Self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) aboard International Space Station
- Paper number
IAC-06-A2.2.08
- Author
Dr. Alexander Sytschev, Institute of Structural Macrokinetic and Materials Science, Russia
- Coauthor
Mr. S. Vadchenko, Russia
- Coauthor
Mr. V. Sanin, Russia
- Coauthor
Mr. A. Rogachev, Russia
- Coauthor
Mr. V. Yukhvid, Russia
- Coauthor
Mr. V. Shkiro, Russia
- Coauthor
Mr. N. Kochetov, Russia
- Coauthor
Mr. A. Merzhanov, Russia
- Coauthor
Mr. V. Levtov, Russia
- Coauthor
Mr. V. Romanov, Russia
- Coauthor
Mrs. M. Maksimova, S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia, Russia
- Coauthor
Mr. A. Ivanov, S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia, Russia
- Year
2006
- Abstract
SHS is usually accompanied by melting of reagents and products, spreading of melt, coalescence of droplets, diffusion and convection in melted metals and nonmetals, buoyancy of solid particles and bubbles in the melt, nucleation of solid products, crystal growth, and sample deformation. Most of these processes are affected by gravity. The experiments carried out on the ground, under conditions of elevated artificial gravity, during parabolic flight, aboard the Mir Space Station (1997-98) and International Space Station (2005) demonstrated a marked effect of gravity both on the process and its products. The task objectives of SHS experiments in space are as follows: comparison between the process and product parameters obtained on the ground and in space; synthesis of high-porosity materials; "contactless" SHS in space. We studied the effect of gravity on the ceramic (Ti–Al–Si–C), intermetallic (Ni–Al), and thermite (NiO–Ni–Al) phases and structure formation. In cooperation with the Central Research Institute for Machine Building (TsNIIMASH) and S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia a special experiment installation for microgravity research on SHS aboard the International Space Station (ISS) has been designed, produced and delivered aboard ISS. As a result, in September 23, 2005, the Russian astronaut Sergei Krikalev carried out SHS experiments aboard ISS. Upon variation of the Ti–Al–Si–C system charge composition and the process conditions, we managed to obtain product samples of two limiting types of the macrostructure: a porous cake and a hollow cake. In between these limiting cases, we could prepare foam materials with a various pore size. Various pore structures of the Ti–Si–Al–C burned sample could be obtained upon variation of the charge composition and process conditions. Of particular interest is SHS in clouds formed by different particles (e.g., Al and Ni): these experiments can be expected to shed light on the role of mass transport and heat transfer. Microgravity experiments can demonstrate the possibility of self-sustained reaction in the cloud (flying particles) of separated Ni and Al particles. Under microgravity, we expect the following three mechanisms of flame propagation: (1) radiative heat transfer, (2) transfer of glowing reactant (e.g., Al) through the gas phase, and (3) ignition of unburned particles upon their collisions with burning particles moving chaotically. During combustion in the NiO–Ni–Al system, two-phase melt consisting of nickel aluminide and aluminum oxide forms. Under terrestrial conditions, in this system phase separation occurs due to the action of gravity: the heavy product (nickel aluminide) sinks while the light one (aluminum oxide) floats to the top. Phase separation under microgravity depends on interphase interaction and ratio of the oxide and metallic phases in the combustion product. The financial support of the S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia is gratefully acknowledged.
- Abstract document