Useful Quasicrystals

by Dubois, Jean-Marie

• ISBN13: 9789810232542
• ISBN10: 9810232543
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-06-15
• Publisher: World Scientific Pub Co Inc

Summary

The aim of this book is to acquaint the reader with what the authors regard as the most basic characteristics of quasicrystals -- structure, formation and stability, and properties -- in relationship with the applications of quasicrystalline materials.

Quasicrystals are fascinating substances that form a family of specific structures with strange physical, chemical and mechanical properties as compared to those of metallic alloys. This, on the one hand, requires a generalization of the crystallographic description of solids and is still stimulating intensive research to understand the most basic properties of quasicrystals. On the other hand, these properties open the way to technological applications, demonstrated or potential, mostly regarding energy savings.

This valuable book discusses those various facets of quasicrystals in six chapters, ending with the authors' own interpretation of the properties with respect to their unique structure.

Table of Contents

Foreword The Golden Mean and the Kitchen	vii
General References	xiii
Chapter 1 What to Know to Start with	1	(68)
1 Introduction	1	(4)
2 Classical and Non-Classical Crystals	5	(12)
3 The Reciprocal Space	17	(6)
4 The Search for Enhanced Mechanical Properties	23	(7)
5 The Birth of a Monster	30	(5)
6 The Quarrel of Ancients and Moderns	35	(6)
7 The World of Quasicrystals	41	(8)
8 Recovering the Periodicity	49	(6)
9 Organised Disorder: the Phasons	55	(4)
10 From Tilings to Coverings	59	(4)
References	63	(6)
Chapter 2 Strange Physical Properties	69	(98)
1 Introduction	69	(1)
2 Basics of Metal Physics, in Very Simple Words	70	(13)
2.1 Electron Transport in Metallic Crystals	70	(3)
2.2 Electron Bands	73	(6)
2.3 The Hume-Rothery Rules in Crystals	79	(4)
3 Electronic Transport in Quasicrystals	83	(32)
3.1 Phenomenological Data	83	(8)
3.2 An Insulator Made of Metals	91	(3)
3.3 Quantum Interference Effects	94	(1)
3.4 Variable Range Hopping	95	(3)
3.5 Hierarchical Recurrent Localization	98	(10)
3.6 Optical Properties	108	(2)
3.7 Another Step Towards a Model of Electronic Conductivity	110	(5)
4 Electron Densities of States	115	(22)
4.1 Pseudogap and Relevant Experimental Information	116	(9)
4.2 The Hume-Rothery Gap in Related Crystals	125	(3)
4.3 Surface Electronic States	128	(2)
4.4 A Bit More about d-states and the Role of Transition Metals	130	(3)
4.5 Enhanced Stability of Quasicrystals and Approximants	133	(4)
5 Lattice Dynamics and Thermal Conductivity	137	(17)
5.1 Lattice Vibrations in Icosahedral Mono-Domain Samples	139	(3)
5.2 Heat Conduction	142	(4)
5.3 Structural Scattering of Phonons	146	(6)
5.4 Electronic Contribution to Heat Transport	152	(2)
6 Magnetism	154	(5)
References	159	(8)
Chapter 3 When Atoms Move Away	167	(78)
1 Introduction	167	(2)
2 Brittle Intermetallics that End into Chewing-Gum	169	(29)
2.1 Hardness, Brittleness and Low Friction	171	(13)
2.2 Plastic Behaviour at Elevated Temperature	184	(3)
2.3 The Role of Dislocations	187	(6)
2.4 Behind Dislocations, Cluster Friction	193	(5)
3 Non-Conventional Surfaces	198	(11)
3.1 Rough and Flat Surfaces	198	(9)
3.2 Static Friction on Clean Surfaces	207	(2)
4 Oxidation Behaviour	209	(7)
4.1 Dependence on Oxidizing Environment	209	(4)
4.2 Kinetics and Temperature Dependence	213	(3)
5 Atomic Mobility	216	(22)
5.1 Atomic Transport in Normal Crystals	216	(3)
5.2 Diffusion in Icosahedral Quasicrystals	219	(8)
5.3 Phason Assisted Diffusion	227	(7)
5.4 Atomic Jumps	234	(4)
References	238	(7)
Chapter 4 Preparation and Mass Production	245	(116)
1 Introduction	245	(2)
2 Phase Selection	247	(4)
3 The Multitude of Approximants	251	(7)
3.1 Crystals and Approximants in the Al-Cu-Fe-Cr System	252	(2)
3.2 B2-Based Approximants in Relation to Quasicrystals	254	(4)
4 Phase Diagrams	258	(6)
4.1 Growth from the Liquid State	259	(1)
4.2 Equilibrium Phase-Diagram Data	260	(4)
5 Phase Transformations	264	(21)
5.1 Order-Disorder Transitions	267	(4)
5.2 Phason-Driven Transitions	271	(4)
5.3 Pressure-Induced Transitions	275	(6)
5.4 Surface Transformations	281	(4)
6 Preparation in the Laboratory	285	(20)
6.1 Out-of-Equilibrium Methods	286	(7)
6.2 Mono-Domain Samples	293	(5)
6.3 The Nightmare of Growing a Stable Quasicrystal	298	(4)
6.4 Sintering	302	(3)
7 The Thick Coatings Route	305	(31)
7.1 Thermal Spraying versus Magnetron Sputtering Techniques	305	(11)
7.2 Processing of Atomized Powders	316	(8)
7.3 Polishing and Surface Preparation	324	(4)
7.4 Phase Stability of Quasicrystalline Coatings in Agressive Media	328	(8)
8 Thin Films and Nanosized Precipitates	336	(13)
8.1 Multilayers or Vapour Deposited Films	337	(5)
8.2 New Data from Kinetics of Growth	342	(4)
8.3 Nanosized Precipitates in Selected Metallic Alloys	346	(3)
References	349	(12)
Chapter 5 The Rise of a Dream	361	(98)
1 Introduction	361	(1)
2 Smart Surfaces	362	(24)
2.1 Facts and Artifacts	362	(10)
2.2 Wetting and Electronic Properties	372	(11)
2.3 Cooking Utensils for the Future	383	(3)
3 Application to Energy Savings	386	(27)
3.1 Thermal Barriers	386	(7)
3.2 Reducing Friction and Wear	393	(9)
3.3 Friction in Vacuum and (Once More) Surface Energy	402	(11)
4 Electronic Devices	413	(7)
4.1 Light Absorption and Sensors	413	(3)
4.2 Thermo-Power Generation	416	(4)
5 Generation of a Green Energy	420	(11)
5.1 Catalysis	421	(3)
5.2 Hydrogen Storage	424	(7)
6 High-Performance Alloys for Mechanical Applications	431	(11)
6.1 New Maraging Steels and Light Alloys	431	(7)
6.2 Metal and Polymer Matrix Composites	438	(4)
7 Perspective View at Other Applications	442	(6)
References	448	(11)
Conclusion The Dream is Not Over Yet	459	(16)
References	471	(4)
Index	475