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Structure and mechanical properties of ZrO2-mullite nano-ceramics in SiO2-Al2O3-ZrO2 system

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Abstract

ZrO2-mullite nano-ceramics were fabricated by in-situ controlled crystallizing from SiO2-Al2O3-ZrO2 amorphous bulk. The thermal transformation sequences of the SiO2-Al2O3-ZrO2 amorphous bulk were investigated by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectrum, scanning electron microscope and differential scanning calorimetric. And the mechanical properties of the nano-ceramics were studied. The results show that the bulks are still in amorphous state at 900 °C and the t-ZrO2 forms at about 950 °C with a faint spinel-like phase which changes into mullite on further heating. ZrO2 and mullite become major phases at 1 100 °C and an amount of m-ZrO2 occur at the same time. The sample heated at 950 °C for 2 h and then at 1 100 °C for 1 h shows very dense and homogenous microstructure with ball-like grains in size of 20–50 nm. With the increase of crystallization temperature up to 1 350 °C, the grains grow quickly and some grow into lath-shaped grains with major diameter of 5 μm. After two-step treatment the highest micro-hardness, flexural strength and fracture toughness of the samples are 13.72 GPa, 520 MPa and 5.13 MPa·m1/2, respectively.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China

    Liang Shu-quan  (梁叔全), Tan Xiao-ping Doctoral candidate  (谭小平), Li Shao-qiang  (李少强) & Tang Yan  (唐艳)

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  1. Liang Shu-quan  (梁叔全)
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  2. Tan Xiao-ping Doctoral candidate  (谭小平)
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  3. Li Shao-qiang  (李少强)
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  4. Tang Yan  (唐艳)
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Correspondence to Tan Xiao-ping Doctoral candidate  (谭小平).

Additional information

Foundation item: Project(2003AA332040) supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China

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Liang, Sq., Tan, Xp., Li, Sq. et al. Structure and mechanical properties of ZrO2-mullite nano-ceramics in SiO2-Al2O3-ZrO2 system. J Cent. South Univ. Technol. 14, 1–6 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-007-0001-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-007-0001-8

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