energy as a function of temperature in Ag-Sn and AuSn alloys; analysis of deformation modes in superplastic Al-base alloys; study of deformation and corrosion in Cu-, Fe-, and Ni-base alloys. Availability. To experienced electron microscopists having research applications which require high voltage electron microscopy. Contact: Dr. Bernard J. Hockey, Physical Properties Section, Materials Building, Room A355, Phone 301921-2901. ENVIRONMENTAL SULFUR DIOXIDE POLLUTION MONITOR. PRECISION HUMIDITY MEASUREMENT This facility comprises two precision humidity generators and a gravimetric hygrometer that can be used separately or in combination for calibration, testing, and development of instruments, sensors and devices and for research on the properties of moist gases. The generators produce continuous gas flows of constant moisture content whereas the hygrometer makes accurate humidity measurements. Capability: Gas flows up to 150 cubic decimetres per minute. Ambient temperatures from +65 to -75°C. Mixing ratios from about 150 to 1 x 50 g/kg (1.5 percent. Limited capability for response time testing Data acquisition system available. Applications: Calibration of dew-point hygrometer psychrometers, electric hygrometers, infra-red h grometers, dewcels, coulometric hygrometers; evalua tion and testing of such sensors as carbon film, alu minum oxide, crystal array, lithium chloride, barium floride; enhancement of water vapor in air wi pressure. Availability: Facility available for use on tests, research or programs of NBS divisions, other Govern ment agencies, and industrial or scientific laborator ies. Literature: [1] J. Res. NBS 40, 479 (1948) [2] NBS Monograph 73 (1964) [3] ISA Trans. 7 (No. 4), 356-362 (1969) Contact: Arnold Wexler, Chief, Humidity Section SULFUR DIOXIDE Sulfur dioxide, released in air by burning sulfur-con- Capability: The device developed at NBS can meas ure SO, in air from 1500 parts per million down to a few parts per billion. The response is linear over th wide range of concentration. The detector respond specifically to sulfur dioxide and is free from inter ference with water and other common gases present in air. In the ppm range the photoelectron signa can be amplified and displayed on a recorder. In the ppb range, however, a few minutes integration of the photoelectron flux from the photomultiplier tube necessary. Applications: The measurement of SO., in smokestack effluent and in ambient air. Quick calibration of cylinders containing standard mixtures of SO, and a X 10 to 0.01 ppm). Dew point of +65°C to frost. Availability: To any qualified NBS research worker point of -100°C. Ambient pressures from atmospheric to 50 mb. Generated moisture contents known to 0.5 percent or better over most of range and to 2 percent at extremes. Measurement accuracy 0.1 16 after an initial training period with Dr. Frederick P Schwarz. In appropriate instances individual research workers from other Federal organizations can ga access to the facility. Literature: Hideo Okabe, P. L. Splitstone, and J. J. Bells, Ambient and Source SO., Detector Based on a Fluorescence Method, J. Air Pollution Control Assoc. 23, 514 (1973). Contact: Dr. Hideo Okabe, Consultant to the Physical Chemistry Division, Chemistry Building, Room A247, Phone 301-921-2719. FIRE RESEARCH FIRE RESEARCH LABORATORY A special laboratory building for large scale fire exEperiments has just been completed. Capability: A major feature of the building is a 60 ft EX 120 ft test floor with a 32 ft ceiling height. The test floor is equipped with smoke abatement equipment to meet air pollution regulations, water supplies and floor drains, making it suitable for a variety of fire experiments. A shop for the fabrication of test structures, a conditioning room for the storage of materials and test structures prior to test, an instrument room, and office and service areas complete the building. The only permanent experimental facility on the test floor is the Fire Research Test Furnace described in detail below. Other test structures and apparatus are erected as needed for specific programs, providing maximum flexibility in space utilization. The facilities are: A room and corridor facility. This consists of a corridor approximately 50 ft long with two 8 ft by 8 ft rooms opening onto the side wall. Provisions are made for varying the wall and ceiling spacings and controlling draft conditions. The facility can be used for study of the spread of fire through corridors, the movement of smoke and gas through room-corridor systems, the effect of surface finishing materials on fire spread, and related purposes. A burn room and smoke movement facility. This is a two story masonry structure with controlled ventilation and communication between floors. It can be used to conduct studies of the burning of room furnishings or to study the spread of smoke, gas, and fire through a multi-compartment structure. A rate of heat release calorimeter. This instrument measures the rate of heat release and the total heat release from a large sample of material when exposed to a controlled energy flux. It is used to measure the energy contribution of materials involved in a building fire. A research test furnace. This is a medium-sized unit providing conformity with the temperature-time exposure specification of ASTM E119, plus extension to 150%. It will accommodate 30-ton walls or partitions 10 feet long by 8 feet high, 20-ton columns 8 feet high, or 20-ton floor-ceiling assemblies 8 feet by 10 feet. Furnace pressure is controllable between -0.05 and +0.15 in. water to permit study of the effect on fire performance. The furnace can be used for fire endurance tests on structural components such as ducts, dampers, doors, and plumbing systems, on innovative constructions such as double modular walls, and on joints in wall-floor assemblies. Applications: The Fire Research Laboratory provides a location where large scale fire experiments can be carried out under controlled conditions. Space is available for the construction of a variety of experimental installations. Availability: Available upon request for research experiments for other Government agencies and industrial groups. Available for research programs of industrial Research Associates. Availability of specific facilities is dependent on workload. Literature: [1] Francis C. W. Fung, Miles R. Suchomel and Philip L. Oglesby, The NBS Program on Corridor Fires, Fire Journal 67, pages 41-48 (May 1973). [2] W. J. Parker and M. E. Long, Development of a Heat Release Rate Calorimeter at NBS, ASTM STP 502, pages 135-151 (1972). Contact: Mr. I. A. Benjamin, Fire Technology Division, Technology Building, Room B64, Phone 301-921 3255. TRANSMITTING System I 26 kbar 2600 (MPa) 19mm diameter × 100mm length 4 manganin pentane mixtures System II 40 kbar (4000 MPa) 10mm diameter × 10mm length 1 ram force pentane mixtures, also soft solids Application: System I has been used for ultrasonc measurements on solids and liquids, for electrica resistance measurements, for measurements of crack propagation in glasses and for the study of phase transition. Apparatus requiring electrical leads can be plugged into a receptacle at the inside bottom of the pressure vessel. A total of four leads are available. System II has been used for ultrasonic measurement in liquids and in solids under either hydrostatic or non-hydrostatic conditions. Transducers to detec shear or longitudinal mode properties are mounted on the outside; they use a back plate as acoust | buffer. A back plate with one electrical lead is als available. Availability: The equipment is available to qualified researchers after an initial training period or with assistance from Section personnel. Literature: D. L. Decker et al, High-Pressure Calibra tion, A Critical Review, J. Phys. & Chem. Ref. Data 1, no. 3, pp. 173-836, 1972. Contact: Dr. Peter L. M. Heydemann, Chief, Pressure and Vacuum Section, Metrology Building, Room A149, phone 301-921-2121. HIGH PRESSURE FLUORESCENCE SYSTEM The optical system measures the pressure-dependen shift of the sharp fluorescent R,-line of ruby wh has been calibrated against the compression of Na as the primary standard. The system was developed to measure pressure in the diamond-anvil high pressure cell, but with minor modification can be used in an pressure vessel which has optical access. Capability: Quantitative pressure determinations are made to 200 kbar with an accuracy in the range o 5 percent. Temperature capability to 300°C is als available, but the accuracy in the pressure measurement is significantly reduced at this temperature. Applications: Characterization of phenomena induced by pressure-such as phase transitions in solids freezing pressures of liquids, glass transition pressure in vitrified materials, compressibility measurements (in conjunction with x-ray measurement), and pres sure distribution in various pressure transmitting media. Availability: On a selective basis when not required for Crystallography Section programs. The system must be operated by Section personnel and onl work of mutual interest can be undertaken. Literature: [1] Science 176, 284 (1972) [2] Rev. Sci. Instr. 44, 1 (1973) Contact: Dr. G. J. Piermarini, Materials Building, Room B224, Phone 301-921-2950. HIGH PRESSURE PVT DILATOMETER This PVT (pressure-volume-temperature) apparatus is used to measure the density of liquids and solids (including polymers) with varying temperature and pressure. The method employs pressurized dilatometry in which a dilatometer is placed in a pressure chamber with glass windows. This chamber is, in turn, placed in a liquid thermostat with glass windows which is controlled by a refrigerator and electric heaters. The pressure is generated by a hand pump and may be determined by a bourdon or dead weight piston gage. The sample volume is determined in terms of the relative height of the mercury column of the dilatometer, using a cathetometer. Capability: Temperature range, -40 to 200°C. Constant heating and cooling rates may be selected as low as .05/hr; pressure range, 800 bar. (This range may be extended to 2 kbar by using a suitable pressure chamber.) A dead weight piston gage is available to maintain constant pressure during, for example, isobaric heating and cooling, and volume creep measurements. Applications: Ordinary equilibrium PVT measurements, including phase changes. Non-equilibrium measurements may include influence of temperature and pressure on glass transition and crystal growth mechanisms, glasses formed at constant volume, and volume creep and stress (pressure) relaxation. The densification of polymer glasses at elevated formation pressures gives a higher refractive index which suggests their use as optical lenses. Availability: By research workers on problems of mutual interest with those of the Rheology and Mechanical Properties Section. Initial instruction will be given by the Section staff. Literature: [1] J. E. McKinney and R. W. Penn, Rev. Sci. Instr. 43, 1212; [2] J. E. McKinney and M. Goldstein, J. Res., Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) 78A, no. 3, 331-353 (May-June 1974). Contact: John E. McKinney, Rheology Section, Polymer Building, Room B330, Phone 301-921-2116. Levitation vacuum melting equipment for preparation of high-purity materials in the ALLOY PREPARATION LABORATORY. ALLOY PREPARATION Research grade samples of metals and alloys are prepared when such samples are not readily available commercially, or when accurate details are required concerning the purity of the constituents and the melting and fabricating history. Capability: Vacuum-induction melting and casting; arc furnace; levitation melting furnace; electron-beam zone refiner; electron-beam button melter; electronbeam evaporator; induction and resistance melting and casting furnaces; heat-treating furnaces; coldworking equipment for rolling, swaging, and drawing. Applications: High purity iron ingot with 1.194 ± 0.004% carbon; homogeneous ingot of magnesiumzinc; 200-mesh lead-indium powders. Literature: NBS Tech. News Bull. Vol. 56 No. 8, p. 182-183 (Aug. 1972). Contact: H. C. Burnett, Scientific Assistant, Metallurgy Division, Materials Building, Room B260, Phone 301921-2813. Graphics Facilities: The Central Computer Facility provides off-line plotting on a CalComp 763 ZipMode Digital Plotter, Computer Ouput to Microfilm (or hard copy) using a Stromberg-Carlson 4020, and extended character printing. A Graphical Display System software package is available which permits optical output to a variety of display devices including the CalComp Plotter, the S-C 4020 Microfilm Recorder, or the Line Printer. Capacity to Handle Scientific Documents: An extended character input/output subsystem, presently operating off-line to the 1108, permits users to take full advantage of the information interchange facilities of the American National Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII). This provides character printing sufficient to handle scientific documents at the normal level of complexity in notation, including half-line spacing for superscripts and subscripts, a repertory of Greek alphabetic characters and an assortment of special signs and symbols. Offline paper tape facilities exist for entering ASCII punched paper tape as data via a 300 CPS optical scan paper tape reader. Applications and Services: While the primary use of the central computer facility is as a laboratory tool for the technical staff of NBS and other agencies, an increasing level of support is provided to a variety of administrative and other data processing applications. A consultant is available during working hours by phone or in the computer center for advice on details of system operation and problems owing to system and program interaction. New system development is frequently done for problem areas of general utility. Periodic training sessions are held to acquaint users with various system capabilities (both hardware and software). Literature: Various manuals are available to NBS users in the storeroom in the Administration Building. Other-agency users may secure manuals through the Management Assistant's office (301) 921-3364. Use of Computer Facilities: Charges for the various computer services are on a cost-reimbursable basis, and rate schedules are available. Interested parties may contact Mr. R. A. Palladino, Management Assistant, Room A225, Administration Building, NBS, Washington, D. C. 20234 (telephone (301) 921-3364). |