Preparation and Thermal Shock Resistance of Mullite Ceramics for High Temperature Solar Thermal Storage

Mullite thermal storage ceramics were prepared by low-cost calcined bauxite and kaolin.The phase composition,microstructure,high temperature resistance and thermophysical properties were characterized by modern testing techniques.The experimental results indicate that sample A3(bauxite/kaolin ratio of 5:5)sintered at 1620℃has the optimum comprehensive properties,with bulk density of 2.83 g·cm^(-3)and bending strength of 155.44 MPa.After 30 thermal shocks(1000℃-room temperature,air cooling),the bending strength of sample A3 increases to 166.15 MPa with an enhancement rate of 6.89%,the corresponding thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity are 3.54 W·(m·K)^(-1)and 1.39 kJ·(kg·K)^(-1)at 800℃,and the thermal storage density is 1096 kJ·kg^(-1)(25-800 mullite ceramics;sintering properties;high-temperature thermal storage;thermal shock resistance).Mullite forms a dense and continuous interlaced network microstructure,which endows the samples high thermal storage density and high bending strength,but the decrease of bauxite/kaolin ratio leads to the decrease of mullite content,which reduces the properties of the samples.

Preparation and Thermal Shock Resistance of Mullite and Corundum Co-bonded SiC Ceramics for Solar Thermal Storage

Mullite and corundum co-bonded SiC-based composite ceramics(SiC-mullite-Al2O3)were prepared by using SiC,calcined bauxite and kaolin via pressureless carbon-buried sintering.The low-cost SiC-based composite ceramics designed in this study are expected to be used as thermal storage materials in solar thermal power generation based on the high density and excellent thermal shock resistance.The influences of calcined bauxite addition and sintering temperature on the microstructures,phase compositions,and physical properties of the samples were investigated.Results demonstrated that the introduction of calcined bauxite containing two bonding phases greatly reduced the lowest sintering temperature to 1400℃.The SiC-mullite Al2O3 composite with 40 wt%calcined bauxite sintered at 1500℃exhibited optimum performance.The density and bending strength were 2.27 g·cm^-3 and 77.05 MPa.The bending strength increased by 24.58%and no cracks were observed after 30 thermal shock cycles,while general clay would reduce the thermal shock resistance of SiC.The SiC-mullite-Al2O3 composites with satisfied performance are expected to be used as thermal storage materials in solar thermal power generation systems.

Relationship Between Thermal Shock Behavior and Cutting Performance of a Functionally Gradient Ceramic Tool

Based on the deep understanding of the requirements of cutting conditions on ceramic tools, a design model for functionally gradient ceramic tool materials with symmetrical composition distribution was presented in this paper, according to which an Al 2O 3-TiC functionally gradient ceramic tool material FG-1 was synthesized by powder-laminating and uniaxially hot-pressing technique. The thermal shock resistance of the Al 2O 3-TiC functionally gradient ceramics FG-1 was evaluated by water quenching and subsequent three-point bending tests of flexural strength diminution. Comparisons were made with results from parallel experiments conducted using a homogeneous Al 2O 3-TiC ceramics. Functionally gradient ceramics exhibited higher retained strength under all thermal shock temperature differences compared to homogeneous ceramics, indicating the higher thermal shock resistance. The experimental results were supported by the calculation of transient thermal stress field. The cutting performance of the Al 2O 3-TiC functionally gradient ceramic tool FG-1 was also investigated in rough turning the cylindrical surface of exhaust valve of diesel engine in comparison with that of a common Al 2O 3-TiC ceramic tool LT55. The results indicated that the tool life of FG-1 increased by 50 percent over that of LT55. Tool life of LT55 was mainly controlled by thermal shock cracking which was accompanied by mechanical shock. While tool life of FG-1 was mainly controlled by mechanical fatigue crack extension rather than thermal shock cracking, revealing the less thermal shock susceptibility of functionally gradient ceramics than that of common ceramics.

Preparation of micro-arc oxidation coatings on magnesium alloy and its thermal shock resistance property

In the NaAlO2-Na2SiO3 compound system, the ceramic coatings were prepared on magnesium alloy by micro-arc oxidation. The morphology, phase composition, and thermal shock resistance of the ceramic coatings were studied by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and thermal shock tests, respectively. The results showed that the ceramic coating contains MgO, MgAl2O4, as well as a little amount of MgESiO4. The thickness of the ceramic coatings increases with the current density increasing, when the current density is 12 A·dm^-2, the thermal shock resistance of the produced ceramic coating is the best. The hardness of the ceramic coating is up to 10 GPa or so.

Effect of Rare Earth on Thermal Shock Resistance of Steel 9Cr2Mo

The effect of rare earth elements on thermal shock resistance of cold roller steel 9Cr2Mo was investigated by means of X-ray diffractometry and optical microscopy. Experimental results show that the process of carbide precipitation of heat effect zone is restrained by adding RE elements in steel 9Cr2Mo. Therefore, thermal shock resistance of this steel can be improved.

Research on thermal shock resistance of mullite-bauxite-silicon carbide castable refractory

Effects of different silicon carbide contents on thermal shock resistance properties of mullite-bauxite castable refractory were analyzed respectively by taking the mullite,bauxite as main raw materials and taking calcium aluminate cement as a binding system.After 24 h curing in mould and another 24 h curing at 110℃ after demoulding,the samples were heated at 1000,1300 and 1500℃for 3 h in air,respectively.The bulk density,thermal expansion coefficient and thermal shock resistance were examined.The results showed that there was a great effect of content of SiC on bulk density,thermal expansion coefficient and thermal shock resistance of mullite-bauxite castable.Under the experimental conditions,the castable performed the best thermal shock resistance when w(SiC)=5%-10%.

Thermal Shock Resistance of Nano SiC-BN Composites

Nano SiC - BN composite powders were prepared by dissolving analytically pure H3BO3 and CO（ NH2 ）2 with the mole ratio of 1：2.5 in the absolute alcohol, adding 80% E-SiC with 0. 2 μm average grain size while stirring, firing at 850 ℃ in nitrogen （purity： 99. 99%, pressure： O. 92 -0. 93 MPa） for 15 h. Nano SiC -BN composite specimens were prepared by hot-pressed sintering the nano SiC - BN composite powder in N2 atmosphere with 0. 92 - 0. 93 MPa and at 30 MPa axial pressure for 0. 5 - 1 h at 1 750 - 1 800 ℃. The thermal shock resistance of nano SiC -BN composites was studied by three-point bending, TEM and SEM. The results show that, adding BN can decrease the modulus of elasticity of SiC materials, which improves thermal shock resistance;furthermore, because of the large difference of thermal expansion coefficient between matrix SiC and second phase hexa-BN, thermal mismatch effect results in intercrystalline delamination of h-BN grains and forming many micropores in composite ceramic, which can relax the thermal expansion caused by high tempera- ture effectively, and improve the thermal shock resistance significantly.

Effect of Fused MgO-ZrO_2 Clinker Addition on Thermal Shock Resistance of MgO-ZrO_2 Unfired Bricks

MgO -ZrO2 unfired bricks with ZrO2 content up to 8% at the interval of 2% were prepared, using fused magnesia （ MgO ： 97% ） and fused MgO - ZrO2 clinker （ ZrO2 ： 14. 33% ） as starting materials and phenolic resin as binder. The effects of ZrO2 content on thermal shock resistance （TSR） and other properties such as cold and hot modulus of rupture have been investigated. Re- sidual cold modulus of rupture ratio after heating at 1 000 ℃ and quenching by air blowing was adopted to characterize TSR. Addition of the MgO -ZrO2 clinker improves TSR, attributing to the microcrack toughening effect by thermal expansion mismatch between different phases. When ZrO2 content goes above 4%. the impro- ving effect tends to be moderate. The introduction of MgO- ZrO2 clinker can also improve the HMOR at 1 500 ℃, while the increased ZrO2 content reduces CMOR of the bricks prefired at 1 600 ℃, due to the thermal expansion mismatch effect. Compromising the overall properties, the optimal ZrO2 content for such magnesia based unfired brick is suggested to be 4%.

Thermal Shock Resistances of FeMnCr/Cr_3C_2 Coatings Deposited by Arc Spraying

Arc spraying with the cored wires was applied to deposit FeMnCr/Cr3C2 coatings on low carbon steel substrates, namely FM1, FM2 and FM3. Thermal shock resistances of the coatings were investigated to assess the influence of Cr3C2 content on thermal shock resistance. Characteristics of the coatings under thermal cycling test were studied by optical microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscope （FE-SEM） and energy dispersion spectrum （EDS）, X-ray diffraction （XRD）. The experimental results show that hardness of the coatings increases, bonding strength decreases slightly with increase of the Cr3C2 content of the coatings. As a result, FM2 coating possesses the best thermal shock resistance, attributing to its better thermal expansion matches and wettability than those of FM3 coating, less oxide rate than that of FM1 coating restraining from cracks formation and propagation in coatings.

Effect of CaO doping on mechanical properties and thermal shock resistance of 10NiO-NiFe_2O_4 composite ceramics

The CaO doped 10NiO-NiFe2O4 composite ceramics were prepared by the cold isostatic pressing-sintering process, and the effects of CaO content on the phase composition, mechanical property and thermal shock resistance of 10NiO-NiFe2O4 composite ceramics were studied. The results show that the samples mainly consist of NiO and NiFe2O4 when content of CaO is less than 4%(mass fraction), bending strength increases obviously by CaO doping. Bending strength of the samples doped with 2% CaO is above 185 MPa, but that of the samples without CaO is only 60 MPa. Fracture toughness is improved obviously by CaO doping, the samples doped with 2% CaO have the maximum fracture toughness of 2.12 MPa ·m1/2 , which is about two times of that of the undoped ceramics. CaO doping is bad to thermal shock resistance of 10NiO-NiFe2O4 composite ceramics.

Thermal Shock Resistance and Erosion Resistance of TiB_2 Multiphase Ceramic Composites

The thermal shock resistance and anti- aluminum erosion of TiB2 - BN multiphase ceramics composites were studied. The experimental results show that the TiB2-BN multiphase ceramic possesses a good thermal shock resistance at high temperatures （ 1000, 1200, 1400, 1500 ℃ ）, with the increasing in thermal shocking temperature, the electro-conductivity of TiB2-BN ceramics increases. The metal aluminum has a great influence on the properties of TiB2 - BN ceramics and the main reason is that the aluminum reacts seriously with BN. It is suggested that the content of BN should be reduced to the greatest extent.

Effects of Additive CeO_2 on Thermal Shock Resistance of Plasma-Sprayed Cr_2O_3 Coating

The influence of CeO2 with different content on the thermal shock resistance of plasmasprayed Cr2O3 coating was investigated. The thermal shock failure mechanism of coating was also studied. It is found that the thermal shock failure mechanism of coating is thermal stress fatigue destruction, and the destruction takes place at interface of ceramic and bond coating. The experimental results show that the lifetime of coating fracture and failure increase considerably when 3% CeO2 is added into the plasma-sprayed Cr2O3 coating. The suitable content of CeO2 makes the microcracks exist in network form. The microcrack net can release internal stress in coating, delay the crack forming and expanding and decrease holes in coating. Thus the thermal shock resistance increase largely.

Effects of mechanical boundary conditions on thermal shock resistance of ultra-high temperature ceramics

The effects of mechanical boundary conditions, often encountered in thermalstructural engineering, on the thermal shock resistance（TSR） of ultra-high temperature ceramics（UHTCs） are studied by investigating the TSR of a UHTC plate with various types of constraints under the first, second, and third type of thermal boundary conditions. The TSR of UHTCs is strongly dependent on the heat transfer modes and severity of the thermal environments. Constraining the displacement of the lower surface in the thickness direction can significantly decrease the TSR of the UHTC plate, which is subject to the thermal shock at the upper surface. In contrast, the TSR of the UHTC plate with simply supported edges or clamped edges around the lower surface is much better.

Properties and appropriate conditions of stress reduction factor and thermal shock resistance parameters for ceramics

Through introducing the analytical problem of the plate with convection into the solution of the transient heat conduction thermal stress field model of the elastic plate, the stress reduction factor is presented explicitly in its dimensionless form. A new stress reduction factor is introduced for the purpose of comparison. The proper- ties and appropriate conditions of the stress reduction factor, the first and second ther- mal shock resistance （TSR） parameters for the high and low Biot numbers, respectively, and the approximation formulas for the intermediate Blot number-interval are discussed. To investigate the TSR of ceramics more accurately, it is recommended to combine the heat transfer theory with the theory of thermoelasticity or fracture mechanics or use a numerical method. The critical rupture temperature difference and the critical rup- ture dimensionless time can be used to characterize the TSR of ceramics intuitively and legibly.

Thermal Shock Resistance of Bauxite-based β-Sialon Bonded Corundum Materials

Thermal shock resistant properties of reaction sintered bauxite-based β-Sialon bonded corundum have been investigated, and the results are compared with those of Al_ 2O_ 3 based counterpart. It is found they all have very good thermal shock resistance. Their residual strength ratios after one thermal shock cycle at ΔT=1200℃ and ΔT=1350℃ are 61%~73% and 53%~65% respectively. Their critical temperature difference (TSR) is 600℃~800℃. TSR parameters are calculated based on thermal expansion, modulus of elasticity, and fracture toughness determined. The reasons for improving TSR of these composite materials are discussed.

Refractories with Improved Thermal Shock Performance Serving Low Carbon Economy

Nanoengineered carbon bonded refractories as well as fine grained carbon free refractories with improved thermal shock performance are presented in terms of this contribution.

Relation Between Sintering Reactivity of Matrix and Thermal Shock Resistance of Ultra-low Cement Bonded Corundum-spinel Castables for Fired Purging Plugs

Purging plugs installed in the bottom of steel ladles are widely used for the secondary refining of high quality steel grades.The dynamic service conditions and temperature gradients caused by the cold inert gas blown through the plug during stirring create a strong thermal shock impact on the materials.This can affect its service life and restrict the safety and efficiency of steel making if the plug fails during use.In this work,the influence of the particle size distribution (PSD) and amount of reactive alumina on the sintering behavior of ultra-low cement bonded corundum-spinel based castables was investigated on lab scale.The relationship between sintering reactivity of matrix and thermal shock resistance of castables was evaluated in detail.Results show that the sintering of castables can be intensified by using finer reactive alumina.However,excessive sintering of the castable through finer reactive alumina is negative for thermal shock resistance.The microstructure characterization reveals that castables with more intense sintering show denser matrix structure,which is less effective in hampering crack propagation and therefore results in decline of their thermal shock resistance.

Design of Composite Ladle Shroud for Improving Thermal Shock Resistance

A ladle shroud is one of the functional refractories for continuous casting,which undergoes severe thermal shock by molten steel when used without pre-heating.The composite ladle shroud with an insulating liner presents excellent thermal shock resistance.Finite element simulation is an effective method to explore the maximum thermal stress for predicting the thermal shock resistance of ladle shrouds.In this paper,the influence of the lining materials and the structure of ladle shrouds on the thermal stress distribution is systematically researched.The working mechanism of the lining material on the body material is also presented.Lining materials with low thermal expansion,elastic modulus and thermal conductivity are helpful to improve the thermal shock resistance and an optimum lining thickness is suggested.The lining material can both serve as thermal resistance for the body material to buffer the thermal stress,and apply a strain load to the body material by the thermal strain to increase the stress.

Fabrication and plasma arc thermal shock resistance of HfB_2-based ultra high temperature ceramics

Two hafnium diboride based ceramic matrix composites containing 20%(volume fraction) SiC particle and with or without AlN as sintering additives were fabricated by hot-pressed sintering.The mechanical properties and microstructures of these two composites were tested and the thermal shock resistances were evaluated by plasma arc heater.The results indicate that the composite with AlN as sintering additive has a denser and finer microstructure than composite without sintering additive,and the mechanical properties,thermal shock resistance of the composite with AlN as sintering additive are also higher than those of the composite without AlN.Microstructure analysis on the cross-section of two composites after thermal shock tests indicates that a compact oxidation scale contains HfO2 and Al2O3 liquid phase is found on the surface of composite with AlN,which could fill the voids and cracks of surface and improve the thermal shock resistance of composite.

Effect of adding methods of metallic phase on microstructure and thermal shock resistance of Ni/(90NiFe_2O_4-10NiO) cermets

Ball mixing and electroless plating were respectively used as the adding methods of metallic phase to prepare Ni/(90NiFe2O4-10NiO) cermets for the inert anode in aluminum electrolysis. The microstructure and thermal shock resistance of cermet samples were studied. The results show that, for the samples prepared by ball mixing method, aggregation of metallic phase is found in either the green blocks or sintered samples and the extent of aggregation increases with the increase of metal content. For 6.5Ni/(90NiFe2O4-10NiO) cermets prepared with electroless plating method, the homogeneous and fine metallic particles are found in either the green compacts or sintered samples, but the relative density and thermal shock residual strength decrease by 3% and 28%-58% respectively, compared with samples prepared with ball mixing method.