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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 235 records · Page 13
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Material property characterization of 3D printed polypropylene wood plastic composites

Abstract Wood flour (WF) at 10 wt.% and 20 wt.% loadings was used as a reinforcing filler to enhance the applicability of polypropylene (PP) for 3D printing. After performing printability tests of PP wood plastic composites (WPCs), the mechanical properties of both injection‐molded and 3D‐printed PP WPC specimens were explored. Test specimens were prepared from 3D printed hexagons for analyzing the mechanical properties. Adding WF to neat PP increased the storage modulus and the glass transition temperature while decreasing the degree of crystallinity and the coefficient of thermal expansion, while enhancing the printability of neat PP. The tensile strength, tensile modulus of elasticity, flexural strength, and flexural modulus of elasticity of injection‐molded neat PP improved by up to 21%, 59%, 30%, and 56%, respectively, with 20 wt.% WF. However, the impact strength of injection‐molded neat PP decreased by 85%, with 20 wt.% WF. After 3D printing, the tensile strength and tensile modulus of elasticity of printed neat PP increased by up to 84% and 60%, respectively, with 20 wt.% WF. The flexural strength and flexural modulus of elasticity of neat printed PP remained unchanged compared to those of PP filled with 20 wt.% WF, while the impact strength decreased by 87%. Highlights WF was used as a reinforcement in polypropylene designed for 3D printing A pilot‐scale, pellet‐fed 3D printer was used to print hollow hexagons, and then test specimens were fabricated from these hexagons for mechanical properties The tensile and flexural properties of 3D printed neat polypropylene improved, while the impact strength decreased after adding 20 wt.% WF to the neat PP.

Hwang, Sungjun↗
NASA NTRS2013

Fiber Reinforced Composite Cores and Panels

A fiber reinforced core panel is formed from strips of plastics foam helically wound with layers of rovings to form webs which may extend in a wave pattern or may intersect transverse webs. Hollow tubes may replace foam strips. Axial rovings cooperate with overlying helically wound rovings to form a beam or a column. Wound roving patterns may vary along strips for structural efficiency. Wound strips may alternate with spaced strips, and spacers between the strips enhance web buckling strength. Continuously wound rovings between spaced strips permit folding to form panels with reinforced edges. Continuously wound strips are helically wrapped to form annular structures, and composite panels may combine both thermoset and thermoplastic resins. Continuously wound strips or strip sections may be continuously fed either longitudinally or laterally into molding apparatus which may receive skin materials to form reinforced composite panels.

Day, Stephen W.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Processing Temperature Effect on Failure Behavior of Unidirectional Thermoplastic Polymer-fiber-reinforced Polymers (PFRPs)

This study aimed to examine the influence of processing temperature on the mechanical and morphological characteristics of unidirectional (UD) thermoplastic polymer-fiber-reinforced polymers (PFRPs), utilizing UHMWPE-polymer-fiber-reinforced HDPE composites as an example. To achieve this objective, UD thermoplastic PFRPs were produced through filament winding and hot pressing techniques, employing five distinct processing temperatures within the range spanning from the melting onset temperature of the polymer matrix to the melting peak temperature of the reinforcing polymer fiber. By conducting the uni-axial tensile tests on the UD UHMWPE-polymer-fiber-reinforced HDPE composites fabricated at different processing temperatures, it was shown that the optimal longitudinal tensile properties of the composites, comparable with glass-fiber-reinforced thermoset or thermoplastic polymers (GFRPs or GFRTPs) can be achieved when the processing temperature does not significantly exceeds the melting onset temperature of the reinforcing polymer fiber. However, when the processing temperature exceeds this threshold, the mechanical properties of the composites are significantly reduced, as evidenced by the transition in the failure morphology from the presence of significant splitting cracks to the occurrence of plastic necking due to the complete melting of the reinforcing polymer fibers in a composite. Particularly, the ductile behavior of the optimal thermoplastic PFRPs investigated in this study is superior than that of carbon-fiber-reinforced thermoset or thermoplastic polymers (CFRPs or CFRTPs) and even GFRPs and GFRTPs. This study not only provides valuable insights into the proper fabrication of high-performance thermoplastic PFRPs but also offers useful experimental data that can aid in the validation and development of computational models, particularly those related to processing modeling.

Qiao, Yao↗
DOE OSTI2022

Redesign of the Coils for the 60T Controlled-Waveform Magnet at NHMFL

Driven by the1.4 GW generator, the 60T Controlled Waveform (60 TCW) magnet was the most powerful controlled waveform system in the world and had always been one of most important magnets to the National High Magnetic Field (NHMFL) and high-field research community because of its following unique features: (1) quasi-static field up to 60 T with 100 ms flat-top and total pulse-length of about 2000 ms, (2) variable magnetic field waveforms such as staircase and triangle with flat-top (3) relative large bore (32 mm) and (4) very fast cooling time (20 minutes) between pulses [Boebinger, 2001], [Crooker et al. 2001]. The magnet is composed of nine concentric coils, with each coil consisting of several conductor winding layers reinforced by a high-strength metallic shell. The magnet underwent a catastrophic failure in 2000 and all the coils had to be rebuilt. In late 2014 the second magnet version failed near the mid-plane of coil 7. The simulations afterward that incident indicated that the overall strength of the coil would be increased by replacing a section of the reinforcing shell with Zylon fiber-epoxy composite. This reduces the stress and thus significantly lowers the level of plastic deformation in the windings. The role of the metal and Zylon fiber reinforcing layers in bearing the axial and radial Lorentz forces has been studied to optimize the magnet design. Here, the results of the optimization will be discussed as well as challenges that have been presented in rebuilding the individual coils of the magnet.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
NASA NTRS2013

Fracture Analysis of Particulate Reinforced Metal Matrix Composites

A fracture analysis of highly loaded particulate reinforced composites was performed using laser moire interferometry to measure the displacements within the plastic zone at the tip of an advancing crack. Ten castings were made of five different particulate reinforcement-aluminum alloy combinations. Each casting included net-shape specimens which were used for the evaluation of fracture toughness, tensile properties, and flexure properties resulting in an extensive materials properties data. Measured fracture toughness range from 14.1 MPa for an alumina reinforced 356 aluminum alloy to 23.9 MPa for a silicon carbide reinforced 2214 aluminum alloy. For the combination of these K(sub Ic) values and the measured tensile strengths, the compact tension specimens were too thin to yield true plane strain K(sub Ic) values. All materials exhibited brittle behavior characterized by very small tensile ductility suggesting that successful application of these materials requires that the design stresses be below the elastic limit. Probabilistic design principles similar to those used with ceramics are recommended when using these materials. Such principles would include the use of experimentally determined design allowables. In the absence of thorough testing, a design allowable stress of 60 percent of the measured ultimate tensile stress is recommended.

Min, James B.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Rapid motor learning in the translational vestibulo-ocular reflex

Motor learning was induced in the translational vestibulo-ocular reflex (TVOR) when monkeys were repeatedly subjected to a brief (0.5 sec) head translation while they tried to maintain binocular fixation on a visual target for juice rewards. If the target was world-fixed, the initial eye speed of the TVOR gradually increased; if the target was head-fixed, the initial eye speed of the TVOR gradually decreased. The rate of learning acquisition was very rapid, with a time constant of approximately 100 trials, which was equivalent to <1 min of accumulated stimulation. These learned changes were consolidated over >or=1 d without any reinforcement, indicating induction of long-term synaptic plasticity. Although the learning generalized to targets with different viewing distances and to head translations with different accelerations, it was highly specific for the particular combination of head motion and evoked eye movement associated with the training. For example, it was specific to the modality of the stimulus (translation vs rotation) and the direction of the evoked eye movement in the training. Furthermore, when one eye was aligned with the heading direction so that it remained motionless during training, learning was not expressed in this eye, but only in the other nonaligned eye. These specificities show that the learning sites are neither in the sensory nor the motor limb of the reflex but in the sensory-motor transformation stage of the reflex. The dependence of the learning on both head motion and evoked eye movement suggests that Hebbian learning may be one of the underlying cellular mechanisms.

Non-NASA Center↗
NASA NTRS1937

Plastics as structural materials for aircraft

The purpose here is to consider the mechanical characteristics of reinforced phenol-formaldehyde resin as related to its use as structural material for aircraft. Data and graphs that have appeared in the literature are reproduced to illustrate the comparative behavior of plastics and materials commonly used in aircraft construction. Materials are characterized as to density, static strength, modulus of elasticity, resistance to long-time loading, strength under repeated impact, energy absorption, corrosion resistance, and ease of fabrication.

Kline, G M↗
NASA NTRS1973

Elastoplastic transverse properties of a unidirectional fibre reinforced composite

An approximate theoretical study is made to predict the overall transverse elastoplastic properties of a unidirectional fibre reinforced composite. Based on the simplest deformation theory of plasticity, the overall transverse polyaxial elastoplastic constitutive equations for an incompressible composite are obtained. A simple formula is suggested to evaluate the average stress in the fibres. Furthermore, with the prediction of the overall transverse elastic moduli of a compressible composite, the overall transverse uniaxial stress-strain curve for a compressible composite in the entire elastic-plastic range is obtained. A detailed example is given for a Boron-Aluminum composite. Comparison is made with the experimental and theoretical work done by General Dynamics and Adams respectively.

Huang, W.-C.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Dual-Mode Adhesive Pad

Tool helps worker grip and move along large, smooth structure with no handgrips or footholds. Adheres to surface but easily released by actuating simple mechanism. Includes handle and segmented contact-adhesive pad. Bulk of pad made of soft plastic foam conforming to surface of structure. Each segment reinforced with rib. In sticking mode, ribs braced by side catches. In peeling mode, side catches retracted, and segmented adhesive pad loses its stiffness. Modified versions useful in inspecting hulls of ships and scaling walls in rescue operations.

Hartz, Leslie↗
NASA NTRS1994

Society of the plastic industry process emission initiatives

At first view, plastics process emissions research may not seem to have much bearing on outgassing considerations relative to advanced composite materials; however, several parallel issues and cross currents are of mutual interest. The following topics are discussed: relevance of plastics industry research to aerospace composites; impact of clean air act amendment requirements; scope of the Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. activities in thermoplastic process emissions and reinforced plastics/composites process emissions; and utility of SPI research for advanced polymer composites audiences.

Mcdermott, Joseph↗
NASA NTRS2014

High Temperature Lightweight Self-Healing Ceramic Composites for Aircraft Engine Applications

The present research effort was undertaken to develop a new generation of SiC fiber- reinforced engineered matrix composites (EMCs) with sufficient high temperature plasticity to reduce crack propagation and self-healing capabilities to fill surface-connected cracks to prevent the oxygen ingress to the fibers. A matrix engineered with these capabilities is expected to increase the load bearing capabilities of SiCSiC CMCs at high temperatures. Several matrix compositions were designed to match the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the SiC fibers using a rule of mixture (ROM) approach. The CTE values of these matrices were determined and it was demonstrated that they were generally in good agreement with that of monolithic SiC between room temperature and 1525 K. The parameters to hot press the powders were optimized, and specimens were fabricated for determining bend strength, CTE, oxidation and microstructural characteristics of the engineered matrices. The oxidation tests revealed that some of the matrices exhibited catastrophic oxidation, and therefore, these were eliminated from further consideration. Two promising compositions were down selected based on these results for further development. Four-point bend tests were conducted on these two promising matrices between room temperature and 1698 K. Although theses matrices were brittle and failed at low stresses at room temperature, they exhibited high temperature ductility and higher stresses at the higher temperatures. The effects of different additives on the self-healing capabilities of these matrices were investigated. The results of preliminary studies conducted to slurry and melt infiltration trials with CrSi2 are described.

Silicides↗
DOE OSTI2024

Selective consolidation of learning and memory via recall-gated plasticity

In a variety of species and behavioral contexts, learning and memory formation recruits two neural systems, with initial plasticity in one system being consolidated into the other over time. Moreover, consolidation is known to be selective; that is, some experiences are more likely to be consolidated into long-term memory than others. Here, we propose and analyze a model that captures common computational principles underlying such phenomena. The key component of this model is a mechanism by which a long-term learning and memory system prioritizes the storage of synaptic changes that are consistent with prior updates to the short-term system. This mechanism, which we refer to as recall-gated consolidation, has the effect of shielding long-term memory from spurious synaptic changes, enabling it to focus on reliable signals in the environment. We describe neural circuit implementations of this model for different types of learning problems, including supervised learning, reinforcement learning, and autoassociative memory storage. These implementations involve synaptic plasticity rules modulated by factors such as prediction accuracy, decision confidence, or familiarity. We then develop an analytical theory of the learning and memory performance of the model, in comparison to alternatives relying only on synapse-local consolidation mechanisms. We find that recall-gated consolidation provides significant advantages, substantially amplifying the signal-to-noise ratio with which memories can be stored in noisy environments. We show that recall-gated consolidation gives rise to a number of phenomena that are present in behavioral learning paradigms, including spaced learning effects, task-dependent rates of consolidation, and differing neural representations in short- and long-term pathways.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Selective consolidation of learning and memory via recall-gated plasticity

In a variety of species and behavioral contexts, learning and memory formation recruits two neural systems, with initial plasticity in one system being consolidated into the other over time. Moreover, consolidation is known to be selective; that is, some experiences are more likely to be consolidated into long-term memory than others. Here, we propose and analyze a model that captures common computational principles underlying such phenomena. The key component of this model is a mechanism by which a long-term learning and memory system prioritizes the storage of synaptic changes that are consistent with prior updates to the short-term system. This mechanism, which we refer to as recall-gated consolidation, has the effect of shielding long-term memory from spurious synaptic changes, enabling it to focus on reliable signals in the environment. We describe neural circuit implementations of this model for different types of learning problems, including supervised learning, reinforcement learning, and autoassociative memory storage. These implementations involve synaptic plasticity rules modulated by factors such as prediction accuracy, decision confidence, or familiarity. We then develop an analytical theory of the learning and memory performance of the model, in comparison to alternatives relying only on synapse-local consolidation mechanisms. We find that recall-gated consolidation provides significant advantages, substantially amplifying the signal-to-noise ratio with which memories can be stored in noisy environments. We show that recall-gated consolidation gives rise to a number of phenomena that are present in behavioral learning paradigms, including spaced learning effects, task-dependent rates of consolidation, and differing neural representations in short- and long-term pathways.

Lindsey, Jack W. (ORCID:0000000309307327)↗
NASA NTRS2001

Ultrasonic Assessment of Impact-Induced Damage and Microcracking in Polymer Matrix Composites

The main objective of this NASA FAR project is to conduct ultrasonic assessment of impact-induced damage and microcracking in polymer matrix composites at various temperatures. It is believed that the proposed study of impact damage assessment on polymer matrix composites will benefit several NASA missions and current interests, such as ballistic impact testing of composite fan containment and high strain rate deformation modeling of polymer matrix composites. Impact-induced damage mechanisms in GLARE and ARALL fiber-metal laminates subject to instrumented drop-weight impacts at various temperatures were studied. GLARE and ARALL are hybrid composites made of alternating layers of aluminum and glass (for GLARE) and aramid- (for ARALL) fiber-reinforced epoxy. Damage in pure aluminum panels impacted by foreign objects was mainly characterized by large plastic deformation surrounding a deep penetration dent. On the other hand, plastic deformation in fiber-metal laminates was often not as severe although the penetration dent was still produced. The more stiff fiber-reinforced epoxy layers provided better bending rigidity; thus, enhancing impact damage tolerance. Severe cracking, however, occurred due to the use of these more brittle fiber-reinforced epoxy layers. Fracture patterns, e.g., crack length and delamination size, were greatly affected by the lay-up configuration rather than by the number of layers, which implies that thickness effect was not significant for the panels tested in this study. Immersion ultrasound techniques were then used to assess damages generated by instrumented drop-weight impacts onto these fiber-metal laminate panels as well as 6061-T6 aluminum/cast acrylic sandwich plates adhered by epoxy. Depending on several parameters, such as impact velocity, mass, temperature, laminate configuration, sandwich construction, etc., various types of impact damage were observed, including plastic deformation, radiating cracks emanating from the impact site, ring cracks surrounding the impact site, partial and full delamination, and combinations of these damages.

Liaw, Benjamin↗
NASA NTRS2003

Ultrasonic Assessment of Impact-Induced Damage and Microcracking in Polymer Matrix Composites

The main objective of this NASA Faculty Awards for Research (FAR) project is to conduct ultrasonic assessment of impact-induced damage and microcracking in fiber-metal laminated (FML) composites at various temperatures. It is believed that the proposed study of impact damage assessment on FML composites will benefit several NASA's missions and current interests, such as ballistic impact testing of composite fan containment and high strain rate deformation modeling of polymer matrix composites. Impact-induced damage mechanisms in GLARE and ARALL fiber-metal laminates subject to instrumented drop-weight impacts at various temperatures were studied. GLARE and ARALL are hybrid composites made of alternating layers of aluminum and glass- (for GLARE) and aramid- (for ARALL) fiber reinforced epoxy. Damage in pure aluminum panels impacted by foreign objects was mainly characterized by large plastic deformation surrounding a deep penetration dent. On the other hand, plastic deformation in fiber-metal laminates was often not as severe although the penetration dent was still produced. The more stiff fiber-reinforced epoxy layers provided better bending rigidity; thus, enhancing impact damage tolerance. Severe cracking, however, occurred due to the use of these more brittle fiber-reinforced epoxy layers. Fracture patterns, e.g., crack length and delamination size, were greatly affected by the lay-up configuration rather than by the number of layers, which implies that thickness effect was not significant for the panels tested in this study. Immersion ultrasound techniques were then used to assess damages generated by instrumented drop-weight impacts onto these fiber-metal laminate panels as well as 2024-T3 aluminum/cast acrylic sandwich plates adhered by epoxy. Depending on several parameters, such as impact velocity, mass, temperature, laminate configuration, sandwich construction, etc., various types of impact damage were observed, including plastic deformation, radiating cracks emanating from the impact site, ring cracks surrounding the impact site, partial and full delamination, and combinations of these damages.

Gyekanyesi, John↗
DOE OSTI2023

Polymer grafted aramid nanofiber reinforces immiscible waste polypropylene/poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Polypropylene (PP) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) are plastics commonly used for packaging because of their excellent barrier and mechanical properties. The properties of these plastics are often diminished after mechanical recycling, inevitably causing down-cycling. Furthermore, this problem is exacerbated when different kinds of polymers mix. Aramid nanofibers have the potential to improve the mechanical properties of polymers due to their excellent mechanical properties but their poor dispersion in polymers is a challenge. Grafting polymers onto nanofibers can help address this challenge. In this work, different loading levels (1%, 2%, and 5%) of polymer grafted aramid nanofibers (ANFs) are blended with waste PP/PET (90/10), simulating a PP waste stream containing traces of PET contaminants. Scanning electronic microscopy, rheology, and differential scanning calorimetry results show the affinity of PP functionalized aramid nanofibers (PP_ANF) towards the PP matrix. At 1 wt% of the nanofiber, the size of the PET droplets in the PP matrix of the PP_ANF blend range from 0.2 to 2.0 μm while that of unmodified ANF and PET_ANF blends are in the range of 0.1–6.2 and 0.5–7.4 μm, respectively. In summary, polymer grafted ANFs have the tendency of improving properties of its like polymers due to similarity in the grafting polymer and the polymer matrix.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1988

Elevated temperature slow plastic deformation of NiAl/TiB2 particulate composites

The 'XD' process for production of discontinuously-reinforced metal-matrix composites has been used to enhance the high-temperature strength of NiAl-TiB2 composites with particulate densities of up to 30 vol pct. SEM, TEM, and optical characterizations of the resulting microstructures showed the average TiB2 particle size to be about 1 micron, while the average grain of the NiAl matrix was of the order of 10 microns. Elevated temperature compression tests conducted at 1200 and 1300 K indicated flow strengths to increase with TiB2 content, so that the 20 vol pct TiB2-reinforced composite was three times stronger than the unreinforced NiAl; this is ascribed to the very high density of microstructural tangled dislocations, loops, and subgrain boundaries connecting the particles.

Whittenberger, J. Daniel↗