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Abstract: Marine ostracods of the family Bairdiidae Sars, 1888 have an evolutionary history starting from the Ordovician with an explosive diversification of ornate forms during the Triassic. Representatives of the family are notoriously homeomorphic, which makes their taxonomy a major challenge of modern ostracodology. Their classification has thus been problematic since the 1970s. Here we present the first CT-scan investigation of recent and fossil ornate Bairdiidae valves in order to characterize and evaluate the taxonomic significance of unexploited characters, such as pores and pore canals. Thanks to 3D tomography, we explore the distribution of pores at the surface and the pathway of pore ca- nals within the valve wall of the recent genus Triebelina van den Bold, 1946 and the Triassic genera Nodobairdia Kollmann, 1963 and Mirabairdia Kollmann, 1963. In Triebelina indopacifica van den Bold, 1946, we describe an unexpected system of double pore canals, so far unknown in ostracods. We confirm that pore systems in Triebelina have largely intramural positions. In the Triassic Bairdiidae (Nodobairdia mammilata Kollmann, 1963 and Mirabairdia pernodosa Kollmann, 1963), we recognize simple unrimmed and massively nodular pores as well as marginal pores. Lateral normal pores of the Triassic specimens appear to be mostly in intra-solum positions. Although still exploratory and at the limits of the tomographic resolution, these observations provide new evidence to reject the formerly proposed synonymy of Triassic genera with Triebelina, which obstructed the establishment of a phylogenetic classification.
Keywords: ostracods, ornate Bairdiidae, morphology, normal pore canals, CT-scan, 3D analysis
Published in DiRROS: 08.03.2024; Views: 127; Downloads: 98
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Abstract: In recent years many researchers have been involved in studies in the field of pre-treatment of various raw materials. Temperature treatment of materials results in several advantages, which have been already recognised and successfully applied in various fields of applications. Where at the same time, the practices has been adopted also in the field of 3D printing. Enhanced strength and stiffness, assuring desirable performance criteria of the 3D printed models, reflect the most important characteristics. 3D printing binder jetting technology is based on the application of liquid binders onto powdered material, where gypsum powders have been commercially used as a base raw material. As natural raw materials can be replaced by other materials, such as recycled industrial by products, the aim of this research work was to evaluate the potential usage of three synthetic gypsum powders from different industrial processes for 3D printing. The investigation covered (a) mineralogical and microstructural characteristics of gypsums from different origin and (b) the effect of pre-treatment of gypsum powders at different temperatures (up to 500 °C). On the basis of the results, the most promising temperature regime for each different waste gypsum powder treatment, reflecting in the most optimal setting time, was defined. Synthetic gypsums were characterized by X-ray diffraction (QXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA). The results showed that all three synthetic gypsums (calcium sulfate dihydrate, CaSO 4∙2H2O) thermally degrade into calcium sulfate anhydrite (CaSO 4) via an intermediate calcium sulfate hemihydrate (CaSO 4∙ ½H2 O, bassanite) phase. Microstructural and mineralogical differences were observed when temperature treated gypsums from different origins were compared. The detailed knowledge of gypsum powder properties at different temperature regime is important parameter for the assurance of 3D printing key parameters such as flowability, roughness and wettability, especially for determination of saturation levels and setting time. After all, these parameters define final mechanical properties of 3D printed structures. By using such approach, the understanding of material compatibility for 3D printing technology can be defined and improved if necessary.
Keywords: 3D print, additive manufacturing, gypsum, temperature
Published in DiRROS: 25.01.2024; Views: 187; Downloads: 124
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Abstract: This experimental study aimed to develop a fiber-reinforced lightweight mineral wool-based alkali activated mortar. The lightweight mineral wool-based alkali activated mortars were produced using premade foam and reinforced by polypropylene (PP) fibers. They were assessed in terms of fresh and hardened-state properties. Fresh-state properties were investigated by mini-slump tests. Hardened-state characteristics were assessed by ultrasonic pulse velocity, dry density, compressive and flexural strengths, drying shrinkage, efflorescence, water absorption, and permeable porosity. For the first time, the resistance of the synthesized lightweight mineral wool-based alkali activated mortars against harsh conditions (carbonation, freeze and thaw, and high temperature) were evaluated. The porous structures of the developed lightweight alkali activated mortars were also analyzed using an X-ray micro-computed tomography (CT) technique. Lightweight mix compositions with densities in a range of 770%1510 kg/m3, compressive strengths of 1%9 MPa, and flexural strengths of 2.6%8 MPa were developed. Increases in both density and strength after carbonation were also recorded, while a decrease of strength was noticed after exposure to freeze/thaw and high temperatures of up to 500 %C.
Keywords: alkali activation, mineral wool, mortars
Published in DiRROS: 24.10.2023; Views: 327; Downloads: 130
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Abstract: Alkali activated foams have been extensively studied in recent years, due to their high performance and low environmental footprint compared to foams produced via other methods. Three types of fly ash differing in chemical and mineralogical composition and specific surface were used to synthesize alkali activated foams. Sodium perborate monohydrate was added as a foaming agent and sodium dodecyl sulphate as a stabilizing agent. Foams were characterized at room temperature and after exposure to an elevated temperature (1,000 °C). Densities from 1.2 down to 0.3 g/cm 3 were obtained, depending on the type of fly ash and quantity of foaming agent added. Correspondingly, compressive strength ranged from 1 to 6 MPa. Comparing all three fly ashes the most favorable results, in terms of density and corresponding compressive strength, were achieved from the fly ash with the highest amounts of SiO 2 and Al2 O 3 , as well as the highest amorphous phase content i.e., RI fly ash. Furthermore, after firing to 1,000 °C, the density of samples prepared using fly ash RI remained approximately the same, while the compressive strength increased on average by 50%. In the other two types of fly ash the density increased slightly after firing, due to significant shrinkage, and compressive strength increased by as much as 800%. X-ray powder diffraction analysis confirmed the occurrence of a crystallization process after firing to 1,000 ° C, which resulted in newly formed crystal phases, including nepheline, sodalite, tridymite, and gehlenite.
Keywords: foamed alkali activated materials, geopolymers, properties, micro-CT
Published in DiRROS: 22.08.2023; Views: 256; Downloads: 169
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Abstract: The performance of a cold-bonding pelletization process was investigated for lightweight aggregates (LWAs) production from municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly-ash (FA), by including multiple waste materials in the aggregate mixture. Before pelletization, FA was pre-treated by washing with water, which led to a reduction of chloride (66.79%) and sulphate (25.30%) content. This was further confirmed by XRF and XRD analyses, which showed a reduction of chloride elements and the content of chlorine crystalline phases. The pelletization process was carried out using both single- and double-step methods. For single-step pelletization, all the mixtures contained 80% FA, combined with various compositions of cement (5, 10, and 15%) and granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) (5, 10, and 15%). For the double-step pelletization 30% of cement and 70% of marble sludge (MS) were added to each of the previous mixtures. The apparent density of all the aggregates varied between 1.60 and 1.87 g cm 3, suggesting their suitability to be classified as LWAs. Aggregates produced from double-step pelletization showed improved characteristics, with water absorption capacity and open porosity generally lower compared to the corresponding aggregates from the single-step pelletization. The best values of compressive (crushing) strength (almost 11 MPa) were observed for double-step pelletization aggregates with initial cement: GBFS mixture of 15%:5%. Results from leaching tests showed an overall significant release of chloride and sulphate. Nevertheless, leaching from double-step pelletization aggregates was reduced by 1.73- 4.02 times for chloride and 1.58-5.67 times for sulphate, further suggesting that better performances are achievable through the addition of an aggregate second layer.
Keywords: MSWI fly ash, lightweight aggregate, microtomography, open access
Published in DiRROS: 03.05.2023; Views: 343; Downloads: 294
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