Papers by Author: Mikio Iwasa

Abstract: A commercial a-alumina powder was mixed with Zr(OH)4 gel synthesized by a precipitation method. The mixture was calcined at 600°C for 2h. The Al2O3−15 wt% ZrO2 composites were sintered for 2 h in the temperature range between 1400°C and 1650°C in air. At the sintering temperature of 1550°C the highest density, the best wear resistance, the maximum bending strength of 708 MPa and the highest fracture toughness of 5.8 MPa×m1/2 were achieved, respectively. Improvement of the mechanical and wear properties of the Al2O3 matrix should mainly be attributed to the addition of ZrO2.

Abstract: Sodium salt carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was used to prepare HAp-CMC composites through co-precipitation process. HAp nanorods with well controlled particle size were welll aligned along the c axis in the final composites. TEM, XRD, FTIR analysis were used to characterized the samples. It was found that the carboxyl groups in cellulose might be the main guiding site for the precipitation and growth of HAp and the formation of the resulting composites.

Abstract: The corrosion rate (Cr) of commercially available ball bearings made of silicon nitride (Si3N4) of high degree (HD) and standard quality (S) was measured at hydrothermal conditions in different aqueous concentrations of sulphuric acid (H2SO4) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The Cr magnitude for the materials diminished when increasing the acid concentration. At higher concentrations of H2SO4 (98%) the formation of SiO2 on the surface of the balls inhibited the progress of corrosion. The corrosion rate of the materials was increased when the sodium hydroxide solution concentration was increased. The surface of the materials was analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while the corrosion rate was determined based on weight losses.

Abstract: To improve the mechanical properties of Al2O3/ZrO2 composites, the homogeneous dispersion of ultra low size ZrO2 particles in Al2O3 ceramics have been controlled by partial dispersion of ZrO2 by chemical processes such as coprecipitation or polymeric precursor method(Pechini process). So nanosized Zr/Y hydroxide were coprecipitated or polymerized directly to the surfaces of commercial sub-micron size α-alumina powder(Sumitomo: AES-11
(0.4 μm)) using ZrOCl2 /Y(NO3)3 solution. By the partial coprecipitation method, dispersion of relatively small sized ZrO2 in Al2O3/ZrO2 composites could be achieved at 1500~1600° C of sintering temperature. In case of the polyesterization of Zr/Y(NO3)3-citric acid solution in ethylene glycol directly to the commercial sub-micron size α-alumina powder, more homogeneous dispersion of relatively low sized ZrO2 in Al2O3/ZrO2 composites could be obtained at 1450~1600°C of sintering temperature range and their mechanical strength was more enhanced.