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Over the last decades, self-healing materials based on polymers are attracting increasing interest due to their potential for detecting and “autonomically” healing damage. The use of embedded self-healing microcapsules represents one of the most popular self-healing concepts. Yet, extensive investigations are still needed to convince on the efficiency of the above concept. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

In the present work, the effect of embedded self-healing microcapsules on the ILSS behavior of carbon fiber reinforced composite materials has been studied. Moreover, the self-healing efficiency has been assessed. The results of the mechanical tests were discussed supported by scanning electron microscope (SEM) as well as by Attenuated Total Reflection–Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR–FTIR) analyses.

The results indicate a general trend of a degraded mechanical behavior of the enhanced materials, as the microcapsules exhibit a non-uniform dispersion and form agglomerations which act as internal defects. A remarkable value of the self-healing efficiency has been found for materials with limited damage, e.g. matrix micro-cracks. However, for significant damage, in terms of large matrix cracks and delaminations as well as fiber breakages, the self-healing efficiency is limited.

The results obtained by SEM analysis as well as by ATR–FTIR spectroscopy constitute a strong indication that the self-healing mechanism has been activated. However, further investigation should be conducted in order to provide definite evidence.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the corrosion behaviour of ferroboron (FeB) and FeB/h‐BN (hexagonal boron nitride) coatings deposited onto A383 substrates by atmospheric plasma spraying.

Potentiodynamic scanning (PDS) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to evaluate the corrosion susceptibilities of the composite coatings. Microstructural characterizations were carried out by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS).

It was observed that the coatings resisted localized corrosion in NaCl solutions and protective oxide films on the coatings repaired themselves over the corrosion potential. Hexagonal‐BN is not only a limiting factor in the corrosion of the FeB based coatings. The corrosion morphologies of the coatings are strictly dependent on pores and micro‐cracks in the coating.

The iron‐based borides act as solid lubricants and have a positive influence on tribological properties such as hardness, friction and corrosion of the coating.

Knowledge of the effects of FeB on the corrosion behaviour of thermal spray coatings is still incomplete and this is the most important obstacle to the widespread use of the coatings in engineering applications. The paper reports electrochemical test results of the coatings and discusses the morphologic effects of h‐BN on the corrosion behaviour.

The detection of invisible micro cracks (μ‐cracks) in multi‐crystalline silicon (mc‐si) solar wafers is difficult because of the wafers' heterogeneously textured backgrounds. The difficulty is twofold. First, invisible μ‐cracks must be visualized to imaging devices. Second, an image processing sequence capable of extracting μ‐cracks from the captured images must be developed. The purpose of this paper is to reveal invisible μ‐cracks that lie beneath the surface of mc‐si solar wafers.

To solve the problems, the authors first set up a near infrared (NIR) imaging system to capture images of interior μ‐cracks. After being able to see the invisible μ‐cracks, a region‐growing flaw detection algorithm was then developed to extract μ‐cracks from the captured images.

The experimental results showed that the proposed μ‐cracks inspection system is effective in detecting μ‐cracks. In addition, the system can also be used for the inspection of silicon solar wafers for stain, pinhole, inclusion and macro cracks. The overall accuracy of the defect detection system is 99.85 percent.

At present, the developed prototype system can detect μ‐crack down to 13.4 μm. The inspection resolution is high but the speed is low. However, the limitation on inspection speed can easily be lifted by choosing a higher resolution NIR camera.

Generally, this paper is a great reference for researchers who are interested in developing automatic optical inspection systems for inspecting solar wafer for invisible μ‐cracks.

The research described in this paper makes a step toward developing an effective while low‐cost approach for revealing invisible μ‐crack of mc‐si solar wafers. The advantages provided by the proposed system include excellent crack detection sensitivity, capability of detecting hidden subsurface μ‐cracks, and low cost.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of praseodymium (Pr) additions (0, 0.05 and 0.5 wt%) on the mechanical properties and microstructure of SnAgCu solder joint during aging process. Moreover, the authors aim to indicate that the decreased soldification undercooling of Sn3.8Ag0.7Cu solder can suppress the formation of Ag3Sn plate to some extent.

The shear strength evolution of SAC, SAC‐0.05Pr and SAC‐0.5Pr solder joint were studied under 150°C aging process with STR‐1000. The effect of Pr additions on the solidification behavior of SnAgCu solder was also studied by differential scanning calorimetry. To study the microstructure evolution, the cross‐sections of all specimens were observed by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Meanwhile, the etchant, consisting of 20%HNO3+distilled water was used for deep etching to reveal the interfacial morphology.

The shear force reduction rate of SAC solder joint during aging was restrained by 0.05%Pr addition but promoted with 0.5% Pr addition. The growth of IMC layer of SnAgCu joint in the aging process was suppressed significantly by different amounts of Pr additions. However, the beneficial effect of Pr addition due to the suppression of IMC layer growth was weakened by the micro‐cracks formed in PrSn3 compounds in SnAgCu‐0.5Pr joint. Pr additions (0.05, 0.5 wt%) decrease the solidification undercooling of SnAgCu solder, which will suppress the formation of Ag3Sn plate to some extent.

Further studies are necessary for confirmation of the practical application, especially of the manufacturing technology of solder paste containing Pr.

The appropriate amount of Pr in Sn3.8Ag0.7Cu solder is about 0.05 wt%. It is found that SAC‐0.05Pr solder has an improvement in solder joint reliability in long aging processes. The results suggested the novel solder alloys can meet the requirements of high reliability application.

The paper demonstrates that: Pr additions promote the solidification of SAC solder; shear force reduction rate of SAC solder joint was reduced by 0.05%Pr addition; the IMC layer growth rate of SnAgCu solder joint was suppressed by Pr additions; and micro‐cracks were found in PrSn3 phases after aging.

This study aims to compare the friction and wear behaviors of Fe_68.3C_6.9Si_2.5 B_6.7P_8.8Cr_2.2Al_2.1Mo_2.5 bulk metallic glass (BMG) under sliding using dry, deionized water-lubricated and oil-lubricated conditions. The comparison was performed using a unidirectional ball-on-flat tribometer under different applied loads, and the results were compared to the properties of a conventional material, SUJ2. Fe-based BMG materials have recently been attracting a great deal of attention for prospective engineering applications.

As a part of the development of Fe-based BMGs that can be cost-effectively produced in large quantities, an Fe-based BMG Fe_68.8C_7.0Si_3.5B_5.0P_9.6 Cr_2.1Mo_2.0Al_2.0 with high glass forming ability was fabricated. In the present study, the friction and wear properties of Fe-based BMG has been comparatively evaluated under dry sliding, deionized water- and oil-lubricated conditions using a unidirectional ball-on-flat tribometer under different applied loads, and the results were compared to the properties of conventional material SUJ2.

The results show that the Fe-based BMG had better friction performance than the conventional material. Both the friction coefficient and wear mass loss increased with increasing load. The sliding wear mechanism of the BMG changed with the sliding conditions. Under dry sliding conditions, the wear scar of the Fe-based BMG was characterized by abrasive wear, plastic deformation, micro-cracks and peeling-off wear. Under water- and oil-lubricated conditions, the wear scar was mainly characterized by abrasive wear and micro-cutting.

In this investigation, the authors developed a new BMG alloy Fe_68.8C_7.0Si_3.5B_5.0P_9.6Cr_2.1Mo_2.0Al_2.0 to improve the friction and wear performance under dry sliding, deionized water- and oil- lubricated conditions.

The paper aims to investigate the friction and wear properties of three surface-modified piston rings matched with a chromium-plated cylinder liner.

Samples were taken from the chromium-plated cylinder liner, Cr-Al2O3 ring, CrN ring and Mo ring. Tribo-tests were conducted on a reciprocating sliding tribometer under fully formulated engine oils. Friction coefficients and wear depths of three friction pairs were tested. Surface morphologies of cylinder liners and piston rings before and after test were analyzed.

Experimental results show that in the Cr-Al2O3 piston ring, scuffing occurred easily when matched with the chromium-plated cylinder liner; compared with the Mo ring, the CrN ring could decrease the wear depth of the piston ring from 2.7 to 0.2 μm, and the wear depth of cylinder liner remained; however, the friction coefficient increased from 0.113 to 0.123. The tribological performances of three surface-modified piston rings were significantly different when they matched with chromium-plated cylinder liner.

Chromium-plated cylinder liner and the three kinds of surface-modified piston rings have excellent friction and wear properties, respectively. However, according to the systematic characteristics of internal combustion (IC) engine tribology, only the appropriate cylinder liner–piston ring can improve the tribological performance of the IC engine. This paper reports the tribological performance of three surface-modified piston rings matched with a chromium-plated cylinder liner. The results can be used as reference for the design of high-power-density diesel engine.

In cold areas, frost damage is the main factor for diminution of durability and serviceability of structures. Due to incessant freeze thaw regimes, micro cracks spread and deteriorate concrete to point of failure.

The study aims to evaluate the fresh and hardened properties of concrete after thirty freeze-thaw cycles tailored with carbon nano tubes. For this purpose, samples with 0.4, 0.45, 0.48, 0.5 and 0.55 water cement ratio while 0.5 and 1% carbon nano tube (CNT) content by weight of cement were prepared.

At 0.48 water cement ratio and 0.5% CNT by weight of cement workability reduced by 37% and water absorption reduced by 0.04%. But compressive strength, split tensile strength and flexural strength increased by 15.38, 33.02 and 15.75%, respectively, after 30 freeze thaw cycles. Also, weight loss reduced with addition of 0.5% CNT by weight of cement after freeze thaw cycles.

Novelty of this research is to tailor traditional concrete with new materials.

This paper aims to present the components' characterization and condition assessment of an important deteriorated Mamluk-illuminated paper manuscript housed in Al-Azhar Library, Egypt.

Different analytical techniques used in this study were the portable digital optical microscope, stereomicroscope, scanning electron microscope with EDX (SEM.EDX), portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), pH measurement and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).

The results obtained by different microscopes showed that the gilding in the surface of illuminated paper sheets was performed with gold leaves. Additionally, these microscopes revealed that the illuminated paper manuscript has different aspects of deterioration such as adhered dirt, staining, some micro-cracks, cracks and detachment of some parts in some illuminated areas. The results of elemental analysis by EDX, portable XRF and XRD analysis showed that the orange red pigment is red lead (Pb₃O₄), blue pigment is azurite (2CuCo₃.Cu (OH)₂), and the gold layer is has consisted of brass alloy (Cu-Zn) with a small amount of gold element (Au). The pH measurement stated that the historical paper in the acidity level. The ATR-FTIR analysis also revealed the oxidation of cellulose. Moreover, it was found from ATR-FTIR that Arabic gum was used as a binder for the pigments.

This study presents the important results of analytical methods used for condition assessment and identification of the components of an important Mamluk-illuminated paper manuscript, where these results referred that the studied paper manuscript had different aspects of deterioration. The conservation steps either conservation treatment or preventive conservation are urgently needed in future studies.

This paper aims to investigate the corrosion rate, surface morphology and composition of corrosion products of 20# seamless steel in aqueous CO₂ solution under stratified gas-liquid two-phase flow condition. The development of a corrosion products layer has also been discussed.

The following methods were used: weight loss method, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction.

The corrosion rate curve presents an irregular zigzag change trend with a gradual increase in time. The peak value of the corrosion rate appears when the corrosion time is 4 h and 8 h. The corrosion products layer is composed of two sub-layers: the inner dense layer that is about 6 µm thick and the outer loose layer that is about 9 µm thick when the corrosion time is 8 h. The main corrosion product are FeCO₃ and Fe₂O₃.

The atomic ratio of Fe/C/O is relatively stable for the inner dense layer, but changes in thickness for the outer loose layer. There is a densification stage after a loose corrosion products layer forms, and it is periodic.

This study aims to scrutinise the impact of fibre length and its composition on the tribological attributes of oil palm fibre (OPF) polymeric composite as an alternative brake friction material.

Fabrication of the sample was conducted by using a hot-compression method. The tribological test was carried out by deploying a ball-on-disk tribometer. Analysis of the data was then done by using the Taguchi approach as well as analysis of variance.

The results indicated that all design variables (fibre composition, length and treatment) are not statistically significant, as all p-values are greater than 0.05. Remarkably, irrespective of the fibre treatment, the wear rate and coefficient of friction (COF) distribution suggested that a smaller fibre length with a high fibre composition might enhance the composite’s tribological performance with COF of 0.4 and wear rate below than 1 × 10^–9 mm³/Nm. The predominant wear mechanisms were identified as micro-cracks, fine grooves and fibre debonding.

In this study, all-inclusive scrutiny needs to be carried out for further exploration.

The main contribution and novelty of this study are opening a new perspective on the formulation of new substances from bio-based material (i.e. OPF) that possess superior tribological characteristics for friction-based applications.