Tribotechnical properties modification of Al-Sn alloys by ECAP
The influence of ECAP on tribotechnical properties of Al-Sn alloys was investigated. It was established that their wear rate under dry friction on steel is reduced up to 18 ± 2% after pointed treatment while the friction coefficient does not depend on the ECAP numbers.
Structure Evolution and Diffusion During Interphase Boundary Sliding in Binary Eutectics Based on Sn
Mechanical behaviour of interphase boundaries (IB) and microstructure in the binary eutectics (Al–Sn, Zn–Sn, Pb–Sn, Cd–Sn) heavily deformed by different schemes and regimes have been investigated. Experiments were carried out on the atomically clean surfaces of alloys and on the bimetallic joints with clean interfaces used as a macromodel of deformed IB. It has been shown that for the eutectics with high IB energy (Al–Sn, Zn–Sn) the interphase boundary sliding (IBS) occurs by means of the dislocation gliding, followed by a remarkable strengthening and accompanied by the formation of narrow stable IB cracks with sharp angles. For eutectics Pb–Sn and Cd–Sn with low IB energy, the IBS occurs as viscous flow and is accompanied by a correlated diffusion along IB. The softening of IB was observed. Intensity of development of the diffusion-controlled accommodation processes on IB depends on the extent of preliminary deformation and values of IB energy.
THE ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE AND COLONIALISM: REASONS FOR AFRICA’S UNDERDEVELOPMENT?
It is probably an understatement to assert that Africa, the world’s second largest continent, is underdeveloped compared with other continents. Two major exogenous factors often cited for Africa’s development crisis are the so called ‘dual historical injustices’ – the Atlantic slave trade and colonialism. It is often pointed out that while the former almost completely arrested and retarded Africa’s demographical growth for more than three centuries, evoked a perennial state of acrimony and warfare and created a tense and unprecedented atmosphere of insecurity which hindered economic activities and stifled local entrepreneurship and technological drive and dislocated Africa’s socio-economic and political structures and institutions; the latter tied African countries to the apron strings of western imperial powers thereby rendering the pre-conditions necessary for socio-economic and political transformation unachievable. This paper contends that while the history of Africa’s underdevelopment may be traceable to the Atlantic slave trade and colonialism, African leaders had made enormous contributions to the continent’s underdevelopment and backwardness. The paper concludes that irresponsible and irresponsive leadership, vampirism and prodigality, corruption, lack of respect for democratic ideals, insecurity, endemic civil wars, nepotism, etc are the fundamental causes of Africa’s underdevelopment.