Effect of extrusion process on microstructure and mechanical properties of Ni_3Al-B-Cr alloy during self-propagation high-temperature synthesis

The well-densified Ni3Al-0.5B-5Cr alloy was fabricated by self-propagation high-temperature synthesis and extrusion technique. Microstructure examination shows that the synthesized alloy has fine microstructure and contains Ni3Al, Al2O3, Ni3B and Cr3Ni2 phases. Moreover, the self-propagation high-temperature synthesis and extrusion lead to great deformation and recrystallization in the alloy, which helps to refine the microstructure and weaken the misorientation. In addition, the subsequent extrusion procedure redistributes the Al2O3 particles and eliminates the γ-Ni phase. Compared with the alloy synthesized without extrusion, the Ni3Al-0.5B-5Cr alloy fabricated by self-propagation high-temperature synthesis and extrusion has better room temperature mechanical properties, which should be ascribed to the microstructure evolution.

Effect of Ti-Al content on microstructure and mechanical properties of C_f/Al and TiAl joint by laser ignited self-propagating high-temperature synthesis

Cf/Al composites and TiAl alloys were joined by laser ignited self-propagating high-temperature synthesis（SHS） with Ni-Al-Ti interlayer. The effect of Ti-Al content on interfacial microstructure and mechanical properties of the joints was investigated. Localized melt of the substrates occurred in the joints. γ-Ni0.35Al0.30Ti0.35, NiA l3 and Ni2Al3 reaction layers formed adjacent to the substrates. Joint flaws, such as pores and cracks, made the joint density decrease and worked as the fracture source, which led to the sharp decline of joint strength. Additive Ti-Al increased joint density and strengthened the interlayer adhesion to Cf/Al. The joint flaws could be controlled by changing the Ti-Al content. When the Ti-Al content was 0.1, the joint was free of cracks with high density and reached the maximum shear strength of 24.12 MPa.

Microstructure and evolution of(TiB_2+Al_2O_3)/NiAl composites prepared by self-propagation high-temperature synthesis

（TiB2＋Al2O3）/NiAl composites were synthesized by self-propagation high-temperature synthesis, and their phase compositions, microstructures and evolution modes were studied. The microstructures and shapes vary with the TiB2＋Al2O3 content in the NiAl matrix. TiB2 particles take a great variety of elementary shapes such as white bars, plates, herringbones, regular cubes and cuboids. These results outline a strategy of self-assembly processes in real time to build diversified microstructures. Some TiB2 grains in sizes of 2-5μm are embeded in Al2O3 clusters, while a small number of TiB2 particles disperse in the NiAl matrix. It is believed that the higher the TiB2＋Al2O3 content is, the more the regular shapes and homogeneous distributions of TiB2 and Al2O3 will be present in the NiAl matrix.

Magnetic properties of La-Zn substituted Sr-hexaferrites by self-propagation high-temperature synthesis

The La-Zn substituted SrM-type ferrites with the composition of Sr1-xLaxFe12-xZnxO19 （x=0-0.4） were prepared by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis （SHS）. The single SrM phase was detected by XRD in the as-received samples by controlling the Fe contents in the reagents. The substitution of La^3＋and Zn^2＋ obviously increased the magnetic properties of the as-prepared samples. The maximum improvements of Br, Hcb and （BH）m were 14.4%, 15.3% and 30.7%, respectively compared with that of the samples without La-Zn substitution. Microstructure observation by SEM showed that the SHS method benefited forming the better particle features and achieving the higher Hcj in comparison with the traditional firing method.

Self-propagating High-temperature Synthesis, Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of TiC-TiB_2-Cu Composites

TiC-TiB2-Cu composites were produced by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis combined with pseudo hot isostatic pressing using Ti, B4C and Cu powders. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. The X-ray diffraction （XRD） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM） results showed that the final products were only TiC, TiB2 and Cu phases. The clubbed TiB2 grains and spheroidal or irregular TiC grains were found in the microstructure of synthesized products. The reaction temperature and grain size of TiB2 and TiC particles decreased with increasing Cu content. The introduction of Cu into the composites resulted in a drastic increase in the relative density and flexual strength, and the maximum values were obtained with the addition of 20 wt pct, while the fracture toughness was the best when Cu content was 40 wt pct.

Dissolution-precipitation mechanism of self-propagating high-temperature synthesis of TiC-Cu cermets

The mechanism of self-propagating high-temperature synthesis （SHS） of TiC-Cu cermets was studied using a combustion front quenching method. Microstructural evolution in the quenched sample was observed using scanning electron microscope （SEM） with energy dispersive X-ray （EDX） spectrometry, and the combustion temperature was measured. The results showed that the combustion reaction started with local formation of Ti-Cu melt and could be described with the dissolution-precipitation mechanism, namely, Ti, Cu, and C particles dissolved into the Ti-Cu solution and TiC particles precipitated in the saturated Ti-Cu-C liquid solution. The local formation of Ti-Cu melt resulted from the solid diffusion between Ti and Cu particles.

Effect of inner oxidant on self-propagating high-temperature synthesis of MnZn-ferrite powder

Using KClO3 as an inner oxidant, MnZn-ferrite powder was synthesized by a self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) process in normal air atmosphere. The effects of the inner oxidant on combustion temperature, combustion velocity, microstructure and the phase of the product were investigated by XRD and SEM,respectively. The results show that a highly ferritized powder can be obtained as well as the highest combustion temperature and the highest combustion velocity when the inner oxidant content m equals 54(k-16).

Preparation of ZrB_2 Ceramics by Self-propagating High-temperature Synthesis and Hot Pressing Sintering

ZrB2 ceramics were prepared by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis（SHS） and were sintered by hot pressing（HP）.The effects of the granularities and doses of raw materials in Zr-B2O3-Mgon SHS process and product were investigated.XRD and combustion temperature curves prove that the ideal SHS reactants of Zr-B2O3-Mg are 50μm Zr powder,75μm B2O3 powder and 400μm Mg powder with 45% excessive.The particle sizes of SHS product,acid-leached product,sintered product are 2-5μm,0.5-2μm,2-10μm respectively.Chemical analysis indicates that the acid-leached product consists of ZrB2（94.59%）,ZrO2（3.87%）,and H3BO3（1.54%）,The sintered product has a relative density of 95.4%.

Microstructural Evolution During Self-propagating High-temperature Synthesis of Ti-Al System

In order to investigate the microstructural evolution during self-propagating high-temperature synthesis （SHS） of Ti-Al powder mixture with an atomic ratio of Ti： Al=1：1, a combustion front quenching method （CFQM） was used for extinguishing the propagating combustion wave, and the microstructures on the quenched sample were observed with scanning electron microscope （SEM） and analyzed with energy dispersive spectrometry （EDS）. In addition, the combustion temperature of the reaction was measured, and the phase constituent of the synthesized product was inspected by X-ray diffraction （XRD）. The results showed that the combustion reaction started from melting of the Al particles, and the melting resulted in dissolving of the Ti particles and forming of Al3Ti grains. As the Al liquid was depleted, the combustion reaction proceeded through solid-state diffusion between the solid Al3Ti and the solid Ti. This led to the forming of TiAl and Ti3Al diffusing layers. In addition, the combustion reaction is incomplete besides TiAl, there are a large amount of Ti3Al and TiAl3 and a small amount of Ti in the final product. This incompleteness chiefly results from the using of coarser Ti powder.

Short-Wave Emission and Microdischarges during Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis

Emission in the X-ray and ultraviolet （200-300 nanometers） region of spectrum is found out during combustion of heterogeneous systems with the formation of condensed products, and pulses from microwave emission with short duration are recorded as well. Combustion of a Ti-B powder system showed that self-propagating high-temperature synthesis （SHS） is accompanied by two types of X-ray radiation. Radiation of the first type has the maximum quantum energy - 5 keV. It is supposed that this type is caused by micro-breakdowns due to the charge separation in combustion products. Runaway electrons and soft X-ray radiation are generated due to the concentration of electric field on microparticles during breakdown. Radiation of the second type has the quantum energy up to - 15 keV. It is supposed that it is caused by exoemission of photons. UV radiation in the region of 200-300 nm is recorded during SHS in different gases （He, Ar, N2）. This radiation is shown to have the highest intensity in helium at the pressure - 25 x 103 Pa.

A New Process for Preparing Fine-ceramic-containing Composite Coatings──Flame Spray Synthesis

Flame spray synthesis (FSS), a combination of the flame spray technology and Self-propagation High-temperature Synthesis (SHS) was developed for preparing fine-ceramic-containing composite coatings. It can simplify the preparations of powder to synthesize and deposit the desired materials in one step. The preliminary results obtained from TiC-Fe cermet coatings by FSS process are reported. The peculiar microstructure of the composite coatings, which contains very fine (<1m) and round TiC and alternate TiC-rich (Hv=11€*13GPa) and TiC-poor layers (Hv=3.0 -6.0GPa), is expected to play an important role in their tribological properties.

Preparation of Nano-sized Zirconium Carbide Powders through a Novel Active Dilution Self-propagating High Temperature Synthesis Method

High quality nano-sized zirconium carbide （ZrC） powders were successfully fabricated via a developed chemical active dilution self-propagating high-temperature synthesis （SHS） method assisted by ball milling pretreatment process using traditional cheap zirconium dioxide powder （ZrO2）, magnesium powder （Mg） and sucrose （C12H22Oll） as raw materials. FSEM, TEM, HRTEM, SAED, XRD, FTIR and Raman, ICP- AES, laser particle size analyzer, oxygen and nitrogen analyzer, carbon/sulfur determinator and TG-DSC were employed for the characterization of the morphology, structure, chemical composition and thermal stability of the as-synthesized ZrC samples. The as-synthesized samples demonstrated high purity, low oxygen content and evenly distributed ZrC nano-powders with an average particle size of 50nm. In addition, the effects of endothermic rate and the possible chemical reaction mechanism were also discussed.

Synthesis,Microstructure,and Property of Cr_2AlC

Cr2AlC is an unusual layered ternary ceramic that combines the merits of both metals and ceramics. The salient properties of Cr2AlC are strongly related to its bonding characteristics and microstructures. Synthesis, microstructure, and property of Cr2AlC are reviewed in this paper. First, theoretical calculations and physical properties are introduced. Then, the processing of Cr2AlC ceramic in both bulk form and thin films and their basic mechanical properties are summarized. Atomic-scale characterizations of Cr2AlC, as well as the microstructural relationships among Cr2AlC, AlCr5, and AlCr2 were achieved using a series of transmission electron microscopy （TEM） techniques. Moreover, high-temperature oxidation and hot corrosion behaviors of Cr2AlC were investigated by means of thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and TEM. Mechanism of the excellent high-temperature corrosion resistance of Cr2AlC is discussed based on systematic microstructural analyses. Finally, concise conclusions are drawn.

Combustion synthesis of FeAl−Al2O3 composites with TiB2 and TiC additions via metallothermic reduction of Fe2O3 and TiO2

Combustion synthesis involving metallothermic reduction of Fe2O3 and TiO2 was conducted in the mode of self-propagating high-temperature synthesis(SHS)to fabricate FeAl-based composites with dual ceramic phases,TiB2/Al2O3 and TiC/Al2O3.The reactant mixture included thermite reagents of 0.6Fe2O3+0.6TiO2+2Al,and elemental Fe,Al,boron,and carbon powders.The formation of xFeAl−0.6TiB2−Al2O3 composites with x=2.0−3.6 and yFeAl−0.6TiC−Al2O3 composites with y=1.8−2.75 was studied.The increase of FeAl causes a decrease in the reaction exothermicity,thus resulting in the existence of flammability limits of x=3.6 and y=2.75 for the SHS reactions.Based on combustion wave kinetics,the activation energies of Ea=97.1 and 101.1 kJ/mol are deduced for the metallothermic SHS reactions.XRD analyses confirm in situ formation of FeAl/TiB2/Al2O3 and FeAl/TiC/Al2O3 composites.SEM micrographs exhibit that FeAl is formed with a dense polycrystalline structure,and the ceramic phases,TiB2,TiC,and Al2O3,are micro-sized discrete particles.The synthesized FeAl−TiB2−Al2O3 and FeAl−TiC−Al2O3 composites exhibit the hardness ranging from 12.8 to 16.6 GPa and fracture toughness from 7.93 to 9.84 MPa·m1/2.

Synthesis of SrTiO_3 for immobilization of simulated HLW by SHS

Strontium titanate synroc samples were synthesized by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis （SHS）. Sr directly took part in the synthesis process. As a result, the loading content issue is basically resolved. The products were characterized by density, microhardness X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy （SEM/EDS）. The leaching rate was measured by the method of PCT （product consistency test）. The results indicate that the Sr^2＋-SrTiO3 compound is of high density, low leach rate and high stability and the synthesis process is feasible in technology and economy. It can be concluded that the strontium titanate synroc is a perfect material to immobilize HLW.

Preparation of β-SiC by combustion synthesis in a large-scale reactor

The feasibility of 5 kg β-SiC synthesized in one batch was demonstrated through igniting the mixture of Si, C-black and polytetrafluoroethylene （PTFE） under different nitrogen pressures. The effect of experimental parameters, including the contents of PTFE, nitrogen pressure, preheating, and raw materials distribution forms were investigated. The results show that the products are β-SiC with equiaxed grains. The average grain size is less than 200 nm. The powders loaded loosely promote reaction heat dispersing, resulting in small grains. High purity β-SiC powders are obtained when the PTFE content is as low as 5wt%, which simplifies the process and decreases the cost effectively. The ceramic sintered from the obtained β-SiC powders presents the hardness of 22.20 GPa, the bending strength as high as 715.15 MPa and the fracture toughness of 8.179 MPa·m^1/2, which are higher than those of ceramics fabricated with α-SiC produced by combustion synthesis.

Combustion Synthesis of h-BN-SiC Ceramic Composites

The feasibility was demonstrated to fabricate h-BN-SiC ceramics through combustion synthesis of the mixture of boron carbide and silicon powders under 100 MPa nitrogen pressure. The mass fraction of BN and SiC in the combustion products were found to be 72 % and 28 % respectively. The thermodynamics of the synthesis reaction and the adiabatic combustion temperature were calculated on the theoretical ground. The bending strengths of the ceramics were measured to be 65.2 MPa at room temperature and 55 MPa at 1350℃ The phase composition and microstructure of the combustion products were identified by X-ray diffraction （XRD） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM）.

Synthesis of Ni/Al System Intermetallic Compound Under the Influence of Pulsating Electric Current

Synthesis of Ni/Al system intermetallic compound under the influence of pulsating electric current is researched.Reactions of Ni/Al system intermetallic compound are analyzed.It is found that solid-state reactions occur at Ni/Al interface and the main way of reactions is atoms diffusing each other under the influence of a high-density pulsating electric current.

Salt-Assisted SHS Synthesis of Aluminium Nitride Powders for Refractory Applications

Powders of aluminum nitride can be prepared by self-sustain high-temperature synthesis (SHS) between aluminum and nitrogen but its high exothermic effect causes melting and evaporation of aluminum and low efficiency of such reaction. A presence of inorganic salt in the starting powder mixture can decrease a heat evolved in the SHS reaction, hinders melting and coalescence of aluminum, and facilitates penetration of nitrogen into interior of a powder bed. Mixtures of alumina powders with different grain sizes and different amounts of aluminum carbonate were subjected to the SHS reaction under 0.05, 0.1 or 1 MPa nitrogen. The powders were composed of aluminum nitride, unreacted aluminum, aluminum oxynitride and in some cases corundum and aluminum oxycarbonate. The finale effects are strongly dependent on the amount of the salt, a grain size of aluminum and a nitrogen pressure.

Kinetics and numerical simulation of self-propagating high-temperature synthesis in Ti–Cr–Al–C systems

In this paper, Ti–Cr–Al–C materials were investigated by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis（SHS） according to the experimental study and numerical simulation results. The highest adiabatic combustion temperature Tadof 2,467.45 K indicates that the2Ti–0Cr–Al–C is the highest exothermic reaction system in the Ti–Cr–Al–C system. The adiabatic combustion temperature decreases with the increase of the Cr content. And a higher exothermal reaction would result in higher porosity which is induced by the high temperature and pressure of C reducing atmosphere and Al vapor. Combustion characterization of the products shows that the geometrical alternating layers result in the high exothermal reaction and flame-front propagating velocity. The higher the Tadis, the thinner the layer is. To demonstrate the process of the microscopic characterization and show the detailed combustion process closed to the experimental observations, the flame-front propagating velocity and temperature distribution were simulated numerically.