Search NASASearch

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Graphite Oxidation”

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 73 records · Page 4

Oxidation Penetration in Nuclear Graphite

Study results are presented for seven grades of graphite where 21 cylindrical samples were oxidized to a nominal level of mass loss. Low mass loss samples exhibited ~3% oxidative mass loss, intermediate ~8%, and high ~11%. Flat sample surfaces were covered during oxidation to minimize oxidation penetration at the top and bottom of each sample. Oxidized samples had their diameters reduced stepwise in 1 mm or 2 mm increments. Residual samples were weighed, geometric dimensions were recorded, and Archimedes measurements were taken at each step. Preliminary comparative graphical analysis is presented to illustrate the resultant density gradients observed. Raw tabular data are also provided.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS

Improved oxidation-resistant carbon and graphite materials

A variety of silicon-carbide treated carbon and graphite products were prepared, and oxidation and strength properties determined. Carbon and graphite materials used in the preliminary study include fiber, tape, felt, foam, bulk, and laminar configurations. The silicon-carbide treatment used in preparing the oxidation resistant specimens employs either vacuum or ultrasonic impregnation of various silicone-silicon mixtures into the matrix material. The impregnation phase is followed by controlled thermal reaction at which time the silicon carbide is synthesized and takes the form of an integral protective boundary layer. Thickness of the layer ranges from a fraction of a mil to 10 mils, depending on the matrix material and processing parameters. Oxidation resistance of all the silicon-carbide-treated specimens investigated was found to be significantly improved. Mechanical strengths of the laminar composites were also found to be somewhat improved. At room temperature the specific strength of the silicon-carbide treated fibers and tapes was degraded to some extent; however, their relative strengths were significantly increased at elevated temperatures in oxidizing atmosphere.

Muir, H. M.

Thermo-oxidative stability of graphite fiber/PMR-15 polyimide composites at 350 deg C

A series of graphite fiber/PMR-15 polyimide composites were subjected to isothermal aging at 350 C in flowing air (100 cc/min and 1000 cc/min) over a 520 hr time period. The graphite fibers were analyzed by ISS/SIMS techniques before composite fabrication. Fibers exposed at the surface of the composite due to the isothermal aging process were also analyzed by the ISS/SIMS method. Component and composite weight less studies were also conducted for similarly exposed materials. Optical micrograph investigations of composites to follow the progress of the thermo-oxidative process were also conducted. Flexural and interlaminar shear strengths of the imaged and aged composites were measured. The relationship of component and composite properties as they relate to the thermo-oxidative behavior of the materials was discussed.

Scola, D. A.

DOE ART Graphite R&D Introduction

Introduction of ART Graphite R&D to include oxidation activities, oxidation resistant graphite, model development, ASME component failure, ASME code development (design rules), ceramic composites, AGC update, molten salt intrusion, split-disk studies, wear testing, and concluding remarks.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS

CdO Pretreatment For Graphite Lubricant Films

Lubrication of rubbing steel surfaces with graphite improved by sputtering cadmium oxide onto surfaces, according to report. Lubricating films consisting of mixtures of cadmium oxide and graphite did not perform as well as films of graphite alone on surfaces pretreated with cadmium oxide. Primary beneficial effect obtained by sputtering pretreatment with cadmium oxide, which apparently improves bond between metallic substrate and graphite.

Fusaro, Robert L.

Sputtered cadmium oxide as a surface pretreatment for graphite solid lubricant films

Sputtered films of cadmium oxide were applied to sand blasted AISI 440C HT stainless steel disks as a surface pretreatment for the application of rubbed graphite films. Mixtures of cadmium oxide and graphite were applied to the nonpretreated sandblasted metal and evaluated. The results were compared to graphite films applied to other commercially available surface pretreatments. It is found that sputtered CdO pretreated surfaces increase the endurance lives of the graphite films and decrease the counterface steady state wear rate of the pins almost an order of magnitude compared to commercially available pretreatments. The CdO additions in general improved the tribological properties of graphite. The greatest benefit occurred when it was applied to the substrate rather than mixing it with the graphite and that sputtered films of CdO perform much better than rubbed CdO films.

Fusaro, R. L.

Sputtered cadmium oxide as a surface pretreatment for graphite solid-lubricant films

Sputtered films of cadmium oxide were applied to sand blasted AISI 440C HT stainless steel disks as a surface pretreatment for the application of rubbed graphite films. Mixtures of cadmium oxide and graphite were applied to the nonpretreated sandblasted metal and evaluated. The results were compared to graphite films applied to other commercially available surface pretreatments. It is found that sputtered CdO pretreated surfaces increase the endurance lives of the graphite films and decrease the counterface steady state wear rate of the pins almost an order of magnitude compared to commercially available pretreatments. The CdO additions in general improved the tribological properties of graphite. The greatest benefit occurred when it was applied to the substrate rather than mixing it with the graphite and that sputtered films of CdO perform much better than rubbed CdO films.

Fusaro, Robert L.

Investigation of Oxidation-Resistant Coatings on Graphite and Molybdenum in Two Arc-Powered Facilities

A number of leading-edge specimens of ATJ graphite and 0.5-percent titanium-molybdenum alloy were tested in a 6-inch subsonic low-pressure arc-powered tunnel and a 1,500-kw subsonic arc jet to determine the effectiveness of several refractory coatings in preventing the oxidation of these materials. The results indicate that the siliconized coating for the ATJ graphite and the W-2 and Durak MG coatings for the titanium-molybdenum alloy provide adequate protection at temperatures up to 3,000 F for the durations of the tests in these facilities, approximately 70 seconds in the arc tunnel and approximately 10 minutes in the arc jet. Weight losses (less than one-half of 1 percent) experienced by a few of the coated specimens indicate that tests of longer duration in these environments may prove deleterious and that the stability of these coatings may be depreciated under the low-pressure environmental conditions encountered during reentry.

Peters, Roger W.

Space Environment Stability and Physical Properties of New Materials for Space Power and Commercial Applications

Useful and informative results were obtained on virtually all materials investigated. For example, the stability of ITO-based arc-proof transparent coatings was greatly improved by substitution of silicon oxide for magnesium fluoride as a dopant. Research on 'air-doped' ITO films has yielded new insight into their conduction mechanism which will help in further development of these coatings. Some air-doped films were found to be extremely pressure sensitive. This work may lead to improved, low-cost gas sensors and vacuum gauges. Work on another promising transparent arc-proof coating (titanium oxide) was initiated in collaboration with industry. Graphite oxide-like materials were synthesized and tested for possible use in high energy-density batteries and other applications. We also started a high-priority project to find the cause of unexpected environmental damage to the exterior of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) discovered on a recent Shuttle mission. Materials were characterized before and after exposure to soft x-rays and other threats in ground-based simulators.

Hambourger, Paul D.

Graphite Sheet Coating for Improved Thermal Oxidative Stability of Carbon Fiber Reinforced/PMR-15 Composites

Expanded graphite was compressed into graphite sheets and used as a coating for carbon fiber reinforced PMR-15 composites. BET analysis of the graphite indicated an increase in graphite pore size on compression, however the material was proven to be an effective barrier to oxygen when prepegged with PMR-15 resin. Oxygen permeability of the PMR-15/graphite was an order of magnitude lower than the compressed graphite sheet. By providing a barrier to oxygen permeation, the rate of oxidative degradation of PMR-15 was decreased. As a result, the composite thermo-oxidative stability increased by up to 25%. The addition of a graphite sheet as a top ply on the composites yielded little change in the material's flexural strength or interlaminar shear strength.

Campbell, Sandi

Wear and friction of oxidation-resistant mechanical carbon graphites at 650 C in air

Studies were conducted to determine the friction and wear properties of experimental carbon-graphites. Hemispherically tipped carbon-graphite rider specimens were tested in sliding contact with rotating Inconel X-750 disks in air. A surface speed of 1.33 m/sec, a load of 500 g, and a specimen temperature of 650 C were used. Results indicate: (1) hardness is not a major factor in determining friction and wear under the conditions of these studies. (2) Friction and wear as low as or lower than those observed for a good commercial seal material were attained with some of the experimental materials studied. (3) The inclusion of boron carbide (as an oxidation inhibitor) has a strong influence on wear rate. (4) Phosphate treatment reduces the friction coefficient when boron carbide is not present in the base material.

Allen, G. P.

Study of high resistance inorganic coatings on graphite fibers

Coatings made of boron, silicon carbide, silica, and silica-like materials were studied to determine their ability to increase resistance of graphite fibers. The most promising results were attained by chemical vapor depositing silicon carbide on graphite fiber followed by oxidation, and drawing graphite fiber through ethyl silicate followed by appropriate heat treatments. In the silicon carbide coating studies, no degradation of the graphite fibers was observed and resistance values as high as three orders of magnitude higher than that of the uncoated fiber was attained. The strength of a composite fabricated from the coated fiber had a strength which compared favorably with those of composites prepared from uncoated fiber. For the silica-like coated fiber prepared by drawing the graphite fiber through an ethyl silicate solution followed by heating, coated fiber resistances about an order of magnitude greater than that of the uncoated fiber were attained. Composites prepared using these fibers had flexural strengths comparable with those prepared using uncoated fibers, but the shear strengths were lower.

Galasso, F. S.