Electrostatic and acoustic instrumentation for material science processing in space

The use of electrostatic forces in the design of a positioning system and acoustic forces in the implementation of a mixing system for material science experiments on Spacelab are described. The electrostatic positioning of samples is described with special reference to its advantages and disadvantages with regard to other positioning methods. The design of such a positioner is described including the considerations relating to the processing of both high and low vapour pressure materials in a positioner compatible with both the isothermal heating facility (IHF) and the mirror heating facility (MHF) of Spacelab under microgravity (10^?4–10^?3 g) conditions. The application of acoustic and ultrasonic forces to the problem of sample mixing in material science experiments is explained. The design of a mixer compatible with existing furnace hardware for Spacelab and capable of effectively mixing samples at temperatures up to 1200°C is described. Tests of the mixer show that a 15 μm displacement adequate for good mixing can be achieved with a d.c. power input of 23 W and a conversion efficiency of 70%. Tests on alumina particles and carbon fibres in various alloy matrices show that complete wetting can be achieved.