Sharif Digital Repository

A modified mixed oxide method which is based on a two step reaction sintering process was designed to obtain single phase PMN ceramics. In this regard, pyrochlore phase formation during calcination process at different calcination temperatures was studied to determine the best soaking temperature for the first step in the specified method. In other words, the calcination temperature in which the least pyrochlore phase produced was chosen as the first step soaking temperature. The results showed that by utilizing this new method, single phase PMN ceramics with a high relative density of 98% can be synthesized successfully using conventional mixed oxide starting materials. © 2007 Springer... 

Kinetics of air oxidation of MgO-C-Al refractory at 600°-1300°C were investigated using the software based on the modifled shrinking core model (KDA). Commercial bricks containing 88.5% MgO, 10% residual carbon, and 1.5% aluminum anti-oxidant were oxidized isothermally with air. Combination of experimental data with model calculations indicated gas diffusion through solid material and pores as a major controlling step. Previously observed chemisorption process was eliminated from the rate-controlling mechanism with addition of aluminum antioxidant. Comprehensive rate equations were devised for MgO-C-Al and MgO-C oxidation reactions. Overall activation energies of Q id (internal diffusion) =... 

A technique to achieve the globular weld structure using stirring the localized semisolid zone during butt-joining of zinc AG40A (Zamak-3) die cast alloy is reported. Since the semisolid temperature range of this alloy is very narrow, the accurate controlling of weld pool temperature must be considered. By presented process, globular microstructure of the weld zone can be achieved. Moreover the near weld zone would have the globular structure due to semisolid holding. A gas heating system was designed to heat up the nitrogen gas to desired temperature accurately. A heating element was embedded in a castable ceramic block while a stream of gas could pass closely around the hot element length.... 

Tetragonal Gd 1-x Pr x BaSrCu 3O 7-δ (GdPr1113) polycrystalline high-temperature superconducting ceramic samples have been synthesized by the standard solid-state reaction process with different calcination and sintering temperatures and characterized by XRD and SEM. The optimum synthesis temperatures for obtaining single phase varied with Pr doping. Higher temperatures were necessary to obtain single phase for x ≥ 0.3. It was found that higher synthesis temperatures improved the electrical characteristics of these materials. The effects of different calcination and sintering temperatures on the anomalous hump in the ρ(T) curves observed at about 80 K is investigated. The percentage of the... 

The effects of SiC addition on the foaming behavior and compressive properties of AlSi7 metal foams were studied. Elemental powders of Al, Si, SiC and TiH2 were mixed, hot compacted and foamed at temperatures between 750 and 810 °C. The role of SiC volume fraction up to 10 vol.% and its particle size (3, 8 and 16 μm) was investigated. It was found that the foaming behavior of AlSi7 alloy, i.e. the maximum foam expansion and its stability, depends on the size and volume fraction of SiC particles. Increasing the amount of the ceramic particles and/or decreasing the particle size leads to less melt drainage whilst the cell structure becomes non-uniform. This is attributed to the effect of the... 

Machining of ceramics often involves many challenges due to their high hardness, brittleness, and low thermal properties. Laser assisted machining (LAM) is a promising technology for improving the machinability of hard-to-cut materials. In this work, laser assisted machining of slip cast fused silica (SCFS) ceramics is investigated by presenting a numerical thermal analysis of laser effects on material behaviour. A transient three-dimensional heat transfer analysis for laser assisted turning of SCFS is performed using finite element method. Temperature distributions in SCFS cylindrical specimens are obtained. Experimental results are provided to validate the numerical results  

Gelcasting, as a ceramic forming technique, is getting worldwide attention, in that it can be used to make high-quality, complex-shaped ceramic parts with a wide range of powders. However, a model, which can appropriately describe the shear rate dependence behavior of the slurry in casting process simulation, is limited. Therefore, this study mainly sought to investigate the best model representing the behavior of as-prepared gelcast slurry. A premix solution was prepared with monomer/cross linker of AM/MBAM with ratio of 25:1. In this procedure, ammonium polyacrylate sodium (NHPANa) was used as the dispersant and the solid load included Al2O3/20 vol% ZrO2 powder mixture. Series of slurries... 

In this work, the effect of zircon content on the mechanical and chemical behaviors of injection molded silica-based ceramic cores has been investigated. In order to simulate a casting process condition, the sintered samples at 1220 C were consequently heated up to 1430 C. Three point bending tests were carried out on all the prepared samples. The chemical resistance of the prepared cores was evaluated by leaching of samples in 43% KOH solution at its boiling point. Phase evolution and microstructure were investigated by XRD and SEM, respectively. Results showed that increasing zircon content led to an increase in MOR and decrease in leachability owing to the decrease in content of fused... 

Addition of spinel (MgAl2O4) to Al2O3-ZrO2 composite inhibits alumina grain growth and produces phase boundaries that leads to formation of a ceramic matrix composite with special mechanical properties such as high temperature superplastic deformation. However, the room temperature mechanical properties of Alumina-zirconia-magnesia spinel composite (AZM) such as fracture toughness were rarely investigated by researchers. In this research the AZM nanocomposite powders were synthesized via the solution combustion method. The dense AZM composite samples were fabricated through gelcasting process. Phase analysis studies were performed on both powder and sintered samples and the effects of spinel... 

In this work, cristobalite crystallization and its effects on mechanical and chemical behaviour of injection moulded silica-based ceramic cores were investigated. In order to simulate casting process condition, the sintered samples at 1220 °C were also heated up to 1430 °C. Flexural strength test was carried out on both sintered and heat treated samples. Chemical resistance of the cores was evaluated by leaching the samples inside 43. wt% KOH solution at its boiling point. Phase evolution and microstructure were investigated by thermal analyses (DTA and DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy (OM). Results showed that cristobalite was... 

Addition of fine zirconia particles in the alumina matrix in order to produce ZTA composite is a well-known method for improving the mechanical properties of alumina ceramics such as flexural strength and fracture toughness. Increasing homogeneity and reducing alumina grain size are two key factors for achieving proper mechanical properties in this ceramic matrix composite. In this work two batches of ZTA powder precursor were prepared through mixing of alumina and zirconia by ball milling and in situ synthesis of ZTA composite via solution combustion method. The bending strength testing samples were fabricated through gel-casting process. The effects of different powder processing methods... 

Ta0.8Hf0.2C ceramic has the highest melting point among the known materials (4000 °C). However, this high melting point makes the ceramic difficult to be sintered at temperatures lower than 2300 °C, pressurelessly. The purpose of this study is to consolidate Ta 0.8Hf0.2C UHTC by pressureless sintering at 2000 °C using MoSi2 as sintering aid. In this regard, effect of different amounts of MoSi2 on sintering behavior of Ta0.8Hf 0.2 UHTC was investigated. It was observed that condensation of the UHTC after sintering at 2000 °C was enhanced by increasing MoSi2 content and the highest relative density of 95% was obtained in the presence of 24 vol.% MoSi2. XRD pattern of the sintered UHTC... 

Due to its vast applications and stochastic nature, grinding has been the subject of investigations and modifications for decades. Applying ultrasonic vibration in grinding has been a successful innovation introducing benefits such as reduced forces and temperature, improved surface quality, and making higher removal rates possible. In this work a set-up is developed for utilizing ultrasonic vibrations in cylindrical grinding. This is done by rotating and simultaneously vibrating the workpiece material. The set-up is used for cylindrical grinding of Alumina-zirconia ceramic as a difficult-to-grind and widely used industrial ceramic. Optimized parameters for efficient grinding and surface... 

The properties of Functionally Graded Materials (FGM) are characterized by gradual variation of volume fraction of their constituents or phases over the thickness direction. They are normally ceramic in one side and metal in the other side. This kind of material has been employed as thermal barrier and also as coatings in many applications including turbine blades. Thermal stress behavior of FGMs is normally studied by simulating the material as a composite laminate where the properties ofeach layer are found by averaging the properties and volume fraction of FGM constituents through the thickness of the layer. However, it should be mentioned that the grains of FGM constituents are usually... 

In this article the constitutive equation of an Euler-Bernoulli beam, excited by multiple moving masses is considered. A set of multiple piezo-ceramic actuators is used to harness the dynamic response of the beam. In this regard the beam response is suppressed by utilizing a linear control algorithm with a time varying gain matrix and displacement-velocity feedback. The efficiency of the results is investigated through the numerical analysis of an example problem  

This paper outlines the effectiveness of the ultrasonic machining of alumina in terms of tool wear rate of the tool used and the material removal rate of work piece produced. The optimum combination of various input factors as type of abrasive slurry, their size and concentration, power and feed rate, in the machining of alumina has been determined by applying the Taguchi technique, also analysis is used to choose the best shape for horn. The study shows that among input parameters, power has the highest effect on MRR (material removal rate). Effects of grit size and feed rate on TWR (tool wear rate) also investigated  

In this study organically modified nanoclay were prepared by exchanging of the cetyltrimethylammonium (CTAB), with inorganic/metal ions/cations in montmorillonite structure. To investigate the influence of the amount of modifier on basal spacing and subsequent removal efficiency of hydrocarbon, different amount of modifier was used. The modified and unmodified nanoclays characterized by XRD, CHN and FTIR techniques. The X-ray diffraction results showed that the interlayer spacing of CTAB-modified clays increased from 12 to 22Å. The effectiveness of the sorbent materials for sorption of a range of products was investigated using crude oil, kerosene, gasoline and toluene. The process... 

The effect of α-Al 2O 3 seeds and MgO on the densification behavior and microstructure of the nanocrystalline γ-Al 2O 3 powder was investigated. The required α-Al 2O 3 seeds were produced by 'autogenous seeding' where the seeds were obtained by calcination of the initial nanosized γ-Al 2O 3 powders above its transformation temperature and incorporated into γ-Al 2O 3 matrix. The seeds were characterized by means of laser particle size analyzer, X-ray diffraction, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface analyzer. The simultaneous influence of α-Al 2O 3 seeds and MgO on γ-Al 2O 3 behavior was evaluated by differential thermal analysis, densitometry, and electron microscopy. The results showed that... 

Ultrasonic assisted grinding is a novel method for improving the grinding process of difficult-to-cut materials. In the present research a novel setup has been designed and manufactured for utilizing ultrasonic vibrations in external cylindrical grinding. The designed ultrasonic head vibrates a rotating workpiece in axial direction. An alumina-zirconia ceramic (AZ90) has been selected as the workpiece material. Energy aspects and workpiece surface characteristics of ultrasonic assisted cylindrical grinding (UACG) and conventional cylindrical grinding (CG) processes have been analytically modeled and corresponding grinding experiments have been performed. The combined kinematics of the... 

Modified versions of the Zener drag equation were obtained by evaluating a non-random distribution of incoherent ceramic particles in a nano-crystalline material. Analytical investigation of particle-boundary correlation indicates that the limiting grain size would be proportional to fV -1/3 for fV larger than 2.96%. The limiting grain size can be obtained by a combination of random and non-random Zener drag pressure in the case of volume fractions smaller than 2.96%