Sharif Digital Repository

The effect of high-energy ball milling on the textural evolution of alumina nanopowders (compaction response, sinter-ability, grain growth and the degree of agglomeration) during post sintering process is studied. The applied pressure required for the breakage of the agglomerates (P y) during milling was estimated and the key elements of compressibility (i.e. critical pressure (P cr) and compressibility (b)) were calculated. Based on the results, the fracture point of the agglomerates decreased from 150 to 75 MPa with prolonged milling time from 3 to 60 min. Furthermore, the powders were formed by different shaping methods such as cold isostatic press (CIP) and uniaxial press (UP) to better... 

Alumina-silicate composite coatings were formed on titanium substrate by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) process using a silicate-based electrolyte containing alumina nanoparticles. Microstructure, chemical and phase compositions, and thickness of the coatings were investigated to determine, coating mechanism and probable reactions during the process. The effect of processing time on corrosion resistance of the coatings was investigated using the potentiodynamic polarization test. Barrier layer (TiO2) formation, micro arcs occurrence, and electrolyte ionization were the main stages of PEO coating growth process. Alumina nanoparticles were incorporated into the coating by cataphoretic and... 

In this study Al2O3-SiC micro/nanocomposites have been fabricated by mixing alumina nanopowders and silicon carbide micro/nanopowders, followed by hot pressing at 1550, 1600, 1650 and 1700°C. The density, mechanical properties and fracture mode of Al2O3-SiC composites containing different volume fractions (2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, 10% and 15%) of micro/nanoscale SiC particles were investigated and compared with those of alumina. The relative density of composites could reach values very close to theoretical density, especially after sintering at 1700°C. However, relative density declined by increasing the SiC fraction at the same sintering temperature. The flexural strength of composites was best for... 

Alumina-MWCNT composite was densified by microwave sintering. CNTs were coated with boehmite nanoparticles to enhance their distribution in composite samples. Calcination temperature of composite powder was determined by TGA analysis (5 °C/min). Samples containing 0 and 1vol%CNT were produced by cold isostatic pressing at 180 MPa. Microwave sintering (1520 °C for 45 min) was conducted under the flow of argon. Phase analysis of the calcined composite powder showed complete transformation of boehmite into gamma-alumina. The relative densities were 99.3% and 98.1% for monolithic alumina and composite, respectively. CNT addition improved the fracture toughness of alumina by ~37%. SEM images... 

A near fully dense mullite-TiB2-CNTs hybrid composite was prepared successfully trough spark plasma sintering. 1 wt%CNT and 10 wt%TiB2 were mixed with nano-sized mullite powders using a high energy mixer mill. Spark plasma sintering was carried out at 1350 °C under the primary and final pressure of 10 MPa and 30 MPa, respectively. XRD results showed mullite and TiB2 as dominant crystalline phases accompanied by tiny peaks of alumina. The microstructure of prepared composites demonstrated uniform distribution of TiB2 reinforcements in mullite matrix without any pores and porosities as a result of near fully densified spark plasma sintered composite. The fracture surface of composite revealed... 

Zirconia Toughened Alumina (ZTA) Nanocomposites were prepared using Nano sized Zirconia (ZrO2) powders doped with 3% mol of yttria (Y 2O3) nanopowders. Diffusion of α-alumina (Al 2O3) nanoparticles as well as yttria into the Zirconia lattice network drives monoclinic - tetragonal martensitic transformation. Zirconia toughened alumina (ZTA) composites containing different amount of partially stabilized Zirconia (PSZ) 5, 10, 15 and 20% mol, were prepared via wet mixing and axial pressing. After sintering at different temperatures,1450, 1550 and 1650 °C, phase change in the samples were monitored. X-ray diffraction patterns showed that at constant composition, tetragonal zirconia was increased... 

Magnesia-dolomite refractories have advantages such as stability in the basic environments, clean steel production, high corrosion resistance, proper covering in the cement furnace, and low production costs. However, their application is restricted due to low hydration resistance. In this research, the effects of nano and micro alumina particles on the microstructure, sintering behavior, and properties of magnesia-dolomite refractories were studied. For this purpose, MgO-CaO refractories were formulated using dolomite and magnetite and 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 wt percentage nano and micro alumina were added to the formulation. Phase and microstructure analysis of the samples were performed using... 

Two-step sintering (TSS) was applied to suppress the accelerated grain growth of sub-micron (∼150 nm) alumina powder. The application of an optimum TSS regime led to a remarkable decrease of grain size down to ∼500 nm; while the grain size of the full-dense structures produced by conventional sintering ranged between 1 and 2 μm. To find how important the temperatures at sintering steps might be, several TSS regimes were conducted. The results showed that the temperatures at both sintering steps play vital roles in densification and grain growth of the alumina compacts. Based on the results, the optimum regime consisted of heating the green bodies up to 1250 °C (first step) and then holding...