Papers by Author: Sandro Aparecido Baldacim

Abstract: Silicon nitride based composite has been prepared, using a direct mixture process as alternative route. Silicon carbide whiskers were mixed directly to silicon nitride based powders containing yttrium and neodymium oxide as sintering aids. Uniaxial hot pressing was used to prepare sintered samples. Crystalline phases were identified using x-ray diffractometry. Intergranular phases were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy. Some mechanical properties (microhardness and fracture toughness) were also evaluated. The obtained high values of fracture toughness were correlated to the activation of toughening mechanisms, such as crack bridging and crack deflection.

Abstract: a−SiAlON (a’) is a solid solution of a−Si3N4, where Si and N are substituted by Al and O, respectively. The principal stabilizers of the a’-phase are Mg, Ca, Y and rare earth cations. In this way, the possible use of the yttrium-rare earth oxide mixture, CRE2O3, produced at FAENQUIL, in obtaining these SiAlONs was investigated. Samples were sintered by hotpressing at 17500C, for 30 minutes, using a sintering pressure of 20 MPa. Creep behavior of the hot-pressed CRE-a-SiAlON/b-Si3N4 ceramic was investigated, using compressive creep tests, in air, at 1280 to 1340 0C, under stresses of 200 to 350 MPa, for 70 hours. This type of ceramic exhibited high creep and oxidation resistance. Its improved high-temperature properties are mainly due to the absence or reduced amount of intergranular phases, because of the incorporation of the metallic cations from the liquid phase formed during sintering into the Si3N4 structure, forming a a’/b composite.

Abstract: The important factor to consider for successful ceramics composites development is the need of matching the whiskers and matrix characteristics, taking into account the chemical compatibility of the sintering aids utilized. The purpose of this work was to analyze and compare use of rare earth concentrate (CTR) and yttrium oxide, as sintering aids, and its influence in the densification and physical/mechanical properties of hot pressed and sintered Si3N4-SiC(w). The CTR powder materials present high yttrium oxide percentage and its production is cheaper than the additives usually used in ceramic materials, such as Y2O3. For physical and mechanical properties evaluation, specific mass, crystalline phases, micrographs analysis, microhardness and fracture toughness were measured, showing similar results between the two sintering aids. Therefore, this study shows the possibility of obtaining low processing cost products with the use of rare earth concentrate. Meanwhile, more characterization steps are necessary for analyzing its behavior at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: The creep behavior of hot-pressed Si3N4 ceramics was investigated. The proposal of this work is to investigate the use of yttrium-rare earth oxide mixture, CRE2O3, produced at FAENQUIL, as sintering additive, since the cost of production of this material is 80% inferior to Y2O3. These ceramics were obtained by uniaxial hotpressing using different additive contents and mixtures (CRE2O3-Al2O3 or CRE2O3- AlN). Compressive creep tests were carried out at 13000C and 300 MPa, in air. The Si3N4-CRE2O3-Al2O3 ceramics demonstrated that the creep resistance is inversely proportional to the additive content. Mixtures with high intergranular phase content presented low creep resistance due to high oxidation and more pronounced softening of the intergranular phase. Si3N4-CRE2O3-AlN ceramics demonstrated better creep resistance with a steady-state creep rate of 7 x 10-8 s-1. This behavior is related to the a-SiAlON content, a solid solution of Si3N4 that incorporates a great fraction of intergranular phase, decreasing the amount of intergranular phase.