Papers by Keyword: Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS)

Abstract: TZP-3Y20A/HA composites with addition of different volume fraction of hydroxyapatite (HA) were fabricated successfully using spark plasma sintering (SPS). The densification behavior and mechanical properties of composites are investigated as a function of sintering temperature and HA content respectively. The density of TZP-3Y20A composite increases steadily with temperature and a maximum value of 97.8% is obtained after sintering at 1400°C. Sintering the TZP-3Y20A/HA composites at 1400°C led to the decomposition of HA in the samples. Flexural strength, fracture toughness and Vickers hardness values increase with increasing sintering temperature, show decrease trend with increasing of HA content at the same temperature. They compared well with densities obtained at different sintering temperature. The maximum flexural strength, fracture toughness and Vickers hardness of 967.1 MPa, 5.27 MPam1/2 and 13.26 GPa were achieved for TZP-3Y20A composite respectively. Flexural strength, fracture toughness and Vickers hardness values of TZP-3Y20A/HA composite fell within the value range of dense HA and of TZP-3Y20A composite.

Abstract: Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) reinforced alumina composites were prepared by spark plasma sintering using pristine MWCNTs and acid-treated MWCNTs. The effect of acid treatment on the structure and surface potential of the MWCNTs was examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and zeta potential analyzer. It is demonstrated that with the acid treatment of the MWCNTs, we have deliberately introduced nanoscale defects and negatively charged functional groups on the surface of the MWCNTs. The average depths of the defects are typically 4.8-10.8 nm. Mechanical measurements revealed that surface modification of the MWCNTs is effective in improvement of bending strength and fracture toughness of the MWCNT/alumina composites. Only 0.9 vol.% acid-treated MWCNT addition results in 27% and 25% simultaneous increases in bending strength (689.6 MPa) and fracture toughness (5.90 MPa m1/2), respectively.

Abstract: Capability of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to create in-depth gradients in properties and functionalities of conventional materials has been investigated for the first time. Functionally graded material (FGM) concept has also been employed for the first time to bridge conventional materials to their advanced nanocomposites containing a high concentration of CNTs, which is promising for unexplored yet novel structural, electronic and biomaterial applications. In this study, α-alumina ceramics considered as the most challenging case has been used as the matrix. Bulk, layered, nanostructure-controlled, CNT-based, functionally graded α-alumina ceramics have been fabricated employing a recently established powder processing technology. In-depth gradients in microstructure, grain size and hardness have been successfully achieved in alumina ceramic without cracking, delamination or warping, after homogeneous and gradual incorporation of the CNTs within the alumina ceramic matrix. The FGM approach showed promise to successfully bridge conventional ceramics to their nanocomposites containing a high concentration of CNTs.

Abstract: Ti and Ti alloys are widely used as metallic implants, because of their good mechanical properties and nontoxic behavior. However, they have problems as the implant-materials, namely, high Young’s modulus comparing that of bone and low bonding ability with bone. There is a need to develop the Ti and Ti alloys with lower Young’s modulus and good bonding ability. In previous study, Ti composite containing biodegradable poly-L-lactic-acid (PLLA) fiber has been fabricated to improve these problems. However, this composite has low strength because of the imperfect sintering of Ti matrix. To improve its strength, sintering of Ti matrix should be completed. In this study, Ti-NaCl composite material was fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) method using powder mixture of Ti and NaCl to complete the sintering of Ti matrix. To obtain porous Ti samples, Ti-NaCl composite were put into hot water of 100 oC. The porous Ti was dipped into PLLA melt in order to introduce PLLA into the pores of porous Ti. Finally, Ti-PLLA composite was obtained, and PLLA plays a role as reinforcement of Ti matrix. It was found that the Ti-PLLA composite has gradient structure and mechanical properties.

Abstract: Minimum interlayer numbers of functionally graded materials (FGMs) are studied based on the empirical analysis of thermal stress due to the differences in the thermal expansion coefficient  and temperature T between sintering and room temperatures. It is found the maximum ,   and the minimum interlayer number necessary to produce a NiCr / Fly ash FGM structure without interface cracking were 4.0×10-6 K-1, 1080 K, 0.043 and 2, respectively. The condition  < 0.043 was derived and confirmed to be valid for available FGM systems.

Abstract: Ca2Co2O5 ceramic powders were synthesized by the coprecipitation method and consolidated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique.The observation by the SEM indicated that the ceramics body showed fine and layer microstructure.The density of the body increased with an increase of the fritting temperature.XRD patterns showed that the ceramics sample exhibits inpure phase with increasing the sintering temperayure to 850°C and that the grain was preferentially oriented.The electrical conductivity was reduce and the Seebeck coefficient slightly increased with an increase of the sintering temperature.As a result,the thermoelectric properties of the sample prepared by SPS at 800 °C for 5 min was better than the sample prepared by SPS at 750 °C for 5 min at high temperature.The sample treated by the SPS process under the condition of 800 °C,40 MPa and 5 min showed the maximum power factor (PF) of 3.85×10-4W∙m-1∙K-2 at 923 K.

Abstract: In view of considerable attention in the development of liquid phase sintered SiC, a comprehensive study of the data on processing, structure and properties seems highly relevant. This article provides a detailed and critical overview of liquid phase sintered silicon carbide ceramics with primary emphasis of grain-boundary/secondary phase evolution, their structure, distribution on the final properties of the sintered materials. The roles of individual additives in developing boundary microstructures will be identified and demonstrated to be critical in optimizing the mechanical properties, including fracture toughness, flexural strength and creep resistance. Numerous methods of structure-properties modification, like in-situ-toughening, -SiC phase transformation, volume of liquid phase, partial/full crystallization of grain-boundary and/or secondary phases are conclusively discussed. Apart from conventional pressureless sintering of SiC, enhanced spark plasma sintering with different oxide and non-oxide sintering additives are also discussed in terms of phase evolution, microstructure and their structure mechanical properties are correlated.

Abstract: The most interesting feature in silicon carbide is the structure-property relation where the formation of different types of microstructure due to different structural modifications (polytypism) and grain-boundary/interfacial phase chemistry dictate the final properties of the monoliths. Since synthesis of SiC in last century, several methods such as hot pressing with a sintering aid (B, C), pressureless sintering with a sintering aid (B, C, Al) and reaction bonded (Si-SiC) were used to fabricate dense SiC. A newer method of fast sintering (spark plasma sintering) using pulsed current is also employed to consolidate nano/submicron size SiC with or without additives. The solid state sintered SiC materials have fine-grained equiaxed microstructure (grain size 1 to 4 µm) with thin layer of intergranular phases (amorphous film), exhibit moderate high-temperature creep and oxidation resistance, fracture toughness (3 to 4 MPam1/2) and have highly flaw-sensitive strength at room temperature. The high temperature mechanical properties are highly influenced by the presence of free C, Al and B + C containing grain-boundary phases. Moreover, during prolong processing, abnormal grain growth occurs resulting in anisotropic -SiC phase formation. The Si-SiC materials are poor candidates for high-temperature applications due to the limit set by the melting point of silicon, and the limitations of hot pressing (HPSiC) as a densification technique are well known. SPSed SiC without sintering additive revealed inferior mechanical properties attributed to poor bonding between adjacent grains. In the present survey, an overview of the new developments in silicon carbide processing and properties will be presented together with the information on structure-properties correlationship. Information on the structure of the grain-boundary/secondary phases and interfaces until now was not comprehensively analyzed.

Abstract: Two different kinds of mullite precursors with composition 3Al2O3•2SiO2 (3:2) were prepared by conventional drying ethanol solution and spray-drying aqueous solution of aluminum nitrate nanohydrate and tetraethoxysilane, respectively. The results of scanning electron microscope (SEM) indicate that one powder consists of irregular particles with size of 1-10μm, the other powder is made of inhomogeneously sized hollow spherical particles with mean size of 0.5-5μm. The TG-DTA curves indicate the hollow spherical particles are unfavorable to eliminate the decomposed products. After the precursors were sintered by Spark Plasma Sintering at 1450°C for 10min, the microstructures of the former are made of fine equiaxed grains with sizes of around 0.5μm, the latter consist of elongated grains distributed in the matrix of fine grains with imhomogenous size of 0.5~10μm due to the liquid phase forming. The different microstructures lead to the former sintered body is transparent, while, the sample from spray-drying is opaque.

Abstract: Many laboratories have researched membrane for gasification of coal technique, separating hydrogen from fossil fuel. In general, Pd membrane of separating hydrogen is very good a property of hydrogen selectivity on high temperature, but it has some problems, hydrogen embrittlement and costly material. So, we need some materials of good properties about hydrogen selectivity instead of Pd. In this research, we fabricate membrane for hydrogen permeation, that is great in resistance to acids and chemically steady TiN. Our laboratory investigated about hydrogen selectivity. TiN powder is milled 30, 60 and 240 minutes by vibration mill, respectively. After than the samples put in operate spark plasma sintering. We analyze XRD, SEM, BET and TG/DSC. Also, in this research take an inspect hydrogen selectivity by ourselves manufactured Sievert’s type hydrogen permeation membrane equipment.