Development and evaluation of sub-element testing of SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composites at elevated temperatures

SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) are being developed for use in aero-engines to replace nickel superalloy components. Sub-element testing acts as the key stepping stone in bridging understanding derived from basic coupon testing and more complex component testing. This study presents the development of high temperature C-shape sub-element testing with the use of digital image correlation to study damage progression. The specimen is designed with a bias towards a mixed mode-stress state more similar to what a CMC component may see in service. Both monotonic and fatigue tests were completed on C specimens and compared with predicted behaviour from modelling. Test data from both test types suggested that specimens were failing once they reached a critical radial stress level. However evidence from fractography of specimens showed that in both monotonic and fatigue tests radial cracks (driven by hoop stresses) are initiating prior to circumferential cracks.     

Optical properties of multi-stacked BaTiO3/SrTiO3 thin films synthesized via chemical method

In this work, the BaTiO₃ and SrTiO₃ thin films as well as BaTiO₃/SrTiO₃ lamellar composites are synthesized via sol-gel spin-coating method. The formation of corresponding phases from their sols is investigated by virtue of X-ray diffraction on their powders, which confirms the formation of tetragonal structure for BaTiO₃, but cubic structure for SrTiO₃. The field emission scanning electron microscopy images show that crack-free films with different morphologies are formed in each sample. Likewise, by changing periodicity of the samples, the morphology of the composite samples is changed. As the number of layers increases from 1 to 20, the band gap reduces from 4.38 eV to 4.10 eV for BaTiO₃ samples and from 4.13 eV to 3.80 eV for SrTiO₃ samples confirmed by UV–Vis spectra. The band gap of periodicity = 1 sample is higher than that of BaTiO₃, while band gaps of periodicity = 2 and 5 composites mount between those of BaTiO₃ and SrTiO₃. In addition, the refractive indices of multi-stacked composites are about 0.2 lesser than refractive indices of BaTiO₃ sample in high wavelengths. The periodicity dependence of optical frequency dielectric constant, dielectric loss, impedance, Urbach tail, extinction coefficient, and electric modulus of multi-stacked composites are also studied.     

Microstructure,wear and corrosion characteristics of multiple-reinforced (SiC–B4C–Al2O3) Al matrix composites produced by liquid metal infiltration

In this study, AA7075 aluminum matrix composites reinforced with the combination of SiC, Al₂O₃, and B₄C particles were fabricated by the liquid metal infiltration method. The effects of the relative ratio of B₄C and Al₂O₃ particles on the microstructural, wear, and corrosion features of the composite samples were analyzed using XRD, light metal microscopy, SEM, EDS, Brinell hardness, ball-on-disc type tribometer, and potentiodynamic polarization devices. It was determined that infiltration occurred more successfully, and homogenously distributed particles with reduced porosity were obtained as the amount of Al₂O₃ increased. Worn surface studies revealed that the specimens were predominantly worn by abrasion and adhesion. The increase in B₄C/Al₂O₃ ratio caused a decrease in the hardness and wear strength, whereas it increased the corrosion resistance.     

Progressive failure analysis of notched composite plate by utilizing macro mechanics approach

In this study, gradual and sudden reduction methods were combined to simulate a progressive failure in notched composite plates using a macro mechanics approach. Using the presented method, a progressive failure is simulated based on a linear softening law prior to a catastrophic failure, and thereafter, sudden reduction methods are employed for modeling a progressive failure. This combination method significantly reduces the computational cost and is also capable of simultaneously predicting the first and last ply failures (LPFs) in composite plates. The proposed method is intended to predict the first ply failure (FPF), LPF, and dominant failure modes of carbon/epoxy and glass/epoxy notched composite plates. In addition, the effects of mechanical properties and different stacking sequences on the propagation of damage in notched composite plates were studied. The results of the presented method were compared with experimental data previously reported in the literature. By comparing the numerical and experimental data, it is revealed that the proposed method can accurately simulate the failure propagation in notched composite plates at a low computational cost.     

Development of a H2-permeable Pd60Cu40-based composite membrane using a reverse build-up method

A new reverse build-up method is developed to fabricate an economical H₂-permeable composite membrane. Sputtering and electroplating are used for the formation of a membrane comprised of a 3.7-μm-thick Pd₆₀Cu₄₀ (wt.%) alloy layer and a 13-μm-thick porous Ni support layer, respectively. The H₂-permeation measurements are performed under the flow of a gaseous mixture of H₂ and He at 300–320 °C and 50–100 kPa of H₂ partial pressure. The H₂/He selectivity values exceed 300. The activation energy at 300–320 °C is 10.9 kJ mol⁻¹. The H₂ permeability of the membrane is 1.25 × 10⁻⁸ mol m⁻¹ s⁻¹ Pa^−0.5 at 320 °C after 448 h. The estimated Pd cost of the proposed membrane is approximately 1/8 of the cost for a pure Pd₆₀Cu₄₀ membrane. This study demonstrates that the proposed method allows the facile production of low-cost, Pd-based membranes for H₂ separation.     

High strain rate compressive response of the Cf/SiC composite

Carbon fiber reinforced ceramic owns the properties of lightweight, high fracture toughness, excellent shock resistance, and thus overcomes ceramic's brittleness. The researches on the advanced structure of astronautics, marine have exclusively evaluated the quasi-static mechanical response of carbon fiber reinforced ceramics, while few investigations are available in the open literature regarding elastodynamics. This paper reports the dynamic compressive responses of a carbon fiber reinforced silicon carbide (C_f/SiC) composite (CFCMC) tested by the material test system 801 machine (MTS) and the split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB). These tests were to determine the rate dependent compression response and high strain rate failure mechanism of the C_f/SiC composite in in-plane and out-plane directions. The in-plane compressive strain rates are from 0.001 to 2200?s^?1, and that of the out-plane direction are from 0.001 to 2400?s^?1. The compressive stress-strain curves show the C_f/SiC composite has a property of strain rate sensitivity in both directions while under high strain rate loadings. Its compressive stiffness, compressive stress, and corresponding strain are also strain rate sensitive. The compressive damage morphologies after high strain rate impacting show different failure modes for each loading direction. This study provides knowledge about elastodynamics of fiber-reinforced ceramics and extends their design criterion with a reliable evaluation while applying in the scenario of loading high strain rate.     

纳米碳化钒/碳化铬复合粉末的微波辅助高能球磨合成及其应用

以微米级氧化钒(V2O5)、氧化铬(Cr2O3)和纳米碳黑为原料，采用机械合金化及微波辅助加热法制备了纳米碳化钒/碳化铬复合粉末。利用XRD、XPS、TG-DSC、SEM、TEM和BET对产物进行了分析表征。结果表明，：纳米碳化钒/碳化铬复合粉末的最佳合成条件为：碳的质量分数为35%，反应温度为900℃，保温时间为1h。在该条件下的反应产物主要由V3Cr2C5、Cr2VC2和Cr3C2组成，颗粒为球形或类球形，分散性较好，无明显团聚现象，平均颗粒尺寸约为50nm，复合粉末的比表面积为115.53m2/g。添加纳米碳化钒/碳化铬复合粉末可以提高陶瓷结合剂cBN磨具的力学性能和磨削效率，降低磨具的损耗，并且对磨具具有减摩作用。     

碘化多壁碳纳米管制备含有Ag/MWCNTs复合材料的银-环氧树脂浆料

提出一种将多壁碳纳米管碘化后制备银/多壁碳纳米管（Ag/MWCNTs）复合材料的方法。通过球磨对碘化多壁碳纳米管进行了功能化，并通过透射电子显微镜（TEM）、X射线衍射（XRD）、傅里叶变换红外光谱（FT-IR）、拉曼光谱和热重分析（TG）对其进行了表征。结果表明，经碘化处理后，银纳米粒子（Ag-NPs）能更好地粘附在碳纳米管表面，改善了银纳米粒子与碳纳米管之间的连接。羟基（-OH）基团的伸缩振动明显增强，激活了碳纳米管的表面，增加了碳纳米管表面Ag⁺形核的数量。在260 ℃以下，Ag/MWCNTs复合材料的质量损失小于MWCNTs的质量损失。最后，制备了银-环氧树脂浆料，发现使用Ag/MWCNTs复合物制备的浆料具有最低的电阻率和最高的热导率。     

Unique CNTs-chained Li4Ti5O12 nanoparticles as excellent high rate anode materials for Li-ion capacitors

Composite anode materials with a unique architecture of carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-chained spinel lithium titanate (Li₄Ti₅O₁₂, LTO) nanoparticles are prepared for lithium ion capacitors (LICs). The CNTs networks derived from commercial conductive slurry not only bring out a steric hindrance effect to restrict the growth of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ particles but greatly enhance the electronic conductivity of the CNTs/LTO composites, both have contributed to the excellent rate capability and cycle stability. The capacity retention at 30 C (1 C = 175 mA g^?1) is as high as 89.7% of that at 0.2 C with a CNTs content of 11 wt%. Meanwhile, there is not any capacity degradation after 500 cycles at 5 C. The LIC assembled with activated carbon (AC) cathode and such a CNTs/LTO composite anode displays excellent energy storage properties, including a high energy density of 35 Wh kg^?1 at 7434 W kg^?1, and a high capacity retention of 87.8% after 2200 cycles at 1 A g^?1. These electrochemical performances outperform the reported data achieved on other LTO anode-based LICs. Considering the facile and scalable preparation process proposed herein, the CNTs/LTO composites can be very potential anode materials for hybrid capacitors towards high power-energy outputs.