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At least 307 records · Page 17

Fretting Wear of Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb

An investigation was conducted to examine the wear behavior of gamma titanium aluminide (Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb in atomic percent) in contact with a typical nickel-base superalloy under repeated microscopic vibratory motion in air at temperatures from 296-823 K. The surface damage observed on the interacting surfaces of both Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb and superalloy consisted of fracture pits, oxides, metallic debris, scratches, craters, plastic deformation, and cracks. The Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb transferred to the superalloy at all fretting conditions and caused scuffing or galling. The increasing rate of oxidation at elevated temperatures led to a drop in Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb wear at 473 K. Mild oxidative wear was observed at 473 K. However, fretting wear increased as the temperature was increased from 473-823 K. At 723 and 823 K, oxide disruption generated cracks, loose wear debris, and pits on the Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb wear surface. Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb wear generally decreased with increasing fretting frequency. Both increasing slip amplitude and increasing load tended to produce more metallic wear debris, causing severe abrasive wear in the contacting metals. Keywords

Miyoshi, Kazuhisa↗

Contact Sensor Attachment to Titanium Metal Composites

A Pd-13wt%Cr solid solution is a promising high-temperature strain gage alloy. In bulk form it has a number of properties that are desirable in a resistance strain gage material, such as a linear electrical-resistance-versus-temperature curve to 1000 C and stable electrical resistance in air at 1000 C. However, unprotected fine wire gages fabricated from this alloy perform well only to 600 C. At higher temperatures severe oxidation degrades their electrical performance. In this work Auger electron spectroscopy has been used to study the oxidation chemistry of the alloy wires and ribbons. Results indicate that the oxidation is caused by a complex mechanism that is not yet fully understood. As expected, during oxidation, a layer of chromium oxide is formed. This layer, however, forms beneath a layer of metallic palladium. The results of this study have increased the understanding of the oxidation mechanism of Pd-13wt%Cr.

Vargas-Aburto, Carlos↗

Melting relations of the Allende meteorite

The proportions of major oxides in the Allende carbonaceous chondrite after partial reduction are remarkably similar to those in possible mantle material of the earth. When heated, the Allende meteorite generates a sulfide melt, a ferrobasaltic melt, and olivine with or without pyroxene, over a wide pressure range (5 to 25 kilobar). The silicate melt contains more sodium and less titanium than lunar ferrobasalts. An aggregate of the Allende chondrite rich in calcium and aluminum produces silica-undersaturated, calcium-rich melt and spinel over a wide pressure and temperature range. It is suggested that the earth's core contains significant amounts of both nickel and sulfur and that a 3:2 mixture of Allende bulk sample and calcium- and aluminum-rich agregates is closer in major element abundances than either of these components to the average composition of the moon.

Seitz, M. G.↗

Gas-phase hydrogen permeation through alpha-titanium - Surface film and dimensional effects

The process of hydrogen transport through alpha-Ti involves simultaneous diffusion and phase boundary reactions at both surfaces, with the relative effect on each surface depending on the extent of surface contamination as well as the physical dimensions of the titanium membrane used. It is shown by the present study that hydrogen permeation in commercially pure alpha-Ti increases exponentially with temperature and is dependent on the first power of the input pressure, whether the surface is as-polished, preoxidized or prenitrided. Permeation decreases in the case of the as-polished condition if nitride or oxide films are formed at the surface in contact with source hydrogen, while increasing slightly for the same condition if such films are formed at the hydrogen exit surface.

Shah, K. K.↗

Ignition and Combustion of Bulk Metals in a Microgravity Environment

This annual report summarizes the latest results obtained in a NASA-supported project to investigate the effect of gravity on the ignition and combustion of bulk metals. The experimental arrangement used for this purpose consists of a 1000-W xenon lamp that irradiates the top surface of cylindrical titanium and magnesium specimens, 4 mm in diameter and 4 mm in height, in a quiescent, pure-oxygen environment at 1 atm. Reduced gravity is obtained from the NASA LeRC DC-9 aircraft flying parabolic trajectories. Values of critical and ignition temperatures are obtained from thermocouple records. Qualitative observations and propagation rates are extracted from high-speed cinematography. Emission spectra of gas-phase reactions are obtained with an imaging spectrograph/diode array system. It was found that high applied heating rates and large internal conduction losses generate critical and ignition temperatures that are several hundred degrees above the values obtained from isothermal experiments. Because of high conduction and radiation heat losses, no appreciable effect on ignition temperatures with reduced convection in low gravity is detected. Lower propagation rates of the molten interface on titanium and of ignition waves on magnesium are obtained at reduced gravity. These rates are compared to theoretical results from heat conduction analyses with a diffusion/convection controlled reaction. The close agreement found between experimental and theoretical values indicates the importance of the influence of natural convection-enhanced oxygen transport on combustion rates. Lower oxygen flux and lack of oxide product removal in the absence of convective currents appear to be responsible for longer burning times of magnesium diffusion flames at reduced gravity. The accumulation of condensed oxide particles in the flame front at low gravity produces a previously unreported unsteady explosion phenomenon in bulk magnesium flames. This spherically symmetric explosion phenomenon seems to be driven by increased radiation heat transfer from the flame front to an evaporating metal core covered by a porous, flexible oxide coating. These important results have revealed the significant role of gravity on the burning of metals, and are now being used as the database for future experiments to be conducted with different metals at various pressures, oxygen concentrations and gravity levels.

Branch, M. C.↗

Effect of Metal Alloys, Degradation Inhibitors, Temperatures, and Exposure Duration on the Stability of Poly(hexafluoropropene oxide) Fluid

Results of the action of 440C steel, Ti(4Al,4Mn), and Ti(6Al,4V) alloys on poly(hexafluoropropene oxide) fluid and the degradation inhibition by phosphate esters, phosphine, and monophospha-s-triazine are reported. The effects of temperature, exposure duration, and metal surface area are discussed. The studies show clearly the autocatalytic nature of the metal-promoted degradation, which explains the effectiveness of the degradation-arresting additives, even in the case of the highly detrimental titanium alloys.

Paciorek, Kazimiera J. L.↗

Ignition and combustion of bulk metals under elevated, normal and reduced gravity conditions

This research effort is aimed at providing further insight into this multi-variable dependent phenomena by looking at the effects of gravity on the ignition and combustion behavior of metals. Since spacecraft are subjected to higher-than-1g gravity loads during launch and reentry and to zero-gravity environments while in orbit, the study of ignition and combustion of bulk metals at different gravitational potentials is of great practical concern. From the scientific standpoint, studies conducted under microgravity conditions provide simplified boundary conditions since buoyancy is removed, and make possible the identification of fundamental ignition mechanisms. The effect of microgravity on the combustion of bulk metals has been investigated by Steinberg, et al. on a drop tower simulator. However, no detailed quantitative work has been done on ignition phenomena of bulk metals at lower or higher-than-normal gravitational fields or on the combustion characteristics of metals at elevated gravity. The primary objective of this investigation is the development of an experimental system capable of providing fundamental physical and chemical information on the ignition of bulk metals under different gravity levels. The metals used in the study, iron (Fe), titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) were selected because of their importance as elements of structural metals and their simple chemical composition (pure metals instead of multi-component alloys to avoid complication in morphology and spectroscopic studies). These samples were also chosen to study the two different combustion modes experienced by metals: heterogeneous or surface oxidation, and homogeneous or gas-phase reaction. The experimental approach provides surface temperature profiles, spectroscopic measurements, surface morphology, x-ray spectrometry of metals specimens and their combustion products, and high-speed cinematography of the heating, ignition and combustion stages of the metal specimen. This paper summarizes the results obtained to date from experiments conducted under normal and high-gravity conditions.

Abbud-Madrid, Angel↗

Engineered Hexagonal Boron Nitride:Titanium Dioxide Composites for High Voltage Insulation

Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) and Titanium dioxide are both ceramic materials with widespread use in commercial and consumer applications in everything from cosmetics and paint to deep space satellite components. As a dielectric material, hBN is electrically insulating, thermally conductive, and stable to most temperatures and environments. Titanium dioxide is also a good electrical insulator with a wide bandgap and large dielectric constant, as well as high temperature tolerance and chemical stability. This presentation covers our recent efforts to combine the best properties of hBN and titanium dioxide to produce an intercalated hBN:titanium dioxide composite which was then further processed and incorporated into polymer composites, as well as a standalone ceramic material for testing as a novel insulation material.

boron nitride↗

Titanium aluminides - Surface composition effects as a function of temperature

Results are presented from an AES investigation of the surface characteristics of pure Ti, Ti-14Al-21Nb (alpha-2 aluminide), and Ti-33Al-6Nb-1.4Ta (gamma aluminide) under ultrahigh vacuum conditions over the 20-1000 C temperature range. The observed variations in surface composition are noted to be dramatic and indicative of a direct relationship between the amount of retained oxygen and carbon on the surface and the quantity of Al in that surface's vicinity. While TiO2 was the main surface oxide for pure Ti and the alpha-2 and gamma aluminides, only metallic peaks were observable at 600 C; at 1000 C, metallic Al and Ti were observed.

Outlaw, R. A.↗

High-temperature oxidation and ignition of metals

A study of the high-temperature oxidation of several aircraft construction materials was undertaken to assess the possibility of ignition under high-temperature flight conditions.Tests have been made both in open and closed jets, and, in addition, the burning of metals has been observed under static conditions in a pressurized vessel containing either air, oxygen, or nitrogen. When heated in an atmosphere of oxygen or when heated and plunged into a supersonic airstream, titanium, iron, carbon steel, and common alloys such as 4130 were found to have spontaneous-ignition temperatures in the solid phase (below melting) and they melted rapidly while burning. Inconel, copper, 18-8 stainless steel, Monel, and aluminum could not be made to ignite spontaneously at temperatures up to melting with the equipment available. Magnesium ignited spontaneously in either type of test at temperatures just above the melting temperature.A theory for the spontaneous ignition of metals, based on the first law of thermodynamics, is presented. Good correlation was obtained between calculated spontaneous-ignition temperatures and values measured in supersonic jet tests. There appears at the present time to be no need for concern regarding the spontaneous ignition of Inconel, the stainless steels, copper, aluminum, or magnesium for ordinary supersonic airplane or missile applications where the material temperature is kept within ordinary structural limits or at least below melting. For hypersonic applications where the material is to be melted away to absorb the heat of convection, the results of the present tests do not apply sufficiently to allow a conclusion.

Hill, Paul R↗

The Effect of Gravity on the Combustion of Bulk Metals

In recent years, metal combustion studies at the University of Colorado have focused on the effects of gravity (g) on the ignition and burning behavior of bulk metals. The impetus behind this effort is the understanding of the ignition conditions and flammability properties of structural metals found in oxygen (O2) systems for space applications. Since spacecraft are subjected to higher-than-1g loads during launch and reentry and to a zero-gravity environment while in orbit, the study of ignition and combustion of bulk metals at different gravitational accelerations is of great practical concern. From the scientific standpoint, studies conducted under low gravity conditions provide simplified boundary conditions, since buoyancy is removed, and make possible the identification of fundamental ignition and combustion mechanisms. This investigation is intended to provide experimental verification of the influence of natural convection on the burning behavior of metals. In addition, the study offers the first findings of the influence of gravity on ignition of bulk metals and on the combustion mechanism and structure of metal-oxygen, vapor-phase diffusion flames in a buoyancy-free environment. Titanium (Ti) and magnesium (Mg) metals were chosen because of their importance as elements of structural materials and their simple chemical composition-pure metals instead of multicomponent alloys to simplify chemical and spectroscopic analyses. In addition, these elements present the two different combustion modes observed in metals: heterogeneous or surface burning (for Ti) and homogeneous or gas-phase reaction (for Mg). Finally, Mg, Ti, and their oxides exhibit a wide range of thermophysical and chemical properties. Metal surface temperature profiles, critical and ignition temperatures, propagation rates, burning times, and spectroscopic measurements are obtained under normal and reduced gravity. Visual evidence of all phenomena is provided by high-speed photography.

Branch, Melvyn C.↗

Aerospike thrust chamber program

An existing, but damaged, 25,000-pound thrust, flightweight, oxygen/hydrogen aerospike rocket thrust chamber was disassembled and partially repaired. A description is presented of the aerospike chamber configuration and of the damage it had suffered. Techniques for aerospike thrust chamber repair were developed, and are described, covering repair procedures for lightweight tubular nozzles, titanium thrust structures, and copper channel combustors. Effort was terminated prior to completion of the repairs and conduct of a planned hot fire test program when it was found that the copper alloy walls of many of the thrust chamber's 24 combustors had been degraded in strength and ductility during the initial fabrication of the thrust chamber. The degradation is discussed and traced to a reaction between oxygen and/or oxides diffused into the copper alloy during fabrication processes and the hydrogen utilized as a brazing furnace atmosphere during the initial assembly operation on many of the combustors. The effects of the H2/O2 reaction within the copper alloy are described.

Campbell, J., Jr.↗

Applying NASA's explosive seam welding

The status of an explosive seam welding process, which was developed and evaluated for a wide range of metal joining opportunities, is summarized. The process employs very small quantities of explosive in a ribbon configuration to accelerate a long-length, narrow area of sheet stock into a high-velocity, angular impact against a second sheet. At impact, the oxide films of both surface are broken up and ejected by the closing angle to allow atoms to bond through the sharing of valence electrons. This cold-working process produces joints having parent metal properties, allowing a variety of joints to be fabricated that achieve full strength of the metals employed. Successful joining was accomplished in all aluminum alloys, a wide variety of iron and steel alloys, copper, brass, titanium, tantalum, zirconium, niobium, telerium, and columbium. Safety issues were addressed and are as manageable as many currently accepted joining processes.

Bement, Laurence J.↗

NASP launches new materials

Consideration is given to materials classes being developed for the National Aerospace Plane (NASP), which include titanium alloys and composites, carbon/carbon composites, ceramic-matrix composites, and copper-matrix composites. The forward areas on the skin of the fuselage, and on parts of the tail and wings, will be covered with panels of carbon/carbon or ceramic-matrix composites to protect against temperatures up to 1650 C. Timetal-21S, an advanced high-temperature version of a conventional alloy, combines heat resistance with excellent oxidation and corrosion resistance. Reinforced with SCS-6 SiC fibers, 21S withstands exposure to simulated NASP cycles that include temperature and load excursions representative of orbital and cruise missions. C/C panels a few millimeters thick would be mechanically attached to the underlying Timetal 21S structure over parts of the fuselage, providing protection up to 1650 C. Graphite/epoxy composites are the baseline materials for the hydrogen 'slush' fuel tank.

Ronald, Terence M. F.↗

Isothermal Damage and Fatigue Behavior of SCS-6/Timetal 21S [0/90](Sub S) Composite at 650 Deg C

The isothermal fatigue damage and life behaviors of SCS-6/Timetal 21S (0/90)s were investigated at 650 C. Strain ratcheting and degradation of the composite's static elastic modulus were carefully monitored as functions of cycles to indicate damage progression. Extensive fractographic and metallographic analyses were conducted to determine damage/failure mechanisms. Resulting fatigue lives show considerable reductions in comparison to (0) reinforced titanium matrix composites subjected to comparable conditions. Notable stiffness degradations were found to occur after the first cycle of loading, even at relatively low maximum stress levels, where cyclic lives are greater than 25,000 cycles. This was attributed to the extremely weak fiber/matrix bond which fails under relatively low transverse loads. Stiffness degradations incurred on first cycle loadings and degradations thereafter were found to increase with increasing maximum stress. Environmental effects associated with oxidation of the (90) fiber interfaces clearly played a role in the damage mechanisms as fracture surfaces revealed environment assisted matrix cracking along the (90) fibers. Metallographic analysis indicated that all observable matrix fatigue cracks initiated at the (90) fiber/matrix interfaces. Global de-bonding in the loading direction was found along the (90) fibers. No surface initiated cracks were evident and minimal if any (0) fiber cracking was visible.

Castelli, Michael G.↗

Mare basalts from the Taurus-Littrow region of the moon

Two distinct chemical basalt types have been sampled at the Apollo 17 landing site. Very high-titanium basalts (about 13 wt % TiO2) are the dominant type and display a textural range from olivine-porphyritic, ilmenite vitrophyres to plagioclase-poikilitic, ilmenite microgabbros. Most of these rocks could have come from one flow. These basalts appear to represent partial melts from feldspar-ilmenite cumulates with an Ar-40/Ar-39 age of about 3.7 G.y., which have experienced little, if any, near-surface fractionation of olivine and Fe-Mg-Ti oxides. A second type of basalt virtually identical to the Apollo 11 (low-K) basalts is much less common.

Papike, J. J.↗

Nonchamber, Root-Side, Inert-Gas Purging During Welding

Improved apparatus distributes inert gas to protect against oxidation on root side of weld during welding and after welding while joint remains hot. Simple and lightweight; readily moved along weld path in synchronism with torch. Because it concentrates inert gas where needed, consumes gas at relatively low rate, and not necessary to monitor oxygen content of protective atmosphere. Apparatus does not obscure view of root side of weld. Used for full-penetration plasma-arc welding of such reactive metals as aluminum/lithium alloys and titanium.

Mcgee, William F.↗

NASA Hypersonic Technology Project (HTP) Sic/Sic Research for Hypersonic Airframe Hot Structures

NASA, DoD, and industry have a vision for reusable hypersonic vehicles (Mach > 5). The realization of this vision will require high-specific-strength, high-temperature, reusable structures. In the sub-sonic and super-sonic flight regimes, high-specific-strength structures can be obtained via the use of aluminum, titanium, and composite materials. In the high-temperature environments associated with hypersonic flight, high specific strength is obtained via refractory-composite materials. NASA Langley Research Center has multiple efforts focused on evaluating refractory-composites for use as airframe hot structures for reusable hypersonic vehicles. Current efforts span the entire building-block approach, including coupon, element, subcomponent, and component manufacturing and testing. The coupon level work includes progressive damage testing and analysis, restrained thermal growth testing, stressed oxidation testing, and evaluation of laminate properties for several layup architectures. Element testing includes evaluation of over-temperature capability and co-processed bonding, fastener development, and analysis and testing of beaded (corrugated) panels. Subcomponent level work includes a solid rocket motor booster fin and a portion of a control surface, and component level work includes a control surface static test article. The current presentation will provide an update of work being performed at NASA, which is expected to transition refractory-composite materials to reusable hypersonic vehicles.

Hot structures↗