Materials Science Forum Vol. 624

Abstract: Microstructure is the key scale to understand and describe sintering mechanisms and their consequences at the macroscopic level. As modeling techniques are continuously developing, the need for input data and comparison with more and more accurate descriptions of the evolution is expected to create a growing demand for quantitative microstructure data. Image analysis is the classic way to get these data. This paper reviews the practical use and progresses of this old technique in the sintering literature during the past and recent years. The place of basic tools and more recent ones, such as 3D imaging, are discussed from a practical point of view accounting from sintering models needs: mean size and size distributions in pores and grains, homogeneity, sintering trajectories…

Abstract: This paper summarizes and reviews a number of important theoretical and experimental results connected to study of gravitational effects on liquid phase sintering. However, we will also investigate numerically gravity induced skeletal structure evolution during liquid phase sintering. Applying domain methodology, solid skeleton evolution will be introduced by definition of skeleton units determined by equilibrium dihedral angle and formation of large solid skeleton arranged in long chain of connected solid-phase domains. The settling procedure will be simulated by two submodels: free settling model in which solid-phase domains fall under gravity over already settled domains, and extended model in which settled domains continue their motion till they reach a position of their local equilibrium. Three more submodels will be also defined: rearrangement densification model, settling densification model, and Brownian motion model. It will be assumed that under gravity condition Stokes’s law settling usually dominates microstructure formation, where the settling procedure as well as settling time will be used for computation of average migration distance during defined time interval. Thus gravity induced solid-phase domain structure evolution will be simulated by simultaneous computation of displacement of the center of mass. The new methodology will be applied for simulation of microstructural evolution of a regular multi-domain model under gravity and gravity conditions.

Abstract: The present review covers the deconsolidation aspects of refractory polycrystalline skeletons for composites based on refractory particles with a metal binder. The thermodynamics of the process has been highlighted. The criterion for deconsolidation is established and the mechanism has been described.

Abstract: In the present review a generalized view of sintering mechanism on the basis of the electronic nature of the chemical species involved has been highlighted. The stable electronic configuration model proposed by G.V.Samsonov is one of the models. In spite of the fact that the model is qualitative, its far reaching impact in explaining liquid phase sintering and activated sintering of real systems can not be minimized. In a way the model holds a premium in its predictive nature , which is so crucial not only in sintering processing, but also in alloy design based on metallic or ceramic systems or composites constituted out of these.

Abstract: The most interesting feature in silicon carbide is the structure-property relation where the formation of different types of microstructure due to different structural modifications (polytypism) and grain-boundary/interfacial phase chemistry dictate the final properties of the monoliths. Since synthesis of SiC in last century, several methods such as hot pressing with a sintering aid (B, C), pressureless sintering with a sintering aid (B, C, Al) and reaction bonded (Si-SiC) were used to fabricate dense SiC. A newer method of fast sintering (spark plasma sintering) using pulsed current is also employed to consolidate nano/submicron size SiC with or without additives. The solid state sintered SiC materials have fine-grained equiaxed microstructure (grain size 1 to 4 µm) with thin layer of intergranular phases (amorphous film), exhibit moderate high-temperature creep and oxidation resistance, fracture toughness (3 to 4 MPam1/2) and have highly flaw-sensitive strength at room temperature. The high temperature mechanical properties are highly influenced by the presence of free C, Al and B + C containing grain-boundary phases. Moreover, during prolong processing, abnormal grain growth occurs resulting in anisotropic -SiC phase formation. The Si-SiC materials are poor candidates for high-temperature applications due to the limit set by the melting point of silicon, and the limitations of hot pressing (HPSiC) as a densification technique are well known. SPSed SiC without sintering additive revealed inferior mechanical properties attributed to poor bonding between adjacent grains. In the present survey, an overview of the new developments in silicon carbide processing and properties will be presented together with the information on structure-properties correlationship. Information on the structure of the grain-boundary/secondary phases and interfaces until now was not comprehensively analyzed.

Abstract: In view of considerable attention in the development of liquid phase sintered SiC, a comprehensive study of the data on processing, structure and properties seems highly relevant. This article provides a detailed and critical overview of liquid phase sintered silicon carbide ceramics with primary emphasis of grain-boundary/secondary phase evolution, their structure, distribution on the final properties of the sintered materials. The roles of individual additives in developing boundary microstructures will be identified and demonstrated to be critical in optimizing the mechanical properties, including fracture toughness, flexural strength and creep resistance. Numerous methods of structure-properties modification, like in-situ-toughening, -SiC phase transformation, volume of liquid phase, partial/full crystallization of grain-boundary and/or secondary phases are conclusively discussed. Apart from conventional pressureless sintering of SiC, enhanced spark plasma sintering with different oxide and non-oxide sintering additives are also discussed in terms of phase evolution, microstructure and their structure mechanical properties are correlated.

Abstract: Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are electrochemical devices that offer advantages over conventional power generation systems in terms of their high efficiency of power generation, low emission of green house gases and the flexibility of fuel usage. The major research focus of recent times is to lower the operating temperature of SOFC in the range of 600 to 800°C so as to make it commercially viable. This reduction in temperature is largely dependent on finding an electrolyte material with adequate oxygen ion conductivity at the intended operating temperature. One much material is pervoskite LaGaO3 doped with Sr- and Mg- La1-xSrxGa1-yMgyO3-δ (LSGM) that shows very good oxygen ion conductivity at intermediate temperature (600-800°C) over a wide range of oxygen partial pressure. The aim of this overview is to highlight the contribution that materials chemistry has made to the development of LSGM based SOFCs.