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At least 37 records · Page 2

Impact cratering and spall failure of gabbro

Both hypervelocity impact and dynamic spall experiments were carried out on a series of well-indurated samples of gabbro. The impact experiments carried out with 0.04 to 0.2 g, 5-6 km/sec projectiles produced deci-centimeter-sized craters and demonstrated crater efficiencies of 6/10 to the -9 g/erg, and order of magnitude greater than in metal and some two to three times that of previous experiments on less strong igneous rocks. Most of the crater volume (some 60 to 80 percent) is due to spall failure. Distribution of cumulative fragment number, as a function of mass of fragments with masses greater than 0.1 gram yield values of b = d(log10N sub f)dlog10(m) of -0.5 to -0.6, where N sub f is the cumulate number of fragments and m is the mass of fragments. These values are in agreement or slightly higher than those obtained for less strong rocks and indicate that a large fraction of the ejecta resides in a few large fragments.

Lange, M. A.

Mechanisms of rolling contact spalling

The results of a study aimed at analyzing the mechanical material interactions responsible for rolling contact spalling of the 440 C steel, high pressure oxygen turbopump bearings are presented. A coupled temperature displacement finite element analysis of the effects of friction heating under the contact is presented. The contact is modelled as a stationary, heat generating, 2 dimensional indent in an elastic perfectly plastic half-space with heat fluxes up to 8.6 x 10000 KW/m sq comparable to those generated in the bearing. Local temperatures in excess of 1000 C are treated. The calculations reveal high levels of residual tension after the contact is unloaded and cools. Efforts to promote Mode 2/Mode 3 fatigue crack growth under cyclic torsion in hardened 440 C steel are described. Spalls produced on 440 C steel by a 3 ball/rod rolling contact testing machine were studied with scanning microscopy. The shapes of the cyclic, stress strain hysteresis loops displayed by hardened 440 C steel in cyclic torsion at room temperature are defined for the plastic strain amplitudes encountered in rolling/sliding contact. Results of these analyses are discussed in detail.

Kumar, A. M.

Impact spallation experiments - Fracture patterns and spall velocities

The spall velocities produced by nine experimental impacts of 1 to 6.5 km/sec into San Marcos gabbro targets, using projectiles of Fe, Al, Pb, and basalt of various sizes, have been measured in conjunction with fragment-velocity high-speed filmings of the events. A detailed comparison is made between measured spall velocities and those predicted by the model of Melosh (1984), with a view to the compatibility of small-scale results and large planetary impacts. Attention is also given to the patterns of internal fracture generated by impact within the targets.

Polanskey, Carol A.

Influence of nanoscale interfaces on the dynamic deformation and spall failure of Cu–Fe alloy microstructures

Additively manufactured immiscible Cu–Fe alloys can exhibit a distribution of nanoscale interfaces due to the distribution of nanoscale clusters in the equilibrium and metastable phases. Molecular dynamics simulations investigate the role of such interfaces on the phase stability and transformation behavior during shock compression, as well as the mechanisms of damage nucleation during spall failure. The model multiphase Cu–Fe systems studied here comprise a distribution of Fe clusters in an FCC Cu matrix, as well as Cu clusters in a BCC Fe matrix. The length scales of the nanoscale clusters determine the energetics of the interfaces that can result in FCC/BCC (equilibrium) or FCC/FCC (metastable) interfaces in the Cu system matrix, and BCC/FCC (equilibrium) or BCC/BCC (metastable) interfaces in the Fe matrix. The MD simulations demonstrate that nanoscale metastable interface microstructures can induce plastic deformation and also stabilize phases or suppress phase transformations in metastable phase clusters. In contrast, equilibrium interfaces can influence phase transformation thresholds and serve as additional void nucleation sites during failure.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE

Shock-induced twinning/detwinning and spall failure in Cu–Ta nanolaminates at atomic scales

Here, this study provides new insights into the role of interfaces on the deformation and failure mechanisms in shock-loaded Cu–Ta–Cu trilayer system. The thickness of the Ta layer, piston velocities, and shock pulse durations were varied to explore the impact of impedance mismatch and loading conditions on spallation behavior and twin formation. It was found that the interfaces play a crucial role in the dynamic response of these multilayered systems since secondary reflection waves generated at the interfaces significantly affected the peak stress and pressure profiles, influencing void nucleation and failure modes. In the trilayer systems, failure predominantly occurred at interfaces and within the Ta layer, with void nucleation sites and twinning behavior being markedly different compared to single-crystal Cu and Ta. Increasing the Ta layer thickness modified the wave interactions, leading to different failure locations. Higher piston velocities were associated with increased spall strength by enhancing wave interactions and void formation, particularly at the interfaces and within the Ta layer, under specific configurations. Additionally, shorter shock pulse durations facilitated earlier initiation of the release fan, reducing twin formation and altering the failure dynamics by accelerating twin annihilation and pressure release.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE

Trajectories of solid particles spalled from a carbonaceous heat shield

Trajectories are calculated of solid carbon particles that spall from a carbonaceous heat shield and travel through a given flow field. The mathematical model takes into account mass, momentum, and energy conservation during evaporation of the particles in an effort to understand spallation phenomena and their consequences in a physical way. The solution technique is applied to available Galileo Probe flow field solutions. Plots of trajectories and other particle parameters are presented for a range of initial particle sizes and velocities. It is shown that a significant amount of gaseous carbon is deposited in the inviscid region and ahead of the bow shock as well as in the ablation layer.

Davies, C. B.

Techniques for reduced spalling and increased operating life of xenon ion engines

Erosion measurements were performed on a modified J-series 30 cm ion engine operating on xenon propellant. The data indicate that a factor of 15 reduction in erosion of the upstream baffle face can be obtained by introducing nitrogen into the xenon propellant. Minor design changes to reduce spalling coupled with the reduction in baffle erosion may increase the operating life of xenon ion engines.

Garner, Charles E.

Rolling-Contact Spalling In Bearings

Report describes experimental and theoretical studies of effects of thermal and mechanical contact stresses and attendant plastic deformations responsible for rolling-contact spalling of the 440C-steel bearings in high-pressure-oxygen turbopump.

Kumar, A. M.

Solutions for discharge chamber sputtering and anode deposit spalling in small mercury ion thrusters

Small electron bombardment mercury ion thrusters are considered for attitude-control and station-keeping operations in the case of earth synchronous satellites. The required operational lifetimes of the order of 20,000 hours could present problems because of the occurrence of sputter erosion of thruster discharge chamber components. The investigation reported is concerned with a study of these problems and the development of approaches for overcoming them.

Power, J. L.

A precoat prevents ceramic stopoffs from spalling

Nickel-alloy precoat applied with plasmagun improves adhesion of ceramic materials applied to protect areas from unintentional brazing. Metal surface should be grit-blasted before precoating. Coating does not interfere with brazing or contaminate vacuum pumping systems.

Brennan, A.