Analysis of preparatory directional solidification experiments for a new X-ray facility for the International Space Station
Résumé
In the last decade, the use of X-ray radiography has been adapted to the study of solidification aboard microgravity platforms such as sounding rockets and parabolic flights. However, the limited microgravity duration accessible via these platforms is not sufficient to reach steady-state conditions. The European Space Agency (ESA) is currently developing a facility for the International Space Station (ISS) to overcome this limitation. Unlike the other microgravity platforms, XRF (X-Ray Facility) will enable multiple experiments so that statistical variations can be studied, and the principal parameters varied by design. The present contribution reports recent experimental investigations carried out on Earth using the "Experiment Unit 1" (EU-1) dedicated to the study of the directional solidification of aluminium alloys. While the objective of these activities was to validate the technical performance of the set-up, preliminary scientific insights were also gained. Information on the temperature field and grain structure formation is derived from analyses of image sequences and the possibilities offered by this new device are presented and discussed.
| Origine | Fichiers produits par l'(les) auteur(s) |
|---|---|
| Licence |