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At least 73 records · Page 4

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1977

Fretting of AISI 9310 and selected fretting resistant surface treatments

Fretting wear experiments were conducted with uncoated AISI 9310 mating surfaces, and with combinations incorporating a selected coating to one of the mating surfaces. Wear measurements and SEM observations indicated that surface fatigue, as made evident by spallation and surface crack formation, is an important mechanism in promoting fretting wear to uncoated 9310. Increasing humidity resulted in accelerated fretting, and a very noticeable difference in nature of the fretting debris. Of the coatings evaluated, alumimum bronze with a polyester additive was most effective at reducing wear and minimizing fretting damage to the mating uncoated surface, by means of a self-lubricating film that developed on the fretting surfaces. Chromium plate performed as an effective protective coating, itself resisting fretting and not accelerating damage to the uncoated surface.

Bill, R. C.↗

DOE OSTI2021

Surface treatment of ultra-high molecular weight polymers

The methods and compounds disclosed herein relate to the surface modification of UHMWPs by means of a catalytic C—H bond insertion catalyst using a rhodium catalysts in conjunction with carbene-generating diazo compounds. The catalytic treatment imparts covalently added functionality to the UHMWPE surface. This functionality acts as an excellent grafting mechanism for grafting, bonding, or adhering further materials to the UHMWPs surface.

O'Bryan, Greg↗

NASA NTRS1990

Plasma-assisted physical vapor deposition surface treatments for tribological control

In any mechanical or engineering system where contacting surfaces are in relative motion, adhesion, wear, and friction affect reliability and performance. With the advancement of space age transportation systems, the tribological requirements have dramatically increased. This is due to the optimized design, precision tolerance requirements, and high reliability expected for solid lubricating films in order to withstand hostile operating conditions (vacuum, high-low temperatures, high loads, and space radiation). For these problem areas the ion-assisted deposition/modification processes (plasma-based and ion beam techniques) offer the greatest potential for the synthesis of thin films and the tailoring of adherence and chemical and structural properties for optimized tribological performance. The present practices and new approaches of applying soft solid lubricant and hard wear resistant films to engineering substrates are reviewed. The ion bombardment treatments have increased film adherence, lowered friction coefficients, and enhanced wear life of the solid lubricating films such as the dichalcogenides (MoS2) and the soft metals (Au, Ag, Pb). Currently, sputtering is the preferred method of applying MoS2 films; and ion plating, the soft metallic films. Ultralow friction coefficients (less than 0.01) were achieved with sputtered MoS2. Further, new diamond-like carbon and BN lubricating films are being developed by using the ion assisted deposition techniques.

Spalvins, Talivaldis↗

NASA NTRS1995

Effects of Surface Treatments on Secondary Electron Emission from CVD Diamond Films

Secondary electron emission (SEE) properties of polycrystalline diamond films grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) were measured. The total secondary yield (sigma) from as-grown samples was observed to be as high as 20 at room temperature and 48 while heating at 700 K in vacuum. Electron-beam-activated, alkali-terminated diamond films have shown stable values of sigma as high as 60 when coated with CsI and similarly high values when coated with other alkali halides. Diamond coated with BaF2 had a stable sigma of 6, but no enhancement of the SEE properties was observed with coatings of Ti or Au. Hydrogen was identified to give rise to this effect in as-grown films. However, electron beam exposure led to a reduction in sigma values as low as 2. Exposure to a molecular hydrogen environment restored sigma to its original value after degradation, and enabled stable secondary emission during electron beam exposure. Atomic hydrogen and hydrogen plasma treatments were performed on diamond/Mo samples in an attempt to increase the near-surface hydrogen concentration which might lead to increased stability in the secondary emission. Raman scattering analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) confirmed that hydrogen plasma and atomic hydrogen treatments improved the quality of the CVD diamond significantly. Elastic recoil detection (ERD) showed that heating as-grown diamond targets to 7OO K, which was correlated with an increase in sigma, removed contaminants from the surface but did not drive hydrogen from the diamond bulk. ERD showed that the hydrogen plasma treatment produced an increase in the hydrogen concentration in the near-surface region which did not decrease while heating in vacuum at 700 K, but no improvement in the SEE properties was observed.

Mearini, G. T.↗

NASA NTRS1970

Surface treatment for valve seats

Valve with embedded fine particles of diamond in the metal surface of the valve seat resists galling, corrosion, erosion, and cold welding. Diamond powder has an average particle diameter of 0.01 micron and is used with a standard fine diamond polishing compound.

Macglashan, W. F., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Surface treatment using metal foil liner

A metal foil liner can be used to seal large area surfaces. Characteristics of the two-layer foil liner are discussed. Micrographs for foil-to-foil, foil-to-composite, visible seams, and hidden seams are examined.

Garvey, Ray↗

DOE OSTI2021

Evaluating Barcode Size and Metal Surface Treatment Options for a Global UF 6 Cylinder Identifier

A team at Oak Ridge National Laboratory tested various barcode sizes, materials, surface finishes, and marking techniques to determine suitable direct part marking techniques and barcode specifications for a new uranium hexafluoride (UF 6 ) cylinder global identifier. This paper describes testing those variables at different read distances and angles with several commercial off-the-shelf direct part mark or barcode readers. This research concluded that a 1.4 in. 2D Data Matrix barcode with a 0.1 in. quiet zone would be appropriate for the machine-readable feature on the proposed UF 6 cylinder global identifier. Testing suggests that this size barcode could be read from an angle of up to 30° over the range of 10–100 cm using multiple commercial off-the-shelf handheld direct part mark or barcode readers. Testing also suggested that barcodes marked on ball-blasted stainless steel with CerMark laser marking ink may be a good choice for the proposed UF 6 cylinder global identifier because they exhibited high contrast and were readable from a desirable range of distances and angles.

42 ENGINEERING↗

NASA NTRS1982

Graphite fiber surface treatment to improve impact strength and fracture resistance in subsequent composites

Graphite (or carbon) fiber composite impact strength improvement was attempted by modifying the fiber surface. Elastomeric particles were made into lattices and deposited ionically on surface treated graphite fiber in an attempt to prepare a surface containing discrete rubber particles. With hard, nonelastomeric polystyrene discrete particle coverage was achieved. All the elastomeric containing lattices resulted in elastomer flow and filament agglomeration during drying.

Paul, J. T., Jr.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Multifunctional Surface Treatment for Self-Sterilization and CO2 Sequestration for Sustainable Space Exploration

A long-term human space presence is dependent on maintaining a safe living environment. Disinfecting surfaces is essential to protecting astronauts from potential pathogens, as well as structural components of the habitat from damaging biofilms. Developing a surface coating that utilizes readily available light has the potential to provide sterilization with additional functionality. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a commonly used photocatalyst owing to its efficiency, economic feasibility, and safety to humans. TiO2 photocatalyst modified with other metals such as copper or iron could allow for self-sterilization, photocatalytic memory, and photoreduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) to fuels on Mars. Sustainable design of the photocatalyst should account for the resources available, specifically within the Martian and Lunar regolith. This project reviews the current technologies to design a TiO2 photocatalyst which can be incorporated into a space habitat’s inner lining.

Human Space Exploration↗

NASA NTRS1975

ATS-6 spacecraft surface treatment for the control of electrical discharges

The ATS-6 has been subject to potential charges as high as 11,000 volts based on onboard measurements. Thus, special measures were required to protect the spacecraft surface areas, - primarily the Earth Viewing Module, the reflector support truss, and the solar array boom that were specially processed for thermal control - from electrical discharges whose accompanying fields could destroy sensitive receiving circuits. The paper describes thermal blanket grounding criteria and techniques applied to prevent undesired discharge effects, and discusses the disturbance rate from static discharge in orbit.

Keiser, B. E.↗

DOE OSTI2022

Atmospheric Cold Plasma Jet Coating and Surface Treatment for Improved Adhesive Bonding Performance of Dissimilar Material Joints Subject to Harsh Environmental Exposure

The program goal was the development and demonstration of a novel material coating system using an innovative atmospheric cold microwave plasma jet to enable surface functionalization for corrosion protection, wear resistance and improved bonding strength. The technical approach was directed towards proof-of-concept demonstration of advanced point-of-manufacturing material bonding to improve adhesive joint performance subject to harsh environmental exposure. The assembled team, consisting of the researchers at the University of Illinois, end-users at General Motors and small business manufacturer Starfire Industries, successfully demonstrated a single, cost-effective, high-volume production process that meets the requirements of multi-material combinations relevant to the energy-intensive transportation industry (e.g. Al-steel, Mg-steel, Al-Mg and Al-CFRP joints for body-in-white structures) while eliminating offline pretreatment for Al and Mg alloy substrates that are energy intensive, have chemical waste disposal issues, and add cost. Technical demonstration of dissimilar material joining while maintaining bonding strength and cohesion after long-duration environmental exposure was accomplished for all materials of interest. This novel approach has broad applicability for manufacturing in automotive, aerospace, marine, railcar, and specialty consumer goods, etc.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Closed-Loop Control of Laser Surface Treatment via Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Current composite manufacturing rates need to be improved to meet the projected demand of on-demand mobility (ODM) and commercial aircraft transports. Some processes in the composite manufacturing chain require touch labor such as manual sanding of surfaces prior to bonding and installing thousands of mechanical fasteners in bonded primary structures to achieve Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification. The consequences are insufficient repeatability in bond quality resulting in increased manufacturing time. The FAA has indicated that robust process control is one potential means of certifying bondlines in primary structure. This work describes an integrated closed-loop control system between a laser machining system and laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) instrumentation as a means of assuring bond performance and achieving certified composite bondlines. Preliminary results from in-situ treatment and inspection are presented. Results indicate that LIBS inspection and laser treatment can be conducted simultaneously to achieve high quality, reliable adhesive bonds.

Rodolfo Ledesma↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Closed-Loop Control of Laser Surface Treatment via Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Rodolfo Ledesma↗

DOE OSTI2025

Impact of surface growth method and surface treatment in niobium-based superconducting devices

We explore the comparison between two growth methods for niobium film - sputtering and electron-cyclotron resonance growth - for niobium-based superconducting resonators. We discuss some of the key properties of the films, including surface characterization and residual resistance measurements metrics. We present our design of various devices used in this study including superconducting resonators and qubits, both in planar configurations and integrated in 3D cavities, as well as experimental characterization of coherence metrics.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

NASA NTRS1980

Graphite fiber surface treatment to improve char retention and increase fiber clumping

Composites containing carbon and graphite fibers can release fibers into the atmosphere during a fire. This release can potentially cause failure in some types of electrical equipment. Reduced fiber dispersion during and after combustion will reduce risks. Epoxidized char forming systems were synthesized which will react with commercially available surface treated carbon fiber. Fibers modified with these char formers retained adhesion in a specific epoxy matrix resin. Small scale combustion testing indicates that using these char former modified fibers in laminates will help to reduce the dispersement of fibers resulting from exposure to fire without sacrificing resin to fiber adhesion.

Paul, J. T., Jr.↗

DOE OSTI2025

Improving the Performance of Mid-T Baked Niobium Cavities through Post-Bake Surface Treatment

he Medium temperature (mid-T) baking of niobium superconducting radio-frequency cavities at 300 350 C in a vacuum furnace is known to enhance the quality factor (Q₀). However, despite this improvement, cavities treated with this process often exhibit premature quench at relatively low accelerating fields. This limitation is suspected to arise from the formation of surface contaminants, such as niobium carbides, during the furnace bake at 350 C for 3 h. To investigate the influence of potential surface contamination, this study applied an ultralight chemical removal to 1.3 GHz and 650 MHz single-cell cavities that had undergone medium-temperature baking. The removal of the top RF surface layer led to a notable improvement in the quench field and Q₀, indicating a beneficial effect of eliminating possible surface residues introduced during the bake.

Chouhan, Vijay [Fermilab]↗

DOE OSTI2026

Improving the performance of mid-T baked niobium cavities through post-bake surface treatment

The Medium temperature (mid-T) baking of niobium superconducting radio-frequency cavities at 300 350 C in a vacuum furnace is known to enhance the quality factor (Q₀). However, despite this improvement, cavities treated with this process often exhibit premature quench at relatively low accelerating fields. This limitation is suspected to arise from the formation of surface contaminants, such as niobium carbides, during the furnace bake at 350 C for 3 h. To investigate the influence of potential surface contamination, this study applied an ultralight chemical removal to 1.3 GHz and 650 MHz single-cell cavities that had undergone medium-temperature baking. The removal of the top RF surface layer led to a notable improvement in the quench field and Q₀, indicating a beneficial effect of eliminating possible surface residues introduced during the bake.

Chouhan, V. [Fermilab] (ORCID:0000000282004931)↗

DOE OSTI2021

Interactions of Aqueous Surface Treatments with Magnesium Alloy

Magnesium, the lightest structural metal, has recently been identified as an important substrate for weight reduction in automotive, aerospace, personal electronics, and many other industries. Magnesium’s unique chemistry, however, makes it challenging to protect from corrosion and incorporate with other materials. Cleaners are the first step in any pretreatment process, and understanding their role in surface preparation for corrosion prevention is crucial to making magnesium substrate a viable solution for lightweighting. In this work, we explore the relationship between cleaner composition, pH, etch rate, and panel morphology post-cleaning to understand how various cleaners interact with magnesium alloy. Our findings broaden the pool of possible bath chemistries that provide safe and effective surface cleaning of magnesium substrate.

Harris, Rachel↗