Microstructure evolution and bonding strength of the Al2O3/Al2O3 interface brazed via Ni-Ti intermetallic phases

In this study, Al₂O₃ workpieces were vacuum brazed by using Ni-45Ti binary alloy. The interfacial microstructure evolution of the joints obtained at different brazing temperatures was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The bonding strength of the joints was measured by shear testing. The results indicated that Ni₂Ti₄O and AlNi₂Ti were the main reaction products in the joint areas. Moreover, the Ti₂Ni intermetallic compound formed in the brazing seam. The typical layer structure of the brazed joints was Al₂O₃/AlNi₂Ti/Ni₂Ti₄O/Ti₂Ni + NiTi/Ni₂Ti₄O/AlNi₂Ti/Al₂O₃. With the brazing temperature increasing, the thickness of the Ni₂Ti₄O reaction layer adjacent to the Al₂O₃ substrate increased significantly, while the AlNi₂Ti phase had a tendency to dissolve with the brazing temperature increasing. The mechanism for the microstructure evolution was also discussed. The maximum shear strength of 125.63±4.87 MPa of the joints was obtained when brazed at 1350 °C for 30min. The fracture occurred hardly in the interface between Al₂O₃ and Ni-45Ti filler alloy.     

SiO2 migration mechanism at the joints of SiO2f/SiO2 composite brazed by bismuth glass

Joining is an indispensable process for expanding the application of ceramics and composites. Recently, glasses have been extensively explored for ceramic/composite joining owing to their unique functional needs. However, the difficulty in detecting amorphous materials and lack of enthalpy data make the interfacial reaction mechanism challenging to investigate. In this study, the interfacial reaction mechanism of joints of SiO_2f/SiO₂ composite-brazed bismuth glass was thoroughly explored. SiO₂ was dissolved from the matrix and used throughout the brazing process. In the initial stage, silica reacts with the brazing glass to form Bi₄(SiO₄)₃. Then, owing to the decomposition of Bi₄(SiO₄)₃, the silicate glass replaced the bismuth glass. Finally, some precipitation of SiO₂ occurred at the brazing seam owing to an entropy–enthalpy dominating mode. This study may instigate the design of brazing glasses for joining SiO_2f/SiO₂ composites.     

Interfacial microstructure and mechanical properties of ZTA/ZTA joints brazed with Ni-Ti filler metal

The reliable brazing of the ZTA ceramic joints was successfully obtained using Ni-Ti filler metal. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the joints brazed at different temperatures were investigated. During the process of brazing, both Al₂O₃ and ZrO₂ in the ZTA reacted with the Ni-Ti filler, resulting in the formation of the AlNi₂Ti + Ni₂Ti₄O reaction layer adjacent to the ZTA substrate when brazed at 1350 °C for 30 min. NiTi and Ni₃Ti compounds precipitated at the center of brazing seam. When the brazing temperature increased from 1320 °C to 1380 °C, the thickness of AlNi₂Ti + Ni₂Ti₄O layer increased gradually. As the brazing temperature varied from 1400 °C to 1450 °C, TiO was formed adjacent to the ZTA substrate, along with the reduction of Ni₂Ti₄O. AlNi₂Ti distributed at the interface and center of brazing seam. The maximum shear strength of 152 MPa was obtained when brazed at 1420 °C for 30 min.     

Effects of Cu interlayers on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al2O3/AgCuTi/Kovar brazed joints

Al₂O₃ ceramic and Kovar alloy brazed joints were achieved using three types of Ag-based interlayers: a AgCuTi foil, a AgCuTi/Cu foil/AgCuTi multi-interlayer and a AgCuTi/Cu foam/AgCuTi multi-interlayer. The effects of the addition of Cu interlayers on the interfacial microstructure and mechanical properties of Al₂O₃/AgCuTi/Kovar brazed joints were investigated. When Kovar alloy and Al₂O₃ ceramic were brazed with 50 μm Cu foil at 900°C for 10 minutes, the Cu foil was completely dissolved in the liquid filler. A nearly continuous Cu layer remained in the joint when the thickness of the Cu foil reached 100 μm under the same brazing conditions. With the increase in Cu foil thickness, the thickness of Ti–O compounds + Ti₃Cu₃O reaction layer formed nearby the Al₂O₃ ceramic first increased and then remained the same. The Al₂O₃/Kovar joints brazed with 100 μm Cu foil at 900°C for 10 minutes showed a maximum shear strength of 138 MPa. A low brazing temperature was beneficial to maintain the original structure of the Cu foam. Furthermore, when the joints were brazed at 880°C for 10 minutes, the average shear strength of the Al₂O₃/AgCuTi/Cu foam/AgCuTi/Kovar joints was 140 MPa, which was 30 MPa higher than that of a single AgCuTi interlayer.     

Effect of adding of SiC particulate on the microstructure and shear strength of SiC ceramic joint brazed with Si-24Ti alloy

In order to refine the grain size of TiSi₂ silicide and reduce the formation of micro-defects in the joint, and thereby increasing the joint strength of SiC ceramic brazed with Si-24Ti (wt.%), a small amount of SiC particulates were added in the brazing alloy. The microstructure and mechanical strength of SiC joints was investigated by using field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction spectrometer, and shear strength test. The results indicated that SiC particulates enhanced the nucleation and grain refinement of the TiSi₂ and Si phase. The adding of appropriate content of SiC (<1 wt.%) could effectively refine the size of TiSi₂ phase and increase the fraction of Si-TiSi₂ eutectic zone. However, excess addition of 1.5 wt.% SiC caused the coarsening of TiSi₂ phase due to the clustering of added fine SiC particulates. With the increasing of SiC particulate content, the shear strength of the joints increased at first and then decreased. The maximum shear strength of 106.3 MPa of SiC joint was obtained for the joint brazed with 1 wt.% SiC addition, which was ~19% higher than that of the joint brazed without SiC particulates.     

Temperature-dependent fracture strength and the effect of oxidation for ZrB2-SiC ceramics

Using the stress distribution of the body containing a spherical inclusion, the stress intensity factor at the tip of the annular flaw emanating from the inclusion is formulized. Since the thermal expansion coefficient of matrix and inclusion is not matched, the residual stress is also taken into account. Introducing into the proposed temperature-dependent fracture surface energy or fracture toughness, the temperature-dependent fracture strength for ZrB₂-SiC is obtained. The influence of oxidation on the fracture strength is also discussed and the analysis reveals that the oxidation has significant effect on the fracture strength under some circumstances. The calculated results are compared with the experimental data and they have very good consistency.     

Effect of Ni foam on the microstructure and properties of AlN ceramic/Cu brazed joint

Aluminum nitride (AlN) ceramics and oxygen-free Cu were brazed with multilayer filler consisted of Ag-Cu-Ti +Ni foam. The microstructure and forming principle of AlN/Cu joints were studied and the influence of Ni foam on the joints was focused. The result shows that the composition of AlN/Cu joint was AlN/TiN/Ni₃Ti+Cu(s,s)+CuTi+Ni foam+Ag(s,s)/Cu. The joint strength was only 66.7 ± 3.7MPa with pure Ag-Cu-Ti solder and the fracture occurred inside AlN ceramics due to the residual stress. The foam nickel reacted with Ag-Cu-Ti filler metal to form Ni₃Ti during brazing process. Ni foam still retained the basic skeleton structure during brazing, and the mechanical capacity of AlN/Cu joint was enhanced significantly. The maximum shear strength of the brazed joint can reach 89.6 ± 4.5 MPa with .1 mm Ni foam, and the fracture position changed to the brazing filler. The result shows that nickel foam can reduce the residual thermal stress, and the mechanical properties of AlN/Cu joints were improved.     

Effect of brazing parameters on microstructure and mechanical properties of Cf/SiC and Nb-1Zr joints brazed with Ti-Co-Nb filler alloy

Reliable brazing of carbon fiber reinforced SiC (C_f/SiC) composite to Nb-1Zr alloy was achieved by adopting a novel Ti45Co45Nb10 (at.%) filler alloy. The effects of brazing temperature (1270–1320 °C) and holding time (5–30 min) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the joints were investigated. The results show that a continuous reaction layer (Ti,Nb)C was formed at the C_f/SiC/braze interface. A TiCo and Nb(s,s) eutectic structure was observed in the brazing seam, in which some CoNb₄Si phases were distributed. By increasing the brazing temperature or extending the holding time, the reaction layer became thicker and the amount of the CoNb₄Si increased. The optimized average shear strength of 242 MPa was obtained when the joints were brazed at 1280 °C for 10 min. The high temperature shear strength of the joints reached 202 MPa and 135 MPa at 800 °C and 1000 °C, respectively.     

Effect of homogenization treatment on the fracture behaviour of silicon nitride/graphene nanoplatelets composites

Si₃N₄ based composites with 7 wt.% of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) were prepared using different homogenization methods. Si₃N₄/GNPs powder mixtures were dispersed in isopropanol and homogenized by attritor milling, ball milling or planetary ball milling. The ball milling technique was also used for the homogenization of Si₃N₄/GNPs mixture in dry state. Fractography analysis was carried out in order to assess the individual homogenization treatment. Depending on the homogenization methods, the size of the processing flaws varied from 20 μm up to 400 μm. The agglomeration of the GNPs and the residual porosity were found as the most frequently observed types of the critical flaws. The planetary ball milling with previous ultrasonication of GNPs in isopropanol was found to be the most promising homogenization technique, resulting in the composites with the highest bending strength (average value is 740 MPa) and the lowest average size of the processing flaws (around 20 μm).     

Effect of rare earth oxides addition on the mechanical properties and coloration of silicon nitride ceramics

The aim of this study was to evaluate the mechanical properties and coloration of silicon nitride ceramics in the presence of RE₂O₃ (RE = Nd, Eu or Dy). Dense Si₃N₄ ceramics were prepared by gas pressure sintering at 1800 °C for 2 h. XRD analysis confirmed the complete transformation of α-Si₃N4 to β-Si₃N₄. The fracture toughness and flexure strengths were 11.93 ± 0.56 MPa·m^1/2, 667 ± 40.98 MPa with the addition of Eu₂O₃ (SE). Base on the SEM image, the pull-out, bridging and deflection of large grains were observed and contributed to the increase in mechanical properties. The chromaticity of sintered bodies was measured using a spectrophotometer. The color difference of the ceramics is due to the formation of different color developing compounds according to the EDS. Results showed that high-toughness and colorful Si₃N₄ ceramics can be prepared using YAG:Ce³⁺ as sintering additive and RE₂O₃ as the colorant.     

Residual static strength and the fracture initiation path in adhesively bonded joints weakened with interfacial edge pre-crack

This paper deals with the application of fracture mechanics approaches for predicting the residual static strength and the crack kinking angle of adhesively bonded joints containing interfacial edge pre-cracks. The interfacial cracks are created due to different factors such as inappropriate surface preparation which cause a significant reduction of the joint strength. To investigate the residual strength of interfacial cracked adhesive joints and predict the crack kinking angle, three different approaches including the maximum tangential stress (MTS), the minimum strain energy density (SED) and the maximum tangential strain energy density (MTSED) were assessed. To this end, single lap joints (SLJs) containing a brittle adhesive material and with different pre-crack sizes and various substrate thicknesses were manufactured and tested. The results were also verified by applying fracture mechanics approaches on previously published experimental data. According to the results, it was concluded that in mode II dominant cases, the predictions of kinking angle using the MTS method was in good agreement with the experimental observations, while in mode I dominant cases the mentioned approach provided poor predictions. It was also found that the SED criterion could be a precise model for predicting the crack extension angle in mode I dominant conditions. The results also showed that the MTS criterion predicts the residual static strength of interfacial cracked adhesive joints very well.     

Joining interface and compressive strength of brazed cubic boron nitride grains with Ag-Cu-Ti/TiX composite fillers

Ag-Cu-Ti/TiX (TiX=TiB₂, TiN or TiC) composite filler materials, instead of pure Ag-Cu-Ti alloy, were developed to improve the comprehensive mechanical performance of brazed joints of cubic boron nitride (CBN) grains/bonding layer/steel matrix. This article mainly concerns the effects of TiX addition on the joining interface and compressive strength of brazed CBN grains. The results demonstrate that, due to the variation of chemical activity of Ti atoms induced by TiX addition into the brazing system, the brazing reactions, especially chemical resultants produced at the joining interface between CBN grain and Ag-Cu-Ti alloy, are restrained to some extents. In general, the TiN particles show the greatest suppression effect on the brazing resultants, while the TiC particles have the weakest effect, and TiB₂ particles have the medium effect. The optimum reinforcement of the composite filler is finally determined as the TiB₂ particles with the content of 8 wt%, with which the average compressive strength of brazed CBN grains reaches 15 N, which is nearly the same high as that of original CBN grains.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of ZrB2-SiC/Nb joints brazed with CoFeNiCrCuTix high-entropy alloy filler

ZrB₂-SiC ceramics and Nb alloy were brazed at 1160°C for 60 min with CoFeNiCrCuTi_x high-entropy alloy filler. The influence of Ti content on the interface structure and mechanical properties of ZrB₂-SiC/Nb joint was systematically studied. It is found that the rich-Ti Laves phase was formed due to the addition of large atomic size Ti fill into the filler alloy or brazing joint, and its content increases with Ti content. The joint brazed by high-entropy alloys filler without Ti can be divided into a tooth-shaped Cr₂B reaction layer and a central area composed of a eutectic mixed structure of FCC phase and rich-Nb lamellar Laves phase. Ti and Nb are mutual solid solution elements. The increase of Ti content in the joint makes the FCC phase and the rich-Nb lamellar Laves phase to transform into a big bulk Ti-rich Laves phase and the quadrilateral (Ti, Nb)B phase. The tooth-shaped Cr₂B was disappeared. The residual stress generated in the joint during the brazing process tends to cause defects such as holes and microcracks in the bulk Ti-rich brittle Laves phase. Therefore, with the addition of Ti, the normal temperature performance of the joint decreases from 216 MPa to 52 MPa. However, with the increase of Ti, the high-temperature mechanical properties of the joint first decrease, and then increase. It was mainly due to the formation of rich-Ti Laves phase and quadrilateral (Ti, Nb)B with excellent high-temperature mechanical properties. When brazing with CoFeNiCrCuTi_1.5 filler, the high-temperature performance of the joint reached 92% of its room temperature performance.     

On the microstructure and tensile strength of PC/ABS polymer blend joints

Large articles of polymeric materials which can not be molded require welding to join the components. Weld zones result in a morphology that differs from the adjacent areas. This difference in structure represents a defect in the article that can result in premature failure during service. Experiments with a Pulse 830 (a polycarbonate/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene blend) engineering resin showed that weld zones made using hot plate techniques, retained only 30% of the unwelded tensile strength, while 80% was retained if vibration welding was applied. Examination of the weld zone by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed a dramatic difference in the microstructure.The weld zone morphology in Pulse" 830 engineering resin by hot plate welding is highly laminar and oriented while a much more homogeneous structure, similar to that in the bulk, is produced by vibration welding. This morphology difference accounts for the variation of the tensile strength of the joints.     

Effects of the joining process on the microstructure and properties of liquid-phase-sintered SiC-SiC joints formed with Ti foil

The joining of liquid-phase sintered SiC (LPS-SiC) ceramics was conducted using spark plasma sintering (SPS), through solid state diffusion bonding, with Ti-metal foil as a joining interlayer. Samples were joined at 1400 °C, under applied pressures of either 10 or 30 MPa, and with different atmospheres (argon, Ar, vs. vacuum). It was demonstrated that the shear strength of the joints increased with an increase in the applied joining pressure. The joining atmosphere also affected on both the microstructure and shear strength of the SiC joints. The composition and microstructure of the interlayer were examined to understand the mechanism. As a result, a SiC-SiC joining with a good mechanical performance could be achieved under an Ar environment, which in turn could provide a cost-effective approach and greatly widen the applications of SiC ceramic components with complex shape.     

Interfacial microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of B4C-based composite joints bonded with Ti foil

The interfacial microstructure and mechanical properties of B₄C-SiC-TiB₂ composite joints diffusion bonded with Ti foil interlayer were investigated. The joints were diffusion bonded in the temperature range of 800–1200?°C with 50?MPa by spark plasma sintering. The results revealed that robust joint could be successfully obtained due to the interface reaction. B₄C reacted with Ti to form nanocrystalline TiB₂ and TiC at the interface at 800–1000?°C. Both the reactions between SiC and Ti and between TiB₂ and Ti were not observed during joining. A full ceramic joint consisted of micron- and submicron-sized TiB₂ and TiC, accompanied with the formation of micro-crack, was achieved for the joint bonded at 1200?°C. Joint strength was evaluated and the maximum shear strength (145?±?14.1?MPa) was obtained for the joint bonded at 900?°C. Vickers hardness of interlayer increased with increasing the joining temperature.     

Effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on microstructure and fracture properties of carbon fiber-reinforced ZrB2-based ceramic composite

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were used to optimize the microstructure and improve the fracture properties of hot-pressed carbon fiber-reinforced ZrB₂-based ultra-high temperature ceramic composites. Microstructure analysis indicated that the introduction of MWCNTs effectively reduced the carbon fiber degradation and prevented fiber-matrix interfacial reaction during processing. Due to the presence of MWCNTs, the matrix contained fine ZrB₂ grains and in-situ formed nano-sized SiC/ZrC grains. The fracture properties were evaluated using the single edge-notched beam (SENB) test. The fracture toughness and work of fracture of the C_f/ZrB₂-based composite with MWCNTs were 7.0±0.4 MPa m^1/2 and 379±34 J/m², respectively, representing increases of 59% and 87% compared to those without MWCNTs. The excellent fracture properties are attributed to the moderate interfacial bonding between the fibers and matrix, which favour the toughening mechanisms, such as fiber bridging, fiber pull-out and crack deflection at interfaces.     

Effect of high-pressure vapor pretreatment on the microstructure evolution and tensile strength of zirconia fibers

High-strength zirconia (ZrO₂) continuous fibers, which are potential candidates as ultra-high temperature thermal insulators and reinforced materials, are typically fabricated by dry spinning an organozirconium precursor. However, the uncontrolled decomposition of organozirconium precursor usually occurs upon heat treatment that breaks the continuous fibers into pieces, resulting in the loss of tensile strength. Herein, in this contribution, we aimed to maintain the integrity of ZrO₂ precursor fibers during heat treatment. For this purpose, novel high-pressure vapor (HPV) pretreatment of ZrO₂ precursor fiber was introduced. The HPV pretreatment is considered to be efficient for the removal of the organics in precursor, promoting the formation of amorphous structures of Zr(OH)₄ and Zr(OH)₃HCO₃. Combining the studies of microstructures and tensile strengths, it was found that the amorphous structures played roles of cross-linking points, keeping the fibers integrity during the followed heat treatment. After HPV pretreatment, the high-strength ZrO₂ continuous fibers would be obtained by direct sintering in air without any atmosphere which substantially lowered the cost. The tensile strengths of sintered ZrO₂ continuous fibers pretreated by an optimized HPV procedure could reach up to as high as 1.299 GPa. The HPV pretreatment method provides a high-efficiency, low-cost technique for preparing high-quality ceramic fibers.     

Effect of CNT dispersion methods on the strength and fracture mechanism of interface in epoxy adhesive/Al joints

The tensile and shear strengths of adhesively bonded aluminum (Al) joints were inspected in the presence of amino functionalized multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Tensile and shear tests were carried out using butt and lap-shear joints. The main goal was to compare the effects of dispersion methods of functionalized-CNT into epoxy on the mechanical performances and failure mechanisms of Al joints. Two different types of dispersion procedures, distributing CNT in the hardener (HH method) and distributing CNT in the resin (RR method), were applied. To identify the failure mechanisms, the morphology of fracture surfaces were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Comparing two dispersion methods against one another ascertained that following the RR method for dispersing CNTs in the adhesive displayed larger shear strength, while applying HH method offered fairly greater tensile strength. Moreover, dispersing CNTs in the resin induced more uniform dispersion of CNTs as compared to distributing nanofillers in the hardener. Following RR method, CNTs good dispersion as well as the presence of effective crack growth dissipating mechanisms, increased the shear strength of CNT reinforced adhesive joint. Incorporating CNTs using HH approach encouraged the plastic void formation of epoxy around the agglomerated CNTs, and as a consequence, promoted the plastic deformation under tension.     

热处理温度对反应烧结碳化硅材料组织与性能的影响

研究了真空热处理温度对反应烧结碳化硅材料显微组织和断裂强度的影响.结果表明反应烧结碳化硅中的游离硅在1600℃、1800℃真空热处理过程中已全部去除;经过1800℃真空热处理材料的强度均高于1600℃真空热处理材料的强度.在1800℃真空热处理过程中发生的碳化硅再结晶以及气孔形状的变化,是其强度较高的主要原因.