The R-curve response of ceramics with microscopic reinforcements: Reinforcement and additive effects

Using direct observations with the scanning electron and optical microscopes, simultaneous measurements of fracture resistance versus crack length (R-curve behavior) and crack interactions with microstructural features at the crack tip and in its wake were made. Selecting whisker-reinforced aluminas and self-reinforced silicon nitrides, one can examine the effects of systematic modifications of microstructure and composition on the R-curve response and the mechanisms giving rise to it. Specifically, increases in whisker content and size can increase the R-Curve response, even for short crack lengths. In the self-reinforced silicon nitrides, changes in alumina: yttria additive ratios also modify the R-curve. Modeling of the R-curve response allows one to verify toughening mechanisms and, with experimental studies, to optimize the R-curve behavior in ceramics containing microscopic reinforcements, e.g., whiskers and elongated grain structures

Interface modification during oxidation of a glass-ceramic matrix/SiC fibre composite

Oxidation heat treatments between 375{degrees}C and 600{degrees}C for 100 hours in air, have been performed on the calcium aluminosilicate glass-ceramic matrix/SiC fibre reinforced composite CAS/Nicalon (manufactured by Coming, USA). Using a commercial nano-indentation system to perform fibre push-down tests, the fibre-matrix interfacial debond fracture surface energy (G{sub i}) and frictional shear stress ({tau}) have been determined. Modification of interface properties, compared to the as fabricated material, was observed at heat treatment temperatures as low as 375{degrees}C, where a significant drop in G{sub i} and an increase in {tau} were recorded. With 450{degrees}C, 525{degrees}C and 600{degrees}C heat treatments, an increase in G{sub i} but a dramatic increase in {tau} were recorded. Under four-point flexure testing, the as fabricated and the 375{degrees}C heat treated materials displayed tough, composite behaviour with extensive fibre pull out, but at {le}450{degrees}C, brittle failure with minimal fibre pull out, was observed. This transition from tough mechanical response to one of brittleness is due to the large increase in {tau} reducing fibre pull out to a minimum and therefore reducing the total required work of fracture. The large increases in {tau} and G{sub i} have been attributed to the oxidative removal of the lubricating, carbon interface and the compressive residual stresses across the interface

Tailoring the intergranular phases in silicon nitride for improved toughness

Intergranular glass phases can have a significant influence on fracture resistance (R-curve behavior) of Si nitride ceramics and appears to be related to debonding of the {beta}-Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}/oxynitride-glass interfaces. Applying the results from {beta}- Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}-whisker/oxynitride-glass model systems, self- reinforced Si nitrides with different sintering additive ratios were investigated. Si nitrides sintered with a lower Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}: Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} additive ratio exhibited higher stead-state fracture toughness together with a steeply rising R-curve. Analytical electron microscopy suggested that the different fracture behavior is related to the Al content in the SiAlON growth band on the elongated grains, which could result in differences in interfacial bonding structures between the grains and the intergranular glass

Toughening behavior in ceramics and cermets

The development of high strength ({ge} 1 GPa), high toughness ({ge} 10 MPa {radical}m) ceramic systems is being examined using two approaches. In silicon nitride, toughening is achieved by the introduction of large prismatic shaped grains dispersed in a fine grain matrix. For the system examined herein, both the microstructure and the composition must be controlled. A distinctly bimodal distribution of grain diameters combined with controlled yttria to alumina ratio in additives to promote interfacial debonding is required. Using a cermet approach, ductile Ni{sub 3}Al-bonded TiC exhibited toughening due to plastic deformation within the Ni{sub 3}Al binder phase assisted by interfacial debonding and cleavage of TiC grains. The TiC-Ni{sub 3}Al cermets have toughness values equal to those of the WC-Co cermets. Furthermore, the TiC-Ni{sub 3}Al cermets exhibit high strengths that are retained in air to temperatures of {approximately} 1,000 C

Control of interface fracture in silicon nitride ceramics: influence of different rare earth elements

The toughness of self-reinforced silicon nitride ceramics is improved by enhancing crack deflection and crack bridging mechanisms. Both mechanisms rely on the interfacial debonding process between the elongated {Beta}-Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} grains and the intergranular amorphous phases. The various sintering additives used for densification may influence the interfacial debonding process by modifying the thermal and mechanical properties of the intergranular glasses, which will result in different residual thermal expansion mismatch stresses; and the atomic bonding structure across the {Beta}-Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} glass interface. Earlier studies indicated that self-reinforced silicon nitrides sintered with different rare earth additives and/or different Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}:AI{sub 2}0{sub 3} ratios could exhibit different fracture behavior that varied from intergranular to transgranular fracture. No studies have been conducted to investigate the influence of sintering additives on the interfacial fracture in silicon nitride ceramics. Because of the complexity of the material system and the extremely small scale, it is difficult to conduct quantitative analyses on the chemistry and stress states of the intergranular glass phases and to relate the results to the bulk properties. The influence of different sintering additives on the interfacial fracture behavior is assessed using model systems in which {Beta}-Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}whiskers are embedded in SIAIRE (RE: rare-earth) oxynitride glasses. By systematically varying the glass composition, the role of various rare-earth additives on interfacial fracture has been examined. Specifically, four different additives were investigated: Al{sub 2}0{sub 3}, Y{sub 2}0{sub 3}, La{sub 2}O{sub 3}, and Yb{sub 2}O{sub 3}. In addition, applying the results from the model systems, the R- curve behavior of self-reinforced silicon nitride ceramics sintered with different Y{sub 2}0{sub 3}:AI{sub 2}0{sub 3} ratios was characterized

Magna Carta, the Rule of Law and the Limits on Government

This paper surveys the legal tradition that links Magna Carta with the modern concepts of the rule of law and the limits on government. It documents that the original understanding of the rule of law included substantive commitments to individual freedom and limited government. Then, it attempts at explaining how and why such commitments were lost to a formalist interpretation of the rule of law from 1848 to 1939. The paper concludes by arguing how a revival of the substantive commitments of the rule of law is central in a project of reshaping modern states

Chickpea

The narrow genetic base of cultivated chickpea warrants systematic collection, documentation and evaluation of chickpea germplasm and particularly wild Cicer species for effective and efficient use in chickpea breeding programmes. Limiting factors to crop production, possible solutions and ways to overcome them, importance of wild relatives and barriers to alien gene introgression and strategies to overcome them and traits for base broadening have been discussed. It has been clearly demonstrated that resistance to major biotic and abiotic stresses can be successfully introgressed from the primary gene pool comprising progenitor species. However, many desirable traits including high degree of resistance to multiple stresses that are present in the species belonging to secondary and tertiary gene pools can also be introgressed by using special techniques to overcome pre- and post-fertilization barriers. Besides resistance to various biotic and abiotic stresses, the yield QTLs have also been introgressed from wild Cicer species to cultivated varieties. Status and importance of molecular markers, genome mapping and genomic tools for chickpea improvement are elaborated. Because of major genes for various biotic and abiotic stresses, the transfer of agronomically important traits into elite cultivars has been made easy and practical through marker-assisted selection and marker-assisted backcross. The usefulness of molecular markers such as SSR and SNP for the construction of high-density genetic maps of chickpea and for the identification of genes/QTLs for stress resistance, quality and yield contributing traits has also been discussed