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Qualitative-Environmental Aspects to Improve Materials and Processes of Their Formation

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A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Advanced Composites".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2025 | Viewed by 17571

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Andrzej Pacana

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Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics, Rzeszow University of Technology, al. Powstancow Warszawy 12, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
Interests: quality; environmental management; production engineering; ISO management systems; logistics; OSH
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Dominika Siwiec

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics, Rzeszow University of Technology, al. Powstancow Warszawy 12, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
Interests: quality; multi-criteria decision making; fuzzy decision making; predicting; production engineering; improving quality of products; mechanical engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Materials are an area of research for many fields. The realized researches are aimed at developing innovative materials, which will also be also appropriate in the specifics of their use. For this reason, newer production technologies of these materials are being developed. The specific of these new processes is that they need control and making the right actions for its stabilization. It mainly refers to the qualitative aspects of the received materials, and also the processes of its occurrence. However, in the age of climate change, these actions should be aimed not only to achieve expected quality, but also on environmental protection. For this purpose, it is necessary to look for such solutions which will be according to the rules of continuous improvement and the philosophy of sustainable development. Although, dynamical market changes and turbulent area causes that simultaneously include qualitative-environmental aspects are difficult. Therefore, it is crucial to make decisions that will ensure the development and improvement of materials and processes in an environmentally safe manner and at the same time meet the expectations of the market. This is an open issue to which this special issue is devoted. Therefore, studies including qualitative-environmental aspects to improve materials and processes of their formation will be appreciated. We encourage sending studies containing original proposals of using, among others: methods and tools of quality management, multi-criteria methods of decision support (MCDA), fuzzy multi-criteria decision methods (FMCDA), instruments of lean manufacturing (LM) and environmental management instruments. Work involving other techniques and approaches to help solve the problem presented will also be welcomed.

Prof. Dr. Andrzej Pacana
Dr. Dominika Siwiec
Guest Editors

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Keywords

quality
methods and tools of quality management
multi-criteria decision making (MDCM)
fuzzy decision making
lean manufacturing instruments (LM)
environmental management instruments
sustainable development
improving products
production engineering

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 15238 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Intelligent Optimization and Impact Analysis of Energy Efficiency and Carbon Reduction in the High-Temperature Sintered Ore Production Process

by Yuxing Yuan, Jingchao Sun, Lei Zhang, Su Yan, Tao Du and Hongming Na

Materials 2024, 17(22), 5410; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17225410 - 5 Nov 2024

Viewed by 682

Abstract

The coordinated optimization of energy conservation, efficiency improvement, and pollution reduction in the sintering production process is vital for the efficient and sustainable development of the sintering department. However, previous studies have shown shortcomings in the multi-objective collaborative optimization of sintering systems and the quantification of pollutant impacts. To address these, this paper proposes a multi-objective optimization method integrated with the NSGA-III algorithm and establishes an integrated system optimization model for sintered ore production and high-temperature waste heat recovery. The results demonstrate significant improvements: energy utilization efficiency increased by 0.67%, energy consumption decreased by 17.3 MJ/t, production costs were reduced by 11.45 CNY/t, and the emissions of CO₂, SO₂, and NO_x were reduced by 0.464 kg/t, 0.034 kg/t, and 0.008 kg/t, respectively. Additionally, the study identified optimal configuration parameters and analyzed the quantitative impact of several key factors on multiple indicators. The results also show that reducing the water content of the mixture, decreasing the middling coal content in the fuel, and increasing the thickness of the material layer are effective strategies to reduce energy consumption and pollutant emissions in the sintering process. Overall, implementing these optimizations can bring significant economic and environmental benefits to the steel industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Qualitative-Environmental Aspects to Improve Materials and Processes of Their Formation)

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22 pages, 7099 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Reprocessing Possibilities of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)–Hemp Fiber Composites Regarding the Material and Product Quality

by Wiesław Frącz, Andrzej Pacana, Dominika Siwiec, Grzegorz Janowski and Łukasz Bąk

Materials 2024, 17(1), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17010055 - 22 Dec 2023

Viewed by 1071

Abstract

An important issue addressed in research on the assessment of the quality of polymer products is the quality of the polymer material itself and, in accordance with the idea of waste-free management, the impact of its repeated processing on its properties and the quality of the products. In this work, a biocomposite, based on poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) with short hemp fibers, was obtained and repeatedly processed, which is a continuation of the research undertaken by the team in the field of this type of biocomposites. After subsequent stages of processing, the selected mechanical, processing and functional properties of the products were assessed. For this purpose, microscopic tests were carried out, mechanical properties were tested in static tensile and impact tests, viscosity curves were determined after subsequent processing cycles and changes in plastic pressure in the mold cavity were determined directly during processing. The results of the presented research confirm only a slight decrease in the mechanical properties of the produced type of biocomposite, even after it has been reprocessed five times, which gives extra weight to arguments for its commercialization as a substitute for petrochemical-based plastics. No significant changes were found in the used parameters and processing properties with the stages of processing, which allows for a predictable and stable manufacturing process using, for example, the injection molding process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Qualitative-Environmental Aspects to Improve Materials and Processes of Their Formation)

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26 pages, 10021 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Polypropylene Color Masterbatches Containing Layered Double Hydroxide Modified with Quinacridone and Phthalocyanine Pigments—Rheological, Thermal and Application Properties

by Magdalena Kozłowska, Magdalena Lipińska, Michał Okraska and Joanna Pietrasik

Materials 2023, 16(18), 6243; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16186243 - 16 Sep 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1569

Abstract

Polypropylene color masterbatches containing modified layered double hydroxides, LDHs, were created. The simple, industry-acceptable method of LDH surface modification with quinacridone and phthalocyanine pigments using the pulverization method in ball mills was applied. It was reported that the modification parameters such as time and rotational speed affected the tendency to create the aggregates for modified fillers. TGA analysis of the modified LDH showed that modification with phthalocyanine pigment shifted the temperature at which 5%, T_5%, and 10% of mass loss, T_10%, occurred compared with that for unmodified LDH. The viscoelastic properties of prepared masterbatches were investigated. The incorporation of the modified fillers instead of neat pigments led to an increase in the loss shear modulus, G″, indicating a stronger influence on the dissipation of energy by the melted masterbatch. The similar values of tan, δ, were determined for melted masterbatches containing phthalocyanine pigment and green modified LDH filler. The incorporation of both LDHs modified by phthalocyanine and quinacridone pigment fillers slightly increased the zero-shear viscosity, η₀, compared with that of the masterbatches based on the neat pigments. The Cole–Cole plots and the analysis of the Maxwell and continuous relaxation models showed that modified colored LDH fillers facilitated the relaxation of the melted masterbatch, and shorter relaxation times were observed. The phthalocyanine-modified LDH filler improved the thermal stability of the masterbatches. Additionally, the impact of pigments and modified, colored LDH on the crystallization of polypropylene was investigated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Qualitative-Environmental Aspects to Improve Materials and Processes of Their Formation)

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16 pages, 5044 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of an Early-Age Exposure on the Degradation Mechanisms of Cement Paste under External Sulfate Attack

by Othman Omikrine Metalssi, Rim Ragoug, Fabien Barberon, Jean-Baptiste d’Espinose de Lacaillerie, Nicolas Roussel, Loïc Divet and Jean-Michel Torrenti

Materials 2023, 16(17), 6013; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16176013 - 1 Sep 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1414

Abstract

Among the most significant causes of concrete degradation is ESA (external sulfate attack). The majority of studies are currently conducted on samples that have been saturated and matured. Concrete structures, however, are exposed to the environment once the formwork has been removed. The purpose of this study is to determine what effects early exposure to external sulfates may have on degradation mechanisms. Microstructure, physical, and chemical behavior are monitored using a variety of experimental techniques, including NMR (²⁷Al and ²⁹Si), ICP, XRD, MIP, and SEM. Based on expansion measurements, mature Portland cement paste, unlike the early-age case, degraded rapidly due to the presence of compressed ettringite and gypsum, highlighted by SEM analysis. During ESA, sulfate ions diffuse through the cement matrix and are bound by chemical agents. Chemical analyses indicate that the chemical mechanism varies with the duration of curing. At an early age, external sulfates and aluminates are the most important reagents. For matured cases, these reagents include external sulfates, calcium derived from CH dissolution, and aluminates derived from the total dissolution of AFm. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Qualitative-Environmental Aspects to Improve Materials and Processes of Their Formation)

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16 pages, 11512 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Evolution of Insulation Performance of Fiber-Reinforced Silica Aerogel after High-Temperature Treatment

by Rui Gao, Zhangjian Zhou, Hongbo Zhang, Xiaoge Zhang and Yuming Wu

Materials 2023, 16(13), 4888; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16134888 - 7 Jul 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1630

Abstract

Fiber-reinforced silica aerogel blankets (FRABs) are an important high-temperature thermal insulation material for industry applications that have emerged in recent years. In order to better understand the performance evolution of FRABs at high temperatures, the effect of heat treatment at different temperatures on the performance of FRABs as well as their base material, hydrophobic silica aerogel powder and glass wool, was investigated. The property evolution of the hydrophobic silica aerogel powder showed two stages with an increase in thermal treatment temperatures. The skeleton structure of the aerogel remained unchanged, but the residual organic chemicals, such as hydrophobic groups, were decomposed when the heat treatment temperature was lower than 400 °C. Above 400 °C, the skeleton began to shrink with the increase in temperature, which led to an increase in thermal conductivity. The structure and room-temperature thermal conductivity of the glass wool blanket were less affected by a heat treatment temperature under 600 °C. Therefore, the performance degradation of FRABs at high temperatures is mainly due to the change in the aerogel powder. The insulation performance of the glass wool and FRAB at high temperatures was studied using a heating table which was designed to simulate working conditions. The energy savings of using FRABs instead of glass fiber were calculated and are discussed here. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Qualitative-Environmental Aspects to Improve Materials and Processes of Their Formation)

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19 pages, 5132 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Systematic Evaluation of Permeability of Concrete Incorporating Coconut Shell as Replacement of Fine Aggregate

by Akram M. Mhaya, Hassan Amer Algaifi, Shahiron Shahidan, Sharifah Salwa Mohd Zuki, Mohamad Azim Mohammad Azmi, Mohd Haziman Wan Ibrahim and Ghasan Fahim Huseien

Materials 2022, 15(22), 7944; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15227944 - 10 Nov 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2746

Abstract

The concern about coconut shell disposal and natural fine aggregate depletion has prompted researchers to utilize coconut shell as aggregate in recent years. However, the majority of the present literature has focused on utilizing coconut shell as a coarse aggregate replacement in concrete via the traditional method. In this study, concrete incorporating coconut shell as a fine aggregate replacement (10–100%) was evaluated using permeability and water absorption tests in a systematic way. The response surface methodology (RSM) was first used to design the experimental works. In addition, an artificial neural network (ANN) and genetic expression programming (GEP) were also taken into account to mathematically predict the permeability and water absorption. Based on both experimental and theoretical modeling, three scenarios were observed. In the first scenario, high quality concrete was achieved when the replacement percentage of sand by coconut shell ranged from 0% to 10%. This is because both the permeability and water absorption were less than 1.5 × 10⁻¹¹ m and 5%, respectively. In the second scenario, an acceptable and reasonable low permeability (less than 2.7 × 10⁻¹¹ m/s) and water absorption (less than 6.7%) were also obtained when the replacement percentage increased up to 60%. In contrast, the high content coconut shell, such as 90% and 100%, developed concrete with a high permeability and water absorption and was defined in the third scenario. It was also inferred that both the experimental and mathematical models (ANN, GEP, and RSM) have consistent and accurate results. The correlation statistics indicators (R²) were greater than 0.94 and the error was less than 0.3, indicating a strong correlation and minimum error. In conclusion, coconut shell could act as a good alternative material to produce cleaner concrete with an optimum value of 50% as a fine aggregate replacement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Qualitative-Environmental Aspects to Improve Materials and Processes of Their Formation)

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20 pages, 3371 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A New Model Supporting Stability Quality of Materials and Industrial Products

by Dominika Siwiec and Andrzej Pacana

Materials 2022, 15(13), 4440; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15134440 - 23 Jun 2022

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 2373

Abstract

Stabilizing the quality of industrial product materials remains a challenge. This applies mainly to new or significantly modified materials. It also refers to special processes. The tests of product quality can stabilize the quality of industrial product materials. The popular method for this is using the non-destructive testing (NDT). The NDT identifies incompatibility but does not determine the cause of its occurrence. Hence, it was necessary to support the process of identifying causes of incompatibilities in products. The purpose of the article was to develop a model based on a new approach to determine the ranking of actions that are possible as part of the process of stabilizing the quality of industrial products. The model was developed to improve quality through sequential and systematic methods of identification (and reduce) and incompatibility. The quality management techniques and decision method were applied and combined in this model, i.e., SMART(-ER) the method, method of selecting a team of experts, brainstorming (BM), Ishikawa diagram with the 5M rule, Likert scale validation technique, arithmetic average, and Grey Relational Analysis (GRA). The test of this model was carried out to find cracks in the outer hull of 418 alloy four-point bearing (CPW-S 5616), which was identified by NDT (magnetic-powder method). As a result, a ranking of activities was obtained to stabilize the quality of the product and the main cause of incompatibility was indicated, i.e., the cause which can influence to the most degree influence on occurrence the incompatibility. The originality of the proposed model is an application in the right order of specially selected and combined qualitative methods and supporting decision methods. The finding of causes of incompatibility of products is the basis of product improvement in the area of stabilizing the quality of materials, mainly by the occurrence of special processes. The universality of the model refers to the possibility of its application for any material, processes of its formation, and processes of products, and any incompatibilities where the model can be integrated with quality control. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Qualitative-Environmental Aspects to Improve Materials and Processes of Their Formation)

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Review

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24 pages, 5003 KiB

Open AccessReview

An Overview of Recycling Wastes into Graphene Derivatives Using Microwave Synthesis; Trends and Prospects

by Nuralmeera Balqis, Badrul Mohamed Jan, Hendrik Simon Cornelis Metselaar, Akhmal Sidek, George Kenanakis and Rabia Ikram

Materials 2023, 16(10), 3726; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16103726 - 14 May 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3441

Abstract

It is no secret that graphene, a two-dimensional single-layered carbon atom crystal lattice, has drawn tremendous attention due to its distinct electronic, surface, mechanical, and optoelectronic properties. Graphene also has opened up new possibilities for future systems and devices due to its distinct structure and characteristics which has increased its demand in a variety of applications. However, scaling up graphene production is still a difficult, daunting, and challenging task. Although there is a vast body of literature reported on the synthesis of graphene through conventional and eco-friendly methods, viable processes for mass graphene production are still lacking. This review focuses on the variety of unwanted waste materials, such as biowastes, coal, and industrial wastes, for producing graphene and its potential derivatives. Among the synthetic routes, the main emphasis relies on microwave-assisted production of graphene derivatives. In addition, a detailed analysis of the characterization of graphene-based materials is presented. This paper also highlights the current advances and applications through the recycling of waste-derived graphene materials using microwave-assisted technology. In the end, it would alleviate the current challenges and forecast the specific direction of waste-derived graphene future prospects and developments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Qualitative-Environmental Aspects to Improve Materials and Processes of Their Formation)

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