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Sensitization of stainless steels has been posing serious problems to the industries. Techniques for rapid detection of sensitized surfaces are being probed throughout the world. Characterization over a wide behavioural range is essential for the above. Characterizes sensitized surfaces of AISI 304 stainless steel using impedance and tafel‐extrapolation techniques. Welded 304 stainless steel interfaces were subjected to dissolution tests, in different media, for assessing the effect of prolonged post‐stress relieving on the mitigation of surface dissolution. The corrosion rate values were correlated with the period of sensitization and Huey test results. The sensitized stainless steels were also subjected to electrochemical tests in different solutions. From the impedance behaviour of the sensitized surfaces in 3 per cent NaCl electrolyte, it was observed that the rate of fall in the polarization resistance may be used to monitor the extent of sensitization in 304 stainless steel, with better accuracy, than that in utilizing the polarization resistance itself.

Three types of alloys have been chosen, and subjected to three different varieties of macro‐strains, e.g. corrosion‐pittings in a high strength low‐alloy, sensitization‐induced precipitation in an unstabilized 304 s.s. and cold‐working stresses in FeNiMoB and FeNiMoBSi metallic glass foils for diagnostic studies in corrosion console. Attempts to correlate the galvanic activity of these substrates with the imposed galvanic micro‐strains using an entirely new type of criterion, namely the distance between the forward and backward‐scan, indicated by “d” value in terms of current at a particular chosen potential. This technique, however, is limited by a threshold extent of surface‐strains, in terms of either anodic or cathodic stress concentration‐points above which the surface either develops an anodically activated film or it starts behaving as an effective cathode. The galvanic interactions of the surface, under such conditions, become minimal so that the “d” values no longer remain an increasing function of the increasing surface galvanic strain.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of manganese addition on sacrificial anode characteristics of electrolytic magnesium.

Different contents of manganese were added to magnesium. Anode characteristics were evaluated and correlated to added manganese.

The performance of an anode depends strongly on the manganese content. An optimum value for the manganese to be added was identified. The impurity levels to obtain efficiencies above 50 per cent also are reported.

This paper highlights the properties of magnesium‐manganese binary alloys for use as sacrificial anodes in cathodic protection.

The corrosion of reinforcing steel bars reduces significantly the life and durability of concrete structures. This critical concern causes great losses to the economy and industry. The purpose of this paper is to estimate the effects of corrosion on the tensile mechanical properties of embedded steel bars B500c in concrete.

The concept is based on the curve fitting modelling, as well the mathematical correlation of the tensile mechanical properties between corroded bare and corroded embedded steel bars. In order to achieve this, extensive experiments were carried out on both bare (Ø8, 10, 12, 16 and 18 mm) and embedded (Ø8 mm) steel bars B500c, which were subjected to artificially accelerated corrosive conditions in a chloride‐rich atmosphere for several exposure times.

The research results show that the estimation method is available and effective in simulating the tensile mechanical behaviour of corroded reinforcing steel bars B500c.

As far as is known, this is the first time that an advanced data processing technique has been employed to try to find the mathematical correlation of the existing corrosion damage on the residual tensile properties between bare and embedded steel bars. It is argued that these models can be developed in order to reduce the need for expensive experimental investigation in materials.

The purpose of this paper is to develop technically efficient and economically effective sacrificial anodes that can be used for cathodic protection (CP) of pipelines in marine environment and fill the knowledge gap in the use of carbon anodes for CP.

A sacrificial anode was produced via sand casting by adding varying weight-percent of coal and ferrosilicon to a constant weight-percent of grey cast iron. The hardness of the produced anodes was evaluated using a Rockwell hardness tester. The microstructure of the anodes was observed with scanning electron microscope/energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to study the phases present. A potentiostat was used to assess the corrosion behaviour of the produced anodes and mild steel in 3.5 Wt.% NaCl solution.

The SEM results showed that some anodes had interdendritic graphite formation, while others had pronounced graphite flakes. The EDS analysis showed carbon and iron to be the prominent elements in the anode. Anodes Bc, B2 and B5 with a corrosion rate of two order of magnitudes were observed to have similar dendritic structures. Anode B4 is the most electronegative with an Ecorr of −670.274 mV Ag/AgCl and a corrosion rate of 0.052475 mmpy. The produced anodes can be used to protect mild steel in the same environment owing to their lower Ecorr values compared to that of mild steel −540.907 mV Ag/AgCl.

Alloying has been majorly used to improve the efficiency of sacrificial anodes and to alleviate its setbacks. However, development of more technically efficient and economically effective sacrificial anodes via production of composite has not been exhaustively considered. Hence, this research focuses on the development of a carbon based anode by adding natural occurring coal and ferrosilicon to grey cast iron. The corrosion behaviour of the produced anode was evaluated and compared to that of mild steel in marine environment.

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the usefulness of inhibitors for the prevention of localised corrosion of carbon steel in a low‐aggressive medium. The efficiencies of two inorganic non‐toxic inhibitors are compared, associated with an oxidant.

Many experiments were conducted. For each experiment, a solution was prepared with different concentrations of pitting agent, inhibitor and oxidant. The performance was then estimated by the pitting potential taken from the voltammograms of carbon steel obtained with each solution.

The results show that the efficiency of molybdate and tungstate were comparable. The presence of iodate, which plays an oxidizing role, can be synergistic to the inhibitor but harmful if the concentration ratio is not adequate.

The interest in the use of an oxidant is that it makes it possible to reduce the inhibitor concentration, which limits the pH increase and prevents scale deposition.

This work provides useful guidance in the localised corrosion prevention of a semi‐open cooling circuit subject to seasonal sand‐storms. The obtained results from the many experiments carried out were compiled using neural networks for performance prediction.

The automotive industry appears to overcome much of its obstacles, despite the constant struggle facing COVID-19. The pandemic has resulted in significant improvements in the habits and conduct of consumers. There is an increased preference for personal mobility. In this dynamic environment with unexpected changes and high market rivalry, automotive supply chains focus more on executing responsive strategies with minimum costs. This paper aims to identify and model the drivers to the responsiveness of automotive supply chain.

Seventeen drivers for supply chain responsiveness have been identified from the extensive literature, expert interview. An integrated methodology of fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory–interpretive structural modelling (DEMATEL–ISM) is developed to establish the interrelationship between the drivers. The cause–effect relationship between the drivers was obtained through fuzzy DEMATEL technique, and a hierarchical structure of the drivers was developed using the ISM technique.

The result of the integrated methodology revealed that strategic decision-making of management, accurate forecasting of demand, advanced manufacturing system in the organisation and data integration tools are the critical drivers.

This study has conceptual and analytical limitations. In this study, a limited number of drivers are examined for supply chain responsiveness. Further research may examine the role of other key performance indicators in the broad field of responsiveness in the automotive supply chain or other industry sectors. Future study can uncover the interrelationships and relative relevance of indicators using advanced multi-criteria decision-making methodologies.

The authors proposed an integrated methodology that will be benefitted to the supply chain practitioners and automotive manufacturers to develop management strategies to improve responsiveness. This study further helps to compare the responsiveness of the supply chain between various automotive manufacturers.

The study aims to present a systematic literature review (SLR) to understand the current status of research on social media usage among the bottom of the pyramid (BOP). The purpose of this study is to identify the research gaps in this domain and review future research agendas by using theory, context, characteristics and methods [TCCM] framework.

An SLR, keywords co-occurrence and TCCM analysis were used to analyse and synthesize insights from 44 studies gained from Web of Science and Scopus databases.

The findings suggest that the USA and India are popular contexts for studying BOP. The BOP population uses social media to gain utilitarian, hedonic and social values. Further, social media can help BOP explore “entrepreneurship” opportunities, value co-creation and bring innovations.

This study expands the intellectual boundaries of social media at BOP and suggests multidisciplinary research. Additionally, adopting novel theoretical lenses helped determine social media's impact on BOP.

The purpose of this paper is to consider the effect of heat treatment on alloying element distribution and the electrochemical properties of Al‐5Zn‐0.03In anodes.

The Al‐5Zn‐0.03In alloy anodes are treated at 510°C for 10 h, then cooled in water. Electron probe microanalysis of JXA‐8800 and EDAX quantitative energy dispersive X‐ray analysis is used to examine the microstructure of the anodes before and after heat treatment, and the electrochemical properties of the anodes are tested.

By heat treatment, the solubility of Zn in aluminum is increased while the solubilities of Fe and Si are changed only slightly. The quantity of the Al‐Zn intermetallic compounds is evidently decreased and the Al‐Fe‐Si intermetallic compound is preserved. Strip segregation along grain boundaries is changed to spherical particulates. The attack of aluminum anodes initiates and propagates in grain boundaries and interdendritic zones, which are enriched in In and Zn, so the current efficiency of the aluminum anodes is related to the degree of corrosion taking place at grain boundaries and the extent of exfoliation of grains. The greater the extent of Al‐Zn metallic compounds that are present at grain boundaries, the more sensitive to grain boundary corrosion is the alloy and the greater the degree of desquamation of grains, the lower is the current efficiency of the aluminum anode.

The results of this paper clarify the role of water‐quenching affect on the microstructure and electrochemical properties of Al‐Zn‐In anodes.

The authors study the effect of access to smartphones on the socio-economic well-being in the case of rural base of the pyramid (BoP) women. While smartphone access may have its benefits, the paper suggests augmenting access with a sociotechnical intermediary (STI) that facilitates training and online community building to enhance the well-being outcomes.

The authors conducted a survey from three groups of women from rural West Bengal (India) – (1) who do not own smartphones, (2) who have their own smartphones and (3) who receive smartphones and STI support (over two years). The authors evaluate the effect of access to smartphones and STI support on social well-being (including structural social capital and empowerment) and economic well-being (including entrepreneurial intent and subjective economic well-being).

The analysis results suggest a high relationship between smartphone ownership and higher structural social capital, empowerment (in terms of freedom of movement) and entrepreneurial intent. The authors further find these effects to be enhanced amongst women who received smartphones and support from STI.

The authors attribute this enhanced well-being amongst women with smartphones and STI support to peer-learning and cultivation of virtual role models facilitated by the STI through creation of intra-community online groups. The results have significant policy implications for socio-economic well-being of rural BoP women.