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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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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1978

Correlation of Fiber Composite Tensile Strength with the Ultrasonic Stress Wave Factor

An ultrasonic-acoustic technique was used to indicate the strength variations of tensile specimens of a graphite-epoxy composite. A stress wave factor was determined and its value was found to depend on variations of the fiber-resin bonding as well as fiber orientation. The fiber orientations studied were 0 deg (longitudinal), 10 deg (off-axis), 90 deg (transverse), 0 deg + or - 45 deg/0 deg symmetrical, and + or - 45 deg] symmetrical. The stress wave factor can indicate variations of the tensile and shear strengths of composite materials. The stress wave factor was also found to be sensitive to strength variations associated with microporosity and differences in fiber-resin ratio.

Vary, A.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Prediction of residual tensile strength of transversely impacted composite laminates

The response to low velocity impact of graphite-epoxy T300/5208 composite laminates is discussed. Steel balls of 3/8 inch, 5/8 inch, and 1 inch diameter were the projectiles. Impact energy was limited to 1.2 joules. Impacted specimens were ultrasonically C scanned to determine the impact damaged region. The threshold value of impact energy for impact damage was found to be approximately 0.3 joules. A model was developed to predict the tensile residual strength of impact damaged specimens from fracture mechanics concepts. Impacted specimens were tested in tension to provide a fracture data base. The experimental results agreed well with the predictions from fracture mechanics. In this study, the maximum impact velocity used to simulate the low velocity transverse impact from common objects like tool drops was 10 m/s.

Lal, K. M.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Reliability Assessment of Graphite Specimens under Multiaxial Stresses

An investigation was conducted to predict the failure strength response of IG-100 nuclear grade graphite exposed to multiaxial stresses. As part of this effort, a review of failure criteria accounting for the stochastic strength response is provided. The experimental work was performed in the early 1990s at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) on hollow graphite tubes under the action of axial tensile loading and internal pressurization. As part of the investigation, finite-element analysis (FEA) was performed and compared with results of FEA from the original ORNL report. The new analysis generally compared well with the original analysis, although some discrepancies in the location of peak stresses was noted. The Ceramics Analysis and Reliability Evaluation of Structures Life prediction code (CARES/Life) was used with the FEA results to predict the quadrants I (tensile-tensile) and quadrant IV (compression-tension) strength response of the graphite tubes for the principle of independent action (PIA), the Weibull normal stress averaging (NSA), and the Batdorf multiaxial failure theories. The CARES/Life reliability analysis showed that all three failure theories gave similar results in quadrant I but that in quadrant IV, the PIA and Weibull normal stress-averaging theories were not conservative, whereas the Batdorf theory was able to correlate well with experimental results. The conclusion of the study was that the Batdorf theory should generally be used to predict the reliability response of graphite and brittle materials in multiaxial loading situations.

Sookdeo, Steven↗
NASA NTRS1991

Interlaminar stress analysis at the skin-stiffener interface of a grid-stiffened composite panel

Results are presented of an analysis of the interlaminar stress components at the skin-wrap, skin-core, and wrap-core interfaces for an advanced-concept stiffened panel using a global/local finite element procedure. The procedure consists of a global model of two-dimensional shell elements that is used to design a grid-stiffened panel with blade-type stiffeners, a local model of three-dimensional solid elements that is used to compute interlaminar stress components, and a scheme devised to assign displacement boundary conditions for the local model that are derived from displacement and rotation data of a few nodes of the global model. The interlaminar stresses for this panel design were found to be well below typical tensile normal and shearing strengths of a graphite-epoxy material.

Wiggenraad, J. F. M.↗
NASA NTRS1961

Structural and High-Temperature Tensile Properties of Special Pitch-Coke Graphites

The room-temperature structural properties and the tensile properties up to 5000 F (275O C) were determined for ten grades of specially prepared petroleum-coke coal-tar-pitch graphites which were graphitized at 5430 F (3000 C). One impregnation with coal-tar pitch increased the bulk density from 1.41 to 1.57 g/cm3 and the maximum strength at 4500 F (2500 C) from 4000 to 5700 psi. None of the processing parameters studied had a marked effect on the closed porosity or the X-ray structure or the per cent graphitization. The coarse-particle filler resulted in the lowest coefficient of thermal expansion and the fine-particle filler in the highest coefficient. A marked improvement in uniformity of tensile strength was observed. A standard-deviation analysis gave a one-sigma value of approximately 150 psi for one of these special grades and values of 340-420 psi for three commercial grades.

GRAPHITE↗
NASA NTRS1975

Development of high temperature resistant graphite fiber coupling agents

Surface treatments were investigated as potential coupling agents to improve the elevated temperature shear strength retention of polyimide/graphite and polyphenylquinoxaline/graphite composites. The potential coupling agents were evaluated by fiber strand tensile tests, fiber and composite weight losses at 533 and 588K, and by interlaminar shear strength retention at 533 and 588K. The two surface treatments selected for more extensive evaluation were a coating of Ventromer T-1, a complex organometallic reaction product of titanium tetrachloride and trimethyl borate, and a polyphenylquinoxaline (PPQ) sizing which was pyrolyzed in nitrogen to form a carbonaceous layer on the fiber. Pyrolyzed polyphenylquinoxaline is a satisfactory coupling agent for polyimide/Thornel 300 graphite fiber composites. During 1000 hours aging at 588K such composites lose a little over half their transverse tensile strength, and suffer a slight loss in flexural modulus. No degradation of flexural strength or interlaminar shear strength occured during 1000 hours aging at 588K. None of the coupling agents examined had a markedly beneficial effect with polyphenylquinoxaline composites.

Griffin, R. N.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Construction material processed using lunar simulant in various environments

The manufacture of construction materials from locally available resources in space is an important first step in the establishment of lunar and planetary bases. The objective of the CoMPULSIVE (Construction Material Processed Using Lunar Simulant In Various Environments) experiment is to develop a procedure to produce construction materials by sintering or melting Johnson Space Center Simulant 1 (JSC-1) lunar soil simulant in both earth-based (1-g) and microgravity (approximately 0-g) environments. The characteristics of the resultant materials will be tested to determine its physical and mechanical properties. The physical characteristics include: crystalline, thermal, and electrical properties. The mechanical properties include: compressive tensile, and flexural strengths. The simulant, placed in a sealed graphite crucible, will be heated using a high temperature furnace. The crucible will then be cooled by radiative and forced convective means. The core furnace element consists of space qualified quartz-halogen incandescent lamps with focusing mirrors. Sample temperatures of up to 2200 C are attainable using this heating method.

Chase, Stan↗
NASA NTRS2010

Braze Development of Graphite Fiber for Use in Phase Change Material Heat Sinks

Hamilton Sundstrand (HS), together with NASA Johnson Space Center, developed methods to metallurgically join graphite fiber to aluminum. The goal of the effort was to demonstrate improved thermal conductance, tensile strength and manufacturability compared to existing epoxy bonded techniques. These improvements have the potential to increase the performance and robustness of phase change material heat sinks that use graphite fibers as an interstitial material. Initial work focused on evaluating joining techniques from 4 suppliers, each consisting of a metallization step followed by brazing or soldering of one inch square blocks of Fibercore graphite fiber material to aluminum end sheets. Results matched the strength and thermal conductance of the epoxy bonded control samples, so two suppliers were down-selected for a second round of braze development. The second round of braze samples had up to a 300% increase in strength and up to a 132% increase in thermal conductance over the bonded samples. However, scalability and repeatability proved to be significant hurdles with the metallization approach. An alternative approach was pursued which used nickel and active braze allows to prepare the carbon fibers for joining with aluminum. This approach was repeatable and scalable with improved strength and thermal conductance when compared with epoxy bonding.

Quinn, Gregory↗
NASA NTRS2011

Braze Development of Graphite Fiber for Use in Phase Change Material Heat Sinks

Hamilton Sundstrand (HS), together with NASA Johnson Space Center, developed methods to metallurgically join graphite fiber to aluminum. The goal of the effort was to demonstrate improved thermal conductance, tensile strength and manufacturability compared to existing epoxy bonded techniques. These improvements have the potential to increase the performance and robustness of phase change material heat sinks that use graphite fibers as an interstitial material. Initial work focused on evaluating joining techniques from four suppliers, each consisting of a metallization step followed by brazing or soldering of one inch square blocks of Fibercore graphite fiber material to aluminum end sheets. Results matched the strength and thermal conductance of the epoxy bonded control samples, so two suppliers were down-selected for a second round of braze development. The second round of braze samples had up to a 300% increase in strength and up to a 132% increase in thermal conductance over the bonded samples. However, scalability and repeatability proved to be significant hurdles with the metallization approach. An alternative approach was pursued which used a nickel braze allow to prepare the carbon fibers for joining with aluminum. Initial results on sample blocks indicate that this approach should be repeatable and scalable with good strength and thermal conductance when compared with epoxy bonding.

Quinn, Gregory↗
NASA NTRS1980

Performance Properties of Graphite Reinforced Composites with Advanced Resin Matrices

This article looks at the effect of different resin matrices on thermal and mechanical properties of graphite composites, and relates the thermal and flammability properties to the anaerobic char yield of the resins. The processing parameters of graphite composites utilizing graphite fabric and epoxy or other advanced resins as matrices are presented. Thermoset resin matrices studied were: aminecured polyfunctional glycidyl aminetype epoxy (baseline), phenolicnovolac resin based on condensation of dihydroxymethyl-xylene and phenol cured with hexamine, two types of polydismaleimide resins, phenolic resin, and benzyl resin. The thermoplastic matrices studied were polyethersulfone and polyphenylenesulfone. Properties evaluated in the study included anaerobic char yield, limiting oxygen index, smoke evolution, moisture absorption, and mechanical properties at elevated temperatures including tensile, compressive, and short-beam shear strengths. Generally, it was determined that graphite composites with the highest char yield exhibited optimum fire-resistant properties.

Kourtides, Demetrius A.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Analysis of Ninety Degree Flexure Tests for Characterization of Composite Transverse Tensile Strength

Finite element (FE) analysis was performed on 3-point and 4-point bending test configurations of ninety degree oriented glass-epoxy and graphite-epoxy composite beams to identify deviations from beam theory predictions. Both linear and geometric non-linear analyses were performed using the ABAQUS finite element code. The 3-point and 4-point bending specimens were first modeled with two-dimensional elements. Three-dimensional finite element models were then performed for selected 4-point bending configurations to study the stress distribution across the width of the specimens and compare the results to the stresses computed from two-dimensional plane strain and plane stress analyses and the stresses from beam theory. Stresses for all configurations were analyzed at load levels corresponding to the measured transverse tensile strength of the material.

OBrien, T. Kevin↗
NASA NTRS1990

Residual strength of composite laminates subjected to tensile-compressive fatigue loading

Results are presented on the measurements of the residual strengths of T300/934 graphite epoxy laminates, in tension and in compression, after the samples were exposed to tension-compression fatigue loading (R = -1). Four laminate ocnfigurations were tested: unidirectional, cross-ply, angle-ply, and quasi-isotropic. It was found that the fatigue behavior of laminates was dependent on the quasi-static strengths and the specific structure of the laminate. No direct correlation was found between remaining residual strengths and the percentage of average fatigue life. However, a correlation scheme was developed for the individual specimen under test, based on a cumulative damage model and a stiffness change of the material.

Rotem, Assa↗
NASA NTRS1977

Elastic properties and fracture strength of quasi-isotropic graphite/epoxy composites

A research program is described which was devised to determine experimentally the elastic properties in tension and bending of quasi-isotropic laminates made from high-modulus graphite fiber and epoxy. Four laminate configurations were investigated, and determinations were made of the tensile modulus, Poisson's ratio, bending stiffness, fracture strength, and fracture strain. The measured properties are compared with those predicted by laminate theory, reasons for scatter in the experimental data are discussed, and the effect of fiber misalignment on predicted elastic tensile properties is examined. The results strongly suggest that fiber misalignment in combination with variation in fiber volume content is responsible for the scatter in both elastic constants and fracture strength.

Sullivan, T. L.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Mechanical and electrical properties of graphite fiber-epoxy composites made from pristine and bromine intercalated fibers

The mechanical and electrical properties of pristine and bromine intercalated graphite fiber-epoxy composites were compared. The two types of composite were similar in terms of tensile modulus, tensile strength, and Poisson's Ratio. However, the interlaminar shear strength of the brominated composite was 18 percent greater than its pristine counterpart. Only slight differences were observed in flexural properties. A five-fold decrease was observed in the electrical resistivity of the brominated composite parallel to the axis of the fibers, resulting in a unidirectional resistivity of about 90 microOmega/cm. Transverse resistivity was unaffected. Both types of composite were subjected to a simulated lightning strike of 10 KJ (at a peak current of 150 kA), and the composite with the intercalated graphite exhibited less damage.

Jaworske, Donald A.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Study to determine and analyze the strength of high modulus glass in epoxy-matrix composites

Glass composition research was conducted to produce a high modulus, high strength beryllium-free glass fiber. This program was built on the previous research for developing high modulus, high strength glass fibers which had a 5 weight percent beryllia content. The fibers resulting from the composition program were then used to produce fiber reinforced-epoxy resin composites which were compared with composites reinforced by commercial high modulus glass fibers, Thornel S graphite fiber, and hybrids where the external quarters were reinforced with Thornel S graphite fiber and the interior half with glass fiber as well as the reverse hybrid. The composites were given tensile strength, compressive strength, short-beam shear strength, creep and fatigue tests. Comments are included on the significance of the test data.

Bacon, J. F.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Thermal and mechanical behavior of metal matrix and ceramic matrix composites

The present conference discusses local stresses in metal-matrix composites (MMCs) subjected to thermal and mechanical loads, the computational simulation of high-temperature MMCs' cyclic behavior, an analysis of a ceramic-matrix composite (CMC) flexure specimen, and a plasticity analysis of fibrous composite laminates under thermomechanical loads. Also discussed are a comparison of methods for determining the fiber-matrix interface frictional stresses of CMCs, the monotonic and cyclic behavior of an SiC/calcium aluminosilicate CMC, the mechanical and thermal properties of an SiC particle-reinforced Al alloy MMC, the temperature-dependent tensile and shear response of a graphite-reinforced 6061 Al-alloy MMC, the fiber/matrix interface bonding strength of MMCs, and fatigue crack growth in an Al2O3 short fiber-reinforced Al-2Mg matrix MMC.

Kennedy, John M.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Intercalated-Graphite-Fiber Composites

Electrically conducting composites made from bromine-intercalated graphite fibers in epoxy matrix. Bromine-intercalated graphite fibers have conductivity of about 20,000 ohm-1cm-1 and found to be stable in presence of moisture fibers even submerged for indefinite times) and at reasonably high temperature (200 degrees C). Conventional epoxy resins can be used with such fibers. Composite materials containing 50 percent bromine-intercalated graphite fibers have promising properties. Mechanical properties of composites similar to composites made with pristine fibers: Tensile and flexural strengths and Young's and bending moduli essentially unchanged, and interlaminar shear strengths slightly enhanced. Thermal conductivities of composites also show very little degradation. However, electrical conductivities of composites increase, which invites application of composites in electrical grounding planes and in shields against electro-magnetic interference.

Gaier, James R.↗