The sodium expansion and creep strain of semi-graphitic cathodes are investigated using a modified Rapoport apparatus. To further understanding of the sodium and bath penetration damage processes, the impact of external stress fluence on the carbon cathode microstructure has been defined with XRD analysis, Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Graphite atoms fracture into smaller fragments that are less directional than the pristine platelets, which allows for a possible filling of the cracks that thus develop by the sodium and bath during aluminum electrolysis. The average microcrystalline size (calculated by Raman spectroscopy) is reduced by the deformation. The decreased intensity and widened ‘G’ and ‘D’ peaks in the analysis indicate the poor order of the sheets along the stacking direction while the consistent layered graphite structure is sustained.

To improve the dynamic adaptability and flexibility of process route during manufacturing, a dynamic optimization method of multi-process route based on improved ant colony algorithm driven by digital twin is proposed. Firstly, on the basis of part manufacturing features analysis, the machining methods of each process are selected, and the fuzzy precedence constraint relationship between machining metas and processes is constructed by intuitionistic fuzzy information. Then, the multi-objective optimization function driven by digital twin is established with the optimization objectives of least manufacturing cost and lowest carbon emission, also the ranking of processing methods is optimized by an improved adaptive ant colony algorithm to seek the optimal processing sequence. Finally, the transmission shaft of some equipment is taken as an engineering example forverification analysis, which shows that this method can obtain a process route that gets closer to practical production.

In this paper, the different mechanical behaviors of layered rocks with different bedding angles during uniaxial compression tests are studied. Numerical simulation models of layered rock are validated based on laboratory tests, and uniaxial compression tests are conducted by using Particle Flow Code (PFC). Using these simulations, the uniaxial compressive strength, failure patterns, development of micro-cracks, and displacement of meso particles are analyzed. When the bedding angle is similar to the failure angle, the macro failure planes develop directly along the beddings, the bedding behavior dictates the behavior of the layered rock, reducing the compressive strength.

Accurate temperature prediction is vital for the canned permanent magnet synchronous motor (CPMSM) used in the vacuum pump, as it experiences severe heating. In this paper, a novel motor temperature calculation method is proposed, which takes into account the temperature impact on the heat transfer capacity. In contrast to existing electromagnetic-thermal coupled calculation methods, which solely address the temperature effect on the motor electromagnetic field, the proposed method comprehensively considers its impact on motor losses, permanent magnet magnetic properties, thermal conductivity, and heat dissipation ability of motor components, resulting in a motor temperature simulation that closely resembles the actual physical process. To verify the reliability of the proposed temperature calculation method, a 1.5 kW CPMSM was chosen as the research subject. The method was used to analyze the temperature distribution characteristics of the motor and assess the impact of ambient temperature on motor temperature rise. Furthermore, a prototype was fabricated, and an experimental platform was established to test the motor temperature. The results demonstrate good agreement between the calculated results obtained using the proposed method and the experimental data. This research not only provides a theoretical foundation for optimizing the design of the CPMSM but also provides valuable insights into its operational safety and reliability.

Room temperature vulcanized (RTV) silicone rubber is widely used to prevent pollution flashover with its excellent hydrophobicity and hydrophobicity transfer. However, RTV coatings are at the risk of deterioration and failure in heavily polluted operating environment. In this paper, RTV coated insulators with different suspension heights operating in coal ash polluted areaswere sampled. Pollution degree, pollution composition and aging degree of coatings were tested. The result shows that the insoluble pollution contains Al(OH)3 filler precipitated from RTV coating, which indicates the aging of the RTV coating. The top surface coating is more affected by ultraviolet and rainwater than the bottom surface resulting in more serious degradation. As the pollution degree of the lower phase insulator is heavier than that of the upper phase insulator, the erosion effect of pollution on the RTV coating is more intense. The fillers and rubber molecules of RTV continuously precipitate into the pollution layer, leading to further aging. Therefore, the overall aging degree of the lower insulator coating is more serious than that of the upper insulator coating.

A film stress measurement system applicable for hyperbaric environment was developed to characterize stress evolution in a physical simulation test of a gas-solid coupling geological disaster. It consists of flexible film pressure sensors, a signal conversion module, and a highly-integrated acquisition box which can perform synchronous and rapid acquisition of 1 kHz test data. Meanwhile, we adopted a feasible sealing technology and protection method to improve the survival rate of the sensors and the success rate of the test, which can ensure the accuracy of the test results. The stress measurement system performed well in a large-scale simulation test of coal and gas outburst that reproduced the outburst in the laboratory. The stress evolution of surrounding rock in front of the heading is completely recorded in a successful simulation of the outburst which is consistent with the previous empirical and theoretical analysis. The experiment verifies the feasibility of the stress measurement system as well as the sealing technology, laying a foundation for the physical simulation test of gas-solid coupled geological disasters.

In this paper, the macroscopic and microscopic deformation caused by sodium penetration in the carbon cathode has been studied during aluminum electrolysis. The distributions of sodium concentration in the carbon cathode has been measured by SEM-EDS. The microstructure change caused by the gradient of the sodium concentration in the carbon cathode has been studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results indicate that sodium penetration decreases with the increase of the penetration depth. The stresses caused by the gradient of the sodium concentration result in a remarkable change for the microstructure of the carbon cathode. The formation of dislocations resulting in dislocation arrays and the development of kink band networks bring about material damage growth and possibly subsequent weakening of the cathode. These results can provide useful information that is helpful in developing an improved comprehending of the microscopic deformation mechanism of the carbon cathode during aluminum electrolysis.