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At least 397 records · Page 22

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NASA NTRS1985

Rheological, processing, and 371 deg C mechanical properties of Celion 6000/N-phenylnadimide modified PMR composites

The rheology, processing, and chemistry of newly developed N-phenylnadimide modified PMR (PMR-PN) polyimide resins are reviewed. The 371 C performance of their composites reinforced with Celion 6000 graphite fibers is also reviewed, along with the state of the art Celion 6000/PMR-15 composite. The effects of the 371 C exposure in air for up to 300 hr on the composite glass transition temperature, weight loss characteristics, and dimensional stability are presented. The changes in the composite 371 C interlaminar shear and flexural properties are also presented. In addition, composite interfacial degradation at a function of exposure time at 371 C was followed by scanning electron microscopy. The results suggest that the composite materials can be used at 371 C for at least 100 hr.

Pater, R. H.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Assessment of commercially available and experimental hydrogen electrodes

NASA Lewis Research Center is currently involved in advanced cell component development for nickel-hydrogen cells and batteries. Long life, high energy density, improved performance and reliability are required for energy storage systems in future space missions. Commercially available as well as experimental hydrogen electrodes were assessed and copared to the state-of-the-art hydrogen electrode that is currently being used in nickel-hydrogen batteries. These electrodes were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and standard electrochemical polarization measurements. Production variables such as Teflon content and platinum catalyst loading were considered in order to assess various hydrogen electrods with regard to the different electrode manufacturing processes.

Charleston, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Meteoritic ablation and fusion spherules in Antarctic ice

In the course of two Antarctic expeditions in 1980/1981 and 1982/1983 approximately 4 metric tons of documented ice samples were collected from the Atka Bay Ice Shelf, Antarctica, and subsequently shipped for cosmic dust studies. After filtration of the melt water, approximately 700 Antarctic spherules (AAS) in the size range of 5 to 500 microns were handpicked from the filter residue under optical microscopes. For the chemical investigation of single dust grains the following techniques were applied: scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray analysis (EDAX), instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), laser microprobe mass analysis (LAMMA), and accelerator mass spectroscopy (AMS). For more than 95% of the total mass the bulk and trace elements were determined in single grain analyses using EDAX, INAA, and LAMMA. The element pattern of the dust particles was compared with that of typical terrestrial material and meteoritic matter. The majority of the spherules exhibited elemental compositions compatible with meteoritic element patterns.

Thiel, K.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Erosion of aluminum 6061-T6 under cavitation attack in mineral oil and water

Studies of the erosion of aluminum 6061-T6 under cavitation attack in distilled water, ordinary tap water and a viscous mineral oil are presented. The mean depth of penetration for the mineral oil was about 40 percent of that for water at the end of a 40 min test. The mean depth of penetration and its rate did not differ significantly for distilled and tap water. The mean depth of penetration rate for both distilled and tap water increased to a maximum and then decreased with test duration, while that for mineral oil had a maximum during the initial period. The ratio h/2a of the pit depth h to the pit diameter 2a varied from 0.04 to 0.13 in water and from 0.06 to 0.20 in mineral oil. Scanning electron microscopy indicates that the pits are initially formed over the grain boundaries and precipitates while the surface grains are deformed under cavitation attack.

Rao, B. C. S.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Rolling contact fatigue behavior of Cu and TiN coatings on bearing steel substrates

The resistance of copper and TiN coatings on various bearing substrates to high-load rolling contact fatigue (RCF) is investigated. Special attention is given to the lubricating characteristics of copper deposited by ion plating, and the wear resistant characteristics of TiN deposited by ion plating and magnetron sputtering techniques. RCF samples of 440C and AMS 5749 bearing steels were coated. Sputter deposited and ion plated films were on the RCF samples in a range of thickness from about 2000 A to 2 microns. Results showed a marked improvement of the RCF for pure copper tested on 440C, but a degradation for copper on AMS 5749. It is also found that the 2000 A TiN films behave favorably on the 440C and AMS 5749 bearing steels at RCF stress levels of 786 ksi. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis were used during the investigation.

Hochman, R. F.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Erosion of phosphor bronze under cavitation attack in a mineral oil

Experimental investigations on erosion of a copper alloy, phosphor bronze, under cavitation attack in a viscous mineral oil are presented. The details of pit formation and erosion were studied using scanning electron microscopy. The mean depth of penetration, the variations in surface roughness, and the changes in erosion pit size were studied. Cavitation pits formed initially over the grain boundaries while the surface grains were plastically deformed. Erosion of surface grains occurred largely by ductile fracture involving microcracking and removal in layers. The ratio h/a of the depth h to half width a of cavitation pits increased with test duration from 0.047 to 0.55.

Rao, B. C. S.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Dynamics and composition of particles from an aeolian input event to the Sargasso Sea

The present paper is concerned with studies related to the capture of aeolian mineral particles in the Sargasso Sea region in late June 1980. Attention is given to measurement techniques, aerosol sampling, particle trap sampling, investigations utilizing scanning electron microscopy, and the obtained results. Conceivable sources for nonbiogenic particles measured in the water column are related to fallout from the Mount St. Helens eruption and soil materials transported by winds from the North American or African continents. It is found that present aerosol transport models are not adequaely addressing the transport of giant particles from the Sahara to the Sargasso Sea. Data regarding the variation of Sargasso Sea aerosol mass concentrations with time are presented in a table.

Carder, K. L.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Morphological evidence of mechanoreceptive gravity perception in a water flea - Daphnia magna

Hair-like structures or setae located in the basal membrane of the swimming antennae of the water flea, D. magna, were observed by scanning electron microscopy and compared to mechanoreceptors in the Higher Order Crustacea. Similarities in anatomy, size, attachment, number, length, and orientation support the hypothesis that the setae are rheoceptive mechanoreceptors which mediate gravity perception through deflection by water currents during the sink phase of hop-and-sink swimming behavior.

Meyers, D. G.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Residual strength of five boron/aluminum laminates with crack-like notches after fatigue loading

Boron/aluminum specimens were made with crack-like slits in the center and with various proportions of 0 and + or - 45 deg plies. They were fatigue loaded and then fractured to determine their residual strengths. The fatigue loads were generally in the range of 60 to 80 percent of the static tensile strength of the specimen as determined from a previous study, and the stress ratio was .05. For virtually all of the specimens the fatigue loading was continued for 100,000 cycles. The specimens were radiographed after the fatigue loading to determine the nature of the fatigue damage. A few specimens were sectioned and examined in a scanning electron microscope after being radiographed in order to verify the interpretation of the radiographs and also to get a better insight into the nature of the fatigue damage. The results indicate that the fatiguing does not significantly affect the strength of the specimens tested. The results of the radiography and of the scanning electron microscopy indicate that the 45 deg plies suffer extensive damage in the form of split and broken fibers and matrix cracking in the vicinity of the ends of the split. By contrast, the only significant damage to the 0 deg plies was a single 0 deg matric crack growing from the ends of the slit and between the 0 deg fibers.

Simonds, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Effects of surface chemistry on hot corrosion life

Hot corrosion life prediction methodology based on a combination of laboratory test data and field service turbine components, which show evidence of hot corrosion, were examined. Components were evaluated by optical metallography, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electron micropulse (EMP) examination.

Fryxell, R. E.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Effect of hard particle impacts on the atomic oxygen survivability of reflector surfaces with transparent protective overcoats

Silver mirror samples with protective coatings were subjected to a stream of 27 microns alumina particles to induce pinhole defects. The protective coating consisted of a layer of aluminum dioxide over silver followed by a layer of silicon dioxide over the alumina. Samples were prepared on both graphite-epoxy composite and fused quartz substrates. After exposure to the hard particle stream, the samples were exposed to an oxygen plasma environment in a laboratory plasma asher. The effects of both the hard particles and the oxygen plasma were documented by both reflectance measurements and scanning electron microscopy. The results indicated that oxidative damage to the silver reflecting layer continues beyond that of the erosively exposed silver. Oxidative undercutting of the silver layer and graphite-epoxy substrate continues in undamaged areas through adjacent, particle damaged defect sites. This may have implications for the use of such mirrors in a space station solar dynamic power system.

Gulino, D. A.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Analysis of normal and transparent silver Teflon

Samples of Inconel/silver/Teflon exposed to solar radiation, and atomic oxygen on Solar Max were microcharacterized. Those samples exposed to atomic oxygen from the metallic side had become transparent while those exposed from the Teflon side remained reflective. The difference between the transparent and non-transparent material was determined. Microcharacterization of these Inconel/silver/Teflon samples was performed using scanning electron microscopy with windowless energy dispersive X ray analysis, secondary ion mass spectrometry, and X ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

Stuckey, W. K.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Nondestructive evaluation of structural ceramics

A review is presented on research and development of techniques for nondestructive evaluation and characterization of advanced ceramics for heat engine applications. Highlighted in this review are Lewis Research Center efforts in microfocus radiography, scanning laser acoustic microscopy (SLAM), scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM), scanning electron acoustic microscopy (SEAM), and photoacoustic microscopy (PAM). The techniques were evaluated by applying them to research samples of green and sintered silicon nitride and silicon carbide in the form of modulus-of-rupture bars containing seeded voids. Probabilities of detection of voids were determined for diameters as small as 20 microns for microfucus radiography, SLAM, and SAM. Strengths and limitations of the techniques for ceramic applications are identified. Application of ultrasonics for characterizing ceramic microstructures is also discussed.

Klima, Stanley J.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Lunar sample analysis

A wide variety of lunar sample and meteorite studies were performed. Abstracts of the most recent reports are also attached. Experimental techniques employed have included scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Mossbauer spectroscopy, atomic absorption analysis and a variety of simulation studies.

Housley, R. M.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Fatigue failure of regenerator screens in a high frequency Stirling engine

Failure of Stirling Space Power Demonstrator Engine (SPDE) regenerator screens was investigated. After several hours of operation the SPDE was shut down for inspection and on removing the regenerator screens, debris of unknown origin was discovered along with considerable cracking of the screens in localized areas. Metallurgical analysis of the debris determined it to be cracked-off-deformed pieces of the 41 micron thickness Type 304 stainless steel wire screen. Scanning electron microscopy of the cracked screens revealed failures occurring at wire crossovers and fatigue striations on the fracture surface of the wires. Thus, the screen failure can be characterized as a fatigue failure of the wires. The crossovers were determined to contain a 30 percent reduction in wire thickness and a highly worked microstructure occurring from the manufacturing process of the wire screens. Later it was found that reduction in wire thickness occurred because the screen fabricator had subjected it to a light cold-roll process after weaving. Installation of this screen left a clearance in the regenerator allowing the screens to move. The combined effects of the reduction in wire thickness, stress concentration (caused by screen movement), and highly worked microstructure at the wire crossovers led to the fatigue failure of the screens.

Hull, David R.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Effect of an oxygen plasma on uncoated thin aluminum reflecting films

Thin aluminum films were considered for use as a reflective surface for solar collectors on orbiting solar dynamic power systems. A matter of concern is the durability of such reflective coatings against oxidative attack by highly reactive neutral atomic oxygen, which is the predominate chemical specie in low Earth orbit. Research to date was aimed at evaluating the protective merit of thin dielectric coatings over the aluminum or other reflective metals. However, an uncoated aluminum reflector may self-protect by virtue of the oxide formed from its exposed surface, which constitutes a physical barrier to further oxidation. This possibility was investigated, and an attempt was made to characterize the effects of atomic oxygen on thin Al films using photomicrographs, scanning electron microscopy, spectrophotometry, Auger analysis, and mass measurements. Data collected in a parallel effort is discussed for its comparative value. The results of the investigation of uncoated aluminum supported the self-protection hypothesis, and importantly, it was found that long term specular reflectance for uncoated aluminum exceeded that of Al and Ag reflectors with dielectric coatings.

Parsons, Roger L.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Calcium carbonate and calcium sulfate in Martian meteorite EETA79001

Chips of glassy Lithology C of EETA79001 were studied by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to determine the mineralogy and petrogenesis of the glass that was shown by others to contain trapped Mars-like gases. Calcium carbonite was identified as massive to acicular crystals for which Ca, C, and O were the major elements. Calcium sulfate was identified as prismatic-acicular crystals with Ca and S as the major elements.

Gooding, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Application of scanning acoustic microscopy to advanced structural ceramics

A review is presentod of research investigations of several acoustic microscopy techniques for application to structural ceramics for advanced heat engines. Results obtained with scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM), scanning laser acoustic microscopy (SLAM), scanning electron acoustic microscopy (SEAM), and photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) are compared. The techniques were evaluated on research samples of green and sintered monolithic silicon nitrides and silicon carbides in the form of modulus-of-rupture bars containing deliberately introduced flaws. Strengths and limitations of the techniques are described with emphasis on statistics of detectability of flaws that constitute potential fracture origins.

Vary, Alex↗