Hongling Yi, Kunyang Dang, Xiangqiong Zeng, Heyang Shao and Tianhui Ren
This paper sets out to study tribological properties, anticorrosive performances and thermal stabilities of two novel S‐N type triazinyl‐containing polysulfides…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper sets out to study tribological properties, anticorrosive performances and thermal stabilities of two novel S‐N type triazinyl‐containing polysulfides {Bis[2,4‐bis(diethylamino)‐s‐triazin‐6‐yl] polysulfide (BBET‐PS) and Bis[2,4‐bis(di‐n‐butylamino)‐s‐triazin‐6‐yl] polysulfide (BBBT‐PS)} as additives in biodegradable grease, and to estimate the tribochemical mechanism.
Design/methodology/approach
Extreme pressure (EP) and anti‐wear (AW) properties of two compounds at different addition concentration were evaluated using a four‐ball machine. Their wear scar was analyzed with X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and a scanning electron microscope.
Findings
Two novel S‐N type triazinyl‐containing polysulfides possess excellent load‐carrying capacity, good AW and show good corrosion‐inhibiting performance. The thermal stability of BBB‐PS is better than that of BBE‐PS. According to the XPS results, the triazinyl‐containing polysulfides react with the metal to generate a surface protective film consisting of sulfate, FeS and absorbed compounds containing organic‐N.
Research limitations/implications
The antioxidant and biodegradability of the two novel compounds were not investigated.
Practical implications
Two effective EP and AW additives were synthesized, and maybe potentially industrial applied lubricating grease additives.
Originality/value
The achievement of this study is the synthesis of two triazinyl‐containing polysulfides, which can be effective additives to improve the tribological performance of biodegradable grease.
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Xiangqiong Zeng, Hongling Yi, Hua Wu, Jing Li, Tianhui Ren, Weimin Liu and Zhongyi He
This paper seeks to study the tribological properties, corrosion inhibition properties and action mechanism of two triazine‐containing disulfides, TOSS and TOMA, as additives in…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to study the tribological properties, corrosion inhibition properties and action mechanism of two triazine‐containing disulfides, TOSS and TOMA, as additives in combustion engine base oil (5CST); those properties of an alkyl disulfide dodecyl disulfide and zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP) were also evaluated for comparison to discover whether these additives could be used as potential substitute candidates for ZDDP.
Design/methodology/approach
Their tribological performances were evaluated using a four‐ball machine. The worn surfaces were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)
Findings
The three additives have good load‐carrying capacity and corrosion inhibition properties comparable with those of ZDDP. The anti‐wear properties of the triazine‐containing disulfides TOSS and TOMA are good but a little inferior to those of ZDDP. The friction‐reducing performances of the additives are better than those of ZDDP. The XPS results show that absorption and tribochemical reactions occur to generate a complex boundary lubrication films comprising inorganic sulfate, sulfide, iron oxide and organic nitrogen, and sulfur‐containing compounds.
Research limitations/implications
The anti‐oxidation properties are still to be estimated, and the synergistic effectiveness with other additives could be demonstrated.
Practical implications
These additives are good extreme pressure and anti‐wear additives in combustion engine base oil and, through further modification of molecular structure or combination with other additives, they may be a potential replacement for ZDDP.
Originality/value
To reduce the cost, the products synthesized were not finely separated. Their tribological properties as additives in the widely used combustion engine base oil were first investigated and results indicate that they show excellent performances.
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Yi Lin and Sifeng Liu
This paper seeks to investigate the roles of small and large projects in the development and evolution of a commercial company and why companies with a history of taking on large…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to investigate the roles of small and large projects in the development and evolution of a commercial company and why companies with a history of taking on large projects tend to eventually fail with large projects.
Design/methodology/approach
In terms of small and large projects, analytic models are established to: describe investors' behaviors; depict the dynamics between CEOs and their boards of directors; and reveal how profit ceilings exist for large projects.
Findings
After making the concepts of small and large projects precise, the paper establishes several analytic models for the investigation of the behaviors of various market participants. Then, it develops an explanation for why some decision makers like to take on large projects and why most new startups fail because of a lack of funds. A theory is given to show how investors value small projects more than large projects and why the current trend of moving manufacturing operations from industrialized nations to third world countries does not seem reversible in the foreseeable future, as long as international transportation costs stay low and the global economic system stays open and competitive. Among other results, it is also shown that: the higher the level the CEO's initial ability is, the more likely he would initiate and manage small projects, and the more labor effort he will devote to these projects; the CEO's additional effort spent on the small projects helps him gain non‐pecuniary benefits, which he can use to gain additional bargaining power over the board; to realistically maximize his private utility, the CEO would spend more of his time and effort on small projects; each large project has a glass ceiling for its maximum level of profits; companies taking on large projects cannot afford to devote much of their scarce resources to expand their market share and appearance; and to increase their profit potential, these companies have to control their spending so that their profit can be maximized by lowering their unit selling price ps; for small projects, the profit potential for the company is unlimited.
Originality/value
This work is the first to employ models of human behaviors to research the interactions and dynamics between projects of different scales. It provides a theoretically reliable distinction between small and large projects.
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This study aims to investigate how opening high-speed railways affects the cost of debt financing based on China's background.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate how opening high-speed railways affects the cost of debt financing based on China's background.
Design/methodology/approach
Using panel data on Chinese listed firms from 2008 to 2017, this study constructs a quasi-natural experiment and adopts a difference-in-difference model with multiple time periods to empirically examine the relation between the high-speed railway openings and debt financing cost.
Findings
Our results show that opening high-speed railways reduces the cost of debt financing, and this negative correlation is more significant in non-state firms, firms with weaker internal control, and firms that hire non-Big Four auditors. Besides, we explore the impact mechanisms and find that opening high-speed railways improves analyst attention, institutional investor participation, and information disclosure quality, which in turn lowers the cost of debt financing.
Research limitations/implications
The results imply that the opening of high-speed railways helps to alleviate the information asymmetry and adverse selection between firms and creditors and ultimately reduces the cost of corporate debt financing.
Practical implications
This paper can inform firms and stakeholders about the impact of opening high-speed railways on debt financing cost: it improves the information environment, reduces the geographical location restrictions of debt financing, ensures the reasonable pricing of corporate debt, and thus promotes the healthy and sound development of the debt market.
Originality/value
This paper provides theoretical support and empirical evidence for the impact of infrastructure construction on the information environment of the debt market in China, which enriches the research on the “high-speed railway economy.” In addition, as an exogenous event, the opening of high-speed railways instantly shortens the time distance between firms and external stakeholders, which gives us a natural environment to conduct empirical research, thus providing a new perspective for financial research on firms' geographical location.
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Kexin Zhang, Tianyu Qi, Dachao Li, Xingwei Xue and Zhimin Zhu
The paper aims to investigate effectiveness of the strengthening method, the construction process monitoring, fielding-load tests before and after strengthening, and health…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to investigate effectiveness of the strengthening method, the construction process monitoring, fielding-load tests before and after strengthening, and health monitoring after reinforcement were carried out. The results of concrete strain and deflection show that the flexural strength and stiffness of the strengthened beam are improved.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper describes prestressed steel strand as a way to strengthen a 25-year-old continuous rigid frame bridge. High strength, low relaxation steel strand with high tensile strain and good corrosion resistance were used in this reinforcement. The construction process for strengthening with prestressed steel strand and steel plate was described. Ultimate bearing capacity of the bridge after strengthening was discussed based on finite element model.
Findings
The cumulative upward deflection of the second span the third span was 39.7 mm, which is basically consistent with the theoretical value, and the measured value is smaller than the theoretical value. The deflection value of the second span during data acquisition was −20 mm–10 mm, which does not exceed the maximum deflection value of live load, and the deflection of the bridge is in a safe state during normal use. Thus, this strengthened way with prestressed steel wire rope is feasible and effective.
Originality/value
This paper describes prestressed steel strand as a way to strengthen a 25-year-old continuous rigid frame bridge. To investigate effectiveness of the strengthening method, the construction process monitoring, fielding-load tests before and after strengthening and health monitoring after reinforcement were carried out.
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Lijun Dong, Naichao Chen, Jiawen Liang, Tingting Li, Zhanlin Yan and Bing Zhang
The purpose of this study is to provide an in-depth understanding about the indoor-orbital electrical inspection robot, which is useful for motivating the further investigation on…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to provide an in-depth understanding about the indoor-orbital electrical inspection robot, which is useful for motivating the further investigation on the inspection of electrical equipment. Currently, electric energy has a strong correlation with the economic development of the country. Intelligent substations play an important role in the transmission and distribution of the electricity; the maintenance of the substation has attracted intensive attention due to the requirement of reliability and safety. The indoor-orbital electrical inspection robot has increasingly become the main tool to realize the unmanned. Hence, a systematic review is conducted systematically reviewing the current technical status of the indoor-orbital electrical inspection robot and discuss the existed problems.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, the most essential achievements in the field of indoor-orbital electrical inspection robots were reported to present the current status, and the mechanical structures and key inspective technologies were also discussed.
Findings
Four recommendations are provided from the analyzed review, which have made constructive comments on the overall structural design, functionality, intelligence and future development direction of the indoor-orbital electrical inspection robot, respectively.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first systematic review study on indoor-orbital electrical inspection robots; it fills the theoretical gap and proffers design ideas and directions for the development of the indoor-orbital electrical inspection robot.
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Xiang Zou, Jiaqi Jiang, Hao Zhang and Hao He
The performance of corporations in sustainable development is not only a concern of investors, but has also captured ever-increasing attention from consumers. However, the…
Abstract
Purpose
The performance of corporations in sustainable development is not only a concern of investors, but has also captured ever-increasing attention from consumers. However, the evidence on how these good practices would ultimately benefit brands economically remains insufficient. This study tests the causal effect between corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance, media coverage, and brand value to reveal the underlying mechanisms of how consumers would react to high ESG performance.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses panel data regression analysis with a sample of Chinese A-share non-financial listed companies from 2010 to 2021. ESG performance, brand value, and media coverage are assessed with Huazheng ESG Rating, the rankings from the China’s 500 Most Valuable Brands' list published by the World Brand Lab, and media index compiled by the Chinese Research Data Services Platform (CNRDS) respectively.
Findings
This research confirmed that ESG performance positively impacted brand value in terms of profitability, and that media coverage played a role as a megaphone in this relationship. Large-scale corporates, compared to small ones, benefited more from good ESG ratings due to increased media coverage.
Originality/value
The findings provide evidence of the megaphone effect of media coverage on the relationship between firms’ ESG engagements and brand value in the product market, which has extended the knowledge of media’s monitoring role in the financial market. And this megaphone effect is strengthened by firm size in which larger firms have spotlight effect in draw public attention due to higher expectations in terms of social responsibility.