Microstructure and properties of large bulk Al2O3/ZrO2 (Y2O3) composites prepared by SHS under high gravity

For Al₂O₃/ZrO₂ (4Y) composites prepared by SHS under high gravity, the correlation between the microstructure and properties of the materials was investigated by adjusting the ZrO₂ (4Y) content. The results indicated that, as the volume fraction of ZrO₂ (4Y) was below 37%, the composite ceramics were mainly composed of the rod-shaped and randomly-orientated colonies in which nano-micrometer tetragonal ZrO₂ fibers were embedded; as the volume fraction of ZrO₂ (4Y) was above 40%, the composite ceramics in the matrix of micrometer sphere-like tetragonal ZrO₂ grains were obtained. The mechanical properties showed that Al₂O₃/33% ZrO₂ (4Y) not only had the maximum values of the relative density and hardness because of the low solidification temperature and the highest volume fraction of the colonies but also the maximum flexural strength value due to the small size of defects and high fracture toughness supported by the crack-deflection and crack-bridging toughening mechanisms.     

Enhanced mechanical properties of 3 Y2O3 stabilized tetragonal ZrO2 incorporating tourmaline particles

The current study reports on the improvement of mechanical properties of 3?mol% Y₂O₃ stabilized tetragonal ZrO₂ (3Y-TZP) by introduction of tourmaline through ball milling and subsequent densification by pressureless sintering at 800, 1200, 1300, 1400?°C. Findings demonstrate that no matter which sintering temperature the 3Y-TZP ceramic containing 2?wt% tourmaline reach a maximum value in flexural strength and fracture toughness as compared to other composite ceramics. As the tourmaline content is 2?wt% and the sintering temperature is 1300?°C, the flexural strength and fracture toughness of the composite ceramics are the highest, increases of 36.2% and 36.6% over plain 3Y-TZP ceramic respectively. The unique microstructure was systematically investigated through X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrum, and flourier transform-infrared. The strengthening and toughening mechanism of tourmaline in 3Y-TZP ceramic were also discussed.     

Bulk ultrahard composites in the eutectic TiB2-TiC system by SHS under high gravity

Eutectic TiB₂-TiC composite ceramics were prepared by combustion synthesis under high gravity. XRD, SEM, and EDS results showed that TiB₂-TiC composites were mainly composed of the eutectic microstructures of a TiC matrix in which a large number of fine TiB₂platelet grains were dispersed uniformly; meanwhile, at the boundaries of the eutectic microstructures, discontinuously dispersed ?-carbides enriched in Ti atoms, and a few isolated irregular α-Al₂O₃ grains and Al₂O₃-ZrO₂ colonies were observed. Because high-temperature chemical reaction results in fully liquid products, the application of high gravity induces the Stocks flow in the melts, which leads to the formation of layered melts consisting of liquid Ti-Cr-C-B melt and liquid oxides. Therefore, it is considered that TiB₂-TiC composites grow through eutectic transformation far away from the equilibrium state. The results of properties measurements indicate that, with increasing mass fraction of B₄C + Ti + C in combustion systems, the relative density and fracture toughness of TiB₂-TiC composites are all among 97–99% and 6.5–7.1 MPa m^1/2, respectively, and the Vickers hardness and flexural strength are increased gradually to the maximum values of 28.6 GPa and 615 MPa, respectively. The achievement of full-density TiB₂-TiC composites benefited from the design of fully liquid SHS products and application of high-gravity field, a high hardness of the composite ceramics resulted from the absence of intermediate borides, the achievement of stoichiometric TiC phases is due to rapid solidification, whereas a high flexural strength of the composite ceramics benefited from the homogenization and refinement of the microstructures due to the rapid separation of the liquid oxides and the rapid coupled growth of TiB₂-TiC.     

Differences in microstructure and mechanical properties between Y-TZP and AL2O3-doped Y-TZP/bioglass ceramics

Y-TZP (YZ) and Al₂O₃-doped Y-TZP (AYZ) bioceramics with addition of different contents of a refractory bioglass were fabricated. The influence of the glass addition and sintering temperature on the densification behavior, microstructure, and mechanical properties of YZ and AYZ was studied. The developed ceramics contained small amounts of ZrSiO₄ and Ca₂P₂O₇ phases within the ZrO₂ matrix. The incorporation of glass to YZ promoted the ZrO₂ phase partitioning and enhanced the ZrO₂ grain growth at all the sintering temperatures, whereas the glass addition in AYZ prevented the Y₂O₃ redistribution between ZrO₂ grains and limited the ZrO₂ grain growth at 1300–1400°C. The hardness of the samples with glass was not significantly altered by using either YZ or AYZ. A slight increase in the fracture toughness with increasing glass content was found for YZ, while the fractured toughness of AYZ decreased by the glass addition. The more pronounced ZrO₂ phase partitioning of YZ with glass decreased the flexural strength, whereas AYZ maintained almost unaltered its flexural strength at a high level by the glass incorporation.     

Preparation of Y2Si2O7/ZrO2 Composites and Their Composition – Mechanical Properties – Tribology Relationships

In this work, novel Y₂Si₂O₇/ZrO₂ composites were developed for structural and coating applications by taking advantage of their unique properties, such as good damage tolerance, tunable mechanical properties, and superior wear resistance. The γ‐Y₂Si₂O₇/ZrO₂ composites showed improved mechanical properties compared to the γ‐Y₂Si₂O₇ matrix material, that is, the Young's modulus was enhanced from 155 to 188 GPa (121%) and the flexural strength from 135 to 254 MPa (181%); when the amount of ZrO₂ was increased from 0 to 50 vol%, the γ‐Y₂Si₂O₇/ZrO₂ composites also presented relatively high facture toughness (>1.7 MPa·m^1/2), but this exhibited an inverse relationship with the ZrO₂ content. The composition–mechanical property–tribology relationships of the Y₂Si₂O₇/ZrO₂ composites were elucidated. The wear resistance of the composites is not only influenced by the applied load, hardness, strength, toughness, and rigidity but also effectively depends on micromechanical stability properties of the microstructures. The easy growth of subcritical microcracks in Y₂Si₂O₇ grains and at grain boundaries significantly contributes to the macroscopic fracture toughness, but promotes the pull‐out of individual grains, thus resulting in a lack of correlation between the wear rate and the macroscopic fracture toughness of the composites.     

Regulation of Y2O3 addition on structure and properties of Al2O3/ZrO2(Y2O3) directionally solidified eutectic ceramic

Al₂O₃/ZrO₂(Y₂O₃) directionally solidified eutectic ceramics (DSECs) with different Y₂O₃ addition were prepared. Three polymorphs of ZrO₂: m-ZrO₂, t-ZrO₂ and c-ZrO₂ appeared and disappeared in order with the increase of Y₂O₃ addition, the effects of Y₂O₃ addition amount on the mass fraction of ZrO₂ polymorphs were quantitatively analyzed. The gradual decrease of area fraction and average size of colony was attributed to the increase of constitutional undercooling region, the variation of interphase spacing in the colonies was explained via selection mechanism of dendrite tip. The maximum hardness and fracture toughness were 18.35 GPa and 8.55 MPa m^1/2 obtained at 9 mol% and 3 mol% Y₂O₃ addition, respectively. The hardness was determined by the mass fraction of m-ZrO₂ phase, the area fraction of intercolony and the residual compressive stress, and the toughening mechanisms were composed of microcrack toughening, t-m transformation toughening and residual stress toughening.     

ZrO2-doped Y2O3 transparent ceramics via slip casting and vacuum sintering

Commercial Y₂O₃ powder was used to fabricate highly transparent Y₂O₃ ceramics with the addition of ZrO₂ via slip casting and vacuum sintering. The effects of ZrO₂ addition on the transparency, grain size and lattice parameter of Y₂O₃ ceramics were studied. With addition of ZrO₂ the transparency of Y₂O₃ ceramics increased markedly and the grain size of Y₂O₃ ceramics decreased markedly by cation diffusivity mechanism and the lattice parameter of Y₂O₃ ceramics slightly decreased. The highest transmittance (at wavelength 1100 nm) of the 5.0 mol% ZrO₂–Y₂O₃ ceramic (1.0 mm thick) sintered at 1860 °C for 8 h reached 81.7%, very close to the theoretical value of Y₂O₃.     

High Transparency Nd: Y2O3 Ceramics Prepared with La2O3 and ZrO2 Additives

High transparency Nd: Y₂O₃ ceramics were prepared by vacuum sintering with La₂O₃ and ZrO₂ sintering additives. The optimum in‐line transmittance of the sintered Nd: Y₂O₃ is 80.98% at the wavelength of 1100 nm, for which the content of La₂O₃ and ZrO₂ are 10.0 and 3.0 at.%, respectively. This specimen demonstrates homogeneous microstructure with the average grain size of 8.3 μm. The mechanism of sintering with La₂O₃ and ZrO₂ aids and the optical properties was discussed. The absorption, emission cross section, and fluorescence lifetime have been estimated as 1.62 × 10^?20 cm², 5.13 × 10^?20 cm², and 232 μs, respectively. Vickers hardness and the fracture toughness were measured of 9.18 GPa and 1.03 Mpa·m^1/2, respectively. All the results indicate that Nd: Y₂O₃ transparent ceramic is a promising candidate for laser material.     

Microstructure,mechanical properties and toughening mechanisms of graphene reinforced Al2O3-WC-TiC composite ceramic tool material

The low fracture toughness of Al₂O₃-based ceramics limited their practical application in cutting tools. In this work, graphene was chosen to reinforce Al₂O₃-WC-TiC composite ceramic tool materials by hot pressing. Microstructure, mechanical properties and toughening mechanisms of the composite ceramic tool materials were investigated. The results indicated that the more refined and denser composite microstructures were obtained with the introduction of graphene. The optimal flexural strength, Vickers hardness, indentation fracture toughness were 646.31?±?20.78?MPa, 24.64?±?0.42?GPa, 9.42?±?0.40?MPa?m^1/2, respectively, at 0.5?vol% of graphene content, which were significantly improved compared to ceramic tool material without graphene. The main toughening mechanisms originated from weak interfaces induced by graphene, and rugged fractured surface, grain refinement, graphene pull-out, crack deflection, crack bridging, micro-crack and surface peeling were responsible for the increase of fracture toughness values.     

Sintering,microstructure and mechanical properties of Al2O3–Y2O3–ZrO2 (AYZ) eutectic composition ceramic microcomposites

We report on how the mechanical properties of sintered ceramics (i.e., a random mixture of equiaxed grains) with the Al₂O₃–Y₂O₃–ZrO₂ eutectic composition compare with those of rapidly or directionally solidified Al₂O₃–Y₂O₃–ZrO₂ eutectic melts. Ceramic microcomposites with the Al₂O₃–Y₂O₃–ZrO₂ eutectic composition were fabricated by sintering in air at 1400–1500 °C, or hot pressing at 1300–1400 °C. Fully dense, three phase composites of Al₂O₃, Y₂O₃-stabilized ZrO₂ and YAG with grain sizes ranging from 0.4 to 0.8 μm were obtained. The grain size of the three phases was controlled by the size of the initial powders. Annealing at 1500 °C for 96 h resulted in grain sizes of 0.5–1.8 μm. The finest scale microcomposite had a maximum hardness of 19 GPa and a four-point bend strength of 282 MPa. The fracture toughness, as determined by Vickers indentation and indented four-point bending methods, ranged from 2.3 to 4.7 MPa m^1/2. Although strengths and fracture toughnesses are lower than some directionally or rapidly solidified eutectic composites, the intergranular fracture patterns in the sintered ceramic suggest that ceramic microcomposites have the potential to be tailored to yield stronger, tougher composites that may be comparable with melt solidified eutectic composites.     

Fabrication and characterization of highly transparent Er:Y2O3 ceramics with ZrO2 and La2O3 additives

In this study, we report highly transparent Er:Y₂O₃ ceramics (0–10 at% Er) fabricated by a vacuum sintering method using compound sintering additives of ZrO₂ and La₂O₃. The transmittance, microstructure, thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of the Er:Y₂O₃ ceramics were evaluated. The in-line transmittance of all of the Er:Y₂O₃ ceramics (1.2 mm thick) exceeds 83% at 1100 nm and 81% at 600 nm. With an increase in the Er doping concentration from 0 to 10 at%, the average grain size, microhardness and fracture toughness remain nearly unchanged, while the thermal conductivity decreases slightly from 5.55 to 4.89 W/m K. A nearly homogeneous doping level of the laser activator Er up to 10 at% in macro-and nanoscale was measured along the radial direction from the center to the edge of a disk specimen, which is the prominent advantage of polycrystalline over single-crystal materials. Based on the finding of excellent optical and mechanical properties, the compound sintering additives of ZrO₂ and La₂O₃ are demonstrated to be effective for the fabrication of transparent Y₂O₃ ceramics. These results may provide a guideline for the application of transparent Er:Y₂O₃ laser ceramics.     

Mechanical properties of melt-grown Al2O3–ZrO2(Y2O3) eutectics with different microstructure

The effect of the microstructure on the mechanical properties of Al₂O₃–ZrO₂(Y₂O₃) eutectic ceramic oxides was studied. Rods processed by the laser-heated floating zone method with three different microstructures were obtained as the growth rate increased: a homogeneous dispersion of irregular ZrO₂ lamellae within the Al₂O₃ matrix, colonies with a core containing a dispersion of submicron ZrO₂ lamellae or rods surrounded by a thick intercolony region, and elongated cells formed by a dispersion of very fine ZrO₂ lamellae and separated by thin intercellular boundaries. The average flexure strength (close to 1.6 GPa) of the eutectics made up of a homogeneous dispersion of ZrO₂ lamellae was outstanding, and they also presented an excellent Weibull modulus (12.9) when the microstructure was homogeneous throughout the sample. Banding did not affect the average strength but degraded the Weibull modulus. In general, the flexure strength decreased as the size of the main morphological features of the microstructure (colony or cell diameter) increased. The thickness of the intercellular boundaries increased with the Y₂O₃ content and, above a critical value, reduced dramatically the strength by activating a new failure mechanism based on the coalescence of the pores and shrinkage cavities concentrated at the intercellular boundaries.     

Effects of Al2O3–Y2O3/Yb2O3 additives on microstructures and mechanical properties of silicon nitride ceramics prepared by hot-pressing sintering

Silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) ceramics doped with two different sintering additive systems (Al₂O₃–Y₂O₃ and Al₂O₃–Yb₂O₃) were prepared by hot-pressing sintering at 1800℃ for 2 h and 30 MPa. The microstructures, nano-indentation test, and mechanical properties of the as-prepared Si₃N₄ ceramics were systematically investigated. The X-ray diffraction analyses of the as-prepared Si₃N₄ ceramics doped with the two sintering additives showed a large number of phase transformations of α-Si₃N₄ to β-Si₃N₄. Grain size distributions and aspect ratios as well as their effects on mechanical properties are presented in this study. The specimen doped with the Al₂O₃–Yb₂O₃ sintering additive has a larger aspect ratio and higher fracture toughness, while the Vickers hardness is relatively lower. It can be seen from the nano-indentation tests that the stronger the elastic deformation ability of the specimens, the higher the fracture toughness. At the same time, the mechanical properties are greatly enhanced by specific interlocking microstructures formed by the high aspect ratio β-Si₃N₄ grains. In addition, the density, relative density, and flexural strength of the as-prepared Si₃N₄ ceramics doped with Al₂O₃–Y₂O₃ were 3.25 g/cm³, 99.9%, and 1053 ± 53 MPa, respectively. When Al₂O₃–Yb₂O₃ additives were introduced, the above properties reached 3.33 g/cm³, 99.9%, and 1150 ± 106 MPa, respectively. It reveals that microstructure control and mechanical property optimization for Si₃N₄ ceramics are feasible by tailoring sintering additives.     

Mechanical and optical properties of spark plasma sintered transparent Y2O3 ceramics

Commercial Y₂O₃ nanopowder was used to fabricate transparent Y₂O₃ ceramics by spark plasma sintering under the pressure of 100 MPa for 20 min with the heating rate of 100 °C/min. The microstructures, mechanical and optical properties of the Y₂O₃ ceramics sintered at different temperatures were investigated in detail. Densification occurred up to a sintering temperature of 1500 °C, and above 1500 °C, rapid grain growth and pore growth occurred. The highest relative density of 99.58% and the minimum average grain size of 0.58±0.11 µm were obtained at 1500 °C. The flexural strength, hardness and fracture toughness of the optimal spark plasma sintered Y₂O₃ ceramic were 122 MPa, 7.60 GPa and 2.06 MPa.m^1/2, respectively. The Y₂O₃ ceramic sintered at 1500 °C had the in-line transmission of about 11–54% and 80% in the wavelength range of 400–800 nm and 3–5 µm, respectively.     

Optimization of microstructure and mechanical properties of oscillatory pressure sintered ZrO2–Al2O3-SiCp ceramics

Zirconia ceramic is a significant structural material, but its use under some extreme circumstances is limited by its mechanical properties. In this work, SiC particles (SiCp) were added into alumina toughened zirconia ceramics to prepare ZrO₂–Al₂O₃-SiCp ceramics with high performance by using oscillatory pressure sintering (OPS). Results showed that the best OPS temperature of 1600 °C was obtained, and the optimal SiCp particle size and content were 200 nm and 10 vol% respectively. Under these conditions, the specimen exhibited higher mechanical properties including Vickers hardness of 15.43 GPa, bending strength of 1162 MPa and fracture toughness of 6.36 MPa m^1/2. Moreover, it was found that the atomic matching between ZrO₂/SiCp, Al₂O₃/SiCp, and ZrO₂/Al₂O₃ was much higher, showing the coherent interface relationship. Therefore, it was favorable for enhanced mechanical properties of as-prepared ZrO₂–Al₂O₃-SiCp ceramics.     

Pressureless sintered Al4SiC4 ceramics with Y2O3 addition

Highly densified Al₄SiC₄ ceramics with a relative density of 96.1% were prepared by pressureless sintering using 2 wt% Y₂O₃ as additives. The densification mechanism, phase composition, microstructures and mechanical properties of Al₄SiC₄ ceramics were investigated. Y₂O₃ in-situ reacted with the oxygen impurities in Al₄SiC₄ powder to form a yttrium aluminate liquid phase during sintering, which promoted the densification and anisotropic grain growth. The final Al₄SiC₄ ceramics were composed of equiaxed grains and columnar grains, and presented a bimodal grain distribution. The mechanical properties of the pressureless sintered Al₄SiC₄ ceramics were better than those reported for hot pressed Al₄SiC₄, including a flexural strength of 369 ± 24 MPa, fracture toughness of 4.8 ± 0.1 MPa m^1/2 and Vickers hardness of 11.3 ± 0.2 GPa. Pressureless sintering of Al₄SiC₄ ceramics is of great significance for the development and practical application of Al₄SiC₄ ceramic parts, especially with big size and complex shape.     

Structural and Thermo‐Mechanical Properties of Nd: Y2O3 Transparent Ceramics

Various content of neodymia Nd: Y₂O₃ (Nd: 0.5–5.0 at.%) transparent ceramics were fabricated by vacuum sintering. The prepared Nd: Y₂O₃ ceramics exhibit high transmittance (~80%) at the wavelength of 1100 nm. It is found that the increase in Nd concentration enhances the grain size growth, while decreases the phonon energy, which is benefit for improving both the luminescence quantum and up‐conversion efficiency. The thermal conductivity and thermal expansion coefficient of the transparent 1.0 at.% Nd: Y₂O₃ ceramic is 5.51 W·(m·K)^?1 and 8.11 × 10^?6 K^?1, respectively. The hardness and the fracture toughness of the transparent ceramic is 9.18 GPa and 1.03 Mpa·m^1/2, respectively. The results indicate that the Nd: Y₂O₃ transparent ceramic is a potential candidate material for laser.     

The effects of the addition of tetragonal-ZrO2 on the mechanical properties of MgAl2O4 – ZrO2 composites

The effects of the addition of tetragonal 3mol% Y₂O₃ – ZrO₂ into a MgAl₂O₄ spinel matrix were investigated. MgAl₂O₄ spinel's lacking mechanical properties prevent further utilization in many structural and refractory applications even though it has excellent chemical and thermal stability. The addition of tetragonal-ZrO₂ was observed to improve the hardness, fracture toughness and biaxial flexural strength of MgAl₂O₄ materials. Moreover, the additions of 3mol% Y₂O₃ – ZrO₂ resulted in a reduction of the mean grain size.     

Rapid fabrication of bulk graded Al2O3/YAG/YSZ eutectics by combustion synthesis under ultra-high-gravity field

A rapid and simple way of producing bulk graded Al₂O₃/YAG/YSZ ternary eutectics was investigated. The combustion reaction between Al/Fe₂O₃/Y₂O₃/ZrO₂ led to the formation of molten mixtures consisting of Al₂O₃/YAG/YSZ, and the subsequent separation of the ceramic melt from the iron melt was realized under ultra-high-gravity field, followed by the solidification of the ceramic melt. The as-solidified ceramic ingot sank into the iron melt, where an instantaneous isostatic pressure about 2 MPa was exerted on the around of the ceramic ingot resulting in an enhanced degree of densification. Microstructure analysis demonstrated that densified ceramic was composed of Al₂O₃/YAG/YSZ ternary eutectics. The phase composition, morphologies, hardness and fracture toughness of the eutectic product changed gradually along the direction of high gravity field. The maximum density of the eutectic ceramic was 97.32%, correspondingly, the maximum value of the Vickers hardness and fracture toughness reached 17.82 GPa and 5.51 MPa m^1/2, respectively.     

Effects of Y2O3/MgO ratio on mechanical properties and thermal conductivity of silicon nitride ceramics

In this work, the effects of Y₂O₃/MgO ratio on the densification behavior, phase transformation, microstructure evolution, mechanical properties, and thermal conductivity of Si₃N₄ ceramics were investigated. Densified samples with bimodal microstructure could be obtained by adjusting the ratio of Y₂O₃/MgO. It was found that a low Y₂O₃/MgO ratio facilitated the densification of Si₃N₄ ceramics while a high Y₂O₃/MgO ratio benefited the phase transformation of Si₃N₄ ceramics. Best mechanical properties (flexural strength of 875 MPa, and fracture toughness of 8.25 MPa·m^1/2, respectively) and optimal thermal conductivity of 98.04W/(m·K) were achieved in the sample fabricated with Y₂O₃/MgO ratio of 3:4 by sintering at 1900°C for 4 h.