Metallurgy Commons^™

Development Of A Mechanistic Understanding Of High-Temperature Deformation Of Alloy Ep-823: Task 10, First Quarter Report, Ajit K. Roy, Brendan O'Toole

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The objective of this task is to evaluate the elevated temperature tensile properties of Alloy EP-823, a leading target material for accelerator-driven waste transmutation applications. The test material will be thermally treated prior to 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 analytical techniques including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The overall results are expected to provide a mechanistic understanding of high-temperature deformation behavior of Alloy EP-823 as a function of heat treatment.

Highlights of Accomplishment

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Modeling, Fabrication, And Optimization Of Niobium Cavities – Phase I: Quarterly Progress Report August 20, 2001 - November 20, 2001, Robert A. Schill Jr., Mohamed Trabia

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

Multipacting is one of the major loss mechanisms in rf superconductivity cavities for accelerators. This loss mechanism limits the maximum amount of energy/power supported by the cavities. Optimal designs have been identified in others’ studies. In practice, these designs are not easily manufactured. Chemical etching processes used to polish the cavity walls result in a nonuniform surface etch. A nonuniform surface etch will leave some unclean areas with contaminants and micron size particles. These significantly affect mutipacting. Further, a nonuniform etch will leave areas with damaged grain structure, which is not good for superconducting properties. Typically, the depth of chemical …

Analysis Of Corrosion Of Steel By Lead Bismuth Eutectic, John Farley, Dale L. Perry

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

We examined stainless samples that were exposed to LBE in experiments conducted by the Russians, under contract to Los Alamos. We examined both corroded and uncorroded samples using the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), the Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDAX) Spectroscopy, and the X-ray Photoelectron Spectrometer (XPS). We found that the surface of the corroded sample is covered by oxygen-containing compounds, presumably mostly iron oxide. In samples exposed for shorter times or lower temperatures, we found that some areas were covered by an oxide layer, and some areas was uncovered. We found that the level of Cr in the uncovered area is …

Modeling Corrosion In Oxygen Controlled Lbe Systems With Coupling Of Chemical Kinetics And Hydrodynamics: Quarterly Progress Report August 16,2001- November 15, 2001, Samir Moujaes, Yitung Chen

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The Lead-Bismuth eutectic (LBE) has been determined from previous experimental studies by the Russians and the European scientific community to be a potential material that can be used as a spallation target and coolant for the AAA proposed application.

Properly controlling the oxygen content in LBE can drastically reduce the LBE corrosion to structural steels. However, existing knowledge of material corrosion performance was obtained from point-wise testing with very limited density. The transport of oxygen and corrosion products, their interaction and variation of corrosion/precipitation along the flow are not well understood.

The first subtask of this project involves using a …

Environment-Induced Degradation And Crack-Growth Studies Of Candidate Target Materials: Aaa Task-4 Quarterly (June 1 – August 31, 2001) Report, Ajit K. Roy, Brendan O'Toole

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The subject task entitled “Hydrogen-Induced Embrittlement of Candidate Target Materials for Applications in Spallation-Neutron-Target Systems” had commenced during the quarter ending on August 31, 2001. A research account has been established, contracts for both faculty and students have been prepared, and efforts are well underway to embark on the related research activities, as proposed.

As the title of this project implies, the primary objective of this task is to evaluate the effect of hydrogen on environment-assisted cracking of candidate materials for applications in spallationneutron- target (SNT) systems such as accelerator production of tritium (APT) and accelerator transmutation of waste (ATW). …

Modeling, Fabrication, And Optimization Of Niobium Cavities – Phase I: Quarterly Progress Report May 15, 2001 - August 15, 2001, Robert A. Schill Jr., Mohamed Trabia

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

Multipacting is one of the major loss mechanisms in rf superconductivity cavities for accelerators. This loss mechanism limits the maximum amount of energy/power supported by the cavities. Optimal designs have been identified in others’ studies. In practice, these designs are not easily manufactured. Chemical etching processes used to polish the cavity walls result in a nonuniform surface etch compromising the optimal geometrical design. Past multipacting studies have not examined the impact of wall perturbations.

It is the purpose of this study to examine the chemical etching process in the design of niobium cavities so to maximize the surface quality of …

Analysis Of Corrosion Of Steel By Lead Bismuth Eutectic, John Farley, Dale L. Perry

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The goal is to achieve a basic understanding of the corrosion of stainless steel by Lead Bismuth Eutectic (LBE), which has been proposed for use in the transmuter as both a coolant and as a sputtering target.

Development Of A Mechanistic Understanding Of High-Temperature Deformation Of Alloy Ep-823 For Transmutation Applications, 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. However, very little data exist in the open literature on the tensile properties of this alloy. The selection of Alloy EP-823 as the test material in the proposed task is based on the recommendation of our collaborator at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). The test material will be thermally treated …

Modeling Corrosion In Oxygen Controlled Lbe Systems With Coupling Of Chemical Kinetics And Hydrodynamics, Samir Moujaes, Yitung Chen

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The proposed work will combine chemical kinetics and hydrodynamics in target and test-loop lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) systems to model system corrosion effects. This approach will result in a predicative tool that can be validated with corrosion test data, used to systematically design tests and interpret the results, and provide guidance for optimization in LBE system designs. The task includes of two subtasks. The first subtask is to try to develop the necessary predictive tools to be able to predict the levels of oxygen and corrosion products close to the boundary layer through the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling. …

Electrochemical Characterization Of The Effects Of Impurities And Organic Additives In Lead Electrowinning From Fluoborate Electrolyte, Puqiang Zhang, Thomas J. O'Keefe, Pu Yu

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The effects of glue and calcium lignin sulfonate additives, and chloride and antimony impurities on the lead electrowinning process, using a fluoborate electrolyte, were studied. Short-term deposition tests, voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and SEM techniques were used for the evaluation. The interactions among additives and impurities were also evaluated. The presence of antimony or chloride ion in the range of 50 to 200 mg/L was shown to cause a more dendritic and powdery lead deposit. Additions of glue and calcium lignin sulfonate at selected concentrations helped to level the deposit and counteracted the detrimental effects of chloride and antimony. …

Hydrogen-Induced Embrittlement Of Candidate Target Materials For Applications In Spallation-Neutron-Target Systems, Brendan O'Toole, Ajit K. Roy

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The purpose of this project is to evaluate the effect of hydrogen on 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 test materials will undergo appropriate thermal treatments prior to being hydrogen-charged by potentiostatic cathodic polarization technique in a simulated aqueous environment at different temperatures of interest. The specimens, upon completion of testing, will be metallographically examined. Further, the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) will be used to determine the extent and nature of cracking in the specimens tested. The thrust of the proposed …

Properties Of Sputtered Bilayer Wnx/W Diffusion Barriers Between Si And Cu, K. D. Leedy, Matthew O'Keefe, E. J. Dahlgren, J. T. Grant

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Copper interconnect metallizations in next generation integrated circuits will require thin diffusion barrier layers (< 20 nm) between the Cu and low-k dielectric which may also function as seed layers for subsequent material depositions. One possible structure entails a multicomponent diffusion barrier with a lower resistivity component, such as W on WNx. In this study, sputtered WNx/W bilayer thin films were investigated as diffusion barriers between Si and Cu. The total thickness of the WNx/W bilayer was fixed at 20 nm while the WNx thickness was varied from 0 to 20 nm. After deposition of the barrier films, a 100 nm thick Cu film was sputtered over the top of the ct-W and amorphous WNx bilayer. The as-deposited WNx/W film stress was found to be strongly dependent on the relative amount of WNx and W present and the addition of a Cu overlayer was found to mitigate the stress levels. The WNx/W barriers remained stable after 650°C anneals and exhibited phase transformations to W 2N. Microstructural characterization using transmission electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction and chemical analysis by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of the films were used to identify the as deposited and transformed phases. © 2001 Materials Research Society.

Rms Titanic: A Metallurgical Problem, Hollis P. Leighly, B. L. Bramfitt, S. J. Lawrence

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Characterization And Soldering Of Organic Modified Aluminum Thin Films And Bond Pads, Rui Fang, Eric Dahlgren, Matthew O'Keefe, Thomas J. O'Keefe, Wu Sheng Shih, Daniel R. Gamota, Jie Zhang

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

An immersion plating process using organic solutions was used to deposit a seed layer of copper and to activate the surface of thin film aluminum surfaces and bond pads. The seeded surfaces were subsequently electroless copper plated and tested for compatibility with soldering assembly. It was demonstrated that the copper particles deposited from the organic solution onto sputter deposited aluminum thin films were able to act as nucleation sites for the subsequent buildup of adherent, continuous copper films from conventional electroless plating baths. In addition, the metal deposition from organic solution process was found to be very selective on patterned …

Spontaneous, Non-Aqueous Electrochemical Deposition Of Copper And Palladium On Al And Al(Cu) Thin Films, R. Fang, H. Gu, Matthew O'Keefe, Thomas J. O'Keefe, W. S. Shih, K. D. Leedy, R. Cortez

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Copper and palladium seed layers have been successfully deposited from organic solutions onto patterned and unpatterned pure aluminum and Al (0.5%Cu) thin films using an immersion displacement process. The reaction occurs at ambient temperature and pressure by a spontaneous electrochemical mechanism. Copper and palladium deposition using the organic solution was studied as a function of reaction time and Cu or Pd concentration in the solution. It was found that both time and the initial ionic metal concentration significantly influence deposit morphology, particle size and shape, and adherence. Nucleation of Cu or Pd sub-micron particles on both Al and Al (Cu) …

Modeling, Fabrication, And Optimization Of Niobium Cavities: Phase I, Robert A. Schill Jr., Mohamed Trabia

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

Niobium cavities are important parts of the integrated NC/SC high-power linacs. Over the years, researchers in several countries have tested various cavity shapes. They concluded that elliptically shaped cells and buffered chemical polishing produce good performance. The objective of the proposed research is to maximize the performance of the niobium cavities through studying multipacting, studying the effect of chemical etching on the surface roughness, and redesigning the cavities.

The US Congress has recently authorized exploring an alternative way to deal with spent nuclear fuel: Accelerator Transmuting of Waste (ATW). In this approach, a particle accelerator produces protons that react with …

Experimental Investigation Of Steel Corrosion In Lead Bismuth Eutectic (Lbe): Characterization, Species Identification, And Chemical Reactions, John Farley, Dale L. Perry

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The goal of the present research is to achieve a basic understanding of corrosion of steels by Lead Bismuth Eutectic (LBE). Liquid LBE is under consideration in the transmuter as both a coolant and a target material. There have been studies of LBE, especially by the Russians, but a fundamental understanding and verification of its role in the corrosion of steels is still very 2 incomplete. Post-experiment testing and analysis will be performed on steel samples that have been in intimate contact with LBE. Chemical alterations and resulting chemical species will be measured at the steel surface. Techniques to be …

An Investigation Of Eddy Current Analysis For Laser Surface Treatment Of Steel, Ronald Edward O'Meara

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The problem of this exploratory study was to determine the strength of the bivariate correlational relationship between microhardness readings converted to Rockwell values and eddy current values of laser heat-treated AISI 1045 steel. Further, the microstructure was analyzed to determine the microstructural changes formed by laser surface treatment utilizing a carbon dioxide laser.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the microhardness and depth of hardness formed by laser surface treatment, to develop a measure of correlation between microhardness and eddy current values, and to study microstructural changes formed by the laser surface treatment. This knowledge could be used …

Evaluation Of Nickel Deposition By Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, M. Holm, Thomas J. O'Keefe

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used to characterize the deposition of nickel from unbuffered acid sulfate electrolytes, from which a wide range of deposit morphologies and current efficiencies are possible. The operating parameters were in the range of 40 to 60 g L-1 Ni2+, 40 to 60 °C, and the pH from 2.0 to 3.5. The resulting impedance spectra for nickel deposition at 20 mA cm-2 consisted of one or two characteristic loops whose frequency and capacitance were dependent upon the electrowinning conditions and indicative of the resultant deposit morphology. A single high frequency capacitive loop, on the order of 1 …

The Anomalous Behavior Of Al³⁺ In Nickel Electrowinning From Sulfate Electrolytes, Michael Holm, Thomas J. O'Keefe

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The effect of varying concentrations of Al³⁺ on the morphology and current efficiency of electrodeposited nickel from an acid-sulfate electrolyte was studied. Concentrations of Al³⁺ of 20 to 100 ppm significantly degraded the nickel-cathode morphology and current efficiency. However, it was found that higher concentrations of Al³⁺, in the range of 1 to 5 g/L, depending on the electrolyte parameters and operating conditions, improved the deposit morphology compared to deposition from a pure electrolyte. However, the current efficiency remained low. Physical characterization of the nickel revealed that a smoother, more uniform surface resulted from deposition in …

Organic Solution Deposition Of Copper Seed Layers Onto Barrier Metals, H. Gu, R. Fang, Thomas J. O'Keefe, Matthew O'Keefe, W. S. Shih, J. A.M. Snook, K. D. Leedy, R. Cortez

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Spontaneous deposition of copper seed layers from metal bearing organic based solutions onto sputter deposited titanium, titanium nitride, and tantalum diffusion barrier thin films has been demonstrated. Based on electrochemically driven cementation exchange reactions, the process was used to produce adherent, selectively deposited copper metal particulate films on blanket and patterned barrier metal thin films on silicon substrates. The organic solution deposited copper films were capable of acting as seed layers for subsequent electrolytic and electroless copper deposition processes using standard plating baths. Electroless and electrolytic copper films from 0.1μm to 1.0μm thick were produced on a variety of samples …

Electrodeposition Of Copper On Polished Copper Electrode, Jia Tsung Ling

Student Works (2000-2009)

This project studies the surface morphology of the copper deposit from three different bath solutions on polished copper (3.1 mm in diameter) electrode by using Scanning Electron Microscopy. The behaviour of glycine as an additive in a bath solution containing 0.3 M of copper (II) sulphate and 2.2 M of sulphuric acid was studied by using cyclic voltammetry. In this project, glycine did not involved directly in the reaction of CU²⁺/CU couple but increased the potential and current density of the plating process. However, glycine has the properties for inhibiting the deposition of copper onto the copper disc. Moreover, block …

Pre-Inoculation Effect Of Sic In Production Of Thin Wall Ductile Iron Castings, Nikolay Y. Laukhin

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Pre-inoculation effect of SiC additions and its effect on castability, microstructure, and magnesium recovery in thin wall ductile iron plates have been studied. Experimental results were compared with alternative FeSi75 furnace pre-inoculation additions.

The first series of experiments aimed to set the baseline of iron quality, when using FeSi75 pre-inoculant

In the second series of experiment, different methods of introduction of Sic into liquid iron were studied. It was established that Sic added into the stream during the tapping into the flow-through chamber or added directly into the flow-through chamber produced lower Si recovery. The most effective method of introduction …

Quantitative Analysis Of Ultra-Fine Goethite In Rust Layer On Steel Using Mossbauer And X-Ray Diffraction Spectroscopy, Masato Yamashita, Toshihei Misawa, H. E. Townsend, D. C. Cook

Physics Faculty Publications

We have proposed determination procedure of the relative amounts of rust constituents of steel. Mossbauer spectroscopy provides the relative amounts of crystalline rust constituents including ultra-fine crystals. A quantitative analysis of ultra-fine crystals is possible with the resolution of several percent by comparing the Mossbauer results with the relative amounts of rust constituents determined by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy.

Relationship Between Cost Of Technical Training And Cost Reduction Of Internal Defects At John Deere Waterloo Foundry, John Brackin

Graduate Research Papers

Can the cost of technical training at John Deere Waterloo Foundry pay for itself in the reduction of internal defects? This research compared training costs to the savings from reduced internal defects on Molding Unit 801 located in the John Deere Waterloo Foundry. Training was the independent variable of this research. The results of this research identified a correlation between training costs ( operational definition on page 10) and defect reduction costs. A correlation between these two established a break even point for training dollars spent.

The dependent variable was the dollar savings based on reduction of internal defects. There …

Evaluation Of Lead Anode Reactions In Acid Sulfate Electrolytes. I. Lead Alloys With Cobalt Additives, Pu Yu, Thomas J. O'Keefe

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Lead alloys, such as lead-calcium-tin and lead-silver, are the primary insoluble anodes used in the electrowinning of metals. While some difficulties are encountered in their use, there is no obvious replacement that is economically and technically competitive. Two of the specific problems with lead include decreased cathode purity due to incorporation from corrosion products and the relatively high overpotential which increases cell voltage. To gain an improved understanding of the fundamental behavior of lead anodes, the polarization behavior of six different alloys in sulfuric acid was evaluated. Some tests were also made with Co(II) in the acid sulfate electrolyte. Notable …

A Literature Review Of The Effect Hot Reduction Has On The Structure, Mechanical Properties, And Fatigue Performance Of Continuous Cast Steel, Stanley J. Syhlman

Graduate Student Work

The purpose of the investigation is to review the published literature concerning investigatlons of the effects of hot reduction and other factors have on the structure, properties, and performance of continuously cast steel products. Of principle interest is the recognition of a minimum reduction ratio needed to provide steel with acceptable design options for industrial customers. The minimum reduction or rolling ratio is the cross-sectional area of the cast billet divided by the corresponding area of the final rolled product required to assure the breakdown of the as cast structure, and the attainment of satisfactory mechanical properties. The investigation is …

Modeling The Dielectric Response And Relaxation Spectra Of Relaxor Ferroelectrics, Huh Tswen Lin, David C. Van Aken, Wayne Huebner

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A multi-Debye relaxation model that is based upon the Boltzmann superposition principle has been used to determine the frequency-dispersion behavior of Pb (Mg_1/3-Nb_2/3)O₃ (PMN) and Pb_0.88La_0.08 (Zr_0.65Ti_0.35) O₃ (PLZT 8/65/35) relaxor ferroelectrics. For PMN, relaxation times on the order of seconds contribute to the dispersive character of the dielectric properties. A defect-relaxation mechanism that involves Mg cation hopping in a structure that is composed of interpenetrating 〈111〉 chains of ordered Pb (Mg_1/2Nb_1/2) O₃ is proposed for PMN. Motion of the Mg cations …

Copper Nucleation On Titanium For Thin Film Applications, A. J.B. Dutra, Thomas J. O'Keefe

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Copper nucleation and growth on titanium substrates from concentrated acidic copper sulfate solutions was studied at 45 and 65 °C and high cathodic potentials. Electrochemical experiments allied to SEM examination were performed to characterize the mechanism of nucleation and its evolution with time. Particular emphasis was given to the influence of potential and agitation on the initial stages of nucleation and growth. Results indicated that most of copper nucleation on titanium from a 83 g dm-3 Cu2+ solution, at 65 °C, is achieved in a matter of milliseconds. As expected, the initial stages of the copper nucleation and growth is …

Vacancy Clustering In Quenched Al-Li Solid Solution Alloys Studied By Doppler Broadening Spectroscopy, Hollis P. Leighly, P. G. Coleman

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The clustering of vacancies in severely quenched Al-Li solid solution alloys, with Li content between 230 and 2760 ppm, has been studied using Doppler broadening spectroscopy. The alloy samples were initially annealed at 873 K in dry air or dry, pure nitrogen. The onset temperature for vacancy clustering in samples initially annealed in air was found to be 150 ± 10 K, 40 ± 15 K lower than for the nitrogen-annealed samples. This result is consistent with the migration of divacancies, formed as a result of the significant increase in vacancy concentration caused by Li migration to, and oxidation at, …