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At least 73 records · Page 4

Space Processing Applications Rocket project, SPAR 2

Experiment objectives, design/operational concepts, and final results are summarized for six materials science experiments conducted during the second space processing applications rocket mission flown by NASA. The individual experiments discussed are: (1) solidification of Pb-Sb eutectic; (2) feasibility of producing closed-cell metal foams; (3) direct observation of dendrite remelting and macrosegregation in castings; (4) agglomeration in immiscible liquids; (5) casting dispersion - strengthened composites at zero gravity; and (6) solidification behavior of Al-In alloys under zero gravity conditions.

Source record↗

Space Processing Application Rocket project, SPAR 5

Post flight results and analysis are presented on the following experiments: 'Agglomeration in Immiscible Liquids', 'Contained Polycrystalline Solidification in Low G', 'The Direct Observation of Dendrite Remelting and Macrosegregation in Casting', and 'Uniform Dispersion by Crystallization'. An engineering report on the performance of the SPAR Black Brant rocket is also included. Much useful data and information were accumulated for directing and developing experimental techniques and investigations toward an expanding commercially beneficial program of materials processing in the coming shuttle era.

Reeves, F.↗

MPS Solidification Model. Volume 2: Operating guide and software documentation for the unsteady model

The operation of solidification Model 2 is described and documentation of the software associated with the model is provided. Model 2 calculates the macrosegregation in a rectangular ingot of a binary alloy as a result of unsteady horizontal axisymmetric bidirectional solidification. The solidification program allows interactive modification of calculation parameters as well as selection of graphical and tabular output. In batch mode, parameter values are input in card image form and output consists of printed tables of solidification functions. The operational aspects of Model 2 that differ substantially from Model 1 are described. The global flow diagrams and data structures of Model 2 are included. The primary program documentation is the code itself.

Maples, A. L.↗

The influence of acceleration forces on dendritic growth and grain structure

The results of experiments on the tin-15 wt pct lead system are presented, showing the effects on microstructure of solidification in the presence of acceleration forces from 0.0001 to 5 g for three cooling rates. An increase in the acceleration level is shown to drive fluid flow and cause dendrite remelting, fragmentation, and macrosegregation. The cooling rate impacts the final structure through its control of dendrite arm spacings and permeability to fluid flow. At the low (0.0001 g) acceleration, dendrite arm spacings deviated from the predicted relationship to cooling rate. An explanation for this anomaly is given which considers the temperature and concentration gradients in the low-gravity environment.

Johnston, M. H.↗

The NBS: Processing/Microstructure/Property Relationships in 2024 Aluminum Alloy Plates

As received plates of 2024 aluminum alloy were examined. Topics covered include: solidification segregation studies; microsegregation and macrosegregation in laboratory and commercially cast ingots; C-curves and nondestructive evaluation; time-temperature precipitation diagrams and the relationships between mechanical properties and NDE measurements; transmission electron microscopy studies; the relationship between microstructure and properties; ultrasonic characterization; eddy-current conductivity characterization; the study of aging process by means of dynamic eddy current measurements; and Heat flow-property predictions, property degradations due to improve quench from the solution heat treatment temperature.

Ives, L. K.↗

Scientific results from the materials processing in space program

Scientific experiments conducted in a low-gravity environment make it possible to study effects, such as surface tension-driven flows, which are often masked by buoyancy-driven flows. A summary is provided of several early experiments which demonstrate that unwanted convective flows can be effectively suppressed in experiments conducted in orbiting spacecraft. Possible applications of low-G processing are discussed, taking into account Bridgman growth of solid solution alloy-type semiconductors, Bridgman growth of eutectic systems, and float-zone crystal growth. The control of macrosegregation and phase separation in castings is considered, giving attention also to containerless melting and solidification. A description of experiment facilities and opportunities is provided.

Naumann, R.↗

Float Zone Experiments in Space

The objective of this work has been to evaluate whether or not Marangoni flow could be suppressed in molten metals by the presence of very thin oxide films. Experimental work has been carried out on molten Sn under UHV conditions. A disk floating zone arrangement was developed to allow in situ Auger examination of molten surfaces. An electron energy loss technique was developed which allows detection of continuous tin oxide films of 6 A or greater. Experiments were planned to detect the effects of oxide formation upon Marangoni flow by measuring: (1) temperature profiles, (2) solid liquid interface shapes, (3) macrosegregation, and (4) the onset of oscillatory Marangoni flow by detecting oscillating temperature variations. Work on (4) showed that oscillatory temperature variations of frequency or = 10 Hz were not present in the disk float zone geometry under conditions of Ma = 4300 with an oxide free molten surface. The disk float zone geometry was modeled with a finite element analysis and temperature and velocity profiles were determined.

Verhoeven, J. D.↗

Structure-property characterization of rheocast and VADER processed IN-100 superalloy

Two recent solidification processes have been applied in the production of IN-100 nickel-base superalloy: rheocasting and vacuum arc double electrode remelting (VADER). A detailed microstructural examination has been made of the products of these two processes; associated tensile strength and fatigue crack propagation (FCP) rate at an elevated temperature were evaluated. In rheocasting, processing variables that have been evaluated include stirring speed, isothermal stirring time and volume fraction solid during isothermal stirring. VADER processed IN-100 was purchased from Special Metals Corp., New Hartford, NY. As-cast ingots were subjected to hot isostatic pressing (HIP) and heat treatment. Both rheocasting and VADER processed materials yield fine and equiaxed spherical structures, with reduced macrosegregation in comparison to ingot materials. The rheocast structures are discussed on the basis of the Vogel-Doherty-Cantor model of dendrite arm fragmentation. The rheocast ingots evaluated were superior in yield strength to both VADER and commercially cast IN-100 alloy. Rheocast and VADER ingots may have higher crack propagation resistance than P/M processed material.

Cheng, J. J. A.↗

United States Air Force Academy's micro-gravity research using G-0307

The purpose of this discussion is to report on the current materials research being done in micro-gravity solidification and future experimentation planned on-board a space shuttle mission. The Department of Engineering Mechanics at the USAF Academy is developing a micro-gravity furnace to be used on board the space shuttle. The micro-g furnace will be used to conduct materials research dealing with such topics as immiscible alloy solidification. The purpose behind this research project is three-fold: first, to develop a simple, inexpensive, an easy to use furnace to conduct space materials research; second, to conduct a solidification experiment on a lead-zinc alloy in space that macrosegregates due to gravity: and third, to provide a research mechanism for students to get involved with space materials research.

Glon D Turner↗

Directional solidification and annealing of Mn55Al45 alloys

The use of directional solidification to produce aligned or magnetic microstructures for the MnAl alloy and the effect of annealing on the bulk magnetic properties of the alloy are investigated. The phase composition, cylindrically shaped magnetization, and room-temperature magnetization of the samples are analyzed. The microstructure of a directionally solidified Al-Mn alloy is characterized by a two-phase structure consisting of randomly-oriented Al-rich fibers of about 40 at. pct Al dispersed in a textureless matrix of about 50 at. pct Al; the matrix phase contains at least 50 wt pct of the metastable and ferrimagnetic tau-phase, and the Al-rich fibers as a precipitated Cr5Al8-type Al-Mn phase. Significant macrosegregation for the thermally stable growth-up orientation is detected. The data reveal that the annealing enhances the cell-like microstructure observed transverse of the solidification direction and increases remanent magnetization and intrinsic coercivity.

Pirich, Ronald G.↗

Analysis of the solidified structure of rheocast and VADER processed nickel-base superalloy

Conventional 'ingot' processing of highly alloyed compositions results in a cast product which suffers from extensive macrosegregation, hot tears, and heterogeneities. By controlling the solidification journey, one can produce a fine grained cast product. This is achieved by manipulating the melt in the mushy zone. Rheocasting and vacuum arc double electrode remelting (VADER) are two such technologies where the melt is processed in the mushy zone. IN-100, a nickel based superalloy, was rheocast as well as VADER processed. The resultant cast structures are analyzed, compared and discussed both onmicro- and macrostructural levels. The effect of the rheocast processing variables (stirring seed, time and temperature) on the cast microstructure are also discussed.

Apelian, D.↗

Fraction eutectic measurements in slowly cooled Pb - 15 wt percent Sn alloys

A space shuttle experiment employing the General Purpose Furnace in its isothermal mode of operation is currently manifested for flight circa 1989. The aim of this experiment was to investigate the role of gravity in a slowly, and isothermally, cooled sample of a binary Pb - 15 wt percent Sn alloy. Ground based work in support of the microgravity experiment is discussed. In particular, it is shown that fraction eutectic measurements using an image analyzer, can be used to satisfactorily describe macrosegregation occurring in these slowly cooled ingots.

Studer, Anthony C.↗

A thermodynamic prediction for microporosity formation in aluminum-rich Al-Cu alloys

A computer model is used to predict the formation and degree of microporosity in a directionally solidified Al-4.5 wt pct Cu alloy, considering the interplay between solidification shrinkage and gas porosity. Macrosegregation theory is used to determine the local pressure within the interdendritic liquid. Results show interdendritic porosity for initial hydrogen contents in the 0.03-1 ppm range, and none below contents of 0.03. An increase in either the thermal gradient or the solidification rate is show to decrease the amount of interdendritic porosity.

Poirier, D. R.↗

On producing an alloy of uniform composition during rapid solidification processing

The fundamental mechanisms responsible for both micro scale and macro scale compositional variations during cellular and dendritic solidification are discussed. It is shown that presently available models for cellular and dendritic growth in alloys predict only the elimination of macrosegregation during rapid solidification but that microsegregation still persists even in this regime. A simple model is proposed here to describe the complete elimination of microsegregation in the rapid solidification regime. A solid of ideally uniform composition can be produced with no micro or macro segregation at both very low large solidifation rates.

Laxmanan, V.↗

Double-diffusive effects during solidification

When a fluid contains two diffusing components with different molecular diffusivities, such as heat and solute concentration, convective motion may be generated when potential energy is released owing to differential diffusion. In the solidification of binary alloys and doped semiconductors, temperature and concentration gradients do exist simultaneously. If these gradients are aligned in a suitable manner, convection may ensue. In the case of the binary alloy, such convection may extend through the mushy zone and may be the cause of macrosegregations. In the case of doped semiconductors, the convective motion may cause the nonuniform distribution of dopant in the product. In this paper, the fundamentals of double-diffusive convection will be reviewed, and its effect on solidification will be discussed.

Chen, C. F.↗

Variable-Polarity Plasma Arc Welding Of Alloy 2219

Report presents results of study of variable-polarity plasma arc (VPPA) welding of aluminum alloy 2219. Consists of two parts: Examination of effects of microsegregation and transient weld stress on macrosegregation in weld pool and, electrical characterization of straight- and reverse-polarity portions of arc cycle.

Walsh, Daniel W.↗

Directional solidification of lead-copper immiscible alloys in a cyclic gravity environment

Hypermonotectic copper-lead alloys were directionally solidified at unit gravity on earth and also in the cyclic gravitational environment attainable during flight of NASA's KC-135 aircraft. In both cases macrosegregation developed that consisted of an initial lead-rich phase above which an aligned composite structure of apparent monotectic composition grew. Differences within these regions are examined, and the suitability of the KC-135 environment for directional solidification of monotectic alloys is discussed.

Shah, S.↗

Finite element simulations of thermosolutal convection in vertical solidification of binary alloys

Dendritic vertical solidification of a binary alloy is modeled using the finite element method to assess the effect of thermosolutal convection in macrosegregation. The mathematical model assumes steady-state solidification with a planar, undeformable surface defined by the dendrite tips and the eutectic isotherm. The dendritic region is assumed to advance at a constant solidification velocity v. The stability of the modeled system has been investigated and nonlinear calculations performed that show finger-like convection when the system is unstable. Results for lead-tin alloys show that when the system is unstable, convection is only significant in the uppermost part of the mush and is entirely driven by convection in the bulk fluid.

Heinrich, J. C.↗