Polarization independent blue-phase liquid crystal cylindrical lens with a resistive film

We propose a new electrode design for polarization-independent cylindrical lens using a polymer-stabilized blue phase liquid crystal (BPLC). The top electrode is coated with a transparent and resistive film to generate linearly varying electric potential from center to edge; while the bottom iridium tin oxide electrode has a constant potential. Therefore, the vertical electric field across the BPLC layer varies linearly over the lens aperture and a desired parabolic phase profile is obtained automatically according to the Kerr effect. Simulation results show that this simple device is polarization independent and it has parabolic-like phase profile in a large tuning range.     

Optical multi-stability of bimesogenic cholesteric liquid crystal

In this paper, we present a multi-stable property in a bimesogenic cholesteric liquid crystal material with a proper chiral additive and check its potential as an energy saving transmissive type liquid crystal display (LCD) through its electro-optic characteristics. Experimental results show that the multi-stable characteristics in the fabricated cholesteric LC cell are very stable. Such multi-stable properties depend on the driving frequency, voltage, and field direction. The contrast ratio in the fabricated transmissive type cholesteric LC cell was 15:1, which is a result produced by voltage and frequency control.     

Multilayer piezoelectric ceramic transformer with low temperature sintering

The low-fired high performance piezoelectric ceramics used for multilayer piezoelectric transformer were investigated. Based on the transient liquid phase sintering mechanism, by doping suitable eutectic additives and optimizing processing, the sintering temperature of the quaternary system piezoelectric ceramics with high piezoelectric properties could be lower to about 960–1000°C. The low-temperature sintering multilayer piezoelectric transformer (MPT) has been developed. Some characteristics of MPT were systemically studied. The measurements include the frequency response of input impedance, frequency response of phase difference between input voltage and current, frequency shifting with load, input impedance changing with load, phase difference between input voltage and current shifting with load, and phase difference between input voltage and vibration velocity. The vibration modes and resonance characters of MPT were measured by a Laser Doppler Scanning Vibrometer. Several kinds of MPT with high voltage step-up ratio, high power density, high transfer efficiency and low cost have been industrially produced and commercialized. It reveals a broad application prospect for back-light power of liquid crystal display and piezo-ionizer etc.     

High temperature mechanical properties of triple phase steels

A 0.15% C–1.2% Si–1.7% Mn steel was intercritically annealed at 780 °C for 5 min and then isothermally held at 400 °C for 4 min followed by oil quenching to room temperature and the annealed microstructure consist of 75% ferrite , 15% bainite and 10% retained austenite was produced. Samples of this steel with triple phase structure were tensile tested at temperature range of 25–450 °C. Stress–strain curves showed serration flow at temperature range of 120–400 °C and smooth flow at the other temperatures. All of the stress–strain curves showed discontinuous yielding at all testing temperatures. Both yield and ultimate tensile strength decreased with increasing temperature, but there exists a temperature region (120–400 °C) where a reduction of strength with increasing temperature is retarded or even slightly increased. The variation in the mechanical properties with temperature was related to the effects of dynamic strain aging, high temperature softening, bainite tempering and austenite to martensite transformation during deformation.     

Annealing effects on structural and optical properties of ZnMgO films grown by RF magnetron sputtering

Two sets of ZnMgO thin films have been fabricated on Si (111) substrates by RF magnetron sputtering, and were annealed at air atmosphere afterwards. The effects of annealing temperature and time on structural and optical properties were also characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. For samples fabricated at a lower temperature (200 °C, defined as samples I), the experimental results revealed that only hexagonal phase was observed for the films annealed at the temperature range from 180 to 420 °C, and the best crystal quality for the films was found at 240 °C. For samples synthesized at 220 °C (defined as samples II), the crystal structures exhibited anneal-time dependent. The experimental results revealed coexistence of hexagonal and cubic phase when they were annealed at a set temperature of 220 °C with the different annealing time, and the best one can be observed when the anneal time was 30 min. PL spectra showed blue shift for UV peak with the increase of annealing temperature for samples I, and the UV emission occurred red shift and then blue shift when the anneal time increased from 20 to 30 min for samples II.     

The liquid phase sintering of molybdenum with Ni and Cu additions

To increase the sintered density of Mo compacts, liquid phase sintering was employed by adding sintering aids, Ni and Cu. With 1.5 wt.% Ni sintered at 1370°C, the sintered density of Mo increased from 86.0 to 97.5%. When one-third of the Ni was replaced by Cu, the density was improved from 82.1 to 99.1% when sintered at 1300°C. Although copper has little solubility in molybdenum, and vice versa, it aids nickel in enhancing the sintering of molybdenum compact during heating in the solid state and during the liquid phase sintering. The dilatometer run indicated that the liquid formation temperature was lowered by 90°C. Better wetting on molybdenum particles was also observed. However, the Mo–Ni–Cu compact was still brittle due to the presence of brittle Mo–Ni compounds at the grain boundaries.     

Thermomechanical fatigue behaviour of nickel base superalloy IN738LC Part 1 – Comparison of two unified constitutive models for description of mechanical behaviour

Abstract

The capabilities of two unified constitutive models to predict the mechanical behaviour of nickel base superalloy IN738LC under uniaxial loading conditions have been investigated over the temperature range 450–850°C. The material parameters of each model have been identified from an experimental investigation and complemented by available data from the literature. Mechanical responses from isothermal tests performed at 450 and 850°C (such as creep, monotonic, and fully reversed isothermal cyclic tests) were used for the identification of model parameters, and model capabilities were examined by comparison with in phase and out of phase thermomechanical fatigue and stress relaxation tests. Both models were found to capture all features of the material responses under uniaxial loading, although with varying degrees of accuracy.     

Fringing fields in a liquid crystal spatial light modulator for beam steering

Abstract

Phase modulating spatial light modulators (SLMs) can be used to alter the shape of a laser wavefront to achieve a deflection or change in the shape of a laser beam. This paper reports the results of characterization, simulation and optimization of a one-dimensional liquid crystal (LC) SLM. The device has a large ratio between LC layer thickness and pixel pitch that results in a fringing field between pixels. In effect, the applied phase patterns will be lowpass filtered and the loss of high frequency components limits, for instance, the usable steering range. A method is presented where intensity measurements in the far field are used to determine how the phase modulation at the SLM is distorted. The inhomogeneous optical anisotropy of the device was determined by modelling the liquid crystal director distribution within the electrode-pixel structure. Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations were used to calculate the light propagation through the LC. The simulated phase distortion was compared with the experimental results. A voltage compensation scheme to improve the diffraction efficiency was developed utilizing the measured and simulated results. It is demonstrated that a modification of the voltage patterns can give a better realization of high frequency components in the phase distribution and an increase in maximum steering angle by a factor two.     

Constitution of Au–AuSn–Pb partial ternary system

Abstract

In the light of recent changes made to the phase diagrams of the Au–Sn and Au–Pb binary systems, the constitution of the Au–AuSn–Pb partial ternary system has been redetermined using thermal analysis, metallography, and X-ray techniques. The equilibria consist of four ternary transition reactions at 63·5Au–26·0Pb–10·5Sn, 382·5°C; 42·5Au–47·5Pb–10·0Sn, 254°C; 30·5Au–60·5Pb–9·0Sn, 224°C; and 20·5Au–75·5Pb–4·0Sn, 214°C; a ternary eutectic equilibrium at 15·0Au–84·0Pb–1·0Sn, 211°C; and a four-phase monotectic equilibrium at 64·0Au–9·0Pb–27·0Sn, 257·5°C (compositions are given in atomic per cent). The phase assemblage of the partial ternary system is characterized by a region of true ternary liquid immiscibility that covers much of the composition triangle. The composition of the second liquid phase at the monotectic reaction temperature is 45·0Au–40·0Pb–15·0Sn. Solid solubilities were not determined.

MST/620     

Equilibrium pseudobinary Al–Mg2Si phase diagram

Abstract

Preliminary experiments and phase diagram calculations were conducted to determine the equilibrium phase diagram of the Al–Mg₂Si pseudobinary section. It was found that there is a narrow ternary phase field of Al+Mg₂Si+liquid in the diagram. At the pseudoeutectic composition of Al–13.9 wt-%Mg₂Si, a pseudoeutectic reaction takes place between the temperatures of 583.5 and 594°C. The solubility of Mg₂Si in Al at 583.5°C is calculated as 1.91 wt-%.     

Phase transition and optical properties of Ge doped ZnO films synthesised by sputtering

Ge doped ZnO films were deposited on Si substrates by sputtering technique. With the increasing annealing temperature, the crystal quality of samples becomes gradually better and the phase transition can be observed at annealing temperature of 600°C. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results show the incorporation of Ge into the ZnO films with 14·81 at-%Ge content. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy absorption spectra of samples annealed at above 600°C display vibration mode of ν (ZnO₄) and ν (GeO₄) in Zn₂GeO₄. The enhancement of ultraviolet emission intensity should be attributed to the yielded mass holes caused by Ge doping and the rising crystal quality. The sample annealed at 800°C displays the strongest blue emission due to the native defects in Zn₂GeO₄ films or/and surface defects.     

Decomposition of deformed α′(α″) martensitic phase in Ti–6Al–4V alloy

ABSTRACT

The process of martensitic α′(α″) phase decomposition in titanium alloys has not been sufficiently characterised in the literature – especially in terms of plastically deformed martensite. The research results of water-quenched Ti–6Al–4V alloy, subsequently cold deformed in compression test and tempered at the temperature range of 600–900°C for 1 and 2?h were presented in the paper. Light and scanning electron microscopy observations revealed the influence of plastic deformation on tempered martensite laths morphology – particularly at the temperature of 900°C – it favoured their fragmentation and spheroidisation. The effect of plastic deformation on characteristic temperatures of α′(α″)→α?+?β phase transformation, phase composition and alloying elements distribution in phase constituents of Ti–6Al–4V alloy was identified and evaluated too.

This paper is part of a thematic issue on Titanium.     

Synthesis and growth mechanism of NbC–SiC micro/nanowire by carbothermal reduction

Abstract

NbC–SiC micro/nanowires (MNWs) with NbC content varying from 5 to 20 mol.-% were synthesised at 1600–1800°C via carbothermal reduction utilising silica sol, niobium pentoxide powder and carbon black as starting materials. The synthesis process and growth mechanism of NbC–SiC system were investigated. Results show that the morphology of the synthesised products mainly appears as curve shaped microwires or nanowires. The crystalline consists of both SiC and NbC phases which doped with each other by substitution and interstitial reactions in solid solution. NbC–SiC MNWs were developed by vapour–liquid–solid mechanism according to the existence of liquid droplet phase in the tip at reaction temperature. β-SiC twin crystal growing along [112] direction was formed in the stem, and NbC polycrystal was dissociated from Nb–Si liquid phase. The varied concentration of Nb and Si in the Nb–Si liquid phase could be a significant reason for the curved growth of NbC–SiC MNWs.     

Structure refinement and thermal stability of gibbsite

The crystal structure of gibbsite (aluminum hydroxide) has been refined by Rietveld powder diffraction analysis, and the thermal stability of the crystal structure of the mineral has been studied in detail by high-temperature X-ray diffraction. The X-ray diffraction data obtained in the temperature range from 25 to 300°C indicate that the crystal structure of gibbsite is stable up to 200–250°C. The unit-cell parameters of gibbsite increase with temperature. Above 200°C, the gibbsite to boehmite (AlO(OH)) phase transformation begins.     

Computer modelling of phase diagrams

Abstract

An investigation has been made of the tensile behaviour between 20 and 600°C of two ultrahigh boron steels (Fe–2·2B and Fe–4·9B), consolidated by hot isostatic pressing at temperatures ranging from 700 to 1100°C. Tensile tests showed plastic deformation only in the Fe–2·2B alloy. A decrease in yield and ultimate tensile stresses occurred when the consolidation temperature was increased. This was accompanied by an increase in the elongation to failure. This alloy satisfies the Hall–Petch relation for all testing temperatures. The slope of the yield stress versus d^?1/2 curve (d is grain size) decreases as the temperature increases, indicating that the mechanism controlling plastic deformation becomes independent of grain size at high testing temperatures. The fracture mode observed was brittle at room temperature and ductile, shown by the presence of dimples, at temperatures above 400°C.

MST/2050     

Very low loss tangent and giant dielectric properties of CaCu<Subscript>3</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> ceramics prepared by the sol–gel process

The pure phase of CaCu₃Ti₄O₁₂ (CCTO) powder can be successfully synthesized by the sol–gel process. CCTO ceramic samples were synthesized at different sintering temperatures of 1015 and 1050?°C and sintering times of 8 and 10 h. X-ray diffraction results indicated a pure phase for all ceramic samples. Rietveld refinements were adopted for the calculation of lattice constants. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs revealed the effect of sintering conditions on the microstructural evolution of ceramic samples. X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy was performed to determine the oxidation state of Cu and Ti ions in ceramic samples. The dielectric and non-linear current voltage properties of CCTO ceramic samples were systematically investigated. Interestingly, very low loss tangent (tanδ?<?0.017 at 30?°C and 1 kHz) and giant dielectric constant (ε′?～?10,942) with temperature coefficients less than ±15% in a wide temperature range of ?60 to 125?°C were obtained in the CCTO ceramic sample sintered at 1015?°C for 10 h (CCTO1-10). This suggests a potential use for CCTO1-10 sample in capacitor applications. All CCTO ceramic samples display non-linear characteristic with non-linear coefficient (α) and breakdown field (E _b ) values in the range of 5.69–11.02 and 1415–4294, respectively.     

Characteristic features of the boiling of emulsions having a low-boiling dispersed phase

The results of investigation of heat transfer from thin wires to a boiling emulsion, the dispersed phase of which is formed from a liquid with a boiling temperature much lower than the boiling temperature of the dispersion medium, are presented. Two variants of boiling of such an emulsion are possible: boiling of the dispersed phase alone and simultaneous boiling of the dispersed phase and dispersion medium. In the present work, only the first variant has been studied; it is distinguished by the following most important features: high superheat of the dispersed-phase droplets ΔT_sup of the emulsion and a wide temperature range of bubble boiling (50–200°C). For conventional heat carriers (pure liquids and solutions), the value of ΔT_sup does not exceed 1–10°C, with the bubble-boiling interval lying within the range from 5 to 20°C. __________ Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 79, No. 6, pp. 81–84, November–December, 2006.     

Dissolution of laves phase by re-austenitization and tempering of creep strength enhanced ferritic steel

ABSTRACT

Formation of Laves phase in creep strength enhanced ferritic steel is investigated using re-austenitization and tempering treatment. The as-received material is exposed to 620°C for 4560?h aging, and then re-austenitizated at 1050°C for 1?h, and followed by tempering at 760°C for different times (2 and 4?h). After re-austenitization and tempering, the dissolution of Laves phase is observed while grain size and microhardness have not changed significantly. A model is suggested to quantify the dissolution of W-containing Laves phase. Thermo-Calc is used to predict driving forces for precipitation of Laves and M23C6 phases.     

Isothermal solid–liquid transitions in the (Ni,B)/ZrB2 system as revealed by sessile drop experiments

In the framework of joining processes of ultrahigh temperature ceramics (UHTCs), sessile drop experiments were performed in the Ni–B/ZrB₂ system in the range 1110° ≤ T ≤ 1200 °C. They show that, at temperatures between 1110 and 1150 °C, isothermal solid–liquid transitions occur in a sequence; while in fact at T ≥ 1200 °C, the drop melts without any further phase transition, at lower temperatures, complete melting is followed by a solidification stage and final remelting. This complex behavior, which can be very relevant when utilizing Ni–B alloys for brazing processes (e.g., by the transient liquid phase bonding technique), is successfully interpreted on the basis of the complete B–Ni–Zr phase diagram newly computed by CALPHAD: Isothermal sections, calculated between 1110 and 1150 °C, show that the composition of the drop enters, crosses, and leaves the primary solidification region of the Zr₂Ni₂₁B₆ ternary compound. The use of thermodynamic modeling for the explanation of experimental data sets a link between wetting and joining experiments and phase diagrams assessment.     

Solidification path and phase equilibria in the liquid-solid range of cobalt-base alloy

For stellite 6 type alloys (Co-Cr-C-W), phase equilibria may be determined by several experimental methods, between liquidus and solidus temperatures. According to the composition of the different phases in this temperature range, two steps are found for the solidification path: from 1360 to 1280° C, a f c c solid solution based on Co-Cr crystallizes from the liquid phase; then, between 1280° C and the solidus temperature, the liquid phase meets and follows an eutectic line; at the same time, a eutectic precipitation of γ-phase and M₇C₃ takes place. Owing to the lack of diffusion of W in the solid phases, undercooling is observed at normal solidification rates.