Papers by Author: G.H. Liu

Abstract: β-Si3N4 and β-SiAlON powders were prepared by combustion synthesis with SrCO3 and NH4F used as additives. The resultant β-Si3N4 and β-SiAlON powders consisted of elongated prismatic microcrystals. By adding SrCO3, the anisotropic growth of β-Si3N4 and β-SiAlON crystals is improved and their aspect ratios increase. The addition of NH4F enhanced nitridation reactions and reduced the residual Si in combustion products. It was proposed that the elongated prismatic β-Si3N4 and β-SiAlON crystals grew from liquid phase and the composition and property of this liquid was affected by the addition of SrCO3.

Abstract: In this paper, α-SiAlON powders co-doped with (Ca+M) (M=Mg, Yb, Sr) were prepared by combustion synthesis. The effect of Ca incorporation on the phase composition and grain morphology of reaction products was discussed. The experimental results showed that Ca incorporation promoted the growth of rod-like α-SiAlON crystals in (Ca+Mg) and (Ca+Yb) systems. For (Ca+Sr) system, the addition of Ca assisted Sr into α-SiAlON crystal lattice and increased the relative content of α-SiAlON in reaction product.

Abstract: In this paper, Yb a-sialon powders with elongated grains have been prepared by combustion synthesis. The effects of diluents, nitrogen pressure, adding a-sialon seeds and NH4F on the phase transformation and microstructure development of the samples are discussed systematically. The experimental results show that the addition of diluents, proper nitrogen pressure and additive NH4F can facilitate the nitridation of Si. It was also found that the added a-sialon seeds and NH4F are beneficial to the nucleation and growth of elongated grains.

Abstract: In present works, the low cost TiO2 powders were partially introduced to raw mixture as playing roles of both reactant and dilution. The experimental results showed that increasing the ratio of TiO2 to titanium powders up to 70wt%, the combustion synthesis reaction could still proceed by self-sustained mode. Single phase of TiNxC1-x with ultra fine particle size could be prepared by using TiO2 as dilution. Influences of TiO2 addition on phase formation and microstructure of product were also investigated. It was found that the combustion temperature and as-synthesized TiNxC1-x particle size decreased as increasing the amount of TiO2 addition.

Abstract: In this paper, single-phase Yb α-SiAlON ceramics were prepared by pressureless sintering and the densification, phase transformation as well as microstructure development were studied. It was demonstrated that the phase transformation could be completed at 1700 °C and elevated temperature was beneficial to grain growth. Additionally, effect of the addition of seed crystals prepared by combustion synthesis was discussed. From the experimental results, it was found that the added seed crystals facilitated the phase transformation and improved the microstructure development, resulting in the formation of elongated grains.