Abstract:
A method and apparatus for fabricating high density monolithic metal and alloy billets. The process requires preheating precursor materials of metal or alloy billets by means of a combustion synthesis called Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis (SHS). The reaction takes place in an insulated reaction vessel where the precursors, in a powder form, are heated to high temperatures. The precursors are then compacted to high density by means of pressure waves generated by detonation of an explosive. The method is capable of producing high purity tungsten and tungsten-based alloys of greater than 90% theoretical density.
Abstract:
Method and apparatus for compaction of powder of high density boron nitride, having an initial particle diameter of at least two microns, into a high density crystal aggregate of between 1 mm up to about 1 cm in diameter, the resulting crystal aggregate having a zincblende form, the wurtzite form or mixtures of the zincblende and wurtzite forms. High density aggregates of boron nitride, preferably having particle sizes with diameters at least 2 .mu.m, are placed in a hollow, substantially cylindrical first container of metal, and the first container is surrounded by a fluid-like material of metal or metal powder having a shock wave velocity V. The first container and fluid-like material are placed in a substantially cylindrical second container that is purged of substantially all air and sealed. The second container has a rigid side wall and two rigid end walls. A high explosive, having a detonation velocity D of at least 6 km/sec and preferably at least 8 km/sec, is positioned at one end wall and along at least a portion of the side wall of the second container. The high explosive is detonated, and an approximately radially directed pressure wave moves through the fluid-like material and the boron nitride powder toward the center of the second container. A second, approximately radially directed pressure wave, separated in time from the first pressure wave, subsequently moves outward through the fluid-like material and the boron nitride powder. These two pressure waves produce boron nitride aggregates of density at least 95 percent of the theoretical maximum density (3.49 gm/cm.sup.3) and of sizes at least 1 mm in diameter. A solid mandrel can be positioned near a center line of the second container to improve the quality of the resulting product. Grain sizes as small as 0.005-0.05 gm are produced. Boron nitride aggregates with Knoop hardness parameters in the range of 4300-5000 Kgm/mm.sup.2 can be produced in this manner.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a superconductive coil by means of explosive compaction. A wire formed of silver having a superconductive oxide powder charged therein is formed into a coil. The coil is placed within a cylindrical vessel, into which a pressure medium is charged. Explosive compaction is carried out to cause the compaction of the coil through the cylindrical vessel and the pressure medium and hence densify the coil. The compacted coil is heat-treated in an air or oxygen atmosphere. The resulting superconductive coil possesses high critical electric current density. Advantageously, the coil is mounted on a mandrel axially extending therethrough, and placed together with the mandrel into the cylindrical vessel, before explosive compaction.
Abstract:
Shock wave formation of thin layers of materials with improved superconducting and permanent magnetic properties and improved microstructures.The material fabrication system includes a sandwiched structure including a powder material placed between two solid members to enable explosive shock consolidation. The two solid members are precooled to about 80.degree.-100.degree. K. to reduce the residual temperatures attained as a result of the shock wave treatment, and thereby increase the quench rate of the consolidated powder.
Abstract:
A polymerization process and reactor utilizes a high power shock producing device for introducing high energy pulses shock waves to a body of constituent monomer molecules for breaking and making bonds. The high energy pulsed shock waves are generated and introduced into a body of the constituent monomerics to break the molecular bonds and create new bonding by a hollow piezoelectric shock tube mounted in an autoclave. A stirrer is operated simultaneously to stir away the new bonding sites and make them available for linkage to another monomer contained in the reactor vessel.
Abstract:
Shock wave formation of thin layers of materials with improved superconducting and permanent magnetic properties and improved microstructures.
Abstract:
A system and method for obtaining spherically symmetrical implosion of sample materials by directing radiant ignition energy onto a target which includes a spherically symmetrical core of selected sample material concentrically surrounded by a shell of high explosive material. The resulting implosive compression produces hydrodynamically controlled physical and/or chemical and/or metallurgical transformations of state in the sample material.
Abstract:
A multi-firing exploding film system for enhancing a chemical and/or physical reaction which is capable of being fired several times without replacing the explodible element. The explodible element is formed of an explodible material, e.g. metal or semi-conductor material which is deposited as a film on the interior of a reactor. A pulse power supply is electrically connected to the film and is cyclically actuated to repeatably fire the explodible element upon demand. The present system basically functions as a continuous vaporization-deposition-revaporization process wherein at least a portion is vaporized upon each firing and is then recondensed onto the interior of the reactor before the next firing.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for reacting on matter with shock waves which are directed through or against said matter. In a preferred form, the shock waves are generated intermittently for an extended period of time, during which time the work is subjected to the high temperatures and pressures of the shock waves. Both chemical and physical changes may be effected in the material reacted on by the shock waves.Where a plurality of shock waves are directed against the same matter to progressively change same, the apparatus includes means for amplifying the shock waves to increase the intensity of the individual waves and enhance or improve the reactive effects.Both chemical and physical changes in matter are effected by means of the shock waves which may be generated intermittently by one or more means including the discharge of intense sparks in a fluid medium which comprises or is disposed coupled to the material to be worked by the shock waves, the direction of intense pulses of laser light or electron beam energy into the fluid or solid medium to be worked or coupled thereto and, in certain instances, the intermittent compression of a fluid by means of a piston or other device.The matter to be reacted on may be disposed within the column or chamber in which the shock waves are generated or in direct alignment with the end of such a column or chamber.In a particular form of the invention, a plurality of shock waves are simultaneously generated and directed against matter which is compressed by the shock waves as they advance toward each other.
Abstract:
Transfer of energy from a relatively high pressure flowing first fluid to a relatively low pressure second fluid is achieved with a master commutator (10) driven solely in response to the flowing first fluid and which separates the first fluid into discrete slugs. Compression waves generated by the pressurized first fluid pressurizes the second fluid in a flow passage (11). The second fluid and first fluid are separately removed from the flow passage by a slave commutator (13) which is synchronized in frequency to the master commutator. In a preferred embodiment the master and slave commutators are fluidis oscillators (20, 21) having no moving parts. The technique has particular utilization as a supercharger for diesel engines.