This research aims to evaluate horizontal and vertical constrained rod casting (CRC) molds on hot tearing susceptibility (HTS) of Al-xCu casting alloys with 2.2, 3.6, 7.5, and 12.5 percent Cu. The hot tears on the casting product were observed using a macroscopic approach. In addition, the hot tearing susceptibility of each casting product prepared using these molds was evaluated using the HTS formula. The results show that the vertical CRC mold has a higher HTS value than the horizontal CRC mold. The rod length is a significant factor in causing hot tearing. Longer rods are more susceptible to hot tearing. The horizontal CRC mold provides a clearer effect of rod length and Cu composition on the average HTS value. In the vertical CRC mold, the effect of Cu composition on the average HTS value is less clear. Therefore, it is highly recommended to use horizontal CRC mold for HTS testing of aluminum casting alloys.

Electric field controlled ion transport and interface formation of iron thin films on a BaTiO₃ substrate have been investigated by in situ nuclear resonance scattering and x-ray reflectometry techniques. At early stage of deposition, an iron-II oxide interface layer was observed. The hyperfine parameters of the interface layer were found insensitive to the evaporated layer thickness. When an electric field was applied during growth, a 10 Å increase of the nonmagnetic/magnetic thickness threshold and an extended magnetic transition region was measured compared to the case where no field was applied. The interface layer was found stable under this threshold when further evaporation occurred, contrary to the magnetic layer where the magnitude and orientation of the hyperfine magnetic field vary continuously. The obtained results of the growth mechanism and of the electric field effect of the Fe/BTO system will allow the design of novel applications by creating custom oxide/metallic nanopatterns using laterally inhomogeneous electric fields during sample preparation.