Quantitative Non-Destructive Detection of Residual Stresses of the 2 nd and 3 rd Order by Using Micro Magnetic Methods
Micro residual stresses (MRS) of the 2 and 3 order play an important role in the lifetime analysis of thermally-cycled materials. The coherent residual stresses (MRS of 3 order) appear when the lattice parameter of the second phase particles (coherently embedded in the matrix) and the lattice parameter of the matrix are different from each other. Such differences in case of the Fe-Cu alloys between the lattice parameters of coherent Cu precipitates and the lattice parameters of the αFe matrix lead to distortion of the lattice around the Cu particles causing coherent tensile MRS of 3 order. Thermally induced MRS of the 2 order appear when individual material phases exhibit different thermal expansion coefficients. Such differences in temperature-related expansion coefficients of copper precipitates and the α-Fe matrix promote the development of thermally induced compressive MRS of the 2 order. The main objective of the presented research project is to develop an integral, economical and fast micro-magnetic non-destructive method for quantitative characterisation of MRS of the 2 and 3 order in Fe-Cu and Fe-Cu-Ni alloys. For this purpose Fe-Cu and Fe-Cu-Ni alloy samples with different Cu and Ni contents were prepared.
Positron confinement in ultrafine embedded particles: Quantum-dot-like state in an Fe-Cu alloy
A quantum-dot-like positron state is demonstrated in the ``defect-free'' particles using coincidence Doppler broadening of positron annihilation radiation. The wave functions of all positrons are entirely confined spatially in all three directions within the embedded nanosize and subnanosize Cu particles in a dilute Fe-Cu alloy. With use of this probe, the ultrafine particles are revealed to have nearly the same electron momentum distribution as bulk Cu, to be free from Fe atoms and defects, three dimensional, and to have no open-volume defects at the interfaces which can trap the positron. These successes indicate that this positron state promises to be a powerful tool for the studies of mesoscopic systems in metals and semiconductors.
In search of optimum chest radiography techniques.
A nation-wide study of chest radiography in Sweden had previously revealed a large variation in the physical and technical factors involved, in particular the radiation dose. In this study the image quality could not be assessed unambiguously. The aim of the present study was to try to establish a correlation between visual grading of radiographs and physical and technical factors in order to find the optimum chest X-ray system. The physical and technical performance of 24 chest units was evaluated. Radiographs were taken of an anthropomorphic chest phantom supplied with test structures simulating various pathologies. Image quality was assessed by visual grading analysis of the radiographs. The physical and technical parameters of the units rated best were used to exemplify good radiographic practice. The results were in agreement with the recommendations issued by the Commission of the European Communities (CEC). It was also shown that low radiation dose is compatible with high-quality radiographic imaging of the chest.