ZrO2/Al2O3多孔陶瓷的制备与力学性能

采用凝胶-发泡法制备了ZrO2/Al2O3多孔陶瓷,研究了陶瓷浆料的流变性,固相含量对多孔陶瓷坯体显微结构与力学性能的影响,以及烧结助剂MgO含量与多孔陶瓷抗压强度及气孔率之间的关系.结果表明,在分散剂含量为0.4％(质量分数),球磨4 h,pH值为4的条件下,陶瓷浆料的黏度较低,有利于凝胶注模.固相含量增加,坯体气孔率下降.过高的固相含量使浆料流动困难,注模时引入空气导致坯体内形成较大的气孔甚至裂纹,使坯体抗压强度下降.由ZrO2引起的相变增韧及微裂纹增韧可有效改善多孔陶瓷的力学性能.随烧结助剂含量增加,多孔陶瓷气孔支撑体致密化程度增大,气孔率降低,抗压强度明显升高.多孔陶瓷的抗压强度最高达30 MPa.引入适量的ZrO2及烧结助剂,可制备气孔率适中、抗压强度高的多孔陶瓷.     

Determining the effect of flake matrix size and Al2O3 content on microstructure and mechanical properties of Al2O3 nanoparticle reinforced Al matrix composites

In this study, Al2024 matrix composites reinforced with Al₂O₃ nanoparticle contents ranging from 1 to 5?wt% were produced via a new method called as flake powder metallurgy (FPM). The effect of flake size and Al₂O₃ nanoparticle content on the reinforcement distribution, microstructure, physical, and mechanical properties of the composites were studied. SEM analysis was performed to investigate the microstructure of metal matrix and the distribution of nanoparticles. The hot-pressed density increased with decreasing the matrix size. The hardness of the Al2024–Al₂O₃ nanocomposites fabricated by using fine matrix powders increased as compared to the Al2024–Al₂O₃ nanocomposites produced by using coarse matrix powders. It has been found that the FPM method proposed in this study revealed to be an effective method for the production of nanoparticle reinforced metal matrix composites.     

Mechanical properties of sinter-forged Al2O3-ZrO2 ceramics

Two kinds of composites, Al₂O₃-25 wt% ZrO₂(2 mol% Y₂O₃) (Y-ZTA), Al₂O₃-25 wt% ZrO₂(8 mol% CeO₂) (Ce-ZTA) were produced by the sinter-forging process. The effect of presintering temperature on the mechanical properties of the composites was examined. The sinter-forging process increased the room-temperature bending strength in comparison with pressureless sintering, owing to the smaller grain size in sinter-forged bodies than in pressureless sintered ones. It was found necessary to keep the presintering temperature considerably lower than sinter-forging temperature in order to improve the room-temperature strength. The strength of sinter-forged Ce-ZTA was higher than that of sinter-forged Y-ZTA. The residual surface compressive stress induced by the phase transition during grinding in Ce-ZTA was found to be effective to further improve the strength and fracture toughness.     

Effect of grain size on the electrical and magnetic properties of MgB2 thick films deposited on the Al2O3 single crystal substrates

MgB₂ films having thicknesses of approximately 10 μm have been prepared on the Al₂O₃ single crystal substrates by using ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technique. The films fabricated were then analyzed by means of microstructural, structural, transport and magnetic properties. The influence of grain size, depending on the ex-situ and in situ heating, were investigated. The results obtained showed that the size of MgB₂ grains has an effect on the transport and magnetic properties of the films. Films prepared with in situ heating have small particle size (<50 nm) and were found to be much better properties than the films prepared ex-situ heating, which have larger grains (~1 μm). The best T _c value and critical current density, J _c ^mag , were obtained to be ~36 K and 9.88 × 10⁵ A cm^?2 respectively for the films prepared with small grains. The results were showed that the smaller grain size and in situ heating cycles are essential points for quality thick film MgB₂ fabrication.     

Mechanical properties of Al2O3 and Al2O3 + ZrO2 ceramics reinforced by SiC whiskers

The effect of the SiC whisker content on the mechanical properties of Al₂O₃ and Al₂O₃ + 20 vol% ZrO₂ (2 mol% Y₂O₃) ceramic composites has been investigated. It is shown that the strength and fracture toughness of the composites are increased by the addition of 0–30 vol% SiC whiskers with only one exception that 30 vol% SiC whisker leads to a decrease in the flexure strength. The addition of 20 vol% ZrO₂ (2 mol% Y₂O₃) significantly improves the mechanical properties of the Al₂O₃ + SiC whisker (SiC_w) composites and the t-m phase transformation of ZrO₂ is enhanced by the residual stresses caused by the thermal incompatibility between the SiC_w and the matrix. The toughening effect of both SiC whiskers and the t-m phase transformation of ZrO₂ (2 mol% Y₂O₃) is shown to be additive, but the addition of ZrO₂ decreases the strengthening effect of the SiC whiskers.     

Preparation and mechanical properties of high-purity Al2O3 fibre/Al2O3 matrix composite

Al₂O₃ matrix composites with unidirectionally oriented high-purity Al₂O₃ fibre with and without carbon coating, were fabricated by the filament-winding method, followed by hot-pressing at 1573–1773 K. The composite with non-coated Al₂O₃ fibre exhibited a bending strength (594 MPa) comparable to that of monolithic Al₂O₃ (589 MPa). While the composite with a carbon-coated fibre had lower strength (477 MPa), it showed improved fracture toughness (6.5 MPa m^1/2) compared to the composite with an uncoated fibre (4.5 MPa m^1/2) and monolithic Al₂O₃ (5.5 MPa m^1/2). This toughness enhancement was explained based on the increased crack extension resistance caused by the fibre pull-out observed by SEM at the notch tip. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Al2O3-Cr2O3-ZrO2 composites

Al₂O₃ is a popular ceramic and has been used widely in many applications and studied in many aspects. On the other hand, zirconia-toughened alumina (ZTA) is a desirable material for engineering ceramics because of its high hardness, high wear resistance and high toughness. In the present research, Al₂O₃-Cr₂O₃-ZrO₂ composites were produced by hot-pressing in order to harden the Al₂O₃ matrix in ZTA. Its microstructure and mechanical properties were studied by SEM, ESCA, XRD, Vickers hardness and bending strength test. It was found that addition of ZrO₂ inhibited the grain growth of Al₂O₃-Cr₂O₃ and the grain growth of ZrO₂ proceeded with increasing amounts of ZrO₂ in the Al₂O₃-Cr₂O₃-Zr₂ composite. The formation of solid solution Al₂O₃-Cr₂O₃ was also confirmed by XRD, and monoclinic ZrO₂ increased on addition of Cr₂O₃. Maximum hardness was at Al₂O₃-10wt% Cr₂O₃ with 10 vol% ZrO₂ and a stress-induced transformation was confirmed on the fracture surface of the specimen after the bending test.     

Effect of MoSi2 and Nb reinforcements on mechanical properties of Al2O3 matrix composites

The room temperature mechanical properties of Al₂O₃ composites reinforced with 25 vol% of either MoSi₂ or Nb particulates were investigated. It was found that addition of Nb particles resulted in a reduction in the elastic modulus, but caused a significant increase in both flexural strength and fracture toughness. On the other hand, the addition of MoSi₂ particles resulted in only a marginal decrease in elastic modulus and marginal increase in both flexural strength and fracture toughness. The elastic modulus results were explained on the basis of Tsai - Halpin model. For both the composites, the increase in flexural strength was attributed to the grain refinement of the Al₂O₃ matrix as well as the load transfer to the reinforcement particles. The marginal increase in fracture toughness in Al₂O₃ / MoSi₂ composites was attributed to crack deflection, whereas the threefold increase in fracture toughness in Al₂O₃ / Nb composites was attributed to crack blunting and bridging.     

The effect of Bi2O3 on the electrical and mechanical properties of ZrO2-Y2O3 ceramics

ZrO₂-Y₂O₃ ceramics with varying Bi₂O₃ content have been prepared and their microstructure, electrical conductivity and mechanical properties investigated. The sintering rate is strongly increased at low temperatures (1270 to 1420 K) due to the occurrence of a reactive phase the amount of which decreases during the sintering process. The main fluorite phase has an approximately constant composition at 0.85 ZrO₂-0.13 Y₂O₃-0.02 Bi₂O₃ while the amount of second phase depends on overall composition and sintering procedure. The electrical conductivity is also approximately constant but about a factor of five lower than in ZrO₂-Y₂O₃ ceramics. Typical strength and fracture toughness values are 160 MPa and 1.8 MPa m^1/2, respectively. However, the non-reproducibility of the second phase content and morphology seriously influences both mechanical properties.     

ZrO_2增韧Al_2O_3陶瓷的力学性能和增韧机制

对通过热压烧结法制备的3种陶瓷99.5vol%Al2O3(AD995)、ZrO2(15vol%)/Al2O3和ZrO2(25vol%)/Al2O3的力学性能和增韧机制进行了实验和理论研究。基于复合材料细观力学理论并考虑ZrO2的相变特性,建立了描述ZrO2/Al2O3陶瓷力学性能的本构模型。结果表明:ZrO2的加入细化了基体Al2O3晶粒,ZrO2/Al2O3陶瓷的致密性得到提高;3种陶瓷试件的破坏呈现小变形到脆性破坏的特点,压缩加载下试件应力-应变曲线近似为线性关系;AD995陶瓷的断裂韧性为5.65 MPa·m1/2,ZrO2(25vol%)/Al2O3陶瓷的断裂韧性为8.42 MPa·m1/2,提高了近50%;随ZrO2增韧相含量的增加,ZrO2/Al2O3陶瓷的弹性模量降低而断裂韧性增加,这一变化趋势与实验结果有良好的一致性。     

Effect of the microstructure on the mechanical properties of a directionally solidified Y3Al5O12/Al2O3 eutectic fiber

The strength and fracture behaviors of a directionally solidified Y₃Al₅O₁₂/Al₂O₃ eutectic fiber were investigated. The fiber was grown continuously by an edge-defined film-fed growth (EFG) technique. The microstructure was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The room temperature tensile strength and Weibull's modulus of the eutectic fiber before and after heat treatment at 1460°C were measured. The fracture toughness and crack propagation behaviors were investigated using an indentation technique. Significant coarsening of the lamellar microstructure was observed after heat treatment at 1460°C in air. The degradation of the room temperature tensile strength in the Y₃Al₅O₁₂/Al₂O₃ eutectic fiber after heat treatment was attributed to the development of surface grooves at the surface of the fiber. Also, the Y₃Al₅O₁₂/Al₂O₃ eutectic fiber showed a radial (Palmqvist) crack type and exhibited an anisotropic crack propagation behavior during the indentation tests.     

Effect of Al2O3 particle size on vacuum breakdown behavior of Al2O3/Cu composite

In order to clarify the effect of Al₂O₃ particle size on the arc erosion behavior of the ceramic-reinforced Al₂O₃/Cu composite, Al₂O₃/Cu composites with different sizes of Al₂O₃ particles were prepared by powder metallurgy, the effect of Al₂O₃ particle size on the characteristics of arc motion was studied, and the mechanism of arc erosion of Al₂O₃/Cu composites was discussed as well. The results show that with decrease in the size of Al₂O₃ particles, the erosion area increases significantly and the erosion pits become shallower. The vacuum breakdown is preferred to appear in the area between Al₂O₃ particle and the copper matrix. Based on the experimental results and theoretical analysis, a particle partition arc model is proposed.     

Mechanical properties and fracture behaviour of Al2O3-TiC-Co advanced ceramics

Abstracts are not published in this journal This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.