Cordierite was adhered to molybdenum using various metallic interlayers of copper, nickel, and chromium. The development of a coating adhesion test methodology was required to choose between interface designs. An indentation method was chosen because of ease in testing and availability of fracture mechanics interpretations of test data. The interfacial fracture toughness was determined from indentation load vs. crack length data by examining the residual stress and critical buckling load of the ceramic coatings. The interfacial fracture toughness values obtained using a slightly different indentation analysis agree with those in the literature. Quantitative chemical analysis of the interface microstructure was used to explain differences in interfacial fracture toughness values for samples with different metallic interlayer designs. The best interface design for adhering cordierite glass-ceramic coatings to molybdenum was found to be molybdenum / 2 μm copper / 4 μm chromium / cordierite. / Master of Science

Silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) is a ceramic obtained through the heating of a polymer precursor, which undergoes partial decomposition to go from an organic polymer to an inorganic ceramic. The microstructure of SiOC is not uniform at the nanometer scale, and contains nanometer sized silicon dioxide, carbon, and silicon carbide. Porous SiOC has shown great promise in applications such as lithium ion batteries, gas separation, and thermal barriers. The microstructure, and thus the properties of the SiOC, is influenced by the initial polymer and the processing conditions. In this thesis, SiOC is fabricated using a base polysiloxane polymer using different gases during heating, different additives that change the initial polymer chemical composition or polymer shape, and polymers with different reactive groups. Porosity was introduced into the SiOC ceramics through either etching the SiOC with hydrofluoric acid, which removes the silicon dioxide and produces pores with diameters less than 20 nanometers, or through decomposition during heating of a certain polymer in a two polymer mixture, producing pores that are dozens of microns in diameter. The effects of the processing parameters on the porosity and pore size are used to understand the differences in the microstructure during pyrolysis. / Master of Science / Silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) is a ceramic obtained through the heating of a polymer precursor, which undergoes partial decomposition to go from an organic polymer to an inorganic ceramic. The microstructure of SiOC is not uniform at the nanometer scale, and contains nanometer sized silicon dioxide, carbon, and silicon carbide. Porous SiOC has shown great promise in applications such as lithium ion batteries, gas separation, and thermal barriers. The microstructure, and thus the properties of the SiOC, is influenced by the initial polymer and the processing conditions. In this thesis, SiOC is fabricated using a base polysiloxane polymer using different gases during heating, different additives that change the initial polymer chemical composition or polymer shape, and polymers with different reactive groups. Porosity was introduced into the SiOC ceramics through either etching the SiOC with hydrofluoric acid, which removes the silicon dioxide and produces pores with diameters less than 20 nanometers, or through decomposition during heating of a certain polymer in a two polymer mixture, producing pores that are dozens of microns in diameter. The effects of the processing parameters on the porosity and pore size are used to understand the differences in the microstructure during pyrolysis.

No / Although the origins of domestic animals have been well-documented, it is unclear when livestock were first exploited for secondary products, such as milk. The analysis of remnant fats preserved in ceramic vessels from two agricultural sites in central and eastern Europe dating to the Early Neolithic (5900-5500 cal BC) are best explained by the presence of milk residues. On this basis, the authors suggest that dairying featured in early European farming economies. The evidence is evaluated in the light of analysis of faunal remains from this region to determine the scale of dairying. It is suggested that dairying ¿ perhaps of sheep or goats ¿ was initially practised on a small scale and was part of a broad mixed economy.

Monolithic ceramic materials have been used in industry for hundreds of years. These materials have proven their usefulness in many applications, yet, their potential for critical structural applications is limited. The existence of an imperfection in a monolithic ceramic on the order of several microns in size may be critical, resulting in catastrophic failure. To overcome this extreme sensitivity to sman material imperfections, reinforced ceramic materials have been developed. A ceramic matrix which has been reinforced with continuous fibers is not only less sensitive to microscopic flaws, but is also able to sustain significant damage without suffering catastrophic failure. A borosilicate glass reinforced with several layers of plain weave silicon carbide cloth (Nicalon) has been studied. The mechanical testing which was performed included both flexural and tensile loading configurations. This testing was done not only to determine the material properties, but also to initiate a controlled amount of damage within each specimen. Several nondestructive testing techniques, including acousto-ultrasonics (AU), were performed on the specimens periodically during testing. The AU signals were monitored through the use of an IBM compatible personal computer with a high speed data acquisition board. Software has been written which manipulates the AU signals in both the time and frequency domains, resulting in quantitative measures of the mechanical response of the material. This paper will compare the measured AU parameters to both the mechanical test results and data from other nondestructive methods including ultrasonic C-scans and penetrant enhanced X-ray radiography. / Master of Science

Microwave heating is an emerging but still underutilized tool in modern industrial applications. The task of designing microwave applicators for heating industrial materials with temperature-dependent properties is challenging, and trial-and-error system prototyping is an expensive and wasteful means to accomplish this goal. The purpose of this work is to combine existing heat transfer and electromagnetic models to provide a complete simulation for heating dielectric materials in a resonant microwave cavity. The numerical simulation is validated by comparison to several independent sets of experimental data. The ultimate goal is to provide a research tool that will facilitate the industrial microwave applicator design process. With a complete, accurate, and user-friendly numerical simulation, parameters affecting the temperature distribution in stationary and moving process materials can be studied to optimize the results before the first prototype is made. This work also explores the sources of power loss in a microwave system and develops means for quantifying these power losses. / Master of Science

Pure, single phase stoichiometric Pb(Fe_0.5Nb_0.5)O₃ (PFN) powders were successfully formed by molten salt synthesis using mixture of NaCl and KCI salts. Lower temperatures and shorter times (0.5 hour at 800°C) were needed for single phase PFN formation from molten salts relative to those required for solid-state methods (4 hours at 1000°C). A systematic study indicating the effects of process parameters, such as temperature, time, and amount of flux with respect to starting oxides, on the PFN formation mechanism and its resulting powder characteristics is reported. The particle size increased with increasing synthesis temperature, the rate of increase is greatest above 900°C which is close to the melting point of lead oxide. PFN powders formed by molten salt synthesis were cuboidal, and were free from agglomerates. The sinterability, microstructure, and dielectric properties of these powders have been studied for the pure form and with the presence of lead oxide or lithium carbonate. The dielectric properties were sensitive to as-sintered density, the type of additive and the amount of additive. For pure PFN, the highest valve of dielectric constant is 12,270 at 1MHz, which is sintered at 1100°C for 13 hours. Ceramics sintered with lead oxide additive exhibited inferior dielectric properties although lead oxide served as a sintering aid to increase the as-sintered density. The dielectric properties of PFN with lithium carbonate sintered at 1000°C were attractive: the dielectric constant was increased to 14,000 at 1MHz and the D.C. conductivity was reduced. This reduction in the D.C. conductivity was interpreted in terms of the substitution of lithium for iron. / Master of Science

Nanoporous ceramic structures are very important for a wide range of applications such as in gas sensors, catalysts, antireflective coatings, self-cleaning surfaces, among others, due to the high surface area in these coatings that facilitate enhanced performances in areas where they are deployed. In comparison with other synthesis techniques, the design of these porous ceramic coatings with the polymer template infiltration approach offers controllability over the porous structures, coating thickness, and composition. Due to these unique qualities, polymer infiltration synthesis has attracted a lot of interest from the scientific community for the design of hybrid organic-inorganic composites and all-inorganic porous ceramic structures, so therefore, there is the need to expand the applicability of this polymer infiltration synthesis technique to various materials for different applications. This thesis aims to understand the fundamental mechanisms controlling the polymer infiltration process and the effects of the processing parameters on the structure, composition, and resulting characteristics of the single components, such as ZnO, Al2O3, and TiO2, and multicomponent, such as Al2O3, and ZnO with the inclusion of FeO-CoO and FeO-NiO nanoporous ceramic coatings. This work highlights the importance of the processing parameters, such as Swelling based infiltration-liquid phase vs Swelling assisted sequential infiltration synthesis-gas phase on the resulting crystallinity, and surface functionalization of the materials. Swelling of the polymer template is accompanied by the formation of the reactive groups that accelerates absorption of the precursor molecules. Modification of the coating surfaces affects their accessibility and affinity to solvents and their mechanical properties. Combining liquid and gas phase infiltration enables the development of nanoporous heterostructures with composition being affected by the precursor salt reactivity. Specifically, the intermixing of the multicomponent metal oxide precursors infiltrated into the polymer template revealed the formation of uniformly distributed alloyed metal oxide nanoparticles, with the polymer removal temperature influencing the phase and sizes of nanoparticle formation. These heterostructures demonstrate promising potential as catalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The results of this work provide a foundation for understanding the polymer infiltration mechanisms and the effect of processing conditions on the functionalization of the coatings. The obtained knowledge opens new possibilities for designing multifunctional materials.

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Technology: Fine Art, Department of Fine Art and Jewelry Design, Durban University of Technology, Durban. South Africa, 2015. / This dissertation documents and evaluates the subversion of traditional porcelain in the work of the selected artists from 2000-2012. The artists selected for research are Edmund de Waal (1964), Paul Scott (1953), Katharine Morling (1972), Rachel Kneebone (1973) and Clare Twomey (1968). They are British ceramists who work in porcelain in diverse ways, thus providing evidence of a wide range of the subversion of traditional porcelain. An explanation of the research methodology used is provided. The research begins by providing a history of porcelain from the earliest times to the present, documenting the shift of porcelain from the East to the West, as well as the history and properties of porcelain (white china clay). The position of porcelain in the discipline of ceramics is discussed. This includes a thorough investigation and analysis of the physical properties of porcelain and its functional application through history. The meaning of the term subversion, in the context of ceramics, is clarified and evidence of the subversion of traditional porcelain is provided through a discussion of the selected artists’ work. Conclusions are drawn and analysed. My art practice in the form of an exhibition entitled Entwined is discussed in the context of the subversion of traditional porcelain. This includes a discussion of my working method, an explanation of the body of work and an analysis of similarities and differences between my work and that of the selected artists. The dissertation concludes with a discussion of the research findings and provides suggestions for further research.

Enduring qualities of texture and colors in pottery objects have come about when naturally-occurring minerals where used.

O revestimento cerâmico deve ser considerado como um conjunto de materiais integrados formando o sistema revestimento cerâmico - SRC que, em uma primeira análise, significa a união de placa cerâmica, argamassa de assentamento e rejunte. Avaliando mais cuidadosamente este sistema, observa-se que não apenas os fatores indicados acima interferem em seu funcionamento, sendo necessário ter conhecimento sobre outros materiais (base, chapisco, emboço, impermeabilizantes etc), e ainda considerar aspectos relacionados à especificação dos materiais e procedimentos de aplicação. Muitos profissionais da construção civil não têm o entendimento desse sistema como um todo, cometendo erros de especificação e aplicação, podendo provocar o aparecimento de problemas e patologias. Neste trabalho foi realizada uma intensa pesquisa com os vários agentes do sistema revestimento cerâmico, com ênfase especial aos profissionais (arquitetos e engenheiros) com o intuito de descobrir as carências sobre o sistema em questão e, baseado nestas dificuldades, propõe um \'manual eletrônico\'sobre especificação do SRC. Este software trabalha de forma interativa com o usuário e permite realizar a especificação de ambientes diferenciados, considerando as necessidades do local e do uso. O objetivo é que esta ferramenta, ao ser utilizada corretamente, melhore a qualidade de projeto do SRC e, dessa forma, contribua para a diminuição da ocorrência de defeitos e patologias neste sistema. / The name ceramic tile identifies not only the tile, but defines the ceramic tile system, that means the combination of ceramic tile, adhesive and grout. Other materials are involved in this system, in the layers behind: masonry, plaster, concrete. Together, all these material totalises a unit and, to guarantee the quality of this system, two factors deserve attention: correct materials specification and correct application of the materials that compound the layers involved. A great number of architects and engineers do not realize that ceramic tiles are not only one product, but a range of product with different properties and suitable to different applications, in different exposure conditions. This behaviour is in the origin of most errors and imperfections in the buildings. The author of this work conducted a survey with architects and engineers that project, plan or construct buildings, to investigate theirs main lacks of information about ceramic tile system. Based on the results of the survey, it was prepared a software that intends to be a guide for these professionals, including cares in the specification and application of this system, to assure the quality of the covering and to reduce the possibilities of flaws\' occurrence after the building construction. This software can represent an important and interactive tool, ease to use and designed to the day-by-day work of architects and engineers, providing direct answers to theirs questions and contributing to increase the quality of the buildings.