1. Relevance of cold-rolling technology for the texture and anisotropy of EN AW-8011A aluminum alloysJakob Kraner, Kyung Il Kim, Bonghwan Kim, Shae K. Kim, Irena Paulin, 2023, original scientific article Keywords: aluminium alloys, cold rolling, SEM-EBSD, textures, anisotropy Published in DiRROS: 08.03.2024; Views: 161; Downloads: 74
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2. High-temperature oxidation of boiler steels at 650 °CJaka Burja, Barbara Šetina, Borut Žužek, Tilen Balaško, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: This study presents a comprehensive investigation of the formation, composition and
behaviour of oxide layers during the high-temperature oxidation of four different steel alloys (16Mo3,
13Cr, T24 and P91) at a uniform temperature of 650 °C. The study is aimed at assessing the oxidation
damage due to short-term overheating. The research combines CALPHAD (CALculation of PHAse
Diagrams) calculations, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and advanced microscopy techniques, in-
cluding scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), to elucidate
the complex mechanisms controlling oxidation kinetics and oxide layer development. CALPHAD
calculations were used to determine the thermodynamically stable phases for each steel type at 650
◦C and different oxygen activities. The results showed different phase compositions, highlighting
the importance of the chromium content in steel for the formation of oxide layers. The different
oxidation kinetics and oxide layer compositions are presented and associated with the increased risk
of material degradation due to overheating. These results have significant implications for industrial
applications, mainly the susceptibility to oxidation of low-alloyed steels like 16Mo3 and 13 Cr and
contribute to a deeper understanding of oxidation processes in steels. Keywords: high-temperature oxidation, thermogravimetric analysis, kinetics, CALPHAD, boiler steels, SEM, EBSD Published in DiRROS: 26.01.2024; Views: 299; Downloads: 130
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3. Heavy minerals as indicators of source material in soils on carbonatesBarbara Čeplak, Miloš Miler, Nina Zupančič, Simona Jarc, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: The origin of the soils formed on carbonate rocks remains uncertain, as they are probably of polygenetic origin. Of particular interest are the elevated contents of some trace elements detected in these soils, as they can hardly be attributed to insoluble residues of carbonate rock. The aim of this study was to uncover the relationship between heavy minerals in bedrock and soil and to identify other sources that influence the mineral and chemical composition of soil. We investigated representative samples of soils and dolomite bedrock as well as sandstones and marlstones from the nearby flysch basin as an expected source of the aeolian contribution. XRD and SEM/EDS showed that mineral diversity is higher in soils compared to the dolomites. Heavy minerals found in dolomite insoluble residue include sphalerite, Ti-oxide (probably rutile), zircon, fluorite, pyrite, minerals of REE phosphates and apatite group, interpreted as terrigenous detrital material. The mineral composition of soil heavy fraction is only partly following insoluble residues of bedrock and indicates possible aeolian contribution. Comparison with nearby flysch sandstones and marlstones showed similarities in mineralogical diversity by the presence of chromite and Fe-Cr(Mn) oxides (probably carmichaelite). Other minerals present in soils and flysch layers, such as Ti-oxide (probably rutile), zircon, REE phosphates, and pyrite grains, however, show similarities in mode of occurrence and transport indications. Signs of aeolian transport on the grains detected in soils were further confirmed by SEM/EDS. Keywords: Phaeozem, Upper Triassic dolomite, flysch layers, trace elements, SEM/EDS Published in DiRROS: 04.01.2024; Views: 264; Downloads: 61
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4. Potential of green ceramics waste for alkali activated foamsBarbara Horvat, Vilma Ducman, 2019, original scientific article Abstract: The aim of the paper is to research the influence of foaming and stabilization agents in the alkali activation process of waste green ceramics for future low cost up-cycling into lightweight porous thermal insulating material. Green waste ceramics, which is used in the present article, is a green body residue (non-successful intermediate-product) in the synthesis of technical ceramics for fuses. This residue was alkali activated with Na-water glass and NaOH in theoretically determined ratio based on data from X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) that was set to maximise mechanical properties and to avoid efflorescence. Prepared mixtures were compared to alkali activated material prepared in theoretically less favourable ratios, and tested on the strength and density. Selected mixtures were further foamed with different foaming agents, that are Na-perborate (s), H2O2 (l), and Al (s), and supported by a stabilization agent, i.e., Na-dodecyl sulphate. The goal of the presented work was to prepare alkali activated foam based on green ceramics with density below 1 kg/l and compressive strength above 1 MPa. Keywords: alkali activation, foaming, SEM, XRF, XRD, mechanical strength Published in DiRROS: 14.09.2023; Views: 297; Downloads: 153
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5. Influence of particle size on compressive strength of alkali activated refractory materialsBarbara Horvat, Vilma Ducman, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: Influence of particle size on the mechanical strength of alkali activated material from waste refractory monolithic was investigated in this study. Precursor was chemically and mineralogically analysed, separated on 4 fractions and alkali activated with Na-water glass. Alkali activated materials were thoroughly investigated under SEM and XRD to evaluate the not predicted differences in mechanical strength. Influence of curing temperature and time dependence at curing temperatures on mechanical strength were investigated in the sample prepared from a fraction that caused the highest compressive strength. Keywords: refractory materials, alkali activation, particle size, SEM, XRF, XRD, compressive strength Published in DiRROS: 21.08.2023; Views: 389; Downloads: 263
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6. Microstructural characterization of alkali-activated composites of lightweight aggregates (LWAs) embedded in alkali-activated foam (AAF) matricesKatja Traven, Wolfgang Wisniewski, Mark Češnovar, Vilma Ducman, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: Alkali-activated composites of lightweight aggregates (LWAs, with beneficial insulating properties) and alkali-activated foams (AAFs, higher added value products due to their production from waste materials at well below 100 ◦C) allow for the expectation of superior properties if a chemical bonding reaction or mechanical interlocking occurs during production. However, the interfaces between LWAs and an AAF have not been studied in detail so far. Chemical reactions are possible if the LWA contains an amorphous phase which can react with the alkaline activators of the AAF, increase the bonding, and thus, also their mechanical strengths. These, in turn, allow for an improvement of the thermal insulation properties as they enable a further density reduction by incorporating low density aggregates. This work features a first-detailed analyses of the interfaces between the LWAs’ expanded polystyrene, perlite, expanded clay and expanded glass, and the alkali-activated foam matrices produced using industrial slags and fly ash. Some are additionally reinforced by fibers. The goal of these materials is to replace cement by alkali-activated waste as it significantly lowers the environmental impact of the produced building components. Keywords: alkali activated materials/geopolymers, light weight aggregates, SEM Published in DiRROS: 20.06.2023; Views: 392; Downloads: 194
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7. Preparation of façade panels based on alkali-activated waste mineral wool, their characterization and durability aspectsMajda Pavlin, Barbara Horvat, Vilma Ducman, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: Mineral wool is a widely used insulation material and one of the largest components of construction and demolition waste, yet it mainly ends up in landfills. In this work, we explored the potential recycling of waste stone wool in the pilot production of alkali-activated façade panels. The current work shows mechanical properties, SEM-EDS and mercury intrusion porosimetry analyses for three different mix designs used for the preparation of façade panels. They are all composed of waste stone wool and differ in the amount of co-binders (local slag, lime, metakaolin and/or fly ash) selected by the preliminary studies. In this study, co-binders were added to increase early strength and improve the mechanical properties and freeze-thaw resistance. The mechanical properties of each were measured up to 256 days, different durability tests were executed, and, by evaluating the mechanical properties, microstructure and workability of the mortar, the most suitable mix was selected to be used for pilot production. In addition, the leaching test of the selected mixture showed no exceeded toxic trace elements and therefore got classified as non-hazardous waste after its use. Keywords: alkali activation, waste mineral wool, SEM, XRF, XRD, mechanical strength Published in DiRROS: 19.06.2023; Views: 352; Downloads: 147
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8. The preparation and characterization of low-temperature foams based on the alkali activation of waste stone woolMajda Pavlin, Barbara Horvat, Mark Češnovar, Vilma Ducman, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: Waste mineral wool represents a huge amount of construction and demolition waste that is still not adequately returned into the value chain but needs to be landfilled. In the present study, waste stone wool (SW) was evaluated for the preparation of alkali-activated foams. For this purpose SW was milled and sieved below 63 μm, then the activator (sodium silicate) and different amounts of foaming agent (hydrogen peroxide, H2O2), varying between 1 wt% and 3 wt%, were added to the slurry and cured in moulds at an elevated temperature (70 ◦ C) for three days. In this way, foamed, highly porous materials were obtained whose density and mechanical properties were influenced by the amount of foaming agent used. The densities obtained ranged between 1.4 and 0.5 g/cm3, with corresponding mechanical properties of between 12.6 and 1.5 MPa and total porosities in the range 37.8–78.6%, respectively. In the most porous samples with the total porosity of 78.6%, a thermal conductivity of 0.092 W/(m∙K) was confirmed. The study confirmed the suitability of waste mineral wool (in our case SW) as a precursor for alkali-activated foams with potential use in the construction sector or other industrial applications. Keywords: alkali activation, waste mineral wool, mechanical strength, open access, alkalijska aktivacija, odpadna volna, SEM, XRF, XRD, mehanska trdnost, odprti dostop Published in DiRROS: 19.06.2023; Views: 295; Downloads: 219
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9. Corrosion and protection of non-patinated, sulphide- and chloride-patinated bronzeŽiva Novak, Tadeja Kosec, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: The surface of bronze undergoes changes when it is exposed to a polluted atmosphere, and bronze should therefore be protected from this natural deterioration. The most common protective coating currently in use is Incralac, which includes toxic components and is reported to dissolve a few months after application. This work therefore investigates a fluoropolymer-based coating (FA-MS), and compares it to the protection offered by Incralac. Bronze samples (non-patinated, sulphide-patinated or chloride-patinated) were exposed to simulated urban rain for four months. The corrosion products formed were characterised using SEM/EDS and Raman analyses. To study the protection efficiency of the newly developed fluoropolymer coating (FA-MS) and Incralac protection, various electrochemical methods were used: measurements of open circuit potential linear polarisation and potentiodynamic measurements. Findings show that the FA-MS coating provides a protection efficiency of 71 % for chloride-patinated bronze and 99.5 % for sulphide-patinated bronze. Contact angles of the FA-MS samples were higher than those of the unprotected samples or the samples protected by Incralac, indicating better hydrophobic properties of the FA-MS coating. Keywords: bronze, corrosion, SEM/EDS analyses, Raman spectroscopy, electrochemistry, odprti dostop Published in DiRROS: 31.05.2023; Views: 364; Downloads: 133
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10. Metal and non-metal modified titania : the effect of phase composition and surface area on photocatalytic activityBoštjan Žener, Lev Matoh, Martin Reli, Andrijana Sever Škapin, Romana Cerc Korošec, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: The application of TiO 2 photocatalysis in various environmental fields has been extensively studied in the last decades due to its ability to induce the degradation of adsorbed organic pollutants. In the present work, TiO 2 powders doped and co-doped with sulfur and nitrogen and modified with platinum were prepared by particulate sol-gel synthesis. PXRD measurements revealed that the replacement of HCl with H 2SO4 during synthesis reduced the size of the crystallites from ~ 30 nm to ~20 nm, increasing the surface area from ~44 m2/g to ~80 m2/g. This is consistent with the photocatalytic activity of the samples and the measured photocurrent behavior of the photocatalysts. The results showed that the prop- erties of the powders (i.e., surface area, crystallite size, photocurrent behavior) depend strongly not only on the type but also on the amount of acid and dopants used in the synthesis. Doping, co-doping and modification of TiO 2 samples with nitrogen, sulfur and platinum increased their photocatalytic activity up to 6 times. Keywords: titanium dioxide, powders, doping, photocatalysis, photocurrent, SEM Published in DiRROS: 04.05.2023; Views: 366; Downloads: 152
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