Negative thermal expansion materials: technological key for control of thermal expansion

Most materials expand upon heating. However, although rare, some materials contract upon heating. Such negative thermal expansion (NTE) materials have enormous industrial merit because they can control the thermal expansion of materials. Recent progress in materials research enables us to obtain materials exhibiting negative coefficients of linear thermal expansion over −30 ppm K⁻¹. Such giant NTE is opening a new phase of control of thermal expansion in composites. Specifically examining practical aspects, this review briefly summarizes materials and mechanisms of NTE as well as composites containing NTE materials, based mainly on activities of the last decade.     

Microstructural aspects of Thermal Stress Resistance of high-strength engineering ceramics Part II: Influence of microstructure on thermal shock resistance of high-strength engineering ceramics

In part I of this paper basic criteria for the improvement of thermal shock resistance of engineering ceramics were summarized. Moreover, data were presented about thermal shock resistance to fracture initiation and about thermal cycling behaviour of high-strength engineering ceramics. In this part the influence of microstructure on thermal shock resistance to fracture initiation is discussed. This subject also includes the discussion of the influence of various microstructural variables on the mechanical and thermal properties which mainly control the thermal shock resistance to fracture initiation. These relations are demonstrated with Al₂O₃, but in particular by the example of dense and porous reactionbonded Si₃N₄. Furthermore, some other factors affecting thermal shock resistance are outlined: the influence of temperature dependence of properties on the microstructural effects on thermal shock resistance, and the influence of data scatter of the initial strength on the strength behaviour after thermal shock.     

Negative thermal expansion materials: technological key for control of thermal expansion

Abstract

Most materials expand upon heating. However, although rare, some materials contract upon heating. Such negative thermal expansion (NTE) materials have enormous industrial merit because they can control the thermal expansion of materials. Recent progress in materials research enables us to obtain materials exhibiting negative coefficients of linear thermal expansion over ?30 ppm K^?1. Such giant NTE is opening a new phase of control of thermal expansion in composites. Specifically examining practical aspects, this review briefly summarizes materials and mechanisms of NTE as well as composites containing NTE materials, based mainly on activities of the last decade.     

Determination of the Local Thermal Diffusivity of Inhomogeneous Samples by a Modified Laser-Flash Method

The local thermal diffusivity is of special interest for quality control of materials grown by physical vapor transport. A typical specimen of these materials consists of single crystals with sizes up to 1 mm. The conventional laser-flash method delivers only an average value of the thermal diffusivity of these polycrystalline materials. A local sensitive measurement system is desirable to determine the thermal diffusivity of single grains with diameters of 100 μm and above. In this work a modification of a standard laser-flash apparatus is presented. The key feature is the position control of the specimen in the plane perpendicular to the laser beam and the IR-detection unit. The mechanical precision of the position control is better than 100 μm. The IR-detection unit consists of a MCT-detector, a polycrystalline IR-fiber, and a system to focus on the sample surface. To study the experimental potential of the modified laser-flash method, measurements of the local thermal diffusivity of a multiphase specimen with known microscopic thermal properties are presented. The obtained results are discussed with respect to the energy profile of the laser beam and the alignment of the IR-detection unit. It is shown that the thermal diffusivity of a small specimen area with a diameter of 2 mm can be determined with an uncertainty of ±5 %. For a polycrystalline aluminum nitride (AlN) specimen with grain sizes of the order of 1 mm, a mean value for the thermal diffusivity of (72.1 ± 3.6) m² · s⁻¹ at room temperature is determined. A possible local variation of the thermal diffusivity cannot yet be observed. An improvement of the resolution is in progress. Paper presented at the Seventeenth European Conference on Thermopysical Properties, September 5–8, 2005, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.     

Efficient hyper‐reduced‐order model (HROM) for thermal analysis in the moving frame

The hyper‐reduced‐order model (HROM) is proposed for the thermal calculation with a constant moving thermal load. Firstly, the constant velocity transient process is simplified to a steady‐state process in the moving frame. Secondly, the control volume is determined by the temperature rate, and the thermal equilibrium equation in the moving frame is derived by introducing an advective term containing the loading velocity. Thirdly, the HROM is performed on the control volume with a moving frame formulation. This HROM has been applied to the thermal loading on brick and ring disk specimens with a CPU gain of the order of 7 (10⁷). In addition, two strategies are proposed for the HROM to improve its precision. Moreover, the high efficiency and high accuracy are kept for the parametric studies on thermal conductivity and amplitude of heat flux based on the developed HROM. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The influence of the oxidation time on the optical properties of the ceramic thermal control coating prepared by micro-plasma oxidation

The ceramic thermal control coating was produced in situ growth on the aluminum alloy by micro-plasma oxidation method. The coating possessed stable optical properties, high microhardness, and excellent adhesive power, low cost and so on, which can be widely used in the thermal control system of the spacecraft. In this article, the influence of oxidation time on the solar absorptance and emittance of the coating had been studied. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the phase composition and microstructure of the coating. The results show that the coating that is mainly composed of the α-Al₂O₃ and γ-Al₂O₃ phase has porous surface configurations. The coating can reach to a solar absorptance value higher than 0.91 and an infrared emittance value higher than 0.76, which can be used as a kind of important thermal control coating for space applications.     

A procedure to study thermo- and electrophysical properties of materials

We describe a measurement procedure and the construction of an automatic measuring complex to study thermal conductivity by an absolute stationary method and also electrical conductivity and thermal EMF of materials in a temperature range from −60 to +4400 ° C. The use of a specialized microprocessor system to perform stationary measurements and to control parameter measurement processes in combination with highgrade measuring devices and equipment developed for this procedure enables high accuracy of measurements. Test studies performed on reference samples show that the thermal conductivity measurement error does not exceed 4 and 3% for electrical conductivity and thermal EMF, respectively. In the development of devices and equipment for this measuring complex, unconventional engineering, schematic, and programming solutions are implemented. The application of a microprocessor control system together with the software developed allows the measurements to be performed automatically.     

Distributed parameter thermal system control and observation by Green–Galerkin methods

This article addresses the problem of distributed parameter control and observation in thermal processing of materials. A novel numerical technique is developed for infinite‐dimensional thermal conduction systems, based on Galerkin optimization of an energy index employing Green's functions. Various simulations are conducted to prove that despite the complexities that arise from the distributed parameter nature of the system, the proposed method successfully observes the temperature field that exists inside a solid body by employing strictly surface temperature measurements. Moreover, the existence of a duality principle between distributed parameter thermal control and thermal observation is also investigated. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Proton Irradiation Effects on Thermophysical Properties of High-Thermal-Conductivity Graphite Sheet for Spacecraft Application

This paper describes an evaluation of the proton irradiation effects on the thermal characteristics of a pyrolytic graphite sheet (PGS), which has characteristics of high thermal conductivity, light weight, and flexibility, in order to apply this material to an advanced spacecraft thermal control device, the reversible thermal panel (RTP). The results show slight changes in the in-plane thermal diffusivity and total hemispherical emittance of the PGS for 2.0 MeV proton irradiation. An RTP prototype model based on the PGS was designed and fabricated, and its thermal performance was evaluated. The effects of changes in thermal characteristics of the PGS on the thermal performance of the RTP were also discussed.Paper presented at the Seventh Asian Thermophysical Properties Conference, August 23–26, 2004, Hefei and Huangshan, Anhui, P. R. China.     

Microstructural aspects of Thermal Stress Resistance of high-strength engineering ceramics. Part I: Data of thermal stress resistance of high-strength engineering ceramics

Based on the criteria for the improvement of thermal shock resistance mainly two microstructural aspects of thermal stress resistance are discussed: First, the influence of microstructure on thermal shock resistance to fracture initiation, and second, the improvement of thermal shock resistance on the basis of microstructural considerations. In this connection, data of thermal stress resistance (thermal shock and thermal cycling) of various engineering ceramic materials are presented. Using laboratory grades with well-defined microstructures the interdependence between various microstructural variables and the mechanical and thermal properties, which control the thermal shock resistance, is discussed and the relation to thermal shock resistance is outlined by the example of the two materials, dense and porous reaction-bonded Si₃N₄. Moreover, the improvement of thermal shock resistance by microstructural optimization is demonstrated. Some examples of the improvement of thermal stress resistance by developing advanced composite materials are given. The paper is divided into three parts: Part I: Data of Thermal Stress Resistance of High-Strength Engineering Ceramics Part II: Influence of Microstructure on Thermal Shock Resistance of High-Strength Engineering Ceramics Part III: Improvement of Thermal Stress Resistance of High-Strength Engineering Ceramics.     

Measurement of Thermal Diffusivity of Thermal Control Coatings by the Flash Method Using Two-Layer Composite Sample1

The thermal diffusivity of brittle coatings cannot be measured by the flash method directly because of the difficulty of preparing free-standing samples. Adopting the flash method using a two-layer composite sample, it is possible to measure thermal diffusivity if the radiant pulse is well defined and good thermal contact on the interface of the composite sample can be ensured. Using an equilateral trapezoidal pulse of an Nd-glass laser measuring the dimensionless temperature history of the rear face of the sample, we determined the thermal diffusivity of thermal control coatings in the temperature range of 80 to 200°C. The results for different thicknesses of substrate showed that the thermal contact resistance of the interface can be neglected.     

Validation of the Thermal Equilibrium Assumption in Periodic Natural Convection in Porous Domains

The validity of the local thermal equilibrium assumption in the periodic free convection channel flow is investigated analytically. Two cases are considered where in the first case transverse conduction in the solid domain is included while in the second case transverse conduction in the fluid domain is included. The periodic disturbance in the free convection flow is due to a periodic thermal disturbance imposed on the channel walls. The Darcy–Brinkman model is used to model the flow inside the porous domain. It is found that four dimensionless parameters control the local thermal equilibrium assumption in the first case and five parameters control the local equilibrium assumption in the second case. The criteria that secure the validity of the local thermal equilibrium assumption are derived.     

Response and control of functionally graded laminated piezoelectric shells under thermal shock and moving loadings

Based on the first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT), approximate solution for FG (functionally graded) laminated piezoelectric cylindrical shells under thermal shock and moving mechanical loads is given utilizing Hamilton’s principle. The thin piezoelectric layers embedded on inner and outer surfaces of the functionally graded layer are acted as distributed sensor and actuator to control dynamic characteristics of the FG laminated cylindrical shells. Here, the modal analysis technique and Newmark’s integration method are used to calculate the dynamic response of FG laminated cylindrical shells. Constant-gain negative velocity feedback approach is used for active vibration control. The active vibration control to a single moving concentrated loading, thermal shock loading and a continuous stream of moving concentrated loadings is, respectively, investigated. Results indicate that the control gain and velocity of moving loadings have significant effects on the dynamic response and resonance of the system.     

Anomalous Defect Dependence of Thermal Conductivity in Epitaxial WO3 Thin Films

Lattice defects typically reduce lattice thermal conductivity, which has been widely exploited in applications such as thermoelectric energy conversion. Here, an anomalous dependence of the lattice thermal conductivity on point defects is demonstrated in epitaxial WO₃ thin films. Depending on the substrate, the lattice of epitaxial WO₃ expands or contracts as protons are intercalated by electrolyte gating or oxygen vacancies are introduced by adjusting growth conditions. Surprisingly, the observed lattice volume, instead of the defect concentration, plays the dominant role in determining the thermal conductivity. In particular, the thermal conductivity increases significantly with proton intercalation, which is contrary to the expectation that point defects typically lower the lattice thermal conductivity. The thermal conductivity can be dynamically varied by a factor of ≈ 1.7 via electrolyte gating, and tuned over a larger range, from 7.8 to 1.1 W m^?1 K^?1, by adjusting the oxygen pressure during film growth. The electrolyte‐gating‐induced changes in thermal conductivity and lattice dimensions are reversible through multiple cycles. These findings not only expand the basic understanding of thermal transport in complex oxides, but also provide a path to dynamically control the thermal conductivity.     

Active control and parameter updating techniques for nonlinear thermal network models

 The present article reports on active control and parameter updating techniques for thermal models based on the network approach. Emphasis is placed on applications where radiation plays a dominant role. Examples of such applications are the thermal design and modeling of spacecrafts and space-based science instruments. Active thermal control of a system aims to approximate a desired temperature distribution or to minimize a suitably defined temperature-dependent functional. Similarly, parameter updating aims to update the values of certain parameters of the thermal model so that the output approximates a distribution obtained through direct measurements. Both problems are formulated as nonlinear, least-square optimization problems. The proposed strategies for their solution are explained in detail and their efficiency is demonstrated through numerical tests. Finally, certain theoretical results pertaining to the characterization of solutions of the problems of interest are also presented. Received 27 July 2000     

Thermal stress dependence of magnetic hysteretic processes in core–shell nanoparticles

The control of thermal stresses in the core–shell structures is an important task in order to understand their temperature dependent magnetization processes. This paper is dedicated to a theoretical and micromagnetic study of the thermal stresses on the hysteretic processes in core–shell nanoparticles. The analytical model can predict the thermal and elastic behavior of the core–shell nanoparticle supposed to a forced cooling process. The temperature and thermal stresses values obtained by direct computation from the analytical model were used to evaluate the magneto-elastic energy of the core–shell system. A micromagnetic model was used to compute the equilibrium positions of the particle magnetization as function of the applied field. The model allows an evaluation of the increase of the particle coercive field and of the blocking temperature as an effect of the thermal stress.     

MEMS变发射率真空热控器件研究进展

变发射率热控技术是空间环境下的重要热控手段.微小卫星质量轻,尺寸小,功耗低及其真空环境工作等特点对热控系统提出了新的要求,相应热控器件应具有小质量、大发射率调节比、关闭状态漏热小、响应快等特点.MEMS技术由于其设计灵活性高、功耗低及器件体积、重量方面的优势,可很好地满足这类器件的要求.本文重点对基于MEMS技术的微百页窗,微热开关,微静电换热器等技术的研究进展、关键技术与适用范围进行了归纳总结,将基于MEMS技术的变发射率器件和基于材料研究的电致变色和热致变色这两种技术进行了对比分析,指出了MEMS技术在微小卫星变发射率热制器件中的发展趋势和潜力.     

两段热平衡计算电石炉炉热指数

为提高对进入电石炉内电能的控制,引入“电石炉炉热指数”的概念．电石炉的炉热指数包含两部分：一部分是炉料配热系数 C ,代表炉内能量分配情况;一部分是高温区的热盈余 q ,代表炉内的热状态．通过对电石冶炼过程的分析,将电石炉分为炉料区和反应区,采用两段热平衡法计算电石炉的炉热指数,并对影响炉热指数的因素进行分析．通过对炉热指数的调节,达到对进入电石炉内电能的控制．     

Intrinsic, thermal and hygroscopic residual stresses in thin gas-barrier films on polymer substrates

Intrinsic, thermal, and hygroscopic contributions to the in-plane residual stress in silicon nitride films on polyimide substrates are identified, based on iso-hygric thermal ramps and isothermal relative humidity jumps, combined with non-linear elastic modeling of the resulting dynamics of film curvature. This approach enables the thermal and hygroscopic properties of thin nitride films to be determined and provides useful input for material and process control.