Effect of TiO_2 content on properties of Al_2O_3 thermal barrier coatings by plasma spraying

Al2O3 thermal barrier coatings with different TiO2 contents were deposited on 6061 aluminum alloy by plasma spraying. The corrosion resistance, thermal insulation property and phase composition of these coatings were investigated. The results indicate that all the feedstock powders exhibit phase transformation during the spray process. With the increase of the TiO2 content in the powder, the corrosion resistance of the coating is enhanced but the thermal insulation property is decreased. This can be attributed to the higher thermal conductivity but lower melting point and brittleness of TiO2 than those of Al2O3, so it is easy for TiO2 to disperse in the brittle Al2O3 substrate during spraying, in which these dispersively distributed TiO2 play the role of hole sealing, releasing stress and reducing cracks.

Magneto-Transport Properties of Insulating Bulk States in Bi(111) Films

Magneto-transport properties of insulating bulk states in Bi（111） films are systematically investigated under the parallel field （BⅡ）. We find that the magnetotransport of the Bll field is a more powerful tool to distinguish the bulk states and the surface states. A large magnetoresistance （MR） up to 20% in the BⅡ field is induced by the insulating bulk states for the suppression of the backward scattering. With the increasing thickness, a positive MR（BⅡ） from magnetic induced boundary scattering appears in the semimetal films. As the thickness is reduced to 1Ohm, the positive MR（BⅡ） is induced by weak anti-localization from the surface states.

Influence of Device Geometry on Transport Properties of Topological Insulator Microflakes

In the transport studies of topological insulators, microflakes exfoliated from bulk single crystals are often used because of the convenience in sample preparation and the accessibility to high carrier mobilities. Here, based on finite element analysis, we show that for the non-Hall-bar shaped topological insulator samples, the measured four-point resistances can be substantially modified by the sample geometry, bulk and surface resistivities,and magnetic field. Geometry correction factors must be introduced for accurately converting the four-point resistances to the longitudinal resistivity and Hall resistivity. The magnetic field dependence of inhomogeneous current density distribution can lead to pronounced positive magnetoresistance and nonlinear Hall effect that would not exist in the samples of ideal Hall bar geometry.

Preparation and Characterization of Alumina-coated Hollow Quartz Fiber Reinforced Al_(2)O_(3)-SiO_(2) Aerogel Composite

Al_(2)O_(3)–SiO_(2)sols were synthesized by using aluminum chloride hex hydrate and tetraethoxysilane(TEOS)as precursors,deionized water and ethanol mixture as the solvent,and propylene oxide as the coagulant aids.Alumina coatings were prepared on the surfaces of hollow quartz filament fiber,then a new lightweight and thermal insulating material were successfully prepared by impregnatingAl_(2)O_(3)–SiO_(2)sol into a needle fabric made by coated hollow quartz filament fiber.The coated quartz fiber,aerogels and composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR),X-ray diffraction(XRD),energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS),nitrogen adsorption-desorption(BET),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),and tensile tests.The effects of different fiber and calcination temperatures on the microstructures and properties ofAl_(2)O_(3)–SiO_(2)composite aerogels were investigated.The test results indicate that the mechanical properties of the aerogels are improved by introducing quartz filament fabrics and the introduction of alumina coating improves the thermal stability of the material.Compared to other fibers,Al_(2)O_(3)-coated hollow quartz fiber has significant advantages as reinforcement for composite,and their tensile strength is well retained after high temperature heat treatment.

Application of Mullite Composite Lining Plates in Rotary Coke Tanks for Coke Dry Quenching Equipment

To reduce the burning loss and the spalling and to improve energy efficiency,the mullite composite lining plates were used to replace cast steel or alloy lining in rotary coke tanks for coke dry quenching equipment.The results show that:the dense mullite composite lining plate in the cone part has the density of 2.20 g·cm^(-3) and the wear test,s volume loss of 4.08 cm^(3),and the light weight mullite composite lining plate in the straight cylinder part has the density of 1.95 g·cm^(-3) and the wear test,s volume loss of 17.6 cm^(3).After using,there is no shrinkage gap,no burn loss or holes in the plates,indicating good sealing of the mullite composite lining plates.The lining plate for the cone part has low burning loss,without spalling for more than half a year.The outer surface temperature of coke tanks adopting the cast steel or the alloy lining is 480 to 570℃,while that of the ones adopting mullite composite lining plates is 120 to 170℃,showing a largely improved insulating property.Adopting mullite composite lining plates on the basis of the current coke tank cage,the lining plates can be timely treated and wholly replaced,improving the service life and reducing the maintenance workload.

BiAlO_(3)-modified BiFeO_(3)-BaTiO_(3) high Curie temperature lead-free piezoelectric ceramics with enhanced performance

BiFeO_(3)-BaTiO_(3)(BF-BT)lead-free piezoelectric ceramics have high piezoelectricity and high Curie temperature(T_(C)),but the mixed-valence Fe ions and Bi^(3+)volatilization would promote the formation of Bi_(25)FeO_(40)/Bi_(2)Fe_(4)O_9 and oxygen vacancy,which greatly degrade the insulation properties required for polarization.In this study,it was found that the modification of BiAlO_(3)(BA)in BF-BT ceramics could effectively solve these problems,reducing the leakage current to 1×10^(-9)A·cm^(-2)and transiting the space charge-limited conduction to ohmic conduction.Because of the enhanced insulation properties and appropriate rhombohedral-pseudocubic phase ratio(C_R/C_(PC)),BF-BT-xBA ceramics in an optimized composition obtain enhanced piezoelectric performance:piezoelectric charge coefficient(d_(33))=196 pC·N^(-1),planar electromechanical coupling coefficient(k_(p))=31.1%,T_(C)=487℃and depolarization temperature(T_d)=250°C;unipolar strain(S_(uni))=0.17%and piezoelectric strain coefficient(d_(33)^(*))=335 pm·V^(-1)at 100℃.Especially,d_(33)exceeds 283 pC·N^(-1)at 233℃and d_(33)^(*)is 335 pm·V^(-1)at100℃,showing an excellent high-temperature piezoelectricity and high depolarization temperature.The results are attributed to the domain structure of rhombohedral-pseudocubic phase coexistence and its high-temperature switching behavior.This work provides a feasible and effective approach to improve the high temperature piezoelectric properties of BF-BT-xBA ceramics,making them more suitable for high temperature applications.

Design and application of a small electrode experimental installation for resistivity measurement of mineral and solid insulating material

There has not been an effective method to measure the resistivity of small-size sample of mineral and solid insulating material until now.According to the Chinese National Standard(GB/T1410-2006) and features of digital high resistance meter,a small electrode experimental installation was developed;it can work with current high resistance meter;the sample decreases to 18 mm from standard size 100 mm in diameter and reduces by 30.86 times in area.A three-electrode system is supported and precisely positioned by two insulating bases whose diameter is 60 mm and height is 20 mm,which ensures accuracy of device structure and reliability of measuring results.The key technological parameters are as follows:diameter of high voltage electrode is 18mm;diameter of measuring electrode is 14.6 mm;internal diameter and external diameter of guard electrode are 16 and 18 mm,respectively;the gap between guard electrode and measuring electrode is set at 0.6 mm.These parameters are adequate for the measurement of flat specimen of mineral and solid insulating material whose diameter is 18 mm.According to the confirmatory experiment on the volume resistivity and surface resistivity,the measuring results are almost the same,using a small electrode experimental installation and a standard electrode.