Antonio Eduardo Martinelli

Review Article: recent advances in metal-ceramic brazing

Metal-ceramic joining has slowly but steadily become an important manufacturing step. The evolution of joining processes has allowed ceramics to be used in combination with metals in a number of hybrid devices from traditional light bulbs and seals to improved cutting tools and modern monitoring and measuring electronic devices. New joining methods and newer approaches to conventional methods have been developed aiming at joints characterized by improved reliability, and interfaces capable of withstanding high-temperature resistance with minimum residual stresses. A summary of recent improvements on alternative approaches to ceramic-metal joining as well as new developments on brazing are presented herein. The present review also focuses on recent advances towards brazing metallized ceramics and the selection of filler alloys, since in a scenario that includes joining by laser and direct bonding with liquid transient phases, brazing continues to be by far the most widely used approach to joining as a result of its low-cost and possibility to join intricate geometries for large-scale production. Finally, methods to evaluate the mechanical strength and residual thermal stresses are presented in addition to alternative approaches to minimize residual stresses and, consequently, improve joint reliability.

Evaluation of CoAl2O4 as ceramic pigments

Abstract CoAl 2 O 4 powder was obtained from a mixture of Co and Al oxalates at a ratio of 1:8 (Co:Al). The material was calcinated at different temperatures, established from TG data, and characterized using FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, BET surface area, and thermal analysis. The dyeing characteristics of CoAl 2 O 4 were established by coating ceramic substrates with different concentrations of the powder.

Effect of workpiece geometry on the uniformity of nitrided layers

The growth behavior of plasma-nitrided layers on workpieces with complex geometry was systematically investigated. AISI 316 stainless steel pellets with different heights were nitrided under a mixture of N2–80% H2 at different temperatures (673, 773 and 843 K) and pressures (100 and 500 Pa). Significant differences in thickness and hardness of the resulting nitrided layers were observed as a function of nitriding parameters. The thickness of nitrided layers increased with sample height, excepted those nitrided at 843 K. The diameter of eroded rings, commonly observed on nitrided samples, varied with coupon height. Changes in both layer thickness and eroded ring diameter are presently addressed based on the thermal balance and charge density that take place near the edges of the samples.

Low-temperature synthesis of single-phase crystalline LaNiO3 perovskite via Pechini method

Abstract LaNiO 3 powders were prepared from polymeric precursors. The material was calcinated either under flowing oxygen or in air at temperatures ranging from 300 to 800 °C. The formation of new phases upon calcination was investigated using X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and CHN analysis. The results revealed the formation of a single-phase powder having the perovskite structure at temperatures as low as 600 °C. The atmosphere did not significantly affect the final product.

Growth of nitrided layers on Fe–Cr alloys

Abstract Chromium is an important alloying element present in numerous commercial steels. A systematic study on the nitriding behavior of Fe–Cr alloys is helpful in predicting the properties of nitrided Cr-alloyed steels. Aspects such as microstructural evolution, growth kinetics, and mechanical properties should be particularly emphasized. Fe–Cr alloys containing 5, 10, and 20 wt.% Cr have been arc melted and subsequently plasma nitrided under a N 2 –80% H 2 atmosphere. The microstructure of the resulting nitrided layers was characterized and the microhardness profiles evaluated. Thicker layers developed on low chromium alloys. Differences in hardness profiles were also observed as a function of chromium contents. Nitriding Fe–5% Cr alloys resulted in two discrete fronts, refereed to as the diffusion front and the transformation front. Transformed regions sustained a decrease in hardness from 1000 down to 600 HV, associated with the conversion of homogeneously dispersed fine precipitates into coarser needle like particles immersed in the ferritic matrix. Similar behavior was not observed for the other alloys, where both fronts developed simultaneously.

Sintering behaviour of alumina–tungsten carbide composites

Abstract Alumina reinforced with tungsten carbide has been investigated as an alternative material for metalworking, combining resistance to high service temperatures and improved toughness. Pressureless sintered and hot-pressed Al 2 O 3 –WC composites were manufactured and characterised. The use of Y 2 O 3 as a sintering additive has also been evaluated. Additions of up to 30 wt.% WC resulted in limited grain boundary pinning and corresponding high densification. Although the addition of Y 2 O 3 improved sintering, the presence of a residual grain boundary phase (YAG) was harmful to the fracture toughness of the composites, as it affected the effectiveness of the crack deflection mechanism that takes place at the interfaces between Al 2 O 3 and WC grains. Hot-pressing resulted in hardness ∼17.5 GPa and fracture toughness ∼7 MPa m −1/2 , which is an improvement compared to alumina reinforced by other refractory carbides.

Pechini synthesis and microstructure of nickel-doped copper chromites

Spinel-type solid solutions were synthesized by the Pechini method and calcined between 500 and 900 °C for 4 hours and at 900 °C for 8 hours to produce ceramic pigments. The resulting powders were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), particle size analysis and BET surface area measurements. The formation of spinel took place upon calcination at 700 °C. IR spectroscopy revealed the presence of n1 and n2 bands, typical of spinel structures, broadened by the presence of more than one cationic species in the structure. The specific area of the resulting powder decreased from 24.7 to 1.4 m2 g-1 as the calcination temperature increased from 700 to 900 °C. Microstructural analyses revealed the presence of crystalline spinel as the only phase present in powders calcined at 900 °C. Colorimetric analyses using L*a*b* coordinates and UV-visible spectroscopy revealed that the pigment was predominantly black.

Effect of Y2O3 addition on the densification and mechanical properties of alumina–niobium carbide composites

Alumina-based composites reinforced with refractory carbides are potential cutting tool materials. They exceed the capabilities of cemented carbides with respect to hot hardness and thermal stability, resulting in faster cutting speeds. Liquid-phase sintering of Al2O3–NbC composites was investigated as an alternative to pressure-assisted processes. Al2O3 reinforced by NbC (5–40 wt.%) was sintered with 3 wt.% Y2O3. In order to assess the effect of the formation of a liquid phase on the properties of the composites, sintering was carried out either below or above the Al2O3–Y2O3 eutectic temperature, at 1650 and 1800°C, respectively. Density, hardness, fracture toughness and wear resistance of the composite materials were evaluated. Liquid phase sintering did not affect the fracture toughness, but improved both the density and the hardness of the material, regardless of its NbC contents. Higher concentrations of NbC increased the wear resistance of the composite.

Reinforcing Al2O3 with W-Ti mixed carbide

Abstract Recent advances in high-speed cutting materials have focused on reinforcing alumina with different carbides and nitrides in order to improve hardness and fracture toughness. However, data on mixed carbides is still scarce. The potential use of this type of material for cutting tool applications has yet to be determined. The present study reports some preliminary results obtained reinforcing Al 2 O 3 with WTiC in the range of 5–30 wt.%. The material was hot-pressed at 1650°C for 30 min and then characterized. Vickers microhardness ( H V ) and fracture toughness ( K IC ) were evaluated by the indentation method. The addition of WTiC did not result in any significant change in the fracture toughness of alumina, however hardness values in excess of 22 GPa were obtained.

Synthesis and characterization of La1-xSr xMnO3±δ powders obtained by the polymeric precursor route

Polycrystalline strontium-doped lanthanum manganite (LSM) powders with 0.15, 0.22, and 0.30 mol % Sr were synthesized by the polymeric precursor route using a molar ratio of 3:1 citric acid and metal cations. The powders were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis, high-temperature X-ray diffraction to determine the crystalline perovskite phase and crystallite sizes, scanning electron microscopy for the morphological analysis, nitrogen adsorption to determine the specific surface area, and laser scattering to evaluate the particle size distribution. The LSM perovskite-type oxides containing intermediate 0.22 mol % Sr were found to exhibit a tendency to decrease in crystallite size and increase in specific surface area and, when calcined at 700-900 oC exhibited a pure phase of perovskite, had a crystallite size of about 17-20 nm and a specific surface area for 900 oC of 34.3 m2.g-1.