Microwave treating effects on a nanolaminated Nb2GeC compound

6^th International Conference and Exhibition on Materials Science and Engineering

September 12-14, 2016 Atlanta, USA

Ausdinir D Bortolozo, Rodrigo J Contieri, Giovana S Padilha and Wislei R R Osorio

University of Campinas, Brazil

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Material Sci Eng

Abstract :

The microwave and conventional heat treatments are used in order to sinter the Nb2GeC phase. XRD, SEM, density and hardness analyses are also discussed. The experimental results of XRD during 48 h by using the microwave heating revealed of about 90% v for the Nb2GeC phase, while the conventional heat treating has taken of about 240 h to attain similar results. From the economical and feasibility point of view, the microwave heating decreases the working or processing time. Rietveld refinement shows that the Nb2GeC compound belongs to the P63/mmc space group with a and c lattice parameters, as a = 0.323�±0.005 nm and c = 1.256�±0.005 nm. Based on typical SEM observations, it is also found that finer grains are provided when the microwave heating is applied. Additionally, a lower porosity is also attained when the samples are sintered using the microwave than the conventional process. The data of hardness measurements show the 545 MPa and 817 MPa to microwave and conventional heating. These results have indicated the high potential of microwave heating to produce MAX phases in shorter processing times than for conventional processing routes.

Biography :

Email: ausdinir.bortolozo@fca.unicamp.br