High-temperature tribotechnical characteristics of ceramics based on aluminum nitride

Studies have been made on the structure, phase composition, and strength parameters for ceramics based on AlN containing 5–15 mass % TiO₂. The tribotechnical characteristics of these ceramics have been determined under sliding friction conditions at 20–900°C in air. Quantitative characteristics are proposed for the friction surface as determined by metallographic, microdurometric, and sclerometric examination of the surfaces produced at various treatment temperatures. Materials Science Institute, Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, Kiev. Translated from Poroshkovaya Metallurgiya, Nos. 3-4(400), pp. 43–48, March–April, 1998.     

Structural changes in friction surfaces of plasma-sprayed coatings

The features surface morphology are considered for plasma-sprayed coatings used with various counterbodies under conditions of boundary friction. The tribotechnical characteristics of the coatings are examined in relation to the structure. There is found to be a substantial effect from the porosity on the formation of the secondary structures, the changes in topography, and the changes in elemental composition of the friction surface. Institute for Problems of Materials Science, Ukraine National Academy of Sciences, Kiev. Translated from Poroshkovaya Metallurgiya, Nos. 1–2(405), pp. 92–97, January–February, 1999.     

Temperature effect on bending strength of hot-pressed boron carbide materials

The paper examines three groups of samples based on B₄C and B₁₃C₂ powders (with additions of Al and Al₂O₃ in the amount of 2 and 5 wt.%, respectively). It is established that the maximal strength (445 MPa) is characteristic of the material B₁₃C₂ over the whole temperature range. It does not change up to 1600°C. The increase in strength of B₄C-based samples is revealed over the range of 1200 to 1600°C, mainly for high-porous materials (10–12%). Presumably, this is due to the higher relaxation properties of porous material microstructure. __________ Translated from Poroshkovaya Metallurgiya, Vol. 46, No. 5–6 (455), pp. 60–68, 2007.     

Tribotechnical properties of a composite of a metal-ceramic system

The paper reports the results of tribotechnical tests of a metal matrix based on a copper-nickel alloy with a tin-lead solid lubricant additive which contained varying amounts of the ceramic binary alloy B₄C+ZrB₂. The tests showed that the presence of a refractory phase in the metal matrix greatly enhanced the Institute for Problems of Materials Science, Ukraine National Academy of Sciences, Kiev. Translated from Poroshkovaya Metallurgiya, Nos. 7–8(402), pp. 54–58, July–August, 1998.     

Phase diagram of the Al2O3-ZrO2-Sm2O3 system. III. Solidus surface and phase equilibria in alloy crystallization

A projection has been constructed for the solidus surface in the Al₂O₃-ZrO₂-Sm₂O₃ phase diagram on the plane of the concentration triangle, which consists of seven isothermal three-phase fields corresponding to two nonvariant equilibria of eutectic type and five nonvariant equilibria of peritectic type, and also eight lineated surfaces for the end of crystallization of the binary eutectics. The highest temperature on the solidus surface is 2710°C, the melting point of pure ZrO₂, while the lowest is 1680°C, the temperature of the triple eutectic Al + F + SA. No ternary phases or appreciable regions of solid solutions based on the components and the binary compounds are observed. Data on the bounding binary systems, the liquidus and solidus surfaces have been used to construct the phase-equilibrium (melting) diagram together with a reaction scheme for the equilibrium crystallization of alloys in the Al₂O₃-ZrO₂-Sm₂O₃ system. __________ Translated from Poroshkovaya Metallurgiya, Nos. 5–6(449), pp. 56–64, May–June, 2006.     

Phase diagram of the Al2O3-ZrO2-Er2O3 system. III. Solidus surface and phase equilibria in alloy crystallization

The solidus surface for the Al₂O₃-ZrO₂-Er₂O₃ phase is projected for the first time onto the concentration triangle. It consists of five isothermal three-phase fields that correspond to four invariant eutectic equilibria, one invariant transformation equilibrium, and six ruled binary eutectic solidus surfaces. The highest solidus temperature in the system is 2710 °C, which is the melting point of pure ZrO₂, and the lowest is 1720°C, which is the melting point of the ternary eutectic AL + F + Er₃A₅. Neither ternary phases nor visible solid solution areas based on components and binary compounds are found in the system. Based on the data on bounding binary systems, liquidus, and solidus surfaces, the phase equilibrium diagram and reaction scheme for equilibrium crystallization of Al₂O₃-ZrO₂-Er₂O₃ alloys are constructed. __________ Translated from Poroshkovaya Metallurgiya, Vol. 46, No. 5–6 (455), pp. 74–83, 2007.     

Effect of Surface Treatment with Concentrated Energy Fluxes on the Properties of Composite Materials Based on Silicon Carbide and Coatings Made from Such Composites

Based on a study of the structure and composition of the composite ceramic SiC - Al₂O₃ - ZrO₂, its tribomechanical properties and behavior in high-temperature corrosion, we recommend the material for use as sealing elements and for deposition of wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant coatings. We have studied the formation of gradient layers when the ceramic surface is modified with refractory titanium compounds TiN - TiB₂ (1:1) with an Fe(Ni) - Cr - Al undercoat using concentrated solar radiation and when the steel surface is modified with laser irradiation of the SiC - Al₂O₃ - ZrO₂ coats. We have shown that laser modification of steel by the silicon carbide-based composite increases its corrosion resistance by a factor of 4–5 at 800–900 °C. __________ Translated from Poroshkovaya Metallurgiya, Nos. 7–8(444), pp. 91–99, July–August, 2005.     

Experimental study of phase equilibria in the Al-Fe-Zn-O system in air

The phase equilibria in the Al-Fe-Zn-O system in the range 1250 °C to 1695 °C in air have been experimentally studied using equilibration and quenching techniques followed by electron probe X-ray microanalysis. The phase diagram of the binary Al₂O₃-ZnO system and isothermal sections of the Al₂O₃-“Fe₂O₃”-ZnO system at 1250 °C, 1400 °C, and 1550 °C have been constructed and reported for the first time. The extents of solid solutions in the corundum (Al,Fe)₂O₃, hematite (Fe,Al)₂O₃, Al₂O₃*Fe₂O₃ phase (Al,Fe)₂O₃, spinel (Al,Fe,Zn)O₄, and zincite (Al,Zn,Fe)O primary phase fields have been measured. Corundum, hematite, and Al₂O₃*Fe₂O₃ phases dissolve less than 1 mol pct zinc oxide. The limiting compositions of Al₂O₃*Fe₂O₃ phase measured in this study at 1400 °C are slightly nonstoichiometric, containing more Al₂O₃ then previously reported. Spinel forms an extensive solid solution in the Al₂O₃-“Fe₂O₃”-ZnO system in air with increasing temperature. Zincite was found to dissolve up to 7 mole pct of aluminum in the presence of iron at 1550 °C in air. A meta-stable Al₂O₃-rich phase of the approximate composition Al₈FeZnO_14+x was observed at all of the conditions investigated. Aluminum dissolved in the zincite in the presence of iron appears to suppress the transformation from a round to platelike morphology.     

Role of B2O3 on the Viscosity and Structure in the CaO-Al2O3-Na2O-Based System

The effect of B₂O₃ on the viscosity and structure in the calcium-aluminate melt flux system containing Na₂O was studied. An increase in the B₂O₃ content at fixed CaO/Al₂O₃ ratio lowered the viscosity. Higher CaO/Al₂O₃ ratio at fixed B₂O₃ content also decreased the viscosity. The alumino-borate structures were confirmed through Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy and consisted of [AlO₄]-tetrahedral structural units, [BO₃]-triangular structural units, and [BO₄]-tetrahedral structural units, which could be correlated to the viscosity. At fixed CaO/Al₂O₃ ratio, B₂O₃ additions decreased the [AlO₄]-tetrahedral structural units and transformed the 3-D network structures such as pentaborate and tetraborate into 2-D network structures of boroxol and boroxyl rings by breaking the bridged oxygen atoms (O⁰) to produce non-bridged oxygen atoms (O^?) leading to a decrease in the molten flux viscosity. At fixed B₂O₃ contents and higher CaO/Al₂O₃ ratio, 3-D complex network structures become 3-D simple and 2-D isolated network structures, resulting in lower viscosities. The apparent activation energy for viscous flow varied from 132 to 249 kJ/mol according to the composition of B₂O₃ and CaO/Al₂O₃ ratio.     

Composite materials with an intermetallic matrix based on nickel and titanium monoaluminides hardened by oxide particles or fibers

Hardening phase/intermetallic matrix pairs are chosen for composite materials (CMs) intended for long-term high-temperature operation. These materials must have high and stable mechanical properties during a long time at high temperatures and loads. The compatibility of the physicochemical and mechanical properties of CM components is estimated to choose hardening phase/intermetallic matrix pairs in which the matrix is represented by an alloy based on NiAl or TiAl monoaluminide and the hardening phase is a refractory thermodynamically stable oxide of a Group III transition metal M ₂O₃. The following two schemes are used to perform hardening of a CM with a matrix consisting of a TiAl or NiAl alloy by the most thermodynamically stable interstitial phases, i.e., refractory oxides, at temperatures higher than the operating temperature (T _op) of the IMM. The first scheme consists in creating Al₂O₃/TiAl CMs hardened by continuous single-crystal sapphire fibers using the impregnation of a bundle of single-crystal fibers with a matrix melt followed by directional solidification. The TiAl-based matrix in these CMs serves as a binder connecting oxide phase fibers and preventing them from fracture due to high adhesion forces between oxide fibers and the matrix and a high fiber/matrix interface strength. In the second scheme, Y₂O₃/NiAl CMs are produced by powder metallurgy methods, which include severe deformation by extrusion accompanied by the formation of deformation texture and subsequent recrystallization annealing. In these CMs, disperse refractory oxide particles stabilize grain boundaries in a recrystallized matrix material and lead to the formation of directional structures with coarse elongated grains and a low fraction of transverse boundaries. Al₂O₃/TiAl CMs containing 20–25 vol % hardening single-crystal sapphire Al₂O₃ fibers can operate at temperatures of 1000–1050°C (∼0.7T _m of matrix), which is 250–300°C higher than the maximum values of T _op of a TiAl-based matrix and 400-450°C higher than the maximum values of T _op of a Ti-based matrix. An Y₂O₃/NiAl composite with a directionally recrystallized structure of a NiAl-based matrix hardened by 2.5 vol % Y{ia2}O₃ particles can be recommended for operation at temperatures of 1400–1500°C ((0.8–0.9)T _m of matrix), which are higher by 100–400°C than not only T _op but also T _m of Ni superalloys.     

Effects of welding and weld heat-affected zone simulation on the microstructure and mechanical behavior of a 2195 aluminum-lithium alloy

The microstructures, tensile properties, and fatigue properties of a 2195-T8 Al-Li alloy subjected to a weld heat-affected zone (HAZ) simulation and gas-tungsten-arc (GTA) welding using a 4043 filler metal, with and without a postweld heat treatment, were studied. The principal strengthening precipitate in the T8 base alloy was the T ₁ (Al₂CuLi) phase. The HAZ simulation resulted in the dissolution of T ₁ precipitates and the formation of T _B(Al₇Cu₄Li) phase, Guinier-Preston (G–P) zones, and δ′ (Al₃Li) particles. When the HAZ simulation was conducted at the highest temperature of 600 °C, microcracks and voids also formed along the grain boundaries (GBs). In the specimens welded with the 4043 alloy, T (AlLiSi) phase was found to form in the fusion zone (FZ). An elongated T _Bphase and microcracks were observed to occur along the GBs in the HAZ close to the FZ interface. The T ₁ phase was not observed in the HAZ. The postweld heat treatment resulted in the spheroidization of primary T phase and the precipitation of small secondary T particles in the FZ, the dissolution of T _B phase, and the reprecipitation of the T ₁ phase in the HAZ. Both the HAZ simulation and welding gave rise to a considerable decrease in the hardness, tensile properties, and fatigue strength. The hardness in the FZ was lower than that in the HAZ. Although the postweld heat treatment improved both the hardness and tensile properties due to the reprecipitation of T ₁ phase in the HAZ and a smaller interparticle spacing in the FZ, no increase in the fatigue strength was observed because of the presence of microcracks in the HAZ.     

电弧喷涂含陶瓷颗粒铝基复合涂层的微结构和性能

采用5052半硬铝带分别包覆Al_2O_3、SiC、B_4C、TiC陶瓷颗粒制备的粉芯丝材进行电弧喷涂试验,制备了含陶瓷颗粒的铝基复合涂层。利用光学显微镜、XRD分析了涂层的微观组织和相结构,测试了复合涂层的显微硬度、耐磨性及耐腐蚀性。研究结果表明,制备的铝基复合涂层中含有一定数量的未熔陶瓷颗粒,涂层较为致密,无明显缺陷。含陶瓷铝基涂层的物相主要由Al和所添加的陶瓷相构成,其中在含B_4C陶瓷涂层中还存在Al_3BC、Al_4C_3和AlB_2等新相。陶瓷颗粒的加入有利于提高铝基复合涂层的显微硬度,其中B_4C的加入使涂层中基体相显微硬度提高了1.5倍,这是由于B_4C陶瓷和Al反应生成Al_3BC、Al_4C_3和AlB_2硬质相。复合涂层的耐磨性均优于纯铝涂层,摩擦磨损的形式主要为粘着磨损。动电位极化腐蚀试验表明,含SiC和TiC陶瓷涂层具有较低的腐蚀电流,耐蚀性较好,含SiC陶瓷的复合涂层出现了明显的钝化现象。     

Phase diagram of the Al2O3-ZrO2-Sm2O3 system. II. Liquidus surface

A projection has been constructed for the liquidus surface on the plane of the concentration triangle for the Al₂O₃-ZrO₂-Sm₂O₃ phase diagram. There are no ternary compounds, or appreciable regions of solid solutions based on the components and the binary compounds. The liquidus surface is formed by nine fields of primary phase crystallization. There are five four-phase nonvariant peritectic equilibria, as well as two four-phase nonvariant eutectic equilibria, and one three-phase nonvariant eutectic equilibrium. As the ZrO₂ and SmAlO₃ phases interact with other phases by a eutectic mechanism, it is possible to combine the unique properties of the T and F solid solutions based on ZrO₂ with the properties of the other phases in the form of composites. __________ Translated from Poroshkovaya Metallurgiya, Nos. 3–4(448), pp. 28–35, March–April, 2006.     

Influence of Shock Wave Treatment of Boron Carbide Powders on the Structure and Properties of Hot-Pressed Polycrystals Based on Such Powders

The influence of deformation pre-treatment (milling in a planetary mill and shock-wave treatment) of B₄C powders of different size composition on their structure as well as the structure and mechanical properties of samples that have been hot-pressed from these powders is investigated. It is shown that treatment by shock waves produces a substantial change in the structure of the powders, and this tends to increase the mechanical properties of the polycrystalline cakes. __________ Translated from Poroshkovaya Metallurgiya, Nos. 7–8(444), pp. 118–127, July–August, 2005.     

Microstructure and properties of Al2O3-Al(Si) and Al2O3-Al(Si)-Si composites formed byin situ reaction of Al with aluminosilicate ceramics

Al₂O₃-Al(Si) and Al₂O₃-Al(Si)-Si composites have been formed byin situ reaction of molten Al with aluminosilicate ceramics. This reactive metal penetration (RMP) process is driven by a strongly negative Gibbs energy for reaction. In the Al/mullite system, Al reduces mullite to produce α-Al₂O₃ and elemental Si. With excess Al (i.e., x > 0), a composite of α-Al₂O₃, Al(Si) alloy, and Si can be formed. Ceramic-metal composites containing up to 30 vol pct Al(Si) were prepared by reacting molten Al with dense, aluminosilicate ceramic preforms or by reactively hot pressing Al and mullite powder mixtures. Both reactive metal-forming techniques produce ceramic composite bodies consisting of a fine-grained alumina skeleton with an interpenetrating Al(Si) metal phase. The rigid alumina ceramic skeletal structure dominates composite physical properties such as the Young’s modulus, hardness, and the coefficient of thermal expansion, while the interpenetrating ductile Al(Si) metal phase contributes to composite fracture toughness. Microstructural analysis of composite fracture surfaces shows evidence of ductile metal failure of Al(Si) ligaments. Al₂O₃-Al(Si) and Al₂O₃-Al(Si)-Si composites produced byin situ reaction of aluminum with mullite have improved mechanical properties and increased stiffness relative to dense mullite, and composite fracture toughness increases with increasing Al(Si) content. This article is based on a presentation made in the “In Situ Reactions for Synthesis of Composites, Ceramics, and Intermetallics” symposium, held February 12–16, 1995, at the TMS Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, under the auspices of SMD and ASM-MSD (the ASM/TMS Composites and TMS Powder Materials Committees).     

Interfacial Microstructure in a B4C/Al Composite Fabricated by Pressureless Infiltration

In this work, B₄C particulate-reinforced Al composite was fabricated by a pressureless infiltration technique, and its interfacial microstructure was studied in detail by X-ray diffraction as well as by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The B₄C phase was unstable in Al melt during the infiltration process, forming AlB₁₀-type AlB₂₄C₄ or Al_2.1B₅₁C₈ as a major reactant phase. The Al matrix was large grains (over 10 μm), which had no definite orientation relationships (ORs) with the randomly orientated B₄C or its reactant particles, except for possible nucleation sites with { 011}_{\textB4 \textC} \{ 011\}_{{{\text{B}}_{4} {\text{C}}}} almost parallel to {111}_Al at a deviation angle of 1.5 deg. Both B₄C–Al and reactant–Al interfaces are semicoherent and free of other phases. A comparison was made with the SiC/Al composite fabricated similarly by the pressureless infiltration. It was suggested that the lack of ORs between the Al matrix and reinforced particles, except for possible nucleation sites, is the common feature of the composites prepared by the infiltration method.     

New water-soluble acrylic bonding agents for shaping ceramic materials

Preliminary results are reported on the synthesis and use of new water-soluble polymer binders for making ceramic films from Al ₂O₃ by casting. The binders produce cast materials having high contents of the solid phase and with rheological properties that provide for good flow of the cast mass and for easy separation of the film from the substrate. The emulsions wet Al₂O₃ well, so one can make ceramic films with appropriate densities, elasticities, and mechanical strength in the raw state, and these can be fired to make planeparallel specimens free from cracks and having high density, good mechanical strength, and low roughness. Warsaw Polytechnic. Translated from Poroskhovaya Metallurgiya, Nos. 5–6(407), pp. 15–20, May–June, 1999.     

Structure and Properties of B4C - SiC Composites

We have investigated how the composition, grain morphology, and method of preparing the starting mixture affect the processes that form the structure and phase composition of B₄C - SiC composites during hot pressing. We found that, depending on the composition of the initial powder mixtures, which is responsible for different mechanisms of consolidation of ceramic materials during hot pressing, the grain size of the main B₄C phase and its defect content as well as the nature of the SiC phase distribution within the material differ significantly. When B₄C - SiC composites with a low SiC content are made from initial B₄C - B₄Si - B - C powder mixtures those composites have a high cracking resistance because of their fine grain structure.__________Translated from Poroshkovaya Metallurgiya, Nos. 3–4(442), pp. 112–119, March–April, 2005.     

Evolution and coarsening of Al2O3 dispersoids at 500 °C to 600 °C in a mechanically alloyed Al-Ti-O based material

The formation and coarsening of Al₂O₃ dispersoids have been investigated at 500 °C, 550 °C, and 600 °C in a mechanically alloyed (MA) extrusion of composition Al-0.35wt pct Li-1wt pct Mg-0.25wt pct C-10vol pct TiO₂ for times up to 1500 hours. In the as-extruded condition, the dispersed phases included Al₃Ti, Al₄C₃, MgO, cubic TiO (C-TiO), monoclinic TiO (M-TiO), TiO₂, and a small amount of Al₂O₃. However, numerous Al₂O₃ dispersoids (various polymorphs: η, γ, α, and δ) with “block-shaped” morphology were formed after heat treatment due to reduction of C-TiO, M-TiO, and TiO₂. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed conclusively the transformation of these phases to additional Al₂O₃ and Al₃Ti. High resolution TEM showed that the α-Al₂O₃ dispersoids exhibited some lattice matching with the α-Al matrix. Coalescence of the block-shaped Al₂O₃ dispersoids occurred after heat treatment, and Al₄C₃ also became attached to them. The length and width of the block-shaped Al₂O₃ dispersoids increased by a factor of ∼1.55 between 340 and 1500 hours at 600 °C.     

Formation of the structure and phase composition of titanium nitride—(Nickel—Molybdenum) materials

The features of structure and phase composition of sintered heterophase materials based on TiN with Ni—Mo binder have been studied. Molybdenum in the binder increases the material density in comparison with that of nickel binder. This seems to be due to less release of nitrogen from TiN. After sintering, the binder consists of intermetallics of titanium with nickel and molybdenum, as well as solid solution based on nickel and molybdenum. The effect of Al₂O₃ additives (20%) on the microstrucutre and phase composition of TiN—Ni—Mo was also studied. Sintering in argon ambient and in vacuum results in increase of microhardness and lattice parameter of TiN caused by dissolution of nickel, molybdenum, and oxygen in TiN. Institute for Problems of Materials Science, Ukraine National Academy of Sciences, Kiev. Translated from Poroshkovaya Metallurgiya, Nos. 7–8(402), pp. 82–89, July–August, 1998.