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Abstract: Self-toughening α-SiAlON/6H-SiC composites containing both α-SiAlON and α-SiC elongated grains in the microstructures were previously fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS). In this study, the α-SiAlON/6H-SiC composites were heat treated at 1850°C for 3h. The effects of the heat treatment on the phase compositions, microstructures, and mechanical properties were investigated. The results showed M′ phases formed from crystallization of the intergranular glassy films. No polytype transformation for the SiC phase was observed. Both α-SiAlON and α-SiC grains grow anisotropic in the heat treatment, rather than converted into the brittle equiaxed morphologies. The flexural strength and fracture toughness of the post heat-treated composites were further increased and the 40wt% SiC composition reached 907MPa and 8.5MPam1/2, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Yb- and Y-doped α-SiAlON ceramics were effectively bonded by spark plasma sintering in less than 20min without using any interlayer materials at 1650–1700°C. The microstructures and mechanical properties of the joints were investigated by means of SEM, STEM, EDX, and three-point bending tests. The results showed that α-SiAlON joint formation was accompanied by fundamental rare earth diffusion. The intergranular liquids in the α-SiAlON ceramics at the bonding temperatures provided the diffusion paths for the species. α-SiAlON grain growth across the joining interfaces modified the joint microstructures to secure high bonding strength. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Highly densified Al2O3/LiTaO3 (ALT) ceramic composites were fabricated by hot-pressing in a nitrogen atmosphere. The addition of Al2O3 particles could significantly improve the densification of LiTaO3. Sintering mechanism of the LiTaO3 ceramic incorporated with Al2O3 particles is proposed. Dielectric constant of 5vol.% Al2O3/LiTaO3 (5ALT) composite ceramic was slightly increased in the range from 30kHz to 106 Hz, but the dielectric loss was lowered in the whole range from 103 Hz to 106 Hz. Piezoelectric constant (d 33) of the 5ALT ceramic composite is about 50% of that of LiTaO3 single crystal. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

MWCNTs modified Si 2 BC 3 N ceramics were prepared through SPS sintering mechanically alloyed amorphous Si 2 BC 3 N powder and MWCNTs at 1900 °C in N 2 atmosphere. The phase evolutions, microstructures and mechanical properties of the prepared ceramic were characterized by XRD, SEM and TEM (SAED and HRTEM), as well as the properties testing. The results show that the Si 2 BC 3 N ceramics are mainly composed of β-SiC, α-SiC and BN(C) phases. The introduction of MWCNTs can stimulate the formation of β-SiC in comparison with the pure Si 2 BC 3 N ceramics. Meanwhile, the particle sizes of BN(C) and SiC are reduced with the introduction of MWCNTs. Furthermore, the MWCNTs are mainly embedded in the Si 2 BC 3 N matrixes, contributing to enhanced bonding. Judging from the interfacial characteristic, the strengthening and toughening mechanisms of MWCNTs in Si 2 BC 3 N ceramics can be classified as “crack bridging”, “pull-out” and “crack deflection”. Based on these effects, the 1 vol% MWCNTs incorporated Si 2 BC 3 N ceramics have much higher flexural strength and fracture toughness of 462.1 MPa and 5.54 MPa·m 1/2 , respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Si-B-C-N ceramic monoliths with LaB 6 additive were prepared by mechanical alloying followed by spark plasma sintering. The microstructures and mechanical properties were investigated compared to LaB 6 -free Si-B-C-N counterparts. After sintered at 1900 °C/50 MPa, the La/Si-B-C-N monoliths provide well-developed BN(C) flakes (≤100 nm in thickness) and improved fracture toughness, while the BN(C) ones show no lamellar microstructures in Si-B-C-N systems. The solid-solution of La in BN(C) grains promotes ordered arrangement of BN(C) along the (0002) plane causing in situ growth of BN(C) thus leading to an increase in toughness by 40% (from 5.6 to 7.8 MPa m −1/2 ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The GdSmZr2O7 ceramic is prepared by pressureless-sintered method under different conditions as a possible solid electrolyte. The crystal structure, microstructure and electrical properties are characterized by the X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy and ac impedance spectroscopy, respectively. The GdSmZr2O7 ceramic exhibits a single phase of the pyrochlore-type structure. The total conductivity of the GdSmZr2O7 ceramic obeys the Arrhenius relation, and gradually increases with increasing temperature from 723 to 1173K. The GdSmZr2O7 ceramic is an oxide-ion conductor in the oxygen partial pressure range of 1.0×10−4 to 1.0atm at all test temperature levels. According to the experimental results of the present work, the maximum value of the total conductivity for the GdSmZr2O7 ceramic is about 1.01×10−2 Scm−1 at 1173K. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The sinterability of ZrC was enhanced by high-energy ball milling as well as introduction of graphite and SiC as sintering additives. Densification process and microstructure development were investigated for ZrC-based ceramics densified by pressureless sintering. As-received ZrC powder showed poor sinterability. After high-energy ball milling, ZrC powder can be sintered to 98.4% theoretical density at 2100°C. The obtained ceramic had fine microstructure and fewer entrapped pores. Introduction of 2wt.% graphite combined with high-energy ball milling lowered the densification temperature of ZrC. The relative density of obtained ceramic reached up to 95% at 1900°C. Introduced SiC inhibited ZrC grain growth during sintering and consequently avoided the entrapped pores within the grains. The relative density of ZrC–SiC reached up to 96.7% at 2100°C. ZrC–SiC composite formed an interesting intragranular structure and had high fracture strength at room temperature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Porous silicon nitride/silicon oxynitride composite ceramics were fabricated by silica sol infiltration of aqueous gelcasting prefabricated Si3N4 green compact. Silica was introduced by infiltration to increase the green density of specimens, so suitable properties with low shrinkage of ceramics were achieved during sintering at low temperature. Si2N2O was formed through reaction between Si3N4 and silica sol at a temperature above 1550°C. Si3N4/Si2N2O composite ceramics with a low linear shrinkage of 1.3–5.7%, a superior strength of 95–180MPa and a moderate dielectric constant of 4.0–5.0 (at 21–39GHz) were obtained by varying infiltration cycle and sintering temperature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A study was conducted of the effect of additions of samarium oxide on the thermal expansion and thermal conductivity of zirconium oxide for thermal barrier coatings. Sm x Zr1−x O2−x/2 (0.1≤ x ≤0.5) ceramic powders synthesized with a chemical-coprecipitation and calcination method were sintered at 1873K for 15h. Structures of the synthesized powders and sintered ceramics were identified by X-ray diffractometer. The morphologies of ceramic powders were observed by transmission electron microscope. The thermal expansion coefficients and thermal diffusion coefficients of Sm x Zr1−x O2−x/2 ceramics were studied with a high-temperature dilatometer and a laser flash diffusivity technique from room temperature to 1673K. The thermal conductivity was calculated from thermal diffusivity, density and specific heat of bulk ceramics. Sm0.1Zr0.9O1.95 ceramics consists of both monoclinic and tetragonal structures. However, Sm0.2Zr0.8O1.9 and Sm0.3Zr0.7O1.85 ceramics only exhibit a defect fluorite structure. Sm0.4Zr0.6O1.8 and Sm0.5Zr0.5O1.75 ceramics have a pyrochlore-type lattice. With the increase of Sm2O3 content, the linear thermal expansion of Sm x Zr1−x O2−x/2 ceramics increases except for Sm0.1Zr0.9O1.95. The thermal conductivities of Sm x Zr1−x O2−x/2 ceramics ranged from 1.41 at 873K to 1.86Wm−1 K−1 at room temperature in a test temperature range of room temperature to 1673K, and the results can be explained by phonon scattering mechanism. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]