Papers by Author: Jing Kun Guo

Abstract: The main problems for multiphase materials are the even mixing and the bonding or reacting among two or more phases, as well as the states of their grain boundaries. The mixing of two phases is usually effective by using liquid medium. The technology of second phase coating for the original particles or so call nucleo-shell structure is a well approach for the even mixing. For ceramic matrix multiphase materials low sintering temperature is the effective way to avoid the occurring of reaction between different phases. The design of grain boundary and its stress is important for their bonding states. The thinking for above problems would be described briefly in this paper. The purpose of multiphase materials design is expected that every phase will be playing its role, combining together and then given out a comprehensive performances. So it is necessary to consider the following problems. 1. Even mixing Even mixing between each other material is important for multiphase materials. It’s the better when the processing is carrying on in the liquid state for the even mixing of two phase materials. Using physical or chemical method could be formed the fine solid particles with even dispersion of two or more phases materials. Usually it could be obtained nano-scale particles. The application of nano-technology is necessary. The nano-scale mixing of two phases materials would be greatly increased the contacting surface of each other particles without agglomeration. Of course, if one phase of material is fine solid particle which disperses in another phase of material solution, the even mixing of two phases is obtained similarly. Making a coating to other phase particle is a very good approach for the two phases even mixing. Coating process is attracting more and more attention in the preparation of composite materials mainly due to its predominance in the improvement of the uniformity for different phases [1]. The thickness of coating material determines the amount proportion of two phases which is able to be control. Two examples of so-called “nucleo-shell structure” will be introduced in the following parts. Cermet composites have been widely studied due to their potential for achieving higher toughness and reasonable strength compared with ceramic matrix. But except for numbered systems, such as Co/WC and Ni/TiN, few systems have reached the people’s expectation mainly for the poor wettability between metal and ceramic. Al/Al2O3 cermet is a low density and high strength material, and it has many potential and actual applications in military, industrial and consumer regions. To improve the dispersive uniformity of the two phases, coating aluminum with alumina may be a good candidate since such coatings not only stabilize aluminum dispersions but also make it possible to control inter-particle and particle-matrix interactions [2]. Figure1a-c shows the images

Abstract: Well-dispersed SiO2 slurry with high solid content for aqueous tape casting was obtained by selecting the appropriate dispersant, binder, plasticizer and other additives. However, it is difficult to prepare well-dispersed CNTs/SiO2 slurry because CNTs tend to aggregation and the bulk density disparity of CNTs and SiO2 is obvious. In addition, the contradiction between removing organic additives and retaining the properties of CNTs should be considered. Some methods are provided to solve the as-mentioned difficulties.

Abstract: Unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced fused silica (uni-Cf/SiO2) composite was prepared by slurry infiltration and hot-pressing. The room and elevated temperatures flexural properties were investigated and the fracture features of the composite were observed. This composite exhibited non-catastrophic failure at room and elevated temperatures. The oxidation of carbon fiber at elevated temperatures was the main reason for the degradation of flexural strength and elastic modulus. The flexural strength tested at 1200
was 376MPa and exhibited anomalously higher than that at 1000
(277MPa), which was attributed to the viscous flow of fused silica matrix and therefore the occurrence of microcracking in the matrix was deferred. And it was inferred that the brittle to plastic transition temperature (Tb-p) of uni-Cf/SiO2 composite corresponded to a certain temperature around 1200°C.

Abstract: The influence of pressure on the crystallization behavior in SiO2f/SiO2 composites hotpressed at 1350°C was studied. The crystalline phase composition analysis on SiO2f/SiO2 composites revealed that the formation of cristobalite was promoted when the hot-pressing pressure ≤ 12 MPa, however suppressed with higher pressure applied. It can be ascribed to the nucleation mechanism change from surface nucleation to bulk nucleation. Analysis on relative density as well as fracture microstructure of SiO2f/SiO2 composites confirmed the conclusion.

Abstract: In this article stable multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) aqueous suspension with a 1.0 wt.% concentration was obtained with a very small quantity of dispersant. Precursor of ceramics were synthesized in the suspension and densely deposited on the surface of MWNTs successfully by a simple and effective in-situ precipitation method. The most important advantage for the in-situ composite method is to make MWNTs homogeneously distributed in the matrix. The fully dense compacts were obtained by spark-plasma-sintering (SPS) the in-situ precipitated composite powders at temperature 200 oC lower than that of composite powders made from the traditional mixing method. Furthermore, the microstructure and the mechanical property of the composites are much better than that of traditional method. The in-situ precipitation could be a promising method to fabricate CNTs composites of ceramics matrix especially those hard to sinter.

Abstract: Copper coated silicon carbide clusters were used to fabricate nanocomposite. Compacts were isostatically pressed and heated in nitrogen atmosphere. Microstructure observations were carried out to show the spheroid growth of the coated clusters. Spheroid growth was found to proceed through coalescence of smaller spheroids of the coated Cu/SiC composite particles. The densification process contains steps of agglomeration – kernel-shell formation – slumping movement. Grain growth of the adherent Cu particles is suppressed due to the constraint of rigid SiC particles. This is the deterministic characteristic of the coated composite particles.

Abstract: Ultrafine yttrium aluminum garnet (Y3Al5O12, YAG) powders were synthesized by sol-gel combustion process from a mixed solution containing aluminum and yttrium nitrates. The precursor and powders were characterized using X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry-mass spectrometry, and transmission electronic microscope. Mono-phase cubic powders were obtained at 900oC by directly crystallizing from amorphous materials and no intermediate phase was observed. The powders processed at 900oC were uniform and in good dispersity with average particle size of about 20 nm.

Abstract: Stable and disperse carbon nanotubes (CNTs) aqueous solution was prepared by using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (C16TMAB) as dispersing agent and zeta potential of CNTs solution were measured to quantitatively characterize the stability of CNTs in C16TMAB aqueous solution. The CNTs /SiO2 composites were fabricated with composite powders synthesized by rapid Sol-gel method and sintered by hot-pressing technique. The electric and dielectric properties of the composites were measured and the microstructure of CNTs and composites were investigated by Field emission scanning electron microscope (FSEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The mechanisms had been investigated to explain the effect of the CNT compositions on the electric and dielectric properties of CNTs /SiO2 composites in this paper.

Abstract: Carbon nanotube-mullite (Al2O3/SiO2=3/2) composites have been prepared by hot-pressing the corresponding composite powders, in which the multi-walled carbon nanotubes(1~10 vol%) are homogeneously dispersed between the mullite grains. The microstructure of the specimens has been studied and discussed in relation to the properties of the matrix, the bending strength and the fracture toughness, the dielectric constant and the dissipative factor. Carbon nanotube-mullite composites are potential electromagnetic wave absorbers owing to the percolation of the carbon nanotubes.