Search

International audience; Lanthanum oxysulfide (La2O2S) was investigated as infrared transparent ceramic to benefit from stronger chemical bonds and superior mechanical performances to that of non-oxide benchmark infrared materials. La2O2S ceramics were processed by hot-pressing powders prepared by combustion synthesis followed by a sulfurization treatment. Powders and ceramics were characterised through various techniques (XRD, UV-Vis-IR spectroscopy, particle size analysis, SEM, Impulse Excitation Technique, microhardness and fracture toughness tests) to assess their purity, study their microstructure and determine their optical and mechanical properties. The study reports the first IR transmission spectra, Poisson’s ratio, Young’s and shear moduli and fracture toughness values of La2O2S polycrystalline ceramics. The ceramics showed transparency in the 2-11 μm range and their mechanical performances were all superior to that of commercial infrared ceramics. The best transmission (89% of the theoretical transmission) was measured at 7.3 µm for 1 mm-thick ceramics hot-pressed at 1200-1250°C.

International audience; Silicon oxycarbides with varying compositions were investigated concerning their elastic and plastic properties. Additionally, the impact of thermal annealing on their elastic properties was assessed. Phase separation of SiOC seems to have no significant impact on Young's modulus (high values of β-SiC compensate the low values of the vitreous silica matrix) and hardness. However, it leads to an increase in Poisson's ratio, indicating an increase in the atomic packing density. The phase composition of SiOC significantly influences Young's modulus, hardness, brittleness and strain-rate sensitivity the amount of both β-SiC and segregated carbon governs Young's modulus and hardness, whereas the fraction of free carbon determines brittleness and strain-rate sensitivity. Thermal annealing of SiOC glass-ceramics leads to an increase in Young's modulus. However, the temperature sensitivity of Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio is not affected, indicating the glassy matrix being stable during thermal annealing. A slightly improved ordering of the segregated carbon and the β-SiC nanoparticles upon thermal annealing was observed. It is suggested that this is responsible for the increase in Young's modulus.