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At least 1,549 records · Page 86
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

KNN–NTK composite lead-free piezoelectric ceramic

A (K,Na)NbO₃-based lead-free piezoelectric ceramic was successfully densified. It exhibited an enhanced electromechanical coupling factor of kₚ=0.52, a piezoelectric constant d₃₃=252 pC/N, and a frequency constant Nₚ=3170 Hz m because of the incorporation of an elaborate secondary phase composed primarily of KTiNbO₅. The ceramic's nominal composition was 0.92K₀.₄₂Na₀.₄₄Ca₀.₀₄Li₀.₀₂Nb₀.₈₅O₃–0.047K₀.₈₅Ti₀.₈₅Nb₁.₁₅O₅–0.023BaZrO₃ –0.0017Co₃O₄–0.002Fe₂O₃–0.005ZnO, abbreviated herein as KNN–NTK composite. The KNN–NTK ceramic exhibited a dense microstructure with few microvoids which significantly degraded its piezoelectric properties. Elemental maps recorded using transmission electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (TEM–EDS) revealed regions of high concentrations of Co and Zn inside the NTK phase. In addition, X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed that a small portion of the NTK phase was converted into K₂(Ti,Nb,Co,Zn)₆O₁₃ or CoZnTiO₄ by a possible reaction between Co and Zn solutes and the NTK phase during a programmed sintering schedule. TEM studies also clarified a distortion around the KNN/NTK interfaces. Such an NTK phase filled voids between KNN particles, resulting in an improved chemical stability of the KNN ceramic. The manufacturing process was subsequently scaled to 100 kg per batch for granulated ceramic powder using a spray-drying technique. The properties of the KNN–NTK composite ceramic produced using the scaled-up method were confirmed to be identical to those of the ceramic prepared by conventional solid-state reaction sintering. Consequently, slight changes in the NTK phase composition and the distortion around the KNN/NTK interfaces affected the KNN–NTK composite ceramic's piezoelectric characteristics.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

Improved thermoelectric performance of n-type Ca and Ca-Ce filled skutterudites

Thermoelectric (TE) technology for use in automotive waste heat recovery is being advanced by General Motors with support from the US Department of Energy. Skutterudites are a very promising material for this application of TE technology due to their superior mechanical properties and good TE performance. Double-filled Yb{sub x}Ba{sub y}Co{sub 4}Sb{sub 12} with ZT values around 1.1 at 750 K are the best performing n-type skutterudites produced on a large scale using an economically viable approach of melt spinning (MS) in conjunction with spark plasma sintering (SPS). Another economical production method on the tons scale, the melt quench annealing (MQA) technique, has been recently claimed by Treibacher Industrie AG, further information is available [G. Rogl et al., Acta Mater. 76, 434–448 (2014)]. A possible hurdle to commercial implementation of these materials is the use of rare earths as the fillers to reduce thermal conductivity and improve the electrical transport properties. It will be shown herein that skutterudites double-filled with Ca and Ce, both of which are lower-cost fillers, display markedly different TE properties depending on whether they are produced by MQA or MS + SPS synthesis techniques. Ca and Ce double-filled skutterudites prepared by MS + SPS have TE properties that are superior to the same compositions prepared by MQA and that are comparable to the best performing Yb and Ba filled materials. Furthermore, the results of this study suggest that the unusually poor transport properties of MQA Ca-filled skutterudites can be ascribed to deleterious secondary phases, which is contrary to reports in the literature attempting to explain these irregularities via band structure features.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Production of Ni-Cr-Ti-natural fibres composite and investigation of mechanical properties

Intermetallic materials such as Ni{sub 2}Ti, Cr{sub 2}Ti are among advanced technology materials that have outstanding mechanical and physical properties for high temperature applications. Especially creep resistance, low density and high hardness properties stand out in such intermetallics. The microstructure, mechanical properties of (%50Ni-%48Cr-%2Ti)-%10Naturel Fibres and (%64Ni-%32Cr-%4Ti)-%10Naturel Fibres powders were investigated using specimens produced by tube furnace sintering at 1000-1200-1400°C temperature. A composite consisting of ternary additions, a metallic phase, Ti,Cr and Ni have been prepared under Ar shroud and then tube furnace sintered. XRD, SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope), were investigated to characterize the properties of the specimens. Experimental results carried out for composition (%64Ni-%32Cr-%4Ti)-%10Naturel at 1400°C suggest that the best properties as 112.09HV and 5,422g/cm{sup 3} density were obtained at 1400°C.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Submicron cubic boron nitride as hard as diamond

Here, we report the sintering of aggregated submicron cubic boron nitride (sm-cBN) at a pressure of 8 GPa. The sintered cBN compacts exhibit hardness values comparable to that of single crystal diamond, fracture toughness about 5-fold that of cBN single crystal, in combination with a high oxidization temperature. Thus, another way has been demonstrated to improve the mechanical properties of cBN besides reducing the grain size to nano scale. In contrast to other ultrahard compacts with similar hardness, the sm-cBN aggregates are better placed for potential industrial application, as their relative low pressure manufacturing perhaps be easier and cheaper.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Assessment of retrogression and re-aging treatment on microstructural and mechanical properties of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu P/M alloy

In order to understand the importance of the retrogression and re-aging as a heat treatment for improving microstructural and mechanical properties of the Al-Zn-Mg-Cu powder metallurgy alloys, Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Fe-Cr alloys were fabricated from the elemental powders. Green compacts are compressed under compaction pressure about 370 MPa. The sintering process carried out for the samples of aluminum alloys at temperature was 650°C under argon atmosphere for two hours. The sintered compacts were subjected into homogenizing condition at 470°C for 1.5 hours and then aged at 120°C for 24 hours (T6 temper) after that it carried out the retrogressed at 180°C for 30 min., and then re-aged at 120°C for 24 hours (RRA). Observations microstructures were examined using optical, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Density and porosity content was conducted for the samples of alloys. The result showing that the highest Vickers hardness exhibited for an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy after underwent the retrogression and reaging treatment. Increasing in hardness was because of the precipitation hardening through precipitate the (Mg Zn) and (Mg{sub 2}Zn{sub 11}) phases during matrix of aluminum-alloy.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Effect of structural phase transformation in FeGaO{sub 3} on its magnetic and ferroelectric properties

We investigate the structural phase transformation from orthorhombic to rhombohedral structure in FeGaO{sub 3} by adopting a combined effect of mechanical alloying/milling and solid state sintering techniques. The structural phase formation of the FeGaO{sub 3} compound has been characterized by X-ray diffraction pattern. Mechanical milling played a significant role on the stabilization of rhombohedral phase in FeGaO{sub 3}, where as high temperature sintering stabilized the system in orthorhombic phase. A considerable difference has been observed in magnetic and ferroelectric properties of the system in two phases. The system in rhombohedral (R-3c) phase exhibited better ferromagnetic and of ferroelectric properties at room temperature in comparison to orthorhombic (Pc2{sub 1}n) phase. The rhombohedral phase appears to be good for developing metal doped hematite system for spintronics applications and in that process mechanical milling played an important role.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Effect of heat treatment on structural and Mössbauer spectroscopic properties of coprecipitated Mn{sub 0.5}Ni{sub 0.5}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} ferrite nanoparticles

Results obtained in a systamatic study by X-ray diffraction and Mösssbauer spectroscopy on the structural and magnetic properties on Mn{sub 0.5}Ni{sub 0.5}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} ferrite nanoparticles heat treated at 200 °C, 500 °C and 800 °C are reported. Average crystallite sizes are estimated to be in the range (2.6nm – 12.8nm). It is observed that crystallite sizes increase with increase in sintering temperature and random variation in lattice parameter was observed. At relatively low sintering temperatures the samples exhibit superparamagnetism and complete ferrite phase was observed at higher heat treatment.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Effect of aluminum substitution on structural and electromagnetic properties of nanocrystalline MgCuMn ferrites

The effect of substitution of nonmagnetic Al{sup 3+} ions on the structural and electromagnetic properties were studied in nanocrystalline ferrite series of Mg{sub 0.8}Cu{sub 0.2}Al{sub x}Fe{sub 1.95-x}Mn{sub 0.05}O{sub 4} where x varies 0-0.4 in steps of 0.1. This series was synthesized by using microwave hydrothermal method. The nanocrystalline ferrite phase was observed at temperature 150°C/40 min. Synthesized powders were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The synthesized powders were densified using microwave sintering method at 950°C/40 min. The sintered samples were characterized using XRD. Surface morphology was observed by using field effective scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The electrical and magnetic properties were measured at room temperature. These results led us to interfere that the values of d.c resistivity increases and dielectric constant, initial permeability, saturation magnetization and Curie temperature were observed to be decreased with the substitution of Al{sup 3+} ions with those of Fe{sup 3+}. The low dielectric and magnetic losses and low magnetization exhibited by aluminum substituted MgCuMn ferrites makes them find applications in microwave devices.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

A novel process route for the production of spherical SLS polymer powders

Currently, rapid prototyping gradually is transferred to additive manufacturing opening new applications. Especially selective laser sintering (SLS) is promising. One drawback is the limited choice of polymer materials available as optimized powders. Powders produced by cryogenic grinding show poor powder flowability resulting in poor device quality. Within this account we present a novel process route for the production of spherical polymer micron-sized particles of good flowability. The feasibility of the process chain is demonstrated for polystyrene e. In a first step polymer microparticles are produced by a wet grinding method. By this approach the mean particle size and the particle size distribution can be tuned between a few microns and several 10 microns. The applicability of this method will be discussed for different polymers and the dependencies of product particle size distribution on stressing conditions and process temperature will be outlined. The comminution products consist of microparticles of irregular shape and poor powder flowability. An improvement of flowability of the ground particles is achieved by changing their shape: they are rounded using a heated downer reactor. The influence of temperature profile and residence time on the product properties will be addressed applying a viscous-flow sintering model. To further improve the flowability of the cohesive spherical polymer particles nanoparticles are adhered onto the microparticles’ surface. The improvement of flowability is remarkable: rounded and dry-coated powders exhibit a strongly reduced tensile strength as compared to the comminution product. The improved polymer powders obtained by the process route proposed open new possibilities in SLS processing including the usage of much smaller polymer beads.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Electric field-induced softening of alkali silicate glasses

Motivated by the advantages of two-electrode flash sintering over normal sintering, we have investigated the effect of an external electric field on the viscosity of glass. The results show remarkable electric field-induced softening (EFIS), as application of DC field significantly lowers the softening temperature of glass. To establish the origin of EFIS, the effect is compared for single vs. mixed-alkali silicate glasses with fixed mole percentage of the alkali ions such that the mobility of alkali ions is greatly reduced while the basic network structure does not change much. The sodium silicate and lithium-sodium mixed alkali silicate glasses were tested mechanically in situ under compression in external electric field ranging from 0 to 250 V/cm in specially designed equipment. A comparison of data for different compositions indicates a complex mechanical response, which is observed as field-induced viscous flow due to a combination of Joule heating, electrolysis and dielectric breakdown.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Review of selective laser melting: Materials and applications

Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is a particular rapid prototyping, 3D printing, or Additive Manufacturing (AM) technique designed to use high power-density laser to melt and fuse metallic powders. A component is built by selectively melting and fusing powders within and between layers. The SLM technique is also commonly known as direct selective laser sintering, LaserCusing, and direct metal laser sintering, and this technique has been proven to produce near net-shape parts up to 99.9% relative density. This enables the process to build near full density functional parts and has viable economic benefits. Recent developments of fibre optics and high-power laser have also enabled SLM to process different metallic materials, such as copper, aluminium, and tungsten. Similarly, this has also opened up research opportunities in SLM of ceramic and composite materials. The review presents the SLM process and some of the common physical phenomena associated with this AM technology. It then focuses on the following areas: (a) applications of SLM materials and (b) mechanical properties of SLM parts achieved in research publications. The review is not meant to put a ceiling on the capabilities of the SLM process but to enable readers to have an overview on the material properties achieved by the SLM process so far. Trends in research of SLM are also elaborated in the last section.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Thermoelectric properties of p-type PbTe/Ag{sub 2}Te bulk composites by extrinsic phase mixing

We investigated the thermoelectric properties of PbTe/Ag{sub 2}Te bulk composites, synthesized by hand milling, mixing, and hot press sintering. From x-ray diffraction and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy measurements, we observed Ag{sub 2}Te phase separation in the PbTe matrix without Ag atom diffusion. In comparison with previously reported pseudo-binary (PbTe){sub 1−x}(Ag{sub 2}Te){sub x} composites, synthesized by high temperature phase separation, the PbTe/Ag{sub 2}Te bulk composites fabricated with a low temperature phase mixing process give rise to p-type conduction of carriers with significantly decreased electrical conductivity. This indicates that Ag atom diffusion in the PbTe matrix changes the sign of the Seebeck coefficient to n-type and also increases the carrier concentration. Effective p-type doping with low temperature phase separation by mixing and hot press sintering can enhance the thermoelectric performance of PbTe/Ag{sub 2}Te bulk composites, which can be used as a p-type counterpart of n-type (PbTe){sub 1−x}(Ag{sub 2}Te){sub x} bulk composites.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Magnetic and dielectric characterization of Co{sub 0.9}Ni{sub 0.1}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} prepared by hydroxide co-precipitation method

Co{sub 1–x} Ni{sub x}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} (where x=0.1) were prepared by using the hydroxide co-precipitation method. An obtained precipitate was sintered at 1100°C by microwave sintering technique. The structural analysis confirms the single-phase cubic spinel structure with Fd-3m space group. The magnetic characterization was carried out at temperature 300K.Saturation magnetisation and coercivity is 77.22 and 908 Oe. Irreversibility is observed between the ZFC and FC curves at 100 Oe. The variation in the dielectric constant and loss tangent are studied at room temperature with increasing frequency. Continues decrease in the the dielectric constant with increasing frequency shows inverse dependence on frequency. Morphological and elemental studies were done by using the scanning electron microscope with EDAX.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Structural and electrical properties of T′-type Ln{sub 2}CuO{sub 4} (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu and Gd) ceramics

T′-type Ln{sub 2}CuO{sub 4} (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu and Gd) were successfully synthesized in phase pure form using conventional solid state reaction and sintering route. For all the Ln{sub 2}CuO{sub 4} samples, the solid state reaction temperature was found to be 950 °C and pure phase was realized only after 2-3 intermediate milling and solid state reaction cycles, irrespective of the lanthanide ion radius. Effect of lanthanide ion contraction on the structural properties was clearly revealed by the powder X-ray diffraction, with the XRD peaks observed to be shifting towards higher 2θ values with the decrease in Ln ionic radii. The optimum sintering temperature of these solid state reacted Ln{sub 2}CuO{sub 4} powder was found to be 1100 °C except for Pr{sub 2}CuO{sub 4} powder. The conductivity of these samples were tested over a wide temperature range (−100 to 150 °C), an anomaly was observed in the conductivity of all the Ln{sub 2}CuO{sub 4} samples near the antiferromagnetic ordering temperature of Cu (~ 30 °C), thus suggesting the bearing of ordering of magnetic moments on the electrical properties.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

Microstructural changes in NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} ceramics prepared with powders derived from different fuels in sol-gel auto-combustion technique

Structural properties of Nickel ferrite (NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}) ceramics prepared from powders derived from sol gel auto-combustion method using different fuels (citric acid, glycine and Dl-alanine) are compared. Changes in the structural properties at different sintering temperatures are investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirms the formation of single phase material with cubic structure. Ceramics prepared using the different powders obtained from different fuels show that that there are no significant changes in lattice parameters. However increasing sintering temperatures show significant improvement in density and grain size. The DL-alanine fuel is found to be the most effective fuel for producing NIFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} powders by the sol-gel auto combustion method and yields highly crystalline powders in the as-burnt stage itself at a low temperature (80 °C). Subsequent use of the powders in ceramic manufacturing produces dense NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} ceramics with a uniform microstructure and a large grain size.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

Synthesis of dense nano cobalt-hydroxyapatite by modified electroless deposition technique

Cobalt-hydroxyapatite (Co-HA) composites was successfully prepared by simple electroless deposition process of Co on the surface of hydroxyapatite (HA) particles. Co deposition was carried out in an alkaline bath with sodium hypophosphite as a reducing agent. The electroless process was carried out without sensitization and activation steps. The deposition of Co onto HA was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The Co-HA composite powder was compacted and sintered at 1250°C. The Co particles were homogeneously dispersed in the HA matrix after sintering and the mechanical properties of composites was enhanced to 100 % with 3 % wt Co and gradually decreased at higher Co content.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

THE ONSET OF DIFFERENTIATION AND INTERNAL EVOLUTION: THE CASE OF 21 LUTETIA

Asteroid 21 Lutetia, seen by the Rosetta spacecraft, plays a crucial role in the reconstruction of primordial phases of planetary objects. Its high bulk density and its primitive chondritic crust suggest that Lutetia could be partially differentiated. We developed a numerical code, also used for studying the geophysical history of Vesta, to explore several scenarios of internal evolution of Lutetia. These scenarios differ in the strength of their radiogenic sources and in their global post-sintering porosity. The only significant heat source for partial differentiation is {sup 26}Al; the other possible sources ({sup 60}Fe, accretion, and differentiation) are negligible. In scenarios in which Lutetia completed its accretion in less than 0.7 Myr from the injection of {sup 26}Al in the solar nebula and for post-sintering values of macroporosity not exceeding 30% by volume, the asteroid experienced only partial differentiation. The formation of the proto-core, a structure enriched in metals and also containing pristine silicates, requires 1-4 Myr and the size of the proto-core varies from 6-30 km.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Reliability of emerging bonded interface materials for large-area attachments

In this study, conventional thermal interface materials (TIMs), such as greases, gels, and phase change materials, pose bottlenecks to heat removal and have long caused reliability issues in automotive power electronics packages. Bonded interface materials (BIMs) with superior thermal performance have the potential to be a replacement to the conventional TIMs. However, due to coefficient of thermal expansion mismatches between different components in a package and resultant thermomechanical stresses, fractures or delamination could occur, causing serious reliability concerns. These defects manifest themselves in increased thermal resistance in the package. In this paper, the results of reliability evaluation of emerging BIMs for large-area attachments in power electronics packaging are reported. Thermoplastic (polyamide) adhesive with embedded near-vertical-aligned carbon fibers, sintered silver, and conventional lead solder (Sn 63 Pb 37 ) materials were bonded between 50.8 mm x 50.8 mm cross-sectional footprint silicon nitride substrates and copper base plate samples, and were subjected to accelerated thermal cycling until failure or 2500 cycles. Damage in the BIMs was monitored every 100 cycles by scanning acoustic microscopy. Thermoplastic with embedded carbon fibers performed the best with no defects, whereas sintered silver and lead solder failed at 2300 and 1400 thermal cycles, respectively. Besides thermal cycling, additional lead solder samples were subjected to thermal shock and thermal cycling with extended dwell periods. A finite element method (FEM)-based model was developed to simulate the behavior of lead solder under thermomechanical loading. Strain energy density per cycle results were calculated from the FEM simulations. A predictive lifetime model was formulated for lead solder by correlating strain energy density results extracted from modeling with cycles-to-failure obtained from experimental accelerated tests. A power-law-based approach was used to formulate the - redictive lifetime model.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗