Performance and durability of octadecyltrichlorosilane coated borosilicate glass

While a coating may alter the surface properties and the performance of a material, it is unclear if these thin barrier layers can effectively inhibit environmentally-assisted cracking processes. In this research a nanoscale, hydrophobic film of octadecyltrichlorosilane was applied to bulk borosilicate glass rods. The resistance of the coated and uncoated rods to environmentally-assisted cracking was then evaluated in a room temperature, deionized water environment. While the coating procedure did not damage the glass surface or affect the probability of completing a successful test, it did not provide protection the glass samples against environmentally-assisted cracking. Analytical models based on linear elastic fracture mechanics suggest that the coating thickness must be on the order of the crack mouth opening displacement for the barrier layer to be effective. This finding suggests that nanoscale barrier coatings are best suited for micron and nanometer-scale substrates when superior structural performance is required.     

Edge-strengthening of flat glass with acrylate coatings

Edge-strengthening is a novel technology used to strengthen glass by applying a coating only on the edges. In this work, edge flaws of flat glass articles were examined in detail via scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging. Then the effect of using weatherable acrylate coatings on edge-strengthening of flat glass was determined. Four-point bending measurement showed that the coatings provided more than twofold increase of the mean flexural strength and a factor of about two increase of the tensile stress needed to reach 0.8% cumulative probability of failure. The coatings were found to cover the flaw zone at the glass edges and partially fill in the cracks. Different surface treatments led to different levels of strengthening, indicating the importance of coating adhesion. The coating’s thermal and mechanical properties affected the extent of strengthening effect. A coating formulation with a higher glass transition temperature tended to provide a better strengthening effect, indicating the importance of closure stress within cracks generated during film curing process. Challenges of applying the edge-strengthening technology are also discussed.     

Friction measurement in precision glass molding: An experimental study

Understanding the frictional behavior between glass and metals at elevated temperatures is necessary for accurate modeling and simulation of the state of the art applications such as the PGM process, pressing of micro lens arrays, hot embossing, and extrusion or drawing of glass fiber. In this research, the frictional behavior of N-BK7, an oxide glass, at elevated temperatures in contact with polished and coated tungsten carbide (WC) material and under conditions similar to the PGM process has been studied.The experimental results show that the friction coefficient between a polished and coated WC mold and N-BK7, which is a typical material for glass molding, and in conditions similar to those used in the PGM process ramps up to 0.7 and then levels off around 0.6 with a smooth transition, meaning that there is not a specific point to differentiate between static and dynamic friction. The friction coefficient of 0.6 is reported in literature for best fitting in micro lens molding simulation. Moreover, increasing the temperature in the transition regime in the mold/glass interface causes the friction force to increase which is in good agreement with the data published for the friction between soft polymeric material and metal in the transition regime.     

Influence of sol-gel coatings on crack initiation by vickers indentation in soda-lime glass

In this work an indentation technique was used to study the effect of the sol-gel coatings of soda-lime glasses on crack formation. The tendency of samples to develop radial cracks has been evaluated by measuring their number in correspondence with the Vickers impressions as a function of the applied load. Silica coatings of different thickness were obtained from alcoholic solutions of TEOS by the dipping technique on glass sheets with different degrees of surface hydration.

All the coated samples show a lower crackability compared with the uncoated ones. It was found that this parameter is influenced by layer thickness, heat treatment temperature and by the degree of galss surface hydration.     

Synthesis of polycrystalline silicon thin films with ‘icosahedral’ symmetry by ceramics hot wire chemical vapor deposition

We report on synthesis and materials physics of polycrystalline silicon thin films deposited on glass with rarely observed ‘five-fold’ symmetry or ‘icosahedral’ symmetry. We invented these ‘novel form’ of polycrystalline silicon thin films by ceramics hot wire chemical vapor deposition (hot-wire CVD). A new physical effect in hot-wire CVD technology has been proposed that controls the nucleation and growth of silicon thin films on glass substrate.     

Design,growth and characterization of PbTe-based thermoelectric materials

Thermoelectric devices convert thermal energy, i.e. heat, into electric energy. With no moving parts, the thermoelectric generator has demonstrated its advantage of long-duration operational reliability. The IV–VI compound semiconductor PbTe-based materials have been widely adopted for the thermoelectric applications in the medium temperature range of 350–650°C. In most of the reports, thermoelectric materials were manufactured by a hot pressing or quench and annealing method. The recent advancements in the converting efficiency of thermoelectrics, including PbTe-based materials, have been attributed to the modification on material inhomogeneity of microstructures by hot pressing or simply cooling the melt to reduce the thermal conductivity. On the other hand, due to its time-consuming preparation/processing and unnecessary good crystalline quality (for thermoelectric applications), the processing of thermoelectric materials by crystal growth resulted in very few investigations. In this report, the design and growth of the PbTe-based materials solidified from the melt for thermoelectric applications as well as the results of their thermoelectric characterizations will be reviewed. It shows that, besides its Figure of Merit comparable to other processing methods, the melt grown PbTe material has several additional capabilities, including the reproducibility, thermal stability and the functional gradient characteristics from the variation of properties along the growth length.     

Characteristics of colored inorganic–organic hybrid materials

Inorganic–organic hybrid glasses are relatively new nanometric materials of Ormosil’s group (organic modified silicates). There co-existence, on a molecular scale, exists between inorganic structures in the form of silica-oxide network and organic structures based on carbon links. Properties of these materials are intermediate between those of inorganic glasses (hardness, chemical and thermal resistance) and organic polymers (low temperature of obtaining, elasticity of structure). The hybrid materials are compatible matrices for organic compounds such as organic dyes, laser dyes, photo-chromic compounds, etc. Inorganic–organic hybrid glasses are usually produced in the form of thin coatings on various bases using a low-temperature sol-gel process. These coatings, depending on the kind and amount of units, building their structure, show various properties: refractive index changing in a wide range, anti-static properties, anti-reflection, corrosion protection, intensive color, luminescence and others. That is why these materials found application as protective and colored covering of glass articles as well as in new technical areas. The aim of this paper is obtaining and characterizing colored inorganic–organic coatings on glass, considering both protective and colored properties. These materials have been produced from phenyltriethoxysilane (PhTES), 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS), aluminium tri-sec-butylate (TBA); (PGT matrix). The structure of PGT matrix was determined using the FTIR, ²⁹Si MAS NMR and ²⁷Al MAS NMR examinations. It has been found that chemical bonds occur between structural units. The two groups of organic dyes were used for coloring the coatings. The first group consisted of ORASOL dyes, chiefly based on various metal complexes. These dyes have a wide range of commercial utilization. The second group included the organic, intensive dyes obtained in the laboratory and are inaccessible for sale. The coloring coatings were coated on flat glass using the dip-coating method. The samples were submitted for thermal treatment at temperatures of 100 and 200 °C. Investigation of chemical resistance (boiling in water for 1 h) was made for coated materials after thermal treatment at 100 °C. UV–VIS transmission of colored coatings was examined after each stage of thermal treatment and also after hydrolytic resistance examination. The quality of the coatings and their thickness were estimated by SEM observations. The obtained, inorganic–organic coatings were characterized by good chemical resistance and stability of color.     

热压ZnS与金刚石复合材料的研究

利用热压法制备ZnS/D复合材料,通过对成型压力、热压温度、热压压力、掺杂量四个因子三水平的正交设计,得到优化的热压工艺;并且根据样品的硬度和断裂韧性讨论了热压工艺对它们的影响.结果表明:温度对硬度的影响很大,随着温度的升高硬度逐渐降低;而断裂韧性则受工艺参数综合效应的制约,对单一参数变化不十分敏感,但它却随金刚石含量的增加而显著提高,当金刚石含量达到10;质量分数时,其断裂韧性是纯ZnS的1.7倍.     

The dynamic crossover temperature and the characteristic length of glass transition in accordance with the extended Adam–Gibbs theory

Adam–Gibbs factor at the dynamic phase transition temperature is found out to be ‘universal,’ as it is at the glass transition temperature. A new scaling has been suggested collecting known ‘universalities’ related with the relaxation time. The fragility has been discussed in terms of the characteristic length at the glass-transition temperature. The transformation of the activation hopping into free diffusion dynamics in polymers is investigated.     

Color Gamut of Liquid Crystal Polysiloxanest

Polysiloxanes with suitable side-chains form a cholesteric liquid crystal phase that can be applied to a substrate to produce a durable coating which exhibits strong colours below the glass transition temperature. The peak reflectance is almost 0.5 and a nearly 1.0 peak reflectance can be obtained using a half-wave retardation plate coated on both sides with the material and viewed from one direction against a black background. Values below 0.5 and between 0.5 and 1.0 have been also obtained using suitable solvents and alignment techniques. Many desired spectral reflectance distributions can be then obtained because of the additive color properties of such cholesteric coatings. As a result it is possible to produce a larger colour gamut than with real surface colours such as pigments and dyes. Employing commercially available material experimental work was carried out demonstrating a greatly expanded colour gamut on the chro-maticity diagram. Also it is possible to modify the spectral reflectance distribution of coloured substrates by coating them with a material having a reflectance peak at the desired band of wavelength.     

溶液等离子喷涂氧化锆涂层力学性能的研究

采用溶液等离子喷涂技术(SPPS)制备了氧化钇部分稳定氧化锆(7YSZ)热障涂层(TBCs).热障涂层剥落失效的影响因素众多,其中很多都与涂层的力学性能相关.利用扫描电镜(SEM)、X射线衍射仪(XRD)和硬度计等研究了涂层的力学性能.结果表明,SPPS涂层的弹性模量约为58 GPa,硬度约为7 GPa,比大气等离子喷涂(APS)涂层高了15;左右;SPPS涂层的断裂韧性为1.8~2 MPa·m1/2,结合强度约为25 MPa.SPPS涂层因为低的孔隙率和更好的板条之间的结合带来了力学性能的提升.     

Characterization and chemical durability of 70Ph2SiO·30TiO2 coating prepared by the sol-gel process

70Ph₂SiO·30TiO₂ coatings on slide glass and phosphate glass substrates have been prepared by the sol-gel process. Experimental results on the characterization and chemical durability of the coatings are presented. It is shown that the coatings heated at 150°C have reasonably good acid and water resistance while their alkali durability is very poor. The XPS results are used to verify the different corrosion behaviors of the coating in pure water and 1N HC1 solutions. The chemical durability of phosphate glass can be significantly improved by this coating.     

Contactless molding of arrayed chalcogenide glass lenses

The moldable chalcogenide glass material has been developed recently. This study developed a new process to produce an arrayed chalcogenide glass lenses by a contactless molding process, which is considered to have a great potential for the mass production of arrayed glass lenses with low cost, ease of manufacture and free of surface defects. The stainless steel plate with arrayed through holes was employed as the molds. The selenium based chalcogenide glass plate was put on the mold and nitrogen gas was introduced into the closed chamber to allow gas pressure up to 4 kg/cm². IR heating allows the chalcogenide glass plate to approach the soft point, and forces glass flows into the arrayed through holes to form the arrayed glass lenses by viscoelastic deformation. A higher forming temperature, pressure and longer time duration tend to produce the arrayed lenses with a higher peak height and a smaller radius of curvature. The arrayed chalcogenide glass lenses with a peak height of 430 μm can be obtained at a forming temperature of 305 °C, a gas pressure of 1 kg/cm² and a time duration of 110 s. The contactless gas assisted molding system can avoid contact induced glass sticking and gas bubble problems. The surface qualities of molded lenses are much better than that of lenses molded by the traditional contact molding process.     

The novel use of organo alkoxy silane for the synthesis of organic–inorganic hybrid coatings

UV-curable, organic–inorganic hybrid coatings based on a UV-curable epoxyacrylate resin (EA) and methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane were prepared by the sol–gel method. 2,2′-Bis(4-β-hydroxy ethoxy) phenyl propane was modified by a coupling agent, 3-isocyanato propyl triethoxy silane, to improve the compatibility of the organic and inorganic phases. The formulations were applied onto Aluminum panels and cured by UV light to obtain a hard and clear coating with a good adhesion. The structural characterization of cured hybrid materials was performed using solid state ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy. The real time infrared technique was used to follow the degree of double bond conversion and photopolymerization rate. The thermal properties of the coatings are improved depends on the ‘component A’ composition in hybrid mixture which was composed of methacryloxy propyl trimethoxysilane (MAPTMS) and trimethoxysilane terminated HEPA urethane (TMSHU). The char yield of pure epoxy acrylate resin was 0.7 wt% and that of 30 wt% of component A containing hybrid coating was 4.6 wt% at 900 °C in air atmosphere. The morphology of the hybrid materials was examined by scanning electron microscopy. The hybrids were nanocomposites.     

Glassy states: Concentration glasses and temperature glasses compared

The behavior of glass-forming systems in the equilibrium state above the glass temperature is still a heavily investigated field. Surprisingly, the behavior of the glass itself is less widely investigated. Even less investigated is the behavior of glass-forming materials in which composition is changed. Here we look at the behavior of glasses after temperature-jumps and compare that behavior with that of glasses subjected to concentration-jumps. Moisture and carbon dioxide are used as the plasticizing environments. Surprisingly, the glass created by jumping (down) to a given final condition via a change in concentration is more stable than that formed by a change in temperature – this in spite of the external condition of temperature and chemical activity (RH or carbon dioxide pressure) being the same. Furthermore, the concentration glass under such conditions has a higher excess volume than the temperature glass and its response does not ‘merge’ with that of the temperature glass, hence, the concentration glass is not the same as a temperature hyperquenched glass.     

气体流量及配比对CVD SiC膜层的影响

本文以甲基三氯硅烷(MTS)为先驱体原料,H2为载气,采用化学气相沉积工艺在反应烧结碳化硅表面制备SiC致密膜层。研究了不同反应气体流量及配比对CVD碳化硅膜层的影响。结果表明:反应气体的流量对膜层的表面形貌影响较大,较大的气流量容易使膜层剥落;减小反应气体流量有利于改善膜层的均匀性。H2/MTS比例影响沉积SiC膜层的相组成。当沉积温度为1200℃,H2/MTS比例为6∶1时,得到的膜层由SiC和C两相组成;当H2/MTS比例为12∶1时,膜层由SiC和Si两相组成;当H2/MTS比例为10∶1时,得到单一相的SiC膜层。在优化的工艺参数下,制备出致密的CVD膜层,经过光学加工后膜层的表面粗糙度为0.72 nm,平面度RMS为0.015λ(λ=0.6328μm)。     

Temperature dependence of the tribological properties of laser re-melted Al-Cu-Fe quasicrystalline plasma sprayed coatings

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of temperature on tribological properties of plasma-sprayed Al-Cu-Fe quasicrystal (QC) coating after laser re-melting treatment. The laser treatment resulted in a more uniform, denser and harder microstructure than that of the as-sprayed coatings. Tribological experiments on the coatings were conducted under reciprocating motion at high frequency in the temperature range from 25 to 650 °C. Remarkable influence of temperature on the friction behavior of the coating was recorded and analyzed. Microstructural analysis indicated that the wear mechanisms of the re-melted QC coatings changed from abrasive wear at room temperature, to adhesive wear at 400 °C and severe adhesive wear at 650 °C owing to the material transfer of the counterpart ball. It was also observed that the ratio of the icosahedral (i)-phase to β-Al₅₀(Fe,Cu)₅₀ phase in the coating was higher after test at 400 °C than that at 650 °C. The variation of the ratio i/β of coating and of the property of the counterpart ball and coating with the temperature are the two main factors influencing the wear mechanisms and value of the friction coefficient.     

The influence of dissolved water on the internal friction of lithium metaphosphate glasses containing 1% potassium metaphosphate

A series of lithium metaphosphate glasses, containing different amounts of water, was prepared. The water content was determined from the weight-loss of specimens during heating in vacuum.It is found that dissolved water influences the internal friction and dielectric losses, in the same way as additions of dissimilar alkali ions do. With respect to the physical properties under discussions, one can consider water as an ‘alkali-oxide’.The intermediate temperature peak is increased in magnitude and shifted to lower temperatures with increasing water content. Extrapolation of the present results to the water-free composition shows that the intermediate temperature peak will be absent in the water-free glass.     

Preparation of organic-inorganic nano-composites for antireflection coatings

In this research, bi-layer thin film stacks that served as an antireflective coating were developed. The top layer was synthesized using tetraethoxysilane and 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate by the well-known sol-gel technique. Its refractive index was lower than that of the bottom layer, which was prepared by reaction between tetrabutoxyltitanium and γ-glycidoxy propyl trimethoxysilane. Antireflective coatings were obtained by spin-coating of the synthesized sols on a glass substrate, followed by pre-drying, UV-curing, and post-baking. Fourier transform infrared spectrometer was employed to investigate the evolution of chemical bonds during the UV-curing and the sol-gel processes. The size of the inorganic/organic hybrid particles in the sol was found to be less than 10 nm, as measured by transmission electron microscope and dynamic light scattering. Thermo gravimetric analyzer was used to find out the thermal degradation temperature of the two layers and the effect of post-baking. The results indicated that the thermal stability increased after post-baking at 200 °C for 15 min. The reflectance of the antireflection coating was controlled by the relative refractive indices and the thickness of the top and bottom layers. Under optimal synthesis condition, we obtained an antireflection coating, exhibiting a low reflection, 1% at 550 nm, in the visible range.     

Kinetics of non-isothermal crystallization and glass transition phenomena in Ga10Se87Pb3 and Ga10Se84Pb6 chalcogenide glasses by DSC

The crystallization process affects solid properties through the crystal structure and morphology established during the transition process. An important aspect of the crystallization process is its kinetics, both from the fundamental point of view of amorphous material as well as the modeling and phase transition. In the present research work, non-isothermal crystallization data in the form of heat flow vs. temperature curves has been studied by using some well known models for amorphous Ga₁₀Se₈₇Pb₃ and Ga₁₀Se₈₄Pb₆ chalcogenide glasses, prepared by the melt quenching technique. The glass transition phenomena and crystallization of these glasses have been studied by using non-isothermal differential scanning calorimetery (DSC) measurements at constant heating rates of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 K/min. The glass transition temperature (T_g), crystallization temperature (T_c), and melting temperature (T_m) were determined from DSC thermograms. The dependence of T_g and T_c on the heating rate was used to determine different crystallization parameters such as the order parameter (n), the glass transition energy (ΔE_g) and the crystallization activation energy (ΔE_c). The results of crystallization were discussed on the basis of different models such as Kissinger's approach and the modification for non-isothermal crystallization in addition to Johnson, Mehl, Ozawa and Avrami.