British Ceramic Transactions 

About: British Ceramic Transactions is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Ceramic & Microstructure. It has an ISSN identifier of 0967-9782. Over the lifetime, 520 publications have been published receiving 5747 citations.

Polymer–clay nanocomposites: an overview with emphasis on interaction mechanisms

Abstract: There has been a surge of interest in polymer–clay nanocomposites over the past decade. This review surveys these new materials with emphasis on the debate surrounding interaction mechanisms and the behaviour of intercalated polymer in clay galleries. Swelling properties, high cation exchange capacities, high aspect ratio and large surface area give smectite clays the new role of high performance filler for thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers for the creation of intercalated or exfoliated nanocomposites. These nanocomposites can be prepared by three routes: in situ polymerisation, solution methods, or melt processing. Modification of either clay or polymer can change the type of polymer–clay composite. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy are often employed as the main characterisation techniques to establish the state of the clay. A very low volume fraction of clay significantly improves the mechanical and barrier properties of the pristine polymer, which makes these nanocom...

Carbon containing castables: current status and future prospects

Abstract: Measures to overcome the main technical di fficulties hindering the development and application of carbon containing castables are discussed The aqueous wettability and dispersion properties of graphite can be improved by coating with materials such as carbides (SiC) and oxides (Al2O3, TiO2, SiO2, MgO, ZrO2) or by forming micropellets / briquettes Thick and dense crack free coatings are needed not only to improve the aqueous wettability and dispersion of graphite, but also its oxidation resistance Small and dense micropellets or briquettes enable a homogeneous distribution of graphite in the matrix to be achieved, along with acceptable mechanical strength and corrosion resistance Coating techniques have also been used to improve the hydration resistance of aluminium based antioxidants, but detailed studies in this area are still needed The main binder systems are currently based on superfine silica fume and hydratable alumina as these do not form low melting phases in castables As well as de

Enhanced piezoelectricity of barium titanate single crystals with engineered domain configuration

Abstract: Engineered domain configurations with different domain sizes were induced in [111]c oriented tetragonal barium titanate BaTiO3 single crystals, and their piezoelectric properties investigated as a function of domain size. Prior to this study, the dependence of domain configuration on temperature and electric field E was investigated using polarised light microscopy to establish the optimum conditions for domain size control. As a result, above the Curie temperature Tc of 132.2°C, when E greater than 6 kV cm−1 was applied along the [111]c direction, an engineered domain configuration with fine domain structure appeared. Moreover, it was also found that this fine domain structure was still stable at room temperature in the absence of electric field. Finally, the piezoelectric properties were measured using 31 resonators with three domain sizes, and it was found that piezoelectric properties such as d31 and k31 increased significantly with decreasing domain size.