Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “mechanical strength”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 505 records · Page 28
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1991

PM200/PS200: Self-Lubricating Bearing and Seal Materials for Applications to 900 C

The development of the PS/PM200 class of self-lubricating material is described. The composition of the materials and their performance under temperature conditions from minus 160 degrees to 900 C (minus 250 to 1650 F) are examined. Applications in areas such as cylinder liner coatings, shaft seals, gas bearings, and airframe thermal expansion joints are proposed. Graphs and tables are provided to show service temperature limits, mechanical strength, linear thermal expansion, and thermal conductivity parameters.

Sliney, Harold E.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Glass formation and crystallization in high-temperature glass-ceramics and Si3N4

The softening of glassy grain boundaries in ceramic matrix composites and Si3N4 at high temperatures reduces mechanical strength and the upper-use temperature. By crystallizing this glass to a more refractory crystalline phase, a material which performs at higher temperatures may result. Three systems were examined: a cordierite composition with ZrO2 as a nucleating agent; celsian compositions; and yttrium silicate glasses both in bulk and intergranular in Si3N4. For the cordierite compositions, a series of metastable phases was obtained. The crystallization of these compositions was summarized in terms of metastable ternary isothermal sections. Zircon formed at the expense of ZrO2 and spinel. In SiC composites, the transformations were slower. In celsian, two polymorphs were crystallized. One phase, hexacelsian, which always crystallized, even when metastable, had an undesirable volume change. The other phase, celsian, was very difficult to crystallize. In yttrium silicate bulk glasses, similar in composition to the intergranular glass in Si3N4, a number of polymorphs of Y2Si2O7 were crystallized. The conditions under which these polymorphs formed are compared with crystallization in Si3N4.

Drummond, Charles H., III↗
NASA NTRS1990

Microhardness variations in II-VI semiconducting compounds as a function of composition

A comparison is made of microhardness variations as a function of composition in directionally solidified alloys of Hg(1-x)Cd(x)Te, Hg(1-x)Zn(x)Te, Hg(1-x)Cd(x)Se, and Hg(1-x)Zn(x)Se, using the same growth method for all four systems in order to eliminate preparation-induced mechanical property variations. In each case, compositional analysis was performed next to a microhardness indentation. Due to the 14-percent shorter bond length of ZnTe relative to HgTe, Zn-base alloy mechanical strength should exceed that of Cd-base systems. Experimental verification is furnished for this hardening effect in both Hg(1-x)Zn(x)Te and Hg(1-x)Zn(x)Se.

Andrews, R. N.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Tissue-Simulating Gel For Medical Research

Nonhardening, translucent gel more nearly simulates soft human or animal tissue. Modified to be softer or harder by altering proportions of ingredients. Fillers added to change electrical, mechanical, heat-conducting, or sound-conducting/scattering properties. Molded to any desired shape and has sufficient mechanical strength to maintain shape without supporting shell. Because of its thermal stability, gel especially useful for investigation of hyperthermia as treatment for cancer.

Companion, John A.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Mechanical properties of silicate glasses exposed to a low-Earth orbit

The effects of a 5.8 year exposure to low earth orbit environment upon the mechanical properties of commercial optical fused silica, low iron soda-lime-silica, Pyrex 7740, Vycor 7913, BK-7, and the glass ceramic Zerodur were examined. Mechanical testing employed the ASTM-F-394 piston on 3-ball method in a liquid nitrogen environment. Samples were exposed on the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) in two locations. Impacts were observed on all specimens except Vycor. Weibull analysis as well as a standard statistical evaluation were conducted. The Weibull analysis revealed no differences between control samples and the two exposed samples. We thus concluded that radiation components of the Earth orbital environment did not degrade the mechanical strength of the samples examined within the limits of experimental error. The upper bound of strength degradation for meteorite impacted samples based upon statistical analysis and observation was 50 percent.

Wiedlocher, David E.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Vacuum bag bonding with a high temperature adhesive

A novel controlled molecular weight form of LARC-TPI polymide that exhibits an exceptionally high degree of melt flow in the 340-360 C temperature range has been developed. This material has been evaluated as a high-temperature adhesive, and because of its flow, cost-effective vacuum bag/oven processing can be used. Comparison of adhesive performance with higher molecular weight forms bonded at higher pressures shows this novel material to be equal in mechanical strength.

Progar, Donald J.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Mg2Si As Li-Intercalation Host For Li Cells

Compound Mg2Si shows promise as lithium-intercalation host for ambient-temperature rechargeable lithium electrochemical cells. As anode reactant material, LiXMg2Si chemically stable in presence of organic electrolyte used in such cells and stores large amounts of lithium. Intercalation reactions highly reversible at room temperature. Also retains sufficient mechanical strength during charge/discharge cycling. Lithium cells containing LixMg2Si anodes prove useful in spacecraft, military, communications, automotive, and other applications in which high energy-storage densities of lithium cells in general and rechargeability of cells needed.

Huang, Chen-Kuo↗
NASA NTRS1921

Langley Field wind tunnel apparatus

The difficulties experienced in properly holding thin tipped or tapered airfoils while testing on an N.P.L. type aerodynamic balance even at low air speeds, and the impossibility of holding even solid metal models at the high speeds attainable at the National Advisory Committee's wind tunnel, necessitated the design of a balance which would hold model airfoils of any thickness and at speeds up to 150 m.p.h. In addition to mechanical strength and rigidity, it was highly desirable that the balance readings should require a minimum amount of correction and mathematical manipulation in order to obtain the lift and drag coefficients and the center of pressure. The balance described herein is similar to one in use at the University of Gottingen, the main difference lying in the addition of a device for reading the center of pressure directly, without the necessity of any correction whatsoever. Details of the design and operation of the device are given.

Bacon, D L↗
NASA NTRS1994

New Testing Tool For Composite Interfaces

Mechanical strength of fiber/matrix interface key factor in overall strength and toughness of composite material. Desktop fiber pushout apparatus generates load and acoustic-emission (soundwave) data as function of translation-table displacement. Video camera gives view of specimen. Compact, easy to operate, and inexpensive. Appropriate for wide range of composites, including metal, intermetallic, and ceramic matrix composites. Not restricted to aerospace/aeronautics applications.

Eldridge, Jeffrey I.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Simple Creep Test For Ceramic Fibers

Simple bend-stress-relaxation test yields information on creep-related properties of polycrystalline ceramic fibers. Determination of these properties important part of efforts to develop ceramic composite materials that retain mechanical strength and resistance to creep at high temperatures. Present test measures effects of time, temperature, and applied strain on creep-related relaxation of bend stress in ceramic fiber of almost any diameter in almost any environment, without need for contact sensors. Degree of relaxation of bend stress determined from radii of curvature.

Dicarlo, James A.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Effective elastic thickness of the Venusian lithosphere with lateral viscosity variations in the mantle

Both the Earth and Venus have a convecting mantle at the top of which is a relatively strong, mechanical boundary layer. The surface topography and gravity signals which result from the convection within the viscous mantle are modified by the elastic properties of this lithospheric boundary layer. In particular the ability of the lithosphere to support loads and transmit stresses from below is a function of the wavelength of the load--the lithosphere is strong to loading at shorter wavelengths. As a consequence it is usual to expect that long wavelength topography cannot be supported by the mechanical strength of the lithosphere and must be compensated--isostatically or dynamically--within the uppermost mantle or the crust. The flexural rigidity of the lithosphere can therefore be determined by estimating the greatest wavelength at which uncompensated surface topography can be supported, usually by measuring the admittance as a function of wavelength. In fact this procedure for determining the elastic thickness relies upon being able to distinguish topography with underlying support from that supported by the brittle lithosphere on the basis of their each having a characteristic value of the admittance. However, in the presence of lateral viscosity variations in the mantle, it is possible for topography to be generated which is NOT compensated by density anomalies in the underlying mantle at the same wavelength. Although this effect is not likely to be important for the Earth, on Venus, where the high surface temperatures would be expected to give a weaker lithosphere, lateral viscosity variations in the mantle can give a misleadingly large apparent elastic thickness for the lithosphere.

Moresi, Louis↗
NASA NTRS1994

Anode for rechargeable ambient temperature lithium cells

An ambient room temperature, high density, rechargeable lithium battery includes a Li(x)Mg2Si negative anode which intercalates lithium to form a single crystalline phase when x is up to 1.0 and an amorphous phase when x is from 1 to 2.0. The electrode has good reversibility and mechanical strength after cycling.

Huang, Chen-Kuo↗
NASA NTRS1994

Noble gas isotopes and halogens in volatile-rich inclusions in diamonds

Application of the (40)Ar-(39)Ar method and noble gas studies to diamonds has increased our understanding of their age relationships to the host kimberlite or lamproite, and of the source and composition of volatile-rich fluids in the upper mantle. The properties of diamond (inert, high mechanical strength and low gas diffusivities) means they are especially useful samples for studying gases trapped deep within the earth (less than 150 km) as they are unlikely to have undergone loss or exchange of entrapped material since formation. Volatile-rich fluids (H2O-CO2) are important agents for metasomatic processes in the upper mantle, and the noble gases and halogens preferentially partition into this phase leading to a strong geochemical coherence between these groups of elements. The abundances of the halogens in the major reservoirs of the Earth shows a marked progression from chlorine, concentrated in the oceans, through to iodine which, through its affinity to organic material, is concentrated mainly in sediments. Abundances in the upper mantle are low. This is particularly true for iodine which is of special interest in view of its potential significance as an indicator of sediment recycling and by way of its link to (129)Xe amomalies in the mantle through the low extinct isotope (129)I. Extensions of the (40)Ar-(39)Ar technique enable measurements of halogens and other elements (K, Ca, Ba, U) by production of noble gas isotopes from these species during neutron irradiation. Samples analyzed in this way include 15 coated stones from an unknown source in Zaire, 3 boarts from the Jwaneng and 1 boart from the Orapa kimberlites, both in Botswana.

Burgess, Raymond↗
NASA NTRS1994

Ceramic fiber-reinforced monoclinic celsian phase glass-ceramic matrix composite material

A hyridopolysilazane-derived ceramic fiber reinforced monoclinic celsian phase barium aluminum silicate glass-ceramic matrix composite material is prepared by ball-milling an aqueous slurry of BAS glass powder and fine monoclinic celsian seeds. The fibers improve the mechanical strength and fracture toughness and with the matrix provide superior dielectric properties.

Bansal, Narottam P.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Status of high temperature superconductor development for accelerator magnets

High temperature superconductors are still under development for various applications. As far as conductors for magnets are concerned, the development has just been started. Small coils wound by silver sheathed Bi-2212 and Bi-2223 oxide conductors have been reported by a few authors. Essential properties of high T(sub c) superconductors like pinning force, coherent length, intergrain coupling, weak link, thermal property, AC loss and mechanical strength are still not sufficiently understandable. In this talk, a review is given with comparison between the present achievement and the final requirement for high T(sub c) superconductors, which could be particularly used in accelerator magnets. Discussions on how to develop high T(sub c) superconductors for accelerator magnets are included with key parameters of essential properties. A proposal of how to make a prototype accelerator magnet with high T(sub c) superconductors with prospect for future development is also given.

Hirabayashi, H.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Characterization testing of MEASAT GaAs/Ge solar cell assemblies

The first commercial communications satellite with gallium-arsenide on germanium (GaAs/Ge) solar arrays is scheduled for launch in December 1995. The spacecraft, named MEASAT, was built by hughes Space and Telecommunications company for Binariang Satellite Systems of Malaysia. The solar cell assemblies consisted of large area GaAs/Ge cells supplied by Spectrolab Inc. with infrared reflecting (IRR) coverglass supplied by Pilkington Space Technology. A comprehensive characterization program was performed on the GaAs/Ge solar cell assemblies used on the MEASAT array. This program served two functions; first to establish the database needed to accurately predict on-orbit performance under a variety of conditions; and second, to demonstrate the ability of the solar cell assemblies to withstand all mission environments while still providing the required power at end-of-life. characterization testing included measurement of electrical performance parameters as a function of radiation exposure, temperature, and angle of incident light; reverse bias stability; optical and thermal properties; mechanical strength tests, panel fabrication, humidity and thermal cycling environmental tests. The results provided a complete database enabling the design of the MEASAT solar array, and demonstrated that the GaAs/Ge cells meet the spacecraft requirements at end-of-life.

Brown, Mike R.↗
NASA NTRS1994

UV filters for lighting of plants

The wavelength dependent interaction of biological systems with radiation is commonly described by appropriate action spectra. Particularly effective plant responses are obtained for ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Excess shortwave UV-B radiation will induce genetic defects and plant damage. Besides the ecological discussion of the deleterious effects of the excess UV radiation there is increasing interest in horticultural applications of this spectral region. Several metabolic pathways leading to valuable secondary plant products like colors, odors, taste, or resulting in mechanical strength and vitality are triggered by UV radiation. Thus, in ecologically as well as in economically oriented experiments the exact generation and knowledge of the spectral irradiance, particularly near the UV absorption edge, is essential. The ideal filter 'material' to control the UV absorption edge would be ozone itself. However, due to problems in controlling the toxic and chemically aggressive, instable gas, only rather 'small ozone filters' have been realized so far. In artificial plant lighting conventional solid filter materials such as glass sheets and plastic foils (celluloseacetate or cellulosetriacetate) which can be easily handled have been used to absorb the UV-C and the excess shortwave UV-B radiation of the lamp emissions. Different filter glasses are available which provide absorption properties suitable for gradual changes of the spectral UV-B illumination of artificial lighting. Using a distinct set of lamps and filter glasses an acceptable simulation of the UV-B part of natural global radiation can be achieved. The aging of these and other filter materials under the extreme UV radiation in the lamphouse of a solar simulator is presently unavoidable. This instability can be dealt with only by a precise spectral monitoring and by replacing the filters accordingly. For this reason attempts would be useful to develop real ozone filters which can replace glass filters. In any case chamber experiments require a careful selection of the filter material used and must be accompanied by a continuous UV-B monitoring.

Doehring, T.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Tracking Motions Of Manually Controlled Welding Torches

Techniques for measuring motions of manually controlled welding torches undergoing development. Positions, orientations, and velocities determined in real time during manual arc welding. Makes possible to treat manual welding processes more systematically so manual welds made more predictable, especially in cases in which mechanical strengths and other properties of welded parts highly sensitive to heat inputs and thus to velocities and orientations of welding torches.

Russell, Carolyn↗