Retention of a metastable bcc ε-Pu solid solution: ε-Pu(Ti)

A metastable -Pu (bcc) solid solution has been retained to room temperature by rapid quenching of Pu-rich Pu-Ti alloys from the liquid state. Until now, -Pu solid solutions were limited to high temperatures and had not been successfully quenched to room temperature without transformation. The apparatus used to quench the specimens was a modified gun-type splat-cooling unit, capable of producing extremely high cooling rates of from 10⁶ to 10⁸ ° C sec^–1. -Pu(Ti) was retained in the composition region from 20 to more than 45 at.% Ti, and extrapolation of the lattice parameter/composition curve yielded a value of a ₀ = 3.53₀ Å for -Pu at 20° C. This modification differs from the -Pu modification derived by extrapolating from high temperature to 20° C by a small valence increase of 0.1. Metastable -Pu (Ti) (fcc) solid solutions were also quenched-in with alloys containing lesser amounts of Ti, and evidence was found to indicate that the was probably a product of -Pu(Ti) solid-state decomposition.     

Observations on the mechanical properties of nickel oxide scales

The mechanical properties of NiO scales produced by the complete oxidation of high-purity (grade-1) Ni and commercial-purity (grade-A) Ni have been investigated at 700 to 1000 C. The modulus of elasticity of both grades of oxide decreased with increasing temperature, whereas the modulus of rupture for grade-A oxide exhibited a maximum at 850 C and that for grade-1 oxide decreased with increasing temperature. At 700 C, elastic deformation to fracture occurred with both oxides, whereas, at temperatures 850 C, plasticity was also observed. The plasticity of grade-1 oxide was 3 times greater than that of grade-A oxide.Creep behaviour of the oxides was studied at 900 and 1000 C. Primary and secondary creep was observed and, in both oxides, the creep rates increased with increasing temperature and load. The creep rate of grade-1 oxide was 10 to 20 times greater than that for grade-A oxide.     

Differential-flow-induced instability in a cubic autocatalator system

The formation of spatio-temporal stable patterns is considered for a reaction-diffusion-convection system based upon the cubic autocatalator, A + 2B 3B, B C, with the reactant A being replenished by the slow decay of some precursor P via the simple step P A. The reaction is considered in a differential-flow reactor in the form of a ring. It is assumed that the reactant A is immobilised within the reactor and the autocatalyst B is allowed to flow through the reactor with a constant velocity as well as being able to diffuse. The linear stability of the spatially uniform steady state (a, b) = (µ^–1, µ), where a and b are the dimensionless concentrations of the reactant A and autocatalyst B, and µ is a parameter reflecting the initial concentration of the precursor P, is discussed first. It is shown that a necessary condition for the bifurcation of this steady state to stable, spatially non-uniform, flow-generated patterns is that the flow parameter > _c(µ, ) where _c(µ,) is a (strictly positive) critical value of and is the dimensionless diffusion coefficient of the species B and also reflects the size of the system. Values of _c at which these bifurcations occur are derived in terms of µ and . Further information about the nature of the bifurcating branches (close to their bifurcation points) is obtained from a weakly nonlinear analysis. This reveals that both supercritical and subcritical Hopf bifurcations are possible. The bifurcating branches are then followed numerically by means of a path-following method, with the parameter as a bifurcation parameter, for representatives values of µ and . It is found that multiple stable patterns can exist and that it is also possible that any of these can lose stability through secondary Hopf bifurcations. This typically gives rise to spatio-temporal quasiperiodic transients through which the system is ultimately attracted to one of the remaining available stable patterns.     

Study of Broadband Long-Focus Optics for Synchrotron Infrared Diagnosis of Low-Energy Electron Beams

A special optical device for measuring the geometry and current parameters in electron rings by synchrotron infrared radiation is designed, fabricated, and studied. The optical elements of the device are made of an optical ceramic and operate at 1–8 m. The study results are presented.     

Crystallization kinetics in glassy Ge20Se80−x In x alloys

Crystallization kinetics is studied in glassy Ge₂₀Se_80–xIn_x (0 x 20) using isothermal annealing at temperatures between the glass transition and melting. D.c. conductivity is taken as a parameter to estimate the extent of crystallization (). The activation energy of crystallization (E) and the order parameter (n) are calculated by fitting the values of in the Avrami equations of isothermal crystallization. The results indicate that E is highly composition-dependent, which is explained in terms of the stable phases in the Ge-Se-In system.     

The mechanism of continuous dissolution of the lamellar structure in aged Al 22 at% Zn alloy

The mechanism of continuous dissolution was studied using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and hardness measurements. The metastable phase was identified in the first stage of dissolution nucleating at the - boundaries. Interface dislocations at the - boundaries forming a perpendicular net in the 110 directions were identified as of screw character and of Burgers vector b=1/2a 110. During dissolution a change of shape of precipitates occurs leading to their fragmentation and to a change of the direction of boundaries into 110 directions.     

Ohm resistivity of electroless copper layers as a function of their thicknesses

The electric Ohm resistivity of electroless Cu depositions on dielectric substrates as a function of their thicknesses is studied. Substantial deviations (up to 10–20 times) from the standard resistivity ( = 1.7 cm^–1) below 0.5 (m thicknesses are observed. The experimental data show for the entire region of thicknesses (d 0.07–5 m) a power function between the relative resistivity changes (/) and the inverse thickness of depositions (d )–(/ (1/d )^0.8. This empirical relation is discussed as an effect of the porous structure of the metallic layers deposited on the substrate. A scanning electron micrography was applied in order to visualize the morphology of the depositions. The micrographs clearly show the evolution of the deposition profile: starting from separate islands at the very beginning of the process, and gradually covering the entire area with continuous but porous metal layers.     

Application of coherent-optical methods in physical studies of evaporation

The application of the methods of laser and holographic interferometry to the problems of measuring evaporation rates is examined. Mass transfer accompanying evaporation in the region of extradiffusion monitoring is studied.Notation j_v specific mass flux of the vapor, kg/(m²·sec) - _c coefficient of condensation - _v coefficient of evaporation - D coefficient of diffusion - m²/sec, wetting angle - R radius of the vessel, m - time, sec - h height of the segment, m - wavelength of the laser radiation, m - N order of the interference fringe or the number of fringes passing through a given point - density of the matter, kg/m³ - length of the cell with the liquid of interest, m - T temperature, K - n refractive index of the medium - m mass - kg, V volume of the spheroidal segment, m³ - _liq and _g molar mass, kg/mole - C₀ and C_p concentration of vapor in the gas, kg/m³ - a and b semiaxes of the spheroid, m - _e ellipsoidal coordinate of a point on the surface, m² - c/n derivative along the normal - r coordinate of a point on the surface of evaporation, m - n change in the refractive index of the medium Indices st standard liquid - liq liquid - g gas - 0 starting state - p equilibrium pressure Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 55, No. 4, pp. 605–611, October, 1988.     

Mechanical properties and microstructure of β-SiAION-β-SiC composites by pressureless sintering

-SiAION--SiC composites containing up to 12 wt% -SiC were prepared by pressureless sintering. The strength of composites at room temperature remained relatively unchanged, whereas strength at 1200 °C increased for composites. The fracture toughness (K _IC) for composites was higher than that for -SiAION ceramics. The maximum value was 5.4 MPa m^1/2 for 6 wt% -SiC, and this was an improvement of 15% in comparison with -SiAION ceramics. From SEM observations, an improvement inK _IC values was attributed to crack deflections and branching-off of cracks. Intra-granular fractures were frequently observed in -SiAION. From TEM observations, -SiAION crystals were nanocomposites, within which existed the fine crystals in -SiAION crystal. For composite, -SiAION and -SiC crystals were directly in contact. The mismatching zone was observed in -SiC.     

Microstructural study of two LAS-type glass-ceramics and their parent glass

The two glass-ceramics studied here derive from the complex system (MgO,ZnO,Li₂O)-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ and are obtained by controlled devitrification of the same parent glass. Although they have the same chemical composition, one is a -quartz (or -eucryptite) type while the other one is a -spodumene glass-ceramic. A detailed microstructural analysis of these materials has been performed at different scales by several complementary characterization methods (SEM, TEM, DTA, XRD and FTIR). This extensive study has shown the great microstructure difference (grain distribution, grain size, nature of vitreous and crystalline phases) between these two glass-ceramics obtained from the same parent glass.     

Accuracy of temperature measurements in determining the thermal conductivity of substances by stationary methods in the range of moderate temperatures

An empirical comparison is made of the accuracy of platinum-rhodium-platinum and Chromel-Alumel thermocouples in determining the thermal conductivity of substances.Notation T, t temperature - temperature difference - y thermocouple readings - A_i parameters of approximating equation - sensitivity of thermocouple - sensitivity found from the generalized function - _st standard values of sensitivity - S₀ standard deviation of sensitivity for a given series - maximum deviation of from in different series - I, II indices indicating that the values pertain to platinum-rhodium —platinum and Chromel —Alumel thermocouples, respectively Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 39, No. 2, pp. 306–310, August, 1980.     

The thermal conductivity and Lorenz function of the tin-lead alloy system Sn x Pb1 − x (x = 0.85, 0.7 0.5 0.3)

The thermal conductivity and electrical resistivity of the tin-lead alloy system Sn _x Pb_{1 – x} (x = 0.85, 0.7 0.5 0.3) were measured in the temperature range 7–300 K. The thermal conductivity was analyzed at temperature T 20K, assuming 1//T+Tⁿ, where , , and n are constants. The analysis shows that n < 2, and not n 2, which would be expected for a normal pure metal. The electrical resistivities could be represented by a T ⁵ relation for temperatures up to about 60 K. The characteristic temperature _R appears to decrease with increasing weight percent of lead. The total Lorenz functions were high, indicating the presence of phonon conductivity. The phonon conductivity _g appears to vary with T, and can be represented by _g=a/Tⁿ (a > 0) and n2.Work supported by the Universiti Sains Malaysia.     

A note on the similarity solutions for free convection on a vertical plate

Summary The similarity solutions for free convection on a vertical plate when the (non-dimensional) plate temperature is x and when the (non-dimensional) surface heat flux is –x are considered. Solutions valid for 1 and 1 are obtained. Further, for the first problem it is shown that there is a value ₀, dependent on the Prandtl number, such that solutions of the similarity equations are possible only for >₀, and for the second problem that solutions are possible only for >–1 (for all Prandtl numbers). In both cases the solutions becomes singular as ₀ and as –1, and the natures of these singularities are discussed.     

Kinetics of nucleation and halt-in-growth processes in a thin layer

The methods of determining the kinetic exponents in the equation, dX/dVex = (1 – X)2–, used for nucleation and halt-in-growth processes where X is the transformed fraction, Vex the KJMA extended volume fraction which is related to time t, and is the overlap factor which accounts for the overlap between a crystallite and a phantom crystallite, are presented. The applications of the Kolmogorov–Johnson–Mehl–Avrami plot ( = 1) and the Austin–Rickett plot ( = 0) to this process are inappropriate, because the overlap factor is 0 < < 1. The impingement exponent 2- and the time exponent are determined from the linear relation of In {[(1 – X) – 1 – 1]/(1 – )} versus In t. From the value of , the crystal shape and growth dimension can be estimated by referring to the mathematical value of . The methods of evaluating the activation energy, Q, are presented using the Arrhenius relation. The value of Q is not directly related to the overlap factor however, appears as a constant term in the expression for Q.     

Geometrical factors for parts of an infinite cylindrical surface

A method is described for calculating geometrical factors, allowing for attenuation of radiation by the medium, and computing radiative heat transfer between coaxial strips forming part of a cylinder.Notation mean generalized geometrical factor - local generalized geometrical factor for a closed infinite cylindrical surface - F surface area - l length of ray between elements dF_m - D and H diameter and length of cylinder - k ray attenuation coefficient - equivalent solid angle [1] determined from the condition _mm=1 at =0 for a closed surface - f () indicatrix of the specific radiation intensity (a quantity analogous to the specific luminous intensity [1]) - angle between the normal to an element of surface and the ray linking the surface elements - and angles in a section of the surface - angle between the radius and the chord subtending the projections of dF_mon the section - angle between the radius and the chord subtending the projection of element dF_mon the section and the edge of the surface - acute angle between rayl and the generator of the cylinder - ₀ half subtended angle for the arc of a section of the surface - S₂ and M generalized local geometrical factors in the notation of [2] (s₂ and is shown in Table 2 - M local factor for an infinite cylinder with a semicircular cross section for a point in the middle of the plane part of the surface; a table of values of M is given in [2]) - n number of strips     

Temperature effects on the properties of Ge thin films

The effects of substrate temperature (T_s) on the properties of vacuum evaporated p-type Ge thin films have been investigated for 25s<400°C. Increase in the substrate temperature improves the crystallinity and increases the grain size resulting a gradual change from amorphous to polycrystalline structure which was attained above a substrate temperature of 225°C. Low resistive (1×10^–2 ohm-cm) and high mobility (280 cm²/V·s) films were obtained at T_s=400°C. It has been observed that the conduction mechanism in polycrystalline films was dominated successively by hopping, tunneling and thermionic emission as the sample temperature was increased from 40 to 400 K. In amorphous samples, conduction was described in terms of different hopping mechanisms.     

Diffraction studies of β″-magnesium sialon

The compositions of high magnesium content -magnesium sialon crystals within the 3M/4X plane of the Mg-Si-Al-O-N system indicate some form of metal atom ordering wihtin the structure. Although it is not possible using X-ray diffraction to detect weak additional reflections arising from the ordering between magnesium, aluminium, and silicon atoms, such weak reflections are revealed on electron diffraction photographs for a phase, resulting in a tripling of the hexagonal latticec-dimension. These show to have a structure very similar to rhombohedral willemite (Zn₂SiO₄), with the (Mg, Al) metal atoms ordered with respect to the silicon atoms in a 21 ratio. However, there are some additional weak diffraction spots with indices not obeying the rhombohedral condition of –h+k+l=3n. It is proposed that the structure of this is identical to that of willemite and the extra spots are a result of some form of twinning, which implies the existence of ordered microdomains.     

Thermodynamic investigations of liquid Bi-Na and Sn-Na alloys by coulometric titration using β″-alumina

The following double galvanic cell was assembled and the thermodynamic properties of liquid Bi-Na and Sn-Na alloys, and the ion selectivity of -alumina during coulometric titration, were investigated. Mo, Na(I)¦-alumina¦M-Na(I), Mo [I] M-Na(I)¦-alumina¦Au + Au₂Na, Mo [II] (M = Bi or Sn) where M-Na(1) and Au + Au₂Na were used as the common electrode and reference electrode, respectively. Sodium was coulometrically titrated through the -alumina electrolyte of cell I both ways, and the EMFs were measured. It was found that no ion-exchange reaction occurs between the liquid alloys and the -alumina, and only Na was transferred in the -alumina during coulometric titrations. The thermodynamic properties of liquid Sn-Na and Bi-Na alloys were found to be in agreement with the literature.     

Temperature dependence of the experimental penetration depth of superconducting thin films

Experimental magnetic field penetration depths (t, d, H) of the stable and superheated Meissner state were calculated as a function of temperature for various applied magnetic fields and various film thicknesses for two cases: (1) (t)/d and (2) 2(t)/d ( is the Ginzburg-Landau penetration depth,d is the film thickness, is the GL parameter). The results of the first case should be a useful tool for obtaining (0) of amorphous superconducting thin films.¹ This work was supported in part by NSF Grant No. INT 8006927.     

Thermal diffusivity of inhomogeneous systems

The possibility of analyzing the nonsteady temperature fields of inhomogeneous systems using the quasi-homogeneous-body model is investigated.Notation t, t_I, t_i temperature of quasi-homogeneous body inhomogeneous system, and i-th component of system - a, , c thermal diffusivity and conductivity and volume specific heat of quasi-homogeneous body - a_{i i}, c_i same quantities for the i-th component - q heat flux - S, V system surface and volume - x, y coordinates - macrodimension of system - dimensionless temperature Fo=a/² - Bi=/ Fourier and Biot numbers - N number of plates - =h/ ratio of micro- and macrodimensions - _V, volumeaveraged and mean-square error of dimensionless-temperature determination - time - m_i i-th component concentration Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 39, No. 1, pp. 126–133, July, 1980.