Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a powerful tool with high potential for detection of dilute analytes. Nanofibers functionalized by metal nanostructures and particles are exploited as effective flexible substrates for SERS analysis. SERS-active substrates of silice-titania-silver (SiO2-TiO2-Ag) nanofibers were prepared using a simple approach involving electrospinning. We report a simple method for quantitative SERS analysis using SiO2-TiO2-Ag nanofibers as the SERS substrate. Precursors SiO2 and TiO2 were synthetized through the sol-gel method and then incorporated into a polymeric PVP matrix; later they were processed by coaxial electrospinning to obtain fibers with an average diameter of 250 nm. The SiO2-TiO2-Ag structure was demonstrated by Raman, XRD, IR, SEM and EDX. Through infrared spectroscopy it was possible to evaluate the thermal evolution of the sol-gel process. The Titania phase transformation was observed around 800 °C and the hydroxyl group loss was detected between 500 and 800 °C. The presence of two Titania phases, anatase and rutile were analized with DRX. Using Pyridine (1 nM) as probe molecule the SERS effect of the scaffold was evaluated and it was determined that the vibration modes 8a, 8b, and 15 were the most amplified signals with a 3 orders of magnitude factor. With this it was concluded that the Silica-Titania-Silver Scaffold is a feasible as a SERS enhancer. Keywords: Electrospinning, Sol-gel, SER

The corrosion fatigue behavior of a martensitic stainless steel AISI 410 with 12% Cr, used in the fabrication of steam turbine blades at low pressure (L-P), was studied using the electrochemical noise technique (EN) under mechanical fatigue (immersion and aired) conditions. The tests were done in a simulated environment using four levels of mechanical stress (Δσ) in a 3 wt.% NaCl solution at 90 °C. The specimens underwent pitting corrosion when exposed to the corrosive environment; afterwards, such pits generated mechanical strength sites over the metallic surface, facilitating the initiation and propagation of cracks, which was already enhanced by the applied cyclic loads. From scanning electron microscope (SEM) images, it was possible to observe localized plastic deformation. In such instances, the fatigue damage was caused by the microplasticity (μ), i.e., the shear strength, resulting from the breakdown of the passive layer that was subjected to mechanical load, which led to a significant increment of the velocity of crack propagation, and therefore, a decrement of the useful life of the material. The obtained results show that the fatigue resistance limit in the corrosive medium was lower than that observed in aerated conditions due to the sum of the effects of mechanical fatigue and corrosion.

Stitched filaments are known to modify the mechanical properties of glass-fiber-reinforced polymers 2D (GFRPs 2D), so studying the effect on mechanical properties is underway to determine the critical variables involved. This research focuses on the study of the tensile strength effect of stitched low-density Barkley FBA BGQS15-15 nylon monofilament on biaxial E-Glass Saertex 830 g/m² (+/−45°) cured with Polyester Sypol Resin 8086 CCP using a vacuum infusion process. Four specimens were made with longitudinal distances between the stitched reinforcements of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 cm, respectively. Tensile strength tests based on standard ASTM D3039 were performed to study how stitching can affect toughness, Young’s modulus, deformation, ultimate strength, and yield strength. The results indicated that the stitching increases Young’s modulus up to 99.2%, UTS is increased by up to +3.14%, deformation decreases by up to −41.66%, and toughness decreases by up to −36.89%. Although the stitching’s main function is to increase interlaminar resistance, it also induces the formation of stress concentrations by the new threads, and premature failure in the matrix was shown.