No description available.

No description available.

Combustive Synthesis or Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis (SHS), is an energy-efficient combustion method of producing metallic, ceramic and composite materials from their constituent powders. This thesis presents the results of an experimental and numerical evaluation of the propagation velocity for the SHS solid-solid reaction of titanium and carbon, as well as a study of the ignition process for the reaction. The experimental results show the dependency trend of the wave propagation speed on various parameters: diameter of the reactant compact, density of the compact, reactant mixture composition, and dilution of the reactant mixture with the inert product TiC. Conditions at which the reaction ceases to propagate in a self-supporting manner are also identified. This thesis attempts to generalize the existing experimental observations of the gasless SHS process by means of a dimensional analysis, thus offering a mechanistic framework within which future developments can be correlated. The implementation of the new reaction kinetics model of Kanury and some suitable dimensionless variables permit the main factors affecting the process to be embedded in a single key parameter, the Da number. This parameter includes the overall effects of thermal properties, stoichiometry of the reaction, carbon particle size, a process constant, a compression effect and the diffusion of one reactant through an intermediate complex. The study of propagation covers a broad range of possible Da numbers that could arise for different conditions found in experiments. A section in numerical calculations of the preheated length is included as well. Comparison of the numerical and experimental results for propagation are found to be in reasonable agreement, thus validating the suitability of the analytical model. The numerical study includes an examination of the ignition problem for a stoichiometric mixture, using a prescribed surface temperature boundary condition. For this condition, an ignition threshold curve is determined above which ignition will always occur and below which no ignition is possible. / Graduation date: 1992

No description available.

Promotionsarbeit--Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule, Zürich. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Sc.(Engineering)--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, 2012,. / The objective of this research was to improve alumina (Al2O3) mechanical and electrical properties by reinforcement using multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and titanium carbide (TiC). The objective of the study was achieved with interesting and challenging difficulties along the way. The MWCNTs were initially coated with boron nitride (hBN) in order to improve the Alumina-CNTs interface which was previously discovered to be weak and also to protect them from reacting with Al2O3 during sintering. The coating of CNTs with hBN was done using nitridation method. This method was unsuccessful since it was not possible to coat each CNT individually. Dispersing hBN coated CNTs proved to be impossible without pealing the off the hBN coating. The “flaking off “of the hBN coating from the CNTs revealed that the CNT-hBN interface was weak; therefore uncoated CNTs were used for this study. The starting powders (Al2O3, TiC and CNTs) were individually dispersed before they were mixed together. TiC and Al2O3 were dispersed using an ultrasonic probe which was done successfully. The CNTs were dispersed by an ultrasonic probe and then attritor milled with the use of polyvinylpyrolidone (PVP) as a dispersant. The dispersed Al2O3 and TiC (30 wt%) powders were mixed in a planetary ball mill. The composite powder was sieved and sintered using SPS with temperature and pressure programmed to be 1700˚C, 35MPa respectively. In making the Al2O3+CNT composite powder, the already dispersed Al2O3 and CNTs (1 wt%) were mixed in a planetary ball mill, after sieving the powder it was sintered using SPS at 1600˚C, 35MPa (programmed conditions). Lastly in making the Al2O3+CNT+TiC composite, the already dispersed TiC, CNTs and Al2O3 were all mixed in a planetary ball mill, after sieving it was sintered using SPS at 1650˚C, 35MPa (programmed conditions). For comparison of properties, dispersed monolithic Al2O3 was also sintered using SPS at 1600˚C, 35 MPa. The density results showed that the monolithic Al2O3 was 99.8% dense, , Al2O3+CNTs was 99.4%, Al2O3+TiC+CNTs was 99.2% and Al2O3+TiC sample was 99.0%. The mechanical properties of the samples were measured using the indentation method. The hardness and fracture toughness of the samples were; Al2O3= 3.3MPa√m (17 GPa), Al2O3+CNTs = 4.2MPa√m (18 GPa), Al2O3+TiC = 4.8 MPa√m (23 GPa) and Al2O3+TiC+CNT= 5.0 MPa√m (23 GPa). The electrical properties showed that incorporating CNTs and TiC into Al2O3 improved Al2O3 electrical conductivity. The measured electrical conductivity of the ceramic samples were; Al2O3 iii ≈ 0 Sm-1, Al2O3+CNTs= 30 S.m-1, Al2O3 +TiC + CNTs = 6855 S.m-1 and Al2O3+TiC = 9664 S.m-1. The CNTs improved Al2O3 mechanical properties slightly inhibiting grain growth by pinning the grain boundary movement and also by crack bridging. The Al2O3 electrical conductivity was increased by the CNTs network that was located along the alumina grain boundaries. The TiC improved Al2O3 mechanical properties slightly inhibiting grain growth and through crack deflection mechanism. The addition of TiC into Al2O3 increased the electrical conductivity by serving as a conducting continuous secondary phase. The results show that the CNT-hBN interface is weak. The addition of CNTs and TiC into monolithic Al2O3 slightly improved its mechanical and electrical properties but it density was slightly compromised. CNTs and TiC slightly improved monolithic alumina hardness by in inhibiting Al2O3 grain growth and the fracture toughness through crack deflection and crack bridging mechanisms. The CNTs network located at the Al2O3 grain boundaries not only aided in improving Al2O3 hardness but also served as transport medium for electrons hence increasing the Al2O3 electrical conductivity. Addition of TiC into Al2O3 increased its electrical conductivity by conducting electrons from one TiC grain to the adjacent grain. The large increase in electrical conductivity upon addition of TiC is due to the presence of a continuous TiC phase within Al203.

Self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) is a new method of producing advanced ceramic materials and offers an attractive alternative to conventional methods of materials processing. An experimental investigation was carried out to determine the SHS reaction wave propagation speed in a vertical cylindrical compact made from a mixture of titanium and graphite powders. Ignition was accomplished by radiatively heating the top surface of the cylinder by resistively heated tungsten heating coils. Syntheses were carried out in inert argon environment and under atmospheric pressure. Propagation speeds were determined by analyzing the temperature distribution with time at two locations at known axial distance. Effects of various system parameters, such as, density and diameter of the initial compact, different mixing ratios of the reactants and dilution with product, on reaction propagation speed were determined. A numerical model was also developed to predict the propagation speed. A two-dimensional formulation was adopted with both radiative and natural convective heat loss from the periphery of the cylindrical compact using constant values of properties and kinetic parameters. Two different kinetic models describing the reactions involving solids are employed to calculate the wave speed using a finite difference scheme. The calculated results were compared with the experimental data. Trends of the results with Kanury kinetic model were found to be in better agreement with the experiments. Results showed no significant effect of heat loss on the propagation speed within a practical range of compact diameter. Quenching conditions of the reaction for titanium rich and carbon rich cases and also for the case of dilution with the product were identified. Variation of propagation speed with sample initial density showed a maximum value at densities between 2.1 gm/cm³ and 2.2 gm/cm³. During the synthesis, the samples were found to expand axially. Hence the final product obtained was highly porous with densities below 50% of the density of TiC. / Graduation date: 1991

Three samples of Ti(C,N) were fabricated with 40 vol.% Ni3Al: Ti(C0.3N07), Ti(C0.5N0.5) and Ti(C0.7N0.3), as well as TiC with 10, 20, 30 and 40 vol.% Ni3Al binder addition by means of melt infiltration and sintering. Each sample was evaluated for density and microstructure before being placed in a flat cell for electrochemical testing. Open circuit potential was evaluated, followed by the application of a cathodic potential, whereby the response was tracked using Corrware corrosion software throughout the duration of potentiodynamic testing. Following corrosion testing, each sample was reevaluated for changes in microstructure and chemical composition. Ti(C,N) samples were found to have adequate resistance to corrosion, with increased resistance with increasing carbon content, however these samples demonstrated a greater frequency of breakdown and repassivation, suggesting a greater susceptibility to corrosion, despite the initial improved resistance. SEM imaging demonstrated significant crevice corrosion throughout. TiC-cermets demonstrated similar results in terms of SEM evaluation of microstructure. TiC-cermets with the lowest binder content (10 vol.% Ni3Al) demonstrated greater initial resistance to corrosion but also had the greatest potential for breakdown.

Thesis, (M.S.)--Oregon Graduate Institute of Science and Technology, 1998.

This dissertation discusses the synthesis, processing, and characterization of titanium carbide (TiC) and titanium diboride (TiB2) based materials for structural and electronic application. A series of TiB2 and TiC-TiB2 powders was prepared through a novel carbon coated precursors method. Reaction process, phase evolution, and microstructures were analyzed and characterized. The synthesized powders have the advantages of fine particle size (nano to submicron grade, 100nm to 800nm), high purity (low levels of contaminations such as free carbon and oxygen), loose agglomeration, and high surface area (~2.5 m2/g to 7.2 m2/g). Using the synthesized powders, three categories of composites were prepared: (1) TiB2-TiC-Ni composites with improved mechanical properties for structural applications; (2) TiB2-TiNiFeCrCoAl high-entropy alloy (HEA) composites with enhanced hardness and toughness for structural application; (3) TiC-Ti3Al based composites with good electrical and oxidation properties as the interconnect in solid oxide fuel cell. The author focuses on the sintering mechanism, microstructure and interface, reactions, and properties characterizations of above three types of composites. Correlations of processing-microstructures-properties are discussed and established based on scientific observation.