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At least 397 records · Page 22

Diffusive Gas Loss from Silica Glass Ampoules at Elevated Temperatures

Changes in the pressure of hydrogen, helium and neon due to diffusion through the wall of silica crystal growth ampoules at elevated temperatures were determined experimentally. We show that, while both He- and Ne-losses closely follow conventional model of diffusive gas permeation through the wall, hydrogen losses, in particular at low fill pressures, can be much larger. This is interpreted in terms of the high solubility of hydrogen in silica glasses.

Palosz, W.↗

Hf, Zr, and REE partition coefficients between ilmenite and liquid - Implications for lunar petrogenesis

Partition coefficients (D) between ilmenite and coexisting liquid were determined under near-lunar conditions for Hf, Zr, and REE. Through isotope dilution analysis, ilmenite D values of 0.41 and 0.33 were obtained for Hf and Zr respectively, values significantly lower than those of ilmenite from a kimberlite megacryst. Partition coefficients of REE for the synthesized ilmenite are slightly smaller than those of ilmenite from the kimberlite megacryst, and the lunar (Lu) partition coefficient is 0.056. These results suggest that ilmenite was significant in the lunar-Hf evolution of lunar mare basalts. Using lunar and Hf D values for ilmenite, the Lu-Hf evolution of lunar cumulates and the coexisting magma was examined for various crystallization sequences. The Lu-Hf variation trend of most high-Ti mare basalts is explained by a small degree of partial cumulate melting, though a higher degree is required to explain the variation of very low-Ti basalts, green glass, and Apollo 12 low-Ti basalts. Apollo 15 low-Ti basalts may require chromite crystallization as well.

Nakamura, Y.↗

The Structural Properties of Vapor Deposited Water Ice and Astrophysical Implications

Films of vapor deposited water ice at low temperature (T<30 K) show a number of interesting structural changes during a gradual warmup. We would like to talk about the structure of the low temperature high density amorphous form of water ice, the process of crystallization, and some recent work on the morphological changes of water ice films at high temperature. The studies of the high density amorphous form are from in-situ electron microscopy as well as numerical simulations of molecular dynamics and have lead to new insights into the physical distinction between this high density amorphous form and the low density amorphous form. For the process of crystallization, we propose a model that describes the crystallization of water ice from the amorphous phase to cubic ice in terms of the nucleation of small domains in the ice. This model agrees well with the behavior of water ice in our electron microscopy studies and finds that pure water above the glass transition is a strong liquid. In more recent work, we have concentrated on temperatures above the crystallization temperature and we find interesting morphological changes related to the decrease in viscosity of the amorphous component in the cubic crystalline regime. Given enough time, we would like to put these results in an astrophysical context and discuss some observed features of the frost on interstellar grains and the bulk ice in comets.

Jenniskens, P.↗

Textural evidence bearing on the origin of isolated olivine crystals in C2 carbonaceous chondrites

In some cases the mechanical competence of chondrules in carbonaceous chondrites has been reduced by alteration of their mesostasis glass to friable phyllosilicate, providing a mechanism by which euhedral olivines can be separated from chondrules. Morphological features of isolate olivine grains found in carbonaceous chondrites are similar to those of olivine phenocrysts in chondrules. These observations suggest that the isolated olivine grains formed in chondrules, by crystallization from a liquid, rather than by condensation from a vapor.

Richardson, S. M.↗

Fractionation of Iron and Titanium Isotopes By Ilmenite and the Isotopic Compositions of Lunar Magma Ocean Cumulates

Basaltic volcanism on the Moon produced low- and high-Ti mare basalt suites that are also distinct with respect to their iron, titanium, and magnesium iso- topic compositions. Here, the equilibrium fractionation of Fe and Ti isotopes between ilmenite and melt was experimentally investigated in order to evaluate the role of ilmenite in generating the isotopic compositional variability among the lunar mare basalts. Ilmenite crystallization experiments were conducted using two bulk compositions: an ilmenite-saturated basaltic andesite and an ilmenite-saturated Apollo 14 black glass, and the Fe and Ti isotopic compo- sitions of the experimental ilmenites and glass (quenched melt) were analyzed using solution MC-ICPMS after hand-picking. Additionally, Nuclear Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering (NRIXS) measurements on synthetic ilmenite were conducted and compared to previous NRIXS measurements on synthetic lunar glasses in order to derive temperature-dependent equilibrium ilmenite-melt Fe isotopic fractionations. Experimentally determined ilmenite-melt fractionations were then incorporated into a lunar magma ocean crystallization model that tracks the major element and isotopic compositional evolution of lunar magma ocean cumulates and residual liquid. There is good agreement between the Fe equilibrium isotopic fractionation measured by NRIXS and the laboratory equili- bration experiments, and we find that the isotopic fractionation is sensitive to il- menite compositional differences (0 vs. 10% Fe3+). Further, the light Ti isotopic composition of ilmenite relative to the melt (∆49Ti ilmenite-melt = −0.09 ± 0.03h at 1100°C) is consistent with the higher coordination of Ti in ilmenite relative to melts and results of previous studies. The modeled Ti isotopic compositions for lunar magma ocean cumulates display Ti isotopic variability sufficient to explain the low- and high-Ti mare basalt sources. However, the difference in Fe isotopic composition between the low- and high-Ti mare basalts cannot be attributed solely to ilmenite fractionation. Instead, Fe isotopic fractionation by additional products of lunar magma ocean crystallization, such as clinopy- roxene, is required to generate the inferred Fe and Mg isotopic variability in the lunar mantle. Alternatively, the Fe and Mg isotopic compositions of the lunar mare basalts may indicate Fe-Mg interdiffusion has occurred in the Ti- rich component of the mare basalt source regions via reaction between ilmenite cumulates and the olivine- and pyroxene-rich lunar mantle.

Kelsey Prissel↗

Origin of high-Ti lunar ultramafic glasses

A series of high pressure melting experiments were performed on a synthetic analog of the Apollo 14 Black Glass. At 15 kb and 1400 C, olivine is the liquidus phase. At 25 kb and 1450 C, orthopyroxene and Cr-spinel crystallize. A multiple saturation point with olivine + orthopyroxene + spinel on the liquidus occurs at 20 kb and 1440 C. It was proposed that the high-Ti ultramafic glass evolved from a low-Ti Green Glass generated deep in the lunar interior that assimilated shallow-level, late stage cumulates of magma ocean differentiation. Heat for assimilation is provided by superheat of the low-Ti magma and melts high-Ca pyroxene and ilmenite cumulates at a depth of 100 km. This model is a variant of that proposed by Hubbard and Minear and rejected by Ringwood and Kesson.

Wagner, T. P.↗

Apollo 16 rocks - Classification and petrogenetic model

The Apollo 16 rocks include cataclastic anorthosites, two varieties of unequilibrated breccia, two varieties of partly to fully equilibrated breccia, and a sequence of partially melted breccias. The latter, which dominate the Apollo 16 collection, include glass, divitrified glass, mesostasis-olivine-plagioclase rock, mesostasis-rich basalt, basalt, and poikilitic rocks. All sequence members contain vesicles and relics of plagioclase, olivine, pink spinel, and lithic fragments. Their equilibrated matrices define a series from glass, to a plagioclase-olivine-mesostasis assemblage displaying spherulitic and skeletal shaped crystals, through a plagioclase-pyroxene-olivine assemblage displaying euhedral shaped crystals. Such data suggest that the sequence lithologies were derived from breccias or soils that were partially melted in an impact event.

Warner, J. L.↗

Proceedings of the Workshop on an Electromagnetic Positioning System in Space

A workshop was convened to help determine if sufficient justification existed to proceed with the design of an electromagnetic (EM) positioning device for use in space. Those in attendance included experts in crystal growth, nucleation phenomena, containerless processing techniques, properties of materials, metallurgical techniques, and glass technology. Specific areas mentioned included the study of metallic glasses and investigations of the properties of high temperature materials.

Oran, W. A.↗

Materials processing in space bibliography, 1983, revised

Flight experiments utilizing a low gravity environment to elucidate and control various processes, or ground based activities that provide supporting research are compiled. Six major categories: crystal growth; solidification of metals, alloys, and composites; fluids, transports, and chemical processes; glasses and ceramics; ultrahigh vacuum and containerless processing technologies; and combustion are included. A list of patents and appendices providing a compilation of anonymously authored collections and reports and a cross reference index are included.

Pentecost, E.↗

'Nose method' of calculating critical cooling rates for glass formation

The use of the so-called 'nose method' for computing critical cooling rates for glass formation is examined and compared with other methods, presenting data for the glass-forming systems SiO2, GeO2, and P2O5. It is shown that, for homogeneous crystallization, the nose-method will give an overestimate of Rc, a conclusion which was drawn after assessing the enfluence of a range of values for the parameters which control crystal growth and nucleation. The paper also proposes an alternative simple procedure (termed the 'cutoff method') for computing critical cooling rates from T-T-T diagrams, which was shown in the SiO2 and GeO2 systems to be superior to the nose method.

Weinberg, Michael C.↗

Blackbody absorption efficiencies for six lamp pumped Nd laser materials

Utilizing high resolution spectra, the absorption efficiencies for six Nd laser materials were calculated as functions of the effective blackbody temperature of the lamp and laser crystal size. The six materials were Nd:YAG, Nd:YLF, Nd:Q-98 Glass, Nd:YVO4, Nd:BEL, and Nd:Cr:GSGG. Under the guidelines of this study, Nd:Cr:GSGG's absorption efficiency is twice the absorption efficiency of any of the other laser materials.

Cross, Patricia L.↗

Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment - Science, engineering, and hardware development for USMP space flights

The Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment (IDGE) has been designed to provide microgravity data on dendritic growth for a critical test of theory. This paper updates progress on constructing a crystal growth chamber suitable for space flight. The IDGE chamber is constructed from glass and stainless steel and is hermetically sealed by electron beam welds and glass-metal seals. Initial tests of the chambers sample's melting point plateau show that the new chamber design is capable of preserving the 99.9995 percent purity of succinonitrile. Dendrite growth can be initiated in the center of the IDGE chamber by means of thermo-electric coolers and a capillary injector tube (stinger). The new IDGE chamber is ready for fully integrated tests with the prototype IDGE engineering hardware at NASA's Lewis Research Center.

Glicksman, M. E.↗

Sol-gel synthesis and densification of aluminoborosilicate powders. Part 2: Densification

Aluminoborosilicate (ABS) powders, high in alumina content, were synthesized by the sol-gel process utilizing four different methods of synthesis. The effect of these methods on the densification behavior of ABS powder compacts was studied. Five regions of shrinkage in the temperature range 25-1184 C were identified. In these regions, the greatest shrinkage occurred between the gel-to-glass transition temperature (T sub g approximately equal to 835 C) and the crystallization transformation temperature (T sub t approximately equal 900 C). The dominant mechanism of densification in this range was found to be viscous sintering. ABS powders were amorphous to x-rays up to T sub t at which a multiphasic structure crystallized. No 2Al2O3.B2O3 was found in these powders as predicted in the phase diagram. Above T sub t, densification was the result of competing mechanisms including grain growth and boria fluxed viscous sintering. Apparent activation energies for densification in each region varied according to the method of synthesis.

Bull, Jeffrey↗

Commercial Production of Heavy Metal Fluoride Glass Fiber in Space

International Space Station Alpha (ISSA) will provide a platform not only for materials research but also a possible means to produce products in space which cannot be easily produced on the ground. Some products may even be superior to those now produced in unit gravity due to the lack of gravity induced convection effects. Our research with ZrF4-BaF2-LaF3-AlF3-NaF (ZBLAN glass) has shown that gravity does indeed play a major role in the crystallization behavior of this material. At the present time ZBLAN is being produced on earth in fiber optic form for use in surgical lasers and fiber optic lasers among other applications. High attenuation coefficients, however, have kept this material from being used in other applications such as long haul data transmission links. The high attenuation coefficients are due to impurities which can be removed through improved processing techniques and crystals which can only be removed or prevented from forming by processing in a reduced gravity environment.

Tucker, Dennis S.↗

Residual Gases in Crystal Growth Systems: Their Origin, Magnitude, and Dependence on the Processing Conditions

Residual gases present in closed ampoules may affect different crystal growth processes. Their presence may affect techniques requiring low pressures and affect the crystal quality in different ways. For that reason a good understanding and control of formation of residual gases may be important for an optimum design and meaningful interpretation of crystal growth experiments. Our extensive experimental and theoretical study includes degassing of silica glass and generation of gases from various source materials. Different materials processing conditions, like outgassing under vacuum, annealing in hydrogen, resublimation, different material preparation procedures, multiple annealings, different processing times, and others were applied and their effect on the amount and composition of gas were analyzed. The experimental results were interpreted based on theoretical calculations on diffusion in silica glass and source materials and thermochemistry of the system. Procedures for a reduction of the amount of gas are also discussed.

Palosz, W.↗

A New DTA Method for Measuring Critical Cooling Rate for Glass Formation

A new differential thermal analysis (DTA) experimental method has been developed to determine the critical cooling rate for glass formation, R(sub c). The method, which is found especially suitable for melts that, upon cooling, have a small heat of crystallization or a very slow crystallization rate, has been verified using a 38Na2O-62SiO2 (mol%) melt with a known R(sub c) (-approx. 19 C/min), then used to determine R(sub c) for two complex lithium silicate glass forming melts. The new method is rapid, easy to conduct and yields values for R(sub c) that are in excellent agreement with the R(sub c)-values measured by standard DTA techniques.

Ray, Chandra S.↗

Simplified model evaluation of cooling rates for glass-containing lunar compositions

The simplified model of glass formation and the development of partial crystallinity in cooled bodies has been applied to lunar compositions 10060, 15028, 15086, 15101, 15286, 15301, 15498, 15499, 60255, 65016, 77017, Apollo 15 green glass and LUNA 24 highland basalt. The critical cooling rates for glass formation predicted by the simplified model are found to be in good agreement (to within an order of magnitude) with those predicted by the exact treatment of crystallization statistics. These predicted critical cooling rates are in even better agreement (a factor of 2) with measured values of the rates required to form glasses of the materials.

Uhlmann, D. R.↗