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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 361 records · Page 20
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1984

The influence of containerless undercooling and rapid solid-state quenching on the superconductive and magnetic properties of some clustering alloy systems

The properties of clustering alloy systems and the manner in which they are influenced by rapid quenching from a containerless undercooled melt are discussed. It was postulated that rapid quenching under such conditions would result in highly disordered metastable alloys, and furthermore, that alloys in such conditions would possess physical properties characteristically different from those of alloys in the annealed equilibrium state. The scope of the program is essentially to gauge the influence of containerless undercooling on the submicrostructure of clustering-type alloys, using certain physical properties as diagnostic tools. Microstructures and macrostructures were to be examined using optical- and scanning-electron microscopy.

Collings, E. W.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Fracture modes in notched angleplied composite laminates

The Composite Durability Structural Analysis (CODSTRAN) computer code is used to determine composite fracture. Fracture modes in solid and notched, unidirectional and angleplied graphite/epoxy composites were determined by using CODSTRAN. Experimental verification included both nondestructive (ultrasonic C-Scanning) and destructive (scanning electron microscopy) techniques. The fracture modes were found to be a function of ply orientations and whether the composite is notched or unnotched. Delaminations caused by stress concentrations around notch tips were also determined. Results indicate that the composite mechanics, structural analysis, laminate analysis, and fracture criteria modules embedded in CODSTRAN are valid for determining composite fracture modes.

Irvine, T. B.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Evaluation of the emission capabilities of Spindt-type field emitting cathodes

The electron emitting capabilities of Spindt-type field emitting cathodes (FEC) are being studied at the Lewis Research Center, NASA. These cathodes, having 5000 emitting points in a 1 mm diameter, have been shown to be capable of emission current densities of 10 A/sq cm and higher. The purposes of this study are to (1) demonstrate that the cathodes can be processed and used in a tube-type configuration, (2) determine whether, at a sufficiently high current density, the cathode can operate in the space charge mode, and (3) evaluate failure mechanisms in this unique type of electron emitter. FEC's have been tested in a diode configuration, by the use of pulse techniques, up to current densities of 6 A/sq cm and anode potentials of 3000 V. Space charge effects have been observed in the range of 5 A/sq cm as an apparent linear increase of cathode current with anode voltage for a constant emitter-gate potential. Failed cathodes were studied by means of scanning electron microscopy and the major failure modes encountered are attributed to gas evolution, followed by arcing, which destroys either individual emitters or a large segment of the cathode area.

Forman, R.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Failure analysis of a tool steel torque shaft

A low design load drive shaft used to deliver power from an experimental exhaust heat recovery system to the crankshaft of an experimental diesel truck engine failed during highway testing. An independent testing laboratory analyzed the failure by routine metallography and attributed the failure to fatigue induced by a banded microstructure. Visual examination by NASA of the failed shaft plus the knowledge of the torsional load that it carried pointed to a 100 percent ductile failure with no evidence of fatigue. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed this. Previously announced in STAR as N82-11184

Reagan, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Aluminum chloride formation on Space Shuttle aluminum oxide

Samples of particulates collected from the exhaust of Space Shuttle launches STS-1, -4, -5, -6, and -7 were analyzed. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometry of these samples indicated that the particulates were spherical and predominantly composed of aluminum oxide. The water-soluble weight fraction, pH, acid-soluble weight fraction, and insoluble weight fraction were determined for each sample. Water-soluble weight fractions averaged about 7 percent of the total sample weight, were generally very acidic, and contained significantly elevated concentrations of chloride and aluminum (III) ion. The high concentrations of soluble aluminum (III) and chloride ions observed suggested that aluminum chlorides and/or oxychlorides had formed on the surface of the alumina particulates. More than 72 percent by weight of each sample was insoluble in either water or strong mineral acid, and was identified as alpha-Al2O3. The results from these analyses suggest that the surface of Space Shuttle exhaust alumina particulates will be highly acidic and heavily chlorided, and that a substantial amount of the surface chloride may be chemically associated with aluminum (III) ions rather than just physically adsorbed as HCl.

Cofer, W. R., III↗
NASA NTRS1983

Morphology of an aluminum alloy eroded by a normally incident jet of angular erodent particles

The erosion morphologies resulting from the normal impact of crushed glass particles upon 6061-T6 aluminum alloy are examined by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Four distant erosion regions are identified. It is shown that the transition to cutting wear occurs simultaneously with the transition from the incubation stage of erosion to the acceleration stage. It is also shown that the erosion rate depends exponentially on the velocity of the particles, with an exponent of 3.68, which is in good agreement with other investigations at normal incidence.

Rao, P. V.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Grain-boundary phases in hot-pressed silicon nitride containing Y2O3 and CeO2 additives

Auger electron spectroscopy in conjunction with X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy is used to analyze the grain-boundary phases of Y2O3- and CeO2-doped Si3N4 hot-pressed materials in order to demonstrate that the additives concentrate predominantly in the grain boundaries of Si3N4 in the form of various oxynitride phases. A high oxygen content observed in sample fracture surfaces was found to be consistent with the existence of an oxygen-enriched phase in the grain boundaries. The presence of yttrium and cerium in the fracture surfaces and an overall increase in the O/N ratio imply that the additive oxides are predominantly concentrated in the intergranular phases.

Guha, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Melting, ablation, and vapor phase condensation during atmospheric passage of the Bjurbole meteorite

A detailed study of the Bjurbole fusion crust using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive analysis (EDS) shows that filamentary crystals and ablation spheres may form on the meteoroid surface. Filamentary crystals, hollow spheres, and porous regions of the surface point to a period of intense vapor phase activity during atmospheric passage. Filamentary crystals can be divided into three categories on the basis of bulk composition and morphology. Two types of filamentary crystals are vapor phase condensation products formed during atmospheric entry of the meteoroid. The other type forms by the interaction of seawater with the fusion surface. The density and composition of ablation spheres varies with the flight orientation of the meteorite. The size range and composition of iron-nickel spheres on the surface of Bjurbole are similar to spheres collected in the stratosphere. A comparison of stratospheric dust collections with meteorite surfaces may provide further insight into the mechanisms of meteoroid entry into planetary atmospheres.

Rietmeijer, F. J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The appearance of carbon aerosol particles in the lower stratosphere

Very small carbonaceous particles, thought to be meteoritic, have been found in small quantities in the lower stratosphere during aircraft sampling flights. The sampling was accomplished using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) cascade impactor operating on a U-2 aircraft as it flew stratospheric sampling missions. Post flight analyses of the samples using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray energy spectroscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy have identified carbon particles 0.1 micron aerodynamic diameter and smaller in 16 of 28 sets of samples obtained between 1979 and 1983. The presence of such carbon particles in the stratosphere has implications relating to global climate, to the conversion of SO2 to sulfuric acid, and to the phenomenon of the Arctic haze.

Chuan, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Subcritical crack growth and other time- and environment-dependent behavior in crustal rocks

Stable crack growth strongly influences both the fracture strength of brittle rocks and some of the phenomena precursory to catastrophic failure. Quantification of the time and environment dependence of fracture propagation is attempted with the use of a fracture mechanics technique. Some of the difficulties encountered when applying techniques originally developed for simple synthetic materials to complex materials like rocks are examined. A picture of subcritical fracture propagation is developed that embraces the essential ingredients of the microstructure, a microcrack process zone, and the different roles that the environment plays. To do this, the results of (1) fracture mechanics experiments on five rock types, (2) optical and scanning electron microscopy, (3) studies of microstructural aspects of fracture in ceramics, and (4) exploratory tests examining the time-dependent response of rock to the application of water are examined.

Swanson, P. L.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Zirconium fluoride glass - Surface crystals formed by reaction with water

The hydrated surfaces of a zirconium barium fluoride glass, which has potential for application in optical fibers and other optical elements, were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Crystalline zirconium fluoride was identified by analysis of X-ray diffraction patterns of the surface crystals and found to be the main constituent of the surface material. It was also found that hydrated zirconium fluorides form only in highly acidic fluoride solutions. It is possible that the zirconium fluoride crystals form directly on the glass surface as a result of its depletion of other ions. The solubility of zirconium fluoride is suggested to be probably much lower than that of barium fluoride (0.16 g/100 cu cm at 18 C). Dissolution was determined to be the predominant process in the initial stages of the reaction of the glass with water. Penetration of water into the glass has little effect.

Doremus, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Off-axis tensile properties and fracture in a unidirectional graphite/polyimide composite (Celion 6000/PMR 15)

Tensile properties of unidirectional Celion 6000 graphite/PMR 15 polyimide composites prepared by hot molding and cold molding processes were measured at room temperature and 316 C, the upper use temperature of the polyimide resin, at both 45 and 90 deg to the fiber axis. The resulting fractures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and materialographic techniques. Variation in tensile properties with processing history occurred in the elastic modulus and strain to failure for specimens loaded at 90 deg at 316 C, and in the fracture stress, and hence the in-plane shear stress, for those loaded at 45 deg at room temperature. Significant plastic deformation was observed in the 45 deg orientation at 316 C for material produced by both processing methods. In general, fracture occurred by both failure within the matrix and at the fiber-matrix interface; the degree of interfacial failure increased with temperature. Secondary cracking below the primary fracture surface was also observed.

Harper, J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

A study of the effect of solid particle impact and particle shape on the erosion morphology of ductile metals

Impulsive versus steady jet impingement of spherical glass bead particles on metal surfaces was studied using a gas gun facility and a commercial sand blasting apparatus. Crushed glass particles were also used in the sand blasting apparatus as well as glass beads. Comparisons of the different types of erosion patterns were made. Scanning electron microscopy, surface profilometry and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis were used to characterize erosion patterns. The nature of the wear can be divided into cutting and deformation, each with its own characteristic features. Surface chemistry analysis indicates the possiblity of complex chemical and/or mechanical interactions between erodants and target materials.

Rao, P. V.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Formation of bulk metallic glass by fluxing

Bulk specimens (0.4-4 g mass) of the alloy Pd40Ni40P20 have been undercooled consistently to the glass state, with no detectable superficial crystallinity, in a molten flux of dehydrated boron oxide. The minimum dimension of the most massive glass specimen, so formed, was 1.0 cm. The absence of crystallinity in the specimens was confirmed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and calorimetry.

Kui, H. W.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Discoloration of Polyvinyl Butyral

Report presents results of study of discoloration in polyvinyl butyral (PVB). Clear PVB gradually turns yellowish brown in simulated-aging tests and outdoor environmental tests. Discoloration severely reduces solar-cell output. Using methods of modern analytical chemistry - transmission absorption, Fourier transform infrared absorption, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and scanning-electron microscopy - study uncovered major cause of yellowing.

Kim, Q.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Morphology and Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Diglycidyl Ether of Bisphenol-A Toughened with Carboxyl-Terminated Butadiene-Acrylonitrile

The fracture toughness of an incorporation of a carboxyl-terminated butadiene acrylonitrile (CTBN) elastomer in diglycidyl ether bisphenol A (DGEBA) resin was investigated. Measurements of dynamic mechanical properties, scanning electron microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering were carried out to characterize the state of cure, morphology and particle size and size distribution of the neat resins and their graphite fiber reinforced composites.

Hong, S. D.↗
NASA NTRS1984

High-temperature erosion of plasma-sprayed, yttria-stabilized zirconia in a simulated turbine environment

A series of rig calibration and high temperature tests simulating gas path seal erosion in turbine engines were performed at three impingement angles and at three downstream locations. Plasma sprayed, yttria stablized zirconia specimens were tested. Steady state erosion curves presented for 19 test specimens indicate a brittle type of material erosion despite scanning electron microscopy evidence of plastic deformation. Steady state erosion results were not sensitive to downstream location but were sensitive to impingement angle. At difference downstream locations specimen surface temperature varied from 1250 to 1600 C (2280 to 2900 F) and particle velocity varied from 260 to 320 m/s (850 to 1050 ft/s). The mass ratio of combustion products to erosive grit material was typically 240.

Hanschuh, R. F.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Nitriding of titanium and its alloys by N2, NH3 or mixtures of N2 + H2 in a dc arc plasma at low pressures ( or = to torr)

The dc glow discharges in different gas mixtures of Ar + N2, Ar + NH3 or Ar + N2 + H2 result in the surface nitriding of Ti metal and its alloy (Ti6Al4V). Various gas mixtures were used in order to establish the main active species governing the nitriding process, i.e., N, N2, NH, or NH2 as excited or ionized particles. The dc discharge was sampled and analyzed by quadruple mass spectrometry (QPMS) and optical emission spectroscopy (OES), and the nitrided samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with an EDAX attachment, microhardness, and Fourier transform infrared reflectance spectrometry (FTIR). It was found that the excited and ionized nitrogen and hydrogen atoms are the main species responsible for the nitriding process in a dc glow discharge.

Avni, R.↗