Synthesis of nanopowders with low agglomeration by elaborating Φ values for producing Gd2O3-MgO nanocomposites with extremely fine grain sizes and high mid-infrared transparency

Refining ceramic microstructures to the nanometric range to minimize light scattering provides an interesting methodology for developing novel optical ceramic materials. In this work, we reported the fabrication and properties of a new nanocomposite optical ceramic of Gd₂O₃-MgO. The citric acid sol-gel combustion method was adopted to fabricate Gd₂O₃-MgO nanocomposites with fine-grain sizes, dense microstructures and homogeneous phase domains. Nanopowders with low agglomeration and improved sinterability can be obtained by elaborating Φ values. Further refining of the microstructure of the nanocomposites was achieved by elaborating the hot-pressing conditions. The sample sintered at 65 MPa and 1300 °C showed a quite high hardness value of 14.3 ± 0.2 GPa, a high transmittance of 80.3 %–84.7 % over the 3?6 μm wavelength range, due mainly to its extremely fine-grain size of Gd₂O₃ and MgO (93 and 78 nm, respectively) and high density.     

Deformation behaviour of iron-doped alumina

Compressive creep tests in air were carried out on 1 cat.% Fe-doped alumina at a temperature T=1400 °C. Iron doping affected the plastic deformation by different ways in relation with Fe²⁺ cations population. Fe²⁺ cations sped up the deformation rates. FeAl₂O₄ spinel precipitates were identified and they were found (i) to interact with alumina grain boundaries (ii) to limit the grain growth within a range of strain. The Fe²⁺ cations underwent oxidation and this resulted in the dissolution of the some precipitates and in the decrease of deformation rates. It was suggested that deformation sped up this evolution through mass transport and that time was not a dominating parameter.     

Correlating microstructural features with wear resistance of dual phase steel

In order to explore the tribological potential of the dual phase (DP) steel as a wear resistant material, the wear characteristics of the dual phase (DP) steel have been investigated with varying amounts of martensite from 43 to 81 vol pct, developed by varying holding time at the intercritical annealing temperature of 780 °C. Dry sliding wear tests have been conducted on DP steels using a pin-on-disk machine under different normal loads of 61.3, 68.5, 75.7 and 82.6 N and at a constant sliding speed of 1.20 m/s. At these loads, the mechanism of wear is mainly delamination, which has been confirmed by SEM micrographs of the subsurface and wear debris of the samples. Wear and friction properties have been found to be improved with increasing martensite volume fraction in dual phase steels.     

Phase equilibria of the Al2O3–CaO–SiO2-(0%, 5%, 10%) MgO slag system for non-metallic inclusions control

Al₂O₃–CaO-(MgO–SiO₂) inclusions are one of the dominant inclusions in Al-deoxidized spring steel, the compositions changes of which are closely related to refining slags and deoxidization process. The Al₂O₃–CaO–SiO₂–MgO system can represent the primary ingredients of the Al₂O₃–CaO inclusions. According to analyzed compositions and predicted liquidus temperature ranges of inclusions and refining slag, equilibra experiments under high temperature, water quenching technique and subsquent electron probe X-ray microanalysis (EPMA) has been conducted to ascertain detailed thermodynamic database for inclusions control. Liquidus temperatures within the dominant phase fields of Ca₃SiO₅, Ca₂SiO₄, CaAl₂O₄, Ca₃Al₄O₉, spinel and MgO with the intervals of 20 °C from 1350 to 1560°C were identified. To further promote inclusions control, the influences of mass ratios of Mass(Al2O3)Mass(Al2O3+SiO2+CaO) and MgO contents on equilibrated phases and liquidus temperature changes have been explored. To further enhance modification levels of Al₂O₃–CaO-(MgO–SiO₂) system inclusions, it is suggested that refining time could be suitably prolonged.     

Improved electric insulation ability and ferromagnetic property in Nb2O5 doped BiFeO3-based multiferroic ceramics

Journal of Electroceramics - 0.675BiFeO3-0.3BaTiO3-0.025LaFeO3-x mol% Nb2O5 (x?=?0–1.25) multiferroic lead- free ceramics, fabricated by conventional solid-state reaction, were...     

Effect of high temperature on the mechanical properties of hierarchical porous cenosphere/geopolymer composite foams

A hierarchical porous cenosphere/geopolymer composite foam (FHCs/KGP) was fabricated by the simultaneous incorporation of O₂ pore from hydrogen peroxide and cenosphere filler addition. Effects of both H₂O₂ content and high-temperature treatment on the microstructure, porosity and strength of porous FHCs/KGP foams were investigated systematically. The obtained FHCs/KGP foams showed typical amorphous structure and desirable porosity from 65 to 82%. The composites could crystallize in situ to FHCs/leucite foams above 1000℃. Compression strength of the FHCs/leucite foams showed a maximum value of 5 ± 0.3 MPa when treated at 1000°C. The improvement of mechanical properties for the composite foams was attributed to crack deflection, fractured microspheres and the good bond between the FHCs and matrix. This study could open opportunities to employ cellular foams as alternatives in structure and filtration applications.     

液相法制备棒状Al2O3及Al2O3-ZrO2陶瓷复合粉体

采用二乙三胺五乙酸（DTPA）为配合剂,以简易的液相法合成出微纳米纤维状Al和Al-Zr前体,煅烧处理制备了棒状α-Al₂O₃和Al₂O₃-ZrO₂复合陶瓷粉体。同时研究了DPTA∶Al³⁺质量比、反应温度与时间对陶瓷粉体形态的影响。利用X射线衍射（XRD）、热分析（TG/DSC）以及扫描电子显微镜（SEM）对粉体进行了表征。结果表明：较高的DTPA∶Al³⁺质量比以及较长的反应时间有利于制备高长径比的纤维棒状Al和Al-Zr配合物前体。合成纳米纤维状α-Al₂O₃和Al₂O₃-ZrO₂前体的最优条件是反应温度60℃,反应时间5.5h,DTPA∶Al³⁺比例为1.2∶1。相应地,该前体煅烧后可以制备出棒状α-Al₂O₃和Al₂O₃-ZrO₂复合陶瓷粉体。