Stefano Maschio

A novel and simple route to catalysts with a high oxygen storage capacity: the direct room-temperature synthesis of CeO2–ZrO2 solid solutions

High-energy mechanical alloying of pure CeO2 and ZrO2 at room temperature results in the formation of a single phase Ce1–xZrxO2 fluorite structured solid solution in all the examined composition ranges; the compounds are characterized by a high oxygen storage capacity and an excellent reducibility.

Fly and bottom ashes from biomass combustion as cement replacing components in mortars production: Rheological behaviour of the pastes and materials compression strength

In the present research mortar pastes obtained by replacing a commercial cement with the equivalent mass of 5, 10, 20 and 30 wt.% of fly ash or bottom ash from fir chips combustion, were prepared and rheologically characterized. It was observed that the presence of ash modifies their rheological behaviour with respect to the reference blend due to the presence, in the ashes, of KCl and K2SO4 which cause precipitation of gypsum and portlandite during the first hydration stages of the pastes. Hydrated materials containing 5 wt.% of ash display compression strength and absorption at 28 d of same magnitude as the reference composition; conversely, progressive increase of ash cause a continuous decline of materials performances. Conversely, samples tested after 180 d display a marked decline of compression strength, as a consequence of potassium elution and consequent alkali-silica reaction against materials under curing.

Fast firing of tiles containing paper mill sludge, glass cullet and clay

The paper describes results obtained in the development of a previous research. We study here, in fast firing, the sintering behaviour and measure some properties of tiles containing a mixture of 60 wt% of paper mill sludge and 40 wt% of glass cullet. The behaviour of this material is compared to those displayed by materials obtained by the same mixture added with 10, 20 and 30 wt% of a natural red clay. In parallel, the same properties are measured also on a reference blend, which is presently used to produce commercial tiles. We show that powders containing 60 wt% of paper sludge and 40 wt% of glass cullet to which 30 wt% of clay is added give rise to materials that display a stable sintering process and have good hardness and strength and therefore could be used for the industrial production of tiles.

Steelmaking slag as aggregate for mortars: effects of particle dimension on compression strength.

The present paper reports on the results of some experiments obtained from the production, hydration and subsequent measurement of the mechanical properties of several mortars prepared using a commercial CII/B-LL Portland cement, steelmaking slag, superplasticizer and water. Relevant parameters for the mortar preparation are the weight ratios of cement/water, the weight ratio superplasticizer/cement and between fine and granulated coarse particles. It has been demonstrated that optimisation of such parameters leads to the production of materials with mechanical properties suitable for civil engineering applications. Moreover, materials with improved compressive strength can be prepared by the use of slag containing extensive amounts of large particles.

Recycling of steel slag and glass cullet from energy saving lamps by fast firing production of ceramics

The paper reports on some experimental results obtained from the production of ceramics containing steel slag and glass cullet from exhaust energy saving lamps mixed in different proportions. Blending of components was done by attrition milling. Pressed powders were fast fired (50 min, cold to cold) in air up to several temperatures in the range 1000-1140 degrees C. The sintering behaviour was studied by shrinkage and water absorption measurements. Density, strength and hardness of the fired bodies were determined and XRD were examined. The fired samples were finally tested in acidic environment in order to evaluate their elution behaviour and consequently their possible environmental compatibility. It is observed that the composition containing 60 wt.% of steel slag and 40 wt.% of glass cullet displayed the best overall behaviour.

Ceramic materials wear mechanisms when cutting nickel-based alloys

Abstract In this paper the performances of some commercial ceramic inserts when cutting AISI 310 steel are investigated and compared to those of a traditional carbide based tool. The most important wear mechanism in the ceramic inserts is related to the segmented edges of the chips that abrade a notch at the end of the cut zone. Alumina–zirconia inserts are very sensitive to this kind of wear, whereas tools made of Sialon and alumina with SiC whiskers exhibit slightly better performances despite the concomitant chemical wear mechanisms.

Recycling Glass Cullet from Waste CRTs for the Production of High Strength Mortars

The present paper reports on the results of some experiments dealing with the recycling of mixed cathode ray tube (CRT) glass waste in the production of high-strength mortars. Waste CRT glass cullet was previously milled, and sieved, and the only fine fraction was added to the fresh mortar in order to replace part of the natural aggregate. The addition of superplasticizer was also investigated. All hydrated materials displayed high compressive strength after curing. Samples containing CRT mixed glass showed a more rapid increase of strength with respect to the reference compositions, and materials with a superplasticizer content of 1% showed the best overall performance due to the favourable influence of the small glass particles which increase the amount of silicate hydrated produced. The induced coupled plasma (ICP) analysis made on the solutions, obtained from the leaching tests, confirmed the low elution of hazardous elements from the monolithic materials produced and consequently their possible environmental compatibility.

Cutting Temperatures Evaluation in Ceramic Tools: Experimental Tests, Numerical Analysis and SEM Observations

The authors propose a multiple approach for the evaluation of cutting temperatures in ceramic tools. The first approach was the experimental evaluation of equitemperature lines, obtained in three-dimensional cutting by employing constant melting point powders scattered on planes parallel to rake face. In the second approach, a numerical finite element analysis was performed. At this step the determination of the percentage of total heat produced in the operation that flows into the tool was considered and, consequently, the temperature distribution within the whole volume of the insert. Finally, the examination of the crater zone with SEM microscopy confirmed the temperature levels as previous estimated.

Effect of LaNbO4 addition on the mechanical properties of ceria-tetragonal zirconia polycrystal matrices

Abstract The formation of needle-like grains of LaNbO 4 in CeO 2 -stabilized tetragonal zirconia (Ce-TZP) matrices was studied using powders produced by different methods. The amount as well as the aspect ratio of the elongated grains is a function of the sintering temperature and the way the powders have been produced. The formation of these needles is triggered by the presence of silica in the starting powders and, therefore, by the occurrence of a liquid phase. During sintering, also diffusion of Ce in LaNbO 4 occurs. The matrices are therefore depleted in stabilisers content affecting their transformability. Because of the elongated nature of the grains enhanced crack wake bridging occur, this bridging should be also accounted for the observed increase of strength and toughness.

Ceria-zirconia particles wrapped in a 2D carbon envelope: improved low-temperature oxygen transfer and oxidation activity

Engineering the interface between different components of heterogeneous catalysts at nanometer level can radically alter their performances. This is particularly true for ceria-based catalysts where the interactions are critical for obtaining materials with enhanced properties. Here we show that mechanical contact achieved by high-energy milling of CeO2–ZrO2 powders and carbon soot results in the formation of a core of oxide particles wrapped in a thin carbon envelope. This 2D nanoscale carbon arrangement greatly increases the number and quality of contact points between the oxide and carbon. Consequently, the temperatures of activation and transfer of the oxygen in ceria are shifted to exceptionally low temperatures and the soot combustion rate is boosted. The study confirms the importance of the redox behavior of ceria-zirconia particles in the mechanism of soot oxidation and shows that the organization of contact points at the nanoscale can significantly modify the reactivity resulting in unexpected properties and functionalities.