Dielectric and mechanical properties of CaCu3Ti3.925(Nb0.5Al0.5)0.075O12 & Al reinforced epoxy-composites (0–3) for embedded capacitor applications

CaCu₃Ti_3.925(Nb_0.5Al_0.5)_0.075O₁₂ [CCTNAO] ceramics were synthesized by microwave assisted solid state reaction technique. CCTNAO ceramics possessed room temperature (RT) dielectric constant (ε_r) ～ 24,173 with tanδ ～0.149 at 1 kHz frequency. Commercially available epoxy-resin, hardener, Al-powder along with CCTNAO powder were used to prepare epoxy based 0–3 composites. Maximum ε_r ～33.37 with tanδ ～0.107 at RT were obtained for 40 vol% CCTNAO loading in epoxy. For x = 0.2 in (1-x)[0.8 Epoxy-0.2 CCTNAO]-x Al Epoxy composites, highest ε_r ～77.6 with tanδ ～ 0.15 at 1 kHz frequency were observed. Increase in ε_r with the increase of Al filler content in composites is attributed to interfacial polarization and cluster formations. Different theoretical models were discussed to explain the dielectric properties of synthesized composites. Experimentally measured values of ε_eff were in close agreement with EMT model (n = 0.13) and Yamada Model (η = 7). An empirical proposed power law ε_eff = ε_m(1+x)ⁿ, with n ～ 10 had a considerable agreement with the experimental results. Vickers hardness test study was carried out to ascertain the mechanical properties of the synthesized composites.     

SiC/SiC mini-composites with multilayer ZrSiO4 interphase: Room-temperature properties and toughening mechanism

SiC/SiC mini-composites reinforced with SiC fibers coated with different numbers of ZrSiO₄ sublayers prepared via a non-hydrolytic sol-gel process were fabricated. The tensile strength and work of fracture of the prepared SiC/SiC mini-composites were determined, and the relationship between their mechanical properties and fracture morphologies was discussed. The toughening mechanism and the variation tendency of their mechanical properties were further elaborated by analyzing the interfacial debonding morphologies of the SiC/SiC mini-composites with 1 and 4 layers of ZrSiO₄ interphase as well as the results of prior studies. A relatively rare phenomenon—the delamination of the multilayer ZrSiO₄ interphase in the SiC/SiC mini-composites but not on the SiC fibers—was observed, which clearly demonstrated the weak bonding between the ZrSiO₄ sublayers in the SiC/SiC mini-composites. The ZrSiO₄ sublayer delamination mechanism was then explained based on the high-magnification morphologies found in and beside the ZrSiO₄ interphase.     

Photoluminescence properties of Eu-doped WO3-Eu2(WO4)3 composites and single-phase Eu2(WO4)3 powders

The development of highly stable and efficient oxide-based red phosphors is urgently required for next-generation lighting devices. Herein, we report the micro/crystal structures and luminescent properties of single-phase Eu₂(WO₄)₃ and Eu³⁺-doped WO₃-Eu₂(WO₄)₃ composite phosphors prepared by a one-step conventional solid-state reaction method in air atmosphere. As increasing Eu contents in the mixtures of WO₃ and Eu₂O₃, the intensities of the X-ray diffraction peaks of Eu₂(WO₄)₃ increased while that of WO₃ decreased. The photoluminescence intensity of the synthesized phosphors increased with increase in the Eu content when calcined at 900 °C, while it degraded at a higher temperature. Red-emitting single-phase Eu₂(WO₄)₃ powders were successfully obtained when the WO₃ and Eu₂O₃ powders were calcined in the ratio of 3:1. The intensity of the red emission spectra of the Eu₂(WO₄)₃ phosphor was higher than those of the 6, 12, and 24 at.% Eu-added WO₃ composites at excitation wavelengths of 394 and 465 nm. On the other hand, the intensity of emission from the single-phase phosphor was lower than that of the Eu-doped WO₃-Eu₂(WO₄)₃ composites under excitation of UV light at 254 nm. Thus, we propose two prospective phosphors for application as red phosphors at various wavelengths.     

Sintering,microstructure, and mechanical properties of vitrified bond diamond composite

The demand for high-performance grinding wheels is gradually increasing due to rapid industrial development. Vitrified bond diamond composite is a versatile material for grinding wheels used in the backside grinding step of Si wafer production. However, the properties of the vitrified bond diamond composite are controlled by the characteristics of the diamond particles, the vitrified bond, and pores and are very complicated. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of SiO₂–Na₂O–B₂O₃–Al₂O₃–Li₂O–K₂O–CaO–MgO–ZrO₂–TiO₂–Bi₂O₃ glass powder on the sintering, microstructure, and mechanical properties of the vitrified bond diamond composite. The elemental distributions of the composite were analyzed using electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA) to clarify the diffusion behaviors of various elements during sintering.The results showed that the relative density and transverse rupture strength of the composite sintered at 620 °C were 91.7% and 126 MPa, respectively. After sintering at 680 °C, the glass powder used in this study exhibited a superior forming ability without an additional pore foaming agent. The relative density and transverse rupture strength of the composite decreased to 48.2% and 49 MPa, respectively. Moreover, the low sintering temperature of this glass powder protected the diamond particles from graphitization during sintering, as determined by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectrum. Furthermore, the EPMA results indicate that Na diffused and segregated at the interface between the diamond particles and vitrified bond, contributing to the improved bonding. The diamond particles can remain effectively bonded by the vitrified bond even after fracture.     

Anisotropic strength and fracture resistance of epoxy-ceramic composite materials produced by ultrasound freeze-casting

The anisotropic mechanical properties of ultrasound freeze cast epoxy-ceramic composite materials were studied by measuring flexural strength and fracture resistance curves (R-curves) using both unnotched and notched three-point beam bending experiments, respectively, cut in three different orientations relative to the directional freezing axis. Three ultrasound frequencies of 0.699, 1.39 and 2.097 MHz were used in order to introduce different length scales into the microstructure, with 0 MHz used as the control samples. For all cases, the composites showed higher strength and fracture resistance when the crack plane cut across the direction of ice growth (denoted as the YX orientation). The anisotropic properties were more evident for the material produced without ultrasound (0 MHz) where the flexural strength was approximately 160% higher for the YX orientation compared to two orthogonal orientations. Most of the fracture resistance increase was found to occur within a crack extension, Δa, of ～0.5 mm. Comparing the fracture resistance at Δa = 0.5 mm for the highly anisotropic 0 MHz samples showed that the YX orientation was approximately 86% tougher than the two orthogonal orientations. When the ultrasound operation frequencies of 0.699, 1.39 and 2.097 MHz were applied, the amount of anisotropy in the strength and fracture resistance gradually decreased as the operating frequency increased. The high strength and fracture resistance for the YX orientation was attributed to the alignment of the ceramic particles along the freeze front direction creating a barrier for crack propagation. Ultrasound modifies the material microstructure, introducing relatively dense ceramic layers perpendicular to the freezing front direction that act as an additional, orthogonal barrier to crack propagation. The addition of the denser layers acts to improve the mechanical properties in the weaker orientations and reduce the overall anisotropy.     

Fabrication and thermoelectric properties of SrTiO3–TiO2 composite ceramics

The paper presents the results of preparing biphase SrTiO₃–TiO₂ ceramics as a promising system for n-type thermoelectrics using the features of a two-dimensional electron gas. Ceramics was obtained by reactive spark plasma sintering of SrCO₃ and TiO₂. The dynamics of phase transformations are shown; it is clarified that phase transformations are not the driving force of sintering. The mutual stabilization of the SrTiO₃ and TiO₂ phases is shown. Unique data on the assessment of the temperature gradient in the system have been obtained. A comparison of the thermoelectric characteristics of biphasic ceramics and its constituent phases allows concluding that the role of the two-dimensional electron gas is reduced to modulating the properties of bulk phases. Clear signs of size quantization were detected by the X-ray luminescence method, which is expressed in the blueshift of the luminescence spectrum by 22.3 ± 0.8 meV.     

Proton conducting composite membranes from crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(styrene sulfonic acid)-functionalized silica nanoparticles

Proton conducting membranes based on crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly (styrene sulfonic acid)-functionalized silica particles (PSSA-Si) were reported. Two-step crosslinking process involving sulfosuccinic acid (SSA) and glutaraldehyde as crosslinking agents was conducted to provide additional proton source and to enhance hydrolytic and mechanical stabilities. PSSA-Si was synthesized from vinyltrimethoxysilane via Stöber method, followed by radical polymerization of sodium 4-vinylbenzenesulfonate on the silica particle. The obtained PSSA-Si was characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The effects of PSSA-Si loading (0, 2.5, 5, and 10%) and PSSA content in PSSA-Si (2, 5, 8, and 12%) on membrane properties including surface morphology, water vapor absorption, water uptake, ion exchange capacity, mechanical and oxidative stabilities, and proton conductivity were investigated and discussed. Proton conductivities of these composite membranes were found to increase with PSSA-Si loading and PSSA content. Promising proton conductivities of ～0.072 S/cm were obtained from PVA-8%PSSA-Si-10 and PVA-12%PSSA-Si-10 membranes, having PSSA-Si loading of 10%, and PSSA contents of 8%, and 12%, respectively. In addition, these membranes showed good hydrolytic and oxidative stabilities with high storage moduli.     

Properties of gas detonation ceramic coatings and their effect on the osseointegration of titanium implants for bone defect replacement

An optimal performance of bone implants with bioceramic coatings is closely related to the surface modification technology. For the first time, we have evaluated a gas detonation deposition (GDD) approach to obtain biocompatible ceramic coatings based on bioglass (BG) and calcium phosphates on Ti-based alloys as prospective materials towards their application for the development of bone implants. For the production of the coatings, hydroxyapatite (HA), HA metal-substituted (containing Ag⁺, Cu²⁺, or Zn²⁺) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP) were synthesized and characterized. Pure powders and their combination with BG were used to obtain coatings on a Ti–6Al–4V alloy using the developed automatized GDD setup. The microstructure, phase and chemical composition of the produced coatings were studied using XRD, SEM-EDS and Raman spectroscopy. The produced coated materials were evaluated in vivo in Wistar rats to analyze a reparative osteogenesis over a period of 12 weeks. The results regarding the optimization of the GDD method indicate its high productivity, as confirmed by high deposition rates. The highest deposition rate was observed for the coatings obtained from the HA metal-substituted powders. The results revealed a partial transformation of a HA phase to an α-TCP phase during the deposition, with a prevalence of the HA-phase in the coatings. According to the histological evaluation, the reparative osteogenesis occurs through the perimeter of the titanium implants, whereas the regeneration level increases from the 4th to the 12th week. The highest osteointegration level was detected for the implants coated with a biocomposite consisting of BG, HA and TCP. The results of the current study demonstrate an effectiveness of the GDD method to produce biocompatible coatings on Ti-based alloys. This provides excellent prerequisites towards the application and standardization of the GDD technology to manufacture bone implants for bone fixation and defect replacement, as well as the development of dental implants.     

Technical review: Improvement of mechanical properties and suitability towards armor applications – Alumina composites

Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) have many interesting properties, mainly light weight, cost efficiency, low density, high compressive strength, high hardness and durability. Hence, they emerged as a boon to the development of personnel armors in the past. The current work aims to review various new methodologies adapted for the reinforcement of Alumina (Al₂O₃) CMCs in recent times, including some of the interesting results obtained with respect to mechanical properties, suitability of the synthesized composites for armor applications, and the upcoming reinforcement trends. Finally, studies related to reinforcement in Al₂O₃ CMCs, specifically towards armor applications have been consolidated to arrive at some of the important inferences for concluding reasonably.     

Preceramic paper-derived Ti3Al(Si)C2-based composites obtained by spark plasma sintering

The paper describes the structure and properties of preceramic paper-derived Ti₃Al(Si)C₂-based composites fabricated by spark plasma sintering. The effect of sintering temperature and pressure on microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites was studied. The microstructure and phase composition were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. It was found that at 1150 °C the sintering of materials with the MAX-phase content above 84 vol% leads to nearly dense composites. The partial decomposition of the Ti₃Al(Si)C₂ phase becomes stronger with the temperature increase from 1150 to 1350 °C. In this case, composite materials with more than 20 vol% of TiC were obtained. The paper-derived Ti₃Al(Si)C₂-based composites with the flexural strength > 900 MPa and fracture toughness of >5 MPa m^1/2 were sintered at 1150 °C. The high values of flexural strength were attributed to fine microstructure and strengthening effect by secondary TiC and Al₂O₃ phases. The flexural strength and fracture toughness decrease with increase of the sintering temperature that is caused by phase composition and porosity of the composites. The hardness of composites increases from ~9.7 GPa (at 1150 °C) to ~11.2 GPa (at 1350 °C) due to higher content of TiC and Al₂O₃ phases.