phase composition, hardness and corrosion resistance of the deposited coatings were studied using SEM observations and EDX, XRD, microhardness and polarization measurements as a function of the electrodeposition current density. The results indicated that the nanocomposite coatings exhibit higher hardness and corrosion resistance compared with the composite coatings containing micro-sized SiC particles despite their lower percentage of the SiC content. The maximum hardness values of 615HV and 490HV were obtained for nanocomposite and composite coatings deposited at current density of 3A/dm2. The observed properties were discussed based on the structural details.

---

Mechanical alloying technique is used for production of nanostructured soft magnetic alloys. In this work the back propagation (BP) artificial neural adopted to model the effect of various mechanical alloying parameters i.e. milling time and chemical composition, on the properties of Fe-Ni powders. Lattice parameter, grain size, lattice strain, coersivity and saturation intrinsic flux density are considered as the output of five BP neural networks. The results obtained show the efficiency of designed networks for the prediction of the properties of Fe-Ni powders.

---

Effects of discontinuous ultrasonic treatment on the microstructure, nanoparticle distribution, and mechanical properties of cast Al413-SiCnp nanocomposites were studied. The results showed that discontinuous ultrasonic treatment was more effective in improving the mechanical properties of the cast nanocomposites than the equally timed continuous treatment. The yield and ultimate tensile strengths of Al413-2%SiCnp nanocomposites discontinuously treated for two 20 minute periods increased by about 126% and 100% compared to those of the monolithic sample, respectively. These improvements were about 107% and 94% for the nanocomposites continuously treated for a single 40 minute period. The improvement in the mechanical properties was associated with severe refinement of the microstructure, removal of the remaining gas layers on the particles surfaces, more effective fragmentation of the remaining agglomerates as well as improved wettability and distribution of the reinforcing particles during the first stage of solidification.

---

Ni–SiC composite coatings are successfully employed as a protective coating in the inner walls of engine cylinders. In this study, Ni-SiC, Ni-SiC-MoS2 and Ni-SiC-Gr composite coatings were prepared from a sulfamate bath. Both mechanical and ultrasonic stirring were used simultaneously during the process. Taking into account the working temperature of engine cylinders, the wear behavior of coatings was evaluated at 25 to 300 ºC and the high temperature tribological properties of the coatings were investigated. Based on the results obtained from the wear tests, all three coatings showed almost good friction coefficient values at 25 and 100 ºC, which were close to each other. By increasing the temperature to 200-300 °C, the friction coefficient and weight loss values strongly increased. However, addition of solid lubricants caused the values to decrease. The Ni-SiC-Gr coating at all temperatures showed a good and stable behavior.

---

Mullite and alumina are common in high-temperature applications because of their low thermal expansion coefficient and good thermal shock resistance. Evolution of SiC in the matrix and using it as reinforcing phase can improve thermo-mechanical properties of these materials. Also, in-situ formation of the reinforcing phases by using inorganic materials is an economical process. In this work, crystallization of SiC as reinforcing phase in the matrix of mullite-alumina by carbothermal reaction processes of inorganic materials (andalusite and kaolinite) was studied. According to the ratio of C/SiO₂ and process conditions, some properties of the composite such as phase transformation, microstructure and physical and mechanical properties were investigated. The results showed that optimal ratio of C/SiO₂ and firing temperature of densification to form SiC crystals were 3.5 and 1600^°C for andalusite and 5.5 and 1500^°C for kaolinite.

---

In this study, aluminium composite foams reinforced by different volume fractions of SiC particles as reinforcement and stabilizing agent were fabricated with the direct foaming route of melt using different contents of CaCO₃ as foaming agent. The density of produced foams were measured to be from 0.38 to 0.68 g/cm³. The microstructural features and compressive properties of the AA356/SiC_p composite foams were investigated. The relation between plateau stress, density and, weight percentage of CaCO₃ and SiC_p volume fraction with a given particle size was also investigated. The results showed that compressive stress-strain curves of the products were not smooth and exhibit some serrations. Also, it was shown that in the same density of composite foams, the plateau stress of the composite foams increases with increasing volume fraction of SiC particles and decreasing weight percentage of CaCO₃.

---

The aim of this investigation is obtaining WC-Co composite powder from WO₃ and Co₃O₄ by in-situ and carbothermic reduction method using activated carbon as a reducing agent. In this study, cobalt and tungsten oxide powders with 17% carbon (30% more than stoichiometric value) were mixed by ball-milling under atmosphere of argon for 20 hours. Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) and Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) results on powder mixture show complete reducing of oxides at 1050°C and forming cobalt carbide and tungsten carbide. Compact samples underwent carbothermic reduction at 1050 °C for different times of 1, 2 and 4 hours with protective layer of alumina and carbon powder mixture with ratio of 1:1. Based on X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analyses, the best holding time in furnace is 4 hours, in which tungsten reduction and carbonization is completed. XRD evaluation of reduced compacted samples in three conditions of atmosphere protective layer of alumina and carbon powder mixture with ratio of 1:1, protective foil of refractory steel and argon, shows that unreduced oxides and extra phases are present in argon atmosphere and protective foil of steel but not in alumina and carbon mixture layer. The measurement results of physical and mechanical properties on the sintered composite sample in heating rate of 5 °C /min to temperature 1500 °C and the holding time of 2 hours under a shielding layer of alumina and carbon shows obtaining the optimal properties (P_r=80%, K_IC=8.1 MPa , MHV=15.67GPa) comparable to that of advanced and costly methods.
 

---

In this research, new lithium ion conductor glass-ceramics with NASICON-type structure (Li_1+x+yAl_xCr_yGe_2-x-y (PO₄)₃, x+y=0.5) were synthesized using melt-quenching method and converted to glass-ceramics through heat treatment. Influence of addition of different concentrations of aluminum and chromium in LiGe₂(PO₄)₃ glass-ceramic was investigated for ionic conduction improvement. Substitution of Ge⁴⁺ ions in NASICON structure by Al³⁺ and Cr³⁺ ions induced more Li⁺ ions in A₂ vacant sites to obtain charge balance and also changed the unit cell parameters. These two factors led to ionic conductivity improvement of synthesized glass-ceramics. The glass-ceramics were characterized and the amorth structures were investigated by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Complex Impedance Spectroscopy (CIS). The highest lithium ion conductivity of 8.82×10^-3 S/cm was obtained for x=0.4 and y=0.1 (Li_1.5Al_0.4Cr_0.1Ge_1.5(PO₄)₃) crystallized at 850 ^oC for 8 h with minimum activation energy of 0.267 eV.
 

---

TiO₂/MWCNT nanocomposite thin films containing different percentages of multi-walled carbon nanotubes were coated on fluorinated tin oxide substrates by sol-gel dip coating method. Results of X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that the crystal structure of the coatings was anatase TiO₂. It was also understood that the size of crystallites reduced with CNT but structural properties and equilibrium phase remain intact. Field emission scanning electron microscope images showed that CNTs dispersed uniformly among 45 nm spherical TiO₂ particles of close relations. These images also showed that CNT promoted cracks on the coated surface. Results of the UV-Vis spectroscopy showed that the visible light range adsorption  increased with CNT and the absorption edge did not significantly differ with the pure TiO₂ layers.. Results of the photoluminescence spectroscopy revealed that the presence of CNT could reduce the pair electron–electron holes recombination which is considered totally undesirable.
 

---

---

---

---