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At least 379 records · Page 21

Intermediate Temperature Fluids Life Tests - Experiments

There are a number of different applications that could use heat pipes or loop heat pipes (LHPs) in the intermediate temperature range of 450 to 725 K (170 to 450 C), including space nuclear power system radiators, fuel cells, and high temperature electronics cooling. Historically, water has been used in heat pipes at temperatures up to about 425 K (150 C). Recent life tests, updated below, demonstrate that titanium/water and Monel/water heat pipes can be used at temperatures up to 550 K (277 C), due to water's favorable transport properties. At temperatures above roughly 570 K (300 C), water is no longer a suitable fluid, due to high vapor pressure and low surface tension as the critical point is approached. At higher temperatures, another working fluid/envelope combination is required, either an organic or halide working fluid. An electromotive force method was used to predict the compatibility of halide working fluids with envelope materials. This procedure was used to reject aluminum and aluminum alloys as envelope materials, due to their high decomposition potential. Titanium and three corrosion resistant superalloys were chosen as envelope materials. Life tests were conducted with these envelopes and six different working fluids: AlBr3, GaCl3, SnCl4, TiCl4, TiBr4, and eutectic diphenyl/diphenyl oxide (Therminol VP-1/Dowtherm A). All of the life tests except for the GaCl3 are ongoing; the GaCl3 was incompatible. As the temperature approaches 725 K (450 C), cesium is a potential heat pipe working fluid. Life tests results are also presented for cesium/Monel 400 and cesium/70-30 copper/nickel heat pipes operating near 750 K (477 C). These materials are not suitable for long term operation, due to copper transport from the condenser to the evaporator.

Anderson, William G.↗

Space Processing Applications Rocket project, SPAR 2

Experiment objectives, design/operational concepts, and final results are summarized for six materials science experiments conducted during the second space processing applications rocket mission flown by NASA. The individual experiments discussed are: (1) solidification of Pb-Sb eutectic; (2) feasibility of producing closed-cell metal foams; (3) direct observation of dendrite remelting and macrosegregation in castings; (4) agglomeration in immiscible liquids; (5) casting dispersion - strengthened composites at zero gravity; and (6) solidification behavior of Al-In alloys under zero gravity conditions.

Source record↗

Fabrication and Performance of NiCuCoFeMn High Entropy Alloy Nanopastes for Brazing Inconel 718

Overview: High entropy alloys (HEAs) are a class of metallic alloys consisting of 5 plus elemental components and have four core effects - 1. High mixing entropy - 2. Sluggish diffusion kinetics - 3. High lattice distortion - 4. Cocktail effect; Boron-free, silicon-free brazing materials for nickel superalloys to avoid brittle intermetallic and eutectic phase formation; Size-dependent melting point depression can eliminate the need for boron, silicon and other melting point depressants; A Ni-Mn-Fe-Co-Cu HEA with low solidus and liquidus temperatures (1080 °C and 1150 °C) was developed; Low solidus and liquidus temperatures of the HEA combined with the nanoscale melting point depression in this study; Bulk HEA fabricated by induction melting of elemental powders; HEA nanoparticles (NPs) fabricated by ball milling of the HEA micropowder; Inconel 718 was laser brazed in air using the HEA and bulk and NP performances are compared.

Bridges, Denzel↗

Radionuclide tracing based in situ corrosion and mass transport monitoring of 316L stainless steel in a molten salt closed loop

In the study, we report an in situ corrosion and mass transport monitoring method developed using a radionuclide tracing technique for the corrosion study of 316L stainless steel (316L SS) in a NaCl–MgCl 2 eutectic molten salt natural circulation loop. This method involves cyclotron irradiation of a small tube section with 16 MeV protons, later welds at the hot leg of the molten salt flow loop, generating radionuclides 51 Cr, 52 Mn, and 56 Co at the salt–alloy interface. By measuring the activity variations of these radionuclides at different sections along the loop, both the in situ monitoring of the corrosion attack depth of 316L SS and corrosion product transport and its precipitation in flowing NaCl–MgCl 2 molten salt are achieved. While 316L SS is the focus of this study, the technique reported herein can be extended to other structural materials being used in a wide range of industrial applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Composition optimization of chromium carbide based solid lubricant coatings for foil gas bearings at temperatures to 650 C

A test program to determine the optimum composition of chromium carbide based solid lubricant coatings for compliant gas bearings is described. The friction and wear properties of the coatings are evaluated using a foil gas bearing test apparatus. The various coatings were prepared by powder blending, then plasma sprayed onto Inconel 718 test journals and diamond ground to the desired coating thickness and surface finish. The journals were operated against preoxidized nickel-chromium alloy foils. The test bearings were subjected to repeated start/stop cycles under a 14 kPa (2 psi) bearing unit load. The bearings were tested for 9000 start/stop cycles or until the specimen wear reached a predetermined failure level. In general, the addition of silver and eutectic to the chromium carbide base stock significantly reduced foil wear and increased journal coating wear. The optimum coating composition, PS212 (70 wt% metal bonded Cr3C2, 15 wt% Ag, 15% BaF2/CaF2 eutectic), reduced foil wear by a factor of two and displayed coating wear well within acceptable limits. The load capacity of the bearing using the plasma-sprayed coating prior to and after a run-in period was ascertained and compared to polished Inconel 718 specimens.

Dellacorte, Christopher↗

Real-Time X-Ray Transmission Microscopy for Fundamental Studies Solidification

High resolution real-time X-ray Transmission Microscopy, XTM, has been applied to obtain information fundamental to solidification of optically opaque metallic systems. We have previously reported the measurement of solute profile in the liquid, phase growth, and detailed solid-liquid interfacial morphology of aluminum based alloys with exposure times less than 2 seconds. Recent advances in XTM furnace design have provided an increase in real-time magnification (during solidification) for the XTM from 4OX to 16OX. The increased magnification has enabled for the first time the XTM imaging of real-time growth of fibers and particles with diameters of 5 micrometers. We have applied this system to study of the kinetics of formation and morphological evolution of secondary fibers and particles in Al-Bi monotectic alloys to observe a previously unreported velocity dependent thermo-capillary depletion mechanism for Bi rich liquid which can penetrate many fiber diameters into the solid-liquid interface. In this talk we will discuss application of the XTM to the study the fundamentals of monotectic and eutectic solidification, the enhancement of XTM data with precise solid liquid interfacial temperature and thermal gradient measurement techniques, and the application of this technology to the study of the fundamentals of solidification in microgravity,

Curreri, Peter A.↗

BUNDLE: A Novel Furnace for Performing Controlled Directional Solidification Experiments in a Microgravity Environment

NASA Marshall Space Flight Center has developed a novel directional solidification furnace prototype for processing metals and alloys experiments in a microgravity environment. The BUNDLE (Bridgman Unidirectional Dendrite in Liquid Experiment) furnace is intended to accommodate the science requirements of Flight Definition Principle Investigators studying cellular/dendritic growth in aluminum and lead alloys at processing temperatures up to 1200 C. The furnace implements a number of innovative features to achieve high thermal gradients and quench rates in a low-power, light-weight design. These include a pyrolytic boron nitride/graphite composite heating element surrounded by layers of self-supporting refractory metal shielding, and a graphite fiber enhanced cold zone allowing high levels of heat extraction from the sample crucible. Novel to the BUNDLE design is an in-situ helium gas quench capability that ensures rapid freezing of the solidifying region (mushy zone) of the metal sample within the furnace without sample disturbance prior to quenching; this is a stringent requirement for subsequent analysis and understanding of microstructural development. The experiment hardware concept features multiple furnaces that may be "bundled" together so many samples, currently up to eight, can be processed at one time. The design of BUNDLE is flexible enough to be implemented on the Shuttle and Space Station in a number of locations (SpaceHab, Express Rack, MPESS, ISPR, etc). BUNDLE prototype furnaces have directionally solidified and quenched 1cm diameter lead - 5.8 weight percent antimony and aluminum - 4 weight percent copper alloys. Quenching of the mushy zone, as recorded by in-situ thermocouples, occurred on the order of 0.5 seconds or less, a rate within the PI's requirements. Subsequent metallographic examination revealed the solidified microstructure to be, as expected, unidirectional. Both the dendrite tips and the eutectic reaction were planar in nature indicating uniform axial heat flow. Delineation between the growing dendrites and eutectic structure with the "quenched-in" liquid was sharp, attesting to the efficacy of the helium quench. BUNDLE's conception, development, capability, and adaptability are presented (in view of Flight PI's needs and science requirements) through viewgraphs depicting actual hardware, generated thermal analysis, and micrographs prepared from BUNDLE processed, flight-like samples.

Carrasquillo, Edgar J.↗

BUNDLE - A Novel Furnace for Performing Controlled Directional Solidification Experiments in a Microgravity Environment

NASA Marshall Space Flight Center has developed a novel directional solidification furnace prototype for processing metals and alloys experiments in a microgravity environment. The BUNDLE (Bridgman Unidirectional Dendrite in Liquid Experiment) furnace is intended to accommodate the science requirements of Flight Definition Principle Investigators studying cellular/dendritic growth in aluminum and lead alloys at processing temperatures up to 1200 C. The furnace implements a number of innovative features to achieve high thermal gradients and quench rates in a low-power, light-weight design. These include a pyrolytic boron nitride/graphite composite heating element surrounded by layers of self-supporting refractory metal shielding, and a graphite fiber enhanced cold zone allowing high levels of heat extraction from the sample crucible. Novel to the BUNDLE design is an in-situ helium gas quench capability that ensures rapid freezing of the solidifying region (mushy zone) of the metal sample within the furnace without sample disturbance prior to quenching; this is a stringent requirement for subsequent analysis and understanding of microstructural development. The experiment hardware concept features multiple furnaces that may be "bundled" together so many samples, currently up to eight, can be processed at one time. The design of BUNDLE is flexible enough to be implemented on the Shuttle and Space Station in a number of locations (SpaceHab, Express Rack, MPESS, ISPR, etc). BUNDLE prototype furnaces have directionally solidified and quenched 1cm diameter lead - 5.8 weight percent antimony and aluminum - 4 weight percent copper alloys. Quenching of the mushy zone, as recorded by in-situ thermocouples, occurred on the order of 0.5 seconds or less, a rate within the PI's requirements. Subsequent metallographic examination revealed the solidified microstructure to be, as expected, unidirectional. Both the dendrite tips and the eutectic reaction were planar in nature indicating uniform axial heat flow. Delineation between the growing dendrites and eutectic structure with the "quenched-in" liquid was sharp, attesting to the efficacy of the helium quench. BUNDLE's conception, development, capability, and adaptability are presented (in view of Flight PI's needs and science requirements) through viewgraphs depicting actual hardware, generated thermal analysis, and micrographs prepared from BUNDLE processed, flight-like samples.

Carrasquillo, Edgar J.↗

Zero-G processing of magnets. Experiment MA-070

The magnetic compounds under study, manganese-bismuth (MnBi) copper-cobalt-cerium (Cu,Co)5Ce, are representative of magnetic alloy systems that have the potential for the development of high coercive strength and a high energy product. The samples of 50 at. % bismuth and 50 at. % manganese solidified in the low-g environment demonstrated a substantial improvement in the macroscopic chemical homogeneity. The bismuth/manganese-bismuth directionally solidified eutectic flight samples exhibited marked superior magnetic properties. Intrinsic coercive strengths in excess of 185 Koe have been measured in the low-g processed samples at 77 K. The average value of inductance was improved by 76 percent, and the energy product was improved by 57 percent. Additional results indicate that, in the near-absence of the gravitational body force, contained fluids will assume a lowest energy configuration that differs significantly from that found terrestrially.

Larson, D. J., Jr.↗

Directional solidification of flake and nodular cast iron during KC-135 low-g maneuvers

Alloys solidified in a low-gravity environment can, due to the elimination of sedimentation and convection, form unique and often desirable microstructures. One method of studying the effects of low-gravity (low-g) on alloy solidification was the use of the NASA KC-135 aircraft flying repetitive low-g maneuvers. Each maneuver gives from 20 to 30 seconds of low-g which is between about 0.1 and 0.001 gravity. A directional solidification furnace was used to study the behavior of off eutectic composition case irons in a low-g environment. The solidification interface of hypereutectic flake and spheroidal graphite case irons was slowly advanced through a rod sample, 5 mm in diameter. Controlled solidification was continued through a number of aircraft parabolas. The known solidification rate of the sample was then correlated with accelerometer data to determine the gravity level during solidification for any location of the sample. The thermal gradient and solidification rate were controlled independently. Samples run on the KC-135 aircraft exhibited bands of coarser graphite or of larger nodules usually corresponding to the regions solidified under low-g. Samples containing high phosphorous (used in order to determine the eutectic cell) exhibited larger eutectic cells in the low-g zone, followed by a band of coarser graphite.

Curreri, P. A.↗

Space Processing Applications Rocket project, SPAR 1

The experiment objectives, design/operational concepts, and final results of each of nine scientific experiments conducted during the first Space Processing Applications Rocket (SPAR) flight are summarized. The nine individual SPAR experiments, covering a wide and varied range of scientific materials processing objectives, were entitled: solidification of Pb-Sb eutectic, feasibility of producing closed-cell metal foams, characterization of rocket vibration environment by measurement of mixing of two liquids, uniform dispersions of crystallization processing, direct observation of solidification as a function of gravity levels, casting thoria dispersion-strengthened interfaces, contained polycrystalline solidification, and preparation of a special alloy for manufacturing of magnetic hard superconductor under zero-g environment.

Reeves, F.↗

Electrical conductivity and phase diagram of binary alloys. 21: The system palladium-chromium

Pd-Cr alloys were investigated by thermal analysis, hardness measurements, X-ray analysis, microscopic examination of etched pieces, and temperature-resistance curves of the solid alloys. Only one compound, Pd2Cr3, m, 1389 deg, is formed. It possesses a cubic face centered lattice and forms with excess Pd a series of solid solutions with a minimum m.p. at 45 atoms% Pd. Hardness maximum appears at the Pd2Cr3 point. Pd2Cr3 forms no solid solutions with Cr but eutectic point appears at 25 atoms% Pd, m. 1320 deg. The sp. resistance of pure Cr in an atom of H, indicates no allotropic forms. Cr2O3 is solid in molten Cr. Pure Cr melts at 1890 plus or minus 10 deg but Cr contg. Cr2O3 starts to melt at 1770 to 1790 deg.

Grube, G.↗

Spectro-electrochemistry of vanadium ions in LiCl-KCl-VCl2,3

Owing to their relatively high thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance, and low radiation heating and embrittlement properties, vanadium (V) alloys are being considered for fusion blanket structural materials. As such, the fundamental behavior of these materials, including the speciation of their corrosion products in molten lithium salts, must be elucidated to enable quantitative lifetime prediction. Yuan et al. [REF#1] demonstrated the reduction and oxidation of vanadium ions in molten LiCl-KCl eutectic salt using a tungsten wire, indicating the possibility of metallic vanadium reduction from V3+ negative potentials

36 - MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Overcoming the Damping–Elasticity Paradox via 3D‐Printed NiTiSn Nanocomposite

Abstract Developing high damping alloys (HDAs) with large elastic strain has attracted growing attention due to the increasing demand for energy absorption with overload reliability and reusability. However, damping capacity inherently conflicts with elasticity, because the former requires a liable movement of crystal defects while the latter opposite. To deal with the damping‐elasticity paradox, the advantage of pseudobinary eutectic reaction and rapid cooling of laser powder bed fusion is taken to fabricate a bulk NiTiSn nanocomposite with a two‐level hierarchical structure. The first‐level architecture is composed of martensitic NiTi nanolamellae and reinforced Ti 3 Sn nanolamellae. In addition to lattice strain matching and lamellar boundary strengthening, a novel mechanism of martensite reorientation mediated by reversible stress‐induced detwinning‐twinning is activated to generate large elastic strain. A high density of nanotwins and nanodomains within NiTi nanolamellae constitute the second‐level architecture, which provides pronounced internal friction for high damping capacity. As a result, our NiTiSn nanocomposite exhibits a record‐high integration of damping capacity (tanδ > 0.10) and elastic strain (exceeding 4.5%), as well as superb stability under cyclic overload. This research not only represents a major breakthrough in achieving HDAs with outstanding damping and elastic strain but also offers a novel paradigm for high‐performance functional and structural materials.

Chemistry↗

Tribological composition optimization of chromium-carbide-based solid lubricant coatings for foil gas bearings at temperatures to 650 C

The determination of the tribilogically optimum composition of chromium-carbide-based solid lubricant coatings using a foil gas bearing test apparatus is described. The coatings contain a wear resistant chromium carbide `base stock' with the lubricant additives silver and BaF2-CaF2 eutectic. The coating composition is optimized for air-lubricated foil gas bearings at temperatures ranging from 25 to 650 C. The various compositions were prepared by powder blending, then plasma sprayed onto Inconel 718 test journals and diamond ground to the desired coating thickness and surface finish. The journals were operated against preoxidized Ni-Cr alloy foils, and the test bearings were subjected to repeated start-stop cycles under a bearing unit of 14 kPa. Sliding contact between the coated journal and the smooth foil occurs during bearing start-up before lift-off or hydrodynamic lubrication by the air film and during bearing coast-down. The bearings were tested for 9000 start-stop cycles or until specimen reached a predetermined failure level.

Dellacorte, Christopher↗

Solidification Behavior of gamma'-Ni3Al Containing Alloys in the Ni-Al-O System

The chemical activities of Al and Ni in gamma(prime)-Ni3Al-containing systems were measured using the multi-cell Knudsen effusion-cell mass spectrometry technique (multi-cell KEMS), over the composition range 8 - 32 at.%Al and temperature range T = 1400 - 1750 K. From these measurements a better understanding of the equilibrium solidification behaviour of gamma(prime)-Ni3Al-containing alloys in the Ni-Al-O system was established. Specifically, these measurements revealed that (1) gamma(prime)-Ni3Al forms via the peritectiod reaction, gamma + Beta (+ A12O3) = gamma (prime) (+ Al2O3), at 1633 +/- 1 K, (2) the {gamma + Beta + Al2O3} phase field is stable over the temperature range 1633 through 1640 K, and (3) equilibrium solidification occurs by the eutectic reaction, L (+ Al2O3) = gamma + Beta (+ Al2O3), at 1640 +/- 1 K and a liquid composition of 24.8 +/- 0.2 at.%Al (at an unknown oxygen content). When projected onto the Ni-Al binary, this behaviour is inconsistent with the current Ni-Al phase diagram and a new diagram is proposed. This new Ni-Al phase diagram explains a number of unusual steady-state solidification structures reported previously and provides a much simpler reaction scheme in the vicinity of the gamma(prime)-Ni3Al phase field.

Copland, Evan↗

Self Assembled Structures by Directional Solidification of Eutectics

Interest in ordered porous structures has grown because of there unique properties such as photonic bandgaps, high backing packing density and high surface to volume ratio. Inspired by nature, biometric strategies using self assembled organic molecules dominate the development of hierarchical inorganic structures. Directional solidification of eutectics (DSE) also exhibit self assembly characteristics to form hierarchical metallic and inorganic structures. Crystallization of diphasic materials by DSE can produce two dimensional ordered structures consisting of rods or lamella. By selective removal of phases, DSE is capable to fabricate ordered pore arrays or ordered pin arrays. Criteria and limitations to fabricate hierarchical structures will be presented. Porous structures in silicon base alloys and ceramic systems will be reported.

Dynys, Frederick W.↗

Fluoride salts and container materials for thermal energy storage applications in the temperature range 973 to 1400 K

Multicomponent fluoride salt mixtures were characterized for use as latent heat of fusion heat storage materials in advanced solar dynamic space power systems with operating temperatures in the range of 973 to 1400 K. The melting points and eutectic composition for many systems with published phase diagrams were verified, and several new eutectic compositions were identified. Additionally, the heats of fusion of several binary and ternary eutectics and congruently melting intermediate compounds were measured by differential scanning calorimetry. The extent of corrosion of various metals by fluoride melts was estimated from thermodynamic considerations, and equilibrium conditions inside a containment vessel were calculated as functions of the initial moisture content of the salt and free volume above the molten salt. Preliminary experimental data on the corrosion of commercial, high-temperature alloys in LiF-19.5CaF2 and NaF-27CaF2-36MgF2 melts are presented and compared to the thermodynamic predictions.

Misra, Ajay K.↗