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At least 685 records · Page 38

Development and evaluation of die and container materials

Commercial high purity ultrafine Si3N4, Al2O3, and SiO2 powders were vacuum dried and stored under nitrogen in sealed containers. Extensive analysis of the chemical, physical, and morphological characteristics of these powders was performed. The interaction of molten silicon with fused quartz was examined in a Knudsen cell using a mass spectrometer. The solubility of oxygen at the melting point of silicon was calculated to be 1.78 times 10 to the 18th power atoms/cu cm, and the activity coefficients of oxygen and silicon monoxide, the major vapor species, were calculated to be 4.83 times 10 to the minus 24th power and 0.0000701, respectively.

Wills, R. R.↗

Pressureless sintered Sialons with low amounts of sintering aid

Two Beta prime - Sialons of composition Si2.6Al0.393y0.007O0.4N3.6 and Si2.6Al0.384Y0.014O0.4N3.6 were pressureless sintered from mixtures of Y2O3 and separately milled Beta -Si3N4, AlN, and SiO2. These Sialons had densities of over 98% of theoretical, four-point bend strengths of 460 and 155 MPa at room temperature and 1400 C, respectively, and 1400 C oxidation rates lower than those reported for hot pressed Si3N4 and for a stronger Sialon with 2.5 weight percentage Y2O3.

Arias, A.↗

Evaluation of glass resin coatings for solar cell applications

Using a variety of non-vacuum deposition techniques coatings were implemented on silicon solar cells and arrays of cells interconnected on Kapton substrates. The coatings provide both antireflection optical matching and environmental protection. Reflectance minima near 2% was achieved at a single wavelength in the visible. Reflectance averaging below 5% across the useful collection range was demonstrated. The coatings and methods of deposition were: (1) Ta2O5 spun, dipped or sprayed; (2) Ta2O5.SiO2 spun, dipped or sprayed; (3) GR908 (SiO2) spun, dipped, or sprayed. Total coating thickness were in the range of 18 microns to 25 microns. The coatings and processes are compatible with single cells or cells mounted on Kapton substrates.

Field, M. B.↗

Reactions of yttria-stabilized zirconia with oxides and sulfates of various elements

The reactions between partially stabilized zirconia, containing 8 weight-percent yttria, and oxides and sulfates of various elements were studied at 1200, 1300, and 1400 C for times to 800, 400, and 200 hours, respectively. These oxides and sulfates represent impurities and additives potentially present in gas turbine fuels or impurities in the turbine combustion air as well as the elements of the substrate alloys in contact with zirconia. Based on the results, these compounds can be classified in four groups: (1) compounds which did not react with zirconia (Na2SO4, K2SO4, Cr2O3, Al2O3 and NiO); (2) compounds that reached completely with both zirconia phases (CaO, BaO, and BaSO4); (3) compounds that reacted preferentially with monoclinic zirconia (Na2O, K2O, CoO, Fe2O3, MgO, SiO2, and ZnO); and (4) compounds that reacted preferentially with cubic zirconia (V2O5, P2O5).

Zaplatynsky, I.↗

Redox equilibria of multivalent ions in silicate glasses

Experimental studies were made on the compositional dependence of the redox equilibrium of Eu in synthetic silicate liquids, together with an empirical model describing the observed compositional dependence. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) was used to measure the concentration ratio of Eu(2+) to Eu(3+) in various glasses formed by rapidly quenching silicate liquids. The compositional field studied comprised mixtures of SiO2, TiO2, Al2O3, CaO, MgO, and Na2O. The proposed model describes the Eu(2+)/Eu(3+) ratio over the entire compositional field in terms of parameters easily related to each glass composition. The general applicability and utility of the model is further demonstrated by its application to the Fe(2+)-Fe(3+), Ce(3+)-Ce(4+), and Cr(3+)-Cr(6+) redox reactions in binary alkali oxide silicate glasses of Li, Na, and K.

Lauer, H. V., Jr.↗

High-silica glass inclusions in olivine of Luna-24 samples

Optical examination of nine polished grain mounts of Luna-24 drill-core material (0.09-0.50 mm size) revealed melt inclusions in olivine crystals. Two inclusions consist of clear glass with exceptionally high Si, yet contain no visible daughter minerals and have had no reaction effects with the olivine walls. Their compositions (one has SiO2 93.8, Al2O3 1.51, FeO 2.32, MgO 1.61, CaO 0.06, Na2O less than 0.05, K2O 0.11, total 99.41%; the other is similar) are unique and quite unlike the high-Si high-K melt of granitic composition that is found as inclusions in late-stage minerals of these (and the Apollo) samples, from silicate liquid immiscibility. The host olivines are Fo73 and Fo51. The origin of the melt in the inclusions and the lack of reaction effects are perplexing unsolved problems.

Roedder, E.↗

Experimental observations of the chemistry of the SiO2/Si interface

Changes in silicon surface preparation prior to thermal oxidation are shown to leave a signature by altering the final SiO2/Si interface structure. Surface analytical techniques, including XPS, static SIMS, ion milling, and newly developed wet-chemical profiling procedures are used to obtain detailed information on the chemical structure of the interface. The oxides are shown to be essentially SiO2 down to a narrow transitional interface layer (3-7 A). A number of discrete chemical species are observed in this interface layer, including different silicon bonds (e.g., C-, OH-, H-) and a range of oxidation states of silicon (0 to +4). The effect of surface preparation and the observed chemical species are correlated with oxide growth rate, surface-state density, and flatband shifts after irradiation.

Grunthaner, F. J.↗

An experimental investigation of the condensation of silicate grains

Results are presented for a series of laboratory experiments designed to investigate the nucleation of small silicate grains from a vapor of astrophysically significant elements and compounds. In the experiments, magnesium silicate grains were condensed by simultaneously evaporating Mg and SiO solids into an atmosphere of argon or hydrogen at a pressure of a few torr. The results show that at low temperatures (up to a few hundred degrees C) the condensates are amorphous grains and have widely varying stoichiometries. The thermodynamically most stable compounds (Mg2SiO4, MgSiO3, SiO2) do not form readily, but all initial condensates can be converted to crystalline forsterite (Mg2SiO4) by heating to 1000 C in vacuum. At higher temperatures (above 700 K) it becomes more difficult to nucleate any silicates, and those that do form are amorphous, indicating that surface energies and kinetic effects are very important in determining under what conditions condensation will occur. The IR spectra of the experimentally produced magnesium silicates are found to have a strong resemblance to those observed in many astronomical clouds.

Day, K. L.↗

Melt immiscibility in Apollo 15 KREEP - Origin of Fe-rich mare basalts

Silicate liquid immiscibility (SLI) is investigated in terms of chemistry and occurrence in two KREEP-rich Apollo 15 basalts. The two samples have different cooling histories but the same composition. In the first sample, SLI occurred at the time of 58% crystallization. In the second sample, SLI occurred after 20% had crystallized. It is noted that SLI could be initiated as soon as plagioclase (out of a total composition which also included zircon, FeS, SiO2, whitlockite, and ilmenite) alone had crystallized. Attention is given to Fe-rich immiscible melts, and it is suggested that SLI may play an important role in the formation of the source regions of Fe-rich mare basalts. The analytical technique used for the assays was an energy dispersive analysis system with a resolution of 167 eV.

Hollister, L. S.↗

Silica activity in lunar lavas

Calculated values of log alpha SiO2 in lunar magmas range from approximately -0.8 to unity in the temperature range of 1100-1300 C. High-titanium mare basalts begin crystallizing at silica activities insufficient for orthopyroxene saturation; in contrast to terrestrial lavas, silica activities rise substantially with crystallization and cause silica saturation in the residuum. Igneous rocks of the highland regions have relatively higher initial silica activities than mare basalts. Thermodynamic calculations indicate that high-titanium mare basalts could be derived from a 90 to 240-km deep source region containing olivine and orthopyroxene in addition to other phases.

Nash, W. P.↗

Anomalous low-K silicate melt inclusions in ilmenite from Apollo 17 basalts

Primary silicate melt inclusions in ilmenite crystals in seven mare basalt samples were analyzed by electron microprobe, and analyses were made of their host and associated phases. Two distinct and restricted chemical composition ranges are drawn: high-K and low-K. The high-K samples are nearly identical with the granitic residual liquid, averaging a weight percentage of 6.27% K20, 76.3% SiO2, plus 82% normative quartz and orthoclase. It is noted that no low-K melt was found as a re-entrant or interstitial inclusion in any sample; only as isolated inclusions in illmenite.

Roedder, E.↗

Evolution of the moon between 4.6 and 3.3 AE

A model of lunar evolution is proposed. At 4.6 AE an outer shell 60-100 km thick of an initially homogeneous moon was totally molten following accretion. 'Highland basalt' represents remnants of the chilled crust of this molten layer and, therefore, the mean lunar composition. Melt from the partially molten region below the outer shell intruded into it, enriching it in FeO, SiO2, radiogenic, and trivalent trace LIL (large ion lithop) elements. Fractional crystallization of the outer shell produced toward its base a mafic cumulate zone less than 40 km thick, the upper 60 km being anorthosite. The radiogenic elements concentrated together with dense residual melt in the upper parts pf the mafic cumulate zone. Between 4.6 and 4.3 AE a second differentiation led to localized enrichment from below of radiogenic elements in the plagioclase-rich, high-Mg/Mg + Fe residuum below the outer 100-km-thick shell. Melting at these enriched sites at about 4.0 AE produced to KREEP basalts. Later melting at sites of radiogenic element enrichment in the outer 100-km-thick shell produced the mare basalts.

Hollister, L. S.↗

Studies of Brazilian meteorites. XIV - Mineralogy, petrology, and chemistry of the Conquista, Minas Gerais, chondrite

The Conquista chondrite is described and classified as an H4. The mineral composition is reported. H-group classification is based on described microscopic, electron microprobe, and bulk chemical studies. The evidence for petrologic type 4 classification includes the pronounced well-developed chondritic texture; the slight compositional variations in constituent phases; the high Ca contents of pyroxene and the presence of pigeonite; glassy to microcrystalline interstitial material rich in alkalis and SiO2; and twinned low-Ca clinopyroxene.

Keil, K.↗

Improved thermal-conducting and current-confining film

Ge film that replaces SiO2 coating in method of fabricating room-temperature CW laser diodes achieves greater heat dissipation while maintaining effectiveness as current-confining medium. Film also lessens certain unwanted strain parameters and ultimately increases lifetime of lasers. Method is applicable to fabrication of InP and (AlGa)As CW lasers.

Hawrylo, F. Z.↗

Sialons as high temperature insulators

Sialons were evaluated for application as high temperature electrical insulators in contact with molybdenum and tungsten components in hard vacuum applications. Both D.C. and variable frequency A.C. resistivity data indicate the sialons to have electrical resistivity similar to common oxide in the 1000 C or higher range. Metallographic evaluations indicate good bonding of the type 15R ALN polytype to molybdenum and tungsten. The beta prime or modified silicon nitride phase was unacceptable in terms of vacuum stability. Additives effect on electrical resistivity. Similar resistivity decreases were produced by additions of molybdenum or tungsten to form cermets. The use of hot pressing at 1800 C with ALN, Al2 O3 and Si3N4 starting powders produced a better product than did a combination of SiO2 and AIN staring powders. It was indicated that sialons will be suitable insulators in the 1600K range in contact with molybdenum or tungsten if they are produced as a pure ceramic and subsequently bonded to the metal components at temperatures in the 1600K range.

Phillips, W. M.↗

Study Program to Develop and Evaluate Die and Container Materials for the Growth of Silicon Ribbons

The completion of a major hardware delivery milestone was accomplished with the delivery of three CNTD Si3N4 coated hot pressed Si3N4 crucibles. A limited characterization of the coating was performed at MRL prior to delivery. The coatings were fine grained alpha - Si3N4. It was determined that a two piece die design is required. The importance of the role of oxygen in influencing the attack of the CNTD materials by molten silicon was demonstrated. The stability is greatly enhanced by maintaining the oxygen partial pressure near or below the Si + O2 = SiO2 equilibrium.

Ounby, P. D.↗

Modules of rupture and oxidation resistance of S12.55Al0.6O0.72N3.52 sialon

A Sialon of formula Si2.55Al0.6O0.72N3.52 was made from ball-milled alpha-Si3N4, AIN, and SiO2 by sintering the powder compacts at 1760 C for 4 hours in stagnant nitrogen. This Sialon had an average modulus of rupture ranging from 404 megapascals (58.6 ksi) at room temperature to 254 megapascals (36.8 ksi) at 1400 C. Oxidation tests at 1400 C in air showed it to have a parabolic oxidation rate constant less than or equal to 2.8x10 to the -10th power sq g/cm4 hr, which is smaller than that of any other Si3N4-base ceramic reported in the literature.

Arias, A.↗

Research in millimeter wave techniques

The following technical developments are described: (1) a reliable 183 GHz subharmonic mixer, (2) a precision noise figure test setup, (3) the successful deposition of SiO2 on a noncontacting backshort, and (4) sturdier whisker points used for diode contacting.

Forsythe, R. E.↗