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Staugaitis, C. L.

Publications and source records attributed to Staugaitis, C. L..

Spray Application of Rapidly Solidified Metals

Fast and economical process now available. New process applies rapidly solidified (RS) metal coatings to substrates. RS metals made directly from molten material. Have amorphous or microcrystalline structures and yield coatings having superior wear and corrosion resistance. Mixture of RS metal powder and peening particles sprayed from nozzle against surface coated. Powder and peening particles strike surface simultaneously, and impact bonds powder to surface as uniform coating. New process, which employs shot peening, is safe, fast, and inexpensive.

Chu, H. P.

Spacecraft materials guide

Materials which have demonstrated their suitability for space application are summarized. Common, recurring problems in encapsulants and conformal coatings, optical materials, lubrication, and bonding and joining are noted. The subjects discussed include: low density and syntactic foams, electrical encapsulants; optical glasses, interference filter, mirrors; oils, greases, lamillar lubricants; and, soldering and brazing processes.

Staugaitis, C. L.

Mechanical properties of Skylab thermal shield materials after prolonged ultraviolet irradiation

In response to an emergency request, the mechanical properties of two complex laminate materials, used as thermal shields on the Skylab spacecraft, were investigated. Concern over the prolonged use of these materials in the space environment prompted this investigation. Shields made of both of these materials, popularly called the parasol and the sail types, were taken to the Skylab spacecraft by the original Skylab astronauts. Both were used to restore thermal control after the original control surfaces were damaged during launch. During the tests the tensile properties were measured at anticipated service temperature and after prolonged exposure to increasing degrees of ultraviolet radiation at intensities approaching two solar constants. Some samples received exposures equivalent to 2,350 hours. The performance and degradation of the two materials are presented in terms of orientation, vacuum, and degree of irradiation. In general, the 75-micron (3-mil) parasol laminate showed a decrease in tensile properties as a function of exposure time, while the 200-micron (8-mil) sail laminate was little affected by exposure to the ultraviolet radiation.

Haehner, C. L.

Mission and spacecraft support functions of the Materials Engineering Branch: A space oriented technology resource

The capabilities of the Materials Engineering Branch (MEB) of the Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, are surveyed. The specific functions of spacecraft materials review, materials processing and information dissemination, and laboratory support, are outlined in the Activity Report. Further detail is provided by case histories of laboratory satellite support and equipment. Project support statistics are shown, and complete listings of MEB publications, patents, and tech briefs are included. MEB staff, and their respective discipline areas and spacecraft liaison associations, are listed.

Fisher, A.

Thermal static bending of deployable interlocked booms

Metal ribbons processed with a heat-forming treatment are enabled to form tubelike structures when deployed from a roll. Deployable booms of this have been utilized for gravity-gradient stabilization on the RAE, ATS, and Nimbus D satellites. An experimental thermal-mechanics test apparatus was developed to measure the thermal static bending and twist of booms up to 3 meters long. The apparatus was calibrated by using the correlation between calculated and observed thermal bending of a seamless tube. Thermal static bending values of 16 interlocked deployable booms were observed to be within a factor of 2.5 of the values calculated from seamless-tube theory. Out-of-Sun-plane thermal bending was caused by complex heat transfer across the interlocked seam. Significant thermal static twisting was not observed.

Staugaitis, C. L.