Iranian Journal of Materials Science and Engineering

    The structural and dielectric properties of iron and bismuth co-substituted BaTiO₃ ceramic with the formula: B_0.95Bi_0.05Ti_1-xFe_xO₃ for x=0.00 to 1.00, synthesis with solid state route, were characterized.     The X-ray diffraction results show a tetragonal phase for x=0.00. While for x=0.40 to 0.80 we observed a coexistence of tree phase tetragonal, hexagonal and pseudo-cubic. And at x=1.00 only the pseudo-cubic phase is present and the other phase disappeared. The Raman results indicate the existence of tetragonal band for x≤0.40, and an appearance of characteristic bands of Fe³⁺ ions for more than 0.40 of Fe content. The SEM micrographs show an increase in grain size with the increase of Fe content and it reaches a maximum at x=0.40.  And the Mossbauer spectroscopy indicates that our samples is paramagnetic at room temperature and that the Fe is   oxidized under Fe³⁺ with no existence of Fe²⁺ and Fe⁴⁺ ions. The temperature dependence of dielectric permittivity was investigated in the frequency range from 20 Hz to 2MHz. The results show three dielectric relaxation phase transitions from a rhombohedral ferroelectric to orthorhombic ferroelectric (T_R-O) then to a tetragonal ferroelectric phase (at T_O-T), and finally to cubic paraelectric at the Curie temperature (T_C).  In addition, the temperature of phase transition shifted to the lower temperature with the increase of Fe content for all the phase transitions. And the maximum of dielectric permittivity increases for T_R-O while for T_T-O and T_m phases transitions, it reaches a maximum at x=0.60 and x=0.80 respectively and then decreases.

The influence of melt superheating treatment on the solidification characteristics and microstructure of Al–20%Mg₂Si in-situ composite has been investigated. The results revealed that melt superheating temperature has a significant effect on solidification parameters and morphology of primary Mg₂Si particles. Solidification parameters acquired using cooling curve thermal analysis method, indicate that both nucleation temperature and nucleation undercooling of primary Mg₂Si particles increase by increasing melt superheating temperature, while recalescence undercooling decrease under the same condition. Also, based on the microstructural evaluations, melt superheating treatment can refine primary Mg₂Si particles and alter their morphology from dendritic shape to more spherical shape and the eutectic microstructure of a-Al + Mg₂Si becomes finer and the distance between eutectic layers becomes smaller.
 

      In this study we have synthesis the Zr substituted BaTi_0.80Fe_0.20O₃ ceramics at different content of Zr from x=0.00 to 0.10 by using the solid-state route. The room temperature X-ray diffraction results confirmed the coexistence of the two tetragonal and hexagonal phases for x ≤ 0.050 of Zr content. While above 0.050 the hexagonal phase disappears in benefit of tetragonal phase. The Raman results confirmed the formation of these phases obtained with XRD. The scanning electron micrographs consist of both spherical and straight grain forms for x=0.000 to 0.075, and only spherical grain form for x=0.100 attributed to the tetragonal phase. Also, the grain size increases accompanied with a decrease in density of ceramics with increasing Zr content up to 0.050 then decreases accompanied with an increase in density. Detailed studies of dielectric permittivity measurement have provided a presence of two anomalies T_e and T_R-O at different temperatures, with a relaxation phenomenon and diffuse behavior which is very important for ceramic at x=0.075 of Zr content. The dielectric permittivity values of the two anomalies of Zr substituted BaTi_0.80Fe_0.20O₃ ceramics increase with increase of Zr content and the dielectric loss is minimal at x=0.100 of Zr content. The conductivity increases with the increasing of Zr substitution from 0.025 to 0.075 levels while for x = 0.100 the dielectric conductivity decreases.  And the Cole-Cole analysis indicates a negative thermal resistivity coefficient (NTCR) behavior of these materials and an ideal Debye-type behavior.

Coatings based on chromium borides and chromium carbides are commonly employed in applications requiring mechanical performance, such as high hardness and low friction coefficient, as well as corrosion resistance. In this work, we made layers of chromium borides and chromium carbides on the surface of low carbon steel through some specific treatments. For chromium borides, the boriding treatment in a solid medium at 900 °C for 4 hours followed by chromium electroplating on the steel surface and finally the application of annealing treatment at temperatures at 950 °C for 1 and 2 hours. For chromium carbides, the cementation in a solid medium followed by electroplating of chromium on the surface and finally the application of annealing treatment at temperatures between 500 and 1100 °C for 1 hour. The obtained results show that, in the first case, boron diffusion and chromium deposition lead to chromium borides on the treated surface. Similarly, for the second case, the cemented layer and the chromium deposited on the surface combine to form chromium carbides on the treated surface after annealing. The characteristics of the chromium borides and chromium carbides obtained are very similar to those of chromium borides and chromium carbides obtained by other processes.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNP) were synthesized using edible mushroom Russula delica (RD) in this study. Possibilities to evaluate these synthesized nanoparticles (RD-AuNPs) as bioactive substances were investigated. Characterization of synthesized RD-AuNPswere characterized via UV-vis, XRD, FTIR, EDX. In spherical view, RD-AuNPs with a crystal size of 34.76 nm were synthesized. As a result, fungal systems used for nanomaterial biosynthesis as an effective alternative to chemical synthesis can be used in different biotechnological and medical applications. RD-AuNPs produced by green synthesis can be evaluated in this context.

The effect of pouring temperature while preparing Al SiC metal matrix composites, with additional benefits of magnesium and copper through stir casting technique were investigated. The composites were fabricated by mixing 12 wt% of SiC reinforcements, 4 wt% magnesium and 2 wt% copper into 6061 aluminium alloy melt at different pouring temperatures (630 ºC, 670 ºC and 710ºC). The addition of magnesium will enhance the wettability of the SiC particles with Al matrix and subsequently increase its interface bonding strength. The inclusion of copper has considerable improvement in strength and hardness of the composite. The microstructure and mechanical properties (tensile strength and hardness) of the Al MMC are evaluated with the corresponding processing parameter, specifically pouring temperature of the cast composite. The metallurgical characterization utilizing optical and scanning electron microscope were observed for the prepared composites. The coarse microstructure and homogenous distribution of alloying elements along with SiC particles were appeared within dendrite structures of the Al SiC composites. The SiC particles has effectively distributed and produced better bonding strength in composites prepared with 670ºC pouring temperature. Higher tensile strength and maximum hardness have occurred in composite at pouring temperature of 670ºC as compared to other composites. The mechanical properties were lower in composites prepared using lesser pouring temperature (630ºC) and significantly decreased for higher pouring temperature (710ºC) of the composites.