Processing of alumina and zirconia nano-powders and compacts

Magnesia–doped alumina and yttria–doped zirconia nano-powders were synthesized using sucrose as a chelating agent and template material from the aqueous solutions of aluminium nitrate, magnesium nitrate, ytrrium nitrate and zirconyl nitrate, respectively. Synthesis parameters were optimized with varying sucrose to metal ion ratio, calcinations time, and temperature to produce these nano-powders. As-synthesized powders were characterized by room temperature X-ray diffraction, BET surface area analyzer and transmission electron microscopy. Y₂O₃–ZrO₂ nano-powders had particle size in the range of 80–200 nm with specific average surface area of 119 m²/g and for MgO–Al₂O₃ powders, particle sizes were 30–200 nm with the specific average surface area of 250 m²/g. Our results indicate that this synthesis method is a versatile one and can be applied to a variety of oxide-based materials to form nano-powders. Nano-powders were compacted uniaxially and densified in a muffle furnace. Sintered discs were used for hardness testing and density measurements, as well as for microstructural characterization.     

Relationship between particle erosion and lamellar microstructure for plasma-sprayed alumina coatings

The lamellar structure determines mechanical properties of a thermal spray coating. A model for the erosion of thermally sprayed ceramic coatings resulting from the debonding of flattened ceramic particles is proposed based on the examination of the erosion mechanism. The relationship between erosion rate and microstructural parameters is established both experimentally and theoretically to reveal main lamellar structural parameters controlling erosion of thermally sprayed ceramic coating. The microstructural parameters include the mean bonding ratio between lamellae and thickness of the lamellae. The erosion rate of plasma-sprayed Al₂O₃ coatings was measured at impact angle of 90° under the fixed erosion test conditions. The correlation of theoretical model with the observed structural parameters and erosion data of alumina coatings was examined. It is revealed that the theoretical relationship agreed well with the observed relation. The results clearly revealed that the erosion of plasma-sprayed ceramic coating was inversely proportional to the mean lamellar bonding ratio. The influences of spray parameters on erosion effected mainly through their influences on the lamellar bonding. The erosion resistance of a thermally sprayed ceramic coating was controlled by coating fracture toughness.     

Effect of particle morphology on viscoelastic and flexural properties of epoxy–alumina polymer nanocomposites

Nanocomposites were synthesised by dispersing two different types of alumina nanoparticles in epoxy matrix by ultrasonication. Alumina nanoparticles of two shapes, rod and spherical were selected to investigate the effect of particle morphology on viscoelastic and flexural properties of nanocomposites. Specific surface area of both the selected nanoparticles was kept in the similar range. Good dispersion of nanoparticles was observed through transmission electron microscopy. The addition of nanoparticles in epoxy had significant enhancement in the viscoelastic properties and moderate improvement in flexural properties of composites. Composites having alumina nanorods showed higher improvement both in storage modulus as well as in flexural properties in comparison to composites having spherical alumina nanoparticles. Efficacy of Mori-Tanaka method was explored in modelling storage modulus of nanocomposites. Assorted size of alumina nanorods based on particle size distribution was used to model composites with nanorods to see the effect of size assortment on storage modulus.     

热轧加热炉内步进梁及立柱耐火材料粘渣原因分析

分析了热轧加热炉内步进梁与立柱粘渣的原因,认为所用耐火材料荷重软化温度低、变形大是主要原因之一。从侵蚀结构分析看,氧化铝溶解进入炉衬的粘接渣相中,增加了渣的黏度,可能导致炉衬的严重挂渣,不利于生产的正常顺行。常规的加热炉耐火材料控制标准没有荷重软化温度等指标,不利于控制炉衬实物质量。     

Thermo-mechanical test rig for experimental evaluation of thermal conductivity of ceramic pebble beds

The experimental determination of mechanical and thermal properties of ceramic pebble beds, such as the lithium orthosilicate or lithium metatitanate, is a key issue in the framework of fusion power technology, for the reason that they are possible candidates in the design of breeder blankets.The paper deals with an experimental method for the evaluation of the thermal conductivity of ceramic pebble beds versus the temperature and compressive strain, based on a steady state heat flux through a material (alumina) of known conductivity. The alumina thermal conductivity is determined by means of the hot wire method. To assess the experimental method, a thermo-mechanical characterization of alumina pebble beds (a material largely available), having different diameters, considering a wide range of temperatures and compression forces has been carried out.Moreover preliminary tests have been performed on lithium orthosilicate and lithium metatitanate pebble beds.     

One-pot synthesis of hematite-alumina hollow sphere composite by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technique with high adsorption capacity toward PAHs

A hybrid nanocomposite of alumina and hematite was synthesized by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technique. The study of microscopic images, mapping analysis, and XRD patterns revealed that the Al₂O₃ – Fe₂O₃ nanocomposite was composed of separated spherical particles with a thin layer ball-shaped structure that metal oxides are uniformly distributed in the wall of hollow sphere particles, led to a coherent and monotonous construction. A series of coefficients of equilibrium sorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as hazardous materials were measured on the prepared composite material in a batch technique. The free or pure Al₂O₃ or Fe₂O₃ showed negligible removal efficiency for the mentioned analytes. The various significant variables, such as initial analyte concentration, solution pH, adsorbent dose, and contact time to remove analyte, were studied in the aqueous solutions. Adsorption data were modeled to Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin isotherms, and a good correlation found in the case of Langmuir isotherm and adsorption capacity for anthracene, phenanthrene, and naphthalene were 370, 333, and 322 mg g^?1, respectively. Investigation of the kinetic models proved a pseudo-second-order, and the prepared adsorbent can be reused more than 7 times without a significant decrease of adsorption performance.     

3Y-TZP ceramics with improved hydrothermal degradation resistance and fracture toughness

Different factors such as the way of incorporating the Y₂O₃ stabilizer, alumina addition and sintering temperature were assessed with the goal to improve the low temperature degradation (LTD) resistance of 3Y-TZP without compromising on the mechanical properties. The degradation of hydrothermally treated specimens was studied by X-ray diffraction, micro-Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy.Decreasing the sintering temperature decreased the LTD susceptibility of 3Y-TZPs but did not allow to obtain a LTD resistant 3Y-TZP with optimized mechanical properties. Alumina addition along with the use of Y₂O₃ stabilizer coated starting powder allowed to combine both an excellent toughness and LTD resistance, as compared to alumina-free and stabilizer co-precipitated powder based equivalents. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the improved LTD resistance could be attributed to the segregation of Al³⁺ at the grain boundary and the heterogeneously distributed Y³⁺ stabilizer.     

Fracture behaviour of alumina-YAG particulate composites

Particulate composites of the Al₂O₃–YAG system were produced by precipitation of the yttrium oxide precursor in the aluminium oxide suspension. The solid state reaction took place during thermal treatment of the resulting powder and led to the creation of the YAG phase. This method allowed fine and homogenously distributed YAG inclusions within the alumina matrix to be obtained. The performed investigations involved determining of the critical stress intensity factor (K_IC), Vickers hardness and bending strength of the materials. The composites showed higher hardness (HV) than α-Al₂O₃. The presence of YAG inclusion in the amount higher than 7.5 vol.% improved also fracture toughness when compared to polycrystalline alumina. In the case of the material with the best mechanical properties measurements of subcritical cracking were conducted and the threshold value of K_IC (K_I0) was determined.     

Explosive compaction of Al2O3 nanopowders

Dense bulk alumina (Al₂O₃) has been prepared by explosive compaction and its microstructure has been investigated by optical microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The average microhardness of the alumina compact is about 171 HV0.025. Ultra-thin alumina films with glassy (translucent) appearance formed during the explosive compaction process. Nanograin Al₂O₃ particles are covered by amorphous Al₂O₃ which help to achieve a dense microstructure by promoting interparticles bonding. Phase transformation from γ-Al₂O₃ to α-Al₂O₃ during the explosive compaction process has been confirmed. Formation of the alumina compact is due to the large cooling rate and the high pressure during the explosive compaction.     

Laser machining of different diameter holes in alumina ceramic: Thermal stress analysis

Laser machining of different diameter holes into alumina tiles is carried out. Temperature and stress fields are predicted by using the finite element code. Surface temperature and residual stress predictions are validated through the thermocouple data and X-ray diffraction measurements. Morphological changes in the cutting section are examined by incorporating optical and scanning electron microscopes. It is found that the predictions of surface temperature and the residual stress formed at the cut section agree well with the experimental findings. In general, cut sections are free from large asperities; however, local dross attachments at the kerf edge and crack network formation at the kerf surface are observed.