Experimental parameters during optical floating zone crystal growth of rare earth silicides

Optical floating zone（FZ） crystal growth involving growth stability and as-grown crystal perfection is affected by experimental conditions and the specific material. Referring to rare earth silicides, high purity of raw rare earth elements and ambient argon atmosphere are crucial to grow high-quality crystals; the maximum zone height is determined by equating the capillary forces of the surface tension; and asymmetric counter rotation of crystal and feed rod with convex（toward the melt） interfaces are favored to reach single crystals. Influences of several other growth parameters were also discussed in detail in this paper.

Achieving strong microwave absorption capability and wide absorption bandwidth through a combination of high entropy rare earth silicide carbides/rare earth oxides

Developing electromagnetic(EM) wave absorbing materials with low reflection coefficient and optimal operating frequency band is urgently needed on account of the increasingly serious EM pollution. However, the applications of common EM absorbing materials are encumbered by poor high-temperature stability, poor oxidation resistance, narrow absorption bandwidth or high density. Herein, the strong EM absorption capability and wide efficient absorption bandwidth of high entropy ceramics are reported for the first time, which are designed by a combination of the novel high entropy(HE) rare earth silicide carbides/rare earth oxides(RE3 Si2 C2/RE2 O3). Three HE powders, i.e., HERSC-1(HE(Tm0.2 Y0.2 Dy0.2 Gd0.2 Tb0.2)3 Si2 C2),HERSC-2 HE(Tm0.2 Y0.2 Dy0.2 Gd0.2 Tb0.2)3 Si2 C2/HE(Tm0.2 Y0.2 Dy0.2 Gd0.2 Tb0.2)2 O3) and HERSC-3(HE(Tm0.2 Y0.2 Dy0.2 Gd0.2 Tb0.2)3 Si2 C2/HE(Tm0.2 Y0.2 Dy0.2 Gd0.2 Tb0.2)2 O3), are synthesized. Although HERSC-1 exhibits a limited absorption effect(the minimum reflection loss(RLmin) is-11.6 d B at 3.4 mm) and a relatively narrow effective absorption bandwidth(EAB) of 1.7 GHz, the optimal absorption RLminvalue and EAB of HERSC-2 and HERSC-3 are-40.7 d B(at 2.9 mm), 3.4 GHz and-50.9 d B(at 2.0 mm), 4.5 GHz,respectively, demonstrating strong microwave absorption capability and wide absorption bandwidth.Considering the better stability, low density and strong EM absorption effect, HE ceramics are promising as a new type of EM absorbing materials.

Micro-Mechanism of Disintegration of RE-Silicide Alloy Containing Phosphorus

The microstructure of the RE silicide alloy was studied by SEM. The feature of the phase and the distribution of Ca, P, Al were analyzed, especially the distribution of micro-cracks and its composition were determined. The result demonstrates that only a few phosphides contribute to the spontaneous crumbling of the RE silicide alloy by reacting with water and forming oxide or phosphorus oxide. The phosphorus content is not the critical factor of disintegration in the alloy studied.

Microstructure and properties of nano-laminated Y_(3)Si_(2)C_(2) ceramics fabricated via in situ reaction by spark plasma sintering

A nano-laminated Y_(3)Si_(2)C_(2) ceramic material was successfully synthesized via an in situ reaction between YH_(2)and SiC using spark plasma sintering technology.A MAX phase-like ternary layered structure of Y_(3)Si_(2)C_(2) was observed at the atomic-scale by high resolution transmission electron microscopy.The lattice parameters calculated from both X-ray diffraction and selected area electron diffraction patterns are in good agreement with the reported theoretical results.The nano-laminated fracture of kink boundaries,delamination,and slipping were observed at the tip of the Vickers indents.The elastic modulus and Vickers hardness of Y_(3)Si_(2)C_(2) ceramics(with 5.5 wt%Y_(2)O_(3)) sintered at 1500℃were 156 and 6.4 GPa,respectively.The corresponding values of thermal and electrical conductivity were 13.7 W·m^(-1)·K^(-1) and 6.3×10^(5)S·m^(-1),respectively.