Microstructures and properties of nickel-titanium carbide composites fabricated by laser cladding

In this work, Ni/TiC composites were synthesized by the laser cladding technique (LCT). A scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), microhardness meter, electrochemical workstation, and friction and wear tester examined the microstructure, surface morphology, phase structure, microhardness, wear, and corrosion resistances of the Ni/TiC composites. These results indicated the Ni/40TiC composite contained finer equiaxed crystals than the Ni and Ni/20TiC composites. In addition, numerous TiC particles in the Ni/40TiC composite impeded growth of the nickel crystals, which resulted in the fine microstructure of the Ni/40TiC composite. The Ni, Ni/20TiC, and Ni/40TiC composites exhibited face-centered cubic (f c c) lattices. The average microhardness values of the Ni/20TiC and Ni/40TiC composites were approximately 748 HV and 851 HV, respectively. The Ni/40TiC composite had the lowest friction coefficient (0.43) among all three coatings, and only some shallow scratches appeared on the surface of the Ni/40TiC composite. The corrosion potential (E) of Ni/40TiC exceeded the Ni/20TiC composite, and both were larger than the Ni composite, which indicated the Ni/40TiC composite had outstanding corrosion resistance and the Ni composite had poor corrosion resistance. The corrosion current densities (i) of Ni, Ni/20TiC, and Ni/40TiC composites were 5.912, 4.405, and 3.248 μA/cm², respectively.     

Effect of preparation method on the mechanism for oxidation of C/C-BN composites

C/C-BN composites and C_f/BN/PyC composites exhibiting different structures for pyrolytic carbon (PyC) and boron nitride (BN) were studied comparatively to determine their oxidation behavior. This study used five types of samples. Porous C/C composites were modified with silane coupling agents (APS) and then fully impregnated in water-based slurry of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN); the resulting C/C-BN preforms were densified by depositing PyC by chemical vapor infiltration (CVI), resulting in three types of C/C-BN composites. The other two C_f/BN/PyC composites were obtained by depositing a BN interphase and PyC in carbon fiber preforms by CVI; one was treated with heat, and the other was not. This study was focused on determining how the PyC deposition mechanism, morphology and pore structure were affected by the method of BN introduction. In the 600–900 °C temperature range, the C_f/BN/PyC composites and C/C composites underwent oxidation via a mixed diffusion/reaction mode. The C/C-BN composites had a different pore structure due to the formation of nodules comprising h-BN particles; both interfacial debonding and cracking were reduced, resulting in higher resistance to gas diffusion, lower oxidation rate and larger activation energy (Ea) in the temperature range 600–800 °C. In addition, the mechanism for oxidation of C/C-BN composites gradually exhibited diffusion control at 800–900 °C because the formation of h-BN oxidation products healed the defects. The oxidation mechanism was more dependent on pore structure than on BN structure or content.     

Review on development of metal/ceramic interpenetrating phase composites and critical analysis of their properties

Metal/ceramic composites are in high demand in several industries because of their superior thermo-mechanical properties. Among various composite types, the interpenetrating phase composites (IPCs) with percolating metallic and ceramic phases offer manifold benefits, such as a good combination of strength, toughness, and stiffness, very good thermal properties, excellent wear resistance, as well as the flexibility of microstructure and processing route selection, etc. The fabrication of metal/ceramic IPCs typically involves two steps - i) processing of an open porous ceramic body, and ii) infiltration of metallic melt in the pores to fabricate the IPC. Although significant progress has been made in recent years for developing both porous ceramics and melt infiltration methods, to the best of the knowledge of the authors, no review article summarizing all the aspects of processing and properties of IPCs has been published till date. This review article is aimed at filling this gap. Starting with a brief introduction about the current status and applications of IPCs, the various processing routes for fabricating open porous ceramic preforms and melt infiltration techniques have been discussed. Subsequently, the data available for various important physical, mechanical, and thermal properties for IPCs have been critically analyzed to thoroughly understand their dependence on various structural and processing parameters. To compare the properties of IPCs with other relevant materials, seven different Ashby material property maps have been used, and the domains for IPCs have been created in them. For each map, the concept of material indices has been employed to critically discuss how IPCs perform in relation to other material classes for various optimum design conditions. Finally, a detailed future outlook for further research on IPCs has been provided.     

Microstructure and some properties of powder-pack borided Ti–5Mo–5V–8Cr–3Al alloy with special attention to the microstructure at the interface TiB/substrate

The borided layer was prepared on the surface of the Ti–5Mo–5V–8Cr–3Al alloy by powder-pack boriding at 1000°C-10h. SEM, EPMA and TEM were used to investigate the effects of alloying elements (Al, V, Mo and Cr) on the growth of TiB whiskers in the borided Ti–5Mo–5V–8Cr–3Al alloy. Wear properties of borided Ti–5Mo–5V–8Cr–3Al alloy were investigated using dry reciprocating friction tests. SEM results show that the thickness of boride layer in Ti–5Mo–5V–8Cr–3Al alloy is thinner than that in the Cp-Ti. This is attributed to the enrichment of alloying elements especially V in TiB/substrate by TEM, which hinders the diffusion of B atoms, thus resulting in the short and thick TiB whiskers in Ti–5Mo–5V–8Cr–3Al alloy. Borided Ti–5Mo–5V–8Cr–3Al alloy has the better wear resistance than as-received alloy.     

Influence of the SiC matrix introduction time on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Cf/Hf0.5Zr0.5C-SiC ultra-high temperature composites

C_f/Hf_0.5Zr_0.5C-SiC composites were prepared by introducing Hf_0.5Zr_0.5C matrix (11 cycles) and SiC matrix (9 cycles) into the carbon cloth preform through precursor impregnation and pyrolysis (PIP) process. The influence of the introduction time of SiC matrix on the microstructure and mechanical properties of C_f/Hf_0.5Zr_0.5C-SiC composites was studied, and the results show that with the increase of the PIP cycles of the SiC matrix introduced before Hf_0.5Zr_0.5C matrix, the composite open porosity decreased, and the flexural strength and modulus presented an obvious upward trend. CS45 sample, which has 4 cycles of PIP SiC introduced in advance, has the highest flexural strength, flexural modulus and interfacial shear strength of 402.73 ± 35.73 MPa, 56.92 ± 3.97 GPa and 100.88 ± 7.79 MPa, respectively. Hf_0.5Zr_0.5C matrix has a loose and porous structure, so when more SiC matrix was introduced in advance, its covering effect on the surface of fibers led to less intra-bundle pores and thusly denser composite structure, and due to the compactness of SiC matrix, better overall bonding of fiber, interface and matrix was achieved, as well as better load transfer effect, which led to obvious interfacial debonding and cracking based on the in-situ SEM observation during flexural tests. While in the sample without pre-introduced SiC, the cracking occurred mainly between the interface and porous matrix and the overall performance of the material was poor.     

Novel process for synthesizing fused mullite from titanium-rich medium/low grade or waste bauxite

This paper introduces a novel process to efficiently utilize medium-/low-grade or waste bauxite. The medium-/low-grade or waste bauxite is usually rich in iron oxide (total iron oxide content≥8%) or titanium dioxide (titanium dioxide content≥5%). In addition, both iron oxide and titanium dioxide have higher contents than typical bauxite (total iron oxide + titanium dioxide contents≥20%). It is difficult to obtain mullite with excellent properties using the process of beneficiation and sintering synthesis. Based on different reduction temperatures of K₂O, Na₂O, FeO_x, SiO₂ and TiO₂, the reduction of K₂O, Na₂O and FeO_x was set as the reduction end point. While SiO₂ start to be reduced, TiO₂ was unstable under high temperature and low oxygen partial pressure. The reason for the final formation of Ti₂O₃ in the TiO₂→TiO_2-x transformation process was analysed, and the morphology of the multiphase material obtained from the Ti₂O₃–3Al₂O₃·2SiO₂ solid solution was characterized. The reaction model was established.     

Surface structure and quenching effects in BiFeO3-BaTiO3 ceramics

The structure and properties of Mn-doped 0.67BiFeO₃-0.33BaTiO₃ ceramics are systematically investigated with respect to the effects of annealing prior to rapid cooling by quenching in air. Air-quenching induces a change in crystal structure from pseudo-cubic to rhombohedral, with higher quenching temperatures leading to an increased rhombohedral distortion. These structural changes are correlated with the appearance of more well-defined ferroelectric domain configurations. It is shown that the surface preparation procedures for XRD measurements can induce significant changes in the peak profiles, indicating differences in crystal structure between the surface and bulk regions. Frequency dispersion in the temperature-dependent relative permittivity for the as-sintered sample is significantly reduced after quenching, accompanied by enhancement of the Curie point and improved temperature-stability of piezoelectric properties. It is proposed that the formation of defect clusters by A-site cation diffusion during cooling is circumvented by quenching, leading to the observed modification of structural distortion and ferroelectric properties.     

High ultraviolet transparent conducting electrodes formed using tantalum oxide/Ag multilayer

We investigated the optical and electrical properties of Ta₂O₅/Ag/Ta₂O₅ films as functions of the thicknesses of the Ta₂O₅ and Ag layers. It was found that with an increase in the thicknesses of the Ta₂O₅ and Ag layers from 10 to 40 nm and from 12 to 24 nm, respectively, the sheet resistance, carrier concentration, electron mobility, and resistivity of the Ta₂O₅/Ag/Ta₂O₅ film varied from 2.02 to 8.95 Ω/sq, 5.74 × 10²¹ to 2.92 × 10²² cm^–3, from 13.21 to 24.07 cm²/V·s, and from 8.89 × 10^-6 to 8.24 × 10^-5 Ω cm, respectively. The average transmittance (T_av) of the multilayer samples ranged from 57.18% to 93.99%, and it depended on the Ta₂O₅ and Ag layer thicknesses. The highest T_av of 93.99% was observed for the film with 35 nm thick Ta₂O₅ and 18 nm thick Ag layers, and the peak Haacke's figure of merit (157.04 × 10^–3 Ω^–1) was obtained for 20 nm thick Ta₂O₅ and 21 nm thick Ag layers. Ta₂O₅ (100 nm) and Ta₂O₅/Ag/Ta₂O₅ (20 nm/21 nm/20 nm) samples had optical bandgaps of 4.70 and 4.45 eV, respectively. Film Wizard simulations were conducted to understand the dependence of the transmittance of the multilayer on the thicknesses of the Ta₂O₅ and Ag layers, and phasor analyses were performed to determine how the transmittance of the Ta₂O₅/Ag/Ta₂O₅ (20 nm/21 nm/20 nm) film depended on the Ta₂O₅ layer's thickness.     

Joining zirconia with nickel-based superalloys for extreme applications by using a pressure-free high-temperature resistant adhesive

In order to meet the high demand for joining ceramic/superalloy composite structure in extreme environments, a novel high-temperature resistant adhesion technique was developed for joining ZrO₂ and Inconel 625 by applying an aluminum phosphate emulsion/zirconium sol based adhesive. With increasing temperature, a series of reactions occurred in adhesive, and its high-temperature bonding was attributed to the formation of a composite structure containing various ceramics and intermetallics. The adhesive after RT curing could find direct applications in extreme environments, and provide bonding strength no less than 2.5 MPa in the temperature range of RT-1100 °C. The bonding strength was higher than 4 MPa in the temperature range of 800–1000 °C, which was further attributed to the formation of an effective CTE-gradient relationship among ZrO₂, adhesive and Inconel 625, as well as the interfacial reactions between the two substrates. The work broadened the application of adhesion technique and brought new ideas for joining dissimilar engineering materials.     

Thermal stability of C/Mullite composites in different environments

In the present study, the mechanical properties and microstructure of C/Mullite composites with a PyC-SiC double-layer interfacial coating after annealing were systematically studied to evaluate the evolution of thermal stability in an inert atmosphere and a vacuum. The C/Mullite composites annealed in the inert atmosphere exhibited better thermal stability than those annealed under the vacuum. The main factor for failure of the composites was carbothermal reduction. The activation temperature of carbothermal reduction in composites in the inert atmosphere was ～100 °C higher than that in the vacuum. Once carbothermal reduction was activated, the microstructure of composites was destroyed, resulting in a significant weight loss and mechanical property degeneration. The degeneration of mechanical properties was unrecoverable.