Abstract: A precursor vessel comprises a hafnium halide precursor. The hafnium halide precursor comprises less than 1 ppm of at least one impurity. The at least one impurity comprises at least one of a titanium contaminant, a chromium contaminant, an aluminum contaminant, an iron contaminant, or any combination thereof. Related systems and related methods are also provided, including, for example and without limitation, systems for delivery of vapor precursors, methods for purifying a precursor, and the like.

Abstract: Molybdenum precursors with high purity and methods for purifying molybdenum precursors are provided. A method comprises obtaining a first vessel comprising a solid reagent; vaporizing at least a portion of the solid reagent to produce a vapor comprising a MoCl5 vapor and a molybdenum impurity vapor; flowing at least a portion of the MoCl5 vapor and at least a portion of the molybdenum impurity vapor to a second vessel; condensing at least a portion of the MoCl5 vapor in the second vessel to separate the MoCl5 from the molybdenum impurity; and removing at least a portion of the molybdenum impurity vapor from the second vessel to obtain a MoCl5 precursor.

Abstract: A system including a vessel for containing a fill material and a vibration source connected to the vessel. The vibration source can increase a bulk density of the fill material. A fill material ratio can be defined as a particle density of the fill material divided by the bulk density of the fill material after vibration. After the vibration source increases the bulk density of the fill material, the fill material ratio can range from about 0.15 to about 0.75.

Abstract: A back-up tooling apparatus for supporting the inner side of a hollow cylindrical workpiece during a circumferential friction stir weld includes a plurality of arcuate shoes configured to mate end-to-end to form a substantially continuous ring, and an expandable support for supporting the shoes and operable to retract and expand the shoes inward and outward. The expandable support includes at least one rotatable feed screw and central support members mounted on the feed screw or screws and pivotally connected to the shoes by support arms. The central support members are moved axially toward or away from each other for expanding or retracting the shoes. The shoes in one embodiment overlap in the circumferential direction, and a seal material is disposed between mating end faces of adjacent shoes. A restraining device is provided for clamping about the workpiece to reduce thermal expansion thereof. Cable-and-winch and geared drive devices are provided for rotatably driving the workpiece from its outer surface.

Abstract: A back-up tooling apparatus for supporting the inner side of a hollow cylindrical workpiece during a circumferential friction stir weld includes a plurality of arcuate shoes configured to mate end-to-end to form a substantially continuous ring, and an expandable support for supporting the shoes and operable to retract and expand the shoes inward and outward. The expandable support includes at least one rotatable feed screw and central support members mounted on the feed screw or screws and pivotally connected to the shoes by support arms. The central support members are moved axially toward or away from each other for expanding or retracting the shoes. The shoes in one embodiment overlap in the circumferential direction, and a seal material is disposed between mating end faces of adjacent shoes. A restraining device is provided for clamping about the workpiece to reduce thermal expansion thereof. Cable-and-winch and geared drive devices are provided for rotatably driving the workpiece from its outer surface.

Abstract: A back-up tooling apparatus for supporting the inner side of a hollow cylindrical workpiece during a circumferential friction stir weld includes a plurality of arcuate shoes configured to mate end-to-end to form a substantially continuous ring, and an expandable support for supporting the shoes and operable to retract and expand the shoes inward and outward. The expandable support includes at least one rotatable feed screw and central support members mounted on the feed screw or screws and pivotally connected to the shoes by support arms. The central support members are moved axially toward or away from each other for expanding or retracting the shoes. The shoes in one embodiment overlap in the circumferential direction, and a seal material is disposed between mating end faces of adjacent shoes. A restraining device is provided for clamping about the workpiece to reduce thermal expansion thereof. Cable-and-winch and geared drive devices are provided for rotatably driving the workpiece from its outer surface.