Phyllosilicates in Apollo 11 samples
Trace phyllosilicates in Apollo 11 soil sample and rock, using electron microscopy and diffraction studies
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Trace phyllosilicates in Apollo 11 soil sample and rock, using electron microscopy and diffraction studies
Electron microscopy and diffraction for microbiology and microanalysis of lunar rocks
TD NiCr was exposed to a Mach 1, 1-atmosphere gas stream at 1204 C for times up to 50 hours. Weight change, metal thickness loss, X-ray diffraction, metallographic, and electron microprobe analyses were made. Neither surface preparation nor thermal cycling had an appreciable effect on the results. Initially, Cr2O3 formed and volatilized, allowing a rapid metal loss rate of 40 microns per hour. After about 1 hour the Cr2O3 broke down, resulting in an NiO overgrowth. The metal loss rate then slowed to 2.5 microns per hour and remained constant to 50 hours.
Seven thoria dispersed nickel base alloys and one cobalt base alloy, candidates for the Metallic Thermal Protection System for the Space Shuttle Vehicle, were tested simultaneously in an arc jet at a nominal test temperature of 1366 deg K (2000 deg F) and pressure of 0.01 atmospheres. The degradation of the materials after 50 one half-hour cycles in the arc jet simulating Space Shuttle entry conditions was determined utilizing techniques including X-ray diffraction, metallography, and electron beam microprobe.
Results of investigations using X-ray diffraction and electron-beam microprobe techniques have shown that copper and Permalloy platings interdiffuse at low temperatures when plated-wire memory elements are annealed for times as short as 50 hr. Measurable interdiffusion between Permalloy platings and gold substrates does not occur in similar conditions. Both magnetic and compositional changes during aging are found to occur by a thermally activated process with activation energies around 38 kcal/mol. It is shown, however, that copper-diffusion and magnetic-dispersion changes during aging are merely concurrent processes, neither being the other's cause.
Electropolished and ground samples of TD-NiCr were exposed to a 1-atm, Mach 1 gas stream at 1204 C for times up to 50 hr. The samples were subjected to both cyclic and isothermal exposure. Weight change, metal loss, X-ray diffraction, metallographic, and electron microprobe analyses were performed. Neither surface preparation nor cyclic-against-isothermal-exposure conditions had a strong effect on the oxidation behavior of the alloy. Initially, a Cr2O3 layer was formed whose volatilization resulted in a very rapid loss of metal - more than 40 microns in the first hour. At about 1 hr, the Cr2O3 layer broke down and NiO began to cover the surface. By 5 hr, the NiO had covered the surface and the rate of loss slowed. The rate-controlling step was diffusion of Cr through NiO.
Improved instrumentation and preparation techniques for high resolution, high voltage cryo-electron microscopic and diffraction studies on terrestrial and extraterrestrial specimens are reported. Computer correlated ultrastructural and biochemical work on hydrated and dried cell membranes and related biological systems provided information on membrane organization, ice crystal formation and ordered water, RNA virus linked to cancer, lunar rock samples, and organometallic superconducting compounds. Apollo 11, 12, 14, and 15 specimens were analyzed
Optical, X-ray-diffraction and electron-microprobe techniques were used to investigate 0.26 gm of Apollo 14 soil sample 14259. Major element microprobe analyses were made of 470 mineral grains and 388 glass grains. The mineral abundances in the soil are 45% plagioclase, 41% pyroxene, 7% olivine, 3% oxides, 2% K-feldspar; 1% nickel-iron, and less than 1% troilite. The glasses have a wide range of compositions but preferred values are evident and are interpreted as representative of rock types contributing to the soil at the Fra Mauro site. Eleven per cent of the glasses have compositions like those of mare basalts or mare soils and are believed to be mare-derived. Eighty-six per cent of the glasses are equivalent in composition to basalts that have higher Al, and lower Ca/Al and Fe/Mg ratios than mare basalts. The most abundant compositional type is named Fra Mauro basaltic glass and is subdivided into three related types. The other major glass type in the soil corresponds in composition to anorthositic gabbro.
Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies and electron microprobe analyses of pyroxenes from the meteorites Pasamonte, Yamato 74450 and Yamato 74159 and in lunar KREEP basalt 15386 show similarities of pyroxene crystallization history. They each began crystallization with magnesian pyroxene (pigeonite in the meteorites, orthopyroxene in 15386) followed by strong zonation toward iron-rich and calcium-rich compositions. These data appear to be understandable in terms of dynamic crystallization experiments on liquids of similar composition to the meteorites. In contrast, pyroxene compositions in the meteorites Juvinas, Sioux County and Nuevo Laredo lie along an apparent tie line between calcium-poor and calcium-rich end members with no iron-enrichment trend. In Sioux County and Juvinas, the primary pyroxene is calcium-poor, with exsolved augite. In Nuevo Laredo, pigeonite and augite occur as separate grains with exsolution of augite in the pigeonite. The development of prominent exsolution lamellae is consistent with a long thermal annealing after the primary crystallization event, which may also explain the absence of iron/magnesium zonation in the pigeonites.
The isothermal oxidation of Ni-14Cr-24Al-xZr-type alloys was performed in still air at 1100, 1150, and 1200 C for times up to 200 hr. The zirconium content of the alloys varied from 0-0.63 atom percent (a/o). The oxidized surfaces were studied by optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The base alloy was an alumina former with the zirconium-containing alloys also developing some ZrO2. The addition of zirconium above 0.066 a/o increased the rate of weight gain relative to the base alloy. Due to oxide penetratio, the weight gain increased with Zr content; however, the scale thickness did not increase. The Zr did increase the adherence of the oxide, particularly at 1200 C. The delta W/A vs. time data fit the parabolic model of oxidation. The specific diffusion mechanism operative could not be identified by analysis of the calculated activation energies. Measurements of the Al2O3 scale lattice constants yielded the same values for all alloys.
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 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.
The temperature of the interface and/or a superficial layer of a substrate during ion plating was investigated using a metallic glass of the composition Fe67Co18B14Si1 as the substrate and as the temperature sensor. Transmission electron microscopy and diffraction studies determined the microstructure of the ion-plated gold film and the substrate. Results indicate that crystallization occurs not only in the film, but also in the substrate. The grain size of crystals formed during ion plating was 6 to 60 nm in the gold film and 8 to 100 nm in the substrate at a depth of 10 to 15 micrometers from the ion-plated interface. The temperature rise of the substrate during ion plating was approximately 500 C. Discontinuous changes in metallurgical microstructure, and physical, chemical, and mechanical properties during the amorphous to crystalline transition in metallic glasses make metallic glasses extremely useful materials for temperature sensor applications in coating processes.
The study of cosmic dust can provide useful data in the investigation of the origin of the Earth and the evolution of celestial bodies. Three types of cosmic dust (ferriginous, siliceous, and glassy) were discovered in the seafloor sediments near China. Their chemical composition and microstructure were examined by X-ray diffraction, fractography, and electron microscopy. The major mineral in an iron-containing cosmic dust is magnetite. The silicate spheres contain sundry metals and metal oxides. Glassy microtektites are similar in composition to tektites, and are found in all the major meteorite areas worldwide.
The effects of gamma+gamma' Mar-M247 substrate composition on gamma+beta Ni-Cr-Al-Zr coating oxidation and coating/substrate interdiffusion were evaluated. These results were also compared to a prior study for a Ni-Cr-Al-Zr coated gamma Ni-Cr-Al substrate with equivalent Al and Cr atomic percentages. Cyclic oxidation behavior at 1130 C was investigated using change in weight curves. Concentration/distance profiles were measured for Al, Cr, Co, W, and Ta. The surface oxides were examined by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The results indicate that variations of Ta and C concentrations in the substrate do not affect oxidation resistance, while additions of grain boundary strengthening elements (Zr, Hf, B) increase oxidation resistance. In addition, the results indicate that oxidation phenomena in gamma+beta/gamma+gamma' Mar-M247 systems have similar characteristics to the l gamma+beta/gamma Ni-Cr-Al system.
Wear experiments and electron microscopy and diffraction studies were conducted to examine the wear and deformed layers in single-crystal Mn-Zn (ceramic) ferrite magnetic head material in contact with magnetic tape and the effects of that contact on magnetic properties. The crystalline state of the single-crystal magnetic head was changed drastically during the sliding process. A nearly amorphous structure was produced on its wear surface. Deformation in the surficial layer of the magnetic head was a critical factor in readback signal loss above 2.5 dB. The signal output level was reduced as applied normal load was increased. Considerable plastic flow occurred on the magnetic tape surface with sliding, and the signal loss due to the tape wear was approximately 1 dB.
Ni-Mo alloys of compositions ranging from pure Ni to Ni-40 at % Mo were rapidly solidified by Chill Block Melt Spinning in vacuum and were examined by optical metallography, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Rapid solidification resulted in an extension of molybdenum solubility in nickel from 28 to 37.5 at %. A number of different phases and microstructures were seen at different depths (solidification conditions) from the quenched surface of the melt spun ribbons.
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.