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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 901 records · Page 50
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Characterization of microstructure and residual stress following the friction stir welding of dissimilar aluminum alloys

Friction-stir-welding (FSW) has gained importance as an effective way to join dissimilar materials due to its solid-state nature. However, FSW produces substantial residual stresses in aluminum welding, often deteriorating the component's structural performance and reliability. In the current study, the d-spacing (inter-atomic distance) of several locations on a battery tray and stress-free reference samples are measured with neutron diffraction to calculate the residual stresses in a lap 6061 to A365 dissimilar friction-stir-weld. Furthermore, the present study connects the measured residual stress to microstructure properties through electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and optical microscopy analyses. The EBSD results indicate that the FSW operation affects the grains’ orientation, thereby producing location-specific directionally varying elasticity across the weldment. Further, this varied elasticity creates unique d-spacing profiles even in the stress-free material. Additionally, the resulting stressed and stress-free d-spacing profiles show dependencies on the FSW tool geometry, traverse direction, and rotational direction. Lastly, this study suggests that the final component residual stress can be influenced by the sequence of multi-pass welds contributing to a rise in temperature in the presence of a completed weld relaxing its residual stress.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Collapse and reappearance of magnetic orderings in spin frustrated TbMnO{sub 3} induced by Fe substitution

We studied the temperature dependent magnetic phase evolution in spin frustrated TbMnO{sub 3} affected by Fe doping via powder neutron diffraction. With the introduction of Fe (10% and 20%), the long range incommensurate magnetic orderings collapse. When the Fe content is increased to 30%, a long-range antiferromagnetic ordering develops, while a spin reorientation transition is found near 35 K from a canted G-type antiferromagnetic ordering to a collinear G-type antiferromagnetic ordering. This work demonstrates the complex magnetic interactions existing in transition metal oxides, which helps to understand the frustrated spin states in other similar systems and design magnetic materials as well.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2024

Electric-Field Manipulation of Magnetic Chirality in a Homo-Ferro-Rotational Helimagnet

Ferro-rotational (FR) materials, renowned for their distinctive material functionalities, present challenges in the growth of homo-FR crystals (i.e., single FR domain). This study explores a cost-effective approach to growing homo-FR helimagnetic RbFe(SO 4 ) 2 (RFSO) crystals by lowering the crystal growth temperature below the T FR threshold using the high-pressure hydrothermal method. Through polarized neutron diffraction experiments, it is observed that nearly 86% of RFSO crystals consist of a homo-FR domain. Notably, RFSO displays remarkable stability in the FR phase, with an exceptionally high T FR of ≈573 K. Furthermore, RFSO exhibits a chiral helical magnetic structure with switchable ferroelectric polarization below 4 K. Importantly, external electric fields can induce a single magnetic domain state and manipulate its magnetic chirality. The findings suggest that the search for new FR magnets with outstanding material properties should consider magnetic sulfates as promising candidates.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2019

In situ investigation of stress-induced martensitic transformation in granular shape memory ceramic packings

Stress-induced martensitic transformation can occur in granular shape memory materials when individual particles experience high stresses and transform from a high-symmetry austenite phase to a low-symmetry martensite phase. This involves a highly heterogeneous distribution of the driving force and very low mechanical constraint for martensite nucleation, so the transformation behavior can be dramatically different from the well-documented case of monolithic solids. In this work, we investigate the stress-induced martensitic transformation in granular shape memory ceramic packings, which consist of single-crystal micro-particles of ZrO 2 -12 at%CeO 2 and ZrO 2 -15 at%CeO 2 . Using in situ neutron diffraction, we study how the phase fraction, lattice strain, and integral peak broadness evolve during external loading, unloading, and subsequent heating. Several peculiar features are discovered, including (i) a continuous mode of transformation with a wide range of transformation loads, (ii) co-evolution of the packing structure, contact deformation, and martensitic transformation, and (iii) a strong correlation between the peak broadening and the transformed phase fraction. In addition, we show the first direct evidence of reversible stress-induced martensitic transformation in granular materials. We additionally discuss the mechanism for martensite nucleation and growth in granular packings and show how that leads to the observed transformation characteristics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Lattice and magnetic structure in the van der Waals antiferromagnet VBr 3

Here, we report a comprehensive investigation of the lattice and magnetic structure in van der Waals antiferromagnet VBr 3 , characterized by a BiI 3 -type structure at room temperature. Neutron diffraction experiments were performed on both polycrystalline and single-crystalline VBr 3 samples, revealing clear magnetic Bragg peaks emerging below the Néel temperature of T N =26.5 K. These magnetic Bragg peaks can be indexed by k=(0, 0.5, 1) in hexagonal notation. Our refinement analysis suggests that the antiferromagnetic order in VBr 3 manifests as a zigzag structure. Moreover, we observed peak splitting for nuclear Bragg peaks in the HK plane below the structure transition temperature of T S =90.4 K, indicating the breaking of threefold symmetry within the ab plane.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2017

The influence of the concentration of Sr ions on the crystal and magnetic structures of Ba{sub 2} –{sub x}Sr{sub x}FeMoO{sub 6} double perovskites (x = 0–1.6)

The crystal and magnetic structures of a solid solution of double perovskite Ba{sub 2–} {sub x}Sr{sub x}FeMoO{sub 6} (x = 0–1.6) have been investigated by neutron diffraction. The high-resolution diffraction patterns have provided precise information about the changes in the crystal and magnetic structures with an increase in the strontium content and data on the behavior of the sample microstructure. Replacement of barium with strontium leads to a change in the lattice symmetry from cubic (x = 0, sp. gr. Fm3̄m)) to tetragonal (x = 0.4, sp. gr. I4/m). At x = 1.0, the symmetry is either tetragonal (sp. gr. I4/m) or orthorhombic (sp. gr. Fmmm), and at x = 1.6 the symmetry becomes again tetragonal (sp. gr. I4/m). The values of the Curie temperature and microstrain increase with an increase in the strontium content.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

Load partitioning between the bcc-iron matrix and NiAl-type precipitates in a ferritic alloy on multiple length scales

An understanding of load sharing among constituent phases aids in designing mechanical properties of multiphase materials. Here we investigate load partitioning between the body-centered-cubic iron matrix and NiAl-type precipitates in a ferritic alloy during uniaxial tensile tests at 364 and 506 C on multiple length scales by in situ neutron diffraction and crystal plasticity finite element modeling. Our findings show that the macroscopic load-transfer efficiency is not as high as that predicted by the Eshelby model; moreover, it depends on the matrix strain-hardening behavior. We explain the grain-level anisotropic load-partitioning behavior by considering the plastic anisotropy of the matrix and elastic anisotropy of precipitates. We further demonstrate that the partitioned load on NiAl-type precipitates relaxes at 506 C, most likely through thermally-activated dislocation rearrangement on the microscopic scale. Furthermore, the study contributes to further understanding of load-partitioning characteristics in multiphase materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Liquid structure and temperature invariance of sound velocity in supercooled Bi melt

Structural rearrangement of liquid Bi in the vicinity of the melting point has been proposed due to the unique temperature invariant sound velocity observed above the melting temperature, the low symmetry of Bi in the solid phase and the necessity of overheating to achieve supercooling. The existence of this structural rearrangement is examined by measurements on supercooled Bi. The sound velocity of liquid Bi was measured into the supercooled region to high accuracy and it was found to be invariant over a temperature range of ∼60°, from 35° above the melting point to ∼25° into the supercooled region. The structural origin of this phenomenon was explored by neutron diffraction structural measurements in the supercooled temperature range. These measurements indicate a continuous modification of the short range order in the melt. The structure of the liquid is analyzed within a quasi-crystalline model and is found to evolve continuously, similar to other known liquid pnictide systems. The results are discussed in the context of two competing hypotheses proposed to explain properties of liquid Bi near the melting: (i) liquid bismuth undergoes a structural rearrangement slightly above melting and (ii) liquid Bi exhibits a broad maximum in the sound velocity located incidentally at the melting temperature.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Structure of triple perovskite BaSr 2 MgTa 2 O 9 revisited

An experimental investigation of the structure and crystal-chemistry of the triple perovskite BaSr 2 MgTa 2 O 9 is reported. Polycrystalline BaSr 2 MgTa 2 O 9 was synthesized via solid-state reaction and its structure quantitatively probed at 10 and 300 ​K using neutron diffraction. Monoclinic (A2/m, a 0 $\bar{b}$ – $b$ – ) and trigonal structural models (P$\bar{3}$c1, a – a – a – ) were fit to diffraction data. The former was found to correctly reproduce experimental intensities, while the latter failed to do so. This difference is attributed to the ability of the monoclinic model to accurately reflect octahedral tilting. BaSr 2 MgTa 2 O 9 features corner-sharing MgO 6 and TaO 6 octahedra with barium and strontium cations occupying cubooctahedral holes. Barium and strontium are disordered over the A site, whereas B site cations magnesium and tantalum are ordered. Finally, chemical substitution of strontium for barium in Ba 3 MgTa 2 O 9 induces tilting of MgO 6 and TaO 6 octahedra in two directions and geometric distortions of MgO 6 octahedra.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Magnetic structure and domain conversion of the quasi-2D frustrated antiferromagnet CuCrO{sub 2} probed by NMR

We have carried out {sup 63,65}Cu NMR spectra measurements in a magnetic field up to about 15.5 T on a single crystal of the multiferroic triangular-lattice antiferromagnet CuCrO{sub 2}. The measurements were performed for perpendicular and parallel orientations of the magnetic field with respect to the c axis of the crystal, and the detailed angle dependence of the spectra on the magnetic field direction in the ab plane was studied. The shape of the spectra can be well described in the model of spiral spin structure proposed by recent neutron diffraction experiments. When the field is rotated perpendicular to the crystal c axis, we observed, directly for the first time, a remarkable reorientation of the spin plane simultaneous with rotation of the incommensurate wavevector, by quantitatively deducing the conversion of the energetically less favorable domain to a more favorable one. At high enough fields parallel to the c axis, the data are consistent with either a field-induced commensurate spiral magnetic structure or an incommensurate spiral magnetic structure with a disorder in the c direction, suggesting that high fields may have influence on interplanar ordering.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2018

Structure and Properties of SiO{sub x} Films Prepared by Chemical Etching of Amorphous Alloy Ribbons

The structure and the physical properties of amorphous SiO{sub x} films prepared by chemical etching of an iron-based amorphous ribbon alloy have been studied. The neutron diffraction and also the atomicforce and electron microscopy show that the prepared visually transparent films have amorphous structure, exhibit dielectric properties, and their morphology is similar to that of opals. The samples have been studied by differential scanning calorimetry, Raman and IR spectroscopy before and after their heat treatment. It is found that annealing of the films in air at a temperature of 1273 K leads to a change in their chemical compositions: an amorphous SiO{sub 2} compound with inclusions of SiO{sub 2} nanocrystals (crystobalite) forms.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2020

Canted Eu magnetic structure in EuMnSb 2

Magnetic ordering breaks the time-reversal symmetry, greatly impacting material topological properties. Here, we report the investigation of the magnetic properties of the layered EuMnSb 2 , which has two sets of magnetic sublattices. Both the magnetization and electrical resistivity reveal two phase transitions with one at T N,Eu ~21K and the other at T N,Mn ~346K. Single crystal neutron diffraction refinement indicates that both transitions are originated from magnetic ordering. Below T N,Mn , the Mn sublattice forms the C-type antiferromagnetic (AFM) structure with moments [(4.5±0.6)μB at 7 K] pointing along the a axis. Below T N,Eu , the Eu sublattice forms the canted A-type AFM structure with moments [(5.9±0.8)μB at 7 K] lying in the ac plane but pointing (41 ± 1)° away from the a axis. Quantitative analysis indicates that the spin-spin correlation length, while anisotropic, has long-range characteristic in all directions for both the Eu and Mn sublattices.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2019

Direct air capture of CO 2 – topological analysis of the experimental electron density (QTAIM) of the highly insoluble carbonate salt of a 2,6-pyridine-bis(iminoguanidine), (PyBIGH 2 )(CO 3 )(H 2 O) 4

Chemical bonding and all intermolecular interactions in the highly insoluble carbonate salt of a 2,6-pyridine-bis(iminoguanidine), (PyBIGH 2 )(CO 3 )(H 2 O) 4 , recently employed in the direct air capture of CO 2 via crystallization, have been analyzed within the framework of the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) based on the experimental electron density derived from X-ray diffraction data obtained at 20 K. Accurate hydrogen positions were included based on an analogous neutron diffraction study at 100 K. Topological features of the covalent bonds demonstrate the presence of multiple bonds of various orders within the PyBIGH 2 2+ cation. Strong hydrogen bonds define ribbons comprising carbonate anions and water molecules. These ribbons are linked to stacks of essentially planar dications via hydrogen bonds from the guanidinium moieties and an additional one to the pyridine nitrogen. The linking hydrogen bonds are approximately perpendicular to the anion–water ribbons. The observation of these putative interactions provided motivation to characterize them by topological analysis of the total electron density. Thus, all hydrogen bonds have been characterized by the properties of their (3,−1) bond critical points. Weaker interactions between the PyBIGH 2 2+ cations have similarly been characterized. Integrated atomic charges are also reported. A small amount of cocrystallized hydroxide ion (∼2%) was also detected in both the X-ray and neutron data, and included in the multipole model for the electron-density refinement. The small amount of additional H + required for charge balance was not detected in either the X-ray or the neutron data. The results are discussed in the context of the unusually low aqueous solubility of (PyBIGH 2 )(CO 3 )(H 2 O) 4 and its ability to sequester atmospheric CO 2 .

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Temperature-dependent elastic anisotropy and mesoscale deformation in a nanostructured ferritic alloy

Nanostructured ferritic alloys (NFA) are a new class of ultrafine-grained oxide dispersion-strengthened steels, promising for service in extreme environments of high temperature and high irradiation in the next-generation of nuclear reactors. This is owing to the remarkable stability of their complex microstructures containing a high density of Y-Ti-O nanoclusters within grains and along the grain boundaries. While nanoclusters have been recognized to be the primary contributor to the exceptional resistance to irradiation and high-temperature creep, very little is known about the mechanical roles of the polycrystalline grains that constitute the bulk ferritic matrix. Here we report the mesoscale characterization of anisotropic responses of the ultrafine NFA grains to tensile stresses at various temperatures using the state-of-the-art in situ neutron diffraction. We show the first experimental determination of temperature-dependent single-crystal elastic constants for the NFA, and reveal a strong temperature-dependent elastic anisotropy due to a sharp decrease in the shear stiffness constant [c'=(c_11-c_12)/2] when a critical temperature ( T_c ) is approached, indicative of elastic softening and instability of the ferritic matrix. We also show, from anisotropy-induced intergranular strain/stress accumulations, that a common dislocation slip mechanism operates at the onset of yielding for low temperatures, while there is a deformation crossover from low-temperature lattice hardening to high temperature lattice softening in response to extensive plastic deformation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Magnetic phase transition, magnetoresistance, and anomalous Hall effect in Ga-substituted Y Mn 6 Sn 6 with a ferromagnetic kagome lattice

The HfFe 6 Ge 6- type RMn 6 Sn 6 , a metallic system consisting of ferromagnetic kagome planes of Mn, has been recently shown to be a candidate hosting topological electronic properties. In this paper, we report magnetic and electronic properties in Y Mn 6 Sn 6-x Ga x single crystals via magnetic susceptibility, electrical transport, and single-crystal neutron diffraction measurements. We show that the magnetic ground state of Y Mn 6 Sn 6-x Ga x (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.61 ) evolves from incommensurate antiferromagnet to ferromagnet with increasing Ga substitution x, a feature which is accompanied by the decrease in magnetoresistance. Furthermore, the topological Hall effect observed in the pristine compound is absent in the Ga-substituted ones; instead, the anomalous Hall effect persists which may be associated with the Berry curvature of gapped Dirac bands near the Fermi energy. These results suggest strong correlation between electronic properties and magnetism in this topological magnet that can be readily tuned via Ga substitution.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2024

Noncoplanar magnetic order in the breathing kagome lattice compound Pb⁡(OF)⁢Cu 3 ⁢(SeO 3 ) 2⁢ (NO 3 )

We report a comprehensive study investigating the magnetic ordering properties of the quasi-two-dimensional breathing kagome lattice compound Pb⁡(OF)⁢Cu 3 ⁢(SeO 3 ) 2 ⁢(NO 3 ) using neutron diffraction and thermodynamic measurements. A long-range magnetic order emerges below the Néel temperature, T N = 18K, characterized by a propagating vector k = (0,0,1.5). Refinement analysis reveals that the copper moments display a noncoplanar arrangement, with the c components parallelly aligned within the breathing kagome plane and antiparallelly aligned between the layers. In-plane moment components form a chiral “tail-chase” structure. The magnetic order is quickly suppressed under moderate external fields applied both within and perpendicular to the kagome plane. Potential magnetic interactions that may be associated with the noncoplanar chiral magnetic structure are discussed.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2020

Stacking Faults and Short-Range Magnetic Correlations in Single Crystal Y 5 Ru 2 O 12 : A Structure with Ru +4.5 One-Dimensional Chains

In this paper, the synthesis, structure, and physical properties of Y 5 Ru 2 O 12 , a new member of the Ln 5 B 2 O 12 class (Ln = lanthanide, B = Ru, Re, Mo) are reported. Single crystals of Y 5 Ru 2 O 12 are synthesized using a high-temperature, high-pressure (700 °C, 200 MPa) hydrothermal method. The structure features edge-sharing Ru—O—Ru 1D chains of distorted RuO6 octahedra. The YO n (n = 6 and 7) polyhedral groups bridge Ru—O—Ru chains across the unit cell by forming a complex 3D structure. The Ru—O—Ru chains contain alternating shorter and longer Ru—Ru distances along the chain. Single crystal neutron diffraction shows streak-like diffuse scattering along the H-direction, due to stacking faults. Temperature-dependent anisotropic magnetic measurements reveal a broad feature over a wide temperature range, with a maximum at ≈70 K indicating potential short-range ordering, with canted antiferromagnetic behavior below 30 K. The dominant magnetic interactions are antiferromagnetic with a large negative Weiss temperature θ ≈ –200 K. The compound has an effective magnetic moment that is anomalously large for this class of compounds (≈4 μ B Ru –1 ), and a phenomenological spin Hamiltonian describing the unusual anisotropic magnetization of Y 5 Ru 2 O 12 is proposed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Role of superexchange interactions in the ferromagnetism of manganites

Compound La{sub 0.7}Sr{sub 0.3}Mn{sub 0.85}Nb{sub 0.15}O{sub 3}, in which manganese ions are in an oxidation state close to 3+, are studied by neutron diffraction and magnetic measurements. This compound is shown to be a ferromagnet with T{sub C} = 145 K and a magnetic moment of 3.1 μ{sub B}/Mn at T = 10 K. No signs of cooperative orbital ordering are detected. When Mg{sup 2+} ions substitute for some Nb{sup 5+} ions, Mn{sup 4+} ions appear but ferromagnetism is not enhanced. An increase in the structural distortions leads to a decrease in the ferromagnetic component. The ferromagnetic state is assumed to be caused by substantial hybridization of the e{sub g} orbitals of manganese and oxygen, which increases the positive part of the superexchange interactions.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗