About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2027 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Advances in Ceramic Materials and Processing
|
| Presentation Title |
Discovery and Characterization of Thermal Shock-Resistant Ceramics: A Lithium-Free Approach to Flameware
|
| Author(s) |
Salil Bavdekar, Connor Hartman, Rudy Espinoza, Albion Stafford, Tyler Lotz |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Salil Bavdekar |
| Abstract Scope |
A ceramic’s resistance to thermal shock is dictated by its mechanical strength and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). Traditional “flameware” – i.e., ceramics that can withstand sudden temperature changes without cracking – rely on lithium aluminosilicates, like petalite and spodumene, to achieve near-zero CTE. Surging global lithium demand necessitates identifying viable alternative materials. Our work, a collaboration between ceramic scientists and artists, aims to discover and optimize the composition and microstructure of novel lithium-free flameware. We employ computational tools, combining ab initio calculations and machine learning, for high-throughput screening, followed by atomistic simulations to optimize processing conditions and enhance thermomechanical properties. Top candidates are synthesized for experimental validation. To characterize these materials, we evaluate CTE using dilatometry, dynamic strength with split Hopkinson pressure bar testing, and identify microstructural features and failure modes via SEM/EDS. We present our integrated computational and experimental pipeline and its implications for discovering functional lithium alternatives. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
High-Temperature Materials, Mechanical Properties, Characterization |