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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 307 records · Page 17

Experimental approach toward holographic interferometric fringe interpretation

Current literature concerning the measurement of small displacements by the laser holographic technique was reviewed. It was found that existing theories are extremely difficult, if not impossible, to apply to any realistic nondestructive testing conditions in which the geometries of the objects are complex and the three-dimensional displacements are irregular. An experimental approach was adopted for interpreting correlation between real time holographic fringe patterns and small displacements. Preliminary results show that the present method is feasible for the quantitative interpretation of the fringes as well as the calibration of the mobile HNDT system.

Liu, H. K.↗

Solid state radiographic image amplifiers, part C

The contrast sensitivity of the radiographic amplifiers, both the storage type and nonstorage type, their absolute sensitivity, and the reproducibility of fabrication were investigated. The required 2-2T quality level was reached with the radiographic storage screen. The sensitivity threshold was 100 to 200 mR with 45 to 100 kV filtered X-rays. The quality level of the radiographic amplifier screen (without storage) was 4-4T; for a 6 mm (0.25 in.) thick aluminum specimen, a 1 mm (0.040 in.) diameter hole in a 0.25 mm (0.010 in.) thick penetrameter was detected. Its sensitivity threshold was 2 to 6 mR/min. The developed radiographic screens are applicable for uses in nondestructive testing.

Szepesi, Z.↗

Advanced beaded and tubular structural panels

A program to develop lightweight beaded and tubular structural panels is described. Applications include external surfaces, where aerodynamically acceptable, and primary structure protected by heat shields. The design configurations were optimized and selected with a computer code which iterates geometric parameters to satisfy strength, stability, and weight constraints. Methods of fabricating these configurations are discussed. Nondestructive testing produced extensive combined compression, shear, and bending test data on local buckling specimens and large panels. The optimized design concepts offer 25 to 30% weight savings compared to conventional stiffened sheet construction.

Musgrove, M. D.↗

Assessment of NDE reliability data

Twenty sets of relevant nondestructive test (NDT) reliability data were identified, collected, compiled, and categorized. A criterion for the selection of data for statistical analysis considerations was formulated, and a model to grade the quality and validity of the data sets was developed. Data input formats, which record the pertinent parameters of the defect/specimen and inspection procedures, were formulated for each NDE method. A comprehensive computer program was written and debugged to calculate the probability of flaw detection at several confidence limits by the binomial distribution. This program also selects the desired data sets for pooling and tests the statistical pooling criteria before calculating the composite detection reliability. An example of the calculated reliability of crack detection in bolt holes by an automatic eddy current method is presented.

Yee, B. G. W.↗

Improved ultrasonic standard reference blocks

A program to improve the quality, reproducibility and reliability of nondestructive testing through the development of improved ASTM-type ultrasonic reference standards is described. Reference blocks of aluminum, steel, and titanium alloys were considered. Equipment representing the state-of-the-art in laboratory and field ultrasonic equipment was obtained and evaluated. Some RF and spectral data on ten sets of ultrasonic reference blocks were taken as part of a task to quantify the variability in response from nominally identical blocks. Techniques for residual stress, preferred orientation, and microstructural measurements were refined and are applied to a reference block rejected by the manufacturer during fabrication in order to evaluate the effect of metallurgical condition on block response.

Eitzen, D. G.↗

Solar cell welded interconnection development program

Parallel gap welding and ultrasonic bonding techniques were developed for joining selected interconnect materials (silver, aluminum, copper, silver plated molybdenum and Kovar) to silver-titanium and aluminum contact cells. All process variables have been evaluated leading to establishment of optimum solar cell, interconnect, electrodes and equipment criteria for obtainment of consistent high quality welds. Applicability of nondestructive testing of solar cell welds has been studied. A pre-weld monitoring system is being built and will be utilized in the numerically controlled parallel gap weld station.

Katzeff, J. S.↗

Thermal coupling apparatus for electroexplosive devices

This paper describes the equipment for nondestructive testing of electroexplosive devices using a thermal coupling technique. The technique utilizes a self-balancing bridge to apply a nominal amount of power to the bridge wire of the device. The bridge wire behaving as a thermal sensor detects heat flow into the device when heat is preferentially directed down the center of the explosive column toward the bridge wire. Thermal equilibrium is upset and the change in power from the self-balancing bridge is measured directly in watts. Faults such as omissions, incorrect materials, contamination, and so on, can be detected by observing the rate of heat flow to the bridge wire. The response is indicative of the thermal resistance and diffusivity of the system. The paper also presents data on electroexplosive devices loaded with inert and explosive materials.

Menichelli, V. J.↗

Nondestructive interior examination of moving parts

Microphone and amplified audio system are used in conjunction with X-ray nondestructive testing to detect foreign particles inside moving hardware when particles cannot be located by X-ray alone.

Baker, F. A.↗

The high current transient generator, theory and operation for simulating lightning induced voltages into aerospace electrical circuits

Because of the difficulty, hazard, and cost of simulating full-scale lightning currents on flight vehicles, a nondestructive test technique using reduced-scale lightning currents was used to determine if threat level voltages will be induced into aircraft electrical circuits in the event the aircraft is actually struck by lightning. The reasoning and theory of selecting a particular simulated lightning waveshape and magnitude is given, showing that extrapolation of induced waveforms over several orders of magnitude should be avoided. The operation of high-current transient generators and hardware are described along with typical applications. The means by which voltages were generated, induced, and measured, as well as possible sources of error, are discussed.

Schulte, E. H.↗

Space processing of crystalline materials: A study of known methods of electrical characterization of semiconductors

A literature survey is presented covering nondestructive methods of electrical characterization of semiconductors. A synopsis of each technique deals with the applicability of the techniques to various device parameters and to potential in-flight use before, during, and after growth experiments on space flights. It is concluded that the very recent surge in the commercial production of large scale integrated circuitry and other semiconductor arrays requiring uniformity on the scale of a few microns, involves nondestructive test procedures which could well be useful to NASA for in-flight use in space processing.

Castle, J. G.↗

Solid rocket motor nozzles

The steps in the nozzle design process are examined. The nozzle designer's role in defining design requirements and constraints is included along with discussions of each of the three basic phases of the nozzle design process itself: (1) aerodynamic design, in which the gas-contacting surfaces are configured to produce the required performance within the envelope limits; (2) thermal design, in which termal liners and thermal insulators are selected and configured to maintain the surfaces as closely as practical against effects of erosion and to limit the structure temperature to acceptable levels; and (3) structural design, in which materials are selected and configured to support the thermal components and to sustain the predicted loads. Analytical techniques that are used to establish thermal and structural design integrity and to predict nozzle performance are discussed along with methods for nozzle quality assurance. Emphasis is placed on nozzle design and materials for modern high-temperature aluminized propellants. Recurring nozzle design problems of graphite cracking and ejection, differential erosion at material interfaces, lack of sufficient proven nondestructive testing (NDT) techniques, the uncertainty of adhesive bonding, and inadequate definition of material properties, particularly at high temperatures are considered.

Ellis, R. A.↗

Advanced composites: Fabrication processes for selected resin matrix materials

This design note is based on present state of the art for epoxy and polyimide matrix composite fabrication technology. Boron/epoxy and polyimide and graphite/epoxy and polyimide structural parts can be successfully fabricated. Fabrication cycles for polyimide matrix composites have been shortened to near epoxy cycle times. Nondestructive testing has proven useful in detecting defects and anomalies in composite structure elements. Fabrication methods and tooling materials are discussed along with the advantages and disadvantages of different tooling materials. Types of honeycomb core, material costs and fabrication methods are shown in table form for comparison. Fabrication limits based on tooling size, pressure capabilities and various machining operations are also discussed.

Welhart, E. K.↗

NDE: An effective approach to improved reliability and safety. A technology survey

Technical abstracts are presented for about 100 significant documents relating to nondestructive testing of aircraft structures or related structural testing and the reliability of the more commonly used evaluation methods. Particular attention is directed toward acoustic emission; liquid penetrant; magnetic particle; ultrasonics; eddy current; and radiography. The introduction of the report includes an overview of the state-of-the-art represented in the documents that have been abstracted.

Carpenter, J. L., Jr.↗

Ultrasonic measurement of stress in 2219-T87 aluminum plate

The basic relationship of ultrasonic signal velocity to directional subsurface stress is reviewed. Inappropriateness of dependency on a single correlative value of constant for a three dimensional stress field in metallic materials is discussed. Implementation of conventional ultrasonic nondestructive testing capabilities integrated to provide a composite technique for the measurement of orthogonal stress components is described, and the procedures for performing the preparatory calibration and subsequent stress field measurements are presented. In conclusion, the prime effect of stress on ultrasonic signal velocity occurs only in the direction of material excitation or particle motion.

Clotfelter, W. N.↗

Improved ultrasonic standard reference blocks

A program to improve the quality, reproducibility and reliability of nondestructive testing through the development of improved ASTM-type ultrasonic reference standards is described. Reference blocks of aluminum, steel, and titanium alloys are to be considered. Equipment representing the state-of-the-art in laboratory and field ultrasonic equipment was obtained and evaluated. RF and spectral data on ten sets of ultrasonic reference blocks have been taken as part of a task to quantify the variability in response from nominally identical blocks. Techniques for residual stress, preferred orientation, and micro-structural measurements were refined and are applied to a reference block rejected by the manufacturer during fabrication in order to evaluate the effect of metallurgical condition on block response. New fabrication techniques for reference blocks are discussed and ASTM activities are summarized.

Eitzen, D. G.↗

Exploratory loading techniques

Interferometric holographic nondestructive testing of aluminum, copper, and steel flat plates is reported. Structural weaknesses under positive pressure, negative pressure, heating, and cooling are discussed.

Martin, A. M., III↗

Reinforced Carbon Carbon (RCC) oxidation resistant material samples - Baseline coated, and baseline coated with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) impregnation

Reinforced carbon-carbon material specimens were machined from 19 and 33 ply flat panels which were fabricated and processed in accordance with the specifications and procedures accepted for the fabrication and processing of the leading edge structural subsystem (LESS) elements for the space shuttle orbiter. The specimens were then baseline coated and tetraethyl orthosilicate impregnated, as applicable, in accordance with the procedures and requirements of the appropriate LESS production specifications. Three heater bars were ATJ graphite silicon carbide coated with the Vought 'pack cementation' coating process, and three were stackpole grade 2020 graphite silicon carbide coated with the chemical vapor deposition process utilized by Vought in coating the LESS shell development program entry heater elements. Nondestructive test results are reported.

Gantz, E. E.↗

Infrared scanners for temperature measurement in wind tunnels

Remote infrared scanners allow large surfaces to be studied without disturbing model and without extensive sensor installation. Computer techniques analyze data with accuracy of + or - 5 percent. Scanners are applicable to tracking and diffusion studies of rocket exhausts, nondestructive testing of rocket motor nozzles and composite materials, and detection of nonuniformity in home insulation.

Kantsios, A. G.↗