Effects of CNTs content on microstructure and mechanical properties of Cnt/α-Al2O3 and Cnt-Csf/α-Al2O3 composites

In this work, CNTs and short carbon fiber reinforced α-Al₂O₃ matrix composites (i.e., C_nt/α-Al₂O₃ and C_nt-C_sf/α-Al₂O₃) were prepared by sol-gel dispersing method followed by hot pressing process. Effects of CNTs content on the mechanical properties of C_nt/α-Al₂O₃ and C_nt-C_sf/α-Al₂O₃ composites were investigated and the inter- and transgranular fracture mechanisms in C_nt-C_sf/α-Al₂O₃ composites were analyzed. The hardness and relative density of C_nt/α-Al₂O₃ and C_nt-C_sf/α-Al₂O₃ composites slightly decrease as CNTs content increases. The flexural strength and fracture toughness monotonically increase with the increase in C_nt content for both C_nt/α-Al₂O₃ and C_nt-C_sf/α-Al₂O₃ composites. Addition of C_sf and CNTs into α-Al₂O₃ matrix results in a bimodal grain size microstructure of C_nt-C_sf/α-Al₂O₃ composites, which accounts for the unique fractograph and the enhanced toughness of C_nt-C_f/α-Al₂O₃ composites. The flexural strength and fracture toughness of C_sf5-nt06 composite are 465 MPa and 7.08 MPa/m², 37% and 13% higher than that of C_nt06, and 42% and 34% higher than that of C_sf5, respectively.     

Composition of Pd-La/α-Al2O3 catalysts

The objective of this study is to investigate the structure of the Pd-La/-Al₂O₃ catalyst. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and temperature-programmed reduction (TPRd) were used as characterization techniques. Contrary to the assertions in the literature, XRD studies conducted on La/-Al₂O₃ composite oxides and Pd-La/-Al₂O₃ catalysts show that Pd catalyzes the solid state reaction between A1₂O₃ and Al₂O₃ to form LaAlO₃. TPRd studies conducted on Pd/-Al₂O₃, Pd/La₂O₃, Pd/LaAlO₃, and Pd-La/-Al₂O₃ catalysts suggest that Pd in the Pd-La/-Al₂O₃ catalyst interacts more strongly with LaAlO₃ than with -Al₂O₃. Reaction studies were conducted to investigate the activity of Pd/-Al₂O₃, Pd/La₂O₃, Pd/LaA10₃, and Pd-La/-Al₂O₃ catalysts for nitric oxide (NO) reduction. These studies show that Pd/LaAlO₃ catalysts are most active for NO removal at stoichiometric and under net reducing conditions.     

Corrosion resistance of AlN and Fe3Al reinforced Fe-based plasma cladding layer in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution

Fe-based cladding layers were prepared via the plasma cladding method using nitrogen as protective and reactant gas. The effects of Al on the phase structure, morphology, composition, and corrosion resistance of the cladding layers were investigated. The based cladding layer consisted of α-Fe, Cr, and small amounts of CrN and Fe_xN, whereas Fe₃Al, Cr₅Al₈ and AlN occurred in the cladding layer with Al. Many AlN particles less than 4 μm in diameter were uniformly distributed in the cladding layer. The nitrides in the cladding layer could accelerate the formation of a passive film and increase the corrosion resistance of the cladding layer. A compact and stable passive film composed of Al₂O₃, Cr₂O₃, α-FeOOH, and Fe₃O₄ formed on the surface of the cladding layer with Al, which is beneficial in protecting the substrate and significantly improving the cladding layer's corrosion resistance.     

Phase equilibria of SiO2–Ce2O3–CaO-25 wt %Al2O3 system at 1673 K–1773 K

The utilization of rare earth resources, especially secondary resources (e.g., RE-oxide system slag), has been limited by the lack of thermodynamic information. In order to supplement and improve the thermodynamic data related to rare earth, the equilibrium experiments of SiO₂–Ce₂O₃–CaO-25 wt %Al₂O₃ system phase diagram was carried out at 1673 K and 1773 K by the high-temperature isothermal equilibration/quenching technique in current paper. The composition of seven phase regions were determined by FE-SEM, XRD, EPMA and XRF analysis on the samples obtained by high temperature equilibrium technology at 1673 K and 1773 K, including the primary crystal regions of three compounds (C₂AS, 2CaO·SiO₂, CaO·2Ce₂O₃·3SiO₂) and three three-phase coexistence regions (L + C₂AS + 2CaO·SiO₂, L + C₂AS + CaO·2Ce₂O₃·3SiO₂, L + CaO·2Ce₂O₃·3SiO₂+CeAl₁₁O₁₈) and a liquid region. The phase relations and isotherms of SiO₂–Ce₂O₃–CaO-25 wt %Al₂O₃ system obtained in current work are beneficial to the recycling of rare earth resources containing cerium.     

Microwave absorption properties of (1 − x)La0.85Ag0.15MnO3/x graphene (x = 0, 3, and 5 wt.%) composites

Composite of (1 − x)La_0.85Ag_0.15MnO₃/x graphene (x = 0, 3, and 5 wt.%) and epoxy resin with a ratio of 4:1 were prepared to investigate the influence of the addition of graphene in (1 − x)La_0.85Ag_0.15MnO₃/x graphene on real and imaginary parts of permittivity, permeability, as well as microwave reflection loss (RL), using a vector network analyzer in the 8–18 GHz of the frequency range. It is found that the value of RL is smaller at x = 3 wt.% (−20.74 dB at 14.85 GHz) and 5 wt.% (−14.81 at 16.50 GHz) compared to at x = 0 wt.% (−8.89 dB at 15.90 GHz). The result indicates that microwave absorption properties significantly improved as a result of the addition of graphene. It is suggested that the addition of graphene enhanced the dielectric loss–related mechanism such as interfacial polarization and conduction loss resulting in an improvement of microwave absorption performance for both x = 3 wt.% and x = 5 wt.% samples. It also shows that the observed enhanced microwave absorption properties may also be influenced by the resistivity of the sample as x = 3 wt.% sample exhibits enhanced microwave absorption properties and the lowest resistivity among the studied samples.     

Anisotropic corrosion of Ti2AlC and Ti3AlC2 in supercritical water at 500 ºC

Textured and untextured M_n+1AX_n compounds, Ti₂AlC and Ti₃AlC₂, namely MAX phases have been synthesized and examined with respect to their corrosion resistance in static supercritical water at 500 °C. The textured ceramics were obtained by hot forging process at high temperatures. Both X-ray diffraction and SEM analysis revealed well alignment of c-plane of MAX phases parallel to the hot-forging surface. Better corrosion resistance on the surface perpendicular to the hot-forged direction was verified by SEM. On the other hand, the side surfaces of the samples showed thick oxidation layers and abundant cracks. The (00l) faces consist of strongly bonded Ti₃C₂ and Ti₂C layers in Ti₃AlC₂ and Ti₂AlC, respectively, hence exhibit higher resistance to water corrosion. On the contrary, the side surfaces where most of weakly bonded interlayers of these hexagonal phases were exposed tend to be easily corroded especially through Al-layers. The corrosion process involved a phase transition of oxidized product, i.e. TiO₂ from anatase to rutile phase, which gave rise to the formation of cracks due to accompanied volume changes.     

Degradation of metal–polymer composite submitted to uniaxial deformations in 3.5% NaCl solution

This research evaluated the degradation performance of metal–polymer laminates. The material employed was an electrolytic chromium-coated steel (ECCS) sheet, protected by polyethylene teraphthalate (PET). This composite was submitted to uniaxial deformations simulating those occurring in the formation of containers. Later, it was electrochemically tested in 3.5% NaCl?w/v solution and characterised by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Finally, an evaluation of the degradation activity was made to determine the potential performance of the composite in canning applications. The results indicated that the deformation–degradation correlations of the layers depended on the plastic deformation, strain energy, surface quality of the PET polymer free from defects (with respect to a control sample), lack of continuity of the chromium oxide layer at the interface level due to the generation of microcracks, grain deformation in the metallic layers – both of ECCS and chromium layer – due to the generation of Lüder’s bands, loss of adherence detected by electrochemical tests and surface morphological changes of the protective polymer by uniaxial deformations.     

Kinetic role of C/Zr ratio in the reaction process,combustion behavior,and synthetic product of 70 wt.% (xC–Zr)–30 wt.% Cu

The kinetic role of C/Zr ratio in the reaction processes, combustion behaviors, and synthesized products of 70 wt.% (xC–Zr)–30 wt.% Cu was investigated. Results indicated that ZrC particles were produced by the replacement reaction between carbon atoms and Zr–Cu melt. With an increase in C/Zr ratio, more carbon atoms combined with the zirconium atoms in Zr–Cu liquid. As a result, the formation rate of massive ZrC enhanced, which shortened the ignition time of combustion reaction. On the other hand, the quantity, the lattice parameter, and the x value of synthetic ZrC_x increased, while the byproduct Cu_yZr_x compounds decreased. These effects contributed to an increase in the burning temperature and ZrC_x particle size. Moreover, it is also revealed that the formation of ZrC_x is a multistep process, which leads to an inhomogeneous distribution of the particle size. Results from this work offer a theoretical reference for the kinetic research of combustion synthesis and related techniques, and provide a valuable guide to the in situ synthesis of composite materials containing ZrC.     

Preparation and characterization of Al2O3–25 mol% ZrO2 composites

Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ (AZ_x), with 25 mol% ZrO₂ content, was prepared using the co-precipitation method. Synthesized powders were characterized by thermal reaction using a differential thermal analysis technique (TG–DTA) and were investigated by phase formation using X-ray diffraction. It indicated that the reaction occurred at 850 °C; cubic (c)-ZrO₂ phase and Al₂O₃ were obtained. By increasing temperature to 1100 °C, tetragonal (t)-ZrO₂ phase was detected. The Al₂O₃–25 mol% ZrO₂ was sintered for 2 h in the temperature range of between 1300 and 1600 °C. The majority phases of ceramics were m-ZrO₂ and α-Al₂O₃, although a t-ZrO₂ phase also appeared as a minor phase and decreased with higher temperature. Moreover, morphology and particle size evolution have been determined via the SEM technique. SEM showed that the particles of powder are agglomerated and basically irregular in shape. An SEM micrograph of ceramics exhibits uniform microstructure without abnormal grain growth.     

An evaluation of plasma-sprayed coatings based on Al2O3 and Al2O3–13 wt.% TiO2 with bond coat on pure titanium substrate

In this study, the effects of bond coat on the properties of Al₂O₃ and Al₂O₃–13 wt.% TiO₂ coatings, which is plasma sprayed onto a commercial pure titanium substrate with and without Ni–5 wt.% Al (METCO 450 NS) as bond coating layer were investigated in terms of microhardness, bonding strength and surface roughness. Optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examinations revealed that there is a uniform coating layer with no spalling and delamination. However, there is a little amount of porosity. The results indicated that the application of bond coat layer in the plasma spraying of Al₂O₃ and Al₂O₃–13 wt.% TiO₂ on pure titanium substrate has increased the hardness and bonding strength of coatings. While the adhesive bonding is dominant without bond coat, the cohesive bonding is dominant with the application of the bond coating layer. It has been observed that percentage of cohesion strength was about three times higher than that of adhesion strength.     

Oxidation behaviors of ZrB2–SiC binary composites above 2000 °C

Rapid oxidation testing for monolithic ZrB₂ and ZrB₂–SiC binary composites with different SiC contents (0–30 vol%) was performed using an electric heating system above 2000 °C. The system used in this study achieved the high heating rate of 250 °C/s. The experimental results showed that the morphologies of the oxidized specimens depended strongly on the SiC content. The formation mechanism of SiC-depleted layers beneath the surface scale above 2000 °C differed completely from that below 2000 °C. Although the holding time was below 10 s, SiC-depleted layers were formed because the oxygen partial pressure of the air atmosphere was not enough to form SiO₂ by the oxidation of SiC. It was determined that ZrB₂–20 vol% SiC showed the best oxidation resistance above 2000 °C at high heating rates.     

Microstructure and improved mechanical properties of Al2O3/Ba-β-Al2O3/ZrO2 composites with YSZ addition

Al₂O₃/Ba-β-Al₂O₃/ZrO₂ composites were fabricated by solid-state reaction sintering of Al₂O₃, BaZrO₃, and yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) powders. The effects of YSZ addition on microstructure and mechanical properties have been investigated. The incorporation of YSZ promoted the densification of the composites and formation of tetragonal ZrO₂ phase. The microstructure of the composites was characterized by elongated Ba-β-Al₂O₃ phase and equiaxed ZrO₂ particles including added YSZ and reaction-formed ZrO₂. The Al₂O₃/Ba-β-Al₂O₃/ZrO₂ composites with YSZ addition exhibited improved fracture toughness, as a result of multiple toughening effects including crack deflection, crack bridging, crack branching, and martensitic transformation of ZrO₂ formed by the reactions between Al₂O₃ and BaZrO₃. Moreover, owing to the grain refinement of Al₂O₃ matrix, dispersion strengthening of the added YSZ particles, and an increase in density of the composites, the Vickers hardness and flexural strength of Al₂O₃/Ba-β-Al₂O₃/ZrO₂ composites were dramatically enhanced in comparison with the composites without YSZ addition.     

Determination of the initial heat treatment temperature in the two-step sintering of xAl–ZnO (x = 1, 2, and 3 wt.%)

The application of a two-step sintering route successfully decreased the sintering temperature of Al-doped ZnO transparent conducting oxide target. The two-step sintering consisted of initial heat treatment (IHT) at 800–1000 °C under mild (<2 MPa) external pressure, and pressureless final sintering at 1250–1350 °C in a separate furnace. The optimum IHTs for effective densification depended on the Al doping. The 800 °C IHT was effective for 1 wt.% Al doping, and the 1000 °C IHT, for 3 wt.% Al doping. As a result of the effective IHT, the volume of the micron sized pore decreased with the fragmentation into submicron pores. This suggests that cohesion of the secondary particles occurred during the effective IHT. The IHT temperature for achieving cohesion increased in the 3 wt.% Al doping. The criterion for determining the IHT in the two-step sintering was identified as the minimum temperature at which the cohesion of secondary particles can be achieved.     

Y3Al5O12-α-Al2O3 composites with fine-grained microstructure by hot pressing of Al2O3-Y2O3 glass microspheres

Yttrium aluminate glass microspheres with the eutectic composition 76.8 mol. % Al₂O₃ and 23.2 mol. % Y₂O₃ were prepared by combining the sol-gel Pechini method with flame synthesis. The sol-gel method was applied to achieve the desired composition homogeneity of the prepared glass and hence, improve the microstructure homogeneity and mechanical properties of bulk polycrystalline materials. The latter were prepared by hot pressing, more specifically pressure assisted sintering, at 1050 °C, 1300 °C and 1600 °C using pressures of 30 MPa and 80 MPa and holding times between 0 and 30 min. This also led to the crystallization of the glass. A composite with the Vickers hardness 18.0 ± 0.7 GPa and an indentation fracture toughness 4.9 ± 0.3 MPa.m^1/2 was obtained by sintering at 1600 °C, at the pressure of 80 MPa and with 30 min isothermal heating at the maximum temperature. Improved mechanical properties were observed when increasing the temperature of sintering and the holding time. This can be attributed to the formation of a unique microstructure consisting of α-Al₂O₃ grains in the μm-scale embedded in a YAG (yttrium-aluminium garnet) matrix in the hot-pressed samples.     

Rietveld analysis and mechanical properties of in situ formed La-β-Al2O3/Al2O3 composites prepared by sol-gel method

In this work, the crystal evolution of α-Al₂O₃ composites reinforced with LBA platelets were monitored by XRD Rietveld. In addition, the mechanical properties of totally densified specimens were researched by Vickers and Knoop indentations. These composite materials were prepared by a sol-gel process from alumina seeded boehmite sol and lanthanum nitrate. X-ray diffraction data have been studied by Rietveld refinements and line profile analyses, paying attention to the LBA formation, the evolution of vol%, and crystallite size of the different phases. It has been observed that the appearance of the LBA phase happens at a lower temperature than in samples prepared by a conventional solid state reaction. Indentation tests revealed that the presence of LBA microplatelets in the sol-gel samples leads to a significant increase of their indentation fracture resistance, in comparison to the conventional samples.     

Onset of perovskite formation in the catalytic system La2O3/γ-Al2O3

Molecular dynamics simulations of model systems for the surface interaction of lanthanum oxide supported on -alumina have been carried out at 1500 K. The onset of formation of perovskite-like phases has been analysed in samples containing four different concentrations of lanthanum oxide. A mechanism of the formation of perovskite-like polyhedra is proposed. This mechanism essentially involves a displacement of an oxide ion associated to an octahedral aluminum by a lanthanum ion and appears to be independent of La₂O₃ loadings.     

Grain growth kinetics and growth mechanism of columnar Al2O3 crystals in xNb2O5–7.5La2O3-Al2O3 ceramic composites

xNb₂O₅–7.5La₂O₃-Al₂O₃ ceramic composites with in-situ-grown columnar Al₂O₃ crystals were successfully prepared by microwave sintering at 1450–1525?°C using α-Al₂O₃, Nb₂O₅, and La₂O₃ powders as raw materials. X-ray diffraction results indicated that the main phases were Al₂O₃, LaNbO₄, and Nb₂O₅ in the prepared samples. A field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) showed that the Al₂O₃ crystals appeared as columnar in the structure. Moreover, the grain size of the columnar Al₂O₃ crystals increased with the Nb₂O₅ content. The ratio of the major axis to the minor axis of the crystals was largest when the Nb₂O₅ content was 15?vol%. Furthermore, the grain-growth kinetics index (n), growth activation energy (Q), and growth mechanism of the columnar Al₂O₃ crystals were studied. The results indicated that the Nb₂O₅ addition could promote formation and growth of columnar Al₂O₃ crystals, and the grain-growth activation energy indicated that the dissolution process controls the crystal growth. The growth mechanism of the columnar Al₂O₃ crystals was also studied. The present work demonstrated that Nb₂O₅ is a good additive for the preparation of Nb₂O₅–7.5La₂O₃-Al₂O₃ composite ceramics with columnar Al₂O₃ crystals.     

Preparation of Pd/(Ce1 − xYx)O2/γ-Al2O3/cordierite catalysts and its catalytic combustion activity for methane

A series of (Ce_1 − xY_x)O₂ (x = 0,0.15,0.35,0.5) coatings on γ-Al₂O₃ pre-coated cordierite honeycomb were prepared by sol–gel method, and then palladium was loaded by aqueous solution impregnation deposition with Pd(NO₃)₂ as precursor. The structure and morphology of samples were evaluated and the catalytic combustion activity for methane was also discussed. (Ce_1 − xY_x)O₂ synthesized by sol–gel has a single-phase cubic fluorite structure. Increasing the Y/Ce ratio can significantly improve the inner surface morphology of the honeycomb channels and also the coating mechanical stability, and leads to a considerable improvement in the catalytic activity of the prepared catalysts for methane.     

High CO2 resistance of indium-doped cobalt-free 60 wt.%Ce0.9Pr0.1O2-δ-40 wt.%Pr0.6Sr0.4Fe1-xInxO3-δ oxygen transport membranes

The oxygen transport membrane (OTM) has huge application prospects in gas separation and carbon neutralization based on oxygen enriched combustion. In this paper, the family 60 wt.%Ce_0.9Pr_0.1O_2-δ-40 wt.%Pr_0.6Sr_0.4Fe_1-xIn_xO_3-δ (CPO-PSF_1-xI_xO, x = 0.01, 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1) cobalt-free dual-phase MIEC OTMs doped with indium have been successfully prepared by Pechini method. The phase structure, surface morphology, element distribution, oxygen permeability, and long-term operation stability of these OTMs are systematically explored. Among these OTMs, the champion oxygen permeable flux of CPO-PSF_0.99I_0.01O reaches 1.07 mL min^?1·cm^?2 and 0.80 mL min^?1·cm^?2 at 1000 °C under air/He gradient and air/CO₂ gradient. Meanwhile, CPO-PSF_0.99I_0.01O maintains the value of 0.80 mL min^?1·cm^?2 steadily at 1000 °C for 100 h when pure CO₂ as the sweep gas. The surface element distribution and phase structure of the OTMs after long-term oxygen permeability reaction are investigated by XRD, SEM combining with EDS, where the spent membranes retain the same structure and component as the fresh membranes, demonstrating that the In-doped OTMs have an excellent CO₂ tolerance. Suitable indium substitution for iron of these OTMs not only improves the oxygen permeability, but also maintains the long-term reaction stability of the material.     

Phase transition mechanisms involved in the formation of structurally stable β-Ca3(PO4)2-α-Al2O3 composites

Composite powders comprising various proportions of β-Tricalcium phosphate [β-Ca₃(PO₄)₂] and α-Alumina (α-Al₂O₃) were synthesized by wet precipitation and then heat treated for drying and crystalline phase development. The phase formation mechanism was assessed through a set of characterization techniques including XRD, FT-IR and Raman spectra, and quantitative Rietveld refinement analysis. Al₂O₃ additions delayed the transformation kinetics from calcium deficient apatite to β-Ca₃(PO₄)₂ and preserved the thermal stability of β-Ca₃(PO₄)₂ − α-Al₂O₃ composites till 1400 °C. Such enhancement of thermal stability was due to the occupancy of Al³⁺ at both Ca²⁺(4) and Ca²⁺(5) lattice sites of β-Ca₃(PO₄)₂. Beyond the occupancy saturation limit for Al³⁺, the excess of aluminium crystallized as α-Al₂O₃. Morphological analysis revealed the growth of rod-like α-Al₂O₃ platelets on the surface of micron sized β-Ca₃(PO₄)₂ grains. The mechanical data obtained from indentation of bulk composites displayed enhanced hardness and Young’s modulus with increasing α-Al₂O₃ content in the composites.