In the present study, ZrB2 nano powders were synthesized using sol-gel method. Zirconium alkoxide was used as the source of zirconium and boric acid as the source of boron. The size of precursor nanoparticle was controlled using the pH parameter inside the sol, and the More
In the present study, ZrB2 nano powders were synthesized using sol-gel method. Zirconium alkoxide was used as the source of zirconium and boric acid as the source of boron. The size of precursor nanoparticle was controlled using the pH parameter inside the sol, and the formation of primary nuclei of ZrB2 phase and their crystallized amount were investigated using the temperature parameter. To evaluate the mechanism of product formation during the sol-gel process, DLS analysis showed that the size of precursor particle inside the sol at pH less than 5 was below 10 nm. Mixing of precursor particles at molecular level inside the sol was one of the important reasons in reducing the synthesis temperature of ZrB2 particles. FTIR analysis on chemical bonds showed that Zr-O-B bond was formed inside the gel powder.DTA analysis showed that the primary nuclei of ZrB2 particles were formed at a temperature of about 1400 °C. XRD observations proved that the primary nuclei of the ZrB2 phase crystallized and grew at a temperature of about 1500°C. Surface research revealed that the specific surface area of the synthesized ZrB2 particles is equivalent to 115 m2/g, and also the surfaces of these particles are porous, and the size of these porosities is in meso range. SEM analysis showed that the particle size of ZrB2 having homogeneous morphology is about 50 nm. TEM microstructural analysis revealed that ZrB2 particles were formed uniformly and orderly in very fine dimensions.
Manuscript profile
In the present paper, ZrB2-SiC was developed by pressureless sintering method and SiC powder at nano and micro-sized scale was used as reinforcement phase. In order to produce composite samples, the primary powders were milled and blended in planetary ball mill apparatu More
In the present paper, ZrB2-SiC was developed by pressureless sintering method and SiC powder at nano and micro-sized scale was used as reinforcement phase. In order to produce composite samples, the primary powders were milled and blended in planetary ball mill apparatus with rotational speed of 200rpm and then processed using hot pressing (70ᵒC and 70MPa), cold isostatic press (200MPa), Pyrolysis (1000ᵒC) and sintering (2150ᵒC). The values of relative density and porosity of samples were measured to evaluate the effect of presence of micro-sized SiC and SiC nano particles simultaneously on the pressureless sintering behavior of ZrB2-SiC. In order to compare the microstructure and mechanical properties of samples Scanning Electron microscopy (SEM), equipped with EDS spectroscopy, XRD analysis, hardness and toughness tests were used. The results show that as the volume percentage of nano SiC decreases to 15 vol.%, the hardness, toughness, relative density and shrinkage initially increase and then decrease.
Manuscript profile
ZrB2–SiC–ZrC nanocomposite were fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) using ZrB2–SiC–ZrC synthesized powder by MA-SPS route. In the present research, sintering mechanism was investigated by displacement-temperature-time (DTT), displacement r More
ZrB2–SiC–ZrC nanocomposite were fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) using ZrB2–SiC–ZrC synthesized powder by MA-SPS route. In the present research, sintering mechanism was investigated by displacement-temperature-time (DTT), displacement rate vs. temperature and displacement rate vs. time diagrams which were obtained during spark plasma sintering cycles. Sintering process of the composite was completed after 17 min at temperature of 1750°C. By using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) pattern and Rietveld method, the mean crystallites sizes of about 77, 62 and 56 nm were calculated for ZrB2, SiC and ZrC phases, respectively. The physical and mechanical properties of sintered composite such as: density, Flexural strength, Vickers hardness and fracture toughness were % 99/3, 563 MPa, 18 GPa and 4.9 MPa.m1/2, respectively. Finally scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images show three different phases well distributed all over the sample. It is clear that ZrB2, SiC and ZrC phases are well connected and have good continuity.
Manuscript profile
Sanad
Sanad is a platform for managing Azad University publications