Fabrication and electromagnetic characterization of novel self-metallized thin films
Unique, self-metallized films were investigated for deployable reflector antenna applications at L-band. Polyamic acid resins or soluble polyimides were doped with metal complexes, cast into films, and thermally cured. Each resulting film had a metallic layer on one side, adhering unfailingly to the polymer. Metallization was successful for silver or palladium in 3,3',4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride (BTDA) and 4,4'- oxydianiline and for gold in BTDA and 2,2-bis[4-(4- aminophenoxy)phenyl]hexafluoropropane (4-BDAF) or the space durable polyimide, 2,2-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)- hexafluoropropane dianhydride and 4-BDAF (LaRCCP1). Reflectivity, transmissivity, and emissivity were determined, using an HP 8510 Vector Network Analyzer, to within 0.001 precision and accuracy. A custom-made test fixture/positioner, a thru-reflect-line calibration, and calculated reflection coefficients were used. The Ag film proved most suitable for further study, with 0.9957 reflectivity and 0.0042 emissivity. The Pd films were 0.89 reflective and 0.11 emissive; both Au films tested entirely transmissive. Transmission and scanning electron micrographs, S-parameters, and power coefficients are shown.
Photostabilization Studies Of Silver/Polymethylmethacrylate Films
Degradation of the optical performance by ultraviolet (UV) light is currently one of the principal barriers in the development of silver/polymer films for solar thermal applications. We have conclusively shown that stabilizers added to polymer films do improve the weatherability of mirrors, and we have identified a series of representative examples within the most commonly used groups of UV stabilizers and incorporated them into polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) to enhance its effectiveness. We have found that the permanence of the stabilizers may limit mirror durability and that the stabilizer performance slowly diminishes because of photolysis and/or leaching and removal from the host polymer. Polymeric stabilizers are of interest on the basis that they will not leach from the host. Various polymeric UV-absorbing stabilizers have been synthesized from derivatives of 2-hydroxybenzophenone and 2-hydroxyphenylbenzotriazole. The relative effectiveness of the stabilizers in acrylic films will be discussed in terms of the weathering modes and retention of optical properties.
Evolution of carbide precipitates in Hastelloy N joints during welding and post weld heat treatment
Abstract The effects of welding and post weld heat treatment (PWHT) on the morphology, composition and lattice parameter of the precipitates in the welding joints of Hastelloy N alloy have been investigated. Joint samples were prepared using a gas tungsten arc welding process with ERNiMo-2 fillers, and then solid-solution treated at 1100 °C for 20 min. After welding, eutectic M6C carbides can be observed in the heat affected zones (HAZ) and weld zones (WZ). These eutectic M6C carbides become spheroidized during the following PWHT. The concentration of Si decreases during the transformation from the primary ones to eutectic ones, and then increases during the spheroidizing process. The total concentration of Si + Cr in M6C carbides remains stable during welding and PWHT. At the same time, the heat leads to the outward diffusion of Mo from the M6C carbides, which results in a decrease of the lattice parameter.