ELABORATION AND TESTING OF MATERIALS USING CONCENTRATED SOLAR ENERGY
1. Brief history of the use of solar energy to transform matter 2. Main characteristics of solar furnaces 3. Elaboration of materials using concentrated solar energy 3.1 Surface treatments 3.2 Melting and purification of bulk materials 3.3 Production of chemical commodities and ceramics 3.4 Elaboration of carbon molecules, nanomaterials and thin films 4. Testing of materials using concentrated solar energy 4.1 Original devices at the focus of solar furnaces 4.2 Test of materials for aerospace applications 4.2.1 Atmopsheric re-entry (oxidation and catalycity) 4.2.2 Solar probe mission 4.3 Test of materials for future system of energy production 5. Conclusion Bibliography Biographical Sketches
Thermal processing and thermal analysis of AlSi12–SiC hybrid composites sintered
Metal powders are used in industry for a diversity of products and applications. Metal matrix composites are materials developed through advanced methods with increased characteristics that surpass those of conventional materials. In recent years, the aluminum alloy matrix composites (AlSiX/graphite, AlSiMg/SiC, Al/SiC) are considered better substitute materials for steel components because of their higher strength-to-mass ratio which results in significant mass savings, these materials being successfully used in the construction of automotive components such as brakes and clutches. The paper presents a study concerning the specificities of the sintering technology using solar energy of an AlSi12–SiC hybrid composite, made by powder metallurgy performed at PROMES-CNRS at Font-Romeu-Odeillo-France (MSSFs facility furnaces). Based on the collected data, conclusions could be drawn on the heating mode and the effect of the concentrated power of the parabola on the sintering curves recorded by thermal analysis. The qualification of the sintered samples is performed by structural, DIL and DSC analyses.
Recent Developments in Plasma Metal Processing
Emploi des plasmas en metallurgie extractive pour la reduction des minerais oxydes (reduction directe des minerais de fer et de chromite), reduction par le carbone a haute temperature d'oxydes refractaires, decomposition de minerais complexes. Emploi en fusion et refusion d'aciers speciaux, de metaux reactifs (Ti, Cr) et de metaux refractaires (Nb, Mo, Ta). Raffinage de ces derniers metaux par degazage et par volatilisation