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Sr‐containing ceramic products produced from geopolymer, (Na, Sr)‐GP, have been reported as excellent candidate materials for the immobilization of radionuclide 90Sr, despite sintering temperature at 1200°C. In this work, the product possessing the best immobilization performance (leaching rate of 1.29% for Sr2+) can be produced at 1000°C in the method of liquid‐phase sintering via the addition of fluxing agent B2O3 at 2.0 wt% in the geopolymer precursor. The mechanical properties of the geopolymer precursor (Na, Sr)‐GP were also enhanced via the promotion role of B2O3 to geopolymerization. It was revealed that the overall anti‐leaching ability of the Sr‐containing ceramic product not only depends on the microstructure of the loading substrate but also can be affected by the chemical state of radioactive strontium retention in the loading matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boron nitride-barium aluminosilicate (BN-BAS) composite ceramics were fabricated by the sol-gel method and hot-pressed sintering. The effects of the introduction method of BAS and sintering temperature on the phase assemblage, density, apparent porosity, mechanical properties and microstructures of the h-BN composite ceramics were investigated. The following two introduction methods were adopted: (A) BAS gel powder was prepared by the sol-gel method and then mixed with h-BN for hot pressing sintering, and (B) the BN-BAS composite powder was first prepared by the sol-gel method and then hot-pressed and sintered. The results indicate that the density, bending strength and fracture toughness of the latter are higher than those of the former when other conditions are the same. In the gel step of Group B, BAS has been coated on the surface of BN particles in dots, chemical bonding has existed, the distribution of BAS is more uniform, and it can better serve as a sintering aid. The BN-BAS composites prepared by both methods achieved the maximum mechanical properties at a sintering temperature of 1700 °C, and the density, apparent porosity, bending strength and fracture toughness of Group A were 2.40 g/cm3, 1.82%, 132.8 MPa and 2.3 MPa m1/2, while those of Group B were 2.42 g/cm3, 1.45%, 162.9 MPa and 2.7 MP m1/2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The adding vanadium to (TiZrHfVNbTa)C favors eliminating Nb segregation and enhancing densification. • Excess adding vanadium reduces single-phase-forming ability of (TiZrHfVNbTa)C, due to the lattice distortion increment. • Mechanical properties of (TiZrHfVNbTa)C is optimized via adjusting vanadium content and sintering temperature. A series of (TiZrHfVNbTa)C high-entropy ceramics with different vanadium contents have been fabricated by pressureless sintering at 2300 °C–2500 °C for 1 h, utilizing self-synthesized carbide powders obtained by carbothermal reduction. The addition of vanadium is beneficial to promote densification process and refine grain, as well as facilitate the homogeneous distribution of metal elements. The distribution of pores is also modified, almost entirely existing at grain boundary, and the integral mechanical properties achieve optimization. However, excess adding vanadium does not favor forming a single-phase (TiZrHfVNbTa)C high-entropy ceramic. The optimal (TiZrHfVNbTa)C high-entropy ceramic sintered at 2300 °C possesses a high relative density of 97.5 % and homogeneous microstructure with small grain size of 1.2 μm. The flexural strength and Vickers hardness reach 473 MPa and 24.9 GPa, respectively. This work has established a cost-effective and convenient preparation of novel (TiZrHfVNbTa)C high-entropy carbide ceramics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MXenes have good application prospects due to the attractive mechanical and physicochemical properties. Here, for the first time, silicoboron carbonitride (Si–B–C–N) ceramics with the integration of MXene(Ti 3 C 2 T x) nanosheets were developed, and the influences of MXene additives (1.0–3.0 wt%) on mechanical properties and microstructures were investigated. The ceramics containing 3.0 wt% MXene(Ti 3 C 2 T x) show better mechanical properties including fracture toughness of 7.6 MPa‧m1/2, 36% higher than ceramics without any additives. The toughening mechanisms consist of pull-out, delamination, crack bridging, and crack deflection. This work demonstrates that MXenes are good reinforcements for enhancing the fracture toughness of structural ceramics, and also paves the way for the investigation of high-temperature properties of MXene-containing ceramics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A series of zirconate compounds with the general formula Sm2– x La x Zr2O7 (0⩽ x ⩽1.0) were prepared by pressureless-sintering method at 1973K for 10h in air. The relative density, structure and electrical conductivity of Sm2– x La x Zr2O7 ceramics were investigated by the Archimedes method, X-ray diffraction and impedance spectroscopy measurements. Sm2– x La x Zr2O7 (0⩽ x ⩽1.0) ceramics exhibit a pyrochlore-type structure. The measured electrical conductivity of Sm2– x La x Zr2O7 ceramics obeys the Arrhenius relation and gradually increases with increasing temperature from 673 to 1173K. Sm2– x La x Zr2O7 ceramics are oxide-ion conductors in the oxygen partial pressure range of 1.0×10−4 to 1.0atm at all test temperature levels. The electrical conductivity of Sm2– x La x Zr2O7 ceramics decreases with increasing lanthanum content at identical temperature levels. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Tantalum carbide with a TaC0.9 composition was sintered to 96% relative density by spark plasma sintering at 1400°C for 5min, using commercial micrometric Ta and TaC powders as the starting materials. This achievement was dependent on the delicate rearrangement of the heating process which limits evaporation–condensation and promotes the mass transportation in association with 0.9TaC+Ta=TaC0.9 reaction. The dense TaC0.9 ceramic had a uniform microstructure composed of equiaxed grains, and showed flexure strength up to ∼498MPa. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: (Nd1−x Yb x )2Zr2O7 (0≤ x ≤1) ceramics were prepared by pressureless-sintering to obtain dense bulk materials. The electrical conductivity of (Nd1−x Yb x )2Zr2O7 was investigated by complex impedance spectroscopy over a frequency range of 20Hz to 2MHz from 723 to 1173K in air. A high-temperature dilatometer was used to analyze thermal expansion coefficient of (Nd1−x Yb x )2Zr2O7 in the temperature range of 373–1523K. The measured electrical conductivity obeys the Arrhenius relation. The grain conductivity of each composition in (Nd1−x Yb x )2Zr2O7 gradually increases with increasing temperature. A decrease of about one order of magnitude in grain conductivity is found at all temperature levels when the Yb content increases from x =0.3 to x =0.5. The highest electrical conductivity value obtained in this work is 9.32×10−3 Scm−1 at 1173K for (Nd0.7Yb0.3)2Zr2O7 ceramic. (Nd1−x Yb x )2Zr2O7 ceramics are oxide-ion conductors in the oxygen partial pressure range from 1.0×10−4 to 1.0atm at all test temperature levels. Thermal expansion coefficients of (Nd1−x Yb x )2Zr2O7 gradually decrease with increasing ytterbium content at identical temperature levels. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: (Nd1−x Gd x )2(Ce1−x Zr x )2O7 (0≤ x ≤1.0) powders with an average particle size of 100nm were synthesized with chemical-coprecipitation and calcination method, and were characterized by X-ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy. The sintering behaviour of (Nd1−x Gd x )2(Ce1−x Zr x )2O7 powders was studied by pressureless sintering at 1600–1700°C for 10h in air. The relative densities of (Nd1−x Gd x )2(Ce1−x Zr x )2O7 solid solutions increase with increasing the sintering temperature, and gradually decrease with increasing the content of neodymium and cerium at identical temperature levels. (Nd1−x Gd x )2(Ce1−x Zr x )2O7 solid solutions have a single phase of defect fluorite-type structure among all the composition combinations studied. The lattice parameters of (Nd1−x Gd x )2(Ce1−x Zr x )2O7 solid solutions agree well with the Vegard''s rule. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To increase operating temperature and improve performance of gas-turbine engines, it is urgently needed to develop new thermal barrier oxides with a lower thermal conductivity than 6–8wt.% yttria-stabilized zirconia. (Yb x Sm1−x )2Zr2O7 (0≤ x ≤1.0) ceramics were synthesized by pressureless-sintered at 1700°C for 10h in air. The relative density, phase structure, morphology and thermal diffusivity coefficients of (Yb x Sm1−x )2Zr2O7 ceramics were investigated by the Archimedes method, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and laser-flash method. Sm2Zr2O7 and (Yb0.1Sm0.9)2Zr2O7 ceramics exhibit a pyrochlore structure, while (Yb x Sm1−x )2Zr2O7 (0.3≤ x ≤1.0) ceramics have a defect fluorite-type structure. The thermal conductivities of (Yb x Sm1−x )2Zr2O7 ceramics first gradually decrease with increasing temperature, and then increase slightly above 800°C due to the increased radiation contribution. YbSmZr2O7 ceramics have the lowest thermal conductivity over the entire temperature range, which is caused by the reduction of cation mean free path in ytterbium–samarium zirconate system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Silicon nitride/silicon oxynitride (Si3N4/Si2N2O) ceramic foams with tailored microstructures were prepared by a gelcasting process using fly ash cenosphere (FAC) as a pore-forming agent. The slurry has a suitable viscosity so that the floating velocity of FAC in the slurry is slow enough to avoid delamination between the FAC and the matrix during consolidation. Experimental observation showed that a uniform distribution of FAC was achieved in the matrix. Sintering was carried out at 1500°, 1600°, and 1700°C, respectively, for 1 h under a nitrogen atmosphere. X-ray diffractometry analysis indicated that Si2N2O was formed via the reaction between FAC and Si3N4. Microstructural analysis revealed that spherical-shaped pores obtained from FAC were uniformly dispersed in the composite. Si3N4/Si2N2O composite ceramic foams with apparent porosities of 62.0%–67.4% and a bending strength of 21–39 MPa were obtained eventually. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: α-Sialon ceramics doped with Nd2O3 were prepared by hot-pressing sintering at 1900°C holding for 1h with a heat preservation for 1h at 1500°C. Microscopic observations indicate that elongated α-sialon grains appear and are embedded in the fine equiaxed-grain matrix. A small amount of β-sialon phases and secondary crystallized phases M′ (Nd2Si3−x Al x O3+x N4−x ) also exist in the Nd-α-sialon ceramic. A core/shell structure can be found in the elongated α-sialon and β-sialon grains with a high aspect ratio, in which some misfit dislocations surround the core. The 21R AlN-polytype was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which could not be detected by X-ray diffraction (XRD) due to its trace amount. Different nucleation and growth modes of sialon grains were also discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Heat dissipation material with programmable anisotropic property is very challenging, yet can realize the controllable thermal diffusion for heating device. In this work, anisotropic Si3N4 ceramics with oriented grains are prepared to adjust and improve the mechanical and thermal properties under the applied stress field by rolling film forming technology. Through the design of the sintering aids in the process of liquid‐phase sintering, the orientation degree of the Si3N4 grains is programmable as well as the mechanical property and the thermal property of the Si3N4 ceramics. As a consequence, the obtained Si3N4 ceramics show significant anisotropy in mechanical properties and thermal conductivity. The typical fracture toughness and thermal conductivity along the grain orientation direction are 10.6 MPa⋅m1/2 and 45.45 W/(m⋅K) while they are 4.5 MPa⋅m1/2 and 66.42 W/(m⋅K) in the direction perpendicular to the oriented grain, respectively. This grain orientation method paves the way for the thermal performance design and the production of programmable heat dissipation material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MgO-Al 2 O 3 -SiO 2 (MAS) glass ceramic was used as liquid sintering aid to densify h -BN ceramics, and effects of sintering temperature on the phase composition of MAS, texture behavior of h -BN grains and properties of the composite ceramics were studied. h -BN grains will react with MAS by forming N-M (Al3+ and Si4+) coordinate-covalent bonds and inhibit the crystallization of glass phase. The h -BN grains will rotate parallel to the pressure direction due to the joint action of the liquid sintering aid and the pressure. The sintering temperature will significantly affect the properties of the composite ceramics by effecting the texture behavior of h -BN grains. And higher sintering temperature of 1900 °C will result in the decline of mechanical properties and increase of thermal conductivity due to the decrease of texture degree caused by the grain growth of h -BN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Textured hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) matrix composite ceramics were prepared by hot pressing using 3Y 2 O 3 -5Al 2 O 3 (mole ratio of 3:5) and 3Y 2 O 3 -5Al 2 O 3 -4MgO (mole ratio of 3:5:4) as liquid phase sintering additives, respectively. During the sintering process with liquid phase environments, platelike h-BN grains were rotated to be perpendicular to the sintering pressure, forming the preferred orientation with the c -axis parallel to the sintering pressure. Both h-BN matrix ceramic specimens show significant texture microstructures and anisotropic mechanical and thermal properties. The h-BN matrix ceramics prepared with 3Y 2 O 3 -5Al 2 O 3 -4MgO possess higher texture degree and better mechanical properties. While the anisotropy of thermal conductivities of that prepared with 3Y 2 O 3 -5Al 2 O 3 is more significant. The phase compositions and degree of grain orientation are the key factors that affect their anisotropic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 0.8Bi 3.15 Nd 0.85 Ti 3 O 12 (BNdT)-0.2CoFe 2 O 4 (CFO) composite multiferroic ceramics have been fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) at 850 °C. The relative density of as-sintered SPS ceramic reaches 97.4 (±0.3)%. The composites are composed of pure BNdT and CFO phases without any preferred c -orientation. The a -orientation preference is more obvious perpendicular to the pressure direction. The average grain-sizes of BNdT and CFO are 163 and 146 nm, respectively. The BNdT phase has more grains below 100 nm (∼20%). The super energy-dispersive X-ray analyses suggest no serious reaction between BNdT and CFO. The Raman spectrum verifies the nano-structure of the SPS ceramic via the broadening bands and peak shifts. The Curie temperature of the SPS ceramic declines to 560 °C with stabilized dielectric loss. The grain boundary resistance plays a dominant role on impedance above 700 °C. The remanent polarization approaches to 15.2 μC/cm 2 (300 kV/cm) with lower coercive fields (−89/+95 kV/cm). [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]

β – SiC powder mixed with 10 wt.% Al 2 O 3 and Y 2 O 3 powder in a molar ratio of 2: 3 was consolidated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) at 1700–1900 °C. Three SPS routes were designed to contrast the effects of passing a strong direct current (DC) on the densification behavior of the SiC materials. The wetting of the Y – Al – Si – O liquid to the SiC particles was increased by the DC, hence better densification. The resultant SiC ceramic had a finer uniform microstructure and high flexural strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of a single additive (SnO 2 , Ta 2 O 5 , or WO 3 ) on the crystal structure, densification, and electrical conductivity of the GdSmZr 2 O 7 ceramic have been examined. The GdSmZr 2 O 7 ceramic with or without a single additive of 1 wt.% SnO 2 , Ta 2 O 5 , or WO 3 sintered at temperatures between 1773 and 1973 K exhibits a single cubic pyrochlore-type phase. The relative densities of different compositions increase with increasing sintering temperature. The total conductivity of different samples obeys the Arrhenius relation. The total conductivity of the GdSmZr 2 O 7 ceramic is not improved by the addition of 1 wt.% SnO 2 , Ta 2 O 5 , or WO 3 . A single additive, SnO 2 , Ta 2 O 5 , or WO 3 , is not an effective sintering aid for the GdSmZr 2 O 7 ceramic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: High-energy ball milling and spark plasma sintering were adopted to prepare ZrC–SiC composite. Zirconium carbide, silicon, and graphite powders were used as raw materials. ZrC–30vol.%SiC was sintered to a relative density of >96.1% at 1800°C. The composite showed a fine microstructure. The fracture strength reached up to 523.4MPa, Vickers’ hardness 18.8GPa, fracture toughness 4.0MPam1/2, and elastic modulus 390.5GPa. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Nano-sized Si–B–C–N powders nearly amorphous with different mole ratio of Si/C were prepared by mechanical alloying (MA) technique using cubic silicon (c-Si), hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) and graphite powder (Cp) as starting materials, then consolidated at 1800°C under a pressure of 40MPa for 3min by spark plasma sintering (SPS). Sub-micrometer sized β-SiC and nano-sized BCN phase were formed as the final components in the ceramics. The grain size of the β-SiC tend to be a little coarser with the increase of the Si/C ratio as well as their total content, but no changes are observed for the fine sub-micrometer structure characteristics of β-SiC and BCN grains. Mechanical properties of the Si–B–C–N ceramics were found remarkably increased with the increase of the mole ratio of Si/C and their total relative content. Thermal physical properties, including thermal diffusivity, heat capacity, thermal conductivity, as well as thermal expansion coefficient were also studied. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The thermal evolution of cesium-substituted potassium-based geopolymer ((K1−x Cs x )2O·Al2O3·5SiO2·11H2O, x =0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4) on heating is studied by a variety of techniques. Phase compositions and thermal expansion behaviors of the ceramics derived from the geopolymer are characterized. All of the geopolymer specimens with or without cesium substitution exhibit similar thermal evolution trends. Major weight losses before 600°C from all the geopolymer specimens are observed and are resulted from evaporation of free water and hydroxyl groups. Thermal shrinkage of these specimens can be divided into four stages, i.e. structural resilience, dehydration, dehydroxylation and sintering, according to the dilatometer results. For these specimens, significant difference is observed in the viscous sintering stage and the effect of cesium is to reduce the thermal shrinkage in this stage due to the increased matrix viscosity. In the ceramics derived from geopolymer, the amount of stabilized leucite increases with the amount of cesium and with 20% cesium substitution leucite is fully stabilized in cubic phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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: Y-α-SiAlON (Y1/3Si10Al2ON15) ceramics with 5wt.%BaAl2Si2O8 (BAS) as an additive were synthesized by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The kinetic of densification, phase transformation sequences and grain growth during sintering process were investigated. Full densification could be achieved by 1600°C without holding and using a heating rate of 100°Cmin−1, but the transformation from α-Si3N4 to α-SiAlON is not completed simultaneously with the densification process. The equilibrium phase assemblage could be reached after SPS at 1800°C for 5min and the resultant material possesses self-reinforced microstructure with high hardness of 19.2GPa and fracture toughness of 6.8MPam1/2. The complete crystallization of BAS is beneficial to the high temperature mechanical properties. The obtained could maintain the room strength up to 1300°C. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A series of TiB 2 –TiC composites were successfully fabricated through one-step and two-step pressureless sintering using powders obtained by high-energy ball-milling. Effects of ball-milling time on crystal size and morphology of powders as well as microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of TiB 2 –TiC composites were investigated. The crystal size of TiB 2 –TiC powders decreases to 14.7 nm after ball milling for 30 h. Two-step pressureless sintering is beneficial to the densification process without obvious grain coarsening. The core-rim structure of carbides in TiB 2 –TiC composites is formed by nonuniform diffusion of W atoms from the outside to the interior of TiC grains. The phenomenon of selective solution of WC into TiC grains was carried out through experiments and verification of first-principles DFT calculations. An in-situ TiB 2 plate toughened microstructure is developed for TiB 2 -40 wt %TiC composites two-step sintered at 1500 °C for 4 h and 2000 °C for 1 h with excellent comprehensive performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

h-BN composite ceramics were prepared by hot-pressing using La 2 O 3 and Al 2 O 3 as additives to form liquid phases during sintering. The effect of the amorphization/nanocrystallization of raw h-BN powders by high-energy ball-milling on the microstructure evolution of h-BN composite ceramics was investigated. The amorphization/nanocrystallization of raw h-BN powders significantly promotes grain growth during liquid-phase sintering. The specimen prepared using ball-milled h-BN powders possesses a higher crystallization degree, larger grain size, higher texture degree and more significant anisotropic thermal conductivity than the specimen prepared using raw h-BN powders. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Sm2Zr2O7 co-doped with and without 5mol.% Yb2O3 and 5mol.% Gd2O3 were prepared by a pressureless-sintering method at 1973K for 10h in air. The relative density, structure and electrical conductivity were investigated by the Archimedes method, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and impedance spectra measurements. Both Sm2Zr2O7 and (Sm0.9Gd0.05Yb0.05)2Zr2O7 ceramics exhibit a single phase of pyrochlore-type structure. The grain conductivity, grain-boundary conductivity and total conductivity obey the Arrhenius relation, respectively, and gradually increase with increasing temperature from 723 to 1173K. (Sm0.9Gd0.05Yb0.05)2Zr2O7 ceramic is the oxide-ion conductor in an oxygen partial pressure range of 1.0×10−4 to 1.0atm at all test temperature levels. The grain conductivity, grain-boundary conductivity and total conductivity of (Sm0.9Gd0.05Yb0.05)2Zr2O7 with dual Yb3+ + Gd3+ doping are higher than those of undoped Sm2Zr2O7 at identical temperature levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]