Microstructure and Oxidation Behavior of ZrB_(2)-SiC Ceramics Fabricated by Tape Casting and Reactive Melt Infiltration

ZrB_(2)-based ceramics typically necessitate high temperature and pressure for sintering,whereas ZrB_(2)-SiC ceramics can be fabricated at 1500℃using the process of reactive melt infiltration with Si.In comparison to the conventional preparation method,reactive synthesis allows for the more facile production of ultra-high temperature ceramics with fine particle size and homogeneous composition.In this work,ZrSi_(2),B4C,and C were used as raw materials to prepare ZrB_(2)-SiC via combination of tape casting and reactive melt infiltration herein referred to as ZBC ceramics.Control sample of ZrB_(2)-SiC was also prepared using ZrB_(2) and SiC as raw materials through an identical process designated as ZS ceramics.Microscopic analysis of both ceramic groups revealed smaller and more uniformly distributed particles of the ZrB_(2) phase in ZBC ceramics compared to the larger particles in ZS ceramics.Both sets of ceramics underwent cyclic oxidation testing in the air at 1600℃for a cumulative duration of 5 cycles,each cycle lasting 2 h.Analysis of the oxidation behavior showed that both ZBC ceramics and ZS ceramics developed a glassy SiO_(2)-ZrO_(2) oxide layer on their surfaces during the oxidation.This layer severed as a barrier against oxygen.In ZBC ceramics,ZrO_(2) is finely distributed in SiO_(2),whereas in ZS ceramics,larger ZrO_(2) particles coexist with glassy SiO_(2).The surface oxide layer of ZBC ceramics maintains a dense structure because the well-dispersed ZrO_(2) increases the viscosity of glassy SiO_(2),preventing its crystallization during the cooling.Conversely,some SiO_(2) in the oxide layer of ZS ceramics may crystallize and form a eutectic with ZrO_(2),leading to the formation of ZrSiO_(4).This leads to cracking of the oxide layer due to differences in thermal expansion coefficients,weakening its barrier effect.An analysis of the oxidation resistance shows that ZBC ceramics exhibit less increase in oxide layer thickness and mass compared to ZS ceramics,suggesting superior oxidation resistance of ZBC ceramics.

Low-firing and temperature stability regulation of tri-rutile MgTa_(2)O_(6)microwave dielectric ceramics

A glass frit containing Li_(2)O-MgO-ZnO-B_(2)O_(3)-SiO_(2)component was used to explore the low-temperature sintering behaviors and microwave dielectric characteristics of tri-rutile MgTa_(2)O_(6)ceramics in this study.The good low-firing effects are presented due to the high matching relevance between Li_(2)O-MgO-ZnO-B_(2)O_(3)-SiO_(2)glass and MgTa_(2)O_(6)ceramics.The pure tri-rutile MgTa_(2)O_(6)structure remains unchanged,and high sintering compactness can also be achieved at 1150℃.We found that the Li_(2)O-MgO-ZnO-B_(2)O_(3)-SiO_(2)glass not only greatly improves the low-temperature sintering characteristics of MgTa_(2)O_(6)ceramics but also maintains a high(quality factor(Q)×resonance frequency(f))value while still improving the temperature stability.Typically,great microwave dielectric characteristics when added with 2wt%Li_(2)O-MgO-ZnO-B_(2)O_(3)-SiO_(2)glass can be achieved at 1150℃:dielectric constant,ε_(r)=26.1;Q×f=34267 GHz;temperature coefficient of resonance frequency,τ_(f)=-8.7×10^(-6)/℃.

Preparation and Spectral Properties of Er,Na∶CaF_(2) Transparent Ceramics

Er^(3+),Na^(+)co-doped CaF_(2) transparent ceramics with Er^(3+)dopant concentration of 3% and Na^(+) of 0%,0.5%,1.0%,1.5% and 2.0% were fabricated by the vacuum hot pressing method with 16 mm in diameter and 3 mm in thickness.The average grain size of the obtained Er,Na∶CaF_(2) powders varied from 28 nm to 36 nm with the shape of sphere.The effects of Na^(+) doping on the transmittance,microstructure and spectral properties of Er^(3+)∶CaF_(2) transparent ceramics were investigated.The transmittance of all the obtained ceramic samples is above 84%in the wavelength of 1000 nm.The results show that after introducing Na^(+)into Er^(3+)∶CaF_(2) transparent ceramics,charge-neutralized Er^(3+)-Na^(+) structure formed which prevent Er^(3+) from clustering.The emission spectra of Er^(3+) in CaF_(2) transparent ceramics at around 1.5 and 2.7μm could be modulated by adjusting the concentration of Na^(+) and the near-infrared fluorescence lifetime at around 1.5μm increase with the increasing of Na^(+) concentration,reaching a maximum of 56.75 ms.

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.

Dielectric properties and phase transitions of La_2O_3- and Sb_2O_3-doped barium strontium titanate ceramics

The dielectric properties and phase transition characteristics of La2O3- and Sb2O3-doped barium strontium titanate ceramics prepared by solid state route were investigated. The microstructure was identified by X-ray diffraction method and scanning electron microscope was also employed to observe the surface morphologies. It is found that （La,Sb）-codoped barium strontium titanate ceramics exhibit typical perovskite structure and the average grain size decreases dramatically with increasing the content of Sb2O3. Both La3＋ ions and Sb3＋ ions occupy the A-sites in perovskite lattice. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss of barium strontium titanate based ceramics are obviously influenced by La2O3 as well as Sb2O3 addition content. The tetragonal-cubic phase transition of La2O3 modified barium strontium titanate ceramics is of second order and the Curie temperature shifts to lower value with increasing the La2O3 doping content. The phase transition of （La,Sb）-codoped barium strontium titanate ceramics diffuses and the deviation from Curie-Weiss law becomes more obvious with the increase in Sb2O3 concentration. The temperature corresponding to the dielectric constant maximum of （La,Sb）-codoped barium strontium titanate ceramics decreases with increasing the Sb2O3 content, which is attributed to the replacement of host ions by the Sb3＋ ions.

Microstructure and electrical properties of Lu_2O_3-doped ZnO-Bi_2O_3-based varistor ceramics

Lu2O3-doped ZnO-Bi2O3-based varistor ceramics samples were prepared by a conventional mixed oxide route and sintered at temperatures in the range of 900-1 000°C,and the microstructures of the varistor ceramics samples were characterized by X-ray diffractometry(XRD)and scanning electron microscopy(SEM);at the same time,the electrical properties and V-I characteristics of the varistor ceramics samples were investigated by a DC parameter instrument for varistors.The results show that the ZnO-Bi2O3-based varistor ceramics with 0.3%Lu2O3(molar fraction)sintered at 950°C exhibit comparatively ideal comprehensive electrical properties.The XRD analysis of the samples shows the presence of ZnO,Bi-rich,spinel Zn7Sb2O12 and Lu2O3-based phases.

THE STRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF Li_2O-Al_2O_3-SiO_2LOW EXPANSION GLASS CERAMICS CONTAINING B_2O_3

Through measuring the coefficient of linear expansion, the structure and properties of the Li2O-Al2O3-SiO2 low expansion glass ceramics containing B2O3 are studied by JR and XRD. It is shoutn that the IR method is efficient in the study of the glass-ceramics structure. There is a " Boron abnormality" in the system which has an important influence on the properties of the glass-ceramics.

Effect of La_2O_3 on Microstructure and Transmittance of Transparent Alumina Ceramics

Optically transparent alumina ceramics were fabricated by conventional process and sintered without pressure in H2 atmosphere. The results indicate that relative densities of alumina specimens increase to theoretical densities （T. D. ） with increasing content of La2O3. With increasing holding time during sintering, much less pores and larger grains were found in the sintered alumina samples. Higher transmittance was achieved in alumina codoped with MgO and La2O3 as compared with that doped with MgO only. The total-transmittance of alumina sample is up to 86% at twavelength range of 300 - 800 nm.

Influence of soaking time on nonlinear electrical behavior and dielectric properties of TiO_2-based varistor ceramics

The influence of soaking time on the nonlinear electrical behavior and dielectric properties of TiO2-based varistor ceramics was investigated. Based on single sintering process, six disk samples of （Sr, Bi, Si, Ta）-doped TiO2-based varistor ceramics were fabricated by sintering at 1 250 ℃ for 0.5-5.0 h. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, voltage-current characteristics, energy spectra, metallographs, breakdown voltages, and apparent dielectric constant. It is found that the breakdown electrical field intensity at a current density of 10 mA/cma decreases from 5.5 to 4.1 V/mm first and then increases to 7.0 V/mm, the nonlinear coefficient increases from 2.39 to 2.62 first and then decreases to 2.42, and the apparent dielectric constant increases from 98 200 to 1l5 049 first and then decreases to 73 865 with the soaking time increasing from 0.5 to 5.0 h. These indicate that the optimal soaking time is 2.0-3.0 h considering both nonlinear electrical behavior and dielectric properties.

Microstructure and microwave dielectric properties of lead borosilicate glass ceramics with Al_2O_3

The effects of Al2O3 addition on both the sintering behavior and microwave dielectric properties of PbO-B203-SiO2 glass ceramics were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscope （FTIR）, differential thermal analysis （DTA）, X-ray diffraction （XRD） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. The results show that with the increase of Al2O3 content the bands assigned to [SiO4] nearly disappear. Aluminum replaces silicon in the glass network, which is helpful for the formation of boron-oxygen rings. The increase of the transition temperature Tg and softening temperature Tf of PbO-B2O3-SiO2 glass ceramics leads to the increase of liquid phase precipitation temperature and promotes the structure stability in the glasses, and consequently contributes to the decreasing trend of crystallization. Densification and dielectric constants increase with the increase of Al2O3 content, but the dielectric loss is worsened. By contrast, the 3% （mass fraction） Al2O3-doped glass ceramics sintered at 725℃ have better properties of density p=2.72 g/cm3, dielectric constant Er=6.78, dielectric loss tan8=2.6×10^-3 （measured at 9.8 GHz）, which suggest that the glass ceramics can be applied in multilayer microwave devices requiring low sintering temperatures.

Sintering,crystallization and dielectric properties of CaO-B_2O_3-SiO_2 system glass ceramics

CaO-B203-SiO2 （CBS） glass powders are prepared by conventional glass melting method at different melting temperatures whose properties and microstructures are characterized by X-ray diffraction （XRD） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. It is found that there are SiO2 and some unknown phases in CBS glass melting liquid from 1 300 ℃ to 1 500 ℃ and the amount of these phases decreases with the increase of the melting temperature. The CBS glass melted at 1 450 ℃ could be sintered from 830 ℃ to 930 ℃ and the bulk densities of the samples are all higher than 2.4 g/cm^3. From the points of the properties and energy conservation, the melting temperature of 1 450 ℃ is the optimal melting temperature. The glass ceramic sintered at 850 ℃ exhibits better dielectric properties： er=6.33, tan6=2.2×10^-3 at 10 GHz, and the major phases of the samples are CaSiO3, CaB2O4 and SiO2.

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.

Preparation of BN/SiO_2 ceramics by PIP method

The precursor infiltration and pyrolysis（PIP） method for preparation of BN/SiO2 composites was used to improve mechanical properties, dielectric properties and feasibility of high temperature dielectric parts with large dimensions and complex shapes. In the processing procedure, the porous BN ceramic matrix was first successfully prepared by compacting the mixed powders of B and BN and then sintering them at a certain temperature under normal pressure of N2.The polycarbosilane（PCS） solution was vacuum infiltrated into porous BN ceramics at the room temperature and then at 800℃ in the air to depolimerize out amorphous SiO2, and sintered further at 1300℃ in N2 to get BN/SiO2 composites. The microstructure of materials was studied by means of X-ray diffraction and electron probe micro （analysis.） The thermo-decomposition mechanism of PCS was investigated by a TG-DTA and infrared （IR） spectrum analysis. The flexural strengths were measured by the three-point bending method. The dielectric constant and the loss tangent were measured by the wave-guide method. The results show BN/SiO2 composites were fabricated. The obtained composites posses a flexural strength of 61.96-93.31MPa, the dielectric constant in the range of 3.50-3.78 and the order of magnitude of the loss tangent at 10-3, which are good for the high temperature dielectric parts with large size and complex shapes.

Effects of Doping CeO_2,Er_2O_3 on Properties of TiO_2-SiO_2 Ceramics for Catalyst Supporter of deNO_x

Effects of doping CeO2 and Er2O3 on the mechanical strength, thermal expansion coefficient, sintering temperature of TiO2-SiO2 ceramics were investigated. The experimental results and the microscopic analysis of SEM, XRD, TG-DSC, FT-IR and TEM show that adding CeO2 and Er2O3 into TiO2-SiO2 ceramics can prohibit the growth of its crystal grains, make their size uniform and form them into a dense structure, which finally enhance its mechanical behaviors, and the lower thermal expansion coefficient that leads to an excellent property of thermal shock resistance. After the reforming TiO2-SiO2 ceramics doped by CeO2 was sintered at 1380℃, the bending strength reached to 83 MPa, and the thermal expansion coefficient was 9.8×10-6/℃within the temperature range of 25 ~ 800℃, which provides a promising basis of making equipped honeycomb catalyst of deNOx.

Electric characteristics of Nd_2O_3 doped BaTiO_3 ceramics

Nd2O3 doped BaTiO3ceramics（the additive content was respectively 0.001, 0.002, 0.003, 0.005, 0.01 molar ratio）were prepared by Sol-Gel method to study their dielectric characteristics and electric conductivities through X-ray photoelectron spectrum （XPS）. The results showed that the dielectric characteristics of Nd2O3 doped BaTiO3 ceramics were improved by doping. When Nd2O3 content was 0.003 mol, the results were even better, the dielectric constant was increased, the dielectric loss was decreased, the Curie-temperature （Tc） was 110 ℃, and the frequency characteristic was also good. The resistivity of Nd2O3 doped BaTiO3 ceramics was lower than that of pure BaTiO3 ceramics, when Nd2O3 content was 0.001 mol,the resistivity was （2.364×）108 Ω·m, the smallest. The grain resistance of Nd2O3 doped BaTiO3 ceramics exhibited NTC effect, but the grain boundary resistance showed PTC effect, and the grain boundary resistance was larger than that of the grain resistance, so the PTC effect originated from the grain boundary. The analysis of the element binding energy through X-ray photoelectron spectrum were indicated that the quantivalence of Ba2+and Ti4+in Nd2O3 doped BaTiO3 ceramics was variable, and resulted in the improvement of the conductibility of BaTiO3 ceramics.

Preparation of Gd_2O_2S:Pr Scintillation Ceramics by Pressureless Reaction Sintering Method

Fabrication of Gd2O2S：Pr scintillation ceramics by 2Gd2O3.（Gd,Pr）2（SO4）3.mH2O precursor was made Gd2O3, Pr6O11 and H2SO4 as the starting materials pressureless reaction sintering was investigated. The by hydrothermal reaction using commercially available Then single phase Gd2O2SO4：Pr powder was obtained by calcining the precursor at 750℃ for 2 h. The Gd2O2SO4：Pr powder compacts can be sintered to single phase Gd2O2S：Pr ceramics with a relative density of 99% and mean grain size of 30um at 1750℃ for 2 h in flowing hydrogen atmosphere. Densification and microstructural development of the Gd2O2S：Pr ceramics were examined. Luminescence spectra of the Gd2O2S：Pr ceramic under 309 nm UV excitation and X-ray excitation show a green emission at 511 nm as the most prominent peak, which corresponds to the ^3p0-3H4 transition of Pr^3＋ ions.

Studies on the Structure and Properties of Multiphase Al_2O_3 Abrasion-resistant Ceramics

The Al2O3 abrasion-resistant ceramics is successfully prepared by using waste aluminum sludge as the main raw material with the addition of a little clay, talc and barium carbonate. The crystal structure and microstructure of ceramic are characterized by means of XRD, SEM, etc., and the physical and mechanical properties are also tested. The results show that besides the phase of corundum, a little mullite, Mg-Al spinel and hyalophane phases also exist in the product. These phases are produced via reaction in-situ, which can inhibit the overgrowth of Al2O3 grain in grain boundary, and improve the integral property of the material.

Mechanical properties and plasma erosion resistance of BN_p/Al_2O_3-SiO_2 composite ceramics

BNp/Al2O3-SiO2 system ceramic matrix composites with different volume fractions （10%-60%） of hexagonal BN particulates （BNp） were prepared by hot-press sintering technique. Phase components, microstructure, mechanical properties and plasma erosion resistance were also investigated. With the increase of h-BNp content, relative density and Vickers＇ hardness of the composite ceramics decrease, while the flexural strength, elastic modulus and fracture toughness increase and then decrease. The plasma erosion resistance linearly deteriorated with the increase of BNp content which is mainly determined by the density, crystal structure and atomic number of the elements.

Influence of soaking time on semi-conductivity and nonlinear electrical properties of TiO_2-based varistor ceramics

We investigated the influence of soaking time on the semi-conductivity and nonlinear electrical properties of TiO2- based varistor ceramic samples. We used a single sintering process and fabricated six disk samples of （Sr, Bi, Si, Ta）-doped TiO2- based varistor ceramics sintered at 1 250℃ for 0.5 h, 1.0 h, 2.0 h, 3.0 h, 4.0 h, and 5.0 h, respectively. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, breakdown voltage, and complex impedance. The results show that as the soaking time increases from 0.5 h to 5.0 h, the breakdown voltage drops before rising while the nonlinear coefficient increases and then decreases. We suggest that, considering both grain semi-conductivity and nonlinear electrical properties of the TiO2-based varistor ceramics, the optimal soaking time is between 2.0 h and 3.0 h.

Effects of Sintering Additives on Preparation of CaF_2 Transparent Ceramics

The effects of different sintering addictives on the preparation of CaF2 transparent ceramics were studied. Transparent CaF2 ceramics were fabricated by vacuum sintering and hot isostatic pressing （HIP） method, using CaF2 nanopowders synthesized by chemical precipitation method as raw materials. The nanopowders and transparent ceramics were studied using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy （TEM）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and spectrophotometer. The experimental results indicated that the obtained nanopowders presented normal distribution with grain size about 30 nm; transmittance of CaF2 transparent ceramics was 39% and 26% at 1100 nm for LiF and NaF as sintering addictives, respectively, with corresponding mean grain size 188 μm and 44 μm. Loss of transmission could be attributed to the residual closed porosity. Sintering mechanism was liquid-phase sintering at pre-stage, then solid-phase sintering at later stage, as well as solid solution of lithium ions and sodium ions in the CaF2 lattice structure.