Oxidation resistant claddings for superalloys
Oxidation protection of superalloys by thin claddings of Ni-Cr-Al-Si and Fe-Cr-Al-Y alloys examined and compared with commercial aluminide coatings
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Oxidation protection of superalloys by thin claddings of Ni-Cr-Al-Si and Fe-Cr-Al-Y alloys examined and compared with commercial aluminide coatings
Oxidation and nitrogen absorption protection of Cr alloy by Ni alloy claddings applied by gas pressure bonding
A Russian paper by A. A. Babad-Zakhryapina contributes much to the understanding of fuel, clad interactions, and thus to nuclear thermionic technology. In that publication the basic diffusion expression is a simple one. A more general but complicated equation for this mass transport results from the present work. With appropriate assumptions, however, the new relation reduces to Babad-Zakhryapina's version.
Computer modeling studies conducted on four-layer silicon-clad dielectric waveguides indicate that the attenuation (alpha) and mode index (beta/K) behave as exponentially damped sinusoids as the silicon thickness is increased. The observed effect can be explained quite simply as a periodic coupling between the guided modes of the lossless structure and the lossy modes supported by the high-refractive index silicon. The attenuation and mode index are significantly altered by conductivity changes in the silicon; an amplitude modulator and an intensity modulator were proposed using these results. Predicted high attenuations in the device may be reduced significantly with a silicon dioxide buffer layer between the semiconductor and the polystyrene guide. Experimental confirmation of the predicted characteristics is still necessary. A number of thin-silicon film waveguides have been RF sputtered but attenuation measurements to verify the damped oscillatory behavior are forthcoming. Conductivity variations of the silicon should demonstrate the modulation capabilities.
A successful brazing process was developed and evaluated for fabricating full-scale titanium-clad Borsic/aluminum skin-stringer panels. A panel design was developed consisting of a hybrid composite skin reinforced with capped honeycomb-core stringers. Six panels were fabricated for inclusion in the program which included laboratory testing of panels at ambient temperatures and 533 K (500 F) and flight service evaluation on the NASA Mach 3 YF-12 airplane. All panels tested met or exceeded stringent design requirements and no deleterious effects on panel properties were detected followng flight service evaluation on the YF-12 airplane.
Etched metallic conductor lines on metal clad polymeric substrates are used for electronic component interconnections. Significant signal losses are observed for microstrip conductor lines used for interconnecting high frequency devices. At these frequencies, the electronic signal travels closer to the metal-polymer interface due to the skin effect. Copper-teflon interfaces were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) to determine the interfacial properties. Data relating roughness of the copper film to signal losses was compared to theory. Films used to enhance adhesion are found, to contribute to these losses.
A variety of techniques have been proposed for fabricating integrated optical devices using semiconductors, lithium niobate, and glasses as waveguides and substrates. The use of glass waveguides and their interaction with thin semiconductor cladding layers was studied. Though the interactions of these multilayer waveguide structures have been analyzed here using glass, they may be applicable to other types of materials as well. The primary reason for using glass is that it provides a simple, inexpensive way to construct waveguides and devices.
Structural parts feature low weight, low thermal expansion, and high stiffness. Unique, non-labor-intensive manufacturing process developed for fabricating aluminum-clad graphite/epoxy (Gr/E) struts which meet Space Station requirements. Method of manufacturing struts provides procedure for using Gr/E material system in very efficient manner. Technique places all fibers in longitudinal direction for stiffness and strength. Aluminum surfaces provide transverse strength and resistance to atomic oxygen in environment.
This paper presents the development and properties of seamless aluminum-clad P75/Epoxy tubes and the unique manufacturing method used in their production. Thermo-mechanical properties of the tubes were determined analytically and verified by tests. These properties were shown to be suitable for space structures that require high stiffness, low weight and thermal expansion, and dimensional stability during operational life. A special feature of the tubes is the ability to tune the tube for thermal expansion after fabrication by a chemical milling process. The tubes are also resistant to atomic oxygen and handling damage. The toughness of the tubes was demonstrated by impact testing. Cyclic thermal testing showed no adverse effects on the expansion and stiffness behavior of the tubes. The paper also includes a discussion of a joining method that uses aluminum end fittings and an efficient scarf joint configuration. Additional studies considered various adhesives and fitting materials. Joint allowables were higher for titanium and B4C particulate magnesium fittings. The effect of different adhesives under static loading conditions favored the high-strength adhesives.
Combination of suitable dimensioning and cladding of neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet of similar solid-state laser provides for more efficient utilization of transversely-incident pump light from diode lasers. New design overcomes some of limitations of longitudinal- and older transverse-pumping concepts and promotes operation at higher output powers in TEM00 mode.
The manufacture of aluminum-clad graphite epoxy struts, designed for application to the Space Station truss structure, is described. The strut requirements are identified, and the strut material selection rationale is discussed. The manufacturing procedure is described, and shop documents describing the details are included. Dry graphite fiber, Pitch-75, is pulled between two concentric aluminum tubes. Epoxy resin is then injected and cured. After reduction of the aluminum wall thickness by chemical milling the end fittings are bonded on the tubes. A discussion of the characteristics of the manufactured struts, i.e., geometry, weight, and any anomalies of the individual struts is included.
The evolution of the microstructure in NbAl3 synthesized by a laser cladding technique (a rapid solidification process, with cooling rates up to 10 exp 6 C/sec) is investigated, and the phases are identified using convergent beam electron diffraction. Two new metastable phases were identified and characterized in detail. The effect of adding V on the final microstructure was also investigated, and the various phase chemistries and the partitioning of different elements into different phases were studied.
A MOEMS fiber modulator/sensor is fabricated by depositing a lithium niobate sol-gel thin film between the core and cladding of a fiber preform. The preform is then drawn into 125-micron fibers. Such a MOEMS modulator design is expected to enhance existing lithium niobate undersea acousto-optic sound wave detectors. In our proposed version, the lithium niobate thin film alters the ordinary silica core/cladding boundary conditions such that, when a stress or strain is applied to the fiber, the core light confinement factor changes, leading to modulation of fiber light transmission. Test results of the lithium niobate embedded fiber with a 1550-nm, 4-mW laser source revealed a reduction in light transmission with applied tension. As a comparison, using the same laser source, an ordinary silica core/cladding fiber did not exhibit any reduction in transmitted light when the same strain was applied. Further experimental work and theoretical analysis is ongoing.
Advanced carbon carbon composites were joined to copper-clad molybdenum (Cu/Mo) using four active metal brazes containing Ti (Cu ABA, Cusin-1 ABA, Ticuni, and Ticusil) for potential use in thermal management applications. The brazed joints were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and Knoop microhardness measurements across the joint region. Metallurgically sound C-C/Cu/Mo joints, devoid of interfacial cracks formed in all cases. The joint interfaces were preferentially enriched in Ti, with Cu ABA joints exhibiting the largest interfacial Ti concentrations. The microhardness measurements revealed hardness gradients across the joint region, with a peak hardness of 300-350 KHN in Cusin-1 ABA and Ticusil joints and 200-250 KHN in Cu ABA and Ticuni joints, respectively.
Two- and three-dimensional carbon-carbon composites with either resin-derived matrix or CVI matrix were joined to Cu-clad-Mo using active Ag-Cu braze alloys for thermal management applications. The joint microstructure and composition were examined using Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy-Dispersive Spectroscopy, and the joint hardness was characterized using the Knoop microhardness testing. Observations on the infiltration of the composite with molten braze, dissolution of metal substrate, and solute segregation at the C-C surface have been discussed. The thermal response of the integrated assembly is also briefly discussed.
An optimized wavelength-tuned nonlinear frequency conversion process using a liquid crystal clad waveguide. The process includes implanting ions on a top surface of a lithium niobate crystal to form an ion implanted lithium niobate layer. The process also includes utilizing a tunable refractive index of a liquid crystal to rapidly change an effective index of the lithium niobate crystal.
Electron beam welding (EBW) is commonly employed by industry today to join relatively thin section components. Industrial sectors which utilize the technology include; automotive, aircraft, aerospace, defense, medical, oil & gas, etc. The ability to produce single pass, thick section (up to 6 inches, 150mm) welds has also been available for more than 40 years; however, the technology has not been deployed for civil nuclear manufacturing and fabrication such as reactor pressure vessels, steam generators, or pressurizers. Instead, thick section joining is performed much in the same manner it has been for decades using submerged arc or gas tungsten arc welding processes. Recent research performed under U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) project DE-NE0008629 has demonstrated that the overall welding time to produce one major reactor pressure vessel (RPV) girth weld can be reduced from weeks to less than 90 minutes, while maintaining exceptional quality and inspection characteristics. The subject project (DE-NE0008846) investigates a modular in-chamber (MIC) EBW approach which allows various RPV sections to be joined within a “modular” chamber. The MIC-EBW approach utilizes individual modules that can be stacked and de-stacked to various heights to enable production girth welds to be performed at a given elevation. This report describes the various processing methodology necessary to complete major girth weldments for the NuScale Power small modular reactor including welding development, manufacturing, production sequence, inspection, and cladding.
A method for making an improved nuclear fuel cladding tube includes reinforcing a Zr alloy tube by first winding or braiding ceramic yarn directly around the tube to form a ceramic covering, then physically bonding the ceramic covering to the tube by applying a first coating selected from the group consisting of Nb, Nb alloy, Nb oxide, Cr, Cr oxide, Cr alloy, or combinations thereof, by one of a thermal deposition process or a physical deposition process to provide structural support member for the Zr tube, and optionally applying a second coating and optionally applying a third coating by one of a thermal deposition process or a physical deposition process. If the tube softens at 800° C.-1000° C., the structural support tube will reinforce the Zr alloy tube against ballooning and bursting, thereby preventing the release of fission products to the reactor coolant.