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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 397 records · Page 22
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1988

The fix for tough spots

Modern turbulence-control techniques are discussed. Particular atention is given to retrofit techniques such as riblets and large-eddy breakup (LEBU) devices which use passive elements suitable for a variety of existing vehicles with minimum added complexity. Riblets are small flow-aligned grooves in the aircraft skin that damp turbulence and reduce skin friction; the mechanism of riblet drag reduction derives from the enhancement of turbulence-altering, transverse viscous forces by strong spanwise surface geometry gradients. LEBUs are thin plates or ribbons suspended in a turbulent boundary layer to sever or break up the large vortices that form the convoluted outer edge of the layer. Other turbulence-control techniques are discussed, including one that involves the injection of control vortices into the turbulent boundary layer to modify or substitute for large-eddy structures.

Anders, John B.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Composite interlaminar fracture toughness - Three-dimensional finite-element modeling for mixed mode I, II, and fracture

A computational method/procedure is described which can be used to simulate individual and mixed mode interlaminar fracture progression in fiber composite laminates. Different combinations of Modes 1, 2, and 3 fracture are simulated by varying the crack location through the specimen thickness and by selecting appropriate unsymmetric laminate configurations. The contribution of each fracture mode to strain energy release rate is determined by the local crack closure methods while the mixed mode is determined by global variables. The strain energy release rates are plotted versus extending crack length, where slow crack growth, stable crack growth, and rapid crack growth regions are easily identified. Graphical results are presented to illustrate the effectiveness and versatility of the computational simulation for: (1) evaluating mixed-mode interlaminar fracture, (2) for identifying respective dominant parameters, and (3) for selecting possible simple test methods.

Murthy, Pappu L. N.↗
NASA NTRS1989

A tough performance simultaneous semi-interpenetrating polymer network

A semi-interpenetrating polyimide (semi-IPN) network and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. The semi-IPN system comprises a high performance thermosetting polyimide having an acetylene-terminated group acting as a crosslinking site and a high performance linear thermoplastic polyimide. The polymer is made by combining low viscosity precursors and low molecular weight polymers of the thermosetting and thermoplastic polyimides and allowing them to react in the immediate presence of each other to form a simultaneous semi-interpenetrating polyimide network. Provided is a high temperature system having significantly improved processability and damage tolerance while maintaining excellent thermo-oxidative stability, mechanical properties and resistance to humidity, when compared with the commercial high temperature resin, Thermid 600. This material is particularly adapted for use as a molding, adhesive and advanced composite matrix for aerospace structural and electronic applications.

Pater, Ruth H.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Crack-path effect on material toughness

The main features of a toughening mechanism associated with a curvilinear crack path are examined using a model consisting of a macrocrack in a brittle solid with a curvilinear segment at the crack tip. A numerical procedure for finite and semiinfinite cracks is formulated and evaluated using an example which has an exact solution (a finite crack in the form of a circular arc in a uniform stress field). It is shown that, for a relatively small amplitude of crack path oscillations, the toughening ratio can be taken equal to the ratio of the corresponding crack path lengths.

Rubinstein, Asher A.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Toughness distribution considerations in a thin film system

The spontaneous mechanical failure of thin films and occasionally substrates, due to the thin film deposition, are relatively common occurrences. Large internal stresses (e.g. 10 MPa to 100 MPa) are an inherent part of the thin film deposition process. In most cases where fracture mechanics has been applied to thin film systems, the failure path is confined a priori to the substrate-thin film interface or in the thin film perpendicular to that interface. This paper considers the contributions which determine the failure path and presents a qualitative model for identifying the failure path in a thin film system taking into account the presence of residual stresses. The most important aspect of this model is that it offers an explanation of the variation in the locus of failure that does not strictly depend on the weakest point of the material (i.e. the least work of fracture) being the first to fail. It does not, inherent to its construction, restrict failure to the interface a priori. The fracture mechanics criterion of the strain energy release rate equaling the material's resistance to crack growth leads to crack propagation at a specific location and defines the selection of the fracture path.

Brown, L. D.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Improving processing and toughness of a high performance composite matrix through an interpenetrating polymer network. VI

The use of a semiinterpenetrating polymer network (SIPN) of the high-performance polyimide NR-150B2 to reduce brittleness and improve processability in the highly crosslinked acetylene-terminated polyimides Thermid LR-600, AL-600, MC-600, and FA-700 is described. The theoretical basis of the SIPN process is reviewed; the preparation and characterization of the neat SIPN resins and unidirectional graphite-fiber composites are explained; and the results are presented in extensive tables, graphs, and micrographs and discussed in detail. Significant increases in fracture energy were observed with SIPN, from 93 J/sq m for unmodified LR-600 to 283-603 J/sq m for the SIPN materials; the room-temperature flexural strength of the unidirectional composites also increased, from 1344 MPa for an unmodified MC-600 composite to 2020-1751 MPa for the SIPN composites. The potential applicability of SIPN-based composites to aerospace structures and electronic components is indicated.

Pater, Ruth H.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Combined mode I-mode III fracture toughness of a particulate reinforced metal-matrix composite

The aim of this investigation was to determine the fracture behavior of a particulate reinfored aluminum alloy composite under combined mode I-mode III loading conditions. A modified three-point bend specimen was used to carry out these tests. It was found that the mode I loading condition was energetically most favorable. Addition of mode III components to the system seems to increase the amount of redundant work during fracture without affecting the critical fracture criterion.

Manoharan, M.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Fracture toughness of fiber-reinforced glass ceramic and ceramic matrix composites

A fracture mechanics investigation of 2D woven Nicalon SiC/SiC and Nicalon SiC/LAS has been undertaken. An energy approach has been adopted to characterize and quantify the fracture properties of these materials. Chevron-notched bend specimens were tested in an edgewise configuration in which the crack propagated perpendicular to the ply direction. R-curves were obtained from repeated loading and unloading of specimens using several methods of data reduction. Values correconding to the plateau regions of the R-curves were taken as steady-state crack-growth resistance. These ranged from 37 to 63 kJ/sq m for 2D-SiC/LAS and 2.6 to 2.8 kJ/sq m for 2D-SiC/SiC composites.

Stull, Kevin R.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Development of a fracture toughness test for balloon film

This paper describes the equipment and test procedures being developed in an ongoing project to measure J(c) for film in a biaxial stress state. The objective of the research is to confirm J(c) as a material property whose value will permit the initiation of film tear growth to be predicted. Results are presented for two polyethylene balloon films, an LDPE and LLDPE, of thickness 0.8 mil.

Tielking, John T.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Tough Like Metal

Under an SBIR (Small Business Innovative Research) with Lewis Research Center, Advanced Ceramics Corporation developed a family of high temperature and doped boron nitride coating that offer improvement in interface durability of SiC/SiC composites. The new materials are 1,000 times more durable and greatly extend composite lifetimes. The development of this was commercialized with assistance from Lewis and Advanced Ceramic's own money and is supplying several composites manufacturers with new interface coating from an expanded in-line tow coating facility.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2004

Selective Reinforcement to Improve Fracture Toughness and Fatigue Crack Growth Resistance in Metallic Structures

Experimental and analytical investigations of the fatigue crack growth and fracture response of aluminum selectively reinforced compact tension specimens were performed. It was shown that selective reinforcement significantly improved these responses primarily through load sharing by the reinforcement. With the appropriate combination of reinforcement architecture and mechanical properties, as well as reinforcement to base aluminum interface properties, fatigue cracks can be arrested using selective reinforcement. Maximum load associated with fracture increased up to 20 percent for the cases investigated and crack growth at maximum load increased as much as 150 percent. For both fatigue crack growth and fracture, the three most influential properties identified within the bounds of this investigation that influence this response are reinforcement width, reinforcement stiffness and interface stiffness. Considerable coupling occurs between the different fiber architecture and material properties and how they influence fatigue crack growth and fracture responses.

Farley, Gary L.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Characterization of the Edge Crack Torsion (ECT) Test for Mode III Fracture Toughness Measurement of Laminated Composites

The edge crack torsion (ECT) test is designed to initiate mode III delamination growth in composite laminates. An ECT specimen is a rectangular laminate, containing an edge delamination at the laminate mid-plane. Torsion load is applied to the specimens, resulting in relative transverse shear sliding of the delaminated faces. The test data reduction schemes are intended to yield initiation values of critical mode III strain energy release rate, G(sub IIIc), that are constant with delamination length. The test has undergone several design changes during its development. The objective of this paper was to determine the suitability of the current ECT test design as a mode III fracture test. To this end, ECT tests were conducted on specimens manufactured from IM7/8552 and specimens made from S2/8552 tape laminates. Several specimens, each with different delamination lengths are tested. Detailed, three-dimensional finite element analyses of the specimens were performed. The analysis results were used to calculate the distribution of mode I, mode II, and mode III strain energy release rate along the delamination front. The results indicated that mode III-dominated delamination growth would be initiated from the specimen center. However, in specimens of both material types, the measured values of G(sub IIIc) exhibited significant dependence on delamination length. Furthermore, there was a large amount of scatter in the data. Load-displacement response of the specimens exhibited significant deviation from linearity before specimen failure. X-radiographs of a sample of specimens revealed that damage was initiated in the specimens prior to failure. Further inspection of the failure surfaces is required to identify the damage and determine that mode III delamination is initiated in the specimens.

Ratcliffe, James G.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Characterization of the Edge Crack Torsion (ECT) Test for Mode III Fracture Toughness Measurement of Laminated Composites

The edge crack torsion (ECT) test is designed to initiate mode III delamination growth in composite laminates. The test has undergone several design changes during its development. The objective of this paper was to determine the suitability of the current ECT test design a mode III fracture test. To this end, ECT tests were conducted on specimens manufactured from IM7/8552 and S2/8552 tape laminates. Three-dimensional finite element analyses were performed. The analysis results were used to calculate the distribution of mode I, mode II, and mode III strain energy release rate along the delamination front. The results indicated that mode IIIdominated delamination growth would be initiated from the specimen center. However, in specimens of both material types, the measured values of GIIIc exhibited significant dependence on delamination length. Load-displacement response of the specimens exhibited significant deviation from linearity before specimen failure. X-radiographs of a sample of specimens revealed that damage was initiated in the specimens prior to failure. Further inspection of the failure surfaces is required to identify the damage and determine that mode III delamination is initiated in the specimens.

Ratcliffe, James G.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Project Apollo: The Tough Decisions

The report reviews the major Mercury and then Gemini precursors for the Apollo mission program and its development and mission sequence. But, very importantly, it describes the major and often complex deliberations that encouraged inputs from the broad range of informed internal Agency individuals in order to arrive at the resulting actions taken; it recognizes differences among their various views, including even sensitivities within the leadership of the Agency, and it acknowledges NASA's relationships with the President and key executive branch personnel, as well as the very important and often complex relationships with members of Congress. The process of writing this book was searching and comprehensive. The achievement of the world's first manned lunar landings, after the earlier Mercury and Gemini programs played catch-up to match the Soviet Union's advanced position, clearly established the United States' preeminence in space. Early in the book, Bob describes an extended meeting in the White House in which the President's views and those of Mr. Webb were seriously discussed. Bob tells how, through Apollo's lunar landing, NASA clearly met both President Kennedy's goal to overcome the Soviets' leadership image and James Webb's goal to use Apollo as a major part of his program to demonstrate U.S. technological preeminence.

Seamans, Robert C., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Very Tough, Erosion-Resistant Turbine Airfoil Thermal Barrier Coatings Developed

Ceramic thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) are receiving increased attention for advanced gas turbine engine applications. These coatings are considered to be technologically important because of their ability to further increase engine operating temperatures and reduce cooling requirements, thus achieving higher engine efficiency, lower emissions, and increased performance goals. To take full advantage of the capabilities of these coatings, researchers need to use an aggressive design approach whenever possible--one that allows greater temperature reductions through the coating systems and less cooling air to the components. Advanced TBCs that have significantly lower thermal conductivity and better thermal stability than current coatings have been developed for future ultra-efficient, low-emission engine systems. Multicomponent-doped, defect-clustered TBCs have been shown to offer the low conductivity and high stability required for future high-temperature engine applications.

Zhu, Dong-Ming↗
NASA NTRS2005

Strong, Tough Glass Composites Developed for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Seals

A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that continuously converts the chemical energy of a fuel directly into electrical energy. It consists of an electrolyte, an anode, and a cathode. Various types of fuel cells are available, such as direct methanol fuel cells, alkaline fuel cells, proton-exchange-membrane fuel cells, phosphoric acid fuel cells, molten carbonate fuel cells, and solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The salient features of an SOFC are all solid construction and high-temperature electrochemical-reaction-based operation, resulting in clean, efficient power generation from a variety of fuels. SOFCs are being developed for a broad range of applications, such as portable electronic devices, automobiles, power generation, and aeronautics.

Bansal, Narottam P.↗