Papers by Author: Xin Xu

Abstract: In previous report, we succeeded in preparing dense nano-sized ceramics with the composition of Y- α-sialon (m=1.35, n=0.675) by high-energy mechanical milling followed by spark plasma sintering. The superplastic deformation of the obtained nano-ceramics was studied in this report. A good ductility of the nano-sized ceramics has been confirmed, which arised from the nano-sized grains and large amount of transient liquid phase. The effects of deformation on the phase and microstructural evolution were also studied. The nano-sized grains promoted the formation of elongated α-sialon grains during post-annealing at 1850oC for 3 h, which would strengthen and toughen the deformed ceramics.

Abstract: Y- α-sialon (m=1.35, n=0.675) ceramics were prepared by high-energy mechanical milling followed by spark plasma sintering. The milling promoted not only liquid-phase sintering, but also phase transformation from β-Si3N4 to α-sialon. Under the same holding time of 5 min, milled powder could be completely densified at 1500oC, which is about 250oC lower than that required for as-received powder. The temperature where the phase transformation finished was 1600oC and 1750oC for milled and as-received powder, respectively. The grain size of obtained dense ceramics from milled powder was significantly decreased. Nano-sized dense ceramics have been obtained by sintering the milled powder at 1500oC for 5 min. Although 100 % α-sialon has not been achieved, the nano-sized ceramics can be used for superplastic deformation, taking advantage of small grain size and large amount of transient liquid phase.

Abstract: The fabrication of dense Si3N4 nano-ceramics via a high-energy mechanical milling process and subsequent spark plasma sintering (SPS) was reported in this paper. A thermodynamically stable β-Si3N4 powder mixed with 5-mol% Y2O3 and 2-mol% Al2O3 was used as starting powders for high-energy mechanical milling. Milling resulted in the significant decrease of crystalline size and the amorphization of the starting powders. Based on XRD measurements, the amount of the amorphous phase and the grain sizes of the remaining crystalline silicon nitride depended on the charge ratio. Milled powders could be SPSed at relatively low temperature. A homogenous dense silicon nitride ceramics with grain diameter of about 70 nm could be fabricated through SPS at a low temperature of 1600oC for 5 min. The significant decrease of grain size greatly increased the hardness of obtained ceramics.

Abstract: A commercial silicon nitride powder with oxide sintering additives was ground with high-energy ball mill to obtain nano-sized powder. Metallic aluminium powder was added as a grinding additive. Effect of high-energy ball milling was evaluated by X-ray diffraction analysis. After milling, height of background increased and peak height of silicon nitride decreased in XRD chart, which suggested that vitrification and/or decrease in grain size of silicon nitride occurred. The milled powders were sintered by spark plasma sintering system. Aluminium nitride was formed during sintering by reaction of aluminium and atmospheric nitrogen. Dense nano-ceramics, which were composed of silicon nitride and sialon, were obtained by sintering at 1550 oC.