Low-temperature fabrication of steatite ceramics with boron oxide addition

Steatite ceramics have been fabricated by using coarse starting materials such as talc, clay, and barium carbonate with addition of boron oxide (B₂O₃). B₂O₃ has been found to be a useful flux to densify MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–BaO (MASB) powders. The steatite ceramic with a relative density of 97% was obtained at a sintering temperature of 1200 °C. The temperatures needed to densify MASB powders decrease with increase of B₂O₃ addition. For the same sintering temperature, as the amount of B₂O₃ addition increases, the crystallization rate of protoenstatite increase. Large pores and visible cracks were seen in B₂O₃-free samples, while pore elimination and enhancement of densification for B₂O₃-added steatites were promoted by the viscous flow due to B₂O₃. Hence, nearly dense ceramics were obtained for use in high temperature electrical applications.     

Characterization and in vitro-bioactivity of natural hydroxyapatite based bio-glass–ceramics synthesized by thermal plasma processing

Natural bovine hydroxyapatite/SiO₂–CaO–MgO glass–ceramics were produced using the transferred arc plasma (TAP) processing method. Homogeneous mixtures of HA/25 wt% SiO₂–CaO–MgO and HA/50 wt% SiO₂–CaO–MgO batches obtained by dry mixing the respective compositions in a ball mill were processed in argon plasma using the TAP torch at 5 kW for 1, 2 and 3 min, respectively. The synthesized glass–ceramic samples were studied for phase composition, microstructure and bioactivity. The phase study of the synthesized glass–ceramics revealed the formation of calcium phosphate silicate with traces of calcium silicate. The structural study by SEM revealed that the prepared samples possessed smooth glassy surface morphology. The in vitro-bioactivity of the TAP synthesized glass–ceramics was examined in simulated body fluid (SBF). The SBF test results confirmed the development of crystalline carbonated apatite phase after 12 days of immersion. The cytocompatibility was evaluated through human fibroblast cell proliferation. The fibroblasts culture results showed that the sample was non-toxic and promoted cell growth.     

Anomalous Correlation between Dielectric Constant and Tunability in (Ba,Sr)TiO3–MgO–Mg2SiO4 Composite Ceramics

(Ba, Sr)TiO₃–MgO–Mg₂SiO₄ composite ceramics were prepared by a solid‐state reaction method. The microstructures, microwave dielectric characteristics, and tunability of composite ceramics were investigated. An anomalous correlation between tunability and dielectric constant was observed: with the increase in Mg₂SiO₄ content and the decrease in MgO content, the dielectric constant of (Ba, Sr)TiO₃–MgO–Mg₂SiO₄ composite ceramics decreases, but the tunability increases. The anomalous increased tunability is beneficial for tunable microwave applications and can be attributed to the redistribution of the electric field. For 50Ba_0.5Sr_0.5TiO₃–(50?x)MgO–xMg₂SiO₄, the dielectric constant was decreased from 164.2 to 126.5 by increasing Mg₂SiO₄ content from 5 to 45 wt% and the tunability at 3.9 kV/mm increased from 11.5% to 15.2%.     

Effect of different contents of zirconia and yttrium oxide on microstructure and properties of high alumina ceramics

The effects of zirconia and yttrium oxide addition on microstructure, bulk density, microhardness, flexural strength, and wear resistance of high alumina ceramics (>97 wt% Al₂O₃, MSA ceramics) composed of MgO–SiO₂–Al₂O₃ system have been investigated. The results show that the addition of zirconia makes the mechanical properties and wear properties of ceramics composed of MgO–SiO₂–Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ (MSAZ ceramics) system have been greatly improved compared with MSA ceramics. In addition, the ceramics composed of MgO–SiO₂–Al₂O₃–ZrO₂–Y₂O₃ (MSAZY ceramics) system have better mechanical properties and wear properties than MSAZ ceramics. With the contents of zirconia and yttrium oxide increase, the bulk density, microhardness, and flexural strength of MSAZ and MSAZY ceramics increased at first and then decreased. However, the wear rate shows the opposite. When 0.4 wt% ZrO₂ and 0.6 wt% Y₂O₃ were added to the matrix, the wear rate of MSAZY ceramics reached a minimum of 0.042%, and the wear resistance was improved by about 73.8% compared with MSA ceramics with a wear rate of 0.16%. In addition, the optimum additions of zirconia and yttria are 0.4% and 0.6%, respectively.     

High temperature CO2 capture performance and kinetic analysis of Na4SiO4 ceramics

Alkali silicate-based ceramics sorbents were regarded as particularly suitable materials for CO₂ capture at high temperatures, however, the CO₂ capture behaviors of Na₄SiO₄ had been seldom investigated. In this work, the Na₄SiO₄ ceramics samples were prepared using the one-step synthesized method, and the CO₂ sorption/desorption performances at high temperatures, the thermal stability, and the cycling stability of Na₄SiO₄ were systematically investigated. It was demonstrated that the maximum CO₂ sorption capacity of SO-3 sample reached 19.4 wt% at 725 °C, and the optimal condition of cycling tests were 750 °C for sorption and 800 °C for desorption based on the sorption/desorption capacity and rate, which exhibited good thermal stability and high cyclic stability. Besides, the kinetic analysis results showed that the diffusion process was the rate-determining step of CO₂ adsorption, which was more dependent on temperature than the chemisorption process. The structure and surface morphology variations were also investigated, it was interesting that there was a special “fish scale” surface structure after the sorption process, revealing that the melting phenomenon happened during the chemisorption reaction process. By comparing with common sorbent Li₄SiO₄, the material and CO₂ capture costs of Na₄SiO₄ were much lower. These results proved that Na₄SiO₄ was expected to be a suitable high temperature CO₂ capture material as a good supplement to alkali silicate-based ceramics sorbents.     

Sintering behavior and mechanical properties of spark plasma sintering SiO2-MgO ceramics

SiO₂-MgO ceramics containing different weight fractions (0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 wt%) of SiO₂ powder were prepared by mixing nano MgO powder, and the powder mixtures were densified by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The effect of SiO₂ addition and SPS method on the sintering behavior, microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. Results were compared to specimens obtained by conventional hot pressing (HP) under a similar sintering schedule. The highest relative density, flexural strength and hardness of 2 wt% SiO₂-MgO ceramics reached 99.98%, 253.99 ± 7.47 MPa and 7.56 ± 0.21 GPa when sintered at 1400 °C by SPS, respectively. The observed improvement in the sintering behavior and mechanical properties are mainly attributed to grain boundary "strengthening" and intragranular "weakening" of the MgO matrix. Furthermore, the spark plasma sintering temperature could be decreased by more than 100 °C as compared with the HP method, SPS favouring enhanced grain boundary sliding, plastic deformation and diffusion in the sintering process.     

Correlation between MgSiO3 phases and mechanical durability of steatite ceramics

The steatite ceramics are mostly used in electrotechnics. Although distinguished by their mechanical and electrical properties they are unstable. The desirable, high temperature protoenstatite phase inverses into magnesium metasilicate low-temperature form—clinoenstatite, even upon standing. In this work the steatite polymorphism was studied in relation with steatite mechanical properties and microstructure. It was find out that the stabilization of protoenstatite in steatite body is achievable by the development of small crystals, yet it is still not resistant to action of water what put in question its potential application as dental material.     

Effects of Nd Content on Structure and Chemical Durability of Zirconolite–Barium Borosilicate Glass‐Ceramics

The effects of Nd₂O₃ content (0–12 wt %) on crystalline phases, microstructure, and chemical durability of barium borosilicate glass‐ceramics belonging to SiO₂–B₂O₃–Na₂O–BaO–CaO–TiO₂–ZrO₂–Nd₂O₃ system were studied. The results show that the glass‐ceramics with 2–6 wt% of Nd₂O₃ possess mainly zirconolite and titanite phases along with a small amount baddeleyite phase in the bulk. Calcium titanate appears when the Nd₂O₃ content increases to 8 wt%, and the amount of quadrate calcium titanate crystals increases with further increasing content of Nd₂O₃. For the glass‐ceramics with 6 wt% Nd₂O₃ (Nd‐6), Nd elements homogeneously distribute in zirconolite, titanite, and residual glass phases. There is a strong enrichment of Nd in calcium titanate crystals for the sample with 10 wt% Nd₂O₃. The viscosity of Nd‐6 glass is about 49 dPa·s at 1150°C. Moreover, Nd‐6 glass‐ceramics show the lower normalized leaching rates of B (LR_B), Ca (LR_Ca), and Nd (LR_Nd) when compared to that of the sample with 8 wt% Nd₂O₃. After 42 days, LR_B, LR_Ca, and LR_Nd of the Nd‐6 glass‐ceramics are about 6.8 × 10^?3, 1.6 × 10^?3, and 4.4 × 10^?6 g·m^?2·d^?1, respectively.     

Integrated experimental and thermodynamic modeling study of phase equilibria in the ‘CuO0.5’-MgO-SiO2 system in equilibrium with liquid Cu metal for characterizing refractory-slag interactions

An integrated experimental and thermodynamic modeling study of the phase equilibria in the ‘CuO_0.5’-MgO-SiO₂ system in equilibrium with liquid Cu metal has been undertaken to better understand the reactions between MgO-based refractories and liquid slag in copper converting and refining processes. New experimental phase equilibria data at 1250–1680 °C were obtained for this system using a high-temperature equilibration of synthetic mixtures with predetermined compositions in silica ampoules or magnesia crucibles, a rapid quenching technique, and electron probe X-ray microanalysis of the equilibrated phase compositions. The system has been shown to contain primary phase fields of cristobalite (SiO₂), tridymite (SiO₂), pyroxene/protoenstatite (MgSiO₃), olivine/forsterite (Mg₂SiO₄), periclase (MgO), and cuprite (Cu₂O). Three regions of 2-liquid immiscibility were found—two in the high-silica range of compositions above the cristobalite primary phase field (close to ‘CuO_0.5’-SiO₂ and MgO–SiO₂ binaries) and one in the low-SiO₂, high-‘CuO_0.5’ compositional region above the periclase and olivine phase fields. The results obtained in this study indicate that silica in high-copper refining slags likely led to olivine and pyroxene phase formation, increased solubility of MgO in liquid slag, and decline in the performance of MgO-based refractories. New experimental data were used in the development of a thermodynamic database describing this pseudo-ternary system.     

The role of MgO on the structural properties of CaO–Na2O(MgO)–P2O5–CaF2–SiO2 derived glass ceramics

The effect of increasing MgO/Na₂O replacements (on mole basis) on the crystallization characteristics of glasses based on the CaO–Na₂O(MgO)–P₂O₅–CaF₂–SiO₂ system were studied by using DTA, XRD, and SEM. The crystallization characteristics of the glasses, the type of crystalline phases formed and the resulting microstructure were investigated. The main crystalline phases formed after controlled heat-treatment of the base glass were diopside, wollastonite solid solution, fluoroapatite and sodium calcium silicate phases. The increase of MgO at the expense of Na₂O led to decrease the amount of sodium calcium silicate phase. The Vicker's microhardness values (5837–3362 MPa) of the resulting glass–ceramics were markedly improved by increasing the MgO-content in the glasses. The obtained data were correlated to the nature and concentration of the crystalline phases formed and the resulting microstructure.     

Powellite‐Rich Glass‐Ceramics: A Spectroscopic Study by EPR and Raman Spectroscopy

The aim of this study was to better understand the incorporation of rare‐earth elements in glass‐ceramics of nuclear interest. We synthesized glass‐ceramics from glasses in the system SiO₂–B₂O₃–Na₂O–CaO–Al₂O₃–MoO₃–Gd₂O₃ by various heat treatments. Gadolinium is used both as a spectroscopic probe and as a minor actinide surrogate. Glass‐ceramics contain only one crystalline phase in the bulk: powellite (CaMoO₄). This phase can incorporate Gd³⁺ and Na⁺ ions by substitutions on the Ca site. We demonstrated that the charge compensation by Na⁺ favors the incorporation of rare‐earth elements. Moreover, the incorporated elements do not seem to be randomly distributed into the powellite structure.     

Effect of composition on sinter-crystallization and properties of low temperature co-fired α-cordierite glass–ceramics

This article investigates effect of composition, including SiO₂ and impurity defined to contain K₂O, Na₂O, Fe₂O₃, etc., from K-feldspar, on sinter-crystallization and properties of the low temperature co-fired α-cordierite glass–ceramics. Increasing impurity content from 5.72 wt% to 9.16 wt% leads to enhanced crystallinity, formation of leucite and more pores but the crystallinity and porosity decreased with a further increase to 10.8 wt%. The main impurity K₂O is critical for formation of α-cordierite and leucite. Only α-cordierite was precipitated from the glasses with different SiO₂ contents but an increase of SiO₂ content slightly improves their densification. The impurity and SiO₂ contents greatly affect the properties of glass–ceramics. Notably, some glass–ceramics from K-feldspar show high densification at low temperature, low dielectric constant (6–8), low loss (about 0.005), appropriate linear CTEs (4.32–5.87 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹) and flexural strength (above 100 MPa), all of which meet the requirements of LTCC substrates.     

Preparation of porous Al2O3 ceramics by starch consolidation casting method

Porous alumina ceramics were fabricated by starch consolidation casting using corn starch as a curing agent while their microstructure, mechanical properties, pore size distribution, and corrosion resistance were examined. Results showed that the porous alumina ceramics with the flexural strength of about 44.31MPa, apparent porosity of about 47.67% and pore size distribution in the range of 1‐4 μm could be obtained with 3wt% SiO₂ and 3wt% MgO additives. Corrosion resistance results showed mass losses: hot H₂SO₄ solution and NaOH solution for 10 hours were 0.77% and 2.19%, which showed that these porous alumina ceramics may offer better corrosion resistance in acidic conditions.     

C3S and C2S hydration in the presence of Na2CO3 and Na2SO4

This study analyses the behavior of calcium silicates C₃S and C₂S hydrated in two alkaline media, Na₂CO₃ and Na₂SO₄. The silicates were synthesized with laboratory reagents and hydrated in water, to which solid‐state alkaline activators with 4 wt% Na₂CO₃ or 4 wt% Na₂SO₄ were added. Two‐ and 28‐day mechanical strength values were determined and the reaction products were characterized with XRD, SEM/EDX, and ²⁹Si and ²³Na MAS NMR. The findings showed that the presence of Na₂CO₃ hastened hydration kinetics and stimulated early‐age mechanical strength development in both silicates. The most significant effect of sodium sulfate, however, was observed in the 28‐day material in both silicates, in which it raised strength by stimulating the precipitation of C–S–H gels with a high percentage of Q² units.     

Effects of high nano‐SiO2 contents on properties of epoxy‐modified polybenzoxazine

High‐performance nanosilica composites based on epoxy‐modified polybenzoxazine matrices are developed. Chemorheological study of benzoxazine–epoxy resin mixtures reveals that processing window of the benzoxazine resin (BA‐a) is substantially broadened with an addition of the liquid epoxy. Glass transition temperature (T _g) of the BA‐a copolymerized with epoxy resin shows a synergistic behavior with a maximum T _g value (174°C) at the benzoxazine–epoxy mass ratio of 80:20. The copolymer at this composition is also used as a matrix for nano‐SiO₂ composites. A very low melt viscosity of the benzoxazine–epoxy mixtures promotes good processability with the maximum attainable nano‐SiO₂ loading up to 35 wt%. From scanning electron microscopy investigation, fracture surface of the 35 wt% nano‐SiO₂‐filled benzoxazine–epoxy composite reveals relatively homogeneous distribution of the nano‐SiO₂ in the copolymer with good particle wet‐out. In addition, very high reinforcing effect was also observed in such high content of the nano‐SiO₂, i.e., about 2.5 times in modulus improvement. This improvement is attributed to the strong bonding between the copolymer matrix and the nano‐SiO₂ through ether linkage as confirmed by Fourier‐transform infrared investigation. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:2261–2271, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of ZnO/MgO ratio on the crystallization and optical properties of spinel opaque glazes

The effect of the ZnO/MgO ratio on the crystallization and optical properties of glass‐ceramic glazes from the SiO₂–Al₂O₃–ZnO–MgO–CaO–K₂O–Na₂O–B₂O₃ system was studied. The glazes with different ZnO/MgO ratios were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, X‐ray powder diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis and a spectrophotometer. The results reveal that the A glaze without ZnO content contains forsterite and sapphirine. The B and C glazes with intermediate ZnO/MgO ratio contain enstatite and spinel solid solution. The D to F glazes with higher ZnO/MgO ratio crystallize spinel solid solution as the only crystalline phase. The amount of spinel solid solution, lightness values (L*), gloss values and the reflectance of the studied glazes increase with the ZnO/MgO ratio.     

On the Cure Acceleration of Oil-Phenol-Formaldehyde Resins with Different Catalysts

Oil-phenol-formaldehyde (Oil-PF) resins containing 50 wt% replacement of petroleum phenol with bio-oil were prepared and different catalysts [sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃), urea, and magnesium oxide (MgO)] were added in the synthesis process of resins to accelerate the cure. The cure-acceleration effects of catalysts on cure characteristics of oil-PF resins were investigated by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), gel time, and a plywood panels test. The results indicated that catalysts presented different accelerating effects on the cure of the oil-PF resin. Both Na₂CO₃ and MgO can accelerate the oil-PF resin cure at a low temperature; however, urea seemed to have no significant effect on the cure of the resin. The application of Na₂CO₃- and MgO-accelerated oil-PF resins reduced hot pressing time for the manufacture of three-layer plywood panels. Compared with MgO, Na₂CO₃ had more significant accelerating effect on the cure of the oil-PF resin.     

Some features of the surface modification of MgO–Al2O3–TiO2–SiO2 glass and glass ceramics by Ag diffusion

Diffusion of Ag species into the surface layers of the MgO–Al₂O₃–TiO₂–SiO₂ glass stimulates the crystallization processes therein during subsequent thermal treatment. It was found that the silver doping significantly increases the microhardness of glass and glass ceramics. The effect of the Ag diffusion and the subsequent high-temperature treatment (T > T_g) on the structure and luminescence properties of the MgO–Al₂O₃–TiO₂–SiO₂ glass was studied. The thermal evolution, structure and properties of the glass and glass ceramics were investigated by the DSC method, XRD analysis and luminescence spectroscopy. It was found that the Ag diffusion into the surface layers leads to the formation of numerous different luminescent molecular Ag_n clusters. The MgO–Al₂O₃–TiO₂–SiO₂ glass and glass ceramics subjected to the Ag diffusion can operate as effective down-converters of the radiation demonstrating the effective transformation of UV and blue light into the radiation of red and NIR spectral range.     

Synthesis of MgSiO3 ceramics using natural desert sand as SiO2 source

High-quality inorganic minerals are being increasingly consumed in the fabrication of ceramics. In the present work, desert sand was adopted as the source of SiO₂ to synthesize MgSiO₃ and MgSiO₃SiC composite ceramics in an endeavor to economize on mineral resources and improve the desert ecosystem through the industrial application of desert sand. Experimental results show that the use of drift sand enabled the formation of glass phase at lower temperatures, which promoted protoenstatite transformation, prevented sintering cracking, and densified the ceramic bodies. The composites consisted of MgSiO₃ (protoenstatite), SiC, glass phase, and small amounts of forsterite and SiO₂. The addition of SiC particles caused the green bodies to resist densification, but this was improved by increasing the sintering temperature. The composite ceramic containing 30 wt % of SiC and sintered at 1350 °C had the highest bending strength, whereas that containing 50 wt% of SiC and sintered at 1400 °C had the highest hardness and the lowest coefficient of thermal expansion among all the samples.     

The effect of alumina-based sintering aid on the microstructure,selected mechanical properties,and coefficient of friction of Cf/SiC composite prepared via spark plasma sintering (SPS) method

C_f-SiC air brake discs are being developed due to their high-temperature oxidation resistance compared to conventional C_f/C discs. The C_f-SiC air brake discs should have a coefficient of friction (COF) close to 0.4, a low wear rate, a density higher than 95% of the theoretical density, and flexural strength of more than 200 MPa. To reach the properties of C_f-SiC composite to the required characteristics of the air brake disc, different amounts of alumina-based sintering aid were used. For this purpose, first silicon carbide nanoparticles, sintering aids Al₂O₃–MgO, MgAl₂O₄, Al₂O₃–Y₂O₃, Al₂O₃–SiO₂–MgO, and carbon fiber (20 wt%) with a 5-mm length were prepared. Next, the final composite bulk was created via the SPS method at 1900 °C under a pressure of 50 MPa. The density of the sample sintered with the Al₂O₃–SiO₂–MgO sintering aid was higher than that of other sintering aids. The density value was obtained at 98% and 100% at 8 wt% and 4 wt% respectively. It was also found that the use of 4 wt% of Al₂O₃–SiO₂–MgO offered better mechanical properties compared to 8 wt%, due to the absence of Al₈Si₄O₂₀ phase at 4 wt%. The examination of mechanical properties showed that the hardness (3564 Vickers) and flexural strength (479 MPa) of the sample with the Al₂O₃–SiO₂–MgO sintering aid were higher than those of other sintering aids. The samples with the Al₂O₃–SiO₂–MgO sintering aid with 4 wt% revealed a COF of 0.41, showing the closest feature to the desired indices of aircraft brake discs.