Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “LOW ALLOY STEELS”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2

Ignition of steel alloys by impact of low-velocity iron/inert particles in gaseous oxygen

The ignition of carbon steel and 316 and 304 stainless steels caused by the impact of low-velocity particles (a standard mixture consisting of 2 g of iron and 3 g of inert materials) in gaseous oxygen was investigated using NASA/White Sands Test Facility for the ignition test, and a subsonic particle impact chamber to accelerate the particles that were injected into flowing oxygen upstream of the target specimen. It was found that the oxygen velocities required to ignite the three alloys were the same as that required to ignite the particle mixture. Ignition occurred at oxygen velocities greater than 45 m/sec at 20 to 24 MPa and was found to be independent of pressure between 2 and 30 MPa. Comparison of the present results and the past results from Wegener (1964) with the Compressed Gas Association (CGA) oxygen velocity limits for safe operations indicates that the CGA limits may be excessively conservative at high pressures and too liberal at low pressures.

Benz, Frank J.↗

Oxidation and corrosion behavior of modified-composition, low-chromium 304 stainless steel alloys

The effects of substituting less strategic elements than Cr on the oxidation and corrosion resistance of AISI 304 stainless steel were investigated. Cyclic oxidation resistance was evaluated at 870 C. Corrosion resistance was determined by exposure of specimens to a boiling copper-rich solution of copper sulfate and sulfuric acid. Alloy substitutes for Cr included Al, Mn, Mo, Si, Ti, V, Y, and misch metal. A level of about 12% Cr was the minimum amount of Cr required for adequate oxidation and corrosion resistance in the modified composition 304 stainless steels. This represents a Cr saving of at least 33%. Two alloys containing 12% Cr and 2% Al plus 2% Mo and 12% Cr plus 2.65% Si were identified as most promising for more detailed evaluation.

Stephens, J. R.↗

Interpolation and Extrapolation of Creep Rupture Data by the Minimum Commitment Method. Part 3: Analysis of Multiheats

The Minimum Commitment Method was applied to two sets of data for which multiple heat information was available. For one alloy, a 304 stainless steel studied in Japan, data on nine well characterized heats were used, while for a proprietary low alloy carbon steel studied in the United Kingdom data were available on seven heats - in many cases to very long rupture times. For this preliminary study no instability factors were used. It was discovered that heat-to-heat variations would be accounted for by introducing heat identifiers in the form A + B log sigma where sigma is the stress and the constants A and B depend only on the heat. With these identifiers all the data could be collapsed onto a single master curve, even though there was considerable scatter among heats. Using these identifiers together with the average behavior of all heats made possible the determination of an accurate constitutive equation for each individual heat. Two basic approaches are discussed for applying the results of the analysis.

Manson, S. S.↗

Application of hard coatings to substrates at low temperatures

BIRL, the industrial research laboratory of Northwestern University, has conducted unique and innovative research, under sponsorship from the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), in the application of hard, wear resistant coatings to bearing steels using the high-rate reactive sputtering (HRRS) process that was pioneered by Dr. William Sproul, the principal investigator on this program. Prior to this program, Dr. Sproul had demonstrated that it is possible to apply hard coatings such as titanium nitride (TiN) to alloy steels at low temperatures via the HRRS process without changing the metallurgical properties of the steel. The NASA MSFC program at BIRL had the specific objectives to: apply TiN to 440C stainless steel without changing the metallurgical properties of the steel; prepare rolling contact fatigue (RCF) test samples coated with binary hard coatings of TiN, zirconium nitride (ZrN), hafnium nitride (HfN), chromium nitride (CrN), and molybdenum nitride (MoN), and metal coatings of copper (Cu) and gold (Au); and develop new alloyed hard coatings of titanium aluminum nitride (Ti(0.5)Al(0.5)N), titanium zirconium nitride (Ti(0.5)Zr(0.5)N), and titanium aluminum vanadium nitride.

Sproul, William D.↗

Chemical, Structural, and Microstructural Changes in Metallic and Silicon-Based Coating Materials Exposed to Iodine Vapor

The chemical, structural and microstructural behavior of steels (304, 316 and A36), titanium-aluminum alloy (Ti-Al, (6Al-4V)), aluminum-magnesium alloy (Al-Mg, 6061), and coatings (Silcolloy and Dursan (SilcoTek Corporation)) were probed after exposure to iodine laminar flow. Exposures were carried out in a custom-built Iodine Vapor RIG (IVR) at 300 degrees C to an iodine laminar vapor flow of 1 mg min(exp. -1), carried by 145 mL-min(exp. -1) argon gas, for 5, 15 and 30 days. Samples were characterized before and after the experiment by gravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and cross section electron microscopy analysis coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). All steels exposed for 30 days formed scales consisting mainly of metal (Cr, Fe, Ni) oxides showing different chemistry, microstructure and crystalline phases. Elemental iodine was only detected by EDS analysis in the scales of stainless steels 304 and 316. After 30 days, the Ti-Al exhibited no detectable scale, suggesting only a very thin film was formed. A scale consisting mainly of aluminum, iodine, and oxygen formed on the Al-Mg sample exposed to 30 days. Some pockets rich in magnesium, iodine and oxygen also formed in this Al-Mg alloy. Stainless steel 316, low carbon steel A36 and Ti-Al alloy coated with Silcolloy and stainless steel 304 coated with Dursan that were exposed for 30 days exhibited no oxidation. Stainless steel 304 coated with Silcolloy exposed for 30 days did not exhibit corrosion although the sample gained weight and the coating exhibited expansion. The weight gain per area performance of the materials exposed in iodine lamina flow containing oxygen at impurity level for 10, 15 and 30 days are reported from the lowest to the highest weight gain per area as follows: Steels: Less than 316 less than 304 less than A36; Ti-Al-Mg based alloys: Al-Mg less than Ti-Al: Considering the experimental uncertainties, no weight change was observed for Stainless steel 316, low carbon steel A36 and Ti-Al alloy coated with Silcolloy and stainless steel 304 coated with Dursan. The corrosion of the alloys is catalyzed by iodine in the presence of oxygen as impurity.

Costa, Gustavo C. C.↗

Tribological and microstructural characteristics of ion-nitrided steels

Three steels AISI 4140, AISI 4340 and AISI 304 stainless steel were ion nitrided in a plasma consisting of a 75:25 mixture of H2:N2, sometimes with a trace of CH4. Their surface topography was characterized by SEM and two distinct compound phases were identified: the gamma and the epsilon. The core-case hardness profiles were also established. The low Cr alloy steels have an extended diffusion zone in contrast to the 304 stainless steels which have a sharp interface. The depth of ion-nitriding is increased as the Cr content is decreased. Friction tests reveal that the gamma surface phase has a lower coefficient of friction than the epsilon phase. The lowest coefficient of friction is achieved when both the rider and the specimen surface are ion nitrided.

Spalvins, T.↗

Tribological and microstructural characteristics of ion-nitrided steels

Three steels AISI 4140, AISI 4340 and AISI 304 stainless steel were ion nitrided in a plasma consisting of a 75:25 mixture of H2:N2, sometimes with a trace of CH4. Their surface topography was characterized by SEM and two distinct compound phases were identified: the gamma and the epsilon. The core-case hardness profiles were also established. The low Cr alloy steels have an extended diffusion zone in contrast to the 3034 stainless steels which have a sharp interface. The depth of ion-nitriding is increased as the Cr content is decreased. Friction tests reveal that the gamma surface phase has a lower coefficient of friction than the epsilon phase. The lowest coefficient of friction is achieved when both the rider and the specimen surface are ion nitrided. Previously announced in STAR as N83-24635

Spalvins, T.↗

Low-cycle fatigue of Type 347 stainless steel and Hastelloy alloy X in hydrogen gas and in air at elevated temperatures

An investigation was conducted to assess the low-cycle fatigue resistance of two alloys, Type 347 stainless steel and Hastelloy Alloy X, that were under consideration for use in nuclear-powered rocket vehicles. Constant-amplitude, strain-controlled fatigue tests were conducted under compressive strain cycling at a constant strain rate of 0.001/sec and at total axial strain ranges of 1.5, 3.0, and 5.0 %, in both laboratory-air and low-pressure hydrogen-gas environments at temperatures from 538 to 871 C. Specimens were obtained from three heats of Type 347 stainless steel bar and two heats of Hastelloy Alloy X. The tensile properties of each heat were determined at 21, 538, 649, and 760 C. The continuous cycling fatigue resistance was determined for each heat at temperatures of 538, 760, and 871 C. The Type 347 stainless steel exhibited equal or superior fatigue resistance to the Hastelloy Alloy X at all conditions of this study.

Jaske, C. E.↗

Braze alloy spreading on steel

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Auger electron microscopy (AEM) were employed to observe elemental surface decomposition resulting from the brazing of a copper-treated steel. Two types of steel were used for the study, stainless steel (treated with a eutectic silver-copper alloy), and low-carbon steel (treated with pure copper). Attention is given to oxygen partial pressure during the processes; a low enough pressure (8 x 10 to the -5th torr) was found to totally inhibit the spreading of the filler material at a fixed heating cycle. With both types of steel, copper treatment enhanced even spreading at a decreased temperature.

Siewert, T. A.↗

Strong, Ductile Rotor For Cryogenic Flowmeters

Improved magnetic flowmeter rotor resists cracking at cryogenic temperatures, yet provides adequate signal to magnetic pickup outside flowmeter housing. Consists mostly of stainless-steel alloy 347, which is ductile and strong at low temperatures. Small bead of stainless-steel alloy 410 welded in groove around circumference of round bar of stainless-steel alloy 347; then rotor machined from bar. Tips of rotor blades contain small amounts of magnetic alloy, and passage of tips detected.

Royals, W. T.↗

Status of Understanding for Gear Materials

Today's gear designer has a large selection of possible gear materials to choose from. The choice of which material to use should be based on the requirements of the application and will include the operating conditions of load, speed, and temperature in addition to reliability, weight, noise limitation, accuracy, and cost. The plastic materials are generally low in cost with low strength capabilities and are suitable for many light-duty applications. Die-cast alloy and sintered powder-metal gears are also fairly inexpensive and will operate at higher loads and temperatures than plastic gears. The three types of cast iron offer a medium-strength gear at a cost that varies with the accuracy of machining requirements. Gears can be manufactured from several aluminum alloys for lightweight and medium cost and may be anodized for improved load capacity. The copper alloys, bronze and brass, are more costly but have good sliding and wear properties that are useful for worm gear applications. The hot-forged powder-metal gears have the advantage of medium cost with good accuracy and high strength. Several low- to medium alloy steels are available for gear design and most can be heat treated for added strength. The medium-alloy gear materials offer high strength when case hardened and will satisfy most high-load medium-temperature applications. For more severe load, speed, and temperature requirements the advanced high temperature alloys must be used. These include EX-53, CBS 600, Vasco X-2, Super Nitralloy (5Ni-2Al), and forged AISI M-50. As the requirements become more stringent, the cost will also increase. It is necessary that the gear designer have a working knowledge of the various gear materials in order to match the most economical material with the design requirements.

Dennis P Townsend↗

The improvement of cryogenic mechanical properties of Fe-12 Mn and Fe-8 Mn alloy steels through thermal/mechanical treatments

An investigation has been made to improve the low temperature mechanical properties of Fe-8Mn and Fe-12Mn-0.2 Ti alloy steels. A reversion annealing heat treatment in the two-phase (alpha + gamma) region following cold working has been identified as an effective treatment. In an Fe-12Mn-0.2Ti alloy a promising combination of low temperature (-196 C) fracture toughness and yield strength was obtained by this method. The improvement of properties was attributed to the refinement of grain size and to the introduction of a uniform distribution of retained austenite (gamma). It was also shown that an Fe-8Mn steel could be grain-refined by a purely thermal treatment because of its dislocated alpha-prime martensitic structure and absence of epsilon martensite. As a result, a significant reduction of ductile to brittle transition temperature was obtained.

Hwang, S. K.↗

Frictional and structural characterization of ion-nitrided low and high chromium steels

Low Cr steels AISI 41410, AISI 4340, and high Cr austenitic stainless steels AISI 304, AISI 316 were ion nitrided in a dc glow discharge plasma consisting of a 75 percent H2 - 25 percent N2 mixture. Surface compound layer phases were identified, and compound layer microhardness and diffusion zone microhardness profiles were established. Distinct differences in surface compound layer hardness and diffusion zone profiles were determined between the low and high Cr alloy steels. The high Cr stainless steels after ion nitriding displayed a hard compound layer and an abrupt diffusion zone. The compound layers of the high Cr stainless steels had a columnar structure which accounts for brittleness when layers are exposed to contact stresses. The ion nitrided surfaces of high and low Cr steels displayed a low coefficient of friction with respect to the untreated surfaces when examined in a pin and disk tribotester.

Spalvins, T.↗

Frictional and structural characterization of ion-nitrided low and high chromium steels

Low Cr steels AISI 41410, AISI 4340, and high Cr austenitic stainless steels AISI 304, AISI 316 were ion nitrided in a dc glow discharge plasma consisting of a 75 percent H2 - 25 percent N2 mixture. Surface compound layer phases were identified, and compound layer microhardness and diffusion zone microhardness profiles were established. Distinct differences in surface compound layer hardness and diffusion zone profiles were determined between the low and high Cr alloy steels. The high Cr stainless steels after ion nitriding displayed a hard compound layer and an abrupt diffusion zone. The compound layers of the high Cr stainless steels had a columnar structure which accounts for brittleness when layers are exposed to contact stresses. The ion nitrided surfaces of high and low Cr steels displayed a low coefficient of friction with respect to the untreated surfaces when examined in a pin and disk tribotester.

Spalvins, T.↗

Low temperature mechanical properties, fractographic and metallographic evaluation of several alloy steels

The mechanical properties are presented of alloy steels, 4130, 4140, 4340, 6150, and 8740. Test specimens were manufactured from approximately 1.00 inch (2.54 cm) diameter bar stock which had been heat treated to two different hardness levels. The following mechanical tests were performed at temperatures of 80 F (+26.7 C), 0 F (-17.8 C), -100 F (-73 C), and -200 F (-129 C): (1) tensile test (Ultimate, yield, modulus, elongation, and reduction of area), (2) notched tensile test, (3) charpy V-notched impact test (impact energy), and (4) double shear strength test (ultimate and yield). The test data indicate excellent tensile strength, notched/unnotched tensile ratios, ductility, impact, and shear properties at all test temperatures, except at -200 F (-129 C) where the impact strength of the higher strength group of alloy steels, 4130 (Rc-37) and 4140 (Rc-44) decreased to approximately 9 ft. lbs. (12 joules) and 6 ft. lbs. (8 joules), respectively. Chemical, metallographic, and fractographic analyses were also performed to evaluate microstructure, microhardness and the effect of decrease in temperature on the ductile to brittle failure transition.

Montano, J. W.↗

Study of Near-Threshold Fatigue Crack Propagation in Pipeline Steels in High Pressure Environments

Near threshold fatigue crack propagation in pipeline steels in high pressure environments was studied. The objective was to determine the level of threshold stress intensity for fatigue crack growth rate behavior in a high strength low alloy X60 pipeline-type steel. Complete results have been generated for gaseous hydrogen at ambient pressure, laboratory air at ambient pressure and approximately 60% relative humidity as well as vacuum of 0.000067 Pa ( 0.0000005 torr) at R-ratios = K(min)/K(max) of 0.1, 0.5, and 0.8. Fatigue crack growth rate behavior in gaseous hydrogen, methane, and methane plus 10 percent hydrogen at 6.89 MPa (100 psi) was determined.

Mitchell, M.↗

Endurance and Other Properties at Low Temperatures of Some Alloys for Aircraft Use

The low temperature endurance properties of materials for aircraft construction are not well known. In order to determine them, apparatus for testing endurance at -40 C has been devised. The endurance properties of monel metal, low-carbon stainless steel, "18 and *, " 3 1/2% Ni steel and chromium-molybdenum steel have been determined at -40 C and at room temperature about +20 C. Tensile, impact and hardness tests of these materials have also been made at various temperatures. The results show an increase in endurance limit, tensile strength, and hardness with decreased temperature. Impact strength is, in general, decreased, but of all the alloys tested, only one, low-carbon stainless steel, gives less than 15 ft. lb. Chrpay impact test at -40 C.

Russell, H W↗