Oxidation behavior of micro-sized Al2O3–TiC–Co composites prepared from cobalt-coated powders

The oxidation behavior of hot-pressed Al₂O₃–TiC–Co composites prepared from cobalt-coated powders has been studied in air in the temperature range from 200 °C to 1000 °C for 25 h. The oxidation resistance of Al₂O₃–TiC–Co composites increases with the increase of sintering temperature at 800 °C and 1000 °C. The oxidation surfaces were studied by XRD and SEM. The oxidation kinetics of Al₂O₃–TiC–Co composites follows a rate that is faster than the parabolic-rate law at 800 °C and 1000 °C. The mechanism of oxidation has been analyzed using thermodynamic and kinetic considerations.     

Formation of NiAl–Al2O3 intermetallic-matrix composite powders by mechanical alloying technique

This study investigated the feasibility of preparing intermetallic-matrix composite powders (NiAl/Al₂O₃) by mechanical alloying of Ni, Al and Al₂O₃ powder mixtures with various compositions of (NiAl)_x(Al₂O₃)_100–x. The as-milled powders were examined by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and differential thermal analysis. The formation of NiAl phase was noticed after 5 h of milling. Intermetallic-matrix composite powders (NiAl/Al₂O₃) were prepared successfully at the end of milling for (NiAl)_x(Al₂O₃)_100–x (x=79, 66, and 49), but no alumina phase was detected for (NiAl)₉₅(Al₂O₃)₅. It is suspected that the additions of alumina hampered the cold welding and fracturing process. The thermal analysis of (NiAl)_x(Al₂O₃)_100–x powders after 1 h of milling revealed that the transition temperature of NiAl phase increased with increasing amount of Al₂O₃ additions.     

Selective laser sintering of polymer-coated Al2O3／ZrO2／TiC ceramic powder

A type of polymer-coated Al2O3/ZrO2/TiC ceramic powder was prepared. The laser sintering mechanism of polymer-coated Al2 O3/ZrO2/TiC powder was investigated by studying the dynamic laser sintering process.It is found that the mechanism is viscous flow when the sintering temperature is between 80 ℃ and 120 ℃, and it is melting/solidification when the temperature is above 120 ℃. The process parameters of selective laser sintering were optimized by using ortho-design method. The results show that the optimal parameters include laser power of 14 W,scanning velocity of 1 400 mm/s, preheating temperature of 50 ℃ and powder depth of 0.15 mm. A two-step posttreatment process is adopted to improve the mechanical properties of laser sintered part, which includes polymer debinding and high temperature sintering. After vacuum sintering for 2 h at 1 650 ℃, the bending strength and fracture toughness of Al2O3/ZrO2/TiC ceramic part reach 358 Mpa and 6.9 Mpa · m1/2 , respectively.     

ZrB2/Al2O3 composite powders prepared by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis

Self-propagating high-temperature synthesis（SHS） method was used to synthesize ZrB2/Al2O3 composite powders from B2O3-ZrO2-Al system. X-ray diffractometry（XRD） and scanning electron microscopy（SEM） analyses show the presence of ZrB2 and Al2O3 as the primary phases in the composite powders, while the presence of a very small amount of ZrO2 is thought to be unreacted zirconium oxide. Transmission electron microscopy（TEM） and high resolution electron microscopy（HREM） observations of microstructure of the composite powders indicate that the interfaces of ZrB2/Al2O3 bond well without any interracial reaction products. It is proposed that the good interfacial bonding of composite powders results from the ZrB2 particles crystallizing and growing on the Al2O3 particles surface with surface defects acting as nucleation centers.     

Effect of Mg addition on mechanical and thermoelectrical properties of Al–Al2O3 nanocomposite

The effects of Mg addition on mechanical thermo-electrical properties of Al–Mg/5%Al₂O₃ nanocomposite with different Mg contents (0, 5%, 10% and 20%) produced by mechanical alloying were studied. Scanning electron microscopy analysis (SEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the produced powder. The results show that addition of Mg forms a predominant phase (Al–Mg solid solution). By increasing the mass fraction of Mg, the crystallite size decreases and the lattice strain increases which results from the atomic penetration of Mg atoms into the substitutional sites of Al lattice. The microhardness of the composite increases with the increase of the Mg content. The thermal and electrical conductivities increase linearly with the temperature increase in the inspected temperature range. Moreover, the thermal conductivity increases with the increase of Mg content.     

Microstrucmre and mechanical properties of Al2O3/TiAl composite

Al2O3/TiAl composites were fabricated by PAXD （pressure-assisted exothermic dispersion） method. The effects of Nb205 content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. The results show that the ultimate phases of the composite consist of TiAl, Ti3Al, Al2O3 and a small amount of NbA13. SEM reveals that a submicron γ＋（α2/γ） dual phases structure can be presented after sintered at 1 200 ℃, Furthermore, with the increase of Nb205 content, the ratio of TiAl to Ti3Al phase decreases correspondingly, the grains of the corflposites are remarkably refined, and the produced Al2O3 particles are uniformly dispersed. When 6% Nb205 is added, the composite has the best comprehensive properties. It exhibits a Vickers hardness of 4.77 GPa and a bending strength of 642 MPa. Grain-refinement and dispersion-strengthening are the main strengthening mechanisms.     

Influence of powder characteristics on structure and properties of Ni3Al fabricated by spark plasma sintering

Three kinds of Ni and Al powder mixtures with nominal composition Ni75Al25 were employed to prepare Ni3Al alloys by spark plasma sintering（SPS） process. The raw powders include fine powder, coarse powder and mechanically-alloyed fine powder. The effects of powder characteristics and mechanical alloying on structure and properties of sintered body were investigated by scanning electron microscopy（SEM）, X-ray diffraction（XRD）, bending test and Vickers hardness measurements. For all mixture powders near fully dense Ni3Al alloys （relative density〉99.5%） are obtained after sintering at 1150℃ for 5 min under 40 MPa. However a small fraction of Ni can be reserved for alloy from coarse powders. The results reveal that grain size is correlated with particle character of raw powder. Ni3Al alloy made from mechanically-alloyed fine powder has finer and more homogenous microstructure. The hardness of all alloys is similar varying from HV470 to 490. Ni3Al alloy made from mechanically-alloyed fine powder exhibites higher bending strength （1 070 MPa） than others.     

Al2O3 coated α-Fe solid solution nanocapsules prepared by arc discharge

Al₂O₃ coated α-Fe solid solution nanocapsules are prepared by arc-discharging a bulk AlNiCo permanent magnet. The size of the nanocapsule is in range of 3–300 nm and the thickness of the shell is 1–6 nm. Al atoms in the AlNiCo magnet form the shell of amorphous Al₂O₃ to prevent the nanocapsules from further oxidation. The magnetic properties of saturation magnetization J_s=85 A m²/kg and coercive force ${}_{\mathrm{j}}\text{H}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>c</mtext>}}\text{=27.5}$ kA/m are achieved for the nanocapsules.     

Effect of Al2O3 addition on properties of non-sintered SiC–Si3N4 composite refractory materials

Preparation of SiC–Si₃N₄ composite refractory materials without sintering entails only low energy consumption and incurs little cost compared with traditional preparation methods. This paper investigated the effect of Al₂O₃ addition on bulk density, apparent porosity, linear shrinkage and oxidation resistance of as-fabricated non-sintered SiC–Si₃N₄ composite refractory materials. Meanwhile, the compressive and flexural strengths both before and after heat treatment were analyzed. The mechanisms of oxidation resistance and cryolite resistance of the SiC–Si₃N₄ composite refractory materials are discussed. Increasing amounts of Al₂O₃ reduced linear shrinkage but increased oxidation resistance and cryolite resistance. Moreover, compressive and flexural strengths initially increased and then decreased, with maximum values achieved at an Al₂O₃ addition of 8% w/w.     

Effect of synthesis parameters on structural and mechanical properties of Ti3Al–Nb–Mo intermetallic compound obtained by powder metallurgy techniques

The influence of microstructure, heat treatment and alloying addition on mechanical and fracture properties of Ti₃Al-based intermetallic at room and elevated temperatures was studied. Ti₃Al–11Nb–1Mo (mole fraction, %) alloy was consolidated via powder metallurgy processing by mechanical alloying (MA) and hot pressing (HP). MA powders were characterized using XRD and SEM-EDS. Optimum MA duration was 25 h and HP conditions of 1350 °C, 2 h, 35 MPa. After HP, solution treatment at 1050 °C for 1 h and water quenching α₂+β Widmanstätten microstructure is present, while subsequent aging at 800 °C during 24 h induces small content of O-phase. High fraction of β-phase is a direct consequence of Mo. Compression tests were performed from room temperature to 750 °C in vacuum. The yield strength of compacts increases with temperature up to 250 °C (pyramidal slip systems activation), after which it decreases. Ductility increases throughout the whole temperature range. The presence of O phase contributed to ductility increase in aged alloys, while negligibly lowering yield strength. Registered drop in the yield strength of aged alloys compared with non-aged ones was mostly influenced by precipitation of α″₂ particles. Mixed fracture modes are operative at all temperatures.     

Microstructure of Al2O3–SiC nanocomposite ceramic coatings prepared by high velocity oxy–fuel flame spray process

Ion and thermal etching techniques are used to investigate the microstructure of nanocomposite Al₂O₃–SiC coatings prepared by HVOF spraying on mild steel substrate. The observed microstructural features are compared with that of coatings and bulk ceramics prepared with similar feed. The effect of SiC on the microstructure is highlighted.     

Effects of nano-sized TiB2 particles and Al3Zr dispersoids on microstructure and mechanical properties of Al–Zn–Mg–Cu based materials

The effects of TiB₂ and Zr on the microstructure, aging response and mechanical properties of hot-extruded Al–Zn–Mg–Cu based materials were investigated and compared by multi-scale microstructure characterization techniques. The results showed that proper addition of TiB₂ particles could refine grain size during solidification, promote dynamic recrystallization during extrusion, and inhibit grain growth during solution treatment. Meanwhile, Zr addition had minor influence on the grain refinement during solidification, but could effectively suppress recrystallization and grain growth compared with the Zr-free alloy. Furthermore, the TiB₂ addition could simultaneously enhance the aging kinetics and peak-aged hardness of the materials. Comparatively, Zr addition could also improve the peak-aged hardness with minor effect on the aging kinetics of the materials. Finally, the quench sensitivity, elastic modulus and tensile properties of the materials were compared and studied. Specifically, the relationship between the microstructure and mechanical properties, and the strengthening mechanisms were discussed in detail.     

High-temperature compressive properties of TiC–TiB_2/Cu composites prepared by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis

TiC–TiB2 /Cu composites were prepared by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis with pseudo hot isostatic pressing using Ti, B4 C, and Cu powders. The compressive deformation of the composites at high temperature was investigated. It is found that the maximum compressive strength decreases with the increase of temperature and Cu content. The deformation of the composites includes the steps of elastic, stable rheology, and inaction. The maximum strain is in the range of 5 %–10 %. Before fracture, TiC–TiB2 /40Cu becomes drum-shaped at 1123 K; however, TiC–TiB2 /20Cu only has a brittle fracture along the axial direction of 45°. The results show that the compressive strength of TiC–TiB2 /Cu decreases from 823 to 1223 K. However, the maximum compressive strength of TiC–TiB2 /20Cu reaches 1850 MPa at 823 K, which predicts that this series of composites could be applied to high-temperature compressive materials.     

The influence of BaO additives on the reaction of Al2O3–SiO2 ceramics with molten Al and Al–Si alloys

BaO considerably affects the composition and the microstructure of the reaction zone formed between BaO-doped aluminosilicate ceramics and molten aluminium alloys under vacuum. The reduced Ba and Si form AlBaSi precipitates, found adhered to the interface and dispersed in the metal Al-matrix, whose formation apparently controls the reaction kinetics.     

Preparation of Al2O3–ZrO2–SiO2 ceramic composites by high-gravity combustion synthesis

By a furnace-free technique of high-gravity combustion synthesis, Al₂O₃–ZrO₂–SiO₂ ceramic composites were prepared via melt solidification instead of conventional powder sintering. The solidification kinetics and microstructure evolution of the ceramic composites in high-gravity combustion synthesis were discussed. The phase assemblage of the ceramic composites depended on the chemical composition, where both (Al₂O₃ + ZrO₂) and (mullite + ZrO₂) composites were obtained. The ceramic composites consisted of ultrafine eutectics and sometimes also large primary crystals. In the (mullite + ZrO₂) composites, two different morphologies and orientations were observed for the primary mullite crystals, and the volume fraction of mullite increased with increasing SiO₂ content. The ceramic composites exhibited a hardness of 11.2–14.8 GPa, depending on the chemical composition and phase assemblage.     

The Influence of Co Concentration on the Properties of Conventionally Electrodeposited Ni–Co–Al2O3–SiC Nanocomposite Coatings

Protection of Metals and Physical Chemistry of Surfaces - In this study, Ni–Co–Al2O3–SiC nanocomposite coatings with varying concentrations of Co were electrodeposited in a...     

Pressure consolidation of amorphous ZrO2–Al2O3 by plastic deformation of powder particles

Amorphous ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ powders undergo densification at low temperatures (<650°C) and moderate uniaxial pressures (~750 MPa). It is established that large pressure dependent densification and little time dependent densification occur. Viscous sintering is not the dominant densification mechanism. Study of the particle size effect in densification of amorphous ZrO₂–40% Al₂O₃, and comparison with hot pressing of borosilicate glass powder at 500 and 550°C and cold compaction of silver powder, clearly indicate the possibility of compaction of amorphous ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ by plastic deformation. Good agreement was seen between a model for the compaction of ductile metal powders and the observed hot pressing behaviour.     

Preparation and mechanical properties of Al2O3–15wt.%ZrO2 composites

Low-temperature-sinterable high purity α-alumina powder was mixed with Zr(OH)₄ gel synthesized by a precipitation method. The resulting gel mixture was calcined at 600 °C for 2 h. The Al₂O₃–15wt.%ZrO₂ composites were sintered for 2 h in air in the temperature range between 1350 and 1500 °C. Nearly full densification and the maximum bending strength of 932 MPa were achieved for the Al₂O₃–15wt.%ZrO₂ composites sintered at 1425 °C, whereas the highest fracture toughness of 8.5 MPa m^1/2 was obtained after sintering at 1475 °C.