Charged particles injected into dielectric material of artificial satellites may cause data flipping, command errors and charges in dielectric material properties. In this work we report the results of an evaluation of rare earth aluminates as possible radiation shields for its application in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite construction. With help of Geant4 software, we calculated the radiation dose that a target receives at a typical LEO (685 km) as a function of the shield thickness. The target used was a silicon plate, the shields used were hollow cubes of rare earth aluminate walls (YAlO3, LaAlO3, NdAlO3 and GdAlO3), and we also used aluminium oxide (Al2O3). The radiation source was the measured fluxes of electron and proton with a spectrum corresponding to a LEO. We found that of the total radiation dose received by the target without shield is 5847 microGy/hour, of which, the electrons contribute with 94.9% and the protons with 5.1%. The rare earth aluminates are a better shield than the Al2O3 to protect a target against the radiation that permeates a LEO near to equator.
Three different grain sizes were used to deposit NiAl and Ni3Al intermetallic coatings on 304 type SS by thermal spraying powder and HVOF (High Velocity Oxygen Fuel) processes. Coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and their characteristics are described as a function of particle size and coating process applied. The corrosion resistance of coatings was evaluated through open circuit potential, potentiodynamic polarization and linear polarization resistance tests in a 1.0 M NaOH solution at room temperature (25 °C). It was observed that the spray process and the particle size have an effect on the electrochemical behavior of coatings tested. Different coatings showed no significant variations in current densities, but were one order of magnitude greater than those of the base alloy; corrosion potentials of coatings were more negative than those of its base alloy regardless of particle size and have similar values.
Superalloys are a group of alloys based on nickel, iron, or cobalt, which are used to operate at high temperatures (T> 540°C) and in situations involving very high stresses like in gas turbines, particularly in the manufacture of blades, nozzles, combustors, and discs. Besides keeping its high resistance to temperatures which may approach 85% of their melting temperature, these materials have excellent corrosion resistance and oxidation. However, after long service, these components undergo mechanical and microstructural degradation; the latter is considered a major cause for replacement of the main components of gas turbines. After certain operating time, these components are very expensive to replace, so the microstructural analysis is an important tool to determine the mode of microstructure degradation, residual lifetime estimation, and operating temperature and most important to determine the method of rehabilitation for extending its life. Microstructural analysis can avoid catastrophic failures and optimize the operating mode of the turbine. A case study is presented in this paper.
Background: Corrosion in industrial structures has generated much concern with regard to material loss, especially in the oil production. Organicmolecules can act as inhibitors because they can be adsorbed at the metal-solution interface, replacing the water molecules and thereby inhibiting the metal dissolution. In general the imidazoline derivatives have unique structure that make them efficient corrosion inhibitors in CO2 environments. Castor oil is the only unsaturated fatty acid occurring in natural vegetable oils with a functional hydroxyl group in the 12C. The presence of OH groups in the fatty acid chains makes the oil unusually polar. Therefore, based on its molecular structure, castor oil or its derivatives can be used as an effective corrosion inhibitor. Methods: Inhibitor used was a hydroxyethyl-imidazoline derivate based on castor oil. Concentrations of inhibitor used were 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 ppm. Corrosivesolutionusedwasa CO2 saturated mixture (90:10, of 3% NaCl solution and diesel) at 50°C. Corrosion tests were carried out by real-time monitoring and EIS measurements. Results: Real-time monitoring showed that the castor oil-based imidazoline has an inhibition efficiency greater than 99%. From EIS measurementstwodifferentbehaviors were obtained. Evolution of the EIS spectra was similar for additions of 5, 10 and 25 ppm, and for 50 and 100 ppm it was different. For 5, 10 and 25 ppm the evolution of the spectrum in the high frequency region was the characteristic fingerprint of the self-assembled of the oil-based imidazolines. However, for 50 and 100 ppm after 9 hours, the time constant decreased as time passed. This behavior could be due to the presence of the functional groups in the oily-tail which tend to interact with the metallic surface forming a denser inhibitor film. The molecular reactivity (HOMO and LUMO) of the optimized molecule of inhibitor showed that LUMO is moved to unusual location the middle of the molecule due to the presence of double bond in 39C-41C and the hydroxyl group in 45C. Conclusion: Real-time corrosion measurements showed that the inhibition efficiency was greater than 99%. From EIS measurements two different behaviors are observed. Presence of the functional groups in the alkyl chain tend to interact with the metal surface. Quantum chemical calculations showed that LUMO is located in the alkyl chain, favoring a flat-adsorption process. Keywords: Castor oil, green inhibitor, imidazoline, electrochemical sweet corrosion.
In this paper, the perovskite-type oxide La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3 was evaluated as a novel negative electrode material for Ni/oxide rechargeable batteries. The structure and morphology of the as-prepared powder was studied by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The electrochemical performance of the perovskite-type oxide was investigated using chronopotentiometric, chronoamperometric and potentiodynamic polarization techniques. The maximum discharge capacity values of the perovskite-type electrodes were obtained during the first three cycles (51, 172 and 462 mAh g−1 at 298, 313 and 333 K, respectively). The maximum adsorption capability of hydrogen in the perovskite-type electrode was 1.72% wt. hydrogen at a current rate of 125 mA g−1, 333 K and 6 M KOH. The cycling ability was fairly good with 64% capacity conservation after 20 cycles at 333 K. The electrochemical evaluation was also performed using different electrolyte concentrations; interestingly, the maximum discharge capacity of the perovskite-type electrodes increased in a linear-like manner with the incremental changes in electrolyte concentration. The hydrogen diffusion coefficient and exchange current density were also estimated to discuss the kinetics of the process.
Palm oil production is among the highest worldwide, and it has been mainly used in the food industry and other commodities. Currently, a lot of palm oil production has been destined for the synthesis of biodiesel; however, its use in applications other than the food industry has been questioned. Thereby for a sustainable development, in this paper the use of palm oil of low quality for corrosion inhibitors synthesis is proposed. The performance of the synthesized inhibitors was evaluated by using electrochemical techniques such as open circuit potential measurements, linear polarization resistance and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results indicate that the fatty amides from palm oil are excellent corrosion inhibitors with protection efficiencies greater than 98%. Fatty amides molecules act as cathodic inhibitors decreasing the anodic dissolution of iron. When fatty amides are added, a rapid decrease in the corrosion rate occurs due to the rapid formation of a molecular film onto carbon steel surface. During the adsorption process of the inhibitor a self-organization of the hydrocarbon chains takes place forming a tightly packed hydrophobic film. These results demonstrate that the use of palm oil for the production of green inhibitors promises to be an excellent alternative for a sustainable use of the palm oil production. Keywords: Palm oil, Sustainable development, Corrosion inhibitor, Fatty amides, Electrochemical techniques
The effect of Cu additions (1, 3 and 5 at.-%) on the corrosion behaviour of Al in 0.5 M H2SO4 + 2 ppm hydrofluoric acid + methanol at 50°C, environment found in a direct methanol fuel cell, has been evaluated using electrochemical techniques. Electrochemical techniques included potentiodynamic polarisation curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and electrochemical noise measurements measurements. Methanol concentrations included 1, 5, 10 and 20 M. Results have shown that corrosion resistance increases with increasing the methanol concentration. The addition of Cu to Al increases the corrosion rate of the former by the formation of micro galvanic cells, inducing localised typo of corrosion also.
In this study, the effect of the addition of Nd 3+ ions as a corrosion inhibitor of the API X70 steel in a medium rich in chlorides was evaluated. The performance of the Nd 3+ ions was evaluated by means of electrochemical techniques such as potentiodynamic polarization curves, open circuit potential measurements, linear polarization resistance, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, as well as by means of scanning electron microscopy and EDS measurements. The results showed that Nd 3+ ions reduce the corrosion rate of steel at concentrations as low as 0.001 M Nd 3+ . At higher concentrations, the inhibition efficiency was only slightly affected although the concentration of chloride ions was increased by the addition of the inhibitor. The adsorption of the Nd 3+ ions promotes the formation of a protective layer of oxides/hydroxides on the metal surface, thereby reducing the exchange rate of electrons. Nd 3+ ions act as a mixed inhibitor with a strong predominant cathodic effect.