Proportional Sample Resistance Model Research Articles

Stabilization of durable tetragonal phase and barrier regions in y-123 ceramic systems with partial substitution mechanism

This study examines the impact of Tb and Zn doping on the Y-123 superconducting system by analyzing crack propagation mechanisms through Vickers microhardness measurements. The measurements are conducted at various application forces ranging from 0.245 N to 2.940 N. The microhardness measurements are used to determine the role of impurity addition on Vickers hardness, modulus of elasticity, brittleness index, fracture toughness, and yield strengths. It is found that impurity ions serving as strong barrier regions improve the surface residual compressive stress sites and interactivity between the adjacent layers. Similarly, the sensitivity to the external forces reduce significantly with the substitution mechanism due to the induced new slip systems and ionic bond formations. Accordingly, all the mechanical performance properties are recorded to increase significantly with the impurity ions. Especially, the replacement of Zn by Cu ions in the Y-123 matrix exhibits higher resistance to failure, mechanical strength, and stabilization of the durable tetragonal phase. Accordingly, Zn/Cu substitution in Y-123 ceramics paves the way for the applications of ceramic compounds in the fields of heavy-industrial technology and industrial power systems. All the ceramic materials also exhibit indentation size effect feature based on the recovery mechanism. Additionally, load-independent microhardness parameters are semi-empirically modeled by Meyer's law, Hays-Kendall, indentation-induced cracking, elastic–plastic deformation, and proportional sample resistance model for the first time. According to the comparisons, the IIC model is identified as the most suitable for interpreting the real microhardness results of newly produced Y-123 ceramic matrices.

Mechanical properties of Ag-added DyBa2Cu3Oy superconducting melt-textured bulks prepared by the single-direction melt growth method

Ag-added DyBa2Cu3Oy superconducting melt-textured bulks were prepared using the newly developed single-direction melt growth (SDMG) method with different pre-heat-treatment conditions. Clearly distinct microstructures were observed depending on the pre-heat-treatment conditions and thickness of the bulks. Their mechanical properties were evaluated by use of Vickers microhardness measurements at varying applied forces. Vickers microhardness increases with an increase in the applied force for each sample, up to an importantly high value of ∼9 GPa at the saturated region, indicating all the prepared bulks demonstrate the untypical reverse indentation size effect (RISE) performance. In addition, the experimental results found from the saturation regions are examined by the mechanical methods such as Meyer's law, proportional sample resistance model, elastic/plastic deformation, Hays-Kendall (HK) approximation, and indentation-induced cracking (IIC) model. According to the mechanical modelling findings, the HK and IIC models are found as appropriate mechanical models describing the hardness values for all the studied bulks exhibiting RISE feature and the true values are suggested to lie between the estimated values of HK and IIC models.

Superconducting and Mechanical Properties of the Tl0.8Hg0.2Ba2Ca2Cu3O9−δ Superconductor Phase Substituted by Lanthanum and Samarium Fluorides

This study investigated the impact of samarium and lanthanum fluorides (SmF3 and LaF3) on the physical and mechanical properties of Tl0.8Hg0.2Ba2Ca2−xRxCu3O9−δ−yFy superconducting phases (specifically the (Tl, Hg)-1223 phase), where R = Sm and La, with 0.00 ≤ x ≤ 0.10. The superconducting samples were synthesized using the solid-state reaction method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) verified the formation of the (Tl, Hg)-1223 phase without altering its tetragonal structure. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) reveal the improvement of the grain size and inter-grain connectivity as Sm and La contents increased up to x=0.025. The electrical properties of (Tl, Hg)-1223 were studied using I-V and electrical resistivity measurements. Improved superconducting transition temperature (Tc) and transport critical current density (Jc) were observed up to x=0.025, beyond which they decreased substantially. Vickers microhardness (Hv) measurements were performed at room temperature to investigate their mechanical performance with various applied loads (0.49–9.80 N) and times (10–90 s). For both substitutions, the mechanical properties were enhanced up to an optimal value at x=0.025. All samples exhibited normal indentation size effect (ISE) behavior. The proportional sample resistance (PSR) model best explained Hv values among five theoretical models. Dislocation creep was the primary creep mechanism in the samples, according to indentation creep studies.

Synthesis, characterization, and Vickers microhardness for (YIG)x/(Bi,Pb)-2223 superconducting phase

The current study investigated the effect of adding yttrium iron garnet (Y3Fe5O12; YIG) nanoparticles to the (Bi1.8Pb0.4)Sr2Ca2.1Cu3.2Oy ((Bi,Pb)-2223) superconductor. The classical solid-state reaction technique was used to synthesize the nano-(YIG)x/(Bi,Pb)-2223 composites (0.00 ≤ x ≤ 2.00 wt.%). X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the formation of tetragonal (Bi,Pb)-2223 as the major phase. The morphology and elemental composition of the synthesized samples were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), respectively. Iodometric titration analysis proved that the addition of nano-YIG increased the oxygen content in the CuO2 planes. The critical transition temperature (Tc) and the critical current density (Jc) increased with the nano-YIG addition up to x = 0.25 wt.% with values of 119.25 K and 638.37 A/cm2, respectively. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed the elemental composition and oxidation state of all elements in the prepared samples. Room temperature Vickers microhardness (Hv) measurements were performed at different applied loads (0.49–9.80 N) and a duration time of 20 s. The best enhancement in Vickers microhardness (Hv) was achieved at x = 2.00 wt.%. The modified proportional sample resistance (MPSR) model provided the best theoretical analysis at the plateau limit region based on Vickers microhardness (Hv) observations. Moreover, nano-YIG addition into the (Bi,Pb)-2223 superconductor adversely affected several mechanical parameters such as the elastic modulus (E), yield strength (Y), and fracture toughness (K).

Effect of hard magnetic ferrite (Ba0.5Sr0.5Fe12O19) nanoparticles on the mechanical properties of the (Bi, Pb)-2223 phase

To manifest the effect of hard magnetic Ba0.5Sr0.5Fe12O19 nanoparticles on the mechanical performance of the (Bi,Pb)-2223 superconducting phase, nano-(Ba0.5Sr0.5Fe12O19)x/Bi1.8Pb0.4Sr2Ca2Cu3.2O10+δ, with x = 0.00, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.10, and 0.20 wt%, were synthesized using a conventional solid-state reaction method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) data revealed that adding nano-(Ba0.5Sr0.5Fe12O19) to the host (Bi,Pb)-2223 phase preserved the orthorhombic structure. The porosity (P%) calculations revealed a decrease until x = 0.04 wt%, which suggests that the addition of nano-(Ba0.5Sr0.5Fe12O19)x reduces the number of voids and improves inter-grain connections, as confirmed by SEM micrographs. The superconducting transition temperature (Tc) increased to 112 K with the inclusion of nano-(Ba0.5Sr0.5Fe12O19) up to x = 0.04 wt%. Vickers microhardness (HV) measurements were conducted at various applied loads (0.245–9.800 N) and a duration time of 45 s. The HV number increased with the addition of x up to x = 0.04 wt% but then decreased with further addition. Various models were employed for analysis and modelling of Vickers hardness (HV) versus test load (F), including Meyer’s law, Hays–Kendall (H–K) model, the elastic/plastic deformation (EPD) model, the proportional sample resistance (PSR) model, the modified proportional sample resistance (MPSR), and indentation-induced cracking (IIC) model. It was found that the PSR model was the most appropriate theoretical model for describing the microhardness of nano-(Ba0.5Sr0.5Fe12O19)x/(Bi,Pb)-2223 composites. Moreover, the elastic modulus (E), yield strength (Y), fracture toughness (K), brittleness index (B), and elastic stiffness coefficient (C11) were estimated as a function of the inclusion of nano-(Ba0.5Sr0.5Fe12O19)x. Furthermore, the indentation creep test (time-dependent Vickers microhardness) revealed that the dislocation creep mechanism exists in composite samples with low concentrations (x < 0.05 wt%), whereas the dislocation climbs creep mechanism was observed for x ≥ 0.05 wt%.

Investigation of microhardness properties of the multi-walled carbon nanotube additive MgB2 structure by using the vickers method

In this study, the effect of multi-walled carbon nanotube doping to MgB2 compound on microhardness properties of MgB2 was investigated by using solid-state reaction method. The amount of multi-walled carbon nanotubes was chosen as 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4% by weight of total MgB2. All samples were obtained by sintered at 650 °C temperatures. The microhardness properties of the samples obtained were examined using the Vickers method. At the same time, the samples obtained were analyzed according to Meyer’s Law, proportional sample resistance (PSR) model, Hays-Kendall (HK) approach and elastic/plastic deformation (EPD) model. Samples were found to exhibit indentation size effect (ISE) behavior. It was understood that the multi-walled carbon nanotubes doped to the samples made MgB2 softer by reducing the intergranular bonding of the MgB2 structure. In addition, it was found that the force applied to the samples caused both plastic and elastic deformation on the samples.

Comparative study on the effect of adding two transition-metal-substituted polyoxometalates on the mechanical properties of the (Bi,Pb)-2223 superconducting phase

This comparative study sheds light on the optimum addition x of K5[SiFe(OH2)W11O39]·14H2O ({FeSiW11}) and K6[(H2O)MnSiW11O39]·21H2O ({MnSiW11}) (x = 0.02, 0.04, 0.08, 0.12, 0.16 and 0.20 wt%) nanoparticles to produce the desired mechanical characteristics of the (Bi,Pb)-2223 superconducting phase using a Vickers microhardness (HV) tester. HV measurement was performed at room temperature for different applied loads (0.245–9.8 N) and times (10–60 s). From the HV measurements, all the prepared samples had a normal ‘indentation size effect’ behaviour. It was found that 0.04 wt% {FeSiW11} nanoparticles and 0.08 wt% {MnSiW11} nanoparticles were the optimal addition to increase the microhardness of the (Bi,Pb)-2223 phase. Accordingly, other mechanical parameters for potential applications, such as the elastic modulus, yield strength and fracture toughness of the samples studied, were extracted from HV as a function of nanoparticle addition. The measured HV data were theoretically analysed with use of different models. The modified proportional sample resistance model was identified as the best theoretical model to describe the true HV values for both phases. Indentation creep analysis was also performed using time-dependent microhardness to indicate the enhancement of new cavity formation in the measured samples.

Indentation size effect of germanium single crystal with different crystal orientations

In order to study the indentation size effect (ISE) of germanium single crystals, nano-indentation experiments were carried out on the (100), (110) and (111) plane-orientated germanium single crystals. The true hardness of each crystal plane of germanium single crystals was calculated based on the Meyer equation, proportional sample resistance (PSR) model and Nix—Gao model, and the indentation size effect (ISE) factor of each crystal plane was calculated. Results show that, the germanium single crystals experience elastic deformation, plastic deformation and brittle fracture during the loading process, and the three crystal planes all show obvious ISE phenomenon. All three models can effectively describe the ISE of germanium single crystals, and the calculated value of Nix—Gao model is the most accurate. Compared with the other two crystal planes, Ge (110) has the highest size effect factor m and the highest hardness, which indicates that Ge (110) has the worst plasticity.

Evaluation of key mechanical design properties and mechanical characteristic features of advanced Bi-2212 ceramic materials with homovalent Bi/Ga partial replacement: Combination of experimental and theoretical approaches

This study models the variations in the key mechanical design properties and mechanical characteristic features of Ga substituted Bi-site Bi-2212 ceramics prepared within the different molar ratios of x = 0.000, 0.005, 0.010, 0.030, 0.050, 0.100 and 0.300 with the assistant of available theoretical approaches; namely, Meyer’s law, proportional sample resistance, elastic/plastic deformation, modified proportional sample resistance model, Hays Kendall and indentation-induced cracking methods for the first time. The mechanical modeling parameters are gathered from the microhardness (Vickers) experimental tests performed at various applied loads interval 0.245 N–2.940 N. The results provide that the key mechanical design features improve systematically with the augmentation of trivalent Bi/Ga partial replacement level up to x = 0.05 due to the rapid decrement in the main structural problems; namely, the grain orientations, lattice strains, distortions, dislocations, grain boundary interaction/coupling problems, crack-initiating and crack-producing omnipresent flaws in the advanced Bi-2212 ceramic system. Accordingly, the optimum Ga inclusions strengthens the mechanical durability towards the applied stress due to the increased stabilization in the durable tetragonal phase. After the critical substitution amount of x = 0.05, the mechanism turns reversely, and the general mechanical characteristic features including the stiffness, mechanical durability and strength degrade remarkably. Additionally, the mechanical modeling results demonstrate that the Bi/Ga impurity leads to vary positively the quality of standard indentation size effect (ISE) feature until x = 0.05, beyond which the excess Ga additives damage seriously ISE feature of Bi-2212 inorganic compounds. Besides, the indentation-induced cracking (IIC) model is noticed as the best method to describe the true microhardness parameters of Bi/Ga substituted Bi-2212 compounds for the mechanical characterization.

The Effect of Zinc on the Structural, Electrical, and Mechanical Properties of YBCO-123 Superconducting Nanoparticles Prepared by an Acetate-Based Sol-Gel Process

In this study, zinc (Zn)-doped YBaCuO (YBCO)-123-based high-temperature superconducting samples were produced using the sol-gel method, which is commonly used for preparing nanosize materials. Zn ions were substituted by Cu ions (YBa2Cu3-xZnxO), and Zn doping effects on structural, electrical, and mechanical properties of the YBCO-123 superconductors were examined in detail. Undoped sample was prepared under same conditions. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) was used to determine phase analysis and lattice parameters of the superconducting samples. To analyze the microstructure properties, scanning electron microscope (SEM) measurements were performed. Resistivity and microhardness measurements were also carried out for superconducting and mechanic properties, respectively. Vickers microhardness, young modulus, fracture toughness, and yield strength values of the samples were calculated. Microhardness measurements were analyzed using the Kick’s law, proportional sample resistance (PSR) model, EPD model, the Hays-Kendall (HK) approach, and indentation-induced cracking (IIC) model.

Experimental and theoretical approaches for electrical, magnetic, micromechanical, and structural characterization of BSCCO ceramic superconductors

This study investigates how the preparation and re-pelletization of BSCCO ceramic superconductors affects their structural, magnetic, electrical, and mechanical properties. Samples were prepared using conventional methods including the dry solid state (SS) reaction and wet ammonium nitrate (AN) precipitation, with three variations prepared for each technique. The fabricated samples were then characterized with X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy. The density, resistance vs. temperature characteristics, AC susceptibility vs. temperature characteristics, and magnetic hysteresis properties were measured. In addition, Vicker's microhardness was measured and revealed that all six samples exhibit the reverse indentation size effect (RISE). Microhardness modeling was also conducted. Calculations with Meyer's law, the Hays and Kendall model, and the proportional sample resistance model indicate that the samples are far from the plateau region, whereas the indentation-induced cracking model was consistent with the experimental results. The elastic modulus, Young's modulus, yield strength, and brittleness index were also calculated for each sample.

Vickers Microhardness Studies on B4C Reinforced/Unreinforced Foamable Aluminium Composites

In this work we have investigated the effects of production processes on the structural and mechanical properties of B4C reinforced/unreinforced foamable aluminium composite materials. All samples were produced with the powder metallurgy method. The production method included compression, extrusion and rolling processes. The Vickers microhardness test was applied to determine the mechanical properties of the samples. Vickers microhardness, elastic modulus and yield strength values of the samples were separately calculated and compared with each other. The experimental microhardness results were analysed using Meyer’s law, the proportional sample resistance model, the elastic–plastic deformation model and the Hays Kendall (HK) approach. The results determined that the HK approach was the most suitable model among the other applied microhardness models.

Evaluation of the Vickers microhardness and fracture toughness on hot pressed Bi-2212/Ag ceramic composites

Micro-indentation tests provide useful information on mechanical properties such as strength, deformation characteristics and fracture toughness of the ceramic materials. Therefore, a micro-indentation study has been carried out to characterize the mechanical properties of Bi2Sr2Ca1Cu2O8+δ + x wt % Ag (x = 0.0, 0.05, 0.15, 0.25 and 0.50) samples fabricated by hot pressing technique. Vickers hardness, elastic modulus, elastic stiffness coefficient, brittleness index, yield strength, compressive strength, and fracture toughness values of the samples were determined by using apparent micro-hardness. Additionally, load independent values of elastic modulus, elastic stiffness coefficient, brittleness index, yield strength and fracture toughness were also improved by using true microhardness. The experimental results have been analyzed by the theoretical models being proposed in the literature (Meyer’s Law, the elastic/plastic deformation model, proportional sample resistance model, Hays–Kendall model). According to the obtained results, Hays–Kendall model was determined to be as the most suitable model in the plateau region for the all samples showing indentations size effect behavior. The results show that the values of microhardness, strength, elastic parameters and fracture toughness of the samples increased with an increase in the Ag addition. The results exhibit that, it is possible to control the mechanical properties of the Bi-2212 ceramic composites by increasing the Ag addition

Experimental and theoretical modelling of Vickers, Knoop microhardness and laser damage threshold studies on Ca0.9Nd0.1Ti0.9Al0.1O3 single crystals grown by optical floating zone technique

Vickers and Knoop microhardness studies were done on the (200) face of Ca0.9Nd0.1Ti0.9Al0.1O3 crystals grown by optical floating zone technique for various loads ranging from to 0.24–9.8 N. Various important mechanical properties such as Vickers hardness, Knoop hardness, Young's (elastic) modulus, yield strength, stiffness constant which accounts for various industrial applications were determined. The Indentation Size Effect (ISE) were observed for the grown crystal, four different models such as Meyer's law, Hays-Kendall (HK) model, proportional sample resistance (PSR) model, elastic/plastic deformation model (EPD) were used to determine the true hardness values. Among these four mechanical analysis models, HK approach seemed to be the best model to describe the mechanical properties of the grown crystal. The variation of microhardness number for different orientations showed the presence of microhardness anisotropy in the grown crystal. Laser damage threshold for the grown crystal was found to be 2.49 GWm−2.

Changes in mechanical and structural properties of Bi-2212 added MgB2 superconductors

In the present study, we investigate the effects of Bi2Sr2Ca1Cu2O8+κ (Bi-2212) addition on structural and mechanical properties of bulk MgB2 obtained by hot-press method by means of X-ray diffraction, the Scanning Electron Microscopy and Vickers microhardness measurements. The amount of Bi-2212 was varied between 0 and 10 wt% (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 wt%) of the total MgB2. All samples were prepared by using elemental magnesium (Mg) powder, amorphous nano boron (B) powder and Bi-2212 powder which are produced by hot-press method. As a result of the hot-press process, the compact pellet samples were manufactured. The microhardness results were analyzed by Meyer’s law, Proportional Sample Resistance Model, Elastic–Plastic Deformation Model, Hays Kendall Approach, and Indentation Induced Cracking (IIC) Model. IIC model was identified as the most appropriate model for samples exhibiting the reverse indentation size effect behavior.

Degeneration of mechanical characteristics and performances with Zr nanoparticles inserted in Bi-2223 superconducting matrix and increment in dislocation movement and cracks propagation

This study explains the role of Zr concentration level on mechanical characteristics and performance belonging to the bulk Bi-2223 superconducting materials by means of standard Vickers microhardness (H v ) measurements at different applied loads in the range of 0.245–2.940 N and evaluated theoretical calculations. The experimental measurement results obtained display that the mechanical performances regress with the increment of the Zr addition level due to the increased artificial disorders/damages/breaks/voids/cracks and irregular grain orientation distribution. In other words, the Zr addition accelerates both the dislocation movement and especially the cracks/voids propagation of as a consequence of the decrement in the Griffith critical crack length, being one of the most striking points deduced from this work. These vital findings are also favored by the extracted parameters of Young’s modulus, yield strength, fracture toughness and brittleness index. Nevertheless, it is found that every sample studied exhibit typical indentation size effect (ISE) behavior due to the production of the elastic and plastic deformations simultaneously in the system. Moreover, the load dependent microhardness values are theoretically analyzed with the aid of six available models such as six available approaches: Meyer’s law, proportional sample resistance model, modified proportional sample resistance model, elastic/plastic deformation, Hays–Kendall (HK) and indentation-induced cracking model for the first time. The results obtained show that the HK approach exhibits perfectly performance on the analysis of the mechanical characteristics of the superconducting materials exhibiting ISE behavior whereas the other models are inadequate to explain the load independent mechanical characteristics of the Bi-2223 system added by the Zr nanoparticles.

Decrement of crack propagation in bulk Bi-2223 superconducting ceramics with Sn-diffusion annealing temperature

The effect of Sn diffusion at different annealing temperature on the Bi1.8Pb0.4Sr2.0Ca2.1Cu3.0Oy superconducting materials is performed with the aid of Vickers microhardness (H v ) measurements at different applied loads in the range of 0.245–2.940 N. The measurement results observed show that all the samples exhibit typical indentation size effect behavior, meaning that both the elastic and plastic deformations play dominant role on the inorganic structures owing to the presence of the elastic recovery. Likewise, the mechanical characteristics increase with the Sn additives as a consequence of improvement of the local structural distortions and boundary weak-links between the grains. Furthermore, the increased Sn inclusions in the crystal lattice make the cracks propagate slower than before. This may be related to the fact that the Sn particles prefer to accumulate throughout the grain boundaries (defect locations) similar to the propagation of the cracks in the materials. In other words, the ductility (nondirectional interactions) of the ceramics tends to improve with the increment in the Sn concentration level in the crystal lattice as a consequence of the enhancement of the tensile strength, fracture toughness and especially Griffith critical crack length values. Hence, the mechanical flexibility takes place rapidly in the crystal structure. Moreover, the hardness measurements allow us to discuss the load dependent and independent microhardness, elastic modulus, yield strength and fracture toughness parameters. At the same time, the experimental data of the Vickers hardness are studied by the available models regarding Meyer’s law, proportional sample resistance model, elastic–plastic deformation model and Hays–Kendall (HK) approach for the first time. According to the results obtained, the load dependence of Vickers microhardness is fitted with the HK approach rather than the other methods. Based on the electrical and superconducting results observed before, it is to be mentioned here that the significant improvement of electrical performance may contribute to enhancement in mechanical characteristics.

Significant change in micro mechanical, structural and electrical properties of MgB2 superconducting ceramics depending on argon ambient pressure and annealing duration

In this study, the effects of different Ar pressure (vacuum, 0, 10 and 20 bar) and different annealing times (0.5 and 1 h) on microstructural, mechanical and superconducting properties of the bulk superconducting MgB2 are investigated. The samples are produced using the solid state reaction method. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy measurements are performed for phase formation, crystal structure, lattice parameters, particle size analysis, grain orientations, grain connectivity, and surface morphology of MgB2 samples. The superconducting properties are studied by dc resistivity measurements. In this study we have focused on microhardness measurements to investigate the mechanical properties. Vickers microhardness test is employed for determination of mechanical properties of the samples. The experimental microhardness results are analyzed by Meyer’s law, proportional sample resistance model, elastic–plastic deformation model, Hays Kendall (HK) approach, and indentation induced cracking (IIC) model. HK approach is identified as the most appropriate model for MgB2 superconducting samples exhibiting the indentation size effect behavior; for the other samples that have reverse indentation size effect behavior IIC model is appointed as the most appropriate model.

Mechanical, microstructural and magnetic properties of the bulk BSCCO superconductor prepared by two different methods

BSCCO bulk samples have been prepared by solid-state reaction and ammonium nitrate precipitation methods with Bi1.65Pb0.35Sr2Ca2Cu3O10±y stoichiometry. Structural, mechanical and magnetic characterizations of the samples were performed by the X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Microhardness measurements, AC susceptibility measurements. The XRD patterns showed that the diffraction peaks for our samples belong to the two main phase, namely 2223 and 2212 of the BSCCO. In this study we have focused on microhardness measurements to investigate the mechanical properties. Vickers microhardness, Young’s modulus and yield strength values were calculated separately for all samples. In addition to these, we calculated the load independent hardness values of samples. Experimental results of hardness measurements were analyzed using the Meyer’s law, proportional sample resistance (PSR) model, Elastic–Plastic deformation model (EPD) and indentation induced cracking (IIC) model. The critical transition temperature, phase purity, lattice parameter, surface morphology and crystallinity of the prepared bulk samples were compared with each other.

Effect of Zn content on microstructure and mechanical performance in Bi1.8Sr2Ca2Cu3.2−xZnxO10+δ glass ceramic

In this study, we have investigated the effects of Zn doping on structural and mechanical properties of Bi1.8Sr2Ca2Cu3.2−xZnxO10+δ ceramic samples with x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0. The prepared samples were characterized by using scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray powder diffractometer (XRD) and static microhardness indenter. Surface morphology, orientation of grains and elemental composition analysis of the samples were investigated by SEM and EDS measurements, respectively. Texturing and lattice parameters a, b and c were determined from the XRD measurements. In this work we focused on Vickers microhardness measurements in order to characterize the mechanical properties. Experimental results of Vickers microhardness measurements were analyzed by using Meyer’s law, the elastic/plastic deformation model, proportional sample resistance model (PSR), modified PSR model, Hays–Kendall (HK) approach and indentation induced cracking (IIC) model. According to the obtained results, HK approach is the most suitable model for the CZn00 sample showing indentation size effect behavior and IIC Model is the most suitable model for the CZn01, CZn05 and CZn10 samples showing reverse indentation size effect behavior.