Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “PROPYLENE”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1987

Reactions of Atomic Oxygen (O(3P)) with Polybutadienes and Related Polymers

Thin films of the following polymers were exposed at ambient temperature to ground-state oxygen atoms (O(3P)), generated by a radio-frequency glow discharge in O2: cis- and trans-1,4-polybutadienes (CB and TB), amorphous 1,2-polybutadiene (VB), polybutadienes with different 1,4/1,2 contents, trans polypentenamer (TP), cis and trans polyoctenamers (CO and TO), and ethylene-propylene rubber (EPM). Transmission infrared spectra of CB and TB films revealed extensive surface recession, or etching, unaccompanied by any microstructural changes within the films, demonstrating that the reactions were confined to the surface layers. Contrary to the report by Rabek, Lucki, and Ranby (1979), there was no O(3P)-induced cis-trans isomerization in CB or TB. From weight-loss measurements, etch rates for polybutadienes were found to be markedly dependent on vinyl content, decreasing by two orders of magnitude from CB (2% 1,2) to structures with 30 to 40% 1,2 double bonds, thereafter increasing by half an order of magnitude to VB (97% 1,2). Relative etch rates for EMP and the polyalkenamers were in the order: EMP is greater than CO (or TO) is greater than TP is greater than CB. The sole non-elastomer examined, TB, had an etch rate about six times that of CB, ascribable to a morphology difference. Cis/trans content had a negligible effect on the etch rate of the polyalkenamers. Mechanisms involving crosslinking through units are proposed for the unexpected protection imparted to polybutadienes by the 1,2 double bonds.

Golub, Morton A.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Flow Visualization Techniques for Flight Research

In-flight flow visualization techniques used at the Dryden Flight Research Facility of NASA Ames Research Center (Ames-Dryden) and its predecessor organizations are described. Results from flight tests which visualized surface flows using flow cones, tufts, oil flows, liquid crystals, sublimating chemicals, and emitted fluids have been obtained. Off-surface flow visualization of vortical flow has been obtained from natural condensation and two methods using smoke generator systems. Recent results from flight tests at NASA Langley Research Center using a propylene glycol smoker and an infrared imager are also included. Results from photo-chase aircraft, onboard and postflight photography are presented.

Fisher, David F.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Use of propane as a quench gas in argon-filled proportional counters and comparison with other quench gases

An experimental investigation of propane and six other quench gases was carried out in argon-filled proportional counters. The objective of the study was to find the best gas mixture for optimizing the gas gain and the energy resolution as well as to understand the role of the ionization potential of quench gases in determining these parameters. It was found that the best gas gains and energy resolutions are obtained with propane, ethane, and isobutane in that order. The ionization potentials of these three lie below the argon metastable potentials and have the lowest value of resonance defect compared to the other quench gases. The better results obtained with these mixtures can be explained by an increased ionization yield resulting from the Penning effect. Propylene and trans-2-butene give inferior performance compared to the above three gases. Methane and carbon dioxide, the most commonly used quench gases in the argon-filled detectors, provide the worst results.

Agrawal, P. C.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Gas mixtures for X-ray proportional counters

Results are presented which detail the performance of proportional counters when filled with a wide variety of argon- and xenon-based gas mixtures. It is shown that alternative gas mixtures can offer considerable advantages in the counters. The mixtures of argon plus 10 percent propane and xenon plus 10 percent propylene look particularly attractive in terms of operating voltage and energy resolution. The quench gas CO2 returns the poorest results in all areas except aging.

Ramsey, B. D.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Flow visualization techniques for flight research

In-flight flow visualization techniques used at the Dryden Flight Research Facility of NASA Ames Research Center (Ames-Dryden) and its predecessor organizations are described. Results from flight tests which visualized surface flows using flow cones, tufts, oil flows, liquid crystals, sublimating chemicals, and emitted fluids were obtained. Off-surface flow visualization of vortical flow was obtained from natural condensation and two methods using smoke generator systems. Recent results from flight tests at NASA Langley Research Center using a propylene glycol smoker and an infrared imager are also included. Results from photo-chase aircraft, onboard and postflight photography are presented.

Fisher, David F.↗
NASA NTRS1989

A vapor generator for transonic flow visualization

A vapor generator was developed for use in the NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel (TDT). Propylene glycol was used as the vapor material. The vapor generator system was evaluated in a laboratory setting and then used in the TDT as part of a laser light sheet flow visualization system. The vapor generator provided satisfactory seeding of the air flow with visible condensate particles, smoke, for tests ranging from low subsonic through transonic speeds for tunnel total pressures from atmospheric pressure down to less than 0.1 atmospheric pressure.

Bruce, Robert A.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Mathematical model of a lithium/polypyrrole cell

A mathematical model to simulate the charge/discharge behavior of a lithium/lithium perchlorate-propylene carbonate/polypyrrole secondary battery cell is presented. The model can be used to gain a better understanding of the behavior of this cell and to provide guidance toward the design of new secondary batteries which utilize an electronically conductive polymer such as polypyrrole as the cathode. The model includes the capability of handling charge and discharge behavior and is used to study the effect of various design parameters on the performance of the cell.

Yeu, Taewhan↗
NASA NTRS1991

Chemical characterization of selected LDEF polymeric materials

Chemical characterization of selected polymeric materials which received exposure on the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) is reported. The specimens examined include silvered fluorinated ethylene propylene Teflon thermal blanket material, polysulfone, epoxy, polyimide matrix resin/graphite fiber reinforced composites, and several high performance polymer films. These specimens came from numerous LDEF locations, and thus received different environmental exposures. The results to date show no significant change at the molecular level in the polymer that survived exposure. Scanning electron and scanning tunneling microscopes show resin loss and a texturing of some specimens which resulted in a change in optical properties. The potential effect of a silicon-containing molecular contamination on these materials is addressed. The possibility of continued post-exposure degradation of some polymeric films is also proposed.

Young, Philip R.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Atomic oxygen interactions with FEP Teflon and silicones on LDEF

The Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) spacecraft represents the first controlled unidirectional exposure of high-fluence atomic oxygen on fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP Teflon) and silicones. The atomic oxygen erosion yield for FEP Teflon was found to be significantly in excess of previous low fluence orbital data and is an order of magnitude below that of polyimide Kapton. LDEF FEP Teflon erosion yield data as a function of angle of attack is presented. Atomic oxygen interaction with silicon polymers results in crazing of the silicones as well as deposition of dark contaminant oxidation products on adjoining surfaces. Documentation of results and possible mechanistic explanations are presented.

Banks, Bruce A.↗
NASA NTRS1991

VUV-induced degradation of FEP Teflon aboard LDEF

Examination of fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) copolymer materials recovered from the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) reveals differing damage characteristics on leading edge (ram-facing) versus trailing edge (wake-facing surfaces). Silver/Teflon (Ag/FEP) thermal control materials on ram facing surfaces of the LDEF exhibited obvious degradation, with an apparent increase in diffuse light scattering, whereas identical materials on the wake facing surfaces showed little apparent damage with cursory inspection. Microscopic examination of both types of surfaces reveals the nature and extent of environment induced degradation of materials. The ram facing surfaces were clearly eroded by atomic oxygen impingement, while the wake facing material developed a thin, highly embrittled surface layer.

Brinza, David E.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Space environmental effects on silvered Teflon thermal control surfaces

Cumulative space environment effects on Ag/fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) were a function of exposure orientation. Samples from nineteen silvered Teflon (Ag/FEP) thermal control surfaces recovered from the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) were analyzed to determine changes in this material as a function of position on the spacecraft. Although solar absorptance and infrared emittance of measured thermal blanket specimens are relatively unchanged from control specimen values, significant changes in surface morphology, composition and chemistry were observed. Researchers hypothesize that the FEP surfaces on LDEF were degraded by ultraviolet radiation exposure at all orientations, but that the damaged material had been removed by erosion from the blankets exposed to atomic oxygen flux and that contamination is masking the damage on trays flanking the trailing edge.

Hemminger, C. S.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Low temperature electrolytes for lithium/silver vanadium oxide cells

Combinations of methyl formate (MF) and propylene carbonate (PC) using salt concentrations of 0.6 to 2.4 M, with lithium hexafluoroarsenate and lithium tetrafluoroborate in a five to one molar ratio, were investigated as electrolytes in lithium/silver vanadium oxide batteries. The composition of the electrolyte affected cell performance at low temperature, self-discharge and abuse resistance as characterized by short circuit and crush testing. The electrolyte that provided the best combination of good low temperature performance, low cell self-discharge and abuse resistance was 0.6 M salt in 10:90 PC/MF.

Tuhovak, Denise R.↗
NASA NTRS1990

A synchronous strobed laser light sheet for helicopter model rotor flow visualization

A synchronous, strobed laser light sheet has been developed for use in flow visualization of a helicopter rotor model. The light sheet strobe circuit included selectable blade position, strobe duration, and multiple pulses per revolution for rotors having 2 to 9 blades. The flow was seeded with propylene glycol. Between runs, a calibration grid board was placed in the plane of the laser sheet and recorded with the video camera at the position used to record the flow field. A slip-sync mode permitted slow motion visualization of the flow field over complete rotations of the rotor. The system was used to make two-dimensional flow field cuts of a four-bladed rotor operating at advance ratio of 0.37 at wind tunnel speeds up to 79.25 meters per second (260 feet per second).

Leighty, Bradley D.↗
NASA NTRS1991

An analysis of LDEF-exposed silvered FEP teflon thermal blanket material

The characterization of selected silvered fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) teflon thermal blanket material which received 5 years and 9 months of exposure to the LEO environment on the Long Duration Exposure Facility is reported. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, infrared, and thermal analyses did not detect a significant change at the molecular level as the result of this exposure. However, various microscopic analyses revealed a roughening of the coating surface due to atomic oxygen erosion which resulted in some materials changing from specular reflectors of visible radiation to diffuse reflectors. The potential effect of silicon-containing molecular contamination on these materials is addressed.

Young, Philip R.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Chemical characterization of selected LDEF polymeric materials

The chemical characterization of selected polymeric materials which received exposure on the LDEF is reported. The specimens examined include silvered fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) teflon thermal blanket material, polysulfone matrix resin/graphite fiber reinforced composites, and several high performance polymer films. These specimens came from numerous LDEF locations and, thus, received different environmental exposures. The results of infrared, thermal, x ray photoelectron, and various solution property analyses have shown no significant change at the molecular level in the polymer that survived exposure. However, scanning electron and scanning tunneling microscopies show resin loss and a texturing of the surface of some specimens which resulted in a change in optical properties. The potential effect of a silicon containing molecular contamination on these materials is addressed. The possibility of continued post-exposure degradation of some polymeric films is also proposed.

Young, Philip R.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Atomic oxygen interactions with FEP Teflon and silicones on LDEF

The Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) spacecraft has enabled the measurement of the effects of fixed orientation exposure of high fluence atomic oxygen on fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP Teflon) and silicones. The atomic oxygen erosion yield for the FEP Teflon was found to be 3.64 x 10(exp -25) cm(exp 3)/atom. This erosion yield is significantly higher than that measured from previous low fluence orbital data. The FEP Teflon erosion yield was found to have the same dependence on oxygen arrival angle as Kapton and Mylar. Atomic oxygen interaction with silicon polymers results in the crazing of silicon. Released silicone contaminants were found to darken upon further atomic oxygen exposure.

Bruce A. Banks↗
NASA NTRS1992

Space environmental effects on silvered Teflon thermal control surfaces

Cumulative space environmental effects on silver/fluorinated ethylene propylene (Ag/FEP) were a function of exposure orientation. Samples from nineteen silvered Teflon (Ag/FEP) thermal control surfaces recovered from the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) were analyzed to determine changes in this material as a function of position on the spacecraft. Although solar absorptance and infrared emittance of measured thermal blanket specimens are relatively unchanged from control specimen values, significant changes in surface morphology, composition, and chemistry were observed. We hypothesize that the FEP surfaces on the LDEF are degraded by UV radiation at all orientations, but that the damaged material has been removed by erosion from the blankets exposed to atomic oxygen flux and that contamination is masking the damage in some areas on the trays flanking the trailing edge.

Hemminger, C. S.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Results of examination of silvered Teflon from the Long Duration Exposure Facility

A significant effort to determine the effects of low earth orbit (LEO) exposure on silver backed fluorinated ethylene-propylene (FEP) blankets from the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) was performed, and the results of this investigation are described. Extensive measurements of surface, optical, chemical, and mechanical properties were conducted. Effects of contamination and erosion rates of the FEP layer were determined. Specific results are reported on solar absorptance, thermal emittance, diffuse reflectance, cross sectional microphotography, secondary ion mass spectroscopy, electron scattering for chemical analysis, scanning electron microscopy, percent elongation, and tensile strength. These measurements show the effects of two distinctly different exposure environments, solar exposure, and simultaneous atomic oxygen (AO) and solar exposure.

Rousslang, Ken↗