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At least 613 records · Page 34

Sintered diamond compacts using metallic cobalt binders

Method is developed for sintering diamond powder which uses metallic cobalt as binder. Present samples show maximum microhardness of over 3000 kg/sq mm on Knoop scale. Material may be used as hard surface coating or may compete with cubic boron nitride as abrasive grain.

Libby, W. F.↗

Low cost uniform heat source

Electrically powered heat source was developed for ground simulation of isotope heat-source assembly in Brayton power system. Heat source, which operates on ordinary 110 vac power, consists of tungsten filament heating element wound onto a spirally grooved boron nitride core and inserted in a hollowed-out graphite hexahedron.

Smith, R. B.↗

Pulsed electromagnetic acceleration

Direct measurements of the power deposited in the anode of a multimegawatt MPD accelerator using thermocouples attached to a thin shell anode reveal a dramatic decrease in the fractional anode power from 50% at 200 KW input power to less than 10% at 20 MW power. The corresponding local power flux peak at a value of 10,000 W/sq cm at the lip of the anode exhaust orifice, a distribution traced to a corresponding peak in the local current density at the anode. A comparison of voltage-current characteristics and spectral photographs of the MPD discharge using quartz, boron nitride and plexiglas insulators with various mass injection configurations led to the identification of different voltage modes and regions of ablation free operation. The technique of piezoelectric impact pressure measurement in the MPD exhaust flow was refined to account for the effects due to probe yaw angle.

Jahn, R. G.↗

Compact thermoelectric converter systems technology

A schematic of the developed tubular thermoelectric module is shown. It consists of alternate washers of n- and p-type lead telluride, separated by thin natural mica washers. Electrical continuity within the circuit is accomplished by cylindrical conductor rings located at the I.D. and O.D. of the lead telluride washers. The conductor rings are also separated by the same mica which separate the lead telluride washers. The result is a radially serpentine current path along the length of the module. The circuit is isolated from the structural claddings by thin sleeves of boron nitride. Circuit containment and heat transfer surfaces are provided by the inner and outer cladding, heat being transferred from a heat source at the inner clad, conducted radially outward through the lead telluride to the outer clad where the waste heat is removed by a heat rejection system.

Source record↗

Pulsed electromagnetic gas accelleration

Direct measurement with thermocouples of the power deposited in the anode of a multi-megawatt magnetoplasmadynamic discharge has shown the fractional anode power to decrease from 50% at 200 kW to 10% at 20 MW. Using local measurements of current density, electric potential, and electron temperature, the traditional model for heat conduction to the anode is found to be inadequate. Other experiments in which the voltage-current characteristics and exhaust velocities of MPD arcs using Plexiglas and boron nitride chamber insulators and various mass injection configurations show that ablation can affect nominal accelerator operation in several distinct ways. The incorporation of a hollow cathode in a 7 kA plasma discharge has shown that a stable current attachment can be realized in the cavity without the aid of cathode heaters, keeper electrodes, or emissive coatings.

Jahn, R. G.↗

Effects of insulator ablation on the operation of a quasi-steady MPD arc

Multimegawatt operation of quasi-steady MPD arcjets can involve serious ablation of the insulator surfaces within the arc discharge chamber. Various degrees of insulator ablation manifest themselves by significantly perturbing the voltage-current characteristics and the exhaust velocity profiles. Voltage-current characteristics for two different insulator materials, Plexiglas and boron nitride, are interpreted in terms of an empirical Ohm's law. Use of the refractory insulator material eliminates the ablation-dominated nature of the terminal voltage, but the exhaust stream is still disturbed by insulator material. An Alfven critical velocity model can be applied to this influence of insulator ablation on exhaust velocity. Appropriate changes in the propellant injection geometry eliminate this influence and result in arcjet operation which is independent of insulator material. A particular combination of propellant injection geometries reduces the terminal voltage for a given current and mass flow while maintaining insulator-independent operation, thus implying an improvement in the overall efficiency of the device.

Boyle, M. J.↗

Compact laser through improved heat conductance

A 16-joule-pulse laser has been developed in which a boron nitride heat-conductor enclosure is used to remove heat from the elements. Enclosure is smaller and lighter than systems in which cooling fluids are used.

Yang, L. C.↗

Improved high modulus carbon fibers

Carbon fibers which are electrically insulating but still maintain the mechanical properties of the original carbon fibers were investigated. Three approaches were taken to increase the electrical resistance of carbon fibers: (1) boron nitride (BN) coatings; (2) doping of carbon fibers to alter their electrical properties; and (3) low temperature final heat treatment. The structure of carbon fibers and its effect upon properties was also studied. Results are presented.

Ansell, G. S.↗

Modified carbon fibers to improve composite properties

Thin coatings, 5 to 10 wt. percent, were applied to PAN-based carbon fibers. These coatings were intended to make the carbon fibers less electrically conductive or to cause fibers to stick together when a carbon fiber/epoxy composite burned. The effectiveness of the coatings in these regards was evaluated in burn tests with a test rig designed to simulate burning, impact and wind conditions which might release carbon fibers. The effect of the coatings on fiber and composite properties and handling was also investigated. Attempts at sizing carbon fibers with silicon dioxide, silicon carbide and boron nitride meet with varying degrees of success; however, none of these materials provided an electrically nonconductive coating. Coatings intended to stick carbon fibers together after a composite burned were sodium silicate, silica gel, ethyl silicate, boric acid and ammonium borate. Of these, only the sodium silicate and silica gel provided any sticking together of fibers. The amount of sticking was insufficient to achieve the desired objectives.

Shepler, R. E.↗

New processes and materials for ultraviolet detection with solid state devices

The three major effects that degrade external responsivity of silicon from the 1/lambda theoretical curve for a quantum detector are: surface reflectance, surface recombination, and junction depth. Since the p-n junction must be very shallow, problems relating to surface are further enhanced. MOS type of processing is necessary. HCl oxides and numerous acid clean-ups are utilized in order to obtain a contamination free surface with low Qss levels. Stringent process controls such as CV shifts, spreading resistance measurements, thickness monitoring etc., are used to analyze the surface contaminations, surface mobile charges, surface concentrations, junction depth, oxide thickness etc. Low surface concentrations of 10 to the 18th atoms/cu cm are achieved by low temperature boron nitride depositions. Shallow junction depths of the order of a few tenths of a micron are achieved by low temperature controlled diffusions. In order to improve breakdown characteristics of these shallow junction devices, field plate and deep diffused p(+) ring geometries are used.

Chopra, D.↗

Heat treat fixture and method of heat treating

A heat treating fixture is disclosed in which the shape of the metal specimen is maintained by cold rolled steel support plates. Glide sheets of stainless steel, coated with boron nitride, in contact with each face of the metal specimens, allow for lateral expansion of the metal specimens without binding. Grooved support bars separate the glide sheets from the upper and lower support plates and allow flow of quenching fluid to the metal specimen.

Beuyukian, C. S.↗

Correlation of ideal and actual shear strengths of metals with their friction properties

The relation between the ideal and actual shear strengths and friction properties of clean metals in contact with clean diamond, boron nitride, silicon carbide, manganese-zinc ferrite, and the metals themselves in vacuum is discussed. An estimate of the ideal shear strength for metals is obtained from the shear modulus, the repeat distance of atoms in the direction of shear of the metal, and the interplanar spacing of the shearing planes. The coefficient of friction for metals is shown to be correlated with both the ideal and actual shear strength of metals. The higher the strength of the metal, the lower the coefficient of friction occurs.

Miyoshi, K.↗

Relationship between the ideal tensile strength and the friction properties of metals in contact with nonmetals and themselves

The adhesion and friction properties of metals in contact with diamond, boron nitride, silicon carbide, manganese-zinc ferrite, and the metals themselves in vacuum was investigated. An estimate of the ideal uniaxial tensile was obtained in terms of the equilibrium surface energy, interplanar spacing of the planes perpendicular to the tensile axis, and the Young's modulus of elasticity. The coefficient of friction for metals was found to be related to the ideal tensile strength of metals. The higher the strength of the metal, the lower the coefficient of friction.

Miyoshi, K.↗

A silicon sheet casting experiment

The casting of silicon blanks for solar cells directly without slicing is an exciting concept. An experiment was performed to investigate the feasibility of developing a machine that casts wafers directly. A Czochralski furnace was modified to accept a graphite ingot-simulating fixture. Silicon was melted in the middle of the ingot simulator in a boron nitride mold. Sample castings showed reasonable crystal size. Solar cells were made from the cast blanks. The performance is reported.

Bickler, D. B.↗

Surface chemistry, microstructure and friction properties of some ferrous-base metallic glasses at temperatures to 750 C

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis, transmission electron microscopy, diffraction studies, and sliding friction experiments were conducted with ferrous-base metallic glasses in sliding contact with aluminum oxide at temperatures from room to 750 C in a vacuum of 30 nPa. The results indicate that there is a significant temperature influence on the friction properties, surface chemistry, and microstructure of metallic glasses. The relative concentrations of the various constituents at the surface of the sputtered specimens were very different from the normal bulk compositions. Contaminants can come from the bulk of the material to the surface upon heating and impart boric oxide and silicon oxide at 350 C and boron nitride above 500 C. The coefficient of friction increased with increasing temperature to 350 C. Above 500 C the coefficient of friction decreased rapidly. The segregation of contaminants may be responsible for the friction behavior.

Miyoshi, K.↗

Correlation of tensile and shear strengths of metals with their friction properties

The relation between the theoretical tensile and the shear strengths and the friction properties of metals in contact with diamond, boron nitride, silicon carbide, manganese-zinc ferrite, and the metals themselves in vacuum was investigated. The relationship between the actual shear strength and the friction properties of the metal was also investigated. An estimate of the theoretical uniaxial tensile strength was obtained in terms of the equilibrium surface energy, interplanar spacing of the planes perpendicular to the tensile axis, and the Young's modulus of elasticity. An estimate of the theoretical shear strength for metals was obtained from the shear modulus, the repeat distance of atoms in the direction of shear of the metal and the interplanar spacing of the shear planes. The coefficient of friction for metals was found to be related to the theoretical tensile, theoretical shear, and actual shear strengths of metals. The higher the strength of the metal, the lower the coefficient of friction.

Miyoshi, K.↗

Ceramic-to-metal bonding for pressure transducers

A solid-state diffusion technique involving the placement of a gold foil between INCONEL X-750 and a machinable glass-ceramic "MACOR" was shown to be successful in bonding these two materials. This technique was selected after an exhaustive literature search on ceramic-metal bonding methods. Small expansion mismatch between the Inconel and the MACOR resulted in fracture of the MACOR when the bonded body was subjected to tensile stress of 535 psi. The bonded parts were submitted to a cyclic loading test in an air atmosphere at 1 Hz from 0 to 60 KPa. Failure was observed after 700,000 cycles at 650 C. Ceramic-Inconel bonding was not achieved with this method for boron nitride and silica glass.

Mackenzie, J. D.↗