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At least 235 records · Page 13

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NASA NTRS2017

Reliability Issues with PME and BME Ceramic Capacitors

Exposure of chip MnO2 tantalum capacitors to humid environments might result in increased ESR, leakage currents, and first turn-on failures. However, there is a lack of literature data on the effect of moisture on reverse bias behavior of the parts. The presence of moisture can also result in pop-corning when a high water vapor pressure develops when moisture absorbed in pores of tantalum slugs vaporizes instantly during soldering process resulting in damage to capacitors. A study of kinetics of moisture ingress to and release from active elements of capacitors would allow a better understanding of degradation mechanisms and is important for preventing failures. In this work, a technique for investigation of moisture sorption and desorption in solid chip tantalum capacitors that employs tantalum slugs as a humidity sensor have been developed and kinetics of the process analyzed for different types of capacitors at temperatures from room to 125 C. A model that relates diffusion characteristics of polymer cases and size of the slugs to characteristic times of moisture sorption has been developed. A strong effect of moisture on long-term degradation of reverse bias currents in MnO2 cathode capacitors has been demonstrated and physical mechanisms discussed.

degradation↗

NASA NTRS2017

Kinetics of Moisture Sorption and Reverse Bias Degradation in Chip Tantalum Capacitors

Exposure of chip MnO2 tantalum capacitors to humid environments might result in increased ESR, leakage currents, and first turn-on failures. However, there is a lack of literature data on the effect of moisture on reverse bias behavior of the parts. The presence of moisture can also result in pop-corning when a high water vapor pressure develops when moisture absorbed in pores of tantalum slugs vaporizes instantly during soldering process resulting in damage to capacitors. A study of kinetics of moisture ingress to and release from active elements of capacitors would allow a better understanding of degradation mechanisms and is important for preventing failures. In this work, a technique for investigation of moisture sorption and desorption in solid chip tantalum capacitors that employs tantalum slugs as a humidity sensor have been developed and kinetics of the process analyzed for different types of capacitors at temperatures from room to 125 ºC. A model that relates diffusion characteristics of polymer cases and size of the slugs to characteristic times of moisture sorption has been developed. A strong effect of moisture on long-term degradation of reverse bias currents in MnO2 cathode capacitors has been demonstrated and physical mechanisms discussed.

Teverovsky, Alexander↗

NASA NTRS2017

Kinetics of Moisture Sorption and Reverse Bias Degradation in Chip Tantalum Capacitors

Teverovsky, Alexander↗

NASA NTRS1999

Innovative, Inexpensive Etching Technique Developed for Polymer Electro- Optical Structures

Electro-optic, polymer-based integrated optic devices for high-speed communication and computing applications offer potentially significant advantages over conventional inorganic electro-optic crystals. One key area of integrated optical technology--primary processing and fabrication--may particularly benefit from the use of polymer materials. However, as efforts concentrate on the miniaturization of electro-integrated circuit pattern geometries, the ability to etch fine features and smoothly sloped sidewalls is essential to make polymers useful for electro-integrated circuit applications. There are many existing processes available to etch polymer materials, but they all yield nearly vertical sidewalls. Vertical sidewalls are too difficult to reliably cover with a metal layer, and incomplete metalization degrades microwave performance, particularly at high frequency. However, obtaining a very sloped sidewall greatly improves the deposition of metal on the sidewall, leading to low-loss characteristics, which are essential to integrating these devices in highspeed electro-optic modulators. The NASA Lewis Research Center has developed in-house an inexpensive etching technique that uses a photolithography method followed by a simple, wet chemical etching process to etch through polymer layers. In addition to being simpler and inexpensive, this process can be used to fabricate smoothly sloped sidewalls by using a commercial none rodible mask: Spin-On-Glass. A commercial transparent material, Spin-On-Glass, uses processes and equipment similar to that for photoresist techniques.

Nguyen, Hung D.↗

NASA NTRS1970

New hyperthermal thermosetting heterocyclic polymers

Polyimidazopyrrolone polymers, formed by the condensation of aromatic dianhydrides with aromatic tetraamines in various solvents, form moldings that resist degradation in air and retain great strength at 400 to 700 degrees F. The resins have good insulating properties, are easy to mold, and make good protective coatings.

Bilow, N.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Boron-containing organosilane polymers and ceramic materials thereof

The present invention relates to a polyorgano borosilane ceramic precursor polymer comprising a plurality of repeating units of the formula: (R(sup 1) single bond B)(sub p) being linked together at B by second units of the formula: single bond (R sup 2) single bond (Si single bond R sup 3) single bond (sub q), where R(sup 1) is a lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, phenyl, or (R(sup 2)R(sup 3) single bond Si single bond B single bond)(sub n) and R(sup 2) and R(sup 3) are each independently selected from hydrogen, lower alkyl, vinyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl, n is an integer between 1 and 100; p is an integer between 1 and 100; and q is an integer between 1 and 100. These materials are prepared by combining an organo borohalide of the formula R(sup 4) single bond B single bond (X sup 1) (sub 2) where R(sup 4) is selected from halogen, lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl, and an organo halosilane of the formula: R(sup 2)(R sup 3)Si(X sup 2)(sub 2) where R(sup 2) and R (sup 3) are each independently selected from lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl, and X(sup 1) and X(sup 2) are each independently selected from halogen, in an anhydrous aprotic solvent having a boiling point at ambient pressure of not greater than 160 C with in excess of four equivalents of an alkali metal, heating the reaction mixture and recovering the polyorgano borosilane. These silicon boron polymers are useful to generate high-temperature ceramic materials, such as SiC, SiB4, and B4C, upon thermal degradation above 600 C.

Riccitiello, Salvatore R.↗

NASA NTRS2017

Surface Monitoring of CFRP Structures for Adhesive Bonding

Adhesive bonding of composite materials requires reliable monitoring and detection of surface contaminants to assure robust and durable bonded structures. Surface treatment and effective monitoring prior to bonding is essential in order to obtain a surface free from contaminants that may degrade structural performance. Two techniques which monitor the effectiveness of the laser surface treatment of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) materials are being investigated: laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and optically stimulated electron emission (OSEE). The applicability of LIBS to detect silicone contaminants on CFRP composites is studied using ~35 ns Nd:YAG laser pulses at 355 nm with a pulse energy of 45 mJ. The LIBS regime in which pulse energies are < 100 mJ is referred to as mLIBS. CFRP surfaces were contaminated with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), a major component of silicone based mold release agents. The presence of PDMS is found by inspecting the Si I emission line at 288.2 nm. Untreated CFRP samples and CFRP contaminated with PDMS were tested. The PDMS areal density ranged from 0.36 Â+/- 0.04 to 0.51 Â+/- 0.16 mg/cm2. The results demonstrate the successful detection of PDMS on CFRP using mLIBS. In addition, OSEE was used to measure CFRP surface cleanliness pre- and post-treatment by laser ablation on specimens contaminated with PDMS coatings from 8 nm to 1311 nm in thickness. The results showed a significant increase in the OSEE photocurrent after laser surface treatment.

Ledesma, Rodolfo↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Overview of Results from the MISSE 9-15 Polymers and Composites Experiment 1-4 (PCE 1-4)

Spacecraft in low Earth orbit (LEO) and other planetary orbits are subjected to harsh environmental conditions that can result in erosion, embrittlement and optical property degradation of susceptible materials threatening spacecraft performance and durability. To increase our understanding of space environmental effects on spacecraft materials, NASA Glenn Research Center has developed a series of experiments flown as part of the Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE) missions on the exterior of the International Space Station (ISS). Four Glenn experiments with 365 flight samples were flown on ISS’s MISSE-Flight Facility (MISSE-FF). These experiments are the Polymers and Composites Experiment-1 (PCE-1) flown as part of the MISSE-9 mission, the PCE-2 flown as part of the MISSE-10 mission, the PCE-3 flown as part of the MISSE-12 and MISSE-15 missions, and the PCE-4 flown as part of the MISSE-13 mission. The PCE 1-4 flight samples were flown in either ram, wake, zenith or nadir flight orientations. The primary objectives of the PCE 1-4 experiments are to determine the LEO atomic oxygen (AO) erosion yield, Ey (volume loss per incident oxygen atom) and radiation durability of spacecraft polymers, composites and coatings. In addition, each experiment has a wide variety of materials with numerous sample objectives. This presentation provides an overview of the PCE 1-4 experiments, the numerous sample collaborators, the space environmental exposure of the flight samples, and an overview of the post-flight observations and results. The results include AO fluence and contamination analyses for each mission flight orientation, erosion data for the PCE 1-4 AO Ey samples, optical property data, and tensile results for the MISSE-9 and MISSE-13 tensile samples. In addition, an introduction of results from other unique samples such as indium tin oxide (ITO) coated thermal control samples, shape memory polymer composites, melanin based composites, and specialty coatings, will be provided.

Atomic oxygen↗

NASA NTRS2001

Longtime Durability of PMR-15 Matrix Polymer at 204, 260, 288, and 316 C

Isothermal weight loss studies at the Glenn (Lewis) Research Center were conducted at four temperatures (204, 260, 288, and 316 C) with specimens of varied geometric shapes to investigate the mechanisms involved in the thermal degradation of PMR-15. Both neat resin behavior and composite behaviors were studied. Two points of interest in these studies are the role(s) of oxygen in the mechanisms involved in the thermo-oxidative degradation of these composite materials and the dimensional changes that occur during their useable lifetime. Specimen dimensional changes and surface layer growth were measured and recorded. It was shown that physical and chemical changes take place as a function of time and location in PMR-15 neat resin and composites as aging takes place in air at elevated temperatures. These changes initiate at the outer surfaces of both materials and progress inward following the oxygen as it proceeds by diffusion into the central core of each material. Microstructural changes cause changes in density, material shrinkage (strains), glass transition temperature, dimension, dynamic shear modulus, and compression properties. These changes also occur slowly dividing the polymer material into two distinct parts: a visibly undamaged core section between two visibly damaged surface layers. The surface layer has a significant effect on compression properties of thinner specimens, but the visibly undamaged core material controls these properties for specimens having eight or more plies. It was demonstrated that there are three different mechanisms involved in the degradation of PMR-15 during aging at elevated temperatures. These are a weight gain, a small weight fraction bulk material weight loss, and a large mass fraction weight loss concentrated at the surface of the polymer or composite. At the higher temperatures (260 C and above), the surface loss predominates. Below 260 C, the surface loss and the bulk core loss become more equivalent. Between 175 and 260 C, the initial weight change is due to a weight gain mechanism with a visible lifetime that diminishes as the aging temperature increases.

Bowles, Kenneth J.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Fire retardant polyisocyanurate foam

Fire retardant properties of low density polymer foam are increased. Foam has pendant nitrile groups which form thermally-stable heterocyclic structures at temperature below degradation temperature of urethane linkages.

Riccitiello, S. R.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Compound oxidized styrylphosphine

A process is described for preparing flame resistant, nontoxic vinyl polymers which contain phosphazene groups and which do not emit any toxic or corrosive products when they are oxidatively degraded. Homopolymers, copolymers, and terpolymers of a styrene based monomer are prepared by polymerizing at least one oxidized styrylphosphine monomer from a group of organic azides, or by polymerizing p-diphenylphosphinestyrene and then oxidizing that monomer with an organoazide from the group of (C6H5)2P(O)N3, (C6H5O)2P(O)N3, (C6H5)2C3N3(N3), and C6H5C3N3(N3)2. Copolymers can also be prepared by copolymerizing styrene with at least one oxidized styrylphosphine monomer.

Paciorek, K. J. L.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Matrix resin development at NASA Langley Research Center

The polymer program at NASA Langley Research Center involves exploratory studies in polymer science. These include the synthesis of novel polymers and their characterization. Polymer synthesis programs involve the development of novel thermoplastics, pseudothermoplastics, and thermosets. Recent investigations have led to the development of more easily processable polyimides, solvent-resistant polysulfones and polyphenylquinoxalines, and tougher high and intermediate-temperature polymers. Characterization efforts have included high-pressure liquid chromatography methodology, the development of toughness tests for fiber-reinforced composites, a study of electrical properties of metal-ion-filled polyimides, and a study of the mutagenicity of aromatic diamines. Also the mechanism of cure/degradation of experimental polymers has been studied by rheology, mechanical behavior, separation techniques and spectroscopy. Some of these programs have involved the degradation crosslinking of alkyl-containing polyimides, the separation and identification of crosslinked phenylquinoxalines, the rheological behavior of hot-melt polyimides, and the elucidation of the cure of norbornene endcapped imides.

St.clair, T. L.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Penetration of carbon-fabric-reinforced composites by edge cracks during thermal aging

Thermo-oxidative stability (TOS) test results are significantly influenced by the formation and growth or presence of interlaminar and interlaminar cracks in the cut edges of all carbon-fiber-crosslinked high-temperature polymer matrix composites(exp 1-5) (i.e., unidirectional, crossplied, angle-plied, and fabric composites). The thermo-oxidative degradation of these composites is heavily dependent on the surface area that is exposed to the harmful environment and on the surface-to-volume ratio of the structure under study. Since the growth of cracks and voids on the composite surfaces significantly increases the exposed surface areas, it is imperative that the interaction between the aging process and the formation of new surface area as the aging time progresses be understood.

Bowles, Kenneth J.↗

NASA NTRS1996

Mullite fiber reinforced reaction bonded Si3N4 composites

Fracture toughnesses of brittle ceramic materials have been improved by introducing reinforcements and carefully tailored interface layers. Silicon carbide and Si3N4 have been emphasized as matrices of structural composites intended for high temperature service because they combine excellent mechanical, chemical, thermal and physical properties. Both matrices have been successfully toughened with SiC fibers, whiskers and particles for ceramic matrix composite (CMC) parts made by sintering, hot pressing or reaction forming processes. These SiC reinforced CMCs have exhibited significantly improved toughnesses at low and intermediate temperature levels, as well as retention of properties at high temperatures for selected exposures; however, they are vulnerable to attack from elevated temperature dry and wet oxidizing atmospheres after the matrix has cracked. Property degradation results from oxidation of interface layers and/or reinforcements. The problem is particularly acute for small diameter (-20 tim) polymer derived SiC fibers used for weavable toes. This research explored opportunities for reinforcing Si3N4 matrices with fibers having improved environmental stability; the findings should also be applicable to SiC matrix CMCs.

Saleh, T.↗

NASA NTRS2017

Marshall Space Flight Center Faculty Fellowship Program

The 2017 Marshall Faculty Fellowship Program involved 21 faculty in the laboratories and departments at Marshall Space Flight Center. These faculty engineers and scientists worked with NASA collaborators on NASA projects, bringing new perspectives and solutions to bear. This Technical Memorandum is a compilation of the research reports of the 2017 Marshall Faculty Fellowship program, along with the Program Announcement (Appendix A) and the Program Description (Appendix B). The research affected the following six areas: (1) Materials (2) Propulsion (3) Instrumentation (4) Spacecraft systems (5) Vehicle systems (6) Space science The materials investigations included composite structures, printing electronic circuits, degradation of materials by energetic particles, friction stir welding, Martian and Lunar regolith for in-situ construction, and polymers for additive manufacturing. Propulsion studies were completed on electric sails and low-power arcjets for use with green propellants. Instrumentation research involved heat pipes, neutrino detectors, and remote sensing. Spacecraft systems research was conducted on wireless technologies, layered pressure vessels, and two-phase flow. Vehicle systems studies were performed on life support-biofilm buildup and landing systems. In the space science area, the excitation of electromagnetic ion-cyclotron waves observed by the Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission provided insight regarding the propagation of these waves. Our goal is to continue the Marshall Faculty Fellowship Program funded by Center internal project offices. Faculty Fellows in this 2017 program represented the following minority-serving institutions: Alabama A&M University and Oglala Lakota College.

Six, N. F.↗

NASA NTRS1998

Adjusting Measured Weight Loss of Aged Graphite Fabric/PMR-15 Composites

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the growth of the surface damage layer in polymer matrix composites (PMC's) fabricated with graphite fabric reinforcement and to determine the effects of the cut-surface degradation on the overall thermo-oxidative (TOS) stability of these materials. Four important conclusions were made about the TOS behavior of T650-35/PNIR- 15 fabric-reinforced composites: (1) Three stages of composite weight loss were seen on the plot of weight loss versus aging time; (2) the depth of the cut-edge damage is related to the composite thickness; (3) the actual weight loss realized by a mechanical test specimen that has had all the aging-induced cut-edge damage removed during the preparation process is significantly less than the weight loss measured using specimens with a high percentage of cut edges exposed to the damaging environment; and (4) an extrapolation of a section of the weight loss curve can be used to obtain a more correct estimate of the actual weight loss after extended periods of aging at elevated temperatures.

Bowles, Kenneth J.↗

NASA NTRS2007

RF and DC Power Handling Characterization of Thin Film Resistors Embedded on LCP

For the first time, the DC and RF power handling capability of NiCrAlSi thin film resistors on Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) is presented. It is shown that there is a maximum power that the resistors can handle without causing degradation of the resistors, and this value is significantly less than the power required for burn out of the resistors. EDAX shows that the resistors fail due to electromigration of Ni and Cr, and migration of C from the LCP.

Ponchak, George E.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Evaluation of Hydrolytic Degradation of Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) Matrices in Compression Molded Flax/PLA Composites

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a bio-based plastic that is an attractive alternative to its petroleum-based counterparts because of its high strength and ease of thermal processing. In an effort to reduce the carbon footprint of fossil-fuel based polymer matrix composites, PLA along with naturally-occurring fibers are being explored to produce entirely bio-based replacements. Challenges in producing these composites occur due to the water affinity of the natural fibers and the susceptibility of the PLA to hydrolytic degradation. Hydrolysis of PLA occurs at elevated processing temperatures and can further be accelerated by the presence of water contained in the natural fibers. This talk will discuss the challenges and considerations associated with processing PLA in the presence of water-absorbing flax fibers to produce composites via compression molding. The thermal, physical, and mechanical properties of PLA/flax composites will be characterized at various processing times in an effort to identify optimal manufacturing conditions.

Natural Materials↗