Progress in Research on Structural Ceramic Materials Toughened by Graphene

Graphene has excellent mechanical properties and unique physical/chemical properties,which make it have a good strengthening and toughening effect on structural ceramic materials.In recent years,it has received widespread attention and research.This article reviews the mixing and sintering processes in the preparation of graphene/ceramic com-posites,as well as the toughening mechanism of graphene on ceramic materials.It also looks forward to how to further enhance the toughening effect of graphene.

Research Progress of High Entropy Ceramic Materials

High-entropy materials(HEMs)have better mechanical,thermal,and electrical properties than traditional materials due to their special"high entropy effect".They can also adjust the performance of high entropy ceramics by adjusting the proportion of raw materials,and have broad application prospects in many fields.This article provides a review of the high entropy effect,preparation methods,and main applications of high entropy ceramic materials,especially exploring relevant research on high entropy perovskite ceramics.It is expected to provide reference for the promotion of scientific research and the development of further large-scale applications of high-entropy ceramic materials.

Strengthening Mullite Ceramic Materials by Gas Infiltration

In order to improve the high-temperature performance of mullite ceramic materials,mullite ceramic bodies were placed in closed containers with AlF_(3)·3H_(2)O powder and kept at 1 600 ℃ for 6 h.AlF_(3)·3H_(2)O reacts with O_(2) to produce gaseous compounds AlOF and F,which penetrate into the bodies,promote Al2O3 and SiO_(2) to form mullite whiskers,and strengthen the mullite ceramic materials.The results show that the mullite ceramics have enhanced hot strength,increased bulk density and declined apparent porosity by adding a certain amount of AlF_(3)·3H_(2)O in a closed container.When the addition of AlF_(3)·3H_(2)O is 6%,the bulk density of the ceramic material reaches the maximum and the apparent porosity is the lowest;and when the addition of AlF_(3)·3H_(2)O is 8%,the hot strength of the material is the highest.

Development and Application of Modern Building Ceramic Materials

With the increasing demand for sustainable building design,modern building ceramic materials are one of the key factors driving innovation and development in the field of architecture,thanks to their excellent performance and environmentally friendly properties.The aim of this study is to provide an insight into the development and application of building ceramic materials in modern architecture,and to assess the contribution of material innovation to architectural design and sustainability goals by synthesising and analysing recent technological advances and case studies in this field.This study adopts a systematic literature review approach to screen and analyse a large number of academic articles and practical project reports on material innovation in building ceramics.Comparative analyses of different material properties,advances in production processes and the effects of their application in real building projects reveal the potential of building ceramic materials to improve the energy efficiency,extend the service life and enhance the aesthetic design of buildings.The findings show that the environmental and energy issues facing traditional building materials,such as improved thermal efficiency and a reduction in the overall carbon footprint of buildings,can be effectively addressed through the use of new building ceramic materials and technologies.In addition,the innovative use of architectural ceramics provides architects with more design flexibility,enabling them to create architectural works that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional.In the concluding section,the paper highlights the importance of continuing to explore technological innovations in building ceramic materials and how these innovations can contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly building industry.Future research should further explore new areas of application for ceramic materials and how interdisciplinary collaboration can accelerate the practical application of these material technologies.

Porous high-entropy rare-earth phosphate(REPO_(4),RE=La,Sm,Eu,Ce,Pr and Gd)ceramics with excellent thermal insulation performance via pore structure tailoring

Thermal insulation materials play an increasingly important role in protecting mechanical parts functioning at high temperatures.In this study,a new porous high-entropy(La_(1/6)Ce_(1/6)Pr_(1/6)Sm_(1/6)Eu_(1/6)Gd_(1/6))PO_(4)(HE(6RE_(1/6))PO_(4))ceramics was prepared by combining the high-entropy method with the pore-forming agent method and the effect of different starch contents(0–60vol%)on this ceramic properties was systematically investigated.The results show that the porous HE(6RE_(1/6))PO_(4)ceramics with 60vol%starch exhibit the lowest thermal conductivity of 0.061 W·m^(-1)·K^(-1)at room temperature and good pore structure stability with a linear shrinkage of approximately1.67%.Moreover,the effect of large regular spherical pores(>10μm)on its thermal insulation performance was discussed,and an optimal thermal conductivity prediction model was screened.The superior properties of the prepared porous HE(6RE_(1/6))PO_(4)ceramics allow them to be promising insulation materials in the future.

Effect of Sc substitution on the phase composition,microstructure,and properties of(Tb_(1−x)Sc_(x))_(3)(Al_(1−y)Sc_(y))_(2)Al_(3)O_(12) transparent ceramics

Terbium aluminum garnet(Tb_(3)Al_(5)O_(12);TAG)ceramics are among the most promising magneto–optical materials owing to their outstanding comprehensive performance.Many works have focused on improving the optical quality of TAG ceramics.A key point for improving optical quality is ensuring the accuracy of the stoichiometric ratio and avoiding secondary phases.In this work,0,2,4,or 6 wt%Sc2O3 was added to the TAG ceramics to increase the solid solubility.The effects of Sc substitution on the crystal structure,sintering process,microstructure,optical transmittance,and magneto–optical properties of(Tb_(1−x)Sc_(x))_(3)(Al_(1−y)Sc_(y))_(2)Al_(3)O_(12)(TSAG)ceramics are studied in detail.4 wt%Sc2O3:TAG ceramics with an in-line transmittance of 82.2%at 1064 nm and 81.2%at 633 nm were successfully fabricated,and the Verdet constant was 164.4 rad·T^(−1)·m^(−1) at 633 nm.Anti-site defects(ADs)and Sc replacement in TAG are further studied via first-principles calculations to determine the working mechanism of Sc.Both the experimental and calculation results show that the introduction of Sc can effectively increase the solid solubility of TAG ceramics,suppress secondary phases,and hence improve the optical transmittance.

IMPROVING MATERIAL REMOVAL RATE OF BRITTLE CERAMICS THROUGH HONING INCIDENTAL TENSILE STRESSES

The stress intensity factors and stress conditions of machining cracks are analyzed by fracture mechanics on the basis of honing characteristics and of brittle ceramic mechanical behavior.Because the honing incidental tensile stresses effectively decrease the critical grinding stresses and increase the stress intensity factors of machining cracks,the honing process can be carried out easily.The results show that honing can be an efficient machining method for brittle materials.

DESIGN AND PROPERTIES OF A FUNCTIONALLY GRADIENT CERAMIC TOOL MATERIAL

Based on the analyses of the severity of cutting process as well as the failure mechanisms of ceramic tools, a model for designing functionally gradient ceramic tool materials with symmetrical distribution is presented, by which a Al 2O 3/(W,Ti)C ceramic tool material FG 2 was developed. Multi objective optimization method was employed in designing the compositional distribution of this ceramic tool material. The results of both continuous and intermittent cutting tests are indicative of the much better cutting behavior of the functionally gradient ceramic tool FG 2 than that of the common ceramic tool SG 4.

Thermodynamic analysis and formula optimization of steel slag-based ceramic materials by FACTsage software

Using steel slag as a main raw material of ceramics is considered as a high value-added way. However, the relationship among the initial composition, ceramic microstructure, and macroscopic properties requires further study. In this paper, a series of ceramics with different slag ratios （0-70wt%） were designed, and the software FACTsage was introduced to simulate the formation of crystalline phases. The simulation results indicate that mullite is generated but drastically reduced at the slag ratios of 0-25wt%, and anorthite is the dominant crystalline phase in the slag content of 25wt%-45wt%. When the slag ratio is above 45wt%, pyroxene is generated more than anorthite. This is because increasing magnesium can promote the formation of pyroxene. Then, the formula with a slag content of 40wt% was selected and optimized. X-ray diffraction results were good consistent with the simulation results. Finally, the water absorption and bending strength of optimized samples were measured.

Influence of Composite Phosphate Inorganic Antibacterial Materials Containing Rare Earth on Activated Water Property of Ceramics

Antibacterial ceramic was prepared by doping enamel slurry with composite phosphate inorganic antibacterial materials containing rare earth (inorganic antibacterial additives), and then the mechanisms for activating water and improving seed germinative property were tested by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and the method of testing oxygen dissolved in activated water. Results show that the half peak width of (()^(17)O-NMR) for tap water activated by the antibacterial ceramic drops from 115.36 to 99.15 Hz, and oxygen concentrations of activated water increase by 20%, germinate rate of horsebean and earthnut seeds increases by 12.5% and 7.5%, respectively. Therefore antibacterial ceramic doped enamel slurry with inorganic antibacterial additives containing rare earth can reduce the volume of clusters of water molecules, improve activation of tap water, and promote plant seeds germinate.

Synthesis of steel slag ceramics: chemical composition and crystalline phases of raw materials

Two types of porcelain tiles with steel slag as the main raw material （steel slag ceramics） were synthesized based on the CaO-A1203-SiO2 and CaO--MgO-SiO2 systems, and their bending strengths up to 53.47 MPa and 99.84 MPa, respectively, were obtained. The presence of anorthite, a-quartz, magnetite, and pyroxene crystals （augite and diopside） in the steel slag ceramics were very different from the composition of traditional ceramics. X-ray diffraction （XRD） and electron probe X-ray microanalysis （EPMA） results illustrated that the addition of steel slag reduced the temperature of extensive liquid generation and further decreased the firing temperature. The considerable contents of glass-modifying oxide liquids with rather low viscosities at high temperature in the steel slag ceramic adobes promoted element diffusion and crystallization. The results of this study demonstrated a new approach for extensive and effective recycling of steel slag.

Development and application of ferrite materials for low temperature co-fired ceramic technology

Development and application of ferrite materials for low temperature co-fired ceramic （LTCC） technology are dis- cussed, specifically addressing several typical ferrite materials such as M-type barium ferrite, NiCuZn ferrite, YIG ferrite, and lithium ferrite. In order to permit co-firing with a silver internal electrode in LTCC process, the sintering temperature of ferrite materials should be less than 950 ℃. These ferrite materials are research focuses and are applied in many ways in electronics.

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.

CERAMICS AS CANDIDATE STRUCTURAL MATERIALS FOR CRYOGENIC APPLICATIONS

The use of zirconia-based ceramic materials as smpport materidls for superconducting magnets and in cryopenic engineeriny generally has been considered. The relationship between compsition and mechanical properties at cryogenic temperature has also been investigated.

Molten Salts/Ceramic-Foam Matrix Composites by Melt Infiltration Method as Energy Storage Material

A new type of high temperature energy storage material was obtained through the melt infiltration method, using compounding SiC ceramic foam as matrix and Na2SO4 as phase change material. The resulting composite material was measured by XRD, SEM, TG-DSC methods. The experimental results indicate that the composite is composed of silicon carbide, sodium sulfate and square quartz, and no chemical reactions occurs between Na2SO4 and SiC matrix. Na2SO4 has a good bonding with the SiC ceramic foam matrix. As the composite material is characterized by high thermal energy storage density and high thermal conductivity, it is suit for energy storage under high temperature.

High Speed Lapping of SiC Ceramic Material with Solid (Fixed) Abrasives

An experimental investigation is carried out to machine SiC ceramic material through the method of high speed plane lapping with solid(fixed) abrasives after the critical condition of brittle-ductile transition is theoretically analyzed. The results show that the material removal mechanism and the surface roughness are chiefly related to the granularity of abrasives for brittle materials such as SiC ceramic. It is easily realized to machine SiC ceramic in the ductile mode using W3.5 grit and a high efficiency, low cost and smooth surface with a surface roughness of R_a 2.4?nm can be achieved.

Preparation and characterization of ceramic materials with low thermal conductivity and high strength using high-calcium fly ash

High calcium-fly ash(HCFA)collected from the Mae Moh electricity generating plant in Thailand was utilized as a raw material for ceramic production.The main compositions of HCFA characterized by X-ray fluorescence mainly consisted of 28.55wt%SiO_(2),16.06wt%Al_(2)O_(3),23.40wt%CaO,and 17.03wt%Fe_(2)O_(3).Due to high proportion of calcareous and ferruginous contents,HCFA was used for replacing the potash feldspar in amounts of 10wt%-40wt%.The influence of substituting high-calcium fly ash(0-40wt%)and sintering temperatures(1000-1200℃)on physical,mechanical,and thermal properties of ceramic-based materials was investigated.The results showed that the in-corporation of HCFA in appropriate amounts could enhance the densification and the strength as well as reduce the thermal conductivity of ceramic samples.High proportion of calcareous and ferruginous constituents in fly ash promoted the vitrification behavior of ceramic samples.As a result,the densification was enhanced by liquid phase formation at optimum fly ash content and sintering temperature.In addition,these components also facilitated a more abundant mullite formation and consequently improved flexural strength of the ceramic samples.The op-timum ceramic properties were achieved with adding fly ash content between 10wt%-30wt%sintered at 1150-1200℃.At 1200℃,the max-imum flexural strength of ceramic-FA samples with adding fly ash 10wt%-30wt%(PSW-FA(10)-(30))was obtained in the range of 92.25-94.71 MPa when the water absorption reached almost zero(0.03%).In terms of thermal insulation materials,the increase in fly ash addi-tion had a positively effect on the thermal conductivity,due to the higher levels of porosity created by gas evolving from the inorganic decom-position reactions inside the ceramic-FA samples.The addition of 20wt%-40wt%high-calcium fly ash in ceramic samples sintered at 1150℃reduced the thermal conductivity to 14.78%-49.25%,while maintaining acceptable flexural strength values(~45.67-87.62 MPa).Based on these promising mechanical and thermal characteristics,it is feasible to utilize this high-calcium fly ash as an alternative raw material in clay compositions for manufacturing of ceramic tiles.

Strengthening and Toughening Effect of Yttrium on Al_(2)O_(3)/TiCN Ceramic Tool Material

The strengthening and toughening effect of yttrium on an advanced Al2O3/TiCN ceramic tool material was studied by means of SEM 9 TEM and energy spectrum analysis. Results showed that yttrium can react with the impurity elements such as W, Fe, Cr, etc. Thus, the interfaces between ceramic phases are purified and the interfacial binding strength is increased. As a result, the mechanical properties of the AL2O3/TiCN ceramic tool material reinforced with yttrium are improved significantly. In addition, the effect of yttrium on particle strengthening of the solid solution TiCN may partly contribute to the improvement of the mechanical properties.

Effects of Rare Earth Elements on Wear Resistance of Ceramic Tool Materials

Through the addition of Y, Sm and Ce in Al2O3/(W, Ti)C ceramic matrix, it was found that the amount and kind of the added rare earth elements have some different influences on the mechanical properties and wear resistance of the composite. Under the present experimental conditions, the flank wear curves of the selected ceramic tool materials when machining the hardened tool steel obeyed the wear law well. But wear resistance of different ceramic materials varied with each other. Wear resistance of rare earth ceramic tool materials was higher than that of the corresponding materials without rare earth. Wear modes of the developed Al2O3/(W, Ti)C series rare earth ceramic tool materials were mainly flank wear and accompanied with slight crater wear.

Potentiality of Clay Raw Materials from Northern Morocco in Ceramic Industry: Tetouan and Meknes Areas

This study aims at evaluating the potential suitability of Tetouan and Meknes (central Morocco) clay material as raw materials in various ceramic applications by investigating their textural, chemical, thermal and firing characteristics. Textural properties were identified by specific surface area, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and bulk density (ρs). Chemical and thermal properties were assessed using XRF and TG/DTA techniques, respectively. Firing characteristics at temperatures from 800℃ to 1100℃ were determined by linear firing shrinkage, loss on weight and water absorption capacity. The Meknes clays are characterised by medium cation exchange capacity (CEC) and specific surface area (SSA) values due to their moderate smectite content. The Tetouan clays have medium to low CEC and medium SSA values. The main oxides in the clayey samples are SiO2 (35 - 54.3 wt%), Al2O3 (20.6 - 43.9 wt%), and Fe2O3 (9.7 - 22.4 wt%). The amount of CaO in Meknes clays ranges from 8 to 12 wt%, whereas CaO is only present in some Tetouan clay (TE4, TE7, TN4 and TN5). A significant densification of ceramic behaviour could be noticed for most of Tetouan clays at firing temperatures above 1000℃. Meknes clays show earlier densification from 800℃. The chemical, textural and ceramic properties of Tetouan and Meknes clays indicate their suitability as raw materials for the production of structural ceramics. The high amount of Fe2O3 in all clays makes them inappropriate in fine ceramics.