Role of segregating dopants on the improved creep resistance of aluminum oxide

Journal Article · Fri Nov 12 04:00:00 EST 1999 · Acta Materialia

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S1359-6454(99)00278-5· OSTI ID:20005393

Cho, J; Wang, C M; Chan, H M; Rickman, J M; Harmer, M P

Recent studies have demonstrated that p.p.m. levels of rare-earth dopant ions (e.g., Y, La, Nd) wield a beneficial and highly potent influence on the creep properties of alumina. In addition, codoping with ions of disparate sizes (Nd, Zr) resulted in even further enhancement of the creep behavior. In all cases, the dopant ions were found to strongly segregate to grain boundaries. Creep rates were not influenced by the presence of second phase precipitates, verifying that the creep improvement is a solid solution effect. In an attempt to clarify the exact mechanism(s) that controls creep behavior of the doped aluminas, various advanced characterization techniques have been applied including: secondary ion mass spectrometry, scanning transmission electron microscopy, orientation image microscopy, and extended C-ray absorption fine structure as well as atomistic computer simulation and studies of the creep kinetics. Although no definitive mechanism has been established, a logical explanation is that outsize ions segregate to more energetically favorable grain boundary sites, and improve creep resistance by blocking a few critical diffusive pathways. This mechanism is sufficiently general that it may be applicable to other ceramic systems.

• Research Organization: Lehigh Univ., Bethlehem, PA (US)
• OSTI ID: 20005393
• Journal Information: Acta Materialia, Journal Name: Acta Materialia Journal Issue: 15-16 Vol. 47; ISSN 1359-6454; ISSN ACMAFD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ALUMINIUM OXIDES
CREEP
DIFFUSION
DOPED MATERIALS
GRAIN BOUNDARIES
KINETICS
MICROSCOPY
RARE EARTHS
SEGREGATION