Engineering topics

Wilcox, William R.

Publications and source records attributed to Wilcox, William R..

44 records · Page 3

NASA NTRS1988

Microstructure Of MnBi/Bi Eutectic Alloy

Collection of three reports describes studies of directional solidification of MnBi/Bi eutectic alloy. Two of the reports, "Influence of Convection on Lamellar Spacing of Eutectics" and "Influence of Convection on Eutectic Microstructure," establish theoretical foundation for remaining document. Reports seek to quantify effect of convection on concentration field of growing lamellar eutectic. Remaining report, "Study of Eutectic Formation," begins by continuing theoretical developments. New technique under development by one of the authors helps to reveal three-dimensional microstructures of alloys.

Wilcox, William R.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Influence of convection on microstructure

The influence was studied of convection during directional solidification on the resulting microstructure of eutectics, specifically lead/tin and manganese/bismuth. A theory was developed for the influence of convection on the microstructure of lamellar and fibrous eutectics, through the effect of convection on the concentration field in the melt in front of the growing eutectic. While the theory agrees with the experimental spin-up spin-down results, it predicts that the weak convection expected due to buoyancy will not produce a measurable change in eutectic microstructure. Thus, this theory does not explain the two fold decrease in MnBi fiber size and spacing observed when MnBi-Bi is solidified in space or on Earth with a magnetic field applied. Attention was turned to the morphology of the MnBi-Bi interface and to the generation of freezing rate fluctuations by convection. Decanting the melt during solidification of MnBi-Bi eutectic showed that the MnBi phase projects into the melt ahead of the Bi matrix. Temperature measurements in a Bi melt in the vertical Bridgman-Stockbarger configuration showed temperature variations of up to 25 C. Conclusions are drawn and discussed.

Wilcox, William R.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Modelling directional solidification

An improved understanding of the phenomena of importance to directional solidification is attempted to enable explanation and prediction of differences in behavior between solidification on Earth and in space. Emphasis is now on experimentally determining the influence of convection and freezing rate fluctuations on compositional homogeneity and crystalline perfection. A correlation is sought between heater temperature profiles, buoyancy-driven convection, and doping inhomogeneities using naphthalene doped with anthracene. The influence of spin-up/spin-down is determined on compositional homogeneity and microstructure of indium gallium antimonide. The effect is determined of imposed melting - freezing cycles on indium gallium antimonide. The mechanism behind the increase of grain size caused by using spin-up/spin-down in directional solidification of mercury cadimum telluride is sought.

Wilcox, William R.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Growth of Triglycine Sulfate (TGS) crystals aboard Spacelab-3

An experiment to study the growth of single crystals of triglycine sulfate (NH2CH2COOH)3 H2SO4 (TGS) was successfully carried out on the Spacelab-3 mission during April 29 to May 6, 1985. Two crystals of TGS were grown during the flight, using a specially developed cooled sting technique of solution crystal growth. For the first time in any flight experiment the growth was monitored on-board as well as on ground by video-schlieren technique. Hundreds of holograms were taken for the solution/crystal interaction during the growth process. Preliminary results indicate that the optical system worked very well and the quality of reconstructed holograms is satisfactory. The cooled sting technique was successfully demonstrated. Holographic interferograms indicate convection free, diffusion limited growth. Some of the preliminary results of crystal quality are also presented.

Lal, R. B.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Modelling directional solidification

The influence of convection and freezing rate fluctuations on compositional homogeneity and crystalline perfection was studied.

Wilcox, William R.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Behavior of a non-wetting melt in free fall - Theoretical

In a previous paper the experimental equilibrium configurations of a nonwetting liquid in an ampoule were described. Theoretical analyses of these configurations are described here. In a cylindrical ampoule a bubble/bridge configuration is predicted to be stable only up to a critical volume of gas, beyond which separated columns of liquid form. This critical bubble volume decreases as the contact angle of the liquid on the ampoule increases. In a triangular ampoule the liquid contacts the ampoule along the center of the faces and not in the corners. As the contact angle increases beyond 90 deg, the contact width decreases.

Sen, Radha↗

NASA NTRS1986

Influence of convection of spiral structures in lead-tin eutectic

Convection was generated during directional solidification by the accelerated crucible rotation technique (spin up/spin down). This stirring increased the rotation rate of the microstructure and reduced the length solidifying cooperatively, but had no influence on the lamellar spacing.

Popov, Dimitar↗

NASA NTRS1983

Influence of convection on the growth of crystals from solution

This is a review of the influence of convection on the growth of crystals from solution. The growth rate is increased by convection up to the point where interface kinetics becomes rate controlling. Compositional inhomogeneity and morphological instability (inclusion formation) are probably worse for gentle convection than for either no convection or for vigorous stirring. Stirring, particularly of crystal suspensions, can cause an orders of magnitude increase in the rate of formation of new crystals. This is called 'secondary nucleation'.

Wilcox, William R.↗