Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Grain boundary”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 325 records · Page 18
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1973

Auger electron spectroscopy study of surface segregation in the binary alloys copper-1 atomic percent indium, copper-2 atomic percent tin, and iron-6.55 atomic percent silicon

Auger electron spectroscopy was used to examine surface segregation in the binary alloys copper-1 at. % indium, copper-2 at. % tin and iron-6.55 at. % silicon. The copper-tin and copper-indium alloys were single crystals oriented with the /111/ direction normal to the surface. An iron-6.5 at. % silicon alloy was studied (a single crystal oriented in the /100/ direction for study of a (100) surface). It was found that surface segregation occurred following sputtering in all cases. Only the iron-silicon single crystal alloy exhibited equilibrium segregation (i.e., reversibility of surface concentration with temperature) for which at present we have no explanation. McLean's analysis for equilibrium segregation at grain boundaries did not apply to the present results, despite the successful application to dilute copper-aluminum alloys. The relation of solute atomic size and solubility to surface segregation is discussed. Estimates of the depth of segregation in the copper-tin alloy indicate that it is of the order of a monolayer surface film.

Ferrante, J.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Effect of diffusional creep on particle morphology of polycrystalline alloys strengthened by second phase particles

Diffusional creep in a polycrystalline alloy containing second-phase particles can disrupt the particle morphology. For alloys which depend on the particle distribution for strength, changes in the particle morphology can affect the mechanical properties. Recent observations of diffusional creep in alloys containing soluble particles (gamma-prime strengthened Ni base alloys) and inert particles have been reexamined in light of the basic mechanisms of diffusional creep, and a generalized model of this effect is proposed. The model indicates that diffusional creep will generally result in particle-free regions in the vicinity of grain boundaries serving as net vacancy sources. The factors which control the changes in second-phase morphology have been identified, and methods of reducing the effects of diffusional creep are suggested.

Wittenberger, J. D.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Metallurgical evaluation of factors influencing the ductility of aged T-111

The metallurgical factors influencing the ductility of T-111 (Ta-8W-2Hf) alloy following long-time exposures of GTA welds and tubing in the temperature range 982 C (1800 F) through 1316 C (2400 F) were evaluated by means of scanning and transmission electron microscopy, Auger electron emission spectroscopy, and optical metallographic procedures. No classical aging response occurs in the alloy over the temperature range studied. The ductility impairment implied by previous investigations is not the result of microstructural response of the alloy to thermal exposures. Intergranular failure in the GTA sheet welds appears the result of random contamination by silicon, potassium, and/or fluorine at the grain boundaries of the fusion zones. Exposure to lithium at high temperatures had no adverse effects on the ductility of T-111 tubing. These materials were, however, sensitive to post-age handling and testing procedures.

Gold, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Measurement of dihedral angles by scanning electron microscopy.

The extension of Hoover's (1971) technique to the case of dihedral-angle measurement is described. Dihedral angles are often determined by interferometry on thermally grooved grain boundaries to obtain information on relative interfacial energies. In the technique considered the measured angles approach the true angles as the tilt angle approaches 90 deg. It is pointed out that the scanning electron microscopy method provides a means of seeing the real root of a groove at a lateral magnification which is higher than that obtainable with interferometry.

Achutaramayya, G.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Comparison of isothermal and cyclic oxidation behavior of twenty-five commercial sheet alloys at 1150 C

The cyclic and isothermal oxidation resistance of 25 high-temperature Ni-, Co-, and Fe-base sheet alloys after 100 hours in air at 1150 C was compared. The alloys were evaluated in terms of their oxidation, scaling, and vaporization rates and their tendency for scale spallation. These values were used to develop an oxidation rating parameter based on effective thickness change, as calculated from a mass balance. The calculated thicknesses generally agreed with the measured values, including grain boundary oxidation, to within a factor of 3. Oxidation behavior was related to composition, particularly Cr and Al content.

Barrett, C. A.↗
NASA NTRS1974

The effect of yttrium and thorium on the oxidation behavior of Ni-Cr-Al alloys

The effect of quaternary additions of 0.5% Y, 0.5 and 1.0% Th to a base alloy of Ni-10CR-5Al on the oxidation behavior and mechanism was studied during oxidation in air over the range of 1000 to 1200 C. The presence of yttrium decreased the oxidation kinetics slightly, whereas, the addition of thorium caused a slight increase. Oxide scale adherence was markedly improved by the addition of the quaternary elements. Although a number of oxides formed on yttrium containing alloys, quantitative X-ray diffraction clearly showed that the rate-controlling step was the diffusion of aluminum through short circuit paths in a thin layer of alumina that formed parabolically with time. Although the scale adherence of the yttrium containing alloy was considerably better than the base alloys, spalling did occur that was attributed to the formation of the voluminous YAG particles which grew in a mushroom-like manner, lifting the protective scale off the subrate locally. The YAG particles formed primarily at grain boundaries in the substrate in which the yttrium originally existed as YNi9.

Kumar, A.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Elevated temperature deformation of thoria dispersed nickel-chromium

The deformation behavior of thoria nickel-chromium (TD-NiCr) was examined over the temperature range 593 C (1100 F) to 1260 C (2300 F) in tension and compression and at 1093 C (2000 F) in creep. Major emphasis was placed on: (1) the effects of the material and test related variables (grain size, temperature, stress and strain rate) on the deformation process; and (2) the evaluation of single crystal TD-NiCr material produced by a directional recrystallization process. Elevated temperature yield strength levels and creep activation enthalpies were found to increase with increasing grain size reaching maximum values for the single crystal TD-NiCr. Stress exponent of the steady state creep rate was also significantly higher for the single crystal TD-NiCr as compared to that determined for the polycrystalline materials. The elevated temperature deformation of TD-NiCr was analyzed in terms of two concurrent, parallel processes: diffusion controlled grain boundary sliding, and dislocation motion.

Kane, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Diffusion bonding and its application to manufacturing

In its simplest form diffusion bonding is accomplished by placing clean metal surfaces together under a sufficient load and heating. The natural interatomic attractive force between atoms transforms the interface into a natural grain boundary. Therefore, in principle, the properties of the bond area are identical to those of the parent metal. Other advantages of diffusion bonding over conventional methods of bonding include freedom from residual stresses, excessive deformation, foreign metals, or changed crystal structures. Stainless steels, nickel-base superalloys, and aluminum alloys have all been successfully joined. Complex hardware, including integrated flueric devices, jet engine servovalves, and porous woven structures have been fabricated. The processing involved is discussed, along with such theoretical considerations as the role of metal surfaces, the formation of metal contact junctions, and the mechanisms of material transport in diffusion bonding.

Spurgeon, W. M.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Solute effects on deformation and fracture of beta brass

It is shown that the ductility of several ternary beta brass alloys in air and in several liquid metals can be related to the operative slip and grain boundary relaxation processes. Nickel and manganese were chosen as alloying elements because they are expected to respectively enhance and suppress cross slip in beta brass. Single-phase binary and ternary beta brass alloys were used in both polycrystalline and single crystal form.

Shea, M. M.↗
NASA NTRS1974

The Tucson meteorite

Tucson is an unusual iron meteorite which contains highly reduced silicate inclusions and elemental silicon and chromium in solution. The metal matrix of Tucson was found to be chemically uniform, suggesting that homogenization has occurred at elevated temperatures. The microstructure of the metal consists of plessite and thin ribbons of kamacite. Nickel and phosphorus concentrations indicate that kamacite nucleated along prior taenite grain boundaries at about 650 C, and grew upon cooling to 500 C. Kamacite growth calculations show that Tucson cooled at about 1 C/1000 yr, a rate which corresponds to a depth of burial at the center of a 15-km-radius parent body or closer to the surface of parent bodies of larger sizes. The shapes of the Tucson irons, and the presence and distribution of silicate inclusions in the Fe-Ni matrix appear to be a result of a solidification process.

Miyake, G. T.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Metallographic study of metallic fragment of lunar surface material

A high precision investigation of a metallic fragment from the lunar material returned by the Soviet Luna 16 automatic station revealed three characteristic temperature intervals with different kinetics of solid solution decomposition. The following were found in the structure of the iron-nickel-cobalt alloy: (1) delta-phase and alpha-ferrite of diffusional, displacement origin in the grain boundary and acicular forms; and (2) martensite of isothermal and athermal nature, acicular, lamellar, massive, and dendritic. The diversity of the shapes of structural constituents is associated with the effect on their formation of elastic distortions and various mechanisms of deformation relaxation processes.

Mints, R. I.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Effects of alloy composition in alleviating embrittlement problems associated with the tantalum alloy T-111

The causes of aging embrittlement in T-111 (Ta-8W-2Hf) and the effect of alloy modification were investigated. Results show that T-111 possesses a critical combination of tungsten and hafnium that leads to loss in ductility at -196 C after aging near 1040 C. It was found that this occurs because tungsten enhances hafnium segregation to grain boundaries, which also leads to increased susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement. Aging embrittlement was not observed in tantalum alloys with reduced tungsten or hafnium contents; most of the alloys studied have lower strengths than T-111 and exhibit susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement.

Stephens, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Dependence of resistivity on the doping level of polycrystalline silicon

The electrical resistivity of polycrystalline silicon films has been studied as a function of doping concentration and heat treatment. The films were grown by the chemical vapor decomposition of silane on oxidized silicon wafers. The resistivity of the as-deposited films was widely scattered but independent of dopant atom concentration at the lightly doped levels and was strong function of dopant level in the more heavily doped regions. Postdeposition heat treatments in an oxidizing atmosphere remove scatter in the data. The resultant resistivity for dopant levels less than 10 to the 16th atoms/per cu cm was approximately equal to that of intrinsic silicon. In the next 2 orders of magnitude increase in dopant level, the resistivity dropped 6 orders of magnitude. A model, based on high dopant atom segregation in the grain boundaries, is proposed to explain the results.

Fripp, A. L.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Structure and elevated temperature properties of carbon-free ferritic alloys strengthened by a Laves phase

A Laves phase, Fe2Ta, was utilized to obtain good elevated temperature properties in a carbon-free iron alloy containing 1 at. pct Ta and 7 at. pct Cr. Room temperature embrittlement resulting from the precipitation of the Laves phase at grain boundaries was overcome by spheroidizing the precipitate. This was accomplished by thermally cycling the alloys through the alpha to gamma transformation. The short-time yield strength of the alloys decreased very slowly with increase in test temperature up to 600 C, but above this temperature, the strength decreased rapidly. Results of constant load creep and stress rupture tests conducted at several temperatures and stresses indicated that the rupture and creep strengths of spheroidized 1 Ta-7 Cr alloy were higher than those of several commercial steels containing chromium and/or molybdenum carbides but lower than those of steels containing substantial amounts of tungsten and vanadium. When molybdenum was added to the base Fe-Ta-Cr alloy, the rupture and creep strengths were considerably increased.

Bhandarkar, M. D.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Effects of long-term aging on ductility of the columbium alloys C-103, Cb-1Zr, and Cb-752 and the molybdenum alloy Mo-TZM

A program was conducted to determine if aging embrittlement occurs in the columbium alloys C-103, CB-1Zr, and Cb-752 or in the molybdenum alloy Mo-TZM. Results showed that aging embrittlement does not occur in C-103, Cb-1Zr, or Mo-TZM during long-term (1000 hr) aging at temperatures in the range 700 to 1025 C. In contrast, aging embrittlement did occur in the Cb-752 alloy after similar aging at 900 C. A critical combination of the solute additions W and Zr in Cb-752 led to Zr segregation at grain boundaries during long-term aging. This segregation subsequently resulted in embrittlement as indicated by an increase in the ductile-brittle transition temperature from below -1960 C to about -150 C.

Stephens, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Evaluation of silicon ribbon material for solar cell fabrication

Optical microscopy, electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction were utilized to characterize silicon ribbon structure. Complex twin formation was observed in nearly all ribbons examined. Twins formed in the 110-plane 112-line ribbon orientation appear stable, and this orientation may be preferable when the ribbon is utilized for solar cells. In addition to twinning, grain boundaries and other structural defects were observed in the ribbon material. Hall effect, resistivity, spreading resistance, surface photovoltage, and solar cell electrical/optical measurements were performed on ribbon samples and correlated with structural and ribbon growth characteristics. Only those ribbon samples with either single-crystal structure or with 'parallel' twin formations were capable of solar-cell performance approaching that of Czochralski material.

Leipold, M.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Creep deformation of TD-nickel chromium

An investigation was conducted of the mechanical behavioral characteristics of thoria-dispersed (TD) NiCr materials at elevated temperatures. The experimental procedure used is discussed along with the significance of the obtained results. Attention is given to basic creep behavior and creep thermal activation parameter measurements. It is found that the overall creep behavior of TD-NiCr can be explained on the basis of the relative contributions of two parallel-concurrent deformation mechanisms, including diffusion controlled grain boundary sliding and dislocation motion.

Kane, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Mechanical testing - In situ fracture device for Auger electron spectroscopy

An in situ fracture device for Auger spectroscopy is described. The device is designed to handle small tensile specimens or small double-cantilever beam specimens and is fully instrumented with load and displacement transducers so that quantitative stress-strain measurements can be made directly. Some initial test results for specimens made from 4130 and 1020 steel are presented. Results indicate that impurity segregation at interfaces other than grain boundary may play a significant role in the mechanism of ductile fracture.

Moorhead, R. D.↗