Effect of slurry and sol-gel introduce SiCnws on ablation and bending behaviors of modified SiCf/HfC-SiC composites

The slurry and sol-gel methods were used to introduce SiC nanowires (SiC_nws) into the SiC_f/HfC-SiC composites. The microstructures, ablation, and bending behaviors of the SiC_nws modified composites prepared by the two methods were compared. The bending strengths of the modified composites obtained by introducing SiC_nws by the slurry and sol-gel methods were 224 ± 19 and 154 ± 14 MPa, respectively. The results showed that SiC fibers with chemical corrosion and thermal damage during the sol-gel process decreased the bending strength of the SiC_nws-modified SiC_f/HfC-SiC composites. Meanwhile, the pyrolytic carbon interface accompanying corrosion damage in the sol-gel process led to the degradation of interface function, which hindered the interface debonding and fiber sliding of the composites during the bending test. After ablation, the bending strengths of the two composites were 188 ± 19 and 50 ± 7 MPa, respectively. The bending strength retention of the modified composites fabricated by the slurry method (83.9%) was higher than that (32.5%) of the composites fabricated by the sol-gel method after ablation. As the composites fabricated by the slurry method exhibited a good ablation resistance under the oxyacetylene flame (∼2350°C).     

The ablation and mechanical behaviors of C/(SiC-ZrC)n multi-layer structure matrix composites by chemical vapor infiltration

Continuous carbon fiber reinforced (SiC-ZrC)_n multi-layer structural matrix composites were prepared by isothermal chemical vapor infiltration method. The microstructure, bending and ablation behavior of the composites with different number (n, n = 1, 2, 4) of SiC-ZrC layer were studied. The fracture morphology was step-like fracture. With the increase of n, the number of interfaces doubled, benefiting that the cracks kept deflecting and branching at the interface to consume lots of energy. The bending strength increased from 127.63 MPa (n = 1) to 276.85 MPa (n = 4). After ablation, among the prepared composites, C/(SiC-ZrC)₄ composite not only had the highest residual bending strength (169 MPa), but also had the best ablation resistance, which the mass and linear ablation rates were 1.17 ± 0.19 mg/s and 7.50 ± 0.56 µm/s, respectively.     

Effect of TaSi2 addition on long-term ablation behavior of HfB2-SiC coating

In order to improve the thermal protective ability of HfB₂-SiC coating, TaSi₂ was introduced into the coating and its function on long-term ablation resistance was investigated by plasma ablation tests under two heat fluxes. The variations in ablation behavior and structural evolution of the coatings under low and high heat fluxes were elaborated. The results indicated that TaSi₂ significantly improved the ablation resistance of HfB₂-SiC coating due to the alleviation of volume expansion when the ablation temperature was above the melting point of Ta₂O₅ (∼1872 ℃). However, the results are reversed when the temperature was below the fusing point. The reasons for the variation were explained by the effect of temperature on the active oxidation of SiC and the oxidation behavior of TaSi₂. The improvement of the ablation resistance also can be attributed to the avoidance of the SiC-depleted region and the formation of Hf-Ta-Si-B-O compound glassy layer with low oxygen permeability and high viscosity.     

Effect of open porosity on flexural strength and hardness of ZrB2-based composites

In this work, Taguchi L₃₂ experimental design was applied to optimize flexural strength and hardness of ZrB₂-based composites which were prepared by SPS. With this aim, batch ZrB₂-based composites tests were performed to achieve targeted experimental design with nine factors (SiC, C_f, MoSi₂, HfB₂ and ZrC content, milling time of C_f and SPS parameters such as temperature, time and pressure) at four different levels. Flexural strength of all composite was measured by three-point bending test. Hardness measurement was done by Vickers indenter. SEM was applied to evaluate microstructure. The results showed that SiC grain size plays important role on flexural strength and correlation between flexural strength and open porosity is low while hardness strongly depends to open porosity. Grain size variation in the range of ~1.5 µm to ~8 µm has little effect on hardness.     

Exploring Hf-Ta-O precipitation upon ablation of Hf-Ta-Si-C coating on C/C composites

To improve the ablation resistance of C/C composites, a Hf-Ta-Si-C coating was fabricated by chemical vapor co-deposition. The ablation resistances of Hf-Si-C and Hf-Ta-Si-C coatings were characterized comparatively. After introducing Ta, the ablation resistance, smoothness and integrity of the ablated coating improved. Hf-Si-O and Hf-Ta-Si-O glass wires were observed. To investigate the reaction processes of the two types of glass wires, TEM observation was carried out and coupled to molecular dynamics simulations. These illustrated that Hf and Ta atoms tend gather together at high temperature. To investigate the effect of Hf-Ta-O precipitation on the ablation behavior, supplementary experiments were carried out on bulk ceramics with the same target composition, confirming that precipitation reaction could accelerated the formation of a smooth and intact oxide layer, playing a positive role in protecting C/C composites.     

Effect of internal lattice structure on the flexural strength of 3D printed hierarchical porous ultra-high temperature ceramic (ZrB2)

3D printing of technical ceramics using direct ink writing (DIW) of multiphase colloidal inks has the unique ability to create structures with hierarchical features. To facilitate the application of 3D printed hierarchical porous ultra-high temperature ceramics (UHTCs), additional limiting factors such as strength and the effect of 3D printed internal lattice structure need to be better understood. This study reports on the strength dependence of common DIW print parameters including internal lattice structure shape, nozzle diameter and spacings between adjacent filaments. The present study applies Weibull statistics to the experimental array that considers macro features introduced through print parameters as flaw types, which shows strength of 3D printed hierarchical ZrB₂ is highly dependent on the introduced 3D printed structure, size and the stressed volume. This work provides essential information that can be used in the initial stages of design when considering implementation of additively manufactured hierarchical porous UHTCs.     

Influence of Y2O3 on densification,flexural strength and heat shock resistance of cordierite-based composite ceramics

In order to fabricate a heat transfer ceramic-based pipeline for concentrated solar power, rare earth Y₂O₃ was utilized as a modifying agent to improve the physico-chemistry properties of the cordierite-based composite ceramics. The influences of the sintering temperature and Y₂O₃ additive on the densification, flexural strength, and thermostability were investigated. The research results indicate that the densification degree of the composite ceramics gradually increases with elevated temperature, and the initial sintering temperature decreases with the addition of Y₂O₃. In addition, the flexural strength and heat shock resistance of the ceramic materials were improved with the addition of Y₂O₃. In particular, a sample containing 7 wt% Y₂O₃ (sample E4) sintered at 1360 °C showed the best properties with a relative density of 92.49%, a flexural strength of 126.81 MPa, and strength loss rate of -7.74% after 30 heat shock cycles. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that parts of Y³⁺ ions dissolving into high-temperature liquid phases could reduce liquid viscosity to accelerate grain crystallization and pore elimination. The second phase of yttrium silicate properly impeded the generation of β-spodumene with lower strength during the heat shock process. Overall, a cordierite-based composite ceramic with low porosity was obtained with high mechanical strength and heat shock resistance and can be regarded as a highly potential material for solar heat transfer pipelines.     

Influence of CAD-CAM milling on the flexural strength of Y-TZP dental ceramics

In this work, the influence of milling strategy and cutter wear on the flexural strength of sintered Y-TZP ceramics machined in a CAD-CAM system, was investigated. Pre-sintered Y-TZP blocks were machined with tungsten carbide (WC) milling cutters and divided into three groups: a) samples machined with New Cutting Tools (NCT); b) samples machined with End-of-life cutting tools (ELCT); and c) samples machined and subsequently polished. The samples were machined parallel and perpendicularly to the diameter of pre-sintered Y-TZP blocks aiming to evaluate the effect of the machining orientation on roughness. After cutting, the specimens were sintered at 1530?°C for 2?h and characterized. After sintering, dense Y-TZP samples presenting grain size average of 0.81?±?0.23?μm, hardness of 1205?±?12 HV, K_C of 7.7?±?0.4 MPam^1/2 and flexural strength of 1207?±?199?MPa were obtained. Furthermore, the control roughness (polished surfaces) presented R_a?=?0.058?±?0.011?μm. The surface roughness of the samples was influenced by the machining methodology using NCT mills, with R_a?=?0.386?±?0.149?μm and R_a?=?0.292?±?0.105?μm for samples machined parallel and perpendicularly to the pre-sintered Y-TZP blocks, respectively. The use of ELCT led to a roughness increasing (R_a?=?0.582?±?0.183?μm for samples milled perpendicularly, and R_a?=?0.919?±?0.164?μm for samples cut parallel to the pre-sintered blocks. The flexural strength of the sintered Y-TZP decreases with use of ELCT as consequence of surface roughness increasing, resulting from wear of WC mills, which presented chippings with sizes ranging from 30 to 340?μm in the cutting edge.     

Mechanical and dielectric properties of SiCf/BN/SiBCN composites via different synthesis technologies

SiC fibers reinforced SiBCN ceramic matrix composites (SiC_f/BN/SiBCN composites) were synthesized by direct chemical vapor infiltration (CVI), polymer infiltration pyrolysis (PIP) or chemical vapor infiltration combined with polymer infiltration pyrolysis (CVI + PIP). It is shown that the insertion of a continuous and dense SiBCN matrix via the CVI process improves the flexural strength and modulus. Interface debonding and fiber pullout happened with 50–100 nm BN interface in CVI and CVI + PIP SiC_f/BN/SiBCN composites. The relative complex permittivity was measured in X-band. Higher ε′′ values in CVI-containing composites can be observed, which can be attributed to the accumulation of C and SiC phases and a multilayer matrix. Strong electromagnetic wave attenuation ability was obtained with high dielectric loss.     

Ultra-high temperature ablation behavior of MoAlB ceramics under an oxyacetylene flame

The ultra-high temperature ablation of a polycrystalline, fully dense, predominantly single phase MoAlB ceramic discs under an oxyacetylene flame is examined. The linear ablation rate decreases from 1.3 μm/s during the first 30 s to - 0.7 μm/s after 60 s when the surface temperature reached about 2050 °C (with a flame temperature around 3000 °C). Up to 60 s, the MoAlB is ablation resistant due to the formation of a protective and viscous surface Al₂O₃ layer. As the ablation time is prolonged, the protective Al₂O₃ scale becomes porous and is almost fully destroyed at the central ablation region after 120 s. This accelerates the formation of large amounts of volatile species (mainly B and Mo oxides), resulting in a reduction in the ablation resistance.     

Ablation behavior of C/C-ZrC and C/SiC-ZrC composites fabricated by a joint process of slurry impregnation and chemical vapor infiltration

C/C-ZrC and C/SiC-ZrC composites were fabricated by a joint process of slurry impregnation and chemical vapor infiltration, in which ZrC matrix was obtained by slurry impregnation process, while C or SiC matrix was introduced by chemical vapor infiltration process. The as fabricated C/C-ZrC and C/SiC-ZrC composites have densities of 1.67 g cm^?3 and 1.91 g cm^?3 respectively. Tensile strength is 89.4±8.4 MPa and 182.2±14.0 MPa respectively for the as prepared C/C-ZrC and C/SiC-ZrC. Ablation behavior of the C/C-ZrC and C/SiC-ZrC composites under air plasma was studied and compared in detail. Due to different oxidation resistance and heat transfer capacity of the matrix, these two ZrC based composites showed various ablation behavior. The linear erosion rate is 48 µm s^?1 and 39 µm s^?1 respectively for C/C-ZrC and C/SiC-ZrC composites.     

水泥水化物晶胶比对水泥抗折性能的影响

通过在水泥中引入晶体源调整水化物晶胶比以提高水泥的抗折性能,测试了引入不同晶体源的水泥胶砂强度及脆性系数,确定用CA调整水泥石的晶胶比较为适宜。测定了不同CA掺量时水泥砂浆膨胀率及强度,对试验结果进行了分析,得出了CA的最佳掺量。     

Investigations on continuous-wave laser and pulsed laser induced controllable ablation of SiCf/SiC composites

To lay a foundation for the feasibility exploration of laser-induced ablation-assisted machining for SiC_f/SiC composites, combined with numerical simulation and experiments, the laser-induced ablation mechanism of SiC_f/SiC composites was studied, and the relationship between laser parameters and ablation depth was analyzed. The laser-induced ablation products of SiC_f/SiC composites mainly consisted of recrystallized 3C-SiC and amorphous SiO₂, which were powdery and porous. According to the stratification characteristic, the ablation products were divided into attached smoke dust layer, sublimate recrystallization layer, heat-affected layer, and unaffected layer from the surface to the inside of the material. By adjusting the laser parameters (significant factors were the scanning speed and the scanning spacing), the depth of laser-induced ablation was adjustable and controllable. The ablation depth was greater in continuous-wave (CW) mode due to the continuous energy input. Therefore, CW laser is more suitable for generating larger and various ablation depths to match various cutting allowances.     

Microstructure and flexural strength of C/HfC-ZrC-SiC composites prepared by reactive melt infiltration method

C/HfC-ZrC-SiC composites were fabricated via reactive melt infiltration (RMI) of the mixed HfSi₂ and ZrSi₂ alloys. The microstructure, infiltration behavior of the hybrid silicide alloys infiltrating C/C composites, and flexural strength of C/HfC-ZrC-SiC composites was studied. Inside composites, there were more Hf-rich (Hf, Zr)C phases distributed in the exterior region, while more SiC and Zr-rich (Zr, Hf)Si₂ in the interior region. There was compositional segregation in (Hf, Zr)C, with the HfC content decreasing from the exterior region to interior region. The RMI process was performed at different temperatures to investigate the structural evolution, and a model for the reactive melt infiltration of the mixed HfSi₂ and ZrSi₂ alloys into C/C composites was established. Compared with C/HfC-SiC and C/ZrC-SiC prepared by same process, C/HfC-ZrC-SiC had the highest flexural strength of 247Mpa and 213Mpa after oxidation at 1200 ℃ for 15 min. Both the unoxidized and oxidized samples presented a pseudo-plastic fracture behavior.     

Effects of SiC/HfC ratios on the ablation and mechanical properties of 3D Cf/HfC-SiC composites

Effects of SiC/HfC ratios on the ablation and mechanical properties of 3D C_f/HfC–SiC composites by precursor impregnation and pyrolysis (PIP) process were investigated systematically. Both strength (flexural and compressive strength) and modulus increase as the SiC/HfC ratio are improved. The compact and stiff HfC-SiC matrix in addition to the carbon fiber and PyC interphase with less reaction damage accounts for the improved mechanical properties of C_f/HfC-SiC with higher SiC/HfC ratios. Meanwhile, both weight loss and erosion depth of C_f/HfC-SiC are improved with the increased SiC/HfC ratios. Therefore, in order to balance the ablation and mechanical properties, an appropriate SiC/HfC ratio should be considered.     

A novel design of Al-Cr alloy surface sealing for ablation resistant C/C-ZrC-SiC composite

To improve anti-ablation property of C/C-ZrC-SiC composite, a novel design of Al-Cr alloy surface sealing was performed by liquid melt impregnation. Results show that Al₈Cr₅ formed on the surface which could effectively seal the holes and cracks. The cooperation of metal and ceramics contribute a better anti-ablation performance to the obtained composite, and its mass and linear ablation rates decrease by 98.3% and 81.2% respectively. This special surface structure evolves into a highly dense oxide scale comprising various solid solutions (including Al-Cr-O, Al-Si-O, Cr-Si-O) and ZrO₂, which could significantly improve the anti-ablation performance of C/C-ZrC-SiC composite.     

Effect of PyC interface phase on the cyclic ablation resistance and flexural properties of two-dimensional Cf/HfC composites

Composites based on hafnium carbide and reinforced with continuous naked carbon fiber with and without PyC interface were prepared at low temperature by precursor infiltration and pyrolysis and chemical vapor deposition method. The microstructure, mechanical property, cyclic ablation and fiber bundle push-in tests of the composites were investigated. The results show that after three times ablation cycles, the bending strength of samples without PyC interface decreased by 63.6 %; the bending strength of samples with PyC interface only decreased by 37.8 %. The force displacement curve of the samples with PyC interface presented a well pseudoplastic deformation state. The mechanical behavior difference of two kinds of composites was due to crucial function of PyC interface phase including protection of fiber and weakening of fiber/matrix interface.     

Effect of the surface microstructure of SiC inner coating on the bonding strength and ablation resistance of ZrB2-SiC coating for C/C composites

The present study has been conducted in order to investigate the effect of the surface morphology of SiC inner coating on the bonding strength and ablation resistance of the sprayed ZrB₂-SiC coating for C/C composites. The microstructure of SiC inner coatings prepared by chemical vapor deposition and pack cementation at different temperatures were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and 3D Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope. Tensile bonding strength and oxyacetylene ablation testing were used to characterize the bonding strength and ablation resistance of the sprayed ZrB₂-SiC coating, respectively. Results show that SiC inner coating prepared by chemical vapor deposition has a smooth surface, which is not beneficial to improve the bonding strength and ablation resistance of the sprayed ZrB₂-SiC coating. SiC inner coating prepared by pack cementation at 2000 °C has a rugged surface with the roughness of 72.15 µm, and the sprayed ZrB₂-SiC coating with it as inner layer exhibits good bonding strength and ablation resistance.     

Machinability improvement in milling of SiCf/SiC composites based on laser controllable ablation pretreatment

The poor machinability of SiC_f/SiC composites greatly limits its application and promotion. The laser-induced ablation products of SiC_f/SiC composites are powdery, loose and porous. Milling of laser ablated samples demonstrated that the force and heat were almost negligible when milling ablation products. Accordingly, a laser ablation pretreatment milling (LAPM) process of SiC_f/SiC composites was proposed. Under the LAPM process, after the laser ablation treatment with controllable depth, the cutting allowance could be achieved in only one pass, which greatly improved the machining efficiency compared with the conventional milling process. The material removal rate was greatly improved on the premise of ensuring the machining quality. Taking the milling of tensile specimens as an example, compared with conventional milling, the total processing time of the specimen was reduced by 31.29 % by LAPM process. Therefore, LAPM provides a potential feasible process scheme for greatly improving the machinability and machining efficiency of SiC_f/SiC composites.