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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 379 records · Page 21
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1984

Isopachic contouring of opaque plates

Contour maps of change of thickness of opaque plates subjected to external loads are obtained using holographic interferometry in conjunction with the moire effect. A simple holographic-interferometry arrangement is used first to obtain contour maps of the out-of-plane displacements of the two sides of the object. Carrier patterns of equal magnitude but opposite signs are added to these contours. Superposition of the reconstructed holograms of the two sides produces a pattern of additive-moire fringes, which are contours of change of thickness. Effects of midplane warpage of the loaded specimen are cancelled. Sensitivity is lambda/2 per fringe order, contrast of the isopachic-fringe pattern is excellent, and the process is compatible with a mechanical-testing-machine environment.

Post, D.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Ceramic component development for the AGT101 gas turbine engine

Under DOE/NASA sponsorship, a team is developing the AGT101, a highly efficient gas turbine engine for automotive application. The regenerated engine will operate at a maximum of 1370 C (2500 F) and 100,000 rpm, and will utilize a variety of Si3N4, SiC, lithium aluminum silicate and ceramic fiber insulation components. Engine design has been performed to consider the fabrication and material characteristics of these ceramic materials for both the static and rotating hot section components. Component fabrication has been performed, components have been screened in thermal and mechanical tests, and initial engine testing has been performed.

Carruthers, W. D.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Lunar luminescence and the filling-in of Fraunhofer lines in moonlight

The filling-in of Fraunhofer lines in moonlight has been attributed to lunar luminescence. In order to test mechanisms proposed for this effect, measurements were made of the filling-in of the H-alpha line, the Na D doublet, and a number of lines near the doublet. The degree of filling-in was not correlated with wavelength in a way expected from a broadband luminescence, such as thermoluminescence. However, it was correlated with equivalent width of the Fraunhofer line, such that it increased as equivalent width decreased. This suggests that the Fraunhofer line filling at the moon's surface is caused by inelastic scattering of sunlight with a small wavelength shift, as for example, photon-phonon scattering.

Potter, A. E.↗
NASA NTRS1986

On the pilot's behavior of detecting a system parameter change

The reaction of a human pilot, engaged in compensatory control, to a sudden change in the controlled element's characteristics is described. Taking the case where the change manifests itself as a variance change of the monitored signal, it is shown that the detection time, defined to be the time elapsed until the pilot detects the change, is related to the monitored signal and its derivative. Then, the detection behavior is modeled by an optimal controller, an optimal estimator, and a variance-ratio test mechanism that is performed for the monitored signal and its derivative. Results of a digital simulation show that the pilot's detection behavior can be well represented by the model proposed here.

Morizumi, N.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Method for hygromechanical characterization of graphite/epoxy composite

An experimental method is described for measuring hygroscopic swelling strains and mechanical strains of moisture-conditioned composite specimens. The method consists of embedding encapsulated strain gages in the midplane of the composite laminate; thus it does not interfere with normal moisture diffusion. It is particularly suited for measuring moisture swelling coefficients and for mechanical testing of moisture-conditioned specimens at high strain rates. Results obtained by the embedded gage method were shown to be more reliable and reproducible than those obtained by surface gages, dial gages, or extensometers.

Yaniv, Gershon↗
NASA NTRS1987

Status of xenon ion propulsion technology

This paper describes a working-model xenon ion propulsion subsystem (XIPS) designed for north-south stationkeeping (NSSK) of 2500-kg-class geosynchronous communication satellites. The XIPS consists of a 25-cm-diameter laboratory-model thruster, a breadboard-model power supply, and a flight-prototype pressure regulator (the critical component of the pressure-regulated xenon feed system). With a thrust of 63.5 mN, specific impulse of 2800 sec, and thruster efficiency of 65 percent, the XIPS performance is believed to be the highest ever reported for an ion thruster operated at 1.3-kW input power. The XIPS power supply accepts an input power of about 1.4 kW from a 28- to 35-V bus and converts it into the seven outputs required for startup and operation of the thruster. The simplified power supply contains only about 500 parts and has demonstrated an unprecedented efficiency of 90 percent and a specific mass of about 8 kg/kW. The results of a highly successful wear-mechanism test in which the working-model XIPS was operated for 4350 hours and 3850 ON/OFF cycles are presented. These hours and cycles are equivalent to over ten years of NSSK on large communication satellites.

Beattie, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Mechanical Properties Of Large Sodium Iodide Crystals

Report presents data on mechanical properties of large crystals of thallium-doped sodium iodide. Five specimens in shape of circular flat plates subjected to mechanical tests. Presents test results for each specimen as plots of differential pressure versus center displacement and differential pressure versus stress at center. Also tabulates raw data. Test program also developed procedure for screening candidate crystals for gamma-ray sensor. Procedure eliminates potentially weak crystals before installed and ensures material yielding kept to minimum.

Lee, Henry M.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Hygrothermal and strain-rate effects on properties of graphite/epoxy composites

The combined effects of moisture (M), temperature (T), and strain rate (SR) on the properties of the unidirectional graphite/epoxy composite AS4/3501-6 are investigated experimentally. Longitudinal tensile, in-plane shear, and transverse tensile specimens with moisture content 0 or 1 percent were characterized using standard mechanical tests and the techniques described by Yaniv et al. (1987) at temperatures 23-128 C and strain rates from 5 x 10 to the -6th/sec to 5/sec. The results are presented in graphs and discussed in detail. The longitudinal properties of the composite were found to be generally unaffected by changes in the parameters, whereas transverse and interlaminar properties decreased with increasing T and M at constant SR and the transverse and in-plane shear moduli increased with SR. A time-T-M equivalence principle is used to derive master curves for all the matrix-dominated properties, expressed in terms of a two-variable shift function.

Daniel, I. M.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Space radiation effects on poly(aryl-ether-ketone) thin films and composites

The purpose of this study was to assess the space durability of poly(aryl-ether-ketone) (PEEK) in the forms of films and graphite fiber reinforced composites. The influence of the film's crystallinity on electron radiation stability was evaluated using X-ray diffraction, DSC, FTIR, and mechanical property tests. The mechanical properties of the composites material were evaluated after electron radiation and after electron radiation followed by thermal cycling simulating 30 years in geosynchronous orbit.

Funk, Joan G.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Environmental effects on high strain rate properties of graphite/epoxy composite

The effects of hygrothermal conditions on the high-strain-rate properties of a unidirectional graphite/epoxy material, AS4/3501-6, were evaluated using standard physical and mechanical tests to determine the properties of the lamina. A time-temperature-moisture equivalence principle was applied to obtain master curves for the longitudinal, transverse, and in-plane shear moduli and corresponding strengths and ultimate strains of the specimens. It was found that the longitudinal properties of the material remained unchanged at all conditions, except for the longitudinal modulus, which showed a slight increase with temperature, moisture, and strain rate. On the other hand, all transverse and intralaminar shear properties were found to decrease with increasing temperature and moisture contents at a fixed strain rate.

Yaniv, Gershon↗
NASA NTRS1988

Enhancement of superplastic formability in a high strength aluminum alloy

A 7475 aluminum alloy was developed for superplastic forming (SPF). By lowering the Fe and Si contents in this alloy significantly below their normal levels and optimizing the thermomechanical processing to produce sheet, over 2000 percent thickness strain to failure was obtained. The microstructure, elevated-temperature uniaxial and biaxial tension, and cavitation behavior of the alloy were determined. In addition, a constitutive model was used to form a generic structural shape from which mechanical test specimens were removed and post-SPF characteristics were evaluated. The constitutive model included both material strain hardening and strain rate hardening effects, and was verified by accurately predicting forming cycles which resulted in successful component forming. Stress-life fatigue, stress rupture, and room and elevated temperature tensile tests were conducted on the formed material.

Agrawal, S. P.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Deformation and fracture of aluminum-lithium alloys: The effect of dissolved hydrogen

The effects of dissolved hydrogen on the mechanical properties of 2090 and 2219 alloys are studied. The work done during this semi-annual period consists of the hydrogen charging study and some preliminary mechanical tests. Prior to SIMS analysis, several potentiostatic and galvanostatic experiments were performed for various times (going from 10 minutes to several hours) in the cathodic zone, and for the two aqueous solutions: 0.04N of HCl and 0.1N NaOH both combined with a small amount of As2O3. A study of the surface damage was conducted in parallel with the charging experiments. Those tests were performed to choose the best charging conditions without surface damage. Disk rupture tests and tensile tests are part of the study designed to investigate the effect of temperature, surface roughness, strain rate, and environment on the fracture behavior. The importance of the roughness and environment were shown using the disk rupture test as well as the importance of the strain rate under hydrogen environment. The tensile tests, without hydrogen effects, have not shown significant differences between low and room temperature.

Rivet, F. C.↗
NASA NTRS1990

The assessment of metal fiber reinforced polymeric composites

Because of their low cost, excellent electrical conductivity, high specific strength (strength/density), and high specific modulus (modulus/density) short metal fiber reinforced composites have enjoyed a widespread use in many critical applications such as automotive industry, aircraft manufacturing, national defense, and space technology. However, little data has been found in the study of short metal fibrous composites. Optimum fiber concentration in a resin matrix and fiber aspect ratio (length-to-diameter ratio) are often not available to a user. Stress concentration at short fiber ends is the other concern when the composite is applied to a load-bearing application. Fracture in such composites where the damage will be initiated or accumulated is usually difficult to be determined. An experimental investigation is therefore carefully designed and undertaken to systematically evaluate the mechanical properties as well as electrical properties. Inconel 601 (nickel based) metal fiber with a diameter of eight microns is used to reinforce commercially available thermoset polyester resin. Mechanical testing such as tensile, impact, and flexure tests along with electrical conductivity measurements is conducted to study the feasibility of using such composites. The advantages and limitations of applying chopped metal fiber reinforced polymeric composites are also discussed.

Chung, Wenchiang R.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Rubberlike elasticity experiment

Four rubber erasers from the campus bookstore, two green and two white, have been cut to have identical dimensions. These are loaded in compression with a mechanical test machine capable of applying cyclic loads and providing output to an X-Y plotter. The anelastic behavior of rubber as well as the relative stiffnesses of composite materials loaded transversely and longitudinally may be demonstrated to beginning students or used as input for computer analysis by students.

Greet, Richard↗
NASA NTRS1991

Low-density, high-strength intermetallic matrix composites by XD (trademark) synthesis

A feasibility study was conducted to evaluate the potential of particulate composites based on low-density, L1(sub 2) trialuminide matrices for high-temperature applications. The compounds evaluated included Al22Fe3Ti8 (as a multiphase matrix), Al67Ti25Cr8, and Al66Ti25Mn9. The reinforcement consisted of TiB2 particulates. The TiB2 composites were processed by ingot and powder metallurgy techniques. Microstructural characterization and mechanical testing were performed in the hot-pressed and hot-isostatic-pressed condition. The casting were sectioned and isothermally forged into pancakes. All the materials were tested in compression as a function of temperature, and at high temperatures as a function of strain rate. The test results are discussed.

Kumar, K. S.↗
NASA NTRS1990

An evaluation of the fatigue crack growth and fracture toughness properties of beryllium-copper alloy CDA172

A series of fracture mechanics tests, using the Be-Cu alloy CDA172 in the round rod product form, was conducted in a lab air environment at room temperature. Tensile data is presented in both the L and C directions and K sub Ic data in both the C-R and C-L orientations. Fracture toughness values were derived from M(T) (center cracked), PS(T) (surface cracked) and CC01 (corner cracked) specimens of varying thickness. Fatigue crack growth data were obtained for the C-R orientation at stress ratio of 0.1, 0.4, and 0.7 and for the C-L orientation at stress ratios of 0.1, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.7.

Forman, Royce G.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Effect of space exposure of some epoxy matrix composites on their thermal expansion and mechanical properties (AO 138-8)

The experiment objectives are: to detect a variation of the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of composite samples; to detect an evolution of mechanical properties; to compare the behavior of two epoxy resins. The CTE is measured by interferometric method in a vacuum chamber. The following mechanical tests are achieved on the samples: interlaminar shear strength; flexural strength; flatwise tensile strength. The results are reported.

Jabs, Heinrich↗