Measurement of ablative laser propulsion parameters for aluminum, Co–Ni ferrite and polyurethane polymer

Laser ablation propulsion is a form of beam-powered propulsion in which a pulsed laser ablates a target material thus producing thrust. We report in this work the measurements of various parameters related to laser-induced micropropulsion in toluene diisocyanate-based polyurethane polymer, aluminum and Co–Ni ferrite. The targets were irradiated by a Q-switched pulsed Nd–YAG laser at 1064 nm (pulse duration 5 ns) under atmospheric conditions. A contact-free optical triangulation method was used to measure the laser ablation induced thrust in the samples. The measurements and calculations depict that Co–Ni ferrite is better in terms of critical propulsion parameters C _m and I _sp. It has been observed that the propulsion parameters depend on the energy per pulse of the incident laser beam.     

Thermal properties of gamma-ray irradiated Co–Zn ferrite

Co-Zn ferrite samples of the system Co_1-xZn_xFe₂O₄ (x = 0, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 0.6 and 0.8) were prepared using the usual ceramic double sintering technique. Thermal conductivity and specific heat were measured at different temperatures for different compositions. The effect of Co-60 γ-irradiation dose (10⁶ rad) on the thermal conductivity and specific heat were studied.     

Influence of Co–Zr substitution on coercivity in Ba ferrites

Polycrystalline BaCo_xZr_xFe_11.5−2xO_18.25 samples with 0?x?0.6$0?x?0.6$ ions per formula units were prepared by modified citrate precursor method with the initial ratio of Ba:Fe equal to 1:11.5. The cationic site preferences of Co²⁺ and Zr⁴⁺ in Co–Zr substituted Ba ferrite were investigated by magnetic measurements and X-ray diffractometer (XRD) analysis. The coercivity H_c was decreasing with increasing Co–Zr substitution. The datum showed that the max coercive force (H_c) was obtained when substitution of 0.2, while the best saturation magnetizations (M_s) was obtained when substitution of 0.4.     

Influence of Al doping on electrical properties of Ni–Cd nano ferrites

We have reported the structural and electrical properties of nano particles of Al doped Ni_0.2Cd_0.3Fe_2.5O₄ ferrite using X-ray diffraction, dielectric spectroscopy and impedance spectroscopy at room temperature. XRD analysis confirms that the system exhibits polycrystalline single phase cubic spinel structure. The average particle size estimated using Scherrer formula for Lorentzian peak (3 1 1), has been found 5(±) nm. The results obtained show that real (ε′), imaginary (ε″) part of the dielectric constant, loss tangent (tan δ), and ac conductivity (σ_ac) shows normal behaviour with frequency. The dielectric properties and ac conductivity in the samples have been explained on the basis of space charge polarization according to Maxwell–Wagner two-layer model and the Koop’s phenomenological theory. The impedance analysis shows that the value of grain boundary impedance increases with Al doping. The complex impedance spectra of nano particles of Al doped Ni–Cd ferrite have been analyzed and explained using the Cole–Cole expression.     

Influence of a pulsed current on the Portevin–Le Chatelier effect in AlMg5 aluminum–magnesium alloy

We have reported on the results of experiments on the influence of current pulses on the band formation and intermittent deformation of AlMg5 alloy. It has been established that, to suppress the nucleation of deformation bands, preliminary treatment of the alloy by a current of density 60 A/mm² for at least 1 s is required.

     

First-principles calculations of solute–vacancy interactions in aluminum

The interactions of solute atoms with vacancies play a key role in diffusion and precipitation of alloying elements,ultimately influencing the mechanical properties of aluminum alloys. In this study, first-principles calculations are systematically performed to quantify the solute–vacancy interactions for the 3 d–4 p series and the 4 d–5 p series. The solute–vacancy interaction gradually transforms from repulsion to attraction from left to right. The solute–vacancy binding energy is sensitive to the supercell size for elements at the beginning. These behaviors of the solute–vacancy binding energy can be understood in terms of the combination and competition between the elastic and electronic interactions. Overall, the electronic binding energy follows a similar trend to the total binding energy and plays a major role in the solute–vacancy interactions.     

Influence of Cr on microstructure and elastocaloric effect in Ni–Mn–In–Co–Cr polycrystalline alloys

Ni–Mn-based metamagnetic shape memory alloys have been proposed as potential elastocaloric refrigerants. The intrinsic brittleness of the alloys has limited their cooling application. Introducing a soft second phase is an effective way to reduce the brittleness. From the viewpoint of application, the effect of second phase on elastocaloric effect should be illustrated. In this paper, we have investigated the microstructure, martensitic transformation and elastocaloric effect of Ni₄₅Mn_37-xIn₁₃Co₅Cr_x ($x=0,1\text{ and }2$) polycrystalline alloys. Single-phase and precipitates-containing microstructures are obtained for the undoped and doped alloys, respectively. The precipitates in Cr-doped alloys enhances the fracture strength but significantly hinders the martensitic transformation. Balancing the fracture strength and martensitic transformation, the Ni₄₅Mn₃₆In₁₃Co₅Cr alloy with small amount of precipitates along grain boundaries exhibits large cooling effects of 4–6 K in the temperature range of 317–353 K.     

Influence of Co:Cu ratio on properties of Co–Cu films deposited at different conditions

A series of Co–Cu films with different Co:Cu ratio was electrodeposited at different electrolyte pH, deposition potential and film thickness, and their morphology, crystal structure and magnetic properties were investigated. Compositional analysis by energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy disclosed that the Co and Cu content were 75 and 25 wt%, respectively, at high pH (3.2) level, while for films at low pH (2.5) level the compositions are 61 Co and 39 wt% Cu, and further decrease of Co:Cu ratio occurred as the film thicknesses increased. The surface morphology of the films changed from an initial dendritic stage to expanded dendrites with increasing Cu content by the electrolyte pH. The dendrites became more obvious at 3 μm and the dendritic structures increased with further increase of film thickness as the Co:Cu ratio decreased. Hence, the increase of the Cu content is thought to be the cause of the increase of dentritic structure. Structural characterizations by x-ray diffraction (XRD) showed that all films have face-centered cubic structure. In the XRD patterns, the peak intensity of Co (111) is lower for the films grown at low pH compared to that of high pH, and the (111) peaks of Co and Cu slightly separated at 3 μm and then the intensity of the Cu (111) increased with increasing film thickness from 4 to 5 μm, so that the Co:Cu ratio changed at all deposition parameters. Magnetic measurements displayed that the saturation magnetization decreased and the coercivity increased as the Co:Cu ratio decreased with all deposition parameters. Also, the magnetic easy axis was found to be in the film plane for all films. It was seen that the variations in the properties of the films might be attributed to the change of Co:Cu ratio caused by the deposition parameters.     

Magnetic ordering in Ni–Cd ferrite

A series of Ni_1−xCd_xFe₂O₄ (0.0≤x≤0.8) were prepared by conventional double sintering ceramic method and sintered at 1200 °C for 6 h. X-ray diffraction results confirmed the single-phase spinel structures of all the samples. The Curie temperature decreases linearly with increasing Cd content, which is explained due to the weakening of the A–B exchange interaction. The sample with x=0.7 shows re-entrant type of spin glass phase transitions. The magnetic moment and saturation magnetization at 20 K are found to increase with Cd content up to x=0.5 and then tends to decrease for x>0.5. The increase in magnetic moment with cadmium is attributed to Neel's two sublattice (A- and B-sublattice) collinear models according to which the magnetic moment is the vector sum of the lattice magnetic moment. The decrease in magnetization for x>0.5 obeys the Yafet–Kittel (Y–K) model. The increase in Y–K angles for x>0.3 indicates the increased tendency for triangular spin arrangements on B-sites. This suggests the existence of a canted spin structure in the ferrite system with higher content of Cd.     

Effect of aluminum content on the mechanochemical synthesis of in-situ TiN in the Al–Ti–AlN system and subsequent shock consolidation

To determine the effect of aluminum content on the formation of in-situ TiN in the Al–Ti–AlN system, a mixture of aluminum, titanium and aluminum nitride powders was subjected to high energy milling. Al content of the mixture was changed according to the following stoichiometric reaction: Ti+AlN+XAl→TiN+(1+X)Al. The value of X was varied from 5.35 to 19.65 based on the stoichiometric calculation of the molar mass of each component expected to result in aluminum matrix composite with TiN weights of 30%, 20% and 10%, respectively, in addition to reaction corresponding to X=0(Ti+AlN→TiN+Al). Thermodynamic factors determine that the amount of Al in the mixture plays a key role in the formation of in-situ TiN. XRD and EPMA results showed that at lower Al content (X=0, 5.35), reaction proceed through a gradual mode. By increasing Al content (X=19.65), no mechanochemical reaction occurred between Ti and AlN. Continuation of the milling process allowed acquisition of in-situ TiN in the designed compositions of AlN–TiN, Al–Ti–AlN–30%TiN, and to some extent, of Al–Ti–AlN–20%TiN. A nanocrystalline solid solution evolved by mechanical alloying (MA) was sustained for prolonged milling time. The mean TiN crystallite size obtained was 10 nm for the AlN–TiN composition. The end product milled powder after 40 h of milling time, equating to the Al–Ti–AlN–30%TiN composition was consolidated into bulk compact using the underwater shock compaction method. The milled specimens were characterized by XRD, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and microhardness testing. The sample had a uniform and fine-grained composite structure with 99% theoretical density and average microhardness of 434 HV0.1. The results confirmed the possibility of fabricating reliable bulk nanostructured materials by imposing shock compaction on submicron sized powders.     

Structural response of aluminum core–shell particles in detonation environment

Natural aluminum particles have the core–shell structure. The structure response refers to the mechanical behavior of the aluminum particle structure caused by external influences. The dynamic behavior of the structural response of aluminum core–shell particles before combustion is of great importance for the aluminum powder burning mechanism and its applications. In this paper, an aluminum particle combustion experiment in a detonation environment is conducted and analyzed; the breakage factors of aluminum particles shell in detonation environment are analyzed. The experiment results show that the aluminum particle burns in a gaseous state and condenses into a sub-micron particle cluster. The calculation and simulation demonstrate that the rupture of aluminum particle shell in the detonation environment is mainly caused by the impact of the detonation wave. The detonation wave impacts the aluminum particles, resulting in shell cracking, and due to the shrinkage-expansion of the aluminum core and stripping of the detonation product, the cracked shell is fractured and peeled with the aluminum reacting with the detonation product.     

Effect of Ti4+ substitution on the hyperfine properties of Li–Sb–Ti ferrites using Mössbauer spectroscopy

Mössbauer investigations were carried out at room temperature on the ferrite system Li_0.6?+?0.5tFe_2.3???1.5tTi_tSb_0.1O₄ (0.0 ≤ t ≤ 1.0 in steps of 0.2). The effect of Ti^4?+? concentration on the various hyperfine interactions like Isomer shift, quadrupole splitting and internal magnetic field have been studied. The spectra exhibited well-defined Zeeman sextets at low substitution level, corresponding to the A and B sites. The sample with t = 1.0 showed paramagnetic behaviour. The results obtained have been discussed.     

Influence ofγ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles doping on the image sticking in VAN-LCD

Image sticking in liquid crystal display(LCD)is related to the residual direct current(DC)voltage(RDCV)on the cell and the dynamic response of the liquid crystal materials.According to the capacitance change of the liquid crystal cell under the DC bias,the saturated RDCV(SRDCV)can be obtained.The response time can be obtained by testing the optical dynamic response of the liquid crystal cell,thereby evaluating the image sticking problem.Based on this,the image sticking of vertical aligned nematic(VAN)LCD(VAN-LCD)with different cell thicknesses(3.8μm and 11.5μm)and different concentrations ofγ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles(0.017 wt.%,0.034 wt.%,0.051 wt.%,0.068 wt.%,0.136 wt.%,0.204 wt.%,and 0.272 wt.%)was evaluated,and the effect of nano-doping was analyzed.It is found that the SRDCV and response time decrease firstly and then increase with the increase of the doping concentration ofγ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles in the VAN cell.When the doping concentration is 0.034 wt.%,theγ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles can adsorb most of the free impurity ions in liquid crystal materials,resulting in 70%reduction in the SRDCV,8.11%decrease in the decay time,and 15.49%reduction in the rise time.The results show that the doping ofγ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles can effectively improve the image sticking of VAN-LCD and provide useful guidance for improving the display quality.     

Magnetic enhancement in nano-sized Ni–Zn ferrite

Nanocrystalline Ni_0.35Zn_0.65Fe₂O₄ synthesized by mechanical alloying method and subsequent annealing at 300°C has been characterized by XRD, TEM and Mössbauer spectroscopic techniques. Mössbauer spectroscopic study divulges the enhancement of magnetic order, ordering temperature and magnetization in nano-crystalline sample compared to its bulk counterpart. This magnetic enhancement has mostly been prompted by cation redistribution in the nanosized sample. Zinc having strong A site affinity determines the nature and intensity of site exchange of cations, which has a strong influence in the genesis of enhancement/reduction in magnetic property of nano-crystalline Ni–Zn ferrite samples.     

Studies of AC electrical conductivity and initial magnetic permeability of rare-earth-substituted Li–Co ferrites

In the present work, the AC electrical conductivity and initial magnetic permeability were investigated for some Rare-earth-substituted spinel ferrites. These ferrites are of composition Li_0.5−0.5xCo_xFe_2.4−0.5xR_0.1O₄ (where x=0.0$x=0.0$, 0.5, and 1; R=Y, Yb, Eu, Ho and Gd). They were prepared by standard ceramic techniques. With respect to AC electrical conductivity, measurements show dispersion with frequency at low temperatures. This dispersion obeys the universal power law. The frequency exponent of the power law decreases with both Co ion content and temperature. This indicates that the classical barrier hopping mechanism is the predominant one in these samples. On the other hand, the behavior of the initial magnetic permeability with temperature exhibits multidomain structure only for the samples with x=0.0$x=0.0$, and single domain structure otherwise.