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At least 415 records · Page 23

High-temperature composites - Status and future directions

A summary of research investigations of manufacturing methods, fabrication methods, and testing of high temperature composites for use in gas turbine engines is presented. Ceramic/ceramic, ceramic/metal, and metal/metal composites are considered. Directional solidification of superalloys and eutectic alloys, fiber reinforced metal and ceramic composites, ceramic fibers and whiskers, refractory coatings, metal fiber/metal composites, matrix metal selection, and the preparation of test specimens are discussed. Previously announced in STAR as N82-30336

Signorelli, R. A.↗

Energy efficient engine high pressure turbine test hardware detailed design report

The high pressure turbine configuration for the Energy Efficient Engine is built around a two-stage design system. Moderate aerodynamic loading for both stages is used to achieve the high level of turbine efficiency. Flowpath components are designed for 18,000 hours of life, while the static and rotating structures are designed for 36,000 hours of engine operation. Both stages of turbine blades and vanes are air-cooled incorporating advanced state of the art in cooling technology. Direct solidification (DS) alloys are used for blades and one stage of vanes, and an oxide dispersion system (ODS) alloy is used for the Stage 1 nozzle airfoils. Ceramic shrouds are used as the material composition for the Stage 1 shroud. An active clearance control (ACC) system is used to control the blade tip to shroud clearances for both stages. Fan air is used to impinge on the shroud casing support rings, thereby controlling the growth rate of the shroud. This procedure allows close clearance control while minimizing blade tip to shroud rubs.

Halila, E. E.↗

Cyclic Structural Analyses of SSME Turbine Blades

The problems of calculating the structural response of high-temperature space propulsion components such as turbine blades for the fuel turbopump are addressed. The first high-pressure-stage fuel turbine blade (HPFTB) in the liquid-hydrogen turbopump of the space shuttle main engine (SSME) was selected for this study. In the past these blades have cracked in the blade shank region and at the airfoil leading edge adjacent to the platform. To achieve the necessary durability, these blades are currently being cast by using directional solidification. Single-crystal alloys are also being investigated for future SSME applications. The study evaluated the utility of advanced structural analysis methods in assessing the low-cycle fatigue lives of these anisotropic components. The turbine blade airfoil of the high-pressure stage of the SSME fuel turbopump was analyzed because it has a history of rapid crack initiation.

Kaufman, A.↗

Effect of growth parameters on compositional variations in directionally solidified HgCdTe alloys

A series of Hg(1-x)Cd(x)Te alloy crystals was grown by directional solidification with compositions ranging from x = 0.2 to x = 0.4. The measured axial compositional profiles were interpreted in terms of an exact numerical solution of the appropriate diffusion equation that takes into account both the variations of the segregation coefficient and solidification rate with composition. The solutions for all growth rates agree generally well with the experimental data, and confirm earlier observations that employed approximate analytical solutions. The effective mass diffusion coefficients showed no significant composition or melt temperature dependence. Slightly higher diffusion coefficients were obtained, however, for the highest growth rates.

Szofran, F. R.↗

Orbital Processing of Aligned Magnetic Composites

Experiments will be conducted on the space shuttle in which aligned, two-phase magnetic composites will be grown by plane front directional solidification. The objectives are to: (1) identify and quantitatively evaluate the influences of gravitationally driven thermo-solutal convection on contained plane front solidification of binary, eutectic, off-eutectic, and peritectic magnetic composites; (2) to evaluate the effectiveness of micro-g processing as a means of damping convection; and (3) to evaluate the uniqueness of micro-g processing relative to the best of terrestrial convection damping.

Larson, D. J.↗

Development of Materials Processing Systems for Use in Space on Low-g Simulation Devices

Advanced furnace systems are being developed for use in space. Systems are being tested for current experiment applications and modified for future experiment requirements. Future projects are: (1) fabrication and testing of the Advanced Automated Directional Solidification Furnace (AADSF) flight hardware; (2) development of a Heat Pipe Furnace (HPF) for use in space. Heat pipes will be tested for space flight qualification in conjunction with the furnace development. The HPF design will be based on the AADSF development and will be of modular design including capabilities of operating with or without heat pipes; and (3) the AADSF furnace will be modified and tested to operate at temperatures up to 1700 C in the heated cavity. This will be accomplished by developing a new hot end heating module and insulation package for the existing AADSF. Refurbishment of the Drop Tower Furnace (DTF) is under way. The DTF can operate at temperatures up to 1700 C. The sample size will be approximately 3/8 in. dia. x 5/8 in. long. Design improvements for the General Purpose Rocket Furnace (GPRF) for use in the Material Experiment Assembly (MEA) are to be accomplished.

Aldrich, B. R.↗

Bridgman growth of semiconductors

The purpose of this study was to improve the understanding of the transport phenomena which occurs in the directional solidification of alloy semiconductors. In particular, emphasis was placed on the strong role of convection in the melt. Analytical solutions were not deemed possible for such an involved problem. Accordingly, a numerical model of the process was developed which simulated the transport. This translates into solving the partial differential equations of energy, mass, species, and momentum transfer subject to various boundary and initial conditions. A finite element method with simple elements was initially chosen. This simulation tool will enable the crystal grower to systematically identify and modify the important design factors within her control to produce better crystals.

Carlson, F. M.↗

Research reports: 1985 NASA/ASEE Summer Faculty Fellowship Program

A compilation of 40 technical reports on research conducted by participants in the 1985 NASA/ASEE Summer Faculty Fellowship Program at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is given. Weibull density functions, reliability analysis, directional solidification, space stations, jet stream, fracture mechanics, composite materials, orbital maneuvering vehicles, stellar winds and gamma ray bursts are among the topics discussed.

Karr, G. R.↗

Space Processing Applications Rocket (SPAR) project: SPAR 10

The Space Processing Applications Rocket Project (SPAR) X Final Report contains the compilation of the post-flight reports from each of the Principal Investigators (PIs) on the four selected science payloads, in addition to the engineering report as documented by the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). This combined effort also describes pertinent portions of ground-based research leading to the ultimate selection of the flight sample composition, including design, fabrication and testing, all of which are expected to contribute to an improved comprehension of materials processing in space. The SPAR project was coordinated and managed by MSFC as part of the Microgravity Science and Applications (MSA) program of the Office of Space Science and Applications (OSSA) of NASA Headquarters. This technical memorandum is directed entirely to the payload manifest flown in the tenth of a series of SPAR flights conducted at the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) and includes the experiments entitled, Containerless Processing Technology, SPAR Experiment 76-20/3; Directional Solidification of Magnetic Composites, SPAR Experiment 76-22/3; Comparative Alloy Solidification, SPAR Experiment 76-36/3; and Foam Copper, SPAR Experiment 77-9/1R.

Poorman, R.↗

Preparation for microgravity science investigation of compound semiconductor crystal growth

Preparatory work on Bridgman directional solidification (BDS) of PbSnTe crystals prior to microgravity crystal growth experiments on Shuttle flights are reported. Gravitational effects become important in crystal growth when density gradients are present. The situation is critical in BDS of PbSnTe because of the necessity of obtaining homogeneous compositional distributions, which can be disturbed when convective processes occur. Numerical models have been defined which quantify the effects of convection in the crystal growth solution. The models were verified by earth-based crystal-growth tests in a two-zone furnace using equal concentrations of each of the elements. Data are provided to demonstrate the differences in composition among crystals grown at different orientations to the gravitational field vector.

Fripp, A. L.↗

Solidifying Mn/Bi in a Magnetic Field

Report describes experiments in directional solidification of eutectic Mn/Bi in magnetic field. Study determines whether effects of gravitationally-induced convection reduced or eliminated by magnetic field. Morphological, thermal, and magnetic analyses done on samples grown at various speeds and various applied strengths. Magnetic effects similar to those of low gravity.

Decarlo, J. L.↗

Microgravity Science and Applications Program tasks, 1986 revision

The Microgravity Science and Applications (MSA) program is directed toward research in the science and technology of processing materials under conditions of low gravity to provide a detailed examination of the constraints imposed by gravitational forces on Earth. The program is expected to lead to the development of new materials and processes in commercial applications adding to this nation's technological base. The research studies emphasize the selected materials and processes that will best elucidate the limitations due to gravity and demonstrate the enhanced sensitivity of control of processes that may be provided by the weightless environment of space. Primary effort is devoted to a study of the specific areas of research which reveals potential value in the initial investigations of the previous decades. Examples of previous process research include crystal growth and directional solidification of metals; containerless processing of reactive materials; synthesis and separation of biological materials; etc. Additional efforts will be devoted to identifying the special requirements which drive the design of hardware to reduce risk in future developments.

Source record↗

Application of single crystal superalloys for Earth-to-orbit propulsion systems

Single crystal superalloys were first identified as potentially useful engineering materials for aircraft gas turbine engines in the mid-1960's. Although they were not introduced into service as turbine blades in commercial aircraft engines until the early 1980's, they have subsequently accumulated tens of millions of flight hours in revenue producing service. The space shuttle main engine (SSME) and potential advanced earth-to-orbit propulsion systems impose severe conditions on turbopump turbine blades which for some potential failure modes are more severe than in aircraft gas turbines. Research activities which are directed at evaluating the potential for single crystal superalloys for application as turbopump turbine blades in the SSME and advanced rocket engines are discussed. The mechanical properties of these alloys are summarized and the effects of hydrogen are noted. The use of high gradient directional solidification and hot isostatic pressing to improve fatigue properties is also addressed.

Dreshfield, R. L.↗

The effect of gravity level on the average primary dendritic spacing of a directionally solidified superalloy

The effect of alternating low (0.01 g) and high (1.8 g) gravity force on the primary spacings in the dendrite structure in a directionally solidified Ni-based superalloy (PWA 1480, containing 5 pct Co, 10 pct Cr, 4 pct W, 12 pct Ta, 5 pct Al, 1.5 pct Ti, and the balance Ni) was investigated using samples solidified in a directional solidification furnace aboard the NASA KC-135 aircraft that made a series of low-g parabolas. The cross-section slices for each growth rate were polished and etched with Kallings II, and the primary dendritic arm spacings were measured using the method of Jacobi and Schwerdtfeger (1976). The arm spacings were found to fluctuate with gravity force, increasing as the gravity level decreased, and growing finer as gravity increased.

Mccay, M. H.↗

Cellular-dendritic transition in directionally solidified binary alloys

The microstructural development of binary alloys during directional solidification is studied. Cellular growth data for the Al-Cu and Pb-Sn binary alloy systems are analyzed in order evaluate the criteria of Kurz and Fisher (1981) and Trivedi (1984) for cellular-dendritic transition. It is observed that the experimental growth values do not correlate with the Kurz and Fisher or Trivedi data.

Tewari, S. N.↗

Influence of convection of spiral structures in lead-tin eutectic

Convection was generated during directional solidification by the accelerated crucible rotation technique (spin up/spin down). This stirring increased the rotation rate of the microstructure and reduced the length solidifying cooperatively, but had no influence on the lamellar spacing.

Popov, Dimitar↗

Application of single crystal superalloys for earth-to-orbit propulsion systems

Single crystal superalloys were first identified as potentially useful engineering materials for aircraft gas turbine engines in the mid-1960s. Although they were not introduced into service as turbine blades in commercial aircraft engines until the early 1980's, they have subsequently accumulated tens of millions of flight hours in revenue producing service. The Space Shuttle main engine (SSME) and potential advanced earth-to-orbit propulsion systems impose severe conditions on turbopump turbine blades which for some potential failure modes are more severe than in aircraft gas turbines. Research activities which are directed at evaluating the potential for single crystal superalloys for application as turbopump turbine blades in the SSME and advanced rocket engines are discussed. The mechanical properties of these alloys are summarized and the effects of hydrogen are noted. The use of high gradient directional solidification and hot isostatic pressing to improve fatigue properties is also addressed.

Dreshfield, R. L.↗