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At least 181 records · Page 10

Benchmarking a 9Cr-2WVTa Reduced Activation Ferritic Martensitic Steel Fabricated via Additive Manufacturing

Reduced activation ferritic (RAF) martensitic steels are promising candidates for the first wall of fusion reactors. However, current manufacturing capabilities call for these components to be made by welding wrought plates. This limits design freedom and necessitates the use of post-weld heat treatments (PWHT) in accordance with the boiler and pressure vessel code. Additive manufacturing (AM) can offer a unique solution to solve this challenge by leveraging the layer-wise deposition strategy to come up with temper bead deposition techniques to eliminate post-processing heat treatments (PPHT). However, it is necessary to benchmark the properties of RAF steels fabricated by AM with their wrought counterparts to identify the process-structure-property correlation, which is the goal of this study. The study demonstrates that while tensile properties at room temperature and high temperatures are satisfactory, the as fabricated and samples after PPHT have significant heterogeneity in tensile elongation. This has been attributed to the presence of discontinuities in the build. The as-fabricated samples have an average tensile strength of 1190 + 12 MPa and an average elongation of 15 + 5% at room temperature and 658 ± 20 MPa ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and 14 ± 7% at 600 °C. After the post-weld heat treatment, mechanical properties decrease to around 600–650 MPa and an elongation between 20–25% at room temperature to 300 MPa UTS and 25–28% elongation at 600 °C. The characterization of microstructures at various length scales demonstrates that the as-fabricated structure has a significant fraction of delta ferrite in a lath martensitic matrix. No precipitates could be identified in the as-fabricated structure. PPHT led to a decrease in the area fraction of delta ferrite and precipitation of M 23 C 6 and MX. Detailed characterization clearly demonstrates that the lack of precipitates in the as-fabricated structure could be due to the slow tempering response of the alloy. Finally, the needs to develop new alloys to achieve the objectives stated above are articulated.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Calorimetric detection of neutral-atom content of ion beam

Energy deposition technique deduces neutral-beam flux or dose from measured values of incremental resistance increases in platinum wire passed through beam. Steady-state heat balance analysis led to equivalent neutral-beam current. Method was used to detect neutral-atom content of 60-keV argon ion beam.

Roberts, A. S., Jr.↗

Ovonic switching in tin selenide thin films

Amorphous tin selenide thin films which possess Ovonic switching properties were fabricated using vacuum deposition techniques. Results obtained indicate that memory type Ovonic switching does occur in these films the energy density required for switching from a high impedance to a low impedance state is dependent on the spacing between the electrodes of the device. The switching is also function of the magnitude of the applied voltage pulse. A completely automated computer controlled testing procedure was developed which allows precise control over the shape of the applied voltage switching pulse. A survey of previous experimental and theoretical work in the area of Ovonic switching is also presented.

Baxter, C. R.↗

Ternary compound thin film solar cells

A group of ternary compound semiconductor (I-III-VI2) thin films for future applications in photovoltaic devices is proposed. The consideration of these materials (CuInSe2, CuInTe2 and especially CuInS2) for long range device development is emphasized. Much of the activity to date has been concerned with the growth and properties of CuInX2 films. X-ray and electron diffraction analyses, Hall mobility and coefficient, resistivity and carrier concentration variations with substrate and film temperature as well as grain size data have been determined. Both p- and n-type films of CuInS2 and CuInSe2 have been produced. Single and double source deposition techniques have been utilized. Some data have been recorded for annealed films.

Kazmerski, L. L.↗

Large diameter carbon-boron fiber

Investigations concerned with a development of large-diameter carbon fibers are considered, taking into account the employment of vapor deposition techniques. In the experiments a carbon monofilament substrate is used together with reacting gases which consist of combinations of hydrogen, methane, and boron trichloride. It is found that the described approach can be used to obtain a large-diameter carbon filament containing boron. The filament has reasonable strength and modulus properties.

Veltri, R. D.↗

Mechanical and physical properties of modern boron fibers

Measurements of the Young's modulus, flexural modulus, shear modulus and Poisson's ratio for boron fibers prepared by modern deposition techniques are reported. Physical properties of the boron fibers, including density, thermal expansion and resistance, are also surveyed. In addition, prediction of the total deformation strain in an anelastic boron fiber subjected to tensile or flexural stress is discussed.

Dicarlo, J. A.↗

Survey of ion plating sources

Ion plating is a plasma deposition technique where ions of the gas and the evaporant have a decisive role in the formation of a coating in terms of adherence, coherence, and morphological growth. The range of materials that can be ion plated is predominantly determined by the selection of the evaporation source. Based on the type of evaporation source, gaseous media and mode of transport, the following will be discussed: resistance, electron beam sputtering, reactive and ion beam evaporation. Ionization efficiencies and ion energies in the glow discharge determine the percentage of atoms which are ionized under typical ion plating conditions. The plating flux consists of a small number of energetic ions and a large number of energetic neutrals. The energy distribution ranges from thermal energies up to a maximum energy of the discharge. The various reaction mechanisms which contribute to the exceptionally strong adherence - formation of a graded substrate/coating interface are not fully understood, however the controlling factors are evaluated. The influence of process variables on the nucleation and growth characteristics are illustrated in terms of morphological changes which affect the mechanical and tribological properties of the coating.

Spalvins, T.↗

Frictional and morphological characteristics of ion plated soft, metallic films

Ion plated metallic films in contrast to films applied by other deposition techniques offer a lower friction coefficient, longer endurance lives and exhibit a gradual increase in friction coefficient after the film has been worn off. The friction coefficients of metallic films are affected by the degree of adherence, thickness and nucleation and growth characteristics. The effective film thickness for the minimum friction coefficient was established for Au and Pb films. The nucleation and growth characteristics during ion plating lead to a fine, continuous crystalline structure, which contributes to a lower friction coefficient.

Spalvins, T.↗

Frictional and morphological characteristics of ion plated soft, metallic films

Ion plated metallic films in contrast to films applied by other deposition techniques offer a lower friction coefficient, longer endurance lives and exhibit a gradual increase in friction coefficient after the film has been worn off. The friction coefficients of metallic films are affected by the degree of adherence, thickness and nucleation and growth characteristics during ion plating lead to a fine, continuous crystalline structure, which contributes to a lower friction coefficient.

Spalvins, T.↗

X-ray and extreme ultraviolet imaging using layered synthetic microstructures

Up to now designers of X-ray optical instruments such as microscopes and telescopes have been compelled to use mirrors operating at small glancing angles. However, using vapor deposition techniques, it is now possible to build multilayered thin film structures in which the individual layers have thicknesses comparable with a wavelength of X-rays. These devices operate in a manner exactly analogous to multilayer dielectric coatings at visible wavelengths and can be used to increase the X-ray and extreme ultraviolet reflectivity of surfaces at large glancing angles. These X-ray mirrors have numerous potential applications in X-ray optics. Attention is given to X-ray images with a normal incidence mirror, and applications of multilayer optics. Single-mirror telescopes for solar/stellar astronomy are discussed, taking into account solar corona and transition region studies, and X-ray and extreme ultraviolet astronomy. Hybrid X-ray telescopes are also considered.

Underwood, J. H.↗

Reflectance of metallic indium for solar energy applications

An investigation has been conducted in order to compile quantitative data on the reflective properties of metallic indium. The fabricated samples were of sufficiently high quality that differences from similar second-surface silvered mirrors were not apparent to the human eye. Three second-surface mirror samples were prepared by means of vacuum deposition techniques, yielding indium thicknesses of approximately 1000 A. Both hemispherical and specular measurements were made. It is concluded that metallic indium possesses a sufficiently high specular reflectance to be potentially useful in many solar energy applications.

Bouquet, F. L.↗

The structure of ion plated films in relation to coating properties

Ion plating is an ion assisted or glow discharge deposition technique, where ions or energetic atoms transfer energy, momentum and charge to the substrate and the growing film in a manner which can be controlled to favorably modify surface, subsurface chemistry, and microstructure. The glow discharge energizing effects from the initial nucleation stages to the final film growth are discussed. As a result, adherence, coherence, internal stresses, density and morphology of the coatings are significantly improved, over the conventional (nonion-assisted) techniques which in turn favorably affect the surface initiated failures caused by friction, wear, erosion, corrosion and fatigue. Ion plated films because of their graded coating/substrate interface, fine, uniform, densely packed film structure also induce a surface strengthening effect which improved the mechanical properties such as yield, tensile strength and fatigue life. Since a uniform, continuous film can be obtained at lower nominal film thickness, this effect is of great importance in solid film lubrication and in corrosion protection.

Spalvins, T.↗

Protection of solar array blankets from attack by low earth orbital atomic oxygen

The ram impact of low earth orbital atomic oxygen causes oxidation of spacecraft materials including polymers such as polyimides. The rate of oxidation is sufficiently high to potentially compromise the long term durability of Kapton solar array blankets. Ion beam sputter deposited atomic oxygen protective coatings of aluminum oxide, silicon dioxide, and codeposited silicon dioxide with small amounts of polytetrafluoroethylene were evaluated both in RF plasma asher tests and in low earth orbit. Deposition techniques, mechanical properties, and atomic oxygen protection performance are presented.

Banks, Bruce A.↗

Status of a specialized boundary layer transition detection system for use in the U.S. National Transonic Facility

An improved deposition technique for cryogenic hot films used for transition detection in cryogenic tunnels is reported. Tests of the hot films in a low-speed tunnel demonstrated the ability to obtain online transition data. The capability of an enhanced hot film data acquisition system was also demonstrated. A comparison of data from the new system with stability theory shows the detection of Tollmein-Schlicting waves at transition onset.

Johnson, Charles B.↗

An experimental study of high Tc superconducting microstrip transmission lines at 35 GHz and the effect of film morphology

Microstrip transmission lines in the form of ring resonators were fabricated from a number of in-situ grown laser ablated films and post-annealed co-sputtered YBa2Cu3O(7-x) films. The properties of these resonators were measured at 35 GHz and the observed performance is examined in light of the critical temperature (Tc) and film thickness and also the film morphology which is different for the two deposition techniques. It is found that Tc is a major indicator of the film performance for each growth type with film thickness becoming important as it decreases towards 100 A. It is also found that the films with a mixed grain orientation (both a axis and c axis oriented grains) have poorer microwave properties as compared with the primarily c axis oriented material. This is probably due to the significant number of grain boundaries between the different crystallites, which may act as superconducting weak links and contribute to the surface resistance.

Chorey, C. M.↗

Nonequilibrium Phase Chemistry in High Temperature Structure Alloys

Titanium and nickel aluminides of nonequilibrium microstructures and in thin gauge thickness were identified, characterized and produced for potential high temperature applications. A high rate sputter deposition technique for rapid surveillance of the microstructures and nonequilibrium phase is demonstrated. Alloys with specific compositions were synthesized with extended solid solutions, stable dispersoids, and specific phase boundaries associated with different heat treatments. Phase stability and mechanical behavior of these nonequilibrium alloys were investigated and compared.

Wang, R.↗