Use of the grey relational analysis to determine optimum laser cutting parameters with multi-performance characteristics

This paper presents an effective approach for the optimization of laser cutting process of St-37 steel with multiple performance characteristics based on the grey relational analysis. Sixteen experimental runs based on the Taguchi method of orthogonal arrays were performed to determine the best factor level condition. The response table and response graph for each level of the machining parameters were obtained from the grey relational grade. In this study, the laser cutting parameters such as laser power and cutting speed are optimized with consideration of multiple-performance characteristics, such as workpiece surface roughness, top kerf width and width of heat affected zone (HAZ). By analyzing the grey relational grade, it is observed that the laser power has more effect on responses rather than cutting speed. It is clearly shown that the above performance characteristics in laser cutting process can be improved effectively through this approach.     

Exact solutions for nonlinear evolution equations using Exp-function method

In this Letter, the Exp-function method is used to construct solitary and soliton solutions of nonlinear evolution equations. The Klein-Gordon, Burger-Fisher and Sharma-Tasso-Olver equations are chosen to illustrate the effectiveness of the method. The method is straightforward and concise, and its applications are promising. The Exp-function method presents a wider applicability for handling nonlinear wave equations.     

Micro-Raman Spectroscopy and X-ray Diffraction Analyses of the Core and Shell Compartments of an Iron-Rich Fulgurite

Fulgurites are naturally occurring structures that are formed when lightning discharges reach the ground. In this investigation, the mineralogical compositions of core and shell compartments of a rare, iron-rich fulgurite from the Mongolian Gobi Desert were investigated by X-ray diffraction and micro-Raman spectroscopy. The interpretation of the Raman data was helped by chemometric analysis, using both multivariate curve resolution (MCR) and principal component analysis (PCA), which allowed for the fast identification of the minerals present in each region of the fulgurite. In the core of the fulgurite, quartz, microcline, albite, hematite, and barite were first identified based on the Raman spectroscopy and chemometrics analyses. In contrast, in the shell compartment of the fulgurite, the detected minerals were quartz, a mixture of the K-feldspars orthoclase and microcline, albite, hematite, and goethite. The Raman spectroscopy results were confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis of powdered samples of the two fulgurite regions, and are consistent with infrared spectroscopy data, being also in agreement with the petrographic analysis of the fulgurite, including scanning electron microscopy with backscattering electrons (SEM-BSE) and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) data. The observed differences in the mineralogical composition of the core and shell regions of the studied fulgurite can be explained by taking into account the effects of both the diffusion of the melted material to the periphery of the fulgurite following the lightning and the faster cooling at the external shell region, together with the differential properties of the various minerals. The heavier materials diffused slower, leading to the concentration in the core of the fulgurite of the iron and barium containing minerals, hematite, and barite. They first underwent subsequent partial transformation into goethite due to meteoric water within the shell of the fulgurite. The faster cooling of the shell region kinetically trapped orthoclase, while the slower cooling in the core area allowed for the extensive formation of microcline, a lower temperature polymorph of orthoclase, thus justifying the prevalence of microcline in the core and a mixture of the two polymorphs in the shell. The total amount of the K-feldspars decreases only slightly in the shell, while quartz and albite appeared in somewhat larger amounts in this compartment of the fulgurite. On the other hand, at the surface of the fulgurite, barite could not be stabilized due to sulfate lost (in the form of SO₂ plus O₂ gaseous products). The conjugation of the performed Raman spectroscopy experiments with the chemometrics analysis (PCA and, in particular, MCR analyses) was shown to allow for the fast identification of the minerals present in the two compartments (shell and core) of the sample. This way, the XRD experiments could be done while knowing in advance the minerals that were present in the samples, strongly facilitating the data analysis, which for compositionally complex samples, such as that studied in the present investigation, would have been very much challenging, if possible.     

Cyclobutane-substituted diacetamido sulfides and 2,5-diacylthiophenes

A general and convenient route for the synthesis of 2,5-di[1-methyl-1-arylcyclobutane-3-yl]- thiophenes 4a–c and bis[1-methyl-1-arylcyclobutane-3-yl]-2-(2-oxyethtylamido)thiazole sulfides 7a–c is reported. The characterization of these compounds was obtained by elemental analyses, IR, ¹³C, and ¹H NMR techniques. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 15:26–31, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/.hc10207     

Ballistic performance of novel design of bulletproof plates inspired by biomimetic approaches

Metal and polymer matrix composite materials are preferred in bulletproof applications due to their high-impact resistance and lightness. Personal/demand-specific designs that have become possible with the developing additive manufacturing technologies have brought a new perspective to armor technologies. At the same time, parts with complex structures designed with biomimetic approaches can be easily manufactured with additive manufacturing. In this study, biomimetic armors obtained from standard Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) and Inconel 718 materials were compared with traditional armor structures. Within the scope of the study, 9 × 19 mm² parabellum and 7.62 mm NATO bullets were impacted at 275 m/s and 600 m/s speeds on biomimetic and conventional armor consisting of three and five layers. Bullet velocities during impact, deformation of bullets, deformation of armor, and harmonic behavior are discussed. The results obtained were also used to calculate the damped impact energies. In the study, it was determined that biomimetic plates could absorb 22%–38% more impact energy. It has been determined that CFRP materials can absorb 45% more impact energy compared to Inconel 718.