Hostname: page-component-77c89778f8-vsgnj Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-23T14:22:00.968Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Glass Formation in Microgravity

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2011

C. S. Ray  and
D. E. Day
C. S. Ray
Affiliation:
Graduate Center for Materials Research and Department of Ceramic Engineering, University of Missouri-Rolla, Rolla, MO 65401
D. E. Day
Affiliation:
Graduate Center for Materials Research and Department of Ceramic Engineering, University of Missouri-Rolla, Rolla, MO 65401
Get access

Abstract

Containerless glass forming experiments conducted aboard the space shuttle STS-61A in October 1985, which used a single axis acoustic levitator/furnace (SAAL) are described. A total of eight spherical samples =6±1 mm diameter were used. Each sample had one or more of the following objectives; (1) obtain quantitative evidence for the suppression of heterogeneous nucleation/crystallization in containerless melts in micro-g, (2) study melt homogenization in the absence of gravity driven convection, (3) develop procedures for preparing precursor samples suitable for space experiments, (4) perform comparative property analysis of glasses melted on earth and in micro-g, (5) determine the feasibility of preparing glass shells in micro-g for use as laser fusion targets, and (6) assess the operational performance of the SAAL for processing multicomponent, glass forming melts in micro-g. Depending upon their composition, the samples were melted between 900 and 1500°C for about 5 to 12 minutes.

Motion pictures of solid and liquid samples showed that the levitator/furnace operated as planned. A ternary calcia-gallia-silica glass prepared in micro-g was reasonably homogeneous and provided evidence for 2 to 3 fold increase in the tendency for glass formation in space. Melt homogenization in space was reasonably fast for this calcia-gallia-silica melt and hot-pressing appeared to be a feasible way of preparing precursor samples for use in micro-g flight experiments. Valuable information for the technology of materials processing in space was obtained.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 87: Symposium O – Materials Processing in the Reduced Gravity Environment of Space , 1986 , 239
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1987

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Kreidl, N. J. and Rindone, G. E., J. Non-Cryst. Solids 38 and 39, 825 (1980).Google Scholar
2. Uhlmann, D. R., Glass Processing in Microgravity Environment in “Materials Processing in the Reduced Gravity Environment of Space”, Ed. Rindone, G. E., Elsevier Sci. Publ. Co., NY, 1982, p. 269.Google Scholar
3. Kreidl, N. J., Day, D. E., and Ray, C. S., Glastech. Ber. 56K, 151 (1983).Google Scholar
4. Ray, C. S. and Day, D. E., National SAMPE Technical Conference Series 15, 135 (1983).Google Scholar
5. Kreidl, N. J., J. Non-Cryst. Solids 80, 587 (1986).Google Scholar
6. Day, D. E. and Ray, C. S., Research on Containerless Melts in Space in “Opportunities for Research in a Low Gravity Environment”, American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1986 (in press).Google Scholar
7. Hayakawa, J., Makihara, M., and Nogami, M., Fabrication of Glass in Space Environment in “Proceedings of the 15th International Symposium on Space Technology and Science”, vol. 1, p. 549 (1986).Google Scholar
8. Whymark, R., Rey, C., Yearnd, J., and Broz, R., Acoustic Levitation Materials Processing System (79–0370), 17th Aerospace Sciences Meeting, New Orleans, January 15–17, 1979.Google Scholar
9. Rey, C., Whymark, R., Danley, T., and Markley, D., Present and Future Capabilities of Acoustic Levitation and Positioning Devices, p. 137 of ref. 2.Google Scholar
10. Onorato, P. I. K., Uhlmann, D. R., and Hopper, R. W., J. Non-Cryst. Solids 41, 189 (1980).Google Scholar
11. Yinnon, H. and Uhlmann, D. R., J. Non-Cryst. Solids 44, 37 (1981).Google Scholar
12. Kingery, W. D., Bowen, H. K., and Uhlmann, D. R., Introduction to Ceramics, John Wiley & Sons, NY, 1976, p. 347.Google Scholar
13. Grange, R. and Kiefer, J. M., Trans. ASM 29, 85 (1941).Google Scholar
14. Happe, R. A., NASA Technical Memorandum 82433, October 1981, Chapter III.Google Scholar
15. Happe, R. A. and Kim, K. S., NASA Technical Memorandum 82578, June 1984, Section III.Google Scholar
16. Day, D. E. and Ray, C. S., MEA/A-1 Experiment Final Report, NASA Contract NAS8–34758, April 1984.Google Scholar
17. Gac, F., Los Alamos National Laboratory, private communications.Google Scholar
18. Rey, C., Intersonics Inc., private communications.Google Scholar