Thermal shock fatigue behavior of TiC/Al_2O_3 composite ceramics

The thermal shock fatigue behaviors of pure hot-pressed alumina and 30 wt.% TiC/Al2O3 composites were studied. The effect of TiC and Al2O3 starting particle size on the mechanical properties of the composites was discussed. Indentation-quench test was conducted to evaluate the effect of thermal fatigue temperature difference （ΔT） and number of thermal cycles （Ⅳ） on fatigue crack growth （Δa）. The mechanical properties and thermal fatigue resistance of TiC/Al203 composites are remarkably improved by the addition of TiC. The thermal shock fatigue of monolithic alumina and TiC/Al2O3 composites is due to a ＂true＂ cycling effect （thermal fatigue）. Crack deflection and bridging are the predominant reasons for the improvement of thermal shock fatigue resistance of the composites.

Effect of Nano-ZrO_2 on Microstructure and Thermal Shock Behaviour of Al_2O_3/SiC Composite Ceramics Used in Solar Thermal Power

The Al2O3-ZrO2（3Y）-SiC composite ceramics used in solar thermal power were prepared by micrometric Al2O3,nano-ZrO2 and SiC powders under the condition of pressureless sintering.The bulk density and bending strength of samples with 10vol% nano-ZrO2 sintered at 1480℃ were 3.222 g/cm3 and 160.4MPa,respectively.The bending strength of samples after 7 times thermal shock tests （quenching from 1000℃ to 25℃ in air medium） is 132.0MPa,loss rate of bending strength is only 17%.The effect of nano-ZrO2 content on the microstructure and performance of Al2O3-ZrO2（3Y）-SiC composite ceramic was investigated.The experimental results show that the bending strength of samples with above 10vol% nano-ZrO2 content has decreased,because the volume expansion resulting from t-ZrO2 to m-ZrO2 phase transformation is excessive;Adding proper nano-ZrO2 would be contributed to improve the thermal shock resistance of the composite ceramics.The Al2O3-ZrO2（3Y）-SiC composite ceramic has promising potential application in solar thermal power.

Preparation of Crack-free 3Y-TZP/Al_2O_3 Composite Ceramic Fiber by Electrolysis-sol-gel Method

Polycrystalline 3Y-TZP/Al2O3 tetragonal zirconia fiber was obtained by the pyrolysis of gel fibers using zirconium oxychloride octahydrate（ZOC） as the raw material. The spinnable zirconia sol was prepared by electrolyzing the zirco-nium oxychloride octahydrate（ZOC） solution in the presence of acetic acid and sugar（ sucrose, glucrose or fructose） , in which the molar ratios of CH3 COOH/ZOC and sugar/ZOC were 1.0-4.0 and 0.2-0.4, respectively. The pre- pared tetragonal zireonia fibers sintered at different temperatures showed smooth and crack-free surfaces with diame, ters of 5-10 μm. The addition of Al2O3 enhanced the sintering process and prevented the crystals from growing. Thermogravimetric analysis（TG）, X-ray diffraction （ XRD ）, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy（FTIR）, and scanning electron microscope（SEM） techniques were used to characterize the prepared fibers.

Synergistically Toughening Effect of SiC Whiskers and Nanoparticles in Al_2O_3-based Composite Ceramic Cutting Tool Material

In recent decades, many additives with different characteristics have been applied to strengthen and toughen Al2O3-based ceramic cutting tool materials. Among them, SiC whiskers and SiC nanoparticles showed excellent performance in improving the material properties. While no attempts have been made to add SiC whiskers and SiC nanoparticles together into the ceramic matrix and the synergistically toughening effects of them have not been studied. An Al2O3-SiCw-SiC np advanced ceramic cutting tool material is fabricated by adding both one-dimensional SiC whiskers and zero-dimensional SiC nanoparticles into the Al2O3 matrix with an effective dispersing and mixing process. The composites with 25 vol% SiC whiskers and 25 vol% SiC nanoparticles alone are also investegated for comparison purposes. Results show that the Al2O3-SiCw-SiCnp composite with both 20 vo1% SiC whiskers and 5 vol% SiC nanoparticles additives have much improved mechanical properties. The flexural strength of Al2O3-SiCw-SiCnp is 730＋ 95 MPa and fracture toughness is 5.6 ± 0.6 MPa.m1/2. The toughening and strengthening mechanisms of SiC whiskers and nanoparticles are studied when they are added either individually or in combination. It is indicated that when SiC whiskers and nanoparticles are added together, the grains are further refined and homogenized, so that the microstructure and fracture mode ratio is modified. The SiC nanoparticles are found helpful to enhance the toughening effects of the SiC whiskers. The proposed research helps to enrich the types of ceramic cutting tool and is benefit to expand the application range of ceramic cutting tool.

JOINING MECHANISMS OF β"-Al_2O_3 CERAMIC AND PYREX GLASS TO Al MATRIX COMPOSITE

The bonding of β″-Al2O3 and pyrex glass to A1 matrix composites by anodic bonding process is achieved. The microstructure of the bonded interface and the joining mechanisms are analyzed with scanning electron microscope （SEM）, energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer （EDX）. It is observed that the bonding region across the interface consists of the metal layer, oxide transitional layer and the ceramic layer, with the transitional layer composed of surface region and sub-surface region. The bonding process can mainly be categorized into anodic bonding process and solid state diffusing process. The pile-up of the ions and its drift in the interface area are the main reasons for anode oxidation and joining of the interface. The temperature, voltage and the drift ions in the ceramic or glass during the bonding process are the essential conditions to solid state diffusing and oxide bonding at the interface. The voltages, temperature, pressure as well as the surface state are the main factors that influence the anodic bonding.

Preparation of Al_2O_3-SiO_2-TiO_2-ZrO_2 Composite Ceramic Membranes by Sol-Gel Method

Al 2O 3-SiO 2-TiO 2-ZrO 2 supported membranes were prepar ed by Sol-Gel method. These composite ceramic membranes are level, even and no macro crack. There exist several crystalline phases such as Al 2O 3, TiO 2(a natase), Al 2SiO 5, and ZrO 2 in these membranes. Changing the molar ratio of Al∶Si∶Ti∶Zr,the kinds and content of crystal phases of composite membranes could be different, which may lead to a variety of microstructure of membranes. The surface nanoscale topography and microstructure of membranes were investiga ted by XRD,SEM,AFM,EPMA. The effects of additives and heat treatments on the sur face nanoscale topography and microstructure of composite ceramic membranes were also analyzed.

Effect of Interfacial Bonding on the Toughening of Al_2O_3/Ni Ceramic Matrix Composites

The main Iimitation to the toughening of the α-Al2O3/Ni composite is the poor bonding atthe interface. which causes the nickel particles to be pulled-out during crack propagation with-out obvious plastic deformation. A proper control of oxygen content at the Al2O3-Ni interfacecan promote wetting at the intedece, and produce a mechanically interlocked and chemically strengthened intedece, causing most of the nickel particles to be stretched to failure and to expe-rience severe plastic deformation during crack propagation in the composite. Fracture toughnesstesting using a modified double cantilever beam method with in situ observation of crack prop-agation in a scanning electron microscope shows that the composite with the strengthenedinterface has a more desirable R-curve behaviour and a higher fracture toughness value than thenormal composite.

Preparation of Fe-M Intermetallic/TiC-M_2O_3 Ceramic Composites from Ilmenite by SHS

Fe-Al intermetallic/TiC-Al2O3 ceramic composites were successfully prepared by selfpropagating high-temperature synthesis （SHS） from natural ilmenite, aluminium and carbon as the raw materials. The effects of carbon sources, preheating time and heat treatment temperature on synthesis process and products were investigated in detail, and the reaction process of the FeTiO3-Al-C system was also discussed. It is shown that the temperature and velocity of the combustion wave are higher when graphite is used as the carbon source, which can reflect the effect of the carbon source structure on the combustion synthesis; Prolonging the preheating time or heat treatment temperature is beneficial to the formation of the ordered intermetallics; The temperature and velocity of the combustion wave are improved, but the disordered alloys are difficult to eliminate with the preheating time prolonged. The compound powders mainly containing ordered Fe3Al intermetallic can be prepared through heat treatment at 750 ℃.

Identification of Growth Promoter to Fabrication SiCp/Al₂O₃Ceramic Matrix Composites Prepared by Directed Metal Oxidation of An Al Alloy

SiC particulates reinforced alumina matrix composites were fabricated using Directed Metal Oxidation (DIMOX) process. Continuous oxidation of an Al-Si-Mg-Zn alloy with different interlayers (dopents) as growth promoters, will encompasses the early heating of the alloy ingot, melting and continued heating to temperature in the narrow range of 950°C to 980°C in an atmosphere of oxygen. Varying interlayers (dopents) are incorporated to examine the growth conditions of the composite materials and to identification of suitable growth promoter. The process is extremely difficult because molten aluminum does not oxidize after prolonged duration at high temperatures due to the formation of a passivating oxide layer. It is known that the Lanxide Corporation had used a combination of dopents to cause the growth of alumina from molten metal. This growth was directed, i.e. the growth is allowed only in the required direction and restricted in the other directions. The react nature of the dopants was a trade secret. Though it is roughly known that Mg and Si in the Al melt can aid growth, additional dopents used, the temperatures at which the process was carried out, the experimental configurations that aided directed growth were not precisely known. In this paper we have evaluated the conditions in which composites can be grown in large enough sizes for evaluation application and have arrived at a procedure that enables the fabrication of large composite samples by determining the suitable growth promoter (dopant). Scanning electron microscopic, EDS analysis of the composite was found to contain a continuous network of Al2O3, which was predominantly free of grain-boundary phases, a continuous network of Al alloy. Fabrication of large enough samples was done only by the inventor company and the property measurements by the company were confirmed to those needed to enable immediate applications. Since there are a large number of variable affecting robust growth of the composite, fabrication large sized samples for measurements is a difficult task. In the present work, to identify a suitable window of parameters that enables robust growth of the composite has been attempted.

IN SITU PROCESSING OF Al_(2)O_(3) WHISKERS REINFORCED Ti-Al INTERMETALLIC COMPOSITES

In situ Al2O3 whiskers reinforced Ti-Al intermetallic composites were fabricated at ~1200℃ by reaction sintering of cold-consolidated fillets consisting mainly of Ti, Al, and different additives. The phases and microstructures of the sintered composites were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The process of synthesis was investigated using differential thermal analysis (DTA). The effects of processing parameters and additives on the microstructures of the composites and the development of whisker were examined. It is found that the morphology of the whisker is strongly influenced by the additives, the exothermal reaction process, and the processing parameters.

LiTaO_3颗粒增韧Al_2O_3陶瓷复合材料的制备与性能

通过冷等静压成型空气气氛下无压烧结把 L i Ta O3压电陶瓷颗粒作为增韧相引入 Al2 O3结构陶瓷 ,结果发现 ,L i Ta O3与 Al2 O3在 130 0℃烧结后能稳定共存 ,L i Ta O3颗粒弥散均匀分布 ;L i Ta O3的加入改善了 Al2 O3陶瓷的烧结性能 ;L i Ta O3颗粒含量适中的 Al2 O3基陶瓷复合材料的力学性能显著提高。

Kinetics of Oxidation for β-Sialon in Diphase β-Sialon/Al_2O_3 Composite

Non-isothermal kinetic research has been carried out on oxidation behavior of β-Sialon in diphaseβ-Sialon/Al_2O_3 composite at high temperatures. A kinetic formula is established for non-isothermal oxidation process of β-Sialon. The rate of oxidation process is controlled by chemicalreaction at the initial stage and then by diffusion. The apparent activation energies and appar-ent rate constants at different temperatures are determined by treating TG data of the overallprocess.

Reaction thermodynamics and kinetics on in situ Al_2O_3/Cu composites

The preferred internal oxidation of aluminum in Cu Al alloy was used to obtain in situ Al 2O 3/Cu composites. The reinforcement particles were mainly γ Al 2O 3, some θ Al 2O 3 and a little α Al 2O 3. Thermodynamics analyses show that the chemical reactions are 3Cu 2O+2Al=6Cu+Al 2O 3 or 3CuO+2Al=3Cu+Al 2O 3. A related equilibrium diagram was drawn. The experiments and investigation show that the formation rate of Al 2O 3 was controlled by the diffusion of oxygen in matrix.

Influence of Adding Ti Powder in Preform on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Al_2O_3p/Steel Composites by Squeeze Casting

To improve the mechanical properties of alumina particulates reinforced steel matrix composite, Ti powder was added into the alumina preform, a 5140 steel matrix composite was fabricated by squeeze casting, and the influences of Ti powder on the microstructure, hardness and bending strength of the composite were investigated, compared with the composite without adding Ti powder. Applied Ti powder and alumina particulates were 10-25 μm and 100-180 μm in size, respectively. Both composites were successfully fabricated, however Ti powder addition increased the infiltration thickness of the composite. In the Ti contained composite, a TiC film in micron scale is formed on the surface of alumina particles, many TiC aggregates are dispersed in the steel matrix without obvious remaining Ti powder. The hardness and the three-point bending strength of the composite reach 49.5 HRC and 1 018 MPa, respectively, which are 17.9% and 52.4% higher than those of the composite in the absence of Ti addition. Fracture morphology shows that the debonding of alumina particulates is eliminated for the composite in the presence of Ti addition. Sessile drop test shows the average wetting angle between 5140 steel and that of Ti coated Al2O3 is about 82.15°, much lower than the wetting angle 150° between steel and pure Al2O3. Therefore, the increase in the mechanical properties of the composite is attributed to the improvement of Al2O3 p/steel interface wetting and bonding by adding Ti powder in the preform.

Al2O3颗粒对LiTaO3烧结性的影响

采用氮气保护热压烧结工艺制备纯LiTaO3压电陶瓷和Al2O3/LiTaO3(简称ALT)陶瓷复合材料,Al2O3p的体积分数(%)分别为0,5,10,15,20.加入少量Al2O3p后,LiTaO3致密度显著提高,ALT陶瓷复合材料的致密度均在99.5%以上.反之,LiTaO3p的加入也能明显提高Al2O3的烧结致密度,而且能够显著降低Al2O3的烧结温度.XRD衍射结果表明,该复合材料中只有LiTaO3和Al2O3两相,无反应产物,说明经过1300℃热压烧结,Al2O3p和LiTaO3稳定共存,两者的化学相容性较好.SEM,TEM观察表明,Al2O3p弥散地分布于LiTaO3颗粒的晶界上,两者结合紧密,且材料内部不存在微裂纹,说明两者的热物理相容性也较好.在这个材料体系中,LiTaO3和Al2O3有很好的相容性.

Properties of Hot-Pressed Al_2O_3-Fe Composites

Alumina-(0-20 vol. pct) iron composites were fabricated by hot-pressing of well-mixed alumina and iron powders at 1400℃ and 30 MPa for 30 mm. Hot-pressed bodies with nearly theoretical density were obtained for addition up to 10 vol. pct Fe, but relative density decreased gradually with further increase in Fe addition. The materials exhibit a homogeneous dispersion of Fe. Fracture strength of the composites exhibits a maximum value of 604 MPa at 15 vol. pct Fe, which is 1.5 times that of alumina alone. Fracture toughness increases with the increase in Fe content, reaching 7.5 MPa.m1/2 at 20 vol. pct Fe. The theoretical values of fracture toughness was calculated and compared with the experimental one. Toughening mechanisms of the composites are also discussed.

MICROSTRUCTURES AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF IN-SITU Al_2O_3/TiAl COMPOSITES BY EXOTHERMIC DISPERSION METHOD

In-situ Al2O3/TiAl composites were fabricated by pressure-assisted exothermic dispersion （PAXD） method from elemental powder mixtures of Ti, Al, TiO2, and Nb2O5. The microstructures and mechanical properties of the as-sintered composites are investigated. The results show that the as-sintered products consist of γ-TiAl, α2-Ti3Al, Al2O3, and NbAl3 phases. Microstructure analysis indicates that Al2O3 particles tend to disperse on the grain boundaries. Application of a moderate pressure of 35 MPa at 1200℃ yields Al2O3/TiAl composites with fine Al2O3 reinforcement and a discontinuous network linking by Al2O3 particles. The aluminide component has a fine submicron γ ＋α2 lamellar microstructure. With increasing Nb2O5 content, Al2O3 particles are dispersed uniformly in the matrix. The hardness of the composites increases gradually, and the bending strength and fracture toughness of the composites reach to the maximum value, respectively.

Effects of Y_2O_3 on Thermal Shock of Al_2O_3/TiCN Composites

Thermal shock resistance of Al2O3-TiCN(30%)-Y2O3(0.2%) composite was studied by hot pressing(HP) method at different temperatures. The study shows that thermal shock resistance of the material is determined by its microstructure and reinforced mechanism. According to SEM and calculation of thermal shock, the fractured surface of Al2O3-30%TiCN-0.2%Y2O3 composite is undulate. The residual strength of Al2O3-30%TiCN-0.2%Y2O3 is higher than Al2O3-30%TiCN at 200～800 ℃ after thermal shock. Cracks initiation resistance (R′)and cracks propagation resistance (R″″)of Al2O3-30%TiCN-0.2%Y2O3 composite increases 12% and 5% respectively compared with that of Al2O3-30%TiCN. It matches with experimental results. The addition of Y2O3 forms YAG that inhibits crystal growth, and increases fracture stress, fracture toughness, cracks initiation resistance and cracks propagation resistance. Therefore, thermal shock resistance increases. The fracture work of Al2O3-30%TiCN and Al2O3-30%TiCN-0.2%Y2O3 composites are 132 and 148 J·m-2 respectively.

Effect of Al2O3np on the Properties and Microstructure of B4Cp/Al Composites

Aluminum-matrix boron carbide (B4Cp/Al) is a kind of neutron absorbing material widely used in nuclear spent fuel storage. In order to improve the tensile property of B4Cp/Al composites, a new type of nano-Al2O3 particle (Al2O3np) reinforced B4Cp/Al + Al2O3np composites were prepared by powder metallurgy method. The Monte Carlo particle transport program (MCNP) was used to determine the influence of Al2O3np on the thermal neutron absorptivity of composites. The universal material testing machine and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to study the mechanical properties, microstructure and fracture morphology of B4Cp/Al composites. The results indicated that the neutron absorption properties of B4Cp/Al composites were not affected by the addition of nano-Al2O3 particles in the range of 1 wt%-15 wt%. The addition of Al2O3np can obviously reduce the grain size of B4Cp/Al matrix metals thus improve the tensile strength of the composites. The addition threshold of Al2O3np is about 2.5 wt%. Both B4Cp and Al2O3np change the fracture characteristics of the composites from toughness to brittleness, and the latter is more important.

Effects of Cerium on the Mechanical Properties of the ZA22／Al_2O_3 Composites

ZA22/Al2O3 composites were prepared by means of squeeze casting process. The effects of Ce on the ultimate tensile strength (UTS), impact toughness, and hardness of the composites were studied. The results show that both the UTS and the hardness are improved and the impact toughness is decreased with the increase of the volume fraction of fibers (Vf). After Ce is added ,UTS (Vf>15%) and the hardness are improved at room temperature because of the modification of Ce, but the impact toughness and UTS at elevated temperature are lowered.The filtered action of the fiber preform results in that the influence of the amount of Ce added from 0. 1 wt% to 0. 5 wt% on the mechanical properties of the composites can be ignored.