1. Microstructural, corrosion and mechanical properties of a WE43 alloy : conventional extrusion versus SPDAnna Dobkowska, Aleksandra Zielińska, Irena Paulin, Črtomir Donik, Milena Koralnik, Bogusława Adamczyk-Cieślak, Monika Wieczorek-Czarnocka, Dariusz Kuc, Jiří Kubásek, Tomasz Mikuszewski, Matjaž Godec, Jarosław Mizera, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: A hexagonal close-packed-structure WE43 alloy was extruded without any preheating of the initial billet using extrusion with an oscillating die to improve the corrosion and mechanical properties. The WE43 alloy was extruded at high ratios of R 1 5:1, R 2 7:1 and R 3 10:1. Electron back-scatter diffraction and transmission electron microscopy were used to determine the microstructural properties of the alloys. The influence of the extrusion method and the extrusion ratios on the corrosion and mechanical properties were investigated. Electrochemical tests were performed, and the corrosion damage was inspected. Tensile tests were made using micro specimens. When compared to conventional extrusion, the microstructural changes obtained with the KoBo method at R 5:1 increased the corrosion resistance, which was not only due to the grain refinement, but also due to the intensity of the texture. A decline in the corrosion resistance of the alloys deformed at higher extrusion ratios was observed. This was a result of the massive plastic strain imposed by the KoBo die. The room-temperature mechanical properties of the KoBo-extruded alloys were improved. However, at higher temperatures the mechanical properties decreased due to the solutioning of tiny triple precipitates. Keywords: WE43, several plastic deformation, microstructure, corrosion, mechanical properties Published in DiRROS: 23.07.2024; Views: 213; Downloads: 70 Link to file |
2. Single-use plastic bans pollution : exploring stakeholder perspectives on best practices for reducing plasticEmily Cowan, Andy M. Booth, Andreas Misund, Katja Klun, Ana Rotter, Rachel Tiller, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: Abstract
In this study, we conducted and documented workshops and interviews in Norway and Slovenia to identify stakeholder and future generation opinions and mitigation strategies for solving one of the most prominent environmental issues: plastic pollution. As part of the EU H2020 project GoJelly, stakeholders were brought together to explore their perceptions on considering jellyfish mucus as a new resource to contribute to reducing plastic pollution from entering the marine environment. The study was conducted in the spring of 2019, in a context directly after the European Union (EU) announced its Directive to ban the most commonly used single-use plastic (SUP) items. The study applied the snowball method as a methodological choice to identify relevant stakeholders. Systems thinking was utilized as a participatory modelling approach, which allowed for the creation of conceptual mind maps from the various workshops and interviews, to understand consumers’ consciousness, and to map out ideas on plastic pollution reduction. Plastic pollution takes place on a global scale and stakeholders discussed their individual perceptions of national and international solutions that could be put in place to solve it, including the opportunities around utilizing jellyfish mucus to filter and capture micro- and nanoplastic. We found that industry stakeholders in both case areas were generally more accepting of policy and increased innovation moving forward, but placed weight on the scientific community to conduct more research on the pollution issue and propose solutions. Future generation stakeholders (youth aged 14–18), however, put emphasis on consumer behavior and buying patterns of single-use products fueling the plastic crisis. Keywords: ecology, plastics, single-use plastic, stakeholder integration, plastic pollution, systems thinking Published in DiRROS: 19.07.2024; Views: 239; Downloads: 146 Full text (1,91 MB) This document has many files! More... |
3. Microstructure and properties of an AZ61 alloy after extrusion with a forward-backward oscillating die without preheating of the initial billetAnna Dobkowska, Aleksandra Zielińska, Irena Paulin, Črtomir Donik, Maciej Łojkowski, Milena Koralnik, Bogusława Adamczyk-Cieślak, Krystian Paradowski, Marek Tkocz, Dariusz Kuc, Jiří Kubásek, Matjaž Godec, Wojciech Święszkowski, 2023, original scientific article Keywords: magnesium alloys, severe plastic deformation, microstructure, mechanical properties, corrosion, extrusion, high deformation ratio Published in DiRROS: 17.05.2024; Views: 401; Downloads: 211 Link to file |
4. Development of the recycling procedure for rapid antigen testsRebeka Rudolf, Darja Feizpour, Žiga Jelen, Peter Majerič, Tilen Švarc, Matej Zadravec, Timi Gomboc, Aleksandra Kocijan, 2024, original scientific article Keywords: rapid antigen tests, recycling, characterization, nanogold, plastic Published in DiRROS: 28.02.2024; Views: 452; Downloads: 200 Full text (1,74 MB) This document has many files! More... |
5. Environmental hazard of polypropylene microplastics from disposable medical masks : acute toxicity towards Daphnia magna and current knowledge on other polypropylene microplasticsAnita Jemec Kokalj, Andraž Dolar, Damjana Drobne, Marjan Marinšek, Matej Dolenec, Luka Škrlep, Gregor Strmljan, Branka Mušič, Andrijana Sever Škapin, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the use of disposable plastics, including medical masks, which have become a necessity in our daily lives. As these are often improperly disposed of, they represent an important potential source of microplastics in the environment. We prepared microplastics from polypropylene medical masks and characterised their size, shape, organic chemical leaching, and acute toxicity to the planktonic crustacean Daphnia magna. The three layers of the masks were separately milled and characterised. Each of the inner frontal, middle filtering, and outer layers yielded different types of microplastics: fibres were obtained from the inner and outer layer, but irregular fragments from the middle layer. The shape of the obtained microplastics differed from the initial fibrous structure of the intact medical mask layers, which indicates that the material is deformed during cryo-milling. The chemical compositions of plastics-associated chemicals also varied between the different layers. Typically, the inner layer contained more chemicals related to antimicrobial function and flavouring. The other two layers also contained antioxidants and their degradation products, plasticisers, cross-linking agents, antistatic agents, lubricants, and non-ionic surfactants. An acute study with D. magna showed that these microplastics do not cause immobility but do physically interact with the daphnids. Further long-term studies with these microplastics are needed using a suite of test organisms. Indeed, studies with other polypropylene microplastics have shown numerous adverse effects on other organisms at concentrations that have already been reported in the environment. Further efforts should be made to investigate the environmental hazards of polypropylene microplastics from medical masks and how to handle this new source of environmental burden. Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic, plastics-associated chemicals, Daphnia magna, fibres, fragments, nanofibres, polypropylene microplastics, single-use plastic Published in DiRROS: 05.05.2023; Views: 630; Downloads: 420 Full text (3,28 MB) This document has many files! More... |