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At least 199 records · Page 11

Development and Application of Interatomic Potentials for Ultra High Temperature Ceramics (UHTC): ZrB2 and HfB2

Ultra high temperature ceramics (UHTC) including ZrB2 and HfB2 are characterized by high melting point, good strength, and reasonable oxidation resistance. These materials are of interest for use as sharp leading edges for hypersonic vehicles among other applications. Progress in computational modeling of UHTCs has been limited in part due to the absence of suitable interatomic potentials. We present a Tersoff style parameterization of such potentials for ZrB2 and HfB2 appropriate for atomistic simulations. Parameters are fit to data generated from ab initio calculations. The accuracy of the potentials is assessed against further ab initio data. As a first non ]trivial application, molecular dynamics simulations are performed to evaluate the thermal conductivity of single crystals and the thermal resistance of high symmetry grain boundaries.

Lawson, John W.↗

Environmental degradation of 316 stainless steel in high temperature low cycle fatigue

Procedures based on modification of the conventional Strainrange Partitioning method are proposed to characterize the time-dependent degradation of engineering alloys in high-temperature, low-cycle fatigue. Creep-fatigue experiments were conducted in air using different waveforms of loading on 316 stainless steel at 816 C (1500 F) to determine the effect of exposure time on cyclic life. Reductions in the partitioned cyclic lives were observed with an increase in the time of exposure (or with the corresponding decrease in the steady-state creep rate) for all the waveforms involving creep strain. Excellent correlations of the experimental data were obtained by modifying the Conventional Strainrange Partitioning life relationships involving creep strain using a power-law term of either: (1) time of exposure, or (2) steady-state creep rate of the creep-fatigue test. Environmental degradation due to oxidation, material degradation due to the precipitation of carbides along the grain boundaries and detrimental deformation modes associated with the prolonged periods of creep were observed to be the main mechanisms responsible for life reductions at long exposure times.

Kalluri, Sreeramesh↗

On High-Temperature Dynamometer Test Stand Development

RePED is a novel prototype alternator that has been designed and built to operate at 35 kW under 250 degrees C ambient temperature conditions. The operating efficiency will be measured using a 225-kW motor to drive the machine in a back-to-back configuration. The goal is to determine if the RePED alternator can deliver 35 kW at a rotational speed of 1,000 rpm while operating in 250 degrees C ambient temperature and have a minimum efficiency of 60%. Dynamometer testing of a high-temperature alternator for geothermal drilling presents several unique challenges, especially around maintaining and managing the various sources and types of energy passing through the system without impacting data quality. The objectives of this report are to (1) describe the test stand in detail, the relative orientation of each major component, and the data acquisition system and (2) discuss the behavior of the test stand components such that this report can serve as a reference document for future projects.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Evaluation of high-temperature properties of binary, eutectic Ni-X alloys (X = B, Ca, Ce, La, Y, Zr)

We investigated the high-temperature behavior of binary eutectic nickel-base alloys with low-solubility elements, towards developing alloys with new combinations of structural and functional (e.g. thermal or corrosion) properties. Based on thermodynamic screening, we cast binary near-eutectic Ni-B, Ni-Ca, Ni-Ce, Ni-La, Ni-Y, and Ni-Zr alloys and characterized their microstructure and high-temperature properties. All alloys (except Ni-Ca) contain a fine eutectic microstructure, containing submicron alternating lamellae of γ-Ni and continuous intermetallic phases. The eutectic microstructure did not significantly coarsen at 700°C (except for Ni-B), but measurably coarsened in all alloys at 900°C, most quickly in Ni-B, followed by Ni-Ce, Ni-La, Ni-Y, and Ni-Zr. Coarsening in these alloys occurs by fault migration; diffusion within the intermetallic, and its interfacial energy, likely influence coarsening kinetics. At room-temperature, all alloys possess negligible ductility due to the continuous, brittle intermetallic. At 700 and 900°C, the Ni-Zr alloy showed the best combination of strength and ductility. Oxidation experiments at 900°C on Ni-Zr and Ni-Ce revealed heavy internal oxidation of the continuous intermetallic phase. Overall, the Ni-Zr alloy showed good high-temperature coarsening resistance and strength, though ductility and oxidation resistance require improvement for use in structural applications. Possible routes for improving alloy properties via additive manufacturing are discussed.

Ekaputra, Clement [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000307166479)↗

High Temperature Polyimide Materials in Extreme Temperature Environments

At the end of the NASA High Speed Research (HSR) Program, NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) began a program to screen the high-temperature Polymeric Composite Materials (PMCs) characterized by the HSR Durability Program for possible use in Reusable Launch Vehicles (RLVs) operating under extreme temperature conditions. The HSR Program focused on developing material-related technologies to enable a High Speed Civil Transport (HSCT) capable of operating temperatures ranging from 54 C (-65 F) to 177 C (350 F). A high-temperature polymeric resin, PETI-5 was used in the HSR Program to satisfy the requirements for performance and durability for a PMC. For RLVs, it was anticipated that this high temperature material would contribute to reducing the overall weight of a vehicle by eliminating or reducing the thermal protection required to protect the internal structural elements of the vehicle and increasing the structural strain limits. The tests were performed to determine temperature-dependent mechanical and physical proper-ties of IM7/PETI-5 composite over a temperature range from cryogenic temperature -253 C (-423F) to the material's maximum use temperature of 230 C (450 F). This paper presents results from the test program for the temperature-dependent mechanical and physical properties of IM7/PETI-5 composite in the temperature range from -253 C (-423 F) to 27 C (80 F).

Johnson, Theodore F.↗

A Single-Block TRL Test Fixture for the Cryogenic Characterization of Planar Microwave Components

The High-Temperature-Superconductivity (HTS) group of the RF Technology Branch, Space Electronics Division, is actively involved in the fabrication and cryogenic characterization of planar microwave components for space applications. This process requires fast, reliable, and accurate measurement techniques not readily available. A new calibration standard/test fixture that enhances the integrity and reliability of the component characterization process has been developed. The fixture consists of 50 omega thru, reflect, delay, and device under test gold lines etched onto a 254 microns (0.010 in) thick alumina substrate. The Thru-Reflect-Line (TRL) fixture was tested at room temperature using a 30 omega, 7.62 mm (300 mil) long, gold line as a known standard. Good agreement between the experimental data and the data modelled using Sonnet's em(C) software was obtained for both the return (S(sub 11)) and insertion (S( 21)) losses. A gold two-pole bandpass filter with a 7.3 GHz center frequency was used as our Device Under Test (DUT), and the results compared with those obtained using a Short-Open-Load-Thru (SOLT) calibration technique.

Mejia, M.↗

Characterization of ceramics and intermetallics fabricated by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis

Three efforts aimed at investigating the process of self-propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS) for the fabrication of structural ceramics and intermetallics are summarized. Of special interest was the influence of processing variables such as exothermic dopants, gravity, and green state morphology in materials produced by SHS. In the first effort directed toward the fabrication of SiC, exothermic dopants of yttrium and zirconium were added to SiO2 or SiO2 + NiO plus carbon powder mix and processed by SHS. This approach was unsuccessful since it did not produce the desired product of crystalline SiC. In the second effort, the influence of gravity was investigated by examining Ni-Al microstructures which were produced by SHS combustion waves traveling with and opposite the gravity direction. Although final composition and total porosities of the combusted Ni-Al compounds were found to be gravity independent, larger pores were created in those specimens which were combusted opposite to the gravity force direction. Finally, it was found that green microstructure has a significant effect on the appearance of the combusted piece. Severe pressing laminations were observed to arrest the combustion front for TiC samples.

Hurst, Janet B.↗

Temperature-Corrected Model of Turbulence in Hot Jet Flows

An improved correction has been developed to increase the accuracy with which certain formulations of computational fluid dynamics predict mixing in shear layers of hot jet flows. The CFD formulations in question are those derived from the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations closed by means of a two-equation model of turbulence, known as the k-epsilon model, wherein effects of turbulence are summarized by means of an eddy viscosity. The need for a correction arises because it is well known among specialists in CFD that two-equation turbulence models, which were developed and calibrated for room-temperature, low Mach-number, plane-mixing-layer flows, underpredict mixing in shear layers of hot jet flows. The present correction represents an attempt to account for increased mixing that takes place in jet flows characterized by high gradients of total temperature. This correction also incorporates a commonly accepted, previously developed correction for the effect of compressibility on mixing.

Abdol-Hamid, Khaled S.↗

Polyimides by Photochemical Cyclopolymerization

The polyimides of this invention are derived from a Diels-Alder cyclopolymerization of a photochemically generated bisdiene with dienophiles, such as bismaleimides, trismaleimides and mixtures thereof with maleimide end-caps. Irradiation of one or more diketones produces two distinct hydroxy o-quinodimethane (photoenol) intermediates. These intermediates are trapped via a Diels-Alder cycloaddition with appropriate dienophiles, e.g., bismaleimide and/or trismaleimides to give the corresponding polyimides in quantitative yields. When bismaleimides, trismaleimides or mixtures thereof with maleimide end-caps are used as the dienophile, the resulting polyimides have glass transition temperatures (Tg) as high as 300 C. Polyimide films can be prepared by ultraviolet irradiation of high solids content varnishes of the monomers in a small amount of solvent, e.g., cyclohexanone, dimethyl formamide, N-methylpyrollidone and the like. These polyimides are characterized as having high glass transition temperatures, good mechanical properties and improved processing in the manufacture of adhesives, electronic materials and films.

Michael A Meador↗

Design Rules for Carboborothermic Reduction Synthesis of High Uranium Density UB 4 –UBC Composites

Uranium borides are promising candidate fuel forms for use in advanced nuclear reactors due to their high thermal conductivity and potential for dual use as both fuel and burnable absorber. In this work, uranium tetraboride () and uranium monoboroncarbide (UBC) composite were synthesized by using industrially scalable carboborothermic reduction method. The final uranium boride phase composition is sensitive to the sample holding crucibles ( and graphite) such that graphite supply excess carbon, promoting the formation of a predominant UBC phase. The high‐temperature in situ synchrotron X‐ray diffraction of pristine –UBC show persistence , UBC, and phases while preoxidized –UBC leads to predominant and formation due to progressive oxidation and boron loss at high temperature. The oxidation behavior was further characterized using thermogravimetric analysis, allowing direct comparison with other potential accident tolerant fuels such as , , UC, and UN. The –UBC shows higher uranium loading than monolithic and demonstrates promising oxidation behavior at high temperature, pointing to its potential as an improved uranium boride‐based fuel form.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Polyimides by Photochemical Cyclopolymerization

The novel polyimides of this invention are derived from Diels-Alder cyclopolymerization of photochemically generated bisdienes with dienophiles, such as bismaleimides, trismaleimides and mixtures thereof with maleimide endcaps. Irradiation of one or more diketones produces two distinct hydroxy o-quinodimethane (photoenol) intermediates. These intermediates are trapped via Diels-Alder cycloaddition with appropriate dienophiles, e.g., bismaleimide and/or trismaleimides to give the corresponding polyimides in quantitative yields. When bismaleimides, trismaleimides or mixtures thereof with maleimide end-caps are used as the dienophile, the resulting polyimides have glass transition temperatures (Tg) as high as 300 C. Polyimide films can be prepared by ultraviolet irradiation of high solids content varnishes of the monomers in a small amount of solvent, e.g., cyclohexanone, dimethyl formamide, N-methylpyrollidone and the like. These novel polyimides are characterized as having high glass transition temperatures, good mechanical properties and improved processing in the manufacture of adhesives, electronic materials and films.

Meador, Michael A.↗

Polyimides by photochemical cyclopolymerization

The novel polyimides of this invention are derived from Diels-Alder cyclopolymerization of photochemically generated bisdienes with dienophiles, such as bismaleimides, trismaleimides and mixtures thereof with maleimide end-caps. Irradiation of one or more diketones produces two distinct hydroxy o-quinodimethane (photoenol) intermediates. These intermediates are trapped via Diels-Alder cycloaddition with appropriate dienophiles, e.g., bismaleimide and/or trismaleimides to give the corresponding polyimides in quantitative yields. When bismaleimides, trismaleimides or mixtures thereof with maleimide end-caps are used as the dienophile, the resulting polyimides have glass transition temperatures (Tg) as high as 300? C. Polyimide films can be prepared by ultraviolet irradiation of high solids content varnishes of the monomers in a small amount of solvent, e.g., cyclohexanone, dimethyl formamide, N-methylpyrollidone and the like. These novel polyimides are characterized as having high glass transition temperatures, good mechanical properties and improved processing in the manufacture of adhesives, electronic materials and films.

Meador, Michael A.↗

Polyesters by Photochemical Cyclopolymerization

The polyesters of this invention are derived from a Diels-Alder cyclopolymerization of a photochemically generated bisdiene with dienophiles, such as di(acrylates), tri (acrylates), di(methacrylates), tri(methacrylates) and mixtures thereof with mono(methacrylates) or mono(acrylate) end-caps. Irradiation of one or more diketones produces two distinct hydroxy o-quinodimethane (photoenol) intermediates. These intermediates are trapped via a Diels-Alder cycloaddition with appropriate dienophiles, e.g., di(acrylates) to give the corresponding in polyesters quantitative yields. When di(acrylates), tri(acrylates) and di and tri(methacrylates) or mixtures thereof with monoacrylate end-caps are used as the dienophile, the resulting polyesters have glass transition temperatures (Tg) as high as 200 C. Polyesters films can be prepared by ultraviolet irradiation of high solids content varnishes of the monomers in a small amount of solvent, e.g., cyclohexanone, dimethyl formamide, N-methylpyrollidone and the like. These polyesters, i.e. polyesters are characterized as having high glass transition temperatures, good mechanical properties and improved processing in the manufacture of composites, adhesives, electronic materials and films.

Michael A Meador↗

The 20 GHz circularly polarized, high temperature superconducting microstrip antenna array

The primary goal was to design and characterize a four-element, 20 GHz, circularly polarized microstrip patch antenna fabricated from YBa2Cu3O(x) superconductor. The purpose is to support a high temperature superconductivity flight communications experiment between the space shuttle orbiter and the ACTS satellite. This study is intended to provide information into the design, construction, and feasibility of a circularly polarized superconducting 20 GHz downlink or cross-link antenna. We have demonstrated that significant gain improvements can be realized by using superconducting materials for large corporate fed array antennas. In addition, we have shown that when constructed from superconducting materials, the efficiency, and therefore the gain, of microstrip patches increases if the substrate is not so thick that the dominant loss mechanism for the patch is radiation into the surface waves of the conductor-backed substrate. We have considered two design configurations for a superconducting 20 GHz four-element circularly polarized microstrip antenna array. The first is the Huang array that uses properly oriented and phased linearly polarized microstrip patch elements to realize a circularly polarized pattern. The second is a gap-coupled array of circularly polarized elements. In this study we determined that although the Huang array operates well on low dielectric constant substrates, its performance becomes extremely sensitive to mismatches, interelement coupling, and design imperfections for substrates with high dielectric constants. For the gap-coupled microstrip array, we were able to fabricate and test circularly polarized elements and four-element arrays on LaAlO3 using sputtered copper films. These antennas were found to perform well, with relatively good circular polarization. In addition, we realized a four-element YBa2Cu3O(x) array of the same design and measured its pattern and gain relative to a room temperature copper array. The patterns were essentially the same as that for the copper array. The measured gain of the YBCO antenna was greater than that for the room temperature copper design at temperatures below 82K, reaching a value of 3.4 dB at the lowest temperatures.

Morrow, Jarrett D.↗

Characterization of Heat Transfer in a Trapped-Vortex Combustor Designed for High-Temperature Material Testing

Next generation gas turbines will reduce carbon emissions by improving their cycle efficiencies and implementing hydrogen as a low-carbon fuel. The combined-cycle efficiency can be improved by increasing the combustor outlet temperature and decreasing the cooling air required for hot-section parts. Ultra-high temperature ceramic matrix composites (CMC) can survive increasingly extreme environments due to their strong mechanical properties at expected conditions. The introduction of CMCs in high-hydrogen flame environments requires testing at realistic conditions that mimic the thermochemical and fluid mechanic states in gas-turbine combustors. In this work, we describe a new experiment that has been designed to test high-temperature materials in a combustor-relevant environment. Its trapped-vortex combustor chamber design allows for high levels of fuel flexibility and wide flame stability limits. Testing of monolithic silicon carbide (SiC) samples in this environment was done to characterize the heat transfer to material samples over a wide range of operating conditions, including variations in fuel composition and thermal power. Heat flux measurements were verified in non-reacting and reacting environments after which they were benchmarked with previous literature to verify the operation of the facility with heated air. Testing in combustor-relevant conditions shows high levels of heat flux to the material samples in the combustor, particularly downstream of the anchored flame.

Richins, Porter [Pennsylvania State University , ,↗

Identification of Important Phenomena for Light Water Reactors During Heat Transport System Failure Events in Integrated Energy Systems

This work adapts historical literature and existing phenomena identification and ranking tables (PIRT) to be applicable to a novel nuclear power plant (NPP) and chemical or thermal process integrated energy system (IES), particularly focusing on the process heat and heat transport system failure events that are not a concern during normal NPP operation but become vital when an IES is considered. Nuclear energy has been suggested to go beyond base-load applications and be used for hydrogen co-generation systems, amongst other IESs. Prior to the implementation of nuclear IESs, sufficient analysis must be performed on accident events to ensure public safety. The events considered were deemed important because of their potential to damage systems, structures, and components (SSCs). Process thermal events of concern include loss of heat load and temperature transient events. Loss of heat load events were characterized as having high importance and being well understood. Temperature transient events may be further categorized by the cyclic loading and harmonics phenomena. Cyclic loading issues were classified as medium to high importance with knowledge gaps existing regarding fatigue and low power operation, while harmonics phenomena were classified as low importance and are well understood. Heat transport system failure events of concern include intermediate and process heat exchanger failures, mass addition to reactor coolant, ingress of material from thermal manifold/energy storage, and loss of intermediate fluid. Furthermore, these events tended to be of high or medium importance, with some knowledge gaps needing to be filled for individual reactor systems due to unique designs.

Integrated Energy System (IES)↗

Electrical properties of teflon and ceramic capacitors at high temperatures

Space power systems and components are often required to operate efficiently and reliably in harsh environments where stresses, such as high temperature, are encountered. These systems must, therefore, withstand exposure to high temperature while still providing good electrical and other functional properties. Experiments were carried out to evaluate Teflon and ceramic capacitors for potential use in high temperature applications. The capacitors were characterized in terms of their capacitance and dielectric loss as a function of temperature, up to 200 C. At a given temperature, these properties were obtained in a frequency range of 50 Hz to 100 kHz. DC leakage current measurements were also performed in a temperature range from 25 to 200 C. The results obtained are discussed and conclusions are made concerning the suitability of the capacitors studied for high temperature applications.

Hammoud, A. N.↗

Multiscale Modeling of Ultra High Temperature Ceramics (UHTC) ZrB2 and HfB2: Application to Lattice Thermal Conductivity

We are developing a multiscale framework in computational modeling for the ultra high temperature ceramics (UHTC) ZrB2 and HfB2. These materials are characterized by high melting point, good strength, and reasonable oxidation resistance. They are candidate materials for a number of applications in extreme environments including sharp leading edges of hypersonic aircraft. In particular, we used a combination of ab initio methods, atomistic simulations and continuum computations to obtain insights into fundamental properties of these materials. Ab initio methods were used to compute basic structural, mechanical and thermal properties. From these results, a database was constructed to fit a Tersoff style interatomic potential suitable for atomistic simulations. These potentials were used to evaluate the lattice thermal conductivity of single crystals and the thermal resistance of simple grain boundaries. Finite element method (FEM) computations using atomistic results as inputs were performed with meshes constructed on SEM images thereby modeling the realistic microstructure. These continuum computations showed the reduction in thermal conductivity due to the grain boundary network.

Lawson, John W.↗