Engineering topics

Ahmed, Shaffiq

Publications and source records attributed to Ahmed, Shaffiq.

6 records

NASA NTRS1992

Directional solidification processing of alloys using an applied electric field

A method is provided for obtaining an alloy having an ordered microstructure which comprises the steps of heating the central portion of the alloy under uniform temperature so that it enters a liquid phase while the outer portions remain solid, applying a constant electric current through the alloy during the heating step, and solidifying the liquid central portion of the alloy by subjecting it to a temperature-gradient zone so that cooling occurs in a directional manner and at a given rate of speed while maintaining the application of the constant electric current through the alloy. The method is particularly suitable for use with nickel-based superalloys. The method of the present invention produces an alloy having superior characteristics such as reduced segregation. After subsequent precipitation by heat-treatment, the alloys produced by the present invention will have excellent strength and high-temperature resistance.

McKannan, Eugene C.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Solidification processing superalloys in an electric field

The phase morphology of a given superalloy's microstructure is established during solidification. Solidification-processing in an applied electric field is a technique currently undergoing experimental characterization at NASA-Marshall. The method is predicated on the simplest model of a metallic solid, in which ions are arranged in basic space lattices that are permeated by an 'electron gas' whose valence electrons are free to move in the solid. When in a superheated liquid state, the metal is seen as a dense 'cold plasma' of electrons and ions. The application of an electric field during solidification establishes a steady, continuous current flow; the direction of propagation of the plasma waves coincides with the direction of the electric field. Such an alignment introduces an ordered arrangement of the electric vectors and introduces an additional degree of order in an already highly ordered alloy.

Ahmed, Shaffiq↗

NASA NTRS1991

Superalloy for high-temperature hydrogen environmental applications

A nickel-based superalloy is provided which is resistant to deterioration in hydrogen at high operating temperatures and pressures, and which thus can be used in hydrogen-fueled spacecraft such as the Space Shuttle. The superalloy is characterized by a two-phase microstructure and consists of a gamma-prime precipitated phase in a gamma matrix. The gamma matrix phase is a primary solid solution and the gamma precipitated phase will be an intermetallic compound of the type A.sub.3 B, such as nickel aluminide or titanide. Both phases are coherent, ordered, and compatible, and thus will retain most of their strength at elevated temperatures. The alloy consists essentially of (by weight): Ni 50-60%, Cr 10-20%, Al 2-6%, Co 2-5%, Ti 3-8%, W 5-12%, Mo 5-10%, Nb 1-3%, wherein the ratio W/MO is approximately equal to 1, and Ti/Al ranges from about 1 to about 2.

McKannan, Eugene C.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Solidification processing of alloys using an applied electric field

A method is provided for obtaining an alloy having an ordered microstructure which comprises the steps of heating the central portion of the alloy under uniform temperature so that it enters a liquid phase while the outer portions remain solid, applying a constant electric current through the alloy during the heating step, and solidifying the liquid central portion of the alloy by subjecting it to a temperature-gradient zone so that cooling occurs in a directional manner and at a given rate of speed while maintaining the application of the constant electric current through the alloy. The method of the present invention produces an alloy having superior characteristics such as reduced segregation. After subsequent precipitation by heat-treatment, the alloys produced by the present invention will have excellent strength and high-temperature resistance.

Mckannan, Eugene C.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Annealing Increases Stability Of Iridium Thermocouples

Metallurgical studies carried out on samples of iridium versus iridium/40-percent rhodium thermocouples in condition received from manufacturer. Metallurgical studies included x-ray, macroscopic, resistance, and metallographic studies. Revealed large amount of internal stress caused by cold-working during manufacturing, and large number of segregations and inhomogeneities. Samples annealed in furnace at temperatures from 1,000 to 2,000 degree C for intervals up to 1 h to study effects of heat treatment. Wire annealed by this procedure found to be ductile.

Germain, Edward F.↗

NASA NTRS1987

A preliminary study of factors affecting the calibration stability of the iridium versus iridium-40 percent rhodium thermocouple

An iridium versus iridium-40% rhodium thermocouple was studied. Problems associated with the use of this thermocouple for high temperature applications (up to 2000 C) were investigated. The metallurgical studies included X-ray, macroscopic, resistance, and metallographic studies. The thermocouples in the as-received condition from the manufacturer revealed large amounts of internal stress caused by cold working during manufacturing. The thermocouples also contained a large amount of inhomogeneities and segregations. No phase transformations were observed in the alloy up to 1100 C. It was found that annealing the thermocouple at 1800 C for two hours, and then at 1400 C for 2 to 3 hours yielded a fine grain structure, relieving some of the strains, and making the wire more ductile. It was also found that the above annealing procedure stabilized the thermal emf behavior of the thermocouple for application below 1800 C (an improvement from + or - 1% to + or - 0.02% within the range of the test parameters used).

Ahmed, Shaffiq↗