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At least 253 records · Page 14

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DOE OSTI2023

Melting and crystallization peculiarities in Cd0.50Mn0.50Te solid solutions

We investigated melting and crystallization processes of Cd0.50Mn0.50Te. Using differential thermal analysis (DTA) we studied the solid-liquid equilibrium temperature range, the temperature dependence of the volume fraction of the solid phase in the melt, and crystallization peculiarities. We observed that changing a dwell temperature from 1346 to 1354 K results in an increase of the crystallization temperature of the Cd0.50Mn0.50Te melt. Since the melt is in a semi-liquid state, its crystallization occurs over a solid-phase domain. It was found that a slightly overheated Cd0.50Mn0.50Te melt (up to 10 K) crystallizes more slowly than more overheated melts, and that the Cd0.50Mn0.50Te solid solutions are in a semi-liquid state in the temperature range of 1338 – 1354 K.

Kopach, Oleh↗

DOE OSTI2024

Swirls and scoops: Ice base melt revealed by multibeam imagery of an Antarctic ice shelf

Knowledge gaps about how the ocean melts Antarctica’s ice shelves, borne from a lack of observations, lead to large uncertainties in sea level predictions. Using high-resolution maps of the underside of Dotson Ice Shelf, West Antarctica, we reveal the imprint that ice shelf basal melting leaves on the ice. Convection and intermittent warm water intrusions form widespread terraced features through slow melting in quiescent areas, while shear-driven turbulence rapidly melts smooth, eroded topographies in outflow areas, as well as enigmatic teardrop-shaped indentations that result from boundary-layer flow rotation. Full-thickness ice fractures, with bases modified by basal melting and convective processes, are observed throughout the area. This new wealth of processes, all active under a single ice shelf, must be considered to accurately predict future Antarctic ice shelf melt.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2020

A Bezier Curve Informed Melt Pool Geometry to Model Additive Manufacturing Microstructures Using SPPARKS

Additive manufacturing is a transformative technology with the potential to manufacture designs which traditional subtractive machining methods cannot. Additive manufacturing offers fast builds at near final desired geometry; however, material properties and variability from part to part remain a challenge for certification and qualification of metallic components. AM induced metallic microstructures are spatially heterogeneous and highly process dependent. Engineering properties such as strength and toughness are significantly affected by microstructure morphologies resulting from the manufacturing process Linking process parameters to microstructures and ultimately to the dynamic response of AM materials is critical to certifying and qualifying AM built parts and components and improving the performance of AM materials. The AM fabrication process is characterized by building parts layer by layer using a selective laser melt process guided by a computer. A laser selectively scans and melts metal according to a designated geometry. As the laser scans, metal melts, fuses, and solidifies forming the final geometry in a layerwise fashion. As the laser heat source moves away, the metal cools and solidifies forming metallic microstructures. This work describes a microstructure modeling application implemented in the SPPARKS kinetic Monte Carlo computational framework for simulating the resulting microstructures. The application uses Bzier curves and surfaces to model the melt pool surface and spatial temperature profile induced by moving the laser heat source; it simulates the melting and fusing of metal at the laser hot spot and microstructure formation and evolution when the laser moves away. The geometry of the melt pool is quite flexible and we explore effects of variances in model parameters on simulated microstructures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2022

Effects of Particle Size Distribution with Efficient Packing on Powder Flowability and Selective Laser Melting Process

The powder bed-based additive manufacturing (AM) process contains uncertainties in the powder spreading process and powder bed quality, leading to problems in repeatability and quality of the additively manufactured parts. This work focuses on identifying the uncertainty induced by particle size distribution (PSD) on powder flowability and the laser melting process, using Ti6Al4V as a model material. The flowability test results show that the effect of PSDs on flowability is not linear, rather the PSDs near dense packing ratios cause significant reductions in flowability (indicated by the increase in the avalanche angle and break energy of the powders measured by a revolution powder analyzer). The effects of PSDs on the selective laser melting (SLM) process are identified by using in-situ high-speed X-ray imaging to observe the melt pool dynamics during the melting process. The results show that the powder beds made of powders with dense packing ratios exhibit larger build height during laser melting. The effects of PSD with efficient packing on powder flowability and selective laser melting process revealed in this work are important for understanding process uncertainties induced by feedstock powders and for designing mitigation approaches.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2021

Energetics of surface melt in West Antarctica

We use reanalysis data and satellite remote sensing of cloud properties to examine how meteorological conditions alter the surface energy balance to cause surface melt that is detectable in satellite passive microwave imagery over West Antarctica. This analysis can detect each of the three primary mechanisms for inducing surface melt at a specific location: thermal blanketing involving sensible heat flux and/or longwave heating by optically thick cloud cover, all-wave radiative enhancement by optically thin cloud cover, and föhn winds. We examine case studies over Pine Island and Thwaites glaciers, which are of interest for ice shelf and ice sheet stability, and over Siple Dome, which is more readily accessible for field work. During January 2015 over Siple Dome we identified a melt event whose origin is an all-wave radiative enhancement by optically thin clouds. During December 2011 over Pine Island and Thwaites glaciers, we identified a melt event caused mainly by thermal blanketing from optically thick clouds. Over Siple Dome, those same 2011 synoptic conditions yielded a thermal-blanketing-driven melt event that was initiated by an impulse of sensible heat flux and then prolonged by cloud longwave heating. The December 2011 synoptic conditions also generated föhn winds at a location on the Ross Ice Shelf adjacent to the Transantarctic Mountains, and we analyze this case with additional support from automatic weather station data. In contrast, a late-summer thermal blanketing period over Pine Island and Thwaites glaciers during February 2013 showed surface melt initiated by cloud longwave heating and then prolonged by enhanced sensible heat flux. One limitation thus far with this type of analysis involves uncertainties in the cloud optical properties. Nevertheless, with improvements this type of analysis can enable quantitative prediction of atmospheric stress on the vulnerable Antarctic ice shelves in a steadily warming climate.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

NASA NTRS1974

Skylab M551 Metals Melting Experiment

The objectives of the M551 Metals Melting Experiment are to (a) study behavior of molten metal, (b) characterize metals melted and solidified in the low gravity space environment compared to one-gravity of earth, and (c) determine feasibility of joining metals in space. The experiment used the electron beam (EB) and chamber of the M512 apparatus to make a dwell puddle and a melt in a rotating disc of varying thickness. Hence, the EB performed cut-through, full and partial penetration melts, in addition to a re-solidified button. The three disc materials were aluminum 2219-T87, 304 stainless steel and pure tantalum to provide a wide range of density and melting conditions. Observations to date include (a) the proof that EB welding, cutting and melting can be done successfully in low gravity. Earlier, some welding authorities had postulated that without gravity the EB would force the molten puddle out of contact. However, the experiment proved that surface tension forces predominate. (b) From the view-point of cast-solidification, small, equiaxed grains in Skylab specimens compared to large, elongated grains in ground-based specimens were observed. The former are thought to be associated with constitutional supercooling and nucleation where the latter are associated with dendritic solidification. In further support of the more equiaxed grain growth in Skylab, symmetric sub-grain patterns were frequently observed where there was much less symmetry in ground-based specimens. Further work is being done to explain the differences in solidification.

E C Mckannan↗

NASA NTRS1975

Skylab M551 metals melting experiment

The objectives of the M551 Metals Melting Experiment were to: (1) study behavior of molten metal, (2) characterize metals melted and solidified in the low gravity space environment compared to one-gravity of earth, and (3) determine feasibility of joining metals in space. The experiment used the electron beam (EB) and chamber of the M512 apparatus to make a dwell puddle and a melt in a rotating disc of varying thickness. Hence, the EB performed cut-through, full and partial penetration melts, in addition to a resolidified button. The three disc materials were aluminum 2219-T87, 304 stainless steel, and pure tantalum to provide a wide range of density and melting conditions. Observations to date include the proof that EB welding, cutting, and melting can be done successfully in low gravity. Earlier, some welding authorities had postulated that without gravity the EB would force the molten puddle out of contact. However, the experiment proved that surface tension forces predominate. From the viewpoint of cast-solidification, small, equiaxed grains in Skylab specimens compared to large, elongated grains in ground based specimens were observed. The former are thought to be associated with constitutional supercooling and nucleation where the latter are associated with dendritic solidification. In further support of the more equiaxed grain growth in Skylab, symmetric subgrain patterns were frequently observed where there was much less symmetry in ground based specimens.

Poorman, R. M.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Plagioclase-melt equilibria

Results of experiments investigating the crystallization of plagioclase from natural and synthetic melts are presented and are analyzed in terms of empirical and semiquantitative mixing models for the melt. Elemental partition constants were determined from the results and from other published data. Activities of the melt components were modeled by assuming that the melt consists of two independent quasi-lattices of network-forming and network-modifying components, each of which is an ideal solution of its respective component. The semiquantitative analysis supports the suggestion that Na(+) is strongly associated with tetrahedrally-coordinated Al in the melt. It is shown that it is possible to predict the composition of plagioclase crystallizing under equilibrium conditions from a dry melt of known composition and known temperature at low total pressure.

Drake, M. J.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Electrical conductivity measurements on silicate melts using the loop technique

A new method is described for measurement of the electrical conductivity of silicate melts under controlled oxygen partial pressure at temperatures to 1550 C. The melt samples are suspended as droplets on platinum-rhodium loops, minimizing iron loss from the melt due to alloying with platinum, and providing maximum surface exposure of the melt to the oxygen-buffering gas atmosphere. The latter provides extremely rapid equilibration of the melt with the imposed oxygen partial pressure. The loop technique involves a minimum of setup time and cost, provides reproducible results to within + or - 5% and is well suited to electrical conductivity studies on silicate melts containing redox cations.

Waff, H. S.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Compositional interrelationships of mare basalts from bulk chemical and melt inclusion studies

Petrographic and electron microprobe data (355 new analyses) are presented on melt inclusions and their host phases found in a reexamination of the Apollo thin section collection. In addition, occurrences of early armalcolite and ilmenite are described and new data are presented on quench-pyroxene compositions and melt inclusions in chromian ulvospinel. Compositional differences between mare basalt types and their melt inclusions are illustrated with plots of compositions normalized to a terrestrial lava composition, that of the 1965 Makaopuhi lava lake. The plots emphasize the fact that mare basalts are not significantly differentiated relative to the compositions that are possible as defined by the melt inclusion data. Distribution coefficients for Fe and Mg partitioning between trapped melt and host olivine and ilmenite are calculated and show a range about probable equilibrium values. It is suggested that the crystallization sequence olivine-ilmenite-plagioclase-pyroxene defined by the melt inclusion data may be the actual sequence which obtained generally for Apollo 11 and 17 mare basalts just prior to eruption.

Weiblen, P. W.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Petrogenesis of melt rocks, Manicouagan impact structure, Quebec

It is suggested, on the basis of previous theoretical studies of shock waves, that the Manicouagan melt formed in 1 or 2 s in a 5-km-radius hemisphere near the point of impact. The melt and the less shocked debris surrounding it flowed downward and outward for a few minutes until the melt formed a lining of a 5- to 8-km deep, 15- to 22-km-radius cavity. Extremely turbulent flow thoroughly homogenized the melt and promoted the incorporation and progressive digestion of debris that had been finely fragmented (but not melted) to grain sizes of less than one mm by the passage of the shock waves. The equilibration of clasts and melt, plagioclase nucleation, and readjustment of the crater floor are discussed.

Simonds, C. H.↗

NASA NTRS1977

The petrology and geochemistry of impact melts, granulites, and hornfelses from consortium breccia 61175

The matrix and 58 clasts from breccia 61175 were analyzed for major, minor, and trace elements. The matrix is anorthositic and has lithophile trace element abundances 20 to 40 times chondrite. Clasts comprise impact melt rocks, xenocryst and xenolith-free very high aluminum (VHA) and anorthositic basalts, anorthosite, anorthosite-norite-troctolite granulites, and hornfelses. The VHA and anorthositic basalts are considered to be impact melts, and the hornfelses were probably formed by incorporation of breccias or preexisting melt rocks into a melt sheet prior to cooling. The range of melt-rock lithophile trace element abundances might indicate more than one melt sheet.

Winzer, S. R.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Dynamical implications of the petrology and distribution of impact melt rocks

Petrographic and structural relations of rocks resulting from melting of target materials during impact indicate constraints that can be applied to theoretical models and experimental production of craters. Topics discussed in this context include the motion of shock melted material, the mixing of melts, the energies required for heating and melting the necessary volumes of target rocks, diameter to depth ratios, and the formation of structural modifications. The motion of shock melted material involves ejection of some of the lowermost parts of the target, incorporation of distant fragmental material, outward flow, settling into cracks after breccia formation, and completion in a short time span. Melts must be completed within tens of seconds to a couple of minutes after impact.

Phinney, W. C.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Lunar highland melt rocks - Chemistry, petrology and silicate mineralogy

A selected suite containing several of the largest samples of lunar highland melt rocks includes impact melt specimens (anorthositic gabbro, low-K Fra Mauro) and volcanic specimens (intermediate-K Fra Mauro). Although previous assumptions of LKFM volcanism have fallen into disfavor, no fatal arguments against this hypothesis have been presented, and the evidence of a possibly 'inherited igneous' olivine-plagioclase cosaturation provides cause for keeping a volcanic LKFM hypothesis viable. Comparisons of silicate mineralogy with melt rock compositions provide information on the specimen's composition and cooling history. Plagioclase-rock compositions can be matched to the experimentally determined equilibria for appropriate samples to identify melt rocks with refractory anorthitic clasts. Olivine-rock compositions indicate that melt rock vitrophyres precipitate anomalously Fe-rich olivine; the cause of this anomaly is not immediately evident. The Al-Ti and Ca-Fe-Mg zonation in pyroxene provide information on relative cooling rates of highland melt rocks, but Cr- and Al-content (where Al-rich low-Ca pyroxene cores are preserved in rapidly cooled samples) can be correlated with composition of the host rock.

Vaniman, D. T.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Influence of CO2 on melting of model granulite facies assemblages - A model for the genesis of charnockites

It is shown that partial melting studies at crustal pressures in SiO2-rich portions of the system KAlSiO4-Mg2SiO2-H2O-CO2 can be used in modeling the anatectic origin of charnockites. The univariant reaction phlogopite + sanidine + quartz + vapor = enstatite + liquid yields an SiO2-rich melt (granite analog) at 3 kbar; the vapor composition at the solidus is buffered to high H2O contents by virtue of the coexistence of phlogopite with its breakdown products. With higher pressures (8 and 15 kbar), the fluid phase is buffered to higher CO2 contents and the melt composition becomes enriched in K2O and MgO (charnockite analog). Melting relations are controlled through the expansion of the quartz liquidus field relative to the enstatite and sanidine fields with increasing pressure. It is noted that partial melts generated at the base of the crust in the presence of CO2-rich fluid will be of an alkaline nature and will crystallize enstatite at lower pressures. CO2-saturated melting of similar SiO2-rich bulk compositions (phlogopite-absent) through the reaction enstatite + sanidine + quartz + CO2 - liquid occurs at temperatures above 1000 C to about 15 kbar.

Wendlandt, R. F.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Lithification opf gas-rich chondrite regolith breccias by grain boundary and localized shock melting

The fine-grained matrices (less than 150 microns) of 14 gas-rich ordinary chondrile regolith breccias were studied in an attempt to decipher the nature of the lithification process that converted loose regolith material into consolidated breccias. It is found that there is a continuouos gradation in matrix textures from nearly completely clastic (class A) to highly cemented (class C) breccias in which the remining clasts are completely surrounded by interstitial, shock-melted material. It is concluded that this interstitial material is formed by shock melting in the porous regolith. In general, the abundances of solar-wind-implanted He-4 and Ne-20 are inversely correlated with the abundance of intenstitial, shock-melted, feldspathic material. Chondrites with the highest abundance of interstitial, melted material (class C) experienced the highest shock pressures and temperatures and suffered the most extensive degassing. It is this interstitial, feldspathic melt that lithifies and cements the breccias together; those breccias with very little interstitial melt (class A) are the most porous and least consolidated.

Bischoff, A.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Impact melt products of chondritic material

Experimental data concerning impact melting processes in chondritic material are reviewed. It is shown that a large variety of objects in chondritic meteorites could have formed as a result of impact melting, including: shock veins; metal-troilite mixtures; metal and sulfide nodules; melt pockets and vugs. The type of object produced in an impact melt is related to the interaction of the shock waves with the particular target rock. It is suggested that various iron meteorites (including groups IAB, IIICD, and IIE, as well as several ungrouped irons) were formed from individual melt pools in chondritic regoliths. The small-scale structure of impact-melted metallic Fe,Ni and troilite in Weston (H chondrite regolith breccia) is illustrated in a photograph.

Rubin, A. E.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Partially confined configuration for the growth of semiconductor crystals from the melt in zero-gravity environment

A novel partially confined configuration is proposed for the crystal growth of semiconductors from the melt, including those with volatile constituents. A triangular prism is employed to contain the growth melt. Due to surface tension, the melt will acquire a cylindrical-like shape and thus contact the prism along three parallel lines. The three empty spaces between the cylindrical melt and the edges of the prism will accommodate the expansion of the solidifying semiconductor, and in the case of semiconductor compounds with a volatile constituent, will permit the presence of the desired vapor phase in contact with the melt for controlling the melt stoichiometry. Theoretical and experimental evidence in support of this new type of confinement is presented.

Lagowski, J.↗