Papers by Keyword: Ceramic Precursor

Abstract: The paper deals with the approximation of the time evolution of the strengths of selected alkali-activated aluminosilicate (AAAS) composites based on ceramic precursors. Composites made of brick dust as a precursor and an alkaline activator with a silicate modulus of M_s = 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, and 1.6 were investigated. The filler consisted of standard quartz sand in one case, and crushed brick in the other. The test specimens had nominal dimensions of 40 × 40 × 160 mm and were tested in three-point bending after 7, 28, 90, and 300 days of maturation. From each composite, 3 specimens were tested and the compressive strength was determined from the 6 specimen parts that remained after the bending tests. The obtained flexural and compressive strength values for the abovementioned 4 composite ages were approximated by the exponential function , where the coefficient a represents a horizontal asymptote to the approximation curve, i.e. the theoretical strength of the composite at time t = ∞; the exponential term of the approximation with the coefficients b and c expresses the degree of the time-dependent change of the respective compressive strength in the interval t = (0, ∞). The approximation was performed with the least squares method using genetic algorithms implemented in the Java GA package with open source code.

Abstract: The paper deals with selected alkali-activated aluminosilicate (AAAS) composites based on ceramic precursors in terms of their characterization by mechanical fracture parameters. Composites made of brick dust as a precursor and an alkaline activator with a silicate modulus of M_s = 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.4 and 1.6 were investigated. The filler employed with one set of composites was quartz sand, while for the other set it was crushed brick. The test specimens had nominal dimensions of 40 × 40 × 160 mm and were provided with notches at midspan of up to 1/3 of the height of the specimens after 28 days. 6 samples from each composite were tested. The specimens were subjected to three-point bending tests in which force vs. displacement (deflection at midspan) diagrams (F–d diagrams) and force vs. crack mouth opening (F–CMOD) diagrams were recorded. After the correction of these diagrams, static modulus of elasticity, effective fracture toughness, effective toughness and specific fracture energy values were determined using the Effective Crack Model and the Work-of-Fracture method. After the fracture experiments, informative compressive strength values were determined from one of the parts. All of the evaluations included the determination of arithmetic means and standard deviations. The silicate modulus values and type of filler of the AAAS composites significantly influenced their mechanical fracture parameters.

Abstract: This paper deals with selected alkali-activated aluminosilicate composites with a ceramic precursor in terms of their characterization using mechanical fracture parameters. Three composites were studied. They were manufactured using brick powder as a precursor and an alkaline activator with a dimensionless silicate modulus of M_s = 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4. The test specimens were nominally 40 × 40 × 160 mm in size and had a central edge notch with a depth of 1/3 of the specimen’s height. At least 6 specimens made of each composite were tested at the age of 28 days. The specimens were subjected to three-point bending tests, during which diagrams showing force vs. deflection at midspan (F–d diagrams) and force vs. crack mouth opening displacement (F–CMOD diagrams) were recorded. After the processing of these diagrams, values were determined for the static modulus of elasticity, effective fracture toughness (including its initiation component from the analysis of the first part of the F–CMOD diagrams), effective toughness and specific fracture energy using the effective crack model, Work-of-Fracture method, and Double-K fracture model. After the fracture experiments had been performed, compressive strength values were determined for informational purposes from one part of each specimen that remained after testing. In order to obtain visual information about the internal structure of the composites before and after the mechanical testing, the selected specimen was examined via X-ray microtomography. Tomographic measurements and image processing were performed for the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of internal structural changes with an emphasis on the calculation of porosimetry parameters as well as the visualization of the fracture process zone. The fractal dimension of the fracture surface and fracture process zone was determined. The porosity and microstructure images of selected samples taken from specimens were assessed.

Abstract: The physical, chemical and mineralogical characterization of a precursor clay body before firing is of relevance for understanding the technological performance of the fired clay ceramic. In particular, structural clay ceramic blocks used in building construction need to attend standard properties specified by the norms. In the present work the precursor clay body, typically used to fabricate structural blocks in Campos dos Goytacazes, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was characterized in terms of particle size distribution, X-ray diffraction, chemical composition and Atterberg limits. In addition, the performance of structural ceramic blocks, fabricated from the extruded clay body and fired at 850oC, was evaluated. The results indicated that the ceramic mechanical strength complies with the Brazilian norm but the water absorption is higher than the maximum specified by the norm. The characteristic of the clay body contribute to justify the structural blocks performance.

Abstract: The processible and high yield polyborosilazane (PBSZ) precursor for SiBN ceramics was prepared by coammonolysis reaction of dichlorosilane and trichloroborazine. The synthesized PBSZ precursor was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ¹H, ¹¹B, and ²⁹Si Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), and its ceramic conversion chemistry was investigated by differential scanning calorimetric (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The PBSZ precursor is a viscous liquid and changes to an insoluble solid via a cross-linking reaction between the N-H group and Si-H group as post-heated from 60 to 180°C. The insoluble solid is transformed to Si₃N₄ and BN amorphous structures with an approximately 95% ceramic yield after being pyrolyzed to 1000°C.

Abstract: A new route for improving the thermal property of phenolic resin was described. Firstly, a soluble preceramic polymer was synthesized by condensation polymerization of zirconium oxychloride, salicyl alcohol and acetylacetone in the presence of triethylamine at room temperature. A modified phenolic resin was then obtained via blending the preceramic polymer and phenolic resin in solution. The preceramic polymer was characterized by FTIR, NMR and GPC. The thermal property of the modified phenolic resin was also investigated by TGA. It was found that the preceramic polymer was composed of Zr-O-Zr as the main chain and the ligands (salicyl alcohol and acetylacetone) as the side chain. It pyrolyzed completely at 600°C and formed ZrO2 in nitrogen atmosphere. The results of TGA indicated that 5 wt% preceramic polymer could increase the thermal decomposition temperature and the char yield of the modified phenolic resin by 18°C and 25%, respectively. Moreover, the preceramic polymer allowed the char formation from phenolic resin at relatively low temperature.

Abstract: In the present study, a method based on sulfuric acid dehydration of sugar was developed to synthesis a precursor material, which can yield B4C/ TiB2 composites at much lower temperatures compared to traditional carbothermal methods. The precursor material for pure B4C and B4C / TiB2 composites were heat treated at 1650oC under Ar and Ar+H2 atmosphere. Then the samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and crystallized B4C and B4C / TiB2 composites can be obtained at 1650oC

Abstract: In the present study, a method based on sulfuric acid dehydration of sugar was developed to synthesize a precursor material, which can yield B4C/SiC composites at much lower temperatures compared to traditional carbothermal methods. The precursor material for pure B4C was heat treated at the temperatures between 400 and 1600oC under inert atmosphere. The precursor material for B4C /SiC composites was heat treated only at 1600oC under an inert atmosphere. Then the samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results showed that B-C bonds formed as low as 400oC. On the other hand, crystallized B4C and B4C / SiC composites can be obtained at the heat treatment temperatures between 1400 and 1600oC.

Abstract: A novel SiC precursor antimony-substituted polymethylsilane (APS) is present in this paper. First, pre-APS was synthesized from polymethylsilane (PMS) and SbCl3 at room temperature. Pre-APS was a liquid mixture and could be used in PIP process without solvent. After the elemination of HCl and the crosslinking of pre-APS, the novel precursor APS with the ceramic yield 91% was prepared.