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The processing technology of niobium alloy in space microgravity environment is developing rapidly, mainly through the following aspects of innovation and breakthrough:

Advantages of microgravity environment

Avoid impurity contamination: Under microgravity conditions, niobium alloy can be suspended in the container, completely avoiding contact with the surface of the container, thereby eliminating the risk of impurities introduced. This feature ensures the purity and uniformity of niobium alloy in the molten state.

Precise control of heating and cooling: Scientists use microwave or electromagnetic induction heating technology to heat niobium alloy to two to three thousand degrees Celsius. This method can not only overcome the high temperature resistance limit of the container in the ground experiment, but also effectively control the heating rate and cooling process to ensure that the microstructure and macroscopic morphology of the material are precisely regulated.

Key experiments and achievements

Delivery of experimental samples: Since 2021, the research team has sent batches of niobium alloy samples to the Chinese space station for experiments. These experiments cover a series of physical processes such as heating, melting, cooling, supercooling and solidification of niobium alloys, providing important data for understanding their performance under extreme high temperatures.

High temperature performance verification: Experimental results show that niobium alloys can withstand temperatures of at least 2400°C and still maintain excellent strength and toughness in this environment. This discovery greatly expands the application potential of niobium alloys in the aerospace field, especially in key components such as turbine engines.

Application prospects

Aerospace field: Niobium alloys are widely regarded as an important component of future aerospace engines and deep space probe materials due to their high temperature resistance, oxidation resistance and good mechanical properties. With the continuous advancement of technology, niobium alloys are expected to play a key role in new aircraft such as the sixth-generation fighter.

Other applications: In addition to aerospace, niobium alloys can also be used in nuclear reactors, solar panels, and biomedicine. Their excellent physical and chemical properties make them an important candidate for a variety of high-performance materials.

Through these studies and technological developments, the processing technology of niobium alloys in the microgravity environment of space is constantly breaking through, opening up new possibilities for future materials science and engineering applications.