Papers by Keyword: Transparent Alloy

Abstract: A model of crystal detachment from a chilling solid surface with vibration has been presented according to the mechanical analysis of the primary phase of a growing crystal grain. The model indicates that the main factors of crystal detachment are vibration frequency and amplitude as well as cooling temperature of the chilling solid surface. The effects of the above three factors on the actual crystal detachment behaviors were studied experimentally by using a transparent NH₄Cl-70%wtH₂O alloy. The consistency between the experimental results and theoretical study proves the mechanical model.

Abstract: The movement and morphological change of a solid-liquid interface in directional solidification was investigated during two sounding rocket flights. By using the transparent binary alloy Succinonitrile-Acetone the dynamic processes at the solidification front could be observed directly. Both the planar interface growth, the onset of instability and the characteristic features of the interface morphology, i.e. the evolution of the primary spacing and amplitudes of the cells and dendrites were evaluated. The comparison with a calculation of the morphological instability based on the theoretical model of Warren and Langer showed a good agreement concerning the critical time and velocity of the solidification front.

Abstract: The properties of structural materials are to a large extent determined by the solid microstructure so that the understanding of the fundamental physics of microstructure formation is critical in the field of materials engineering. A directional solidification facility dedicated to the characterization of solid-liquid interface morphology by means of optical methods has been developed by CNES in the frame of the DECLIC project. This device enables in situ and real time studies on bulk transparent materials. The aim of the project is to perform experiments in microgravity to eliminate the complex couplings between solidification and convection and to get reliable benchmark data to validate and calibrate theoretical modeling and numerical simulations. Presently, ground experiments are performed to finalize the design and the experimental procedures and to guarantee the accuracy of the measurements. These experiments also provide reference data for the study of solidification microstructure dynamics in the presence of buoyancy-driven natural convection. Recent progress is presented concerning the control of the interface shape (critical for pattern analysis), the selection of single crystal of defined orientation (critical for dendritic growth) and the analysis of the dendrite shape.

Abstract: The anisotropy of dendritic structure is characterized in this paper. The direction of move of liquid/solid interface influence the velocity of the melt flow. In the course of the experiments the liquid/solid interface was moved in three different directions: i) at right angles to the direction of gravity vector, ii) in the direction identical with it and iii) in the direction opposite to it. Our purpose was to investigate the shape of solidifying dendrites as a function of the angle included by the gravity vector and solidification [6]. The measurements were done in real images fixed by us. The following parameters were chosen for characterizeing the anisotropy of dendrites: intersection number of the test lines and dendrite interface (P), orientation factor (
), dendritic surface in volume (SV). The material was solidified by using an equipment developed by the authors. The solidification rate is a constant value: 0.001 mm/s and 0.003 mm/s, the composition of material used for modelling purposes is: SCN (succinonitrile) -2.5-3 mass% of acetone. 100 images were processed in each direction. It was necessary to rotate the images in order to count the number of intersections. A program developed by the authors was used for this purpose; the number of intersections was given by the program as a function of the angle of rotation, and the perimeter and area of the dendrites.

Abstract: 3D samples of NH4Cl-H2O solutions were solidified under defined experimental conditions. The occurring melt convection was investigated by Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). The occurrence of NH4Cl crystals was observed optically and first attempts were made to quantitatively measure its number density, size distribution and sedimentation rate by PIV and Particle Tracking (PT). In order to prove the reproducibility of the results several experimental runs with equal and slightly modified conditions were analyzed.