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At least 1,621 records · Page 90

Impact wear of iron rich superalloys

The impact-sliding wear resistance of chill cast and aligned eutectic Fe-base superalloys against M42 and 17-4 PH steel counterface materials is examined. The aligned material tests were run with carbide fibers perpendicular to the counterface contact surface and the characterization focused on fracture processes as observed in the subsurface microstructure of the worn materials. Metallographic analyses were performed on specimens exposed to various numbers of repetitive impact load cycles, and for comparison, two other aligned composites were tested with the same fiber orientation under identical test conditions against hardened M42 tool steel. A strong improvement was found in wear resistance of an aligned eutectic structure as compared to the corresponding randomized chill cast structure. Experiments with the softer 17-4 counterface were characterized by transfer onto the Fe-base superalloy, and the cracks formed were oriented transverse to the relative sliding direction and occurred in a periodic fashion. Observations in subsurface regions of the worn materials indicated crack intergranularity with an occasional transgranular fracture of the M7C3 carbide phase.

Wayne, S. F.↗

Grain boundary scavenging through reactive sintering of strontium and iron in samarium doped ceria electrolyte for ITSOFC applications

Highlights: • Addition of iron and strontium to Samarium doped ceria by combustion method and sintered at 1000 °C, 1200 °C, 1300 °C. • Viscous phase sintering of iron at 1200 °C modified to reactive sintering of iron and strontium at 1300 °C. • Grain boundary activation energy lowered without compensating the grain activation energy. • The highest scavenging factor of 10.52 with the lowest activation energy of 1.02eV was achieved. - Abstract: Lowering the operational temperature of ceria based electrolytes is important for commercialization of solid oxide fuel cells. Here, we report the effect of iron, strontium and iron/strontium co-addition in samarium (20 mol %) doped ceria (SDC) with respect to sintering, microstructural modifications and ionic conductivity. The nanoparticle synthesized through glycine-nitrate combustion method was sintered at 1000, 1200 and 1300 °C. An increase in density was observed in iron doped SDC due to viscous flow sintering while co-addition of strontium and iron lead to the reactive sintering at 1300 °C by forming a eutectic liquid phase which resulted in the density of 99%. The presence of iron and strontium generated a compensatory tensile strain in the lattice and an enhancement in oxygen vacancy concentration which resulted in higher ionic conductivity. Co-addition of strontium and iron in SDC, not only increases the density but also reduces the activation energy for grain boundary conductivity.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Temperature-Dependent Reaction Pathways in FeS 2 : Reversibility and the Electrochemical Formation of Fe 3 S 4

The present study has used a variety of characterization techniques to determine the products and reaction pathways involved in the rechargeable Li–FeS 2 system. We revisit both the initial lithiation and subsequent cycling of FeS 2 employing an ionic liquid electrolyte to investigate the intermediate and final charge products formed under varying thermal conditions (room temperature to 100 °C). The detection of Li 2 S and hexagonal FeS as the intermediate phases in the initial lithiation and the electrochemical formation of greigite, Fe 3 S 4 , as a charge product in the rechargeable reaction differ significantly from previous reports. The conditions for Fe 3 S 4 formation are shown to be dependent on both the temperature (~60 °C) and the availability of sulfur to drive a FeS to Fe 3 S 4 transformation. Upon further cycling, Fe 3 S 4 transforms to a lower sulfur content iron sulfide phase, a process which coincides with the loss of sulfur based on the new reaction pathways established in this work. The connection between sulfur loss, capacity fade, and charge product composition highlights the critical need to retain sulfur in the active material upon cycling.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Penetration depth and absorption mechanisms of spin currents in Ir{sub 20}Mn{sub 80} and Fe{sub 50}Mn{sub 50} polycrystalline films by ferromagnetic resonance and spin pumping

Spintronics relies on the spin dependent transport properties of ferromagnets (Fs). Although antiferromagnets (AFs) are used for their magnetic properties only, some fundamental F-spintronics phenomena like spin transfer torque, domain wall motion, and tunnel anisotropic magnetoresistance also occur with AFs, thus making AF-spintronics attractive. Here, room temperature critical depths and absorption mechanisms of spin currents in Ir{sub 20}Mn{sub 80} and Fe{sub 50}Mn{sub 50} are determined by F-resonance and spin pumping. In particular, we find room temperature critical depths originating from different absorption mechanisms: dephasing for Ir{sub 20}Mn{sub 80} and spin flipping for Fe{sub 50}Mn{sub 50}.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

The influence of Ga additions on electric and magnetic properties of Co{sub 47}Fe{sub 21}B{sub 21}Si{sub 5}Nb{sub 6} alloy in crystal and liquid states

The influence of small additions of gallium on electric resistivity and magnetic susceptibility of the bulk glass forming Co{sub 47}Fe{sub 20.9}B{sub 21.2}Si{sub 4.6}Nb{sub 6.3} alloy was studied in a wide temperature range up to 1830 K. Gallium atoms were found to increase resistivity but decrease susceptibility of the alloy. The suppositions about clusters surrounding Ga atoms in the melt and new GFA criterion are given.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Organic preservation of vase‐shaped microfossils from the late Tonian Chuar Group, Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA

Abstract Vase‐shaped microfossils (VSMs) are found globally in middle Neoproterozoic (800–730 Ma) marine strata and represent the earliest evidence for testate (shell‐forming) amoebozoans. VSM tests are hypothesized to have been originally organic in life but are most commonly preserved as secondary mineralized casts and molds. A few reports, however, suggest possible organic preservation. Here, we test the hypothesis that VSMs from shales of the lower Walcott Member of the Chuar Group, Grand Canyon, Arizona, contain original organic material, as reported by B. Bloeser in her pioneering studies of Chuar VSMs. We identified VSMs from two thin section samples of Walcott Member black shales in transmitted light microscopy and used scanning electron microscopy to image VSMs. Carbonaceous material is found within the internal cavity of all VSM tests from both samples and is interpreted as bitumen mobilized from Walcott shales likely during the Cretaceous. Energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) and wavelength dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (WDS) reveal that VSM test walls contain mostly carbon, iron, and sulfur, while silica is present only in the surrounding matrix. Raman spectroscopy was used to compare the thermal maturity of carbonaceous material within the samples and indicated the presence of pyrite and jarosite within fossil material. X‐ray absorption spectroscopy revealed the presence of reduced organic sulfur species within the carbonaceous test walls, the carbonaceous material found within test cavities, and in the sedimentary matrix, suggesting that organic matter sulfurization occurred within the Walcott shales. Our suite of spectroscopic analyses reveals that Walcott VSM test walls are organic and sometimes secondarily pyritized (with the pyrite variably oxidized to jarosite). Both preservation modes can occur at a millimeter spatial scale within sample material, and at times even within a single specimen. We propose that sulfurization within the Walcott Shales promoted organic preservation, and furthermore, the ratio of iron to labile VSM organic material controlled the extent of pyrite replacement. Based on our evidence, we conclude that the VSMs are preserved with original organic test material, and speculate that organic VSMs may often go unrecognized, given their light‐colored, translucent appearance in transmitted light.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

High-sensitivity in vivo contrast for ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging using superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners operating at ultra-low magnetic fields (ULF; <10 mT) are uniquely positioned to reduce the cost and expand the clinical accessibility of MRI. A fundamental challenge for ULF MRI is obtaining high-contrast images without compromising acquisition sensitivity to the point that scan times become clinically unacceptable. Here, we demonstrate that the high magnetization of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) at ULF makes possible relaxivity- and susceptibility-based effects unachievable with conventional contrast agents (CAs). We leverage these effects to acquire high-contrast images of SPIONs in a rat model with ULF MRI using short scan times. This work overcomes a key limitation of ULF MRI by enabling in vivo imaging of biocompatible CAs. These results open a new clinical translation pathway for ULF MRI and have broader implications for disease detection with low-field portable MRI scanners.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Trace Metal Uptake and Mercury Methylation by Sediments from a Stream in Tennessee

The formation and transport of methylmercury (MeHg), a neurotoxin, in aquatic environments is a global concern for human health as MeHg can bioaccumulate and biomagnify to high concentrations in aquatic food webs. MeHg is formed by conversion from inorganic mercury through microbial mediated methylation. Sulfate-reducing bacteria have been identified as the primary organisms responsible for MeHg production. Pure-culture studies suggest that low availability of cobalt and copper may inhibit mercury methylation, but whether such limitations occur in the environment is unclear. To explore the possible interaction between trace metal availability and mercury methylation, sediments from the East Fork Poplar Creek in Oak Ridge, Tennessee were sampled and then incubated in the presence and absence of added dissolved cobalt and copper. Three types of data are provided in this package. The first reports the uptake of dissolved cobalt and copper by these stream sediments on short time scales (24 hours) in the form of final dissolved and adsorbed concentrations. The second data component consists of a time series of dissolved concentrations and pH values for stream sediments incubated with artificial stream water containing different addition levels of dissolved cobalt or copper. The dissolved concentrations reported include total iron, manganese, sulfur, phosphorus, nickel, zinc and cobalt, dissolved concentrations of sulfate and orthophosphate, and the amount of cobalt or copper adsorbed by the sediment. The third data component reports data at 0 and 72 hours of incubation time for stream sediments to which cobalt was added. These data include concentrations of methylmercury with isotope labeling to enable determination of methylation and demethylation rates as well as dissolved concentrations of sulfate, phosphate, chloride, iron, cobalt, and organic carbon. All data are provided in text-based CSV format with header sections indicating the data contained in each file and the corresponding units. Note that "u" is used in place of Greek lower-case mu to indicate the micro prefix on units. A Table of Contents file (Data_package_TableofContents.txt) provides an index for the data contained in the individual files.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Gradient Plasticity Model and its Implementation into MARMOT

The influence of strain gradient on deformation behavior of nuclear structural materials, such as body-centered cubic (bcc) iron alloys has been investigated. We have developed and implemented a dislocation based strain gradient crystal plasticity material model. A mesoscale crystal plasticity model for inelastic deformation of metallic material, bcc steel, has been developed and implemented numerically. Continuum Dislocation Dynamics (CDD) with a novel constitutive law based on dislocation density evolution mechanisms was developed to investigate the deformation behaviors of single crystals, as well as polycrystalline materials by coupling CDD and crystal plasticity (CP). The dislocation density evolution law in this model is mechanism-based, with parameters measured from experiments or simulated with lower-length scale models, not an empirical law with parameters back-fitted from the flow curves.

continuous dislocation dynamics↗

Iodine adsorption on ion-exchange resins and activated carbons: batch testing

Iodine sorption onto seven resins and six carbon materials was evaluated using water from well 299-W19-36 on the Hanford Site. These materials were tested using a range of solution-to-solid ratios. The test results are as follows. The efficacy of the resin and granular activated carbon materials was less than predicted based on manufacturers’ performance data. It is hypothesized that this is due to the differences in speciation previously determined for Hanford groundwater. The sorption of iodine is affected by the iodine species in the source water. Iodine loading on resins using source water ranged from 1.47 to 1.70 µg/g with the corresponding K d values from 189.9 to 227.0 mL/g. The sorption values when the iodine is converted to iodide ranged from 2.75 to 5.90 µg/g with the corresponding K d values from 536.3 to 2979.6 mL/g. It is recommended that methods to convert iodine to iodide be investigated in fiscal year (FY) 2015. The chemicals used to convert iodine to iodate adversely affected the sorption of iodine onto the carbon materials. Using as-received source water, loading and K d values ranged from 1.47 to 1.70 µg/g and 189.8 to 226.3 mL/g respectively. After treatment, loading and K d values could not be calculated because there was little change between the initial and final iodine concentration. It is recommended the cause of the decrease in iodine sorption be investigated in FY15. In direct support of CH2M HILL Plateau Remediation Company, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has evaluated samples from within the 200W pump and treat bioreactors. As part of this analysis, pictures taken within the bioreactor reveal a precipitate that, based on physical properties and known aqueous chemistry, is hypothesized to be iron pyrite or chalcopyrite, which could affect iodine adsorption. It is recommended these materials be tested at different solution-to-solid ratios in FY15 to determine their effect on iodine sorption.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Physical design of magnetic shielding for LEReC cooling section

The goal of this note is to set basic parameters for the magnetic shielding of LEReC CS with required design attenuation. We considered physical design of magnetic shielding of LEReC cooling section. The schematic of this design along with the list of its basic parameters is shown. We are planning to use 2 layers of 1 mm thick cylindrical mu-metal shields with μ=11000. The radius of the first layer sitting on top of vacuum chamber is 63.5 mm. The second layer radius is 150 mm. Such shielding guarantees adequate transverse angles of electron beam trajectory in the CS.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

BISON Fuel Performance Analysis of IFA-796 Rod 3 & 4 and Investigation of the Impact of Fuel Creep

In order to improve the accident tolerance of light water reactor (LWR) fuel, alternative cladding materials have been proposed to replace the currently used zirconium (Zr)-based alloys. Of these materials, there is a particular focus on iron-chromiumaluminum (FeCrAl) alloys because they exhibit slower oxidation kinetics in high-temperature steam than Zr-alloys. This should decrease the energy release due to oxidation and slow cladding consumption in the presence of high temperature steam. These alloys should also exhibit increased “coping time” in the event of an accident scenario by improving the mechanical performance at high temperatures, allowing greater flexibility to achieve core cooling. As a continuation of the development of these alloys, in-reactor irradiation testing of FeCrAl cladded fuel rods has started. In order to provide insight on the possible behavior of these fuel rods as they undergo irradiation in the Halden Boiling Water Reactor, engineering analysis has been performed using FeCrAl material models implemented into the BISON fuel performance code. This milestone report provides an update on the ongoing development of modeling capability to predict FeCrAl cladding fuel performance and to provide an early look at the possible behavior of planned in-reactor FeCrAl cladding experiments. In particular, this report consists of two separate analyses. The first analysis consists of fuel performance simulations of IFA-796 rod 4 and two segments of rod 3. These simulations utilize previously implemented material models for the C35M FeCrAl alloy and UO2 to provide a bounding behavior analysis corresponding to variation of the initial fuel cladding gap thickness within the fuel rod. The second analysis is an assessment of the fuel and cladding stress states after modification of the fuel creep model that is currently implemented in the BISON fuel performance code. Effects from modifying the fuel creep model were identified for the BISON simulations of the IFA-796 rod 4 experiment, but show that varying the creep model (within the range investigated here) only provide a minimal increase in the fuel radius and maximum cladding hoop stress. Continued investigation of fuel behavioral models will include benchmarking the modified fuel creep model against available experimental data, as well as an investigation of the role that fuel cracking will play in the compliance of the fuel. Correctly calculating stress evolution in the fuel is key to assessing fuel behavior up to gap closure and the subsequent deformation of the cladding due to PCMI. The inclusion of frictional contact should also be investigated to determine the axial elongation of the fuel rods for comparison with data from this experiment.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) Accident Tolerant Fuels High Impact Problem: FeCrAl Modeling Capabilities

Iron-chromium-aluminum alloys are a potential candidate replacement for zirconium-based claddings in light water reactor fuel rods due to their increased strength (lower creep rates and higher yield stress) and slower oxidation kinetics with steam. Their larger neutron absorption cross-section necessitates thinner claddings and larger fuel pellets to maintain the same as-fabricated fuel-to-clad gap. The aggressive development schedule of the United States Department of Energy's (DOE) Advanced Fuels Campaign (AFC) to have potential accident tolerant fuels (ATF) concepts in lead test rods or assemblies by 2022 has necessitated the need for advanced modeling and simulation techniques to investigate the behavior of these materials under normal operating and accident conditions. This report presents the modeling capabilities for FeCrAl claddings at the engineering (continuum) scale developed as part of the Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) high impact problem (HIP). Sensitivity studies of select material parameters have been completed to determine their significance in predictions of important fuel performance parameters such as fuel centerline and surface temperatures, cladding stresses and strains, fission gas released, and rod internal pressure. Comparative analyses of FeCrAl and Zircaloy-4 claddings for separate effects conditions are presented.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

The Cu-Fe system

Temperature and concentration effects on electric resistance determined in Cu-Fe base alloys

ELECTRIC RESISTANCE↗

NASA-EPA automotive thermal reactor technology program

The status of the NASA-EPA automotive thermal reactor technology program is summarized. This program is concerned primarily with materials evaluation, reactor design, and combustion kinetics. From engine dynamometer tests of candidate metals and coatings, two ferritic iron alloys (GE 1541 and Armco 18-SR) and a nickel-base alloy (Inconel 601) offer promise for reactor use. None of the coatings evaluated warrant further consideration. Development studies on a ceramic thermal reactor appear promising based on initial vehicle road tests. A chemical kinetic study has shown that gas temperatures of at least 900 K to 1000 K are required for the effective cleanup of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons, but that higher temperatures require shorter combustion times and thus may permit smaller reactors.

Blankenship, C. P.↗

Determination of stores pointing error due to wing flexibility under flight load

The in-flight elastic wing twist of a fighter-type aircraft was studied to provide for an improved on-board real-time computed prediction of pointing variations of three wing store stations. This is an important capability to correct sensor pod alignment variation or to establish initial conditions of iron bombs or smart weapons prior to release. The original algorithm was based upon coarse measurements. The electro-optical Flight Deflection Measurement System measured the deformed wing shape in flight under maneuver loads to provide a higher resolution database from which an improved twist prediction algorithm could be developed. The FDMS produced excellent repeatable data. In addition, a NASTRAN finite-element analysis was performed to provide additional elastic deformation data. The FDMS data combined with the NASTRAN analysis indicated that an improved prediction algorithm could be derived by using a different set of aircraft parameters, namely normal acceleration, stores configuration, Mach number, and gross weight.

Lokos, William A.↗

The Evolution and Development of the Lunar Regolith and Implications for Lunar Surface Operations and Construction

The lunar regolith consists of about 90% submillimeter particles traditionally termed lunar soil. The remainder consists of larger particles ranging up to boulder size rocks. At the lower size end, soil particles in the 10s of nanometer sizes are present in all soil samples. Lunar regolith overlies bedrock which consists of either lava flows in mare regions or impact-produced megaregolith in highland regions. Lunar regolith has been produced over billions of years by a combination of breaking and communition of bedrock by meteorite bombardment coupled with a variety of complex space weathering processes including solar wind implantation, solar flare and cosmic ray bombardment with attendant radiation damage, melting, vaporization, and vapor condensation driven by impact, and gardening and turnover of the resultant soil. Lunar regolith is poorly sorted compared to most terrestrial soils, and has interesting engineering properties including strong grain adhesion, over-compacted soil density, an abundance of agglutinates with sharp corners, and a variety of properties related to soil maturity. The NASA program has supported a variety of engineering test research projects, the production of bricks by solar or microwave sintering, the production of concrete, the in situ sintering and glazing of regolith by microwave, and the extraction of useful resources such as oxygen, hydrogen, iron, aluminum, silicon and other products. Future requirements for a lunar surface base or outpost will include construction of protective berms, construction of paved roadways, construction of shelters, movement and emplacement of regolith for radiation shielding and thermal control, and extraction of useful products. One early need is for light weight but powerful digging, trenching, and regolith-moving equipment.

McKay, David↗

Results of Simulated Galactic Cosmic Radiation (GCR) and Solar Particle Events (SPE) on Spectra Restraint Fabric

Spectra or similar Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fabric is the likely choice for future structural space suit restraint materials due to its high strength-to-weight ratio, abrasion resistance, and dimensional stability. During long duration space missions, space suits will be subjected to significant amounts of high-energy radiation from several different sources. To insure that pressure garment designs properly account for effects of radiation, it is important to characterize the mechanical changes to structural materials after they have been irradiated. White Sands Test Facility (WSFTF) collaborated with the Crew and Thermal Systems Division at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) to irradiate and test various space suit materials by examining their tensile properties through blunt probe puncture testing and single fiber tensile testing after the materials had been dosed at various levels of simulated GCR and SPE Iron and Proton beams at Brookhaven National Laboratories. The dosages were chosen based on a simulation developed by the Structural Engineering Division at JSC for the expected radiation dosages seen by space suit softgoods seen on a Mars reference mission. Spectra fabric tested in the effort saw equivalent dosages at 2x, 10x, and 20x the predicted dose as well as a simulated 50 year exposure to examine the range of effects on the material and examine whether any degradation due to GCR would be present if the suit softgoods were stored in deep space for a long period of time. This paper presents the results of this work and outlines the impact on space suit pressure garment design for long duration deep space missions.

Peters, Benjamin↗