Papers by Author: Wei Kong Pang

Abstract: The use of secondary-ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to detect the existence of amorphous silica in Ti3SiC2 oxidised at 500–1000°C is described. The formation of an amorphous SiO2 layer and its growth in thickness with temperature was monitored using dynamic SIMS. Results of NMR and TEM verify for the first time the direct evidence of amorphous silica formation during the oxidation of Ti3SiC2 at 1000°C.

Abstract: Epoxy ecocomposites reinforced with recycled paper (rP) and nano-kaolinite (nK) have been synthesized. The effect of seawater soaking on the flexural and impact properties have been characterized. This new but cost-effective approach has been developed to improve the physical and mechanical properties of polymeric materials without adversely affecting their processing characteristics. The micromechanisms of toughening and failure processes are discussed.

Abstract: Reaction sintering and hot-isostatic-pressing (HIP) have been used for the compaction and densification of mullite-whisker-reinforced alumina composites. The effect of alumina matrix constraints on the in-situ transformation sequence in alumina-halloysite-AlF3 system was studied using differential thermal analysis. The physical and mechanical properties of the HIPed samples have been characterized in terms of bulk density, apparent solid density, porosity, Young’s moduli, flexural strength, hardness and the fracture toughness.

Abstract: Structure-property relationships in bovine cortical bone have been characterised using grazing-incidence synchrotron radiation diffraction, Vickers indentation and mechanical testing. Depth profiling results indicated the existence of distinct gradual changes in crystal disorder, phase abundance, and texture of hydroxyapatite whilst the crystallite size was depth-independent.