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The purpose of this paper is to investigate a new group of chemical compounds as accelerators (1-imidazole derivatives – tertiary amines) for curing of isocyanate-epoxy resin matrix. During heating no reaction between epoxy group and active hydrogen in presence 1-substituted imidazole derivatives was reported.

The influence of accelerator type and content on curing process, thermal stability and chemical structure of hardened resin was determined using temperature modulated differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, heat deflection temperature, thermogravimetry (modulated and by activation energy – Ozawa method) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Additionally, the shear strength of epoxy compositions used as aluminium joints, at ambient and elevated temperature was determined.

With catalyst content increase the oxazolidone or isocyanurate rings content decreased, indicating enhanced density of cross-linking and thermal resistance. For all imidazole derivatives used (i.e. 1-methylimizadole, 1-ethylimidazole and 1-butylimidazole) accelerating of the curing process was observed (significant decrease of the curing start temperature was reported). The thermal resistance and shear strength was improved with accelerator content (increase of isocyanurate rings amount, and consequently oxazolidone ones).

Introducing of a new group of chemical compounds as new catalysts to isocyanate-epoxy resin material resulted in curing process acceleration, irrespectively of the imidazole derivative type.

The purpose of this paper is to show how the investigation into early strength gain of concrete will allow the contractor to speed up the construction process using in situ concrete, which will affect subsequent time and cost savings. If a medium dose of accelerator was found to be effective, the cost/benefit would be substantial as well as being low risk with regard to additive additions in concrete.

Comparative examination of plain concrete, and concrete with a non‐chloride accelerator additive was carried out, using the compressive strength to establish strength gain at various time intervals between one and 28 days. The additive dose was less than half of the maximum recommended to avoid the strength loss problems associated with the use of accelerating admixtures due to possible overheating.

The findings showed a significant increase in strength using an accelerating admixture in the early life of the concrete, which may allow a contactor to strike the formwork earlier, due to the use of an admixture, thus speeding up the construction process to produce time/cost savings.

The research will assist the designer, contractor and health and safety co‐ordinator to strike formwork at the earliest date with greater certainty and therefore reduced risk. By using an accelerator, rather than increasing the cement content to achieve early life strength, this paper displays another way to produce sustainable buildings with a lower carbon footprint. Early life strength provides better freeze/thaw protection and a greater resistance to impact damage and therefore a potential higher quality with lower defects.

In the search for on or off‐line methods for condition monitoring of wear sensitive components, Thin Layer Activation (TLA) has much to offer. It is possible to measure very small surface losses directly, and by the use of double layer, or direct, or indirect sentinel layer modifications, wear of material to any depth can be measured. The technique can be applied to most materials and extended to virtually all materials and components by the use of treated plugs or inserts. Material loss can often be measured under operating conditions without dismantling equipment. The technique is reliable and of known useful life, ie there can be no electrical or mechanical failures of the implanted layer. The total radioactivity is very low and no modification of material surface properties is likely. The use of TLA in condition monitoring will speed up the identification of incipient faults.

Rubber‐like materials have a number of advantages as binders which many surface‐coating compositions do not possess. It is possible to produce from them, by suitable formulation, flexible, resilient, and abrasion‐resistant coatings, or hard, rigid coatings.

New Waterproof Tape. The manufacturers of Permacel pressure‐sensitive tapes have succeeded in combining strong cotton cloth with a revolutionary water‐proof backing material. This has enabled them to produce a complete new waterproof cloth tape.

Three-dimensional printing of concrete (3DPC) has a potential for the rapid industrialization of the housing sector, with benefits of reduced construction time due to no formwork requirement, ease of construction of complex geometries, potential high construction quality and reduced waste. Required materials adaption for 3DPC is within reach, as concrete materials technology has reached the point where performance-based specification is possible by specialists. This paper aims to present an overview of the current status of 3DPC for construction, including existing printing methods and material properties required for robustness of 3DPC structures or structural elements.

This paper has presented an overview of three categories of 3DPC systems, namely, gantry, robotic and crane systems. Material compositions as well as fresh and hardened properties of mixes currently used for 3DPC have been elaborated.

This paper presents an overview of the state of the art of 3DPC systems and materials. Research needs, including reinforcement in the form of bars or fibres in the 3D printable cement-based materials, are also addressed.

The critical analysis of the 3D concrete printing system and materials described in this review paper is original.

This paper aims to achieve phosphating via optimal features of Mg metal as a suitable base coating, which is considered for other properties such as barrier properties against the passage of several factors.

In this research, in the phosphate bath, immersion time, temperature and the content of sodium nitrite as an accelerator were changed.

As a result, increasing the immersion time of AZ31 Mg alloy samples in the phosphating bath as well as increasing the ratio of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) concentration to sodium nitrite concentration in the phosphating bath formulation increase the mass of phosphating formed per unit area of the Mg alloy. The results of the scanning electron microscope test showed phosphating is not completely formed in short immersion times, which is a thin and uneven layer.

Mg and its alloys are sensitive to galvanic corrosion, which would lead to generating several holes in the metal. As such, it causes a decrease in mechanical stability as well as an unfavorable appearance.

Mg is used in several industries such as automobile and computer parts, mobile phones, astronaut compounds, sports goods and home appliances.

Nevertheless, Mg has high chemical reactivity, so an oxide-hydroxide layer is formed on its surface, which has a harmful effect on the adhesion and uniformity of the coating applied on Mg.

By increasing the ratio of SDS concentration to sodium nitrite concentration in the phosphating bath, the corrosion resistance of the phosphating increases.

There are a number of outlets for cobalt naphthenate in the production and processing of polymers, including its use as a catalyst in the polymerisation of olefins, and the naphthenate has been studied in an investigation into the influence of metal ions on the radical graft copolymerisation of monomers onto poly‐olefins chains. It can also be employed in the production of photodegradable polymers, and foamed polymers.

The purpose of this paper is to estimate and assess the impact of public procurement activities of an Italian basic research center (the National Institute for Nuclear Physics [INFN]) on supplier companies.

Starting from the exploratory nature of this research, a single case study research strategy has been applied. The impact of basic research public procurement has been estimated using survey data on 168 INFN supplier companies. Supplier companies have been surveyed on six different categories of company outcomes, namely, sales volume, learning and innovation, relationship with the market, alliances and network and social impact.

Results of the analysis reported that the activity of INFN public procurement generates a positive impact on supplier companies on different dimensions, especially related to learning and innovative outcome and economic impact and market penetration outcome.

Policy implications can be derived from the current study. In particular, to support the policymakers in the effort of assessing the impact of basic research public procurement, this study, first highlights the impact dimensions on supplier companies, and second, it provides empirical evidence of public procurement as a viable tool to foster companies’ innovation.

This research explores a relevant but understudied topic that has recently attracted the attention of policymakers. In fact, although public procurement have been recognized as a tool to foster companies’ innovation, empirical evidence is still scant, particularly in the case of basic research.