In-situ Phase Equilibria and Thermal Expansion up to ~3400 ?C

High-temperature materials are essential for the success of space travel. Here, we present how a conical nozzle levitator equipped with a CO2 laser can be coupled with in-situ diffraction experiments and calorimetry experiments to characterize oxides, carbides, and nitrides up to ~3400 ?C in a variety of atmospheres. The HfO2-Ta2O5-TiO2 ternary phase diagram along with accurate thermal expansion has been developed as an example system using this technique.

Scott McCormack is an assistant professor of Materials Science and Engineering at UC Davis and Chair of the American Ceramic Societies Northern California Section.