Radiation effects on silver and zinc battery electrodes, IV Interim report, Jan. - Apr. 1966
Gamma radiation effects on silver oxide battery electrodes discharge capacity, gas evolution, and solid material loss
SEARCH · Search NASA
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.
Gamma radiation effects on silver oxide battery electrodes discharge capacity, gas evolution, and solid material loss
Reduction of silver by zinc, thermal decomposition of silver oxides, amalgam electrodes for use in alkaline batteries, and gas evolution at electrodes
Spatially uniform Boltzmann gas evolution in time without initial correlations, discussing BBGKY hierarchy structure, velocity and particle distribution functions
Gas evolution in preparation of N-t- butylaziridine-2-carboxylic acid hydrazide by standard procedures explained by diimide formation
The destructive distillation of rubber tire samples was studied by thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, combustion calorimetry, and mass spectroscopy. The decomposition reaction was found to be exothermic and produced a mass loss of 65 percent. The gas evolution curves that were obtained indicate that a variety of organic materials are evolved simultaneously during the decomposition of the rubber polymer.
Research in metallurgical processing to study the effects of reduced gravity started with Apollo 14 and advanced with Skylab. Experiments provided specimens for analysis which solidified while constrained and while freely floating, which contained a mixture of normally immiscible materials, demonstrated enhanced capillary flow, solubility and ordered growth of a directionally solidified eutectic. The smaller, equiaxed grain structure obtained in reduced gravity compared to the larger, elongated grains obtained in one gravity indicate a difference in convection due to gravity in constrained solidification. Freely floating nickel alloy specimens showing metallic gas evolution at low pressure and reduced gravity suggest reduced pressure reactions which cannot occur on earth even in high vacuum chambers due to the hydrostatic head in the molten metal. Directionally solidified eutectics showed fewer termination defects when grown in reduced gravity. These are a few of the differences observed due to reduced gravity which could have important consequences on the future of metallurgy. In this paper we attempt to correlate the results of several Skylab solidification experiments.
The destructive distillation of rubber tire samples was studied by thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, combustion calorimetry, and mass spectroscopy. The decomposition reaction was found to be exothermic and produced a mass loss of 65%. The products from the distillation process were a solid residue with a heating value of about -30 MJ/kg, a liquid with a heating value of about -40 MJ/kg, and a combustible gas of undetermined heating value. The gas evolution curves which were obtained indicate that a variety of organic materials are evolved simultaneously during decomposition of the rubber polymer.
The need to include fire resistant foams into state of the art aircraft interior paneling to increase passenger safety in aircraft fires was studied. Present efforts were directed toward mechanical and fire testing of panels with foam inclusions. Skinned foam filled honeycomb and PBI structural foams were the two constructions investigated with attention being directed toward weight/performance/cost trade-off. All of the new panels demonstrated improved performance in fire and some were lighter weight but not as strong as the presently used paneling. Continued efforts should result in improved paneling for passenger safety. In particular the simple partial filling (fire side) of state-of-the-art honeycomb with fire resistant foams with little sacrifice in weight would result in panels with increased fire resistance. More important may be the retarded rate of toxic gas evolution in the fire due to the protection of the honeycomb by the foam.
A part of the investigation is summarized of the thermal anomalies of the transmitter experiment package (TEP) on the Communications Technology Satellite (CTS) which were observed on four occasions in 1977. Specifically, the possible failure modes of the variable conductance heat pipe system (VCHPS) used for principal thermal control of the high-power traveling wave tube in the TEP are considered. Further, the investigation examines how those malfunctions may have given rise to the TEP thermal anomalies. Using CTS flight data information, ground test results, analysis conclusions, and other relevant information, the investigation concentrated on artery depriming as the most likely VCHPS failure mode. Included in the study as possible depriming mechanisms were freezing of the working fluid, Marangoni flow, and gas evolution within the arteries. The report concludes that while depriming of the heat pipe arteries is consistent with the bulk of the observed data, the factors which cause the arteries to deprime have yet to be identified.
The chemistry, processing, and laminate properties of NCNS-13P resin are described. The effect on graphite fiber laminates of temperature, oxidative aging, water absorption, and humidity-temperature aging were determined. Glass laminates were evaluated for the fire resistance and smoke and toxic gas evolution under flaming conditions.
Some conditions under which boiling and two-phase flow can occur in or near a wet sliding contact are determined and illustrated. The experimental apparatus consisted of a tool pressed against an instrumented slider plate and motion picture sequences at 4000 frames/sec. The temperature and photographic data demonstrated surface conditions of boiling, drying, trapped gas evolution (solutions), and volatility of fluid mixture components. The theoretical modeling and analysis are in reasonable agreement with experimental data.
Current, voltage, and gas evolution measured during charge/discharge cycles. Series of standarized tests for evaluating charging efficiency of lead/acid storage batteries described in report. Purpose of tests to provide information for design of battery charger that allows maximum recharge efficiency for electric-vehicle batteries consistent with other operating parameters, such as range, water loss, and cycle life.
Some conditions under which boiling and two-phase flow can occur in or near a wet sliding contact are determined and illustrated. The experimental apparatus consisted of a tool pressed against an instrumented slider plate and motion picture sequences at 4000 frames/sec. The temperature and photographic data demonstated surface conditions of boiling, dry, trapped gas evolution (solutions), and volatility of fluid mixture components. The theoretical modeling and analysi are in reasonable agreement with experimental data. Previously announced in STAR as N82-28574
The chemorheological behavior of the PRM-15 molding compounds were characterized, the range of suitable processing parameters for injection molding in a reciprocating screw injection molding machine was determined, and the effects of the injection molding processing parameters on the mechanical properties of molded PMR-15 parts were studied. The apparatus and procedures for measuring viscosity and for determining the physical response of the material during heating are described. Results show that capillary rheometry can be effectively used with thermosets if the equipment is designed to overcome some of the inherent problems of these materials. A uniform temperature was provided in the barrel by using a circulating hot oil system. Standard capillary rheometry methods can provide the dependence of thermoset apparent viscosity on shear rate, temperature, and time. Process conditions resulting in complete imidization should be carefully defined. Specification of controlled oven temperature is inadequate and can result in incomplete imidization. For completely imidized PMR-15 heat at 15 C/min melt flow without gas evolution occurs in the temperature range of 325 C to 400 C.
The electron emitting capabilities of Spindt-type field emitting cathodes (FEC) are being studied at the Lewis Research Center, NASA. These cathodes, having 5000 emitting points in a 1 mm diameter, have been shown to be capable of emission current densities of 10 A/sq cm and higher. The purposes of this study are to (1) demonstrate that the cathodes can be processed and used in a tube-type configuration, (2) determine whether, at a sufficiently high current density, the cathode can operate in the space charge mode, and (3) evaluate failure mechanisms in this unique type of electron emitter. FEC's have been tested in a diode configuration, by the use of pulse techniques, up to current densities of 6 A/sq cm and anode potentials of 3000 V. Space charge effects have been observed in the range of 5 A/sq cm as an apparent linear increase of cathode current with anode voltage for a constant emitter-gate potential. Failed cathodes were studied by means of scanning electron microscopy and the major failure modes encountered are attributed to gas evolution, followed by arcing, which destroys either individual emitters or a large segment of the cathode area.
A series of accelerated electrochemical experiments to study the degradation properties of polyvinylbutyral-encapsulated silicon solar cells has been carried out. The cells' electrical performance with silk screen-silver and nickel-solder contacts was evaluated. The degradation mechanism was shown to be electrochemical corrosion of the cell contacts; metallization elements migrate into the encapsulating material, which acts as an ionic conducting medium. The corrosion products form a conductive path which results in a gradual loss of the insulation characteristics of the encapsulant. The precipitation of corrosion products in the encapsulant also contributes to its discoloration which in turn leads to a reduction in its transparency and the consequent optical loss. Delamination of the encapsulating layers could be attributed to electrochemical gas evolution reactions. The usefulness of the testing technique in qualitatively establishing a reliability difference between metallizations and antireflection coating types is demonstrated.
Thin films of Na2SO4 and Na2CO3 molten salt deposits were used to corrode sintered SiC and Si3N4 at 1000 C. The resulting attack produced pitting and grain boundary etching resulting in strength decreases ranging from 15 to 50 percent. Corrosion pits were the predominant sources of fracture. The degree of strength decrease was found to be roughly correlated with the depth of the pit, as predicted from fracture toughness considerations. Gas evolution and bubble formation were key aspects of pit formation. Many of the observations of furnace exposures held true in a more realistic burner rig test.
Small multistage depressed collectors (MDC's) which used pyrolytic graphite, ion-beam-textured pyrolytic graphite, and isotropic graphite electrodes were designed, fabricated, and evaluated in conjuntion with 200-W, continuous wave (CW), 8- to 18-GHz traveling-wave tubes (TWT's). The design, construction, and performance of the MDC's are described. The bakeout performance of the collectors, in terms of gas evolution, was indistinguishable from that of typical production tubes with copper collectors. However, preliminary results indicate that some additional radiofrequency (RF) and dc beam processing time (and/or longer or higher temperature bakeouts) may be needed beyond that of typical copper electrode collectors. This is particularly true for pyrolytic graphite electrodes and for TWT's without appendage ion pumps. Extended testing indicated good long-term stability of the textured pyrolytic graphite and isotropic graphite electrode surfaces. The isotropic graphite in particular showed considerable promise as an MDC electrode material because of its high purity, low cost, simple construction, potential for very compact overall size, and relatively low secondary electron emission yield characteristics in the as-machined state. However, considerably more testing experience is required before definitive conclusions on its suitability for electronic countermeasure systems and space TWT's can be made.