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Ward, T. C.

Publications and source records attributed to Ward, T. C..

8 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1989

Radiation-resistant, amorphous, all-aromatic poly(arylene ether sulfones) - Synthesis, physical behavior, and degradation characteristics

The effects of Co-60 gamma radiation on a series of poly(arylene ether sulfones) prepared by nucleophilic activated aromatic substitution are investigated experimentally. The preparation of the test compounds is described, and the test results are presented in extensive tables and graphs. Radiation-induced degradation, as measured by SO2 production, was found to be lowest in compounds based on biphenol rather than bisphenol A; these findings were also well correlated with ultimate-tensile-strain measurements.

Lewis, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Structure property behavior of polyimide siloxane segmented copolymers

Procedures were developed for preparing soluble fully imidized polyimide-polydimethyl siloxane segmented copolymers of wide ranging compositions. At low siloxane levels, the materails behave as modified polyimides. At higher concentrations, the materials are analogous to thermoplastic elastomers. Characterization by dynamic mechanical and thermal analysis methods will be reported along with an assesment of the bulk mechanical properties and the surface behavior. The surface behavior is particularly interesting since the materials can be tailored to have siloxane surfaces even at rather low siloxane contents. This influences a number of properties such as the coefficient of friction and, importanly, the degradation of these materials under aggressive oxygen environments (e.g., atomic oxygen, oxygen plasma).

Arnold, C. A.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Synthesis and solution imidization studies of soluble poly(imide siloxane) segmented copolymers

Soluble metalinked poly(imide siloxane) segmented copolymers were synthesized utilizing a THF/NMP cosolvent system. The presence of dual solvent makes it possibled to reach high molecular weight in the amid acid stage. Incorporation of siloxanes at about 10 weight percent or higher enables the materials to be fully soluble in a range of polar solvents even after imidization. Imidization may be achieved either by conventional thermal methods on cast amic acid films or in appropriate solvent/azeotroping-agent systems employing moderate temperatures. The imidization procedure has been followed by FT-IR and NMR studies. FT-IR studies show the solution imidization follows first order kinetics and proceeds to about 96 percent completion. NMR studies of the isolated products show residual amic acid may be present after solution imidization, but only at very low levels. Properties of the solution imidized materials compared well with those obtained from samples imidized as thin films.

Summers, J. D.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Long-time stress relaxation of a filled elastomer in vacuum environments

Samples of a filled elastomeric ablative material were stored at 45 C and 10 to the -6th torr for 7 months. Their tensile stress-relaxation modulus at constant strain was measured throughout the 7 months. Results of the testing are discussed primarily by comparisons of the data to atmospheric-pressure moduli (determined in this work for shorter periods of time) and with moduli predicted from short-time testing. Confirmation of the strengthening effects of vacuum on this composite was obtained. The use of time-temperature superposition techniques as an approximate accelerated testing procedure for this material under these conditions was also verified.

Ward, T. C.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Synthesis and characteristics of polyarylene ether sulfones

A method utilizing potassium carbonate/dimethyl acetamide, as base and solvent respectively, was used for the synthesis of several homopolymers and copolymers derived from various bisphenols. It is demonstrated that this method deviates from simple second order kinetics; this deviation being due to the heterogeneous nature of the reaction. Also, it is shown that a liquid induced crystallization process can improve the solvent resistance of these polymers. Finally, a Monte Carlo simulation of the triad distribution of monomers in nonequilibrium copolycondensation is discussed.

Viswanathan, R.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Torsion pendulum measurements on viscoelastic materials during vacuum exposure

A torsional pendulum apparatus designed for testing in situ in vacuum, the dynamic mechanical properties of materials is described. The application of this apparatus to an experimental program to measure the effects of vacuum on the mechanical properties of two ablator materials (a foamed material and a filled elastomer) and a solid rocket propellant (a filled elastomer) is presented. Results from the program are discussed as to the effects of vacuum on the mechanical properties of these three materials. In addition, time-temperature-superposition, as a technique for accelerating vacuum induced changes in mechanical properties, is discussed with reference to the three materials tested in the subject program.

Ward, T. C.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Accelerated testing of a filled elastomer in vacuum

A program was conducted to evaluate an in situ dynamic modulus measurement on a solid propellant exposed to vacuum environment. The prediction of long-term vacuum exposure effects is examined.

Evans, M. L.↗