Mir-21 Commander Yuri Onufrienko holds a sample for the Optizon Liquid Phase Sintering Experiment (OLiPSE). The sample is seen inside the Optizon Furnace, which uses a light bulb surrounded a concave reflective material as the heating source. The Optizon Furnace is housed in the Kristall module of the Mir space station. It was used to heat samples of different powdered metals to the melting point of one of the metal constituents, allowing the metals to sinter and form an alloy. The samples were brought back to the ground so that scientists can study the effects of microgravity on liquid phase sintering.
 |
Curator:
Julie Oliveaux
Responsible NASA Official: John Uri |
Page last updated: 07/16/1999
.gif)