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The single-mode equations of Boussinesq thermal convection have been modified to include the vertical component of vorticity, which has led, in certain parameter ranges, to a new family of solutions for stationary convection in the absence of external constraints. The features of these solutions are discussed and a comparison with the family of solutions possessing zero vertical vorticity, which are also solutions of the equations, is presented. Specifically, these new solutions are characterized by a lower vertical velocity and heat flux, nonzero vertical vorticity thereby giving them a helical structure and considerably reduced thermal boundary layers in comparison with the family of solutions with zero vertical vorticity. It is to be stressed that this new family of solutions is not due to externally applied influences such as rotation or a magnetic field, the only driving force present being that due to buoyancy.

Diamond coatings have been deposited by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PCVD) onto WC-Co cemented carbides by use of specially developed barrier interlayers, well compatible with cemented carbides. The barrier interlayer comprises a Ti-based layer adjacent to the substrate, which completely prevents both substrate decarburization and Co diffusion from the substrate, and a diamond-bonding layer needed to obtain high adhesion to the diamond coating. The diamond-bond layer is obtained by seeding the surface with nanograined diamond particles by laser ablation. Diamond deposition under controlled parameters allows one to obtain fine-grained and uniform diamond coatings. The diamond coating obtained in this way has a high adhesion to the cemented carbide substrate due to the enhanced interaction through the nanograined diamond interlayer.

Vortex generators are passive devices employed to improve the aerodynamic performance of aircraft and wind turbine blades. More concretely, these devices have high potential in improving the power output of wind turbines that are producing less power than expected. Besides, it can improve the aerodynamic performance of the nearest parts to the rotor of turbine blades that usually enter in stall. The main goal of this article is to model the triangular vortex generator effect on a DU97-W-300 airfoil by a source term model. This is aimed by comparing the lift and drag coefficients from experimental studies with the data obtained in the computational fluid dynamics study. Furthermore, the vertical path and the size and strength of the vortex are studied for different angles of attack in order to see how the vortex genertaor behaves in different conditions.

The horizontal wave number dependence of the hexagonal planform solutions for the RayleighBenard convection problem, which have a nonzero vertical component of vorticity (type II solutions), has been established. Over the range of wave numbers which support cellular convection, comparisons between the thermal transport characteristics of these cyclonic type solutions and those traditionally obtained from nonlinear investigations of the single horizontal mode equations (type I solutions) have been made. From the numerical results obtained, it is found that the cell aspect ratio which maximizes the heat flux of type II solutions is larger than that for type I solutions, at quivalent parameter values, and that the value of the horizontal wave number giving maximum Nusselt number for type II solutions increases with Rayleigh number and decreases with Prandtl number.

This article presents the optimum cutting conditions for advanced high-strength steel (AHSS) laser cutting. Different series of AHSSs, used in the automotive industry at present, have been tested with different laser cutting parameters. The influence of laser cutting in the material and the changes in metallurgical characteristics have been studied. The results, as expected, demonstrate very different behaviours as a function of sheet thickness, while the variation in cutting parameters due to the influence of the material is less important. The results have been divided into two large groups with thicknesses of more than 1 mm and less than 1 mm. Parameter variation inside each group mainly depends on sheet material coating. The optimum cutting areas and the quality of the cut evaluated with different criteria are presented. Finally, the best position for the laser beam has been observed to be underneath the sheet.

Abstract:In stainless steels, microstructural damage is caused by precipitation of chromium carbides or sigma phase. These microconstituents are detrimental in stainless steel welds because they lead to weld decay. Nevertheless, they are prone to appear in the heat affected zone (HAZ) microstructure of stainless steel welds. This is particularly important for repairs of industrial components made of austenitic stainless steel. Non-destructive metallography can be applied in welding repairs of AISI 304 stainless steel components where it is difficult to ensure that no detrimental phase is present in the HAZ microstructure. The need of microstructural inspection in repairs of AISI 304 is caused because it is not possible to manufacture coupons for destructive metallography, with which the microstructure can be analyzed. In this work, it is proposed to apply in situ metallography as non-destructive testing in order to identify microstructural damage in the microstructure of AISI 304 stainless steel welds. The results of this study showed that the external surface micrographs of the weldment are representative of HAZ microstructure of the stainless steel component; because they show the presence of precipitated metallic carbides in the grain boundaries or sigma phase in the microstructure of the HAZ. Key-words:In situ metallography; Microstructure; Heat affected zone; Austenitic stainless steel; Welding. Emprego de Réplica Metalográfica na Prevenção de Falhas Devido a Danos Microestruturais em Soldas de Aço InoxidávelResumo: Em aços inoxidáveis o dano microestrutural é causado pela precipitação de carbonetos de cromo ou de fase sigma. Estes microcomponentes são prejudiciais em soldas de aço inoxidável, porque eles levam a corrosão intergranular. No entanto, eles são propensos a aparecer na microestrutura da zona afetada pelo calor de soldas em aço inoxidável. Isto é particularmente importante para reparos de componentes industriais feitos de aço inoxidável austenítico. Réplica metalográfica pode ser aplicada para identificar a necessidade de reparos em componentes de aço AISI304 inoxidável onde é difícil assegurar que tal fase está presente na microestrutura da ZTA. A necessidade de inspeção microestrutural não destrutiva no aço inoxidável AISI 304 está associada a impossibilidade de se obter corpos de prova para análise via técnicas convencionais. Neste trabalho, propõe-se a aplicação de réplica metalográfica, a fim de identificar danos microestruturais em soldas de aço inoxidável AISI 304. Os resultados deste estudo mostraram que as micrografias da superfície externa do conjunto de peças soldadas representam a microestrutura da ZTA do componente de aço inoxidável porque mostram a presença de carbonetos metálicos precipitados nos contornos de grão ou de fase sigma.Palavras-chave: Metalografia; Microestrutura; Zona afetada pelo calor; Aço inoxidável austenítico; Soldagem.

In an impressed current cathodic protection system (ICCP) to protect structures against corrosion, the efficient operation depends on the proper selection of the electrodes, particularly the anode, chosen considering the structure to be protected and the environment in which it is located. The nature and overpotential of the anodic reaction determine the operation costs of an ICCP system so that proper anode selection is critically important for an ICCP system to function efficiently. Commercial anodes based on titanium substrates coated with iridium–tantalum oxide mixtures (IrO2-Ta2O5/Ti) are frequently used for this purpose due to low operating overpotentials. However, the gradual passivation of its surface limits its useful life and increases its operating costs, so it is necessary to seek competitive alternatives for its replacement. This study aimed to determine the feasibility of using carbon steel substrates coated with nickel/cobalt/boron (NiCoB/CS) as a viable low-cost alternative to replace IrO2-Ta2O5/Ti anodes in ICCP systems. Comparison between the electrochemical behavior and the corrosion resistance of both types of electrodes shows that the NiCoB/CS anode shows a good electrocatalytic activity and a higher corrosion resistance than IrO2-Ta2O5/Ti coated anodes, indicating that the NiCoB/CS anodes are promising low-cost candidates for ICCP systems.