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At least 469 records · Page 26

Elucidating the Effect of TiB{sub 2} Volume Percentage on the Mechanical Properties and Corrosion Behavior of Al5083-TiB{sub 2} Composites

Al5083-TiB{sub 2} in situ composites with 1, 3, and 5 volume percentages of TiB{sub 2} were fabricated. The effect of different volume percentages of TiB{sub 2} reinforcement particles on the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of these composites was investigated. The hot extrusion process resulted in fragmentation and more homogeneous distribution of TiB{sub 2} particles throughout the Al5083 matrix. Also, the grain size reduced as the amount of TiB{sub 2} reinforcement particles increased which caused the improvement of both the strength and ductility of the material. It was shown that the hardness, the ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and the yield strength (YS) of both the as-cast and extruded materials increased with increasing TiB{sub 2} content. Also, TiB{sub 2} addition combined with the extrusion process improved both UTS and elongation (El.%) of the extruded structures which can be attributed to the presence of TiB{sub 2} particles and obtained microstructural refinement by hot extrusion process. However, the extruded Al5083-5 vol.% TiB{sub 2} composite showed lower ductility in comparison with the extruded Al5083-1 vol.% TiB{sub 2} and Al5083-3 vol.% TiB{sub 2} composites. Moreover, it could be concluded that the corrosion resistance and also the pitting corrosion behavior of the Al5083 alloy do not significantly change in the presence of TiB{sub 2} reinforcement particles.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Modeling of concrete cracking due to corrosion process of reinforcement bars

The reinforcement corrosion in Reinforced Concrete (RC) is a major reason of degradation for structures and infrastructures throughout the world leading to their premature deterioration before design life was attained. The effects of corrosion of reinforcement are: (i) the reduction of the cross section of the bars, and (ii) the development of corrosion products leading to the appearance of cracks in the concrete cover and subsequent cover spalling. Due to their intrinsic complex nature, these issues require an interdisciplinary approach involving both material science and structural design knowledge also in terms on International and National codes that implemented the concept of durability and service life of structures. In this paper preliminary FEM analyses were performed in order to simulate pitting corrosion or general corrosion aimed to demonstrate the possibility to extend the results obtained for a cylindrical specimen, reinforced by a single bar, to more complex RC members in terms of geometry and reinforcement. Furthermore, a mechanical analytical model to evaluate the stresses in the concrete surrounding the reinforcement bars is proposed. In addition, a sophisticated model is presented to evaluate the non-linear development of stresses inside concrete and crack propagation when reinforcement bars start to corrode. The relationships between the cracking development (mechanical) and the reduction of the steel section (electrochemical) are provided. Finally, numerical findings reported in this paper were compared to experimental results available in the literature and satisfactory agreement was found.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Chloride-induced corrosion mechanism and rate of enamel- and epoxy-coated deformed steel bars embedded in mortar

The chloride-induced corrosion mechanisms of uncoated, pure enamel (PE)-coated, mixed enamel (ME)-coated, double enamel (DE)-coated, and fusion bonded epoxy (FBE)-coated deformed steel bars embedded in mortar cylinders are investigated in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution and compared through electrochemical tests and visual inspection. Corrosion initiated after 29 or 61 days of tests in all uncoated and enamel-coated steel bars, and after 244 days of tests in some FBE-coated steel bars. In active stage, DE- and FBE-coated steel bars are subjected to the highest and lowest corrosion rates, respectively. The uncoated and ME-coated steel bars revealed relatively uniform corrosion while the PE-, DE-, and FBE-coated steel bars experienced pitting corrosion around damaged coating areas. Due to the combined effect of ion diffusion and capillary suction, wet–dry cyclic immersion caused more severe corrosion than continuous immersion. Both exposure conditions affected the corrosion rate more significantly than the water–cement ratio in mortar design.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Chloride induced reinforcement corrosion behavior in self-healing concrete with encapsulated polyurethane

Cracks in reinforced concrete structures accelerate the ingress of chlorides and therefore cause a higher risk for corrosion. In this research, autonomous healing of cracks by encapsulated polyurethane was investigated as a possible method to reduce reinforcement corrosion. Reinforced concrete beams were exposed weekly to a chloride solution and electrochemical parameters were measured to determine the influence of the self-healing mechanism on the corrosion process. The rebars were visually examined afterwards. For the cracked beams an active state of corrosion was detected within an exposure period of 10 weeks and clear pitting corrosion was observed on the rebars. Autonomous crack healing with low viscosity polyurethane could significantly reduce the corrosion in the propagation stage. For these specimens no visual damage to the rebars was detected. In conclusion, the application of self-healing concrete with a low viscosity polyurethane is able to enhance the durability of reinforced concrete structures in marine environments.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Uranium hydride corrosion. II Modeling spatially random growth using reaction and nucleation kinetics

A uranium hydride (UH 3 ) corrosion kinetics model has been developed, based on dimensionally restricted nucleation kinetics, which combines heretofore separate reaction and nucleation kinetics models into a single predictive construct. This theoretical framework accounts for the superficial and random pitting behaviour of UH 3 corrosion. The model can be used to generate the net corrosion surface area and volume fractions for a uranium specimen, generally accounting for its geometric form factor through the surface-to-volume ratio. Furthermore, the combined corrosion kinetics model enables the generation of quantities which may be directly compared to those obtained by non-destructive, non-contact evaluation methods.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A unified approach to evaluating precipitation frequency estimates with uncertainty quantification: Application to Florida and California watersheds

Although a variety of climate datasets are now available, including observational and model products, there remains a pressing need for the development of a unified, automated and application-focused approach for evaluating and comparing climate extremes within and across these datasets. Precipitation frequency (PF) es- timates for extreme precipitation events are useful decision-relevant quantities among water managers. Our objective and quantitative framework for computing PF estimates of any duration uses known techniques in a novel combination. Our framework consists of three steps: (1) use of a regionalization-based statistical method for precipitation frequency estimation at observed sites; this involves hierarchical clustering (here we used Ward’s method) for delineating homogeneous regions, and regional frequency analysis using L-moments; (2) use of kriging for spatial mapping because of its advantages over other conventional interpolation methods; (3) use of z-scores accounts for estimation uncertainties when comparing PF estimates between datasets. The 24-h PF estimates in the Kissimmee-Southern Florida watershed (flat topography) and the Sacramento-San Joaquin watershed (complex topography) demonstrate the applicability of this approach in regions of any geographical complexity. Our results are shown to be reasonably calibrated using the probability integral transform (PIT) histogram of the best fitted distribution. Our results are compared with that of the NOAA Atlas 14 reports and show that for most of the stations the two estimates are statistically indistinguishable; and, the confidence intervals of our estimates are narrower than those of the NOAA estimates. Our approach is applicable to a variety of datasets and provides a baseline for assessing performance of climate models in historical simulations – a necessary first step towards analyzing future projections.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Preparation and characterization of biodegradable Mg-Zn-Ca/MgO nanocomposites for biomedical applications

Highlights: • Novel biodegradable Mg-Zn-Ca/MgO matrix composites, were devised and prepared using high shear melt conditioning. • The excellent interfacial bonding between MgO particles and α-Mg matrix was observed via HRTEM and FFT pattern analysis. • The optimum solution treatment and the addition of MgO nanoparticles hugely enhanced corrosion resistance of nanocomposites. • The yield tensile strength (YTS) increased by 22.81% with 0.5% MgO addition, while the ductility did not mainly deteriorate. - Abstract: In order to improve the corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of magnesium alloys for biomedical implant applications, novel biodegradable Mg-3Zn-0.2Ca (wt%) matrix composites, reinforced by adding various contents of MgO nanoparticles (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5 wt%), were devised and prepared using high shear melt conditioning. An optimum solution treatment (450 °C, 48 h) and subsequent hot extrusion was carried out to produce the Mg-3Zn-0.2Ca/MgO composites. It was found that the as-extruded composite exhibited a fine grain structure with relatively uniformly distributed MgO particles. The orientation relationships (ORs) of (1 1 1){sub MgO} ~ 2.62° from (0 0 0 2){sub α-Mg} and [0 −1 1]{sub MgO} // [2 −1 −1 0]{sub α-Mg}, were observed between the MgO particles and the α-Mg matrix via high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) investigation and fast Fourier transform (FFT) pattern analysis, verifying the excellent interfacial bonding between the phases. Additionally, a substantial reduction in the secondary phase content was found in the solution treated sample. In vitro immersion, electrochemical, and mechanical tensile tests were used to characterize the corrosion behavior and mechanical properties. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) increased to 329.03 ± 2.01 MPa and the yield tensile strength (YTS) increased by 22.81% with 0.5 wt% MgO loading, while the ductility did not substantially deteriorate. The polarization resistance (R{sub p}) of the composite was shown to increase from 0.95 kΩ cm{sup 2} to 2.02 kΩ cm{sup 2} with the addition of 0.2 wt% MgO. With increasing MgO content, agglomeration of the MgO particles was detected in the analyzed composite, resulting in decreased ductility and the occurrence of pitting corrosion.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Effect of Water Concentration in LiPF 6 -Based Electrolytes on the Formation, Evolution, and Properties of the Solid Electrolyte Interphase on Si Anodes

A trace amount of water in an electrolyte is one of the factors detrimental to the electrochemical performance of silicon (Si)-based lithium-ion batteries that adversely affect the formation and evolution of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on Si-based anodes and change its properties. Thus far, a lack of fundamental and mechanistic understanding of SEI formation, evolution, and properties in the presence of water has inhibited efforts to stabilize the SEI for improved electrochemical performance. As such, we investigated the SEI formed in a Gen2 electrolyte (1.2 M LiPF6 in ethylene carbonate/ethyl methyl carbonate, 3:7 wt %, water content: <10 ppm) with and without additional water (50 ppm) at varying potentials (1.0, 0.5, 0.2, and 0.01 V vs Li/Li + ). The impact of additional water on the morphological, (electro)chemical, and structural properties of SEI was studied using microscopic (atomic force microscopy and scanning spreading resistance microscopy) and spectroscopic (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry) techniques. The SEI exhibits both potential- and water concentration-dependent trends in its morphology and chemical composition. The presence of additional water in the electrolyte causes parasitic reactions, which onset at ~1.0 V, resulting in a reduction of electrolyte components and result in the formation of an insulating, fluorophosphate-rich SEI. In addition, hydrolysis of LiPF 6 creates hydrofluoric acid, which reacts with the surface oxide layer on the Si electrode, leading to a pitted and inhomogeneous SEI structure.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Lithium metal stripping beneath the solid electrolyte interphase

Lithium stripping is a crucial process coupled with lithium deposition during the cycling of Li metal batteries. Lithium deposition has been widely studied, whereas stripping as a subsurface process has rarely been investigated. Here we reveal the fundamental mechanism of stripping on lithium by visualizing the interface between stripped lithium and the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). We observed nanovoids formed between lithium and the SEI layer after stripping, which are attributed to the accumulation of lithium metal vacancies. High-rate dissolution of lithium causes vigorous growth and subsequent aggregation of voids, followed by the collapse of the SEI layer, i.e., pitting. We systematically measured the lithium polarization behavior during stripping and find that the lithium cation diffusion through the SEI layer is the rate-determining step. Nonuniform sites on typical lithium surfaces, such as grain boundaries and slip lines, greatly accelerated the local dissolution of lithium. As a result, the deeper understanding of this buried interface stripping process provides beneficial clues for future lithium anode and electrolyte design.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Improving CdMnTe Detector Performance by Adding 2% of Selenium

About 2% of selenium was added to CdMnTe (CMT) to reveal the role of selenium in CMT material used as a gamma-ray detector. The average etch-pit density (EPD) in a typical 2-in CdMnTeSe (CMTS) wafer was measured to be about 8.3×10 3 cm –2 except for the edge regions, and the radial nonuniformity of the bandgap along the wafer was about 2-meV. The typical mobility-lifetime product of electrons and holes was evaluated to be 3.06×10 –3 cm 2 /V and 3.1×10 –4 cm 2 /V, respectively. The energy resolution of the 122-keV photo-peak for a Co-57 radioactive source with a planar CMTS detector was 5.2%, demonstrating a positive effect associated with adding dilute amounts of Se to CMT. Finally, the enhanced detector performance in a planar CMTS detector is attributed to an improved value of hole mobility-lifetime product in CMTS, which mitigates the adverse hole tailing effect found in CdZnTe (CZT) and CMT detectors.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Is desiccation tolerance and avoidance reflected in xylem and phloem anatomy of two co-existing arid-zone coniferous trees?: Xylem and Phloem Anatomy

Plants close their stomata during drought to avoid excessive water loss, but species differ in respect to the drought severity at which stomata close. The stomatal closure point is related to xylem anatomy and vulnerability to embolism, but it also has implications for phloem transport, and possibly phloem anatomy to allow sugar transport at low water potentials. Desiccation tolerant plants that close their stomata at severe drought should have smaller xylem conduits and/or fewer and smaller inter-conduit pits to reduce vulnerability to embolism, but more phloem tissue and larger phloem conduits compared to plants that avoid desiccation. These anatomical differences could be expected to increase in response to long-term reduction in precipitation. To test these hypotheses we used tridimensional synchroton X-ray microtomograph and light microscope imaging of combined xylem and phloem tissues of two coniferous species: one-seed juniper (Juniperus monosperma) and piñon pine (Pinus edulis) subjected to precipitation manipulation treatments. These species show different xylem vulnerability to embolism, contrasting desiccation tolerance, and stomatal closure points. Our results support the hypothesis that desiccation tolerant plants require higher phloem transport capacity than desiccation avoiding plants, but this can be gained through various anatomical adaptations in addition to changing conduit or tissue size.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Time-Dependent Corrosion Behavior of Aluminum Using Advanced Electrochemical and Characterization Techniques

The time-dependent corrosion behavior of pure aluminum (Al) in a chloride-containing environment was investigated using various electrochemical and characterization techniques for up to 336 h. Transmission electron microscopic and secondary ion mass spectroscopic analysis revealed the continuous dissolution of the surface film over the immersion time. In the meantime, the increasing passive oxide thickness resulted in the surface film resistance enhancement over the immersion time, as indicated by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopic analysis. The electrochemical noise measurements showed an increase in the corrosion kinetics with immersion time until 60 h because of the accelerated localized corrosion in the early stage of immersion. However, an inhibition in corrosion kinetics occurred after longer immersion times due to corrosion product deposition inside the pit.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Fort Bliss Geothermal Area Data: Temperature profile, logs, schematic model and cross section

This dataset contains a variety of data about the Fort Bliss geothermal area, part of the southern portion of the Tularosa Basin, New Mexico. The dataset contains schematic models for the McGregor Geothermal System, a shallow temperature survey of the Fort Bliss geothermal area. The dataset also contains Century OH logs, a full temperature profile, and complete logs from well RMI 56-5, including resistivity and porosity data, drill logs with drill rate, depth, lithology, mineralogy, fractures, temperature, pit total, gases, and descriptions among other measurements as well as CDL, CNL, DIL, GR Caliper and Temperature files. A shallow (2 meter depth) temperature survey of the Fort Bliss geothermal area with 63 data points is also included. Two cross sections through the Fort Bliss area, also included, show well position and depth. The surface map included shows faults and well spatial distribution. Inferred and observed fault distributions from gravity surveys around the Fort Bliss geothermal area.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

SRNL report for the tank waste disposition integrated flowsheet: Corrosion testing

A series of cyclic potentiodynamic polarization (CPP) tests were performed in support of the Tank Waste Disposition Integrated Flowsheet (TWDIF). The focus of the testing was to assess the effectiveness of the SRNL model for predicting the amount of nitrite inhibitor needed to prevent pitting induced by increasing halide concentrations. The testing conditions were selected to simulate the dilute process stream that is proposed to be returned to tank farms from treating the off-gas from the low activity waste melter in the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

K West Basin Sand Filter Backwash Sample Analysis

A sand filter is used to help maintain water clarity at the K West Basin where highly radioactive sludge is stored. Eventually that sand filter will require disposal. The radionuclide content of the solids trapped in the sand filter will affect the selection of the sand filter disposal pathway. The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) was contracted by the K Basin Operations & Plateau Remediation Project (operations contractor CH2M Hill) to analyze the radionuclide content of the solids collected from the backwash of the K West Basin sand filter. The radionuclide composition in the sand filter backwash solids will be used by CH2M Hill to determine if the sand filter media and retained sludge solids will be designated as transuranic waste for disposal purposes or can be processed through less expensive means. On October 19, 2015, K Basin Operations & Plateau Remediation Project staff backwashed the sand filter into the North Load-Out Pit (NLOP) and immediately collected sample slurry from a sampling tube positioned 24 in. above the NLOP floor. The 764 g sand filter backwash slurry sample, KW-105 SFBW-001, was submitted to PNNL for analysis on October 20, 2015. Solids from the slurry sample were consolidated into two samples (i.e., a primary and a duplicate sample) by centrifuging and measured for mass (0.82 g combined – wet centrifuged solids basis) and volume (0.80 mL combined). The solids were a dark brown/orange color, consistent with iron oxide/hydroxide. The solids were dried; the combined dry solids mass was 0.1113 g, corresponding to 0.0146 weight percent (wt%) solids in the original submitted sample slurry. The solids were acid-digested using nitric and hydrochloric acids. Insoluble solids developed upon dilution with 0.5 M HNO 3 , corresponding to an average 6.5 wt% of the initial dry solids content. The acid digestate and insoluble solids were analyzed separately by gamma spectrometry. Nominally, 7.7% of the 60 Co was present in the insoluble solids; less than 1% of other gamma-emitters (i.e., 137 Cs, 154/155 Eu, and 241 Am) were present in the insoluble solids. Aliquots of the acid digestate were analyzed directly using gamma energy analysis (GEA) and after separations for 238 Pu, 239+240 Pu, 237 Np, and 241 Am radioisotopes using alpha energy analysis (AEA). The 90 Sr was measured by liquid scintillation counting (LSC) on the Sr-separated fraction. The plutonium isotopic distribution of the acid digestate was analyzed following Pu separations by thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS). A table summarizes the results for the primary and duplicate samples. The 239+240 Pu concentration (µCi/g dry) relative to 90 Sr and to 137 Cs concentrations (µCi/g dry) was examined. The K West Basin sludge has a 239+240 Pu/ 90 Sr ranging from 0.1 to 1.2 and the 239+240 Pu/ 137 Cs ratio ranging from 0.10 to 0.47. In contrast, the sand filter backwash solids 239+240 Pu/ 90 Sr ratio was 10.6 and the 239+240 Pu/ 137 Cs ratio was 2.0. The ratio differences indicate a relative enhancement of the Pu concentration in the sand filter solids relative to the 137 Cs and 90 Sr sludge concentrations currently in the K West Basin. A dose-to-curie radioisotope evaluation of the sand filter waste form may need to consider this dissimilarity.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

L Basin Corrosion Surveillance Program – Evaluation of 2014 Surveillance Coupons

The L Basin Corrosion Surveillance Program is performed in conjunction with the Spent Fuel Storage Basin Water Chemistry Control Program to evaluate the corrosion of aluminum coupons as an indicator of the degradation of the aluminum-clad spent nuclear fuel stored in L Basin. The latest set of coupons were removed in 2014 after 15 years of exposure. The water quality throughout the exposure period has been within the parameter limits established for basin operation that are consistent with international guidelines for aluminum fuel storage. The 2014 corrosion characterization utilized a new protocol involving a laser confocal microscope for improved characterization of pitting corrosion. This report trends these results with those of previous coupons (2005 – 2010), which were placed in L Basin in 1999.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Post-Closure Inspection Report for the Tonopah Test Range, Nevada: For Calendar Year 2017, Revision 0

This report provides the results of the annual post-closure inspections conducted at the closed corrective action units (CAUs) located on the Tonopah Test Range (TTR) and the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR). This report covers calendar year 2017 and includes visual inspection and repair activities completed at the following CAUs: CAU 400: Bomblet Pit and Five Points Landfill (TTR) CAU 407: Roller Coaster RadSafe Area (TTR) CAU 424: Area 3 Landfill Complexes (TTR) CAU 453: Area 9 UXO Landfill (TTR) CAU 487: Thunderwell Site (TTR) Visual inspections were conducted according to the post-closure plans in the approved closure reports and subsequent correspondence with the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection. The annual post-closure inspections were conducted on May 23, 2017. No maintenance or repair issues were noted at CAU 400 and CAU 487. Maintenance items and subsequent repairs include the following: CAU 407: A large animal burrow was observed in the southeast corner of the cover during the inspection. Two additional animal burrows were discovered during repair actions. All cover defects were repaired on January 9, 2018. CAU 424: CAS 03-08-002-A304 (Landfill Cell A3-4): A new monument was installed and the subsidence area was repaired on January 9, 2018. CAU 424: CAS 03-08-002-A308 (Landfill Cell A3-8): Lava rock, used to mark the two eastern monument locations, was noted as missing during the inspection. The lava rock was replaced on January 9, 2018. CAU 453: Five large animal burrows, located near the east–central portion of cover, was noted during the inspection. Eight additional animal burrows were discovered during repair actions. All cover defects were repaired on January 9, 2018.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

A Quantum-Inspired Tensor Network Algorithm for Constrained Combinatorial Optimization Problems

Combinatorial optimization is of general interest for both theoretical study and real-world applications. Fast-developing quantum algorithms provide a different perspective on solving combinatorial optimization problems. In this paper, we propose a quantum-inspired tensor-network-based algorithm for general locally constrained combinatorial optimization problems. Our algorithm constructs a Hamiltonian for the problem of interest, effectively mapping it to a quantum problem, then encodes the constraints directly into a tensor network state and solves the optimal solution by evolving the system to the ground state of the Hamiltonian. We demonstrate our algorithm with the open-pit mining problem, which results in a quadratic asymptotic time complexity. Our numerical results show the effectiveness of this construction and potential applications in further studies for general combinatorial optimization problems.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗