Silicon strength

Besides stmctural variety, chemical diversity has also increased. Pure silicon fonns of zeolite ZSM-5 and ZSM-11, designated silicalite-l [19] and silicahte-2 [20], have been synthesised. A number of other pure silicon analogues of zeolites, called porosils, are known [21]. Various chemical elements other than silicon or aluminium have been incoriDorated into zeolite lattice stmctures [22, 23]. Most important among those from an applications point of view are the incoriDoration of titanium, cobalt, and iron for oxidation catalysts, boron for acid strength variation, and gallium for dehydrogenation/aromatization reactions. In some cases it remains questionable, however, whether incoriDoration into the zeolite lattice stmcture has really occurred. 

The formation of silicon carbide, SiC (carborundum), is prevented by the addition of a little iron as much of the silicon is added to steel to increase its resistance to attack by acids, the presence of a trace of iron does not matter. (Addition of silicon to bronze is found to increase both the strength and the hardness of the bronze.) Silicon is also manufactured by the reaction between silicon tetrachloride and zinc at 1300 K and by the reduction of trichlorosilane with hydrogen. 

Crystalline silicon has the tetrahedral diamond arrangement, but since the mean thermochemical bond strength between the silicon atoms is less than that found between carbon atoms (Si—Si, 226 kJmol , C—C, 356kJmol ), silicon does not possess the great hardness found in diamond. Amorphous silicon (silicon powder) is microcrystalline silicon. 

It can be readily confirmed thaf by decreases as the number of bonds N increases and/or llieir length (r ) decreases. This relationship between the bond strength and the number of neighbours provides a useful way to rationalise the structure of solids. Thus the high coordination of metals suggests that it is more effective for them to form more bonds, even though each individual bond is weakened as a consequence. Materials such as silicon achieve the balance for an infermediate number of neighbours and molecular solids have the smallest atomic coordination numbers. 

Although its electrical conductivity is only about 60% that of copper, it is used in electrical transmission lines because of its light weight. Pure aluminum is soft and lacks strength, but it can be alloyed with small amounts of copper, magnesium, silicon, manganese, and other elements to impart a variety of useful properties. 

Physical Properties. Physical properties of importance include particle size, density, volume fraction of intraparticle and extraparticle voids when packed into adsorbent beds, strength, attrition resistance, and dustiness. These properties can be varied intentionally to tailor adsorbents to specific apphcations (See Adsorption liquid separation Aluminum compounds, aluminum oxide (alumna) Carbon, activated carbon Ion exchange Molecular sieves and Silicon compounds, synthetic inorganic silicates). 

Properties of Dense Silicon Carbide. Properties of the SiC stmctural ceramics are shown in Table 1. These properties are for representative materials. Variations can exist within a given form depending on the manufacturer. Figure 2 shows the flexure strength of the SiC as a function of temperature. Sintered or sinter/HIP SiC is the preferred material for appHcations at temperatures over 1400°C and the Hquid-phase densified materials show best performance at low temperatures. The reaction-bonded form is utilized primarily for its ease of manufacture and not for superior mechanical properties. 

Modifications to Precipitates. Silicon is sometimes added to Al—Cu—Mg alloys to help nucleate S precipitates without the need for cold work prior to the elevated temperature aging treatments. Additions of elements such as tin [7440-31-5] Sn, cadmium [7440-43-9] Cd, and indium [7440-74-6] In, to Al—Cu alloys serve a similar purpose for 9 precipitates. Copper is often added to Al—Mg—Si alloys in the range of about 0.25% to 1.0% Cu to modify the metastable precursor to Mg2Si. The copper additions provide a substantial strength increase. When the copper addition is high, the quaternary Al CuMg Si Q-phase must be considered and dissolved during solution heat treatment. 

SiHcone elastomers possess outstanding resistance to heat aging. The Si—O—Si backbone imparts resistance to oxygen, o2one, uv, and to some polar fluids. However, the strength of these elastomers is usually just adequate. They have low abrasion resistance and tear strength (see Silicon compounds, silicones). 

Silicone Heat-Cured Rubber. Sihcone elastomers are made by vulcanising high molecular weight (>5 x 10 mol wt) linear polydimethylsiloxane polymer, often called gum. Fillers are used in these formulations to increase strength through reinforcement. Extending fillers and various additives, eg, antioxidants, adhesion promoters, and pigments, can be used to obtain certain properties (59,357,364). 

Historically, strontium metal was produced only in very small quantities. Rapid growth of metal production occurred during the late 1980s, however, owing to use as a eutectic modifier in aluminum—silicon casting alloys. The addition of strontium changes the microstmcture of the alloy so that the siUcon is present as a fibrous stmcture, rather than as hard acicular particles. This results in improved ductility and strength in cast aluminum automotive parts such as wheels, intake manifolds, and cylinder heads. 

Silicones. SUicones are exceeded only by fluorochemicals in the volume used as repeUents for textiles. They are widely used on ceUulosic and synthetic fiber fabrics. SUicones provide water-based stain resistance good durabUity to washing improved tear strength a soft, sUck hand and improved fabric sewabUity. 

Creep Resistsince. Studies on creep resistance of particulate reinforced composites seem to indicate that such composites are less creep resistant than are monolithic matrices. Silicon nitride reinforced with 40 vol % TiN has been found to have a higher creep rate and a reduced creep strength compared to that of unreinforced silicon nitride. Further reduction in properties have been observed with an increase in the volume fraction of particles and a decrease in the particle size (20). Similar results have been found for SiC particulate reinforced silicon nitride (64). Poor creep behavior has been attributed to the presence of glassy phases in the composite, and removal of these from the microstmcture may improve the high temperature mechanical properties (64). 

This computation is also referred to as calculating the zinc equivalent of the alloy. The increase in strength in this alloy series is caused by increased amounts of beta phase in the stmcture. The silicon brasses show similar hardening effects accompanying a second phase. Typical mechanical properties and electrical conductivity for various cast alloys are shown in Table 2. 

Silicon. Sihcon [7740-21-3] added to copper forms alloys of high strength and toughness along with improved corrosion resistance, particularly in acidic media. Sihcon in small amounts can improve fluidity. Sihcon is a very harmful impurity in leaded tin bron2e alloys, however, because it contributes to lead sweat and unsoundness. 

Nickel increases toughness and improves low-temperature properties and corrosion resistance. Chromium and silicon improve hardness, abrasion resistance, corrosion resistance, and resistance to oxidation. Molybdenum provides strength at elevated temperatures. 

Bronzes are somewhat similar to brasses in mechanical properties and to high-zinc brasses in corrosion resistance (except that bronzes are not affected by stress cracking). Aluminum and silicon bronzes are very popiilar in the process industries because they combine good strength with corrosion resistance. 

---