The effect of temperature, matrix alloying and substrate coatings on wettability and shear strength of Al/Al2O3 couples

A fresh approach has been advanced to examine in the Al/Al₂O₃ system the effects of temperature, alloying of Al with Ti or Sn, and Ti and Sn coatings on the substrate, on contact angles measured using a sessile-drop test, and on interface strength measured using a modified push-off test that allows shearing of solidified droplets with less than 90 deg contact angle. In the modified test, the solidified sessile-drop samples are bisected perpendicular to the drop/Al₂O₃ interface at the midplane of the contact circle to obtain samples that permit bond strength measurement by stress application to the flat surface of the bisected couple. The test results show that interface strength is strongly influenced by the wetting properties; low contact angles correspond to high interface strength, which also exhibits a strong temperature dependence. An increase in the wettability test temperature led to an increase in the interface strength in the low-temperature range where contact angles were large and wettability was poor. The room-temperature shear tests conducted on thermally cycled sessile-drop test specimens revealed the effect of chemically formed interfacial oxides; a weakening of the thermally cycled Al/Al₂O₃ interface was caused under the following conditions: (1) slow contact heating and short contact times in the wettability test, and (2) fast contact heating and longer contact times. The addition of 6 wt pct Ti or 7 wt pct Sn to Al only marginally influenced the contact angle and interfacial shear strength. However, Al₂O₃ substrates having thin (<1 μm) Ti coatings yielded relatively low contact angles and high bond strength, which appears to be related to the dissolution of the coating in Al and formation of a favorable interface structure.     

Growth of Mo grains around Al2O3 particles during liquid phase sintering

The growth behavior of Mo grains in contact with Al₂O₃ particles during liquid phase sintering was studied in 95.4 Mo-4 Ni-0.6 Al₂O₃ (wt%). Sintering of the powder compacts at 1460°C was repeatedly interrupted by cooling to 1300°C and reheating to 1460°C. Layers grown on Mo grains during each sintering interval between the interruptions were revealed by etch boundaries. The Mo grains grew around Al₂O₃ particles by solution-reprecipitation. In contact areas the Mo grains and the Al₂O₃-particles were separated by thin liquid films. Deposition or loss of material in contact areas resulting from material transport in the thin liquid film was found to be slow. During prolonged sintering some Al₂O₃ particles were trapped within growing Mo grains.     

Reaction-Inhibition During Sintering of SiC with Al2O3 Additions

Abstract

The mechanisms and products of the reactions which occur during the sintering of SiC with Al₂O₃ as a sintering aid were analysed. The effects of two sintering atmospheres, namely pressurised CO and Ar gases, on the reaction thermodynamics and reaction products were investigated. Thermodynamically predicted reaction products were correlated with experimentally determined reaction products. The observed weight losses and the final sintered densities are explained on the basis of the proposed reaction mechanisms. The major finding of the present analysis is that a pressurised CO gas atmosphere greatly enhances the densification characteristics of SiC ceramics.

Résumé

Nous avons analysé les mécanismes et les produits des réactions qui se produisent lors du frittage du SiC avec du Al₂O₃ comme aide de frittage. Nous avons étudié les effets de deux atmospheres de frittage: du CO gazeux pressurisé et du Ar gazeux pressurisé, sur la thermodynamique des réactions et les produits de ces réactions. Les produits des réactions prédits par la thermodynamique ont été mis en corrélation avec les analyses expérimentales de ces produits. Sur les bases des mécanismes de réactions proposées, nous avons expliqué les pertes de poids observées et les densités de frittage finales. La découverte la plus importante de la présente analyse est qu'une atmosphère de CO gazeux pressurisé ameliore beaucoup les caractéristiques de densification des céramiques SiC.     

Particle penetration during spray forming and Co-injection of Ni3Al + B/Al2O3 intermetallic matrix composite

Intermetallic matrix Ni₃Al + B/Al₂O₃ composite, with 11 vol pct of Al₂O₃ particles incorporated into the matrix, was synthesized using a spray atomization and coinjection method. The penetration behavior of ceramic particles into atomized droplets during spray atomization and coinjection of Ni₃Al + B/Al₂O₃ composite was investigated experimentally and numerically. It was found that the extent of incorporation of Al₂O₃ into Ni₃Al + B droplets depends on the solidification condition of the droplets at the time of droplet/particle interaction. Penetration was observed only in fully liquid droplets or partially solidified droplets. No penetration was observed for droplets smaller than ∼40 μm, because droplets in this size range were fully solidified at the point of coinjection, and penetration was not possible for fully solidified droplets. The distribution of penetrated Al₂O₃ in the Ni₃Al + B droplets was, in general, uniform, with no trends of segregation observed. However, it was noted that most Al₂O₃ particles were located at the grain boundaries inside the droplets, while some Al₂O₃ particles were trapped inside the droplets by primary dendrite arms resulting from a fast moving solidification front typically associated with rapid solidification processes such as spray atomization. Finally, it was believed that the Al₂O₃ particles facilitated nucleation upon penetration of the Ni₃Al + B droplets either by means of thermal gradients or compatibility of preferred growth planes.     

Thermal Shock Resistance of Al2 O3/ZrO2 (Y2O3) Composites

ZrO₂ containing 2% (mol fraction) Y₂O₃ and 3% (mol fraction) Y₂O₃ were added into Al₂O₃ matrix, compositing composites with 15% volume fraction of addictives mentioned above. The testing of property and analysis of SEM presented that, after vacuum sintering at 1550 °C, thermal shock resistance of two composites was superior to Al₂O₃ ceramic. The experiment showed that the properties of Al₂O₃ composites was higher than Al₂O₃ ceramic, and Al₂O₃/ZrO₂(3Y) was higher than Al₂O₃/ZrO₂(2Y) in thermal shock resistance. Improvement of thermal shock resistance of composites was attributed to many toughness machanisms of ZrO₂(Y₂O₃). By calculation, the fracture energy of Al₂O₃, Al₂O₃/ZrO₂ (2Y) and Al₂O₃/ZrO₂(3Y) was 38100.8 and 126.2 J·m⁻², respectively. Cracks initiation resistance (R') of Al₂O₃/ZrO₂(3Y) and Al₂O₃/ZrO₂(2Y) was higher than Al₂O₃ ceramic by 1.57 and 1.41 time, respectively, and cracks propagation resistance (R″″) was higher than Al₂O₃ ceramic by 1.46 and 1.38 time, respectively, which was corresponding to the results of residual strength.     

Reactions of Ti and Zr with AlN and Al2O3

We studied the reactions of Ti and Zr with AlN, 99.8% Al₂O₃ and 95% Al₂O₃. The substrates were chosen to represent a simple nitride (AlN), a simple oxide (99.8% Al₂O₃), and a simple oxide with a silicate grain boundary phase (95% Al₂O₃). The activities of the Ti and the Zr were varied by dissolving them at 1 and 5 wt% in the 72 Ag-28 Cu eutectic composition, which is otherwise unreactive with the ceramics. Reactions were studied by measuring the variation of the alloy contact angle on the ceramic with time at temperature and by determining the compositions of interfacial reaction products. Contact angles were lower for Ti alloys than for those containing Zr. Reaction products were primarily the nitrides of Zr and Ti for reaction with AlN and the respective oxides for reaction with Al₂O₃. Complex alloy phases were found in the metal away from the ceramic-metal reaction zone.     

Influence of silicon on the wetting-bond strength-structure relationship in the AlSi11/Al2O3 joints

The subject of the work was to study the effect of Si alloying addition to the aluminum on the bond strength properties, wettability, and structure of interface in the AlSi11/Al₂O₃ joints. Taking advantage of the sessile drop method, the wetting of alumina substrates by liquid AlSi11 alloy or Al was studied. The sessile drop tests were carried out in the temperature range between 1023 and 1223 K, under a vacuum of 0.2 mPa for 30 or 120 minutes of contact. The shear strength results demonstrated significant improvement of shear strength of AlSi11/Al₂O₃ joints due to the application of silicon as an alloying addition to aluminum. Microstructural investigations of interface indicated that the silicon crystals were formed at the AlSi11/Al₂O₃ interface, which influenced the strengthening of these joints. A conclusion could be drawn, that the interface structure influenced the increase of the shear strength of AlSi11/Al₂O₃ joints.     

Polythermal sections of the Al2O3-ZrO2-Y2O3 phase diagram

Polythermal sections of the Al₂O₃-ZrO₂-Y₂O₃ phase diagram confirm that the system is quasibinary and enable one to give a complete phase diagram for the system. The ternary eutectic Al₂O₃ + ZrO₂ (solid solution) + Y₃Al₅O₁₂ has the lowest melting point in the system, whose temperature is 1715°C. No single-phase regions for the ternary solid solutions have been identified, which indicates that Al₂O₃ is not soluble in solid solutions based on F-ZrO₂ and C-Y₂O₃. This gives theoretical evidence for the scope for making new ceramics in this ternary system, which may have a high level of mechanical characteristics.     

Microstructural observations of pressure cast Ni3Al/Al2O3 and Ni/Al2O3 composites

Pressure castings of Ni₃Al(IC218)/Al₂O₃ and Ni/Al₂O₃ composites, made with continuous DuPont FP α-Al₂O₃ and DuPont PRD166 α-Al₂O₃+20 wt pct partially stabilized ZrO₂ 20 μm diameter fibers, were examined by optical, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM) techniques. According to optical magnifications, excellent infiltration took place. However, in SEM and TEM magnifications, small gaps were found adjacent to regions where bonding had taken place between fibers. On the basis of available evidence, the gap formation was attributed to trapped gases and microshrinkage. Titanium was added to the metal to promote infiltration. Diffusion of Ti into the fibers of the Ni/Al₂O₃ composites occurred, but similar diffusion into the fibers of the IC218/Al₂O₃ composites did not take place. The qualitatively higher bond strength of the interfaces of the Ni/Al₂O₃ composites was ascribed to the diffusion of Ti into Al₂O₃. No interface reaction layer was found in any of the composites. Very little grain growth was found to take place in either the FP or PRD 166 fibers after casting and after a subsequent ten day anneal at 1150 °C.     

Correlation of microstructure and wear resistance of Al2O3-TiO2 coatings plasma sprayed with nanopowders

Correlation of microstructure and wear resistance of Al₂O₃-TiO₂ coatings plasma sprayed with nanopowders was investigated in this study. Four kinds of nanostructured Al₂O₃-13 wt pct TiO₂ coatings were fabricated by varying plasma-spraying parameters and were compared with an Al₂O₃-13 wt pct TiO₂ coating fabricated with conventional powders. The nanostructured coatings showed a bimodal microstructure composed of fully melted regions of γ-Al₂O₃ and partially melted regions, while the conventional coating mostly consisted of fully melted γ-Al₂O₃, together with some TiO₂-rich regions and unmelted Al₂O₃ powders. The wear test results revealed that the wear resistance of the nanostructured coatings was 3 or 4 times better than that of the conventional coating, because the preferential delamination seriously occurred along TiO₂-rich regions in the conventional coating. In the nanostructured coatings, TiO₂ was homogeneously dispersed inside splats and around, thereby leading to higher splat bonding strength and to better wear resistance over the conventional coating.     

Study on Dy2O3-Doped Medium Temperature Sintering (Ba,Sr)TiO3 Series Capacitor Ceramics

The influence of Dy₂O₃ doping on the properties of medium temperature sintering (Ba, Sr)TiO₃ series capacitor ceramics was studied by single factor various amount method, and the law of the influence on the medium temperature sintering (Ba, Sr)TiO₃ series capacitor ceramics was obtained. The dielectric materials used for multilayer ceramic capacitor was obtained, of which the dielectric constant was 1375, the dielectric loss was 0.0060, the density was 5.92 g·cm⁻³, the sintering temperature was less than 1150 °C, the capacitance temperature changing rate (ΔC/C) was less than ± 15%, the voltage withstand strength was more than 9.3 kV·mm⁻¹, and the crystal grain size was about 1 μm. The surface morphology of the sample doped with various amount Dy₂O₃ was analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that doping Dy₂O₃ could form defect solid solution, stop grain growth, fine crystal grain, widen curie peak, obtaining high dielectric constant and low dielectric loss, capacitance temperature property was suited for X7R character, in the (Ba,Sr)TiO₃ series ceramics. At the same time, the voltage withstand strength was enhanced greatly.     

Effect of heat treatment on compressive properties of open cell Al/Al2O3 composite foams

Abstract

The sintering and dissolution process was used to produce open cell Al/Al₂O₃ composite foams with a relative density of 0·25–0·40 and a pore size of 112–400 μm. The compressive properties of as fabricated and T6 heat treated Al/Al₂O₃ composite foams were investigated. After T6 heat treatment, the yield strength of the open cell Al/Al₂O₃ composite foams is increased relative to the untreated material. T6 heat treatment gives rise to a mean 36% increase in the compression yield strength of the open cell Al/Al₂O₃ composite foams. The yield strength of as fabricated and T6 heat treated Al/Al₂O₃ composite foams shows a significant dependence on the relative density and also exhibits a distinct dependence on the pore size. After T6 heat treatment, the influence of the relative density and pore size on the compressive behaviour of Al/Al₂O₃ composite foams becomes more distinct.     

Creep of Al2O3-AlN and Y2O3-AlN ceramics

Conclusions An investigation into the creep of Al₂O₃-AlN and Y₂O₃-AlN ceramics has demostrated that the addition of 20–80% AlN reduces the creep rate of Al₂O₃. In the system Y₂O₃-AlN the existence of a creep rate maximum has been discovered, which may be a manifestation of structural superplasticity.Translated from Poroshkovaya Metallurgiya, No. 2(158), pp. 76–82, February, 1976.The authors wish to thank Prof. R. A. Andrievskii for his interest in this work.     

Investigation on strengthening and toughening mechanisms of Ce-TZP/Al2O3 nanocomposites

The strengthening and toughening mechanisms of hot-pressed Ce-TZP/Al₂O₃ ceramics were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) methods. The results show that the contributions to the strength and toughness mainly come from the hindrance of the growth of Al₂O₃ grains by ZrO₂ nanoparticles and the transformation from tetragonal ZrO₂ to monoclinic ZrO₂. Additionally, TEM observations show that the dislocation structures formed both in the Al₂O₃ and on the Al₂O₃ grain boundary have a certain contribution, because the dislocation agglomeration and fixation by ZrO₂ nanoparticles could deflect cracking or stop cracking development. Meanwhile, it was found that the mechanical properties and microstructures of samples were preferential when ZrO₂ contents in the sample reached 20 pct.     

Dissolution of water vapour in ESR-slags of the systems CaO–Al2O3 and CaF2–CaO–Al2O3 by application of Fourier-Transform-Infrared-Spectroscopy

In CaO–Al₂O₃- and CaF₂–CaO–Al₂O₃-slags the soluted water vapour was quantitatively determined with Fourier-Transform-lnfrared-(FT-IR-)spectroscopy. The slags were equilibrated at 1500 and 1600 °C with definite H₂O- and H₂O/HF-partial pressures, respectively. The liquid slags were quenched in liquid D₂O. They solidified glassily. Water vapour exists in the slags soluted as OH^?-ion. For all slags investigated a linear dependence of the integral extinction upon the square root of the H₂O-partial pressure, respectively upon HF-partial pressure, was determined. The values of the integral extinction (CaF₂–CaO–Al₂O₃-slags) are calibrated by a H₂O-doping-technique. The solution enthalpy of H₂O in CaO–Al₂O₃-slags was estimated: endothermal reactions. Interpretation of the vibrational range yielded in a mainly tetrahedral coordination of Al³⁺ with O^2?- and F^? -ions in the glassy state. By heating the glassily solidified CaO–Al₂O₃-slags were transformed into their crystalline products: shifting of IR-peaks. The CaO–Al₂O₃- and CaF₂–CaO-slags were compared with a CaO–SiO₂–Al₂O₃-slag. The FT-IR-method is quick. The water content can be estimated with an uncertainty of less than ± 5% and is, therefore, suitable for process control of metallurgical procedures.     

Interfacial Molten Reactivity of Aluminum in Contact with (0001) Al2O3 and (111) Al2MgO4 Single Crystal Surfaces

The present work studies (0001) Al₂O₃ and (111) Al₂MgO₄ wetting with pure molten Al by the sessile drop technique from 1073 K to 1473 K (800 °C to 1200 °C) under Ar at PO₂ 10^?15 Pa. Al pure liquid wets a smooth and chemically homogeneous surface of an inert solid, the wetting driving force (t,T) can be readily studied when surface solid roughness increases in the system. Both crystals planes (0001) Al₂O₃ and (111) Al₂MgO₄ have crystallographic surfaces with identical O^?2 crystalline positions however considering Mg²⁺ content in Al₂MgO₄ structure may influence a reactive mode. Kinetic models results under similar experimental conditions show that Al wetting on (0001) Al₂O₃ is less reactive than (111) Al₂MgO₄, however at >1273 K (1000 °C) (0001) Al₂O₃ transformation occurs and a transition of wetting improves. The (111) Al₂MgO₄ and Al system promotes interface formations that slow its wetting process.     

Low-Temperature Densification Sintering and Properties of Monoclinic-SrAl2Si2O8 Ceramics

The dense monoclinic-SrAl₂Si₂O₈ ceramics have been prepared by a two-step sintering process at a sintering temperature of 1173 K (900 °C). Firstly, the pre-sintered monoclinic-SrAl₂Si₂O₈ powders containing small SiO₂·Al₂O₃ crystal phases were obtained by continuously sintering a powder mixture of SrCO₃ and kaolin at 1223 K (950 °C) for 6 hours and 1673 K (1400 °C) for 4 hours, respectively. Subsequently, by the combination of the pre-sintered ceramic powders with the composite flux agents, which are composed of a SrO·3B₂O₃ flux agent and α-Al₂O₃, the low-temperature densification sintering of the monoclinic-SrAl₂Si₂O₈ ceramics was accomplished at 1173 K (900 °C). The low-temperature sintering behavior and microstructure evolvement of the monoclinic-SrAl₂Si₂O₈ ceramics have been investigated in terms of Al₂O₃ in addition to the composite flux agents. It shows that due to the low-meting characteristics, the SrO·3B₂O₃ flux agent can urge the dense microstructure formation of the monoclinic-SrAl₂Si₂O₈ ceramics and the re-crystallization of the grains via a liquid-phase sintering. The introduction of α-Al₂O₃ to the SrO·3B₂O₃ flux agent can apparently lead to more dense microstructures for the monoclinic-SrAl₂Si₂O₈ ceramics but also cause the re-precipitation of SiO₂·Al₂O₃ compounds because of an excessive Al₂O₃ content in the SrO·3B₂O₃ flux agent.     

Al2O3/TiCN-0.2% Y2O3 Composite Prepared by HP and Its Cutting Performance

Al₂O₃/TiCN-0.2% Y₂O₃ composites were fabricated by hot pressing sintering. The effect on mechanical property and microstructure of the sample composition and HP temperate was investigated. The results of Al₂O₃/TiCN-0.2% Y₂O₃ were satisfied. The bending strength, fracture toughness, Vickers hardness was respectively 1015 MPa, 6.89 MPa·m^1/2 20.82 MPa at 1650 °C for 20 min. Good wear resistance was found for the kind of ceramic material when used as cutting tools in the machining of the hardened carbon steel. By the compared experiment for the cutting performances, it could be seen that the performance of this composite material was better than that of the ceramic tool material YT15 for continuously cutting quenched steel. This kind of composite tool material is suitable for continuously cutting quenched steel No.45, especially intermittently cutting quenched steel.     

Improvement of sintering characteristics by selective granulation of high Al2O3 iron ores and ultrafine iron ores

The worldwide steel companies are expected to use low grade iron ores such as pisolitic iron ores, high Al₂O₃ iron ores and ultrafine iron ores etc. in their sinter blends due to the depletion of high grade iron ores or for the economic reason. This study investigated the methods for improving sintering characteristics without deteriorating sintering productivity and sinter quality by blending mini-pellets comprising high Al₂O₃ pisolitic iron ores and ultrafine iron ores containing low alumina. The results showed that the blending of iron ore mini-pellets produced by selective granulation is an effective way to improve sintering productivity and sinter quality without increasing the Al₂O₃ content in sinter as well as to effectively utilise high Al₂O₃ iron ores and ultrafine iron ores in the sintering process.     

Catalytic combustion of toluene on Pt/Al2O3 and Pd/Al2O3 catalysts with CeO2,CeO2-Y2O3 and La2O3 as coatings

CeO₂,La₂O₃,and CeO₂-Y₂O₃ oxides were coated on the surface of spherical granular AI₂O₃(3-5 mm)through impregnation method,and proved as better supports of Pd and Pt catalysts.The influences of rare earth metal doping on the adsorption rates of Pd and Pt ions,as well as the catalytic performance,were investigated.Results show that the H₂PtCl₆·6H₂O adsorption rates of the Al