RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FIELD DIRECTION AND WAVE-PROPAGATION IN ACTIVATED COMBUSTION SYNTHESIS

Using experimental and modeling studies, the effect of field direction on the field-activated combustion synthesis of SiC was investigated. Field application imposed in a direction perpendicular to wave propaga tion resulted in enhancement: the wave velocity increased linearly wit h an increase in field strength. For field application parallel to wav e propagation, two cases were considered: confined and nonconfined are as of impacted energy from an ignition source. In the confined case bo th experimental (using laser ignition) and simulation studies were mad e. Both showed the establishment of a two-front combustion with waves moving to opposite sides in a direction perpendicular to the field. In the nonconfined case, initial waves propagated in a direction paralle l to the field but were independent of field strength. The results are interpreted in terms of a model in which the current is confined to t he combustion zone, adding another source of heat to the combustion pr ocess, at a rate of sigma E(2)(J . cm(-3). s(-1)).