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Thin-film, tandem-junction, amorphous silicon (a-Si) photovoltaic modules were constructed in which a part of the a-Si alloy cell material is used to form bypass protection diodes. This integral design circumvents the need for incorporating external, conventional diodes, thus simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing module weight.
The range of topics covered by the papers includes: rapid quenching (and specifically splat quenching) of metals, spin quenching, levitation melting, rapid quenching from liquid state; amorphous metal phases and metastable phases, metallic glasses, ribbons, splats, films, metal ribbon reinforced resins; crystallization of metallic glasses, and ferromagnetic amorphous alloys. Structural models for amorphous metals, splat-quenching equipment, and measurements of the properties of amorphous and noncrystalline metals and metallic glasses are also discussed, in addition to: fatigue events (crack propagation) in amorphous metals, fracture behavior in rapidly quenched metals, ductile superconducting Cu-Nb-Sn alloys, and semiconducting amorphous V205 alloy. Individual items are announced in this issue.
Friction and wear tests were conducted with 3.2- and 6.4-millimeter-diameter aluminum oxide spheres sliding, in reciprocating motion, on a Fe67Co18B14Si1 metallic foil. Crystallites with a size range of 10 to 150 nanometers were produced on the wear surface of the amorphous alloy. A strong interaction between transition metals and metalloids such as silicon and boron results in strong segregation during repeated sliding, provides preferential transition metal-metalloid clustering in the amorphous alloy, and subsequently produces the diffused honeycomb structure formed by dark grey bands and primary crystals, that is, alpha-Fe in the matrix. Large plastic flow occurs on an amorphous alloy surface with sliding and the flow film of the alloy transfers to the aluminum oxide pin surface. Multiple slip bands due to shear deformation are observed on the side of the wear track. Two distinct types of wear debris were observed as a result of sliding: an alloy wear debris, and/or powdery-whiskery oxide debris.
Friction and wear tests were conducted with 3.2- and 6.4-millimeter-diameter aluminum oxide spheres sliding, in reciprocating motion, on a Fe67Co18B14Si1 metallic foil. Crystallites with a size range of 10 to 150 nanometers were produced on the wear surface of the amorphous alloy. A strong interaction between transition metals and metalloids such as silicon and boron results in strong segregation during repeated sliding, provides preferential transition metal-metalloid clustering in the amorphous alloy, and subsequently produces the diffused honeycomb structure formed by dark grey bands and primary crystals, that is, alpha-Fe in the matrix. Large plastic flow occurs on an amorphous alloy surface with sliding and the flow film of the alloy transfers to the aluminum oxide pin surface. Multiple slip bands due to shear deformation are observed on the side of the wear track. Two distinct types of wear debris were observed as a result of sliding: an alloy wear debris, and/or powdery-whiskery oxide debris.
Friction and wear tests were conducted with 3.2- and 6.4-millimeter-diameter aluminum oxide spheres sliding, in reciprocating motion, on a Fe67Co18B14Si1 metallic foil. Crystallites with a size range of 10 to 150 nanometers were produced on the wear surface of the amorphous alloy. A strong interaction between transition metals and metalloids such as silicon and boron results in strong segregation during repeated sliding, provides preferential transition metal-metalloid clustering in the amorphous alloy, and subsequently produces the diffused honeycomb structure formed by dark grey bands and primary crystals, that is, alpha-Fe in the matrix. Large plastic flow occurs on an amorphous alloy surface with sliding and the flow film of the alloy transfers to the aluminum oxide pin surface. Multiple slip bands due to shear deformation are observed on the side of the wear track. Two distinct types of wear debris were observed as a result of sliding: an alloy wear debris, and/or powdery-whiskery oxide debris.
The microstructure and corrosion behavior of magnetron sputter deposited amorphous metallic films of (Mo6ORu40)82B18 under varying sputtering atmospheres have been investigated. The microstructural details and topology of the films have been studied by scanning electron microscopy and correlated with the deposition conditions. By reducing the pressure of pure argon gas, the characteristic features of rough surface and columnar growth full of vertical voids can be converted into a mirror-smooth finish with very dense deposits. Films deposited in the presence of O2 or N2 exhibit columnar structure with vertical voids. Film deposited in pure argon at low pressure show remarkably high corrosion resistance due to the formation of a uniform passive surface layer. The influence of the microstructure and surface texture on the corrosion behavior is discussed.
Sliding friction experiments, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, and electron microscopy and diffraction studies were conducted with ferrous base metallic glasses (amorphous alloys) in contact with aluminum oxide at temperatures to 750 C in a vacuum. Sliding friction experiments were also conducted in argon and air atmospheres. The results of the investigation indicate that the coefficient of friction increases with increasing temperature to 350 C in vacuum. The increase in friction is due to an increase in adhesion resulting from surface segregation of boric oxide and/or silicon oxide to the surface of the foil. Above 500 C the coefficient of friction decreased rapidly. The decrease correlates with the segregation of boron nitride to the surface. Contaminants can come from the bulk of the material to the surface upon heating and impart boric oxide and/or silicon oxide at 350 C and boron nitride above 500 C. The segregation of contaminants is responsible for the friction behavior. The amorphous alloys have superior wear resistance to crystalline 304 stainless steel. The relative concentrations of the various constituents at the surfaces of the amorphous alloys are very different from the nominal bulk compositions.
Sliding friction experiments, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, and electron microscopy and diffraction studies were conducted with ferrous base metallic glasses (amorphous alloys) in contact with aluminium oxide at temperatures to 750 C in a vacuum. Sliding friction experiments were also conducted in argon and air atmospheres. The results of the investigation indicate that the coefficient of friction increases with increasing temperature to 350 C in vacuum. The increase in friction is due to an increase in adhesion resulting from surface segregation of boric oxide and/or silicon oxide to the surface of the foil. Above 500 C the coefficient of friction decreased rapidly. The decrease correlates with the segregation of boron nitride to the surface. Contaminants can come from the bulk of the material to the surface upon heating and impart boric oxide and/or silicon oxide at 350 C and boron nitride above 500 C. The segregation of contaminants is responsible for the friction behavior. The amorphous alloys have superior wear resistance to crystalline 304 stainless steel. The relative concentrations of the various constituents at the surfaces of the amorphous alloys are very different from the nominal bulk compositions.
Sliding friction and wear experiments, electron microscopy, and diffraction studies were conducted with an Fe67Co18B14Si1 ferrous-base metallic glass in sliding contact with aluminum oxide at room temperature in air. The results indicate that the amorphous alloy can be crystallized during the sliding process. Crystallization of the wear surface causes high friction. Plastic flow occurred on the amorphous alloy with sliding, and the flow film of the alloy transferred to the aluminum oxide surface. Two distinct types of wear debris were observed as a result of sliding: an alloy wear debris, and powdery and whiskery oxide debris. Generation of oxide wear debris particles on an alloy can cause transitions in friction behavior.
A comparative study of the radiation resistance of a-Si:H and a-SiGe:H single-junction and a-Si:H dual-junction solar cells was conducted. The cells were irradiated with 1.00-MeV protons with fluences of 1.0 x 10 to the 14th, 5.0 x 10 to the 14th and 1.0 x 10 to the 15th/sq cm and characterized using I-V and quantum efficiency measurements. The radiation resistance of single-junction cells cannot be used to explain the behavior of dual-junction cells at a fluence of 1.0 x 10 to the 15th/sq cm. The a-Si H single-junction cells degraded the least of the three cells; a-SiGe:H single-junction cells showed the largest reduction in short-circuit current, while a-Si:H dual-junction cells exhibited the largest degradation in the open-circuit voltage. The quantum efficiency of the cells degraded more in the red part of the spectrum; the bottom junction degrades first in dual-junction cells.
Because, unlike most metallic glasses, melt-spun alloys of the series (Au/100-y/Cu/y/)77Si9Ge14 exhibit well separated glass transition and kinetic crystallization temperatures, crystallization can be studied in the fully relaxed amorphous phase. An isothermal calorimetric analysis of the devitrification kinetics of the amorphous alloy indicates sporadic nucleation and a constant growth rate. It is found for the cases of alloys with y values lower than 25 that the classical theory of homogeneous nucleation is consistent with observations, including transient effects. An analysis of the crystallization kinetics shows that slow crystal growth rates play an important role in glass formation in these alloys. Although the reduced glass transition temperature increases with Cu content, glass formation is more difficult at high Cu contents, perhaps because of a difference in nucleus composition.
Two separate projects were carried out to study alloys whose solidification structures can be strongly influenced by the presence of a container during melting and solidifications. One project involved containerless solidification of hypermonotectic Au35Rh65 alloys. This alloy exhibits liquid immiscibility over a temperature range. It has been suggested that containerless melting might be one solution to the problem of sedimentation in the dispersions of immiscible liquid phases. However, surface tension driven flows could also lead to accumulation of the minority liquid phase at the external surface of a containerlessly melted alloy. The research underway is a first step in determining the influence of containerless, microgravity processing on immiscible alloys. Nickel-niobium alloys were studied using the drop tube facility. One alloy in this system, a Ni60Nb40 alloy, is a good candidate for the formation of a bulk metallic glass. Amorphous alloys of this composition were produced using thin film and mechanical alloying techniques. However, theory indicates that if heterogeneous nucleation can be avoided, it should be possible to produce an amorphous structure in this system using a moderate cooling rate from the melt. The containerless melting and solidification capabilities of the drop tube faciltiy provide ideal conditions for a study of this type. To date, several Ni60Nb40 samples have been levitated, melted and cooled during 4.6 seconds of free fall in the 100 meter drop tube. Structures obtained are discussed.
A process for preparing large diameter carbon-boron monofilament was developed. The process involves chemical vapor depositing a carbon-boron alloy monofilament from a BCl3, CH4, and H2 gas mixture onto a carbon substrate. Amorphous alloys were formed when gaseous mixtures containing greater than 20 percent methane (80 percent BCl3) were used. The longest uninterrupted lengths of carbon-boron monofilament were produced using a CH4/BCl3 gas ratio of 2.34. It was found that the properties of the carbon-boron alloy monofilament improved when the carbon substrate was precleaned in chlorine. The highest strength monofilament was attained when a CH4/BCl3 gas volume ratio of 0.44 was 28 million N/sq cm (40 million psi). While the highest strengths were attained in this run, the 0.44 gas ratio and other CH4/BCl3 ratios less than 2.34 would not yield long runs. Runs using these ratios were usually terminated because of a break in the monofilament within the reactor. It is felt better process control could probably be achieved by varying the amount of hydrogen; the BCl3/H2 ratio was kept constant in these studies.
Chill block melt-spinning (CBMS) processes are used to make rapidly solidified microcrystalline and amorphous alloy ribbon, flakes, etc. Fundamentals of CBMS processes are discussed in light of recent advances. Special regard is given to ribbon geometric defects (edge serrations, surface asperities, etc.). Photomicrographs of CBMS ribbon solidification microstructures are used to compare local solidification rates, especially in the vicinity of ribbon defects.
Corrosion-resistant amorphous metallic alloy films of Mo49Cr33B18 with a crystallization temperature of 590 C were deposited onto glass and quartz substrates by magnetron sputter-quench technique. The amorphous nature of the films was confirmed by their diffuse X-ray diffraction patterns. The deposited films are densely packed (zone T) and exhibit low stress and good adhesion to the substrate. Corrosion current of as-deposited coating of MoCrB amorphous metallic alloy is approximately three orders of magnitude less than the corrosion current of 304 stainless steel in 1N H2SO4 solution.
The friction properties of some ferrous-base metallic glasses were measured both in argon and in vacuum to a temperature of 350 C. The alloy surfaces were also analyzed with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to identify the compounds and elements present on the surface. The results of the investigation indicate that even when the surfaces of the amorphous alloys, or metallic glasses, are atomically clean, bulk contaminants such as boric oxide and silicon dioxide diffuse to the surfaces. Friction measurements in both argon and vacuum indicate that the alloys exhibit higher coefficients of friction in the crystalline state than they do in the amorphous state.
Acoustic fields support and cool liquid particles. Levitated by sound energy, liquid drop in acoustic standing-wave field surrounded by acousticically-induced jet streams. Streaming gas cools drow below its freezing point in small fraction of second. Allows new amorphous alloys including "metallic glass" to be formed.
Research is reviewed for the adhesion, friction, and micromechanical properties of materials and examples of the results presented. The ceramic and metallic materials studied include silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, and iron-base amorphous alloys. The design and operation of a torsion balance adapted for study of adhesion from the Cavendish balance are discussed first. The pull-off force (adhesion) and shear force (friction) required to break the interfacial junctions between contacting surfaces of the materials were examined at various temperatures in a vacuum. The surface chemistry of the materials was analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Properties and environmental conditions of the surface regions which affect adhesion and friction-such as surface segregation, composition, crystal structure, surface chemistry, and temperature were also studied.