Pressureless sintering of β-SiC with Al2O3 additions

-SiC was pressureless sintered to 98% theoretical density using Al₂O₃ as a liquid-phase forming additive. The reaction between SiC and Al₂O₃ which results in gaseous products, was inhibited by using a pressurized CO gas or, alternatively, a sealed crucible. The densification behaviour and microstructural development of this material are described. The microstructure consists of fine elongated -SiC grains (maximum length 10 m and width 2–3 m) in a matrix of fine equi-axed grains (2–3 m) and plate-like grains (2–5m). The densification behaviour, composition and phases in the sintered product were studied as a function of the sintering parameters and the initial composition. Typically, 50% of the -phase was transformed to the -phase.     

Functional derivative ofT c with α2(ω)F(ω) for weak coupling anisotropic superconductors

Approximate analytic calculations of the functional derivative ofT _c with respect to ²()F() for anisotropic superconductors are presented, with the primary purpose of identifying the determining material parameters. The square-well model for the phonon-mediated electron-electron interaction, the weak coupling limit ( _c /2T _c 1), and separable anisotropy are used. The general behavior of T _c /²()F() is the same as that found in numerical calculations for the case of small anisotropy, a ²/(–*)1; the regime of * is also discussed.     

The Interplay of Electronic and Nuclear Magnetism in PtFe x at Milli-, Micro-, and Nanokelvin Temperatures

We have measured ac susceptibility, nuclear magnetic resonance, and nuclear heat capacity of two PtFe _x samples with concentrations of magnetic impurities x = 11 ppm and 41 ppm at magnetic fields (0 ± 0.05) mTB248 mT. The susceptibility data have been measured at temperatures of 0.3 KT100 mK, no hint for nuclear magnetic ordering could be detected to a temperature of 0.3 K. The nuclear heat capacity data taken at 1.4 KT10 mK show enhanced values which scale with x at low polarization. This effect is described by a model assuming an internal magnetic field caused by the impurities. No indication for nuclear magnetic ordering could be detected to 1.4 K. The nuclear magnetic resonance experiments have been performed on these samples at 0.8 KT0.5 mK and 2.5 mTB22.8 mT as well as on three other samples with x = 5, 10, 31 ppm in a different setup at 40 KT0.5 mK and at 5.4 mTB200 mT. Spin-lattice and effective spin-spin relaxation times ₁and ₂ ^* of ¹⁹⁵ Pt strongly depend on x and on the external magnetic field. No temperature dependence of ₁and ₂ ^* could be detected and the NMR data, too, give no hint for nuclear magnetic ordering to 0.8 K.     

Interplay of Nuclear Magnetism and Superconductivity

The ratio of nuclear saturation magnetization and superconducting critical field, ₀ M _sat / B _S0*, classifies the strength of mutual influence of nuclear magnetism and superconductivity. In order to investigate the interplay of both phenomena for the three distinct cases 1, 1, and 1 we have measured the ac susceptibility of Al, of the intermetallic compound AuIn ₂ , and of the metal hydride TiH _2.07 at ultralow temperatures, 17 K T 1 K, as function of static field 0 B 15 mT. For Al, the interplay enables an absolute measurement of the nuclear magnetization. For AuIn ₂ , we get a steep decrease of B _S (T) and a broadening of the superconducting transition in its nuclear ferromagnetic phase. Surprisingly, the nuclear ferromagnetic state coexists with type-I superconductivity in AuIn ₂. The metal hydride TiH _2.07 , which is under present investigation, is a good candidate to show reentrant superconductivity.     

Effects of carbon content on microstructures and magnetic properties of annealed or solution treated Fe-Cr-Ni-C alloys

The correlations between microstructures and magnetic properties were studied in four Fe-17.5 mass%Cr-2.0 mass%Ni-Xmass%C (X = 0.3–0.6) alloys. Each alloy consisted of ferromagnetic and M₂₃C₆ carbide phases by step-annealing at 1053 K and 848 K. The number of the M₂₃C₆ carbide particles increased with the carbon content, and this microstructural variation caused a deterioration of the soft magnetic properties. On the other hand, the alloy with 0.3 mass% carbon content consisted of ferromagnetic and paramagnetic retained structures after solution treatment at 1473 K. The amount of the stable structure increased with the carbon content, while the amount of the structure decreased. This microstructural variation caused a decrease in the relative permeability, _r, and the stabilization of the paramagnetic property to low temperatures below room temperature. The temperature stability of the _r values was closely related to the martensite start temperature, M _s. From an equation for the estimation of M _s from the chemical compositions of the phase, the M _s's of the alloys with 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6 mass%C were estimated to be 326, 289, 241 and 216 K respectively. These values were consistent with the M _s's expected from the microstructures and temperature dependences of the _r values.     

Measurement of temperature in a non-steady-state gas flow

A method is described for measuring the temperature of a non-steady-state gas flow with a thermocouple which is an inertial component of the first order.Notation T*_f non-steady-state gas flow temperature - T_t thermosensor temperature - thermal inertia factor of thermosensor - time - C total heat capacity of thermosensor sensitive element - S total heat-exchange surface between sensitive element and flow - heat-liberation coefficient - temperature distribution nonuniformity coefficient in sensitive element - Re, Nu, Pr, Bi, Pd hydromechanical and thermophysical similarity numbers - P^* total flow pressure - P static flow pressure - T^* total flow temperature - d_t sensitive element diameter - w gas flow velocity - flow density - flow viscosity - _f flow thermal conductivity - k gas adiabatic constant - R universal gas constant - M Mach number - T thermodynamic flow temperature - _o, _o and values at T=288°K - A, m, n, p, r coefficients - _c heat-liberation coefficient due to colvection - _r heat-liberation coefficient due to radiation - _b emissivity of sensitive element material - Stefan-Boltzmann constant - T_e temperature of walls of environment - _c, _r, _tc thermosensor thermal inertia factors due to convective, radiant, and conductive heat exchange - L length of sensitive element within flow - a thermal diffusivity of sensitive element material - _t thermal conductivity of sensitive element material Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 47, No. 1, pp. 59–64, July, 1984.     

Electron-phonon coupling as a mechanism for high-temperature superconductivity

We have solved the Eliashberg gap equations which are valid for arbitrary phonon frequency, (_ph), electron-phonon coupling constant, (), and screened Coulomb interaction, ( ^*). We have used values of (_ph),, and ( ^*) appropriate to the cuprate superconductors, and calculated the density of states, the pair potential., and the value of the gap at T=0 K. Using the linearized Eliashberg equations in the matrix representation, we have calculatedT _c and 2/k T _c . We have found that we can account for the highT _c 's in the cuprates with reasonable values for, ^*, and _ph.     

A micromechanics theory for the transformation toughening of two-phase ceramics

Summary Based on the principle of thermodynamic equilibrium, the condition of stress-induced phase transformation in a two-phase ceramic is established. The development makes use of the change of potential energy that was calculated with a mean-field approach. In this process the elastic heterogeneity of the constituent phases, and the shape and volume concentration of the randomly oriented metastable ellipsoidal inclusions, are fully accounted for. Both the transformation heightH of the process zone with a steadily growing crack and the fracture toughness increment K of the transforming system are derived. The derived theory is then used to address the effect of inclusion shape and elastic inhomogeneity on the transformation toughening of two-phase ceramics. By considering the metastable ellipsoidal inclusions as phase 1 and the stable matrix as phase 0, it is found that, when ₁/₀>1, flat-like discs always provide a larger transformation-height while spherical ones provide the smallest, and vice versa. As the ratio of ₁/₀ increases, the size of the process zone also increases. For the toughness increment, the results indicate that thin-disc inclusions are again the most effective toughening medium. It is further found that Poisson's ratio of the constituent phases also has a significant effect; the combination ofv ₁0.5 for the inclusions andv ₁0 for the matrix has the best enhancement for fracture toughness. But whenv ₁, the toughness increment K all approaches to an asymptotic value regardless of the values of Poisson's ratios. Some explicit solutions of toughness change for several distinctive shapes of inclusions are also derived for the first time.     

Preparation of YBa2Cu3O7 ? δ Thin Films by the Self-Template Sputtering Method

Using the self-template technique, c-axis-oriented epitaxial YBa₂Cu₃O_{7 –} thin films have been prepared in situ on LaAlO₃ substrate by the d.c. magnetron sputtering method. The properties of thin film dependence on the deposition conditions of the two-step self-template method have been systematically investigated. By optimizing the parameters, high-quality YBCO thin films with T _c0 90 K, T _c 1 K, R _s (77 K, 10 GHz)500 were reproducibly obtained. The best sample grown under optimal conditions gave a low R _s of 330 at 77 K, 10 GHz, which can be used in a microwave field.     

An animal study of c.p. titanium screws with different surface topographies

Sixty screw-shaped commercially pure (c.p.) titanium implants were inserted in the tibial and the femoral metaphyses of adult rabbits. The implants were divided into four groups with different surface roughnesses. The surface roughness was characterized before and after implant insertion. One group was left as-machined, this group had an initial R _a value of 0.4 m. Two groups were blasted with 25 m sized particles of TiO₂ and Al₂O₃, respectively; corresponding R _a values for these groups were 0.9 m and 0.8 m. One group was blasted with 250 m sized particles of Al₂O₃. The R _a value for this last group was 2.1 m. After a healing time of 12 weeks the torque necessary for implant removal and histomorphometric evaluations was evaluated. After removal of the implants the R _a values for the four above mentioned groups were 0.9, 1.3, 1.1 and 1.9 m, respectively. We found a better bone response for implants blasted with 25 m sized particles compared to an as-machined (turned) surface, but no differences between the implants blasted with 25 m particles and the implants blasted with 250 m sized particles.     

Evidence for collective excitations in superconducting tin whiskers

Based on the assumption that a phase-slip center in a clean quasi-one-dimensional superconductor excites a collective oscillation, the time-averaged value of the electrochemical potential of quasiparticles is calculated. At larger distances from the phase-slip center, swings below (or above) the electrochemical potential _p of the Cooper pairs. This makes it possible to understand the unexpected results of previous measurements.     

Ferroelectric Lead Zirconate Titanate Films Prepared by Spray Pyrolysis of Carboxylate Solutions

Ferroelectric PbTi_0.6Zr_0.4O₃films 0.5–1.5 m in thickness were produced on platinum substrates by spray pyrolysis of carboxylate solutions. The optimized compositions of the precursor solutions, containing methacrylic acid and ethylene glycol, are stable under normal conditions, allow the annealing temperature to be reduced, and lead to higher quality film surfaces and large grains. The film exhibit the following electrical properties: T _C= 360–460°C, _max= 1750 at T _C, tan = 0.02–0.1 at 1 kHz and room temperature, P _{s max} = 18 C/cm², P _{r max} = 15 C/cm²at 50 Hz, and E _c= 42–120 kV/cm.     

Critical Behavior and Scaling of Confined 3He-4He Mixtures

When helium is confined to a uniform small dimension L, its behavior is modified due to the limitation of the growth of the correlation length. This has been explored for planar confinement over a wide range of L. Less is known about confined mixtures, especially in the case of the specific heat. Here two principal effects come into play: the magnitude of the correlation length increases, and the measured heat capacity C_px must be converted to C_p, where = ₃ – ₄ , before finite-size scaling predictions can be verified. The increase in makes a given confinement L look smaller as the concentration x is increased. This, as well as changes of L itself, can be used to test predictions of correlation-length scaling. We report measurements of the specific heat of confined mixtures and compare with the well established scaling for the pure system.     

Magnetic properties of highly dilutedPdFex andPtFex-alloys. Part I. Magnetization at kelvin temperatures

Localized 3 d magnetic moments polarize in palladium and platinum matrices the Pd 4d and Pt 5d conduction electrons in their neighbourhood. This leads to effective giant magnetic moments _gm. We have measured the magnetization M(x, B, T) of each ninePdFe_x andPtFe_x samples with 2ppmx260ppm at 1.6KT300 K and 0 B 6.0 T. Our main motivation is to determine the size of the giant magnetic moments induced by highly diluted Fe impurities in both transition metals. From the data, taken in a wide polarization range, 9% M/M_sat93%, we determine the impurity concentrations x, the effective moments _gm, and the spin quantum number J of the samples by fitting to the Brillouin function. ForPdFe_x, we find a slight increase of _gm with concentration from (13 ± 1.5) _B at x = (2.5 ± 0.5) ppm to (16 ± 1) _B at x = (220 ± 30) ppm. ForPtFe_x, the moments are almost constant with _gm = (7.8 ± 1) _B at x = 2 to 14 ppm and _gm = (8.6 ± 0.7) _B at x = 75 to 95 ppm. For all samples we obtain a concentration independent very large or possibly infinite spin quantum number, J 100, which means that the localized giant moments behave as classical ones at T > 1.6 K and Tesla magnetic fields.     

Bifurcation of crack pattern in arrays of two-dimensional cracks

Theoretical calculations based on simple arrays of two-dimensional cracks demonstrate that bifurcation of crack growth patterns may exist. The approximation used involves the dipole asymptotic or pseudo-traction method to estimate the local stress intensity factor. This leads to a crack interaction parametrized by the crack length/spacing ratio =a/h. For parallel and edge crack arrays under far field tension, uniform crack growth patterns (all cracks having same size) yield to nonuniform crack growth patterns (bifurcation) if is larger than a critical value _cr. However, no such bifurcation is found for a collinear crack array under tension. For parallel and edge crack arrays, respectively, the value of _cr decreases monotonically from (2/9)^1/2 and (2/15.096)^1/2 for arrays of 2 cracks, to (2/3)^1/2/ and (2/5.032)^1/2/ for infinite arrays of cracks. The critical parameter _cr is calculated numerically for arrays of up to 100 cracks, whilst discrete Fourier transform is used to obtain _cr for infinite crack arrays. For infinite parallel crack arrays under uniaxial compression, a simple shear-induced tensile crack model is formulated and compared to the modified Griffith theory. Based upon the model, _cr can be evaluated numerically depending on (the frictional coefficient) and c ₀/a (c ₀ and a are the sizes of the shear crack and tensile crack, respectively). As an iterative method is used, no closed form solution is presented. However, the numerical calculations do indicate that _cr decreases with the increase of both and c ₀/a.     

A note on the μ-zeros of combinations of cross-product bessel functions

Summary In the problem of diffraction of elastic waves in annular circular, or cylindrical (doubly connected) domains, the zeros of complicated combinations of cross-products of cylinder functions as analytic functions of the index =n+i (in general complex) are required. In this note, the imaginary -zeros of two such combinations of cross-products of two identical doubly connected domains, however with two different boundary conditions on one boundary, are asymptotically computed and graphically displayed. It is shown that even for such a comparison of different boundary conditions, one can obtain with a minimum effort in mathematics asymptotic distributions and the relative dispositions of the respective -zeros. It is then rather simple to determine with a computer the exact positions of the -zeros.

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Zusammenfassung Bei der Behandlung des Beugungsproblems elastischer Wellen in kreisringförmigen oder zylindrischen (zweifach zusammenhängenden) Bereichen werden die Nullstellen komplizierter Produktkombinationen von Zylinderfunktionen benötigt, und zwar als analytische Funktionen ihrer im allgemeinen komplexen Ordnung =n+i . In dieser Arbeit werden die imaginären -Nullstellen zweier solcher Produktkombinationen in zwei identischen, zweifach zusammenhängenden Bereichen, jedoch mit an einem Rand verschiedenen Randbedingungen, asymptotisch berechnet und graphisch dargestellt. Es wird gezeigt, daß man selbst bei einem solchen Vergleich verschiedener Randbedingungen mit einem Minimum an mathematischem Aufwand asymptotische Verteilungen und die relativen Lagen der entsprechenden -Nullstellen erhalten kann. Es ist dann ziemlich einfach, mit Hilfe eines Rechners die exakten Lagen der -Nullstellen zu bestimmen.

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With 1 Figure     

The role of starting powder size on the compressive response of stand-alone plasma-sprayed alumina coatings

Cylindrical stand-alone tubes of plasma-sprayed alumina were tested in uniaxial compression at room temperature, using strain gages to monitor axial strains. The effect of lamella size on the mechanical response was investigated by employing different starting powders to fabricate samples. The average powder sizes investigated included 9 m, 19 m and 32 m alumina; the resulting effective lamella diameters were 10 m, 28 m, and 55 m, respectively. Similar stress-strain hysteresis was observed on unloading in all tubes, independent of lamella size. A strong correlation between the failure stress and the cumulative strain at failure was also observed for tubes fabricated from the three powders. For samples with approximately constant densities, tubes plasma sprayed with the 9 m powder exhibited greater moduli than tubes sprayed from either 19 or 32 m powders. This difference was attributed to the greater percentage of unmelted -Al₂O₃ in the coating.     

Absorption Spectrum of ZnO Precipitates in ZnSe

The absorption spectrum of ZnO precipitates in ZnSe saturated with oxygen is studied in the spectral range 500–2000 cm^–1 and is shown to correlate with the transmission spectrum of single-crystal ZnO. Saturation of ZnSe with oxygen in the course of growth leads to ZnO precipitation during cooling. The precipitates give rise to narrow absorption bands in the range 5.8–7.1 m, which correlate with the components of the multiphonon absorption spectrum of ZnO, formed by combinations of LO and TO phonons. The 2LO mode defines the long-wavelength transmission edge of ZnO. In addition, the spectrum shows strong absorptions due to the LO + TO(10.2 m) and 2TO (11.3 and 12.7 m) modes. The possible role of SeO₂ is discussed. It is suggested that ZnO with a high carrier concentration may act as a gray filter in the spectral range 2–9 m.     

High-Rate IR Laser Evaporation of Silica Glass

IR (10.6 m) laser irradiation of silica glass preforms ensures rapid evaporation of the surface layer. The resulting deposit consists of amorphous SiO₂ with a particle size of 70 nm.     

Chebyshev approximation for the roots of the equation BiWГ(μ)=μVГ(μ)

A minimax approximation, uniform for Bi [0, ), is developed for the roots of the equation BiW()=V(), by means of Chebyshev polynomials.Translated from Inzhenero-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 28, No. 4, pp. 710–715, April, 1975.