Preparation,Structures,Thermal Properties and Sintering Behaviors of B_2O_3-SiO_2-ZnO-BaO-Al_2O_3 Glass

B_2O_3-SiO_2-ZnO-BaO-Al_2O_3 glass with different Al_2O_3 contents（1mol%, 3mol%, 5mol%, and 7mol%） was prepared, and it was intended to be used as lead-free and low-melting glass sealants for solid oxide fuel cells. The effects of Al_2O_3 content on the structures, thermal properties, and sintering behaviors of the B_2O_3-SiO_2-ZnO-BaO-Al_2O_3 glass were investigated in detail. The Al_2O_3 content largely influenced the structures and thermal properties of the glass. When the Al_2O_3 content 5mol%, the transition temperature of the glass decreased with the Al_2O_3 content, while the crystallization temperature increased with the Al_2O_3 content. However, higher Al_2O_3 content degraded the stability of the glass. The B_2O_3-SiO_2-ZnO-BaO-Al_2O_3 glass with 5 mol% Al_2O_3 content exhibits the optimal sintering densification characteristics and can be used as glass sealants for solid oxide fuel cells.

Fabrication and sintering behavior of high-nitrogen nickel-free stainless steels by metal injection molding

High-nitrogen nickel-free stainless steels were fabricated by the metal injection molding technique using high nitrogen alloying powders and a mixture of three polymers as binders.Mixtures of metal powders and binders with various proportions were also investigated, and an optimum powder loading capacity was determined as 64vol%.Intact injection molded compacts were successfully obtained by regulating the processing parameters.The debinding process for molded compacts was optimized with a combination of thermo-gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry analysis.An optimum relative density and nitrogen content of the specimens are obtained at 1360℃,which are 97.8%and 0.79wt%,respectively.

Sintering behavior and thermal conductivity of nickel-coated graphite flake/copper composites fabricated by spark plasma sintering

Nickel-coated graphite flakes/copper（GN/Cu） composites were fabricated by spark plasma sintering with the surface of graphite flakes（GFs） being modified by Ni–P electroless plating. The effects of the phase transition of the amorphous Ni–P plating and of Ni diffusion into the Cu matrix on the densification behavior, interfacial microstructure, and thermal conductivity（TC） of the GN/Cu composites were systematically investigated. The introduction of Ni–P electroless plating efficiently reduced the densification temperature of uncoated GF/Cu composites from 850 to 650℃ and slightly increased the TC of the X–Y basal plane of the GF/Cu composites with 20 vol%–30 vol% graphite flakes. However, when the graphite flake content was greater than 30 vol%, the TC of the GF/Cu composites decreased with the introduction of Ni–P plating as a result of the combined effect of the improved heat-transfer interface with the transition layer, P generated at the interface, and the diffusion of Ni into the matrix. Given the effect of the Ni content on the TC of the Cu matrix and on the interface thermal resistance, a modified effective medium approximation model was used to predict the TC of the prepared GF/Cu composites.

Effects of Cobalt on the Sintering Behavior of Mechanically Activated Tungsten Powder

Tungsten alloys were prepared with mechanically activated powder added microelement cobalt in order to improve the process and properties of alloys. Properties of alloys such as density, hardness and bending strength were measured. The results show that through mechanical activation, cobalt can accelerate the sintering process of these alloys By the combination of mechanical activation and adding microelement cobalt, tungsten alloys with higher density and better properties can be obtained.

Effect of ZrO_2 Dopant on the Sintering Behavior and Performance of MCMB-derived Carbon Laminations

Liquid ball-milling dispersant method was used to prepare the ZrO2-doped carbon laminations from mesocarbon microbeads（MCMBs）. After sintering at 1 300 ℃ in nitrogen atmosphere, the effect of ZrO2 concentration on sintering behavior, electric conductivity as well as bending strength of the carbon laminations was investigated in detail. The results showed that the volumetric shrinkage rate of the carbon laminations decreased from 38.2% to 30.9% when the ZrO2 concentration in raw materials varied from 0 to 16 wt%. Compared with undoped carbon lamination, the samples had high-electric conductivity and excellent bending strength in all cases. The electric conductivity achieved the maximum value of 225 S/cm, and the bending strength of the carbon lamination was 119.24 MPa for a concentration of 8 wt% ZrO2 in raw materials. In addition, the electric conductivity and bending strength reducing were observed when the ZrO2 concentration was higher than 8 wt%. The catalytic effect on graphitization for the carbon laminations was the most effective when the ZrO2 concentration was set at 8 wt% in raw materials.

Sintering Behavior and Microstructure of diphasic β-Sialon /Al_2O_3 Composites

Six compositions with different ratio of β-Sialon/Al2O3 were synthesized from Al2O3, Si3,N4 and SiO2 by sintering with 3%Y2O3(mass fraction) as addition under the cover with powders of SiC+C and at nitrogen atmosphere. Theeffects of atmosphere, sintering temperature and composition on the sintering behavior were studied. The results showedthat the composites reached the best sintering behavior with the highest density about 92% at 1 650℃ under the weakreduction atmosphere. Finally the relative density of diphasic β-Sialon and p-Sialon/Al2O3 composites were studied andpredicted using ANN (Artificial Neural Networks) method and the results were experimental examined by fore randomsamples.

Fabrication of MoSi_2-SiC Composites by a Spark Plasma Sintering Method

MolybdenUmdisilicidepeoSi,)hashighmeltingpoint（2293K）,relativelylowdensity（6.249/cm3）,abrittle-to-ductiletemper;tabout1173K[l]andoutstandingoxidationresistance[2M].Forthisreason,thedisilicidematrixcompositesarebeingconsideredasoneofthemoStPromisingc...

Preparation and Mechanical Properties of Zirconia Ceramics Doped with Different Y_(2)O_(3)Contents

The sintering behavior and mechanical properties of zirconia doped with 2.0mol%-3.0mol%Y_(2)O_(3)were studied by pressure-less sintering.The experimental results show that the densification temperature of zirconia ceramics increases gradually with the decrease of Y_(2)O_(3)doping content by which decreases the sintering driving force due to the lower oxygen vacancy concentration of the systems.Furthermore,the bending strength and fracture toughness of the prepared zirconia ceramics increase with the decrease of Y_(2)O_(3)doping content.It can be attributed to the fact that the phase stability of tetragonal zirconia decreases with the decrease of Y_(2)O_(3)doping content,which is easier to induce"phase transformation toughening"and dissipate impact energy.The relative density,bending strength and fracture toughness of 2.0 mol%Y_(2)O_(3)doped zirconia ceramics(2.0Y-ZrO_(2))sintered at 1525℃are 99.00%,1256.65±20.82 MPa and 9.85±0.13 MPa·m^(1/2),respectively.

Microstructure and microwave dielectric properties of ZnO-B_2O_3 added (Ca_(0.254)Li_(0.19)Sm_(0.14))TiO_3 ceramics

The effects of ZnO-B2O3 （ZB2） on the sintering behavior and microwave dielectric properties of （Ca0.254Li0.19Sm0.14）TiO3 ceramics were investigated. The densities of the specimens reached the maximum value by adding 3 wt.% ZB2 and then decreased. The sintering temperature of the specimens was lowered from 1300 to 1100℃ without degradation of the microwave dielectric properties. The （Ca0.254Li0.19Sm0.14）TiO3＋ 3 wt.% ZB2 sintered at 1100℃ for 3 h showed good microwave dielectric properties, εr= 108.2, Qf= 6545 GHz, and rf= 6.5 ppm/℃, respectively, indicating that ZB2 was an effective sintering aid to improve the densification and microwave dielectric properties of （Ca0.254Li0.19Sm0.14）TiO3 ceramics.

Characterization of YSZ Ceramic Nanopowders Synthesized at Different Temperatures via Polyacrylamide Gel Method

Tetragonal zirconia (T-ZrO2) ceramic nanopowders stabilized with 3 mol% Y2O3 were synthesized via polyacrylamide gel method, using ZrOCl2?8H2O and Y(NO3)3?6H2O as raw materials. The effect of temperature on phase composition and morphology of YSZ nanopowders and sintering behavior of YSZ ceramics was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Vickers hardness tester. The aging-resistance of YSZ ceramics was measured by means of aging experiments. The results demonstrated that the phase composition of YSZ ceramic nanopowders had no obvious change and it was composed of T-ZrO2. Particle size of well-dispersed YSZ ceramic nanopowders increased from 17 to 35 nm with increasing calcining temperature from 600 to 800 ℃. There was noticeable negative correlation between calcining temperature and the relative density of YSZ ceramic at the same sintering temperature. The aging experiments showed that water vapor facilitated tetragonal to monoclinic phase transformation, and the sample that had smaller grain size exhibited better aging-resistance. It can be concluded that when the calcining temperature is 600 ℃ and sintering temperature is 1550 ℃, the relative density and hardness of YSZ ceramic arrive at the peak of 96.64% and 11.135 GPa respectively, and it has less microcracks and excellent aging-resistance.

Effect of ZnO-B_2O_3 Glass Addition on the Microwave Dielectric Properties of BaO-Nd_2O_3-TiO_2-Bi_2O_3 System

The effect of ZnO-B2O3（ZB） glass addition on the sintering behavior, microstructures and microwave dielectric properties of BaO-Nd2O3-TiO2-Bi2O3 （BNTB） system was investigated with the aid of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and capacitance meter. It is found that the ZB glass addition, acting as a sintering aid, can effectively lower the sintering temperature of BNTB system to 850 ℃. The dielectric constant of BNTB-ZB ceramics increases with the increase of soaking time and the value of dielectric loss decreased with increasing soak time. The optical dielectric properties at 1 GHz of ε=74, tan δ=4×10^-4, and TCC=25 ppm/℃ were obtained for the BNTB system doped with 25 wt% ZB glass sintered at 850 ℃ for 2 h, representing that the BNTB-ZB ceramics could be promising for multilayer low temperature co-fired ceramics applications.

MAGNETIZATION BEHAVIOR IN SINTERED Nd-Fe-B MAGNETS

Magnetization and demagnetization curves and hysteresis loops applied different magnetizing.fields in sintered Nd-Fe-B and Nd-Dy-Fe-B magnets from thermally demagnetized and dc field-demagnetized states were investigated at temperatures of up to 150℃.The first-quadrant remagnetization curves and the curves of coercive forces _MH_C versus rernagnetizing fietds H_m from dc field-demagnetized state at room temperature show a step around magnetizing field as absolute value of the maximum intrinsic coercivity.The steps of _MH_C-H_m curves shifted to lower remagnetizing fields and the shapes of magnetization curves changed from step type to precipitous type when temperature went up to 100～150℃ or after the specimen was thermally demagnetized at a temperature higher than the Curie temperature.The steep rise of knee coereivity with increasing magnetizing field is behind that of _MH_C.Note that the magnetic hardening in sintered Nd-Fe-B magnets is controlled by pinning of domain walls.

Effect of oxygen enrichment on sintering behavior of high proportion vanadium-titanium magnesite concentrates

To achieve high-efficiency utilization of complex and unmanageable iron-containing minerals,the effects of oxygen enrichment on productivity,yield,flame front speed,exhaust gas peak temperature,and desulphurization reaction of the vanadium-titanium magnetite sintering process as well as sinter tumble index and mineralogy were clarified,with oxygen enrichment concentrations ranging from 21 to 29 vol.%.Results indicated that with increasing the oxygen enrichment concentration from 21 to 27 vol.%,the flame front speed increased from 30.3 to 40.0 mm min^(-1),the yield enhanced from 72%to 77%,and the productivity augmented from 1.83 to 2.67t m^(-2)h^(-1);in the meantime,the tumble index was improved from 73.7%to 77.9%,and the exhaust gas peak temperature rose from 376.4 to 484.8℃.The main reason for the improvement in sintering properties was the increased combustibility of fuels and the generation of proper liquid phase that improved the permeability of the packed bed.The improved sinter strength is mainly due to the increase in the phase fraction of silico-ferrites of calcium and aluminium.In addition,oxygen enrichment sintering could significantly increase the desulphurization level of vanadium-titanium magnetite sinter and the rate of desulphurization reaction during sintering process.

Sintering behavior and microwave dielectric properties of (1-x)CaTiO_3-xLaAlO_3 ceramics

The sintering behavior,microstructure and microwave dielectric properties of （1–x）CaTiO3–xLaAlO3 （x=0.1,0.3,0.5,0.7,0.9,respectively） ceramics were investigated systematically by thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis （TG-DSC）,X-ray diffraction （XRD）,scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and a network analyzer.The result showed that forming temperature of the perovskite type crystal increased with increasing of x value.0.9CaTiO3-0.1LaAlO3 ceramics were sintered well from 1 400 to 1 550 oC,its bulk density increased with sintering temperature,and microwave dielectric properties of the ceramics at 1 400 oC was shown as follows： relative dielectric constant εr= 45.1,Q×f= 46 087 GHz and τf=–14.1×10–6/oC,respectively.But 0.7CaTiO3-0.3LaAlO3 ceramics were sintered well only when sintering temperature rose to 1 500 oC.（1–x）CaTiO3–xLaAlO3 （x=0.5,0.7 and 0.9,respectively） were not sintered well up to 1 550 oC and the sintered samples exhibited porous characteristic and with low bulk density.

Preparation of hollow fiber membranes from mullite particles with aid of sintering additives

Porous mullite hollow fiber membranes were prepared with a combined phase-inversion and sintering method,using three sintering additives including yttrium stabilized zirconia(YSZ),small mullite particles(SMP),and titanium oxide(TiO2)to promote the particle sintering.The results indicated that all the three additives could improve the sintering performance of mullite hollow fiber membranes due to the decrease in activation energy of mullite grains.Both YSZ and T i02 could react with mullite grains to generate composite oxides(e.g.,ZrSi04 and Al2Ti05)during sintering,following a reaction-sintering mechanism.Interestingly,the newly generated ZrSiO4 was instable and further decomposed into monoclinic ZrO2 and SiO2 in the sintering process.The decomposition could avoid excessive embedment of composite oxides among mullite grains which have negative impact on mechanical strength of mullite hollow fibers.Overall,the doping of YSZ provided a better promotion effect on the sintering of mullite hollow fiber membranes,where the microstructural and mechanical properties are insensitive to the doping content and sintering temperatures,so it could be used as the candidate for the large-scale preparation of mullite hollow fibers.

Sintering behavior and properties of SiC/Si_3N_4 composite

SiC/Si_3N_4 composite was pressureless sintered using self-propagating high-temperature combustion synthesis a-Si_3N_4 powder and appropriate amount of b-SiC powder. Both of the sintering additive systems were used,which were YAN（Y_2O_3–Al_2O_3–AlN） and YN（Y_2O_3–AlN）.The influences of b-SiC content on sintering behavior of SiC/Si_3N_4 composite were investigated. The results show that the density, shrinkage, bending strength, hardness, and fracture toughness of the samples with two sintering additive systems increase first with the increase of the contents of b-SiC and then decrease even when b-SiC contents continually increase. The tendency of weight loss of the samples is opposite. The b-SiC content of the samples with the best mechanical properties is different in two systems. For YAN system, the best mechanical properties of the samples are gained when b-SiC content reaches 10 %, while as for YN system it is 5 %. The properties of YN samples are superior to YAN samples. J phase（2Y_2O_3 ·Si_2N_2O） forms in YN system easily. A small amount of M phase（Y_2O_3·Si_3N_4） is observed in YAN system.

Sintering characteristics and microwave dielectric properties of 0.5Ca_(0.6)La_(0.267)TiO_3-0.5Ca(Mg_(1/3)Nb_(2/3))O_3 ceramics prepared by reaction-sintering process

0.5 Ca（0.6La0.267TiO3-0.5 Ca（Mg1/3Nb2/3）O3（5 CLT-5 CMN） ceramics were prepared by a reaction-sintering process and their sintering characteristics, microwave dielectric properties were investigated in detail.Without any calcination stage involved,a mixture of CaCO_3, La_2 O_3, TiO_2, MgO and Nb_2 O_5 was pressed and sintered directly. Pure phase 5 CLT-5 CMN ceramics with high density and dense microstructure can be obtained after sintered at 1400 ℃ for 4 h. Compared with those prepared by the conventional ceramic route, 5 CLT-5 CMN ceramics produced by the reaction-sintering process exhibit slightly higher dielectric constant and Q×f value. Fine microwave dielectric properties of ε_r= 56.4, Q×f= 48,550 GHz and T_f = ＋8.7 ppm/℃ for 5 CLT-5 CMN ceramics sintered at 1400 ℃ for 4 h are obtained, suggesting reactionsintering process is a simple and efficient method to produce pure phase 5 CLT-5 CMN ceramics as a potential candidate for the fabrication of microwave devices.

Effect of Additive Cu-10Sn on Sintering Behavior and Wear Resistance of 316L Stainless Steel

Austenitic 316L stainless steel has good corrosion resistance l however, the relative softness often limits its application. Severe adhesive wear often occurs between the 316L stainless steel and the metal counterpart. Cu-10Sn alloy is often used to improve the wear resistance of powder metallurgy 316L stainless steel. The influence of Cu-10Sn on sintering behavior and wear resistance of powder metallurgy 316L stainless steel was investigated. The pa-rameters investigated included sintering temperature and volume percent of Cu-10Sn. A maximum relative density of 97% was achieved with 25% （in volume percent） Cu-10Sn content at a sintering temperature of 1 300 ℃ for 60 min. The irregular and sharp angles of 316L stainless steel particles become round, and the pores are removed completely as a result of large amount of liquid phase formed during sintering. The minimum friction mass loss was achieved with 25% Cu-10Sn content.

Effect of Chromite-Silica Sands Characteristics on Performance of Ladle Filler Sands for Continuous Casting

Free opening rate is mainly determined by the performance of the ladle filler sand. High free opening rates of ladles are required in steel making to improve steel quality. Chromite ladle filler sands are one of the most widely used ladle filler sand. Several operative variables and materials characteristics affect the performance of the sands. Three sets of chromite ladle filler sands were selected and researches were focused on the sintering hehaviour and per- formance of the sands under operative conditions. The effect of particle size distribution on sintering, microstruc- ture, flowability, and permeability were presented. In all cases, the particle size varies from 0.1 to 1.5 mm corre- sponding to free flowing powders. One of the samples has higher permeability factor in comparison with others due to low particle size distribution. The other sample presents very good free opening due to its very good flowability and permeability factor.

Ga2O3 doping and vacancy effect in KNN-LT lead-free piezoceramics

Ga2O3 was doped into 0.95（K0.48Na0.52）NbO3-0.05LiTaO3 （KNN-LT） cera- mics and its influences on the sintering behavior, phase structure and electrical properties of ceramics were studied. Firstly, SEM observation exhibits that more and more glass phase appears in ceramics with the gradual addition of Ga2O3, which determines the continuous decrease in sintering temperatures. And the addition of Ga2O3 is also found to increase the orthorhombic-tetragonal transition temperature （To-T） of system to a higher level. Secondly, both the density and the coercive field （Ec） of ceramics increase firstly and then decrease with increasing the Ga2O3 content, and the KNN-LT-xGa sample at x = 0.004 shows a pinched P-E hysteresis loop. Finally, the impedance characteristics of KNN-LT-xGa ceramics were investigated at different temperatures, revealing a typical vacancy related conduction mechanism. This work demonstrates that Ga2O3 is a good sintering aid for KNN-based ceramics, and the vacancy plays an important role in the sintering and electrical behaviors of ceramics.