Effect of TaC addition on the microstructures and mechanical properties of Ti(C, N)-based cermets

The microstructures of the prepared Ti(C, N)-based cermets with various TaC additions were studied using X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mechanical properties such as transverse rupture strength (TRS), fracture toughness (K_1C) and hardness (HRA) were also measured. The results showed that the grain size of the cermets decreased with increasing TaC addition, but too high TaC addition resulted in agglomeration of the grains. An increasing TaC addition increased the dissolution of tungsten, titanium, molybdenum and tantalum in the binder phase. The hardness of the cermets decreased slightly with increasing TaC addition. The transverse rupture strength was the highest for the cermets with 5 wt.% TaC addition, which was characterized by fine grains, homogeneous microstructure and the moderate thickness of rim phase in the binder. The fracture toughness of the cermets with TaC addition from 0 to 5 wt.% decreased obviously, which resulting from decreased grain size. The further decreasing of fracture toughness for the cermets with 7 wt.% TaC addition was due to increased porosity and interfacial tensile stress.     

Effect of SiC whisker addition on the microstructures and mechanical properties of Ti(C,N)-based cermets

Ti(C, N)-based cermets with addition of SiC whisker (SiC_w) were prepared by vacuum sintering. The microstructures of the prepared cermets were investigated by using X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mechanical properties such as transverse rupture strength (TRS), fracture toughness (K_IC) and hardness (HRA) were also measured. It was found that the grain size of the cermets was affected by the SiC whisker addition. The cermets with 1.0 wt.% SiC whisker addition exhibited the smallest grain size. The porosities of the cermets increased with increasing SiC whisker additions. The addition of the SiC whisker had no influence on the phase constituents of the cermets. Compared with the cermets with no whisker addition, the highest TRS and fracture toughness for cermets with 1.0 wt.% SiC whisker addition increased by about 24% and 29%, respectively. The strengthening mechanisms were attributed to finer grain size, homogeneous microstructure and moderate thickness of rim phase. The toughening mechanisms were characterized by crack deflection, whisker bridging and whisker pulling-out.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of liquid phase sintered Mo2FeB2 based cermets

Mo₂FeB₂ based cermets were fabricated by liquid phase sintering at different sintering temperatures and soaking time. Almost full densification was achieved at 1080 °C without soaking time. However, a lower sintering temperature resulted in the aggregation of binder phase and a higher contiguity of hard phase. An increase of sintering temperature or soaking time promoted an in situ growth of elongated Mo₂FeB₂ grains in the intermediate state of sintering. Abnormally large and faceted Mo₂FeB₂ grains appeared at 1320 °C for 20 min. The growth of the abnormally large grains was associated with grain coalescence. The transverse rupture strength (TRS), hardness (HRA) and fracture toughness (K_IC) were also measured, and attempts were made to relate them to the microstructural development.     

Synthesis of TiC-TiB2-Ni cermets by thermal explosion under pressure

TiC/TiB₂-based cermets were fabricated in situ by means of the thermal explosion under pressure technique starting from Ti-B₄C powders with the addition of varying contents of Ni metal binder to achieve near-net-shape bulks. The combustion reaction was ignited in a graphite die heated by current. Full conversion of the reactants was obtained by thermal explosion and the process yielded TiC-TiB₂-Ni materials characterised by a fine microstructure. Appreciable differences in terms of microstructure, hardness and fracture toughness by indentation were observed between core and external surface of the products due to fast cooling caused by heat transfer to the die walls. Cermets with a high content of Ni showing high hardness and fracture toughness were obtained, with values of HV₅ = 2182 and K_Ic = 8.8 MPa m^1/2 for 30 wt.% Ni and of HV₅ = 1684 and K_Ic = 12.7 MPa m^1/2 for 47 wt.% Ni.     

Reaction sintering fabrication of (AlN, TiN)-Al2O3 composite

The (AlN, TiN)-Al₂O₃ composites were fabricated by reaction sintering powder mixtures containing 10-30 wt.% (Al, Ti)-Al₂O₃ at 1420-1520°C in nitrogen. It was found that the densification and mechanical properties of the sintered composites depended strongly on the Al, Ti contents of the starting powder and hot pressing parameters. Reaction sintering 20 wt.% (Al, Ti)-Al₂O₃ powder in nitrogen in 1520°C for 30 min yields (AlN, TiN)-Al₂O₃ composites with the best mechanical properties, with a hardness HRA of 94.1, bending strength of 687 MPa, and fracture toughness of 6.5 MPa m^1/2. Microstructure analysis indicated that TiN is present as well dispersed particulates within a matrix of Al₂O₃. The AlN identified by XRD was not directly observed, but probably resides at the Al₂O₃ grain boundary. The fracture mode of these composites was observed to be transgranular.     

Properties of NbC-Co cermets obtained by spark plasma sintering

Sub-micrometer sized NbC-Co powder mixtures with 8, 12, 18 or 24.5 wt.% Co were consolidated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) for 2 min at 1200-1280 °C and 30-60 MPa. The optimum densification conditions were determined by analysing the dimensional change of the NbC-12 wt.% Co powder compact. SPS for 2 min at 1280 °C under a pressure of 60 MPa allowed full densification of the NbC-Co cermets with limited NbC grain growth. The microstructure is characterized as a highly interconnected NbC grain network with an inhomogeneously distributed Co binder. The Vickers hardness increased from 11.70 to 15.40 GPa whereas the fracture toughness decreased from 9.0 to 5.5 MPa m^1 / 2 with decreasing Co content from 24.5 to 8 wt.%.     

Mechanical properties and microstructure of Al2O3/TiAl in situ composites doped with Cr2O3

Al₂O₃/TiAl composites were successfully fabricated from powder mixtures of Ti, Al, TiO₂ and Cr₂O₃ by a hot-press-assisted exothermic dispersion method. The effect of the Cr₂O₃ addition on the microstructures and mechanical properties of Al₂O₃/TiAl composites was characterized, and the results showed that the Rockwell hardness, flexural strength and fracture toughness of the composites increased as the Cr₂O₃ content increased. When the Cr₂O₃ content was 2.5 wt%, the flexural strength and the fracture toughness attained peak values of 925 MPa and 8.55 MPa m^1/2, respectively. This improvement of mechanical properties was due to the more homogeneous and finer microstructure developed from the addition of Cr₂O₃ and an increase in the ratio of α₂-Ti₃Al to γ-TiAl matrix phases.     

Machinable Al2O3/BN composite ceramics with strong mechanical properties

Al₂O₃/BN composite ceramics with nano-sized BN dispersions ranging from 0 to 30 vol.% were successfully fabricated by hot-pressing α-Al₂O₃ powders with turbostratic BN (t-BN) coating, which was prepared through chemical processes using boric acid and urea. SEM observations revealed that the nano-sized hexagonal BN (h-BN) particulates were homogeneously dispersed within Al₂O₃ grains as well as at grain boundaries. Vickers hardness of materials decreased with an increase in BN content. The fracture toughness was improved but the fracture strength had a small decrease, in comparison to Al₂O₃ monolithic ceramics. The nanocomposite ceramics with BN content more than 20 vol.% exhibited excellent machinability, which could be drilled using conventional hard metal alloy drills. Drilling rates and normal forces demonstrate the ease of machining of these materials. The preliminary information on the relationship between microstructures and properties are provided. The mechanism of material removal is also discussed.     

Effect of Nb2O5 on the microstructure and mechanical properties of TiAl based composites produced by hot pressing

In situ composites of TiAl reinforced with Al₂O₃ particles are successfully synthesized from an elemental powder mixture of Ti, Al and Nb₂O₅ by the hot-press-assisted reaction synthesis (HPRS) method. The as-prepared composites are mainly composed of TiAl, Al₂O₃, NbAl₃, as well as small amounts of the Ti₃Al phase. The in situ formed fine Al₂O₃ particles tend to disperse on the matrix grain boundaries of TiAl resulting in an excellent combination of matrix grain refinement and uniform Al₂O₃ distribution in the composites. The Rockwell hardness and densities of TiAl based composites increase gradually with increasing Nb₂O₅ content, and the flexural strength and fracture toughness of the composites have the maximum values of 634 MPa and 9.78 MPa m^1/2, respectively, when the Nb₂O₅ content reaches 6.62 wt.%. The strengthening mechanism was also discussed.     

Improving fracture toughness and hardness of Fe2B in high boron white cast iron by chromium addition

The effect of chromium containing 0%, 0.49%, 1.02%, 2.1%, 3.2% (in wt.%) on the morphology, fracture toughness and micro-hardness property of Fe₂B in high boron white cast iron was investigated. The results indicated that, with an increase of chromium addition, the morphology of Fe₂B becomes larger and changes from the block to rod shape, its micro-hardness increases and the fracture toughness increases first and then decreases. Compared with the fracture toughness (3.8 MPa m^1/2) of Fe₂B without chromium addition, the toughness at 2.1 wt.% chromium addition can be improved by above one time, achieving 7.8 Mpa m^1/2, and the result was also qualitatively testified by the micro-cracks in Fe₂B based on scanning electron microscope micrographs.     

Enhanced cycling stability of microsized LiCoO2 cathode by Li4Ti5O12 coating for lithium ion battery

The effect of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ (LTO) coating amount on the electrochemical cycling behavior of the LiCoO₂ cathode was investigated at the high upper voltage limit of 4.5 V. Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ (≤5 wt.%) is not incorporated into the host structure and leads to formation of uniform coating. The cycling performance of LiCoO₂ cathode is related with the amount of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ coating. The initial capacity of the LTO-coated LiCoO₂ decreased with increasing Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ coating amount but showed enhanced cycling properties, compared to those of pristine material. The 3 wt.% LTO-coated LiCoO₂ has the best electrochemical performance, showing capacity retention of 97.3% between 2.5 V and 4.3 V and 85.1% between 2.5 V and 4.5 V after 40 cycles. The coulomb efficiency shows that the surface coating of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ is beneficial to the reversible intercalation/de-intercalation of Li⁺. LTO-coated LiCoO₂ provides good prospects for practical application of lithium secondary batteries free from safety issues.     

Preparation and characterization of Al2O3-Ti3SiC2 composites and its functionally graded materials

Alumina/titanium silicon carbide (Al₂O₃-Ti₃SiC₂) composites and its functionally graded materials (FGMs) were fabricated by a powder metallurgy processes and their microstructure and properties were investigated, respectively. The experimental results showed that the Vickers hardness of composites decreased with increasing Ti₃SiC₂ content while the fracture toughness and strength exhibited the opposite trend. Minimum Vickers hardness (4 GPa), maximum strength (598 MPa) and maximum toughness (11.24 MPa m^1/2) were reached in the pure Ti₃SiC₂ material. Strength and hardness of FGMs were evaluated. Observation using an scanning electron microscope (SEM) indicated that the presence of Ti₃SiC₂ of FGMs inhibited the growth of alumina grains through a pinning mechanism. The study shows that the combination of the layered Ti₃SiC₂ structure and the fine alumina grains can result in a Al₂O₃-Ti₃SiC₂ composites possessing a high toughness and low Vickers hardness without a sacrifice in the strength.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti-based solid-solution cermets

The microstructure and mechanical properties of various (Ti_1−xW_x)C-20 wt.%Ni cermets were investigated, where x varies from 0.07 to 0.3. Homogeneous solid-solution (Ti_1−xW_x)C powders were prepared by carbothermal reduction via planetary milling of Ti, TiO₂, WO₃ and carbon powder mixtures. The cermets made of the powders showed a simple core-rim structure consisting of solid-solution carbides. The hardness of the solid-solution cermets is somewhat lower than that of conventional cermets, but they show greater toughness. The transverse rupture strength increases with increasing W content.     

Effect of liquid-forming additives on the sintering and mechanical properties of Al2O3/3Y-TZP (30 vol.%) composite

Al₂O₃/3Y-TZP (30 vol.%) composite was pressurelessly sintered with addition of TiO₂MnO₂ and/or CaOAl₂O₃SiO₂ glass. It was found that TiO₂MnO₂ addition greatly enhanced the densification of the composite by the formation of a low-viscosity liquid at sintering temperature. In contrast, the high-viscosity liquid formed by CaOAl₂O₃SiO₂ glass improved mechanical properties because of its repressing effect on grain growth. The composite could be obtained at a temperature as low as 1400°C by co-doping with TiO₂MnO₂ and CAS glass. Bending strength of 552±64 MPa and fracture toughness of 6.03±0.22 MPa m^1/2 were obtained with a doping level of 2 wt.% TiO₂MnO₂ and 2 wt.% CAS glass.     

The Cu matrix cermets remarkably strengthened by TiB2 “in situ” synthesized via self-propagating high temperature synthesis

The TiB₂–Cu cermets with predominant concentration of superhard TiB₂ (from 45 to 90 vol.%) were fabricated using elemental powders by means of SHS (self-propagating high-temperature synthesis) process and simultaneously densified by p-HIP (pseudo-isostatic pressing technique). The heat released during highly exothermic SHS reaction was “in situ” utilized for sintering. The combustion occurred even for 50 vol.% Cu dilution. According to XRD metallic copper binder was formed in those cermets in whole range of investigated compositions. The TiB₂ volume fraction significantly influenced the properties of fabricated materials, especially grain size and hardness. Both the average grain size and hardness significantly increased with TiB₂ content, so the maximum value of 18 GPa was measured for TiB₂–5 vol.%Cu composite. Coarse grains of 6.4 μm in size were observed for this composite while TiB₂-based submicro-composites were formed for 40–50% of Cu where the average grain size did not exceed 0.6 μm. The Vickers hardness of 16–18 GPa obtained for cermets containing from 85 to 90 vol.% of TiB₂ and no radial cracks in Vickers hardness test proved that in term of hardness and fracture toughness the composites might be competitive to WC–Co cermets.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of small amounts of In2O3 reinforced Pb(ZrxTi1−x)O3 ceramics

Piezoelectric Pb(Zr_xTi_1−x)O₃ (PZT) ceramics with small amount (0.5-2.0 wt.%) of In₂O₃ are prepared by conventional sintering method. Based on X-ray diffraction analysis, the tetragonality of PZT matrix decreases with In₂O₃ content, indicating that In₂O₃ diffuses into PZT matrix. The microstructure of PZT matrix is significantly refined by doping small amounts of In₂O₃. The grain size reduction and the matrix grain boundary reinforcement are the probable mechanism responsible for the high strength and hardness in the PZT/In₂O₃ materials. The enhancement in Young’s modulus is attributed to In³⁺ substitution. The decreased tetragonality with In₂O₃ addition results in less crack energy absorption by domain switching and, hence, causes the small reduction in fracture toughness.     

Spark plasma sintered tantalum carbide: Effect of pressure and nano-boron carbide addition on microstructure and mechanical properties

TaC and TaC-1 wt.% B₄C powders were consolidated using spark plasma sintering (SPS) at 1850 °C and varying pressure of 100, 255 and 363 MPa. The effect of pressure on the densification and grain size is evaluated. The role of nano-sized B₄C as sintering aid and grain growth inhibitor is studied by means of XRD, SEM and high resolution TEM. Fully dense TaC samples were produced at a pressure of 255 MPa and higher at 1850 °C. The increasing pressure also resulted in an increase in TaC grain size. Addition of B₄C leads to an increase in the density of 100 MPa sample from 89% to 97%. B₄C nano-powder resists grain growth even at high pressure of 363 MPa. The formation of TaB₂/Carbon at TaC grain boundaries helps in pinning the grain boundary and inhibiting grain growth. The effect of B₄C addition on hardness and elastic modulus measured by nanoindentation and the indentation fracture toughness has been studied. Relative fracture toughness increased by up to 93% on B₄C addition.     

铜含量对燃烧合成TiB2-Cu基金属陶瓷组织和性能的影响

利用自蔓延高温燃烧合成结合准热等静压技术制备了不同Cu含量的TiB2-Cu基金属陶瓷.为了得到金属粘结剂的最佳含量,研究了Cu含量对TiB2-Cu基金属陶瓷热力学、微观组织和性能的影响.在Ti-B-Cu体系的燃烧合成过程中,可能存在TiB2、TiB和TiCu三个相.热力学计算结果表明TiB2是最稳定的相.随着Cu含量的增加,TiB2-Cu基金属陶瓷的绝热温度(Tad)和燃烧温度(Tc)逐渐降低.燃烧温度会影响产物中陶瓷相的形貌,TiB2颗粒的尺寸随金属含量的增加而减小.TiB,-Cu基金属陶瓷的硬度(HRA)和弯曲强度随着Cu含量的增多均呈现先增加后降低的趋势,最大值分别对应20wt.%和40wt.%的Cu含量.随Cu含量的增加,TiB2-Cu基金属陶瓷的孔隙率由于金属Cu良好的流动性而呈下降趋势,断裂韧性则呈逐渐上升的趋势.材料的韧化机制为裂纹尖端塑性钝化机制和裂纹偏转机制.TiB2-Cu基金属陶瓷的最佳金属粘结剂含量位于40wt.%～50wt.%.     

Improvement in dielectric properties of Al2O3-doped Li0.30Cr0.02Ni0.68O ceramics

Li_0.30Cr_0.02Ni_0.68O giant dielectric ceramics doped with Al₂O₃ were prepared by solid-state reaction via sol-gel process. The sintered samples were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, and dielectric properties were also investigated. All doped samples showed the single phase of cubic rock-salt structure NiO. With increasing Al₂O₃ content, the crystallite size and grain size decreased, possibly due to an occurrence of the secondary phases at grain boundaries which inhibit the grain growth. The sample with 0.2 wt.% Al₂O₃ showed nearly 7 times lower tanδ (2.37) and higher ε_r (7.25 × 10⁶) measured at 1 kHz and room temperature when compared to the pure sample.     

Microstructures and mechanical properties of bulk nanocrystalline Fe3Al materials with 5, 10 and 15 wt.% Cr prepared by aluminothermic reaction

Bulk nanocrystalline Fe₃Al based materials with 5, 10 and 15 wt.% Cr were prepared by aluminothermic reaction, in which melts were superheated about 1500 K before solidification. Microstructures of the materials were investigated by optical microscope, electron probe microscope, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope. It was shown that microstructure of the materials consist of nanocrystalline matrix phase, which was composed of Fe, Al and Cr elements, and a small amount of contamination. The nanocrystalline phase was disordered bcc structure, and which did not change with Cr content. Average grain sizes of the nanocrystalline phase of the materials with 5, 10 and 15 wt.% Cr were 33, 21 and 37 nm, respectively. Compressive properties and hardness of the materials were tested. It indicated that the materials had a considerable plastic deformation and were not fractured in compression. Yield strength of the materials were about three times higher but hardness were a little lower than those of Fe₃Al material with coarsen grain. The hardness and yield strength of the materials varied slightly with Cr content and that of the material with 10 wt.% Cr was slightly lower. Average grain sizes of the materials decreased and texture changes appeared after the compression.