Synthesis and spark plasma sintering of the α-Si3N4 nanopowder

A two-step process (milling and then heat treatment) was used for the preparation of α-Si₃N₄ nanopowder. The influence of the milling time and heat treatment temperature as processing parameters were investigated on the formation of α-Si₃N₄. Silicon nitride ceramic was produced by spark plasma sintering at 1700 °C for 15 min, using MgSiN₂ additive. The optimum sample was produced in a 30 h milling time, heat treatment at 1300 °C, and a 22 °C/min heating rate conditions. X-ray fluorescence analysis showed that the purity of the final product is above 98%. Nanoindentation hardness and Young’s modulus of the SPS-ed sample were measured as 17±2.0 GPa and 290±11.0 GPa, respectively.     

Simultaneous synthesis and densification of transparent,photoluminescent polycrystalline YAG by current activated pressure assisted densification (CAPAD)

We report a method for the synthesis and processing of transparent bulk polycrystalline yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) and photoluminescent Ce-doped YAG ceramics via solid-state reactive-current activated pressure assisted densification (CAPAD). The process uses commercially available γ-Al₂O₃, Y₂O₃, and CeO₂ nanopowders. The nanopowders were reacted and densified simultaneously at temperatures between 850 °C and 1550 °C and at a maximum pressure of 105 MPa. The solid-state reaction to phase pure YAG occurs in under 4 min at processing temperatures 1100 °C which is significantly faster (on the order of tens of hours) and occurs at much lower temperatures (∼600 °C) compared to conventional reaction sintering. We found that the reaction significantly improves densification – the shrinkage rate of reaction-produced YAG was three times higher than that of YAG using pre-reacted powder. The Ce additions were found to retard the reaction driven shrinkage kinetics by a factor ∼3, but are still faster (by a factor ∼1.6) than those associated with direct densification (no synthesis). Densities >99% were achieved in both pure YAG and Ce doped YAG (Ce:YAG). Results of optical measurements show good transparency in the visible and photoluminescence (PL) in the Ce:YAG. The PL peak is broad and appears white when excited using blue light confirming that the ceramics can be used in solid state lighting to produce white light.     

Progressive filling partitioning and mapping algorithm for Spark based on allocation fitness degree

The job execution mechanism of Spark was analyzed,task efficiency model and Shuffle model were established,then allocation fitness degree (AFD) was defined and the optimization goal was put forward.On the basis of the model definition,the progressive filling partitioning and mapping algorithm (PFPM) was proposed.PFPM established the data distribution scheme adapting Reducers’ computing ability to decrease synchronous latency during Shuffle process and increase cluster the computing efficiency.The experiments demonstrate that PFPM could improve the rationality of workload distribution in Shuffle and optimize the execution efficiency of Spark.     

Effect of amount of doping agent on sintering,microstructure and optical properties of Zr- and La-doped alumina sintered by SPS

SPS-produced α-alumina samples are prepared from powders doped with different amounts of Zr⁴⁺ and La³⁺ cations. Zr⁴⁺ cations segregate at grain boundaries. m-ZrO₂ particles are formed at 570 but not at 280 cat ppm. A β-alumina LaAl₁₁O₁₈ structure is found at 310 cat ppm when the lanthanum grain boundary solubility limit is exceeded (∼200 cat ppm). 100 cat ppm La is sufficient to block the diffusion path across grain boundaries and inhibit grain growth. Both doping cations disturb the grain boundary diffusion whatever their amount. They delay the densification at higher temperatures while limiting grain growth. The real in-line transmittance (RIT) of α-alumina is improved due to the reduced grain size. Nevertheless, increasing the cation amount leads to an increase in porosity or even the formation of secondary phase particles, both detrimental for optical properties. Finally, optimised amounts of cation of 200 and 150 cat ppm are found for La- and Zr-doped alumina, respectively.     

Textured Al-doped ZnO ceramics with isotropic grains

Pure ZnO and single Al-doped ZnO compounds without secondary phase have been obtained by SPS process. Starting powders prepared by co-precipitation have been synthesized. The sintered pellets exhibit different texture degree but similar isotropic shaped grains. Sintering mechanisms are proposed for both powders, explaining the different texture and grain size evolutions as a direct consequence of the differences observed in both compounds. The influence of texture and grain morphology on the thermoelectric properties is studied.     

Visualization and concentration measurement of a direct-injection hydrogen jet in a constant-volume vessel using spark-induced breakdown spectroscopy

In this work, spark-induced breakdown spectroscopy (SIBS) was employed to investigate the mixing process of a hydrogen jet in a constant-volume vessel. The local fuel concentration of the hydrogen jet was measured at several locations, using a SIBS sensor. A high-speed camera was used to visualize spark discharge fluctuations, and hydrogen jet concentration measurements were conducted simultaneously. Spectrally resolved atomic emissions from the plasma generated by the spark plug were examined to determine the local equivalence ratio. Direct visualization of the spark discharge provided useful information about the influence of spark discharge characteristics related to the spark timing. Using the developed SIBS sensor, atomic emission spectra were obtained from hydrogen H_α at 656 nm and nitrogen N (I) at 501 nm. Comparison of the intensity peaks of atomic emissions from hydrogen and nitrogen allows the local hydrogen concentration in a measured volume to be determined, and hence also the local equivalence ratio. The measurement results demonstrate the local variation in the equivalence ratio throughout the jet and along its axis. From the results, the spatial structure of the hydrogen jet affects the hydrogen/nitrogen mixing and could be clarified with SIBS technique when the spark is discharged.     

Effect of V content on microstructure and mechanical property of a TiVCuNiAl composite fabricated by spark plasma sintering

Ultrafine-grained (Ti₄₀Cu_22.9Ni_19.4Al_17.7)_x(Ti₈₀V₂₀)_1−x (x = 0.35 and 0.55) composites were fabricated by spark plasma sintering and crystallization of amorphous phase. Outstanding difference in microstructure and mechanical property is found for the two composites. Microstructure observation shows that the two composites all consist of body-centered cubic β-Ti and face-centered cubic (Cu, Ni)–Ti₂ regions but have opposite matrix and reinforcing phases. Meanwhile, mechanical property examination indicates that the composites for x = 0.35 exhibit far higher fracture strength and far larger fracture strain compared with the composites for x = 0.55 fabricated under the same parameter conditions. The different mechanical properties for the two composites can be explained by the different fracture mechanisms resulted from their different microstructures.     

In-vitro behavior of different fully dense calcium phosphate materials fabricated by Spark Plasma Sintering

Results obtained during in-vitro experiments concerning human osteoblasts cultivated on the surface of dense samples produced by Spark Plasma Sintering from three types of hydroxyapatite powders are described and discussed. The sintered products display diverse composition and microstructures which are found to significantly influence the biological response of the cells. Osteoblasts adhesion, viability and proliferation are quantitatively comparable for the three classes of bioceramics, whereas matrix mineralization occurs only in products exclusively consisting of hydroxyapatite. Correspondingly, a calcium-phosphate layer exhibiting a trabecular-like microstructure is deposited on the materials surface. Matrix mineralization is favored when the substrate is composed of submicrometer-sized apatite grains. On the other hand, the latter phenomena is markedly suppressed, and so does the formation of the new apatite phase, when cells are seeded on sintered disks composed of β-Tri-Calcium Phosphate, which was formed during the sintering process from the decomposition of initial apatite.     

On the fabrication of functional graded 3Y-PSZ/316L materials by SPS: Process optimization and characterization of the obtained products

Dense and crack free six-layered functional graded materials were successfully produced by Spark Plasma Sintering by combining 3 mol% Y₂O₃-partially stabilized ZrO₂ (3Y-PSZ) and 316L stainless steel. All the sintered products consisted of a steel free layer on one side and a cermet composite containing 50 vol% of both constituents on the opposite side. Conversely, the stainless steel concentration in the interlayers was progressively changed following diverse spatial profiles.It was found that the temperature interval from 1080 to 1180 °C required for the full consolidation from the 50 vol% composite layer to the 3Y-PSZ one, respectively, can be reached when adopting a specific die configuration where the cross section was varied from 30 to 28 mm, respectively. Correspondingly, the densification level of each layer, as well as the related hardness and fracture toughness properties, were highly enhanced with respect to the standard cylindrical die. In addition, a significant improvement of the material toughness was obtained when the material concentration exponent was decreased from 2 to 1, whereas this effect tends to vanish when such parameter was further reduced to 0.5.     

Gel-casting of transparent magnesium aluminate spinel ceramics fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS)

In this paper, a transparent magnesium aluminate spinel ceramic was fabricated through the newest colloidal gel casting method, using a synthetic powder with the average particle size of 90 nm and Isobutylene-Maleic Anhydride (ISOBAM) additive. ISOBAM served as both a dispersant and a gelation agent to achieve a dense body. Also, the suspension rheological behavior was optimized by the solid loading of 85 wt%, the additive content of 0.7 wt%, and the gelation time of 350 s. This led to a green body with a density equal to 65% of theoretical density and the green strength of 14.48 MPa. The results revealed that the reduction of porosity and the uniform distribution of pores in the green body (smaller than half of the initial powder particle size, 35 nm), as accompanied by spark plasma sintering (SPS), resulted in the final body density of 99.97%, as well as the high in-line transmittance of 86.7% at the wavelength of 1100 nm.