Influence Of Elevated Temperature Research Articles

Bond behaviour at high temperatures between concrete and CFRP or steel strengthening bars applied according to the Embedded Through-Section (ETS) technique

The embedded through-section (ETS) technique is an efficient shear-strengthening method for reinforced concrete (RC) structures, in which fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) or steel bars are bonded in holes predrilled in RC members. Compared to conventional FRP strengthening methods, ETS systems are expected to present better performance when exposed to high temperatures/fire, due to the insulation provided by concrete to both adhesive and FRP/steel components. Yet, the mechanical/bond properties of the strengthening materials are highly affected when the glass transition temperatures (Tg) of their components is attained/exceeded; however, there are no studies available about the influence of elevated temperatures on the performance of ETS systems. This paper presents an experimental study that addresses the effects of elevated temperatures on the bond behaviour of ETS systems – pull-out tests were conducted on steel rebars or sand-coated carbon-FRP (CFRP) rods bonded with epoxy adhesive on concrete cylinders at temperatures up to 90 °C. The results obtained confirm that the strength and stiffness of the bonded interfaces decrease when the temperature in the adhesive approaches/exceeds its Tg; moreover, with sand-coated CFRP rods, failure was also influenced by the bond between the sand coating and the CFRP rods core, and thus the average bond capacity was significantly reduced for temperatures below the Tg of the epoxy adhesive. Bond-slip relations were calibrated for different elevated temperatures for the steel/CFRP-concrete interfaces using data obtained from the pull-out tests; these bond laws can be used to simulate the mechanical behaviour of ETS-strengthened-RC members subjected to elevated temperatures.

Influence of elevated temperatures on the bond performance of CFRP-steel lap joints bonded by nanosilica-modified adhesive with mixed curing agents

Elevated temperatures may influence greatly the mechanical properties of adhesives, and it is difficult for adhesives with a single curing agent to meet the requirements of adequate heat resistance and toughness simultaneously. First, this paper proposes a nano-SiO2-modified epoxy adhesive (GY34) using mixed curing agents to improve the bond performance of CFRP-steel joints at a high temperature. Then, studies are taken to examine the impact of elevated temperatures on the mechanical performance of GY34 with mixed curing agents and the interfacial properties of CFRP-steel double-lap joints bonded by GY34. After that, models are developed to predict the bearing capacity and bond-slip of CFRP-steel double-lap joints at different temperatures using the test data. The results indicate the toughness is optimal at 70 °C when the curing agents C105 and D230 are mixed with a mass ratio of 1:2. The bearing capacity of the CFRP-steel lap joint bonded with GY34 is much higher than the cases only bonded with a single C105 or D230, respectively. Moreover, the load-displacement curve has a significant ductile development stage as the temperature rises below the glass transition temperature (Tg, S), beyond which, the bearing capacity declines. In addition, the length of shear stress transmission and the effective bonding length increase significantly at high temperatures. The bond-slip curve bonded with GY34 has a trilinear trapezoid shape at different temperatures, and the peak shear stress and stiffness decline at various elevated temperatures. Finally, the relative slip and interfacial fracture energies increase first and then decrease with the rise of temperature.

Increasing the Service Life of Marine Transport Using Heat-Resistant Polymer Nanocomposites.

This paper presents the technological aspects of increasing the thermal stability of polymers, with epoxy binder used to form the polymer materials. Polyethylene polyamine was used to crosslink the epoxy binder. To ensure the thermal stability of the polymer, nanodispersed condensed carbon with a dispersion of 10-16 nm was used. The research into nanocomposites under the influence of elevated temperatures was carried out using the "Thermoscan-2" derivatograph. Complex studies of thermophysical properties were carried out, according to the results of which the optimal content of nanofiller (0.050 pts.wt.) was determined. At the same time, this particular polymer was characterized by the following properties: temperature of the beginning of mass loss-T0 = 624.9 K; final temperature of mass loss-Tf = 718.7 K; relative mass loss-εm = 60.3%. Research into the activation energy of thermal destruction was performed to determine the resistance to the destruction of chemical bonds. It was proved that the maximum value of activation energy (170.1 kJ/mol) is characterized by nanocomposites with a content of nanodispersed condensed carbon of 0.050 pts.wt., which indicates the thermal stability of the polymer.

Unveiling decaying mechanism of non-flammable all-fluorinated carbonate electrolytes in lithium metal batteries with 4.6-V LiCoO2 cathodes at elevated temperatures

Highly fluorinated electrolytes have attracted much attention in lithium metal batteries (LMBs) because of their unique properties, such as increased anodic stability and altered coordination state of Li+ ions. However, the complex decaying mechanism of fluorinated electrolytes at elevated temperatures is not well understood, which is essential to assess their suitability for practical applications in harsh environments. Herein the influence of elevated temperatures on the stability of fluorinated electrolytes and the formation of interphases between the 4.6-V LiCoO2 cathode and electrolyte are systematically investigated. The results reveal that elevated temperatures significantly affect the stability of the electrolyte and the formation of interphases. In particular, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropylether undergoes decomposition catalyzed by reactive oxygen from the delithiated cathode at high temperatures and 4.6 V. Meanwhile, the degradation of fluorinated electrolytes is primarily caused by the temperature-induced decomposition of fluoroethylene carbonate. Although methyl (2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) carbonate has the highest stability among the solvents in this fluorinated system, it still experiences degradation in harsh environments. These findings highlight the importance of considering highly fluorinated ethers and the synergistic effects between fluorinated carbonate solvents, lithium salts, and solvation structures when designing fluorinated electrolytes, especially for applications at elevated temperatures. This work sheds light on the design and optimization of highly fluorinated electrolytes, enabling the development of 4.6-V LiCoO2-based LMBs capable of withstanding challenging environments and operating conditions.

Influence of elevated temperature on waste concrete powder and its application in alkali activated materials

Concrete has been a common building material widely used for decades to build the infrastructure. As a results, considerable amount of waste concrete is produced which is hazardous to the environment. At present, recycling waste concrete is limited to the aggregates for non-structural applications. The low reactivity of waste concrete powder (WCP) limits its use as a binder. Therefore, this study is conducted to enhance the reactivity of WCP to increase its viability as an alkali activated binder. The study was conducted in two phases. In Phase I, the WCP was thermally treated at temperatures ranging between 600 °C and 800 °C and the impact of this calcination on the physiochemical characteristics of thermally treated waste concrete powder (TWCP) was studied. The phase transformation after calcination was analyzed by observing the properties of WCP and TWCP using scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques. The physical changes were also studied by comparing the density, specific surface area and particle size distribution in WCP and TWCP. It was found that the thermal treatment of WCP resulted in the decomposition of several phases along with a change in quartz structure. Also with temperature increase, the increase in density and particles fineness was observed, which was significant when thermal treatment was performed at 800 °C. The alkali activated WCP and TWCP was prepared to explore the microstructure and strength. The reactivity and strength of TWCP was superior to that of WCP. However, the highest strength obtained after alkali activation of TWCP was less than 10 MPa which is not optimal for a primary binder. Therefore, in Phase II of this study, the performance of TWCP in a binary cement-based mortar was explored by blending it with 0–50 wt% ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) and the series of experiments including compressive strength, flexural strength and drying shrinkage was carried out to characterize the properties of composites. The superior strength and improved drying shrinkage obtained by mortars comprising TWCP-800 were due to the combination of filler effects and increased reactivity. No significant change in the properties of mortar containing 10 wt% TWCP-800 was observed. Study reveals that the thermal treatment of WCP at 800 °C is optimal and a sustainable approach to producing a supplementary binder for alkali activated materials.

Effects of Elevated Temperature on Pisum sativum Nodule Development: I-Detailed Characteristic of Unusual Apical Senescence.

Despite global warming, the influence of heat on symbiotic nodules is scarcely studied. In this study, the effects of heat stress on the functioning of nodules formed by Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae strain 3841 on pea (Pisum sativum) line SGE were analyzed. The influence of elevated temperature was analyzed at histological, ultrastructural, and transcriptional levels. As a result, an unusual apical pattern of nodule senescence was revealed. After five days of exposure, a senescence zone with degraded symbiotic structures was formed in place of the distal nitrogen fixation zone. There was downregulation of various genes, including those associated with the assimilation of fixed nitrogen and leghemoglobin. After nine days, the complete destruction of the nodules was demonstrated. It was shown that nodule recovery was possible after exposure to elevated temperature for 3 days but not after 5 days (which coincides with heat wave duration). At the same time, the exposure of plants to optimal temperature during the night leveled the negative effects. Thus, the study of the effects of elevated temperature on symbiotic nodules using a well-studied pea genotype and Rhizobium strain led to the discovery of a novel positional response of the nodule to heat stress.

Influence of elevated temperature on buckling capacity of mild steel-based cold-formed steel column sections– experimental investigation and finite element modelling

PurposeThe capability of steel columns to support their design loads is highly affected by the time of exposure and temperature magnitude, which causes deterioration of mechanical properties of steel under fire conditions. It is known that structural steel loses strength and stiffness as temperature increases, particularly above 400 °C. The duration of time in which steel is exposed to high temperatures also has an impact on how much strength it loses. The time-dependent response of steel is critical when estimating load carrying capacity of steel columns exposed to fire. Thus, investigating the structural response of cold-formed steel (CFS) columns is gaining more interest due to the nature of such structural elements.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, experiments were conducted on two CFS configurations: back-to-back (B-B) channel and toe-to-toe (T-T) channel sections. All CFS column specimens were exposed to different temperatures following the standard fire curve and cooled by air or water. A total of 14 tests were conducted to evaluate the capacity of the CFS sections. The axial resistance and yield deformation were noted for both section types at elevated temperatures. The CFS column sections were modelled to simulate the section's behaviour under various temperature exposures using the general-purpose finite element (FE) program ABAQUS. The results from FE modelling agreed well with the experimental results. Ultimate load of experiment and finite element model (FEM) are compared with each other. The difference in percentage and ratio between both are presented.FindingsThe results showed that B-B configuration showed better performance for all the investigated parameters than T-T sections. A noticeable loss in the ultimate strength of 34.5 and 65.6% was observed at 90 min (986℃) for B-B specimens cooled using air and water, respectively. However, the reduction was 29.9 and 46% in the T-T configuration, respectively.Originality/valueThis research paper focusses on assessing the buckling strength of heated CFS sections to analyse the mode of failure of CFS sections with B-B and T-T design configurations under the effect of elevated temperature.

Influence of Elevated Temperature on the Mechanical and Microstructural Properties of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymers

Glass fiber-reinforced polymers (GFRPs) have attracted significant attention as structural materials because of their high fatigue resistance, corrosion resistance, strength, and stiffness. This study examined the effect of elevated temperatures (150, 250, 350, and 450oC) on the microstructural and mechanical properties of GFRP plates. The number of bubbles increased as the firing temperature increased, and the bubbles burst at 250oC or higher, forming pores on the surface. A tensile test was conducted, and the maximum stress of the GFRP plates fired at 150, 250, and 350oC was reduced from 54.2 to 52.2, 40.3, and 24.0 MPa, respectively, compared to that of the unfired GFRP plate. Meanwhile, the elastic moduli of the GFRP plates fired at 150, 250, and 350oC reduced from 19.1 to 18.3, 16.1, and 12.1 GPa, respectively, compared to that of the unfired GFRP plate. This reduction in the mechanical properties of the GFRP plates at elevated temperatures was attributed to the degradation of the mechanical properties of the resin matrix due to glass transition and decomposition, debonding, and an increase in surface defects. The maximum strain decreased gradually with increasing firing temperature, suggesting that the brittleness of the GFRP plates increased at elevated temperatures.

Identifying safety-relevant knowledge gaps concerning radionuclide mobility – bringing together fundamental research and application in repository safety analysis

Abstract. The mobility of radionuclides in a nuclear waste repository is strongly influenced by their chemical form (e.g. oxidation state and speciation), which determines their solubility and chemical interactions with mineral surfaces. To date, significant efforts have been made to investigate the mechanisms (e.g. sorption and diffusion) underlying radionuclide retention. However, knowledge gaps persist, especially under complex environmental conditions, as may be expected in a deep geological repository (e.g. the complexation of radionuclides with organic compounds, the influence of elevated temperature and the effects of high ionic strength). In order to make reliable predictions about radionuclide mobility and, consequently, about post-closure repository safety, it is necessary to identify, evaluate and, where necessary, close these knowledge gaps. This workshop aims to bring together experts in both fundamental research and its applications to repository safety. It intends to facilitate knowledge exchange between the two fields, promoting more coordinated and goal-oriented safety research. Participants are invited to share their knowledge about the need for further experimental and computational investigations as well as their insight into the data requirements for reliable transport models and implications for safety assessment.

Influence of elevated temperature and gas atmosphere on coke abrasion resistance. Part one: Pilot oven cokes

A novel approach was developed to examine coke abrasion resistance in-situ at temperatures of up to 950 °C and in a controlled gas atmosphere using rotational tribological testing. The originality of this approach lay in the ability to apply tribological testing to the porous coke surface at elevated temperatures under a controlled inert or CO2 reactive atmosphere. Coke wear characteristics were quantified via (i) the application of advanced microscopy and image analysis techniques, and (ii) analysis of the coefficient of friction (COF) during tribological testing.Two pilot oven cokes were examined in this study, which were generated from single coking coals of similar rank but different petrographic composition. The cokes tested showed a deterioration in abrasion resistance even at 400 °C, and this was accentuated at 950 °C.The COF and the severity of the wear as a function of temperature and gas atmosphere were markedly different between the two cokes. Coke C396 from a mid-to-low vol, medium vitrinite coal showed no statistically significant differences between the wear severity results recorded following room temperature testing and high temperature testing in a CO2 environment. Conversely, the more reactive coke C426 with a higher parent coal inertinite content showed clear differences in the extent of abrasive wear at room temperature and at high temperature in both inert and reactive gas atmospheres.This suggests that the reduction in abrasion resistance at elevated temperatures is accentuated in the coke with the highest coke reactivity index (CRI) and the highest content of inertinite maceral derived components (IMDC). Our research has shown that at room temperature, the IMDC show greater resistance to abrasion than the reactive maceral derived components (RMDC). This has implications for understanding the relevance of room temperature testing to the abrasion resistance of coke under practical blast furnace operation conditions. For example, a coke from a coal or blend with a comparatively high inertinite content may show lower resistance to abrasion in the blast furnace than would be expected from tumble drum indices. Larger sample numbers and cokes from a variety of single coals need to be tested in further work to verify these assertions.Finally, a novel method using micro-CT image analysis was developed to examine the wear path generated at the coke surface during tribological testing. The purpose of this was to assess the extent of the abrasive wear by comparing the rendered micro-CT images before and after tribological testing. A colour gradient scale was used to facilitate the quantitative assessment, whereby the colour of each voxel was based on the distance from the nearest voxel that is associated with solid phase.As expected, the specific surface area (SSA) calculated for the upper 1 mm of each sample decreased following tribological testing due to the generation of a wear track which is smoother than the initially rough, porous coke surface. In the C426 coke type examined, the SSA decreased the most for the sample tested in an argon atmosphere at 950 °C, matching the COF and quantified wear severity results, which showed there was a notable increase in abrasive wear to this coke as the temperature was raised from room to elevated temperature.Coupling this method of analysis with 3D visualisation techniques in further work would provide a powerful approach to examine and quantify mechanisms of coke surface breakage and the microstructural and/or microtextural features responsible for the breakage.

Influence of elevated temperature on the very high cycle fatigue properties of bearing steels

The influence of temperature on the very high cycle fatigue properties of three high carbon chromium bearing steels (52100, 52100-VIM/VAR and M50-VIM/VAR) is investigated. Ultrasonic fatigue tests up to more than 1010 cycles are performed at 22 °C, 200 °C and 300 °C. At all temperatures, the dominant failure mechanism is interior defect-initiated cracking. Nonmetallic inclusions are the origin of fracture for 52100 and carbides for 52100-VIM/VAR and M50-VIM/VAR. The fatigue strength (fracture probability of 50 % at 2 × 109 cycles) at 300 °C decreases by 56–57 % compared with 22 °C for both 52100 steels and by 41 % for M50. 52100 steels soften at elevated temperature due to low tempering temperature, but M50 is thermally stable. The hardness decrease at elevated temperature is more pronounced for 52100 steels than for M50.The results are evaluated applying fracture mechanics principles. Based on the area-parameter model, an equation to predict the fatigue strength in the VHCF regime at different temperatures is proposed.

Influence of elevated temperature on compressive strength of LD slag aggregate concrete

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the compressive strength of concretes incorporating Linz-Donawitz slag (LD slag) as partial replacement for natural fine and coarse aggregates and compare them with traditional concrete.Design/methodology/approachThe natural fine and coarse aggregates were replaced by weight simultaneously up to 100% with LD slag aggregates at an incremental increase of 20%. Concrete of grades M20, M25, M30, M35 and M40 were cast, cured and tested with standard cube specimens to study the density and compressive strength of reference and LD slag aggregate concretes (LDSACs). The concrete specimens were exposed to elevated temperatures, i.e. 100 to 900 °C at an equal interval of 100 °C and tested to study the variation in density and residual compressive strength.FindingsThe results from the experiments reveal that the LDSAC yields a higher density than that of the reference concrete and also undergo less density variation when exposed to elevated temperatures. In addition, the residual compressive strength of LDSAC specimens was significantly higher than that of the reference concrete.Research limitations/implicationsLD slag is believed to be stronger and more durable than locally available limestone aggregates or blast furnace slag. Moreover, it is necessary to study its strength and other properties to determine whether it can be successfully used as an aggregate in concrete universally.Practical implicationsUse of LD slag as aggregates in concrete will convert LD slag into a value added product and as an alternative to the existing natural aggregates which will help in maintaining ecological balance and save valuable lands.Social implicationsThe economically weaker section of the society may now use LDSAC as waste utilization will bring down the overall cost and hence it will benefit people on large scale.Originality/valueUse of LD slag as aggregate in concrete can help find an alternative to the existing natural aggregates which will save the ecosystem and at the same time help in reducing the industrial waste on a large scale.

Construction and technical properties of vermiculite concrete and fibro vermiculite concrete with volcanic pumice under the influence of elevated temperatures

Objective. Development of compositions of vermiculite concrete and fibro vermiculite concrete with volcanic pumice. Investigation of the construction and technical properties of the developed compositions of vermiculite concrete and fibrovermiculite concrete with volcanic pumice under the influence of elevated temperatures.Method. Methods of increasing the fire resistance of reinforced concrete structures are considered. The research is aimed at the development of vermiculite concrete and fibro vermiculite concrete with volcanic pumice for fire protection of building structures and the manufacture of heat-resistant products and structures. To reduce the cost of vermiculite concrete, its partial replacement with volcanic pumice is proposed. For the study of vermiculite concrete with volcanic pumice reinforced with basalt fiber, a rotatable plan of the second order of the regular hexagon type was used.Result. Replacing a part of an expensive aggregate (expanded vermiculite) with pumice leads to a slight increase in the average density of the composite, while the bending and compressive strength increases. In addition, the heat-resistant properties of vermiculite concrete with pumice are increased. This is due to the fact that volcanic pumice, being a hydraulically active additive, is able to react hydration with cement components, eliminating the harmful effect of secondary hydration of free calcium oxide. The influence of the heating temperature on the change in the construction and technical properties of vermiculite concrete and fibrovermiculic concrete, including with the addition of pumice, has been studied. It was found that dispersed reinforcement with basalt fibers reduces shrinkage deformations, when heated to t = 800, the shrinkage decreases from 0.7 to 0.5% compared to the original concrete matrix.Conclusion. The dependence "compressive strength = f (average concrete density)" significantly depends on the presence and ratio of pumice in the composition of vermiculite concrete, while an increase in the holding temperature to 600 oC or 800 oC leads to a decrease in the compressive strength from 15 to 25%, and the main decrease occurs when heated to 600 oC, further the increase in temperature has a negligible effect. The dependence of the bending strength on the compressive strength is generally maintained regardless of the heating temperature, and the heating of concrete does not reduce the relative bending strength, i.e. the ratio of bending strength / compressive strength is not reduced. Dispersed fiber reinforcement increases the relative bending strength by about 70% regardless of the heating temperature.

Influence of elevated temperatures on bond performance between BFRP bars and concrete

The elevated fire temperatures cause the deterioration of the mechanical properties of BFRP bars and concrete. A three-dimensional refined numerical model considering the surface characteristics of ribbed BFRP bars was established to study the effect of high temperature on interfacial bond performance. The “sequence coupling” method analyzes the bonding behavior of BFRP bars and concrete under high temperatures or after natural cooling. The validity of the refined model was verified by reproducing the available test results. Then, the bond behavior was compared and discussed. Based on the simulation results, a constitutive model for predicting the bond performance was developed by modifying the available model at room temperature. The results show that the numerical model can observe the bond failure mechanism between the BFRP-concrete interface. The specimens after natural cooling have better bond performance due to the restoration in material properties. The pull-out failure occurs easier at high temperatures, owing to the various change in the property of BFRP bars and the faster increase in BFRP strain. The influence of temperature rise on peak slip is more significant than that on bond strength. The bond strength and peak slip decrease linearly with the increase in temperature. Finally, the developed bond stress-slip constitutive model considering the effect of temperature, can reasonably predict the bond behavior between BFRP bars and concrete.

Influence of elevated temperatures on the mechanical properties of foamed geopolymer materials

AbstractCurrent research focuses heavily on geopolymer concrete as possible applications for insulation materials. The aim of the research is to test the strength properties of lightweight geopolymer concrete after exposure to high temperatures. Waste material from the Wieczorek mine (Poland) was used to produce the foamed geopolymers. Alkaline activation took place by mixing the mine powder with an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide combined with an aqueous sodium silicate with a concentration of 10 M. Prepared geopolymer samples after temperature curing at 75 °C for 24 hours in a laboratory dryer, they were seasoned for 28 days, after which the strength properties were determined. Mechanical tests: compressive strength and bending strength were carried out at temperatures: 20 °C, 200 °C, 600 °C, 800 °C, 1100 °C. Research has shown the precursor activation with the presence of hydrogen peroxide enabled the manufacturing of foamed geopolymers. Heating in the temperature range up to 1100 °C influenced, to some extent, the total porosity of the tested foams. The geopolymer foams based on coal gangue present stable mechanical properties in the range up to 800 °C. No sharp mechanical performances decrease or material chipping was observed. Only colour change of heated samples occurred.

Influence of elevated temperature on the engineering properties of ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete

Abstract This paper investigates the effect of high temperatures on the compressive strength, flexural strength, and splitting tensile strength of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), and ultra-high-performance, fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC). The experimental variables in this study were fiber type, fiber content, and high-temperature exposure levels. Three different types of fibers were evaluated, including steel fibers, polypropylene (PP), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers. Six concrete mixes were prepared with and without different combinations of fibers. One mix was made with no fibers. Others were made with either steel fibers alone; a hybrid of steel fibers and PVA; and a hybrid system of steel, PP, and PVA fibers. These mixes were tested under a range of temperatures and compared for strength. The UHPC and UHPFRC were exposed to high temperatures at 100°C, 300°C, 400°C, and 500°C for 3 hours. The results showed that UHPFRC did not exhibit any significant degradation when exposed to 100°C. However, reductions of approximately 18% to 25%, 12% to 22%, and 14% to 25% in the compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and flexural strength were observed when the UHPFRC was exposed to 400°C. UHPFRC made of steel fibers showed higher mechanical properties after exposure to 400°C compared to UHPFRC made of PP and PVA fibers. The results also demonstrate the use of PVA and/or PP fibers, along with steel fiber, to withstand the effects of highly elevated temperature and prevent spalling of UHPC after exposure to elevated temperature. The observed spalling was a direct result of the melting and evaporation of PVA and/or PP fibers when exposed to high temperature, an effect that was confirmed using scanning electron microscopy.

Influence of Elevated Temperature on Color Centers in LiF Crystals and Their Photoluminescence

The radiation-induced photoluminescence (PL) of LiF has found its way into many applications for the detection and imaging of ionizing radiation. In this work, the influence of thermal treatment at temperatures up to 400 °C on absorption and PL emission spectra as well as fluorescent nuclear tracks in irradiated LiF crystals was investigated. It was found that carrying out PL measurements with the crystals kept at the temperature of about 80 °C leads to a considerable increase in luminescence emission of F3+ color centers at 525 nm. This enhancement of PL intensity allows for the microscopic imaging of the fluorescent nuclear tracks using only F3+ emission, which is not possible at room temperature. It was also found that heating the irradiated crystals before measurement at temperatures from 100 °C to 200 °C increases the concentration of F3+ centers. However, the related enhancement of PL emission is insufficient in terms of enabling the observation of the fluorescent tracks in this part of the spectrum. In the case of the main PL emission at 670 nm related to F2 centers, the thermal treatment at around 290 °C substantially increases the intensity of fluorescent tracks. This effect, however, was found to occur only at low fluences of alpha particles (up to about 109 cm-2); therefore, it is barely visible in the emission spectrum and not noticeable in the absorption spectrum.

Structural Features of Monoethanolamine Aqueous Solutions with Various Compositions: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study Using Vibrational Spectroscopy.

In this work, we studied aqueous solutions of monoethanolamine (MEA), which are widely used to remove CO2 from flue and oil gases. This study combined experimental and theoretical methods of vibrational spectroscopy, using high-temperature infrared spectroscopy, quantum-chemical calculations of theoretical vibrational spectra, and structural electronic and energy characteristics of model structures. MEA has a propensity to form associations between various compositions and structures with water molecules, as well as those composed solely of water molecules. The structural and energy characteristics of such associates were analyzed in terms of their ability to interact and retain carbon dioxide. The influence of elevated temperatures and concentration of aqueous MEA solution on change in the structure of associates has also been investigated. An analysis of theoretical and experimental vibrational spectra allowed us to examine the IR spectra of MEA solutions, and identify the bands responsible for the formation of associates that would sorb CO2 well, but would delay its desorption from the solution.

Influence of elevated temperature on the microhardness and microstructure of carbon fiber reinforced polymers

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) has attracted attention for the reinforcement and retrofitting of concrete structures. Thus, their degradation in elevated temperatures is important feature to investigate. Herein, influence of elevated temperatures on microstructure and microhardness properties of different types of CFRP was investigated. A series of CFRP plate-, sheet-, and bar-type samples were fired at 150, 250, 350, and 450°C. Crystal structural properties of epoxy resin matrices and carbon fibers in the CFRP composites were examined using X-ray diffraction analysis. An increase in surface defects was observed for the fired CFRP plates and bars; however, there was no significant difference between the microstructures of the fired CFRP sheets. Hardness of CFRP plates fired at 150 and 250°C substantially decreased from 0.67 to 0.62 and 0.47 GPa, respectively, compared to that of unfired CFRP plate. Similarly, hardness of CFRP bars fired at 150, 250, and 350°C decreased from 2.09 to 1.73, 1.63, and 0.62 GPa, which is reduced by 17, 22, and 70%, respectively, compared to that of unfired CFRP bar. Decrease in hardness is attributed to several factors, such as mechanical degradation in the resin matrix, fiber/matrix debonding, and an increase in microcracks on the surface.

Influence of Elevated Temperature on Performance of Ultra High Strength Fibre Reinforced Self Compacting Concrete (UHSFRSCC) Produced from Local Materials

Influence of Elevated Temperature on Performance of Ultra High Strength Fibre Reinforced Self Compacting Concrete (UHSFRSCC) Produced from Local Materials