Evolution of Transformation Strain During Partial Transformation Cycling of an NiTi Shape Memory Alloy

This paper deals with how the magnitude of transformation strain changes on partial transformation cycling of an NiTi shape memory alloy. A near-equiatomic NiTi shape memory alloy was allowed to undergo partial thermal cycling keeping the stress constant at 100 MPa for various upper cycle temperatures (between austenite start and austenite finish), using a custom-built thermomechanical cycling test setup. The displacement and the temperature of the sample during cycling were measured using a LASER extensometer and an optical pyrometer, respectively. The test results show that the recovery strain and thermal hysteresis width decrease with increasing number of cycles during partial cycling. In addition, martensite start and martensite finish temperatures increase during the initial cycles, whereas austenite start and austenite finish temperatures decrease during the initial cycles, followed by their saturation.

Time-resolved nanosecond optical pyrometry of the vapor to plasma transitions in exploding bridgewires

Electrically exploded wires find uses throughout high-energy physics. For example, they are commonly used as high-temperature sources, X-ray generators, and in precision timing detonators. However, the detailed and complete physics that occurs is complex and still poorly understood. A full mechanistic description of these complex phenomena is beyond the scope of a single paper. Instead, we focus on the formation of metal vapor and its transition to plasma. This single transition is commonly assumed to comprise “bridge-burst”. We use a suite of diagnostics including a novel, fiber-based, high-speed, optical pyrometer to better characterize this transition. The primary finding from this project is that peak light output from an exploding wire does not temporally match the peak temperature. Additionally, it is found that peak light does not align with peak bridge-burst voltage and that the peak temperature is not voltage-dependent. These findings are non-intuitive and will allow for the correction of false assumptions previously made about this topic.

Formation of Phases in Reactively Sintered TiAl3 Alloy

This work highlights new results on the synthesis of the TiAl3 intermetallic phase using self-propagating high-temperature synthesis. This method is considered a promising sintering route for intermetallic compounds. It was found that the reactions proceed in two stages. Below the melting point of aluminum, the Ti2Al5 phase forms at 450 °C after long annealing times by a direct solid-state reaction between the aluminum and titanium, and is converted consequently to TiAl3. This is a completely new finding; until now, many authors have believed in the preferential formation of the TiAl3 phase. The second stage, the self-propagating strongly exothermic reaction, proceeds above the melting point of aluminum. It leads to the formation of the TiAl3 phase accompanied by Ti2Al5 and Ti3Al phases. The reaction mechanism was shown in the form of chemical equations, which were supported by calculating Gibbs energy. Reaction temperatures (Tonset, Tmaximum, and Toffset) were determined after induction heating thanks to recording by an optical pyrometer. This finding provides completely new opportunities for the determination of activation energy at heating rates, in which common calorimeters are not able to detect a response or even measure. Now, the whole procedure will become accessible.

Formation of plasma arc anode spot on the rotating graphite crucible

Formation of anode spots on rotating graphite crucible in the plasma arc furnace was investigated. The size and temperatures of the spots were determined by means of photographs and optical pyrometer. Composition of the plasma in anode spot region has been calculated. Cylindrical crucible of 100 mm in diameter with an axial hole of 40 mm in diameter and 28 mm in depth was rotated with the speed of ~100 rpm. Cylindrical cathode of 50 mm in diameter had an axial channel of 24 mm in diameter. Argon was fed through the channel as plasma forming gas. Crucible and cathode were located in the steel water cooled chamber with a volume of 150 liters. The arc was several centimeters long, arc current was 560-630 A. It was shown experimentally that 23-25 kW argon plasma arc can forms contracted or diffuse anode spot. The current density of contracted spot is 1800 A/cm2, while that of diffuse spot is ~250 A/cm2. Contracted spot formation occurs on a cold crucible and accompanied by intensive evaporation of graphite in a spot region. The carbon vapor decreased ionization potential of plasma near the anode and promoted contraction. A uniform heating of the hole in crucible up to 2700 K is needed for transformation of the contracted spot into diffuse one. Such heating was attained by rotation of crucible. Thermal isolation of crucible also promotes diffuse spot formation. Poisson’s equation was solved, and the voltage falls in space charge zones were calculated for contracted and diffuse spots as 10.7 and 1.5 V respectively. It was assumed that the lesser voltage fall promotes the diffuse spot formation.

Measurements of Temperature and Emissivity Distributions on a High-Temperature Surface Using an Auxiliary Light Source Method

A method to simultaneously measure two-dimensional temperature and emissivity distributions on high-temperature diffuse surfaces is developed using an auxiliary light source. The high-temperature diffuse surface is irradiated from the hemispherical space with the auxiliary light source switched “on” or “off.” Two images of the effective radiation intensity are obtained in quick succession for the two states to determine the temperature and emissivity distributions. The measurement method and uncertainty models show that the effect of the unknown emissivity on the accuracy of the temperature field measurement can be eliminated. The optical pyrometer is a color charge coupled device (CCD) sensor with a quartz lamp array used as the auxiliary light source to illustrate the measurement method. An oxidized W–Ni–Fe alloy sample is heated at high temperatures of 600–1000 °C by a 700 W induction-heating device. The distributions of the effective radiation intensities from the sample surface during the “on” and “off” states of the lamp array are measured in the three color channels (R, G, and B channels) to calculate the temperature and emissivity distributions. The temperature measurement uncertainties are less than 4 °C for a temperature range of 600–900 °C. The temperature measurements are experimentally validated by the thermocouple method only with a small temperature difference. The emissivities calculated from the three color channels are very close with a range of 0.855–0.957. The relative uncertainties in the emissivities for channels R and G are less than 2.0%, while the relative uncertainty for channel B data was higher at 2.8% and 7.5% due to lower measurement signals in channel B. This analysis may provide a useful method for measuring the temperatures of high-temperature diffuse surfaces by successfully compensating for the effects of unknown or changing emissivities.