Tension–compression fatigue of a SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composite at 1200 °C in air and in steam

Tension–compression fatigue behavior of a non-oxide ceramic composite with a multilayered matrix was investigated at 1200 °C in laboratory air and in steam. The composite was produced via chemical vapor infiltration (CVI). The composite had an oxidation inhibited matrix, which consisted of alternating layers of silicon carbide and boron carbide and was reinforced with laminated woven Hi-Nicalon™ fibers. Fiber preforms had pyrolytic carbon fiber coating with boron carbide overlay applied. Tension–compression fatigue behavior was studied for fatigue stresses ranging from 80 to 200 MPa at a frequency of 1.0 Hz. Presence of steam significantly degraded the fatigue performance. Specimens that achieved fatigue run-out were subjected to tensile tests to failure to characterize the retained tensile properties. The material retained 100% of its tensile strength. Composite microstructure, as well as damage and failure mechanisms were investigated.     

Solvothermal synthesis of graphene sheets at 300 °C

Graphene nanosheets (GS) had been solvothermally synthesized through reducing hexachloro-1,3-butadiene (C₄Cl₆) by metallic sodium (Na) in polyethylene glycol-600 (PEG-600) at 300 °C. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) investigations indicated that 1–3 graphite layers could be observed. The Raman spectrum showed that the peak of 2D band at 2693 cm^? 1 of GS had a smaller wave number and stronger intensity compared to the 2717 cm^? 1 of commercial graphitic flakes. Meanwhile, the I_D/I_G value of GS was 0.40 indicating a lower density of defects of GS. The possible reaction process was that C₄Cl₆ was dechlorinated by Na in the presence of PEG-600 to produce carbon framework, then these newly produced carbon framework would connect to each other to form the hexagonal network of graphene.     

Mechanism of synthesizing dense Si–SiC matrix C/C composites

The following technique is known to synthesize C/C (carbon fiber-reinforced carbon) composites. The organic matter in the preformed yarn (plastic straw covered yarn including bundles of long carbon fibers, carbon powder, and organic binder) is pyrolyzed at 500 °C and concurrently hot-pressed. Then, the carbon ingredient is graphitized in an atmosphere of nitrogen at 2000 °C. The authors used the above mentioned C/C composites as a starting material and developed a dense Si–SiC matrix C/C composites in which most long carbon fibers remain without reacting with Si which is infiltrated in argon at 1600 °C and 100 Pa. As a result, production of 1 × 2 m large size plates free from warps and cracks was attained in NGK Insulators, Ltd. This mechanism consists of three steps. First, a trunk-shaped Si–SiC matrix is synthesized between yarn and yarn. Then a trunk-shaped Si–SiC matrix extends a yarn by force. Only differential gap is made in a yarn surface. Finally, branch-shaped Si–SiC matrix is synthesized so that a trunk-shaped Si–SiC matrix leads to the yarn inside.     

Interfacial shear strength estimates of NiTi–Al matrix composites fabricated via ultrasonic additive manufacturing

The purpose of this study is to understand and improve the interfacial shear strength of metal matrix composites fabricated via ultrasonic additive manufacturing (UAM). NiTi–Al composites can exhibit dramatically lower thermal expansion compared to aluminum, yet blocking stresses developed during thermal cycling have been found to degrade and eventually cause interface failure in these composites. In this study, the strength of the interface was characterized with pullout tests. Since adhered aluminum was consistently observed on all pullout samples, the matrix yielded prior to the interface breaking. Measured pullout loads were utilized as an input to a finite element model for stress and shear lag analysis. The aluminum matrix experiences a calculated peak shear stress near 230 MPa, which is above its ultimate shear strength of 150–200 MPa thus corroborating the experimentally-observed matrix failure. The influence of various fiber surface treatments and consolidation characteristics on bond mechanisms was studied with scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, optical microscopy, and focused ion beam microscopy.     

Ti3SiC2-formation during Ti–C–Si multilayer deposition by magnetron sputtering at 650 °C

Titanium Silicon Carbide films were deposited from three separate magnetrons with elemental targets onto Si wafer substrates. The substrate was moved in a circular motion such that the substrate faces each magnetron in turn and only one atomic species (Ti, Si or C) is deposited at a time. This allows layer-by-layer film deposition. Material average composition was determined to Ti_0.47Si_0.14C_0.39 by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy were used to gain insights into thin film atomic structure arrangements. Using this new deposition technique formation of Ti₃SiC₂ MAX phase was obtained at a deposition temperature of 650 °C, while at lower temperatures only silicides and carbides are formed. Significant sharpening of Raman E_2g and A_g peaks associated with Ti₃SiC₂ formation was observed.     

A Study of the Ni-Cr-Zr System at 900°C

The phase equilibrium relations of the ternary Ni-Cr-Zr system at 900℃have been investigated by means of diffusion triple and electron probe microanalysis(EMPA) techniques.A series of tie lines and triangles have been determined, and the corresponding tentative isothermal section is presented based on the current information.     

Measurement of linear thermal expansion coefficient of alkali-activated aluminosilicate composites up to 1000 °C

The effect of high temperatures up to 1000 °C on the length changes of two alkali-activated aluminosilicate composites, one of them with quartz sand aggregates, the second with electrical porcelain, is analyzed in the paper. The thermal strain vs. temperature functions of both materials are found to increase monotonically in the whole temperature range studied so that the thermal expansion mismatch (the gel undergoes thermal shrinkage, the aggregates expand with increasing temperature) results in positive values of the apparent linear thermal expansion coefficient. The composite material with electrical porcelain aggregates exhibits a more desired thermomechanical behavior which is a consequence of the better high-temperature thermal stability of electrical porcelain as compared to quartz. In a comparison with Portland-cement based composites, the linear thermal expansion coefficient of both studied aluminosilicates is substantially lower in the whole temperature range of 20–1000 °C.     

Fatigue-creep interaction performance of Incoloy 825 nickel-based superalloy at 650 °C

The fatigue-creep interaction performance of Incoloy 825 nickel-based superalloy at 650 °C was investigated through introducing the tensile, compressive, and tensile-compressive strain hold time at the controlled total strain amplitude Δϵ_t = 0.3 %∼0.7 %. The results show that the Incoloy 825 nickel-based superalloy exhibits the cyclic hardening behavior, the cyclic hardening behavior followed by cyclic softening behavior and the cyclic hardening behavior followed by cyclic stability during the cyclic deformation with tensile strain hold time, while the alloy exhibits the cyclic hardening behavior and the cyclic hardening behavior followed by the cyclic stability during the cyclic deformation with compressive and tensile-compressive strain hold time. The relationship between both plastic and elastic strain amplitudes with reversals to failure for the alloy shows a single slope linear behavior, which can be described by the Coffin-Manson and Basquin equations, respectively. The deformation mechanism of the alloy under three loading condition of fatigue-creep interaction is mainly the planar slip. In addition, under three loading condition of fatigue-creep interaction, the cracks initiate and propagate in the transgranular mode.     

Ultra-high-temperature tensile properties and fracture behavior of ZrB2-based ceramics in air above 1500 °C

Nearly fully dense ZrB₂–SiC–graphite composites were fabricated from commercially available powder at 1900 °C by hot pressing. The tensile strength of ZrB₂-based ceramics was measured in air up to 1750 °C, which is the first reported tensile strength measurement in air above 1500 °C. A mechanical testing apparatus capable of testing material in ultra-high temperature under air atmosphere was built, evaluated, and used. Tensile strength was measured as a function of temperature up to 1750 °C in air. The respective average values of the tensile strength measured at 1550 °C, 1650 °C, and 1750 °C are 58.4, 44.8, and 21.8 MPa, which are 49.4%, 37.9%, and 18.4% of their room-temperature strength (118.2 MPa), respectively. Moreover, the tensile fracture behaviors and mechanism of ZrB₂-based ceramics at different testing temperatures were discussed based on microstructure characterization.     

Study of the sintering mechanism of kaolinite at 900 and 1050° C; influence of mineralizers

This paper presents a study, by means of isothermal dilatometry, of the often very important (10%) shrinkage phenomenon which occurs when heating clay ceramic materials, and especially of the influence of mineralizers on the shrinkage of kaolinite at 900 and 1050° C. We found that the isothermal shrinkage versus time curve of kaolinite at both temperatures was well described by the following equation: $$\lambda = \frac{t}{{\alpha + \beta t}}$$ where λ is the linear shrinkage (relative to the initial length of the bar),t the time, andα andβ two constants. The presence of various mineralizers at different concentrations did not affect the basic shape of this curve at either 900 or 1050° C, but affected the values of parametersα andβ. A sintering mechanism is proposed which takes into account the most recent data concerning the structural transformation of kaolinite in the 900 to 1050° C temperature range. The kaolinite sintering mechanism is of the viscous-flow type proposed by Frenkel [1] involving an amorphous phase, the viscosity of which increases with time due to its progressive recrystallization. The influence of mineralizers is then explained in terms of their action on the viscosity of the amorphous phase and their action on recrystallization.     

Thermal expansion of hydroxyapatite between − 100 °C and 50 °C

Hydroxy apatite (HAp) ceramic was synthesized using traditional sintering. Dilatometric and lattice thermal expansion properties of a HAp ceramic were evaluated at temperatures of ? 100–50 °C. In that temperature range, the dilatometric thermal expansion coefficient and the lattice thermal expansion coefficient of the HAp ceramic were, respectively, 10.6 × 10^? 6/°C and 9.9 × 10^? 6/°C. Furthermore, thermal expansion properties of a human tooth were measured. The thermal expansion coefficient of the horizontal direction perpendicular to the growing direction of a tooth was 15.5 × 10^? 6/°C; that of the vertical direction along with the direction of tooth growth was 18.9 × 10^? 6/°C at the temperature range described above.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced multilayered (PyC–SiC)n matrix composites

Carbon fiber reinforced multilayered (PyC–SiC)_n matrix (C/(PyC–SiC)_n) composites were prepared by isothermal chemical vapor infiltration. The phase compositions, microstructures and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. The results show that the multilayered matrix consists of alternate layers of PyC and β-SiC deposited on carbon fibers. The flexural strength and toughness of C/(PyC–SiC)_n composites with a density of 1.43 g/cm³ are 204.4 MPa and 3028 kJ/m³ respectively, which are 63.4% and 133.3% higher than those of carbon/carbon composites with a density of 1.75 g/cm³. The enhanced mechanical properties of C/(PyC–SiC)_n composites are attributed to the presence of multilayered (PyC–SiC)_n matrix. Cracks deflect and propagate at both fiber/matrix and PyC–SiC interfaces resulting in a step-like fracture mode, which is conducive to fracture energy dissipation. These results demonstrate that the C/(PyC–SiC)_n composite is a promising structural material with low density and high flexural strength and toughness.     

Microstructural characterization of nitrided beta Ti–Mo alloys at 1400 °C

In this work, the two Ti₉₂Mo₈ and Ti₈₄Mo₁₆ alloy compositions were gas nitrided at 1400 °C. The microstructure and the chemical composition of the gas nitrided surfaces were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and by electron probe microanalysis. Two internal needle-like nitride precipitates, α-(Ti,N) and δ-TiN_0.3, were observed. Their crystallographic orientation relationships in the β matrix were determined by electron backscattering diffraction.     

Hot corrosion behavior of porous nickel-based alloys containing molybdenum in the presence of NaCl at 750 °C

The hot corrosion of porous Ni-23Cr-xMo (0%, 4.5%, 9.0%, 13.5%, mass fraction) alloys tested at 750 °C under cyclic procedure was investigated in order to elucidate the effect of Mo addition on hot corrosion in the presence of NaCl. The hot corrosion experiments were performed at 750 °C in air with 4 mg cm^− 2 NaCl deposit. The performance of the alloys was evaluated by the results of weight change kinetics. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were used to characterize the corrosion products. The results indicate that NaCl accelerated the oxidation of the alloys by chloridized elements Mo and Cr. Among the porous Ni-23Cr-xMo alloys, Ni-23Cr-9Mo alloy exhibited the best hot corrosion resistance due to the formation of NiO-NiCr₂O₄-Cr₂O₃ oxide scales. Furthermore, these oxide scales were confirmed more effective to protect the alloys after adding of Mo.     

Tribological performance of TiAl matrix self-lubricating composites containing Ag,Ti3SiC2 and BaF2/CaF2 tested from room temperature to 600 °C

Dry sliding tribological behaviors of TiAl matrix self-lubricating composites (TMSC) containing varying amounts of Ag, Ti₃SiC₂ and BaF₂/CaF₂ eutectic (BaF₂–38 wt.%CaF₂) (ATBC) with weight ratio of 1:1:1 against Si₃N₄ from room temperature (RT) to 600 °C at the condition of 10 N–0.234 m/s were experimentally studied. The results implied that the ATBC could improve friction-reducing and anti-wear ability of TMSC over an extreme range of operating temperatures, which was attributed to the synergetic effect of Ag, Ti₃SiC₂ and BaF₂/CaF₂ lubricants. In addition, TMSC containing 9 wt.% ATBC exhibited the best tribological properties over the wide temperature range from RT to 600 °C.     

Tannin–phenolic resins: Synthesis,characterization, and application as matrix in biobased composites reinforced with sisal fibers

A tannin–phenolic resin (40 wt% of tannin, characterized by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and ¹³C NMR, Fourier transform infrared, thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry) was used to prepare composites reinforced with sisal fibers (30–70 wt%). Inverse gas chromatography results showed that the sisal fibers and the tannin–phenolic thermoset have close values of the dispersive component and also have predominance of acid sites (acid character) at the surface, confirming the favoring of interaction between the sisal fibers and the tannin–phenolic matrix at the interface. The Izod impact strength increased up to 50 wt% of sisal fibers. This composite also showed high storage modulus, and the lower loss modulus, confirming its good fiber/matrix interface, also observed by SEM images. A composite with good properties was prepared from high content of raw material obtained from renewable sources (40 wt% of tannin substituted the phenol in the preparation of the matrix and 50 wt% of matrix was replaced by sisal fibers).     

Low-cycle fatigue strength under step loading of a Si3N4 + SiC nanocomposite at 1350°C

The low-cycle fatigue behaviour of a hot pressed silicon nitride/silicon carbide nanocomposite and a reference monolithic Si₃N₄ have been investigated in 4-point bending at 1350°C in air using stepwise loading. The nanocomposite was prepared using 20% of SiCN amorphous powder as an additive, together with 5% yttria, to crystalline -silicon nitride powder. Two types of specimen have been tested, with and without a sharp notch (notch tip radius 10 m) at applied loads from 50 N with steps of 25 N and from 50 N with steps of 50 N, respectively. Five cycles have been performed at all applied load levels with an amplitude of 50 N for both types of specimen. The deflection of the specimens has been recorded up to specimen failure. The failure load of the unnotched nanocomposite was significantly higher than that of the monolithic material whereas for the notched specimens only a small difference has been found between the failure loads of the monolithic and the composite. Notched specimens of both materials exhibited a similar size of the slow crack growth area at catastrophic fracture, whereas for unnotched specimens the size of the slow crack growth area was significantly larger for the monolithic ceramic. The nanocomposite exhibits higher fatigue strength due to its higher resistance against stress corrosion damage and stress corrosion crack growth.     

Fatigue behavior of coated and uncoated cast Inconel 713LC at 800 °C

Cylindrical specimens of Inconel 713LC in as-received condition and with surface treatment by Al diffusion coating were cyclically strained under strain control at 800 °C in air. Surface treated layer was characterized and the hardness depth profile was measured. Cyclic stress–strain response and fatigue life of both materials were assessed. The stress response of the coated superalloy specimens is lower in comparison with the untreated specimens. Beneficial effect of surface treatment on the Manson–Coffin curve is documented. Specimen sectioning and fracture surface studies revealed fatigue damage mechanisms both in coated and uncoated specimens. Propagation path of the principal crack is predominantly interdendritic.