A comparative study of the influence of trivalent and tetravalent nano-sized oxides on the performance and microstructure of dolomite refractories
Abstract Contrary to the many benefits of dolomite refractories, their usage has been limited due to poor hydration resistance. For this reason, the aim of this research work is a comparative study of the influence of trivalent and tetravalent nano-sized oxides [iron (Fe 2 O 3 ), alumina (Al 2 O 3 ), zirconia (ZrO 2 ), and titania (TiO 2 )] on the performance and microstructure of dolomite refractories with an affirmation their hydration resistance improvement. After preparation and firing the specimen's, physical properties such as bulk density, apparent porosity, and hydration resistance tests were examined. Furthermore, XRD and SEM/EDX analysis were used to evaluate the ceramic phases and their microstructure, respectively. Results revealed that specimens with trivalent and tetravalent nano-sized oxides have improved densification and hydration resistance of the specimens through the liquid phase mechanism and solid state firing mechanism, respectively. Also, the specimens with tetravalent nano-sized oxides have higher hydration resistance than the specimens with trivalent nano-sized oxides. Generally, the hydration resistance improvement trend of specimens with various nano-sized oxides presence is Al 2 O 3 2 O 3 2 2 .
On the nanotechnology of refractories
New concepts in the nanotechnology of refractories are presented and recommended for use in their development.
The measuriment of ferromagnets magnetic characteristics using Labview software
The digital method of measurement and registration of dynamic loops hysteresis family of magneto-soft materials where, along with known analogues from electro-technical steel, magnetic materials with considerably smaller specific magnetic losses such as amorphous alloys on the basis of iron, is offered. Tests of magnetic properties of materials are carried out on the base of the hardware-software measuring complex in which along with the standard established electric equipment and USB oscillograph for realization of a digital method, the software for the personal computer developed in the environment of visual programming of Borland Delphi 7.0, connected through the ActieveX technology with the Labview 7.0 environment, is applied. The software allows carrying out input of basic data concerning geometry of prototypes of cores from magnetic materials and numbers of rounds of the magnetizing and measuring windings located on their surface. Experimental data on voltage at measuring winding terminals are processed by means of the virtual integrator in a Labview package. The developed software provides the possibility of saving the obtained hysteresis loop in the form of a text file, and creation of the hysteresis loops family on the virtual oscillograph screen.