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At least 487 records · Page 27

Determination of the thermal rate coefficient, products, and branching ratios for the reaction of O/+/ /D-2/ with N2

Atmosphere Explorer-C satellite measurements are used to determine rate coefficients (RCs) for the following reactions: O(+)(D-2) + N2 yields N2(+) + O (reaction 1), O(+)(D-2) + N2 yields O(+)(S-4) + N2 (reaction 2), and O(+)(D-2) + N2 yields NO(+) + N (reaction 3). Results show the RC for reaction 1 to be 1 (plus 1 or minus 0.5) x 10 to the -10th cu cm per sec, for reaction 2 to be 3 (plus 1 or minus 2) x 10 to the -11th cu cm per sec, and 3 to be less than 5.5 x 10 to the -11th cu cm per sec. It is also found that the reaction of O(+)(D-2) with N2 does not constitute a detectable source of NO(+) ions in the thermosphere.

Torr, D. G.↗

An experimental investigation of silicon wafer surface roughness and its effect on the full strength of plated metals

Plated silicon wafers with surface roughness ranging from 0.4 to 130 microinches were subjected to tensile pull strength tests. Electroless Ni/electroless Cu/electroplated Cu and electroless Ni/electroplated Cu were the two types of plate contacts tested. It was found that smoother surfaces had higher pull strength than rougher, chemically etched surfaces. The presence of the electroless Cu layer was found to be important to adhesion. The mode of fracture of the contact as it left the silicon was studied, and it was found that in almost all cases separation was due to fracture of the bulk silicon phase. The correlation between surface roughness and mode of contact failure is presented and interpreted.

Spiers, G. D.↗

The relative stress-corrosion-cracking susceptibility of candidate aluminum-lithium alloys for aerospace applications

Stress corrosion tests of Al-Li-Cu powder metallurgy alloys are described. Alloys investigated were Al-2.6% Li-1.4% and Al-2.6% Li-1.4% Cu-1.6% Mg. The base properties of the alloys were characterized. Process, heat treatment, and size/orientational effects on the tensile and fracture behavior were investigated. Metallurgical and electrochemical conditions are identified which provide reproducible and controlled parameters for stress corrosion evaluation. Preliminary stress corrosion test results are reported. Both Al-Li-Cu alloys appear more susceptible to stress corrosion crack initiation than 7075-T6 aluminum, with the magnesium bearing alloy being the most susceptible. Tests to determine the threshold stress intensity for the base and magnesium bearing alloys are underway. Twelve each, bolt loaded DCB type specimens are under test (120 days) and limited crack growth in these precracked specimens has been observed. General corrosion in the aqueous sodium chloride environment is thought to be obscuring results through crack tip blunting.

Pizzo, P. P.↗

Development of tough, strong, iron-base alloy for cryogenic applications

The development of an iron-base alloy that combines the normally divergent properties of high toughness and high strength at cryogenic temperatures is discussed. Specifically, alloy properties were sought which at -196 C would exhibit a fracture toughness of 220 MPa-m(1/2) with a corresponding yield strength of 1.4 GPa (200 ksi). Early work showed that high toughness could be achieved in Fe-12Ni alloys containing reactive metal additions such as Al, Nb, Ti, and V. Further research emphasized strengthening of these tough alloys by thermomechanical processing and the addition of Cu. Results showed that high strength and high toughness could be achieved in a single alloy at temperatures as low as -196 C. An alloy with composition Fe-12Ni-9.5Al-2Cu exhibited a yield strength of 1.65 GPa with a corresponding fracture toughness of 220 MPa-m(1/2) at -196 C. Strengthening due to Cu additions to the Fe-12Ni base alloys results primarily from precipitation of Cu-rich epsilon particles approximately 20 nm in diameter. Strengthening mechanisms are discussed in terms of an elastic modulus hardening model and are supported by transimission electron microscopy examinations of selected test specimens.

Stephens, J. R.↗

Stress-corrosion behavior of aluminum-lithium alloys in aqueous environments

The stress corrosion susceptibility of two powder metallurgy (P/M) alloys, Al-Li-Cu and Al-Li-Cu-Mg two mechanically attrited (M/A) alloys, Al-Li-Cu and Al-Li-Mg; and two wrought, ingot alloys, X-2020 and AA7475, are compared. Time-dependent fracture in an aqueous sodium chloride environment under alternate immersion condition was found to vary significantly between alloys. The stress corrosion behavior of the two powder metallurgy processed alloys was studied in detail under conditions of crack initiation, static crack growth, and fatigue crack growth. A variety of stress corrosion tests were performed including smooth surface, time-to-failure tests; potentiostatic tests on smooth surfaces exposed to constant applied strain rates; and fracture mechanics-type tests under static and cyclic loads. Both alloys show surface pitting and subsequent intergranular corrosion. Pitting is more severe in the magnesium-bearing alloy and is associated with stringer particles strung along the extrusion direction as a result of P/M processing.

Pizzo, P. P.↗

Electron capture by U(91+) and U(92+) and ionization of U(90+) and U(91+)

U(92+)/U(91+) and U(91+)/U(90+) electron-capture and ionization cross sections and equilibrium charge-state distributions are measured experimentally in mylar, Cu and Ta of varying thickness. Relativistic U(68+) ions at 437 or 962 MeV/nucleon are produced by a heavy-ion linear accelerator and synchrotron in tandem and passed through the target material into a magnetic specrometer and position-sensitive proportional counter for evaluation of charge states. The results are presented graphically and discussed. At 962 MeV/nucleon, beams containing 85 percent bare U(92+) nuclei are obtained using 150-mg/sq cm Cu or 85-mg/sq cm Ta; at 437 MeV/nucleon, 50 percent bare U(92+) nuclei are obtained with 90-mg/sq cm Cu. The techniques decribed can be applied to produce beams of bare U nuclei for acceleration to ultrarelativistic speeds or beams of few-electron U for atomic-physics experiments on quantum electrodynamics.

Gould, H.↗

Experimental and theoretical study of the formation of the 2AB, 3AB, and 9A meteorite chemical groups from the parent liquid

Segregation of solute elements was measured in plane front solidified Fe-Ni-S-P alloys of meteoritic composition containing Ir, Ge and/or Cu. The Ni and P contents reach maximum values of 10.5 wt% and 1.1 wt%, respectively, in austenite (taenite) at the end of primary solidification. Distribution coefficients of Ni, P, Ir, Ge and Cu were determined from the solidified alloys. The distribution coefficients vary with the S and P content of the liquid. In addition the distribution coefficients of Ni, P, Ir and Ge increase and the distribution coefficient of Cu decreases with the S to P ratio. Equations that describe the concentration dependence of the distribution coefficients were developed and used to calculate solute redistribution during the solidification of IIAB, IIIAB and IVA parent bodies. The calculated P vs Ni, Ir vs Ni and Ge vs Ni trends are in good agreement with the observed meteoritic data. Since the calculated value of the maximum solid solubility of P agrees well with the observed maximum P composition data for IIAB and IIIAB irons, it is concluded that complete crystallization of the parent liquids of IIAB and IIIAB had occurred before any fragmentation of the solidified body.

Sellamuthu, R.↗

On Heat-Treatable Copper-Chromium Alloy, 1

A mother alloy of 10% Cr and 90% Cu was prepared by sintering. This was alloyed with the Cu melt and Cu-Cr alloys containing about 0.5% Cr was obtained. These alloys could be deformed easily in both the hot and cold states. By measuring the hardness change, age-hardening properties of cast alloys were studied, which were quenched from 950 deg and aged at 300 to 700 deg for 1 hour. The maximum hardness was obtained with the tempering temperature of 500 deg. For the temperature of solution-treatment, 950 deg was insufficient and that above 1000 deg necessary. For the tempering time, a treatment at 500 deg for 1 hr. or at 450 deg for 3 hrs. yielded the maximum hardness. As for the properties for electrical conductors, 3 kinds of wires (diam. 2 mm.) were made: (1) after cold-drawn to 2 mm., solution-treated, quenched, and then tempered (500 deg, 1 hr.); (2) after quenching, cold-drawn (75% reduction) to 2 mm. and tempered (500 deg, 1 hr.); and (3) after quenching, cold-drawn (81%) to intermediate diameter, tempered (500 deg, 1 hr.) and then cold-drawn (88%) again. Properties obtained for the 3 kinds, respectively, were as follows: conductivity 91, 90, and 86%. Tensile strength and strength for electrical conductivity are given.

Koda, S.↗

Initial aging phenomena in copper-chromium alloys

The effects of quenching and aging temperatures on the initial aging curves of Cu-Cr alloy were examined mainly by means of electrical resistivity measurements. Three Cu-Cr alloy specimens having 0.24, 0.74, and 1.0% Cr were solution-treated at 950-1050 C, quenched into ice-water, and subsequently aged at 300-500 C. The results were as follows: (1) At the very early stage of aging (within about 30 sec), an abrupt decrease of resistivity with lowering aging tempratures. (T sub A) and rising solution temperatures (T sub S) was observed at (T sub A) up to about 400 C. In contrast, a transient increase of resistivity with rising T sub A and lowering T sub S was observed at T sub A from about 450 to 500 C. These phenomena seem to be caused by a rapid formation of solute clusters and the reversion of clusters formed during quenching, which are enhanced by quenched-in vacancies, respectively. (2) The amount of precipitation increased at the latter stage of aging with rising T sub S and T sub A as generally expected, where T sub S was not so high as to form secondary defects. (3) As a result, the initial aging phenomena in Cr-Cr alloy were revealed to be complicated against expectations. This was considered to be due to the migration energy of vacancies so larger in Cu-base.

Suzuki, H.↗

Stress-corrosion behavior of aluminum-lithium alloys in aqueous salt environments

The stress corrosion susceptibility of two powder metallurgy (P/M) alloys, Al-Li-Cu and Al-Li-Cu-Mg; two mechanically attrited (M/A) alloys, Al-Li-Cu and Al-Li-Mg; and two wrought, ingot alloys, X-2020 and AA7475, are compared. Time-dependent fracture in an aqueous sodium chloride environment under alternate immersion condition was found to vary significantly between alloys. The stress corrosion behavior of the two powder metallurgy processed alloys was studied in detail under conditions of crack initiation, static crack growth, and fatigue crack growth. A variety of stress corrosion tests were performed including smooth surface, time-to-failure tests; potentiostatic tests on smooth surfaces exposed to constant applied strain rates; and fracture mechanics-type tests under static and cyclic loads. Both alloys show surface pitting and subsequent intergranular corrosion. Pitting is more severe in the magnesium-bearing alloy and is associated with stringer particles strung along the extrusion direction as a result of P/M processing.

Pizzo, P. P.↗

Analysis of segregation trends observed in iron meteorites using measured distribution coefficients

Fe-Ni alloys of meteoritic composition were solidified by a plane front solidification technique. Distribution coefficients of Ni, P, Ir, Ge, and Cu were determined from the composition data of the plane front solidified alloys. Equations that describe the distribution coefficients (P, Ni, Ir, Ge, and Cu) as a function of S and P content as well as S to P ratio were used to calculate solute partitioning between solid and liquid during the solidification of IIAB, IIIAB, and IVA parent bodies. The calculated P versus Ni, Ir versus Ni, Ge versus Ni, and Cu versus Ni trends are in good agreement with the observed meteorite data for each chemical group. It is concluded that each chemical group formed as a single molten pool in a parent body and that solute partitioning that occurred during solidification is responsible for the observed compositional trends within a single meteorite group.

Sellamuthu, R.↗

On the low-lying states of CuO

Self consistent field and correlated wave functions have been computed for the ground and for several low-lying states of CuO. The ground state is X(2)PI and the lowest excited state, at approximately 8,000/cm above X(2)PI, is a previously unidentified 2-sigma(+) state. The separation of these states is compared to that for the similar states of KO and is analysed in terms of integrals between orbitals of the separated free ions. A classification of the states of the molecule based on states of Cu(+) and O(-) which leads to a division into manifolds of states arising from Cu(+) 3d(10) and Cu(+) 3d(9) 4s(1) is considered. It is predicted that the state of the 3d(9) 4s(1) manifold are 10,000 to 30,000/cm above the ground state and assign the observed A2-sigma(+) state at 16,500/cm to this manifold.

Bagus, P. S.↗

OH detection by Ford Motor Company

Two different methods for detection of OH are presented: a low pressure flow cell system and a frequency modulation absorption measurement. Using conventional absorption spectroscopy, detection limits were quoted of 1,000,000 OH molecules per cu cm using a 30-minute averaging time on the ground, and a 3-hour averaging time in the air for present apparatus in use. With the addition of FM spectroscopy at 1 GHz, a double-beam machine should permit detectable absorption of and an OH limit of 100,000 per cu cm in a 30-minute averaging time. In the low pressure system on which experiments are ongoing nonexponential time behavior was observed after the decay had progressed to about 0.3 of its original level; this was attributed to ion emission in the photomultiplier. A flame source with OH present at high concentration levels was used as a calibration. It was estimated that within the sampling chamber, 400,000 OH could be measured. With a factor-of-2 loss at the sampling orifice, this means detectability of 5 to 8 x 100,000 cu cm at the present time. This could be reduced by a factor of 2 in one hour averaging time; improvements in laser bandwidth and energy should provide another factor of 2 in sensitivity.

Wang, Charles C.↗

Nd isotopes and crustal growth rate

Sm/Nd isotopic constraints on crustal growth is discussed. In order to constrain Sm/Nd fractionation between continental crust and depleted mantle, an extensive data base of isotopic measurements (assumed to be adequately representative of continental crust) was compiled. The results imply that the evolution of depleted mantles was roughly linear, with no major discontinuities over the course of geologic time. This is different from other determinations of depleting mantle evolution, which show nonlinear behavior. The Sm/Nd evolution lines for continental crust and depleted mantle intersect between 3.8 to 4.0 Ga, which may indicate that the onset of continental growth was later than 4.5 Ga. A mathematical model is described, the results of which imply that time integrated crustal additions from the mantle are about 1.8 to 2.5 cu km/a, whereas crustal subtractions by sediment recycling are about 0.6 to 1.5 cu km/a. This results in a net time integrated crustal growth rate of about 1 cu km/a, which is similar to present day rates determined, for example, by Reymer and Schubert.

Albarede, F.↗

The growth of continents and some consequences since 1.5 Ga

The budget of Earth's oceanic sediment masses was discussed in terms of crustal growth and recycling. Based on estimates of the volume of oceanic sediments and the average age of oceanic crust, a continental denudation rate of 1.65 cu km/yr was computed. This crudely balances estimated crustal production rates of about 1 cu km/yr, but the efficiency of sediment loss via subduction, for example, must be considered. It was argued, on the basis of earthquake focal solutions, imagery of subduction zones, and plate kinematic reconstructions that little, if any, sediment was lost in this way. This yields a present day crustal growth rate of about 1 cu km/yr. The volume of continents to 1.5 Ga ago was discussed, assuming constant continental thickness and freeboard, and a constant hydrosphere volume. It was concluded that ocean ridge length was a factor of about 1.75 greater 1.5 Ga ago, but a major uncertainty is the average spreading rate in the past.

Howell, David G.↗

Trace element partitioning between taenite and kamacite - Relationship to the cooling rates of iron meteorites

Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) was used to determine Ni, Co, Cu, Ga, As, Au, W, Re and Ir in taenite lamellae isolated by acid dissolution from eight iron meteorites from groups IA, IIIAB and IVA. Taenite is enriched in Ni, Cu, Ga, As, Au, W, Re and Ir relative to kamacite, whereas taenite is depleted in Co. Taenite/kamacite partition ratios in slowly cooled IAB meteorites are farther from unity than those in rapidly cooled IVA meteorites. Taenite/kamacite partition ratios for Cu, Ir, Au and Co may be sensitive cooling rate indicators.

Rasmussen, Kaare L.↗

Characterization of ZrO2 buffer layers for sequentially evaporated Y-Ba-CuO on Si and Al2O3 substrates

Thin film high temperature superconductors have the potential to change the microwave technology for space communications systems. For such applications it is desirable that the films be formed on substrates such as Al2O3 which have good microwave properties. The use of ZrO2 buffer layers between Y-Ba-Cu-O and the substrate has been investigated. These superconducting films have been formed by multilayer sequential electron beam evaporation of Cu, BaF2 and Y with subsequent annealing. The three layer sequence of Y/BaF2/Cu is repeated four times for a total of twelve layers. Such a multilayer film, approximately 1 micron thick, deposited directly on SrTiO3 and annealed at 900 C for 45 min produces a film with a superconducting onset of 93 K and critical temperature of 85 K. Auger electron spectroscopy in conjunction with argon ion sputtering was used to obtain the distribution of each element as a function of depth for an unannealed film, the annealed film on SrTiO3 and annealed films on ZrO2 buffer layers. The individual layers were apparent. After annealing, the bulk of the film on SrTiO3 is observed to be fairly uniform while films on the substrates with buffer layers are less uniform. The Y-Ba-Cu-O/ZrO2 interface is broad with a long Ba tail into the ZrO2, suggesting interaction between the film and the buffer layer. The underlying ZrO2/Si interface is sharper. The detailed Auger results are presented and compared with samples annealed at different temperatures and durations.

Valco, George J.↗

Volcanoes and global catastrophes

The search for a single explanation for global mass extinctions has let to polarization and the controversies that are often fueled by widespread media attention. The historic record shows a roughly linear log-log relation between the frequency of explosive volcanic eruptions and the volume of their products. Eruptions such as Mt. St. Helens 1980 produce on the order of 1 cu km of tephra, destroying life over areas in the 10 to 100 sq km range, and take place, on the average, once or twice a decade. Eruptions producing 10 cu km take place several times a century and, like Krakatau 1883, destroy life over 100 to 1000 sq km areas while producing clear global atmospheric effects. Eruptions producting 10,000 cu km are known from the Quaternary record, and extrapolation from the historic record suggests that they occur perhaps once in 20,000 years, but none has occurred in historic time and little is known of their biologic effects. Even larger eruptions must also exist in the geologic record, but documentation of their volume becomes increasingly difficult as their age increases. The conclusion is inescapable that prehistoric eruptions have produced catastrophes on a global scale: only the magnitude of the associated mortality is in question. Differentiation of large magma chambers is on a time scale of thousands to millions of years, and explosive volcanoes are clearly concentrated in narrow belts near converging plate margins. Volcanism cannot be dismissed as a producer of global catastrophes. Its role in major extinctions is likely to be at least contributory and may well be large. More attention should be paid to global effects of the many huge eruptions in the geologic record that dwarf those known in historic time.

Simkin, Tom↗