FP6 priority

1.1.3   Nanotechnologies and Nanosciences, Knowledge-based Multifunctional Materials and New Production Processes and Devices

1.3.1

Title of the proposal

Multifunctional Ceramic Nano-Composites with Self-Diagnostic Ability

Institute

Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry
Dubravska cesta 9, 84236 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Contact

Research subject for a potential FP6 project

Proposed research deals with the design of ceramic nano-composites with layered structure, which are characterised by decreased sensitivity to the structural defects. Advantageous properties of these ceramic materials are combined through layered design: combination of high strength, fracture toughness and oxidation resistance of one type of nano-ceramic layers with adjustable thermal and electrical conductivity of other layers. The potential of this kind of multifunctional nano-composites is mainly as components of special engineering applications such as structural parts of combustion engines, cutting tools, nozzles, etc.
Self-detection ability of the multifunctional nano-composite is based on the monitoring of electrical conductivity of the tensile-under-surface layer. Measured decrease of the electrical conductivity sensitively reflects the starting point of crack formation and thus, directly signalises the necessity of pre-cracked/damaged part replacement.

Recent international cooperation of the research team

Prof. R. Riedel: FG Disperse Feststoffe, FB Materialwissenschaft, Technische Universitat Darmastadt, Darmstatd, Germany; Prof. M.J. Hoffmann: Institut fur Keramik im Maschinenbau, Universitat Karlsruhe, Karlsruhe, Germany; Prof. F. Hofer: Forschungsinstitut fur Elektronenmikroskopie und Feinstrukturforschung, Technische Universitat Graz, Austria;Prof. F. Riley: Materials Engineering Department, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK; Dr. A. Bellosi: Institut of Ceramic Technology, Faenza, Italy; Dr. J. Szepvolgy: Research Laboratory of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Budapest, Hungary

Proposer´s relevant publications related to the research subject

J. Dusza, P. Sajgalik: Fracture Characteristic of Layered and Nano-Particle Reinforced Si₃N₄, in Advanced Multilayered and fibre-Reinforced Composites, Ed. Y.M. Haddad, Kluwer academic publisher, Dordrecht/Boston/London 1998, pp. 187-205.
J. Dusza, P. Sajgalik and M. Steen: Fracture Toughness of Silicon Nitride/Silicon Carbide Nanocomposite at 1350 °C, Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 82 [12] (1999) 3613-15.
Z. Lences, P. Sajgalik, M. Toriyama, M.E. Brito, S. Kanzaki: Multifunctional Si₃N₄/(-SiAlOn + TiN) Based layered Composites, Journal of the European Ceramic Society 20 [3] (2000) 347-55.
P. Sajgalik, M. Hnatko, F. Lofaj, P. Hvizdos, J. Dusza, P. Warbichler, F. Hofer, R. Riedel, E. Lecomte, M.J. Hoffmann: SiC/Si₃N₄ Nano/Micro-Composites - Processing, RT and HT Mechanical Properties, Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 20 [4] (2000) 453-62.
P. Sajgalik, M. Hnatko, Z. Lences: Properties of Silicon Nitride/Carbide Nano/Micro Composites – Role of SiC Nanoinclusions and Grain Boundary Chemistry, in Ceramic Materials and Components for Engines, Ed. By G. Heinrich and F. Aldinger, VILEY-VCH Weinheim-New York-Chichester-Singapore-Toronto 2001, pp. 553-58.
Z. Lences, P. Sajgalik, M. Balog, K. Frohlich, E. Roncari: Layered Si₃N₄/(SiAlON+TiN) Composites with Self-Diagnostic Ability, in Ceramic Materials and Components for Engines, Ed. By G. Heinrich and F. Aldinger, VILEY-VCH Weinheim-New York-Chichester-Singapore-Toronto 2001, pp. 559-64.
P. Sajgalik, M. Hnatko, Z. Lences: C-Derived SiC-Si3N4 Nanocomposite, Zeitschrift fur Metallkunde, 92 [8] (2001) 937-941.