13C NMR study on the structure of ZnO-catalyzed phenol–urea–formaldehyde resin during its synthesis process

The structure of ZnO-catalyzed phenol–urea–formaldehyde (PUF) resin at different synthesis stages was analyzed by liquid ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The results showed that the general structure of ZnO-catalyzed PUF resin was almost the same as the control PUF resin. Addition reaction between phenol and formaldehyde mainly occurred at the first stage. Total methylol groups amount between phenols of the control resin was a little lower than that of the ZnO-catalyzed PUF resin. Co-condensation and self-condensation reaction occurred at the second stage. The preparation method of ZnO-catalyzed PUF resin favored the co-condensation reaction between phenol methylol groups and urea units, while self-condensation reaction dominated the control resin at the second stage. Formaldehyde completely reacted for both the control and ZnO-catalyzed PUF final resin. The total amount of methylol and methylene groups between urea units and phenols, respectively, was almost the same for the two final resins. The total quantity of methylol groups between phenols represented a continuing downward trend from the first stage to the final stage, and the amount of methylol group (p-Ph–CH₂OH) of ZnO-catalyzed PUF resin was 30% more than that of the control resin. Total co-condensed methylene groups amount of ZnO-catalyzed PUF resin was greater than that of the control resin, which indicated that ZnO could make the urea units well incorporated into the co-condensed PUF resin.     

Preparation of Ni–Mo–C/Ti(C,N) coated powders and its influence on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti(C,N)-based cermets

Ni–Mo–C/Ti(C,N) coated powders, namely Ni–Mo alloy and Mo₂C coated Ti(C,N) composite powders, were synthesized by using a heterogeneous precipitation and thermal reduction method, then pressed and vacuum sintered to fabricate cermets. The chemical composition, microstructure and phases of the composite powders and the microstructure and properties of sintered cermets were experimentally investigated. The results show that a fine and uniform microstructure of (Ti,Mo)(C,N)-Ni cermets without the conventional core-rim structure is obtained. The phases formed during the preparation of the coated powders as well as the cermets were analyzed by means of a X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The XRD result confirms the formation of the Ni₃Ti phase in the cermets. Due to the formation of the non-magnetic Ni₃Ti and the dissolution of Mo in Ni binder phase, the magnetic properties are strongly retarded. The fracture of the cermets is mainly characterized by inter-granular and dimple fractures. Better mechanical properties can be obtained in comparison with conventionally fabricated ones.