Research

21 pages, 7302 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental and Computational Study of Mechanical and Thermal Characteristics of h-BN and GNP Infused Polymer Composites for Elevated Temperature Applications

by Mantesh C. Choukimath, Nagaraj R. Banapurmath, Fahid Riaz, Arun Y. Patil, Arun R. Jalawadi, M. A. Mujtaba, Kiran Shahapurkar, T. M. Yunus Khan, Mishal Alsehli, Manzoore Elahi M. Soudagar and I. M. R. Fattah

Materials 2022, 15(15), 5397; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15155397 - 05 Aug 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1971

Abstract

Polymer-based nanocomposites are being considered as replacements for conventional materials in medium to high-temperature applications. This article aims to discover the synergistic effects of reinforcements on the developed polymer-based nanocomposite. An epoxy-based polymer composite was manufactured by reinforcing graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) and h-boron [...] Read more.

Polymer-based nanocomposites are being considered as replacements for conventional materials in medium to high-temperature applications. This article aims to discover the synergistic effects of reinforcements on the developed polymer-based nanocomposite. An epoxy-based polymer composite was manufactured by reinforcing graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) and h-boron nitride (h-BN) nanofillers. The composites were prepared by varying the reinforcements with the step of 0.1 from 0.1 to 0.6%. Ultrasonication was carried out to ensure the homogenous dispersion of reinforcements. Mechanical, thermal, functional, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis was carried out on the novel manufactured composites. The evaluation revealed that the polymer composite with GNP 0.2 by wt % has shown an increase in load-bearing capacity by 265% and flexural strength by 165% compared with the pristine form, and the polymer composite with GNP and h-BN 0.6 by wt % showed an increase in load-bearing capacity by 219% and flexural strength by 114% when compared with the pristine form. Furthermore, the evaluation showed that the novel prepared nanocomposite reinforced with GNP and h-BN withstands a higher temperature, around 340 °C, which is validated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) trials. The numerical simulation model is implemented to gather the synthesised nanocomposite’s best composition and mechanical properties. The minor error between the simulation and experimental data endorses the model’s validity. To demonstrate the industrial applicability of the presented material, a case study is proposed to predict the temperature range for compressor blades of gas turbine engines containing nanocomposite material as the substrate and graphene/h-BN as reinforcement particles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Engineering Materials: Development, Characterization, Statistical Analysis, Simulation, and Soft Computing)

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16 pages, 5946 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Evaluation of Industrial Mushroom Waste Substrate Using Hybrid Mechanism of Vermicomposting and Effective Microorganisms

by Khalid Ansari, Shantanu Khandeshwar, Charuta Waghmare, Hassan Mehboob, Tripti Gupta, Avinash N. Shrikhande and Mohamed Abbas

Materials 2022, 15(9), 2963; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15092963 - 19 Apr 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2175

Abstract

Mushroom waste substrates are highly resistant lignocellulosic wastes that are commercially produced by industries after harvesting. These wastes produce large environmental challenges regarding disposal and, thus, require treatment facilities. In the present article, the effect of Eisenia-fetida-based vermicomposting and an effective microorganism [...] Read more.

Mushroom waste substrates are highly resistant lignocellulosic wastes that are commercially produced by industries after harvesting. These wastes produce large environmental challenges regarding disposal and, thus, require treatment facilities. In the present article, the effect of Eisenia-fetida-based vermicomposting and an effective microorganism solution on the mushroom waste substrate were investigated using four different composting mixtures: mushroom waste [MW] substrate composting with effective microorganisms [MW+EM], raw mushroom waste [RWM] substrate composting with effective microorganisms [RMW+EM], mushroom waste substrate composting with vermicomposting and effective microorganisms [MW+V+EM], and raw mushroom waste substrate composting with vermicomposting and effective microorganisms [RWM+V+EM]. This article discusses the structural and physiochemical changes at four samples for 45 days (almost six weeks) of composting. The physical and chemical parameters were monitored during composting and provided information on the duration of the process. The results indicated pH (7.2~8), NPK value (0.9~1.8), and C:N ratio <14, and heavy metals exhibited a decreasing trend in later stages for all sets of compost materials and showed the maturity level. FTIR spectra revealed that all four samples included peaks for the -OH (hydroxy group) ranging from 3780 to 3500 cm⁻¹ and a ridge indicating the C=C (alkenyl bond) ranging from 1650 to 1620 cm⁻¹ in compost. The X-ray diffraction spectrum clearly shows how earthworms and microbes break down molecules into cellulose compounds, and the average crystallinity size using Scherrer’s equation was found to be between 69.82 and 93.13 nm. Based on the experimental analysis, [RWM+V+EM] accelerated the breakdown of organic matter and showed improvement compared with other composts in compostable materials, thus, emphasizing the critical nature of long-term mushroom waste management and treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Engineering Materials: Development, Characterization, Statistical Analysis, Simulation, and Soft Computing)

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14 pages, 4859 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nanoceramic Composites for Nuclear Radiation Attenuation

by Shankar A. Hallad, Nagaraj R. Banapurmath, Avinash S. Bhadrakali, Arun Y. Patil, Anand M. Hunashyal, Sharanabasava V. Ganachari, T. M. Yunus Khan, Irfan Anjum Badruddin, Manzoore Elahi M. Soudagar and Sarfaraz Kamangar

Materials 2022, 15(1), 262; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15010262 - 30 Dec 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1769

Abstract

The development of radiation attenuation materials with lean cross-sections is the need of the hour. However, the inherent threat of radiations accompanying these processes is of major concern. Thus, in an attempt to shield unnecessary radiations, several novel materials have been fabricated alongside [...] Read more.

The development of radiation attenuation materials with lean cross-sections is the need of the hour. However, the inherent threat of radiations accompanying these processes is of major concern. Thus, in an attempt to shield unnecessary radiations, several novel materials have been fabricated alongside the conventional materials available. Yet, there is a need for cost-effective, efficient shielding materials that have good mechanical strength and effective shielding properties. The present work investigates ceramic composite behaviors and radiation shielding capacity reinforced with lead oxide nano-powder. Developed nano-lead-based cement composites were subjected to mechanical tests to determine flexural and compressive strengths to check their suitability for structural applications. Further, the gamma attenuation test of the composites was conducted to determine their neutron absorption capacity. The addition of nano-leadoxide in the control beams was varied from 0.7 to 0.95 and 1 wt.% of the ceramic matrix. The percentage of nano-leadoxide that gives the best results in both enhanced properties and economic aspects was determined to be 0.6 wt.% of the cement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Engineering Materials: Development, Characterization, Statistical Analysis, Simulation, and Soft Computing)

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23 pages, 4377 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Method of Predicting Wear and Damage of Pantograph Sliding Strips Based on Artificial Neural Networks

by Małgorzata Kuźnar and Augustyn Lorenc

Materials 2022, 15(1), 98; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15010098 - 23 Dec 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2387

Abstract

The impact of the pantograph of a rail vehicle on the overhead contact line depends on many factors. Among other things, the type of pantograph, i.e., the material of the sliding strip, influences the wear and possible damage to the sliding strip. The [...] Read more.

The impact of the pantograph of a rail vehicle on the overhead contact line depends on many factors. Among other things, the type of pantograph, i.e., the material of the sliding strip, influences the wear and possible damage to the sliding strip. The possibility of predicting pantograph failures may make it possible to reduce the number of these kinds of failures. This article presents a method for predicting the technical state of the pantograph by using artificial neural networks. The presented method enables the prediction of the wear and damage of the pantograph, with particular emphasis on carbon sliding strips. The paper compares 12 predictive models based on regression algorithms, where different training algorithms and activation functions were used. Two different types of training data were also used. Such a distinction made it possible to determine the optimal structure of the input and output data teaching the neural network, as well as the determination of the best structure and parameters of the model enabling the prediction of the technical condition of the current collector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Engineering Materials: Development, Characterization, Statistical Analysis, Simulation, and Soft Computing)

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19 pages, 5039 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Shrinkage Study and Strength Aspects of Concrete with Foundry Sand and Coconut Shell as a Partial Replacement for Coarse and Fine Aggregate

by Kalyana Chakravarthy Polichetty Raja, Ilango Thaniarasu, Mohamed Abdelghany Elkotb, Khalid Ansari and C Ahamed Saleel

Materials 2021, 14(23), 7420; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14237420 - 03 Dec 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2268

Abstract

The demand for natural aggregates (river sand) is increasing day by day, leading to the destruction of the environment, a burden that will be passed on to young people. Further, wastes from various industries are being dumped in landfills, which poses serious environmental [...] Read more.

The demand for natural aggregates (river sand) is increasing day by day, leading to the destruction of the environment, a burden that will be passed on to young people. Further, wastes from various industries are being dumped in landfills, which poses serious environmental problems. In order to ensure sustainability, both the issues mentioned above can be solved by utilizing industrial waste as aggregate replacement in the concrete construction industry. This research is done to find out the results using two substances viz., waste foundry sand (WFS) and coconut shell (CS) substitute for river sand and coarse aggregate. Many researchers have found the maximum benefits of substituted substances used in cement, which has material consistency. This current observation explores these strong waste properties of waste-infused concrete and cement, which experience shrinkage from drying out. The replacement levels for waste foundry sand were varied, between 10%, 20%, and 30%, and for CS, it was 10% and 20%. The experimental outcomes are evident for the strength, which increases by using WFS, whereas the strength decreases by increasing the CS level. The concrete that experiences shrinkage from drying out is included in the waste material, showing a higher magnitude of drying shrinkage than conventional concrete. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Engineering Materials: Development, Characterization, Statistical Analysis, Simulation, and Soft Computing)

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17 pages, 2730 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pantograph Sliding Strips Failure—Reliability Assessment and Damage Reduction Method Based on Decision Tree Model

by Małgorzata Kuźnar, Augustyn Lorenc and Grzegorz Kaczor

Materials 2021, 14(19), 5743; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14195743 - 01 Oct 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2278

Abstract

Damage to the pantograph or sliding strip may cause the blocking of the railway line. This is the main reason for which the prediction of pantographs’ failure is important for railway carriers and researchers. This article presents a sliding strips failure prediction method [...] Read more.

Damage to the pantograph or sliding strip may cause the blocking of the railway line. This is the main reason for which the prediction of pantographs’ failure is important for railway carriers and researchers. This article presents a sliding strips failure prediction method as a main means of preventing disruptions to the transport chain. To develop the best predictive model based on the decision tree, the complex tree, medium tree and simple tree machine learning methods were tested. Using a decision tree, the categorization of the given technical conditions can be properly realized. The obtained results showed that the presented model can reduce sliding strip failure by up to 50%. Special attention was paid to the current collector (AKP-4E, 5ZL type), measured during periodic reviews of locomotives EU07 and EU09. To assess the reliability of the selected pantograph strips, a non-destructive degradation analysis was carried out. On the basis of the wear measurements of the strips and the critical value of wear, a failure distribution model was developed. Operational data, collected during periodic technical reviews, were provided by one of the biggest railway carriers in Poland. The results of the performed analyses may be used to build a preventive maintenance strategy to protect pantographs. The applied reliability models of wear propagation can be extended by the parameters of the cost and repair time becoming the basis for estimating the costs of operation and maintenance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Engineering Materials: Development, Characterization, Statistical Analysis, Simulation, and Soft Computing)

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27 pages, 23633 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Heat Treatment and Reinforcements on Tensile Characteristics of Aluminium AA 5083/Silicon Carbide/Fly Ash Composites

by Santhosh Nagaraja, Ramesha Kodandappa, Khalid Ansari, Mohamed Saheer Kuruniyan, Asif Afzal, Abdul Razak Kaladgi, Navid Aslfattahi, C. Ahamed Saleel, Ashwin C. Gowda and Praveena Bindiganavile Anand

Materials 2021, 14(18), 5261; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14185261 - 13 Sep 2021

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 2534

Abstract

The effect of reinforcements and thermal exposure on the tensile properties of aluminium AA 5083–silicon carbide (SiC)–fly ash composites were studied in the present work. The specimens were fabricated with varying wt.% of fly ash and silicon carbide and subjected to T6 thermal [...] Read more.

The effect of reinforcements and thermal exposure on the tensile properties of aluminium AA 5083–silicon carbide (SiC)–fly ash composites were studied in the present work. The specimens were fabricated with varying wt.% of fly ash and silicon carbide and subjected to T6 thermal cycle conditions to enhance the properties through “precipitation hardening”. The analyses of the microstructure and the elemental distribution were carried out using scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The composite specimens thus subjected to thermal treatment exhibit uniform distribution of the reinforcements, and the energy dispersive spectrum exhibit the presence of Al, Si, Mg, O elements, along with the traces of few other elements. The effects of reinforcements and heat treatment on the tensile properties were investigated through a set of scientifically designed experimental trials. From the investigations, it is observed that the tensile and yield strength increases up to 160 °C, beyond which there is a slight reduction in the tensile and yield strength with an increase in temperature (i.e., 200 °C). Additionally, the % elongation of the composites decreases substantially with the inclusion of the reinforcements and thermal exposure, leading to an increase in stiffness and elastic modulus of the specimens. The improvement in the strength and elastic modulus of the composites is attributed to a number of factors, i.e., the diffusion mechanism, composition of the reinforcements, heat treatment temperatures, and grain refinement. Further, the optimisation studies and ANN modelling validated the experimental outcomes and provided the training models for the test data with the correlation coefficients for interpolating the results for different sets of parameters, thereby facilitating the fabrication of hybrid composite components for various automotive and aerospace applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Engineering Materials: Development, Characterization, Statistical Analysis, Simulation, and Soft Computing)

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27 pages, 16138 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation of Mechanical Properties and Salt Spray Corrosion Test Parameters Optimization for AA8079 with Reinforcement of TiN + ZrO₂

by T. Sathish, V. Mohanavel, T. Arunkumar, T. Raja, Ahmad Rashedi, Ibrahim M. Alarifi, Irfan Anjum Badruddin, Ali Algahtani and Asif Afzal

Materials 2021, 14(18), 5260; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14185260 - 13 Sep 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2257

Abstract

This work mainly focuses on increasing the mechanical strength and improving the corrosion resistance of an aluminum alloy hybrid matrix. The composites are prepared by the stir casting procedure. For this work, aluminum alloy 8079 is considered as a base material and titanium [...] Read more.

This work mainly focuses on increasing the mechanical strength and improving the corrosion resistance of an aluminum alloy hybrid matrix. The composites are prepared by the stir casting procedure. For this work, aluminum alloy 8079 is considered as a base material and titanium nitride and zirconium dioxide are utilized as reinforcement particles. Mechanical tests, such as the ultimate tensile strength, wear, salt spray corrosion test and microhardness test, are conducted effectively in the fabricated AA8079/TiN + ZrO₂ composites. L9 OA statistical analysis is executed to optimize the process parameters of the mechanical and corrosion tests. ANOVA analysis defines the contribution and influence of each parameter. In the tensile and wear test, parameters are chosen as % of reinforcement (3%, 6% and 9%), stirring speed (500, 550 and 600 rpm) and stirring time (20, 25 and 30 min). Similarly, in the salt spray test and microhardness test, the selected parameters are: percentage of reinforcement (3%, 6% and 9%), pH value (3, 6 and 9), and hang time (24, 48 and 72 h). The percentage of reinforcement highly influenced the wear and microhardness test, while the stirring time parameter extremely influenced the ultimate tensile strength. From the corrosion test, the hang time influences the corrosion rate. The SEM analysis highly reveals the bonding of each reinforcement particle to the base material. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Engineering Materials: Development, Characterization, Statistical Analysis, Simulation, and Soft Computing)

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18 pages, 3818 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mechanical and Abrasive Wear Performance of Titanium Di-Oxide Filled Woven Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer Composites by Using Taguchi and EDAS Approach

by Chelliah Anand Chairman, Manickam Ravichandran, Vinayagam Mohanavel, Thanikodi Sathish, Ahmad Rashedi, Ibrahim M. Alarifi, Irfan Anjum Badruddin, Ali E. Anqi and Asif Afzal

Materials 2021, 14(18), 5257; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14185257 - 13 Sep 2021

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 2145

Abstract

Two-body abrasive wear behavior of glass fabric reinforced (GC) epoxy and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) filled composites have been conducted out by using a tribo test machine. GC and TiO₂ filled GC composites were produced by the hand layup technique. The [...] Read more.

Two-body abrasive wear behavior of glass fabric reinforced (GC) epoxy and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) filled composites have been conducted out by using a tribo test machine. GC and TiO₂ filled GC composites were produced by the hand layup technique. The mechanical performances of the fabricated composites were calculated as per ASTM standards. Three different weight percentages were mixed with the polymer to develop the mechanical and abrasive wear features of the composites. Evaluation Based on Distance from Average Solution (EDAS), a multi-criteria decision technique is applied to find the best filler content. Based on the output, 2wt% TiO₂ filler gave the best result. Abrasive wear tests were used to compare GC and TiO₂ filled GC composites. The abrasion wear mechanisms of the unfilled and TiO₂ filled composites have also been studied by scanning electron microscopy. The outcome of the paper suggests the correct proportion of filler required for the resin in order to improve the wear resistance of the filled composites. Taguchi combined with Multi-Criteria Decision Method (MCDM) is used to identify the better performance of the TiO₂ filled epoxy composites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Engineering Materials: Development, Characterization, Statistical Analysis, Simulation, and Soft Computing)

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20 pages, 9854 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Parameter Study on Friction Surfacing of AISI316Ti Stainless Steel over EN8 Carbon Steel and Its Effect on Coating Dimensions and Bond Strength

by George S. N. Rethnam, Subramanian Manivel, Vijay K. Sharma, Chidurala Srinivas, Asif Afzal, Abdul Razak R.K., Sagr Alamri and C. Ahamed Saleel

Materials 2021, 14(17), 4967; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14174967 - 31 Aug 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 1889

Abstract

Friction surfacing is a solid-state coating process that uses plastic deformation to improve the efficiency of the core metallic pattern, resulting in fine-grained coatings with superior wear and corrosion properties. This article focuses on the development of inherently homogeneous, non-diluted coating of AISI316Ti [...] Read more.

Friction surfacing is a solid-state coating process that uses plastic deformation to improve the efficiency of the core metallic pattern, resulting in fine-grained coatings with superior wear and corrosion properties. This article focuses on the development of inherently homogeneous, non-diluted coating of AISI316Ti stainless steel above EN8 and also encloses the empirical relationship for the prediction of bond strength (B_s), coating thickness (C_t), and coating width (C_w). The key individualities for bonding geometry were believed to be the process parameters such as rotational speed (rpm), traverse speed (mm/s), and axial load (kN). The effect of input parameters on the bond’s external dimensions and strength was investigated using a multi-objective optimization approach through experimentation. The bond’s strength improved as the coating thickness was reduced and the coating width was increased. The grain-refined coatings superimposing martensitic microstructure with no deposition of carbide particles added value to the metallurgical study using the scanning electron microscope. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Engineering Materials: Development, Characterization, Statistical Analysis, Simulation, and Soft Computing)

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27 pages, 13876 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Practical Use of Composite Materials Used in Military Aircraft

by Lucjan Setlak, Rafał Kowalik and Tomasz Lusiak

Materials 2021, 14(17), 4812; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14174812 - 25 Aug 2021

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 4011

Abstract

The article presents a comparative characterization of the structural materials (composites and metals) used in modern aviation structures, focusing on the airframe structure of the most modern aircraft (Airbus A-380, Boeing B-787, and JSF F-35). Selected design and operational problems were analysed, with [...] Read more.

The article presents a comparative characterization of the structural materials (composites and metals) used in modern aviation structures, focusing on the airframe structure of the most modern aircraft (Airbus A-380, Boeing B-787, and JSF F-35). Selected design and operational problems were analysed, with particular emphasis on composites and light metals (aluminium). For this purpose, the Shore’s method was used for the analysis of the obtained strength results and the programming environment (ANSYS, SolidWorks) required to simulate the GLARE 3 2/1-04 composite. The focus was on highlighting the differences in the construction and modelling of these materials resulting from their various structures (isotropy and anisotropy), e.g., by analyzing the mechanics of metal destruction and comparing it with the composite material. In terms of solving the problems of finite element analysis FEM, tests have been carried out on two samples made of an aluminium alloy and a fiberglass composite. The focus was on highlighting the differences in the construction and modelling of these materials resulting from their various structures (isotropy and anisotropy), e.g., by analyzing the mechanics of metal destruction and comparing it with the composite material. On the basis of the obtained results, the preferred variant was selected, in terms of displacements, stresses, and deformations. In the final part of the work, based on the conducted literature analysis and the conducted research (analysis, simulations, and tests), significant observations and final conclusions, reflected in practical applications, were formulated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Engineering Materials: Development, Characterization, Statistical Analysis, Simulation, and Soft Computing)

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26 pages, 7840 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimization of Process Parameters in CNC Turning of Aluminum 7075 Alloy Using L27 Array-Based Taguchi Method

by Mohammad Nishat Akhtar, T. Sathish, V. Mohanavel, Asif Afzal, K. Arul, M. Ravichandran, Inzarulfaisham Abd Rahim, S. S. N. Alhady, Elmi Abu Bakar and B. Saleh

Materials 2021, 14(16), 4470; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14164470 - 10 Aug 2021

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 2882

Abstract

With the advent of the industrial revolution 4.0, the goal of the manufacturing industry is to produce a large number of products in relatively less time. This study applies the Taguchi L27 orthogonal array methodological paradigm along with response surface design. This work [...] Read more.

With the advent of the industrial revolution 4.0, the goal of the manufacturing industry is to produce a large number of products in relatively less time. This study applies the Taguchi L27 orthogonal array methodological paradigm along with response surface design. This work optimizes the process parameters in the turning of Aluminum Alloy 7075 using a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine. The optimal parameters influenced the rate of metal removal, the roughness of the machined surface, and the force of cutting. This experimental investigation deals with the optimization of speed (800 rpm, 1200 rpm, and 1600 rpm) and feed (0.15, 0.20, and 0.25 mm/rev) in addition to cutting depth (1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mm) on the turning of Aluminum 7075 alloy in a CNC machine. The outcome in terms of results such as the removal rate of material (maximum), roughness on the machined surface (minimum), along with cutting force (least amount) were improved by the L27 array Taguchi method. There were 27 specimens of Al7075 alloy produced as per the array, and the corresponding responses were measured with the help of various direct contact and indirect contact sensors. Results were concluded all the way through diagrams of main effects in favor of signal-to-noise ratios and diagrams of surfaces with contour diagrams for various combinations of responses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Engineering Materials: Development, Characterization, Statistical Analysis, Simulation, and Soft Computing)

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13 pages, 2026 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancement in Cathodic Redox Reactions of Single-Chambered Microbial Fuel Cells with Castor Oil-Emitted Powder as Cathode Material

by Shobha Suresh Kumbar, Dipak Ashok Jadhav, Chetan S. Jarali, Dhananjay B. Talange, Asif Afzal, Sher Afghan Khan, Mohammad Asif and Mohd. Zulkifly Abdullah

Materials 2021, 14(16), 4454; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14164454 - 09 Aug 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1993

Abstract

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) would be a standalone solution for clean, sustainable energy and rural electrification. It can be used in addition to wastewater treatment for bioelectricity generation. Materials chosen for the membrane and electrodes are of low cost with suitable conducting ions [...] Read more.

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) would be a standalone solution for clean, sustainable energy and rural electrification. It can be used in addition to wastewater treatment for bioelectricity generation. Materials chosen for the membrane and electrodes are of low cost with suitable conducting ions and electrical properties. The prime objective of the present work is to enhance redox reactions by using novel and low-cost cathode catalysts synthesized from waste castor oil. Synthesized graphene has been used as an anode, castor oil-emitted carbon powder serves as a cathode, and clay material acts as a membrane. Three single-chambered MFC modules developed were used in the current study, and continuous readings were recorded. The maximum voltage achieved was 0.36 V for a 100 mL mixture of domestic wastewater and cow dung for an anodic chamber of 200 mL. The maximum power density obtained was 7280 mW/m². In addition, a performance test was evaluated for another MFC with inoculums slurry, and a maximum voltage of 0.78 V and power density of 34.4093 mW/m² with an anodic chamber of 50 mL was reported. The present study’s findings show that such cathode catalysts can be a suitable option for practical applications of microbial fuel cells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Engineering Materials: Development, Characterization, Statistical Analysis, Simulation, and Soft Computing)

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24 pages, 10022 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Microstructure, Mechanical Properties, and Corrosion Behavior of Boron Carbide Reinforced Aluminum Alloy (Al-Fe-Si-Zn-Cu) Matrix Composites Produced via Powder Metallurgy Route

by M. Meignanamoorthy, Manickam Ravichandran, Vinayagam Mohanavel, Asif Afzal, T. Sathish, Sagr Alamri, Sher Afghan Khan and C. Ahamed Saleel

Materials 2021, 14(15), 4315; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14154315 - 02 Aug 2021

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 2881

Abstract

In this paper, Al-Fe-Si-Zn-Cu (AA8079) matrix composites with several weight percentages of B₄C (0, 5, 10, and 15) were synthesized by powder metallurgy (PM). The essential amount of powders was milled to yield different compositions such as AA8079, AA8079-5 wt.%B₄ [...] Read more.

In this paper, Al-Fe-Si-Zn-Cu (AA8079) matrix composites with several weight percentages of B₄C (0, 5, 10, and 15) were synthesized by powder metallurgy (PM). The essential amount of powders was milled to yield different compositions such as AA8079, AA8079-5 wt.%B₄C, AA8079-10 wt.%B₄C, and AA8079-15 wt.%B₄C. The influence of powder metallurgy parameters on properties’ density, hardness, and compressive strength was examined. The green compacts were produced at three various pressures: 300 MPa, 400 MPa, and 500 MPa. The fabricated green compacts were sintered at 375 °C, 475 °C, and 575 °C for the time period of 1, 2 and 3 h, respectively. Furthermore, the sintered samples were subjected to X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Energy Dispersive Analysis (EDAX), and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) examinations. The SEM examination confirmed the uniform dispersal of B₄C reinforcement with AA8079 matrix. Corrosion behavior of the composites samples was explored. From the studies, it is witnessed that the rise in PM process parameters enhances the density, hardness, compressive strength, and corrosion resistance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Engineering Materials: Development, Characterization, Statistical Analysis, Simulation, and Soft Computing)

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27 pages, 72374 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Neural Network-Based Prediction Model to Investigate the Influence of Temperature and Moisture on Vibration Characteristics of Skew Laminated Composite Sandwich Plates

by Vinayak Kallannavar, Subhaschandra Kattimani, Manzoore Elahi M. Soudagar, M. A. Mujtaba, Saad Alshahrani and Muhammad Imran

Materials 2021, 14(12), 3170; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14123170 - 09 Jun 2021

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 2626

Abstract

The present study deals with the development of a prediction model to investigate the impact of temperature and moisture on the vibration response of a skew laminated composite sandwich (LCS) plate using the artificial neural network (ANN) technique. Firstly, a finite element model [...] Read more.

The present study deals with the development of a prediction model to investigate the impact of temperature and moisture on the vibration response of a skew laminated composite sandwich (LCS) plate using the artificial neural network (ANN) technique. Firstly, a finite element model is generated to incorporate the hygro-elastic and thermo-elastic characteristics of the LCS plate using first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT). Graphite-epoxy composite laminates are used as the face sheets, and DYAD606 viscoelastic material is used as the core material. Non-linear strain-displacement relations are used to generate the initial stiffness matrix in order to represent the stiffness generated from the uniformly varying temperature and moisture concentrations. The mechanical stiffness matrix is derived using linear strain-displacement associations. Then the results obtained from the numerical model are used to train the ANN. About 11,520 data points were collected from the numerical analysis and were used to train the network using the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm. The developed ANN model is used to study the influence of various process parameters on the frequency response of the system, and the outcomes are compared with the results obtained from the numerical model. Several numerical examples are presented and conferred to comprehend the influence of temperature and moisture on the LCS plates. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Engineering Materials: Development, Characterization, Statistical Analysis, Simulation, and Soft Computing)

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16 pages, 4287 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A High Precision Modeling Technology of Material Surface Microtopography and Its Influence on Interface Mechanical Properties

by Yunlong Wang, Xiaokai Mu, Cong Yue, Wei Sun, Chong Liu and Qingchao Sun

Materials 2021, 14(11), 2914; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14112914 - 28 May 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1947

Abstract

In order to accurately and effectively obtain the contact performance of the mating surface under the material surface topography characteristics, a numerical simulation method of rough surface based on the real topography characteristics and a multi-scale hierarchical algorithm of contact performance is studied [...] Read more.

In order to accurately and effectively obtain the contact performance of the mating surface under the material surface topography characteristics, a numerical simulation method of rough surface based on the real topography characteristics and a multi-scale hierarchical algorithm of contact performance is studied in this paper. Firstly, the surface topography information of materials processed by different methods was obtained and characterized by a measuring equipment; Secondly, a non-Gaussian model considering kurtosis and skewness was established by Johnson transform based on Gaussian theory, and a rough surface digital simulation method based on real surface topography was formed; Thirdly, a multi-scale hierarchical algorithm is given to calculate the contact performance of different mating surfaces; Finally, taking the aeroengine rotor as the object, the non-Gaussian simulation method was used to simulate the mating surfaces with different topographies, and the multi-scale hierarchical algorithm was used to calculate the contact performance of different mating surfaces. Analysis results showed that the normal contact stiffness and elastic–plastic contact area between the mating surfaces of assembly 1 and assembly 2 are quite different, which further verifies the feasibility of the method. The contents of this paper allow to perform the fast and effective calculation of the mechanical properties of the mating surface, and provide a certain analysis basis for improving the surface microtopography characteristics of materials and the product performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Engineering Materials: Development, Characterization, Statistical Analysis, Simulation, and Soft Computing)

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15 pages, 5601 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Investigation of the Friction Stir Weldability of AA8006 with Zirconia Particle Reinforcement and Optimized Process Parameters

by Thanikodi Sathish, Abdul Razak R. Kaladgi, V. Mohanavel, K. Arul, Asif Afzal, Abdul Aabid, Muneer Baig and Bahaa Saleh

Materials 2021, 14(11), 2782; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14112782 - 24 May 2021

Cited by 50 | Viewed by 2471

Abstract

A lightweight, highly corrosive resistant, and high-strength wrought alloy in the aluminum family is the Aluminium 8006 alloy. The AA8006 alloy can be formed, welded, and adhesively bonded. However, the recommended welding methods such as laser, TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas welding), and ultrasonic [...] Read more.

A lightweight, highly corrosive resistant, and high-strength wrought alloy in the aluminum family is the Aluminium 8006 alloy. The AA8006 alloy can be formed, welded, and adhesively bonded. However, the recommended welding methods such as laser, TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas welding), and ultrasonic are more costly. This investigation aims to reduce the cost of welding without compromising joint quality by means of friction stir welding. The aluminum alloy-friendly reinforcement agent zirconia is utilized as particles during the weld to improve the performance of the newly identified material AA8006 alloy in friction stir welding (FSW). The objectives of this research are to identify the level of process parameters for the friction stir welding of AA8006 to reduce the variability by the trial-and-error experimental method, thereby reducing the number of samples needing to be characterized to optimize the process parameters. To enhance the quality of the weld, the friction stir processing concept will be adapted with zirconia reinforcement during welding. The friction stir-processed samples were investigated regarding their mechanical properties such as tensile strength and Vickers microhardness. The welded samples were included in the corrosion testing to ensure that no foreign corrosive elements were included during the welding. The quality of the weld was investigated in terms of its surface morphology, including aspects such as the dispersion of reinforced particles on the welded area, the incorporation of foreign elements during the weld, micro defects or damage, and other notable changes through scanning electron microscopy analysis. The process of 3D profilometry was employed to perform optical microscopy investigation on the specimens inspected to ensure their surface quality and finish. Based on the outcomes, the optimal process parameters are suggested. Future directions for further investigation are highlighted. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Engineering Materials: Development, Characterization, Statistical Analysis, Simulation, and Soft Computing)

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