Materials Science and Engineering Commons^™

Use Of Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy For Stress-Strain Measurements, Ajit K. Roy

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

One of the greatest challenges in evaluating the performance of materials in the real world is the determination of residual stresses, or the stresses induced in a material. Plastic deformation of metals and alloys produces an increase in the number of lattice imperfections known as dislocations, which by virtue of their interaction results in higher state of internal stress and reduces ductility. These stresses, if not properly annealed (released) can significantly degrade the long-term performance of the materials.

Due to the high temperatures and radiation fields typically encountered in most nuclear systems, such as accelerator-driven transmutation systems (ADS) and nuclear …

Fundamental And Applied Experimental Investigations Of Corrosion Of Steel By Lbe Under Controlled Conditions: Kinetics, Chemistry, Morphology, And Surface Preparation, Allen L. Johnson, John Farley, Dale L. Perry

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

An innovative research program is proposed to investigate the corrosion of steel by lead alloys, and in particular lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE). In our previous work, some steels were found to be far more resistant to corrosion by LBE than others depending on surface preparation (cold working). This program would allow testing of crucial hypotheses about the causes of the observed increased corrosion resistance. We propose to build a new test facility at UNLV to expose steel samples to LBE as well as facilities to prepare steel samples as indicated by our work.

The unique capabilities of the test system will …

Effects Of Environmental Variables And Stress Concentration On Target Materials, Sudheer Sama

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

This paper presents a brief summary on stress corrosion cracking (SCC) behavior of alloy HT 9. The susceptibility of this alloy to SCC was evaluated by using constant load and slow strain rate test techniques in neutral and acidic solutions at ambient temperature and 90°C. A proof ring was used to apply tensile load to the smooth specimen for 30 days in constant load testing. In slow strain rate testing, the specimen was continuously strained in tension at a rate of 3.3 × 10^-6 sec^-1 until fracture.

Effects Of Environmental Variables And Stress Concentration On Cracking Of Spallation Target Materials, Ajit K. Roy, Ramprashad Prabhakaran, Mohammad K. Hossain

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

This paper presents the results of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) studies of two martensitic target materials, namely Alloy EP-823 and Type 422 stainless steel. The susceptibility to SCC was evaluated by using constantload and slow-strain-rate (SSR) test techniques in neutral (pH: 6-7) and acidic (pH: 2-3) aqueous solutions at ambient temperature and 90^oC. A proof ring was used to apply tensile load to the smooth cylindrical specimen for 30 days in constant-load testing. For SSR testing, the specimen was strained in tension until fracture at a strain rate of 3.3 x 10^-6 sec^-1.

Stress Corrosion Cracking Of Type 422 Stainless Steel, Ramprashad Prabhakaran

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

This paper presents the results of SCC tests of quenched and tempered martensitic Type 422 SS in neutral and acidic aqueous environments at ambient temperature and 90^oC.The susceptibility of smooth and notched tensile specimens to SCC was evaluated by using constant load (CL) and slow strain rate (SSR) test methods. During CL testing, a calibrated proof ring was used to apply a constant load to the test specimen. The magnitude of the applied stress was based on ambient temperature yield strength of the material. On the contrary, the test specimen during SSR testing was continuously strained in tension …

Ultrafine Nife2o4 Powder Fabricated From Reverse Microemulsion Process, Jiye Fang, Narayan Shama, Le Duc Tung, Eun Young Shin, Charles J. O'Connor, Kevin L. Stokes, Gabriel Caruntu, John B. Wiley, Leonard Spinu, Jinke Tang

Physics Faculty Publications

NiFe2O4 ultrafine powder with high crystallinity has been prepared through a reverse microemulsion route. The composition in starting solution was optimized, and the resulting NiFe2O4 was formed at temperature of around 550–600 °C, which is much lower than that observed from the solid-state reaction. Magnetic investigation indicates that samples are soft-magnetic materials with low coercivity and with the saturation magnetization close to the bulk value of Ni ferrite.

Characterization Of Polished Silicon Wafer, Rajan Subramaniam

Student Works (2000-2009)

The quality of polished silicon wafer in terms of flatness, sub-surface damages, lifetime of minority carriers and micro-roughness are part of the key parameters in characterization used in the wafer manufacturing industry today. Prior to polishing, wafers were usually etched to minimize mechanical damages from earlier processes such as slicing and lapping. Two etching methods namely 'Concave' and 'Convex' etching were compared. Their effects on the quality parameters of the wafers as described above were determined through flatness measurement using microscanning, subsurface measurement using OSDA and minority lifetime measurement using EL YMAT. Determination of particles and microroughness on the wafer …

Deuterium Nmr Studies Of Bulk And Silica-Absorbed Polystyrene, Macduff O. Okuom, Jinhua Yang, Frank D. Blum

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Thin polymer films are used in applications such as electronics, biomedical devices and coatings. As the trend to make the devices smaller continues, a film's influence on a material's overall properties becomes more prominent. Previous studies have shown that thin polymer films have characteristics slightly different from those of bulk polymers. Film behavior has been characterized by examining thermal expansion, diffusion, conformation, density and glass transitions. The dynamics of glassy polystyrene has been investigated using a wide variety of theoretical and experimental methods. Schaefer et al., using 13C NMR, reported that ~7% of phenyl rings in polystyrene undergo -flips. Using …

Molecular Mass And Dynamics In Pma-D₃ In The Glass Transition Region, Burak Metin, Frank D. Blum

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

The segmental dynamics through the glass transition region, by which the glassy polymer becomes rubbery, are not well understood. Free volume, thermodynamic and kinetic theories have been used to describe the phenomenon behind the glass transition and some of those theories were tested with computer simulations. Different experimental techniques, such as NMR, thermo-mechanical analysis (TMA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dilatometry and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) have all been also used to probe this important phenomena. Deuterium (2H) NMR has been a valuable tool for the investigation of the dynamics of macromolecules. Deuteration of macromolecules at specific locations on the chains …

Dynamics Of Bulk And Adsorbed Poly(Vinyl Acetate), Frank D. Blum, Robert D. O'Connor

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

We have recently completed a series of experiments on methyl-labeled poly(vinyl acetate)-d3, (PVAc-d3)1 and poly(methyl acrylate)-d3 (PMA-d3).234 the systems have been studied as a function of the adsorbed amount, molecular weight, and presence of a protonated overlayer. Using deuterium line shape analysis, we have found that around the glass transition temperature, the adsorbed polymers show the presence of a motional gradient. Polymer segments near the silica-polymer interface have less mobility than the bulk polymer and those near the polymer-air interface are more mobile than those of the bulk polymer. A schematic representation of the motional gradient is shown in Figure …

Laser Emissions From Solid-State Dye-Doped Polymers, Chie Haw Lim

Student Works (2000-2009)

Laser emissions were obtained from dye-doped polymers, namely, C460/PMMA, R6G(ClO₄)/PMMA, C460/PVA and R6G(ClO₄)/PVA, under the excitation from a Transversely Excited (TE) nitrogen laser. C460/PMMA and R6G(ClO₄)/PMMA slabs were fabricated by using a low-pressure-compression molding method; whereas C460/PVA and R6G(ClO₄)/PVA films were fabricated in the form of thin films by using the dip-coat method. Laser efficiencies of 8.7% and 3% were achieved from the optimum dye concentrations of R6G(ClO₄)/PMMA (1 x 10⁻³ M) and C460/PMMA (2.25 x 10⁻² M) respectively. For dye-doped PV A thin films, the laser efficiencies of 8.27% and 6.3% were obtained from the optimum dye concentrations of …

Investigation Of The Corrosion Of Steel By Lead-Bismuth Eutectic (Lbe) Using Scanning Electron Microscopy And X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, Daniel Koury

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Lead Bismuth Eutectic (LBE) has been proposed for use in programs for accelerator transmutation of waste. LBE is the leading candidate material as a spallation target and an option for the sub-critical blanket coolant. The corrosion of 316 and 316L stainless steels by LBE has been studied using UNLV's facilities for Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). We have compared exposed and unexposed samples and studied the differences. Some amount of surface contamination is present on the samples and has been removed by ionbeam etching. The unexposed samples reveal typical stainless steel characteristics: a chromium oxide passivation …

Lithium Intercalation Performance Of P-Doped Phenolic Resin Pyrolysis Carbon, Bao-Hua Li, Kai-Xi Li, Yonggen Lv, Chun-Xiang Lv, Dong Wu, Li-Cheng Ling

Journal of Electrochemistry

Phosphorus-doped phenolic resin carbon was prepared by low temperature (700 ℃) pyrolysis of thermoplastic phenolic resin containing different amounts of phosphorus pentoxide after curing. X-ray diffraction pattern and the constang-current charge-discharge properties of phenolic resin carbon were studied. The results showed that the phenolic resin carbon microstructure became out of order with increasing of content phosphorus pentoxide, otherwise, the first discharge reversible capacities increased firstly and then decreased. The first discharge reversible capacity of phenolic resin carbon containing 9wt% phosphorus pentoxide was 528 mA·h·g^-1 which was higher than that of non-phosphorus doped phenolic resin carbon(230 mA·h·g^-1) did.

Review Of Mathematical Model For Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell, Shan-Hai Ge, Bao-Lian Yi, Hua-Min Zhang

Journal of Electrochemistry

In the review with 49 references, the mathematical models for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) were summarized. The mechanistic model and empirical model were introduced. Transfer in the membrane, catalyst layer, diffusion layer and flow field of PEMFC were described. The importance of water and heat management was analyzed. The dimension, complexity and solving methods of the PEMFC model were discussed. The importance and validity to develop a model with time dimension are put forward.

Preparation And Electrochemical Lithium Intercalation Performance Of Different Shaped Carbon Nanotube, Mao-Hui Chen, Zhen-Cai Huang, Guo-Tao Wu, Jin-Kua You, Zu-Geng Lin

Journal of Electrochemistry

In the present work, different shaped carbon nanotubes were produced by the general CVD and the template method at different temperature (600 ℃,700 ℃) with the reaction gas of acetylene. The morphology, structure and the electrochemical lithium intercalation performance were comparatively studied and characterized by TEM, HRTEM, SEM, XRD, Raman techniques and Charge/Discharge Test. It was found that the different preparation methods and temperatures all had an obvious effect on these properties of carbon nanotubes. In our samples, with the increase of preparation temperature, the degree of crystallinity decreased, and the reversible specific capacity increased respectively.

Nano-Sized Cobalt-Based Oxides As Negative Electrode For Lithium-Ion Batteries, Feng Huang, Zheng-Yong Yuan, Yun-Hong Zhou, Ju-Tang Sun

Journal of Electrochemistry

Nanosized cobalt-based oxide (Co₃O₄, CoB_1.36O_2.8 and CoB_0.5Al_0.1O_1.5) samples were prepared by rheological phase method and were tested as anodes in secondary lithium batteries. The cells were cycled between 0.01V and 3.00 V. The best electrochemical performance was obtained from the Co₃O₄ cell, which retained 95% of its initial capacity (931 mAh/g) after 30 cycles. The doping of B, Al reduced the reversible capacity during the first discharge/charge cycle, and the quantity of reversible capacity reduced with B, Al increasing. The modifying structures at difference …

Properties Of Domestic Natural Graphite Used For Li-Ion Batteries, Cui-Wei Du, Yu-Juan Zhao, Gang Zhang, Yin-Shun Wu, Qing-Guo Liu

Journal of Electrochemistry

The structure, physical characteristics and electrochemical properties of the natural graphite produced in Shandong province have been studied. The result of X-ray diffraction showed that the graphite consisted of hexagonal structure and rhombic structure (30% rhombic structure). It was fine crystal graphite. Used as a negative material of Lithium ion battery, the natural graphite showed excellent voltage and high energy capacity, but poor compatibility with electrolyte solution containing propylene carbonate (PC) for its own structure limitation.

Effect Of Dissolved Oxygen On The Corrosion Behavior Of Coalesced Copper And Stainless Steel-206 In Acetic Solutions, Rong-Zong Hu, Xiong-Cao Zhao, Yu-Hua Weng, Chang-Jian Lin

Journal of Electrochemistry

Linear sweeping technique and dissolving oxygen sensor were used to study the effect of dissolved oxygen and relating factors on the corrosion behavior of coalesced copper and stainless steel-206 in acetic solutions. It was found: 1. The existing of dissolved oxygen is one of the important factors, which strongly influenced the corrosion behavior of coalesced copper and stainless steel-206 in acetic solution. 2. The existing of dissolved oxygen is benefitial to the preventing stainless steel-206 from corrosion in acetic solutions, but damage to the preventing coalesced copper from corrosion. 3. At the high temperature since the dissolved oxygen was escaping …

Improvement Of The Low Temperature Electrochemical Performance Of Ab5-Type Hydrogen Storage Alloy, Hui Ye, Zhu Wu, Zhi-Lin Li, Hong Zhang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Optimizing the rare earth composition and doping with boron have been used to improve the low temperature performance of AB₅ hydrogen storage alloy. The results show that Ce-rich alloy with a proper amount of boron is suitable for Ni/MH battery with the lower-limit temperature down to 238 K under smaller current density (≤120 mA/g). The improvement of low temperature performance of hydrogen storage alloy is well consistent with its microstructure, thermodynamic and kinetic properties.

Steady State Simulation Of Ysz Intermediate-Temperature Fuel Cell, Zi-Jing Lin, Ye Gu, Xiao-Hua Zhang

Journal of Electrochemistry

With a coupled 2D electrochemical and thermal modeling software, the characteristics of the steady state operation of the intermediate-temperature fuel cell with thin yttria-stabilized zirconia(YSZ) electrolyte was analyzed. The parameters of I-V equation were obtained from fitting the experiment results and the choice of grid points was determined by balancing the accuracy requirement and computational efficiency. The temperature fields at different operation circumstances such as flow designs, material choices for interconnect, were examined. The dependences of the output power and cell efficiency on the operating voltage at different temperatures were studied. Based upon the analysis of the temperature profile, it …

Mechanistic Study Of Oxidation Of Hypophosphite On Pt Electrodes By Sniftirs, Tai-Xiang Jiang, Hui-Huang Wu

Journal of Electrochemistry

The oxidation of hypophosphite on a polycrystalline platinum electrode was studied by SNIFTIRS and cyclic voltammetry, the in-situ IR spectra were analyzed as a function of Pt electrode potentials in the solution of 0.5 mol/L H₂SO₄+0.1 mol/L NaH₂PO₂. It was found that the dissociative adsorption of hypophosphite ions occurs on Pt surface, and the oxidation product is H₃PO₄, rather than H₂PO₃^- which was considered to produce on Ni electrodes, thereby a new insight into mechanism of hypophosphite oxidation on Pt in acidic media was …

Studies On The Inhibition Of Yki-05 Corrosion Inhibitor To 907a Steel In Different Immersed Environments, Hui Yu, Jian-Hua Wu, Hong-Ren Wang, Jian-Hua Qian, Guang-Zhang Chen

Journal of Electrochemistry

The inhibition of YKI-05 Corrosion inhibitor in different conditions was studied using potentiodynamic polarization technique. The resuled shown that (i) the inhibitor film layer was formed stably on the surface of 907A steel electrode when it was persistently immersed in static seawater and the inhibition efficiency reached 90% or so. The inhibition mechanism is negative catalytic effect. (ii) the inhibitior film layer was not stable when the electrode was periodically immersed in seawater and was destroyed more significantly with the increase of electrode exposing time. The film was only a covered layer on the surface of electrode and it retarded …

Preparation And Performance Of Lifeo2 Coated Nickel Oxide Cathode For Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells, Chun-Ming Wang, Fei Li, Ke-Ao Hu

Journal of Electrochemistry

A novel cathode for molten carbonate fuel cells was prepared by coating LiFeO₂ over the surface of porous NiO cathode by a simple combustion process. The analytical results of X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDAX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated that the LiFeO₂ coating on the surface of NiO particles consisted of nonometer-sized LiFeO₂ grains and sintered tightly with the NiO particles. The LiFeO₂ coating dramatically reduced the contacting area of NiO with the carbonate melts, thus the solubility of NiO in the carbonate melts was decreased. Meanwhile, …

Electrocatalytic Oxidation Of Formic Acid On Molybdate-Modified Platinum Electrode, Jun-Hua Du, Xue-Hui Xu, Hong Li, Hong-Yu Cheng, Wei-Shan Li

Journal of Electrochemistry

The electrochemical behavior of molybdates on a platinum electrode in H₂SO₄ solutions with different H₂SO₄ concentrations was studied by cyclic voltammetry and double chronoamperometry. Molybdates were reduced to adsorb hydrogen molybdenum bronzes on the platinum electrode in H₂SO₄ solutions during cathodically potential sweep. The hydrogen molybdenum bronzes were oxidized to different forms of hydrogen molybdenum bronzes with less hydrogen, depending on the H₂SO₄ concentration. Platinum electrode was modified by these hydrogen molybdenum bronzes. However, this modified electrode was not stable in H₂SO₄ solutions. The modified …

Manufacture Of 1 Kw Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell Stack, Sheng Sui, Xin-Jian Zhu, Zheng-Yu Fan, Guang-Yi Cao

Journal of Electrochemistry

A molten carbonate fuel cell stack with an active area of 240 mm×140 mm consisted of 30 cells. The gas feed system works via interior manifolds, and the stack placed in a couple of self-chest, coupled with a heater at the bottom and other fours surrounded,to keep uniformity of temperature.Under ambient pressure and 650 ℃, fed with hydrogen and air as anode and cathode gases respectively, the stack gave a current density of 150 mA/cm² at an average cell voltage of 0.7 V. The peak output of the stack was 1.06 kW during its performance of 300 h.

Corrosion Of Steel By Lead Bismuth Eutectic: Quarterly Report August September October 2002, John Farley

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

We continued with sputter depth profiling of 316 and 316L steel samples that have been exposed to LBE. We also calibrated the sputter depth profiling using a sample of SiO₂ on Si, and the SEM. This is a valuable independent determination of the thickness of oxide layers.

In the laboratory, progress continues using the XPS machine. Experiments have been performed on steel samples using Argon ions to mill away the surface of the sample, thereby making measurements as a function of depth. This "ion beam milling" proceeds slowly through the oxide layer that covers the steel sample. We are …

Study Of Transport Properties Of Inas Using Monte Carlo Simulation, Satyanadh Gundimada

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The present research is aimed at ascertaining the usefulness of InAs semiconductor material for single photon avalanche photo detectors operating in the Geiger mode at 2 μm wavelengths. InAs is considered as the material suitable for the purpose because of its less bandgap and lower effective mass of the electrons when compared to other semiconductor materials presently in use. Hence, theoretically transient transport properties of bulk InAs are superior and the velocity overshoot phenomena stronger. InAs is a relatively less explored material when compared to other materials like GaAs. The choice of the material is justified with thorough exploration of …

Development Of A Mechanistic Understanding Of High-Temperature Deformation Of Alloy Ep-823 For Transmutation Applications: Annual Progress Report (September 2001 – August 2002), Ajit K. Roy, Brendan O'Toole

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The purpose of this project is to evaluate the elevated temperature tensile properties of Alloy EP-823, a leading target material for accelerator-driven waste transmutation applications. This alloy has been proven to be an excellent structural material to contain the lead-bismuth-eutectic (LBE) nuclear coolant needed for fast spectrum operations. Very little data exist in the open literature on the tensile properties of this alloy. The test material will be thermally treated prior to the evaluation of its tensile properties at temperatures relevant to the transmutation applications. The deformation characteristics of tensile specimens, upon completion of testing, will be evaluated by surface …

Hydrogen-Induced Embrittlement Of Candidate Target Materials For Applications In Spallation-Neutron-Target Systems: Quarterly Progress Report (June 01 – August 31, 2002), Ajit K. Roy, Brendan O'Toole

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The primary objective of this task is to evaluate the effect of hydrogen on environment-assisted cracking of candidate target materials for applications in spallation-neutron-target (SNT) systems such as accelerator production of tritium (APT) and accelerator transmutation of waste (ATW). The materials selected for evaluation and characterization are martensitic stainless steels including Alloy HT-9, Alloy EP 823 and Type 422 stainless steel. The susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and hydrogen embrittlement (HE) of these materials are being evaluated in environments of interest using tensile specimens under constant load and slow-strain-rate (SSR) conditions. Further, the localized corrosion behavior of these alloys …

Use Of Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy For Stress-Strain Measurements: Quarterly Progress Report (June 1 – August 31, 2002), Ajit K. Roy

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The purpose of this collaborative research project involving the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), the Idaho State University (ISU), and the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is to evaluate the feasibility of determining residual stresses in cold-worked, plastically-deformed, and welded materials using a nondestructive method based on positron annihilation spectroscopy. This technique uses γ-rays from a small MeV electron Linac to generate positrons inside the sample via pair production. This method is known to have capabilities of characterizing defects in thick specimens, that could not be accomplished by conventional positron technique or other nondestructive methods. The generated data will …