RESUMO A casca do arroz aparece como um subproduto de grande importância para a geração de energia devido ao seu elevado poder calorífico, assim como as cinzas resultantes do processo de queima que são ricas em sílica. O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da incorporação da cinza da casca de arroz e da alumina calcinada nas propriedades físicas e térmicas de cerâmicas refratárias. As matérias-primas foram caracterizadas quanto à composição química pela Fluorescência de Raios-X e composição de fases por Difração de Raios-X. As propriedades físicas investigadas foram porosidade aparente, absorção de água, densidade aparente, retração linear e variação de massa. As propriedades térmicas avaliadas foram resistência ao choque térmico à temperatura de 500 ºC e a condutividade térmica. A cinza da casca de arroz empregada nesta pesquisa confirmou seu potencial como precursor cerâmico no desenvolvimento de refratários silicosos. Após a sinterização observou-se a presença das fases cristobalita, alumina-α, mulita e quartzo. Com a adição de 10 % de cinza de casca de arroz observou-se um aumento da retração linear das cerâmicas. A porosidade aparente, a absorção de água, a condutividade térmica e a resistência ao choque térmico aumentaram com a adição de alumina calcinada, em particular no percentual de 30 %. As modificações nas propriedades podem ser explicadas pelo aumento da porosidade e pelas fases, em especial alumina-α. A resistência ao choque térmico e condutividade térmica apresentaram valores aceitáveis para o uso na indústria siderúrgica.

ABSTRACT The rice husk appears as a by-product of great importance for energy generation due to its high calorific value, as well as the ashes resulting from the burning process which are rich in silica. The main objective of this assignment was to evaluate the effects of the incorporation of rice husk ash and calcined alumina on the physical and thermal properties of refractory ceramics. The raw-materials were characterized in terms of chemical composition by X-Ray Fluorescence, phase composition, by X-Ray Diffraction. The physical properties investigated were apparent porosity, water absorption, bulk density, linear retraction and mass variation. The thermal properties evaluated were thermal shock resistance at 500 ºC and thermal conductivity. The rice husk ash used in this research confirmed its potential as a ceramic precursor in the development of silicate refractories. After sintering, the presence of the cristobalite, alumina-α, mullite and quartz phases was observed. With the addition of 10 % of rice husk ash, there was an increase in the linear retraction of the ceramics. The apparent porosity, water absorption, thermal conductivity and thermal shock resistance increased with the addition of calcined alumina, in particular in the percentage of 30 %. The modifications in properties can be explained by the increase in porosity and the phases, in particular alumina-α. Resistance to thermal shock and thermal conductivity showed acceptable values for use in the steelworks industry.

Dissimilar Al-Cu joints are desirable due to the combination of the good electrical and thermal properties of copper with the economic advantages of aluminium. However, different chemical, mechanical and thermal properties turn dissimilar welding into a challenge with traditional fusion welding techniques. Friction stir welding appears to be a good alternative to welding dissimilar materials. Most of the works in Al-Cu FSW have been performed with Al on top. This work investigates the influence of heat input on the shear strength of aluminium-copper lap joints produced by FSW with a copper over aluminium lap configuration. Welds produced with the ω/ν rate of 200 rev.mm-1 or 500 rev.mm-1 resulted in the melting of the base materials and material leaking. Joints with shear tensile strength varying from 76 to 85% of the original resistance of AA6060 T5 were produced when the ω/ν rate was varied from 80 to 110 rev.mm-1. The fracture was governed by tension overload on the aluminium sheet, resulting in little influence of welding defects, such as tunnelling, on the joint strength.