Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “INDIUM ALLOY”

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 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1985

Directional Solidification of Monotectic and Hypermonotectic Aluminum-indium Alloys Under Micron-g

The objective of this program is to analyze the mechanisms involved in the composite solid structure formation obtained from a miscibility gap alloy under microgravity. The metallic system aluminum-indium was chosen for its low critical temperature, broad miscibility gap, and rather well-known thermodynamic properties. The experiment was performed aboard the Salyut-7 spacecraft. The theories of capture of particulates by an advancing front were not able to explain the observations made on SPAR and Salyut-7 experiments. A new model was developed based on the filtration theory considering the globules population: the solid/liquid interface is like a filter of negligible thickness for the globules and its efficiency is limited by a pressure barrier measured for Al-In alloys by ground based experiments. The Materials Experiment Assembly (MEA)-3 experiment was consequently adjusted to take into account the new model. The behavior of the globules in an interacting population on the solid front is, of course, an essential factor in the theory. The theory is at present being completed by results obtained by the Laboratoire d'Aerothermique of Meudon. The hydrodynamic and thermal interactions between pairs of globules placed in a temperature gradient have been calculated showing a large reduction of the Marangoni effect compared to the isolated globule. Physico-chemical properties of metallic liquid interface are currently being investigated.

Potard, C.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Sputtering of the gallium-indium eutectic alloy in the liquid phase

Watson and Haff (1980) have discussed a theory which is designed to explain quantitatively isotopic fractionation effects observed during sputtering of simple or complex targets. This theory is based on the assumption that most of the atoms sputtered from a surface originate in the top monolayer. The present investigation is mainly concerned with a direct experimental test of that assumption. The sputtering of both solid and liquid phases of gallium, indium, and the gallium-indium eutectic alloy is studied. Results obtained with the aid of ion scattering and Auger spectroscopy show that, in agreement with rough theoretical expectations, the surface monolayer of a gallium-indium alloy with 16.5 percent indium in bulk contains more than 94 percent indium, while the next layer can be only slightly enriched.

Dumke, M. F.↗
NASA NTRS1979

SPAR 5 experiment no. 74-30 agglomeration in immiscible liquids

The influence of gravity, cooling rate, and composition on the macro-and microstructure of liquid phase immiscible alloys were researched. Aluminum indium alloys of compositions 30, 40, 70, and 90 weight percent indium were processed aboard two sounding rocket flights, SPAR 2 and SPAR 5. Radiographic and metallographic examination of the SPAR 2 flight and ground base samples showed the expected separation at lg of the ground base alloys into indium rich and aluminum rich layers. The flight alloys produced an aluminum rich core surrounding by indium rich metal. The results obtained from the SPAR 5 40 and 70 weight percent indium alloys were essentially identical to those from SPAR 2. The 30 and 90 weight percent indium alloys also showed massive separation into configuration similar to the 40 and 70 weight percent indium alloys. The 90 weight percent indium alloy showed additional evidence that surface tension induced droplet migration had occurred in this alloy which could at least in part account for the observed structures.

Gelles, S.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Experiments with the low melting indium-bismuth alloy system

The following is a laboratory experiment designed to create an interest in and to further understanding of materials science. The primary audience for this material is the junior high school or middle school science student having no previous familiarity with the material, other than some knowledge of temperature and the concepts of atoms, elements, compounds, and chemical reactions. The objective of the experiment is to investigate the indium-bismuth alloy system. Near the eutectic composition, the liquidus is well below the boiling point of water, allowing simple, minimal hazard casting experiments. Such phenomena as metal oxidation, formation of intermetallic compound crystals, and an unusual volume increase during solidification could all be directly observed. A key concept for students to absorb is that properties of an alloy (melting point, mechanical behavior) may not correlate with simple interpolation of properties of the pure components. Discussion of other low melting metals and alloys leads to consideration of environmental and toxicity issues, as well as providing some historical context. Wetting behavior can also be explored.

Krepski, Richard P.↗
NASA NTRS1990

An x ray photoelectron spectroscopy study of Au(x)In(y) alloys

Four gold-indium alloys were studied by x ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The binding energies and intensity ratios of the Au 4f7/2 and In 3d5/2 core levels were determined for the bulk alloy compositions of Au(10 percent In), Au3In, AuIn, and AuIn2. These values were determined for the native oxides on the materials, for the surfaces prepared by ion bombardment to remove the oxide and for surfaces scraped in-situ with a ceramic tool to expose the bulk composition. These results furnish calibration values that allow determination of the composition of thin films of this alloy system. In addition the binding energies add to the data base for understanding the effect of alloying on core level binding energies. As an illustration, these results are used to determine the composition of a series of alloy films formed by incongruent evaporation of an alloy charge.

Jayne, Douglas T.↗
NASA NTRS1998

High Temperature - Thin Film Strain Gages Based on Alloys of Indium Tin Oxide

A stable, high temperature strain gage based on reactively sputtered indium tin oxide (ITO) was demonstrated at temperatures up to 1050 C. These strain sensors exhibited relatively large, negative gage factors at room temperature and their piezoresistive response was both linear and reproducible when strained up to 700 micro-in/in. When cycled between compression and tension, these sensors also showed very little hysteresis, indicating excellent mechanical stability. Thin film strain gages based on selected ITO alloys withstood more than 50,000 strain cycles of +/- 500 micro-in/in during 180 hours of testing in air at 1000 C, with minimal drift at temperature. Drift rates as low as 0.0009%/hr at 1000 C were observed for ITO films that were annealed in nitrogen at 700 C prior to strain testing. These results compare favorably with state of the art 10 micro-m thick PdCr films deposited by NASA, where drift rates of 0.047%/hr at 1050 C were observed. Nitrogen annealing not only produced the lowest drift rates to date, but also produce the largest dynamic gage factors (G = 23.5). These wide bandgap, semiconductor strain sensors also exhibited moderately low temperature coefficients of resistance (TCR) at temperatures up to 1100 C, when tested in a nitrogen ambient. A TCR of +230 ppm/C over the temperature range 200 C < T < 500 C and a TCR of -469 ppm/C over the temperature range 600 C < T < 1100 C was observed for the films tested in nitrogen. However, the resistivity behavior changed considerably when the same films were tested in oxygen ambients. A TCR of -1560 ppm/C was obtained over the temperature range of 200 C < T < 1100 C. When similar films were protected with an overcoat or when ITO films were prepared with higher oxygen contents in the plasma, two distinct TCR's were observed. At T < 800 C, a linear TCR of -210 ppm/C was observed and at T > 800 C, a linear TCR of -2170 DDm/C was observed. The combination of a moderately low TCR and a relatively large gage factor make these semiconducting oxide films promising candidates for the active strain elements in high temperature thin film strain gages, particularly in applications where static strain measurement is desired.

Gregory, Otto J.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Solidification processing of monotectic alloy matrix composites

Directionally solidified aluminum-indium alloys of the monotectic composition were found to form an in situ rod composite which obeys a lambda exp 2 R = constant relation. The experimental data shows good agreement with previously reported results. A theoretical boundary between cellular and dendritic growth conditions was derived and compared with experiments. The unique wetting characteristics of the monotectic alloys can be utilized to tailor the interface structure in metal matrix composites. Metal matrix composites with monotectic and hypermonotectic Al-In matrices were made by pressure infiltration, remelted and directionally solidified to observe the wetting characteristics of the alloys as well as the effect on structure of solidification in the constrained field of the fiber interstices. Models for monotectic growth are modified to take into account solidification in these constrained fields.

Frier, Nancy L.↗
NASA NTRS1977

The influence of growth speed, orientation and environment on fracture of aligned Al-CuAl2

There has been considerable interest in the mechanical properties of aligned eutectics as functions of microstructure, orientation between reinforcement and stress axis, and temperature of testing. However, little is known about the behavior of these alloys in aggressive environments, such as liquid metals, with the exception of a recent paper on embrittlement of several eutectic alloys in gallium and gallium-indium alloys. This paper is concerned with the effects of a liquid Ga-16%In solution on tensile behavior of an aligned Al-CuAl2 eutectic.

Skiff, P. K.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Economical solder connections to thin films

Soldering procedure, successfully tested for attaching leads to silicon solar cells, cover-glasses, is simple, inexpensive, and very effective in forming stable connection. Procedure uses solder of indium alloyed with either silver or tin.

Bass, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Space Processing Applications Rocket (SPAR) project, SPAR 9

SPAR 9 (R-17) payload configuration, rocket performance, payload support, science payload instrumentation, and payload recovery are discussed. Directional solidification of magnetic composites, directional solidification of immiscible aluminum-indium alloys, and comparative alloy solidification experiments are reported.

Poorman, R.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Effects of AEA Cell-Bypass-Switch Closure on Charged EOS-Aqua NiH2 Cell

A viewgraph presentation outlines the effects of AEA cell bypass-switch closure on a charged EOS-Aqua NiH2 cell. The objectives of the presentation are to: (1) Verify the Performance of AEA Cell Bypass Protection Device (CBPD) under simulated EOS-Aqua/Aura flight hardware configuration; (2) Assess the safety of the hardware under an inadvertent firing of CBPD switch, as well as the closing of CBPD switch under simulated high cell impedance; and (3) Confirm that the mode of operation of CBPD switch is the formation of a continuous low impedance path-homogeneous low melting point eutectic (Indium alloy). Details are given on the EOS-Aqua flight hardware, AEA hardware tested, AEA bypass switch schematic, and the tests performed, which include images of equipment and results.

Keys, Denney↗
NASA NTRS2012

Novel Amalgams for In-Space Fabrication of Replacement Parts

Being able to fabricate replacement parts during extended space flight missions precludes the weight, storage volume, and speculation necessary to accommodate spares. Amalgams, widely used in dentistry, are potential candidates for fabricating parts in microgravity environments as they are moldable, do not require energy for melting, and do not pose fluid handling problems. Unfortunately, amalgams have poor tensile strength and the room temperature liquid component is mercury. To possibly resolve these issues a gallium-indium alloy was substituted for mercury and small steel fibers were mixed in with the commercial alloy powder. Subsequent microscopic examination of the novel amalgam revealed complete bonding of the components, and mechanical testing of comparable samples showed those containing steel fibers to have a significant improvement in strength. Experimental procedures, microstructures, and test results are presented and discussed in view of further improving properties.

Cochran, Calvin T.↗
NASA NTRS2014

MSFC Electrostatic Levitator (ESL) Rapid Quench System

The NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Electrostatic Levitator (ESL) Laboratory is a unique facility for investigators studying high-temperature materials. The laboratory boasts two levitators in which samples can be levitated, heated, melted, undercooled, and resolidified, all without the interference of a container or data-gathering instrument. The ESL main chamber has been upgraded with the addition of a rapid quench system. This system allows samples to be dropped into a quench vessel that can be filled with a low melting point material, such as a gallium or indium alloy. Thereby allowing rapid quenching of undercooled liquid metals. Up to 8 quench vessels can be loaded into the quench wheel, which is indexed with LabVIEW control software. This allows up to 8 samples to be rapidly quenched before having to open the chamber. The system has been tested successfully on several zirconium samples. Future work will be done with other materials using different quench mediums. Microstructural analysis will also be done on successfully quench samples.

SanSoucie, Michael P.↗
NASA NTRS2015

The NASA MSFC Electrostatic Levitation (ESL) Laboratory: Summary of Capabilities, Recent Upgrades, and Future Work

The NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) electrostatic levitation (ESL) laboratory has a long history of providing materials research and thermophysical property data. A summary of the labs capabilities, recent upgrades, and ongoing and future work will be provided. The laboratory has recently added two new capabilities to its main levitation chamber: a rapid quench system and an oxygen control system. The rapid quench system allows samples to be dropped into a quench vessel that can be filled with a low melting point material, such as a gallium or indium alloy. Thereby allowing rapid quenching of undercooled liquid metals. The oxygen control system consists of an oxygen sensor, oxygen pump, and a control unit. The sensor is a potentiometric device that determines the difference in oxygen activity between two gas compartments separated by an electrolyte, which is yttria-stabilized zirconia. The pump utilizes coulometric titration to either add or remove oxygen. The system is controlled by a desktop control unit, which can also be accessed via a computer. This system allows the oxygen partial pressure within the vacuum chamber to be measured and controlled, theoretically in the range from 10-36 to 100 bar. The ESL laboratory also has an emissometer, called the High-Temperature Emissivity Measurement System (HiTEMS). This system measures the spectral emissivity of materials from 600degC to 3,000degC. The system consists of a vacuum chamber, a black body source, and a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR). The system utilizes optics to swap the signal between the sample and the black body. The system was originally designed to measure the hemispherical spectral emissivity of levitated samples, which are typically 2.5mm spheres. Levitation allows emissivity measurements of molten samples, but more work is required to develop this capability. The system is currently setup measure the near-normal spectral emissivity of stationary samples, which has been used to take measurements of ablative materials, rocket nozzle coating materials, and materials for spacecraft instruments.

SanSoucie, Michael P.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Rapid Quench in an Electrostatic Levitator

The Electrostatic Levitation (ESL) Laboratory at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is a unique facility for investigators studying high-temperature materials. The ESL laboratory’s main chamber has been upgraded with the addition of a rapid quench system. This system allows samples to be dropped into a quench vessel that can be filled with a low melting point material, such as a gallium or indium alloy, as a quench medium. Thereby allowing rapid quenching of undercooled liquid metals. Up to eight quench vessels can be loaded into a wheel inside the chamber that is indexed with control software. The system has been tested successfully with samples of zirconium, iron-cobalt alloys, iron-chromium-nickel, titanium-zirconium-nickel alloys, and a silicon-cobalt alloy. This new rapid quench system will allow materials science studies of undercooled materials and new materials development. The system is described and some initial results are presented.

SanSoucie, Michael P.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Rapid Quench in an Electrostatic Levitator

The Electrostatic Levitation (ESL) Laboratory at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is a unique facility for investigators studying high-temperature materials. The ESL laboratory's main chamber has been upgraded with the addition of a rapid quench system. This system allows samples to be dropped into a quench vessel that can be filled with a low melting point material, such as a gallium or indium alloy, as a quench medium. Thereby allowing rapid quenching of undercooled liquid metals. Up to eight quench vessels can be loaded into a wheel inside the chamber that is indexed with control software. The system has been tested successfully with samples of zirconium, iron-cobalt alloys, titanium-zirconium-nickel alloys, and a silicon-cobalt alloy. This new rapid quench system will allow materials science studies of undercooled materials and new materials development. In this presentation, the system is described and some initial results are presented.

SanSoucie, Michael P.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Submersion Quenching of Undercooled Liquid Metals in an Electrostatic Levitator

The NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) electrostatic levitation (ESL) laboratory has a long history of providing materials research and thermophysical property data. The laboratory has recently added a new capability, a rapid quench system. This system allows samples to be dropped into a quench vessel that can be filled with a low melting point material, such as a gallium or indium alloy. Thereby allowing rapid quenching of undercooled liquid metals and alloys. This is the first submersion quench system inside an electrostatic levitator. The system has been tested successfully with samples of zirconium, iron-cobalt alloys, titanium-zirconium-nickel alloys, and silicon-cobalt alloys. This rapid quench system will allow materials science studies of undercooled materials and new materials development, including studies of metastable phases and transient microstructures. In this presentation, the system is described and some initial results are presented.

SanSoucie, Michael P.↗