Moisture-proof and enhanced effect of inorganic coating on porous Si<Subscript>3</Subscript>N<Subscript>4</Subscript> ceramic

Inorganic coating was fabricated on the surface of the porous Si₃N₄ ceramic by polymer derived (PD) and spraying technology, via using vinyl-polysilazane (PSN-1) as a preceramic polymer and Si₃N₄ and lithium aluminosilicate (LAS) powders as fillers. The phase and microstructure of the coatings were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The effect of the coatings on mechanical property and humidity resistance of the porous Si₃N₄ ceramic was investigated. The experimental results showed that we successfully fabricated the uniform and dense coating which preferably combined with the substrate upon the addition of fillers. The bending strength of the porous Si₃N₄ ceramic sprayed the coating increased by more than 18%, and the surface hardness increased by 1.7 times. The apparent porosity of the materials reduced by an average of 97.7%, and water absorption was below 0.5%. Therefore, the prepared coating with preferable density had an obviously moisture-proof and enhanced effect on the porous Si₃N₄ ceramic.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of TiB<Subscript>2</Subscript>-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> composites

Effects of Al2O3 and Ni as the additives on the sinterability, microstructure and mechanical properties were systematic studied. The experimental results show that only a relative density about 96.2% of hot-pressing TiB2-30%Al2O3 can be attained due to the plate-like TiB2 particle and its random orientation and excessive Al2O3 grain growth. When sintering temperature is higher than 1 700 ℃, TiB2 grain growth can be found, which obvious improves flexural strength of TiB2 matrix but decreases toughness. It seems that mechanical properties of TiB2-Al2O3 composites are mainly depended on relative density besides grain growth. otherwise, they will be determined by relative density and TiB2 matrix strength together. Anyway, Al2O3 addition can weaken the grain boundary and thus improve the toughness of the materials. A flexural strength of 529 MPa, Vickers hardness of 24.8 GPa and indentation toughness of 4.56 MPa·m1/2 can be achieved inTiB2-30vol% Al2O3.     

Preparation of MWNTs/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> composites and their mechanical and electrical properties

Since their discovery by Iijima[1], carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been the focus in novel materials research. Theoretical and experimental studies show[2-9] that CNTs have extraordinary mechanical and electrical properties. Krishnan et al.[2] have reported that the mean value of Young’s modulus of single-wall nanotubes (SWNTs) is 1.25 TPa. Yu et al.[3] measured Yang’s modulus of multi-wall nanotubes (MWNTs) between 270 and 950 GPa and breaking strength between 11 and 63 GPa. The ele…     

Preparation and mechanical properties of Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/Al laminated ceramic matrix composites

Three series of Al2O3/Al laminated ceramic matrix composites,named SPA,SPV and HP,were fabricated by different methods.SPA and SPV were prepared using Al2O3 slices and Al slurry via screen printing and subsequent heat treatment in air or vacuum.HP samples were made by hot pressing the layered stack of Al foils and Al2O3 slices.SEM and XRD were applied to analyze the microstructure and the interlayer crystal phase.The bending strength,fracture toughness and fracture work of the samples made by the three methods were measured and compared.The results show that the composites have much better toughness and higher fracture work than the Al2O3 slice.Among the samples made by the three methods,the samples made by hot pressing have the optimum mechanical performance.The displacement-load curves and fracture mechanism were analyzed.     

Antibacterial properties of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> ceramic pellets prepared using nano TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> powder

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) porous ceramic pellets with three dimension nano-structure were prepared using nano TiO₂ powder. The TiO₂ porous ceramic pellets were composed of TiO₂ nanoparticles with 14–16 nm in diameter and had porosity of 74.85%. The mean pore size of the TiO₂ porous ceramic pellets was 20.73 nm and the main pore size ranged from 3 to 16 nm. The mass loss of the TiO₂ ceramic pellets was less than 5% after 20 d immersion in water. The antibacterial properties of the TiO₂ pellets were studied. The sterilization rate of Colibacillus (hospital polluted water with bacterium) can reach 99% after 3 h photocatalytic process and these TiO₂ pellets are easy to be re-activated and cyclically be used. The shaping mechanism and photocatalysis sterilization mechanism of the TiO₂ pellets were discussed. Funded by the Applied Basis Research from Sichuan Province, the Research of Photo Purification to Environment with Nano TiO₂ (No. 05YJ029-010)     

Comparative study of β-Si3N4 powders prepared by SHS sintered by spark plasma sintering and hot pressing

β-Si3N4 powders prepared by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) with additions of Y2O3 and Al2O3 were sintered by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The densification, microstructure, and mechanical properties of Si3N4 ceramics prepared using this method were compared with those obtained by hot pressing process. Well densified Si3N4 ceramics with finer and homo- geneous microstructure and better mechanical properties were obtained in the case of the SPS technique at 200°C lower than that of hot pressing. The microhardness is 15.72 GPa, the bending strength is 716.46 MPa, and the fracture toughness is 7.03 MPa?m1/2.     

Effect of sintering additives on properties of Si3N4-BN composites fabricated via die pressing and precursor infiltration and pyrolysis route

The Si3N4-BN composites have been prepared via die pressing and precursor infiltration and pyrolysis route using borazine as precursor, and the effect of sintering additives on properties of the composites has been investigated. After sintering additives are adopted, the α to β phase transition of Si3N4 and the mechanical properties of the composites at both room temperature and high temperature are all increased with small extent. When using Y2O3+Al2O3 as additives, the phase transition of Si3N4 and the mechanical properties of the composites have better results. The β-Si3N4 content is 17.47%. The fl exural strength, elastic modulus and fracture toughness of the composites are 188.74 MPa, 84.34 GPa and 2.96 MPa?m1/2, respectively. After exposed at 1 000 ℃ in the air for 15 min, the fl exural strength of the composites is 154.62 MPa with a residual ratio of 81.92%. The elongated β-Si3N4 grains appear in all composites with different sintering additives. Relatively more rod like β-Si3N4 grains can be observed in composites with Y2O3+Al2O3 as additives, making it to possess better mechanical properties.     

Effect of aluminum addition on microstructure and properties of SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-B<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-CaO vitrified bond

Influence of aluminum addition on the structures and properties of SiO₂-B₂O₃-Al₂O₃-CaO vitrified bond at low sintering temperature and high strength was discussed. FTIR and XRD analyses were used to characterize the structures of the basic vitrified bond with different contents of aluminum. The bending strength and the thermal expansion coefficients were also tested. Meanwhile, the microstructures of composite specimens at sintering temperature of 660 °C were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The experimental results showed that the properties of vitrified bond with 1wt% aluminum were improved significantly, where the bending strength, Rockwell hardness, and thermal expansion coefficient of the vitrified bond reached 132 MPa, 63 HRB, and 6.73×10^-6 °C^-1, respectively.     

Solid Solution Characteristics of Pb（B1/3Nb2/3）O3-bascd Composite Ceramics

The solid solution characteristics of Pb（B1/3Nb2/3）O3-based （B=Zn^2＋, Mg^2＋, Ni^2＋） composite ceramics prepared by two-phase mixed-sintering method were developed based on dielectric measurements. Results show that there are double dielectric peaks for PZN-based composite ceramic, implying two phases coexist. However single dielectric peak was presented in PMN- and PNN-based composite ceramics, respectively. It is indicated that obvious solid solution reaction exists during the sintering process of these two systems. The effects of B-site ion difference on the solid solution characteristics were discussed by crystal chemistry. SEM was employed to investigated the microstructures of composite ceramics. The influences of solid solution reaction on grain growth were discussed.     

Effect of ZnO-B<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> glass addition on the microwave dielectric properties of BaO-Nd<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> system

The effect of ZnO-B₂O₃(ZB) glass addition on the sintering behavior, microstructures and microwave dielectric properties of BaO-Nd₂O₃-TiO₂-Bi₂O₃ (BNTB) system was investigated with the aid of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and capacitance meter. It is found that the ZB glass addition, acting as a sintering aid, can effectively lower the sintering temperature of BNTB system to 850 °C. The dielectric constant of BNTB-ZB ceramics increases with the increase of soaking time and the value of dielectric loss decreased with increasing soak time. The optical dielectric properties at 1 GHz of ɛ=74, tan δ=4×10⁻⁴, and TCC=25 ppm/°c were obtained for the BNTB system doped with 25 wt% ZB glass sintered at 850 °C for 2 h, representing that the BNTB-ZB ceramics could be promising for multilayer low temperature co-fired ceramics applications.     

Preparation of BN／SiO2 ceramics by PIP method

The precursor infiltration and pyrolysis(PIP) method for preparation of BN/SiO2 composites was used to improve mechanical properties, dielectric properties and feasibility of high temperature dielectric parts with large dimensions and complex shapes. In the processing procedure, the porous BN ceramic matrix was first successfully prepared by compacting the mixed powders of B and BN and then sintering them at a certain temperature under normal pressure of N2. The polycarbosilane(PCS) solution was vacuum infiltrated into porous BN ceramics at the room temperature and then at 800℃ in the air to depolimerize out amorphous SiO2, and sintered further at 1 300℃ in N2 to get BN/SiO2 composites. The microstructure of materials was studied by means of X-ray diffraction and electron probe micro analysis. The thermo-decomposition mechanism of PCS was investigated by a TG-DTA and infrared (IR) spectrum analysis. The flexural strengths were measured by the three-point bending method. The dielectric constant and the loss tangent were measured by the wave-guide method. The results show BN/SiO2 composites were fabricated. The obtained composites posses a flexural strength of 61.96 - 93.31 MPa, the dielectric constant in the range of 3.50 - 3.78 and the order of magnitude of the loss tangent at 10^-3 , which are good for the high tempera turedielectric parts with large size and complex shapes.     

Fabrication and mechanical properties of Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/TiAl composites

Al₂O₃/TiAl composites were successfully fabricated by hot-press-assisted exothermic dispersion method with elemental powder mixtures of Ti, Al TiO₂ and Nb₂O₅, and the microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. The results indicate the fine Al₂O₃ particles tend to disperse on the grain boundaries. The grain size of TiAl matrix decreases and the hardness increases with increasing Nb₂O₅ content. The bending strength and fracture toughness reach to a maximum when Nb₂O₅ content is 6 wt%, under 642 MPa and 6.69 MPa·m^1/2, respectively. Based on the fractography and the observation of crack propagation path, it is concluded that the strengthening and toughening of such composites at room temperature can be attributed to the refinement of the TiAl matrix, the deflection behavior in the crack propagation and the dispersion of Al₂O₃ particles.     

Two-step synthesis of TiC<Subscript>0.7</Subscript>N<Subscript>0.3</Subscript>@WC-MoC<Subscript>2</Subscript> core-shell microspheres and fabrication of TiC<Subscript>0.7</Subscript>N<Subscript>0.3</Subscript>@WC-MoC<Subscript>2</Subscript>-based cermets by SPS

The precursor with TiC0.7N0.3@WO3-MO3 microspheres were prepared by a novel method from the WO3-MoO3 sol dipping. Subsequently, TiC0.7N0.3@WC-MoC2 core-shell structural microspheres were successfully obtained by carburizing the precursor at 900 °C in a flowing mixture of CH4 (20 ml·min-1) and H2 (200 ml·min-1) for 2 h. Then TiC0.7N0.3@WC-MoC2-15Co cermets were prepared utilizing the core-shell powders by spark plasma sintering (SPS). Powders of the precursors with TiC0.7N0.3@WO3-MO3 microspheres, TiC0.7N0.3@WC-MoC2 microspheres and TiC0.7N0.3@WC-MoC2-15Co cermets were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The obtained TiC0.7N0.3@WC-MoC2 microspheres have a dense WC-MoC2 coatings shell. The thickness of the shell could be easily controlled by adjusting the number of sol dipping cycles. It was found that the TiC0.7N0.3@WC-MoC2 microspheres were more beneficial to fabricate the "core-rim" structures by SPS.     

Improved visible transparency of SIO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/ZNO:AL /CEO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-TIO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/SIO<Subscript>2</Subscript> multilayer films with high UV absorption and infrared reflection rate

New visible transparent, UV absorption, and high infrared reflection properties have been realized by depositing multilayer SiO₂/ZnO: Al/CeO₂-TiO₂/SiO₂ films onto glass substrates at low temperature by radio frequency magnetron sputtering. Optimum thickness of SiO₂, ZnO: Al (ZAO) and CeO₂-TiO₂ (CTO) films were designed with the aid of thin film design software. The degree of antireflection can be controlled by adjusting the thickness and refractive index. The outer SiO₂ film can diminish the interference coloring and increase the transparency; the inner SiO₂ film improves the adhesion of the coating on the glass substrate and prevents Ca²⁺, Na⁺ in the glass substrate from entering the ZAO film. The average transmittance in the visible light range increases by nearly 18%-20%, as compared to double layer ZAO/CTO films. And the films display high infrared reflection rate of above 75% in the wavelength range of 10-25 μm and good UV absorption (> 98%) properties. These systems are easy to produce on a large scale at low cost and exhibit high mechanical and chemical durability. The triple functional films with high UV absorption, antireflective and high infrared reflection rate will adapt to application in flat panel display and architectural coating glass, automotive glass, with diminishing light pollution as well as decreasing eye fatigue and increasing comfort.     

Phase structure and electrical properties of La<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-doped BiInO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-PbTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> ceramics with high curie temperature

The phase structure and electrical properties of pure and La2O3-doped Bi-InO3-PbTiO3 （BI-PT） ceramics were studied respectively. In （1 -x）BI-xPT （x=0.72-0.80） ceramics, the stability of tetragonal phase increased with increasing x, and pure perovskite structure was obtained for x=-0.80 ceramics. The phase transition temperature range was between 575 ℃ and 600 ℃ for x=0.72-0.80 ceramics, higher than that of PT （-490 ℃）. The c/a ratio almost linearly decreased with increasing La2O3 content in x-0.80 ceramics. It is believed that Pb^2＋ vacancies were formed by La^3＋ substituting Pb^2＋ in La2O3-doped BI-PT ceramics. Tc shifted to lower temperature by 30 ℃/mol% La2O3. The maximum dielectric constant 8557 around 559 ℃ was exhibited in 0.5mol%-doped BI-0.80PT ceramics. La2O3-doped ceramics could be poled resulting from decreasing of c/a ratio and improving of dielectric loss and resistivity. The maximum piezoelectric coefficient d33 was 12 pC/N for 2mol%-doped BI-0.80PT ceramics.     

The Influence of Yttrium Isopropoxide on the Mechanical Properties of SiCw-reinforced AlN Ceramics

By using self-made metal-alkoxide yttrium isopropoxide as a sintering additive and disperser of whisker, the SiC whisker reinforced AlN ceramics was prepared. Its apparent density is 99.5 percent of the theoretical density; its flexural strength and fracture toughness are 681 MPa and 5.21 MPa·m^1/2 respectively. Comparing the result with that by applying Y₂O₃ powder as a sintering additive, the flexural strength is increased by 25% and the fracture toughness is increased by 33%. The dispersity of whisker by increased yttrium isopropoxide is significantly better than that by Triton X-100. CHEN Yong-xi: Born in 1945     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of CaCO<Subscript>3</Subscript> whisker-reinforced cement

Composite Portland cement (PC) played an important role in various kinds of construction engineering owing to low hydration heat, low-cost, and application of solid industrial waste, but its brittleness and low strength limited its use in stress-bearing locations. The aim of this study is to improve the toughness and fracture resistance by incorporating CaCO₃ whisker in cement matrix. Effect of different content of calcium carbonate whiskers on the mechanical properties of PC was investigated. The results showed that the flexural strength, impact strength and split tensile strength were increased by 39.7%, 39.25% and 36.34% at maximum, respectively. Microstructure and elements of the whiskers in hardened cement were observed and analyzed by SEM/EDS. The mechanisms of the reinforcement of CaCO₃ whisker on cement were also discussed, and the conclusion was that the improvement could be correlated to energy-dissipating processes owing to crack bridging, crack deflection, and whisker pull-out at the crack tips.     

Influence of CaZrO<Subscript>3</Subscript> on dielectric properties and microstructures of BaTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-based X8R ceramics

The influences of CaZrO₃ on the dielectric properties and microstructures of BaTiO₃ (BT)-based ceramics have been investigated. The experiment results showed that the dielectric constant at room temperature increased with the addition of CaZrO₃ in the range of 0–3.0 mol%, which could be explained by the growth of BT grains. XRD analysis revealed that the tetragonality declined as CaZrO₃ concentration increased. XRD patterns of BT ceramics with different amounts of CaZrO₃ doping were analyzed by a recently developed procedure-materials analysis using diffraction (MAUD), which was based on the Rietveld method combined with Fourier analysis. The results depicted that the high temperature peak of temperature-capacitance characteristics (TCC) was largely dependent on the micro-strain of samples. Furthermore, more CaZrO₃ doping resulted in lower porosity and higher density. It was revealed that proper usage of CaZrO₃ could improve the dielectric properties significantly, which was benefit to develop X8R multi-layer ceramic capacitors.     

Preparation and characterization of nanocomposite MgFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Nanocomposites MgFe₂O₄/SiO₂ were successfully synthesized by the sol-gel method in the presence of N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF). The formation of pure MgFe₂O₄ was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron diffraction. The structural evolution of MgFe₂O₄ nanocrystals was followed by powder X-ray diffraction and IR absorption spectroscopy. The formation of spinel structure of MgFe₂O₄ started at 800 °C, and completed at 900 °C. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements suggest that the particle sizes increase with the increasing annealing temperature, and the mean particle sizes of the spherical samples annealed at 800 °C, 900 °C and 1 050 °C are ca. 3 nm, 8 nm and 11 nm, respectively. Magnetization measurements at room temperature and 78 K indicate superparamagnetic nature of these MgFe₂O₄ nanocrystals. Funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No. 30771676), the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (No. BK20081842), and the Foundation of Nanjing Bureau of Personal for the Returned Overseas Chinese Excellent Scholars     

Structure and Electrical Properties of （Na0.5Bi0.5）0.94Ba0.06TiO3 Ceramicwith0.5wt% of MnO

The structure and electrical properties of （Na0.5Bi0.5）0.94Ba0.06TiO3 ceramic doped with 0.5 wt% of MnO were investigated in comparison with those of （Na0.5Bi0.5）0.94Ba0.06TiO3 ceramic. It was ascertained that the MnO addition did not cause remarkable change in crystal structure and microstructure. The MnO addition mainly displayed a hard effect on the electrical properties, an increase of coercive field （E） and mechanical quality factor （Qm） together with a decrease of dielectric constant （εr） and piezoelectric constant （d33）. An enhancement of electromechanical coupling factor （kp） with the MnO addition was obtained too. An essential relation between the piezoelectric properties and ferroelectric nature of the ceramics was detected. It was found that the piezoelectric properties of the ceramics highly depended on the corporative contribution of remanent polarization （Pt） and coercive field.