In this paper the intrinsic influence of micron-sized nickel particle reinforcements on microstructure, micro-hardness tensile properties and tensile fracture behavior of nano-alumina particle reinforced magnesium alloy AZ31 composite is presented and discussed. The unreinforced magnesium alloy (AZ31) and the reinforced nanocomposite counterpart (AZ31/1.5 vol.% $Al_2O_3$/1.5 vol.% Ni] were manufactured by solidification processing followed by hot extrusion. The elastic modulus and yield strength of the nickel particle-reinforced magnesium alloy nano-composite was higher than both the unreinforced magnesium alloy and the unreinforced magnesium alloy nanocomposite (AZ31/1.5 vol.% $Al_2O_3$). The ultimate tensile strength of the nickel particle reinforced composite was noticeably lower than both the unreinforced nano-composite and the monolithic alloy (AZ31). The ductility, quantified by elongation-to-failure, of the reinforced nanocomposite was noticeably higher than both the unreinforced nano-composite and the monolithic alloy. Tensile fracture behavior of this novel material was essentially normal to the far-field stress axis and revealed microscopic features reminiscent of the occurrence of locally ductile failure mechanisms at the fine microscopic level.

Brazing Mo using Ti and Ti-15-3 foils has been investigated in the experiment. For traditional furnace brazing, solidification shrinkage voids cannot be completely removed from the joint even the brazing temperature increased to 2013 K and 160 ${\mu}m$ thick Ti foil applied in brazing. Similar results are observed from the joint using Ti-15-3 filler. In contrast, the quality of laser brazed joint is much better than that of furnace brazed joint. A sound joint is achieved after laser brazing. Tensile strengths of 418 and 373 MPa are obtained from laser brazed joints at the power of 800W and travel speed of 5 mm/s using Ti and Ti-15-3 fillers, respectively. All laser brazed joints are fractured at the brazed zone and cleavage dominated fractures are widely observed from their fractographs. The Ti base fillers show potential in laser brazing Mo substrate.

In this paper, we report on the obtention of nanocrystalline $SrMoO_4$ synthesized through modified combustion process. These powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Raman and Infrared Spectroscopy. These studies reveal that the scheelite-type $SrMoO_4$ crystallizes in tetragonal structure with I41/${\alpha}$ (N#88) space group. Transmission electron microscopy image shows that the nanocrystalline $SrMoO_4$ powders have average size of 18 nm. The optical band gap determined from the UV-V is absorption spectra for the as prepared sample is 3.7 eV. These powders showed a strong green photoluminescence emission. The samples are sintered at a relatively low temperature of $850^{\circ}C$. The morphology of the sintered pellet is studied with scanning electron microscopy. The dielectric constant and loss factor values obtained at 5 MHz for a well sintered $SrMoO_4$ pellet has been found to be 9.50 and $7.5{\times}10^{-3}$ respectively. Thus nano $SrMoO_4$ is a potential candidate for low temperature co-fired ceramics and luminescent applications.

Co-Re alloy development is prompted by the search for new materials for future gas turbines which can be used at temperatures considerably higher than the present day single crystal Ni-based superalloys. The Co-Re based alloys are designed to have very high melting range. Although Co-alloys are used in gas turbine applications today, the Co-Re system was never exploited for structural applications and basic knowledge on the system is lacking. The alloy development strategy therefore is based on studying alloying additions on simple model alloy compositions of ternary and quaternary base. Various strengthening possibilities have been explored and precipitation hardening through fine dispersion of MC type carbides was found to be a promising route. In the early stages of the development we are mainly dealing with polycrystalline alloys and therefore the grain boundary embrittlement needed to be addressed and boron addition was considered for improving the ductility. In this paper recent results on the effect of boron on the strength and ductility and the stability of the fine structure of the strengthening TaC precipitates are presented. In the beginning the alloy development strategy is briefly discussed.

In this study, the physical and mechanical properties of bamboo fiber reinforced epoxy composites were studied. Composites were fabricated using short bamboo fiber at four different fiber loading (0 wt%, 15 wt%, 30 wt% and 45 wt%). It has been observed that few properties increases significantly with respect to fiber loading, however properties like void fraction increases from 1.71% to 5.69% with the increase in fiber loading. Hence, in order to reduce the void fraction, improve hardness and other mechanical properties silicon carbide (SiC) filler is added in bamboo fiber reinforced epoxy composites at four different weight percentages (0 wt%, 5 wt%, 10 wt% and 15 wt%) by keeping fiber loading constant (45 wt%). The significant improvement of hardness (from 46 to 57 Hv) at 15 wt%SiC, tensile strength (from 10.48 to 13.44 MPa) at 10 wt% SiC, flexural strength (from 19.93 to 29.53 MPa) at 5 wt%SiC and reduction of void fraction (from 5.69 to 3.91%) at 5 wt%SiC is observed. The results of this study indicate that using particulate filled bamboo fiber reinforced epoxy composites could successfully develop a composite material in terms of high strength and rigidity for light weight applications compared to conventional bamboo composites. Finally, SEM studies were carried out to evaluate fibre/matrix interactions.

Thermal reactive diffusion coating of vanadium carbide on DIN 2714 steel substrate was performed in a molten borax bath at $950-1050^{\circ}C$. The coating formed on the surface of the substrate had uniform thickness ($1-12{\mu}m$) all over the surface and the coating layer was hard (2430-2700 HV), dense, smooth and compact. The influence of the kinetics parameters, temperature and time, has been investigated. Vanadium carbide coating was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The corrosion resistance of the coating was evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization in 3.5% NaCl solution. The results obtained showed that decrease of coating microhardness following increasing time and temperature is owing to the coarsening of carbides and coating grain size.