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At least 901 records · Page 50

Effect of Melt Convection at Various Gravity Levels and Orientations on the Forces Acting on a Large Spherical Particle in the Vicinity of a Solidification Interface

Numerical modeling was Undertaken to analyze the influence of both radial and axial thermal gradients on convection patterns and velocities claiming solidification of pure Al and an Al-4 wt% Cu alloy. The objective of the numerical task was to predict the influence of convective velocity on an insoluble particle near a solid/liquid (s/l) interface. These predictions were then be used to define the minimum gravity level (q) required to investigate the fundamental physics of interactions between a particle and a s/l interface. This is an ongoing NASA founded flight experiment entitled "particle engulfment and pushing by solidifying interfaces (PEP)". Steady-state calculations were performed for different gravity levels and orientations with respect to the gravity vector The furnace configuration used in this analysis is the quench module insert (QMI-1) proposed for the Material Science Research Facility (MSRF) on board the International Space Station (ISS). The general model of binary alloy solidification was based on the finite element code FIDAP. At a low g level of 10(exp -4) g(sub o) (g(sub o) = 9.8 m/square s) maximum melt convection was obtained for an orientation of 90 deg. Calculations showed that even for this worst case orientation the dominant forces acting on the particle are the fundamental drag and interfacial forces.

Bune, Andris V.↗

Systematics of Ni, Co, Cr and V in Olivine from Planetary Melt Systems: Martian Basalts

Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) data for Ni, Co, Cr, and V in olivine in martian basalts is compared to data from lunar and terrestrial basalts. We use experimentally-derived and published D values to calculate as-yet unsampled, olivine-bearing, non-cumulus melt compositions. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Herd, C. D. K.↗

Triamine-Modified Polyimides Having Improved Processability and Low Melt Flow Viscosity

Addition-cured polyimides that contain the reaction product of an aromatic triamine or trianhydride analogue thereof, a reactive end group such as 5-norbornene-2, 3-dicarboxylic acid, ester derivatives of 5-norbornene-2, 3-dicarboxylic acid, anhydride derivatives of 5-norbornene-2, 3-dicarboxylic acid, or 4-phenylethynylphthalic anhydride, an aromatic diamine, and a dialkyl ester of an aromatic tetracarboxylic acid. The resultant starlike polyimides; exhibit lower melt flow viscosity than its linear counterparts, providing for improved processability of the polyimide. Also disclosed are methods for the synthesis of these polyimides as well as composite structures formed using these polyimides.

Michael A Meador↗

Constituent Effects on the Stress-Strain Behavior of Woven Melt-Infiltrated SiC Composites

The stress-strain behavior of 2D woven SiC fiber reinforced, melt-infiltrated SiC matrix composites with BN interphases were studied for composites fabricated with different fiber tow ends per unit length, different composite thickness, and different numbers of plies. In general, the stress-strain behavior, i.e., the 'knee' in the curve and the final slope of the stress-strain curve, was controlled by the volume fraction of fibers. Some of the composites exhibited debonding and sliding in between the interphase and the matrix rather than the more common debonding and sliding interface between the fiber and the interphase. Composites that exhibited this 'outside debonding' interface, in general, had lower elastic moduli and higher ultimate strains as well as longer pull-out lengths compared to the 'inside debonding' interface composites. Stress-strain curves were modeled where matrix crack formation as a function of stress was approximated from the acoustic emission activity and the measured crack density from the failed specimens. Interfacial shear strength measurements from individual fiber push-in tests were in good agreement with the interfacial shear strength values used to model the stress-strain curves.

Morscher, Gregory N.↗

Computer Simulation of the Forces Acting on a Submerged Polystyrene Probe as it Approaches the Succinonitrile Melt-Solid Interface

A Modeling approach to simulate both mesoscale and microscopic forces acting in a typical AFM experiment is presented. A mesoscale level interaction between the cantilever tip and the sample surface is primarily described by the balance of attractive Van der Waals and repulsive forces. Ultimately, the goal is to measure the forces between a particle and the crystal-melt interface. Two modes of AFM operation are considered in this paper - a stationary and a "tapping" one. The continuous mechanics approach to model tip-surface interaction is presented. At microscopic levels, tip contamination and details of tip-surface interaction are modeled using a molecular dynamics approach for the case of polystyrene - succinonitrile contact. Integration of the mesoscale model with a molecular dynamic model is discussed.

Bune, Andris V.↗

Carbonate Melt Rocks from the Haughton Impact Structure, Devon Island, Nunavut, Canada

The target rocks at the Haughton impact structure, Canada, are predominantly carbonates. The well preserved allochthonous crater-fill deposits are reinterpreted here as being carbonatitic impact melt rocks. The implications of our findings will be discussed. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Osinski, G. R.↗

Wetting Angles and Surface Tension of Ge(1-x)Si(x) Melts on Different Substrate Materials

The wetting angles and the surface tension of Ge(1-x)Si(x) melts (0.02 less than x less than 0.13) have been measured on various substrate materials using the sessile drop technique. Fused quartz, sapphire, SiC, glassy carbon, pBN, AIN, and Si3N4 have been used as substrates. The highest and most stable wetting angles were found for pBN substrates with 164 +/- 8 deg., either under forming gas with an additional carbon getter in the system or under active vacuum. The surface tension measurements resulted in a value of +2.2 x 10(exp -3) N/m.at%Si for the concentration dependence delta(gamma)/(delta)C. For the composition range measured, the temperature dependence (delt)gamma/(delta)T showed values similar to those of pure Ge, on average -0.07 x 10(exp -3) N/mK.

Croell, A.↗

Characterizing Thermal Properties of Melting Te Semiconductor: Thermal Diffusivity Measurements and Simulation

Tellurium is an element for many II-VI and I-III-VI(sub 2) compounds that are useful materials for fabricating many devices. In the melt growth techniques, the thermal properties of the molten phase are important parameter for controlling growth process to improve semiconducting crystal quality. In this study, thermal diffusivity of molten tellurium has been measured by a laser flash method in the temperature range from 500 C to 900 C. A pulsed laser with 1064 nm wavelength is focused on one side of the measured sample. The thermal diffusivity can be estimated from the temperature transient at the other side of the sample. A numerical simulation based on the thermal transport process has been also performed. By numerically fitting the experimental results, both the thermal conductivity and heat capacity can be derived. A relaxation phenomenon, which shows a slow drift of the measured thermal conductivity toward the equilibrium value after cooling of the sample, was observed for the first time. The error analysis and the comparison of the results to published data measured by other techniques will be discussed.

Zhu, Shen↗

Effect of Melt Convection and Solid Transport on Macrosegregation and Grain Structure in Equiaxed Al-Cu Alloys

Macrosegregation in metal casting can be caused by thermal and solutal melt convection, and the transport of unattached solid crystals. These free grains can be a result of, for example, nucleation in the bulk liquid or dendrite fragmentation. In an effort to develop a comprehensive numerical model for the casting of alloys, an experimental study has been conducted to generate benchmark data with which such a solidification model could be tested. The specific goal of the experiments was to examine equiaxed solidification in situations where sinking of grains is (and is not) expected. The objectives were: 1) experimentally study the effects of solid transport and thermosolutal convection on macrosegregation and grain size distribution patterns; and 2) provide a complete set of controlled thermal boundary conditions, temperature data, segregation data, and grain size data, to validate numerical codes. The alloys used were Al-1 wt. pct. Cu, and Al-10 wt. pct. Cu with various amounts of the grain refiner TiB2 added. Cylindrical samples were either cooled from the top, or the bottom. Several trends in the data stand out. In attempting to model these experiments, concentrating on experiments that show clear trends or differences is recommended.

Rerko, Rodney S.↗

Evaluation of Graphite Fiber/Polyimide PMCs from Hot Melt versus Solution Prepreg

Carbon fiber reinforced high temperature polymer matrix composites (PMC) have been extensively investigated as potential weight reduction replacements of various metallic components in next generation high performance propulsion rocket engines. The initial phase involves development of comprehensive composite material-process-structure-design-property in-service performance correlations and database, especially for a high stiffness facesheet of various sandwich structures. Overview of the program plan, technical approaches and current multi-team efforts will be presented. During composite fabrication, it was found that the two large volume commercial prepregging methods (hot-melt vs. solution) resulted in considerably different composite cure behavior. Details of the process-induced physical and chemical modifications in the prepregs, their effects on composite processing, and systematic cure cycle optimization studies will be discussed. The combined effects of prepregging method and cure cycle modification on composite properties and isothermal aging performance were also evaluated.

Shin, Eugene E.↗

High Temperature Tensile Properties and Fatigue Behavior of a Melt-Infiltrated SiC/SiC Composite

High temperature fatigue behavior of a woven, SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composite (CMC) was investigated in air at two temperatures. The reinforcement for the CMC consisted of 5HS Sylramic(Trademark) fabric with a [0deg/90deg]4s lay-up. The SiC matrix material was infiltrated into the fiber-preform with a slurry-cast, melt-infiltration process. Tensile and fatigue test specimens were machined from the CMC plates. Initially tensile tests were conducted to obtain the average values of tensile properties at 1038 and 1204 C. Subsequently, low-cycle fatigue (LCF) tests with zero and two-hour hold-times at the maximum stress were conducted at the same two temperatures. Fatigue life data generated in the LCF tests were used to determine the geometric mean fatigue lives. In this paper, the tensile behavior and the fatigue durability of the CMC determined under different loading conditions are documented. In addition, reductions observed in the cyclic lives of the composite due to the two hour hold-time at maximum tensile stress are discussed.

Kalluri, Sreeramesh↗

Characterizing Thermal Properties of Melting Te Semiconductor: Thermal Diffusivity Measurements and Simulation

Tellurium is an element for many II-VI and I-III-VI(sub 2) compounds that are useful materials for fabricating many devises. In the melt growth techniques, the thermal properties of the molten phase are important parameter for controlling growth process to improve semiconducting crystal quality. In this study, thermal diffusivity of molten tellurium has been measured by a laser flash method in the temperature range from 500 C to 900 C. A pulsed laser with 1064 nm wavelength is focused on one side of the measured sample. The thermal diffusivity can be estimated from the temperature transient at the other side of the sample. A numerical simulation based on the thermal transport process has been also performed. By numerically fitting the experimental results, both the thermal conductivity and heat capacity can be derived. A relaxation phenomenon, which shows a slow drift of the measured thermal conductivity toward the equilibrium value after cooling of the sample, was observed for the first time. The error analysis and the comparison of the results to published data measured by other techniques will be discussed in the presentation.

Zhu, Shen↗

Melt Flow Control in the Directional Solidification of Binary Alloys

Our main project objectives are to develop computational techniques based on inverse problem theory that can be used to design directional solidification processes that lead to desired temperature gradient and growth conditions at the freezing front at various levels of gravity. It is known that control of these conditions plays a significant role in the selection of the form and scale of the obtained solidification microstructures. Emphasis is given on the control of the effects of various melt flow mechanisms on the local to the solidification front conditions. The thermal boundary conditions (furnace design) as well as the magnitude and direction of an externally applied magnetic field are the main design variables. We will highlight computational design models for sharp front solidification models and briefly discuss work in progress toward the development of design techniques for multi-phase volume-averaging based solidification models.

Zabaras, Nicholas↗

JSC Mars-1 Martian Soil Simulant: Melting Experiments and Electron Microprobe Studies

JSC Mars-1 has been developed as a Martian regolith simulant, and is the <1 mm size fraction of a palagonitic tephra (a glassy volcanic ash altered at low temperatures) from Pu'u Nene cinder cone on the Island of Hawaii. The Mars-1 simulant forms the basis for numerous terrestrial studies which aim to evaluate the suitability of Martian soil for materials processing. Martian soil may be sintered to form building materials for construction, and also melted or reacted to extract metals for various uses, as well as oxygen for life support.

Carpenter, P.↗

Melting of the Martian Permafrost by Hydrothermal Convection Associated with Magmatic Intrusion

Many surface features on Mars are closely connected with the subsurface permafrost layer. The polygonal fractures and the possible thermokarsts are observed on the martian surface and they are analogous to the terrestrial features located on the permafrost. The rampart and/or fluidized ejecta morphology of martian craters is indicative of subsurface volatiles. Mars should stock much water in a form of ground ice. The suspected fluvial features on Mars would suggest water (or its mixture), which is coming from the subsurface aquifer or the ground ice. Such a martian hydrothermal system has been the alternative idea to the assumption of precipitation for forming observed fluvial-like features on Mars. The outflow channels, in particular, have characteristics unique to water erosion and clearly indicates the surface runoff of huge amount of water, which usual precipitations could not supply. The outflow channels potentially suggest the pre-existence of a substantial amount of liquid water very close to the martian surface to cause a large flood. The idea of supplying such massive liquid water near the ground might be still controversial, however, from many observational facts, we assume that the igneous melting of the martian permafrost layer should have played a significant role. We have numerically simulated the generation of meltwater and are proposing a consistent scenario of forming the outflow channels as well as the headwater regions; chaotic terrains.

Y Ogawa↗