Chemische Zusammensetzung und Mikrostruktur polymerabgeleiteter Gläser und Keramiken im System Si–C–O. Teil 2: Charakterisierung der Gefügeausbildung mittels hochauflösender Durchstrahlungselektronenmikroskopie und Feinbereichsbeugung

Chemical Composition and Microstructure of Polymer‐Derived Glasses and Ceramics in the Si–C–O System. Part 2: Characterization of microstructure formation by means of high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy and selected area diffraction Liquid or solid silicone resins represent the economically most interesting class of organic precursors for the pyrolytic production of glass and ceramics materials on silicon basis. As dense, dimensionally stable components can be cost‐effectively achieved by admixing reactive filler powders, chemical composition and microstructure development of the polymer‐derived residues must be exactly known during thermal decomposition. Thus, in the present work, glasses and ceramics produced by pyrolysis of the model precursor polymethylsiloxane at temperatures from 525 to 1550 °C are investigated. In part 1, by means of analytical electron microscopy, the bonding state of silicon was determined on a nanometre scale and the phase separation of the metastable Si–C–O matrix into SiO₂, C and SiC was proved. The in‐situ crystallization could be considerably accelerated by adding fine‐grained powder of inert fillers, such as Al₂O₃ or SiC, which permits effective process control. In part 2, the microstructure is characterized by high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy and selected area diffraction. Turbostratic carbon and cubic β‐SiC precipitate as crystallization products. Theses phases are embedded in an amorphous matrix. Inert fillers reduce the crystallization temperature by several hundred °C. In this case, the polymer‐derived Si–C–O material acts as a binding agent between the powder particles. Reaction layer formation does not occur. On the investigated pyrolysis conditions, no crystallization of SiO₂ was observed.     

β″－Al_2O_3陶瓷的强化和韧化

研究了稳定ＺｒＯ＿２和部份稳定ＺｒＯ＿２对β″－Ａｌ＿２Ｏ＿３陶瓷的强化和韧化作用，观察了不同种类、不同含量的ＺｒＯ＿２对β″－Ａｌ＿２Ｏ＿３陶瓷的显微结构、力学性能和电导率的影响，探讨了β″－Ａｌ＿２Ｏ＿３的韧化机理。     

Dielectric, Ferroelectric and Piezoelectric Studies of PMN Modified PLZT Ceramics

Dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of xPb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-(1-x)(Pb_0.988 La_0.012)(Zr_0.535Ti_0.465)O₃ ceramic system synthesized through columbite precursor method are investigated. X-ray diffraction patterns of ceramics indicated pseudocubic phase formation with pyrochlore phase. Grain growth (4.47 μ m) and apparent density (7.68 gm/cm³) enhanced remarkably in 0.8PMN-0.2PLZT composition, respectively. Increasing PMN content remarkably increased both room temperature dielectric permittivity (ε_RT = 2316) and dielectric maximum (ε_Tc = 24747) in 0.6PMN-0.4PLZT composition, respectively. PMN substitution in PLZT system enhanced the ferroelectric remanent (P_r = 28.4 μ C/cm²) and spontaneous (P_s = 31.2 μ C/cm²) polarization while coercive field (E_c) continuously decreased in xPMN-(1-x)PLZT system. PMN modification in PLZT system influenced piezoelectric properties (d₃₃, k_p and k_t) throughout the PMN-PLZT system.     

Non-contact methods of measuring moisture concentration in external layers of building partitions II—Monitoring of the water vapour condensation on porous surfaces

This paper present the results of the investigation into a potential application of laser radiation for the detection of phase transition processes occurring on the surface layers of porous materials. An attempt was made to discuss in the approximation equations, the relationships between coefficients of the reflected light, the temperature and humidity of the surrounding environment. Laser light reflected from the porous surface carries information about the roughness of the structure. The presence of water microdrop on the surface of the porous material, as a result of condensation and thus a phase transition, leads to the phase displacement of individual rays, which is represented by different images. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of the reflected light parameters allows a dynamic study of the phase transition phenomena without mechanical intervention.     

Effect of pretreatments and freezing rate on the firmness of potato tissue after a freeze–thaw cycle

The texture of potato tissue after a freeze–thaw process using different freezing rates and different pretreatments was analysed, in order to select the best strategy for optimum preservation of the textural characteristics of pre‐frozen potato. Ten blanching conditions were tested and a two‐step blanching process with calcium chloride (0.07 g mL^?1) proved the most effective in protecting the tissue after a freeze–thaw process (maximum load force around 10–55% of the raw tissue, depending on potato batch, for air‐blast freezing and 20–60% for immersion freezing). Vacuum impregnation at 100 and 400 mbar, even when followed by different pre‐drying treatments to remove excess water, was very detrimental to resistance to a freeze–thaw process (maximum load force below 10% of the raw tissue for air‐blast freezing and below 20% for immersion freezing). Microstructure analysis confirmed better tissue integrity retention with ethyleneglycol immersion freezing instead of air‐freezing. Differences were found between batches with a 6‐month difference in storage time, indicating that the fresher batch was more suitable for freezing.     

Dental amalgam – the effect of the technology of alloy powder preparation on the corrosion behaviour and the release of mercury

Dental amalgams are based on a broad spectrum of materials differing in their chemical composition, metallurgical treatment, and in the way the initial alloys powders are prepared. In addition to their chemical composition, amalgams based on various powders differ in both their microstructure and the amount of mercury needed for preparation. All these facts may affect electrochemical processes occurring during their interaction with oral fluids, and also mercury release. While verifying the effect of the technology used for the preparation of the high‐copper ternary alloy powder on the properties of resulting amalgams, this study aimed at the mechanism of their interaction with a model saliva solution as well as mercury release was included. Measurements were done in a model saliva solution using standard electrochemical methods and exposition measurements. The interaction of individual types of amalgams with artificial saliva did not reveal any significant differences. The free corrosion potential of all these amalgams in an aerated solution settled in the range of values in which tin oxidation, resulting in a layer of insoluble corrosion producsts, turned out to be the dominant anodic process. The rate of mercury release was the lowest for amalgams based on a gas‐atomized alloy. The highest rate of mercury release, and also its dependence on time, was exhibited by lathe‐cut powder based amalgam. In addition to different volume fraction of the Ag‐Hg phase and the level of its tin alloying, this different behaviour may be explained by differences in the rate at which a layer of tin corrosion products acting as a barrier to mercury release is formed.     

Microstructure and creep of eutectic indium/tin on copper and nickel substrates

The behavior during creep in shear of eutectic indium-tin joints on copper and nickel substrates was examined in order to determine the effect of creep deformation on the microstructure of the alloy. Primary creep was absent in all the samples tested. The stress exponent at 20° C was much higher for samples on nickel than for those on copper, indicating a different creep deformation mechanism. Also, the microstructure within the indium-tin joints differed significantly with a change of substrate. Samples with a nickel substrate showed a colony microstructure that was not observed in those with a copper substrate. Thus, eutectic morphology is important in determining deformation mechanism during creep. The microstructure within the joints in tested and untested regions of the samples was effectively the same. This is quite distinct from the behavior of eutectic lead-tin observed in previous work. Lead-tin formed a recrystallized band of material along a region of concentrated shear deformation. While the deformation pattern in the indium-tin samples appeared to be the same as for lead-tin, the microstructural changes did not occur. This implies that the behavior observed in lead-tin is not universal to eutectic alloys.     

Effect of the particle size ratio on the conductivity of conductor-insulator powder composites: Numerical simulation

A theoretical method for determining the percolation limit and effective conductivity of composites based on polydisperse mixtures of insulator and conductor powders is proposed. The effect of the particle size ratio between the insulator and conductor on the percolation limit and effective conductivity is studied. Numerical simulation of the microstructure, effective properties, and percolation limit in composites is discussed. __________ Translated from Poroshkovaya Metallurgiya, Vol. 46, No. 1–2(453), pp. 31–40, 2007.     

Use of electron microscopy on microstructure characterization of high chromium cast irons

The physical metallurgy underlying the development of cast microstructures in abrasion resistant high chromium cast irons, and their structural modification by thermal treatments is relatively complex. Structural characterisation via electron microscopy therefore has a key role to play in furthering our understanding of the phase transformations that control the microstructures and hence the service performances of these irons as wear parts. This paper shows how both scanning and especially transmission electron microscopy can provide valuable information on the nature of eutectic and secondary carbides and on the matrix structures in these irons. Particular attention is given to current characterisation research on conventionally cast 30%Cr irons that are used for applications involving corrosive wear e.g. slurry pumps and on a semi-solid cast 27%Cr iron that has a potential for applications in industry.