Search NASASearch

Engineering topics

Generazio, Edward R.

Publications and source records attributed to Generazio, Edward R..

49 records · Page 3

Acoustical Imaging Of Defects In Ceramics

Because of their brittle nature, ceramics are extremely sensitive to even slight variations in microstructure. Direct observations show importance of kinds of defects by identifying them as sites of localized failures. Sites cannot be determined priori by optical and x-ray methods. Color images obtained from precise acoustic measurements reveal subtle variations in porosity fractions and mean sizes of pores in ceramics. Velocity and attenuation of ultrasound found related directly to density and mean size of pores, respectively.

Generazio, Edward R.

Interfacing laboratory instruments to multiuser, virtual memory computers

Incentives, problems and solutions associated with interfacing laboratory equipment with multiuser, virtual memory computers are presented. The major difficulty concerns how to utilize these computers effectively in a medium sized research group. This entails optimization of hardware interconnections and software to facilitate multiple instrument control, data acquisition and processing. The architecture of the system that was devised, and associated programming and subroutines are described. An example program involving computer controlled hardware for ultrasonic scan imaging is provided to illustrate the operational features.

Generazio, Edward R.

High-frequency ultrasonic characterization of sintered silicon carbide

High-frequency 60- to 160-MHz ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation was used to characterize variations in density and microstructural constituents of sintered SiC bars. Ultrasonic characterization methods included longitudinal velocity, reflection coefficient, and precise attenuation measurements. The SiC bars were tailored to provide bulk densities ranging from 90 to 98 percent of theoretical, average grain sizes ranging from 3.0 to 12.0 microns, and average pore sizes ranging from 1.5 to 4.0 microns. Velocity correlated with specimen bulk density irrespective of specimen average grain size, average pore size, and average pore orientation. The attenuation coefficient was found to be sensitive to both density and average pore size variations, but was not affected by large differences in average grain size.

Baaklini, George Y.

Dynamic porosity variations in ceramics

A silicon carbide disk was sintered from 2090 to 2190 C in 25 C steps. After each sintering step the disk was examined using a precision acoustic scanning system to determine acoustic attenuation and velocity. The bulk density was found to vary nonmonotonically with sintering temperature. During the sintering process, the density varied as much as 10 pct from its value at 2090 C. Local density fluctuations were observed to occur in an organized and history-dependent way. These local density fluctuations varied up to + or - 7 pct of the bulk density and were made visible by acoustic attenuation and velocity mapping.

Generazio, Edward R.

Artificial Voids In Ceramic Materials

Method for creating voids in ceramic specimens developed. Silicon carbide and silicon nitride are high-temperature structural ceramic materials considered for applications in advanced gas-turbine engines. Ability to detect and characterize voids (by sizes, shapes, and locations) in structural ceramics vital for increasing strengths and reliabilities of materials. Small holes made deliberately to help quantify techniques of nondestructive evaluation.

Roth, Don J.

Ultrasonic Determination Of Recrystallization

State of recrystallization identified. Measurement of ultrasonic attenuation shows promise as means of detecting recrystallization in metal. Technique applicable to real-time acoustic monitoring of thermomechanical treatments. Starting with work-hardened material, one ultrasonically determines effect of annealing, using correlation between ultrasonic attenuation and temperature.

Generazio, Edward R.

Systems for ultrasonic scanning, analysis and imagery

A variety of ultrasonic scanning and imagery techniques are used to investigate various aspects of materials and microstructures. Two ultrasonic scanning systems are in use by the Lewis Research Center's Structural Integrity Branch: an immersion scanner and a contact scanning system. The basic principles of scanning are reviewed, examples of images are presented, and structural features suggested by these images are discussed. Both of these systems are custom designed; their capabilities, advantages, and disadvantages are highlighted.

Stang, David B.

Determination Of Grain-Size Distributions

Images of microstructures analyzed by transform methods. Report discusses determination of distributions of grain sizes by analysis of images of microstructures.

Generazio, Edward R.

Determining Directions of Ultrasound in Solids

Ultrasound shadows cast by grooves. Improved method for determining direction of ultrasound in materials is shadow method using Scanning laser acoustic microscopy (SLAM). Direction of ultrasound calculated from dimensions of groove and portion of surface groove shields from ultrasound. Method has variety of applications in nontraditional quality-control applications.

Generazio, Edward R.

Increased Accuracy in Ultrasonic Material Characterization

Improvements in ultrasonic measuring technology obtained. Used in variety of ways, to include: Determination of ultrasonic attenuation and velocity in heat-engine ceramics and advanced metals; verification of accuracy of ultrasonic measurements; and real-time in situ ultrasonic monitoring of microstructural changes. Technology interests producers and fabricators of metals and ceramics for aerospace and other critical applications.

Generazio, Edward R.

Ultrasonic NDE of structural ceramics for power and propulsion systems

A review of research investigations of several ultrasonic evaluation techniques applicable to structural ceramics for advanced heat engines is presented. This review highlights recent work conducted under the sponsorship of and at the Lewis Research Center. Results obtained with scanning acoustic microscopy, scanning laser acoustic microscopy, photo acoustic microscopy, and scanning electron acoustic microscopy are compared. In addition to these flaw imaging techniques, microstructure characterization by analytical ultrasonics is described. The techniques were evaluated by application to research samples of monolithic silicon nitride and silicon carbide in the form of discs and bars containing naturally occurring and deliberately-introduced flaws and microstructural anomalies. Strengths and limitations of the techniques are discussed.

Vary, Alex

High frequency ultrasonic characterization of sintered SiC

High frequency (60 to 160 MHz) ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation was used to characterize variations in density and microstructural constituents of sintered SiC bars. Ultrasonic characterization methods included longitudinal velocity, reflection coefficient, and precise attenuation measurements. The SiC bars were tailored to provide bulk densities ranging from 90 to 98 percent of theoretical, average grain sizes ranging from 3.0 to 12.0 microns, and average pore sizes ranging from 1.5 to 4.0 microns. Velocity correlated with specimen bulk density irrespective of specimen average grain size, average pore size, and average pore orientation. Attenuation coefficient was found to be sensitive to both density and average pore size variations, but was not affected by large differences in average grain size.

Baaklini, George Y.