The desire to enhance connectivity and communication while simplifying data used to improve and optimize products and processes has driven many organizations within developed countries to invest heavily in implementing intelligent technologies for manufacturing. These technologies promise to enhance global manufacturing capabilities while sustaining demands by integrating equipment and frameworks in advanced economies for future production systems. On the other hand, many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) within developing countries have shown apprehension and mistrust toward the emerging technologies associated with Industry 4.0. This article provides a comprehensive review of SMEs' readiness within developing countries to implement the novel technologies falling within the Industry 4.0 realm. Such techniques include intelligent manufacturing systems, cyber‐physical systems, and other crucial technological tools for improved connectivity and communication within manufacturing and production systems. Analysis of the literature shows that many SMEs within developing countries are experiencing delays in introducing intelligent manufacturing and digitizing factories due to a lack of knowledge and communication issues. These firms lag in embracing the transformation to equipment and systems that can communicate with future‐oriented technologies and introduce intelligent devices and machines into production processes. This article explores challenges, identifies gaps and suggests the potential solutions to address the readiness of SMEs toward Industry 4.0 in developing countries, through a systematic summary and integrative analysis of the findings from the literature.

This article provides a comprehensive review of the advancements made in the diffusion bonding of titanium and its alloys to other advanced materials such as aluminium, stainless steel, and magnesium. This combination of advanced alloys has received considerable attention in different industries, including aerospace, petrochemical, and nuclear applications due to high specific strength, lightweight, corrosion resistance, and moderate to high mechanical properties. The mechanisms of bond formation are discussed based on the type of microstructures formed and the mechanical properties achieved. The scientific literature identifies various methods/processes for controlling the volume of intermetallic compounds formed within the joint regions, as well as ways of maximising the strength of the weld/joints. This paper discusses the relationship between weld/bond properties and bonding parameters such as time, temperature, surface roughness, pressures, interlayer composition, and thickness. The scientific literature also shows that the bonding mechanisms and microstructural evolution of the bond zone can be significantly affected by suitable optimization of the bonding parameters. Additionally, this is a method of maximising bond strength.

The tribological performance of a nanocrystalline coating is heavily influenced by its composition, morphology, and microstructural characteristics. This research work describes the effect of heat treatment temperature on the microstructural, morphological, and mechanical behavior of nanocrystalline Ni/TiO₂ coatings produced by electrophoresis. The surface morphology and coating cross section were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The composition of coatings and the percentage of TiO₂ nanoparticles incorporated in the Ni matrix were studied and estimated by using an energy-dispersive spectroscopic (EDS) analysis, while x-ray diffractometry (XRD) was used to investigate the effect of heat treatment temperature on phase structure. The results showed agglomeration of TiO₂ nanoparticles on the surface of the coating. The high hardness and wear resistance recorded for the as-deposited coating was attributed to the uniform distribution of TiO₂ nanoparticle clusters throughout the cross section of the coating. Heat treatment of the Ni/TiO₂ coatings to temperatures above 200 °C led to significant grain growth that changed the surface morphology of the coating and reduced the strengthening effects of the nanoparticles, thus causing a reduction in the hardness and wear resistance of the coatings.

Fibres from different parts of empty fruit bunch, which is a major solid waste from oil palm processing, were subjected to different pretreatments and characterised for variability in length and diameter, mechanical performance, and proximate and trace element composition. Morphology and surface composition of the fibres were determined using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray. The fibres were further treated with KOH-boric acid and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. Fibre yield was higher for spikelet than stalk. Fibres from stalk were generally larger in diameter and showed significant differences in potassium and galacturonic acid content, strength, and rigidity. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the widespread occurrence of silica bodies as well as significant differences in the microstructure of stalk and spikelet fibres. Stalk fibres showed a greater level of porosity than spikelet fibres in the section perpendicular to the major axis. The morphology of KOH-boric acid treated fibres suggested higher recalcitrance of spikelet fibres. The significant differences between fibres from stalk and spikelet suggest that EFB, used as feedstock for biobased industries, requires more systematic characterization and separation into stalk and spikelet, which may lead to a more judicious exploitation of this valuable waste.