Sintering Behavior and Microstructure of diphasic β-Sialon/Al2O3 Composites

Six compositions with different ratio of β-Sialon/Al₂O₃ were synthesized from Al₂O₃, Si₃N₄ and SiO₂ by sintering with 3%Y₂O₃(mass fraction) as addition under the cover with powders of SiC+C and at nitrogen atmosphere. Theeffects of atmosphere, sintering temperature and composition on the sintering behavior were studied. The results showedthat the composites reached the best sintering behavior with the highest density about 92% at 1 650℃ under the weakreduction atmosphere. Finally the relative density of diphasic β-Sialon and β-Sialon/Al₂O₃ composites were studied andpredicted using ANN (Artificial Neural Networks) method and the results were experimental examined by fore randomsamples.     

In situ reaction mechanism of MgAlON in Al-Al2O3-MgO composites at 1700℃ under flowing N2

The Al-Al₂O₃-MgO composites with added aluminum contents of approximately 0wt%, 5wt%, and 10wt%, named as M₁, M₂, and M₃, respectively, were prepared at 1700℃ for 5 h under a flowing N₂ atmosphere using the reaction sintering method. After sintering, the Al-Al₂O₃-MgO composites were characterized and analyzed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The results show that specimen M₁ was composed of MgO and MgAl₂O₄. Compared with specimen M₁, specimens M₂ and M₃ possessed MgAlON, and its production increased with increasing aluminum addition. Under an N₂ atmosphere, MgO, Al₂O₃, and Al in the matrix of specimens M₂ and M₃ reacted to form MgAlON and AlN-polytypoids, which combined the particles and the matrix together and imparted the Al-Al₂O₃-MgO composites with a dense structure. The mechanism of MgAlON synthesis is described as follows. Under an N₂ atmosphere, the partial pressure of oxygen is quite low; thus, when the Al-Al₂O₃-MgO composites were soaked at 580℃ for an extended period, aluminum metal was transformed into AlN. With increasing temperature, Al₂O₃ diffused into AlN crystal lattices and formed AlN-polytypoids; however, MgO reacted with Al₂O₃ to form MgAl₂O₄. When the temperature was greater than (1640 ±10)℃, AlN diffused into Al₂O₃ and formed spinel-structured AlON. In situ MgAlON was acquired through a solid-solution reaction between AlON and MgAl₂O₄ at high temperatures because of their similar spinel structures.     

Reaction mechanism for in-situ β-SiAlON formation in Fe3Si-Si3N4-Al2O3 composites

In this work, Fe₃Si-Si₃N₄-Al₂O₃ composites were prepared at 1300℃ in an N₂ atmosphere using fused corundum and tabular alumina particles, Al₂O₃ fine powder, and ferrosilicon nitride (Fe₃Si-Si₃N₄) as raw materials and thermosetting phenolic resin as a binder. The effect of ferrosilicon nitride with different concentrations (0wt%, 5wt%, 10wt%, 15wt%, 20wt%, and 25wt%) on the properties of Fe₃Si-Si₃N₄-Al₂O₃ composites was investigated. The results show that the apparent porosity varies between 10.3% and 17.3%, the bulk density varies from 2.94 g/cm3 and 3.30 g/cm3, and the cold crushing strength ranges from 67 MPa to 93 MPa. Under the experimental conditions, ferrosilicon nitride, whose content decreases substantially, is unstable; part of the ferrosilicon nitride is converted into Fe₂C, whereas the remainder is retained, eventually forming the ferrosilicon alloy. Thermodynamic assessment of the Si₅AlON₇ indicated that the ferrosilicon alloy accelerated the reactions between Si₃N₄ and α-Al₂O₃ fine powder and that Si in the ferrosilicon alloy was nitrided directly, forming β-SiAlON simultaneously. In addition, fused corundum did not react directly with Si₃N₄ because of its low reactivity.     

Influence of sulfides on the tribological properties of composites produced by pulse electric current sintering

Self-lubricating Al₂O₃-15wt% ZrO₂ composites with sulfides, such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) and tungsten disulfide (WS₂) serving as solid lubricants, were fabricated by using the pulse electric current sintering (PECS) technique. The coefficient of friction (COF) of the Al₂O₃-15wt% ZrO₂ composite without/with sulfides was in the range of 0.37–0.48 and 0.27–0.49, respectively. As the amount of sulfides increased, the COF and the wear rate decreased. The reduction in COF and wear rate of the sulfide-containing composite is caused by a reduction in shear stresses between the specimen and the tribological medium due to the formation of a lubricating film resulting from the lamellar structure of sulfides located on the worn surface.     

SOFC composite electrolyte based on LSGM-8282 and zirconia or doped zirconia from zircon concentrate

The aim of this research is to study zirconia-based electrolyte materials to increase the commercial value of zircon concentrate as a side product of tin mining industries. Synthesis of CaO-Y₂O₃-ZrO₂ (CYZ) and 8mol% Y₂O₃-ZrO₂ (8YSZ) was carried out by solid state reaction. The result shows that ZrO₂ presents in tetragonal phase. Doping of Y₂O₃ into ZrO₂ allows a phase transformation from tetragonal into cubic structure with small percentage of monoclinic phase. Meanwhile, doping of CaO-Y₂O₃ allows a phase transformation into a single cubic phase. These phase transformations enhance the ionic conductivity of the material. Introduction of 10wt% of LSGM-8282 into CYZ (CYZ-L90:10) allows further improvement of inter-grain contact shown by SEM morphological analysis and leads to the enhancement of ionic conductivity.     

Mechanical Properties and Erosive Wear Resistance of Zirconia Toughened Al2O3-TiC Ceramics

The effect of ZrO₂, content on the fracture toughness, flexural strength and Vickers hardness as well as the erosive wear resistant properties of zirconia toughened Al₂O₃-TiC ceramic composites has been investigated. The results showed that the improvement in fracture toughness and flexure strength of composites with the content of zirconia less than 50% and 10% in mass fraction respectively,is primarily attributed to stress-induced transformation toughening by the analyse of X-ray diffraction. The dependance of erosion wear resistance on the attack angle and the content of ZrO₂, panicles of the composites was also revealed. It is found that the erosion rate of the composites has a sharp rise at a attack angle over 65°. This phenomenon is due to a brittle response to the erosion test by microsmictural observation on eroded surface.     

SiC/Si-W-Mo coating for protection of C/C composites at 1873 K

In order to prevent carbon/carbon composites from oxidation at 1873 K, an efficient oxidation protective SiC/Si-W-Mo coating was prepared by a two-step pack cementation technique. The microstructures and the phase composition of the as-received multi-coating were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). It is seen that the compact multi-coating is composed of α-SiC, Si, and (W_xMO_1-x)Si₂. Oxidation test shows that, after oxidation at 1873 K in air for 102 h and thermal cycling between 1873 K and room temperature for 10 times, the weight loss of the SiC/Si-W-Mo coated C/C composites is only 0.26%. The invalidation of the multi-coating is attributed to the formation of penetrable cracks in the coating. 2008 University of Science and Technology Beijing. All rights reserved.     

Fabrication of Fe–TiC–Al2O3 composites on the surface of steel using a TiO2–Al–C–Fe combustion reaction induced by gas tungsten arc cladding

The aim of the present study was to fabricate Fe–TiC–Al₂O₃ composites on the surface of medium carbon steel. For this purpose, TiO₂–3C and 3TiO₂–4Al–3C–xFe (0 ≤ x ≤ 4.6 by mole) mixtures were pre-placed on the surface of a medium carbon steel plate. The mixtures and substrate were then melted using a gas tungsten arc cladding process. The results show that the martensite forms in the layer produced by the TiO₂–3C mixture. However, ferrite–Fe₃C–TiC phases are the main phases in the microstructure of the clad layer produced by the 3TiO₂–4Al–3C mixture. The addition of Fe to the TiO₂–4Al–3C reactants with the content from 0 to 20wt% increases the volume fraction of particles, and a composite containing approximately 9vol% TiC and Al₂O₃ particles forms. This composite substantially improves the substrate hardness. The mechanism by which Fe particles enhance the TiC + Al₂O₃ volume fraction in the composite is determined.     

Preparation of nano-TiO2/diatomite-based porous ceramics and their photocatalytic kinetics for formaldehyde degradation

Diatomite-based porous ceramics were adopted as carriers to immobilize nano-TiO₂ via a hydrolysis-deposition technique. The thermal degradation of as-prepared composites was investigated using thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis, and the phase and microstructure were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicated that the carriers were encapsulated by nano-TiO₂ with a thickness of 300-450 nm. The main crystalline phase of TiO₂ calcined at 650℃ was anatase, and the average grain size was 8.3 nm. The FT-IR absorption bands at 955.38 cm-1 suggested that new chemical bonds among Ti, O, and Si had formed in the composites. The photocatalytic (PC) activity of the composites was investigated under UV irradiation. Furthermore, the photodegradation kinetics of formaldehyde was investigated using the composites as the cores of an air cleaner. A kinetics study showed that the reaction rate constants of the gas-phase PC reaction of formaldehyde were κ=0.576 mg·m-3·min-1 and K=0.048 m3.     

基于优化氧化铁皮和焦粉配比的铁矿烧结过程NOx减排研究

Reducing NO_x emission of iron ore sintering process in a cost effective manner is a challenge for the iron and steel industry at present. Effects of the proportion of mill scale and coke breeze on the NO_x emission, strength of sinter, and sinter indexes were studied by combustion and sinter pot tests. Results showed that the peak value of NO concentration, total of NO emission, and fuel-N conversion rate gradually decreased as the proportions of the mill scale increased because NO was reduced to N₂ by Fe₃O₄, FeO, and Fe in the mill scale. The strength of sinter reached the highest value at 8.0wt% mill scale due to the formation of minerals with low melting point. The fuel-N conversion rate slightly fluctuated and total NO_x emission significantly decreased with the decreased proportions of coke breeze because CO formation and content of N element in the sintered mixture decreased. However, the sinter strength also decreased due to the decrease in the amount of the melting minerals. Furthermore, results of the sinter pot tests indicated that NO_x emission decreased. The sinter indexes performed well when the proportions of mill scale and coke breeze were 8.0wt% and 3.70wt% respectively in the sintered mixture.     

PREPARATION OF COMPLEX ZrO2-Y2O3 SOL

Complex ZrO₂-Y₂O₃ sol were prepared from precursors of inorganic salts and metal alkoxides. The processes for complex ZrO₂-Y₂O₃ sol preparation and purification, the sol-gel transformation and the characterization of the sol from the two kinds of precursors were discussed and compared. It was found that the colloidal particles were amorphous in nature, and extremely fine (<10nm) in the both cases. ZrO₂-Y₂O₃ coatings on GH220 superalloy samples MCrAlX (M=Fe, Co, Ni, X=Y, Ta,Hf…) pre-coated) were prepared using sols from the two different processes and tested at 1000 ℃ for 100 h in laboratory air. Results showed that only the coatings from the metal alkoxides derived sol offered excellent oxidation resistance.     

Effect of Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3sf</Subscript> addition on the friction and wear properties of (SiC<Subscript>p</Subscript>+Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3sf</Subscript>)/Al2024 composites fabricated by pressure infiltration

Aluminum (Al) 2024 matrix composites reinforced with alumina short fibers (Al₂O_3sf) and silicon carbide particles (SiC_p) as wear-resistant materials were prepared by pressure infiltration in this study. Further, the effect of Al₂O_3sf on the friction and wear properties of the as-synthesized composites was systematically investigated, and the relationship between volume fraction and wear mechanism was discussed. The results showed that the addition of Al₂O_3sf, characterized by the ratio of Al₂O_3sf to SiC_p, significantly affected the properties of the composites and resulted in changes in wear mechanisms. When the volume ratio of Al₂O_3sf to SiC_p was increased from 0 to 1, the rate of wear mass loss (K_m) and coefficients of friction (COFs) of the composites decreased, and the wear mechanisms were abrasive wear and furrow wear. When the volume ratio was increased from 1 to 3, the COF decreased continuously; however, the K_m increased rapidly and the wear mechanism became adhesive wear.     

Control the growth of Fe3O4 on the surface of saponite and its redox effect on Cr(VI)

In this paper, Magnetite/Saponite(Fe₃O₄/Sap) composites were prepared by hydrothermal synthesis and coprecipitation. The prepared Fe3O4/sap composites had high purity and good crystallinity, and nano-Fe₃O₄was uniformly dispersed on the surface of saponite. Moreover, the removal efficiency of Fe₃O₄/Sap composites for Cr(VI) in water was evaluated. This study revealed the existence of abundant oxygen vacancies and hydroxyl groups on...     

Preparation of long alumina fibers by sol-gel method using tartaric acid

Long alumina fibers were prepared by sol-gel method. The spinning sol was obtained by mixing aluminum nitrate, tartaric acid, and polyvinylpyrrolidone with a mass ratio of 10:3:1.5. Thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the properties of the gel and ceramic fibers. A little of α-Al₂O₃ phase is observed in the alumina precursor gel fibers sintered at 1273 K. The fibers with a uniform diameter can be obtained when sintered at 1473 K, and its main phase is also indentified as α-Al₂O₃.     

A Novel Electrochemical Oxygen Sensor for Determination of Ultra-low Oxygen Contents in Molten Metal

A novel electrochemical oxygen sensor has been developed by using Laβ-Al₂O₃ as solid electrolyte and Cr+Cr₂O₃ as reference electrode. The sensor not only can be used as normal oxygen sensor but also as an ultra-low oxygen sensor. Especially, it is very sensitive to measure ultra-low oxygen in molten metal. For estimating the accuracy of Laβ-Al₂O₃ oxygen sensor, two series of oxygen activities in molten iron at different oxygen contents and different temperature were measured by both Laβ-Al₂O₃ oxygen sensor and ZrO₂ oxygen sensor. The theoretical values of oxygen activities in molten iron (3.30%C, in mass fraction) at 1723K and 1745K were also evaluated for comparing the measuring results of two sensors. At last, the error of measurement for Laβ-Al₂O₃ oxygen sensor was discussed too.     

Structure characteristics and electrochemical properties of LiMn2O4 modified by LiCoO2

In order to improve the cycle performance of LiMn₂O₄, the modified LiMn₂O₄ was prepared by solid-state reactions using LiMn₂O₄ and LiCoO₂ as precursors. XRD and EDS were used to study the structure properties of the modified LiMn₂O₄. The electrochemical properties of the modified LiMn₂O₄ were also investigated. The results show that Li and Co atoms could insert into the LiMn₂O₄ crystal lattice and a newly formed spinel phase, modified LiMn₂O₄ was obtained. The modified LiMn₂O₄ exhibits excellent cycle ability at room and elevated temperatures compared to pure LiMn₂O₄. The improved electrochemical stability of the modified LiMn₂O₄ attributes to the entrance of Li and Co ions inserted into the spinel crystal structure.     

添加Co3O4纳米颗粒引起的残余结构应变对粉末冶金制备的Al/Co3O4纳米复合材料的结构、硬度和磁性能的影响

Al composites are of interest due to their appropriate ratio of strength to weight. In our research, an Al/Co₃O₄ nanocomposite was generated using a sintering technique. The powders of Al with various Co₃O₄ nanoparticle contents (0wt%, 0.5wt%, 1.0wt%, 1.5wt%, 2.0wt%, and 2.5wt%) were first blended using planetary milling for 30 min, and compressed in a cylindrical steel mold with a diameter of 1 cm and a height of 5 cm at a pressure of 80 MPa. The samples were evaluated with X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Vickers hardness, and a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Although the crystallite size of the Al particles remained constant at 7–10 nm, the accumulation of nanoparticles in the Al particle interspace increased the structural tensile strain from 0.0045 to 0.0063, the hardness from HV 28 to HV 52 and the magnetic saturation from 0.044 to 0.404 emu/g with an increase in Co₃O₄ nanoparticle content from 0wt% to 2.5wt%.     

Enhanced electrochemical properties of LaFeO3 with Ni modification for MH-Ni batteries

In this work, we synthesized LaFeO₃-xwt%Ni (x=0, 5, 10, 15) composites via a solid-state reaction method by adding Ni to the reactants, La₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) results revealed that Ni powders evenly dispersed among the LaFeO₃ particles and apparently reduced their aggregation, which imparted the composites with a loose structure. Moreover, the Ni formed a conductive network, thus improving the conductivity of the composites. The maximum discharge capacity of the LaFeO₃ electrodes remarkably increased from 266.8 mAh·g-1 (x=0) to 339.7 mAh·g-1 (x=10). In particular, the high-rate dischargeability of the LaFeO₃-10wt%Ni electrode at a discharge current density of 1500 mA·g-1 reached 54.6%, which was approximately 1.5 times higher than that of the pure LaFeO₃. Such a Ni-modified loose structure not only increased the charge transfer rate on the surface of the LaFeO₃ particles but also enhanced the hydrogen diffusion rate in the bulk LaFeO₃.     

Effectiveness of sodium silicate as gangue depressants in iron ore slimes flotation

The recovery of iron from the screw classifier overflow slimes by direct flotation was studied. The relative effectiveness of sodium silicates with different silica-to-soda mole ratios as depressants for silica and silicate bearing minerals was investigated. Silica-to-soda mole ratio and silicate dosage were found to have significant effect on the separation efficiency. The results show that an increase of Fe content in the concentrate is observed with concomitant reduction in SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ levels when a particular type of sodium silicate at a proper dosage is used. The concentrate of 58.89wt% Fe, 4.68wt% SiO₂, and 5.28wt% Al₂O₃ with the weight recovery of 38.74% and the metal recovery of 41.13% can be obtained from the iron ore slimes with 54.44wt% Fe, 6.72wt% SiO₂, and 6.80wt% Al₂O₃, when Na₂SiO₃ with a silica-to-soda mole ratio of 2.19 is used as a depressant at a feed rate of 0.2 kg/t.     

Microstructure and electrolysis behavior of self-healing Cu-Ni-Fe composite inert anodes for aluminum electrowinning

The microstructure evolution and electrolysis behavior of (Cu₅₂Ni₃₀Fe₁₈)-xNiFe₂O₄ (x=40wt%, 50wt%, 60wt%, and 70wt%) composite inert anodes for aluminum electrowinning were studied. NiFe₂O₄ was synthesized by solid-state reaction at 950℃. The dense anode blocks were prepared by ball-milling followed by sintering under a N₂ atmosphere. The phase evolution of the anodes after sintering was determined by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The results indicate that a substitution reaction between Fe in the alloy phase and Ni in the oxide phase occurs during the sintering process. The samples were also examined as inert anodes for aluminum electrowinning in the low-temperature KF-NaF-AlF₃ molten electrolyte for 24 h. The cell voltage during electrolysis and the corrosion scale on the anodes were analyzed. The results confirm that the scale has a self-repairing function because of the synergistic reaction between the alloy phase with Fe added and the oxide phase. The estimated wear rate of the (Cu₅₂Ni₃₀Fe₁₈)-50NiFe₂O₄ composite anode is 2.02 cm·a-1.