Mirva Eriksson

Fast densification and deformation of titanium powder

Abstract A coarse titanium powder containing 0·2 wt-% oxygen with an average particle size of 45 μm was rapidly densified using the spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique. The fully consolidated specimens were also deformed in compression in the SPS unit and in a conventional hot pressing (HP) furnace. The densification and deformation behaviours were investigated by microstructural observation and examining the shrinkage and shrinkage rate recorded in real time. The efforts were focused on clarifying to what extent the possible spark discharging and intensive Joule heating at the particle contact points contribute to the densification, and what effect if any the pulsed electrical heating has on the densification. The results showed that what contributed to the densification were neither spark discharging nor anisotropic heating, but the particle deformation. Deformation occurs throughout the entire particle both in SPS and HP conditions, with a higher strain rate under SPS condition especially in the α phase region.

The grain size effect on the properties of Aurivillius phase Bi3.15Nd0.85Ti3O12 ferroelectric ceramics

Aurivillius phase, bismuth layer structured ferroelectric Bi(3.15)Nd(0.85)Ti(3)O(12) (BNdT) ceramics with average grain sizes from 90 nm and high densities (>97%) were fabricated by spark plasma sintering. Decreasing grain size produced a diffuse ferro-paraelectric phase transition and a decrease in the Curie point. Compared with BNdT ceramics with grain sizes of micrometre scale, nanograined BNdT ceramics exhibit a depression of the dielectric maximum at the Curie point, enhanced dielectric constant from room temperature to 350 degrees C and dramatically decreased losses. Although ferroelectric switching was greatly inhibited in nanograined ceramics, both ferroelectric and piezoelectric measurements still clearly showed that BNdT ceramics with 90 nm average grain sizes are ferroelectrically switchable. This is the first reported evidence that nanoscale Aurivillius phase ceramics are ferroelectrically active.

Effect of grain size on domain structures, dielectric and thermal depoling of Nd-substituted bismuth titanate ceramics

The microscopic origin of the grain size effects on the dielectric, piezoelectric, and thermal depoling properties of Aurivillius phase Bi3.15Nd0.85Ti3O12 was investigated. Using atomic force microscopy, domain walls were observed in micrometer grain size ceramics, but gradually disappeared with reducing grain size and were not found in ceramics with 90 nm grain size. In strain-electric field butterfly loops, the strain decreased with decreasing grain size indicating a decreasing contribution of non-180° domain walls switching to the strain. Lattice distortion (a−b)/b decreased with decreasing grain size. The thermal depoling resistance decreased with decreasing grain size, due to increasing internal mechanical stresses.

Low temperature consolidated lead-free ferroelectric niobate ceramics with improved electrical properties

There is a concerted effort to develop lead-free piezoelectric ceramics. ((Na0.5K0.5)NbO3 based ceramics have good electrical properties, and are a potential replacement material for lead zirconate ...

Can the use of pulsed direct current induce oscillation in the applied pressure during spark plasma sintering

Abstract The spark plasma sintering (SPS) process is known for its rapid densification of metals and ceramics. The mechanism behind this rapid densification has been discussed during the last few decades and is yet uncertain. During our SPS experiments we noticed oscillations in the applied pressure, related to a change in electric current. In this study, we investigated the effect of pulsed electrical current on the applied mechanical pressure and related changes in temperature. We eliminated the effect of sample shrinkage in the SPS setup and used a transparent quartz die allowing direct observation of the sample. We found that the use of pulsed direct electric current in our apparatus induces pressure oscillations with the amplitude depending on the current density. While sintering Ti samples we observed temperature oscillations resulting from pressure oscillations, which we attribute to magnetic forces generated within the SPS apparatus. The described current–pressure–temperature relations might increase understanding of the SPS process.

Tougher zirconia nanoceramics with less yttria

ABSTRACT Reducing the grain size in zirconia ceramics has shown to decrease its toughness by size-dependent stabilisation of the tetragonal phase that, in turn, hinders the stress-induced phase transformation from tetragonal to monoclinic. The stability of the tetragonal phase increases with the decrease of grain size but decreases with the reduction of the amount of yttria added, implying the need for adjustment of the yttria content when a nano-grained structure is of concern. In this study, low-yttria compositions were investigated. The ceramics were prepared with two sintering methods namely spark plasma sintering (SPS) and pressureless sintering. A clear tendency was noted for the indentation toughness increase with the reduction of yttria content, and a higher toughness achieved in as-SPSed samples in comparison with the annealed samples. The origins of the increased toughness were discussed in terms of yttria content, carbon contamination and increased oxygen vacancies after sintering at reducing atmosphere in SPS.