This diploma work is focused on exploitation of high-temperature dilatometry in sintering of advanced ceramic materials. Newly developed software is presented in this diploma work. This software is able to calculate activation energy of sintering process via concept of Master Sintering Curve. In the second part of diploma work the software was verified by evaluation of sintering of four different ceramics materials. The following activation energies of sintering were calculated: 990kJ/mol for tetragonal ZrO2 (3mol% Y2O3), 620kJ/mol for cubic ZrO2 (8mol% Y2O3) and 640kJ/mol resp. 720kJ for Al2O3 with two different particle size.

Os efeitos da atmosfera de sinterização e do tamanho inicial das partículas na sinterização da céria contendo 10% em mol de gadolínia (GdO1,5) foram sistematicamente estudados neste trabalho. Materiais de partida com três valores para a área de superfície específica foram utilizados, 210 m2/g, 36,2 m2/g e 7,4 m2/g. Diferentes cinéticas de sinterização foram verificadas. Quanto menor o tamanho inicial das partículas, menor é a temperatura para o início da sinterização e mais acelerada a densificação do material. Curvas mestres de sinterização foram construídas para cada um dos materiais analisados. Um programa computacional foi especialmente desenvolvido para este propósito. Diferenças significativas entre as energias de ativação para densificação foram verificadas. Para este trabalho foi determinado que, quanto menor o tamanho inicial de partícula, menores as energias de ativação. A evolução das distribuições de tamanhos de cristalitos foi investigada para os materiais de maior área superficial específica. Foi determinado que a eliminação e migração de poros (pore drag) é o mecanismo predominante para o crescimento de grãos durante o início da sinterização da céria gadolínia. Os efeitos da atmosfera de sinterização no desvio de estequiometria, na densificação, na evolução microestrutural e na condutividade elétrica da céria-gadolínia foram analisados. Atmosferas redutoras, oxidantes e inertes foram usadas para este propósito. Desvios na estequiometria da céria foram verificados no volume do material, sendo este dependente da área de superfície específica e da atmosfera utilizada. Quanto maior o potencial de redução da atmosfera utilizada, maior a concentração de Ce3+ no material. Com o aumento da concentração de Ce3+ um aumento no tamanho médio de grãos foi verificado. Uma diminuição na condutividade elétrica total, intra e intergranular foram determinadas para as amostras sinterizadas em atmosferas redutoras. / The effects of the sintering atmosphere and initial particle size on the sintering of ceria containing 10 mol% gadolinia (GdO1.5) were systematically investigated. The main physical parameter was the specific surface area of the initial powders. Nanometric powders with three different specific surface areas were utilized, 210 m2/g, 36,2 m2/g e 7,4 m2/g. The influence on the densification, and micro structural evolution were evaluated. The starting sintering temperature was verified to decrease with increasing on the specific surface area of raw powders. The densification was accelerated for the materials with smaller particle size. Sintering paths for crystallite growth were obtained. Master sintering curves for gadolinium-doped ceria were constructed for all initial powders. A computational program was developed for this purpose. The results for apparent activation energy showed noticeable dependence with specific surface area. In this work, the apparent activation energy for densification increased with the initial particle size of powders. The evolution of the particle size distributions on non isothermal sintering was investigated by WPPM method. It was verified that the grain growth controlling mechanism on gadoliniadoped ceria is the pore drag for initial stage and beginning of intermediate stage. The effects of the sintering atmosphere on the stoichiometry deviation of ceria, densification, microstructure evolution, and electrical conductivity were analyzed. Inert, oxidizing, and reducing atmospheres were utilized on this work. Deviations on ceria stoichiometry were verified on the bulk materials. The deviation verified was dependent of the specific surface area and sintering atmosphere. Higher reduction potential atmospheres increase Ce3+ bulk concentration after sintering. Accelerated grain growth and lower electrical conductivities were verified when reduction reactions are significantly present on sintering.

Os efeitos da atmosfera de sinterização e do tamanho inicial das partículas na sinterização da céria contendo 10% em mol de gadolínia (GdO1,5) foram sistematicamente estudados neste trabalho. Materiais de partida com três valores para a área de superfície específica foram utilizados, 210 m2/g, 36,2 m2/g e 7,4 m2/g. Diferentes cinéticas de sinterização foram verificadas. Quanto menor o tamanho inicial das partículas, menor é a temperatura para o início da sinterização e mais acelerada a densificação do material. Curvas mestres de sinterização foram construídas para cada um dos materiais analisados. Um programa computacional foi especialmente desenvolvido para este propósito. Diferenças significativas entre as energias de ativação para densificação foram verificadas. Para este trabalho foi determinado que, quanto menor o tamanho inicial de partícula, menores as energias de ativação. A evolução das distribuições de tamanhos de cristalitos foi investigada para os materiais de maior área superficial específica. Foi determinado que a eliminação e migração de poros (pore drag) é o mecanismo predominante para o crescimento de grãos durante o início da sinterização da céria gadolínia. Os efeitos da atmosfera de sinterização no desvio de estequiometria, na densificação, na evolução microestrutural e na condutividade elétrica da céria-gadolínia foram analisados. Atmosferas redutoras, oxidantes e inertes foram usadas para este propósito. Desvios na estequiometria da céria foram verificados no volume do material, sendo este dependente da área de superfície específica e da atmosfera utilizada. Quanto maior o potencial de redução da atmosfera utilizada, maior a concentração de Ce3+ no material. Com o aumento da concentração de Ce3+ um aumento no tamanho médio de grãos foi verificado. Uma diminuição na condutividade elétrica total, intra e intergranular foram determinadas para as amostras sinterizadas em atmosferas redutoras. / The effects of the sintering atmosphere and initial particle size on the sintering of ceria containing 10 mol% gadolinia (GdO1.5) were systematically investigated. The main physical parameter was the specific surface area of the initial powders. Nanometric powders with three different specific surface areas were utilized, 210 m2/g, 36,2 m2/g e 7,4 m2/g. The influence on the densification, and micro structural evolution were evaluated. The starting sintering temperature was verified to decrease with increasing on the specific surface area of raw powders. The densification was accelerated for the materials with smaller particle size. Sintering paths for crystallite growth were obtained. Master sintering curves for gadolinium-doped ceria were constructed for all initial powders. A computational program was developed for this purpose. The results for apparent activation energy showed noticeable dependence with specific surface area. In this work, the apparent activation energy for densification increased with the initial particle size of powders. The evolution of the particle size distributions on non isothermal sintering was investigated by WPPM method. It was verified that the grain growth controlling mechanism on gadoliniadoped ceria is the pore drag for initial stage and beginning of intermediate stage. The effects of the sintering atmosphere on the stoichiometry deviation of ceria, densification, microstructure evolution, and electrical conductivity were analyzed. Inert, oxidizing, and reducing atmospheres were utilized on this work. Deviations on ceria stoichiometry were verified on the bulk materials. The deviation verified was dependent of the specific surface area and sintering atmosphere. Higher reduction potential atmospheres increase Ce3+ bulk concentration after sintering. Accelerated grain growth and lower electrical conductivities were verified when reduction reactions are significantly present on sintering.

The purpose of this work is to extend the functionality of the Master Sintering Curve (MSC) such that it can be used as a practical tool for predicting sintering schemes that combine both a constant heating rate and an isothermal hold. Rather than just being able to predict a final density for the object of interest, the extension to the MSC will actually be able to model a sintering run from start to finish. Because the Johnson model does not incorporate this capability, the work presented is an extension of what has already been shown in literature to be a valuable resource in many sintering situations. A predicted sintering curve that incorporates a combination of constant heating rate and an isothermal hold is more indicative of what is found in real-life sintering operations. This research offers the possibility of predicting the sintering schedule for a material, thereby having advanced information about the extent of sintering, the time schedule for sintering, and the sintering temperature with a high degree of accuracy and repeatability. The research conducted in this thesis focuses on the development of a working model for predicting the sintering schedules of several stabilized zirconia powders having the compositions YSZ (HSY8), 10Sc1CeSZ, 10Sc1YSZ, and 11ScSZ1A. The compositions of the four powders are first verified using x-ray diffraction (XRD) and the particle size and surface area are verified using a particle size analyzer and BET analysis, respectively. The sintering studies were conducted on powder compacts using a double pushrod dilatometer. Density measurements are obtained both geometrically and using the Archimedes method. Each of the four powders is pressed into 1/4 inch diameter pellets using a manual press with no additives, such as a binder or lubricant. Using a double push-rod dilatometer, shrinkage data for the pellets is obtained over several different heating rates. The shrinkage data is then converted to reflect the change in relative density of the pellets based on the green density and the theoretical density of each of the compositions. The Master Sintering Curve (MSC) model is then utilized to generate data that can be utilized to predict the final density of the respective powder over a range of heating rates. The Elton Master Sintering Curve Extension (EMSCE) is developed to extend the functionality of the MSC tool. The parameters generated from the original MSC are used in tandem with the solution to a specific closed integral (discussed in document) over a set range of temperatures. The EMSCE is used to generate a set of sintering curves having both constant heating rate and isothermal hold portions. The EMSCE extends the usefulness of the MSC by allowing this generation of a complete sintering schedule rather than just being able to predict the final relative density of a given material. The EMSCE is verified by generating a set of curves having both constant heating rate and an isothermal hold for the heat-treatment. The modeled curves are verified experimentally and a comparison of the model and experimental results are given for a selected composition. Porosity within the final product can hinder the product from sintering to full density. It is shown that some of the compositions studied did not sinter to full density because of the presence of large porosity that could not be eliminated in a reasonable amount of time. A statistical analysis of the volume fraction of porosity is completed to show the significance of the presence in the final product. The reason this is relevant to the MSC is that the model does not take into account the presence of porosity and assumes that the samples sinter to full density. When this does not happen, the model actually under-predicts the final density of the material.

Orientador: José Roberto Ribeiro Bortoleto / Banca: Luciano Pagano Junior / Banca: Andrea Paesano Junior / Resumo: O processo de sinterização de pastilhas de 'UO IND. 2.'7%'Gd IND.2'O IND. 3' tem sido investigado por muito tempo devido à sua importância na indústria nuclear e ao seu comportamento complexo durante o adensamento. Vários pesquisadores tentaram explicar este comportamento utilizando uma abordagem fenomenológica. Ainda que com algum sucesso, o comportamento na sinterização é difícil de ser previsto. A densidade final e a microestrutura da pastilha sinterizada dependem das propriedades dos pós de partida, do perfil térmico, da composição da atmosfera, da presença de aditivos, entre outras variáveis. Uma abordagem diferente do problema supera esta dificuldade com a introdução do conceito da Curva Mestre de Sinterização - CMS. A CMS do combustível nuclear 'UO IND. 2.'7%'Gd IND.2'O IND. 3' foi levantada utilizando dados de dilatometria obtidos com a taxa de aquecimento constante. Este desenvolvimento foi realizado para prever e controlar a evolução da densidade durante a etapa de sinterização. As amostras foram produzidas através da mistura do pós de 'UO IND. 2' e 'Gd IN> 2'O IND. 3', compactadas e sinterizadas em um dilatômetro a 2023 k, com diferentes taxas de aquecimento na faixa de 5 a 45 'Kmin. POT. -1', sob atmosfera de 'H IND. 2'. Com base no conceito da CMS, a previsão do adensamento foi realizada e uma boa concordância entre os valores previstos e experimental foi verificada. Foi demonstrado que o conceito da CMS pode ser utilizado para planejar um perfil de temperatura adequado, visando uma densidade final desejada, mesmo para sistemas com reações mais complexas como o 'UO IND. 2.'7%'Gd IND.2'O IND. 3'. A energia de ativação aparente do processo de sinterização pode ser estimada por este método. / Abstract: The sintering process of the 'UO IND. 2.'7%'Gd IND.2'O IND. 3' system has been investigated for a long time due to its economical importance to the nuclear industry and complex behavior during densification. Most researchers tried to describe and explain it using a phenomenological approach. Even though some light has been shed on the matter, the system sintering behavior is still very difficult to predict. The final density and microstructure of the sintered body is strongly dependent on properties of raw powders, temperature profile,, atmosphere composition, presence of sintering additives, among other process variables. A different approach to the problem overcame this difficulty by introducing the concept of the Master Sintering Curve - MSC. The MSC of the 'UO IND. 2.'7%'Gd IND.2'O IND. 3' nuclear fuel was constructed using constant heating rate dilatometry data. This development was carried out to predict and control the evolution of the density during the sintering path. The samples were produced from a dry misture of "UO IND. 2' and 2' e 'Gd IN> 2'O IND. 3' powders, pressed into compacts and sintered in a dilatometer up to 2023 K with different heating rates from 5 to 45 'Kmin. POT. -1', under a 'H IND. 2' atmosphere. Based on the MSC concept, the prediction of pellet densification was performed and it was observed a good agreement between the experimental and the predicted values. It was demonstrated that the MSC approach can be used to desing a suitable sintering temperature profile in order to obtain a desidered final density, even for reacting systems such as the 'UO IND. 2.'7%'Gd IND.2'O IND. 3', where the second phase should mostley get into solution. The apparent activation energy of sintering process could also be estimated by this method. / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:30:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-03-05Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:40:21Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 silva_sl_me_bauru.pdf: 3711265 bytes, checksum: eb24a775c76173627880925720fa6766 (MD5) / O processo de sinterização de pastilhas de 'UO IND. 2.'7%'Gd IND.2''O IND. 3' tem sido investigado por muito tempo devido à sua importância na indústria nuclear e ao seu comportamento complexo durante o adensamento. Vários pesquisadores tentaram explicar este comportamento utilizando uma abordagem fenomenológica. Ainda que com algum sucesso, o comportamento na sinterização é difícil de ser previsto. A densidade final e a microestrutura da pastilha sinterizada dependem das propriedades dos pós de partida, do perfil térmico, da composição da atmosfera, da presença de aditivos, entre outras variáveis. Uma abordagem diferente do problema supera esta dificuldade com a introdução do conceito da Curva Mestre de Sinterização - CMS. A CMS do combustível nuclear 'UO IND. 2.'7%'Gd IND.2''O IND. 3' foi levantada utilizando dados de dilatometria obtidos com a taxa de aquecimento constante. Este desenvolvimento foi realizado para prever e controlar a evolução da densidade durante a etapa de sinterização. As amostras foram produzidas através da mistura do pós de 'UO IND. 2' e 'Gd IN> 2''O IND. 3', compactadas e sinterizadas em um dilatômetro a 2023 k, com diferentes taxas de aquecimento na faixa de 5 a 45 'Kmin. POT. -1', sob atmosfera de 'H IND. 2'. Com base no conceito da CMS, a previsão do adensamento foi realizada e uma boa concordância entre os valores previstos e experimental foi verificada. Foi demonstrado que o conceito da CMS pode ser utilizado para planejar um perfil de temperatura adequado, visando uma densidade final desejada, mesmo para sistemas com reações mais complexas como o 'UO IND. 2.'7%'Gd IND.2''O IND. 3'. A energia de ativação aparente do processo de sinterização pode ser estimada por este método. / The sintering process of the 'UO IND. 2.'7%'Gd IND.2''O IND. 3' system has been investigated for a long time due to its economical importance to the nuclear industry and complex behavior during densification. Most researchers tried to describe and explain it using a phenomenological approach. Even though some light has been shed on the matter, the system sintering behavior is still very difficult to predict. The final density and microstructure of the sintered body is strongly dependent on properties of raw powders, temperature profile,, atmosphere composition, presence of sintering additives, among other process variables. A different approach to the problem overcame this difficulty by introducing the concept of the Master Sintering Curve - MSC. The MSC of the 'UO IND. 2.'7%'Gd IND.2''O IND. 3' nuclear fuel was constructed using constant heating rate dilatometry data. This development was carried out to predict and control the evolution of the density during the sintering path. The samples were produced from a dry misture of UO IND. 2' and 2' e 'Gd IN> 2''O IND. 3' powders, pressed into compacts and sintered in a dilatometer up to 2023 K with different heating rates from 5 to 45 'Kmin. POT. -1', under a 'H IND. 2' atmosphere. Based on the MSC concept, the prediction of pellet densification was performed and it was observed a good agreement between the experimental and the predicted values. It was demonstrated that the MSC approach can be used to desing a suitable sintering temperature profile in order to obtain a desidered final density, even for reacting systems such as the 'UO IND. 2.'7%'Gd IND.2''O IND. 3', where the second phase should mostley get into solution. The apparent activation energy of sintering process could also be estimated by this method.

Sintering is a one of the key step in a processing of bulk ceramic materials. New sintering methods were invented in the last years. These new sintering methods, according to their authors, can be used for obtaining finer final microstructure of ceramics only by modifying the heating schedule. This work is focused on an influence of the Two Step Sintering method on the final microstructure for oxide ceramics. Obtained experimental results have shown that the effectivity of the Two Step Sintering method is rising with crystallographic symmetry of used material. Thesis is also focused on a high-temperature dilatometry and concept of the Master Sintering Curve. This concept was used for calculation of the activation energy of sintering and finding different sintering mechanisms acting in the intermediate and final stage of sintering. Activation energy of sintering was compared with activation energy of grain growth with target to find the kinetic window. Kinetic window can allow a sintering without a grain growth. Master Sintering Curve method was also used in a pressure assisted unconventional sintering technique Spark Plasma Sintering. Master Sintering Curve applied to a Spark Plasma Sintering technique reveals and quantified different sintering mechanisms acting in Spark Plasma Sintering. These findings led to preparation of transparent tetragonal ZrO2.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-21T20:42:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Paulo Gedeao Mendes.pdf: 2017754 bytes, checksum: 3f94b050f56fcc2783560dbc2c535119 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-08-21 / Several synthesis methods exist for ceramic materials. According to the method of synthesis used to prepare oxide materials different morphologic and microstructural properties can be obtained. This work consisted of studying the Co-doped tin dioxide powders synthetized by microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis (MAHS) and the results were compared to powders synthesized by Pechini method. Powders synthesized by MAHS presented size of particles in the order of 5 nm while the size of particles obtained by Pechini was about five times greater. Besides the characterization of those materials in the powder form, the material was compacted and sintered. Sintering at different constant hating rates of constant heating allowed the calculation of the apparent global energy of sintering using the master sintering curve model. The material synthesized by MAHS presented a smaller apparent global energy of sintering than that obtained by Pechini route, and in the same proportion of their size differences. The results of this work lead to the conclusion that the sintering process and the saturation of dopants are strongly influenced by the particle size of starting powders. / Vários são os métodos de síntese dos materiais cerâmicos. Conforme o método de síntese utilizado para preparar materiais óxidos, diferentes serão suas propriedades morfológicas e microestruturais. Este trabalho consistiu em estudar o dióxido de estanho dopado com óxido de cobalto a partir da síntese de hidrotermalização assistida por micro-ondas (HTMW) e os resultados foram comparados aos da síntese via método Pechini. Pós sintetizados via HTMW apresentaram tamanho de partículas da ordem de 5 nm enquanto via Pechini em torno de cinco vezes maior. Além da caracterização desses materiais na forma de pó, o material foi compactado e sinterizado em dilatômetro. A sinterização a partir de diferentes taxas de aquecimento constante tornou possível o cálculo da energia global aparente de sinterização a partir do modelo da curva mestre de sinterização. O material sintetizado via HTMW apresentou energia global aparente de sinterização menor que o sintetizado via Pechini, na mesma proporção de suas diferenças de tamanho. Assim com este trabalho conclui-se que o processo de sinterização e a saturação de dopantes são fortemente influenciados pelo tamanho de partícula do pó de partida.