Papers by Keyword: Additive Composition

Abstract: The effect of sintering additives comprising AlN and RE2O3 (RE=Lu, Yb, Er and Y) in 2:3 and 3:2 molar ratios on mechanical properties of liquid-phase-sintered (LPS) and subsequently annealed SiC ceramics was investigated. The toughness vs cationic radius curve had a maximum in both 2:3 and 3:2 molar ratios; Yb-doped specimens showed maximal toughness of 5.8 and 6.6 MPa..m1/2 in 2:3 and 3:2 molar ratios, respectively. There was no correlation between room temperature (RT) strength and cationic radius. In contrast, the high temperature (HT) strength vs cationic radius curve had a minimum in both 2:3 and 3:2 molar ratios; Yb-doped specimens showed minimal strength of 520 MPa and 550 MPa in 2:3 and 3:2 molar ratios, respectively. The present results suggest that there is a trade-off in improving both RT toughness and HT strength in LPS-SiC ceramics.

Abstract: Both the presence and absence of an amorphous intergranular film (IGF) between the SiC grains have previously been reported in liquid-phase-sintered SiC ceramics (LPS-SiC). The dominant factor(s) responsible for the grain boundary structure in LPS-SiC has not been clearly revealed. In the present study, LPS-SiC ceramics containing different compositions of sintering additives were fabricated and characterized with respect to their grain boundary structure, using both scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The results suggest that the sintering additive composition plays a dominant role in the evolution of grain boundary structure in LPS-SiC.

Abstract: Nano infiltration transient eutectic ceramic (NITE-SiC) was fabricated by hot pressing method using Al2O3 and Y2O3 as sintering additives. The ratio of the Al2O3/Y2O3 additives was changed between 6:4 and 4:6. The densification and mechanical properties were investigated for the sintered temperature. The starting powder was high purity β -SiC nano-powder with an average particle size of 30nm. The bending strength characterization and densification of NITE-SiC was investigated by the FE-SEM and three point bending test.

Abstract: SiC has been extensively studied for high temperature components in advanced energy system and gas turbine because of its excellent high temperature mechanical properties and good thermal-chemical stability etc. However, the brittle characteristics of SiC such as low fracture toughness and low strain-to fracture still impose a severe limitation on practical applications of SiC materials. For these reasons, SiCf/SiC composites can be considered as a promising for various structural materials, because of their good fracture toughness compared with monolithic SiC. But, high temperature and pressure lead to the degradation of the reinforcing fiber during the hot pressing. Therefore, reduction of sintering temperature and pressure is key requirements for the fabrication of SiCf/SiC composites by hot pressing method. In the present work, monolithic Liquid Phase Sintered SiC (LPS-SiC) was fabricated by hot pressing method in Ar atmosphere at 1800oC under 20MPa using Al2O3, Y2O3 and SiO2 as sintering additives. The starting powder was high purity β-SiC nano-powder with an average particle size of 30nm. The characterization of LPS-SiC was investigated by means of SEM and three point bending test. Base on the composition of sintering additives-, microstructure- and mechanical property correlation, the compositions of sintering additives are discussed.

Abstract: SiC materials have excellent high temperature strength, low coefficient of thermal expansion, good resistance to oxidation and good thermal and chemical stability etc. However, the brittle characteristics of SiC such as low fracture toughness and low strain-to fracture still impose a severe limitation on practical applications of SiC materials. Therefore, in the interests of safety, we are required to measure fracture toughness of materials. In the present work, monolithic Liquid Phase Sintered SiC (LPS-SiC) was fabricated by hot pressing method under 20MPa using sintering additives at different temperature such as 1760oC, 1780oC, 1800oC and 1820oC. The starting powder was high purity β-SiC nano-powder with an average particle size of 30nm. Compositions of sintering additives were Al2O3 / Y2O3 = 0.7 and 1.5 (wt. %). Monolithic LPS-SiC was evaluated in terms of sintering density, hardness and fracture toughness through indentation fracture method by the Vickers hardness tester. Sintered density, hardness and fracture toughness of fabricated LPS-SiC increased with the increase of sintering temperature. They are higher than those of fabricated SiC by the chemical vapor deposition method.

Abstract: SiC materials have been extensively studied for high temperature components in advanced energy system and advanced gas turbine. SiCf/SiC composites are promising for various structural materials. But, high temperature and pressure lead to the degradation of the reinforcing fiber during the hot pressing. Therefore, reduction of the process temperature and pressure is key requirements for the fabrication of SiCf/SiC composites by hot pressing method. In the present work, monolithic LPS-SiC was fabricated by hot pressing method at various temperatures. The starting powder was high purity β-SiC nano-powder with an average particle size of 30nm. Compositions of sintering additives were Al2O3 / Y2O3 = 0.7 and 1.5 (wt.%). Monolithic LPS-SiC was evaluated in terms of sintering density, micro-structure, flexural strength, elastic modulus and so on. Sintered density, flexural strength and elastic modulus of fabricated LPS-SiC increased with increasing the process temperature. Particularly, relative density of LPS-SiC fabricated at 1820oC with additive composition of Al2O3/Y2O3=1.5(wt.%) was 95%. Also, flexural strength and elastic modulus were 900MPa and 220GPa, respectively. In the fracture surface of this specimen, the size and shape of SiC grains grew up and changed. Also, tortuous crack paths and occurrence of interfacial debonding were observed.