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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

CDB-AP: An application for coincidence Doppler broadening spectroscopy analysis

Coincidence Doppler Broadening (CDB) Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy (PAS) is a material analysis technique that can be used to non-destructively measure characteristics of structural defects in samples. Analyzing and comparing large datasets obtained using this technique, however, can be complicated and time intensive. The Coincidence Doppler Broadening Analysis Program (CDB-AP) is a graphical user interface that facilitates rapid analysis of many data files while using transparent processes. It is already used in three laboratories at Idaho National Laboratory and can be used in laboratories worldwide.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Nondestructive Testing As a Tool in the Space Shuttle Columbia Accident Investigation

Nondestructive testing (NDT) played a crucial role in determining the Columbia tragedy's cause. Over 84,000 pieces of debris were recovered; hundreds were subsequently subjected to NDT and materials analysis. Visual NDT of the debris revealed localized areas of damage such as erosion, excessive heating, knife edging and mechanical damage. Three-dimensional reconstructions were made of the left wing leading edge, utilizing a tripod-mounted laser scanning head and focused laser beam, and an advanced topometric optical scanner (ATOS) with digital white light to scan complex-shaped debris, producing monochrome 3-D models. Texture mapping provided a means to capture true colors of the debris and superimpose them on the scanned images. Uniform deposits were found over large portions of debris, obscuring underlying materials. To determine what was beneath, inverse radiography was enlisted. The radiographs guided investigators to where samples should be taken. To ascertain compositions, these samples were subjected to analytical testing, including energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and electron microprobe analysis. This combination of visual evidence, radiography, virtual reconstruction, and materials analysis allowed the forensic scientists to verify that a breach occurred in the leading edge of the left wing, the path the plasma followed, and the sequence of events that led to the loss.

McDanels, Steve↗

Bayesian Inference and the Effects of Varying Uncertainty Models in Charring Ablator Calibration and Uncertainty Quantification Problems

The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) vehicle utilized a heat shield constructed from NASA’s Phenolic-Impregnated Carbon Ablator (PICA) material to protect the main structure from the high enthalpy environment encountered during hypersonic atmospheric entry. During the vehicle’s descent through Martian atmosphere, multiple thermocouples embedded within the heat shield captured in-depth material temperature data that allow for studies to be conducted on current material response reconstruction tools. In the present work, material temperature data obtained from thermocouples within the MISP-4 plug (MEDLI (Mars Science Laboratory Entry, Descent, and Landing Instrument) Integrated Sensor Plug) are utilized in the calibration of Theoretical Ablative Composite for Open Testing (TACOT) model parameters in conjunction with NASA’s Porous material Analysis Toolbox (PATO) through Bayesian inference where uncertainty due to parametric, modeling, and experimental sources is simultaneously quantified. Prior to the study, a sensitivity analysis is performed through computation of the robust Sobol indices in an effort to study the relationship between input space and model response and to reduce the dimensionality of the statistical inverse problem. The Bayesian inference methodology necessitates an a-priori choice to be made for the uncertainty model for which numerous possibilities are available. Across most works, however, only basic additive or multiplicative models are utilized with pre-defined magnitudes of uncertainty based on a-priori knowledge or to-be-calibrated multipliers of static covariance matrix structures. The present effort explores the effects of informed uncertainty models, ones with temporal dependence that are simultaneously calibrated through Bayesian inference, on calibrated results for parameters that make up the uncertain input space.

Sensitivity Analysis↗

Effects of T-tabs and large deflections in double cantilever beam specimen tests

A simple strength of materials analysis was developed for a double-cantilever beam (DCB) specimen to account for geometric nonlinearity effects due to large deflections and T-tabs. A new DCB data analysis procedure was developed to include the effects of these nonlinearities. The results of the analysis were evaluated by DCB tests performed for materials having a wide range of toughnesses. The materials used in the present study were T300/5208, IM7/8551-7, and AS4/PEEK. Based on the present analysis, for a typical deflection/crack length ratio of 0.3 (for AS4/PEEK), T-tabs and large deflections cause a 15 and 3 percent error, respectively, in the computer Mode I strain energy release rate. Design guidelines for DCB specimen thickness and T-tab height were also developed in order to keep errors due to these nonlinearities within 2 percent. Based on the test results, for both hinged and tabbed specimens, the effects of large deflection on the Mode I fracture toughness (G sub Ic) were almost negligible (less than 1 percent) in the case of T300/5208 and IM7/8551-7; however, AS4/PEEK showed a 2 to 3 percent effect. The effects of T-tabs G sub Ic were more significant for all the materials with T300/5208 showing a 5 percent error, IM7/8551-7 a 15 percent error, and, AS4/PEEK a 20 percent error.

Naik, Rajiv A.↗

Effects of T-tabs and large deflections in DCB specimen tests

A simple strength of materials analysis was developed for a double-cantilever beam (DCB) specimen to account for geometric nonlinearity effects due to large deflections and T-tabs. A new DCB data analysis procedure was developed to include the effects of these nonlinearities. The results of the analysis were evaluated by DCB tests performed for materials having a wide range of toughnesses. The materials used in the present study were T300/5208, IM7/8551-7, and AS4/PEEK. Based on the present analysis, for a typical deflection/crack length ratio of 0.3 (for AS4/PEEK), T-tabs and large deflections cause a 15 percent and 3 percent error, respectively, in the computer Mode 1 strain energy release rate. Design guidelines for DCB specimen thickness and T-tab height were also developed in order to keep errors due to these nonlinearities within 2 percent. Based on the test results, for both hinged and tabbed specimens, the effects of large deflection on the Mode 1 fracture toughness (G sub Ic) were almost negligible (less than 1 percent) in the case of T300/5208 and IM7/8551-7; however, AS4/PEEK showed a 2 to 3 percent effect. The effects of T-tabs G sub Ic were more significant for all the materials with T300/5208 showing a 5 percent error, IM7/8551-7 a 15 percent error, and, AS4/PEEK a 20 percent error.

Naik, R. A.↗

Computational mechanics - Advances and trends; Proceedings of the Session - Future directions of Computational Mechanics of the ASME Winter Annual Meeting, Anaheim, CA, Dec. 7-12, 1986

The papers contained in this volume provide an overview of the advances made in a number of aspects of computational mechanics, identify some of the anticipated industry needs in this area, discuss the opportunities provided by new hardware and parallel algorithms, and outline some of the current government programs in computational mechanics. Papers are included on advances and trends in parallel algorithms, supercomputers for engineering analysis, material modeling in nonlinear finite-element analysis, the Navier-Stokes computer, and future finite-element software systems.

Noor, Ahmed K.↗

Quantifying and Addressing the DOE Material Reactivity Requirements with Analysis and Testing of Hydrogen Storage Materials & Systems

The objective of this project is to examine safety aspects of candidate hydrogen storage materials and systems being developed in the DOE Hydrogen Program. As a result of this effort, the general DOE safety target will be given useful meaning by establishing a link between the characteristics of new storage materials and the satisfaction of safety criteria. This will be accomplished through the development and application of formal risk analysis methods, standardized materials testing, chemical reactivity characterization, novel risk mitigation approaches and subscale system demonstration. The project also will collaborate with other DOE and international activities in materials based hydrogen storage safety to provide a larger, highly coordinated effort.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Combined elemental and microstructural analysis of genuine and fake copper-alloy coins

Innovative noninvasive material analysis techniques are applied to determine archaeometallurgical characteristics of copper-alloy coins from Florence's National Museum of Archaeology. Three supposedly authentic Roman coins and three hypothetically fraudolent imitations are thoroughly investigated using laser-induced plasma spectroscopy and time of flight neutron diffraction along with 3D videomicroscopy and electron microscopy. Material analyses are aimed at collecting data allowing for objective discrimination between genuine Roman productions and late fakes. The results show the mentioned techniques provide quantitative compositional and textural data, which are strictly related to the manufacturing processes and aging of copper alloys. (laser applications)

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Smaller and faster: a review of conventional and nanocalorimetry techniques for determining thermophysical properties of nuclear materials

Thermal analysis of nuclear materials is critical for the advancement of nuclear technology. The heat effects associated with heat capacity, phase transformation, and radiation damage can be measured with conventional calorimeters. However, conventional calorimetric techniques are often restricted in terms of heating rate and sample mass, especially when studying the limited amounts of materials subject to extreme conditions. In this review, we summarize conventional calorimetric studies of critical thermophysical and thermochemical properties of pure actinide metals (U, Np, Am, Pu), fast reactor metallic fuel alloy systems (U–Zr, U–Pu–Zr, Pu–U, Pu–Zr), and actinide oxides that are primary constituents or transmutation products in light water reactor fuel rods (U–O, Np–O, Am–O, Pu–O, Pu–U–O). Adiabatic and drop calorimetry have been the primary techniques used for these studies, however the development of fast scanning calorimetry using micro-electro-mechanical-based systems allows determination of thermodynamic properties from smaller sample masses. We report recent investigations that leverage the fast heating rates of nanocalorimetry by itself or combined with other characterization techniques. Furthermore, we then discuss opportunities for nanocalorimetry to provide solutions to some of the technical challenges inherent in thermal analysis of nuclear materials, namely a reduction in sample activity, emulating heating transients, investigation of phase evolution in irradiated samples, and characterization of radiation damage evolution. Nanocalorimetry has the potential to significantly advance the understanding of thermophysical properties in nuclear materials and thus accelerate the development of nuclear technology.

11 - NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Mechanical Erosion Modeling of TPS Materials

This work describes the development of a model that accounts for the additional surface recession in Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) materials as a result of mechanical erosion due to high shear conditions during atmospheric entry. A computational solid mechanics module was integrated within the Porous material Analysis Toolbox (PATO) based on OpenFOAM. The mechanical erosion was modeled in three steps: first, the implemented stress analysis solver computes the stress and the displacement fields for orthotropic materials using the wall shear stress tensor as a boundary condition; then, regions on the surface where the stress meets the failure criteria are identified; and last, the mesh is moved accordingly to remove the failed material. The outcome is a model capable to predict the total recession of the material due to surface chemistry and mechanical erosion. Results will be included in the final paper after verifying and completing the study.

Stress Analysis↗

Mechanical Erosion Modeling of TPS Materials

This work describes the development of a model that accounts for the additional surface recession in Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) materials as a result of mechanical erosion due to high shear conditions during atmospheric entry. A computational solid mechanics module was integrated within the Porous material Analysis Toolbox (PATO) based on OpenFOAM. The mechanical erosion was modeled in three steps: first, the implemented stress analysis solver computes the stress and the displacement fields for orthotropic materials using the wall shear stress tensor as a boundary condition; then, regions on the surface where the stress meets the failure criteria are identified; and last, the mesh is moved accordingly to remove the failed material. The outcome is a model capable to predict the total recession of the material due to surface chemistry and mechanical erosion. Results will be included in the final paper after verifying and completing the study.

Stress Analysis↗

Global/local finite element analysis of composite materials

The motivation for performing global/local finite element analysis in composite materials is described. An example of such an analysis of a composite plate with a central circular hole is presented. Deformed finite element grids and interlaminar normal stress distributions are presented to aid understanding of the plate response. Such distribution at the plate edge is shown to be basically unaffected, although transverse displacements of the edge were slightly different from an analysis of a similar plate with no hole.

Griffin, O. Hayden, Jr.↗

Surface analysis of space telescope material specimens

Surface analysis by electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) was used to characterize a number of the material samples for the space telescope. With ESCA, the sample is irradiated with monoenergetic soft X-rays and the resulting emitted electrons are energy analyzed to determine the binding energy of electrons to the surface atoms. The major peaks were used in the quantitative determination of the surface composition. The presence of trace elements (impurities below 1% atomic composition) was also detailed. Initially a survey scan was run for each sample to deduce the elemental composition. Then the major peaks of interest and those of the trace elements were individually examined. After this, the samples were argon sputtered to etch away surface layers, and then additional measurements were carried out in order to obtain depth profile information. In this way it was possible for those species present only on the surface to be distinguished from those having a significant depth distribution within the sample.

Fromhold, A. T.↗

HIDRA-MAT liquid metal droplet injector for liquid metal applications in HIDRA

A liquid metal droplet injector was explicitly designed for the Hybrid Illinois Device for Research and Applications Material Analysis Test-stand (HIDRA-MAT) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to prepare liquid metal plasma-facing components (PFCs) for plasma exposure. The design goals were to create a compact, reliable, and robust design that could apply liquid metal droplets in-vacuo to a variety of samples. The injector was designed for liquid metal use, and results discussed pertain to lithium. The injector can produce lithium droplets of consistent size by utilizing programmable piston movement. Here, droplet formation data is presented for four different piston step sizes (0.125 mm, 0.25 mm, 0.5 mm, and 1 mm) at three different nozzle temperatures (185 °C, 230 °C, and 270 °C). Droplets are formed on the injector nozzle tip and a linear shift mechanism vertically translates the droplet to the substrate for application. This design prevents the droplet from inadvertently detaching off the nozzle and falling to the sample. Application of the liquid metal droplet ensures placement consistency on the substrate and helps avoid damage to components in HIDRA-MAT that should not interact with liquid metals. A description of the liquid lithium droplet creation and application results is given and provides additional insight into the cooling and oxidation of lithium droplets under vacuum conditions. A second nozzle was fabricated and demonstrated repeatability in droplet diameter creation having a variance of ±0.14 mm for droplets created from the same number of piston steps. The end-use for the injector on HIDRA-MAT is to apply liquid metals to PFCs and expose them to HIDRA's plasma with subsequent intershot in-vacuo surface analysis in HIDRA-MAT for plasma-material interaction studies.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Analytical Ultrasonics in Materials Research and Testing

Research results in analytical ultrasonics for characterizing structural materials from metals and ceramics to composites are presented. General topics covered by the conference included: status and advances in analytical ultrasonics for characterizing material microstructures and mechanical properties; status and prospects for ultrasonic measurements of microdamage, degradation, and underlying morphological factors; status and problems in precision measurements of frequency-dependent velocity and attenuation for materials analysis; procedures and requirements for automated, digital signal acquisition, processing, analysis, and interpretation; incentives for analytical ultrasonics in materials research and materials processing, testing, and inspection; and examples of progress in ultrasonics for interrelating microstructure, mechanical properites, and dynamic response.

Vary, A.↗

Material Characterization and Modeling of Room Temperature Vulcanizing Silicone

Room Temperature Vulcanizing silicone (RTV) is a high-temperature adhesive that has successfully been used as a gap-filler between Thermal Protection System (TPS) tiles for heatshields on numerous missions. It is also used to bond instrumentation plugs such as temperature and pressure sensors into the heatshields. While RTV has been traditionally assumed to be a non-porous and non-ablating material, numerous experiments have shown that RTV pyrolyzes and becomes highly porous as it is heated. Heating RTV has also shown swelling, or intumescence, which can pose unique problems that lead to roughness induced boundary-layer transition, surface oxide formation and contamination of heat shield sensors. Therefore, it is crucial to understand and model the intumescence phenomenon of RTV. As data for RTV material properties is limited, the first step in modeling RTV is to collect material properties such as pyrolysis mass-loss, microstructure change, virgin and char porosity, etc. which was performed in our initial study. Additionally, thermomechanical properties such as Young’s modulus and Poisson ratio are required for modeling the intumescence of RTV, which were taken from literature and the coefficient of thermal expansion was collected using in-situ heating and Micro Computed Tomography (µ-CT) in previous studies. Finally, numerous other properties such as pyrolysis gas properties, virgin and char thermal conductivity and specific heat were compiled from previous experiments and literature into a material database that can be used for simulations. In Porous Material Analysis Toolbox based on OpenFOAM (PATO) [4], structural mechanics coupled with material response was used for simulating the intumescence of RTV as it is heated. However, since the permeability of the material is very low, the pyrolysis gas creates an internal pressure build-up as the material is being heated, significantly contributing to the deformation of the material. To correctly characterize this phenomenon, additional physics models were implemented into PATO's stress analysis solver, and results were compared with RTV dilatometry test data as a preliminary verification case. Future work will include experiments of RTV at the Plasmatron X facility and the in-situ heating cell with µ-CT, and improvement of simulation tools to more accurately model RTV intumescence.

TPS↗

Mechanical Erosion Modeling of TPS Materials

This work describes the development of a model that accounts for the additional total surface recession in Thermal Protection Systems materials as a result of mechanical erosion due to high shear conditions during atmospheric entry. A computational solid mechanics capability module was integrated within the Porous material Analysis Toolbox based on OpenFOAM, PATO. The mechanical erosion was modeled in three steps: first, the implemented stress analysis solver module computes the stress and the displacement fields for orthotropic materials using the wall shear stress tensor as a boundary condition; then, regions on the surface where the stress meets the failure criteria are identified; and last, the mesh is moved accordingly to remove the failed material. The outcome is a model of the total recession of the material due to surface chemistry and mechanical erosion. Results will be included in the final paper after verifying and completing the study.

Stress Analysis↗