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Ceramic fibers are an important thermal insulation material that are not only widely used in extreme conditions, but also play an important role in energy conservation and energy efficiency for sustainable development. However, the practical application of conventional ceramic fibers has a high thermal conductivity in high-temperature environments, which hinders their widespread application. Here, a novel lamellar structured porous SiTiOC/C composite ceramic materials was designed and prepared with excellent thermal insulating properties. The unique microstructure endowed the porous SiTiOC/C composite ceramic materials with a high IR refractive index (93.81%) and an ultra-low thermal conductivity (0.0562 W·m−1 K−1 at 600 ℃). In addition, the porous SiTiOC/C composite ceramic materials not only exhibited excellent mechanical properties (4.46 MPa at 800 ℃), but also demonstrated impressive oxidation resistance and thermal stability. In summary, the proposed porous SiTiOC/C composite ceramic materials provide a reference for the development of high-temperature insulation with good mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-entropy carbide ceramic materials exhibited excellent thermal and mechanical properties, making them highly sought after in high-temperature applications. However, the oxidation resistance of high-entropy carbide ceramic needed to be further improved. This work unraveled the oxidation behavior and mechanism of high-entropy carbide ceramic by introducing the Cr 3 C 2. The results indicated that the oxidation rate of (TiZrTaNbCr)C initially decreased with temperature up to 900 °C, followed by an increased with further temperature rise up to 1100 °C. At 800 and 900 °C, the parabolic oxidation rate constants were 0.70 and 0.17 mg2cm−4min−1, respectively. And the minimum thickness of oxidized layer was 60 µm at 900 °C for 120 min. This unusual phenomenon suggested the formation of different oxidation products. Specifically, the CrNbO 4 and Nb 2 Zr 6 O 17 oxide layer were formed at 900 °C, leading to an increased resistance to oxygen diffusion. Subsequently, loose oxidation products of Nb 2 O 5 were formed after 1000 °C, hindering the oxidation resistance. In the current study on oxidation resistance of high entropy carbides, this work showed a competitive performance. Overall, this study illustrated the oxidation mechanism and behavior of (TiZrTaNbCr)C and proposed a new avenue for the design of high-entropy ceramic components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy efficient buildings, propulsion components and thermal protection systems require materials with high thermal protective properties. Traditional polymer composites or ceramic materials have limited comprehensive applications because of their poor thermal protective properties or poor processability. Herein, a novel fire resistant and thermally insulating polymer/ceramic hybrid ceramifiable composite was developed based on low temperature sintering principle and foaming on fire strategy. Specifically, the influences of raw materials of low temperature ceramics, such as glass frit, phosphate, etc, on the properties of ceramifiable ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) composites were investigated. Its fire resistance and thermal insulation properties were evaluated by simulating different sintering environments. The results show that the ceramifiable composite exhibits the highest improvement in fire resistance because a crystalline phase was formed at high temperatures. Gas evolution from the thermal decomposition of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and EVA contributes to the formation of the porous structure in ceramic residues. The optimal system can resist above 1000 °C flame for 30 min without disintegration, and the temperature of the unfired side was maintained around 200 °C. The reliability of the strategy was verified by the effective medium theory model. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AlN is regarded as a promising ceramic material for high performance structural and high temperature applications due to its superior properties such as high thermal conductivity, excellent stability and wear resistance. However, challenges remain in fabricating AlN ceramics with high strength and high thermal shock resistance. In this work, AlN/YAlO 3 composites with different YAlO 3 contents (3–10 wt%) were prepared by a simple pressureless sintering method, and the impact of YAlO 3 content on mechanical properties and thermal shock resistance of AlN/YAlO 3 composites was investigated. Results show that the grain growth of AlN is inhibited and the densification is improved with the addition of 3 wt% and 5 wt% YAlO 3. Hence, the flexural strength and fracture toughness of AlN/YAlO 3 composites are improved due to the grain refinement and compactness enhancement, and the highest value, 369 MPa and 3.84 MPa m1/2, are reached by the AlN-5 wt% YAlO 3 composite. Moreover, the thermal shock resistance was assessed through theoretical forecast and cyclic thermal shock tests over a temperature range between 1000 °C and 1600 °C. Comparing with pure AlN, the thermal stress damage resistance parameters (R IV ) of AlN/YAlO 3 composites were increased, while their residual strengths and retention ratios after 10–50 cycles of thermal shock tests maintained a higher level as well. Microstructure analysis revealed that the thermal shock resistance of AlN/YAlO 3 composites was evidently improved attributing to various strengthening mechanisms such as crack deflection, crack branching and microcrack toughening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clays from Alhabia (Almería, Spain) have been investigated in this work using several analytical techniques: X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), thermal analysis (Thermogravimetry, TG, and its first derivative, DTG), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS). Texture characteristics (granulometry) and plasticity have been examined. The main ceramic properties (firing shrinkage, water absorption, bulk density, open porosity, flexural strength and thermal conductivity) have been determined using pressed and fired clay samples. Thus, the mineralogical, chemical, textural and ceramic features of these clays have been evidenced for the first time. The mineralogical analysis by XRD indicated that the clay samples are constituted by a mixture of chlorite and illite, as main clay minerals, being quartz and other minerals in lower relative proportion (calcite, gypsum and hematite). This finding is important because the investigations on chlorite-illite-calcitic clays are very scarce. The chemical analysis by XRF showed that silica and alumina are predominant, as expected by the mineralogy, with medium contents of calcium oxide, from calcite, and alkalis, from illite, being ∼8 and ∼5%, respectively, besides iron and titanium oxides (∼8%). The particle size analysis showed 71.76% of "clay fraction" (<2 μm) and 21.66% of silt fraction (2–50 μm). The plasticity index (Atterberg) was 14.3%, with acceptable moulding and extrusion properties. Thermal analysis by TG/DTG indicated a weight loss associated to dehydroxylation of structural water of the clay minerals and decarbonation of calcite by progressive heating. After the characterization of raw clays, the next step was the determination of ceramic properties of mixed and ground clays after firing using pressed bodies. For this purpose, two firing temperatures were selected (900 and 1100 °C) for 1 h. The examination of the resultant fired bodies indicated that porous ceramic materials (∼36% open porosity and ∼22% of water absorption capacity) can be obtained by firing at 900 ᵒC, with small variations in dimensions (<0.8% at 1100 °C). The porosity changed at relatively lower values by firing at 1100 °C (∼34–35%), being associated to the presence of decomposed calcite. Bulk density was found almost constant from 900 to 1100 °C, with a maximum value of ∼1.67 g/cm3 at 1100 °C. Flexural strength reached a maximum value of 34.47 MPa at 1100 °C for the ground sample. Finally, thermal conductivity after firing the clay bodies was found almost constant at 900 and 1100 °C (0.457 and 0.479 W/mK, respectively). Taking into account these results, the main applications of the Alhabia clays have been evaluated. These clays can be used for the fabrication of porous ceramic supports and tiles by firing at 900 °C. Firing the clays at higher temperature (1100 °C) is of great interest for the fabrication of ceramic tiles and ceramic bricks of higher flexural strength with variable porosity and practically constant in dimensions. It is economically important although at higher processing costs. Finally, it can be emphasized that this work is a contribution of a better scientific knowledge of chlorite-illite-calcitic clays as ceramic raw materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

h-BN is a two-dimensional ceramic material with a lamellar structure, known for its typical orientation characteristics on mechanical and thermal properties. By optimizing the size and arrangement of h-BN grains in the matrix, the anisotropic characteristics of h-BN ceramics can be fully utilized to obtain ceramic materials with high thermal conductivity or high strength. In order to study the effect of grain orientation distribution on the mechanical and thermal properties of materials, the index of orientation distribution (IOP) was used to quantitatively characterize the orientation degree of h-BN grains and analyzed the effect of h-BN grain size on material properties. The results show when the initial h-BN size is 13.50 μm, the ceramic has the highest orientation degree/-507, and the mechanical and thermal properties show obvious anisotropy. While the related properties of BN-YAG ceramics varies significantly with the decrease of initial h-BN grain size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high-entropy ceramic materials (Zr 0.25 Ce 0.25 Hf 0.25 Y 0.25)O 1.875 (H-0) and (Zr 0.2 Ce 0.2 Hf 0.2 Y 0.2 RE 0.2)O 1.8 (H-RE) (RE = La, Nd and Sm) with fluorite structure and homogeneous element distribution were prepared. With fluorite structure, fine grain size and high density, the H-0 and H-RE ceramics displayed low thermal conductivity, suitable thermal expansion coefficient, high hardness and fracture toughness. The effect of La, Nd and Sm on the mechanical, heat conductivity and heat expansion properties of high entropy ceramics were discussed. The single-phase high-entropy ceramic materials in this work are very suitable for application as thermal barrier materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fabrication of ceramic materials containing high amount of porosity with controlled size and structure is a critical factor for various applications. In this study, porous alumina ceramics were prepared by addition of 5–30 vol% carbon black (CB) powders with different specific surface area (SSA) into the alumina matrix as a pore forming agent and application of partial sintering via spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique. After removal of CB particles from the ceramic structures, physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of the porous alumina ceramics were investigated. The open porosity level was detected between 38.48 and 59.81% depending on the type and amount of CB removed. The compressive strength of the sintered samples was measured as ∼150 MPa, which is ∼3 times higher than that of the conventionally sintered samples thanks to the strong neck formation between grains. The large pores formed by removal of CB agglomerates in case of using CB powders with SSA of 107 and 254 m2/g resulted in a change in thermal conduction mechanism from lattice vibration to thermal convection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The additive composition of an AlN ceramic substrate material was optimized to achieve high strength and thermal conductivity. MgO-CaO-Al 2 O 3 -SiO 2 (MCAS) glass and Y 2 O 3 were used as basic additives for improved sintering properties and thermal conductivity, thereby allowing for AlN to be sintered at a relatively low temperature of 1600 °C without pressurization. Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) was added (0–3 wt%) to further improve the strength of the AlN ceramic. YSZ and Y 2 O 3 reacted with AlN to produce ZrN, Y 4 Al 2 O 9 , and Y 3 Al 5 O 12 secondary phases. The formation of these yttrium aluminate phases improved the thermal conductivity by removing oxygen impurities, while ZrN formed at the AlN grain boundaries provided resistance to grain boundary fractures for improved strength. Overall, the AlN ceramic with 1 wt% MCAS, 3 wt% Y 2 O 3 , and 1 wt% YSZ exhibited excellent thermal and mechanical properties, including a thermal conductivity of 109 W/mK and flexural strength of 608 MPa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CeO 2 and Sc 2 O 3 co-stabilized ZrO 2 ceramics have attracted much attention as potential thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) materials for applications above 1300 °C. In this study, a series of Sc 0.04 Ce x Zr 0.96-x O 1.98 (SCZ, x = 0.08, 0.10, 0.12, 0.16) ceramic materials were synthesized with the solid-state method and their phase stability, microstructures and thermo-physical properties were systemically investigated by x-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectra, field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal dilatometer, laser flash apparatus (LFA), and Vickers hardness tester. The results showed that Sc 0.04 Ce 0.12 Zr 0.84 O 1.98 (4S12CZ) and Sc 0.04 Ce 0.16 Zr 0.80 O 1.98 (4S16CZ) ceramic materials still maintained stable tetragonal phase structure after 100 h high temperature treatment at 1500 °C. SCZ had a high thermal expansion coefficient (TEC), low thermal conductivity, and high fracture toughness. The TEC of the ceramics increased with CeO 2 addition because lattice energy reduced with increasing substitution of Zr4+ by bigger Ce4+ while thermal conductivity decreased due to the increase of lattice distortion. Compared with 4S12CZ, 4S16CZ exhibited a higher fracture toughness of 6.48 ± 0.04 MPa m1/2 and showed the better anti-sintering property. Besides, the thermal conductivity, TEC and thermal cycling lifetime of 4S16CZ were optimal. The comprehensive performance of 4S16CZ suggested it could be explored as a promising TBC material for high-temperature application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The CaO-MgO-SiO 2 -Al 2 O 3 -CaF 2 (CMSAC) glass was first used as a sintering aids for Al 2 O 3 to enhance the flexural strength of composites. • The CMSAC glass/Al 2 O 3 ceramic can be densified when sintered at 910 °C and has good dielectric and mechanical properties. • The CMSAC glass/Al 2 O 3 ceramic has a high flexural strength of 310±14 MPa, which is higher than most LTCC materials reported previously. • The excellent mechanical properties are mainly attributed to three aspects: grain refinement, improved fracture energy, and the synergistic effect of the relative contents of Al 2 O 3 and the CMSAC glass. A high flexural strength low temperature co-fired ceramic material was obtained by mixing the CaO-MgO-SiO 2 -Al 2 O 3 -CaF 2 glass and Al 2 O 3 by the weight percentage of x Al 2 O 3 +(1- x)CaO-MgO-SiO 2 -Al 2 O 3 -CaF 2 (x = 30, 35, 40 and 45 wt.%). The sintering behavior, crystalline component, mechanical, electrical and thermal properties were investigated in depth. The X-ray diffraction data demonstrated that Al 2 O 3 , CaMgSi 2 O 6 , and Mg 2 SiO 4 were formed during the sintering process. The glass/ceramic composites with 35 wt.% Al 2 O 3 sintered at 910 °C for 2 h exhibited excellent mechanical properties, with a flexural strength of 310±14 MPa. The excellent mechanical properties are mainly attributed to the following three aspects: grain refinement, improved fracture energy, and the synergistic effect of the relative contents of Al 2 O 3 and the CaO-MgO-SiO 2 -Al 2 O 3 -CaF 2 glass. The results suggest that the CaO-MgO-SiO 2 -Al 2 O 3 -CaF 2 glass/Al 2 O 3 composites can be regarded as promising candidates for low temperature co-fired ceramic substrate applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• NdHfO composites materials and NdHfO "stuffed" pyrochlore solid solutions. • Thermal conductivity, luminescence, and oxygen ion conductivity were studied. • (Nd 2- x Hf x)Hf 2 O 7+ x /2 (x = 0.2) composite shows the lowest thermal conductivity. • (Nd 2- x Hf x)Hf 2 O 7+ x /2 (x = 0.2, 0.32) composites show the highest conductivity. • Narrow-band luminescence of the NdHfO composites has been observed. The phase composition, microstructure, electrical and thermal conductivity of Nd 2± x Hf 2± x O 7±δ ceramic materials have been studied. (Nd 2- x Hf x)Hf 2 O 7+ x /2 (x = 0.2, 0.32, 0.39) composites, containing 4–16 wt% HfO 2 , have the highest conductivity and the brightest narrow-band luminescence among materials under study. The (Nd 2- x Hf x)Hf 2 O 7+ x /2 (x = 0.2) composite, containing ∼ 4 wt% HfO 2 , is shown to have the lowest thermal conductivity: 1.52 W m–1 K–1 at 300 K. XRD and Raman spectroscopy results show that (Nd 2- x Hf x)Hf 2 O 7+ x /2 (x = 0.2, 0.32, 0.39, 1.14) are composites consisting of a mixture of pyrochlore solid solutions with Hf on the Nd site and two HfO 2 polymorphs (m - HfO 2 and γ 2 - HfO 2 nanodomains). The properties of the (Nd 2- x Hf x)Hf 2 O 7+ x /2 (x = 0.2, 0.32, 0.39, 1.14) composites are compared to that of the Nd 2 (Hf 2- x Nd x)O 7- x /2 (x = 0, 0.1) pyrochlores, and the best properties were shown by the (Nd 2- x Hf x)Hf 2 O 7+ x /2 (x = 0.2, 0.32) composites. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boride ceramics are materials of choice in extreme conditions. Among them, titanium borides have many applications due to their high hardnesses and melting points. The behavior of titanium borides may not be easily studied at very high pressures and temperatures by experimental means. Alternatively, molecular dynamics (MD) is a powerful computational tool to investigate the desired behavior of materials in certain conditions. In this study, we develop an interatomic potential for the Ti B system based on the second nearest-neighbor modified embedded atom method (2NN-MEAM) formulation. With the developed potential, MD simulations reproduce many physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of titanium borides with good accuracy. As an application of the developed potential, a series of nanoindentation simulations is also conducted to investigate the temperature dependence of the nanohardness of TiB 2 up to 1500 K. The results illustrate a linear dependence between nanohardness and temperature. [Display omitted] • We developed a 2NN-MEAM interatomic potential for the Ti B system. • The predicted properties of titanium borides agree with the experimental data. • Nanoindentation simulations of TiB 2 are performed at various temperatures. • Our simulations predict a linear decline of the nanohardness of TiB 2 in 0 K ∼ 1500 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Octalithium plumbate (Li 8 PbO 6) is a candidate for use as a breeder material in future D-T tokamak fusion reactor designs. Key to the development of a breeder blanket is the characterisation of candidate materials. Therefore, density functional theory (DFT) simulations are used to examine the fundamental elastic, electronic and thermal properties of Li 8 PbO 6. A comparison is made between two different DFT simulation packages to demonstrate the validity of the results given in this article and as compensation for a lack of experimental data to compare to in the literature. Finally, formation energies are calculated for lithium vacancy defects as well as tritium accommodated as substitutional defects on the lithium site, as these are expected to be some of the most common types of defect in the breeder blanket during reactor operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]