Percentage Elongation Research Articles

Investigation on flux design & their effect on the mechanical properties of the SAW of Duplex Stainless Steel-2205

Abstract The SAW fluxes for Duplex Stainless Steel (DSS)-2205 are not easily available. Generally, the available flux configuration is suitable for different grades of stainless steel but not suitable for the DSS. The current research aims to formulate the flux for DSS-2205 by varying the different flux ingredients and to investigate the impact of linear flux ingredients and their binary mixture effect on the mechanical characteristics of the butt joining of DSS-2205. The technique of extreme vertices design suggested by McLean and Anderson is employed to develop twenty-one fluxes. The effect of twenty-one flux ingredients was analyzed on the fabricated weldment’s characteristics such as ultimate tensile strength (UTS), percentage elongation, impact strength, and microhardness. In this research, a mathematical model has been developed for UTS, percentage elongation, impact strength and microhardness of weld specimens in terms of the flux ingredients. It is found from the experiments that the tensile strength and percentage elongation of weldments is increased by the flux ingredients such as silica (SiO2) and magnesium-oxide (MgO), while the alumina (Al2O3) and calcium fluoride (CaF2) has decreasing effect on UTS. Impact strength is found to be decreased by the linear effect of Al2O3. Excluding CaF2, all the linear flux ingredients have an increasing effect on the microhardness of the weld metal. Increased binary effect of Al2O3.CaF2, Al2O3.MgO, and MgO.CaF2 flux ingredients are found on the UTS, percentage elongation, impact strength and microhardness of the weldment. For the adequacy of the developed regression model, analysis of variance (F-statistics) is used for all the regression equations.

The efficiency of isocyanate coating on the basalt fibre surface for the mechanical performance of elastomeric polyurethane composites

The influence of the isocyanate layer on fibre surface to mechanical, thermo-mechanical, processing, and morphological properties of basalt fibre (BF) reinforced elastomeric polyurethane (EPU) composites was examined by utilizing tensile test data and Shore hardness measurements, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), melt flow index (MFI) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. BF was modified with an isocyanate functional group containing silane modifier. Isocyanate moieties on BF surface were confirmed via functional group analysis by infrared spectroscopy. SEM/EDX analysis was also used to visualize the sized and desized BF surfaces. Composite samples were fabricated using conventional processing methods, including extrusion and injection molding. Silane covering involving isocyanate functional group on fibre positively affected the tensile strength and tensile modulus of composites. Percent elongation of EPU showed a reduction trend with the incorporation of both sized and desized BF. The shore hardness of EPU increased by BF inclusions. According to DMA results, higher storage modulus values were obtained for surface-modified BF-filled composites compared to desized BF ones. BF additions resulted in no remarkable change in the MFI parameter of EPU. SEM images represented visual evidence for enhancement in mechanical performance by investigating better adhesion of the isocyanate layer of BF to EPU matrix concerning desized BF. The importance of surface sizing on BF surface in the case of BF-reinforced EPU composite applications was evaluated based on the compatibility of composite phases.

Effect of friction stir processing on wire arc additively manufactured ER70S-6/SS308L bimetallic FGM

In this research, wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) is employed to fabricate a bimetallic steels component using ER70S-6 and SS308L. However, this process involves high power densities and significant heat inputs, which elevate the risk of unfavorable grain structures and defects. To mitigate this issue, friction stir processing (FSP) is applied, utilizing a unique tool featuring a flat shoulder without a pin. The resulting samples undergo testing for mechanical and metallurgical properties. The microstructure of ER70S-6 reveals ferrite with small amounts of pearlite at the grain boundaries. The upper portion of the deposited sample exhibits more pronounced grain refinement compared to the lower section, largely due to the rapid cooling rate and thermal cycling effects during layer deposition. This grain refinement is attributed to dynamic recrystallization, which enhances the hardness of the FSP-treated sample relative to its initial as-deposited state. Tensile tests indicate a significant increase in tensile strength, accompanied by a reduction in percentage elongation after FSP. The fatigue crack growth rate is higher along the longitudinal direction of bi-metallic joint as compare to transverse to the joint.

Production and testing of Al-12%Si composites strengthened with ZrO2 using an innovative disintegrated melt deposition manufacturing technique

Abstract This study aims to produce Al 12% Si-ZrO2 composites using the Disintegrated Melt Deposition (DMD) technique and assess their microstructure and mechanical properties. The Al-12%Si alloy is recognized for its strength and corrosion resistance, making it valuable in industries such as shipbuilding and aviation. ZrO2, a ceramic known for its corrosion resistance and hardness, enhances the strength and hardness of the composites. It also reduces elongation percentage and promotes lubrication between silicon and aluminum in the matrix alloy. Specimens with varying ZrO2 wt.% (AS, AS0.5Z, AS1Z, AS1.5Z, AS2Z, AS2.5Z, AS3Z) were fabricated from DMD process. Results indicated that hardness increased from 59.7 HB (as cast) to 75.2 HB (2.5 wt.% ZrO2), with a slight decrease at 3 wt.% ZrO2. Elongation percentage decreased from 12.3% to 8.5%, ultimate tensile strength ranged from 239.2 MPa to 281.9 MPa, ultimate compression strength from 313.7 MPa to 375.6 MPa, and impact energy absorbed increased from 3.6 J to 5.3 J. These findings suggest potential applications of aluminum-12% Si-ZrO2 composites in various applications by improving their properties.

Investigations on the mechanical characteristics of Flux-Bound TIG-welded UNS S32760 Super Duplex Stainless Steel

In the current work, the mechanical properties of Flux Bound Tungsten Inert Gas (FB-TIG) welds on UNS S32750 Super Duplex Stainless Steel (SDSS) produced using three flux powders viz., Silicon Dioxide (SiO2), Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) and Vanadium Pentoxide (V2O5) are investigated. Initially, tension tests were conducted to analyse the yield strength, tensile strength, and percentage elongation of the three FB-TIG welds. The highest values of yield and tensile strengths were obtained for the TiO2 FB-TIG weld, with all the welds exhibiting very good yield and tensile strength values. Then the fracture toughness of the welds was investigated by impact testing at two different temperatures, i.e. (i) at room temperature and, (ii) at sub-zero temperature of -46 °C, which is close to the Ductile to Brittle Transition Temperature (DBTT) of the SDSS base metal. The maximum value of room temperature fracture toughness was obtained for the TiO2 flux and the maximum sub-zero fracture toughness was obtained for the SiO2 flux. Furthermore, the fracture surfaces of the materials were examined by SEM fractographic examinations to analyse the mode of fracture. At the sub-zero temperature, the FB-TIG weld with V2O5 flux showed a mixed mode of fracture exhibiting both ductile and brittle mechanisms.

Pengaruh Penambahan Gliserol dan Kaolin serta Variabel Suhu pada Pembuatan Bioplastik dari Kulit Pisang Raja

Bioplastic is a kind of plastic made from natural polymers such as starch with a mixture of plasticizers and fillers. Banana peel (Musa paradisiaca L) can be used as a source of starch because it contains high starch, which is approximately 80%. This study was aimed to determine the effect of variations in glycerol concentration, kaolin concentration, and stirring temperature on the characteristics of the bioplastic, where glycerol and kaolin act as plasticizers and fillers. The experiment was conducted by mixing raw materials in the form of banana peel powder, glycerol, and kaolin. The concentrations of glycerol and kaolin were varied at 5%; 10%; 15%; 20%; 25% v/w starch, and 5%; 10%; 15%; 20%; 25% w/w starch, respectively, until bioplastic with optimum mechanical properties was obtained. Furthermore, the experiment was continued with temperature variations of 65°C; 70°C; 75°C; 80°C; and 85°C. The quality of bioplastics was examined through the thickness, tensile strength, elongation percentage, water absorption, biodegradation, and FTIR tests. Optimum results were obtained in bioplastics with a glycerol concentration, kaolin concentration, and stirring temperature of 20%, 15%, and 75oC, respectively. The relatively best bioplastics yielded had characteristics of a thickness of 0.084 mm, tensile strength of 13.047 MPa, elongation of 13.13%, and water absorption of 3.56%. These results have met Indonesia's national standards for bioplastics.

The use of bioresin composites created with five different vegetable oils such as soybean oil, palm oil, rapeseed oil, cottonseed oil, linseed oil in the automotive industry

AbstractIn this study, novel bioresin was prepared together with epoxy resin with five different plant oils such as soybean oil, palm oil, rapeseed oil, cottonseed oil, and flaxseed oil. The samples were formed by adding jute/flax intraply fiber to the bioresin formed by adding these vegetable oils to the epoxy at 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%. While producing these composites, vacuum assisted resin transfer molding method was preferred. Tensile, flexural, impact test, thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetric analysis were applied to samples. Moreover, fiber behavior and delamination of composites were examined by morphological analysis. Tensile test outcomes showed cottonseed oil with 40% oil additive and canola oil with 10% oil addition gave higher strength values to the pure epoxy sample. In the impact test, samples with 20% oil added had an average of 2.7–3.44 times higher absorbed energy. Thermal analysis results indicated 10% and 20% oil addition to epoxy raised the glass transition temperature by an average of 6.65–18.6°C and lowered the decomposition temperatures by 11–24°C. These samples, created by adding vegetable oil to the epoxy without chemical treatment, give the composites considerable elasticity and will be used in areas such as the automotive, construction and aerospace industries.Highlights Adding plant oil to epoxy creates sustainable and environmentally composite. The usage of plant oils will reduce dependence on petroleum‐based epoxy. The use of plant oil will further pave the way for green composites. Elasticity and energy absorption characteristics of the material are improved. Elongation percent and glass transition temperature of the material improved.

Submergence tolerance in rice: A comprehensive screening of 250 Indian landraces for resilience under water stress

As erratic rainfall and flooding pose serious threats to rice yields, submergence tolerance is critical for sustainable cultivation. This study screened 250 Indian rice landraces at the seedling stage to identify genotypes capable of surviving submergence stress. Advanced statistical analyses, including trait association, variability, principal component analysis and cluster analysis, revealed the genetic and phenotypic factors influencing submergence stress tolerance. Significant variability was observed among the genotypes for key traits, such as shoot elongation, leaf regeneration and survival percentage. Diversity analysis through cluster analysis indicated that cluster III, particularly IRGC93, IRGC535 and IRGC706, exhibited survival rates exceeding 85%, highlighting their potential as donor lines for submergence tolerance. Further biochemical analysis of selected lines with survival percentages greater than 50% revealed that tolerance is associated with greater chlorophyll and non-structural carbohydrate retention percentages. The findings emphasize the importance of genetic variability and heritability in breeding resilient rice varieties for flash flooding conditions. This research contributes to advancing rice breeding strategies to produce submergence-tolerant varieties, thereby promoting the sustainability and productivity of paddy production systems.

Characterisation of dissimilar metal weldments of titanium alloys Ti-64 and Ti-6246 made using electron beam and rotary friction welding

Abstract Welding of dissimilar Titanium alloys viz. Ti-64 and Ti-6246 by fusion processes is challenging due to their different physical properties. Such alloys find applications in turbine disks and blades. The alloys were welded using Electron Beam Welding (EBW) and Rotary Friction Welding (RFW) processes. In this paper, metallurgical and mechanical properties of welded joints between the Titanium alloys were examined and reported. Microstructures, electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD) analysis, and residual stresses were also examined. The EBW weld was free of defects such as porosity and inclusions. Furthermore, RFW weld was also free of any defects. SEM and EBSD analysis also support this conclusion. The coarse columnar beta grains with thin needle-like alpha can be observed in the fusion zone of the EBW weldments. The grains appeared to have been refined in the deformation zone (DZ) due to dynamic recrystallization (DRX) in the RFW joints. The yield and ultimate tensile strengths of EBW weldments were 977 MPa and 1051 MPa respectively. While that of RFW weldments, 960 MPa and 1039 MPa. The percent elongation of the EBW weldments and RFW weldments was 14.2 and 10.28 respectively. The welds were stronger than the base metal in both the weldments as the fracture occurred in the Ti-64 base metal and not in the weld during tensile test. The microhardness of the fusion zone of EBW weldments was approximately 430 HV to 460 HV. While that of weld nugget of RFW weldments was 380 HV. The mechanical properties indicate that either of the welding processes is suitable for welding the alloys.


COMPARATIVE REVIEW OF PROPERTIES OF STEELS USED IN NIGERIA TO FORESTALL BUILDING COLLAPSES

This research analyzed the mechanical properties of reinforcing steel bars used in Nigeria and compared them to four different standards (AISI 1018, ASTM A706, BS4449, and NST-65-Mn). This was done as a result of frequent building collapses in Nigeria, which has revealed the knowledge gap between what the designers expect and the true mechanical properties of the products they typically receive from manufacturers. Related literature from published articles was collected and analyzed based on the mechanical properties of locally produced and imported steels. Results showed that the tensile strength, yield strength, hardness, percentage elongation, and percentage carbon composition of most products met and exceeded the requirements of AISI 1018, ASTM A706, BS4449, and Nst-65-Mn when compared, while some fell below what these standards required. Federated Steel Mills Limited, Ogun State, has the highest tensile stress value at 799.49 MPa, followed by Real Steel Reinforcing Pty Limited, Auckland, New Zealand, at 726.34 MPa, and Landcraft Industries Limited, Ikorudu, Lagos, at 708.3 MPa, according to a yield and tensile strengths analysis of 16 mm steel bars produced locally and imported. The lowest tensile strengths ever reported are 410 MPa for African Steel Nig. Limited, Ikorodu, Lagos, and 538.51 MPa for steel imported from Brazil. It is hoped that the data from this study will bridge the knowledge gap between the team players in this field, thus preventing catastrophe.

Fracture Surface Morphology of the Impact-Loaded Tempered Spring Steels

The objective of this study is to evaluate the surface morphology of 51CrV4 and 55Cr3 spring steels after undergoing tempering and testing at various temperatures, with a focus on dynamic fracture behavior. For this purpose, 51CrV4 and 55Cr3 spring steel samples were normalized at 870°C for 30 minutes for the same initial microstructure. Then, samples were austenitized at 870°C for 30 minutes and rapidly quenched in oil following tempering at 300°C-525°C range for 2 hours. Tensile tests at room temperature were performed to identify tensile properties, especially percent elongation values. CharpyV notched impact tests were carried out at -40, 0, room temperature, and +80°C testing temperatures to examine the fracture surface morphology of steels according to heat treatment procedures and testing (environmental) temperature. The fracture surfaces were examined by micro and macro analysis, respectively achieved by a digital camera and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Mix mode (ductile and brittle) fracture (quasi-cleavage type) was detected for all quenched and tempered steels. Increasing tempering and testing temperatures resulted in more ductile fractures with many dimple formations and fewer secondary cracks.

Analysis of Tensile Strength and Percent Elongation of Edible Composite Film from Milkfish Bone Gelatin and Red Algae Carrageenan

This research aims to develop an innovative solution to reduce the problem of plastic waste by designing and optimizing an edible film formula using milkfish bone gelatin and red algae as edible film composite materials. Milkfish gelatin was chosen because it can form an elastic and strong film, while red algae provides softness and resistance to microorganism activity. This research consists of several stages, including gelatin extraction, carrageenan extraction from Eucheuma cottonii and formulating composite edible films. Based on the results of the analysis carried out, the average yield of milkfish bone gelatin was 10.55% and the average yield of E.cottonii carrageenan extract was 20.62%. The thickness of composite edible film ranges from 0.15-0.25 mm, the highest tensile strength value is 6.3 MPa and the lowest is 3 MPa, and the highest percent elongation of edible film is 80% and the lowest is 36.67%. The values ??obtained are in accordance with the JIS 2-1707 (Japan Industrial Standard) (1946) standard.

Physical, Morphological, Tensile, and Thermal Stability Characteristics of Novel Tinospora Cordifolia Natural Fiber

ABSTRACT This article presents an analysis on the characterization of the natural fibers from the stem of Tinospora cordifolia plant/vine. Several characterizations/measurements were carried out on the water retted fibers to ascertain their properties. These included diameter and density measurements, X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis, chemical composition by gravimetric method, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, single fiber tensile tests, and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The fibers had an average diameter of 202 µm and density of 0.6 g/cm3. The SEM images revealed a rough surface which highlights the potential for good adhesion with the polymer matrix. The Crystalline Index (C.I) and Crystallite Size (C.S) obtained from the XRD spectra were 60.19% and 2.56 nm, respectively. Amount of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and extractives in the fiber were 65%, 12%, 17%, and 6%, respectively. FTIR analysis revealed the presence of major constituents of the natural fiber such as cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. The tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and percentage elongation at break of the fiber were 484 ± 100 MPa, 22 ± 4 GPa, and 3.8 ± 1%. The onset of thermal degradation (Tonset) and maximum thermal degradation (Tmax) temperatures were 259°C and 368°C, respectively. Mechanical and thermal properties of the fiber were satisfactory when compared with popular natural fibers.

Development and in vitro tuning of empagliflozin-containing dissolvable microneedle patch for enhanced transdermal delivery.

This painless method allows drugs to penetrate the outer skin layer, offering several advantages over alternative administration routes, including ease of use and the ability to bypass enterohepatic circulation. Among transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS), microneedle patches (MNPs) are emerging as an innovative approach for minimally invasive drug delivery, enhancing the skin permeation of substances ranging from macro to micro sizes. This study explores dissolvable microneedle patches (dMNPs) as a novel method to improve the systemic delivery of empagliflozin, an SGLT-2 inhibitor, commonly used to manage type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, its oral administration poses challenges due to rapid absorption, variable bioavailability, and a moderate half-life that necessitates frequent dosing. The microneedle patches were manufactured using a mold-based solvent casting technique, utilizing a polymer-drug combination that dissolves upon skin application. The development of the dMNPs involved polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyvinyl alcohol. Characterization of the formulated dMNPs included scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), dissolution testing, tensile strength analysis, percentage elongation measurement, mechanical strength assessment, and skin irritation studies. The optimized dMNP formulation (MP6) exhibited notable characteristics such as sharp, uniform, pyramid-shaped needles, stability at elevated temperatures, crystalline structures of the drug and polymers, controlled weight loss upon heating, effective drug dissolution, optimal tensile strength, penetration depth, moisture content, elongation capability, and a favorable release rate. In vitro release demonstrated the enhanced properties of the dissolvable microneedle patches, with zero-order kinetics identified as the most suitable model for MP6 based on regression coefficient analysis. Overall, the characterization studies, in vitro skin irritation evaluation, confirmed the stability and biocompatibility of the optimized dMNPs, making them suitable for transdermal application.

Evaluation of the Food Barrier and Mechanical Properties of Carrageenan-Starch Composite Films.

Single use plastics are a leading source of microplastics that have been detected along the food chain. This study evaluated the potential of starch (ST) and carrageenan (CRG) in packaging film formulation. CRG isolated from the seaweed (SW) Eucheuma denticulatam was blended with starch and cast to obtain films whose moisture content (MC), total soluble matter (TSM), degree of solubility (DS), water vapor permeability (WVP), opacity (O), contact angles (CA), moisture absorption (MA), and percent elongation (PE) were evaluated. The films' morphology, crystallinity, opacity, thermal profile, and functional groups were then studied by scanning electron microscopy, powder diffraction, UV-Vis, thermal gravimetry, and infrared spectroscopy. From the results obtained, the SWF films exhibited a higher MC, DS, and TSM than CRG and CRG-ST films but lower DC values. The PE of CRG films was lower than that of SWF (30%) though incorporation of ST increased the PE of CRG-ST. However, SWF films had WVP of 2.25 × 10-7 gs-1m-1Pa-1, compared to 3.65 × 10-7 gs-1m-1Pa-1 of CRG, 2.73 × 10-7 gs-1m-1Pa-1 of CRG-ST and a moisture absorption of 29.29 ± 3.5 as compared to 17.29 ± 0.87 of CRG and 23.80% ± 4.12% of CRG-ST. The opacities were found to be 41.02, 79.89, and 42.23 for SWF, CRG, CRG-ST while the contact angles were found to be 72.86, 80.93, 65.57 for SWF, CRG, and CRG-ST, respectively. Moreover, the films were impermeable to vegetable oil, had carbohydrate functional groups, good thermal stabilities, and trace micronutrients. In conclusion, this study formulated packaging films with enhanced food barrier and mechanical properties that can potentially replace single use packaging films.

Cassava Peel - Cowpea Hull Blended Agro-Waste Fillers: Effect on Mechanical, Morphological and Degradation Properties of Polypropylene

Abstract: This study is aimed at harnessing the effect of cassava peel and cowpea hull blended agro-waste on the mechanical, morphological and degradation properties of polypropylene and recycled polypropylene. Fine powders of mesh size of 75µm cassava peel and cowpea hull were homogeneously mixed at the ratio of 50:50 to form the hybrid filler. The virgin pellets of PP and recycled polypropylene (rPP) were filled with varying weight percentages (5, 10, 15, 20) of the blended filler and the composites produced via injection moulding technique. The mechanical properties; tensile strength, percentage elongation at break, hardness, compressive strength, and shear modulus were studied according to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. The morphological properties were studied with a Scanning Electron Microscope at 10,000 magnifications. The degradation study was achieved by soil burial method for one hundred and eighty (180) days period. The results of the mechanical properties showed increased tensile strength, hardness, compressive strength and shear modulus while the percentage elongation at break decreased as the filler load increases. The micrographs showed that the virgin PP has better adhesion and interfacial bonding with the filler than the rPP. Biodegradation test revealed a reduction in the mass of the composites after one hundred and eighty (180) days burial period indicating that the composite is degradable. From the findings, the cassava peel-cowpea hull blended filler can be used in materials where stiffness and strength is required. Hence, it is suggested that agro-wastes such as cassava peel and cowpea hulls could be used as fillers in production of degradable plastics as they are readily available, cheap and easy to use.

A Study on the Tensile Behavior of Specimens Manufactured by FDM from Recycled PETG in the Context of the Circular Economy Transition

This article presents the results of a study on the influence of 3D printing by Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) parameters on the tensile behavior of parts made from Everfil recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (rPETG). For this study, 27 rPETG tensile specimens with 100% recycled material were manufactured using an Anycubic 4 Max Pro 2.0 3D printer and by varying the printing parameters: height of the deposited layer in one pass, Lh, and filling percentage, Id. The Lh was set to 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20 mm and the Id was set to 50, 75, and 100 %. The two variable parameters, Id and Lh, influenced the tensile characteristics of the rPETG specimens: maximum breaking strength, percent elongation at break, and modulus of elasticity. The ultimate breaking strength and modulus of elasticity of the rPETG specimens were most influenced by Id, whereas the percentage elongation at break was mostly affected by Lh. The optimized FDM parameters for the fabrication of rPETG tensile specimens were found to be Lh = 0.20 mm and Id = 100%.

Development of Polyvinyl Alcohol/Polyethylene Glycol Copolymer-based Orodispersible Films Loaded with Entecavir: Formulation and In vitro Characterization.

The aim of the study is to prepare entecavir (ETV)-loaded orodispersible films (ODFs) using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/polyethylene glycol (PEG) graft copolymer (Kollicoat® IR) as a film-forming agent, and further to evaluate the dissolution rate, mechanical and physicochemical properties of films. ETV-ODFs were prepared by a solvent casting method. The amount of film-forming agent, plasticizer, and disintegrating agent was optimized in terms of the appearance, thickness, disintegration time and mechanical properties of ODFs. The compatibility between the drug and each excipient was conducted under high temperature (60 °C), high humidity (RH 92.5%), and strong light (4500 Lx) for 10 days. The dissolution study of optimal ODFs compared with the original commercial tablet (Baraclude®) was performed using a paddle method in pH 1.0, pH 4.5, pH 6.8, and pH 7.4 media at 37 °C. The morphology of ODFs was observed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanical properties such as tensile strength (TS), elastic modulus (EM), and percentage elongation (E%) of ODFs were evaluated using the universal testing machine. The physicochemical properties of ODFs were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The related substances were less than 0.5% under high temperature, high humidity, and strong light for 10 days when ETV was mixed with excipients. The optimal formulation of ODFs was set as the quality ratio of Kollicoat® IR, glycerol, sodium alginate (ALG-Na): TiO2: MCC+CMC-Na: ETV was 60:9:12:1:1:1. The drug-loaded ODFs were white and translucent with excellent stripping property. The thickness, disintegration time, EM, TS, and E% were 103.33±7.02 μm, 25.31±1.95 s, 25.34±8.69 Mpa, 2.14±0.26 Mpa, and 65.45±19.41 %, respectively. The cumulative drug release from ODFs was more than 90% in four different media at 10 min. The SEM showed that the drug was highly dispersible in ODFs, and the XRD, DSC, and FT-IR results showed that there occurred some interactions between the drug and excipients. In conclusion, the developed ETV-loaded ODFs showed relatively short disintegration time, rapid drug dissolution, and excellent mechanical properties. This might be an alternative to conventional ETV Tablets for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.

Enhancing soundproofing performance of polypropylene nanocomposites for implantable electrodes inside the body through graphene and nanoclay; thermomechanical analysis

This study explores the creation and evaluation of nanocomposites formed by integrating polypropylene (PP) with montmorillonite nanoclay and graphene nanosheets (GNs). The nanocomposites were produced via melt blending, utilizing different proportions of clay to GN, ultimately achieving a total loading of 4 wt. %. The objective is to utilize these materials in brain pacemakers to minimize noise and improve the signal-to-noise ratio for brain electrodes. While past studies have mainly focused on enhancing electrode materials within the brain, little attention has been given to the pacemaker material, particularly at the outlet gate. This study bridges this gap by investigating the noise-reducing properties of PP nanocomposites. The primary aim was to determine the optimal clay to GN ratio in the PP matrix. The results indicate that the perforated architecture of the nanocomposite, featuring scattered microspheres within the polypropylene matrix that form an extended channel, facilitates the dissipation of sound waves, rendering it ideal for acoustic insulation in brain pacemakers. In addition, the nanocomposite composed of 2.75% clay and 1.25% graphene nanosheets in the polypropylene matrix demonstrated a markedly improved signal-to-noise ratio in comparison to other examined nanocomposites. Moreover, this study examined the impact of adding PP-g-MA on the sound properties of the nanocomposite, revealing that it was not effective for sound absorption due to its more coherent structure. Various tests were conducted on the nanocomposites to evaluate properties such as tensile strength, elongation percentage, and impact toughness. Dynamic mechanical analysis and thermogravimetric analysis were also carried out to assess dynamic storage modulus and thermal stability. Overall, the study aimed to explore the thermal and mechanical attributes of the nanocomposites for potential use in brain pacemakers, highlighting the significance of choosing nanocomposites based on ductility characteristics for pacemaker applications.

A Taguchi Approach for Optimization of Antimicrobial Effect of Whey Protein Based Edible Film Fermented by Bacillus clausii.

Bacillus clausii, an antagonistic bacterium, was utilized to develop antimicrobial edible films based on whey protein concentrate. This study employed a Taguchi test (3 × 3) to evaluate the impact of temperature, pH, and protein concentration on film properties. Optimal growth of B. clausii occurred at 6% (w/v) protein and pH 9.5. The resulting film solutions demonstrated antimicrobial activity, exhibiting inhibition zones against Aspergillus niger, Penicillium expansum, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli, with inhibition zone diameters of 13.68 mm, 16.88 mm, 11.38 mm, and 17.15 mm, respectively. The optimum antimicrobial property of the films was observed when the incubation condition of pH 8.5, 35 °C and 6% (w/v) protein. Survival rates of B. clausii in the dry film were 86% at 4 °C and 87% at 25 °C over 14 days. Additionally, the highest tensile strength (TS) and percent elongation at break (%E) for the films were recorded at 3.14 MPa (pH = 9.5, 37 °C, 8% protein) and 27.63% (pH = 9.0, 35 °C, 10% protein), respectively. These findings demonstrate the potential for developing effective antimicrobial films through 24-h fermentation of B. clausii in the film solution. This antimicrobial film shows potential for use in wound dressings or food packaging applications.