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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 541 records · Page 30

Development of high temperature materials for solid propellant rocket nozzle applications

Evaluation of tantalum carbide-tungsten fiber composites has been completed as far as weight percent carbon additions and weight percent additions of tungsten fiber. Extensive studies were undertaken concerning Young's Modulus and fracture strength of this material. Also, in-depth analysis of the embrittling effects of the extra carbon additions on the tungsten fibers has been completed. The complete fabrication procedure for the tantalum carbide-tungsten fiber composites with extra carbon additions is given. Microprobe and metallographic studies showed the effect of extra carbon on the tungsten fibers, and evaluation of the thermal shock parameter fracture strength/Young's Modulus is included.

Manning, C. R., Jr.↗

Irradiation and measurements of fluorinated ethylene-propylene-A on silicon solar cells in vacuum

Silicon monoxide (SiO) coated silicon solar cells covered with fluorinated ethylene-propylene-A (FEP-A) were irradiated by 1-MeV electrons in vacuum. The effect of irradiation on the light transmittance of FEP-A was checked by measuring the short-circuit current of the cells while in vacuum after each dose increment, immediately after the irradiation, and again after a minimum elapsed time of 16 hr. The results indicated no apparent loss in transmission due to irradiation of FEP-A and no delamination from the SiO surface while the cells were in vacuum, but embrittlement of FEP-A occurred at the accumulated dose.

Marsik, S. J.↗

Register of experts for information on mechanics of structural failure

This register is comprised of a list of approximately 300 experts from approximately 90 organizations who have published results of theoretical and/or experimental research related to six problem areas in the mechanics of structural failure: (1) life prediction for structural materials, (2) fracture toughness testing, (3) fracture mechanics analysis; (4) hydrogen embrittlement; (5) protective coatings; and (6) composite materials. The criteria for the selection of names for the register are recent contributions to the literature, participation in or support of relevant research programs, and referral by peers. Each author included is listed by organizational affiliation, address, and principal field of expertise. The purpose of the register is to present, in easy reference form, sources for dependable information regarding failure modes and mechanisms of aerospace structures. The register includes two indexes; an alphabetical listing of the experts and an alphabetical listing of the organizations with whom they are affiliated.

Carpenter, J. L., Jr.↗

Fracture mechanics analysis of a high-pressure hydrogen facility compressor

The investigation and analysis of a high-pressure hydrogen facility compressor is chronicled, and a life prediction based on fracture mechanics is presented. Crack growth rates in SA 105 Gr II steel are developed for the condition of sustained loading, using a hypothesis of hydrogen embrittlement associated with plastic zone reverse yielding. The resultant formula is compared with test data obtained from laboratory specimens.

Vroman, G. A.↗

Effect of electron irradiation in vacuum on FEP-A silicon solar cell covers

Fluorinated ethylene-propylene-A (FEP-A) covers on silicon solar cells were irradiated with 1-MeV electrons, in vacuum, to an accumulated fluence equivalent to approximately 28 years in synchronous orbit. The effect of irradiation on the light transmittance of FEP-A was checked by measuring the short-circuit current of the cells after each dose increment. The results indicate no apparent overall loss in transmission due to irradiation of FEP-A. Filter wheel measurements revealed some darkening of the FEP-A at the blue end of the spectrum. Although no delamination from the cell surface was observed while in vacuum, embrittlement of FEP-A occurred at the accumulated dose.

Marsik, S. J.↗

Evaluation of refractory-metal-clad uranium nitride and uranium dioxide fuel pins after irradiation for times up to 10 450 hours at 990 C

The effects of some materials variables on the irradiation performance of fuel pins for a lithium-cooled space power reactor design concept were examined. The variables studied were UN fuel density, fuel composition, and cladding alloy. All pins were irradiated at about 990 C in a thermal neutron environment to the design fuel burnup. An 85-percent dense UN fuel gave the best overall results in meeting the operational goals. The T-111 cladding on all specimens was embrittled, possibly by hydrogen in the case of the UN fuel and by uranium and oxygen in the case of the UO2 fuel. Tests with Cb-1Zr cladding indicate potential use of this cladding material. The UO2 fueled specimens met the operational goals of less than 1 percent cladding strain, but other factors make UO2 less attractive than low-density UN for the contemplated space power reactor use.

Bowles, K. J.↗

Tensile properties of palladium-silver alloys with absorbed hydrogen

The alloys 90Pd-10Ag, 80Pd-20Ag, 70Pd-30Ag, 60Pd-40Ag, and 50Pd-50Ag containing absorbed hydrogen were tested in tension. The results show the tensile properties to be independent of the phase transition. Also, hydrogen in the lattice does not necessarily cause embrittlement or poor elongation. The changes in the tensile properties appear dependent on the electron to atom site ratio.

Smith, R. J.↗

Hydrogen interactions with metals

Review of the literature on the nature and extent of hydrogen interactions with metals and the role of hydrogen in metal failure. The classification of hydrogen-containing systems is discussed, including such categories as covalent hydrides, volatile hydrides, polymeric hydrides, and transition metal hydride complexes. The use of electronegativity as a correlating parameter in determining hydride type is evaluated. A detailed study is made of the thermodynamics of metal-hydrogen systems, touching upon such aspects as hydrogen solubility, the positions occupied by hydrogen atoms within the solvent metal lattice, the derivation of thermodynamic functions of solid solutions from solubility data, and the construction of statistical models for hydrogen-metal solutions. A number of theories of hydrogen-metal bonding are reviewed, including the rigid-band model, the screened-proton model, and an approach employing the augmented plane wave method to solve the one-electron energy band problem. Finally, the mechanism of hydrogen embrittlement is investigated on the basis of literature data concerning stress effects and the kinetics of hydrogen transport to critical sites.

Mclellan, R. B.↗

The effect of pre-stress cycles on fatigue crack growth - An analysis of crack growth mechanism

Cyclic prestress increases subsequent fatigue crack growth rate in 2024-T351 aluminum alloy. This increase in growth rate, caused by the prestress, and the increased rate, caused by temper embrittlement as observed by Ritchie and Knott (1973), cannot be explained by the crack tip blunting model alone. Each fatigue crack increment consists of two components, a brittle and a ductile component. They are controlled by the ductility of the material and its cyclic yield strength, respectively.

Kang, T. S.↗

Some properties of Ni-Cu foils and their behavior when heated in hydrogen

Nickel foils of nominal thickness 0.1 and 1 micron have been resistively evaporated onto copper-foil substrates of thickness 25 and 2.5 microns. In depositions in which the pressure was as high as 0.00001 torr, the deposited nickel was not shiny and appeared granular in a 100x microscope. Foils evaporated in higher vacuums were shiny, but became granular if heated to 500 C in oxygen at pressures greater than 0.000005 torr, or in carbon dioxide at pressures greater than 0.0000005 torr. This phenomenon has been interpreted as recrystallization. Foils heated to 500 C at pressures of hydrogen above 0.0003 torr exhibit cracking characteristic of hydrogen embrittlement. The bimetallic foils curled concave toward the nickel during evaporation, consistent with a connected-island form of film growth.

Morrison, R. A.↗

Structure and elevated temperature properties of carbon-free ferritic alloys strengthened by a Laves phase

A Laves phase, Fe2Ta, was utilized to obtain good elevated temperature properties in a carbon-free iron alloy containing 1 at. pct Ta and 7 at. pct Cr. Room temperature embrittlement resulting from the precipitation of the Laves phase at grain boundaries was overcome by spheroidizing the precipitate. This was accomplished by thermally cycling the alloys through the alpha to gamma transformation. The short-time yield strength of the alloys decreased very slowly with increase in test temperature up to 600 C, but above this temperature, the strength decreased rapidly. Results of constant load creep and stress rupture tests conducted at several temperatures and stresses indicated that the rupture and creep strengths of spheroidized 1 Ta-7 Cr alloy were higher than those of several commercial steels containing chromium and/or molybdenum carbides but lower than those of steels containing substantial amounts of tungsten and vanadium. When molybdenum was added to the base Fe-Ta-Cr alloy, the rupture and creep strengths were considerably increased.

Bhandarkar, M. D.↗

Effect of electron irradiation in vacuum on FEP-A silicon solar cell covers

The effect of irradiation on the light transmittance of ethylene-propylene-A (FEP-A) was investigated by measuring the short-circuit current of the cells after each of several electron dose increments, immediately after total irradiation, and 16 hours after total irradiation. Results indicated no apparent overall loss in transmission due to irradiation of FEP-A. However, filter wheel measurements revealed a 'darkening' of the FEP-A at the blue end of the spectrum. Some embrittlement of the FEP-A occurred at an accumulated dose of 67,500,000 rads.

Marsik, S. J.↗

Materials considerations

Materials problems are examined that may be encountered within a hydrogen energy system. Emphasis is placed on hydrogen embrittlement, corrosion, oxidation, and erosion. Other factors discussed include: degradation of mechanical properties of structural alloys, system reliability, and maintenance costs.

Gray, H. R.↗

A literature review and inventory of the effects of environment on the fatigue behavior of metals

The current state of knowledge of the effects of gas environments (at atmospheric pressure and below) on the fatigue behavior of metals is reviewed. Among the topics considered are the mechanisms proposed to explain the differences observed in the fatigue behavior of vacuum- and air-tested specimens, the effects of environment on the surface topography of fatigue cycled specimens, the effect of environment on the various phases of the fatigue phenomenon, the effect of prolonged exposure to vacuum on fatigue life, the variation of fatigue life with decreasing gas pressure, and gas evolution during fatigue cycling. Analysis of the findings of this review indicates that hydrogen embrittlement is primarily responsible for decreased fatigue resistance in humid environments, and that dislocations move more easily during tests in vacuum than during test in air. It was found that fatigue cracks generally initiated and propagated more rapidly in air than in vacuum. Prolonged exposure to vacuum does not adversely affect fatigue resistance. The variation of fatigue life with decreasing gas pressure is sometimes stepped and sometimes continuous.

Hudson, C. M.↗

Structure-property relationships in low-temperature adhesives

Adhesive materials of aliphatic polyester, linear hydroxyl end-capped polybutadienes, or SBS block copolymers are studied with the objective to replace conventional partially aromatic end-reactive polyester-isocyanate adhesives that have shown embrittlement

Schoff, C. K.↗

Materials and processes for Shuttle engine, external tank, and Solid Rocket Booster

The paper deals with the materials and processes for three Space Shuttle elements: Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSME), the External Tank (ET), and the Solid Rocket Boosters (SRB), beginning with an overview of the materials selection, tracking and control system. SSME materials and processes are considered with emphasis on hydrogen environment embrittlement, LOX/GOX compatibility, stress corrosion cracking, and hydraulic fluid testing and qualification. The ET is examined with attention given to welding and fracture mechanics, and the thermal protection system. The SRB is discussed with emphasis on corrosion prevention, stress corrosion and fracture toughness, the integrated test bed for in situ corrosion protection verification, aluminum processing, and the thermal protection system.

Schwinghamer, R. J.↗

The influence of growth speed, orientation and environment on fracture of aligned Al-CuAl2

There has been considerable interest in the mechanical properties of aligned eutectics as functions of microstructure, orientation between reinforcement and stress axis, and temperature of testing. However, little is known about the behavior of these alloys in aggressive environments, such as liquid metals, with the exception of a recent paper on embrittlement of several eutectic alloys in gallium and gallium-indium alloys. This paper is concerned with the effects of a liquid Ga-16%In solution on tensile behavior of an aligned Al-CuAl2 eutectic.

Skiff, P. K.↗

Two braze alloys for thin-wall components

Alloys are ductile and are not subject to hydrogen or cryogenic embrittlement. During brazing operation, alloys demonstrate excellent wetting, flow and gap-filling capacities, and resist oxidation and salt-spray corrosion. Alloys are producible as foils, tape, wire, and powder. They may be used to join stainless steels and nickel and cobalt high-temperature alloys.

Brennan, A.↗