Ortho-para conversion in hydrogen bubbles in copper

The low-temperature heat release in copper due to ortho-para conversion in hydrogen bubbles is investigated. Deviations from a model of free solid hydrogen are observed: a more intense heat release atT10 K and a rapid (10 h) heat release after cooling to 1.3 K. The experimental results can be explained by the assumption of autocatalytic conversion in the bulk and the catalytic influence of the bubble surface.     

Studies on fusion zone fracture behaviour of electron beam welds of an α+β-titanium alloy

A study was undertaken to understand the fusion zone fracture behaviour of electron beam welded +-titanium alloy Ti-6.5 Al-3.3 Mo-1.8 Zr and 0.25 Si. The effect of base metal microstructure, the amount of heat input and post weld heat treatment cycle on the all-weld tensile properties and fracture behaviour was investigated in this work. In general, it was found that the tensile strength and ductility of +-base welds are higher than that of the -base welds and the difference was attributed to the presence of wider fusion zone grains of -base welds. The -base weld tensile specimens always exhibited an intergranular fracture mode irrespective of the amount of heat input. The single pass low heat input +-base welds failed by ductile transgranular fracture mode, while high heat input single pass welds failed by a mixed mode (intergranular plus faceted) fracture. In general high heat input welds showed low ductility mainly on account of the strain localization effects at the grain boundary alpha phase. Post-weld heat treatments of +-base welds resulted in the improvement of tensile ductility and were associated with transgranular fracture due to the absence of strain localization effects at the grain boundary alpha phase.     

Nonlinear asymptotic theory of hypersonic flow past a circular cone

Summary The hypersonic small-disturbance theory is reexamined in this study. A systematic and rigorous approach is proposed to obtain the nonlinear asymptotic equation from the Taylor-Maccoll equation for hypersonic flow past a circular cone. Using this approach, consideration is made of a general asymptotic expansion of the unified supersonic-hypersonic similarity parameter together with the stretched coordinate. Moreover, the successive approximate solutions of the nonlinear hypersonic smalldisturbance equation are solved by iteration. Both of these approximations provide a closed-form solution, which is suitable for the analysis of various related flow problems. Besides the velocity components, the shock location and other thermodynamic properties are presented. Comparisons are also made of the zeroth-order with first-order approximations for shock location and pressure coefficient on the cone surface, respectively. The latter (including the nonlinear effects) demonstrates better correlation with exact solution than the zeroth-order approximation. This approach offers further insight into the fundamental features of hypersonic small-disturbance theory.Notation a speed of sound - H unified supersonic-hypersonic similarity parameter, - K hypersonic similarity parameter, M - M freestream Mach number - P pressure - T temperature - S entropy - u, v radial, polar velocities - V freestream velocity - shock angle - cone angle - density - density ratio, /() - ratio of specific heats - polar angle - stretched polar angle, / - (), (), () gage functions     

Formation of Friction Layers and Wear Resistance of Steels under Conditions of Boundary Friction

We studied the influence of the lubricant compositions Grafitol with 10% graphite (1), Aerol containing 17% MoS₂ (2), Limol containing 60% MoS₂ (3), Limol + 10% chlorine-paraffin (4), and Limol + 10% copper powder (5) on the wear rate and formation of the fine structure of surface friction layers of structural steels. We established a correlation between the tribological characteristics of steels and lubricants. The abrasive wear of 40KhFA steel was minimum if it was lubricated with Limol + 10% copper powder. In this case, its wear was smaller by a factor of 10, 2, 1.25, and 7.25 as compared with lubricant compositions 1–4, respectively. In the course of minimum wear of 40KhFA steel, in the surface friction layers, we observed the minimum values of second-kind distortions (a/a) and of the true size of domains of X-ray coherent scattering (D) as well as the minimum difference between the crystal lattice constants (a) of steel before and after friction.     

Flame quenching through endothermic reaction

A laminar premixed flame model is considered in which there is a second-order branching reaction coupled with an endothermic decay of a chemical inhibitor. An analysis, based on high activation energies for the reactions, is performed and two distinct cases are found. These depend on dimensionless parameters representing the loss of heat relative to its production, , and the consumption of inhibitor relative to that of fuel, . With 1, extinction is achieved through a saddle-node bifurcation at a critical value of . For , no extinction is found though considerable reductions in wave speed over the adiabatic limit are seen. The asymptotic results are compared with numerical simulations of an initial-value problem for the model.     

Simulation of the Process of Water Freezing in a Round Pipe

The problem of freezing of pure water in a round pipe is treated with due regard for convection under asymmetric thermal boundary conditions in the absence of motion along the pipe. The problem is solved numerically using the control volume approach, SIMPLER algorithm, and the enthalpy method. Results are obtained for three Grashof (Gr) and six Biot (Bi) numbers: Gr = 1.55 × 10⁶, Bi = 0.305 (0 < ), Bi = 0.044 ( < 2); Gr = 1.24 × 10⁷, Bi = 0.610 (0 < ), Bi = 0.087 ( < 2); Gr = 9.89 × 10⁷, Bi = 1.220 (0 < ), Bi = 0.174 ( < 2). The correctness of calculation of the problem disregarding free-convection flows is analyzed.     

The separability of inter- and intragranular resistivities in sodium beta-alumina type ceramics

The intergranular and intragranular resistivity components in -alumina ceramics cannot be separated quantitatively by impedance analysis, it was concluded a few years ago in a previous article in this journal. This conclusion was based on use of the so-called parallel multi-element equivalent circuit to model the electrical properties of polycrystalline electrolytes. However, this model is shown to be inconsistent with the observation that the activation energy for the intergranular resistivity is independent of the size of that component for many compositions — both - as well as -alumina. From this finding and others, the author infers that the separation of intra- and intergranular resistivities in sodium beta-alumina type ceramics is clean. Consideration of the separability question is greatly facilitated by an unconventional method of resistivity analysis. This alternative method involves essentially d.c. measurements on a set of specimens of the same composition but with different microstructures and resistivities. The method is described and its use illustrated.     

Interfacial and mechanical properties of environment-friendly “green” composites made from pineapple fibers and poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-valerate) resin

Physical and tensile properties of pineapple fibers were characterized. Tensile properties of pineapple fibers, like most natural fibers, showed a large variation. The average interfacial shear strength between the pineapple fiber and poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-valerate) (PHBV) was 8.23 MPa as measured by the microbond technique. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) photomicrographs of the microbond specimens revealed an adhesive failure of the interface. Fully degradable and environment-friendly green composites were prepared by combining pineapple fibers and PHBV with 20 and 30% weight content of fibers placed in a 0°/90°/0° fiber arrangement. Tensile and flexural properties of these green composites were compared with different types of wood specimens. Even though tensile and flexural strength and moduli of these green composites were lower than those of some wood specimens tested in grain direction, they were significantly higher than those of wood specimens tested in perpendicular to grain direction. Compared to PHBV virgin resin, both tensile and flexural strength and moduli of these green composites were significantly higher. SEM photomicrographs of the fracture surface of the green composites, in tensile mode, showed partial fiber pull-out indicating weak bonding between the fiber and the matrix.     

Surface repair of porous and damaged alumina bodies using carboxylate-alumoxane nanoparticles

Aqueous solutions of acetate-functionalized alumina nanoparticles (A-alumoxane), with an average particle size of 28 nm, have been used as alumina precursors for the surface infiltration and repair of porous and/or damaged alumina surfaces. SEM and AFM measurements indicate that treatment with a 1 wt% solution results in a reduction of surface roughness from >0.6 m to 100 nm for surface pores in the 100 nm to 1 m range. The use of 6 wt% solutions gives better infiltration repair for 50 m features, but surface cracking is observed. The surface hardness of the porous alumina substrate is increased upon infiltration. No spallation of the surface infiltration layer is observed after indentation measurements and grain dislodgment is overcome.     

Dielectric Properties of Melt-Grown Cd1 – xZnxTe Crystals

The real (") and imaginary (") parts of the complex dielectric permittivity of Cd_{1 – x} Zn _x Te (x= 0.1–0.2) crystals are measured as a function of temperature and frequency. The "-vs.-temperature data show a maximum, and " rises rapidly at about the same temperature. This behavior is interpreted in terms of compositional fluctuations, structural defects, and the associated internal electric fields.     

Distribution of α-AlFeSi and β-AlFeSi particles in surface layer of AA6063 alloy billets after heat treatment

We developed the EPMA mapping method of small -AlFeSi(Al_8.3Fe₂Si) and -AlFeSi(Al_8.9Fe₂Si₂) particles in the billets of Al-Mg-Si alloys such as AA6063 alloys. To discriminate between -AlFeSi and -AlFeSi particles we used the relative X-ray intensities of Fe/Si ratio, the I _Fe/I _Si ratio, instead of the Fe/Si mass ratio. To obtain the I _Fe/I _Si ratio, we used a Monte Carlo method. In this study, using this method the mapping of -AlFeSi and -AlFeSi particles in the surface layer of AA6063 billets after the heat treatment (for 2 h at 580°C) was done. Namely, the distribution of -AlFeSi and -AlFeSi particles of zones from the billet surface to a depth of 800 m was measured. Results showed the zone from the surface to a depth of 200 m was occupied mainly by -AlFeSi particles and the zone from a depth of 200 m toward the center was occupied mainly by -AlFeSi particles. From these results, it was found that if we remove zones from the surface to a depth of 200 m, we can remove the majority of the -AlFeSi particles, and thus improve the quality of anodizing performance of Al-Mg-Si alloys extrusions.     

The influence of ageing on the stability of β-γ/γ′ derived microstructures in Ni-Al-Cr-(Co) alloys

Multiphase Ni-Al-(Fe)-(Cr)-(Co)-based intermetallics with (B2)- (A1)/(L1₂), - or - microstructures can exhibit significant room-temperature tensile ductility. In the case of Ni-Al-Cr-based alloys, microstructural development is complicated by the precipitation of -Cr, which can supplant the -phase during ageing of three-phase -/ microstructures. An investigation of the stability, during ageing, of cast Ni-Al-Cr-(Co) alloys with microstructures derived from -/ is reported. In the as-cast condition, the materials investigated consisted of a dendritic matrix containing L1₀ type martensite and interdendritic /. Extensive intra- and interdendritic -Cr precipitation was also observed. The stability during ageing of the interdendritic / microstructure is also considered and transformation of the L1₀ martensite is examined.     

The effect of Si,Zr, Al and Mo on the structure and strength of Ti martensite

The structure and strength of martensite in near titanium alloys have been studied in the composition range (wt %) up to 10% Zr, 6%, Al, 1/2% Mo, 2.4% Si. [0001], 1/3 11¯20 dislocations, 1/3 10¯10 stacking faults and approximately {10¯11} twin related martensite plates are found to be common features of the martensite. Martensite midribs consist either of finely transformed material between martensite plates, or regions of low dislocation density within martensite plates.The martensite morphology is related to the alloy composition, changing from massive to plate-like with increasing solute content. The strength of the martensite is controlled largely by solid solution strengthening.     

One Method of Determination of the Effective Absorption Coefficient in Pulsed Laser Irradiation of Metals

An experimentaltheoretical method of determination of the absorption coefficients in laser treatment of metals has been proposed based on the solution of the boundaryvalue axisymmetric problem of heat conduction for a halfspace and metallographic measurements of the dimensions of the thermalhardening zone.     

Effect of Intense Self-Irradiation on the Phase Composition of Metallic Plutonium

The crystal structure of film samples of "high-level" (based on ²³⁸Pu) and low-level (based on ²³⁹Pu) metallic plutonium during their prolonged (up to 343 days) storage (self-irradiation) at room temperature was studied by X-ray diffraction. In the samples of high-level plutonium, the -Pu and -Pu lattices coexist. In the period of 40-60 days, the other known crystal modifications of plutonium (-Pu, -Pu, -Pu, and -Pu) are also present. Low-level plutonium had only the -Pu lattice. A possible origin of this phenomenon is discussed.     

Microstructural characterization of CO2 laser welds in the Al-Li based alloy 8090

The microstructural development of the Al-Li-Cu-Mg-Zr alloy 8090 has been studied after autogenous CO₂ laser welding. Sheets ranging in thickness from 1–4 mm were welded at speeds of between 20–120 mm s^–1 and powers from 1.5–3.8 kW. Optical microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used to study the as-received base metal, the heat-affected zone and the solidified fusion zone. The base metal was supplied in a superplastically formable condition and thus had an unrecrystallized grain structure containing 1–2 m sized sub-grains with sub-micrometre and precipitates in the matrix. In the fusion zone, the as-solidified grain structure was columnar at the interface with the base metal but became equiaxed in the central region of the weld pool. The weld depth and top bead width both increased with decreasing welding speed and increasing beam power within the limits investigated. The fusion zone microstructure was cellular-dendritic. Intermetallic precipitates, which are rich in copper, magnesium, silicon (and presumably lithium), formed in the cell/dendrite boundaries. Very fine-scale precipitates were present in the as-solidified -Al matrix but there was no evidence for the , S and T₁ phases. The heat-affected zone was only 100 m wide and was characterized by regions of partial melting. Radiographs of welds reveal that porosity occurred predominantly along the weld centre-line. In partial penetration welds, two types of pores were observed: near spherical and irregular. However, in fully penetrating welds, only the spherical type of porosity was present. Overall volume fractions of porosity were measured from metallographic sections and were found to vary with welding speed and weld type, i.e. partial or full penetration.     

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.     

Theoretical estimation of the effect of interfacial energy on the mechanical strength of spinodally decomposed alloys

New interfaces are produced on the slip plane when a crystal with continuous composition fluctuation arising from spinodal decomposition is deformed by slip. In this work, the energy of such interfaces is evaluated for both modulated and mottled structures, and their effects on slip behaviour are discussed. It is concluded that the contribution of this interfacial energy is large enough to account for the age-hardening concomitant with spinodal decomposition.     

Critical Behavior of 2 − Ions in Argon Gas

We measured the drift mobility of ₂ ^– ions in argon gas close to the critical point for (1.005 < T/T _c < 1.04) above T _c 150.7 K in the density range (0.025 <N/N _c< 1.733) around the bulk critical density N _c = 8.08 atoms . nm^–3. The density-normalized zero-field mobility ₀ N of the ions shows a deep minimum as a function of the gas density N as T T _c ⁺ This anomalous reduction of ₀ N occurs at a density N _m 0.76N _c. We believe that this behavior is due to the strong electrostriction exerted by the ion on the highly compressible gas. By introducing suitable contributions to the effective ion radius R due to the large gas compressibility and taking into account short-range local density and viscosity augmentation due to electrostriction, the hydrodynamic Stokes formula ₀ = e/6R, where is the gas viscosity, is in good agreement with the experimental data.     

p-Version hierarchical three dimensional curved shell element for heat conduction

This paper presents a finite element formulation for a three dimensional nine node p-version hierarchical curved shell element for heat conduction where the element temperature approximation can be of arbitrary order p , p , and p in the , and directions. This is accomplished by first, constructing one dimensional hierarchical approximation functions and the corresponding nodal variable operators for each of the three directions , and using Lagrange interpolating polynomials and then taking their products (sometimes also called tensor products). The element approximation functions as well as the nodal variables are hierarchical and therefore the element matrices and the equivalent heat vectors are hierarchical also i.e. the element properties corresponding to polynomial orders p , p , and p are a subset of those corresponding to (p +1), (p +1), and (p +1). The element formulation ensures C ⁰ continuity. The curved shell geometry is constructed in the usual way by taking the coordinates of the nodes lying on the middle surface of the element (=0) and the nodal thickness vectors. The element properties i.e. element matrices and the equivalent heat vectors are derived using weak formulation (or quadratic functional) of the three dimensional F ourier heat conduction equation and the hierarchical element temperature approximation. The element formulation is equally effective for very thin as well as extremely thick shells. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the accuracy, efficiency, modeling convenience, faster rate of convergence and over all superiority of the present formulation. The h-approximation results are presented for comparison purposes.