Effects of quenching rate on amorphous structures of Cu46Zr54 metallic glass

Metallic glass shows some superior properties different from crystalline, but the nature of amorphous structure and structural change during glass transition have not been completely understood yet. Molecular dynamics simulation provides intuitive insight into the microstructure and properties at atomistic level. Before probing into the microstructures of metallic glass with molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, it is important to obtain amorphous state first. In the current work, we reproduce the process of manufacturing metallic glass in laboratory including the melting, equilibrating and quenching procedure with molecular dynamics simulations. The structure changing at melting point and glass transition temperature are investigated with the different cooling processing. The partial radial distribution function (PRDF) is applied as a criterion to judge the final amorphous state obtained considering the quenching at different cooling rates and the effects of cooling rate on the formation of amorphous structures are further discussed.

Weaning and growth of Anguilla australis glass eels and elvers

Anguilla australis glass eels proved to be resilient and present strong aquaculture potential. General husbandry techniques, anaesthesia and prophylactic treatments were established for glass eels between 0.1 g and 2.0 g and elvers between 2.0 g and 8.0 g, caught in rivers and estuaries along the South East Coast of Victoria. The protozoan parasites Ichthyobodo and Trichodina were found to be present on arrival to the hatchery developed during different rearing treatments, and were successfully eradicated. A. australis glass eels accepted artificial food, but it was recommended first be fed a preweaning diet of minced fish flesh. A weaning regime from minced fish flesh to commercially available eel grower mash, over 15 days was established. Growth rate proved to be highly variable, both between and within groups. The highest growth rate of 2.71%/day was found when the natural diet of minced fish and Artemia was fed. The maximum growth rate when reared on an artificial diet of 1.63%/day was observed at 25°C. Growth was affected by the presence or absence of a preweaning diet, weaning diet, weaning period, temperature, but not by size or density. Once weaned, glass eels were found to perform better on commercially available grower mash than on the minced fish flesh, which was used to aid in weaning them to artificial diets. Of the water quality parameters measured stocking density was found to affect pH, Total Ammonia Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus, and Dissolved Oxygen, through not to an extent which affected growth.

Effects of quenching rate on amorphous structures of Cu46Zr54 metallic glass

Metallic glass shows some superior properties different from crystalline, but the nature of amorphous structure and structural change during glass transition have not been completely understood yet. Molecular dynamics simulation provides intuitive insight into the microstructure and properties at atomistic level. Before probing into the microstructures of metallic glass with molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, it is important to obtain amorphous state first. In the current work, we reproduce the process of manufacturing metallic glass in laboratory including the melting, equilibrating and quenching procedure with molecular dynamics simulations. The structure changing at melting point and glass transition temperature are investigated with the different cooling processing. The partial radial distribution function (PRDF) is applied as a criterion to judge the final amorphous state obtained considering the quenching at different cooling rates and the effects of cooling rate on the formation of amorphous structures are further discussed.

Plastic deformation in the annealed Zr41Ti14Cu12.5Ni10Be22.5 bulk metal glass under indenter

Vickers and nanoindentationswere carried out on an annealed Zr₄₁Ti₁₄Cu_12.5Ni₁₀Be_22.5 bulk metallic glass (BMG), and the evolution of the shear bands in the annealed BMG was investigated and compared to that in the as-cast alloy. Results indicate that the plastic deformation in the BMG with the structure relaxation is accommodated by the semicircular (primary) and radial (secondary) as well as tertiary shear bands. Quantitatively, the shear band density in the annealed alloywas much lower than that in the as-cast alloy. The load-displacement curve of nanoindentation test for the annealed alloy exhibited a more flat serrated flow. The annihilation of free volume caused by the annealing was responsible for the embrittlement of the annealed sample.

Development of positioning jig for glass capillary bending mechanism

In a bending mechanism for glass capillary, the positioning jig to hold the capillary in place is one of the most important components to ensure the bending quality. The tapered shoulder of the capillary is used as the positioning reference. Since the dimension of the shoulder of individual capillaries varies slightly, the geometry of the capillaries is studied to identify the desired positioning spot on the shoulder. Upon determination of the positioning spot, a positioning jig is designed, which is composed of positioning, holding, and clamping units. A prototype is made and assembled onto the bending mechanism for testing. The testing results show that the mechanism is able to achieve the desired functionalities demanded by the delicate bending process.

Mg-based metallic glass / titanium interpenetrating phase composite with high mechanical performance

We report an Mg-based metallic glass/titanium interpenetrating phase composite in which constituent phases form a homogeneously interconnected network. The porous titanium constrains shear bands propagation thoroughly and promotes shear bands branching and intersection subsequently. The homogeneous phase distribution promotes regularly distributed local shear deformation and leads to a uniform deformation for the composites. Moreover, the interpenetrating phase structure introduces a mutual-reinforcement between metallic glass and titanium. Therefore, the composite exhibits excellent mechanical performance with compressive fracture strength of 1783 MPa and fracture strain of 31%.

Extrusion properties of a Zr-based bulk metallic glass

The extrusion behavior of Zr_41.2Ti_13.8Cu_12.5Ni₁₀Be_22.5 metallic glasses in the supercooled liquid region was investigated. Good extrusion formability was observed under low strain rates at temperatures higher than 395 °C. The metallic glasses were fully extruded without crystallization and failure within the range of T=395–415 °C under strain rates from 5×10⁻³ s⁻¹ to 5×10⁻² s⁻¹, and the deformation behavior of the metallic glasses during the extrusion was found to be in a Newtonian viscous flow mode by a strain rate sensitivity of 1.0.

Development and evaluation of a glass-box interpreter for teaching novice programmers

This study evaluates the efficacy of a low-level program visualisation tool as a learning aid for novice programmers and develops and evaluates features which might further enhance the benefit of a low-level program visualisation tool (called Bradman). Bradman is an interpreter which makes visible aspects of the programming process which are normally hidden from the user.

Equal employment opportunity and glass ceilings : a contradiction in terms?

This study assesses the status of Equal Employment Opportinity (EEO) within the State Government of Florida. The criterion for this assessment is an examination of the adequacy and relevancy of existing EEO policy and practices.

Fastener manufacture by the warm forging process

The thesis considers fastener manufacture by the net forging technique in the warm forging temperature range. The work determines the optimum warm forging and billet cropping temperatures which produce the highest quality forgings. The research also quantified the surface quality of small warm forgings.

Effect of cow diet on the composition of milk for cheddar cheese manufacture

Seasonal milk production in Australia has a large impact on the manufacture of cheddar cheese, because the variable milk quality affects cheese moisture content and yield. The influence of cow diet on the composition of milk was investigated together with the effects of variation in milk composition on Cheddar cheese composition and yield. The composition of milk, especially the protein and mineral content, from cows offered diets comprising different energy and protein supplements was correlated with the composition and yield of Cheddar cheese produced.

High-performance composite from epoxy and glass fibers : morphology, mechanical, dynamic mechanical, and thermal analysis

Diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A type epoxy resin cured with diamino diphenyl sulfone was used as the matrix for fiber-reinforced composites to get improved mechanical and thermal properties for the resulting composites. E-glass fiber was used for fiber reinforcement. The morphology, tensile, flexural, impact, dynamic mechanical, and thermal properties of the composites were analyzed. The tensile, flexural, and impact properties showed dramatic improvement with the addition of glass fibers. Dynamic mechanical analysis was performed to obtain the Tg of the cured matrix as well as the composites. The improved thermal stability of the composites was clear from the thermogravimetric analysis. Scanning electron micrographs were taken to understand the interfacial adhesion between the fiber and the matrix. The values of mechanical properties were compared with modified epoxy resin composite system. Predictive models were applied using various equations to compare the mechanical data obtained theoretically and experimentally.

A study of hydrogen bonding in concentrated diol/water solutions by proton NMR correlations with glass formation

Solute/water interactions in a series of diol solutions have been investigated by ¹H NMR. Strong hydrogen bonding between water and alcohols that are more basic than water is thought to result in lower chemical shifts of water protons compared to the case of pure water. This is attributed to a greater degree of covalent character in the hydrogen bonding between water and the more basic diols. The inductive effect of the methyl group and longer chain alkyls is observed to increase basicity in ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and 2,3-butanediol solutions. A correlation between the glass-forming ability of the diol solutions and the stronger hydrogen-bonding solutes (i.e., stronger bases) is developed, with 2,3-butanediol best promoting glass formation at the lowest concentrations.

Glass transition and free volume behaviour of poly(acrylonitrile)/LiCF3SO3 polymer-in-salt electrolytes compared to poly(ether urethane)/LiClO4 solid polymer electrolytes

Measurements of the glass transition temperature (T_g) and free volume behaviour of poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) and PAN/lithium triflate (LiTf), with varying salt composition from 10 to 66 wt% LiTf, were made by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS). Addition of salt from 10 to 45 wt% LiTf resulted in an increase in the mean free volume cavity size at room temperature (r.t.) as measured by the orthoPositronium (oPs) pickoff lifetime, τ₃, with little change in relative concentration of free volume sites as measured by oPs pickoff intensity, I₃. The region from 45 to 66 wt% salt displayed no variation in relative free volume cavity size and concentration. This salt concentration range (45 wt%<[LiTf]<66 wt%) corresponds to a region of high ionic conductivity of order 10⁻⁵ to 10⁻⁶ S cm⁻¹ at T_g as measured by PALS. A percolation phenomenon is postulated to describe conduction in this composition region. Salt addition was shown to lower the T_g as measured by PALS; T_g was 115°C for PAN and 85°C for PAN/66 wt% LiTf. The T_g and free volume behaviour of this polymer-in-salt electrolyte (PISE) was compared to a poly(ether urethane)/LiClO₄ where the polymer is the major component, i.e. traditional solid polymer electrolyte (SPE). In contrast to the PISE, the T_g of the SPE was shown to increase with increasing salt concentration from 5.3 to 15.9 wt%. The relative free volume cavity size and concentration at r.t. were shown to decrease with increasing salt concentration. Ionic conductivity in this SPE was of order 10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ at r.t., which is over 60°C above T_g, 10⁻⁸ S cm⁻¹ at 25°C above T_g, and conductivity was not measurable at T_g.