The submerged entry nozzle (SEN) is used to transport the molten steel from a tundish to a mould. The main purpose of its usage is to prevent oxygen and nitrogen pick-up by molten steel from the gas. Furthermore, to achieve the desired flow conditions in the mould. Therefore, the SEN can be considered as a vital factor for a stable casting process and the steel quality. In addition, the steelmaking processes occur at high temperatures around 1873 K, so the interaction between the refractory materials of the SEN and molten steel is unavoidable. Therefore, the knowledge of the SEN behaviors during preheating and casting processes is necessary for the design of the steelmaking processes  The internal surfaces of modern SENs are coated with a glass/silicon powder layer to prevent the SEN graphite oxidation during preheating. The effects of the interaction between the coating layer and the SEN base refractory materials on clogging were studied. A large number of accretion samples formed inside alumina-graphite clogged SENs were examined using FEG-SEM-EDS and Feature analysis. The internal coated SENs were used for continuous casting of stainless steel grades alloyed with Rare Earth Metals (REM). The post-mortem study results clearly revealed the formation of a multi-layer accretion. A harmful effect of the SENs decarburization on the accretion thickness was also indicated. In addition, the results indicated a penetration of the formed alkaline-rich glaze into the alumina-graphite base refractory. More specifically, the alkaline-rich glaze reacts with graphite to form a carbon monoxide gas. Thereafter, dissociation of CO at the interface between SEN and molten metal takes place. This leads to reoxidation of dissolved alloying elements such as REM (Rare Earth Metal). This reoxidation forms the “In Situ” REM oxides at the interface between the SEN and the REM alloyed molten steel. Also, the interaction of the penetrated glaze with alumina in the SEN base refractory materials leads to the formation of a high-viscous alumina-rich glaze during the SEN preheating process. This, in turn, creates a very uneven surface at the SEN internal surface. Furthermore, these uneven areas react with dissolved REM in molten steel to form REM aluminates, REM silicates and REM alumina-silicates. The formation of the large “in-situ” REM oxides and the reaction of the REM alloying elements with the previously mentioned SEN´s uneven areas may provide a large REM-rich surface in contact with the primary inclusions in molten steel. This may facilitate the attraction and agglomeration of the primary REM oxide inclusions on the SEN internal surface and thereafter the clogging. The study revealed the disadvantages of the glass/silicon powder coating applications and the SEN decarburization. The decarburization behaviors of Al2O3-C, ZrO2-C and MgO-C refractory materials from a commercial Submerged Entry Nozzle (SEN), were also investigated for different gas atmospheres consisting of CO2, O2 and Ar. The gas ratio values were kept the same as it is in a propane combustion flue gas at different Air-Fuel-Ratio (AFR) values for both Air-Fuel and Oxygen-Fuel combustion systems. Laboratory experiments were carried out under nonisothermal conditions followed by isothermal heating. The decarburization ratio (α) values of all three refractory types were determined by measuring the real time weight losses of the samples. The results showed the higher decarburization ratio (α) values increasing for MgO-C refractory when changing the Air-Fuel combustion to Oxygen-Fuel combustion at the same AFR value. It substantiates the SEN preheating advantage at higher temperatures for shorter holding times compared to heating at lower temperatures during longer holding times for Al2O3-C samples. Diffusion models were proposed for estimation of the decarburization rate of an Al2O3-C refractory in the SEN. Two different methods were studied to prevent the SEN decarburization during preheating: The effect of an ZrSi2 antioxidant and the coexistence of an antioxidant additive and a (4B2O3 ·BaO) glass powder on carbon oxidation for non-isothermal and isothermal heating conditions in a controlled atmosphere. The coexistence of 8 wt% ZrSi2 and 15 wt% (4B2O3 ·BaO) glass powder of the total alumina-graphite refractory base materials, presented the most effective resistance to carbon oxidation. The 121% volume expansion due to the Zircon formation during heating and filling up the open pores by a (4B2O3 ·BaO) glaze during the green body sintering led to an excellent carbon oxidation resistance. The effects of the plasma spray-PVD coating of the Yttria Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) powder on the carbon oxidation of the Al2O3-C coated samples were investigated. Trials were performed at non-isothermal heating conditions in a controlled atmosphere. Also, the applied temperature profile for the laboratory trials were defined based on the industrial preheating trials. The controlled atmospheres consisted of CO2, O2 and Ar. The thicknesses of the decarburized layers were measured and examined using light optic microscopy, FEG-SEM and EDS. A 250-290 μm YSZ coating is suggested to be an appropriate coating, as it provides both an even surface as well as prevention of the decarburization even during heating in air. In addition, the interactions between the YSZ coated alumina-graphite refractory base materials in contact with a cerium alloyed molten stainless steel were surveyed. The YSZ coating provided a total prevention of the alumina reduction by cerium. Therefore, the prevention of the first clogging product formed on the surface of the SEN refractory base materials. Therefore, the YSZ plasma-PVD coating can be recommended for coating of the hot surface of the commercial SENs.

Este estudo teve como objetivo principal desenvolver uma técnica para síntese de um nanocompósito de Y-TZP/MWCNT-COOH (Zircônia estabilizada por 3 mol% de ítria reforçada por nanotubos de carbono funcionalizado em -COOH) com propriedades mecânicas e ópticas que permitam a sua futura utilização como infraestrutura de próteses fixas dentárias e pilares protéticos para implantes. Assim, foram avaliados a microestrutura, resistência à flexão, tenacidade à fratura, limite de fadiga e propriedades ópticas do nanocompósito e comparada àquelas medidas para Y-TZP convencional (controle). O material Y-TZP/MWCNT-COOH foi desenvolvido pelo processo de co-precipitação de hidróxidos mistos associado ao tratamento hidrotérmico/solvotérmico e prensagem uniaxial em formato de blocos para sistemas CAD/CAM. O pó de MWCNT-COOH foi caracterizado por meio de MEV-FEG, TEM, TGA, DRX e FRX previamente a sua utilização para desenvolvimento do nanocompósito. Espécimes foram obtidos a partir do material Y-TZP/MWCNT-COOH para caracterização por meio de DRX, MEV-FEG e TEM, e comparação de suas propriedades estruturais (densidade e contração), ópticas, resistência à flexão, tenacidade à fratura e limite de fadiga com a Y-TZP convencional. O MWCNT-COOH apresentou-se em feixes de nanotubos de carbono recobertos por sílica tendo comprimento médio de 5,10 ± 1,34 ?m, com 90% dos comprimentos medidos (D90) estando abaixo de 6,9 ?m. Foi verificado a não possibilidade da utilização de líquidos orgânicos em nenhum passo da fabricação dos compósito Y-TZP/MWCNT-COOH por levar ao escurecimento do compósito, inviabilizando sua futura aplicação clínica. O tratamento hidrotérmico sem uso de líquidos orgânicos mostrou-se eficaz em proporcionar o revestimento do nanotubo de carbono por partículas de óxido de zircônio e ítrio. Entretanto, ocasionou a formação de aglomerados e partículas de Y-TZP com tamanho maiores que 5 ?m. Uma densidade relativa de 97,4% foi alcançada para o compósito experimental de Y-TZP contendo MWCNT-COOH, tendo uma razão de contraste de 0.9929 ± 0.0012 e um valor de diferença de cor da Y-TZP convencional de 6,1 ± 3,1 ( ?E). As propriedades mecânicas da Y-TZP/MWCNT-COOH, dureza Vickers (10,14 ± 1,27 GPa; p=0,25) e tenacidade à fratura (4,98 ± 0,30 MPa.m1/2; p=0,39), não apresentaram diferença significativa da Y-TZP convencional (dureza: 8,87 ± 0,89; tenacidade à fratura: 4,98 ± 0,30 MPa.m1/2). Entretanto, para a resistência à flexão (p=0,003) e limite de fadiga cíclica (LFC) foram obtidos valores inferiores para o material experimental Y-TZP/MWCNT-COOH (resistência à flexão: 299,4 ± 30,5 MPa; LFC: 179,4 ± 22,5 MPa) quando comparado à Y-TZP controle (resistência à flexão: 623,7 ± 108,8 MPa; LFC: 439,0 ± 56,4 MPa). Com base nos resultados apresentados, é possível concluir que a síntese de um nanocompósito de Y-TZP/MWCNT-COOH com propriedades ópticas adequadas para aplicação na odontologia restauradora foi possível por meio dos métodos descritos, entretanto algumas adequações nos métodos de síntese e processamento para criação do nanocompósito devem ser realizadas para se evitar a acentuada diminuição de importantes propriedades mecânicas do material. / This study aim was to develop a technique for synthetize nanocomposite of Y-TZP/MWCNT-COOH (3 mol% Yttria-Stabilized Tetragonal Zirconia reinforced with COOH functionalized carbon nanotubes) with mechanical and optical properties that allow their future use as fixed dental prosthesis infrastructure and implant abutments. Thus, the following properties of the nanocomposite were investigated and compared to those measured for conventional Y-TZP (control): microstructure, flexural strength, fracture toughness, fatigue limit and optical properties. Y-TZP/MWCNT-COOH material was developed by the co-precipitation of mixed hydroxides associated with the hydrothermal/solvothermal treatment and uniaxial pressing to form blocks for CAD/CAM systems. The MWCNT-COOH powder was characterized by SEM-FEG, TEM, TGA, XRD and XRF prior to its use for the development of nanocomposite. Specimens were obtained from the Y-TZP/MWCNT-COOH material and characterized by XRD, SEM-FEG and TEM. After characterization, the material had their structural properties (density and contraction), optical, flexural strength, fracture toughness and fatigue limit compared to a conventional Y-TZP. The MWCNT-COOH material was observed to be a bundle formation of carbon nanotube covered with silica with an average length of 5.10 ± 1.34 ?m, with 90% of the measured lengths (D90) being below 6.9 ?m. It has been found to be not possible to use organic liquids on any step of the Y-TZP/MWCNT-COOH manufacturing process due to darkening of the composite, making it unfeasible to future clinical application. The hydrothermal treatment without the use of organic liquids was effective in providing the carbon nanotube coating by zirconium and yttrium oxide particles. However, this treatment led to the formation of agglomerates and particles of Y-TZP with larger than 5 ?m. A relative density of 97.4% was achieved for the Y-TZP/MWCNT-COOH composite, having a contrast ratio of 0.9929 ± 0.0012, and a color difference value from the conventional Y-TZP of 6.1 ± 3.1 (?E). The mechanical properties of Y-TZP/MWCNT-COOH, Vickers hardness (10.14 ± 1.27 GPa; p = 0.25) and fracture toughness (4.98 ± 0.30 MPa.m1/2; p = 0.39), showed no significant difference from the conventional Y-TZP (hardness: 8.87 ± 0.89; fracture toughness: 4.98 ± 0.30 MPa.m1/2). However, flexural strength (p = 0.003) and cyclic fatigue limit (CFL) showed lower values for the experimental material Y-TZP/MWCNT-COOH (flexural strength: 299.4 ± 30.5 MPa; CFL: 179.4 ± 22.5 MPa) compared to Y-TZP control (flexural strength: 623.7 ± 108.8 MPa; CFL: 439.0 ± 56.4 MPa). Based on the results presented, it could be conclude that the synthesis of a nanocomposite of Y-TZP/MWCNT-COOH with optical properties suitable for application in restorative dentistry was made possible by the described methods, however some adjustments in synthesis and processing methods for the nanocomposite creation should be taken; to avoid the sharp decrease of important mechanical properties of the material.

The densification mechanisms of polycrystalline α-alumina by spark plasma sintering are highly contradictory, with different research groups suggesting diffusion to dislocation controlled mechanisms to be rate controlling. The specific objective of this work was to investigate densification mechanisms of α-alumina during the intermediate and final stages of sintering by SPS, analyze the microstructural development and establish sintering trajectories. In addition, zirconia and yttria were added in different weight percentages to study the effect of solute concentration on the densification kinetics of spark plasma sintered alumina. The present work adopts a different approach from the classical method adopted previously to analyze the sintering kinetics and densification mechanisms of alumina in SPS, although existing models for hot pressing were adopted for the basic analysis. The densification behavior was investigated in the temperature range 1223-1573 K under applied stresses of 25, 50 and 100 MPa and grain sizes between 100 and 250 nm. The SEM micrographs reveal equiaxed grains with no abnormal grain growth in the dense samples. The ‘master sintering curve’ shows grain size to be primarily dependent on density, irrespective of the applied stresses or temperature. The stress exponent of 1 along with an inverse grain size exponent of 3 and activation energy of 320-550 kJ mol-1 suggests Al3+ grain boundary diffusion as the rate controlling densification mechanism in alumina. The densification rates are marginally slower in compositions with 0.1% Y2O3 and ZrO2 content possibly due to the smaller grain sizes used in this study which leads to faster rates compared to earlier reports. However, higher Y2O3 and ZrO2 content led to decrease in densification rate by more than an order of magnitude possibly due to presence of a second phase which increases the effective path length for diffusion, thereby reducing the densification rates. Presence of Y2O3 and ZrO2 in the compositions with 0.1% Y2O3 and ZrO2 were confirmed by TEM studies. The Y3Al5O12 (YAG) phase developed between 1223 and 1273 K and suppressed densification and grain growth in alumina. In spite of higher temperatures required for alumina-YAG and alumina-zirconia composites to attain density ~99%, the alumina grain size in the composites was smaller than that in pure alumina due to the Zener drag effect. The stress exponents obtained for Y2O3 and ZrO2 composites at both the concentrations yield a value of n~ 2, which indicates a change in densification mechanism from pure alumina. The higher stress dependence of these composites could be due to presence of solute and second phase formation, both of which retard densification rates. The inverse grain size exponents obtained are between 1 and 2; both stress exponent and grain size exponent values suggest an interface reaction controlled diffusion mechanism occurring in these composites, independent of the Y2O3 and ZrO2 content. Higher activation energies are obtained with the Y2O3 and ZrO2 composites of higher content, respectively, due to presence of second phase particles at grain boundaries. The presence of solutes at grain boundaries hinders grain boundary diffusion of alumina, leading to interface reaction controlled process; this is confirmed by superimposing standard aluminum grain boundary and lattice diffusion data on to stress-densification rate data obtained in this work. A comparison of stress exponents using current experimental data adopting the present and the classical approaches show a wide difference in their values indicating a change in the rate controlling diffusion path, necessitating a review of the assumptions made on the basic equations used in previous SPS studies.

Mesoscale optical phenomena occur when light interacts with a number of different types of materials, such as biological and chemical systems and fabricated nanostructures. As a framework, mesoscale optics unifies the interpretations of the interaction of light with complex media when the outcome depends significantly upon the scale of the interaction. Most importantly, it guides the process of designing an optical sensing technique by focusing on the nature and amount of information that can be extracted from a measurement. Different aspects of mesoscale optics are addressed in this dissertation which led to the solution of a number of problems in complex media. Dynamical and structural information from complex fluids—such as colloidal suspensions and biological fluids—was obtained by controlling the size of the interaction volume with low coherence interferometry. With this information, material properties such as particle sizes, optical transport coefficients, and viscoelastic characteristics of polymer solutions and blood were determined in natural, realistic conditions that are inaccessible to conventional techniques. The same framework also enabled the development of new, scale-dependent models for several important physical and biological systems. These models were then used to explain the results of some unique measurements. For example, the transport of light in disordered photonic lattices was interpreted as a scale-dependent, diffusive process to explain the anomalous behavior of photon path length distributions through these complex structures. In addition, it was demonstrated how specialized optical measurements and models at the mesoscale enable solutions to fundamental problems in cell biology. Specifically, it was found for the first time that the nature of cell motility changes markedly with the curvature of the substrate that the cells iv move on. This particular work addresses increasingly important questions concerning the nature of cellular responses to external forces and the mechanical properties of their local environment. Besides sensing of properties and modeling behaviors of complex systems, mesoscale optics encompasses the control of material systems as a result of the light-matter interaction. Specific modifications to a material’s structure can occur due to not only an exchange of energy between radiation and a material, but also due to a transfer of momentum. Based on the mechanical action of multiply scattered light on colloidal particles, an optically-controlled active medium that did not require specially tailored particles was demonstrated for the first time. The coupling between the particles and the random electromagnetic field affords new possibilities for controlling mesoscale systems and observing nonequilibrium thermodynamic phenomena

En tant que technologie de projection thermique avancée, la projection plasma sous basse pression (LPPS) permet d'obtenir des revêtements de haute qualité et peut combler l'écart d'épaisseur entre les technologies de projection thermique conventionnelles et les procédés de couche mince standard. En outre, LPPS permet de construire des revêtements uniformes avec diverses microstructures; le dépôt a lieu non seulement à partir des éclaboussures liquides, mais aussi à partir des amas nanométriques ainsi que de la phase vapeur en fonction des conditions opérationnelles. Afin de continuer à améliorer et à développer le procédé LPPS, cette recherche vise à le combiner avec les procédés émergents de projection plasma en suspension et de projection plasma réactif. Il devait à la fois fournir deux nouveaux processus intégrés et réaliser des revêtements à structure fine avec des microstructures uniques et des performances élevées.Une torche à plasma bi-cathode (laboratoire LERMPS, UTBM, France) à mode d'injection axiale a été conçue et construite pour le LPPS, dont la puissance maximale en entrée du plasma a pu atteindre 80 kW. En utilisant cette nouvelle torche, soit la suspension à très fines particules, soit les poudres micrométriques ont pu être injectées dans le centre du plasma à basse pression. En conséquence, le transfert de chaleur et de masse entre le jet de plasma et les matériaux pulvérisés a été amélioré.La torche à plasma bi-cathode axiale a été appliquée d'abord pour pulvériser deux types de charges de YSZ, y compris la suspension de YSZ et les poudres agglomérées de YSZ. Les résultats ont indiqué que tous les revêtements YSZ présentaient des structures relativement denses en raison de la grande vitesse des particules sous faibles pressions. Les revêtements ont été composés des particules fondues, des particules agglomérées ainsi que du dépôt en phase vapeur. Il a été constaté que le degré de vaporisation de YSZ a été augmenté en utilisant une taille de particule plus fine, une pression ambiante plus basse, une distance de pulvérisation plus longue et une puissance de plasma plus élevée. En outre, tous les revêtements YSZ ont subi une transformation de phase significative d'une phase monoclinique à une phase tétragonale, et le degré de transformation était proportionnel au degré de vaporisation. Cependant, les propriétés mécaniques des revêtements résultants ont des comportements opposés. Les revêtements YSZ préparés à partir des particules agglomérées, qui avaient une plus grande taille de gouttelettes et moins de dépôt en phase vapeur, présentaient une dureté et un module de Young plus élevés que les revêtements YSZ fabriqués à partir d'une suspension fine.Une autre torche à plasma à haute énergie O3CP (Oerlikon Metco, Suisse) a été utilisée pour synthétiser in situ les revêtements de TiN sur des alliages de Ti-6Al-4V par projection de plasma réactive à très basse pression. Les poudres de Ti pur ont été pulvérisées dans une atmosphère de N2 sous une puissance de plasma d'entrée de 120 kW. Les revêtements TiN hybrides structurés ont été synthétisés, ce qui n'était pas le cas auparavant avec d'autres procédés de projection thermique. Il est connu que la réaction de nitruration se produisait non seulement dans le jet de plasma mais aussi sur le substrat. De plus, avec l'augmentation de la distance de pulvérisation, l'effet de nitruration a été affaibli et la structure hybride du revêtement de TiN a changé de laminaire dense en colonne poreuse, en function du degré de vaporisation supérieur, de la concentration de réactive inférieure et du substrat plus froid.. Néanmoins, ils ont également permis d'améliorer les propriétés mécaniques du substrat Ti-6Al-4V. / As an advanced thermal spray technology, low-pressure plasma spray (LPPS) allows obtaining high-quality coatings and can bridge the thickness gap between conventional thermal spray technologies and standard thin film processes. Moreover, LPPS permits to build uniform coatings with various microstructures; deposition takes place not only from liquid splats but also from nano-sized clusters as well as from the vapor phase depending on operational conditions. In order to further improve and develop the LPPS process, this research aims to combine it with the emerging suspension plasma spray and reactive plasma spray processes. It was expected to both provide two novel integrated processes and achieve fine-structured coatings with unique microstructures and high performance.A bi-cathode plasma torch (LERMPS lab, UTBM, France) with an axial injection mode was designed and built for LPPS, whose maximum input plasma power was able to reach to 80 kW. By using this new torch, either the very fine-particle suspension or the micro-sized powders was able to be injected into the plasma center under low pressures. As a result, the heat and mass transfer between the plasma jet and the sprayed materials were enhanced.The axial bi-cathode plasma torch was applied firstly to spray two kinds of YSZ feedstocks, including the YSZ suspension and the YSZ agglomerated powders. The results indicated that all the YSZ coatings exhibited relatively dense structures due to the high velocity of particles under low pressures. The coatings were composed of the melted particles, the agglomerated particles as well as the vapor deposition. It was found that the vaporization degree of YSZ was increased by using smaller particle size, lower ambient pressure, longer spraying distance and higher plasma power. In addition, all the YSZ coatings undergone a significant phase transformation from a monoclinic phase to a tetragonal phase, and the transformation degree was proportional to the vaporization degree. However, the mechanical properties of the resulting coatings had the opposite behaviors. The YSZ coatings prepared from the agglomerated particles, which had a bigger droplet size and less vapor deposition, showed a higher hardness and Young's modulus than the YSZ coatings fabricated from fine suspension did.Another high-energy plasma torch O3CP (Oerlikon Metco, Switzerland) was employed to in-situ synthesize the TiN coatings on Ti-6Al-4V alloys by reactive plasma spray under very low pressure. The pure Ti powders were sprayed into an N2 atmosphere under an input plasma power of 120 kW. The hybrid structured TiN coatings were synthesized, which was not previously achieved with other thermal spraying processes. It was known that the nitriding reaction occurred not only in the plasma jet but also on the substrate. Additionally, with increasing spraying distance, the nitriding effect was weakened, and the hybrid structure of TiN coating changed from dense laminar to porous columnar, according to the higher vaporization degree, lower reactant concentration and colder substrate. Nevertheless, they also were able to improve the mechanical properties of the Ti-6Al-4V substrate.

Ce travail de thèse est une étude par des méthodes de simulation de structure électronique du phénomène de dégradation en milieu aqueux de la zircone yttriée. La zircone yttriée est notamment utilisée pour la fabrication de prothèses dont la durée de vie dépend du matériau et de son environnement. Pour ces applications, la zircone yttriée est de structure tétragone, mais en fonction du dopage en yttrium et de l'environnement, cette phase est en compétition avec des structures monoclinique et cubique. Cette compétition est cruciale dans ce travail car elle peut à la fois, augmenter la résistance, ou favoriser la détérioration de ce matériau. L'étude réalisée se concentre sur des taux de dopage inférieurs à 20% mol. en oxyde d'yttrium Y2O3.Dans un premier temps, les structures atomiques d'équilibre à basse température ont été déterminées dans les trois phases en utilisant une méthode de calcul basée sur la Théorie de la Fonctionnelle de la Densité, dans l'approximation de la densité locale. Les résultats incluent de nouvelles structures qui n'ont jusqu'alors pas été discutées dans la littérature et qui sont cohérentes avec le diagramme de phase de la zircone yttriée à basse température. Une analyse plus détaillée suggère que le mécanisme de stabilisation de la zircone yttriée tetragonale est un effet du dépistage ionocovalent particulièrement efficace dans cette phase et dont la signature dans la structure s'exprime par la présence d'ions zirconium en coordination 7. Ceci représente un point important permettant de lier stabilité et structure dans ces systèmes. Une deuxième partie de ce travail est consacrée à l’effet de l'eau dans la zircone yttriée en volume. Pour conclure, ce manuscrit représente une contribution originale à la compréhension de mécanismes à l'échelle atomique qui sont à l'origine des propriétés de la zircone yttriée et de ses applications.yttriée et de ses applications. / This PhD thesis is an electronic structure simulation work to study the stabilization mechanism of yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and the phenomena of the degradation of YSZ due to the presence of an aqueous media. YSZ is used especially in dental and orthopedics application sbut its service depends on the environment. For these biomedical applications a crystallographic tetragonal YSZ (t-YSZ) structure is used, but depending on the concentration of yttria (Y2O3) and the environment, this tetragonal structure is thermodynamically in competition with a monoclinic and cubic phases. This competition is crucial in this work, because it has both effects : increase the resistance or promote the degradation of this material. The study is conducted for Y2O3 concentrations less than 20% mol. First, atomic structures of the three phases at low temperature were determined using density functional theory (DFT)with the local density approximations (LDA). The results include new structures that were not discussed in the literature and which are consistent with the phase diagram of YSZ at low temperature. A more detailed analysis suggests that the stabilization mechanism in YSZ is due to an effective ionocovalent screening : particularly in t-YSZ phase, its signature is expressed in Zr-ions with a coordination number of 7. This represents an important point for linking stability and structure in these systems. A second part of this work is devoted to the effect of water on YSZ bulk systems which leads to low temperature degradation (LTD) of YSZ based bioceramics materials. In conclusion, this PhD thesis represents an original contribution to the understanding of the mechanism and properties of YSZ and its applications at the atomic scale.

Die Filtration unter aggressiven Einsatzbedingungen, z.B. Einsatz in korrosiven Medien, Abgasfiltration, stellt besondere Anforderungen an das Filtermaterial. Sogenanntes "Liquid Phase Sintered Silicon Carbide" (LPS-SiC) erfüllt die Anforderungen sehr gut. Deshalb bestand das Ziel der Arbeit besteht darin, erstmals aus LPS-SiC asymmetrische keramische Membranen (grobporöses Substrat mit dünner, feinporiger Membran) herzustellen. Als Additivsystem fanden Yttriumoxid und Aluminiumoxid Verwendung. Es wurde Siliciumcarbid der Körnung F1200 auf Substrat der Körnung F500 abgeschieden. Dem Herstellungsverfahren kommt für die Qualität der Membran eine große Bedeutung zu. Daher wurden in dieser Arbeit folgende Beschichtungsmethoden untersucht, um die optimale Methode zu identifizieren: Tauchbeschichtung, elektrophoretische Abscheidung, Druckfiltration und Einsatz von Transfertapes (Transfertapes: Mischung aus Polyacrylatkleber und Pulver). Im Mittelpunkt stand dabei die Druckfiltration. Hierfür wurde eine neue Apparatur konzipiert und aufgebaut. Für die schlickerbasierten Methoden wurde ein wässriges System entwickelt, bei dem auf den Einsatz von organischen Hilfsstoffen verzichtet werden konnte. Die elektrostatische Stabilisierung konnte durch gezieltes Anlösen von Yttriumoxid, Ausfällen von feinskaligem Yttriumhydroxid und Belegung des Siliciumcarbids mit dem Yttriumhydroxid erreicht werden. Die Elektrophorese führte zu keinen befriedigenden Ergebnissen aufgrund des undefinierten spezifischen Widerstandes des Substrats (siehe Dissertation Jan Ihle, Bergakademie Freiberg 2004). Die Druckfiltration erwies sich als das geeignetste Verfahren. Mit ihr konnten ohne Einschränkungen hochwertige Membranen erzeugt werden. Druck und Zeit sind bei gegebenen Feststoffgehalt frei wählbar. Der Druck wurde zwischen 2*10E4 und 1*10E5 Pa variiert. Höherer Druck führte zu feineren Porengrößen (mittlere und maximale Porengröße). Mit der Druckfiltration konnten Membranen ohne makroskopische Defekte erzeugt werden. Sie führte im Vergleich aller Verfahren zu der geringsten Rauhtiefe der Membranen. Die Tauchbeschichtung ließ sich in diesem System nur über den Feststoffgehalt steuern. Membranen aus der Tauchbeschichtung wiesen makroskopische Fehler (große oberflächliche Poren) auf. Die Methode führte hinsichtlich Porengrößen und Rauhtiefe zu den schlechtesten Werten. Die Transfertape-Methode als neuartiger Ansatz erwies sich für das LPS-SiC System als noch nicht ausgereift. Das direkte Bekleben der Substrate war möglich. Hinsichtlich der Membrandicke sind aber Grenzen bei ca. 50 µm gesetzt. Darüber hinaus reißen die Membranen. Es wurden Schwankungen in der Entbinder- und Sinterschwindung verzeichnet. Weiterhin werden große Hohlräume im Substrat nicht von den Transfertapes abgeformt. Beide Effekte erhöhen die Spannungen beim Sintern, so dass bei geringeren Schichtdicken Risse entstehen. / Silicon Carbide (SiC) fulfills many requirements, e.g. a high robustness in terms of corrosion, which makes it a suitable Material for ceramic membranes. The aim of this work was to produce ceramic membranes out of porous liquid phase sintered Silicon Carbide (LPS-SiC). As additives Alumina and Yttria were used. The SiC based on commercial abrasive powders F1200 (Membrane) and F500 (Substrate). Different techniques of membrane formation were applied in order to find the optimum processing procedure: Dip Coating, Electrophoretic Deposition (EPD), Pressure Filtration and the usage of so called Transfer Tapes, a blend of Polyacrylate and ceramic powders). For the slip based methods a water based system was developed without the need of organic additives. A pure electrostatic stabilization was facilitated by solving Yttria with Hydrochloride Acid and precipitation, resulting in the coverage of the SiC particles with finely dispersed Yttria. The EPD was not successful due to a undefined specific resistance of the substrate. The pressure filtration turned out to be the best, most versatile method, leading to defect free membranes with the lowest measured surface roughness. The pressure ranged between 2*10E4 and 1*10E5 Pa. Higher pressure lead to finer pores. The Dip Coating was controlled only by the solids content. Membranes by Dip Coating showed macroscopic defects. As a new concept for ceramic membrane fabrication the Transfer Tapes needed further investigation. The direct gluing on the substrate was possible. The thickness of the membrane was limited to 50 microns in order to keep free of cracks. The Transfer Tapes exhibited pronounced fluctuations in the debinding and sintering shrinkage, leading to increased tension during sintering. Furthermore cavities, (e.g. big pores) were bridged. Both effects lead to increased tension during sintering.

No description available.

Les techniques de frittage ultrarapide « naturel » (sans charge) comme le frittage par micro-ondes ou par induction présentent de nombreux avantages. Toutefois, le développement de ces techniques passe par une compréhension et une maitrise des mécanismes mis en jeu. A la fois similaires et complémentaires, ces procédés de chauffage-frittage ont été étudiées par une approche expérimentale afin d’approfondir les connaissances dans le domaine du Frittage Ultrarapide Naturel (FUN). Au cours de cette thèse, l’étude du frittage par micro-ondes de composites céramiques Al2O3-(Y)ZrO2 (3 à 40%vol.) a été menée parallèlement à celle du frittage par induction d’une poudre métallique micronique de nickel. La démarche expérimentale adoptée a consisté à réaliser des expériences de frittage à vitesses de chauffage imposées (de 25 à 1000°C/min) sur ces matériaux modèles et des pièces de petites dimensions, en se référant aux comportements en frittage conventionnel tant au niveau macroscopique qu’au niveau microscopique. / The techniques of ultrafast pressureless sintering as microwave or induction sintering offer manyadvantages. However, the development of these techniques requires an understanding and a control ofthe mechanisms involved. Both similar and complementary, these processes of heating-sintering havebeen studied by an experimental approach to increase knowledge in the field of Ultrafast PressurelessSintering.In this thesis, the study of microwave sintering of Al2O3-(Y)ZrO2 composites has been conductedin parallel with induction sintering of a submicronic nickel powder. The experimental approach usedconsisted in carrying out sintering experiments at imposed heating rates (from 25 to 1000°C/min) onchosen materials and small parts, referring to conventional sintering behavior at the macroscopic andmicroscopic scale.

Die Filtration unter aggressiven Einsatzbedingungen, z.B. Einsatz in korrosiven Medien, Abgasfiltration, stellt besondere Anforderungen an das Filtermaterial. Sogenanntes "Liquid Phase Sintered Silicon Carbide" (LPS-SiC) erfüllt die Anforderungen sehr gut. Deshalb bestand das Ziel der Arbeit besteht darin, erstmals aus LPS-SiC asymmetrische keramische Membranen (grobporöses Substrat mit dünner, feinporiger Membran) herzustellen. Als Additivsystem fanden Yttriumoxid und Aluminiumoxid Verwendung. Es wurde Siliciumcarbid der Körnung F1200 auf Substrat der Körnung F500 abgeschieden. Dem Herstellungsverfahren kommt für die Qualität der Membran eine große Bedeutung zu. Daher wurden in dieser Arbeit folgende Beschichtungsmethoden untersucht, um die optimale Methode zu identifizieren: Tauchbeschichtung, elektrophoretische Abscheidung, Druckfiltration und Einsatz von Transfertapes (Transfertapes: Mischung aus Polyacrylatkleber und Pulver). Im Mittelpunkt stand dabei die Druckfiltration. Hierfür wurde eine neue Apparatur konzipiert und aufgebaut. Für die schlickerbasierten Methoden wurde ein wässriges System entwickelt, bei dem auf den Einsatz von organischen Hilfsstoffen verzichtet werden konnte. Die elektrostatische Stabilisierung konnte durch gezieltes Anlösen von Yttriumoxid, Ausfällen von feinskaligem Yttriumhydroxid und Belegung des Siliciumcarbids mit dem Yttriumhydroxid erreicht werden. Die Elektrophorese führte zu keinen befriedigenden Ergebnissen aufgrund des undefinierten spezifischen Widerstandes des Substrats (siehe Dissertation Jan Ihle, Bergakademie Freiberg 2004). Die Druckfiltration erwies sich als das geeignetste Verfahren. Mit ihr konnten ohne Einschränkungen hochwertige Membranen erzeugt werden. Druck und Zeit sind bei gegebenen Feststoffgehalt frei wählbar. Der Druck wurde zwischen 2*10E4 und 1*10E5 Pa variiert. Höherer Druck führte zu feineren Porengrößen (mittlere und maximale Porengröße). Mit der Druckfiltration konnten Membranen ohne makroskopische Defekte erzeugt werden. Sie führte im Vergleich aller Verfahren zu der geringsten Rauhtiefe der Membranen. Die Tauchbeschichtung ließ sich in diesem System nur über den Feststoffgehalt steuern. Membranen aus der Tauchbeschichtung wiesen makroskopische Fehler (große oberflächliche Poren) auf. Die Methode führte hinsichtlich Porengrößen und Rauhtiefe zu den schlechtesten Werten. Die Transfertape-Methode als neuartiger Ansatz erwies sich für das LPS-SiC System als noch nicht ausgereift. Das direkte Bekleben der Substrate war möglich. Hinsichtlich der Membrandicke sind aber Grenzen bei ca. 50 µm gesetzt. Darüber hinaus reißen die Membranen. Es wurden Schwankungen in der Entbinder- und Sinterschwindung verzeichnet. Weiterhin werden große Hohlräume im Substrat nicht von den Transfertapes abgeformt. Beide Effekte erhöhen die Spannungen beim Sintern, so dass bei geringeren Schichtdicken Risse entstehen. / Silicon Carbide (SiC) fulfills many requirements, e.g. a high robustness in terms of corrosion, which makes it a suitable Material for ceramic membranes. The aim of this work was to produce ceramic membranes out of porous liquid phase sintered Silicon Carbide (LPS-SiC). As additives Alumina and Yttria were used. The SiC based on commercial abrasive powders F1200 (Membrane) and F500 (Substrate). Different techniques of membrane formation were applied in order to find the optimum processing procedure: Dip Coating, Electrophoretic Deposition (EPD), Pressure Filtration and the usage of so called Transfer Tapes, a blend of Polyacrylate and ceramic powders). For the slip based methods a water based system was developed without the need of organic additives. A pure electrostatic stabilization was facilitated by solving Yttria with Hydrochloride Acid and precipitation, resulting in the coverage of the SiC particles with finely dispersed Yttria. The EPD was not successful due to a undefined specific resistance of the substrate. The pressure filtration turned out to be the best, most versatile method, leading to defect free membranes with the lowest measured surface roughness. The pressure ranged between 2*10E4 and 1*10E5 Pa. Higher pressure lead to finer pores. The Dip Coating was controlled only by the solids content. Membranes by Dip Coating showed macroscopic defects. As a new concept for ceramic membrane fabrication the Transfer Tapes needed further investigation. The direct gluing on the substrate was possible. The thickness of the membrane was limited to 50 microns in order to keep free of cracks. The Transfer Tapes exhibited pronounced fluctuations in the debinding and sintering shrinkage, leading to increased tension during sintering. Furthermore cavities, (e.g. big pores) were bridged. Both effects lead to increased tension during sintering.