Modelling of dimensional changes during polymer-ceramic conversion for bulk component fabrication

Shrinkage and porosity generation during conversion of polymer-filler systems into ceramic bodies during pyrolysis is examined. In the presence of an inert filler phase such as Si₃N₄ or SiC powder dispersed in an organosilicon polymeric matrix only porous microstructures may be obtained without any shrinkage. By using an active filler phase such as carbide- or nitride-forming transition metals, however, shrinkage of the polymer matrix may be compensated by appropriate expansion of the filler phase. A model is derived to predict the critical volume fractions of various potential active filler systems in inert and reactive gas atmospheres, which can be effective in controlling shrinkage and porosity during the fabrication of ceramic components from polymer-derived precursor materials.Nomenclature P Polymer phase - C Condensed polymer pyrolysis product (ceramic) - G Gaseous polymer decomposition product - F Inert filler phase - T Active filler phase (e.g. transition metal) - M Reaction product of active filler phase (e.g. carbide, nitride) - m Mass - V Volume fraction - V _F,T ^max Maximum packing density of an inert (F) or active (T) filler powder - V _F,t ^* Critical volume fraction of an inert (F) or active (T) filler powder in the starting polymer-filler mixture - V _v Residual porosity in the polymer pyrolysis product - V _v ^pf Residual porosity in the polymer-inert filler system after pyrolysis - Ceramic yield of polymer after pyrolysis - Weight change of active filler phase during reaction pyrolysis - Density ratio of polymer to polymer pyrolysis (ceramic) product - Density ratio of active filler to filler reaction product - ^P Linear shrinkage of the polymer phase during pyrolysis - ^pf Linear shrinkage of a polymer-inert filler system during pyrolysis - ^paf Linear shrinkage of a polymer-active filler system during reaction pyrolysis - Linear shrinkage/expansion of the filler phase during reaction - Density     

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.     

Effect of magnesium content on the stress exponent and effective stress in the steady state creep of Al-Mg alloys

The stress exponent of steady state creep,n, and the internal ( _i) and effective stresses ( _e) have been determined using the strain transient dip test for a series of polycrystalline Al-Mg alloys creep tested at 300° C and compared with previously published data. The internal or dislocation back stress, _i, varied with applied stress,, but was insensitive to magnesium content of the alloy, being represented by the empirical equation _i=1.084 ^1.802. Such an applied stress dependence of _i can be explained by using an equation for _i of the form _i (dislocation density)^1/2 and published values for the stress dependence of dislocation density. Values of the friction stress, _f, derived using the equation _e/=(1–c) (1– _f/), indicate that _f is not dependent on the magnesium content. A constant value of _f can best be rationalized by postulating that the creep dislocation structure is relatively insensitive to the magnesium content of the alloy.On leave from Engineering Materials Department, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4, Canada.     

Does Vortex Lattice of YBa2Cu3O6.94 in H⊥c Melt Below Intrinsic-Pinning Irreversibility Line?

Vortex lattice melting in the Hc configuration of an YBa ₂ Cu ₃ O _6.94 single crystal has been investigated by means of the ac susceptibility – i and the magnetic torque . The melting transition of vortex lattice occurs in Hc, too. Since the torque curve shows a sharp peak in the irreversible torque at _c 90° due to intrinsic pinning at lower temperatures, we can determine the irreversibility line for the intrinsic pinning. The melting transition in the Hc configuration appears at temperatures where the intrinsic-pinning peak is absent. We consider that the intrinsic pinning does not affect the nature of the vortex melting transition in the Hc configuration.     

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     

Investigation of the excitonic insulator phase in bismuth-antimony alloys

Pressure-induced metal-semiconductor transitions in bismuth-antimony alloys in a strong magnetic field (up to 70 kOe) at helium temperatures have been investigated. It is found that for values of the overlap-gap |G|1 meV the alloy forms an excitonic insulator (EI) in magnetic fields above a certain threshold (30–40 kOe). It is inferred that the EI energy gap increases with the magnetic field. The maximum gap observed in fields of 70 kOe turns out to be ₀₀7.5 K. An analysis of the results shows that transitions to the EI phase are observed from both the semimetal and the semiconducting states. The critical transition temperatureT _c is related to the EI gap by the expressionT _c0.7. Arguments are advanced in support of the fact that the formation of the EI phase involves the pairing of electrons at theL point with holes at theT point.     

Experimental evaluation of relative mode parameters in the irregular earth-to-ionosphere waveguide

Conclusions A model for representing the propagation of superlong waves was selected. Certain relative mode parameters ()₁, ()₂, ()₃, (V)₁, (V)₂, (V)₃, C₁, C₂, and C₃ can be used in order to account for the time-measurement error produced as a resuit of the double-mode signal propagation, to determine in a semiempirical manner the ionosphere's effective reflection height at night and in the daytime, to calculate and apply signal-propagation corrections which take into account phase velocity changes due to variations in the ionosphere height from day to day, and to calculate the fields of transition paths.Translated from Izmeritel'naya Tekhnika, No. 8, pp. 75–78, August, 1974.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of rapidly quenched L20 and L20+L12 alloys in Ni-Al-Fe and Ni-Al-Co systems

Ductile L2₀-type wires and+L1₂-type duplex wires with high strengths and large elongation in the Ni-Al-Fe and Ni-Al-Co ternary systems have been manufactured directly from the liquid state by an in-rotating-water spinning method. The wire diameter was in the range 80 to 180m and the average grain size was 2 to 4m for the wires and 0.2 to 1.0m for the+ wires. _y, _f and _p of the wires were found to be about 360 to 760 MPa, 560 to 960 MPa, and 0.2 to 5.5%, respectively, for the Ni-Al-Fe system, those of the+ wires were about 395 to 660 MPa, 670 to 1285 MPa, and 3.5 to 17%, respectively, for the Ni-Al-Fe system, and about 260 to 365 MPa, 600 to 870 MPa, and 4.0 to 7.0%, respectively, for the Ni-Al-Co system. Cold-drawing caused a significant increase in _y and _f and the values attained were about 1850 and 2500 MPa, respectively, for Ni-20Al-30Fe and Ni-25Al-30Co wires drawn to about 90% reduction in area. The high strengths, large elongation and good cold-workability of the melt-quenched and+ compound wires have been inferred to be due to the structural change into a low-degree ordered state containing a high density of phase boundaries, suppression of grain-boundary segregation and refinement of grain size.     

Thermal Conductivity of the Four-Leg Spin-Ladder System La2Cu2O5 Single Crystal

We have investigated the magnetic susceptibility, , and the thermal conductivity, , in magnetic fields for the four-leg spin-ladder system La₂Cu₂O₅ single crystal. The in a magnetic field parallel to the ladder exhibits a kink at 130 K in correspondence to the magnetic ordering. The along the ladder exhibits a peak at 25 K and a shoulder at 14 K, which are probably related to the thermal conductivity due to magnons, _magnon, and that due to phonons, _phonon, respectively. The perpendicular to the ladder, on the other hand, exhibits only one broad peak related to _phonon. The observed large anisotropy of has been explained based upon the anisotropy of _magnon.     

hp-version finite elements for the space-time domain

A bilinear formulation of elasto-dynamics is offered which includes, as a special case, Hamilton's law of varying action. However, the more general bilinear formulation has several advantages over Hamilton's law. First, it admits a larger class of initial-value and boundary-value problems. Second, in its variational form, it offers physical insight into the so-called trailing terms of Hamilton's law. Third, numerical applications (i.e., finite elements in time) can be proven to be convergent under correct application of the bilinear formulation, whereas they can be demonstrated to diverge for specific problems under Hamilton's law. Fourth, the bilinear formulation offers automatic convergence of the natural velocity end conditions; while these must be constrained in present applications of Hamilton's law. Fifth, the bilinear formulation can be implemented in terms of a Larange multiplier that gives an order of magnitude improvement in the convergence of velocity. This implies that, in this form, the method is a hybrid finite-element approach.List of symbols b arbitrary constant - A _i, A _i vector of integrals, i = 0, j - A() linear operator on - () Hamilton's form of A - B (u, ) bilinear operator u, - B (u, ) Hamilton's form of B - B _i,j , B _ij , B _ij matrix of integrals - C constant, N/m - c number of floating-point operations per coef. evaluation - f, f(x) force per unit length, N/m - F, F ₀, F _L forces, N - J number of functions in series for û - k spring rate per unit length, N/m² - K spring rate, N/m - K _max maximum value of K - L _a Lagrangian, non-dimensional - L length of beam, m - m mass per unit length, kg/m - M mass, kg - M _max maximum value of M - n number of functions in series for - N number of elements in domain - p momentum density, kg/sec - P, P ₀, P _T momentum, kg-m/sec - q _i generalized coordinates - r _j coefficients of _j - t time, sec - t ₀, t ₁ limits of action integral, Hamilton's law - T end of time period, sec - u solution for displacement, m - û approximation to u, m - u ₀ initial value for u, m - test function, m - limited class of , m - x spatial coordinate, m - flapping angle, rad - Lock number - time increment, sec - Lagrange multiplier - longitudinal stiffness EA, N (Eqs. 1–18) - advance ratio of rotor (Eqs. 33–34 and figures) - _i , _r polynomial functions - non-dimensional time, azimuth angle - () variation of ( ) - W virtual work - ( ) d ( )/dx - ( .) d ( )/dt - (*) d/d - [ ] matrix - { } column vector - row vector     

Similarity solutions in axisymmetric mixed-convection boundary-layer flow

The similarity equations for mixed-convection axisymmetric boundary-layer flow are considered. The equations involve a buoyancy parameter and a curvature parameter . The equations are solved numerically and it is found that for large , and of O(1), an asymptotic solution is approached, the nature of which is discussed. When is also large, of O(^1/4), the problem, at leading order, becomes independent of the mainstream and the free-convection limit is obtained. This problem is also discussed, including the behaviour for large values of ₀, the free-convection curvature parameter. For < 0 we find that the solution can be continued past the point where the wall heat transfer becomes zero (where previous mixed-convection similarity solutions in plane geometry were terminated) with the solution ending as 0^–. The nature of this limit is also discussed. For < 0 it is also found that there are solutions only in _b = < 0 with two branches of solution bifurcating out of = _b , and values of _b are computed for a range of . The behaviour of the solution for large values of the curvature parameter , and of O(1), is discussed where it is shown that the solution proceeds in inverse powers of log .     

The athermal α → ω transformation in Zr-2 at% Nb alloy

The athermal transformation in Zr-2 at.% Nb alloy has been investigated by transmission electron microscopy. Analysis of the selected-area diffraction pattern has shown that the orientation relationships between the omega and the parent-phase in quenched Zr-2 at.% Nb alloy are the same as have been previously observed for the reaction in pure zirconium. Thus it was deduced that the direct transition has taken place in the alloy during cooling. The-originated -particles were visualized using the dark-field technique. The formation of the athermal omega in the-region of-stabilized Zr-Nb alloy is discussed in terms of the relative positions of the free energy equilibrium curvesT ₀ ,T ₀ ,T ₀ and the correspondingM _s ,M _s andT _s start curves. It is concluded that the omega phase can occur over a much wider range of alloy compositions than is usually recognized on the basis of transformation data.     

Non-linear creep behaviour of PET

The non-linear creep behaviour has been studied on PET films at room temperature. A particular value of the stress, _c, was used to characterize the change between the linear to the non-linear domain. The variations of the elastic modulus, the relaxed modulus and _c revealed great sensitivity to the morphology of the crystallization. A molecular model of non elastic deformation, assuming (i) hierarchical correlated molecular motion, and (ii) nucleation and expansion of sheared-microdomains, was used to analyse the role of stress on anelasticity. To take into account the two-phase structure of semicrystalline films, a phenomenological series/parallel model was applied to express the mechanical coupling between amorphous and crystalline phases. Quantitative agreement was found between theoretical predictions and experimental data for low and high stresses. However, there was a discrepancy in the rate of recovery because the model predicts a strain recovery slower than the experimental behaviour. Consequently, it is proposed to develop further the molecular model mentioned above by specifying the energy profile of a sheared-microdomain and its stress dependence. Then, the difference between creep and recovery strain rate could be explained.Nomenclature A Anelastic equilibrium compliance - A Parameter proportional to the relaxation strength - b Shear vector - Correlation parameter - _i Particular value in the distribution - _e Average value in the material ( = 0.27) - Correlation parameter characterizing the ability of chain orientation - d _a Amorphous density - d _c Crystalline density - Parameter of the mechanical mixing law - E Tensile modulus - E _c Crystalline Young's modulus - g _i Statistical weight in the distribution - G ₀ Shear modulus at 0 K - J _max Creep compliance at the end of the creep time - J _max(0) Value ofJ _max for low stresses - J _u Unrelaxed compliance - J _i( _i;A _i) Calculated compliance for a couple ( _i;A _i) - J _exp Experimental creep compliance - J _a Compliance of the amorphous part - J _c Compliance of the crystalline part - J _sc Compliance of the semi-crystalline material - k Boltzmann's constant - Parameter of the mechanical coupling law - R Radius of a shear micro domain - ₀ Stress necessary to cross the energy barrier only by mechanical activation - T _c Crystallization temperature - t _c Creep time - _mol Time for a translational motion of a structural unit over a distance comparable to its size - Particular value of _mol in the time distribution - Characteristic time for the secondary relaxation - ₀ Time proportional to the Debye time - t ₀ Scaling time parameter determined by the experimental value of _mol - U Activation energy for an elementary molecular motion - X _c Crystallinity ratio - V _a Volume fraction of the amorphous part - V _c Volume fraction of the crystalline part     

Magnetic field dependence of zero-sound attenuation close to the pair-breaking edge in3He-B due toJ=1−,J z =±1 collective modes

Our previous theory yielded for the Zeeman splitting of the imaginaryJ=1 collective mode in³He-B the result =2+0.25J _z ( is the effective Larmor frequency). In this paper we take into account the downward shift of the pair-breaking edge from 2 to 2₂– (₂ and ₁ are the longitudinal and transverse gap parameters). This leads to a complex Landé factor: the frequencies of theJ _z =±1 components become =2+0.39J _z , and the linewidths of these resonances become finite: =0.18. The coupling amplitudes of theJ _z =±1 components to density are found to be proportional to gap distortion, (₁–₂/(/)². Our results for the ultrasonic attenuation due to theJ _z =±1,J=1 modes are capable of explaining the field dependence of the attenuation close to the pair-breaking edge as observed by Dobbs, Saunders, et al. The observed peak is caused by theJ _z =–1 component: its height increases due to gap distortion as the field is increased, and the peak shifts downward in temperature and its width increases with the field due to the complex Landé factor. TheJ _z =+1 component gives rise to a corresponding dip relative to the continuum attenuation.     

Natural convection in a rectangular enclosure in the presence of a magnetic field with uniform heat flux from the side walls

Summary A numerical study is presented for magnetohydrodynamic free convection of an electrically conducting fluid in a two-dimensional rectangular enclosure in which two side walls are maintained at uniform heat flux condition. The horizontal top and bottom walls are thermally insulated. A finite difference scheme comprising of modified ADI (Alternating Direction Implicit) method and SOR (Successive-Over-Relaxation) method is used to solve the governing equations. Computations are carried out over a wide range of Grashof number, Gr and Hartmann number, Ha for an enclosure of aspect ratio 1 and 2. The influences of these parameters on the flow pattern and the associated heat transfer characteristics are discussed. Numerical results show that with the application of an external magnetic field, the temperature and velocity fields are significantly modified. When the Grashof number is low and Hartmann number is high, the central streamlines are elongated and the isotherms are almost parallel representing a conduction state. For sufficiently large magnetic field strength the convection is suppressed for all values of Gr. The average Nusselt number decreases with an increase of Hartmann number and hence a magnetic field can be used as an effective mechanism to control the convection in an enclosure.List of symbols Ar aspect ratio,H/L - B ₀ induction magnetic field - H ₀ magnetic field,H ₀=B ₀/ _m - g gravitational acceleration - Gr Grashof number,gq(L/k)L ³/v ² - H height of the enclosure - Ha Hartmann number, - k thermal conductivity - Nu local Nusselt number - average Nusselt number - p pressure - Pr Prandtl number, / - q heat flux - t time - T dimensionless temperature, (–₀)/q(L/k) - u vertical velocity - U dimensionless vertical velocity,uL/ - v horizontal velocity - V dimensionless horizontal velocity,vL/ - x vertical coordinate - X dimensionless vertical coordinate,x/L - y horizontal coordinate - Y dimensionless horizontal coordinate,y/L - thermal diffusivity - thermal expansion coefficient - temperature - ₀ reference temperature - density - kinematic viscosity - viscosity - _m magnetic permeability - electrical conductivity - stream function - dimensionless stream function, / - dimensionless time,t/L ² - vorticity - dimensionless vorticity, L ²/ - X grid spacing inX-direction - Y grid spacing inY-direction - time increment - ² Laplacian operator     

Mixing displacement of viscoplastic fluids feom a channel with a rectangular cavity

Different mixing displacement regimes for viscoplastic fluids are investigated theoretically and experimentally.Notation x and y Cartesian coordinates - h half-width of the gap - H, L dimensionless depth and length of the cavity - v_x, v_y velocity components - density - _ik components of the viscous stress tensor - e_ik components of the deformation rate tensor - dynamic viscosity - dynamic viscosity for infinitely high displacement velocity - ₀ analog of the limiting shear stress in Bingham's fluid - W parameter in Williamson's model - =/gh dimensionless viscosity - stream function - vorticity - ₀, ₀ distributions of and at the inlet - r,a, b, and c auxiliary constants - C concentration of the displacing fluid - D diffusion coefficient - Pe Peclet's number Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 40, No. 3, pp. 432–439, March, 1981.     

Paramagnetic resonance in a “dirty” spin-glass

For a spin-glass with nonmagnetic defects (n _m ^1/3l 1, where n _m is the magnetic impurity concentration and l is the mean free path) an absorption function () is derived. Three ranges of temperature and external magnetic field are considered. In the vicinity of the transition the value of () d is estimated as a function of temperature and field.     

Problems of Heat Conduction for an Angular Region with an Internal Source

Exact solutions of nonstationary problems of heat conduction have been obtained for an unbounded rectangular region when the opening angle is equal to /(2n + 1), where n is any natural number. By passage to the limit it has been shown that no stationary regime is possible for the rectangular region in the case of action of a constant internal source. The exact solution of the stationary problem for an angular region with an arbitrary opening angle ₀ has been given. It has been proved that in the presence of a constant heat source the stationary regime is possible just for the acute angle ₀ /2, while for the right or obtuse angles ₀ /2 the stationary regime is impossible, since the temperature increases without bound at internal points.     

Heat transfer in plane film formation

A mathematical model is obtained for the process of cooling with formation of a planar film. The solution obtained is verified experimentally.Notation mean axial velocity gradient - v_x current axial velocity - v_o initial polymer velocity - v₁ sampling velocity - K draw ratio - deformation rate tensor - x, y, z spatial coordinates - X, Y dimensionless coordinates - L() differential operator - T temperature - T_o initial temperature - T_c temperature of surrounding medium - dimensionless temperature - dimensionless temperature averaged over film thickness - thermal-diffusivity coefficient - 2_o initial film thickness - thermal conductivity - heat-transfer coefficient - f(X) distance function - Bi Biot criterion, Bi_o, Biot criterion calculated for initial film thickness - Gz* modified Graetz criterion - V dimensionless velocity - ₁, ₂, ₃ heat-transfer coefficients produced by radiation, free convection, and forced convection - v_c, _c mean velocity and film half-thickness in formation zone - T₁ calculated temperature value - T₂ experimental temperature value - l formation zone length Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 37, No. 5, pp. 854–858, November, 1979.     

Nonlinear axisymmetric response of orthotropic thin truncated conical and spherical caps

Summary An approximate analytical solution of the large deflection axisymmetric response of polar orthotropic thin truncated conical and spherical shallow caps is presented. Donnell type equations are employed. The deflection is approximated by a one term mode shape satisfying the boundary conditions. The Galerkin's method is used to get the governing equation for the deflection at the hole. Nonlinear free vibration response and the response under uniformly distributed static and step function loads are obtained. The effect of various parameters is investigated.Notations A, A ^* Inward and outward amplitudes - a, b, h Base radius, inner radius and thickness of the cap - D M h ³/[12(–v ² )] - E ,E Young's moduli - H ^*,H Apex height, dimensionless apex heght:H ^*/h - N _, Stress resultants - p ^1/2 - q Uniformly distributed load - Q,Q₀ Dimensionless load: , dimensionless step load - Q, Q ₀ Dimensionless load: , step load - t, Time, dimensionless time: t - T _A Ratio of nonlinear periodT for inward amplitudeA and the linear periodT _L - w ^* Normal displacement at middle surface - w Dimensionless displacement:w ^*/h - ₁ Linear parameter of static response - Orthotropic Parameter:E /E - Mass density - ₂,₃ Quadratic and cubic nonlinearity parameters - b/a - v ,v Poisson's ratios - Dimensionless radius:r/a - ^*, Stress function, dimensionless stress function: - ₀ ^* ,₀ Linnear frequency, dimensionless frequency: With 7 Figures