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1 0 A D V A N C E D M A T E R I A L S & P R O C E S S E S | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 the sample after a test, checking for changes below the surface. The proj- ect has led to improvements at the test facility, including a new tracking algo- rithm for the heliostats and advancing heat flux characterization techniques. sandia.gov. MICROSCOPY AT EXTREME HEAT Researchers report that stainless steel alloy 709 has potential for ele- vated temperature applications such as nuclear reactor structures. North Carolina State University, Raleigh, and the University of Birmingham, U.K., scientists say alloy 709 is exceptionally strong and resistant to damage when exposed to high temperatures for long durations, making it a promising mate- rial for use in next-generation nuclear plants. The team developed a new technique that allows them to perform scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in real time while applying extremely high heat and high loads to a material. The method allows scientists to observe TESTING | CHARACTERIZATION SOLAR TOWER TESTS THERMAL RESPONSES Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, N.M., is using its solar tower to help assess the impact of extreme temperature changes on materials. The tests, now in their sec- ond year, take advantage of Sandia’s National Solar Thermal Test Facility’s ability to simulate a rapid increase in temperature followed by an equally rapid decrease. Researchers place a 4×4-in. sample of composite material into a test chamber and then expose it to a burst of intense heat. The cou- pon is set flush to a test chamber wall facing a quartz window that accepts BRIEFS Micromeritics Instrument Corp., Norcross, Ga., a global manufac- turer of products for advanced materials characterization, acquired Freeman Technology, Tewkesbury, U.K. The technology group specializes in providing instruments for the measure- ment of powder flow and other behavioral properties of powders. micromeritics.com . the heat produced by mirrors. Initially, sliding shutters in front of the window are closed. The team focuses reflected light from the heliostats onto a calibra- tion panel and uses a heat flux gauge to measure the power that will hit the sample. Then they move that reflected light onto the shutters. When ready, the shutters slide open and then close very quickly to produce the heating curves needed. At the same time, a wind tun- nel forces air across the sample, simu- lating convective cooling. Researchers can subject a sam- ple to heat multiple times to establish material response thresholds after exposure. Before and after a test, re- searchers examine samples with a 3D scanner, which determines vari- ous texture changes in the materials, while another team takes reflectiv- ity measurements. A third team uses nondestructive methods to look inside Materion Corp., Mayfield Heights, Ohio, received AS9100D certification from National Quality Assurance (NQA) for its facilities in Elmore and Lorain, Ohio; Elmhurst, Ill.; Reading, Pa.; and Warren, Mich. The AS9100D standard incorporates the ISO 9001 quality management system and adds additional requirements specific to the aviation, space, and defense industries. materion.com . Sandia is using its solar tower to help assess the impact of extreme temperature changes on materials for the Air Force. Afsaneh Rabiei and the device she developed to capture SEM images in real time at temperatures up to 1000°C.