Papers by Author: Ján Dusza

Abstract: The paper deals with the determination of the characteristic strength and as well as the Weibull moduli and of the Si3N4+SiC micro/nanocomposite determined by the four-point bending test and the contact test using opposite spheres both applied to specimens of different size, respectively. Material failure in the bending and contact modes is caused by the presence of processing defects as fracture origins, and by the formation of cone cracks, respectively, where a stable growth of the cone cracks initiated during contact loading is assumed to be a reason of , . A microstructural analysis of the processing flaws, and a mathematical analysis of the propagation of the cone cracks regarding different dimensions of a specimen are also presented.

Abstract: Fracture toughness of hot-pressed silicon nitride and Si3N4+SiC nanocomposites prepared with different rare-earth oxides (La2O3, Sm2O3, Y2O3, Yb2O3, Lu2O3) sintering additives have been investigated by Chevron Notched Beam, Indentation Strength and Indentation Fracture techniques. The fracture toughness values of composites were lower due to the finer microstructures and the lack of toughening mechanisms. In the Si3N4 with higher aspect ratio (Lu or Yb additives) crack deflection occurred more frequently compared to the Si3N4 doped with La or Y, which was responsible for the higher fracture toughness.

Abstract: The effect of the heat treatment on the fracture toughness and flexural strength of the silicon carbide – silicon nitride composites prepared by liquid-phase-sintering was investigated. The results were compared to those obtained for a reference silicon carbide material, prepared by the same fabrication route. The fracture toughness increased from 3.19 to 5.15 MPa.m1/2 due to the toughening mechanisms (crack deflection, mechanical interlocking, crack branching) occurring in the heat treated materials during the crack propagation. However, the flexural strength decreased after the heat treatment of the experimental materials. The strength of the investigated materials was degraded by the presence of processing flaws mainly in the form of pores, clusters of pores, and SiC agglomerates.

Abstract: Study compare R-curve behaviour of silicon nitride obtained using Vickers indented beam specimens and single edge V-notched beam (SEVNB). R-curve measurement realized by Vickers indented beam was reported by Krause. Crack growth using single edge V-notched beam was observed in situ. The indentation experiments, in comparison with SEVNB method revealed higher R-curve values (KR=3.3 – 4.8 MPa.m1/2). The discrepancy in the R-curve results is attributed to inaccuracy related to the determination of indentation toughness. The indentation fracture toughness may include the aspects of crack opening behaviour, residual indentation stress intensity.

Abstract: The present work studies the corrosion of three most widely used types of structural ceramics – silicon nitride, solid state sintered alumina and liquid phase sintered alumina – in 3 % aqueous solutions of sodium chloride at temperatures up to 290 °C and pressures up to 7 MPa. The corrosion of silicon nitride was controlled by attack of Si3N4 matrix grains, while yttrium oxynitride amorphous grain boundary phase was corrosion resistant. Corrosion of Si3N4 in reference media -distilled water - at 290 °C was characteristic by formation of passivation layer, which hindered further dissolution of silicon nitride matrix. The presence of sodium chloride resulted in formation of discontinuous layer of corrosion products, resulting in more severe corrosion than in distilled water. The corrosion of liquid phase sintered alumina was mainly attributed to congruent dissolution of SiO2 and CaO from grain-boundary amorphous film, which was accelerated at higher temperature, and accompanied by precipitation of siliceous phases from oversaturated solution at 200 °C. Pure polycrystalline alumina corroded by loss of alumina grains, which did not dissolve in the corrosion media. The corrosion impaired significantly the fracture strength of silicon nitride, creating new, corrosion related defects at the surface, while the influence of corrosion on fracture strength of polycrystalline aluminas was negligible.

Abstract: The paper deals with the determination of the characteristic strength and the Weibull modulus m of Si3N4 and SiC ceramic materials using conventional four-point bending and unconventional contact tests between opposite rollers and opposite spheres. Ceramographic and fractographic methods were used for the characterization of strength degrading defects represented by processing flaws and by cracks of different types arising during the loading. The processing flaws influenced the Weibull parameters mainly in the bending mode, and the strength and its scatter in contact modes was influenced by lateral, median and contact end cracks, originated during the contact test using rollers, and by cone cracks originated during the contact test using spheres.

Abstract: Si3N4 is widely used as a structural ceramic, therefore mechanical characterization, especially in dynamic loading conditions is important task. In the framework of a comprehensive research work aiming at characterizing the dynamic failure process of Si3N4 based ceramics we executed instrumented impact tests. Beside determining various mechanical characteristics we executed failure analysis by fractography, as well. The current paper focuses on the fractographic analysis of the dynamic failure processes of the investigated Si3N4 based ceramics. A detailed morphological analysis has been carried out determining qualitative and quantitative features using macro- and micro-fractography.

Abstract: Bending and contact strength of a carbon derived in-situ reinforced Si3N4-SiC micro/nanocomposite have been investigated. Four-point bending strength was measured using specimens with different effective volume and Weibull statistical analysis has been used for characterization of the strength values in the form of characteristic strength and Weibull modulus. The characteristic strength values of the investigated composite were σ0 = 675 MPa and σ0 = 832 MPa with the Weibull modulus of 6,4 and 8,6 for the specimens with effective volume 15,9 mm3 and 1,28 mm3 respectively. Contact strength of the investigated material was carried out using sphere on sphere and roller on roller methods and the obtained results are σ0S = 1997 MPa, σ0R = 1242 MPa, and mS = 17,1 mR = 6. Fracture origins in the specimens with effective volume of 15.9 mm3 tested in four-point bending were surface and volume located technological defects with dimensions from 10 μm to 180 μm, mainly in the form of clusters of pores and large SiC grains. Fracture mirror sizes were measured and the mirror constant was calculated. Fracture origins in the specimens with effective volume of 1.28 mm3 tested in four-point bending were surface (subsurface) defects with the same type as for the specimens with a higher effective volume. The fracture during the contact strength test „roller/roller“ has been initiated under the surface of the specimens and during the contact strength test „sphere/sphere“ by creation and growth of the cone cracks to critical size.

Abstract: The indentation creep of free-standing Y-ZrO2 layer and 20Sc-60Si-20Mg-80O-20N oxynitride glass has been investigated. Creep experiment has been performed with flat cylindrical indenter (hot pressed SiC) in the temperature range from 860 °C to 1300 °C at the loads from 20 to 100 MPa. The strain-time relationship was registered and the creep exponent and activation energy of creep have been calculated. The microstructure changes have been observed and documented. Viscosity as a function of temperature and the glass transition temperature (Tg) were determined in oxynitride glass and compared with values from compressive creep.

Abstract: The present contribution summarizes the recent results in the field of high temperature properties of layered ceramics and thermal barrier coatings (TBC), mainly as regards their thermal shock resistance and creep characteristics. The thermal shock and creep behavior of layered ceramics are discussed with the main focus on the influence of layered composition and interlayer boundary on the creep behavior of the composite. In the last part the high temperature deformation and creep of TBC’s are discussed.