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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1983

Low-Temperature Forming of Beta Titanium Alloys

Low cost methods for titanium structural fabrication using advanced cold-formable beta alloys were investigated for application in a Mach 2.7 supersonic cruise vehicle. This work focuses on improving processing and structural efficiencies as compared with standard hot formed and riveted construction of alpha-beta alloy sheet structure. Mechanical property data and manufacturing parameters were developed for cold forming, brazing, welding, and processing Ti-15V-3Cr-3Sn-3Al sheet, and Ti-3Al-8V-6Cr-4Zr on a more limited basis. Cost and structural benefits were assessed through the fabrication and evaluation of large structural panels. The feasibility of increasing structural efficiency of beta titanium structure by selective reinforcement with metal matrix composite was also explored.

Kaneko, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Development of an improved protective cover/light block for multilayer insulation

The feasibility of using a scrim-reinforced, single metallized, 4-mil Tedlar film as a replacement for the Teflon coated Beta-cloth/single metallized 3-mil Kapton film presently used as the protective cover/light block for multilayer insulation (MLI) on the Orbiter, Spacelab, and other space applications was demonstrated. The proposed Tedlar concept is lighter and potentially lower in cost. Thermal analysis with the proper concept was much simpler than with the present system. Tests have already demonstrated that white Tedlar has low alpha (adsorption) degradation in space from U.V. The proposed concept was 4400 percent cheaper with nominal weight savings of 50 percent.

Thompson, L. M.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Postbuckling of flat unstiffened graphite-epoxy plates loaded in shear

An experimental and analytical study was conducted of the postbuckling response and failure characteristics of 8-, 16-, and 24-ply unstiffened graphite/epoxy plates under shear loading, including orthotropic, quasi-orthotropic, entirely +, -45 deg ply, and (0/90)s-class plates. Postbuckling stiffness is noted to be influenced by the stacking sequence and by the inplane boundary condition imposed on the test section by a picture frame test fixture. The ratio of failure load to buckling load was higher for specimens that had higher width-to-thickness ratios. It is noted that high displacement gradients may induce transverse shear stresses, and that delamination was the failure mechanism for many of the 8-ply specimens. An adhesive failure between the composite specimen and metal edge reinforcements initiated failure of the 16- and 24-ply specimens.

Rouse, M.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Prediction of coefficients of thermal expansion for unidirectional composites

Several analyses for predicting the longitudinal, alpha(1), and transverse, alpha(2), coefficients of thermal expansion of unidirectional composites were compared with each other, and with experimental data on different graphite fiber reinforced resin, metal, and ceramic matrix composites. Analytical and numerical analyses that accurately accounted for Poisson restraining effects in the transverse direction were in consistently better agreement with experimental data for alpha(2), than the less rigorous analyses. All of the analyses predicted similar values of alpha(1), and were in good agreement with the experimental data. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to determine the relative influence of constituent properties on the predicted values of alpha(1), and alpha(2). As would be expected, the prediction of alpha(1) was most sensitive to longitudinal fiber properties and the prediction of alpha(2) was most sensitive to matrix properties.

Bowles, David E.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Chemical interactions in the aluminum-carbon and aluminum-silicon carbide systems

XPS was used to investigate the influence of O2 and H2O on the formation of aluminum carbide at Al-C and Al-SiC interfaces. It was determined that dosing the interfaces with H2O catalyzed the formation of aluminum carbide in both systems. This result is consistent with the oxidation model of carbide formation (developed to understand the kinetics of aluminum carbide formation at graphite-aluminum interfaces). These results imply that the formation of aluminum carbide in graphite- and SiC-reinforced metal-matrix composites, which severely degrades the composite mechanical properties by degrading the fiber and interface strength is catalyzed.

Maruyama, Benji↗
NASA NTRS1990

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study of catalyzed aluminum carbide formation at aluminum-carbon interfaces

Aluminum carbide may form at aluminum-graphite interfaces during the high-temperature processing of graphite fiber-reinforced aluminum metal matrix composites. The chemical interactions leading to the formation of the aluminum carbide in the solid state involve the breaking of the carbon-carbon bonds within the graphite, the transport of the carbon atoms across the interface, and the reaction with the aluminum to form Al4C3. The aluminum carbide formation process has been followed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of model, thin-film, reaction couples. The overall reaction is shown to be catalyzed by the presence of water vapor. Water at the interface increases reaction kinetics by apparently weakening the bonds between the surface carbon atoms and their substrate. This result is in general agreement with what is known to occur during the oxidation of graphite in air.

Rabenberg, L.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Nial and Nial-Based Composites Directionally Solidified by a Containerless Zone Process

A containerless electromagnetically levitated zone (CELZ) process has been used to directionally solidify NiAl and NiAl-based composites. The CELZ processing results in single crystal NiAl (HP-NiAl) having higher purity than commercially pure NiAl grown by a modified Bridgman process (CP-NiAl). The mechanical properties, specifically fracture toughness and creep strength, of the HP-NiAl are superior to binary CP-NiAl and are used as a base-line for comparison with the composite materials subsequently studied. Two-phase composite materials (NiAl-based eutectic alloys) show improvement in room temperature fracture toughness and 1200 to 1400 K creep strength over that of binary HP-NiAl. Metallic phase reinforcements produce the greatest improvement in fracture toughness, while intermetallic reinforcement produces the largest improvement in high temperature strength. Three-phase eutectic alloys and composite materials were identified and directionally solidified with the intent to combine the improvements observed in the two-phase alloys into one alloy. The room temperature fracture toughness and high temperature strength (in air) serve as the basis for comparison between all of the alloys. Finally, the composite materials are discussed in terms of dominant fracture mechanism observed by fractography.

Joslin, Steven M.↗
NASA NTRS2008

NASA Tech Briefs, November 2008

Topics covered include: Digital Phase Meter for a Laser Heterodyne Interferometer; Vision System Measures Motions of Robot and External Objects; Advanced Precipitation Radar Antenna to Measure Rainfall From Space; Wide-Band Radar for Measuring Thickness of Sea Ice; Vertical Isolation for Photodiodes in CMOS Imagers; Wide-Band Microwave Receivers Using Photonic Processing; L-Band Transmit/Receive Module for Phase-Stable Array Antennas; Microwave Power Combiner/Switch Utilizing a Faraday Rotator; Compact Low-Loss Planar Magic-T; Using Pipelined XNOR Logic to Reduce SEU Risks in State Machines; Quasi-Optical Transmission Line for 94-GHz Radar; Next Generation Flight Controller Trainer System; Converting from DDOR SASF to APF; Converting from CVF to AAF; Documenting AUTOGEN and APGEN Model Files; Sequence History Update Tool; Extraction and Analysis of Display Data; MRO DKF Post-Processing Tool; Rig Diagnostic Tools; MRO Sequence Checking Tool; Science Activity Planner for the MER Mission; UAVSAR Flight-Planning System; Templates for Deposition of Microscopic Pointed Structures; Adjustable Membrane Mirrors Incorporating G-Elastomers; Hall-Effect Thruster Utilizing Bismuth as Propellant; High-Temperature Crystal-Growth Cartridge Tubes Made by VPS; Quench Crucibles Reinforced with Metal; Deep-Sea Hydrothermal-Vent Sampler; Mars Rocket Propulsion System; Two-Stage Passive Vibration Isolator; Improved Thermal Design of a Compression Mold; Enhanced Pseudo-Waypoint Guidance for Spacecraft Maneuvers; Altimetry Using GPS-Reflection/Occultation Interferometry; Thermally Driven Josephson Effect; Perturbation Effects on a Supercritical C7H16/N2 Mixing Layer; Gold Nanoparticle Labels Amplify Ellipsometric Signals; Phase Matching of Diverse Modes in a WGM Resonator; WGM Resonators for Terahertz-to-Optical Frequency Conversion; Determining Concentration of Nanoparticles from Ellipsometry; Microwave-to-Optical Conversion in WGM Resonators; Four-Pass Coupler for Laser-Diode-Pumped Solid-State Laser; Low-Resolution Raman-Spectroscopy Combustion Thermometry; Temperature Sensors Based on WGM Optical Resonators; Varying the Divergence of Multiple Parallel Laser Beams; Efficient Algorithm for Rectangular Spiral Search; Algorithm-Based Fault Tolerance Integrated with Replication; Targeting and Localization for Mars Rover Operations; Terrain-Adaptive Navigation Architecture; Self-Adjusting Hash Tables for Embedded Flight Applications; Schema for Spacecraft-Command Dictionary; Combined GMSK Communications and PN Ranging; System-Level Integration of Mass Memory; Network-Attached Solid-State Recorder Architecture; Method of Cross-Linking Aerogels Using a One-Pot Reaction Scheme; An Efficient Reachability Analysis Algorithm.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2014

Manufacturing Challenges Associated with the Use of Metal Matrix Composites in Aerospace Structures

Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) consist of a metal alloy reinforced with ceramic particles or fibers. These materials possess a very high strength to weight ratio, good resistance to impact and wear, and a number of other properties which make them attractive for use in aerospace and defense applications. MMCs have found use in the space shuttle orbiter's structural tubing, the Hubble Space Telescope's antenna mast, control surfaces and propulsion systems for aircraft, and tank armors. The size of MMC components is severely limited by difficulties encountered in joining these materials using fusion welding. Melting of the material results in formation of an undesirable phase (formed when molten Aluminum reacts with the reinforcement) which leaves a strength depleted region along the joint line. Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is a relatively nascent solid state joining technique developed at The Welding Institute (TWI) in 1991. The process was first used at NASA to weld the super lightweight external tank for the Space Shuttle. Today FSW is used to join structural components of the Delta IV, Atlas V, and Falcon IX rockets as well as NASA's Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle and Space Launch System. A current focus of FSW research is to extend the process to new materials, such as MMCs, which are difficult to weld using conventional fusion techniques. Since Friction Stir Welding occurs below the melting point of the workpiece material, this deleterious phase is absent in FSW-ed MMC joints. FSW of MMCs is, however, plagued by rapid wear of the welding tool, a consequence of the large discrepancy in hardness between the steel tool and the reinforcement material. This chapter summarizes the challenges encountered when joining MMCs to themselves or to other materials in structures. Specific attention is paid to the influence of process variables in Friction Stir Welding on the wear process characterizes the effect of process parameters (spindle speed, traverse rate, and length of joint) on the wear process. A phenomenological model of the wear process was constructed based on the rotating plug model of Friction Stir Welding. The effectiveness of harder tool materials (such as Tungsten Carbide, high speed steel, and tools with diamond coatings) to combat abrasive wear is also explored. In-process force, torque, and vibration signals are analyzed to assess the feasibility of in situ monitoring of tool shape changes as a result of wear (an advancement which would eliminate the need for off-line evaluation of tool condition during joining). Monitoring, controlling, and reducing tool wear in FSW of MMCs is essential to implementation of these materials in structures (such as launch vehicles) where they would be of maximum benefit. The work presented here is extendable to machining of MMCs, where wear of the tool is also a limiting factor.

Prater, Tracie↗
NASA NTRS2016

Tribology of Polymer Matrix Composites (PMCs) Fabricated by Additive Manufacturing (AM)

The integral process of depositing thin layers of material, one after another, until the designed component is created is collectively referred to as Additive Manufacturing (AM). Fused deposition process (FDP) is a type of AM where feedstock is extruded into filaments which then are deposited by 3D printing, and the solidification occurs during cooling of the melt. Currently, complex structures are being fabricated by commercial and open source desktop 3D printers. Recently, metal powder containing composite filaments based on polylactic acid (PLA) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) have emerged, which could be utilized for multifunctional applications. For further deployment in the field, especially for aerospace and ground-based applications, it is critical to understand the tribological behavior of 3D printed materials. In this presentation, we will report the tribological behavior of different polymer matrix composites fabricated by fused deposition process. These results will be compared with the base polymer systems. During this study, the tribological behavior of all the samples will be evaluated with tab-on-disc method and compared for different metallic powder reinforcements.

additive manufacturing↗
NASA NTRS1971

Graphite-reinforced aluminum composite

Metallic composite prepared for utilization which remains intact without aluminum/carbon reactions, is less expensive than other structural materials, and yields a flexible composite material.

Lalacona, F. P.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Ductility of a continuous fiber reinforced aluminum matrix composite

The transverse properties of an aluminum alloy metal matrix composite reinforced by continuous alumina fibers have been investigated. The composite is subjected to both mechanical and cyclic thermal loading. The ductility can vary by an order of magnitude according to the operating conditions. For high mechanical and low thermal loading the ductility is small, for low mechanical and high thermal loading the ductility is an order of magnitude higher. Experiments on a beam in bending confirm that the ductility is strongly dependent on the loading conditions. The observations suggest a means of utilizing the inherent ductility of the matrix.

Jansson, S.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Microstructural and physicochemical origins of electroless copper deposition on graphite enhanced by acid pretreatment

We report Acid treatment is the most widely used surface modification method for enhancing the electroless metal deposition (EMD) on carbon reinforcement materials (CRMs) for metal matrix nanocomposites. However, specific microstructural and physicochemical origins of the enhanced EMD on carbon surfaces by acid treatments have been rarely studied. Here, we investigated the effects of the nitric acid treatment on graphite, a prototypical combination of acid treatment and CRM, on the fidelity of Cu EMD and their structural and chemical origins. Complementary materials characterizations and density functional theory calculations revealed the acid-induced formation of broken C–C/C=C graphitic bonds and resulting surface micropores on graphite; this enabled a uniform dispersion of catalytic Sn/Pd nanoparticles during pre-EMD sensitization/activation processes via spontaneous binding of Sn and Pd ions and, consequently, a much more uniform Cu layer EMD compared to the untreated graphite. We proposed a general mechanism illustrating how the acid-induced microstructural and chemical modifications of carbon surface affected the spatial uniformity of catalytic metal reduction during EMD and, finally, the quality of deposited metal layer. The results clearly reveal the origins of the enhanced EMD on carbon materials by acid treatments, providing guidelines for optimizing EMD on general CRMs for high-performance metal matrix nanocomposites.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1991

Mechanical behavior of a continuous fiber reinforced aluminum matrix composite subjected to transverse and thermal loading

The transverse properties of an aluminum alloy metal matrix composite reinforced by continuous alumina fibers were investigated. The composite is subjected to both mechanical and cyclic thermal loading. The results of an experimental program indicate that the shakedown concept of structural mechanics provides a means of describing the material behavior. When the loading conditions are within the shakedown region, the material finally responds in an elastic manner after initial plastic response, and for loading conditions outside the shakedown region, the material exhibits a rapid incremental plastic strain accumulation. The failure strain varies by an order of magnitude according to the operating conditions. Hence, for high mechanical and low thermal loading, the failure strains is small; for low mechanical and high thermal loading, the failure strain is large.

Jansson, S.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Evaluation of metal landing gear door assembly selectively reinforced with filamentary composite for space shuttle application

The development and evaluation of a main landing gear door for space shuttle applications are discussed. The door is constructed on composite materials using a rib-stiffened titanium panel selectively reinforced with boron/epoxy composite. A weight comparison between the hybrid design and the all-titanium baseline design showed a weight saving of approximately fifteen percent. Detailed descriptions of the door structure and method of manufacture are presented.

Kong, S. J.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Micromechanical modeling of damage growth in titanium based metal-matrix composites

The thermomechanical behavior of continuous-fiber reinforced titanium based metal-matrix composites (MMC) is studied using the finite element method. A thermoviscoplastic unified state variable constitutive theory is employed to capture inelastic and strain-rate sensitive behavior in the Timetal-21s matrix. The SCS-6 fibers are modeled as thermoplastic. The effects of residual stresses generated during the consolidation process on the tensile response of the composites are investigated. Unidirectional and cross-ply geometries are considered. Differences between the tensile responses in composites with perfectly bonded and completely debonded fiber/matrix interfaces are discussed. Model simulations for the completely debonded-interface condition are shown to correlate well with experimental results.

Sherwood, James A.↗