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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 217 records · Page 12

Preliminary results on the abradability of porous, sintered seal material

Preliminary results are presented for the case of titanium blade specimens, with bare tips (or covered with wear resistant, plasma sprayed materials) rubbing at 100 m/s against specimens of abradable nickel-chromium seal material moving toward the rotating blades at 0.0125 mm/s or at 0.025 mm/s. Using a two component dynamometer, the normal force of the rub interaction was measured and the shear component estimated. The elastoplastic properties of the seal material have been determined and those parameters as well as the rigidity of the rub tester system are considered in conjunction with those affecting the accuracy of the measurement of the forces arising at the blade-seal interface. The average and the 'local instantaneous' temperatures of the seal specimen and the temperature of the blade tip surface during rubbing are presented as functions of time. A seal densification factor is defined and its functional relationships with contact force components, temperature, wear ratio and blade tip abrading capability are indicated.

Wolak, J.↗

Surface acoustic admittance and absorption of highly porous, layered, fibrous materials

Some acoustic properties of Kevlar-29 - a fine fibered, layered material is investigated. Kevlar is characterized by very high strength, uniform filaments arranged in a parallel batt where most filaments are random in the x-y plane but ordered as planes in the z direction. For experimental purposes, volume porosity, static flow resistance and mean filament diameter are used to identify the material. To determine the acoustic surface admittance of Kevlar, batts of the material are cut into small pads and placed into a standing wave tube terminated by a rigid brass plug. The attenuation and relative phase shift are recorded at each frequency in the range of 50 to 6000 Hz. Normalized conductance and susceptance are combined to form the acoustic absorption coefficient. The data are compared with theory by plotting the normalized admittance and normal incident absorption coefficient versus cyclic frequency.

Tesar, J. S.↗

A Novel Application of Ultrasonic Imaging to Study Smoldering Combustion

An ultrasonic imaging technique has been developed to examine the propagation of a smolder reaction within a porous combustible material. The technique provides information about the location of a propagating smolder front, as well as line-of-sight average permeability variations of the smoldering material. The method utilizes the observation that transmission of an ultrasonic signal through a porous material increases with permeability. Since a propagating smolder reaction leaves behind char with a higher permeability than the original material, ultrasound transmission can be employed to monitor smolder progress. The technique can also be used to track the char evolution as it continues to react. Experiments are presented where the technique is applied to smoldering combustion in a two-dimensional geometry. The results have furthered the understanding of two-dimensional smolder, especially in identifying the controlling mechanisms leading to the transition from smoldering to flaming. The applicability of ultrasonic tomography to smoldering combustion has also been investigated.

Tse, S. D.↗

Hybrid aerogel rigid ceramic fiber insulation and method of producing same

A hybrid insulation material comprises of porous ceramic substrate material impregnated with nanoporous material and method of making the same is the topic of this invention. The porous substrate material has bulk density ranging from 6 to 20 lb/ft.sup.3 and is composed of about 60 to 80 wt % silica (SiO.sub.2) 20 to 40 wt % alumina (Al.sub.2 O.sub.3) fibers, and with about 0.1 to 1.0 wt % boron-containing constituent as the sintering agent. The nanoporous material has density ranging from 1.0 to 10 lb/ft.sup.3 and is either fully or partially impregnated into the substrate to block the pores, resulting in substantial reduction in conduction via radiation and convention. The nanoporous material used to impregnate the fiber substrate is preferably formed from a precursor of alkoxysilane, alcohol, water, and an acid or base catalyst for silica aerogels, and from a precursor of aluminum alkoxide, alcohol, water, and an acid or base catalyst for alumina aerogels.

Barney, Andrea O.↗

Attachment system for silica tiles

An improved method for markedly increasing the bond strength between a rigid, porous refractory material and non-rigid substrate by densifying the face of the rigid material opposing the substrate is discussed. Densification is accomplished by wetting the refractory material and then impregnating it with a composite slurry having a particle size to fill voids of the porous material.

Dotts, R. L.↗

Three-Dimensional, Porous Anode for Use in Lithium-Ion Batteries and Method of Fabrication Thereof

A three-dimensional, porous anode material suitable for use in a lithium-ion cell. The three-dimensional, porous anode material includes active anode particles embedded within a carbon matrix. The porous structure of this novel anode material allows for the expansion and contraction of the anode without the anode delaminating or breaking apart, thus improving the life-cycle of the lithium-ion cell. An example of this three-dimensional porous anode material is a porous silicon-carbon composite formed using a bi-continuous micro-emulsion (BME) template.

Laicer, Castro↗

Experiments Developed to Study Microgravity Smoldering Combustion

The overall objective of the Microgravity Smoldering Combustion (MSC) research program is to understand and predict smoldering combustion under normal and microgravity (near-zero-gravity) conditions to help prevent and control smolder-originated fires, in both environments. Smoldering is defined as a nonflaming, self-sustaining, propagating, exothermic surface reaction. If a material is sufficiently permeable, smoldering is not confined to its outer surface, but can propagate as a reaction wave through the interior of the material. The MSC program will accomplish its goals by conducting smolder experiments on the ground and in a space-based laboratory, and developing theoretical models of the process. Space-based experiments are necessary because smoldering is a very slow process and, consequently, its study in a microgravity environment requires extended periods of time that can only be achieved in space. Smoldering can occur in a variety of processes ranging from the smolder of porous insulating materials to underground coal combustion. Many materials can sustain smoldering, including wood, cloth, foams, tobacco, other dry organic materials, and charcoal. The ignition, propagation, transition to flaming, and extinction of the smolder reaction are controlled by complex, thermochemical mechanisms that are not well understood. As with many forms of combustion, gravity affects the availability of the oxidizer and the transport of heat, and therefore, the rate of combustion. The smoldering combustion of porous materials has been studied both experimentally and theoretically, usually in the context of fire safety. Smoldering encompasses a number of fundamental processes, including heat and mass transfer in a porous media; endothermic pyrolysis of combustible material; ignition, propagation, and extinction of heterogeneous exothermic reactions at the solid-gas pore interface; and the onset of gas phase reactions (flaming) from existing surface reactions. Smoldering presents a serious fire risk because the combustion can propagate slowly in a material's interior and go undetected for long periods of time. It typically yields a substantially higher conversion of fuel to toxic compounds than does flaming (though more slowly), and may undergo a sudden transition to flaming.

Vergilii, Franklin↗

Multi-Scale Analysis of Effective Mechanical Properties of Porous 3D Woven Composite Materials

This work aims to compute and analyze the mechanical properties of 3D woven composite materials that share the same yarn structure but differ in their matrix porosity and yarn's fiber volume fraction. Assuming linear elastic behavior, NASA's PuMA software was used to characterize the different composites from their constituents' data, averaging their elastic properties in three main directions to obtain their effective orthotropic mechanical properties. This was performed in three steps: firstly, the porous matrix phase was analyzed at the micro-scale; then, these results were used, along with the mechanical properties of the fibers, to model the yarns at the meso-scale; finally, results from the constituents were homogenized and used to model the mechanical behavior of the unit cell at the macro-scale. The 3D woven composite materials selected for this study are made of a mixture of phenolic resin with porosity values between 0 and 0.6, and infiltrated carbon fiber yarns with fiber volume fractions between 0.5 and 0.8. Results from this study show the effect of different matrix porosities and fiber volume fractions on the macro-scale mechanical properties, and were validated through theoretical and semi-empirical expressions found in the literature.

3D woven materials↗

Observations from the Microgravity Smoldering Combustion (MSC) Ultrasound Imaging System (UIS)

The Microgravity Smoldering Combustion (MSC) experiment is a study of the smolder characteristics of porous combustible materials in a microgravity environment. The objective of the study is to provide a better understanding of the controlling mechanisms of smolder, both in microgravity and normal earth gravity. Experiments have been conducted aboard the NASA Space Shuttle in the GAS-CAN, an apparatus requiring completely remote operation. Future GAS-CAN experiments will utilize an ultrasound imaging system (UIS). Thermocouples are currently used to measure temperature and reaction front velocities, but a less intrusive method is desirable, as smolder is affected by heat transfer along the thermocouple. It is expected that the UIS will eventually replace the existing array of thermocouples as a non-intrusive technique without compromising data acquisition. Smoldering is defined as a non-flaming, self-sustaining, propagating, exothermic, surface reaction, deriving its principal heat from heterogeneous oxidation of the fuel. Smolder of cable insulation is of particular concern in the space program; to date there have been a few minor incidents of overheated and charred cables and electrical components reported on Space Shuttle flights. Recently, the establishment of the International Space Station and other space facilities has increased interest in the study of smoldering in microgravity because of the need to preempt the possibility, and/or to minimize the effect of a smolder initiated fire during the operation of these facilities. The ignition and propagation of smolder are examined using both thermocouples and the UIS. The UIS has been implemented into the MSC flight hardware. The system provides information about local permeability variations within a smoldering sample, which can, in turn, be interpreted to track the propagation of the smolder reaction. The method utilizes the observation that transmission of an ultrasonic signal through a porous material increases with increasing permeability. Since a propagating smolder reaction leaves behind a char that is higher in permeability than the original (unburnt) material, ultrasonic transmission can be employed to monitor the progress of the primary reaction front, char evolution (i.e. material left by the smolder reaction), pyrolysis, and condensation fronts.

Walther, D.C.↗

Development of the technology for the fabrication of reliable laminar flow control panels

Various configurations of porous, perforated and slotted materials were flow tested to determine if they would meet the LFC surface smoothness and flow requirements. The candidate materials were then tested for susceptibility to clogging and for resistance to corrosion. Of the materials tested, perforated titanium, porous polyimide, and slotted assemblies demonstrated a much greater resistance to clogging than other porous materials.

Weiss, D. D.↗

Filling Porous Microspheres With Magnetic Material

New process produces magnetic microspheres with controllable sizes, compositions, and properties for use in medical diagnostic tests, biological research, and chemical processes. Paramagnetic microspheres also made with process. Porous plastic microspheres prepared by polymerization of monomer in diluent by cross-linking agent. When diluent removed, it leaves tiny pores throughout polymerized spheres. Size and distribution of pores determined by amount and type of diluent and cross-linking agent.

Chang, Manchium↗

Multi-Scale Thermo-Mechanical Modeling of Porous 3D Woven TPS Materials

This work summarizes the process to compute and analyze the thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of 3D woven TPS materials such as 3MDCP (3D Mid-Density Carbon-Phenolic). The PuMA software, developed at NASA Ames, was used to characterize different 3MDCP samples from their constituents' data, averaging their thermal conductivity and elastic properties in the three main directions to obtain their effective orthotropic thermo-mechanical properties. This was performed in multiple steps: firstly, TPS samples were digitally reconstructed using micro computed tomography (µCT) and their constituents were segmented; then, the porous matrix phase was analyzed at the micro-scale and these results were used, along with the fibers’ constituents information, to model the tows at the meso-scale; finally, results from the constituents were homogenized and used to model the thermo-mechanical behavior of the unit cell at the macro-scale. Additionally, to gain a better understanding of the tows’ morphology and distribution of the carbon-phenolic blended fibers, microscopy images of the tows’ cross-section were segmented using deep learning techniques and analyzed with PuMA. This workflow can be applied to any TPS material to computationally obtain its thermo-mechanical properties, enabling more informed TPS design and manufacturing choices.

Multi-Scale↗

Multi-Scale Thermo-Mechanical Modeling of Porous 3D Woven TPS Materials

This work summarizes the process to compute and analyze the thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of 3D woven TPS materials such as 3MDCP (3D Mid-Density Carbon-Phenolic). The PuMA [1,2] software, developed at NASA Ames, was used to characterize different 3MDCP samples from their constituents' data, averaging their thermal conductivity and elastic properties in the three main directions to obtain their effective orthotropic thermo-mechanical properties. This was performed in multiple steps: firstly, TPS samples were digitally reconstructed using micro computed tomography (µCT) and their constituents were segmented; then, the porous matrix phase was analyzed at the micro-scale and these results were used, along with the fibers’ constituents information, to model the tows at the meso-scale; finally, results from the constituents were homogenized and used to model the thermo-mechanical behavior of the unit cell at the macro-scale. Additionally, to gain a better understanding of the tows’ morphology and distribution of the carbon-phenolic blended fibers, microscopy images of the tows’ cross-section were segmented using deep learning techniques and analyzed with PuMA. This workflow can be applied to any TPS material to computationally obtain its thermo-mechanical properties, enabling more informed TPS design and manufacturing choices.

Multi-Scale↗