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Guzman, D., Aguilar, C., Rojas, P., Criado, J. M., Dianez, M. J., Espinoza, R., et al. (2019). Production of Ag-ZnO powders by hot mechanochemical processing. T. Nonferr. Metal. Soc., 29(2), 365–373.
Abstract: Ag-CdO composites are still one of the most commonly used electrical contact materials in low-voltage applications owing to their excellent electrical and mechanical properties. Nevertheless, considering the restriction on using Cd due to its toxicity, it is necessary to find alternative materials that can replace these composites. In this study, the synthesis of Ag-ZnO alloys from Ag-Zn solid solutions was investigated by hot mechanochemical processing. The hot mechanochemical processing was conducted in a modified attritor mill at 138 degrees C under flowing O-2 at 1200 cm(3)/min for 3.0 h. The microstructure and phase evolution were investigated using X-ray diffractometry, field emission gun scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results suggest that it is possible to complete the oxidation of Ag-Zn solid solution by hot mechanochemical processing at a low temperature and short time. This novel synthesis route can produce Ag-ZnO composites with a homogeneous distribution of nanoscale ZnO precipitates, which is impossible to achieve using the conventional material processing methods. Considering the fact that the fundamental approach to improving electric contact material performance resides in obtaining uniform dispersion of the second-phase in the Ag matrix, this new processing route could open the possibility for Ag-ZnO composites to replace non-environmentally friendly Ag-CdO.
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Guzman, D., Garcia, C., Soliz, A., Sepulveda, R., Aguilar, C., Rojas, P., et al. (2018). Synthesis and Electrochemical Properties of Ti-Si Alloys Prepared by Mechanical Alloying and Heat Treatment. Metals, 8(6), 417.
Abstract: The aim of this work was to study the synthesis and electrochemical properties of Ti 2 wt %-Si alloys prepared by mechanical alloying (MA) and heat treatment. The MA process was performed under Ar atmosphere. The structural, morphological, and compositional evolutions during the milling and subsequent heat treatment were investigated by X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The electrochemical behavior was evaluated by open circuit potential and linear sweep voltammetry measurements. The results showed that the MA process promotes the formation of a supersaturated alpha-Ti-Si solid solution. During heat treatment, the Si remaining in the mechanically alloyed powders and the Si from the alpha-Ti-Si supersaturated solid solution reacted with Ti to form Ti-Si intermetallic compounds. These compounds have a fine and homogeneous distribution in the alpha-Ti matrix, which cannot be achieved by conventional casting methods. Additionally, the electrochemical evaluations revealed that the mechanically alloyed and heat-treated Ti 2 wt %-Si powders have better corrosion resistance in 1.63 M H2SO4 than the pure Ti and MA Ti-Si samples. This is likely due to the particular microstructure produced during the milling and subsequent heat treatment.
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Murhula, E., Hashan, M., & Otsuki, A. (2023). Effect of Solid Concentration and Particle Size on the Flotation Kinetics and Entrainment of Quartz and Hematite. Metals, 13(1), 53.
Abstract: Despite the importance of solid concentration in froth flotation, its effect on flotation kinetics and entrainment has rarely been studied. In this study, the flotation kinetics and entrainment in quartz and hematite single-mineral flotation systems as a function of the solid concentration and particle size were investigated using dodecylamine acetate as a collector. Kinetics modeling showed that the Gamma distribution achieved the best agreement with the experimental data, whereas the Classical and Klimpel models poorly fit the data (e.g., RMSE). The flotation rate constants (k) of both quartz and hematite at a higher solid concentration showed a concave shape, with the inflexion point at the middle-size range, whereas this trend altered at lower solid concentrations. Overall, quartz exhibited higher equilibrium recoveries (R-infinity) than hematite, which indicates its better overall rate constants. The degree of water recovery in both the quartz and hematite systems was higher at higher solid concentrations, but the hematite system exhibited higher water R-infinity than the quartz system, meaning that the entrainment of gangue could be higher in direct hematite flotation than the reverse one. Therefore, a higher solid concentration is associated with better overall quartz recovery and can reduce hematite loss by entrainment during reverse flotation. An inverse relationship was identified between the solid concentration and particle size in terms of the ratio of water recovery to the concentrate. In the reverse flotation of iron ore, refraining from achieving equilibrium recovery could help limit entrainment, but this was not necessarily the case in direct flotation. No entrainment model or method other than the Warren and Ross model approximated the overall trends of flotation at the finest size range (-38 mu m). However, extending the Warren method to polynomial distribution led to an improved fit with the experimental results. In addition to the solid concentration, particle density and size were revealed to be key to developing new entrainment models. Finally, after the fast recovery period (true flotation) was over, the slow recoveries were mainly driven by the slow-floating water fraction.
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Vera, R., Valverde, B., Olave, E., Diaz-Gomez, A., Sanchez-Gonzalez, R., Munoz, L., et al. (2022). Corrosion Behavior of Copper Exposed in Marine Tropical Atmosphere in Rapa Nui (Easter Island) Chile 20 Years after MICAT. Metals, 12(12), 2082.
Abstract: Atmospheric corrosion of copper, exposed on a tropical island in the South-Central Pacific Ocean, was reported and compared with those of a very similar study at the same site conducted 20 years earlier. The new measurements-taken over three years of exposure, from 2010 to 2013-quantified corrosion by mass loss, characterized corrosion products by X-ray diffraction (DRX) and Raman techniques, observed the attack morphology by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and evaluated the patina resistance using electrochemical techniques. The results showed a copper corrosivity category of C4, and the main copper patina compound, cuprite, was porous, nonhomogeneous, and thin. Electrochemical measurements showed cuprite layer growth as a function of the exposure time, and the morphology did not favor corrosion protection. Finally, when comparing the results to those of a study 22 years previous, the copper corrosion rates increased only slightly, even with increased contaminants associated with growing local populations and continuous tourism on the island.
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