Nicolaie Jumate

Characterization of Gradual Porous Ceramic Structures Obtained by Powder Sedimentation

Asymmetric membranes present better separation and service characteristics than the symmetric ones. In our preliminary studies the possibility of obtaining sintered porous materials with gradual structure by sedimentation of metallic and ceramic powders was demonstrated. Zirconium silicate (ZrSiC 4 ) particles were used for the manufacturing of the porous supports, and mullite powder was deposited by sedimentation in order to achieve the active layer with pores size gradient. The used powders and the obtained structures were characterized by laser scattering particle size analyzer, scanning electron microscopy and mercury porosimetry. The permeability and the filtration fineness of the structures were also determined. By using a thin active layer made of small particles deposited onto a macro-porous support, one can achieve membranes with high flow rates and filtration fineness in the microfiltration area.

Metallic Foams Obtained from Nickel Based Superalloy Hollow Spheres

In this work, hollow spherical nickel based superalloy powders obtained by liquid phase atomization were used. The obtained powder was divided into six size particle ranges between 200 µm and 630 µm using a shatter box. Samples from all six ranges were obtained by spreading the powder into the sintering die and consolidating them by sintering at 900°C and 1000°C for 30 minutes in vacuum (10-4 Torr). The metallic foams obtained by sintering hollow particles presents high porosity, and can be used as thermal barriers, catalyst support, shock absorbers or lightweight structural elements.

Preparation and characterization of urea-oxalic acid solid form

The selective production of crystalline polymorphs is an outstanding problem in solid-state chemistry. In this study, the preparation of a new urea solid form is based on pure urea and oxalic acid (1:1), by grinding the components at room temperature. The resulted compound was investigated by X-ray powder diffraction (PXRD), thermal analysis (DSC, PPE) and infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The difference between the PXRD patterns of urea-oxalic acid and of the starting components evidenced a new compound. Using X-ray powder diffraction method, the lattice parameters were determined. Some thermal properties of the obtained compound were also investigated by the previous mentioned calorimetric techniques.

Preliminary Studies and Researches on the Elaboration of Gradual Porous Sintered Structures by Powder Sedimentation

Spherical bronze powders were used for studies the obtaining of gradual porous structures by sedimentation and sintering methods. The powder size classes above 100 μm were used for the manufacturing of the macroporous support by spreading the powder into the sintering die. Sintering was conducted in vacuum (10-4 Torr) at a temperature of 750 °C for 40 minutes. On the macroporous support a layer of fine powder fraction was deposited by gravitational sedimentation. The deposited layers were consolidated by sintering at 750 °C for 30 minutes. The analysis of the gradual porous layers was done using scanning electron microscopy and mercury porosimetry. The fluids viscosity influences the sedimentation velocity of particles. The height of the column directly affects the quality of porous structure. If the sedimentary column is short, the turbulences created by adding the suspension of the dispersed powder in the sedimentary tube are more harmful.

The characteristics of gold films deposited on ceramic substrate

A large quantity of gold (approximately 10 tonnes yearly) is consumed, all over the world, just to decorate ceramic and glassware. Due to their advanced chemical stability gold films are used for different high technology applications. The technologies for obtaining the best “liquid bright gold” were intensively studied, but the quality of the decor coatings (films) were empirically assessed. We proposed a scientific investigation of the characteristics of gold films, deposited on ceramic substrates, from “liquid bright golds”. The composition of the film has been determined by EDS (Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry). The distribution of the elements was determined at the surface of the film and in cross-section. The surface distribution of the elements was uniform. The diffusion process of the film into substrate and the migration of the substrate elements at the interface region and into the film have been highlighted.The morphology of the film was studied by SEM microscopy. The grain size varied between 0.05 – 2 μm as a function of the film composition. The major phases from the film and interface were evidenced by X-ray diffraction. The film consisted of crystalline gold. At the interface region a solid solution of Au-ZrSiO4 was identified. Other phases were in amorphous state. The reflection spectra of the films were recorded from optical properties, using a mirror gold as standard, for comparison. The film with the smaller particle size reflected the UV — VIS wavelengths in the same way as a gold mirror. The adherence of the film on the substrate can be explained by the formation of an interfacial layer from solid solution Au−ZrSiO4 and by diffusion processes.

Studies and Researches on the Obtaining of Sintered Gradual Porous Structures by Irregular Nickel Powders Sedimentation

The aim of this work is to obtain sintered porous membranes with graded structure for microfiltration by sedimentation and sintering of metallic powders. Our previous studies have demonstrated the possibility of obtaining sintered porous materials with graded structure by sedimentation. In this paper, irregular nickel particles were used having a grain size in the 2-90 µm range evaluated using scanning electron microscopy and laser scattering particle size analyzer. The powders were sedimented into a sintering die in a sedimentation medium consisting of water and dispersant agent. After drying, the samples were sintered at 1000°C for 10 minutes in vacuum (~1•10-3 Pa). The structures obtained were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and mercury porosimetry. The pore size distribution was between 5-72 µm. The flow rate - pressure drop curves were experimentally determined and the viscous permeability coefficient was calculated using Darcy’s law (Ψv=0.14•10-12 m2). The absolute filtration fineness measured was 20 µm and the relative filtration fineness (95%) obtained for our membranes was 11 µm respectively. The possible applications for the studied membrane are: water microfiltration, environmental technologies, filtering lubricants and cleaning agents

Thermal Stability of Ni40Ti40Nb20 and Ni32Ti48Nb20 Tapes Obtained by Rapid Solidification Technique

Nickel–titanium- group 5A metal (V, Nb, Ta, Zr) alloys are known as promising hydrogen-selective membrane materials. They can potentially be used in membrane reactors, which can produce high-purity H2 and CO2 streams from coal-derived syngas at elevated temperatures. The master alloys were prepared by arc melting using high purity metals in a Ti-gettered argon atmosphere. The alloys were melted several times in order to improve homogeneity. The ingots were induction-melted under a high-purity argon atmosphere in a quartz tube and graphite crucible injected through a nozzle onto a Cu wheel to produce rapidly solidified amorphous ribbons. Thermal stability of the Ni40Ti40Nb20 and Ni32Ti48Nb20 thin tapes has been examined using DTA analysis.

Analysis of Functional Properties of Cu-Al2O3 Particulate Reinforced Composites. A First Assessment: Elaboration

The possibilities of Cu-Al2O3 particulate reinforced composites, of competitive functional properties, processing by the classical powder metallurgy route have been investigated taking into consideration its known technical and economical advantages in respect to the known worldwide investigated technological routes of their processing. The adopted compositions, of (5.0÷20.0) [vol.%] Al2O3, were selected in agreement with published data for a large range of applications. Pharmaceutical homogenization method applied for powder mixtures preparation proved to assure a high homogeneity, evidenced by SEM and EDS analyses. Their determined compressibility has shown that, for all compositions, the obtainable compactness is very close to that of pure Cu (even over 94 %). Cold uniaxial compaction at 500 and 700 MPa, and subsequent sintering in argon of high purity at 800 °C for 45 and 60 min have been adopted for composites realization. The performed analysis of the compacting pressure and sintering time influence on the composite compactness proved that, beside the above specified values obtaining for 700 MPa and 60 minute processing parameters, high enough values, acceptable for numerous applications, can be also obtained at 500 MPa and 60 or even 45 minutes. Finally, microstructural analysis highlighted that, by the adopted processing conditions, a high uniformity of Al2O3 particles distribution in the Cu matrix can been assured, both creating premises for obtaining good functional properties of Cu-Al2O3 composites, proving the competitiveness of the investigated PM route for their elaboration.

FeNi-TiC Composite Powders Obtained by Electrolytic Co-Deposition

The paper presents a preliminary study on the obtaining of a composite powder by an electrolytic method. The composite powder particles are composed of iron nickel alloy that represents the matrix of the composite, and titanium carbide as the reinforcement. The matrix was obtained by electrolytic co-deposition from pure iron and nickel, in form of consumable electrodes. The titanium carbide powder is in suspension in the electrolyte. By the migration of metallic ions towards the cathode, the iron- nickel alloy is formed and, by simultaneously driving the carbide particles found in the electrolyte onto the cathode, the composite powder is obtained. The resulted composite powders were characterized by optical and electron microscopy. The influence of obtaining conditions over the morphology and structure of composite powders is emphased.

Modification of the Structural Characteristics of the Tungsten Powder through Short Mechanical Milling Processes

The objective of this study is to improve the sintering of W powder through increasing the density of the crystalline structure imperfections. The powder of W was processed by short processes of mechanical milling in a high energy planetary mill. The paper presents the influence of mechanical milling process duration upon the modifications of the structural characteristics of W powder. The fine structure has been studied by using X-ray diffraction.