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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 73 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Overview of the Alaskan Layered Pollution and Chemical Analysis (ALPACA) Field Experiment

The Alaskan Layered Pollution And Chemical Analysis (ALPACA) field experiment was a collaborative study designed to improve understanding of pollution sources and chemical processes during winter (cold climate and low-photochemical activity), to investigate indoor pollution, and to study dispersion of pollution as affected by frequent temperature inversions. A number of the research goals were motivated by questions raised by residents of Fairbanks, Alaska, where the study was held. This paper describes the measurement strategies and the conditions encountered during the January and February 2022 field experiment, and reports early examples of how the measurements addressed research goals, particularly those of interest to the residents. Outdoor air measurements showed high concentrations of particulate matter and pollutant gases including volatile organic carbon species. During pollution events, low winds and extremely stable atmospheric conditions trapped pollution below 73 m, an extremely shallow vertical scale. Tethered-balloon-based measurements intercepted plumes aloft, which were associated with power plant point sources through transport modeling. Because cold climate residents spend much of their time indoors, the study included an indoor air quality component, where measurements were made inside and outside a house to study infiltration and indoor sources. In the absence of indoor activities such as cooking and/or heating with a pellet stove, indoor particulate matter concentrations were lower than outdoors; however, cooking and pellet stove burns often caused higher indoor particulate matter concentrations than outdoors. The mass-normalized particulate matter oxidative potential, a health-relevant property measured here by the reactivity with dithiothreiol, of indoor particles varied by source, with cooking particles having less oxidative potential per mass than pellet stove particles.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Heat Transfer Characteristics of Particle and Air Flow Through Additively Manufactured Lattice Frame Material Based on Octet-Shape Topology

Particle-to-supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO 2 ) heat exchanger is a critical component in next-generation concentrating solar power (CSP) plants. The inherently low heat transfer between falling particles and sCO 2 imposes a challenge toward economic justification of levelized cost of electricity produced through solar energy. Introduction of integrated porous media with the walls bounding particle flow has the potential to enhance the overall particle-to-sCO 2 heat exchanger performance. Here, this paper presents an experimental study on heat transfer characterization of additively manufactured lattice frame material based on Octet-shaped unit cell with particles and air as working fluids. The lattice structures were additively manufactured in stainless steel (SS) 316L and SS420 (with 40% bronze infiltration) via Binder jetting process, where the lattice porosities were varied between 0.75 and 0.9. The mean particle diameters were varied from 266 μm to 966 μm. The effective thermal conductivity and averaged heat transfer coefficient were determined through steady-state experiments. It was found that the presence of lattice enhances the effective thermal conductivity by 2–4 times when compared to packed bed of particles alone. Furthermore, for gravity-assisted particle flow through lattice panel, significantly high convective heat transfer coefficients ranging from 200 W/m2K to 400 W/m2K were obtained for the range of particle diameters tested. The superior thermal transport properties of Octet-shape-based lattice frame for particle flow makes it a very promising candidate for particle-to-sCO 2 heat exchanger for CSP application.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS2020

Tensile Creep Behavior of SiC(f)/SiC Ceramic Matrix Minicomposites

Single fiber-tow minicomposites represent the major load-bearing element of woven and laminate ceramic matrix composites (CMCs). To understand the effects of fiber type, fiber content, and matrix cracking on tensile creep in SiCf/SiC CMCs, single-tow SiCf/SiC minicomposites with different fiber types and contents were investigated. The minicomposites studied contained either Hi-Nicalon™ or Hi-Nicalon™ Type S SiC fibers with a boron nitride (BN) interphase and a chemical-vapor-infiltrated-silicon-carbide (CVI-SiC) matrix. Tensile creep was performed at 1200 °C in air. A bottom-up creep modeling approach was applied where creep parameters of the fibers and matrix were obtained separately at 1200 °C. Next, a theoretical model based on the rule of mixtures was derived to model the fiber and matrix creep-time-dependent stress redistribution. Fiber and matrix creep parameters, load transfer model results, and numerical modeling were used to construct a creep strain model to predict creep damage evolution of minicomposites with different fiber types and contents.

SiC/SiC Minicomposites Creep↗
DOE OSTI2022

Application of reference-free natural background–oriented schlieren photography for visualizing leakage sites in building walls

Air leakage in buildings can cause health and comfort concerns for occupants and can contribute to mold growth on building materials, or in extreme conditions, rot of building materials. Unwanted air leakage through the building envelope also contributes to approximately 4 quadrillion Btu (1172 TWh) of energy consumption per year in the building sector in the United States. Locating and sealing leakage sites can improve the energy efficiency, comfort, air quality, and moisture durability of the building stock. Typical methods of finding leakage sites, such as infrared imaging and smoke tracing, rely on concurrent blower door operation, which can also measure the total leakage rate of the building. Smoke tracing can be disruptive to occupants, and infrared imaging and smoke tracing cannot measure the contribution of individual leaks to prioritize sealing efforts. Here, an optical fluid flow imaging technique, reference-free natural background–oriented schlieren imaging, was adapted to visualize air exfiltration. This is the first step in developing a method to noninvasively locate and measure exfiltration or infiltration sites so that sealing efforts can be prioritized. Experimental results of this technique are presented, demonstrating the method's applicability to visualizing exfiltration through three common building claddings in an outdoor environment. Key variables impacting the performance of this technique when applied to building leakage are also discussed.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
NASA NTRS2020

Characterization of SiC/SiC Composites Subjected to Sequential Tensile Creep and Dwell Fatigue in Air under Thermal Gradient Conditions

Uncoated SiC/SiC composites, with 2D and 3D fiber architectures, were investigated under steady state thermal gradient conditions with sequential tensile creep and dwell fatigue. Melt infiltration (MI), chemical vapor infiltration (CVI), polymer impregnation and pyrolysis (PIP), and hybrid (CVI and PIP) techniques were used to fabricate ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) with a 2D balanced fiber architecture. CMCs with 3D fiber weaves were also fabricated using MI and hybrid methods. Steady state through the thickness thermal gradients were generated for the tensile specimens using laser heating on the front (hot side) and forced air cooling on the back (cold side). Hot side and cold side temperatures of 2400 and 2200 °F, respectively, were used for testing CMCs fabricated with the MI process, whereas hot side and cold side temperatures of 2700 and 2400 °F, respectively, were used for CMCs fabricated with CVI, PIP, and hybrid processes. Each CMC specimen was initially tested under tensile creep at 69 MPa (10 ksi) for 80 hours, which was then followed by tensile dwell fatigue testing at a maximum stress of 69 MPa (10 ksi) for another 80 hours for a total of 160 hours. This type of sequential tensile creep followed by tensile dwell fatigue testing was performed to ascertain the integrity of uncoated CMCs under steady state thermal gradient conditions. Tensile creep and dwell fatigue test results, generated under steady state thermal gradient conditions on different types of SiC/SiC composites, are compared with corresponding creep behaviors observed under isothermal conditions to determine the influence of both monotonic creep (static fatigue) and dwell fatigue on accumulated strains and deformation behaviors of the CMCs.

Kalluri, Sreeramesh↗
NASA NTRS1992

Damage mechanisms in three-dimensional woven reinforced ceramic matrix composites under tensile and flexural loading at room and elevated temperatures

Three-dimensional Nicalon SiC/SiC matrix composites made through a chemical vapor infiltration process were studied under tensile and flexural loading at 23, 1200, and 1550 C in air. In situ damage accumulation monitoring NDE techniques were utilized to identify failure mechanisms in these materials. The effectiveness and durability of a chemical vapor deposition SiC surface coating were also evaluated in severe oxidizing environment. Results show that the failure response was very similar for the 23 and 1200 C specimens, while at 1550 C there were significant changes in both the composite mechanical behavior and the matrix microstructure. Extensive fiber pull-out was observed only in the 1550 C specimen. It is also found that the SiC surface coating can protect the composite up to the critical matrix cracking strength.

Chulya, Abhisak↗
NASA NTRS1992

Failure mechanisms of 3-D woven SiC/SiC composites under tensile and flexural loading at room and elevated temperatures

Nicalon silicon carbide 3D yarn with silicon carbide matrix composites made through a chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) process were investigated under tensile and flexural loading at 23, 1200 and 1550 C in air. The effectiveness of a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) SiC surface coating was also evaluated in severe oxidizing environment. Acoustic emission sensors and in situ optical microscopy were used at room temperature to monitor the failure mechanisms. It is shown that the level of tensile stress at which nonlinear behavior begins is not drastically reduced at 1200 and 1550 C when composites were protected by a SiC surface coating. Extensive fiber pull-out was observed only in the 1550 C specimen. Similar behaviors were also found in flexural specimens.

Chulya, Abhisak↗
NASA NTRS2008

Tensile Creep and Fatigue of Sylramic-iBN Melt-Infiltrated SiC Matrix Composites: Retained Properties, Damage Development, and Failure Mechanisms

An understanding of the elevated temperature tensile creep, fatigue, rupture, and retained properties of ceramic matrix composites (CMC) envisioned for use in gas turbine engine applications are essential for component design and life-prediction. In order to quantify the effect of stress, time, temperature, and oxidation for a state-of-the-art composite system, a wide variety of tensile creep, dwell fatigue, and cyclic fatigue experiments were performed in air at 1204 C for the SiC/SiC CMC system consisting of Sylramic-iBN SiC fibers, BN fiber interphase coating, and slurry-cast melt-infiltrated (MI) SiC-based matrix. Tests were either taken to failure or interrupted. Interrupted tests were then mechanically tested at room temperature to determine the residual properties. The retained properties of most of the composites subjected to tensile creep or fatigue were usually within 20% of the as-produced strength and 10% of the as-produced elastic modulus. It was observed that during creep, residual stresses in the composite are altered to some extent which results in an increased compressive stress in the matrix upon cooling and a subsequent increased stress required to form matrix cracks. Microscopy of polished sections and the fracture surfaces of specimens which failed during stressed-oxidation or after the room-temperature retained property test was performed on some of the specimens in order to quantify the nature and extent of damage accumulation that occurred during the test. It was discovered that the distribution of stress-dependent matrix cracking at 1204 C was similar to the as-produced composites at room temperature; however, matrix crack growth occurred over time and typically did not appear to propagate through thickness except at final failure crack. Failure of the composites was due to either oxidation-induced unbridged crack growth, which dominated the higher stress regime (> 179 MPa) or controlled by degradation of the fibers, probably caused by intrinsic creep-induced flaw growth of the fibers or internal attack of the fibers via Si diffusion through the CVI SiC and/or microcracks at the lower stress regime (< 165 MPa).

Morscher, Greg↗
DOE OSTI2023

County-level assessment of behind-the-meter solar and storage to mitigate long duration power interruptions for residential customers

Customer concerns over electric system resilience could drive early adoption of behind-the-meter solar-plus-storage (BTM PVESS), especially as wildfire, hurricane, and other climate-driven risks to electric grids become more pronounced. However, the resilience benefits of BTM PVESS are poorly understood, especially for residential customers, owing to lack of data and methodological challenges, making it difficult to forecast adoption trends. In this paper, we develop a methodology to model the performance of BTM PVESS in providing backup power across a wide range of customer types, geography / climate conditions, and long duration power interruption scenarios, considering both whole-building backup and backup of specific critical loads. We combine novel, disaggregated end-use load profiles across the continental United States with temporally and geospatially aligned solar generation estimates. We then implement a PVESS dispatch algorithm to calculate the amount of load served during interruptions. We find that PVESS with 10 kWh of storage can meet a limited set of critical loads in most United States counties during any month of the year, though this capability drops to meeting only 86% of critical load, averaged across all counties and months, when heating and cooling are considered critical. Backup performance is lowest in winter months where electric heat is common (southeast and northwest U.S.) and in summer months in places with large cooling loads (southwest and southeast U.S.). Winter backup performance varies by roughly 20% depending on infiltration rates, while summer performance varies by close to 15% depending on the efficiency of the central air-conditioning system. Differences in temperature set-points in Harris County correspond to a 40% range in winter backup performance and a 20% range in summer performance. Economic calculations show that a customer’s resilience value of PVESS must be high to motivate adoption of these systems.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Smart Ventilation Controls for Occupancy and Auxiliary Fan Use Across U.S. Climates

Smart Ventilation has been developed as a way to reduce the energy associated with ventilation by changing when ventilation happens and how much ventilation occurs at any given time. In high performance buildings with low envelope and appliance related loads, ventilation is becoming a bigger part of the total building energy use and needs to be addressed if performance targets are to be met. This work explores the development and performance of smart ventilation controls based on occupancy and auxiliary fan operation that provide annual dwelling unit ventilation equivalence to ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2016. A prototype high performance home compliant with U.S. DOE Building America Zero Energy Ready program requirements was simulated using the REGCAP tool with and without smart controls across 15 U.S. DOE climate zones. Balanced and unbalanced IAQ fans were independently simulated, and all smart controlled fans had airflows double the reference 62.2-2016 airflow. Three idealized occupancy patterns were examined: 1st shift (a typical daily work/school absence), an extended 1st shift with more time spent out of the home evenings and weekends and 3rd shift (night work). The Occupancy controller turns the IAQ fan off during unoccupied periods, and it resumes ventilation upon their return. While unoccupied, contaminants are allowed to accumulate in the space, because occupants are not exposed to these contaminants. When occupants return home, they are exposed to these higher contaminant concentrations, and the controller increases the ventilation rate sufficiently to ensure equivalence with a continuous IAQ fan. Accounting for pollutant emissions that occur during unoccupied periods (as required by ASHRAE 62.2-2016), sharply distinguishes our occupancy controls from past Demand Controlled Ventilation systems. This new accounting method results in equivalent contaminant exposure, as well as lower reductions in average ventilation rates and lower energy savings. Smart controls were demonstrated that saved HVAC energy (i.e., avoided heating/cooling load, as well as fan energy)—averaging between 6 and 46% of ventilation-related energy use depending on the control strategy and occupancy pattern assumptions. The greatest savings were in the combined Auxiliary Fan + Occupancy control. Energy savings increased with climate heating demand and longer unoccupied time periods. The 3rd shift occupancy pattern had better performance, due to the thermal benefit of reducing the ventilation rate during the cold nighttime hours. This same effect provided a cooling energy benefit in hotter locations for the 1st shift. Overall, savings from occupancy-based smart controls were low, because of the recovery period required after occupants return home, during which the airflow is double the 62.2 reference. This recovery is required to maintain equivalence with the ASHRAE standard. Occupancy-based control performance was improved when combined with sensing auxiliary fans and when providing a pre-occupancy flush out of one- or two-hours. Performance was similarly improved if the ASHRAE Standard were to recognize that pollutant emissions are lower during unoccupied periods, iii allowing a lower target ventilation rate during unoccupied periods (not currently in the standard) (see Full vs. Half AEQ in this report). Finally, over-sized unbalanced fans that are cycled on-and-off by a smart controller (or timer) were found to substantially increase annual average air exchange and energy use relative to a continuous unbalanced fan due to the effects of superposition with natural infiltration.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2020

Empirical Validation of Multi-Zone HVAC System Model: Evaluation of Existing Infiltration Models used in Building Energy Simulation

Infiltration can have a significant impact on building loads. Studies have shown that infiltration can account for 15-40% of annual space conditioning needs in commercial buildings (Emmerich et al. 2019; Younes et al. 2012). The driving force of infiltration is the pressure difference across the building envelope caused by wind, the stack effect (known as buoyancy effect), and the operation of ventilation equipment. Wind pressure is governed by wind direction, speed, building shape, and other structures around the building. The stack effect is a function of the building height and air density differences of ambient air (Han, 2015). The effect of wind is dominant in low-rise residential buildings, and the stack effect is dominant in highrise buildings (ASHRAE 2017). In building energy simulation programs (e.g., EnergyPlus), various empirical infiltration models (e.g., the effective leakage area model, the flow coefficient model) are available to simulate infiltration rates. To help users in selecting a proper infiltration model for modeling of the two-story Flexible Research Platform (FRP), the team evaluates the existing infiltration models in EnergyPlus based on field measurements from the FRP. The blower door and tracer gas decay tests were performed in the FRP. The blower door test result was used to estimate input parameters required in the infiltration models. The actual infiltration rates were estimated with the tracer gas decay test results.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
NASA NTRS2008

Impact Resistance of EBC Coated SiC/SiC Composites

Impact performance of 2-D woven SiC/SiC composites coated with 225 and 525 m thick environmental barrier coating (EBC) was investigated. The composites were fabricated by melt infiltration and the EBC was deposited by plasma spray. Impact tests were conducted at room temperature and at 1316 C in air using 1.59-mm diameter steel-balls at projectile velocities ranging from 110 to 375 m/s. Both microscopy and nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methods were used to determine the extent of damage in the substrate and coating with increasing projectile velocity. The impacted specimens were tensile tested at room temperature to determine their residual mechanical properties. At projectile velocities less than 125 m/s, no detectable damage was noticed in the MI SiC/SiC composites coated with 525 m EBC. With increase in projectile velocity beyond this value, spallation of EBC layers, delamination of fiber plies, and fiber fracture were detected. At a fixed projectile velocity, the composites coated with 525 m EBC showed less damage than the composite coated with 225 m EBC. Both types of EBC coated composites retained a large fraction of the baseline properties of as-fabricated composites and exhibited non-brittle failure after impact testing at projectile velocities up to 375 m/s. Exposure of impact tested specimens in a moisture environment at 1316 C for 500 hr indicated that the through-the-thickness cracks in the EBC coating and delamination cracks in the substrate generated after impact testing acted as conduits for internal oxidation.

Fox, Dennis S.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Impact Resistance of Environmental Barrier Coated SiC/SiC Composites

Impact performance of 2D woven SiC/SiC composites coated with 225 and 525 microns thick environmental barrier coating (EBC) was investigated. The composites were fabricated by melt infiltration and the EBC was deposited by plasma spray. Impact tests were conducted at room temperature and at 1316 C in air using 1.59 mm diameter steel-balls at projectile velocities ranging from 110 to 375 m/s . Both microscopy and non-destructive evaluation (NDE) methods were used to determine the extent of damage in the substrate and coating with increasing projectile velocity. The impacted specimens were tensile tested at room temperature to determine their residual mechanical properties. At projectile velocities less than 125 m/s , no detectable internal damage was noticed in the MI SiC/SiC composites coated with 525 microns EBC. With increase in projectile velocity beyond this value, spallation of EBC layers, delamination of fiber plies, and fiber fracture were detected. At a fixed projectile velocity, the composites coated with 525 microns EBC showed less damage than those coated with 225 microns EBC. Both types of coated composites retained a large fraction of the baseline properties of the as-fabricated composites and exhibited non-brittle failure after impact testing. Furnace exposure of impacted specimens in a moisture environment at 1316 C for 500 h indicated that the through-the-thickness cracks in the coating and delamination cracks in the substrate generated after impact testing acted as conduits for internal oxidation.

Bhatt, Ramakrishna T.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Experimental and Modeled Assessment of Interventions to Reduce PM2.5 in a Residence during a Wildfire Event

Increasingly large and frequent wildfires affect air quality even indoors by emitting and dispersing fine/ultrafine particulate matter known to pose health risks to residents. With this health threat, we are working to help the building science community develop simplified tools that may be used to estimate impacts to large numbers of homes based on high-level housing characteristics. In addition to reviewing literature sources, we performed an experiment to evaluate interventions to mitigate degraded indoor air quality. We instrumented one residence for one week during an extreme wildfire event in the Pacific Northwest. Outdoor ambient concentrations of PM2.5 reached historic levels, sustained at over 200 μg/m3 for multiple days. Outdoor and indoor PM2.5 were monitored, and data regarding building characteristics, infiltration, and mechanical system operation were gathered to be consistent with the type of information commonly known for residential energy models. Two conditions were studied: a high-capture minimum efficiency rated value (MERV 13) filter integrated into a central forced air (CFA) system, and a CFA with MERV 13 filtration operating with a portable air cleaner (PAC). With intermittent CFA operation and no PAC, indoor corrected concentrations of PM2.5 reached 280 μg/m3, and indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratios reached a mean of 0.55. The measured I/O ratio was reduced to a mean of 0.22 when both intermittent CFA and the PAC were in operation. Data gathered from the test home were used in a modeling exercise to assess expected I/O ratios from both interventions. The mean modeled I/O ratio for the CFA with an MERV 13 filter was 0.48, and 0.28 when the PAC was added. The model overpredicted the MERV 13 performance and underpredicted the CFA with an MERV 13 filter plus a PAC, though both conditions were predicted within 0.15 standard deviation. The results illustrate the ways that models can be used to estimate indoor PM2.5 concentrations in residences during extreme wildfire smoke events.

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTAN↗
DOE OSTI2026

ResStock Measure Documentation: Light Air Sealing, Attic Floor Insulation, and Duct Sealing and Insulation

This report is part of series describing a variety of different ResStock(TM) measures. "Measures" refers to energy efficiency retrofits that can be applied to buildings during modeling. This documentation covers the "Light Envelope" measure upgrade methodology and briefly discusses key results. All results can be accessed on the ResStock Open Energy Data Initiative "End-Use Load Profiles for the U.S. Building Stock" data lake and on the data viewer at resstock.nlr.gov.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
NASA NTRS1995

Development of an in-line filter to prevent intrusion of NO2 toxic vapors into A/C systems

The hypergolic propellant nitrogen tetroxide (N2O4 or NTO) is routinely used in spacecraft launched at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) and Cape Canaveral Air Station (CCAS). In the case of a catastrophic failure of the spacecraft, there would be a release of the unspent propellant in the form of a toxic cloud. Inhalation of this material at downwind concentrations which may be as high as 20 parts per million (ppm) for 30 minutes in duration, may produce irritation to the eyes, nose and respiratory tract. Studies at both KSC and CCAS have shown that the indoor concentrations of N2O4 during a toxic release may range from 1 to 15 ppm and depend on the air change rate (ACR) for a particular building and whether or not the air conditioning (A/C) system has been shut down or left in an operating mode. This project was initiated in order to assess how current A/C systems could be easily modified to prevent personnel from being exposed to toxic vapors. A sample system has been constructed to test the ability of several types of filter material to capture the N2O4 vapors prior to their infiltration into the A/C system. Test results will be presented which compare the efficiencies of standard A/C filters, water wash systems, and chemically impregnated filter material in taking toxic vapors out of the incoming air stream.

Meneghelli, Barry↗
DOE OSTI2020

X-ray and Neutron Reflectivity Studies of Styrene-Maleic Acid Copolymer Interactions with Galactolipid-Containing Monolayers

Styrene-maleic acid (SMA) copolymers have recently gained attention for their ability to facilitate the detergent-free solubilization of membrane protein complexes and their native boundary lipids into polymer-encapsulated, nanosized lipid particles, referred to as SMALPs. However, the interfacial interactions between SMA and lipids, which dictate the mechanism, efficiency, and selectivity of lipid and membrane protein extraction, are barely understood. Our recent finding has shown that SMA 1440, a chemical derivative of the SMA family with a functionalized butoxyethanol group, was most active in galactolipid-rich membranes, as opposed to phospholipid membranes. In the present work, we have performed X-ray reflectometry (XRR) and neutron reflectometry (NR) on the lipid monolayers at the liquid–air interface followed by the SMA copolymer adsorption. XRR and Langmuir Π–A isotherms captured the fluidifying effect of galactolipids, which allowed SMA copolymers to infiltrate easily into the lipid membranes. NR results revealed the detailed structural arrangement of SMA 1440 copolymers within the membranes and highlighted the partition of butoxyethanol group into the lipid tail region. In conclusion, this work allows us to propose a possible mechanism for the membrane solubilization by SMA.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS2000

Design, Fabrication, and Testing of Ceramic Joints for High Temperature SiC/SiC Composites

Various issues associated with the design and mechanical evaluation of joints of ceramic matrix composites are discussed. The specific case of an affordable, robust ceramic joining technology (ARCJoinT) to join silicon carbide (CG-Nicalon(sup TM)) fiber-reinforced-chemically vapor infiltrated (CVI) silicon carbide matrix composites is addressed. Experimental results are presented for the time and temperature dependence of the shear strength of these joints in air up to 1200 C. From compression testing of double-notched joint specimens with a notch separation of 4 mm, it was found that the apparent shear strength of the joints decreased from 92 MPa at room temperature to 71 MPa at 1200 C. From shear stress-rupture testing in air at 1200 C it was found that the shear strength of the joints decreased rapidly with time from an initial shear strength of 71 to 17.5 MPa after 14.3 hr. The implications of these results in relation to the expected long-term service life of these joints in applications at elevated temperatures are discussed.

Singh, Mrityunjay↗