Engineering topics

Bennett, Wendy D.

Publications and source records attributed to Bennett, Wendy D..

5 records

DOE OSTI2021

In situ friction and wear behavior of rubber materials incorporating various fillers and/or a plasticizer in high-pressure hydrogen

Polymers are used routinely for equipment and infrastructure in hydrogen vehicle refueling stations, but significant gaps remain in understanding their hydrogen compatibility. The tribological properties of these materials in a high-pressure hydrogen environment is important in preventing component failure and the need for frequent replacement. We present in situ tribological studies on model rubbers, which include common fillers and plasticizer, using an in situ tribometer developed previously. Results suggest a clear, yet complicated, combined effect of the high-pressure hydrogen and the additives on the tribological performance of the chosen materials, as compared to matching experiments performed in ambient air. We find that the additives improved wear resistance in EPDM but deteriorated that in NBR due to disparate additive-polymer interactions.

Kuang, Wenbin↗

DOE OSTI2018

Verification of Pilger Mill Performance

The Nuclear Technology Research & Development program of the Office of Nuclear Energy has implemented a program to develop an advanced reactor cladding fabrication capability by using the extrusion and pilgering processes. Oxide-dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels are a promising class of advanced materials, but processes need to be developed to produce tubing for these advanced alloys. The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) has converted its rolling mill into a lab-scale pilger mill, which required designing pilger tooling and rolls that contained multiple pilgering grooves and designing a servo-driven feed mechanism. Upon assembling and checking out the system, initial pilgering runs were completed. This report will provide verification of the design and performance of the lab-scale pilger mill.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2018

Atomic Origins of the Self-Healing Function in Cement–Polymer Composites

Motivated by recent advances in self-healing cement and epoxy polymer composites, we present a combined ab initio molecular dynamics and sum frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy study of a calcium-silicate-hydrate/polymer interface. On stable, low-defect surfaces, the polymer only weakly adheres through coordination and hydrogen bonding interactions and can be easily mobilized towards defected surfaces. Conversely, on fractured surfaces, the polymer strongly anchors through ionic Ca-O bonds resulting from the deprotonation of polymer hydroxyl groups. In addition, polymer S-S groups are turned away from the cement/polymer interface, allowing for the self-healing function within the polymer. The overall elasticity and healing properties of these composites stem from a flexible hydrogen bonding network that can readily adapt to surface morphology. The theoretical vibrational signals associated with the proposed cement-polymer interfacial chemistry were confirmed experimentally by SFG spectroscopy.

ab initio molecular 8 dynamics↗

DOE OSTI2017

Electrolyte for batteries with regenerative solid electrolyte interface

An energy storage device comprising: an anode; and a solute-containing electrolyte composition wherein the solute concentration in the electrolyte composition is sufficiently high to form a regenerative solid electrolyte interface layer on a surface of the anode only during charging of the energy storage device, wherein the regenerative layer comprises at least one solute or solvated solute from the electrolyte composition.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

DOE OSTI2017

Electroplating Zr on U-Mo Foils: Process Qualification Report

Fuel Fabrication identified electroplating of zirconium onto the U-Mo fuel low enriched fuel for high performance reactors as an alternative technology. The Process Qualification was performed under the Process Qualification Plan for Fabrication of MP-1 Zirconium Electroplated Foils, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), 67075-PQP-0001. On December 14, 2016 PNNL was authorized to begin qualification plating runs effective January 2017 by the Fuel Fabrication Pillar. PNNL began electroplating of the BWX Technologies Nuclear Operation Group provided qualification bare foils. Receipt inspection of foils identified numerous issues with the surface quality of the foils. Zirconium Electroplating of the 12 thick and 12 thin foils was completed in March 2017. This report summarizes the results of qualification plating runs and provides the documentation necessary to qualify the electroplating process and authorize PNNL to begin plating of the MP-1 foils. Prior to plating of the MP-1 foils, PNNL will be plating demonstration low enriched uranium (LEU).

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗