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Changes of microstructure, crystallization, chemical composition, and equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of heat-treated wood (HTW) were investigated to explore the effects of heating media (saturated steam, superheated steam, air) and heat treatment (HT) temperature on HTWs. The results showed that the saturated steam induced more severe cell wall destruction than the other two media. Although the porosity slightly increased with the increasing HT temperature, superheated steam and air HT still decreased the porosity compared to that of control, whereas saturated steam HT increased the porosity. The HT increased both relative crystallinity and crystal size of HTWs. The increasing HT temperature slightly increased the relative crystallinity but decreased the crystal size. The highest crystallinity (55.0%) was observed after saturated steam HT. Leaching led to the increase of crystal size of HTW treated in saturated steam (about 0.15 nm), while those treated in unsaturated steam and air decreased. The increase in relative amount of lignin and cellulose due to the hemicellulose degradation were the main chemical changes of HTWs. Further lignin condensation reaction only occurred after saturated steam HT. Although saturated steam HT induced increased porosity, its lowest EMC (5.91%) indicated the decrease of hydroxyl groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chiton species belonging to the genus Ischnochiton J. E. Gray, 1847 are commonly found in intertidal rocky shores worldwide, with the exception of the northern Atlantic and Arctic oceans. Ischnochiton species are characterised by imbricate girdle scales that are uniform in size, rounded, sculpted with striae or occasionally smooth. However, their species-level taxonomy is complicated due to the high variation in their shell microstructures. Despite more than a hundred species reported worldwide, taxonomic studies of this group remain relatively unexplored in Korean waters, with only a few species recorded to date. New information: In this study, we compared the microstructural characteristics of tegmentum sculpture, girdle scales and radula amongst four Korean Ischnochiton species using high-resolution microscopic images and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Along with mtDNA cox1 sequence comparison, a comprehensive analysis of their morphology revealed that I. hayamii Owada, 2018 was identified for the first time in Korean waters. This species is morphologically distinguished by its small body size of adults, smooth lateral areas on valves and small perinotum scales sculptured with weak longitudinal ribs. Phylogenetic analysis of the mtDNA cox1 sequence provides distinct resolution at the species level, but interrelationships amongst Ischnochiton species remain unresolved. Results from the morphological and molecular analyses presented in this study offer valuable taxonomic information for accurate species identification amongst closely-related Ischnochiton species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the design and numerical analysis of induction hardened of Inconel 718 superalloys on the tensile properties. The two tensile specimens (IHT1 & IHT2)'s outside surfaces are heated to temperatures of 850 and 1000 °C. The heated samples are then quenched in oil. The samples are evaluated utilizing a 250kN capacity servo hydraulic universal test at ambient temperature and an enhanced temperature of 800 °C. At both room temperature and a raised temperature of 800 °C, the metrics yield strength (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and elongation of induction hardened sample have risen. Induction-hardened materials have better mechanical characteristics than non-induction-hardened samples, according to numerical results from ANSYS Workbench that are corroborated with experimental data. The results of the tensile test's cracked surfaces under a scanning electron microscope (SEM) show that the presence of shallow dimple structure at 800 °C caused transgranular cleavage and intergranular dimple rupture as the modes of failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Materiały Budowlane is the property of Wydawnictwo SIGMA-NOT and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The disaster regularity of conveyor belt fire has always been the focus of mine fire prevention and control. In order to study the pyrolysis and combustion characteristics of different types of conveyor belts, the BET model was used to calculate the specific surface area and pore size distribution of conveyor belts. Various chemical bonds or functional groups contained in different types of conveyor belts were tested by infrared spectrum, and the structural parameters of infrared spectrum were calculated by split-peak fitting, so as to quantitatively analyze the change rule of the content of each active functional group. The microscopic morphology and element information of different types of conveyor belts were systematically studied by means of scanning electron microscope and energy spectrum analysis, which laid the foundation for the pyrolysis and combustion experiments of conveyor belts. The experimental results show that the order of specific surface area and average pore size is NFR>SC>PVC>PVG; The degree of hydroxyl oxidation of NFR and lignite samples is higher, and the degree of fat branching of NFR and PVG samples is higher, indicating that the samples have less soluble organic matter and loose structure; SC and NFR powder have similar internal space structure, but NFR conveyor belt has more hole structure than SC conveyor belt; The biggest difference between conveyor belt and lignite is the existence of Cl element. The derivative of Cl element can be considered as an early warning indicator of conveyor belt combustion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical solidification of loess utilizes the substances generated by the reaction between the soil particles and the additives to improve the engineering geological characteristics of the soil, which has been widely used. The X-ray diffraction test, scanning electron microscope (SEM) test and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) test were conducted to investigate the mineral compositions, microstructures and strengths of loess soils modified with calcium lignosulfonate, sodium lignosulfonate, sodium silicate and quick lime, and compacted loess. The drying-wetting cycle tests were performed to assess the water stability of modified loess soils. The results show that the clinochlore and gaultite that existed in compacted loess were undetected, and the mass per cent of quartz and albite in modified loess was increased from 70% to above 78%. The obvious microstructure change would result from the addition of various modifiers in loess, characterized by the decrease of pore contents, redistribution of pores and transformation of connection between soil particles. There is a negative correlation between unconfined compression strength and plane porosity. After 10 cycles of drying-wetting, the cumulative pore volume of modified loess soils was decreased, but the mean pore diameter and pore distribution showed different trends. The unconfined compression strength of modified soils decreased overall following drying-wetting cycles. Collectively, the results from both the micro-and macro-analyses indicated that the drying-wetting cycle would cause the deterioration of the geotechnical properties of modified and compacter loess. However, the calcium lignosulfonate-modified loess exhibits good surface integrity and its strength remains reasonably high after 10 drying-wetting cycles, suggesting that calcium lignosulfonate has an important function in improving the mechanical properties and resistance to drying-wetting cycles of loess. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long‐term placement of facial implants requires avoiding the formation of fibrous tissue capsules around the artificial material by creating osteoconductive properties of the surface. Most promising approach is the deposition coatings made of materials very similar to bone mineral components, that is, calcium phosphates such as hydroxyapatite (HAp). As part of the research work, an innovative, cost‐effective atmospheric pressure plasma deposition (APPD) system was used as a low‐temperature coating technology for generating the HAp coatings deposition. Full microstructural characterisation of the coatings using SEM and TEM techniques was carried out in the work. It has been shown that the fully crystalline HAp powder undergoes a transformation during the coatings deposition and the material had a quasi‐sintered structure after deposition. The crystalline phase content increased at the coating/substrate interface, while the surface of the HAp was amorphous. This is a very beneficial phenomenon due to the process of bioresorption. The amorphous phase undergoes much faster biodegradation than the crystalline one. In order to increase the bioactivity of the HAp, Zn particles were introduced on the surface of the coating. The TEM microstructural analysis in conjunction with the qualitative analysis of the EDS chemical composition showed that the binding of the Zn particles within the HAp matrix had diffusive character, which is very favourable from the point of view of the quality of the adhesion and the bioactivity of the coating. In the case of such a complex structure and due to its very porous nature, micromechanical analysis was carried out in situ in SEM, that is, by microhardness measurements of both the HAp matrix and the Zn particle. It was shown that the average value of HAp microhardness was 4.395 GPa ± 0.08, while the average value of Zn microhardness was 1.142 GPa ± 0.02 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the effects of pozzolanic substitutions for ordinary Portland cement (OPC) with silica fume (SF) and metakaolin (MK) on the mechanical and toughness performances of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC). Initially, a reference concrete mix with a water‐to‐binder ratio of 0.4 is blended with different volume fractions of steel fibers with varying geometry: crimped steel (CS) and straight steel (SS), both individually and in combination, to examine their mechanical properties. In the subsequent phase, the study investigates the impact of combining macro‐ and microsteel fibers on flexural toughness, to determine potential synergy for suitable combinations. Also, the possible influence of pozzolans in the variation of flexural toughness of hybrid steel fiber reinforced concrete (Hy‐SFRC) was evaluated. Hybridization of steel fibers was found effective in improving the workability of the concrete mix up to 11%. SFRC mixes containing pozzolans exhibited a significant enhancement in compressive strength, modulus of rupture, and modulus of elasticity compared to non‐pozzolanic SFRC. The hybrid combination of CS 1.5% and SS 0.5% was considered the best in terms of mechanical properties. Additionally, the results of synergy assessment showed that hybridization of steel fibers in the pozzolanic concrete mix was particularly effective in the post‐cracking stages with a positive 14% compared to a negative 8% in the pre‐cracking stage. The pozzolanic addition improved the flexural toughness of Hy‐SFRC to about 10%–20%. Blending of SF and MK in Hy‐SFRC was found effective in enhancing the toughness mechanism of concrete compared to Hy‐SFRC mixes containing binary SF and MK, indicating a stronger bond between the fibers and the matrix resulting from the pore refinement and hydration products developed at the interface. Hy‐SFRC containing a ternary pozzolanic mix of SF 10% and MK 10% gave the best results in flexural toughness, and the corresponding synergy values were found to be the maximum. The results were consistent with the morphology analysis, which revealed an increase in hydration products at the interface between the aggregate and concrete matrix, as well as between the steel fiber and concrete matrix, due to the ternary blending of SF and MK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing use of aluminum and its compounds has increased the volume of aluminum waste. To mitigate environmental impacts and cut down on manufacturing expenses, extensive investigations have recently been undertaken to recycle aluminum compounds. This paper outlines the outcomes of a study on fabricating standard EN AW-2007 alloy using industrial and secondary scrap through continuous casting. The resultant recycled bars were analyzed for their chemical makeup and examined for microstructural features in both the cast and T4 states, undergoing mechanical property evaluations. The study identified several phases in the cast form through LM, SEM + EDS, and XRD techniques: Al7Cu2Fe, θ-Al2Cu, β-Mg2Si, Q-Al4Cu2Mg8Si7, and α-Al15(FeMn)3 (SiCu)2, along with Pb particles. Most primary intermetallic precipitates such as θ-Al2Cu, β-Mg2Si, and Q-Al4Cu2Mg8Si7 dissolved into the α-Al solid solution during the solution heat treatment. In the subsequent natural aging process, the θ-Al2Cu phase predominantly emerged as a finely dispersed hardening phase. The peak hardness achieved in the EN AW-2007 alloy was 124.8 HB, following a solution heat treatment at 500 °C and aging at 25 °C for 80 h. The static tensile test assessed the mechanical and ductility properties of the EN AW-2007 alloy in both the cast and T4 heat-treated states. Superior strength parameters were achieved after solution heat treatment at 500 °C for 6 h, followed by water quenching and natural aging at 25 °C/9 h, with a tensile strength of 435.0 MPa, a yield strength of 240.5 MPa, and an appreciable elongation of 18.1% at break. The findings demonstrate the feasibility of producing defect-free EN AW-2007 alloy ingots with excellent mechanical properties from recycled scrap using the continuous casting technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In civil engineering, some soils cause many problems in terms of geotechnical engineering. Especially high plasticity clayey soils cause serious problems in road, airport, pavement and highway construction. Such soils can be stabilized using the chemical stabilization method. Additives such as lime, cement, fly ash and blast furnace slag are generally used in chemical stabilization. In addition, in recent years, there have been many studies on the use of natural and artificial fibers in ground stabilization. In this study, the effects of basalt fiber and mineral additives on the microstructure of clay soil were examined. Microstructures of pure and additively mixed clayey soil specimens were investigated for this purpose. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses were performed on compacted soil specimens. In sum, it has been shown that the addition of lime, fly ash, and silica fume is effective in improving the compactivity properties. Pore sizes in SEM images vary depending on additive addition. SEM images showed that the soil particles adhered to the basalt fiber surface, which contributed to the force and friction between the soil particles and the basalt fiber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of complementary studies of Al films grown by magnetron sputtering at room temperature are presented. The films were obtained on standard Si(111) substrates without and with a ∼20 nm aluminum (homobuffer) layer preliminarily grown on their surface at 400°C. The interdependence of the morphology, microstructure, and hardness of Al films on the state of the substrate surface was studied by the HRXRR, XRD, SEM, EDS, AFM, and Nano Indenter (ASTM) methods. It is shown that the formation of homobuffer layers on the substrate surface makes it possible to control the structural and mechanical properties of thin aluminum films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Portland cement has a limited shelf life because of the prehydration that can occur during storage. One approach to mitigating strength losses observed for concrete is to pretreat cement with a protective coating to slow the advance of prehydration. This study compared cement pretreatments with alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) wax and a combination of AKD + paraffin wax to a more traditional pretreatment approach using oleic acid. After exposing the treated cements to elevated temperature and humidity conditions, paste and mortar calorimetry tests showed improved resistance to prehydration reactions. The cements aged up to 12 weeks under the accelerated regime showed strength improvement for the mortars made with AKD and AKD + paraffin-treated cements relative to the mortars made with oleic acid-treated cement and mortars made with untreated cement. The wax can be added during clinker milling and additionally functions as a grinding aid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the microstructural and mechanical behavior of Al6061-TiC-Graphite hybrid metal matrix composites fabricated by the ultrasonically stir casting process. The effects of TiC and graphite on the phase, microstructure, hardness, and tensile strength of the composites are evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy, Energy dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis techniques were used to investigate the microstructure and phase composition of the composites. The results show that the addition of TiC and graphite improves the microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites. The maximum hardness and tensile strength were obtained for the composite with 2 wt.% TiC and 1 wt.% graphite. The study provides insight into the development of advanced metal matrix composites with improved mechanical properties for potential use in various industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The motive of present work is to explore the variation in the material characteristics of steel upon multi-pass friction stir processing. Steel plates (IS2062) that were 3 mm thick, were subjected to friction stir processing in a multi-pass manner. The selected transverse speed was 150 mm/min, along with a tool rotation of 800 RPM when using a tungsten carbide tool (shoulder diameter—10 mm). Steel plates were processed using the single-pass, double-pass, and triple-pass travel of the rotating tool to observe the impact of multi-pass processing on the properties of steel plates. Multi-pass friction stir processing resulted in a higher micro-hardness of 175 VHN after the second pass, in comparison to the unprocessed metal, which had a micro-hardness of 130 VHN, owing to the collective effect of the plastic flow of the material due to the rotation of the tool and frictional heat, which also leads to grain refinement. The second pass evidenced an average grain size of 22 microns, whereas the unprocessed material had an average grain size of 57 microns. The results of EBSD and SEM characterization showed reasonably improved material properties of the processed work materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proliferation of petrochemical industries and oil refineries in the western region of Hormozgan province has led to the placement of numerous concrete structures in close proximity to organic pollutants. This proximity has the potential to significantly influence the resistance parameters and durability of concrete. Therefore, the primary objective of this article is to investigate the short-term and long-term effects of exposure to organic pollutants from crude oil on the microstructural properties and strength of concrete. This research entailed the evaluation of approximately 360 concrete samples. These samples underwent a 12-month curing process in emulsions containing varying concentrations of crude oil (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2.5%, 5%, 10%, 25%, 50%, and 100%). Compressive strength tests were conducted at intervals of 1, 3, 7, 28, 90, and 365 days, with concurrent analysis of changes in permeability coefficient. Microstructural examination was carried out using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images, while structural analysis was performed using Energy Diffraction Spectroscopy (EDX). Additionally, X-ray Diffraction (XRD) tests were conducted to study the formation of hydration products in environments contaminated with crude oil and to analyze the crystalline structure of the materials. The results reveal that the resistance of concrete samples cured in crude oil emulsions depends on the concentration of the emulsion. Notably, the compressive strength of samples cured in 100% crude oil concentration emulsion decreased by approximately 41% after 365 days when compared to the control sample. Specifically, the compressive strength dropped from 41 MPa to 24 MPa, while the permeability coefficient increased from 3.2*10-7 cm/h to 15.3*10-7 cm/h. SEM, XRD, and EDX results indicate that concrete curing in an environment contaminated with organic pollutants from crude oil leads to increased ettringite formation and the deterioration of the C-SH nanostructure due to the corrosive effects of hazardous sulfur compounds. This, in turn, results in decreased compressive strength and durability of the concrete and an increase in the permeability coefficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Urban Geology is the property of Urban Geology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Portland cement has a limited shelf life because of the prehydration that can occur during storage. One approach to mitigating strength losses observed for concrete is to pretreat cement with a protective coating to slow the advance of prehydration. This study compared cement pretreatments with alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) wax and a combination of AKD + paraffin wax to a more traditional pretreatment approach using oleic acid. After exposing the treated cements to elevated temperature and humidity conditions, paste and mortar calorimetry tests showed improved resistance to prehydration reactions. The cements aged up to 12 weeks under the accelerated regime showed strength improvement for the mortars made with AKD and AKD + paraffin-treated cements relative to the mortars made with oleic acid-treated cement and mortars made with untreated cement. The wax can be added during clinker milling and additionally functions as a grinding aid.

Abstract Mineral dust is transported over long distances from desert sources, interacting with Earth environments. The mineralogy and microstructures of individual dust particles are required to understand the interactions. Here, I summarize recent findings from electron microscopy of dust particles, focusing on Asian and Saharan dust. Dust particles are heterogeneous mixtures of clay and nonclay minerals. Clay minerals account for more than half of the mass of mineral dust. Fine grains of clay minerals form their own aggregates, coat coarse nonclay minerals, or become a matrix of composite particles. The most abundant clay minerals are illite‒smectite series clay minerals (ISCMs) dominated by illite and interstratified illite‒smectite. Saharan dust is distinct from Asian dust by the high contents of palygorskite and hexagonal kaolinite. Common nonclay silicates are quartz, K-feldspar, and Na-rich plagioclase. Amorphous silica is associated with clays in Saharan dust. Calcite occurs as nanofibers as well as coarse grains, reacting with atmospheric acids to precipitate gypsum. The submicron grains of iron oxides and titanium oxides are scattered through the fine matrix of dust particles. ISCMs, chlorite, biotite, and iron oxides are iron carriers to remote ecosystems. The shapes of dust particles approximate ellipsoids whose aspect ratios increase with clay contents. The mineralogical classification of dust particles has led to the determination of the bulk mineral composition of a very small quantity of samples. The constituent mineralogy of dust particles is discussed in an environmental context with a brief introduction of the geological backgrounds of the minerals in their source areas.

This study is intended towards enhancing the working life of the spur gear and improving its performance using the surface coating process. Mild steel C45 has been chosen as the base material for spur gear, and various specimens were synthesized by coating the base material with Al2O3-40%TiO2, Cr3C2-20%NiCr, and WC-10%Co-4%Cr using detonation thermal spray method. XRD pattern confirms the materials phase, and SEM analysis reveals the surface's topography and compositions. EDS spectra show the presence of elements. The analysis of properties such as contact stress, bending stress, and total deformation has been carried out, and the specimens have also been studied based on their hardness, tensile, and wear tests. The theoretical stress values of the spur gear have been obtained using the Hertz equation on ANSYS 2021 R2 simulator which is also employed to carry out finite element analysis. Simulations were carried out on single-gear and meshed-gear configurations. The microstructure and mechanical properties of coated materials were compared with uncoated Mild Steel C45. The investigation shows that all the coated materials exhibited better hardness, tensile strength, and wear resistance, and among these substrates coated with WC-Co-Cr possessed the highest abrasive resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study reported influence of simultaneous doping of Mg2+ and Ho3+ on geometric and intrinsic characteristics of CaCu3Ti4O12 ceramics. Rietveld refined XRD patterns confirmed the formation of CCTO ceramic. FESEM images demonstrated that grain growth suppressed significantly from 2.8 to 1.3 µm results in high grain boundary (GB) density with addition of Ho3+ in Mg2+ doped CCTO ceramics. The XPS studies revealed that oxygen vacancies tends to decline with presence of Cu in higher oxidation state (Cu2+) on successive doping of Ho3+ ions in host matrix. The impedance spectrum was analyzed in the frequency range of 102–106 Hz at different temperatures for all prepared samples. The results revealed that reduced grain's geometry and higher grain boundary density had a dominant influence on the dielectric constant (ε′) and dielectric loss factor (tanδ) and can be controlled by selective concentration of Mg2+/Ho3+ ions in CCTO ceramics to make them suitable for energy storage applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keeping in view the structural applications of aluminum alloys, squeeze overcasting has been considered an attractive alternative to deal with the inherent casting defects at the interface region of bimetallic composites. Microstructure at the joint interfacial region highly depends on the casting parameters. For this reason, the current study has considered the most effective parameters including melt temperature, insert preheat temperature, squeeze pressure, pressure duration and time delay to fabricate the defect-free Al2026/Al–4.5%Cu composite. Besides this, the influence of aging treatment with 5%HCl solution quenching has been investigated on yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, percentage elongation and microhardness of interfacial region of the bimetallic joint. Results of the current study show that the melt temperature and squeeze pressure are the most influential parameters to boost mechanical properties. Metallographic analysis based on SEM shows that the optimum set of input parameters (MT = 800 °C, IT = 250 °C, SP = 100 MPa, PD = 150 s, TD = 10 s) offers the strong metallurgical bond between melt and solid insert without any inherent casting defects such as micro-cracks, gas porosity, pinholes, shrinkage voids and hot tearing. EDS analysis depicts that zinc coating is highly concentrated at the interfacial region which facilitates the formation of strong metallic bonding between distinct metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vibration-assisted welding has become a successful method for creating welds of high quality. Researchers have recently adopted medium and high frequency assisted welding to achieve better mechanical properties. This study primarily uses low frequency vibration-assisted welding to optimize the process parameters. This study investigates the hardness of 5 mm thick butt-welded MS plates using a novel vibratory approach that vibrates the workpiece while shielding metal arc welding at frequencies between 150 and 250 Hz. The process parameters of current, vibration time, and vibration frequency on the mechanical properties of welded specimens have been optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Additionally, the microstructure of welded MS plates has been analysed using SEM and XRD examination. Results showed that for the optimal performance in terms of the hardness of welded MS plates, heat input of 135 Amp, vibration frequency of 250 Hz, and vibration duration of 30 s. were required. It has been shown that the most crucial factor affecting the hardness of the welded joint is vibration frequency. The LFVW welded butt joints had a comparable consistent, fine-grained structure with microstructure containing less dendrite suggesting increased hardness and tensile strength values due to weld pool excitation. A tiny structure has been discovered in SEM analysis on a mild steel specimen subjected to vibration-assisted welded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mineral dust is transported over long distances from desert sources, interacting with Earth environments. The mineralogy and microstructures of individual dust particles are required to understand the interactions. Here, I summarize recent findings from electron microscopy of dust particles, focusing on Asian and Saharan dust. Dust particles are heterogeneous mixtures of clay and nonclay minerals. Clay minerals account for more than half of the mass of mineral dust. Fine grains of clay minerals form their own aggregates, coat coarse nonclay minerals, or become a matrix of composite particles. The most abundant clay minerals are illite‒smectite series clay minerals (ISCMs) dominated by illite and interstratified illite‒smectite. Saharan dust is distinct from Asian dust by the high contents of palygorskite and hexagonal kaolinite. Common nonclay silicates are quartz, K-feldspar, and Na-rich plagioclase. Amorphous silica is associated with clays in Saharan dust. Calcite occurs as nanofibers as well as coarse grains, reacting with atmospheric acids to precipitate gypsum. The submicron grains of iron oxides and titanium oxides are scattered through the fine matrix of dust particles. ISCMs, chlorite, biotite, and iron oxides are iron carriers to remote ecosystems. The shapes of dust particles approximate ellipsoids whose aspect ratios increase with clay contents. The mineralogical classification of dust particles has led to the determination of the bulk mineral composition of a very small quantity of samples. The constituent mineralogy of dust particles is discussed in an environmental context with a brief introduction of the geological backgrounds of the minerals in their source areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, high velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) coating technology has gained significant interest in the field of surface engineering. In this study, we have investigated the microstructure, surface morphology, and scratch resistance of HVOF coated Nickel based novel hybrid nano-composites. The coatings were prepared using a high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF). HVOF coatings have the ability to enhance the surface properties of various materials, making them more resistant to wear, corrosion, and erosion. Thermal spraying technique, and the microstructure and surface morphology of the coatings were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The scratch test was performed using a TR-101, DUCOM made Scratch tester to evaluate the scratch resistance of the coatings. The results of the study revealed that the HVOF coated novel hybrid nano-composites exhibited a fine-grained microstructure with a dense and homogeneous surface morphology. The scratch resistance of the coatings was significantly improved due to the addition of nano composites. The load required to cause the first visible scratch on the coated surface was found to be significantly higher than that of the uncoated substrate. The scratch morphology of the coatings was also studied, which revealed that the scratch-induced damage was mainly due to the plastic deformation of the coating material. The results suggest that the HVOF coated novel hybrid nano composites have great potential in improving the surface properties of various engineering materials and can be used in applications where high wear resistance is required. Overall, the study demonstrates that the combination of HVOF coating technology and hybrid nano-composites can result in coatings with improved microstructure, surface morphology, and scratch resistance, which makes them ideal for use in applications wherever wear resistance is critical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Nucleotide delivery has emerged as a noteworthy research trend in recent years because of its potential utility in addressing a range of genetic defects resulting in the presence of incorrect nucleotides. The primary goals of this research were to create and to characterize polyurethane microstructures, with the aim of utilizing them for nucleotide transport. Materials and Methods: Two samples were prepared using an aliphatic diisocyanate in reaction with a mixture of polyethylene glycol and polycaprolactone diol, where 2′-deoxycytidinic acid was used as the active agent and glycerol 1,2-diacetate was used as an enhancer of the aqueous solubility. The solubility, pH, size distribution, and surface charge of the samples were measured, and encapsulation efficacy and release, cell proliferation, and irritation tests on mouse skin were conducted. Results: The results showed almost neutral acidic–basic structures with a high heterogeneity, and a medium tendency to form clusters with non-cytotoxic and non-irritative potentials. Conclusions: Future research could explore the efficacy of this carrier in delivering other nucleotides, as well as investigating the long-term effects and safety of these microstructures in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current era makes a pressure on more ecological and economical production, therefore technological innovations are required. Current trend is to use additive manufacturing, which saves production time and reduces the amount of waste. That also contributes to better utilization of raw materials. This paper deals with the analysis of multilayer weld made of AISI 316LSi using WAAM. The aim was to evaluate the integrity of this component via structural analysis. A pipe was welded up and the cross-section of the pipe was analysed using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The microstructure of the weld metal revealed a dendritic morphology. The dendrites were formed by austenite and the interdendritic space contained δ-ferrite. The boundaries of individual weld layers were sharp and without the presence of an annealed area. SEM-EDS analysis was used in order to obtain maps of the elements distribution in examined microstructure. Globular particles were observed in the microstructure. These particles were identified as oxides rich in silicon and manganese. The mechanical properties were evaluated using microhardness measurement in vertical line and three horizontal lines of the wall. It was found that the microhardness values in the top and middle part of the wall are higher on the inside of the component due to cooling conditions.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was successfully used to study spin‐coated, amine‐cured epoxy film microstructure and morphology. The air‐epoxy and epoxy‐substrate interfaces were examined using tapping‐mode height and phase imaging AFM. The impact of relative humidity on the morphology and microstructure of the surfaces was determined. AFM was able to elucidate the changes on the surface as relative humidity during processing increased. It was observed that large nodular formations formed on the epoxy surface expose to the air but not epoxy surface formed on the substrate in addition to varying regions of more or less compliant structures, which was attributed to carbamate formation caused by the amine curing agent reaction with atmospheric CO2. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to further elucidate interface and interphase morphology of spin‐coated epoxies. Experimentation also demonstrated that post‐curing above the glass transition did not change the morphology structure, suggesting surface structures are "locked‐in." SEM was used to further elucidate how the interface and interphase change with changing environmental conditions at both the air‐epoxy and epoxy‐substrate interface/interphases, including the impact of atmospheric CO2 on Marangoni cell formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yttrium-stabilized zirconium (YSZ) thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) are applied in gas turbines due to their ability to shield metallic parts from exposure to high temperatures. The progress in this area is sought out, among others, by bond coat (BC) engineering providing a better stress relief at ceramic/metal boundary and excellent both oxidation and corrosion protection of the metallic substrate. The present BC based on NiAl intermetallic, being exposed to oxidizing atmosphere at high temperature, secure formation of Al2O3 layer fulfilling both these requirements. The NiCr alloys are not only capable to produce a dense Cr2O3 layer at the ceramic/BC boundary, but it may additionally offer closer coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) to that of the metallic substrate. The aim of this work was a detail characterization of the microstructure, phase and local chemical composition of the TBC consisting of YSZ (ZrO2 with 8 wt.% of Y2O3) top coat (TC) and Ni 50 wt.% Cr bond coat. They were deposited over 321 s stainless steel substrates using a detonation gun (DG) technique. The investigations were performed with scanning and transmission electron microscopy backed with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM/TEM/EDS). The high-temperature (HT) cycling of YSZ/Ni50Cr set was performed in air and comprised of 5 cycles, which consisted of heating the samples up to 900 °C at 10 °C/min., holding them at that temperature for 10 h, followed by their cooling down for ~ 30 min. The microstructure observations showed that DG allowed to produced dense YSZ coating of low porosity, while Ni50Cr bond coat differed in local chemical composition and contained numerous amorphous chromium oxide pockets. During the HT cycling, the oxygen from the air was still able to penetrate through the YSZ layer supporting formation of Cr2O3, while the amorphous chromium oxide transformed to R-CrO2 (rutile type). Only small amount of NiO was noted, being dispersed within Cr2O3. Simultaneously, a significant inter-diffusion of Ni into steel substrate and Fe and Cr into the bond coat were documented. The lack of oxide formation in the substrate proves that the DG YSZ/Ni50Cr set could serve as a good protection over parts subjected to HT cycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titanium-based composite materials arouse interest in fields like aerospace, transportation, medicine, and other applications. This research project presents the analysis of phase composition of sintered Ti-Al-C composite materials under high voltage electrical discharge. The new technology, described in the previous work of the authors, allows to synthesise the composites containing various intermetallics, carbides, and nanostructures. The samples of Ti-Al-C powder composites were tested by SEM, Raman spectroscopy, and XRD. It was determined that the treatment of the powder by high voltage electrical discharge (HVED) and further sintering at high temperatures using the spark plasma sintering (SPS) method encouraged the formation of the intermetallic reinforcing phases, carbides, and different nanocarbon structures like graphene and fullerenes, as well as pure graphite. Intermetallic phases and nanocarbon structures improved the mechanical and physical properties of the composites. By using the experimental methods mentioned above, the phase composition of Ti-Al-C powder composites obtained at different sintering temperatures was determined. It was revealed that new composite materials produced by HVED and further SPS were rich with carbides, intermetallics, and MAX phases. Therefore, the carbon nanostructures (graphene and graphite) were detected existing in the structure of the produced new Ti-Al-C composite material. All these reinforcing particles improved the microstructure and the mechanical properties of the composites, as was proved in the previous research by the authors and by the different scientific resources. This project is a pilot experimental work, therefore not all peaks of Raman and XRD were detected; they will be analysed in future works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alloying Zn with other metals is an alternative method to create advanced alloys with better corrosion properties, in this work the electrodeposition of Zn-Al binary alloy in sulphate-based acidic bath and with different Al2O12S3 content from 0.03 to 0.1M on a treated copper substrates was studied, the structure and microstructure of the coatings were analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) supported by (EDX) analysis, the microhardness was measured, the corrosion resistance was evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization (Tafel), the effect of Al ions was visible on the structure, (XRD) spectra showed zinc phase (η-phase), and Al phase (α-Al phase) with Al peak intensity increasing along with the increase of Al concentration, the microhardness also enhanced gradually to 252.33 HV, the corrosion current density decreased by almost 13 times and the corrosion resistance was drastically improved at 0.1M Al. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the impact of Sm 2 O 3 doping on PZT ceramics, specifically focusing on the phase structure, microstructure, and dielectric characteristics of Pb 1-x Sm x [(Zr 0.52 Ti 0.48) 0.9 (Mo 1/3 In 2/3) 0.05 (Zn 1/3 Sb 2/3) 0.05 ]O 3 samples namely PSZT-PSMI-PSZS ceramics. Sm 2 O 3 was doped at site A within the range of 0.00 ≤ x ≤ 0.08 using the solid-state reaction method and sintering at 1150 °C. The examination of the results revealed that the samples exhibited a perovskite structure, along with a secondary phase, with increasing intensity of the said phase as Sm content increased. XRD, Rietveld refinement, and Raman spectroscopy analysis indicate a decrease in the rhombohedral phase ratio (R) and an increase in the tetrahedral phase ratio (T) with higher Sm content. Microscopic examination using SEM demonstrates variations in microstructure, with the highest density and grain size observed at a small increment of Sm content (x ≤ 0.02). Optimal electrical properties were achieved at x = 0.00, including a high dielectric constant (ε r = 8578), Curie temperature (T c) of 303 °C, and dielectric loss (tanδ) value of 0.34. Conductivity studies indicate a negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR) for all samples. Additionally, the relationship between electrical characteristics and Sm 2 O 3 doping is discussed. This research provides valuable insights into the structural, microstructural, and electrical properties of PZT ceramics affected by Sm 2 O 3 doping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phase and grain boundary characteristics of recently developed fine-grained dual-phase high-entropy (Ti-Zr-Nb-Hf-Ta)C/(Ti-Zr-Nb-Hf-Ta)B 2 was investigated throughout all the accessible length scales using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). The system exhibits relatively homogeneous grain size distribution where the average size is approximately 0.97 µm, with chemical composition (Ti 0.14 Zr 0.2 Nb 0.2 Hf 0.2 Ta 0.26)C + (Ti 0.38 Zr 0.18 Nb 0.22 Hf 0. 115 Ta 0.105)B 2. SEM analyses revealed no micro-crack formation and second – phase segregation at the boundaries or micro-pores at the triple – points. Investigation down to the sub-nanometer scale revealed that the phase and grain boundaries were typically clean and sharp with an indistinct 1 – 1.5 nm thin gradient of metallic elements at boride/boride and carbide/carbide interfaces. The sharp phase and grain boundaries do exhibit elemental enrichment from a trace amount of Fe being incorporated in interstitial positions of carbide and boride grains locally at boride/carbide boundaries or are present in boride and carbide grains in the form of continuous thin layer at boride/boride and carbide/carbide interfaces with the probably origin from starting powders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminium-based alloys are the most widely used structural material owing to their lightweight, high stiffness with moderate strength, ductility, and toughness. However, these alloys still have several issues in engineering applications, such as moderate strength, high temperature, wear-resistant, unstable mechanical characteristics, etc. Intermetallics offer tremendous possibilities for the development of advanced novel material with enhanced mechanical properties for aerospace and automotive applications due to the range of reinforcement materials and flexibility in their primary processing. The current research provides a detailed study of the formation of Cu9Al4, AlCu, and AlTi3 intermetallic compounds via mechanical alloying and powder metallurgy route. The microstructural characterisation, compositional analysis, and evolution of different aluminium-based intermetallic compounds with respect to milling time were investigated through field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (×RD) analysis. Microstructural analysis revealed that the elemental powder became fine and homogenous as the milling progressed. In addition, the grain structure is homogeneously distributed with a few enlarged and dispersed phases of Y2O3 and TiO2 in the base alloy. The porosity of the sintered compacts was significantly improved by the addition of 1 wt % each of Y2O3 and TiO2 dispersoids to 60 h milled base alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Durability testing of low temperature solid oxide cells is challenging as degradation phenomena related to microstructural changes like nickel‐agglomeration are slow. In the present study, a nickel/gadolinia doped ceria (GDC) fuel electrode with a porous GDC‐interlayer towards the zirconia electrolyte was investigated. The electrode, designed for operating temperatures of 600°C, was tested at an elevated temperature of 900°C for up to 1100 h to accelerate aging. Contrary to every expectation, the electrodes showed continuous improvement in electrochemical performance. Impedance spectroscopy, the distribution of relaxation times analysis, scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope were applied to correlate electrochemical and microstructural changes. Structural analysis showed a significant Ni agglomeration accompanied by a decrease in triple phase boundary density. Furthermore, a minor particle growth in the GDC‐phase decreased the volume‐specific double phase boundary GDC/pore. Considering these microstructural changes, the decrease in active reaction sites should have increased the polarization resistance, but a decrease of about 32% was observed. The discrepancy between polarization resistance improvement and microstructural degradation might be attributed to an activation of the GDC‐surfaces in the electrode and the porous GDC‐interlayer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of finishing rolling reduction on microstructures and textures of grain oriented silicon steel was researched by optical microscopy, zeiss ultra 55 Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) technique severally. The results show that the grain size of hot rolled sheets and decarburized strips decreases, while the center grain size of the normalized sheet increases with the increase of the finishing rolling reduction. The pearlite content increases with the increase of the finishing rolling reduction after normalization. Compare with the previous research, the effect of finishing rolling reduction on the grain size of primary recrystallization is greater than that of roughing rolling reduction, and large rolling reduction is beneficial to the formation of {110} texture.

The effect of finishing rolling reduction on microstructures and textures of grain oriented silicon steel was researched by optical microscopy, zeiss ultra 55 Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) technique severally. The results show that the grain size of hot rolled sheets and decarburized strips decreases, while the center grain size of the normalized sheet increases with the increase of the finishing rolling reduction. The pearlite content increases with the increase of the finishing rolling reduction after normalization. Compare with the previous research, the effect of finishing rolling reduction on the grain size of primary recrystal-lization is greater than that of roughing rolling reduction, and large rolling reduction is beneficial to the formation of {110}<001> texture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microwave heating contributes to coal fracturing and gas desorption. However, problems of low penetration depth, local overheating and fracture closure exist. Coal demineralisation by acids has advantages in coal unblocking and permeability improvement, while it is difficult for acid to enter microcracks. Microwave-asisted acidification may offer an alternative. In this work, XRD, 1H-NMR, and SEM were used to evaluate the effect of microwave-assisted acidification on the microstructure of coal. Results show that kaolinite, calcite, and dolomite can be dissolved by acid. After microwave irradiation, the graphitization of microcrystalline structure of carbon improves. Microwave-assisted acidification erodes minerals in coal and enhances the graphitization degree of microcrystalline structure. Compared to individual microwave irradiation or acidification, the pore volume and pore connectivity can be greatly enhanced by microwave-assisted acidification. The NMR permeability of coal increased by 28.05%. This study demonstrates the potential of microwave-assisted acidification for coalbed methane recovery.

This article provides novel data on the microstructure and crystallographic texture of modern giant clam shells (Tridacna squamosa and Hippopus hippopus) from the Coral Triangle region of northeast Borneo. Giant clams have two aragonitic shell layers—the inner and outer shell layer. This dataset focuses on the inner shell layer as this is well preserved and not affected by diagenetic alteration. To prepare samples for analysis, shells were cut longitudinally at the axis of maximum growth and mounted onto thin sections. Data collection involved scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to determine microstructure and SEM based electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) for quantitative measurement of crystallographic orientation and texture. Post-acquisition reanalysis of saved EBSD patterns to optimize data quality included changing the number of reflectors and band detection mode. We provide EBSD data as band contrast images and colour-coded orientation maps (inverse pole figure maps). Crystallographic co-orientation strength obtained with multiple of uniform density (MUD) values are derived from density distributed pole figures of indexed EBSD points. Raw EBSD data files are also given to ensure repeatability of the steps provided in this article and to allow extraction of further crystallographic properties for future researchers. Overall, this dataset provides 1. a better understanding of shell growth and biomineralization in giant clams and 2. important steps for optimizing data collection with EBSD analyses in biogenic carbonates.

The industrial sintering process used to produce metallic matrix pads has been altered to diminish the amount of copper used. Unfortunately, replacing a large part of the copper with iron seems to have reached a limit. In the high-energy, emergency-type rail braking used in this study, the materials are put to the very limit of their usage capacity, allowing us to observe the evolution of the microstructure and mechanical properties of sintered, metallic matrix pads. After the braking test, their compressive behaviour was assessed using digital image correlation (DIC), and their microstructure with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The worn material has three flat layers with different microstructures and compressive behaviours. The bottom layer seems unmodified. Macroscopic and microscopic cracks run through the intermediate layer (2–15 mm depth). The top layer has stiffened thanks to resolidification of copper. The temperature reaches 1000 °C during the braking test, which also explains the carbon diffusion into iron that result in the weakening of iron –graphite interfaces in the pad. Finally, submicronic particles are detected at many open interfaces of the worn and compressed pad. Associated with the predominant role of graphite particles, this explains the weak compressive behaviour of the pads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study was conducted within the framework of comparative functional morphology of mammalian skin (Sokolov 1982) and "Trichomorphology" (Hausmann 1930; 1944; Teerink 1991) focusing in particular on specialized tactile organs such as whiskers (vibrissae). The architecture of vibrissae was studied for the first time using SEM in the relict rodent Laonastes aenigmamus and in some other representatives of the clade Ctenohystrica (Rodentia): Ctenodactylus gundi , Pectinator spekei , Proechimys guyannensis , Echimys sp., Trichomys apereoides , Chinchilla lanigera , and Octodon degus with the aim to identify the specific characters for each species. The vibrissal architecture is specific and polymorphic: the rod shape and structure of the medulla show differences between species of different genera and differ from those of guard hairs and spines of the same species. In L. aenigmamus, the vibrissal medulla is peculiar in its internal structure, which, together with the structure of guard hairs in this species, confirms its phylogenetically distinct position within Ctenohystrica. For the compared species, the complex medulla is with variously arranged systems of keratinized septa and different degrees of development of air spaces between them (ranging from unstructured and irregular to uni- or biserial ladder-like, cellated or pyramidal). The vibrissae have a non-specialized cuticle serving mostly for protection during tactile contacts, which distinguishes it from the diverse and multifunctional cuticle of guard hairs, spines, and quills. The tactile function of vibrissae is corroborated by the presence of scuff marks, scratches and even cuticle loss at the tip and on the ventral side of the rod, a thickened dense cortex and a poorly developed medullar layer but diverse its internal architecture, which provides only a very limited thermal protection, unlike that of the hair pelage. The SEM study of vibrissal architecture is a promising line of research, because a better knowledge of vibrissae may contribute to the biology and biomimetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite materials are created by combining two or more different materials, which results in new material with enhanced properties when compared to the original components. In the case of Metal Matrix Composites (MMC), the main component is metal, while the reinforcement is made up of ceramics. MMCs are popular due to their durability and toughness, while ceramics provide high elastic modulus. They are widely used in various industries such as sports, automotive, aerospace, packaging and heavy industries. Aluminum-based composites are particularly favored in production due to their low density, high fatigue strength, and excellent resistance to corrosion (Tu et al., 2002). The objective is to produce a distinct aluminum-based composite, containing 2% of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), and then evaluate the mechanical and microstructural characteristics in comparison to pure aluminum using powder metallurgy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When joining between GA980 and A6061 plates by the FSSW, brittle intermetallic compounds and Zn-contained region are formed at the joint interface. These local reaction products determine the strength of the joint. Therefore, the bonding interface microstructure analysis is crucial to control the process and improve strength. This study performed microstructural analysis near the joint interface on GA980/A6061 joints bonded by the FSSW. The detailed variation of the IMC thickness along with the bonded interface and the microstructure of the Zn-contained region in A6061 plate was clarified. In the A6061 plate, a simple shear texture was observed with the Al <110> direction in the tool rotational direction and the Al {111} plane perpendicular to the direction of the elongated grains. In elongated Al grains surrounded by high-angle grain boundaries, the grains were divided by the low-angle grain boundaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of underground rail transportation in China, the demand for precast concrete pipe sheets in metro construction continues to increase, and the quality and safety of precast concrete pipe sheets profoundly affect the safety of tunnels. The quality and safety of precast concrete pipe sheets have a profound impact on the safety of tunnels. The maintenance of pipe sheets plays an important role in ensuring the strength and durability of concrete pipe sheets. Therefore, it is important to study the maintenance methods of concrete pipe sheets. The method of substituting immersion curing with spray curing is proposed in this paper. It has been shown that spray curing can overcome the challenges of high pollution and high cost caused by the immersion curing of precast concrete pipe (PCP) sheets. Experimental tests investigate the influence of macro-mechanical properties and microstructure of pipe sheet materials under various ages of the two curing conditions. The results highlighted that the conventional methods of water immersion for PCP have minimal effect on concrete's macro-mechanical characteristics or microstructure after a certain curing age. The comparative studies on both curing processes showed that after seven days of curing, the degree of moisture attained by the spray-cured samples was relatively lower than that of the water immersion approach. In addition, samples with the water spray curing process had larger pore sizes (which could degrade faster) with lower mechanical strength. Interestingly, after 28 days of curing age, both approaches attained complete hydration levels, resulting in a dense pore structure with reduced median pore size and higher mechanical performance. Investigations on two distinct methods indicated that the early strength properties (after seven days of curing) acquired with water immersion curing were higher than the mechanical properties obtained with spray curing. This difference in mechanical properties, in addition, was not significant after 28 days of curing age. As a result, the suggested technique of water spray curing is an appropriate method with minimum water use to some extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, samarium (Sm-10at%)-doped BiFeO3 (SmBFO) thin films were grown on platinum-coated glass substrates using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) to unveil the correlation between the microstructures and nanomechanical properties of the films. The PLD-derived SmBFO thin films were prepared under various oxygen partial pressures (PO2) of 10, 30, and 50 mTorr at a substrate temperature of 600 °C. The scanning electron microscopy analyses revealed a surface morphology consisting of densely packed grains, although the size distribution varied with the PO2. X-ray diffraction results indicate that all SmBFO thin films are textured and preferentially oriented along the (110) crystallographic orientation. The crystallite sizes of the obtained SmBFO thin films calculated from the Scherrer and (Williamson–Hall) equations increased from 20 (33) nm to 25 (52) nm with increasing PO2. In addition, the nanomechanical properties (the hardness and Young's modulus) of the SmBFO thin films were measured by using nanoindentation. The relationship between the hardness and crystalline size of SmBFO thin films appears to closely follow the Hall–Petch equation. In addition, the PO2 dependence of the film microstructure, the crystallite size, the hardness, and Young's modulus of SmBFO thin films are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]