Silicon carbide surface modification by nitrogen plasma expander

Silicon carbide (SiC) has been employed in many different fields such as ballistic armor, thermal coating, high performance mirror substrate, semiconductors devices, among other things. Plasma application over the silicon carbide ceramics is relatively recent and it is able to promote relevant superficial modifications. Plasma expander was used in this work which was supplied by nitrogen and switched by a capacitor bank. Nitrogen plasma was applied over ceramic samples for 20 minutes, in a total medium of 1440 plasma pulses. SiC ceramics were produced by uniaxial pressing method (40 MPa) associated to isostatic pressing (300 MPa) and sintered at 1950 degrees C under argon gas atmosphere. Silicon carbide (beta-sic - BF-12) supplied by HC-Starck and sintering additive (7.6% YAG - Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) were used in order to obtain the ceramics. Before and after the plasma application, the samples were characterized by SEM, AFM, contact angle and surface energy measurement.

Recycling of silicon carbide and corn starch as binder originating from commercial starch consolidation

The main goal of this work is to demonstrate that the use of recycled material originated from SiC ceramics is viable. These ceramics were produced by commercial starch consolidation process. Before calcination stage, surplus of these materials always appears. This surplus is rich in SiC and starch. Samples were made by material previously milled in automatic mortar and sieved (100 Tyler). Later, 10% of distilled water was added to the material and the mixture was pressed at 40 MPa. In order to characterize the ceramic, three point flexural test were made, according to the ASTM C1161/94 norm. The results were analyzed by Weibull statistical method. Apparent density and porosity measures also were made, according to ASTM C20/87 norm. A verification of the surface was made in the fracture area by the depth from focus method and SEM image analysis. The results showed that the recycling process is fully viable, being a good economic option and reduce possible pollutant effect to the environment.

Development of silicon carbide substrates for aerospace applications

Payload and high-tech are important characteristics when the goals are aerospace applications. The development of the technologies associated to these applications has interests that transcend national boundaries and are of strategic importance to the nations. Ultra lightweight mirrors, supports and structures for optical systems are important part of this subject. This paper reports the development of SiC substrates, obtained by pressing, to be applied on embedded precision reflective optics. Different SiC granulometries, having YAG as sintering additive, were processed by: ball milling, drying and deagglomeration, sift, uniaxial and isostatic pressing, and, finally, argon atmosphere sintering at 1900°C. Different porosities were obtained according to the amount of organic material added. Into one side of the samples pellets of organic material were introduced to generate voids to reduce the weight of samples as a whole. The substrates were grinding and polished, looking for a SiC surface having low porosity, as porosity is directly related to light scattering that should be avoided on optical surfaces. Laser surface treatments were applied (using or not SiC barbotine) as a method to improve the surface quality. The samples were characterized by optical and laser confocal microscopy, roughness measurements and mechanical tests. The results are very promissory for future applications. © 2012 Materials Research Society.

EFFECT of DIFFERENT SOLID AMOUNTS IN THE PHYSICAL and MICROSCOPICAL PROPERTIES of SiC POROUS CERAMICS

The presence of pores in ceramics is directly related to the chosen forming process. So, in the starch consolidation method, the ceramics show, after burning, pores with morphology similar to that presented by this organic material. on the other hand, the increase in solid load leads up to alterations in dispersion viscosity, increasing the thermal stresses during drying and sintering processes. In order to verify the solid percentage influence in ceramic final properties, samples were prepared with silicon carbide in different compositions using or not starch as binder agent and pore forming element. The characterization of the ceramic pieces was performed by superficial roughness measurements, porosity besides by optical and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed ceramics with SiC and starch presented physical and microscopic properties slightly higher in relation to those with only ceramic powder in their composition. The presence of organic material, agglomerated and foam during the forming were essential for the final properties of the studied samples.

Investigation on Surface Finishing of Components Ground with Lapping Kinematics: Lapgrinding Process

Over the last three decades, researchers have responded to the demands of industry to manufacture mechanical components with geometrical tolerance, dimensional tolerance, and surface finishing in nanometer levels. The new lapgrinding process developed in Brazil utilizes lapping kinematics and a flat grinding wheel dressed with a single-point diamond dresser in agreement with overlap factor (U(d)) theory. In the present work, the influences of different U(d) values on dressing (U(d) = 1, 3 e 5) and grain size of the grinding wheel made of silicon carbide (SiC = 800, 600 e 300 mesh) are analyzed on surface finishing of stainless steel AISI 420 flat workpieces submitted to the lapgrinding process. The best results, obtained after 10 minutes of machining, were: average surface roughness (Ra) 1.92 nm; 1.19 mu m flatness deviation of 25.4 mm diameter workpieces and mirrored surface finishing. Given the surface quality achieved, the lapgrinding process can be included among the ultra-precision finishing processes and, depending on the application, the steps of lapping followed by polishing can be replaced by the proposed abrasive process.

Surface finishing of flat pieces when submitted to lapping kinematics on abrasive disc dressed under several overlap factors

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Nanohardness and contact angle of Si wafers implanted with N and C and Al alloy with N by plasma ion implantation

Surfaces of silicon wafers implanted with N and C, respectively, and aluminum 5052 implanted with N alone by plasma immersion ion implantation WHO were probed by a nanoindentor and analyzed by the contact-angle method to provide information on surface nanohardness and wettability. Silicon nitride and silicon carbide are important ceramic materials for microelectronics, especially for high-temperature applications. These compounds can be synthesized by high-dose ion implantation. The nanohardness of a silicon sample implanted with 12-keV nitrogen PIII (with 3 X 10(17) cm(-2) dose) increased by 10% compared to the unimplanted sample, in layers deeper than the regions where the formation of the Si,N, compound occurred. A factor of 2.5 increase in hardness was obtained for C-implanted Si wafer at 35 keV (with 6 X 10(17) cm(-2) dose), again deeper than the SiC-rich layer, Both compounds are in the amorphous state and their hardness is much lower than that of the crystalline compounds, which require an annealing process after ion implantation. In the same targets, the contact angle increased by 65% and 35% for N- and C-implanted samples, respectively. Compared to the Si target, the nitrogen PIII-irradiated Al 5052 (wish 15 keV) showed negligible change in its hydrophobic character after ion implantation. Its near-surface nanohardness measurement showed a slight increase for doses of 1 X 10(17) cm(-2). We have been searching for an AlN layer of the order of 1000 A thick, using such a low-energy PIII process, but oxide formation during processing has precluded its synthesis. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Considerations about enamel microabrasion after 18 years

Purpose: To review of the current status of enamel microabrasion method and its results 18 years after the development and application of this method. Methods: A technique performing enamel microabrasion with hydrochloric acid mixed with pumice and other techniques employing a commercially available compound of hydrochloric acid and fine-grit silicon carbide particles in a water-soluble paste have been described. Much has been learned about the application of this esthetic technique, long-term treatment results and microscopic changes to the enamel surface that has significant clinical implications. The latest treatment protocol is presented and photographic case histories document the treatment results. Clinical observations made over 18 years are discussed. Results: According to our findings, the dental enamel microabrasion technique is a highly satisfactory, safe and effective procedure.

Effect of metal conditioners on the adhesive bonding of resin cements to cast titanium

Objective: To assess the effect of metal conditioners on the bond strength between resin cements and cast titanium. Method and Materials: Commercially pure titanium (99.56%) was cast using an arc casting machine. Surfaces were finished with 400-grit silicon carbide paper followed by air abrasion with 50-mu m aluminum oxide. A piece of double-coated tape with a 4-mm circular hole was then positioned on the metal surface to control the area of the bond. The prepared surfaces were then divided into 4 groups (n=10): G1, unprimed Panavia F; G2, Alloy Primer-Panavia F; G3, unprimed Bistite DC; G4, Metaltite-Bistite DC. Forty minutes after insertion of the resin cements, the specimens were detached from the mold and stored in water at 37 C for 24 hours. Shear bond strength was performed in a testing machine (MTS 810) at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's test with a .05 significance level. The fractured surfaces were observed through an optical microscope at 10x magnification. Results: the G1 group demonstrated significantly higher shear bond strength (17.95 MPa) than the other groups. G3 (13.79 MPa) and G4 (12.98 MPa) showed similar mean values to each other and were statistically superior to G2 (9.31 MPa). Debonded surfaces generally presented adhesive failure between metal surfaces and resin cements. Conclusion: While the Metaltite conditioner did not influence the bond strength of the Bistite DC cement, the Alloy Primer conditioner significantly decreased the mean bond strength of the Panavia F cement.

The effect of disinfectant solutions on the hardness of acrylic resin denture teeth

This investigation studied the effects of disinfectant solutions on the hardness of acrylic resin denture teeth. The occlusal surfaces of 64 resin denture teeth were ground flat with abrasives up to 400-grit silicon carbide paper. Measurements were made after polishing and after the specimens were stored in water at 37 degreesC for 48 h. The specimens were then divided into four groups and immersed in chemical disinfectants (4% chlorhexidine; 1% sodium hypochlorite and sodium perborate) for 10 min. The disinfection methods were performed twice to simulate clinical conditions and hardness measurements were made. Specimens tested as controls were immersed in water during the same disinfection time. Eight specimens were produced for each group. After desinfection procedures, testing of hardness was also performed after the samples were stored at 37 degreesC for 7, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days. Data were analysed using two-way analysis of variance (anova) and Tukey's test at 95% confidence level. According to the results, no significant differences were found between materials and immersion solutions (P > 0.05). However, a continuous decrease in hardness was noticed after ageing (P < 0.05). It was conclude that the surfaces of both acrylic resin denture teeth softened upon immersion in water regardless the disinfecting solution.

EFFECT of METAL PRIMERS on BOND STRENGTH of RESIN CEMENTS TO BASE METALS

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Influence of surface treatments on the flexural strength of denture base repair

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the flexural strength of repairs made with autopolymerising acrylic resin after different treatments of joint surfaces.Material and Methods: Fifty rectangular specimens were made with heat-polymerised acrylic resin and 40 were repaired with autopolymerising acrylic resin following joint surface treatments: group 1 (intact specimens), group 2 (chemical treatment: wetting with methyl-methacrylate for 180 s), group 3 (abraded with silicon carbide paper), group 4 (abraded and wetting with methyl-methacrylate for 180 s) and group 5 (without surface treatment). The flexural strength was measured by a three-point bending test using a universal testing machine with a 100 Kgf load cell in the centre of repair at 5 mm/min cross-head speed. All data were analysed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD test for multiple comparisons (p < 0.05).Results: Among repaired specimens, groups 2 and 4 had 66.53 +/- 3.4 and 69.38 +/- 1.8 MPa mean values and were similar. These groups had superior flexural strength than groups 3 and 5 that were similar and had 54.11 +/- 3.4 and 51.24 +/- 2.8 MPa mean values, respectively. Group 1 had a mean value of 108.30 +/- 2.8 MPa being the highest result.Conclusion: It can be concluded that the treatment of the joint surfaces with methyl-methacrylate increases the flexural strength of denture base repairs, although the strength is still lower than that observed for the intact denture base resin. Abrasion with sandpaper was not able to influence the flexural strength of repaired denture bases.

Formation of SiC by radiative association

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Electrical and microstructural properties of microwave sintered SnO2-based varistors

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Development of alpha-SiAlON-SiC ceramic composites by liquid phase sintering

In this work, in situ alpha-SiAlON-SiC ceramic composites were obtained,by, liquid phase sintering, using SiC as reinforcement. Different beta-SiC powder contents (0-20 wt.%), were added to Si3N4-AlN-RE2O3. powder mixtures, and compacted by cold isostatic pressing. The samples were sintered at 1950 degrees C for 1 h, in N-2 atmosphere. Sintered: samples were characterized by relative density, weight loss, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, mechanical properties such as hardness and fracture toughness were determined by Vickers indentation method. Lattice parameters of the alpha' phase did not considerably change with increase of SiC content. However, morphology, average grain size and aspect ratio of the alpha' phase were considerably changed with increase of the SiC content. These behavior influences significantly the mechanical properties of this hard ceramic composite. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.