Effects of the joining process on the microstructure and properties of liquid-phase-sintered SiC-SiC joints formed with Ti foil

The joining of liquid-phase sintered SiC (LPS-SiC) ceramics was conducted using spark plasma sintering (SPS), through solid state diffusion bonding, with Ti-metal foil as a joining interlayer. Samples were joined at 1400 °C, under applied pressures of either 10 or 30 MPa, and with different atmospheres (argon, Ar, vs. vacuum). It was demonstrated that the shear strength of the joints increased with an increase in the applied joining pressure. The joining atmosphere also affected on both the microstructure and shear strength of the SiC joints. The composition and microstructure of the interlayer were examined to understand the mechanism. As a result, a SiC-SiC joining with a good mechanical performance could be achieved under an Ar environment, which in turn could provide a cost-effective approach and greatly widen the applications of SiC ceramic components with complex shape.     

A novel Ag–CuAlO2 sealant for reactive air brazing of 3YSZ and AISI 310S

Based on reactive air brazing (RAB), we designed a new type of sealant (Ag–xCuAlO₂) for joining 3 mol.% yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) ceramics and AISI 310S stainless steel. The CuAlO₂ content affected the wettability of the sealant on the YSZ surface, and the joints had a high shear strength when Ag–2 wt.%CuAlO₂, which had a small contact angle on the YSZ substrate, was used as the sealant. In addition, the thickness of the oxide layer was reduced compared to that for the Ag–CuO sealant. The effects of the processing parameters on the microstructure and shear strength of the joints were investigated, and the as-brazed joints reached their highest shear strength (93.7 MPa) when brazed at 1040 °C for 30 min. After high-temperature oxidation at 800 °C for 200 h, the shear strength of the joints remained at 50 MPa, and no apparent change in the microstructure was observed, proving that the joints possessed excellent oxidation resistance.     

Ultra-low energy joining: An invisible strong bond at room temperature

We developed Cold Isostatic Joining (CIJ) which is an environmental friendly room temperature joining method. This technique extends cold sintering process to joining of glasses. By optimizing the CIJ conditions a shear stress (18 MPa) comparable to bulk fused silica was achieved. The technique surpasses other joining methods (e.g. adhesive bonding and brazing), because it is insensitive to thermal degradation. Unlike pressure-less silicate bonding, pressure assisted CIJ resulted in a thin joining interlayer (≈27 nm) which maintained its integrity after being heated up to 1000 °C. The in-line transmittance (92%) was identical to un-joined material over the full spectrum making the joining nearly undetectable. The mechanism of CIJ formation and joining were clarified using X-ray diffraction (XRD and pole figure), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and in line transmittance measurements. The cold joining method could find applications in the field of optics and semiconductors for wafer and lens bonding.     

Numerical Simulation of Sterilization Processes for Shear‐Thinning Food in Taylor‐Couette Flow Systems

The performance of the Taylor‐Couette flow apparatus as a heat sterilizer is numerically investigated. The destruction of Clostridium botulinum and thiamine (vitamin B1) was selected as model reaction. When Taylor vortices were formed in the annular space, the heat transfer significantly enhanced as compared to the case without vortex flow. As a result, the equivalent lethality calculated from the temperature field increased, which is regarded as a quantum leap. Conversely, the improvement of heat transfer induced destruction of thiamine. These results suggest that there is a trade‐off relationship between the enhancement of heat transfer and the avoidance of thermal destruction of nutritional components. In conclusion, the Taylor‐Couette flow sterilizer has the potential for process intensification in heat sterilization processes.     

Evaluating the profile of myofibrillar proteins and its relationship with tenderness among five styles of dry-cured hams

In order to investigate the relationship between profile of myofibrillar proteins and tenderness among 2 kinds of Chinese hams (Jinhua and Xuanwei) and 3 kinds of European hams (Iberian, Serrano and Parma), shear force, myofibril fragmentation index (MFI), SDS-PAGE, carbonyls content and Raman spectroscopy were investigated. The shear force and salt content of Chinese hams were significantly higher than that of European hams, while moisture content was lower than that of European hams (p < 0.05). MFI values and SDS-PAGE profile revealed that the degradation of myofibrillar proteins in Chinese hams was lower than in European hams. In addition, Chinese hams showed significantly higher carbonyls content and β-sheet content compared with European hams, indicated that proteins aggregation intensively inhibited the degradation of myofibrillar proteins in Chinese hams. These results indicated that the higher shear force in Chinese style hams could be attributed to the lower moisture content and limited proteolysis.     

Verification of unified effective stress theory based on the effect of moisture on mechanical properties of fiber reinforced unsaturated soil

The unified effective stress theory based on suction stress (SSCC theory) enables the characterization of soils under both saturated and unsaturated conditions with one closed-form relationship. This study provides experimental verification of this theory through the unconfined compressive strength test (UCS) and indirect tensile test strength (ITS) on silty clay soil stabilized with fiber. A series of matric suction, ITS, and UCS tests were conducted to validate the SSCC theory through the representation of the results of ITS and UCS tests in terms of mean total stress (p) versus deviatoric stress (q) and mean effective stress (p`) versus deviatoric stress (q). The results of the validation procedures showed that the SSCC theory is applicable and valid at a range of 6%–16% of water content on the silty clay and the silty clay fiber-reinforced soils. There is a small fluctuation in the increase of ITS and UCS values with increasing fiber content due to randomly oriented distribution of the fiber. The addition of glass fiber does not significantly affect the capacity of water retention of the soil. It improves the condition of the mechanical soil properties at the end of construction more than of the effective stress condition.     

New observations and critical assessments of incipient plasticity events and indentation size effect in nanoindentation of ceramic nanocomposites

The ceramic nanocomposites (CNCs) like zirconia toughened alumina (ZTA) ceramics are important futuristic materials for structural and functional applications in advanced strategic systems, structural components, biomedical prostheses and devices. In all structural materials including the ZTA CNCs, the very early stages of plastic deformation i.e., the incipient plasticity events (IPE) are most important to be understood so that the microstructure and mechanical properties can be tuned to suit a given end application. Here we report for the first time the mechanisms of IPE in the nanoindentation experiments conducted at 10–1000 mN loads in the 40 ZTA CNCs. Here 40 ZTA CNC stands for 40 vol% of 3 mol% Yttria partially stabilized zirconia toughened alumina (40ZTA) CNC. The role of load ranges in variations of the IPE related parameters in the 40 ZTA CNCs is also studied. Further, an attempt is made to assess how the amount of zirconia content in ZTA CNCs affects the variations of the IPE related parameters. Through the extensive usage of field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and theoretical estimations, efforts are also directed to check out the linkage, if any, between the localized shear deformation and/or microcracking with the IPE events that occur in the present CNCs. In addition, a new concept of damage resistance is introduced for the first time in the present work to explain the presence of a strong indentation size effect (ISE) in the 40 ZTA CNCs. Finally, an attempt is also directed to understand how the indentation load (P) controls the relative size of interaction zones of dislocation loops as well as the damage resistance and thereby, engineer the acuteness of the ISE in ZTA CNCs. The implication of these findings in futuristic design of especially the ZTA CNCs for various applications is also discussed.     

Crystal anisotropy-dependent shear angle variation in orthogonal cutting of single crystalline copper

Shear deformation that dominates elementary chip formation in metal cutting greatly relies on crystal anisotropy. In the present work we investigate the influence of crystallographic orientation on shear angle in ultra-precision orthogonal diamond cutting of single crystalline copper by joint crystal plasticity finite element simulations and in-situ experiments integrated in scanning electron microscope. In particular, the experimental cutting conditions including a straight cutting edge are the same with that used in the 2D finite element simulations. Both simulations and experiments demonstrate a well agreement in chip profile and shear angle, as well as their dependence on crystallography. A series of finite element simulations of orthogonal cutting along different cutting directions for a specific crystallographic orientation are further performed, and predicated values of shear angle are used to calibrate an extended analytical model of shear angle based on the Ernst–Merchant relationship.     

Strength and dilatancy behaviors of deep sands in Shanghai with a focus on grain size and shape effect

With rapid development of infrastructures like tunnels and open excavations in Shanghai, investigations on deeper soils have become critically important. Most of the existing laboratory works were focused on the clayey strata up to Layer 6 in Shanghai, i.e. at depth of up to 40 m. In this paper, Layers 7, 9, and 11, which were mostly formed of sandy soils at depth of up to 150 m, were experimentally investigated with respect to physico-mechanical behaviors. The stress–strain behaviors were analyzed by the consolidated drained/undrained (CD/CU) triaxial tests under monotonic loading. One-dimensional (1D) oedometer tests were performed to investigate the consolidation properties of the sandy soils. Specimens were prepared at three different relative densities for each layer. Also, the micro-images and particle size analyzers were used to analyze the shape and size of the sand grains. The influences of grain size, density, and angularity on the stress–strain behaviors and compressibility were also studied. Compared to the other layers, Layer 11 had the smallest mean grain size (D₅₀), highest compressibility, and lowest shear strength. In contrast, Layer 9 had the largest mean grain size, lowest compressibility, and highest shear strength. Layer 7 was of intermediate mean grain size, exhibiting more compressibility and less shear strength than that of Layer 9. Also, the critical state parameters and maximum dilatancy rate of different layers were discussed.     

Synergistic reinforcement of surface modification on improving the bonding of veneering ceramics to zirconia

Veneering ceramics should be strongly bonded to zirconia core in order to achieve successfully long-term clinical practice. Indeed, to pursue the high zirconia core–veneering ceramic bonding is still a concerned issue. In this regard, this study was to treat zirconia surface using a 3?wt% Si₃N₄ solution in 4?M NaOH and to investigate the effect of soaking time (5, 10, and 20 days) on the surface properties of zirconia and shear bond strength between zirconia and veneering ceramics. The residual veneering ceramics on zirconia surfaces and failure modes were also examined after fracture. The results showed that the phase composition of zirconia before and after surface modification was not changed. The elemental mapping and depth profiling consistently revealed the soaking-time-dependent Si content on the zirconia surface. The surface roughness of zirconia was significantly (P?<?0.05) increased with the increasing soaking time. When zirconia was treated for 10 days, the shear bond strength value of 27.4?MPa was significantly (P?<?0.05) higher than the control (18.6?MPa), associated with greater remaining amounts of veneering ceramics on the zirconia surface. The failure mode of the treated zirconia was almost the mixed failure. On the basis of the data, surface modification using Si₃N₄ in NaOH solution for zirconia core could be a simple and effective method for enhancing the veneering ceramic–zirconia bonding.