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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 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1983

Surface analysis in composite bonding

X ray photoelectron spectroscopy and contact angle measurements on graphite fiber composites pretreated in a number of different ways including mechanical, chemical, and light irradiation were analyzed. Data acquired on surface contamination as a result of fabrication techniques provides answers to the strength and durability of adhesively bonded composites. These techniques were shown to provide valuable information on surface analysis of pretreated composites prior to adhesive bonding and following lap shear fracture.

Messick, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

A fundamental approach to adhesion: Synthesis, surface analysis, thermodynamics and mechanics

Various surface preparations for titanium 6-4 alloy were studied. An anodizing method was investigated, and compared with the results of other chemical treatments, namely, phosphate/fluoride, Pasa-Jell and Turco. The relative durability of the different surface treatments was assessed by monitoring changes in surface chemistry and morphology occasioned by aging at 505 K (450 F). Basic electron spectroscopic data were collected for polyimide and polyphenylquinoxaline adhesives and synthetic precursors. Fractographic studies were completed for several combinations of adherend, adhesive, and testing conditions.

Chen, W.↗
NASA NTRS1974

The application of trend surface analysis to a portion of the Apollo 15 X-ray fluorescence data

X-ray fluorescence data for 8 and 16 second time integrals gathered by Apollo 15 in circum lunar orbit were analyzed to determine the capability for chemical mapping of relatively small lunar features in a portion of Tranquillitatis and Serenitatis basins. Spatial mapping using trend surface analysis demonstrated that a useable signal could be extracted from Al/Si intensity ratios calculated for 8 second time spans. Reliability of the Al/Si ratio was enhanced when 16 second data were compiled using a sliding average technique. Residual anomalies from the trend surface mapping were identified and correlated with relatively small lunar surface features.

Podwysocki, M. H.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The application of surface analysis to polymer/metal adhesion

The use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) in the analysis of Ti 6-4 adherend surfaces is described. Differences in Ti 6-4 surface composition as determined by XPS after different chemical pretreatments are detailed. Analysis of fractured surfaces by SEM/XPS is used to establish the failure mode. The surface acidity of Ti 6-4 coupons can be established by reflectance visible spectroscopy using indicator dyes.

Wightman, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Autonomous Aerobraking Using Thermal Response Surface Analysis

Aerobraking is a proven method of significantly increasing the science payload that can be placed into low Mars orbits when compared to an all propulsive capture. However, the aerobraking phase is long and has mission cost and risk implications. The main cost benefit is that aerobraking permits the use of a smaller and cheaper launch vehicle, but additional operational costs are incurred during the long aerobraking phase. Risk is increased due to the repeated thermal loading of spacecraft components and the multiple attitude and propulsive maneuvers required for successful aerobraking. Both the cost and risk burdens can be significantly reduced by automating the aerobraking operations phase. All of the previous Mars orbiter missions that have utilized aerobraking have increasingly relied on onboard calculations during aerobraking. Even though the temperature of spacecraft components has been the limiting factor, operational methods have relied on using a surrogate variable for mission control. This paper describes several methods, based directly on spacecraft component maximum temperature, for autonomously predicting the subsequent aerobraking orbits and prescribing apoapsis propulsive maneuvers to maintain the spacecraft within specified temperature limits. Specifically, this paper describes the use of thermal response surface analysis in predicting the temperature of the spacecraft components and the corresponding uncertainty in this temperature prediction.

Prince, Jill L.↗
NASA NTRS1980

A fundamental approach to adhesion: Synthesis, surface analysis, thermodynamics and mechanics

Several techniques were used to study pretreated Ti 6-4 surfaces including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron spectroscopy of chemical analysis (ESCA), and, reflectance visible spectroscopy. Each pretreatment type gave a characteristic surface morphology as seen by SEM. Elemental analysis of the Ti 6-4 surfaces was done using ESCA. Trace residual contaminants from particular chemical pretreatments were identified readily. Results indicate that reflectance visible spectroscopy using indicator dyes placed on Ti 6-4 surfaces appears to be a feasible approach to establish surface acidity. Differences in surface acidity were observed using bromthymol blue on Ti 6-4 surfaces pretreated by two different methods.

Beck, B.↗
NASA NTRS2023

BOLT II Forebody Surface Measurement Analysis

Surface impression molds of the nosetip/forebody interface, discrete tripping elements, and other surface imperfections were formed on the BOLT II flight vehicle prior to its launch in March 2022. The silicon-rubber molds cast on the interface between the nickel nosetip and the stainless steel forebody were measured using a 3D optical measurement system and a stylus profilometer and were evaluated for step direction and height. The step around the nosetip/forebody interface was found to vary in both magnitude and direction, but values were generally modest with most samples below 60 μm across the span and only two samples, both cast in the gutter, with step values larger than 100 μm. Impressions of the secondary-side tripping elements were strictly scanned with the optical device and similar methods were used to calculate trip height as step height. The measured centerline trip height was 2623 ±12 μm, while the leading-edge, quadrant 2 and 3, trip heights were 897 ±5 μm and 891 ±18 μm, respectively. Surface imperfections on the nose and forebody were also evaluated. Surface roughness values and spectra were estimated, and profiles were extracted across the imperfections to quantify the magnitude of those features.

Trip height↗
NASA NTRS1977

Nonlinear steady incompressible lifting-surface analysis with wake roll-up

The problem of lifting surfaces in steady incompressible flow is considered in terms of an integral equation relating the potential discontinuity on wing and wake to the normal derivative of the potential (normal wash) on the lifting surface. The integral equation is approximated by a system of linear algebraic equations obtained by dividing the surfaces into small quadrilateral elements and by assuming the potential discontinuity and the normal wash to be constant within each element. The wake geometry is obtained through iteration by satisfying the condition that the velocity be tangent to the surface of the wake and that the potential discontinuity be constant along the streamlines. Numerical results are in good agreement with existing ones

Suciu, E. O.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Optical surface analysis code (OSAC)

A computer program for the evaluation of surface ripple effects on an optical system is discussed. The program consists of a modification of conventional ray tracing so that the effects of all roughness frequency scales on image quality can be analyzed. The code is designed to deal with image quality problems arising in connection with X-ray telescopes and near-normal incidence systems used in the infrared, visible, and near-UV parts of the spectrum. The emphasis of the program analysis is on narrow angle scattering and its effect on image quality. The intent is to provide the optical engineer with a measure of the sensitivity of image quality to various surface characteristics. The paper will highlight some of the unique modeling features of the code, and illustrate some system examples.

Noll, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Application of surface analysis to solve problems of wear

Results are presented for the use of surface analytical tools including field ion microscopy, Auger emission spectroscopy analysis (AES), cylindrical mirror Auger analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Data from the field ion microscope reveal adhesive transfer (wear) at the atomic level with the formation of surface compounds not found in the bulk, and AES reveals that this transfer will occur even in the presence of surface oxides. Both AES and XPS reveal that in abrasive wear with silicon carbide and diamond contacting the transition metals, the surface and the abrasive undergo a chemical or structural change which effects wear. With silicon carbide, silicon volatilizes leaving behind a pseudo-graphitic surface and the surface of diamond is observed to graphitize.

Buckley, D. H.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Surface Analysis Evaluation of Handwipe Cleaning for the Space Shuttle RSRM

In this paper we discuss the role of surface-sensitive spectroscopy (electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis, or ESCA) in the selection of solvents to replace 1,1,1-trichloroethane in handwipe cleaning of bonding surfaces on NASA's Space Shuttle Reusable Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM). Removal of common process soils from a wide variety of metallic and polymeric substrates was characterized. The cleaning efficiency was usually more dependent on the type of substrate being cleaned and the specific process soil than on the solvent used. A few substrates that are microscopically rough or porous proved to be difficult to clean with any cleaner, and some soils were very tenacious and difficult to remove from any substrate below detection limits. Overall, the work showed that a wide variety of solvents will perform at least as well as 1,1,1-trichloroethane.

Lesley, Michael W.↗
NASA NTRS1980

A fundamental approach to adhesion: Synthesis, surface analysis, thermodynamics and mechanics

The acid-base properties of titanium 6-4 plates (low surface area) were investigated after three different pretreatments, namely Turco, phosphate-fluoride and Pasa-Jell. A series of indicators was used and color changes were detected using diffuse reflectance visible spectroscopy. Electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis was used to examine the indicator on the Ti 6-4 surface. Specular reflectance infra-red spectroscopy was used to study the adsorption of stearic acid from cyclohexane solutions on the Ti 6-4 surface.

Siriwardane, R.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Surface analysis of graphite fiber reinforced polyimide composites

Several techniques have been used to establish the effect of different surface pretreatments on graphite-polyimide composites. Composites were prepared from Celion 6000 graphite fibers and the polyimide LARC-160. Pretreatments included mechanical abrasion, chemical etching and light irradiation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used in the analysis. Contact angle of five different liquids of varying surface tensions were measured on the composites. SEM results showed polymer-rich peaks and polymer-poor valleys conforming to the pattern of the release cloth used durng fabrication. Mechanically treated and light irradiated samples showed varying degrees of polymer peak removal, with some degradation down to the graphite fibers. Minimal changes in surface topography were observed on concentrations of surface fluorine even after pretreatment. The light irradiation pretreatment was most effective at reducing surface fluorine concentrations whereas chemical pretreatment was the least effective. Critical surface tensions correlated directly with the surface fluorine to carbon ratios as calculated from XPS.

Messick, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Fracture surface analysis in composite and titanium bonding

Carbon fibers were obtained from several manufacturers. Surface treatments were performed on these fibers by anodization. The surfaces of these fibers were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and wetting force measurement. The breaking strength of these fibers was measured at 2.5 cm length. It was seen that the surface treatments reduces the strength of the fibers. It was also seen that the Hercules fibers had a higher breaking strength than the Union Carbide fibers. Fiber critical length measurements showed no difference in critical lengths between AS-4 and AU-4 fibers embedded in polysulfone. However, the fiber lengths were much shorter for the surface treated fibers. This effect could be related to increased adhesion between fiber and matrix, or it could be due to the lower breaking strength of the surface treated fiber.

Devilbiss, T. A.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Near surface analysis

This is a study to assist in the understanding of earth near surface structure. Higher order moments are used to detect the density distribution as well as to seek patterns found in geological structures. It is shown how higher order moments at points outside a mass structure are determined as well as how to recover the mass distribution from the higher order moments. It is interesting to note that the first moment at a point P outside the mass structure, V(sub O)(P), is the entire mass and the second moment, V(sub 1)(P), is the potential at P due to the mass structure. Usually only the mass and the potential function are used to determine the density distribution in a body. An infinite function sequence (V(sub n)(P))(sub n=0)(sup infinity) is required to uniquely determine the density distribution.

Johnson, Gordon G.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Surface Analysis of LDEF Materials

The abstract to the M.S. thesis included as appendix to this report contains the details of the research performed under this grant. Presentations and publications resulting from the research are listed as the main content of the report itself. The thesis describes the surface characterization procedures and analysis of materials flown in the NASA Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF).

Wightman, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Raman Spectroscopy for Mineral Identification and Quantification for in situ Planetary Surface Analysis: A Point Count Method

Quantification of mineral proportions in rocks and soils by Raman spectroscopy on a planetary surface is best done by taking many narrow-beam spectra from different locations on the rock or soil, with each spectrum yielding peaks from only one or two minerals. The proportion of each mineral in the rock or soil can then be determined from the fraction of the spectra that contain its peaks, in analogy with the standard petrographic technique of point counting. The method can also be used for nondestructive laboratory characterization of rock samples. Although Raman peaks for different minerals seldom overlap each other, it is impractical to obtain proportions of constituent minerals by Raman spectroscopy through analysis of peak intensities in a spectrum obtained by broad-beam sensing of a representative area of the target material. That is because the Raman signal strength produced by a mineral in a rock or soil is not related in a simple way through the Raman scattering cross section of that mineral to its proportion in the rock, and the signal-to-noise ratio of a Raman spectrum is poor when a sample is stimulated by a low-power laser beam of broad diameter. Results obtained by the Raman point-count method are demonstrated for a lunar thin section (14161,7062) and a rock fragment (15273,7039). Major minerals (plagioclase and pyroxene), minor minerals (cristobalite and K-feldspar), and accessory minerals (whitlockite, apatite, and baddeleyite) were easily identified. Identification of the rock types, KREEP basalt or melt rock, from the 100-location spectra was straightforward.

Haskin, Larry A.↗