Plasticity Index Research Articles

Semi-liquid metal-based highly permeable and adhesive electronic skin inspired by spider web

Soft and stretchable electronics have garnered significant attention in various fields, such as wearable electronics, electronic skins, and soft robotics. However, current wearable electronics made from materials like conductive elastomers, hydrogels, and liquid metals face limitations, including low permeability, poor adhesion, inadequate conductivity, and limited stretchability. These issues hinder their effectiveness in long-term healthcare monitoring and exercise monitoring. To address these challenges, we introduce a novel design of web-droplet-like electronics featuring a semi-liquid metal coating for wearable applications. This innovative design offers high permeability, excellent stretchability, strong adhesion, and good conductivity for the electronic skin. The unique structure, inspired by the architecture of a spider web, significantly enhances air permeability compared to commercial breathable patches. Furthermore, the distribution of polyborosiloxane mimics the adhesive properties of spider web mucus, while the use of semi-liquid metals in this design results in remarkable conductivity (9 × 106 S/m) and tensile performance (up to 850% strain). This advanced electronic skin technology enables long-term monitoring of various physiological parameters and supports machine learning recognition functions with unparalleled advantages. This web-droplet structure design strategy holds great promise for commercial applications in medical health monitoring and disease diagnosis.

Improvement of Clay Soils Using Cement as a Road Pavement Sub Grade (Case Study: Kuta-Tanah Lot Road)

Abstract Clay soil processing using cement is widely done but it is difficult to find studies that fit this topic, because the case study conducted is on the famous transportation route, namely Jalan Kuta – Tanah Lot in Bali, Indonesia. Pavements at this location are often damaged. In the dry season the road here is often cracked, while in the rainy season there is a decrease in certain parts or potholes occur that endanger users. Therefore it is necessary to conduct an analysis. This research aims to obtain the right formula of the ideal mixture of cement and clay, through mechanical tests i.e. compressive strength. Some results that are in accordance with the research conducted have been contained in the literature review, especially density and compressive strength testing. The use of cement as a stabilizer in clay is successful, as well as for other types of soil. The method used is soil sampling directly at the site, then mixed cement with various variations (treatment). This study discusses the success of cement to stabilize clay soils, especially increasing compressive strength and decreasing plasticity index. According to the results obtained that using cement as a soil stabilizer shows significant strength results, especially in ideal mixtures. This research is believed to be able to answer the obstacles that exist in clay soils to function as sub grade.

Interrelation between compressibility and permeability of reconstituted sandy clays with different sand fractions

It has been well recognized that sand particles significantly affect the mechanical properties of reconstituted sandy clays, including the hosted clay and sand particles. However, interrelation between the permeability and compressibility of reconstituted sandy clays by considering the structural effects of sand particles is still rarely reported. For this, a series of consolidation-permeability coefficient tests were conducted on reconstituted sandy clays with different sand fractions (), initial void ratio of hosted clays () and void ratio at liquid limit of hosted clays (). The roles of in both the relationships of permeability coefficient of hosted clay () versus effective vertical stress () and void ratio of hosted clay () versus were analyzed. The results show that the permeability coefficient of reconstituted sandy clays () is dominated by hosted clay (). Both and affect the of sandy clays by changing the at any given . Due to the partial contacts and densified clay bridges between the sand particles (i.e. structure effects), the in sandy clays is higher than that in clays at the same σ′v. The relationship of sandy clays is independent of and , but is a function of . The types of hosted clays affect the of sandy clays by changing the . Based on the relationship between permeability coefficient and void ratio for the reconstituted clays, an empirical method for determining the is proposed and validated for sandy clays. The predicted values are almost consistent with the measured values with = 0.6 - 2.5.

Measurement uncertainty evaluation in soil liquid limit testing

Measurement uncertainty evaluation in soil liquid limit testing

Sand-bentonite backfill amended with composite polymer exposed to organic acid: Hydraulic performance and microstructural properties

Soil-bentonite (SB) backfills in vertical cutoff walls are used extensively to contain contaminated groundwater. Previous studies show that the hydraulic conductivity of backfill can exceed the typically recommended maximum value (k = 1 × 10−9 m/s) if exposed to groundwater impacted by organic acids commonly released from uncontrolled landfills and municipal solid waste dumps. Polymer amended backfills exhibit excellent chemical compatibility to metal-laden groundwater. However, few studies to date have explored the effect of organic acid contaminated groundwater on hydraulic performance of polymer amended backfills. This study presents an experimental investigation on the hydraulic performance and microstructural properties of a composite polymer amended backfill used to contain flow of acetic acid-laden groundwater. A series of laboratory experiments were performed to evaluate free-swell indices of the composite polymer amended bentonites, liquid limits of the composite polymer amended and unamended bentonites, and slump heights and hydraulic conductivity (k) values of the amended backfills to acetic acid solutions with varying concentrations. The results were compared with those of the unamended bentonites and unamended backfills reported in a previous study. The results showed that the free-swell index and liquid limit of the amended bentonites were higher than those of the unamended bentonites. Permeation with acetic acid solutions with concentrations ranging from 40 mmol/L to 320 mmol/L conducted on the amended backfill only resulted in an increase in k of less than a factor of about 10 related to that based on permeation with tap water (1.68 × 10−10 -4.41 × 10−11 m/s to acetic acid solution versus 1.65 × 10−11 m/s to tap water). Mechanisms contributing to enhanced chemical compatibility of amended backfill were ascertained based on scanning electron microscopy, mercury intrusion porosimetry, and zeta potential analyses.

Effect of Scrap Tyre Crumb Rubber (STCR) and Lime on the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of Non-Lateritic Soil

Nigeria is one of the countries generating many used tyres with only small quantity utilized for different local use and the remaining large quantity dumped in different areas as waste. In this study non – laterite soil was stabilized with 3 % Scrap Tyre Crumb Rubber (STCR) and 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, 12.5 and 15.0 % lime for use as road construction material. Atterberg limit tests, compaction (using West African Standard energy) and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) tests were carried out using standard methods, on the natural non-lateritic soil and the treated soil specimens. Preliminary test on the soil was carried out which classified the soil as A-6 (9) and CL in accordance with ASHTO and USCS classification systems respectively. Compaction and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) parameters of the treated non-lateritic showed a great improvement as the MDD increased from 1.68 Mg/m3 to 1.88 Mg/m3 while the OMC reduced from 17.1 % to 14 %. Both soaked and unsoaked CBR values equally increased to 109 % and 103 % respectively with the addition of lime up to 15% plus 3% STCR waste. Based on results obtained from the study, the use of a mixture of 15% lime and 3% STCR waste, are recommended for the treatment of non-lateritic soil for road construction purposes.

Predictive modelling of strength characteristics of stabilized medium expansive soils

This research explores the use of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) modeling to predict the Unconfined Compression Strength (UCS) of stabilized medium expansive soil, aiming to optimize the parameters influencing soil stabilization. A database comprising 240 data points was compiled from laboratory tests involving seven input parameters: Stabilizers content (SCBA & WMD), Curing Period (CP), Liquid Limit (L.L), Plasticity Index (PI), Specific Gravity (Gs), and Free Swell (FS). ANN modeling, employing Levenberg-Marquardt algorithms, demonstrated successful UCS prediction. Increasing the number of neurons improved model accuracy, with optimum results achieved with 14 neurons. With 14 neurons for LMA, the R and R² value reaches 0.99, 0.98 Moreover, plots between experimental and predicted values shows strong correlation as majority of predicted UCS is closed to line of fit. Also error shows large count of data points closed to line of zero error. Sensitivity analysis highlighted SCBA, WMD, CP, L.L, and P.I as significant contributors to UCS prediction, emphasizing their importance in soil stabilization. The study underscores the effectiveness of ANN modeling in predicting soil strength and recommends 4% SCBA and 20% WMD for optimal stabilization. Overall, this research presents a comprehensive approach to predicting UCS in stabilized expansive soil, offering insights into parameter optimization and model enhancement for future geotechnical applications.

A practical equation for predicting saturated hydraulic conductivity of fine-grained soils

The saturated hydraulic conductivity (ks) of soils plays a crucial role in various agricultural and environmental engineering applications, particularly in relation to pollution prevention and water migration. Firstly, the traditional Kozeny-Carman (KC) equation, which are commonly used to estimate ks, has limitations in predicting ks for different types of fine-grained soils based on the analyses of permeability test data in the literature. Secondly, to tackle this issue, a modified KC equation was proposed by introducing an expression for the shape parameter and establishing a relationship between the tortuosity equation and the plastic limit. Additionally, the validation of the proposed equation was conducted using ks values of 25 fine-grained soils obtained from other sources. Finally, a comparison was made with the four commonly used ks models to evaluate its performance. The results indicate that the proposed equation demonstrates a relatively high coefficient of determination and a low root mean square error. This suggests that the proposed equation has the potential to accurately assess ks for fine-grained soils. The predictions for ks using the modified equation showed good agreement with the experimental data mentioned in the literature.

Time Is Ripe for Targeting Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances-Induced Hormesis: Global Aquatic Hotspots and Implications for Ecological Risk Assessment.

Globally implemented ecological risk assessment (ERA) guidelines marginalize hormesis, a biphasic dose-response relationship characterized by low-dose stimulation and high-dose inhibition. The present study illuminated the promise of hormesis as a scientific dose-response model for ERA of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) represented by perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). A total of 266 hormetic dose-response relationships were recompiled from 1237 observations, covering 30 species from nine representative taxonomic groups. The standardized hormetic amplitudes followed the log-normal probability distribution, being subject to the limits of biological plasticity but independent of stress inducers. The SHapley Additive exPlanations algorithm revealed that the target endpoint was the most important variable explaining the hormetic amplitudes. Subsequently, quantitative frameworks were established to incorporate hormesis into the predicted no-effect concentration levels, with a lower induction dose and a zero-equivalent point but a broader hormetic zone for PFOS. Realistically, 10,117 observed concentrations of PFOA and PFOS were gathered worldwide, 4% of which fell within hormetic zones, highlighting the environmental relevance of hormesis. Additionally, the hormesis induction potential was identified in other legacy and emerging PFAS as well as their alternatives and mixtures. Collectively, it is time to incorporate the hormesis concept into PFAS studies to facilitate more realistic risk characterizations.

Geotechnical Properties of Fly Ash Blended Expansive Soil: A Review

Fly ash, an industrial byproduct, is used as both a building material and a soil stabilizer due to its pozzolanic properties. Moreover, it is challenging to extrapolate the results based on an inadequate amount of laboratory data because of the non-homogeneous character of the soil and the diversity in the chemical properties of fly ash. This review article fills in the gaps by providing an overview of the existing data related to the geotechnical characteristics of expansive soil stabilized with fly ash. The chemical composition of fly ash is provided in terms of oxides of various elements to help identify the kinds produced in different nations. Additionally, information about the physical and geotechnical characteristics of fly ash blended expansive soil is provided in order to comprehend the influence of the fly ash's chemical composition and the expansive soil's fines percentage. While the geotechnical property comprises Atterberg's limit, compaction, UCS, shear strength, free swelling index, CBR, and consolidation, the physical property includes specific gravity and durability. Shear modulus, damping ratio, and Poisson's ratio are used to describe the dynamic properties of the modified expansive soil. The published data in this field and the research gap will be identified by the researchers with the aid of this article. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-SP2024-010-06 Full Text: PDF

Evaluation of warm mix effect in laboratory using a self-developed WMA additive Alube

In response to the problems of high mixing temperatures and energy consumption of polymer-modified asphalt mixtures in road construction, a surfactant-based warm mix additive ‘Alube’ was developed. The warm mix SBS-modified asphalt and its mixture were prepared. Their rheological performance and chemical structure were analysed by the rheological and microscopic tests. The active mixing power (P) of asphalt mixtures were examined by the variable speed mixing (VSM) test. The mixing flowability model was then established to evaluate the warm mix effect. The results indicated that the mixing flowability of asphalt mixtures obeyed the linear Bingham visco-plastic model, and the slope and intercept of the flow straight characterised the mixing viscosity and plastic limit. It is evaluated that 0.7% Alube1 and Evotherm reduced the mixing temperature of SBS-modified asphalt mixture by 14°C and 12°C, respectively. Moreover, Alube1 is suitable for a wide range of applications through warm mix asphalt technology.

Assessment of dumpsites leachate, geotechnical properties of the soil, and their impacts on surface and groundwater quality of Sunyani, Ghana

Leachate from sanitary landfill and dumpsites have potential to cause soil and groundwater contamination, and disrupt ecosystems. However, there is little information about dumpsite leachates and geotechnical properties and their impacts on surface and groundwater in Bono region, Ghana. This study assessed dumpsites leachate, geotechnical properties of the soil, and their impacts on surface and groundwater quality in Sunyani. Six triplicate leachates, eleven triplicate groundwater and three triplicate surface water samples were taken at (up-stream, mid-stream and down-stream) urban dumpsite, and eight triplicate groundwater samples taken around peri-urban dumpsite. Water samples were stored (<4°C) in polyethylene bottle for laboratory analysis. Physicochemical properties of leachate and water samples were analyzed using standard methods. Heavy metals (Cd, Hg, Pb, Zn, Cr, Fe, Cu, and Ni) were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Water quality index (WQI) and leachate pollution loads (LPL) were investigated, while plasticity index (Ip) and liquid index (Il) were determined using Atterberg limit test. The results showed that all leachate samples were heavily polluted with mean concentrations of chlorides ranged between (2830±220 and 63810±340), biochemical oxygen demand (358±36 to 820±80), ammonium ions (82.8±2.2 to 267.6±62), and cadmium (0.49±0.02 to 5.32±1.0); with their leachate pollution index (LPI) and LPL exceeding their leachate disposal standards (LDS>100). WQI ranged from 6.51 to 289, indicating excellent to heavily polluted groundwater sources. Surface water was heavily polluted with WQI between 0.84 and 776.75, with majority having WQI>100. The heavily polluted samples were located 75-155 m away from urban dumpsite. Moderate significant negative association was established between (WQI-P and WQI-H) and distance with multiple R2=0.4709, p=0.0191 and R2= 0.4482, p=0.02425 respectively. Statistically, strong significant negative association between (WQI-P & WQI-H) and Ip (p < 0.05). This implies that when plasticity index and distance from groundwater sources to dumpsite increased, WQI values decreased, and groundwater quality improved.

Enhancing clayey soil performance with lime and waste rubber tyre powder: Mechanical, microstructural, and statistical analysis

Nowadays, for soil stabilisation and cleaner production of geo-composites, the possibility of utilizing waste rubber is in vogue. The present paper deals with experimentally investigating the mechanical and micro-structural characteristics of weak Indian clayey soil partially substituted with lime (0–3.5%) and waste rubber tyre powder (0–15%). It was observed that, with increasing lime and rubber powder content, the plasticity index of the soil decreases. The shear strength and compaction testing results reveal that adding lime and rubber tyre powder (RTP) enhances the geotechnical performance of clayey soil up to an optimum dosage value. Also, the tri-axial shear testing was performed to obtain stress-strain curves for all considered soil mixes. For modified clayey soil containing 3% lime and 12.5% rubber powder, the cohesion values and bearing capacities improved phenomenally by 36.1% and 88.6% respectively, when compared to clayey soil. Further for this mix, SEM analysis reveals a compacted microstructure which improves dry-density and California's bearing ratio among all modified mixes. The novel co-relations upon regression analysis are found able to predict plasticity index, dry density, bearing capacity and shear strength with higher confidence levels. Overall, the cost-benefit analysis worked out to obtain the optimum cost of construction of footings and flexible pavement shows cost deductions up to 19% and 39% respectively while utilizing modified clay soil mixes containing 3% lime and 12.5% rubber powder in subgrade, ultimately making production stronger, cheaper and environment friendly.

Neutral interactions between native Alternanthera sessilis and exotic Alternanthera philoxeroides along a light gradient under tropical climatic conditions

AbstractRiparian ecosystems are under a serious threat of invasion due to the clearance of riparian vegetation, which allows for increased light levels at ground level. This study presents the interactions between native Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R. Br. ex DC and invasive Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb. during the colonization stage along a light gradient under tropical climate conditions. We conducted a 6 week growth experiment with monocultures of A. philoxeroides and A.sessilis and mixed communities of two species under four light levels (100%, 46%, 26% and 14% of full sunlight). Exposure to full sunlight (nearly 1800 μmol m−2 s−1) resulted in a significantly high biomass accrual in both species. However, biomass accrual did not correlate with the light intensity. At higher shade levels, reduction of lateral spread and shoot/root ratio was observed. Community composition had no influence on biomass accrual or morphological variations. Plasticity index values were approximately same in both species. Total relative yield was approximately two in all shade conditions, indicating that the two species interact neutrally along the light gradient. Therefore, the results of the study indicate that increased light levels will accelerate the proliferation of both species in riparian zones. Nevertheless, increased or decreased shade is unlikely to alter neutral interactions between A. philoxeroides and A. sessilis.

Predictive models for treated clayey soils using waste powdered glass and expanded polystyrene beads using regression analysis and artificial neural network

Waste materials contribute to a wide range of environmental and economic problems. To minimize their effects, a safe strategy for reducing such negative impact is required. Recycling and reusing waste materials have proved to be effective measures in this respect. In this study, an eco-friendly treatment is investigated based on using waste powdered glass (WGP) and EPS beads (EPSb) as mechanical and chemical admixers in soils. For this purpose, Atterberg limit, standard proctor, free swell, and unconfined compression tests are performed on soil samples with different ratios of waste materials at their optimum moisture contents. The obtained test results indicate that adding WGP to cohesive soils increases the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and reduces free swell (FS). In contrast, using EPSb reduces both FS and UCS of the treated soil samples. An optimum combination of both waste materials is determined for the improvement of the properties of high plasticity clay used in this study. Furthermore, multiple linear regression (MLR) and artificial neural network (ANN) methods are used to predict the FS and UCS of the clayey soils based on the data obtained here and the experimental test results reported in the literature. Once the FS and UCS values of untreated soil and additive percentages are defined as independent variables, both methods are shown to predict the FS and UCS values of the treated soil samples on a satisfactory level with the coefficient of correlation (R2\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${R}^{2}$$\\end{document}) values greater than 0.926. Additionally, when only the index properties (liquid limit, plastic limit, and plasticity index) of the soil samples with waste materials are used as dependent variables, the R2\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${R}^{2}$$\\end{document} values obtained by the ANN method are 0.968 and 0.974 for FS and UCS, respectively. The results of the untreated soil samples' FS and UCS tests are known, and the linear regression and ANN techniques yield similar results. Lastly, the ANN method is used to predict the FS and UCS of the treated samples in accordance to the limited predictors (e.g., only the Atterberg limits of the soil sample).

Investigation and analysis of the macro- and micro-responses of bentonite-sand mixtures to temperature

Bentonite-sand mixture has been proposed as a buffer material of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) repositories in many countries. The elevated temperature in HLW repositories significantly influences the properties and behaviour of the surrounding buffers. However, to date the mechanism of temperature effects on the behaviour of the bentonite buffer is not well understood. This study is aimed at clarifying the macro- and micro-responses of bentonite-sand mixtures by conducting cone penetration test, rheometer test, flask volumetric test, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) at different temperatures. The results from macro-experiments show that the liquid limit and yield stress increased while bound water content decreased with increasing temperature. The normalized relationships disclose the sand content dramatically affects the degree of temperature influence on the macro-behaviour. SEM and MIP results present that the contact manner between particles converted from edge-to-face to the edge-to-edge association and some intra-aggregate pores merged to form inter-aggregate pores as temperature increases. The mechanisms of the increasing temperature influence on the responses of bentonite-sand mixtures can be inferred that: 1) the diffuse double layer is supposed to decrease since more ions were electrolyzed from montmorillonite particles, thereby, increasing the ion concentration and changing the ion valence; 2) the slight shrinkage of diffuse double layer produced nano-fissures, causing water-hold capacity to increase; 3) the temperature-induced transition from bound water into free water results in an increase of liquid volume; 4) increasing temperature led to increased inter-particle repulsive force. Furthermore, an empirical model was proposed to predict the yield stress of bentonite dispersion incorporating the combined effects of sand content and temperature.

MINERALOGICAL AND PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERISATION OF CLAY MATERIALS FROM KWILU-NGONGO (Kongo-Central, DR Congo)

Clay materials collected from two sites (Camp-Beton and Kwilu-Bricks) in the Kwilu-Ngongo region located between 5°30’0’’S and 14°40’60’’E, in the Kongo Central province (DRC), Ten samples selected and subjected to mineralogical, physico-chemical and geotechnical studies with a view to their characterization. Mineralogical analysis by X-ray diffraction made it possible to identify the following minerals: quartz, feldpasth, iron oxide and simple clay minerals including kaolinite. In addition to this kaolinite we also find illite, chlorite and vermiculite. The partical size analysis led to the differentiation of three fractions including: the fine clay fraction, the silty fraction and the sandy fraction. As for the Atterberg Limits, the plasticity Limit ranges from 17 to 30% while the average plasticity index is 13 %. Chemical analyzes made it possible to identify the major oxides elements below: SiO2, Al2O3, TiO2, Fe2O3, K2O, Na2O and MgO.

Stabilization of Expansive Soil Mixture Using Human Hair Fibre (Biopolymer)

Expansive soils sensitivity to volumetric change is one of the well-known challenges in the field of geotechnical engineering. Various attempts have been made by researchers to solve this problem. Current research presents the effect of human hair fibers on the behavior of expensive soils. A reconstituted soil of 80% kaolin as raw material and 20% bentonite with different percentages of human hair (0%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2%) was used. The microstructure of the formulations was characterized by studying the interactions between soil and human hair using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The microstructure of the formulations was characterized by studying the interactions between soil and human hair using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Atterberg limits, compaction characteristics, swelling parameters, compressibility and shear strength were also examined. The results of this study indicate that the inclusion of human hair fibers significantly improves the properties of the expansive soil mixture. These results open up new prospects for the stabilization of expansive soils.

Architecture for sub-100 ms liquid crystal reconfigurable intelligent surface based on defected delay lines

AbstractReconfigurable intelligent surfaces, comprised of passive tunable elements, are emerging as an essential device for upcoming millimeter wave and terahertz wireless systems. A fundamental aspect of the device involves the tuning technology used to achieve reconfigurability. Among alternatives such as semiconductors and micro-electromechanical systems, liquid crystal offers advantages including cost- and power-effective large-panel scalability. In this context, conventional liquid crystal-based reconfigurable intelligent surface approaches face limitations in optimizing for bandwidth, response time and loss simultaneously, requiring trade-offs between them. Here we detail an architecture for a liquid crystal-based reconfigurable intelligent surface with compact defected delay lines that provide continuous, 360-degree tunability, enabling fast response time, wide bandwidth and low loss. A reconfigurable intelligent surface with a thin 4.6 μm liquid crystal layer is designed, fabricated, and characterized, exhibiting response times of 72 milliseconds, insertion losses below 7 dB, and a 6.8 GHz (10.9%) bandwidth at 62 GHz, all while utilizing a lossy glass substrate and gold as a conductor.

Effect of Zr content on microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion behaviour in hydrochloric acid for as-cast Ti-Zr alloy

In this work, the aim was to develop a Ti alloy with improved mechanical properties and improved corrosion resistance in acidic environments. The results show that the thicknesses of the α' phase first increases and then decreases with increasing Zr content. The elastic modulus (E) first decreases and then increases, while the hardness (H), wear resistance, and plasticity index (Up/Ut) gradually increase. Moreover, the corrosion resistance of Ti-Zr alloys was improved significantly as the Zr concentration increased, which was mainly reflected in an increase in the polarization resistance and a decrease in the corrosion rate.