Magnesium (Mg) and its alloys are well known for their high specific strength and low density. However, widespread applications of Mg alloys in structural components are impeded by their insufficient wear and corrosion resistance. Various surface engineering approaches, including electrochemical processes (plating, conversion coatings, hydriding, and anodizing), gas-phase deposition (thermal spray, chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition, diamond-like coatings, diffusion coatings, and ion implantation), and organic polymer coatings (painting and powder coating), have been used to improve the surface properties of Mg and its alloys. Recently, laser surface engineering approaches are attracting significant attention because of the wide range of possibilities in achieving the desired microstructural and compositional modifications through a range of laser-material interactions (surface melting, shock peening, and ablation). This article presents a review of various laser surface engineering approaches such as laser surface melting, laser surface alloying, laser surface cladding, laser composite surfacing, and laser shock peening used for surface modification of Mg alloys. The laser-material interactions, microstructural/compositional changes, and properties development (mostly corrosion and wear resistance) accompanied with each of these approaches are reviewed.

Reduced optical transmittance of encapsulants resulting from ultraviolet (UV) degradation is frequently identified as a cause of decreased performance through the service life of photovoltaic modules. However, the present module safety and qualification standards apply short UV doses, only capable of examining design robustness and “infant mortality” failures. Furthermore, essential information remains unknown that might be used to screen encapsulants through product lifetime. We conducted an interlaboratory study to provide the understanding that will be used toward developing a higher‐fidelity, more‐rigorous UV weathering test. Five representative known formulations of poly (ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate) were studied, in addition to one thermoplastic polyurethane material. Replicate laminated silica/polymer/silica specimens were examined at seven institutions using a variety of indoor chambers (including xenon, UVA‐340, and metal‐halide light sources). Specimens were artificially weathered for 180 cumulative days at steady‐state accelerated test conditions, predesignated relative to the default irradiance of 1.0 W·m−2·nm−1 at 340 nm, chamber temperature of 60°C, and chamber relative humidity of 30%. The solar‐weighted transmittance, yellowness index, and the UV cut‐off wavelength—each determined from the measured hemispherical transmittance—are examined to provide understanding and guidance for the UV light source (type lamp and filters), temperature, and humidity used in accelerated UV aging tests. The relative efficacy of xenon‐arc and UVA‐340 fluorescent sources and the typical range of activation energy for degradation is quantified from the experiments.

Vibro-acoustic modulation (VAM) is a form of a non-destructive testing technique used in nonlinear acoustic methods for the detection of defects. It comprises of exciting the structure with a dual frequency sinusoidal signal and studying the interaction of this wave with the underlying defect. In this work a theoretical study on the mechanics of VAM is presented for a generic material body. The roles of different types of defect on the response of the material are analyzed. The theoretical analysis shows the origins of the nonlinear frequencies in the form of higher harmonics and sidebands commonly observed in the output response of VAM excitation. In addition, the analysis provides insights on the relationships between the magnitudes of the nonlinear responses and those of the input vibrations, and on the physical origins of the nonlinear responses. For a physical visualization of the nonlinear vibrations associated with the theory a finite element analysis of VAM is also performed. The model looks into the plausibility of using VAM for the mapping of damage in physical structures. The model is also used to investigate the effects of the defect size and defect depth on the nonlinear mechanism of VAM.

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