The equilibrium vaporization of pyrolytic graphite was studied using rf induction heating and a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. rf induction heating was demonstrated for the first time as a compatible and practical heating technique for high temperature mass spectrometry. Relative ion intensities were measured for C1(g), C2(g), C3(g), and C4(g) in the temperature range 2320 K-3000 K and partial vapor pressures were obtained. The vapor pressures of C2 and C3 in the temperature range 2400 K-3000 K can be represented by logP(C2) (atm) = 9.971 − 44 230/T(K) and logP (C3) (atm) = 9.944 − 40 670/T(K). Heats of vaporization obtained by the second and third law methods are as follows: SpeciesSecond law ΔH°298(kcal/mole)Third law ΔH°298(kcal/mole)C1170.3 ± 1.1C2206.0 ± 1.3202.7 ± 0.6C3194.4 ± 1.2202.1 ± 1.5C4242.7Thermodynamic functions calculated by Strauss and Thiele were used forC3. JANAF thermodynamic data were used for all other species. The entropy change in the vaporization of C3 determined from this work is 45.55 eu at 2740 K.

By use of a tensile stress wave 0.1 to 0.4 μsec in duration, generated by pulsed electron−beam energy deposition, the dynamic tensile strength (TS) of glycerol was determined in the 220−350 K temperature range. The TS curve is clearly divided into high− and low−temperature segments at about 262 K. Above this temperature, the TS decreases uniformly from 250 MPa (2.5 kbar) to 34 MPa at 350 K and failure appears to occur by void nucleation and growth. The experimental results are explained by a theory of homogeneous bubble nucleation which takes into account the non−steady−state nature of the experiment. Below the transition temperature, the TS is constant at about 250 MPa and failure is believed to occur by crack nucleation and growth.

A new experimental technique has been developed for the study of the dynamic tensile strength of liquids, The liquid is confined between a solid plate and a stretched aluminized Mylar film, Pulsed electron beam deposition in the plate generates a stress wave which traverses the liquid and gives a high tensile stress during reflection at the Mylar-covered free surface, Interferometric analysis of the motion of the Mylar film provides a sensitive measure of the stress-wave-liquid interaction, The technique has been used to determine a dynamic tensile strength for glycerol at room temperature of O.6±O.1 kbar from 5 to 23 kbar//Lsec. No variation of tensile strength with stress rate was found.

Conceptual DT and DD fusion reactors are discussed based on magnetic confinement with the high-plasma-density Z-pinch. The reactor concepts have no “first wall”, the fusion neutrons and plasma energy being absorbed directly into a surrounding lithium vortex blanket. Efficient systems with low re-circulated power are projected, based on a flow-through pinch cycle for which overall Q values can approach 10. The conceptual reactors are characterized by simplicity, small minimum size (100 MW(e)) and by the potential for minimal radioactivity hazards.

The dynamic tensile strength of mercury has been determined using very-short-duration (∼100 ns) stress pulses generated by an electron-beam machine. Tensile strengths of 1900 MPa (19 kbar) are observed for mercury at maximum tensile stress rates of ∼75 MPa/ns. These results are somewhat lower than the value of 3000 MPa predicted by homogeneous nucleation theory.