Effect of Al2O3 addition on bioactivity,thermal and mechanical properties of some bioactive glasses

Three bio-phosphate glass-specimens with and without Al₂O₃ addition were prepared in order to shed light on their bioactivity behavior towards the simulated body fluid biological solution (SBF). The results revealed that Al₂O₃ has significant effect on the ability of bio-glass to form the hydroxycarbonate apatite layer on its surface. That layer was detected by FTIR spectra, SEM micrographs and EDAX pattern. Also, the effect of Al₂O₃ on the mechanical properties was studied by measuring the hardness of the glass samples, which increased by Al₂O₃ addition. The thermal expansion coefficient was decreased by increasing the Al₂O₃ percent in the bio-glass samples.     

The influence of TiO2 content on the properties of glass ceramics: Crystallization,microstructure and hardness

The effects of compositional variation, crystallization behavior, crystalline phases and microstructure formed in the SiO₂3Al₂O₃3CaO (SAC) glass system using various amounts of TiO₂ as nucleating agent were investigated by Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. The crystallization kinetics and mechanical properties of SAC glass ceramics were studied using crystallization peak temperature (T_p) of three different glasses as obtained from DTA, the activation energy (E) and Avrami exponent (n) were also determined. The crystallization peak temperature (T_p) and activation energy (E) were found to increase with the increase in TiO₂ content. The major crystalline phases were anorthite and wollastonite along with gehlenite and titanite as the minor crystalline phases present in the glass ceramic system. The studies showed that the three dimensional crystalline structure and the microhardness increased with the increase of TiO₂ content in the glass ceramics system.     

Effect of carboxymethyl cellulose addition on the properties of Si3N4 ceramic foams

The effect of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) addition on the preparation of Si₃N₄ ceramic foam by the direct foaming method was investigated. The addition of CMC in the foam slurry can reduce the surface tension, increase the viscoelasticity of foams, and improve their stability and fluidity. The foam ceramics show low shrinkage during drying owing to the CMC and the gelation of acrylamide monomers. The surface structure of dried foam is uniform, and there are no macropores and cracks on the surface. The sintered Si₃N₄ foam ceramics have very uniform pore distribution with average pore size of about 16 μm; the flexure strength is as high as 3.8–77.2 MPa, and the porosity is about 60.6–82.1%.     

TiO2 photocatalyst loaded on hydrophobic Si3N4 support for efficient degradation of organics diluted in water

TiO₂ photocatalyst loaded on Si₃N₄ (TiO₂/Si₃N₄) was prepared by a conventional impregnation method and its photocatalytic performance for the degradation of organics (2-propanol) diluted in water was compared with that of TiO₂ photocatalysts (TiO₂/SiO₂, TiO₂/Al₂O₃, and TiO₂/SiC) loaded on various types of supports (SiO₂, Al₂O₃, and SiC). The formation of the well-crystallized anatase phase of TiO₂ was observed on the calcined TiO₂/Si₃N₄ photocatalyst, while a small anatase phase of TiO₂ was observed on the TiO₂/SiC photocatalyst and amorphous TiO₂ species was the main component on the TiO₂/SiO₂ and TiO₂/Al₂O₃ photocatalysts. The measurements of the water adsorption ability of photocatalysts indicated that the TiO₂/Si₃N₄ photocatalyst exhibited more hydrophobic surface properties in comparison to other support photocatalysts. Under UV-light irradiation, the TiO₂/Si₃N₄ photocatalyst decomposed 2-propanol diluted in water into acetone, CO₂, and H₂O, and finally, acetone was also decomposed into CO₂ and H₂O. The TiO₂/Si₃N₄ photocatalyst showed higher photocatalytic activity than TiO₂ photocatalyst loaded on other supports. The well-crystallized TiO₂ phase deposited on Si₃N₄ and the hydrophobic surface of Si₃N₄ support are important factors for the enhancement of photocatalytic activity for the degradation of organic compounds in liquid-phase reactions.     

Synthesis and characterization of clinopyroxene based glasses and glass-ceramics along diopside (CaMgSi2O6)-jadeite (NaAlSi2O6) join

The crystallization behavior and mechanical characterization of glasses based upon the compositions along diopside (CaMgSi₂O₆)-jadeite (NaAlSi₂O₆) join has been investigated. Six glasses were obtained by the melt-quenching technique. Structural and thermal behaviors of these glasses were investigated by density and molar volume, infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and dilatometry. The crystallization behavior of glasses was investigated by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Sintering and crystallization behavior of the glass-ceramics were investigated under non-isothermal heating conditions up to temperatures of 850 °C. Mechanical characterization of glasses was investigated by using the measurement of Vickers indentation hardness and elastic constants such as Young's modulus (E), shear modulus (G), bulk modulus (K) and Poisson's ratio (ν). These data of the glasses were correlated with the structure of glasses, nature and role played by glass forming cations.     

Effect of CeO2 addition on densification and microstructure of Al2O3-YSZ composites

Alumina (Al₂O₃) and alumina-yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) composites containing 3 and 5 mass% ceria (CeO₂) were prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS) at temperatures of 1350-1400 °C for 300 s under a pressure of 40 MPa. Densification, microstructure and mechanical properties of the Al₂O₃ based composites were investigated. Fully dense composites with a relative density of approximately 99% were obtained. The grain growth of alumina was inhibited significantly by the addition of 10 vol% zirconia, and formation of elongated CeAl₁₁O₁₈ grains was observed in the ceria containing composites sintered at 1400 °C. Al₂O₃-YSZ composites without CeO₂ had higher hardness than monolithic Al₂O₃ sintered body and the hardness of Al₂O₃-YSZ composites decreased from 20.3 GPa to 18.5 GPa when the content of ZrO₂ increased from 10 to 30 vol%. The fracture toughness of Al₂O₃ increased from 2.8 MPa m^1/2 to 5.6 MPa m^1/2 with the addition of 10 vol% YSZ, and further addition resulted in higher fracture toughness values. The highest value of fracture toughness, 6.2 MPa m^1/2, was achieved with the addition of 30 vol% YSZ.     

Effect of pre-nitridation treatment on the formation of anatase TiO2 films by anodization

High performance-anatase TiO₂ films were successfully formed on metallic titanium by anodization in an acidic electrolyte composed of H₂SO₄, H₃PO₄ and H₂O₂ subsequent to pre-nitridation treatment. The pre-nitridation treatment was carried out by pre-annealing metallic titanium under a nitrogen atmosphere of 0.1 MPa. The anodized films showed photocatalytic activity in photooxidization of the iodide anion into the tri-iodide anion. The nitridation treatment had a significant effect not only on the formation of anatase TiO₂ films but also on the photocatalytic activity of the anodized films.     

The influence of mechanochemical activation on combustion synthesis of Si3N4

This study addresses itself in the performance of Si₃N₄ combustion synthesis, occurred in the presence of Si₃N₄ and NH₄Cl powders in N₂ atmosphere of 6 MPa. Mechanochemical activation of Si powder, achieved via high-energy attrition milling up to 24 h, increases the intensity and the efficiency of the reactions between Si and N₂ as well as combustion temperature. Benign processing conditions, anticipated with lower mechanochemical activation of Si powder, low N₂ pressures, and low combustion temperatures, favor formation of α-Si₃N₄.     

Sintering of Al2O3-SiC composite from sol-gel method with MgO, TiO2 and Y2O3 addition

Al₂O₃-SiC composite ceramics were prepared by pressureless sintering with and without the addition of MgO, TiO₂ and Y₂O₃ as sintering aids. The effects of these compositional variables on final density and hardness were investigated. In the present article at first α-Al₂O₃ and β-SiC nano powders have been synthesized by sol-gel method separately by using AlCl₃, TEOS and saccharose as precursors. Pressureless sintering was carried out in nitrogen atmosphere at 1600 °C and 1630 °C. The addition of 5 vol.% SiC to Al₂O₃ hindered densification. In contrast, the addition of nano MgO and nano TiO₂ to Al₂O₃-5 vol.% SiC composites improved densification but Y₂O₃ did not have positive effect on sintering. Maximum density (97%) was achieved at 1630 °C. Vickers hardness was 17.7 GPa after sintering at 1630 °C. SEM revealed that the SiC particles were well distributed throughout the composite microstructures. The precursors and the resultant powders were characterized by XRD, STA and SEM.     

Crystallization behaviour and hardness of glass ceramics rich in nanocrystals of ZrO2

This research is mainly directed toward the development of hardness of glass ceramic by adding different amounts of ZrO₂ to the glass and by applying different heat-treatments. Differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to study the crystallization behaviour of the glass samples. The only observed crystalline phases were tetragonal and monoclinic zirconia. Hardness was found to increase by increasing time and temperature of heat-treatment due to the formation of monoclinic phase as a result of the martensitic reaction. This transformation opposes crack opening.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of dental 3Y-TZP ceramics by using CaO-P2O5 glass as additive

This study investigated the effects of glass frits on the sintering and mechanical properties of dental 3Y-TZP ceramics. The glass frits, which consisted of MgO, CaO, Al₂O₃, SiO₂, and P₂O₅, were selected to lower the sintering temperature of zirconia via liquid phase sintering.The results of the experiment showed that these glass frit additives neither destroy the stability of the high temperature t-phase nor induce grain growth. All the mechanical properties and the relative densities were strongly correlated with the addition of glass frits. At lower sintering temperatures, the presence of glass additives resulted in an increase in mechanical properties. At higher sintering temperatures, the presence of glass additives decreased the mechanical properties.     

Thermal shock resistance of in situ formed Si2N2O–Si3N4 composites by gelcasting

Thermal shock resistance of Si₂N₂O–Si₃N₄ composites was evaluated by water quenching and subsequent three-point bending tests of strength diminution. Si₂N₂O–Si₃N₄ composites which was prepared with in situ liquid pressureless sintering process using Yb₂O₃ and Al₂O₃ powders as sintering additives by gelcasting showed no macroscopic cracks and the critical temperature difference (ΔT_c) could be up to 1400 °C. A mass of pores existed in the sintered body and the irregular shaped fibers extended from the pores increased the thermal shock property.     

Effect of TiO2 addition on the microstructures,mechanical and dielectric properties of porous Si3N4-based ceramics

Porous Si₃N₄-based ceramics with different TiO₂ contents were prepared by gas pressure sintering method. The effects of TiO₂ addition ranging from 0 to 25?wt-% on the phase compositions, microstructures, mechanical performance and dielectric properties were investigated. The addition of TiO₂ significantly promoted the density which increased from 1.64 to about 2.3?g?cm^?3. The mechanical properties of porous Si₃N₄-based ceramics with TiO₂ addition decreased first and then increased with the increase of TiO₂ content, and the flexural strength and elastic modulus are more than 167.4?MPa and 72.8?GPa, respectively, which were higher than that of the Si₃N₄ ceramic without TiO₂ addition. With the increase of TiO₂ content, both the dielectric constant and dielectric loss increased, and the dielectric constant enhanced obviously. These results suggested that the TiO₂ was beneficial for the improvement of mechanical properties and dielectric constant of porous Si₃N₄-based ceramics.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Si3N4/42CrMo joints brazed with TiNp modified active filler

Si₃N₄ ceramic/42CrMo steel joints were obtained by employing TiNp modified Ag–Cu–Ti active filler and subsequently the effect of TiNp content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the joints was investigated. Microstructural examination revealed that TiN+Ti₅Si₃ reaction layer was adjacent to the Si₃N₄ ceramic while a TiC reaction layer was close to the steel substrate. With the increase of TiNp content, more fine grains and less Ag–Cu eutectic appeared in the joint and the reaction layers near the two base materials became thinner. The flexural strength of the joint obtained by four-point bending test climbed about 100% with the optimum TiNp content of 5 vol%, comparing with the case without TiNp. Thermal stress distributions in the joint were analyzed using finite element modeling computations, which accorded well with the bending test results.     

Dielectric and mechanical properties of porous Si3N4 ceramics prepared via low temperature sintering

Borophosphosilicate bonded porous silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) ceramics were fabricated in air using a conventional ceramic process. The porous Si₃N₄ ceramics sintered at 1000–1200 °C shows a relatively high flexural strength and good dielectric properties. The influence of the sintering temperature and contents of additives on the flexural strength and dielectric properties of porous Si₃N₄ ceramics were investigated. Porous Si₃N₄ ceramics with a porosity of 30–55%, flexural strength of 40–130 MPa, as well as low dielectric constant of 3.5–4.6 were obtained.     

Improvements on the mechanical properties and thermal shock behaviours of MgO-spinel composite refractories by ZrO2 incorporation

Microstructural features and improvements on the mechanical properties and thermal shock behaviours of MgO-spinel composite refractories with ZrO₂ addition were examined. ZrO₂ incorporation into MgO-spinel led to improvements around ∼1.5-fold ratios on mechanical properties, R_st values and thermal shock results. The basic parameters improving mechanical properties and thermal shock resistance of MgO-spinel-ZrO₂ composite refractories were determined as follows: (i) propagation of microcracks for a short distance by interlinking each other, (ii) stopping or deviation of microcracks when reaching pores or ZrO₂ particles, (iii) concurrent occurrence of mostly intergranular and some transgranular cracks on fracture surfaces, and with the addition of ZrO₂ (iv) the increase in bulk density, and (v) a significant decrease in MgO grain size. The improvements observed in thermo-mechanical properties confirmed that MgO-spinel-ZrO₂ refractories showed a low strength loss and high thermal shock damage resistance at high temperatures, leading to longer service lives for using industrial applications.     

Preparation of Ni-coated Si3N4 powders via electroless plating method

The Ni/Si₃N₄ coated powders were successfully prepared via electroless plating method by using hydrazine hydrate (N₂H₄·H₂O) as a reducing agent. The coated powders were characterized with several techniques such as scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectrometer, Transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction to determine particle size, composition, phase and morphology. It indicated that the core–shell structure of Ni/Si₃N₄ has been constructed in the present method, the Ni layer on the surface of Si₃N₄ particles was relatively continuous and uniform, but it is inevitable that only in very small area occurred the aggregation of Ni particles. In principle, the coated process was successful and expectable.     

Effect of TiO2 on phase evolution and microstructure of MgAl2O4 spinel in different atmospheres

The effect of TiO₂ on the formation and microstructure of magnesium aluminate spinel (MgAl₂O₄) at 1600 °C in air and reducing conditions were investigated. Under reducing conditions, stoichiometric MgAl₂O₄ spinel shifted toward alumina-rich types owing to volatilization of MgO, resulting in an increase in the porosity of fired samples. Addition of graphite to mixtures of MgO and Al₂O₃ intensified the reducing conditions and accelerated the formation of non-stoichiometric MgAl₂O₄. For TiO₂-containing samples on addition of MgAl₂O₄, magnesium aluminum titanium oxide (Mg_xAl_2(1−x)Ti_(1+x)O₅, x = 0.2 or 0.3) was detected as a minor phase. Under reducing conditions, XRD peak shifts were smaller for TiO₂-containing samples than for samples without TiO₂ owing to the formation of a solid solution of TiO₂ in MgAl₂O₄ and establishment of alumina-rich spinel, which have opposite effects on increasing the lattice parameter. In bauxite-containing samples, MgAl₂O₄ spinel, corundum, magnesium orthotitanate spinel (Mg₂TiO₄) and amorphous phases were identified. Mg₂TiO₄ spinel formed a complete solid solution with MgAl₂O₄ spinel but Mg₂TiO₄ remained as a distinct phase owing to the heterogeneous microstructure of bauxite-containing samples. Also dense microstructure established in air fired TiO₂ containing samples. The results are discussed with emphasis on the application and design of alumina-magnesia-carbon refractory materials, which are used in the steel industry.     

TiO2 as a sintering additive for KNbO3 ceramics

Improved densification during the conventional sintering of KNbO₃ ceramics was achieved by using small additions of TiO₂. This improved densification can be explained on the basis of high-temperature chemical reactions in the system. X-ray diffractometry and electron microscopy were used in combination with diffusion-couple experiments in order to elucidate the chemical reactions between KNbO₃ and TiO₂. TiO₂ reacts with KNbO₃ forming KNbTiO₅, and a low concentration of Ti incorporates in the KNbO₃ structure resulting in the formation of oxygen vacancies and, consequently, in an improvement in the densification. At ∼1037 °C eutectic melting between the KNbO₃ and the KNbTiO₅ further improves the densification of the KNbO₃ ceramics.     

Dielectric properties and microstructures of CaSiO3 ceramics with B2O3 addition

The effects of B₂O₃ additives on the sintering behavior, microstructure and dielectric properties of CaSiO₃ ceramics have been investigated. The B₂O₃ addition resulted in the emergence of CaO–B₂O₃–SiO₂ glass phase, which was advantageous to lower the synthesis temperature of CaSiO₃ crystal phase, and could effectively lower the densification temperature of CaSiO₃ ceramic to as low as 1100 °C. The 6 wt% B₂O₃-doped CaSiO₃ ceramic sintered at 1100 °C possessed good dielectric properties: _r = 6.84 and tan δ = 6.9 × 10⁻⁴ (1 MHz).