Introduction To Phase Equilibria In Ceramic Systems

Written by a leading practitioner and teacher in the field of ceramic science and engineering, this outstanding text provides advanced undergraduate- and graduate-level students with a comprehensive, up-to-date Introduction to Phase Equilibria in Ceramic Systems. Building upon a concise definition of the phase rule, the book logically proceeds from one- and two-component systems through increasingly complex systems, enabling students to utilize the phase rule in real applications. Unique because of its emphasis on phase diagrams, timely because of the rising importance of ceramic applications, practical because of its pedagogical approach, Introduction to Phase Equilibria in Ceramic Systems offers end-of-chapter review problems, extensive reading lists, a solid thermodynamic foundation and clear perspectives on the special properties of ceramics as compared to metals.This authoritative volume fills a broad gap in the literature, helping undergraduate- and graduate-level students of ceramic engineering and materials science to approach this demanding subject in a rational, confident fashion. In addition, Introduction to Phase Equilibria in Ceramic Systems serves as a valuable supplement to undergraduate-level metallurgy programs.

This book explores new experimental phase diagrams of non-oxide ceramics, with a particular focus on the silicon nitride, silicon carbide and aluminum nitride, as well as the ultra-high temperature ceramic (UHTC) systems. It features more than 80 experimental phase diagrams of these non-oxide ceramics, including three phase diagrams of UHTC systems, constructed by the authors. Physical chemistry data covering the period since the 1970s, collected by the author Z.K.Huang, is presented in six tables in the appendixes. It also includes 301 figures involving about 150 material systems. Most of the phase diagrams have been selected from the ACerS-NIST database with copyright permission. The book methodically presents numerous diagrams previously scattered in various journals and conferences worldwide. Providing extensive experimental data, it is a valuable reference resource on ceramics development and design for academic researchers, R&D engineers and graduate students.

Ceramic products are fabricated from selected and consolidated raw materials through the application of thermal and mechanical energy. The complex connec tions between thermodynamics, chemical equilibria, fabrication processes, phase development, and ceramic properties define the undergraduate curriculum in Ceramic Science and Ceramic Engineering. Phase diagrams are usually introduced into the engineering curriculum during the study of physical chemistry, prior to specialization into ceramic engineering. This creates an artificial separation between consideration of the equilibrium description of the chemically heterogeneous system and the engineering and physical processes required for phase, microstructure, and property development in ceramic materials. Although convenient for instructional purposes, the separa tion of these topics limits the effective application of phase diagram information by the ceramic engineer in research and manufacturing problem solving. The nature of oxide phases, which define their useful engineering properties, are seldom linked to the stability of those phases which underlies their reliability as engineered products. Similarly, ceramic fabrication processes are seldom dis cussed within the context of the equilibrium or metastable phase diagram. In this text, phase diagrams are presented with a discussion of ceramics' properties and processing. Particular emphasis is placed on the nature of the oxides themselves-their structural and dielectric properties-which results in unique and stable product performance. Any set of systematic property measurements can be the basis for a phase diagram: every experiment is an experiment in the approach to phase equilibrium.

Excerpt from User Evaluation of "Phase Diagrams for Ceramists" And Implications for Related Data and Research Programs Phase diagrams play an important role in the development of ceramic materials. Phase equilibria data are essential in meeting the expanding needs for refractories, electronic components, non - crystalline solids, and various other applications of interest to ceramic scientists and engineers. The chemical information generally summarized as a phase equilibrium diagram is extremely useful in many industrial processes. However, the necessary research involved in obtaining such information is often very costly. The average binary phase diagram can be estimated to take about one man year and a ternary diagram may take five times that effort. To avoid duplication, it is advantageous to have all existing diagrams compiled and distributed for easy access. As described below, the American Ceramic Society long ago recognized the importance of phase diagrams to the field of ceramic materials and the importance of having this type of information available in evaluated and summarized form. Beginning in 1933, the Society has worked contin uously with the National Bureau of Standards to provide a sequence of reports under the title Phase Diagrams for Ceramists giving evaluated data from the literature on selected ceramic systems. The Bureau has supplemented these data with measurements in its own laboratories on a limited number of systems chosen because the data were needed for specific reasons but were not available or were of doubtful accuracy. Other laboratories such as the Geophysical Laboratory of the Carnegie Institute and the Pennsylvania State University have supported Phase Diagrams for Ceramists through evaluations by their staffs and/or through experimentalwork. The overall responsibility and general editorship have, however, always been assumed by the National Bureau of Standards. Several valuable contributions to compilation, evaluation, and publication of phase diagrams of ceramic systems have been made by other groups and published independently from time-to - time as described below. These have generally been one-time-only activities with a limited, specialized scope. Phase Diagrams for Ceramists is the only continuing program of general scope in the Western World. With the recent addition of an International Board of Contributing Editors, it appears very likely to be even more central and unique in the future. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

The investigation of multi-component complex systems composed of oxides, nitrides, and carbides has intensified in the last few years. Phase Diagrams in Advanced Ceramics reviews some of the recent advances inthe understanding of these composite systems, providing insight into how phase diagrams can be utilized in the fabrication of whiskers and ceramic-matrix whisker-reinforced ceramics. Phase relations and sintering information is reviewed for transparent polycrystalline oxides. Phase diagrams are discussed to predict alkali oxide corrosion of alumino-silicate references. Understanding the development, manufacture, and use of complex, multi-component ceramic materials composed of silicon nitride-metal oxides-nitride-carbide systems Development and use of whisker and whisker-reinforced ceramics composed of materials such as alumina, silicon-nitride, silicon carbide, and directly solidified eutectic ceramics Application of phase diagrams to the production of advanced composites such as alumina-matrix, zirconium diboride and titanium, hafnium, zirconium, carbides, and borides Phase chemistry in the development of transparent poly-crystal and oxides, including yttria, alumina, and magnesium aluminate Improvements concerning the knowledge of complex multi-component materials composed of oxides, nitrides, and carbides, and knowledge of how to fabricate composite materials containing whiskers and ceramic hosts New developments in making transparent ceramic materials