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Gupta, Amitava

Publications and source records attributed to Gupta, Amitava.

X-Ray-Scattering Measurements Of Strain In PEEK

Internal stress relieved by heating above glass-transition temperature. Report describes wide-angle x-ray scattering and differential scanning calorimetry of specimens of poly(etheretherketone) having undergone various thermal treatments. Wide-angle x-ray scattering particularly useful in determining distances between atoms, crystallinity, and related microstructurally generated phenomena, as thermal expansion and strain. Calorimetric measurements aid interpretation of scattering measurements by enabling correlation with thermal effects.

Cebe, Peggy

Internal stabilization of polycarbonate resins by two stage radiation process

A new polycarbonate copolymer resin is formed by internal generation of stabilizers bound to the polymer chain. Irradiation of a solid piece or a deoxygenated solution of the resin at a first frequency below 300 nm generates 2 to 8 mol percent of phenyl salicylate groups which are rearranged to dihydroxybenzophenone groups by irradiating the resin under oxygen excluding conditions at a second frequency from 300 to 320 nm.

Gupta, Amitava

Probing Polymer-Segment Motions By ESR

Molecular origins of mechanical properties and aging processes studied. Rotational motions of segments of poly(methyl methacrylate) molecules studied theoretically and experimentally. Activation energies of these motions as determined from temperature dependencies of ESR spectra agree closely with predictions of theory.

Tsay, Fun-Dow

Mechanistic studies of polymeric samples exposed aboard STS 8

The early Shuttle flights and the attendant opportunity to deploy material samples to the near-Earth space environment, along well-defined trajectories and accompanied by detailed characterization of these samples prior to and following the flight exposure, have brought to light several novel phenomena associated with interaction of these materials with the space environment. JPL, in coordination with other NASA Centers, has carried out a research program to study the degradation and oxidation processes caused by interaction of these materials with atomic oxygen at an energy of 5 eV. In addition, energetic atomic oxygen is believed to be responsible for the shuttle glow first observed during the flight of STS-3. The shuttle glow phenomenon has been extensively studied and modeled because of its long-range potential impact on optical communication schemes and its more immediate impact on the Space Telescope. This report summarizes the results of certian material degradation and erosion experiments carried out aboard STS-8 between August 30, 1983 and September 5, 1983. Based on these data, a generic degradation model has been developed for common structural polymers.

Liang, Ranty H.

Thermomechanical Properties Indicate Degree of Epoxy Cure

Glass-transition temperature and density increase as reaction proceeds. Cured epoxy resin found to be related to extent of cure. In addition to providing insight into chemical reactions of curing, relationships show potential for process monitoring and control in fabrication of strong, lightweight composite parts.

Cizmecioglu, Muzaffer

O-atom degradation mechanisms of materials

The low Earth orbit environment is described and the critical issues relating to oxygen atom degradation are discussed. Some analytic techniques for studying the problem and preliminary results on the underlying degradation mechanisms are presented.

Coulter, Daniel R.

Production of pulsed atomic oxygen beams via laser vaporization methods

Energetic pulsed atomic oxygen beams were generated by laser-driven evaporation of cryogenically frozen ozone/oxygen films and thin films of indium-tin oxide (ITO). Mass and energy characterization of beams from the ozone/oxygen films were carried out by mass spectrometry. The peak flux, found to occur at 10 eV, is estimated from this data to be 3 x 10(20) m(-2) s(-1). Analysis of the time-of-flight data indicates a number of processes contribute to the formation of the atomic oxygen beam. The absence of metastable states such as the 2p(3) 3s(1) (5S) level of atomic oxygen blown off from ITO films is supported by the failure to observe emission at 777.3 nm from the 2p(3) 3p(1) (5P sub J) levels. Reactive scattering experiments with polymer film targets for atomic oxygen bombardment are planned using a universal crossed molecular beam apparatus.

Brinza, David E.

Mechanical properties and morphology of poly(etheretherKetone)

Mechanical properties and morphology of poly(etheretherketone) (PEEK) were studied for samples having different thermal histories. Isothermal and rate-dependent crystallization were studied to ascertain the relationship between crystallinity/morphology and processing condition. Degree of crystallinity and microstructure were controlled by cooling the melt at different rates, ranging from quenching to slowly cooling, and by annealing amorphous material above the glass transition temperature Tg. It is found that degree of crystallinity was not as important as processing history in determining the room temperature mechanical properties. Samples with the same degree of crystallinity had very different tensile properties, depending on rate of cooling from the melt. All samples yielded by shear band formation and necked down. Quenched films had the largest breaking strains, drawing to 270 percent. Slowly cooled films exhibited ductile failure at relatively low strains. Best combined mechanical properties were obtained from semicrystalline films cooled at intermediate rates from the melt.

Cebe, Peggy

Wide-angle X-ray scattering study of heat-treated PEEK and PEEK composite

Samples of poly(etheretherketone) (PEEK) neat resin and APC-2 carbon fiber composite were subjected to various heat treatments, and the effect of quenching and annealing treatments was studied by wide-angle X-ray scattering. It is found that high-temperature treatments may introduce disorder into neat resin and composite PEEK when followed by rapid cooling. The disorder is metastable and can revert to ordered state when the material is heated above its glass transition temperature and then cooled slowly. The disorder may result from residual thermal stresses.

Cebe, Peggy

Production of pulsed atomic oxygen beams via laser vaporization methods

The generation of energetic pulsed atomic oxygen beams by laser-driven evaporation of cryogenically frozen ozone/oxygen films and thin indium-tin oxide (ITO) films is reported. Mass spectroscopy is used in the mass and energy characterization of beams from the ozone/oxygen films, and a peak flux of 3 x 10 to the 20th/sq m per sec at 10 eV is found. Analysis of the time-of-flight data suggests that several processes contribute to the formation of the oxygen beam. Results show the absence of metastable states such as the 2p(3)3s(1)(5S) level of atomic oxygen blown-off from the ITO films. The present process has application to the study of the oxygen degradation problem of LEO materials.

Brinza, David E.

Degradation studies of SMRM teflon

Teflon samples returned from the Solar Max Satellite (SMS) suffered noticeable damage such as cracking and yellowing. This is in contrast to teflon exposed aboard STS-5 and STS-8 which showed no detectable changes. Selected teflon tape samples from SMS were studied to evaluate the extent and mechanism of degradation. ESCA studies revealed that these teflon samples contain hydrocarbon segments which were susceptible to oxygen atom degradation. Mechanical measurements also showed bulk property changes as a result of LEO exposure. A molecular model of material and energetic oxygen atom interaction was proposed. SMS data and the importance of developing correlation between accelerated exposure data from STS and ground-based testing and real time data will be presented.

Liang, Ranty H.

Solar cell encapsulation

A polymer syrup for encapsulating solar cell assemblies. The syrup includes uncrosslinked poly(n-butyl)acrylate dissolved in n-butyl acrylate monomer. Preparation of the poly(n-butyl)acrylate and preparation of the polymer syrup is disclosed. Methods for applying the polymer syrup to solar cell assemblies as an encapsulating pottant are described. Also included is a method for solar cell construction utilizing the polymer syrup as a dual purpose adhesive and encapsulating material.

Gupta, Amitava

N-Butyl acrylate polymer composition for solar cell encapsulation and method

A polymer syrup for encapsulating solar cell assemblies. The syrup includes uncrosslinked poly(n-butyl)acrylate dissolved in n-butyl acrylate monomer. Preparation of the poly(n-butyl)acrylate and preparation of the polymer syrup is disclosed. Methods for applying the polymer syrup to solar cell assemblies as an encapsulating pottant are described. Also included is a method for solar cell construction utilizing the polymer syrup as a dual purpose adhesive and encapsulating material.

Gupta, Amitava

Cross-linked polyvinyl pyridine coated glass particle catalyst support and aqueous composition or polyvinyl pyridine adducted microspheres

Microspheres are produced by cobalt gamma radiation initiated polymerization of a dilute aqueous vinyl pyridine solution. Addition of cross-linking agent provides higher surface area beads. Addition of monomers such as hydroxyethylmethacrylate acrylamide or methacrylamide increases hydrophilic properties and surface area of the beads. High surface area catalytic supports are formed in the presence of controlled pore glass substrate.

Rembaum, Alan

Polyvinyl pyridine microspheres

Microspheres are produced by cobalt gamma radiation initiated polymerization of a dilute aqueous vinyl pyridine solution. Addition of cross-linking agent provides higher surface area beads. Addition of monomers such as hydroxyethylmethacrylate acrylamide or methacrylamide increases hydrophilic properties and surface area of the beads. High surface area catalytic supports are formed in the presence of controlled pore glass substrate.

Rembaum, Alan

Polyvinyl pyridine microspheres

Microspheres are produced by cobalt gamma radiation initiated polymerization of a dilute aqueous vinyl pyridine solution. Addition of cross-linking agent provides higher surface area beads. Addition of monomers such as hydroxyethylmethacrylate acrylamide or methacrylamide increases hydrophilic properties and surface area of the beads. High surface area catalytic supports are formed in the presence of controlled pore glass substrate.

Rembaum, Alan

Photochemical preparation of olefin addition catalysts

Novel polymer supported catalysts are prepared by photo-irradiation of low valent transition metal compounds such as Co.sub.2 (CO).sub.8, Rh.sub.4 (CO).sub.12 or Ru.sub.3 (CO).sub.12 in the presence of solid polymers containing amine ligands such as polyvinyl pyridine. Hydroformylation of olefins to aldehydes at ambient conditions has been demonstrated.

Gray, Harry B.