Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “melt flow”

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 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1991

Phenomenological and experimental study of the thermal response of low density silica ablators to high enthalpy plasma flows

A complete analysis of the melting-ablator governing equations is carried out for porous ablators with the purpose of establishing an approximate analytical model capable of determining surface recession, temperature, and heat flux as well as in-depth temperature profiles. A detailed dimensional analysis of the melt-flow governing equations is performed for parameters applicable to high-enthalpy flows. Results of arc-jet flow experiments performed on NASA Reusable Surface Insulation materials of different densities and over a range of stagnation pressures and heat fluxes are discussed. A dimensionless correlation for melt run-offs is derived in terms of material and flow parameters; however, it is pointed out that the accuracy of the current data is sufficient to conclude the compliance with the model.

Henline, William D.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Characterization of a semicrystalline polyimidesulfone powder

A semicrystalline polyimidesulfone (PISO2) material has been synthesized and characterized. Characterization methods include thermal analysis by DSC and measurements of inherent viscosities, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, and viscoelasticity. The melt flow properties of both amorphous and semicrystalline samples were also investigated by means of a parallel plate plastometer. This material was found to be not readily recrystallizable at temperatures above its initial peak melting point of 225 C, when compared to other crystalline thermoplastics. This semicrystalline PISO2 demonstrated a flow about 5 times greater than the amorphous one as characterized by the plastometer. Such enhanced melt flow properties could be of great benefit in the adhesive and composite lamination processes.

Hou, T. H.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Finite element modeling of nonisothermal polymer flows

A finite element formulation designed to simulate polymer melt flows in which both conductive and convective heat transfer are important is described, and the numerical model is illustrated by means of computer experiments using extruder drag flow and entry flow as trial problems. Fluid incompressibility is enforced by a penalty treatment of the element pressures, and the thermal convective transport is modeled by conventional Galerkin and optimal upwind treatments.

Roylance, D.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Magnetic Damping of g-Jitter Induced Double-Diffusive Convection

This paper describes a numerical study of the g-jitter driven double diffusive convective flows, thermal and concentration distributions in binary alloy melt systems subject to an external magnetic field. The study is based on the finite element solution of transient magnetohydrodynamic equations governing the momentum, thermal and solutal transport in the melt pool. Numerical simulations are conducted using the synthesized single- and multi- frequency g-jitter as well as the real g-jitter data taken during space flights with or without an applied magnetic field. It is found that for the conditions studied, the main melt flow follows approximately a lineal- superposition of velocity components induced by individual g-jitter components, regardless of whether a magnetic field exists or not. The flow field is characterized by a recirculating double diffusive convection loop oscillating in time with a defined frequency equal to that of the driving g-jitter force. An applied magnetic field has little effect on the oscillating recirculating pattern, except around the moment in time when the flow reverses its direction. The field has no effect on the oscillation period, but it changes the phase angle. It is very effective in suppressing the flow intensity and produces a notable reduction of the solutal striation and time fluctuations in the melt. For a given magnetic field strength, the magnetic damping effect is more pronounced on the velocity associated with the largest g-jitter component present and/or the g-jitter spiking peaks. A stronger magnetic field is more effective in suppressing the melt convection and also is more helpful in bringing the convection in phase with the g-jitter driving force. The applied field is particularly useful in suppressing the effect of real g-jitter spikes on both flow and solutal distributions. With appropriately selected magnetic fields, the convective flows caused by g-jitter can be reduced sufficiently and diffusion dominant. solutal transport in the melt is possible.

Shu, Y.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Tailoring material microstructure and property in wire-laser directed energy deposition through a wiggle deposition strategy

Developing effective strategies to directly control material microstructure, property, and anisotropy is an active research area in metal additive manufacturing. This work develops a wiggle deposition pattern for wire-laser directed energy deposition (DED) of 316L stainless steel (SS) to modify the solidification texture, particularly in the building direction, in as-deposited samples. Through multi-physics simulation, operando near-infrared imaging, and synchrotron x-ray characterization, it is found that the wiggle deposition strategy induces highly dynamic melt flow and oscillating thermal gradient in the melt pool, which is responsible for the variation of preferable grain growth direction and crystallographic texture in the sample. The specific texture reduces the anisotropy in the tensile strength of as-printed 316L SS samples cut along different directions. Also, it largely increases the ductility along the build direction. Crystal plasticity simulation is performed to correlate the sample texture with mechanical property. In conclusion, this work offers a unique approach for tailoring local properties through the control of melt pool instability by applying different tool paths.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Operando synchrotron X-ray analysis of melt pool dynamics in an Al-Sn immiscible alloy

The melt flow in an Al-50vol.% Sn immiscible alloy, produced by single-track laser melting of Al and Sn elemental powders, was studied in real time. High-speed synchrotron X-ray imaging was used to track Al and Sn liquids’ movements, and also to examine elemental distributions in the laser tracks, complimented by electron microscopy after solidification. Key aspects, including melt pool geometry, keyhole instability, and flow dynamics (flow pattern and velocity), were examined using digital image analysis. Relatively deeper melt pools formed at 400 W and 300 mm/s exhibited greater stability, with smooth surfaces, consistent outward flow, and minor vortices near the keyhole. In contrast, shallower pools produced at higher scanning speeds (>500 mm/s) demonstrated greater instability with increased surface waviness, and stronger velocity fluctuations, leading to numerous micro-vortices and increased Al-Sn heterogeneity. Velocity scale estimations, supported by experimental observations, examined the roles of vapour pressure, Marangoni effect, buoyancy, inertial, and surface tension forces in the flow. The results revealed that vapour pressure and mechanical waves dominated at high scanning speeds (shallow pools), while Marangoni forces were equally significant in deep pools at lower speeds (300 mm/s). Buoyancy was found to have minimal impact in both cases. Furthermore, the interaction between inertial and surface tension forces played a critical role in determining the degree of waviness of the pools’ surfaces. These findings offer valuable insights into melt pool dynamics during laser processing of immiscible alloys and other metallic systems using elemental powders, and provide guidance for developing high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics models.

immiscible alloys↗
NASA NTRS1985

Processable aromatic polyimides

Two similar polyimide systems were synthesized and characterized. The only structural difference was a sulfide linkage in the anhydride-derived portion of the first system vs. a sulfone linkage in the second. Their physical, mechanical, melt-flow and thermal properties, and their resistance to some of the more common solvents were determined. The flow properties of these polyimides indicate a potential for melt processability.

Burks, H. D.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Effects of Tethered Polymers on Dynamics of Nanoparticles in Unentangled Polymer Melts

Polymer-tethered nanoparticles (NPs) are commonly added to a polymer matrix to improve the material properties. Critical to the fabrication and processing of such composites is the mobility of the tethered NPs. Here, we study the motion of tethered NPs in unentangled polymer melts using molecular dynamics simulations, which offer a precise control of the grafted chain length N g and the number z of grafted chains per particle. As Ng increases, there is a crossover from particle-dominated to tethered-chain-dominated terminal diffusion of NPs with the same z. The mean squared displacement of loosely tethered NPs in the case of tethered-chain-dominated terminal diffusion exhibits two subdiffusive regimes at intermediate time scales for small z. The first one at shorter time scales arises from the dynamical coupling of the particle and matrix chains, while the one at longer time scales is due to the participation of the particle in the dynamics of the tethered chains. The friction of loosely grafted chains in unentangled melts scales linearly with the total number of monomers in the chains, as the friction of individual monomers is additive in the absence of hydrodynamic coupling. As more chains are grafted to a particle, hydrodynamic interactions between grafted chains emerge. As a result, there is a nondraining layer of hydrodynamically coupled chain segments surrounding the bare particle. Outside the nondraining layer is a free-draining layer of grafted chain segments with no hydrodynamic coupling. The boundary of the two layers is the stick surface where the shear stress due to the relative melt flow is balanced by the friction between the grafted and melt chains in the interpenetration layer. The stick surface is located further away from the bare surface of the particle with higher grafting density.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1998

Go With the Flow

Under SBIR (Small Business Innovative Research) contracts with Lewis Research Center, Nektonics, Inc., developed coating process simulation tools, known as Nekton. This powerful simulation software is used specifically for the modeling and analysis of a wide range of coating flows including thin film coating analysis, polymer processing, and glass melt flows. Polaroid, Xerox, 3M, Dow Corning, Mead Paper, BASF, Mitsubishi, Chugai, and Dupont Imaging Systems are only a few of the companies that presently use Nekton.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1985

Microgravity silicon zoning investigation

The flow instabilities in floating zones of silicon were investigated and methods for investigation of these instabilities in microgravity were defined. Three principal tasks were involved: (1) characterization of the float zone in small diameter rods; (2) investigation of melt flow instabilities in circular melts in silicon disks; and (3) the development of a prototype of an apparatus that could be used in near term space experiments to investigate flow instabilities in a molten zone. It is shown that in a resistance heated zoner with 4 to 7 mm diameter silicon rods that the critical Marangoni number is about 1480 compared to a predicted value of 14 indicative that viable space experiments might be performed. The prototype float zone apparatus is built and specifications are prepared for a flight zoner should a decision be reached to proceed with a space flight experimental investigation.

Kern, E. L.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Fractionation of Lignin for Selective Shape Memory Effects at Elevated Temperatures

We report a facile approach to control the shape memory effects and thermomechanical characteristics of a lignin-based multiphase polymer. Solvent fractionation of a syringylpropane-rich technical organosolv lignin resulted in selective lignin structures having excellent thermal stability coupled with high stiffness and melt-flow resistance. The fractionated lignins were reacted with rubber in melt-phase to form partially networked elastomer enabling selective programmability of the material shape either at 70 °C, a temperature that is high enough for rubbery matrix materials, or at an extremely high temperature, 150 °C. Utilizing appropriate functionalities in fractionated lignins, tunable shape fixity with high strain and stress recovery, particularly high-stress tolerance were maintained. Detailed studies of lignin structures and chemistries were correlated to molecular rigidity, morphology, and stress relaxation, as well as shape memory effects of the materials. The fractionation of lignin enabled enrichment of specific lignin properties for efficient shape memory effects that broaden the materials’ application window. Electron microscopy, melt-rheology, dynamic mechanical analysis and ultra-small angle neutron scattering were conducted to establish morphology of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR)-lignin elastomers from solvent fractionated lignins.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1983

Synthesis and characterization of a polyethersulfoneimide

Two similar polyimide systems were synthesized and characterized. The only structural difference was a sulfide linkage in the anhydride derived portion of the first system versus a sulfone linkage in the second. Their physical, mechanical, melt-flow and thermal properties were determined and also their resistance to some of the more common solvents. The flow properties of these polyimides indicate them to have potential for melt processability.

Burks, H. D.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Copolyimide with a combination of flexibilizing groups

Copolyimides are prepared by reacting one or more aromatic dianhydrides with a meta-substituted phenylene diamine and an aromatic bridged diamine. The incorporation of meta-substituted phenylene diamine derived units and bridged aromatice diamine derived units into the linear aromatic polymer backbone results in a copolyimide of improved flexibility, processability, and melt-flow characteristics. The copolyimides are especially useful as thermoplastic hot-melt adhesives.

Stclair, Terry L.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Eucrite Impact Melt NWA 5218 - Evidence for a Large Crater on Vesta

Northwest Africa (NWA) 5218 is a 76 g achondrite that is classified as a eucrite [1]. However, an initial classification [2] describes it as a "eucrite shock-melt breccia...(in which) large, partially melted cumulate basalt clasts are set in a shock melt flow...". We explore the petrology of this clast-bearing impact melt rock (Fig. 1), which could be a characteristic lithology at large impact craters on asteroid Vesta [3]. Methods: Optical microscopy, scanning electronmicroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy were used on a thin section (Fig. 1) for petrographic characterization. The impact melt composition was determined by 20 m diameter defocused-beam analyses with a Cameca SX-100 electron microprobe. The data from 97 spots were corrected for mineral density effects [4]. Constituent mineral phases were analyzed with a focusedbeam. Bidirectonal visible and near-infrared (VNIR) and biconical FT-IR reflectance spectra were measured on the surface of a sample slab on its central melt area and on an eucrite clast, and from 125-500 m and <125 m powders of melt. Results: General petrography: The sample specimen is a coherent, medium dark-grey (N4), melt rock. The thin section captures a central, subophitic-textured melt that contains ~1 cm to tens of m-size subangular to rounded, variably-shocked eucrite clasts. Clasts >100 m are coarse-grained with equigranular ~1 mm size plagioclase, quartz, and clinopyroxene (Fig. 1). Single crystals of chromite, ilmenite, zircon, Ca-Mg phosphate, Fe-metal, and troilite are embedded in the melt. Polymineralic clasts are mostly compositionally similar to the above mentioned larger clasts but scarce granulitic fragments are observed as well.

Wittmann, Axel↗
NASA NTRS2004

Torque Transient of Magnetically Drive Flow for Viscosity Measurement

Viscosity is a good indicator of structural changes for complex liquids, such as semiconductor melts with chain or ring structures. This paper discusses the theoretical and experimental results of the transient torque technique for non-intrusive viscosity measurement. Such a technique is essential for the high temperature viscosity measurement of high pressure and toxic semiconductor melts. In this paper, our previous work on oscillating cup technique was expanded to the transient process of a magnetically driven melt flow in a damped oscillation system. Based on the analytical solution for the fluid flow and cup oscillation, a semi-empirical model was established to extract the fluid viscosity. The analytical and experimental results indicated that such a technique has the advantage of short measurement time and straight forward data analysis procedures

Ban, Heng↗
NASA NTRS1987

Polyimide processing additives

A method has been found for enhancing the melt flow of thermoplastic polyimides during processing. A high molecular weight 422 copoly(amic acid) or copolyimide was fused with approximately 0.05 to 5 pct by weight of a low molecular weight amic acid or imide additive, and this melt was studied by capillary rheometry. Excellent flow and improved composite properties on graphite resulted from the addition of a PMDA-aniline additive to LARC-TPI. Solution viscosity studies imply that amic acid additives temporarily lower molecular weight and, hence, enlarge the processing window. Thus, compositions containing the additive have a lower melt viscosity for a longer time than those unmodified.

Pratt, J. R.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Conversion kinetics during melting of simulated nuclear waste glass feeds measured by dissolution of silica

In this work, we experimentally investigated the batch-to-glass conversion kinetics of two low-activity and two high-level nuclear waste melter feeds that represent widely different behavior during melting; tests comprised thermogravimetric analysis, the feed expansion test, evolved gas analysis, and x-ray diffraction. Our study indicates that the conversion processes, which include gas-evolving reactions, dissolution of crystalline phases, and primary foam expansion and collapse, are interconnected and influenced by the feed’s thermal history. The fraction of dissolved silica was adopted as a measure of the extent of conversion inside the cold cap—the floating layer of feed material on the top surface of the melt in an electric melter. The interface between the cold cap and the free-flowing melt below was associated with a constant fraction of dissolved silica. The estimated viscosity of glass-forming melt at this interface lies within a narrow range for the feeds studied.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗