Materials and Technology https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech <div class="article"> <div class="article"> <p>Materials and Technology (MIT) is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access journal that publishes original scientific research in the field of materials and metallurgy. The journal is published six times a year in printed and electronic forms.</p> <p><strong>Focus and scope<br></strong>Materials and Technology publishes original scientific articles and review articles in the field of metallic and inorganic materials, polymers, nanomaterials, metallurgy and vacuum technology.<br><br><strong>Publisher</strong><br>Institute of Metals and Technology, Lepi pot 11, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia<br><br><strong>Co-publishers</strong><br>IMPOL Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenia • METAL Ravne, Slovenia • TALUM Kidričevo, Slovenia • Slovenian Materials Society (SDM)</p> <p>Publication of the journal is co-financed by the <a href="http://www.aris-rs.si/en/index.asp">Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (ARIS)</a>.</p> </div> </div> en-US mit@imt.si (Paul McGuiness) mit@imt.si (Miro Pečar) Wed, 09 Apr 2025 11:05:04 +0200 OJS 3.1.2.4 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 COMPARISON OF POWDER-BED FUSION, DIRECTED-ENERGY DEPOSITION AND HYBRID ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING OF Ti6Al4V COMPONENTS: MICROSTRUCTURE, CORROSION AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1423 <p>This study investigates the microstructure, corrosion resistance, and mechanical properties of Ti6Al4V components fabricated using powder-bed fusion (PBF), directed-energy deposition (DED), and hybrid additive manufacturing (HAM) for aerospace applications. To prevent ’ martensite formation, the samples were subjected to heat treatment. The microstructure was characterized using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electron-backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Corrosion resistance was assessed through potentiodynamic polarization tests, and mechanical properties were evaluated using Vickers hardness measurements. The PBF sample exhibited a fine, homogeneous microstructure with crystal grains and α-laths, while the DED sample showed visible deposition layers, a larger crystal grain structure, and α-lamella. The increased hardness of the DED sample was attributed to its higher nitrogen content, which acts as a solid-solution strengthening agent. Although the DED sample displayed lower thermodynamic stability, it demonstrated superior kinetic corrosion resistance compared to both the PBF and HAM samples.</p> Aleksandra Kocijan, Simon Malej Copyright (c) 2025 Materials and Technology https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1423 Fri, 28 Mar 2025 13:27:07 +0100 MICROSTRUCTURE CHARACTERISATION OF THE LASER-HYBRID-WELDED ALUMINIUM ALLOY EN AW-5454-D https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1384 <p>Microstructural characterisation was performed on EN AW-5454-D Al-alloy weld samples made with a laser-hybrid-welding process in a horizontal position. For this purpose, two pre-bent Al-sheets were used, with different thicknesses of 3.5 and 4 mm. The microstructural characterisation included scanning electron microscopy with microchemical analysis and electron-backscatter diffraction, as well as optical microscopy. The characterisation revealed that the microstructure consists of a primary α-aluminium phase and a minor Al<sub>6</sub>Mn phase. A fine-grained microstructure was identified in the weld metal. Hardness measurements of HV 0.5 were performed in the weld joint, where the results revealed that the hardness was reduced in the weld metal and the heat-affected zone in comparison with the base metal. A theoretical calculation of the chemical composition in selected areas of the weld was performed, which was compared with the results of EDX microchemical analysis obtained for each element. The comparison showed relatively good agreement.</p> Matjaž Balant, Črtomir Donik, Tomaž Vuherer, Rebeka Rudolf Copyright (c) 2025 Materials and Technology https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1384 Fri, 28 Mar 2025 13:32:31 +0100 SOIL CORROSION MECHANISM AND CORROSION RATE MODEL FOR LONG-DISTANCE PIPELINE JOINTS IN THE R-K REGION OF CHAD https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1344 <p>The long-distance oil pipeline in the R-K region of Chad has experienced frequent failures of heat-shrink sleeves, significantly impacting normal production in the oilfield. Therefore, a systematic study of the soil corrosion behaviour of pipelines after heat-shrink sleeve damage is essential before implementing targeted anti-corrosion measures to prevent and control soil corrosion. Through sample composition analysis, electrochemical testing, and immersion experiments on the crude oil pipeline in the specified area of Chad, as well as morphology and composition analysis of the corrosion products formed on the pipeline, the main cause of corrosion failure was inferred to be the high content of CO<sub>2</sub> and Cl? in the soil, as their synergistic effect induces pitting corrosion on the pipeline. Furthermore, the high humidity and abundant rainfall in the Chad region increase the corrosion risk. The primary soil corrosion products are Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> and FeCO<sub>3</sub>, along with small amounts of Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>, FeCl (OH), and CaCO<sub>3</sub>. The average corrosion rate along the pipeline soil line ranges from 0.10 to 0.13 mm a<sup>–1</sup>.</p> Lei Liu, Liang Ma, Haibin Han, Chao Zhang, Zhen Du, Zhenhuan Zhang, Minggang Li, Yanpeng Cao, Chenglei Liu, Weilong Liu Copyright (c) 2025 Materials and Technology https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1344 Mon, 31 Mar 2025 12:21:07 +0200 DEVELOPMENT AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF EPOXY-BASED HYBRID COMPOSITES FOR SUSTAINABLE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT IN AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATION https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1333 <p>This study aimed to develop and evaluate epoxy-based hybrid composites for sustainable helmet manufacturing, with a focus on protective equipment in industry. The hybrid composites incorporated jute, E-glass, and Prosopis juliflora fibers within an epoxy matrix, optimizing fiber configurations to enhance mechanical performance. Three distinct samples were fabricated using the hand lay-up technique: jute + glass + jute (Sample 1), glass + jute + glass (Sample 2), and glass + jute + Prosopis juliflora + glass (Sample 3). Mechanical testing, including tensile, flexural, and impact strength evaluations, was conducted according to ASTM standards. The results showed that Sample 3 exhibited the highest mechanical performance, achieving a tensile strength of 165.78 ± 1.20 MPa, a flexural strength of 311.6 ± 5.11 MPa, and an impact strength of 22 ± 2 J. The inclusion of Prosopis juliflora fibers significantly improved energy absorption and overall stiffness, making the composite suitable for applications requiring high-impact resistance, such as helmets. Furthermore, this hybrid composite demonstrated compatibility with electronic devices, addressing the increasing need for protective gear that accommodates integrated technology. This study demonstrated that the optimized hybrid composite configuration not only enhanced the mechanical properties of a helmet but also provided an eco-friendly solution for sustainable manufacturing. The findings contribute to the advancements in hybrid composite design, providing a potential pathway for the development of high-performance protective gear in various industries.</p> S. Dinesh, S. Balasubramani, A. R. Pradeepkumar, D. Nandhakumar, V. Hariharan, R. Sendil Kumar Copyright (c) 2025 Materials and Technology https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1333 Mon, 31 Mar 2025 12:33:01 +0200 PREDICTION AND RESEARCH OF DYNAMIC RECRYSTALLIZATION EVOLUTION IN HADFIELD STEEL TURNOUT CORES https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1305 <p>The microstructure uniformity of the Hadfield steel turnout core during forging is the key factor affecting the quality of the formed parts. The peak strain model, critical strain model and dynamic recrystallization model of the material were established using the stress-strain curve obtained with a hot compression experiment. The dynamic recrystallization model was used to predict the evolution of the grain size and dynamic recrystallization volume fraction during the forging process. The influence of process parameters on the microstructure uniformity of turnout core forgings was studied and optimized using the orthogonal test. The accuracy of the dynamic recrystallization model and numerical simulation was verified with the measurement of the grain size and comprehensive mechanical properties of the forging parts.</p> Hongchao Ji, Yupeng Zeng, Xiaomin Huang, Changzhe Song, Mingming Wang, Jingsheng Li Copyright (c) 2025 Materials and Technology https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1305 Thu, 03 Apr 2025 10:46:39 +0200 CTAB-ASSISTED SYNTHESIS OF MONODISPERSE SPHERICAL LiCO3 MICROCRYSTALS WITH AN ION-EXCHANGE METHOD https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1341 <p>Based on modeling and optimization of the traditional reactive crystallization process, the preparation conditions of monodisperse lithium carbonate crystals and the agglomeration mechanism of the reactive crystallization process were explored in order to develop a novel multi-stage cascade crystallization process. Monodisperse Li<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> spheres were successfully fabricated with a high yield using a facile ion-exchange route in the study. In order to achieve this goal, the effects of the reactant ratio, reaction time, hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) additive, and reaction temperature on the crystal morphology of lithium carbonate were investigated. The results revealed that the optimal experimental conditions for preparing spherical lithium carbonate are as follows: a reaction feed ratio of 1.5:1, reaction time of 9 h, reaction temperature of 85 °C, and addition of 1 % CTAB emulsifier.</p> Zhifu Wu, Zhaoyu Wu Copyright (c) 2025 Materials and Technology https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1341 Thu, 03 Apr 2025 10:51:12 +0200 ANALYSIS OF DAMAGE IN LOW-VELOCITY IMPACT-TESTED GFRP-ALUMINUM HONEYCOMB SANDWICH PANELS USING MATLAB https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1192 <p>Honeycomb sandwich structures are widely utilized in civil infrastructure applications due to their exceptional mechanical properties. To assess their damage tolerance and strength, low-velocity impact (LVI) tests are commonly performed. This study investigates the damage tolerance of a polyester pin-incorporated foam-filled honeycomb sandwich panel (PFHS) through LVI experiments, comparing it to a conventional foam-filled honeycomb sandwich panel (FHS). The comparison focuses on damage assessment metrics such as damaged area and microscopic examination of the damaged surface. Due to indistinct colors and irregular shapes of damage of LVI-tested panels, visual inspection methods often struggle to accurately determine the damaged area. To address this limitation, this study introduces a cost-effective approach based on digital image analysis and MATLAB programming to precisely quantify the damaged area and assess damage severity without requiring advanced instrumentation. The proposed method proved to be efficient, with results closely matching those obtained through visual inspection. Furthermore, an addition of polyester pin reinforcement significantly enhanced the interlayer crack resistance of the foam-filled honeycomb sandwich panels, resulting in a notable reduction in the impact damaged area.</p> P. V. Prasanth, R. S. Jayaram, S. Senthil Murugan, N. Kanthavelkumaran Copyright (c) 2025 Materials and Technology https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1192 Thu, 03 Apr 2025 10:57:04 +0200 EFFECT OF Sn ON CORROSION PROPERTIES OF HOMOGENIZED Mg-6Zn-0.25Ca MAGNESIUM ALLOY https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1335 <p>Effect of Sn on the corrosion properties of a homogenized Mg-6Zn-0.25Ca alloy was investigated. The corrosion resistance of ZX60 and ZXT601 alloys was analyzed using XRD, metallography, SEM, mass loss, hydrogen evolution, electrochemical polarization curve and impedance spectrum. The results indicate that Mg-6Zn-Sn-0.25Ca alloy is mainly composed of CaMgSn and MgZn<sub>2</sub> phases. After an addition of Sn, the grains are significantly refined, and the volume fraction of the second phase with disperse distribution increases. MgZn<sub>2</sub> phase precipitates as well. The addition of Sn can significantly improve the corrosion resistance of Mg-6Zn-0.25Ca alloy, which is mainly due to the smaller grain size, as well as uniformly and densely distributed CaMgSn phase of ZXT601 alloy. Therefore, the passive film formed in the corrosion process is more uniform. The corrosion resistance of ZXT601 alloy is much higher than that of ZX60 alloy.</p> Yingtao Hu, Zheng Jia, Ronghui Kou, Zihui Zhai, Xiaowei Niu Copyright (c) 2025 Materials and Technology https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1335 Thu, 03 Apr 2025 11:05:38 +0200 STUDY ON VULCANIZATION CHARACTERASTICS AND COMPOSIT PROPERTIES OF AEM/ACM WITHIN HMDC VULCANIZATION SYSTEM https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1297 <p>In the application field of rubber materials, ethylene acrylate rubber (AEM) provides advantages such as notable tensile strength, elongation and low-temperature resistance. However, AEM is expensive and susceptible to permanent compression deformation. In contrast, acrylate rubber (ACM) exhibits excellent high-temperature and oil resistance properties. This study aimed to solve the cost and compression deformation problems of AEM, and a rubber material combination scheme with both performance and cost advantages was developed by mixing AEM and ACM. The research innovation is the determination of the optimal increase in the use of inexpensive ACM while satisfying specific performance requirements, such as the elongation at break (250 %), tensile strength (12 MPa), and high-temperature aging performance (200 % beyond 190 °C, with a tensile strength of 9 MPa and a minimum brittleness temperature of 40 °C). First, the appropriate AEM/ACM ratio was determined according to the mechanical properties, and then, the influences of different dosages of vulcanizing agents on the sulfurization characteristics of the composite were examined in depth. The vulcanization characteristics, mechanical properties and activation energy of the composite were comprehensively studied to bridge relevant research gaps and provide comprehensive data support for the composite application. The results indicated that increasing the AEM dosage could significantly increase the ACM processing safety, physical performance and hot-air aging performance, and reduce the brittleness temperature. At an AEM/ACM ratio of 7:3, the comprehensive performance satisfied the design requirements. The use of the HMDC vulcanizer promoted the rapid vulcanization of the rubber mixture, with an activation energy of approximately 76.30 kJ/mol. With increasing HMDC dosage, the maximum torque (MH) first increased and then decreased, reaching a maximum value at 1.2 parts. Moreover, the positive vulcanization time, the hardness and tensile strength gradually increased, and the elongation at break gradually decreased. With increasing DOTG dosage, both the t10 and MH values decreased, the positive vulcanization time also decreased, the hardness and tensile strength slightly increased, and the elongation at break decreased. This study provides a new direction for the modification and application of rubber materials, which is important for promoting the research and development of high-performance and low-cost materials in the rubber industry. This approach helps expand the application range of rubber materials under high-temperature, high-pressure and high-requirement conditions and increases the overall quality and economic benefits of rubber products.</p> Xingbing Yang, Qian Wu, Wei Li, Xue Fu, Tingting Zhang, Qin Zhang Copyright (c) 2025 Materials and Technology https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1297 Thu, 03 Apr 2025 11:20:03 +0200 EFFECT OF WELDING PARAMETERS ON MECHANICAL AND MICROSTRUCTURAL PROPERTIES OF COLD METAL TRANSFER-WELDED THIN SHEET AISI 301LN STAINLESS STEEL https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1332 <p>Joining thin plates is a significant challenge in manufacturing, demanding precise control to produce high-strength, spatter-free welds. Cold metal transfer (CMT) welding, known for its minimal heat input, is a promising solution for this challenge. This study looks into the welding of AISI 301LN stainless steel thin sheets using the CMT technique, specifically the influence of important parameters such as welding current (I), welding speed (S), and contact-tip-to-workpiece distance (CTWD). Fractographic investigation using FESEM revealed characteristic dimpled and crack-free tensile fracture surfaces, indicating high mechanical integrity. Among the parameters, welding speed (S) had a highly influential impact on tensile strength, followed by welding current (I) and contact-tip-to-workpiece distance (CTWD). Ideal welding conditions include a current of 100&nbsp;A, a speed of 4 mm/sec, and a CTWD of 7 mm, producing welds with exceptional mechanical characteristics, complete penetration and a significant, 24.10 % increase in tensile strength. A drop in the microhardness of the weld zone is observed due to the formation of dendrites.</p> Ramakrishnan Anbalagan, Rameshkumar Thirupathi Copyright (c) 2025 Materials and Technology https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1332 Mon, 07 Apr 2025 11:58:52 +0200 EFFECTS OF Ni CONTENT ON THE MICROSTRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF ALUMINA/SILICON CARBIDE TOOL COMPOSITES https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1286 <p>Alumina-based ceramic composites are widely used for cutting tools owing to their high strength and oxidation resistance. However, their brittle nature and low toughness adversely affect their use and performance. In this study, alumina/silicon carbide (Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/SiC) composites with different mass fractions of Ni (5 %, 10 %, 15 %, and 20 %) were prepared via vacuum hot-press sintering to optimise their strength and toughness. The structural and mechanical properties of the composites were characterised using various techniques. The hardness and bending strength of the Ni-doped Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/SiC composites increased with the Ni content up to 10 % and decreased with a further increase in the Ni content. The maximum values of the hardness, bending strength, and fracture toughness were 7.19 GPa, 871.25 MPa, and 7.90 MPa·m<sup>1/2</sup>, respectively. Thus, the addition of Ni improved the mechanical properties overall and provided a toughening effect.</p> Tingting Liao, Xiaoya Shen, Fanchang Kong, XinYi Yang, Ruotong Tian, Lin He, Chenyang Zhu, Biao Guo, Pingping Liu, Jiehui Liu, Xi Zhang Copyright (c) 2025 Materials and Technology https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1286 Mon, 07 Apr 2025 12:10:29 +0200 APPLICATION OF ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY IN PREPARED Ni-Al LAYER BY A TWO-STAGE PROCESS https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1352 <p>A Ni-Al layer can provide substrate properties and has received widespread attention. This study investigates the morphology and composition of a Ni-Al layer fabricated on a steel substrate using a two-step method. Initially, an internal nickel layer was deposited via electroplating, followed by an aluminization process. The morphological and compositional characteristics of the resulting Ni-Al layer were analyzed using metallographic microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results revealed that the morphological changes to the Ni-Al layer are influenced by the aluminum content in the infiltration agent, and the data from AFM confirm this.</p> Ningning Li, Zhenjie Hao, Lei Xu, Xi Chen, Jin Peng, Leyu Wei, Mingqi Tang, Yuping Tong, Zicheng Ling, Yimin Li Copyright (c) 2025 Materials and Technology https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1352 Mon, 07 Apr 2025 13:02:46 +0200 PREPARATION OF Mg-7Sn-1Ca MAGNESIUM ALLOY AND STUDY OF ITS RESISTANCE SPOT WELDING MICROSTRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1331 <p>This paper investigated a 1.5-mm-thick Mg-7Sn-1Ca magnesium alloy through resistance spot welding, examining how the welding current affects the joint microstructure, nugget diameter and tensile strength. Various experimental techniques, including tensile tests, microhardness testing, optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, were employed for a detailed analysis. The optimal mechanical performance was achieved under conditions of 14 kA current, 1 kN pressure, and 0.4 s welding time, with a tensile strength of 1.0295 kN and nugget diameter of 2.25 mm. The welded joints mainly consist of a nugget zone and a heat-affected zone. The nugget zone exhibits the highest microhardness, significantly exceeding that of the heat-affected zone and the base metal. The nugget zone is primarily composed of equiaxed dendrites and columnar dendrites, with grain coarsening observed in both the nugget and heat-affected zones. The microstructural features, fracture-surface morphology, and microhardness distribution of the joints were thoroughly investigated. These analyses provide valuable data on joint performance, aiding in the further understanding and optimization of the welding process.</p> Xinyu Xu, Jing Hu, Zheng Jia Copyright (c) 2025 Materials and Technology https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1331 Mon, 07 Apr 2025 13:07:25 +0200 BOND STRENGTH OF GLASS-HYBRID AND GLASS-IONOMER MATERIALS TO SOUND AND CARIES-AFFECTED PRIMARY DENTINE https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1339 <p>Less invasive caries management is recommended for primary dentition, but little is known about how primary dentine demineralisation affects the adhesion of new formulations of glass-ionomer (GI) restorative materials. The study aimed to evaluate the microtensile bond strength (µTBS) of a glass-hybrid (GH), high-viscosity (HV-) and resin-modified (RM-) GI restoratives to sound (SD) and caries-affected (CAD) primary dentine. Occlusal cavities were prepared in 60 primary molars and randomly divided into SD and CAD. Teeth were divided into subgroups (n=6) and restored with a GH (Equia Forte HT), two HV-GI (Equia Fill, Ketac Molar), and two RM-GI (Fuji II LC, Photac Fill) materials. After thermal aging, µTBS and mode of failure were analysed. The overall bond strength was higher for SD than for CAD (p&lt;0.05, Mann-Whitney test). For both SD and CAD, Equia Forte and Equia Fill showed higher µTBS compared to other GI restoratives (p&lt;0.05, Kruskal-Wallis test). The most frequent mode of failure was adhesive, followed by mixed failure, with no differences between the subgroups (p&gt;0.05, chi-square test). Novel restorative formulations are likely to provide better bonding properties to both primary SD and CAD compared to previous generations of GI materials.</p> Tamara Peric, Jelena Vulovic, Bojan Petrovic, Jovana Kuzmanovic Pficer, Milos Beloica, Aleksandar Racic, Ivana Miletic, Dejan Markovic, John W. Nicholson Copyright (c) 2025 Materials and Technology https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1339 Mon, 07 Apr 2025 13:54:47 +0200 FRACTURE ANALYSIS OF CEMENTED-CARBIDE INSERTS FOR THE DRY CUTTING OF REPEN LIMESTONE https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1372 <p>This paper presents the results of an investigation into optimising dimension stone Repen extraction from Debela Griža quarry. Firstly, this was done by optimising parameters of Fantini GU.70-R/XC cutting chainsaw; it was determined that relatively quick Repen cutting can be achieved using the axial force of its blade between 40 and 75 N. Secondly, a few fractured and unfractured cemented carbide (WC-Co) inserts were metallographically prepared and examined under light optical microscope and SEM with EDS. Later, the samples were also etched for the presence of η-phase and had Vickers hardness tests performed on them. Fracture surface analysis showed that the main reason for insert fracture was hitting harder intrusions in stone. Furthermore, most of the fractured inserts had carbide grains smaller than 2,5 μm, thereby having lower fracture toughness. It was also discovered that samples with higher binder content and larger carbide sizes exhibited lower Vickers hardness. One of the fractured inserts also contained η-phase, further increasing its susceptibility to fracture.</p> Jože Kortnik, Boštjan Markoli, Matej Zupančič, Adam Zaky, Iztok Naglič Copyright (c) 2025 Materials and Technology https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1372 Tue, 08 Apr 2025 07:18:29 +0200 EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF THE LONG-TERM MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF BFRP BARS IN A CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENT https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1327 <p>With the rapid development of the emerging marine industry, more and more marine infrastructure projects use basalt-fiber-reinforced, composite-reinforcement (BFRP) tendons, which can fundamentally avoid the corrosion of steel bars. However, the degradation of the mechanical properties of BFRP bars in harsh corrosive environments is a growing concern. This study analyzes the tensile strength, interlaminar shear properties, and transverse shear characteristics of BFRP bars across five typical corrosive environments, i.e., pure water, weak acid, strong acid, weak alkali, and strong alkali, utilizing experimental methods and scanning electron microscopy. The results indicate significant differences in the mechanical properties of BFRP reinforcement across various corrosive environments. In particular, under strong acid (pH = 3) and strong alkali (pH = 13) conditions, basic mechanical properties are reduced, demonstrating the material’s sensitivity to extreme chemical environments. In distilled water (pH = 7), the mechanical properties of the BFRP reinforcement exhibit relatively high stability, supporting its potential applications in clean water. Moreover, it was observed that strong acid and alkali environments resulted in significant gaps and voids within the BFRP tendons, and the bonding between fibers and resin was weakened, further affecting their overall mechanical properties. In summary, this study offers a significant theoretical basis and experimental support for the long-term application of BFRP reinforcement in various corrosive environments, promoting its development in marine infrastructure.</p> Xiangliang Zhu, ZhenHua Guo, Liang Zhao Copyright (c) 2025 Materials and Technology https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1327 Tue, 08 Apr 2025 11:47:20 +0200 PREPARATION OF Mg-6Zn AND A STUDY ON ITS RESISTANCE-SPOT WELDING MICROSTRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1348 <p>This article investigates the effect of different welding currents on the microstructure, nugget diameter, and tensile strength of a 1.5-mm-thick Mg-6Zn magnesium alloy through resistance-spot welding. A detailed analysis is conducted using various experimental techniques, including tensile testing, microhardness testing, optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. When the current is 16 kA, the hardness and peak value are 62.45 HV and 1.108 kN, respectively. Therefore, when the current is 16 kA, the hardness in the fusion zone is the smallest and the peak value and fusion diameter are the largest, which is the optimal spot-welding parameter. The welded joint is mainly composed of a fusion zone and a heat-affected zone. The microhardness of the fusion zone is the highest, significantly higher than that of the heat-affected zone and the base material. The fusion zone is mainly composed of equiaxed and columnar dendrites, and grain coarsening is observed in both the fusion zone and the heat-affected zone. There are two types of fracture modes for welded joints. When the size of the weld core is small, it is the joint surface fracture, and when the size of the weld core is large, it is the button fracture. We conducted in-depth research on the microstructure characteristics, fracture morphology, and microhardness distribution of the joint.</p> Dongqi Zhang, Zheng Jia, Xiaowei Niu Copyright (c) 2025 Materials and Technology https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1348 Tue, 08 Apr 2025 13:38:32 +0200 INVESTIGATION OF THE WEAR-RESISTANCE CHARACTERISTICS OF ALUMINA-ZIRCONIA-TITANIA-COATED AL-6061 ALLOY FOR DIFFERENT PROCESSING PARAMETERS https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1346 <p>A ceramic coating is applied to the combustion chambers of diesel engines to reduce the heat transmission from the in-cylinder to the engine cooling system. Al alloy 6061 has moderate thermal stability and strength, which may not withstand the extreme heat and mechanical stresses generated in diesel engines. This necessitates protective coatings to enhance its wear resistance and thermal performance. Due to its strength and light weight, aluminum alloy 6061 is frequently utilized in commercial applications in the building, transportation, and related technical fields. For better qualities, coating powder made of alumina (Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>), zirconia (ZrO<sub>2</sub>), and titanium dioxide (TiO<sub>2</sub>) is applied to the engine cylinder’s substrate. The specimens were coated using the plasma-spray method. To ensure strong adhesion, a 50-µm-thick bond coat of NiCrAlY was applied to the substrate before adding the top coat. The surface and cross-section of the specimens were analyzed using a Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscope. X-ray diffraction analysis was performed to determine the structural and crystalline details. The performance of the coated specimens was then evaluated and compared to the uncoated ones. The specimen coated with a mixture of 35% Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, 15% ZrO<sub>2</sub>, and 50% TiO<sub>2</sub> demonstrated the best performance, with a wear rate of 0.03612 mm<sup>3</sup>/Nm and a coefficient of friction of 0.357. This ceramic coating formulation is suggested for automotive parts that need enhanced wear and thermal resistance to extend their service life</p> C. Suresh, D. R. P. Rajarathnam, A. P. Sivasubramaniam, G. Saravanan Copyright (c) 2025 Materials and Technology https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1346 Tue, 08 Apr 2025 13:44:01 +0200 Development and Characterization of Poly (methyl methacrylate) / Hydroxyapatite Bio-composites Treated with Antimicrobial Agent as a Bone Analogue Material https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1370 <p>In the field of bone tissue engineering, biocomposite materials that stimulate and promote the regeneration of broken bones tissues have become the focus of recent research. This research aims to fabricate a biocomposite material of PMMA and hydroxyapatite (HA) combined with various concentrations of curcumin and EGDMA for bone tissue scaffold engineering. A characterization of the fabricated samples was performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Atomic force microscopy (AFM), as well as mechanical properties to measure the tensile fracture and compressive strength of the samples. In order to develop antibacterial biomaterials for effective treatment and prevention of osteomyelitis, two typical strains of bacteria that cause osteomyelitis, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, were tested using an agar diffusion assay. Our results strongly indicate that the combination of HA and curcumin nanoparticles into PMMA polymer matrix with reinforced EGDMA for the production of biocomposite scaffolds offer significant potential for bone tissue applications, potentially improving their performance and effectiveness. In addition to the mechanical and morphological properties of the biocomposite (PMMA/HA/Curcumin), the composite had excellent antibacterial activity for the growth of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, which offers the potential for the application of the composite in bone tissue engineering applications.</p> Ali Al. Allaq, Jenan S. Kashan, Amal Ibrahim Mahmood, Farah M. Abdul-Kareem Copyright (c) 2025 Materials and Technology https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1370 Wed, 09 Apr 2025 10:58:58 +0200