Effect of grain boundaries on isothermal solidification during transient liquid phase brazing

The influence of liquid penetration at grain boundary regions on the rate of advance of the solid-liquid interface during isothermal solidification of transient liquid phase (TLP) brazed nickel joints has been examined. The test samples used in this study were Ohno-cast nickel with a grain size of >4 mm and a fine-grained nickel with a grain size of around 40 μm. Both Ni-base materials had the same chemical composition. The rate of isothermal solidification was greater when fine-grained nickel was employed during TLP brazing using Ni-11 wt pct P filler metal at 1200 °C. Liquid penetration at grain boundaries accelerates the isothermal solidification process by increasing the effective solid-liquid interfacial area and increasing the rate of solute diffusion into the base material. An analysis of electron channeling patterns has confirmed that random high-angle boundaries have a greater influence on the rate of isothermal solidification than ordered boundaries including small-angle or twin boundaries. Formerly Visiting Scientist, Department of Metallurgy and Materials Science, University of Toronto. Formerly Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Metallurgy and Materials Science, University of Toronto     

Optical properties of doped bismuth telluride crystals in the region of plasma effects

The optical properties of bismuth telluride crystals doped with donor-and acceptor-type impurities are studied. The fact that energy corresponding to the resonance frequency of plasma oscillations of free charge carriers (plasmons) approaches the band-gap energy is detected in the infrared spectral region, where the main elementary excitations in the electronic system of these materials are observed. The mentioned approach of energies varies the intensity of electron-plasmon interaction, which affects the recombination processes in the materials widely used for the fabrication of thermoelectric energy converters.     

Effect of surfactants and liquid hydrocarbons on gas hydrate formation rate and storage capacity

Hydrate formation rate plays an important role in making hydrates for the storage and transport of natural gas. Micellar surfactant solutions were found to increase gas hydrate formation rate and storage capacity. With the presence of surfactant, hydrate could form quickly in a quiescent system and the energy costs of hydrate formation reduced. Surfactants (an anionic surfactant, a non‐ionic surfactant and their mixtures) and liquid hydrocarbons (cyclopentane and methylcyclohexane) were used to improve hydrate formation. The experiments of hydrate formation were carried out in the pressure range 3.69–6.82 MPa and the temperature range 274.05–277.55 K. The experimental pressures were kept constant during hydrate formation in each experimental run. The effect of anionic surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS)) on natural gas storage in hydrates is more pronounced compared to a non‐ionic surfactant (dodecyl polysaccharide glycoside (DPG)). The induction time of hydrate formation was reduced with the presence of cyclopentane (CP). Cyclopentane and methylcyclohexane (MCH) could increase hydrate formation rate, but reduced hydrate storage capacity The higher methylcyclohexane concentration, the lower the hydrate storage capacity. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluating software reuse alternatives: a model and its application to an industrial case study

We propose a model that enables software developers to systematically evaluate and compare all possible alternative reuse scenarios. The model supports the clear identification of the basic operations involved and associates a cost component with each basic operation in a focused and precise way. The model is a practical tool that assists developers to weigh and evaluate different reuse scenarios, based on accumulated organizational data, and then to decide which option to select in a given situation. The model is currently being used at six different companies for cost-benefit analysis of alternative reuse scenarios; we give a case study that illustrates how it has been used in practice.     

Effect of broaching on high-temperature fatigue behavior in notched specimens of INCONEL 718

Notches were machined in specimens of INCONEL 718 by a broaching process, where differing broaching runs led to differing extents of subsurface deformation and surface roughness. Fatigue tests were carried out at 600 °C with a trapezoidal loading waveform at 0.25 Hz. The broaching process that led to the more severe subsurface deformation (but lower surface roughness) showed the worst fatigue performance. Analysis of total strain amplitude in the notch root with the aid of an elastoplastic finite-element (FE) model showed that the work hardening related to the subsurface deformation caused by the different broaching can account for the difference in fatigue lives. Differences in initiation and growth behavior were seen for the two broached finishes as well as for broached and subsequently polished samples. These differences are discussed in terms of a change in crack growth initiation and growth mechanisms due to the presence of the work-hardened layer.