The exceptional properties of h-BN based ceramics are fundamental to their advancement in practical applications. The introduction of Al3BC3 into h-BN based ceramics effectively enhanced the thermal shock resistance and maintained the mechanical integrity. h-BN based ceramics were fabricated using a discharge plasma sintering process, wherein the residual flexural strength ratio of all specimens exceeded 100 R^' were examined to describe the crack initiation and propagation induced by thermal strain under steady-state heat flux, respectively. The observed improvements in residual flexural strength at elevated thermal shock temperatures can be primarily attributed to the matrix evolution through the formation of an in-situ reinforcing phase, along with the generation of Al18B4O33 whiskers via surface oxidation. At a content of 30 wt.

The martensitic transition sequence and microstructure evolution in a homogenized Fe–15Mn alloy under thermal cycling, involving a thermal body-centered cubic α′-martensite, hexagonal close-packed -martensite, and face-centered cubic γ-austenite, were characterized by neutron diffraction and transmission electron microscope. The → α′ transition is observed for the first time during heating. Upon cooling, γ → and γ → α′ transitions occur concomitantly. The transition rate of the γ → is higher than that of the γ → α′ in the early stage of the phase transition. The Fe–15Mn alloy exhibits a pronounced volume effect of phase transition (1.6 → γ, 1.8 → α′), which induces an obvious lattice mismatch. The sharp increase in the volume fraction of -martensite after thermal cycling is attributed to the formation of abundant stacking faults and the pre-existing α′-martensite within the alloy.

The extraction of vanadium from hot metal in oxygen-blowing converters is a crucial step in vanadium production. Despite sharing similar structural and lining characteristics with conventional steelmaking converters, these vessels exhibit a markedly short service life. To elucidate the degradation mechanisms of refractory linings (MgO-C bricks) under vanadium-extraction conditions, this work systematically investigated their oxidation behavior and corrosion resistance through integrated experimental and theoretical approaches. The findings reveal three key factors contributing to the accelerated refractory wear in vanadium-extraction converters. First, graphite oxidation proceeds more rapidly at 1400 degrees C (typical of vanadium extraction) than at 1600 degrees C (typical of steelmaking), both in air and contact with slag. Second, the solid layer formed at the interface when exposed to vanadium slag is less effective in suppressing slag infiltration and graphite oxidation than that formed by steel slag corrosion, primarily owing to the differences in the formation mechanisms and structural features. Third, the refractory linings are prone to spalling, resulting from the significant internal stresses generated by forsterite formation and the severe thermal shocks in vanadium-extraction converters. Practical measures to mitigate lining wear and spalling are proposed.

Lycopodium spores (LS, with a micron-sized 3D spherical structure), nano-TiO2, and stearic acid (STA), creating a hierarchical rough structure with a stable cross-linked network. The morphological structure and composition of the obtained coating were thoroughly analyzed. The coating was found to possess outstanding static and dynamic SHP behavior, with a maximum contact angle (CA) of 162.7 degrees and a low sliding angle (SA) of 5.6 degrees. Moreover, this coating not only exhibited superhydrophobicity on a variety of substrates but also demonstrated diversified self-cleaning and water-repellent properties. Meanwhile, the wetting and self-cleaning mechanisms were also discussed. The exceptional stability of the resultant coating was proved by mechanical, chemical and thermal stability tests. In addition, a study was conducted to investigate the impact of SHP coatings on Bacillus subtilis growth and activity when applied to a wooden substrate. The synergistic effect of the high hydrophobicity and the photocatalytic action of TiO2 enabled the resulting coating to achieve an anti-bacterial efficiency of 88.7 % against Bacillus subtilis, which confirms that the challenges faced by plant-based coating materials in resisting biofouling can be effectively resolved. The as-prepared coating provides an important approach for the preparation of green SHP coatings.

Superhydrophobic materials serve as a viable and promising solution for traditional anti-corrosion and anti-icing methods due to their efficiency, cost-effective, and environmental sustainability. In this study, a durable superhydrophobic poly(o-anisidine)-ZrO2 composite coating (SPZC) was applied to carbon steel substrate using a simple and efficient de-doping secondary modification method. Under the optimal mass fraction STA parameters, the SPZC-3 coating exhibited a micro/nano particles and sheet-like structure, exhibiting prominent super-hydrophobic performance, accompanied by 158.3 degrees contact angle alongside a 6.2 degrees sliding angle. Notably, the SPZC-3 surface maintained excellent superhydrophobicity even after blade scratching, tape-peeling, sandpaper abrasion, and sand impact, showing its stability. Furthermore, the SPZC-3 coating exhibited excellent resistance to acids and alkalis, as well as superior self-cleaning capability. Compared to carbon steel (CS), the SPZC-3 coating exhibits significantly enhanced ice resistance performance, with its freezing time prolonged to 676 s at-15 degrees C. Electrochemical corrosion tests further demonstrated the excellent corrosion endurance capacity of the SPZC-3 coating, especially in a simulated seawater solution, where the protection efficiency exceeded 97.5%. In conclusion, the superhydrophobic surface of the SPZC-3 coating diminishes the contact area at liquid-solid interface, impeding the permeation and diffusion of 3.5% NaCl solution thereby inhibiting corrosion of the metal substrate. Thus, the as-prepared SPZC-3 coating, characterized by excellent structural stability and service longevity, and can serve as an ideal material for anti-corrosion engineering.

(3-Si3N4 whiskers with a high aspect ratio are a promising toughening phase for ceramics. However, the preparation of (3-Si3N4 whiskers with superior crystallographic morphology typically requires elevated synthesis temperatures or the introduction of more additives, resulting in challenging preparation and high costs. In this work, by introducing micro-and nano-Lu2O3 additives, (3-Si3N4 whiskers with high aspect ratio and high crystal phase conversion rate were prepared by gas pressure sintering. The results show that with the increase of firing temperature (1750 to 1850 degrees C) and Lu2O3 addition (0.5 to 2.0 wt%), the crystal phase conversion rate of the prepared (3-Si3N4 whiskers increases to 88.2%-100%, while their average grain length and average aspect ratio rise to 12.78-20.17 mu m and 6.52-9.83, respectively. This beneficial result can be attributed to the properties of the liquid phase formed by Lu2O3 additive at high temperatures, which promotes the dissolution-precipitation and mass transfer mechanisms, thus making it more favorable for the formation and preferential growth of the (3-phase grains. Moreover, owing to the advantages of low addition amount and high efficiency of Lu2O3 additives, the prepared silicon nitride whiskers exhibit a complete structure and excellent dispersibility. Consequently, this work provides an efficient strategy for the preparation of high-quality (3-Si3N4 whiskers, which has broad application prospects in the field of structural ceramic reinforcing and toughening.

Dense Al3BC3–TiB2 composite ceramics were successfully produced through spark plasma sintering at 1500 °C. The effects of TiB2 addition on the phase constituents, microstructural evolution, densification characteristics, and mechanical properties were comprehensively evaluated. XRD and TEM analyses confirmed the chemical compatibility between TiB2 and the Al3BC3 matrix. EPMA revealed a distinct Ti/Al elemental transition layer at the interface, indicating limited interdiffusion and a chemically graded interface that may help improve interfacial compatibility and bonding. Uniformly dispersed TiB2 particles effectively pinned Al3BC3 grain boundaries, inhibiting abnormal grain growth and promoting densification. The composite with 5 wt% TiB2 achieved optimal comprehensive performance with a relative density of 96.41%, a Vickers hardness of 10.39 GPa, a fracture toughness of 5.98 MPa·m1/2, and a flexural strength of 323.4 MPa. The toughening is primarily attributed to crack deflection and bridging by the TiB2 particles, while the Ti/Al interfacial transition layer synergistically enhanced the interfacial bonding strength and load-transfer efficiency. This work demonstrates that TiB2 is an effective second-phase additive for overcoming the poor sinterability and brittleness of Al3BC3 ceramics.

In order to benchmark against the fused magnesia commonly used in the field of electrical insulation, caustic calcined magnesia was used as the raw material and aluminum nitride with electrical insulating property as the additive, and adopting the carbon embedding sintering method to develop a low-cost, high-performance magnesia-based ceramics. The influence of the addition amount of aluminum nitride on the phase composition, microstructure and key performances was investigated. In addition, the sample with the optimal comprehensive performance was prepared into aggregates and filled in the electric heating elements to explore its electrical properties. Experimental results show that aluminum nitride oxidizes with carbon together and form Al2O3 during sintering. Adding a small amount of aluminum nitride can generate MgAlON as an intergranular phase without hindering the growth of MgO grains and the elimination of pores during the sintering process of caustic calcined magnesia, which densifies the microstructure and improves the comprehensive properties of the sample. However, excessive aluminum nitride negatively affects MgO grain growth and deteriorates the microstructure. The sample exhibits optimal comprehensive performance with 1 wt% aluminum nitride addition. When prepared into aggregates for electric heating tubes, its insulation properties and leakage current are comparable to those of aggregates made from fused magnesia. This study offers a strategy for preparing sintered and densified magnesia-based ceramics with lower energy consumption for electrical industries and other applications.

Using raw materials such as alumina powder, zinc oxide, and magnesia clinker, magnesium-zinc-aluminum composite spinel was synthesized via solid-phase reaction, and the structural evolution and reaction mechanisms among them were investigated. Phase composition and microstructure of the samples were characterized by XRD and SEM. The results indicate that ZnO initially reacts with Al2O3 to form ZnAl2O4. As the temperature increases, MgO diffuses into ZnAl2O4, with Mg2+ occupying Zn2+ vacancies, leading to the formation of a magnesium-zinc-aluminum composite spinel with a phase composition of Mg2.84Zn5.18Al15.98O32.With increasing MgO content, the mass fraction of formed composite spinel decreases, grain size increases, and the content of displaced ZnO rises, while the densification degree of the samples significantly improves.

The thermal stability and selective nitridation of Ti3AlC2 in nitrogen at elevated temperatures were studied. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed a multi-stage mass gain initiating around 1243 K, indicating a reaction pathway governed by evolving microstructure. The process occurs in two distinct stages. Initially, surfacedominated nitridation forms a protective AlN layer through selective aluminum migration. This is followed by a bulk diffusion-controlled stage. The preferential migration of Al is facilitated by the relatively weak Ti-Al bonds within the MAX phase structure. Subsequently, aluminum vaporization generates interconnected micropores throughout the grains. This pore network provides enhanced pathways for gas diffusion, thereby accelerating the overall reaction. The final products are AlN and Ti(C,N) solid solutions. The reaction rate displays temperaturedependent kinetics, governed by both thermal activation and ongoing microstructural evolution. The acceleration at higher temperatures stems from two synergistic effects: increased atomic diffusion coefficients and the continuous microstructural alterations induced by aluminum vaporization.

To resolve severe slag penetration and erosion in Al2O3–SiC–C refractories during high scrap ratio iron ladle operation, a novel strategy utilizing exogenous MgAl2O4 spinel as a sacrificial FeOx scavenger was proposed. Al2O3–SiC–C refractories produced with plate-like corundum, silicon carbide, and flake graphite incorporating MgAl2O4 additives were cured at 1400 °C in the condition of carbon embedding. The impacts of additives on phase composition, microscopic morphology, and performance of materials were studied. The results indicated that Al2O3–SiC–C refractories with the addition of 2 wt.

To efficiently utilize silicon kerf waste and develop low-cost and high-performance SiAlON-based composite ceramics, silicon kerf waste, bauxite, aluminum nitride and fused magnesia as raw materials were used to prepare MgO-SiAlON-SiC ceramics by the carbon-bed sintering method, and moreover, systematically studied the effects of raw material ratios on the phase composition, microstructure, and key properties of prepared composite ceramics. The experimental results show that the introduction of fused magnesia contributes to the formation of low-dimensional structural phases of MgO-SiAlON-SiC ceramics, which further improves the sintering property, mechanical properties and thermal shock resistance performance. On the other hand, the multi-component phase design can enhance the oxidation resistance and corrosion resistance of MgO-SiAlON-SiC ceramics by forming a dense layer. Consequently, this paper provides both a strategy for the utilization of silicon kerf waste and a method for the synthesis of high-quality SiAlON-based ceramics, and the products are expected to be used in metallurgy or new energy fields.

Y2O3-based refractories are promising high-temperature structural materials but suffer from poor sintering behavior and thermal shock resistance, limiting their practical applications. This study systematically investigates the effects of Al2TiO5 addition on the sintering behavior, microstructure evolution, and thermal shock resistance of Y2O3-based refractories prepared via solid-state sintering. The results indicate that the decomposition of Al2TiO5 at high temperatures produces alpha-Al2O3, which reacts with Y2O3 to form the Y4Al2O9 phase, accompanied by the generation of trace amounts of Y3Al5O12 and TiO2. For the 0-5 wt% Al2TiO5 additions, the decomposed active Al3+ and TiO2 lead to partial solid solution of Ti4+ into the Y2O3 lattice, causing lattice contraction and a shift of the Y2O3 (222) diffraction peak toward higher angles. To balance the distortion stress, cation vacancies may spontaneously form in the Y2O3 lattice, potentially increasing the diffusion coefficients of O2- and Al3+. This promotes grain boundary migration and grain growth of Y2O3, with experimental results confirming that Y2O3 grain growth follows the Lifshitz-Slyozov-Wagner model, filling pores and synergistically enhancing the sintering behavior and mechanical properties of the material. Excessive TiO2 from 5 to 10 wt% Al2TiO5 decomposition segregates at Y2O3 grain boundaries, exerting a pinning effect that inhibits grain growth. This reduces the Y2O3 grain size from 3.74 mu m to 1.79 mu m, refining the grain structure and helping to retard crack propagation during thermal shock, yet increasing porosity to lower mechanical properties. 5 wt% Al2TiO5 addition achieves a residual strength of 108.18 MPa after three water-quench thermal shocks, balancing strong sintering performance and thermal shock resistance.

The treatment of oily wastewater requires efficient separation materials. Superhydrophobic materials are promising due to their affinity for oil and repulsion of water, as well as their environmental friendliness. However, the key to their performance is the successful construction of stable micro/nanostructures on the material surface. In this study, a ZnO nanoparticle-enhanced Zn/Ni alloy hierarchical micro-nano composite coating (PZZNM) was successfully fabricated on 304 stainless steel mesh substrates through an electrodeposition-chemical modification synergistic process. Employing Cassie-Baxter theory for surface energy optimization, the developed PZZNM coating demonstrated exceptional superhydrophobic-superoleophilic characteristics: a water contact angle of 164 degrees and an oil contact angle approaching 0 degrees. These characteristics contribute to highly efficient oil-water separation. In chloroform/water separation tests, the PZZNM coating achieved a separation efficiency of 97.3 % and a flux of 6413 Lm(-2)h(-1). Systematic characterization revealed dual enhancement mechanisms enabled by ZnO nanoparticles: (1) Increased surface roughness (Sa value elevated from 19.251 to 22.955 nm) significantly enhanced superhydrophobicity; (2) Intrinsic chemical inertness substantially improved corrosion and oxidation resistance. Notably, the coating maintained stable superhydrophobicity (water contact angle >158.5 degrees) and oil-water separation efficiency (>93.5 %) under extreme conditions, including strong acids, alkalis, and mechanical abrasion. Therefore, it can be foreseen that the continuous gravity-driven separation system developed based on this innovative material provides a robust solution for complex industrial oil-water separation challenges.

Y2O3-based ceramics have potential as crucible materials for titanium alloys, but their poor thermal shock resistance and high cost limit practical use. In this work, Y2O3-based ceramics were successfully synthesized via the induced oxidation reaction of Al4SiC4 at 1600 degrees C in air using the normal pressure sintering method. Results indicate thfig. at Al4SiC4 oxidation products react with Y2O3 and SiO2 to form Al2Y4O9 and a Y2O3-SiO2-Al2O3 glass phase, accompanied by CO2 generation. As the Al4SiC4 content increases from 0 to 10 wt%, the contents of the Y2O3-SiO2-Al2O3 glass phase increase, leading to variations in apparent porosity, bulk density, and relative density of the samples, which in turn affect flexural and cold compressive strengths. The stress-strain curves show that samples with certain Al4SiC4 addition amounts exhibit nonlinear stages with resilience characteristics, attributed to the distribution and state of the Y2O3-SiO2-Al2O3 amorphous glass phase. The amount of this amorphous glassy phase increases with the addition of Al4SiC4 and the reaction process may be related to the dissolution-precipitation mechanism of the liquid phase. During the application of stress, the Y2O3-SiO2-Al2O3 amorphous glassy phase can form a plastic deformation zone during the propagation of the crack tip, thereby reducing the degree of stress concentration. The addition of Al4SiC4 enhances the fracture and static toughness of the Y2O3 matrix. In thermal shock testing, samples with 2.5 wt%, 5 wt%, and 10 wt%Al4SiC4 additions (Y-1a, Y-2a, and Y-4a) show better thermal shock resistance. Additionally, the grain size around the microcracks of these samples increases through a self-adjusting energy-minimizing process after thermal shock.

The use of boron-containing additives often raises concerns when exposed to high temperatures. In this study, the high temperature stress-strain behavior and degradation mechanism of low-carbon MgO-C refractories containing TiB2-BN-AlN waste were investigated. Stress-strain curve, peak axial stress, Young's modulus, cohesion, and residual strength ratio after thermal shock tests were thoroughly analyzed. The findings suggest that the mechanical properties of refractories remain unimpaired within the temperature range of 900-1100 degrees C, and can even be enhanced through the synergistic effect of TiB2-BN-AlN waste and Al powder. The optimized axial stress increased from 55.0 to 62.0 MPa at 1100 degrees C, while the cohesion increased from 10.0 to 13.8 MPa, respectively. The observed enhancement can be primarily attributed to the effective healing of pores and cracks, reduction in oxidation, and improved material cohesion. However, the excessive incorporation of boron-containing waste may compromise the performance of refractories, leading to instability or degradation.