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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 739 records · Page 41
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Advanced Intra-Cycle Detection of Pre-Ignition Events through Phase-Space Transforms of Cylinder Pressure Data

The widespread adoption of boosted, downsized SI engines has brought pre-ignition phenomena into greater focus, as the knock events resulting from pre-ignitions can cause significant hardware damage. Much attention has been given to understanding the causes of pre-ignition and identify lubricant or fuel properties and engine design and calibration considerations that impact its frequency. This helps to shift the pre-ignition limit to higher specific loads and allow further downsizing but does not fundamentally eliminate the problem. Real-time detection and mitigation of pre-ignition would thus be desirable to allow safe engine operation in pre-ignition-prone conditions. This study focuses on advancing the time of detection of pre-ignition in an engine cycle where it occurs. Furthermore, phase space transforms through time-delay embedding of cylinder pressure and principal component analysis were applied to same-cycle detection of pre-ignition and shown to enable detection on the order of a crank degree earlier than deviation in cylinder pressure can be identified through direct statistical observation of the pressure data. Additionally, it appears that the deviation of the trajectory in phase space may offer the opportunity to extend this method to further extend the detection window and allow more time for mitigation actions to occur.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2019

Effect of laser welding on deformation mechanisms in irradiated austenitic stainless steel

In this work, deformation mechanism of a laser weld on neutron irradiated AISI 304L stainless steel was studied by in-situ microcompression test at room temperature. The deformation-induced austenite-to-martensite phase transformation occurs in {101}-oriented grains in the irradiated base metal, while deformation twinning prevails in {101}-oriented grains in the weld heat affected zone (HAZ). A high number density of irradiation-induced voids in the base metal provide sufficient nucleation sites for the austenite-to-martensite phase transformation under compression at room temperature. A deformation map is established to predict critical twinning stress for face-centered cubic (fcc) metals and alloys. Our study suggests that irradiation can tailor the deformation-induced phase transformation in austenitic stainless steels.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Dual Phase Synergy Enabled Large Elastic Strains of Nanoinclusions in a Dislocation Slip Matrix Composite

Freestanding nanomaterials (such as nanowires, nanoribbons and nanotubes) are known to exhibit ultra-large elastic strains and ultra-high strengths. However, harnessing their superior intrinsic mechanical properties in bulk composites has proven to be difficult. A recent breakthrough has overcome this difficulty by using a martensitic phase transforming matrix, in which ultra-large elastic strains approaching the theoretical limit is achieved in Nb nanowires embedded in the matrix. This discovery, whereas breaking a long-standing challenge, still limits our ability of harnessing the exceptional properties of nanomaterials and developing ultrahigh strength bulk materials to a narrow selection of phase transforming alloy matrices. In this study, we investigated the possibility to harness the intrinsic mechanical properties of nanoinclusions in conventional dislocation slip matrix based on a principle of synergy between the inclusion and the matrix. The small spacing between the densely populated hard and dislocation-impenetrable nanoinclusions departmentalize the plastic matrix into small domains to effectively impede dislocation motion within the matrix, inducing significant strengthening and large local elastic strains of the matrix, which in turn induced large elastic strains in the nanoinclusions. This dual phase synergy is verified in a Ti 3 Sn inclusions/B2-NiTi(Fe) plastic matrix model materials system. The maximum elastic strain of Ti 3 Sn inclusion obtained in the dislocation slip matrix is comparable to that achieved in a phase transforming matrix. As a result, this finding opens new opportunities for the development of high-strength nanocomposites.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2017

Final Report, Fundamental Mechanisms of Transient States in Materials Quantified by DTEM

At the project’s inception, there was growing evidence that the time domain for in situ observations of material evolution held great promise for allowing measurements to be made in never previously contemplated regimes. Also, central to the development of the project was the knowledge that phase transformations are of central importance to the development of materials microstructure and hence properties. We addressed this opportunity by developing a transmission electron microscope that could be operated in the pulsed mode (DTEM), with exposure times down to 20 ns and interframe times down to 20 ns in the nine-frame movie mode, designed with the intent of performing in situ experiments. This unprecedented capability allowed us to investigate structural phase transformations, intermetallic formation reactions, crystallization from the amorphous phase, rapid solidification of liquid metals, transformations in phase change materials, and catalyst nanoparticles. The ability of the electron microscope to create images with high spatial resolution allows for the accurate measurement of position. Common to all of the transformations mentioned above is the presence of a distinct interface between the old phase and the growing new phase. Measuring the position of the interface as a function of time, combined with the ability to count nucleation sites as a function of time, allowed for the exceptionally accurate measure of transformation kinetics. These measurements were used to guide and constrain the development of models and simulation methods for the classes of transformations studied.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Size, structure, and luminescence of Nd 2 Zr 2 O 7 nanoparticles by molten salt synthesis

Pyrochlore materials with novel properties are in demand with multifunctional applications such as optoelectronics, scintillator materials, and theranostics. Many reports have already indicated the importance of the synthesis technique for Nd 2 Zr 2 O 7 (NZO) nanoparticles (NPs); however, no explanation has been provided for the reason behind the nature of its phase selectivity. Here, we have explored the structural and optical properties of the NZO NPs synthesized by a molten salt synthesis method. We have synthesized size-tunable NZO NPs and correlated the particle size with their structural behavior and optical performance. All NZO NPs are stabilized in defect fluorite phase. Neutron diffraction provided insight on the behavior of oxygen in the presence of heavy atoms. We have collected bright amalgam of blue and green emission on UV irradiation due to the presence of oxygen vacancies from these NPs. We have carried out in situ XRD and Raman investigations to observe the temperature-induced phase transformation in a controlled argon environment. Interestingly, we have not observed phase change for the molten salt synthesized fluorite NZO NPs; however, we observed phase transformation from a precursor stage to pyrochlore phase by in situ XRD directly. Finally, these observations provide a new strategy to synthesize nanomaterials phase-selectively for a variety of applications in materials science.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Nanoscale magnetic phase competition throughout the Ni 50– x Co x Mn 40 Sn 10 phase diagram: Insights from small-angle neutron scattering

The Ni 2 MnSn-derived Ni 50– x Co x Mn 25+ y Sn 25– y alloys are premier examples of a class of off-stoichiometric Heusler alloys recently discovered to exhibit attractive magnetic properties in tandem with extraordinarily reversible martensitic phase transformations. Multiferroicity, magnetic phase competition and separation, field-induced martensitic transformations, magnetic shape memory behavior, and sizable magneto-, elasto-, and barocaloric effects result, generating substantial interest and application potential. In this work we expand on a prior small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) study at a single composition (Ni 44 Co 6 Mn 40 Sn 10 ) by exploring all three main regions of the recently established Ni 50–x Co x Mn 40 Sn 10 phase diagram, i.e., at the representative y = 15 composition. Wide temperature and scattering wave-vector range (20–500K, 0.004–0.2Å –1 ) SANS data on x = 2, 6, and 14 polycrystals provide a detailed picture of the evolution in magnetic order and inhomogeneity. Consistent with recent studies with a variety of techniques, phase separation into short-range coexisting ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic regions is deduced below the martensitic transformation at x = 2 and 6, with average ferromagnetic cluster spacing of ~13 nm. Remarkably, at x = 14, where the martensitic transformation is suppressed and ferromagnetic austenite is stabilized to low temperatures, nanoscopic magnetic inhomogeneity nevertheless persists. Further, distinct ferromagnetic clusters (~36-nm average spacing) in a ferromagnetic matrix are observed at intermediate temperatures, homogenizing into a uniform long-range ordered ferromagnet only at low temperatures. This unusual ferromagnet cluster/ferromagnet matrix inhomogeneity, as well as x -dependent subtleties of the superparamagnetic freezing of ferromagnetic clusters, are discussed in light of 55 Mn nuclear magnetic resonance data, and the recent observation of annealing-induced core/shell nanoprecipitates. The origins of nanoscalemagnetic inhomogeneity are discussed in terms of statistical variations in local composition and structure, tendency to chemical phase separation, and other forms of disorder.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

In situ transmission electron microscopy investigation of the interfacial reaction between Ni and Al during rapid heating in a nanocalorimeter

The Al/Ni formation reaction is highly exothermic and of both scientific and technological significance. In this report, we study the evolution of intermetallic phases in this reaction at a heating rate of 830 K/s. 100-nm-thick Al/Ni bilayers were deposited onto nanocalorimeter sensors that enable the measurement of temperature and heat flow during rapid heating. Time-resolved transmission electron diffraction patterns captured simultaneously with thermal measurements allow us to identify the intermetallic phases present and reconstruct the phase transformation sequence as a function of time and temperature. The results show a mostly unaltered phase transformation sequence compared to lower heating rates.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Precipitation behavior of ωo phase and texture evolution of a forged Ti-45Al-8.5Nb-(W, B, Y) alloy during creep

Highlights: • The morphology of ω{sub o} and residual β{sub o} phases depends on creep temperature and stress. • Stress can increase the tendency of the α{sub 2} to ω{sub o} phase transformation. • The strength of the texture components depend on temperature and stress. • β{sub o}(ω{sub o}) precipitation retards the growth of recrystallized γ grains. • ω{sub o} precipitation resists and deflects the crack during the crack propagation. - Abstract: Creep rupture tests of the as-forged Ti-45Al-8.5Nb-(W,B,Y) alloy with a duplex microstructure were carried out at 750–850 °C and 130–300 MPa. An investigation was performed to study the effects of temperature and stress on the microstructure and texture evolution, as well as on the creep properties of the forged high Nb-containing TiAl alloy with a duplex microstructure. The results show that the stress exponent n = 2.8–3.3, and the creep activation energy values are in the range of 300–400 kJ/mol. After creep, a regular arrangement of ω{sub o} precipitations was observed in the β{sub o} region. The un-transformed β{sub o} phase, which remained in the ω{sub o} interval, was examined using high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). It is shown that the growth of ω{sub o} precipitations and the morphology of residual β{sub o} phases are related to the creep temperature and stress. Certain β{sub o} stabilizer elements, such as Nb, segregate into α{sub 2} plates and cause ω{sub o} precipitation during dissolution of α{sub 2} plates at high temperature. The interfacial structure between the ω{sub o} and α{sub 2} phases was studied in detail using HRTEM. Meanwhile, texture evolution and dynamic recrystallization of the γ phase were studied using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Observations on the deformation structure also demonstrate that ω{sub o} precipitation acts as an obstacle inhibiting crack propagation and growth of the γ phase. The corresponding formation mechanism and possible effects on creep are discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Irradiation-induced nano-voids in strained tin precipitates in silicon

We report on self-assembling of spherically shaped voids in nanometer size strained Sn precipitates after irradiation with He{sup +} ions in different conditions. It is found that high-temperature irradiation induces vacancies which are collected by compressively strained Sn precipitates enhancing of out-diffusion of Sn atoms from the precipitates. Nano-voids formation takes place simultaneously with a β- to α-phase transformation in the Sn precipitates. Post-irradiation thermal treatment leads to the removal of voids and a backward transformation of the Sn phase to β-phase. Strain-enhanced separation of point defects along with vacancy assisted Sn out-diffusion and precipitate dissolution are discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Comparison of microstructural and mechanical properties of friction stir spot welded ultra-high strength dual phase and complex phase steels

Highlights: • The microstructure and mechanical properties of FSSW of ultra high strength DP and CP steels are compared. • The stir zone (SZ) of CP steel mainly consists of bainite and martensite; no bainite is identified in the SZ of DP steel. • The cooling was not fast enough for the CP steel to suppress the effect of chemical composition on phase transformation. - Abstract: The microstructure and mechanical properties of friction stir spot welding of ultrahigh strength dual phase (DP) and complex phase (DP) steels are compared based on the experimental results. For both DP and CP steels, FSSW joints are successfully fabricated using the same process parameter set. While the microstructure of joints are characterized in detail using scanning electron microscopy, electron back scattered diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy, the mechanical property of joints are evaluated by shear tensile tests. The result of the microstructural analysis shows that the stir zone (SZ) of CP steel mainly consists of bainite and martensite, while no bainite is identified in the SZ of DP steel. The existence of bainite in the SZ of CP steel suggests that the cooling rate, which is nearly identical for both CP and DP steels, was not fast enough to suppress the effect of the alloying composition, particularly that of Mn, on the phase transformation. The result of the present study contributes to the development of solid state joining process of the ultrahigh strength steels.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Correlation of Cooling Rate, Microstructure and Hardness of S34MnV Steel

A study of the hardenability, the microstructure and the phase transformations as a function of the cooling rate, of a marine crankshaft S34MnV steel has been performed using a Jominy end-quench test and dilatometry tests. The cooling rate has a distinct influence on the hardness and microstructure characteristics. As the cooling rate decreases, the hardness drops from HRC53 at the quenched end to HRC22 at the top end of the Jominy bar. The corresponding microstructures change from hard martensite to bainite, then soft pearlite and ferrite. The critical temperatures Ac{sub 1}, 740 °C and Ac{sub 3}, 830 °C were determined, and a continuous cooling transformation diagram was constructed from the dilatometric data. The important role of cooling rate on final hardness, phase transformation and microstructures are analyzed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Phase coexistence and transformations in field-cooled ternary piezoelectric single crystals near the morphotropic phase boundary

Structural phase transformations in (100)-oriented Pb(In{sub 1/2}Nb{sub 1/2})O{sub 3}-Pb(Mg{sub 1/3}Nb{sub 2/3})O{sub 3}-PbTiO{sub 3} single crystals have been investigated by X-ray diffraction. A cubic (C) → tetragonal (T) → monoclinic-C (M{sub C}) transformation sequence was observed in the field-cooled condition. Two phase coexistence regions of C + T and T + M{sub C} were found. In addition to an increase in the C → T phase transition temperature and a decrease of the T → M{sub C} one, a broadening of the coexistence regions was also found with increasing field. This broadening can be explained by the presence of polar nano regions within the C, T, and M{sub C} phase regions.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

Phase instability and defect induced evolution of optical properties in Cd rich-CdS nanoparticles

Although semiconductor nanostructures exhibit improved physical properties, their structural instability is be a problem for technological applications. This paper reports a temperature-induced low energy phase transformation that occurs in CdS nanoparticles which is ascribed to thermally generated stacking-faults. The phase transformation is found to change the nature of lattice strain in the samples. The formation of this defect-induced lattice strain and its influence on the physical properties of the samples are investigated. The modified optical absorption and emission properties of the samples are thoroughly studied. Using resonance Raman spectroscopy, the evolution of electron-phonon (e-p) coupling strength with structural changes is studied. An explanation to the contradictory nature of e-p coupling strength observed in the nano-regime is given.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2017

Study of Ferrite During Refinement of Prior Austenite Grains in Microalloyed Steel Continuous Casting

The formation of coarse prior austenite grain is a key factor to promote transverse crack, and the susceptibility to the transverse crack can be reduced by refining the austenite grain size. In the present study, the high-temperature confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) was used to simulate two types of double phase-transformation technologies. The distribution and morphology of ferrites under different cooling conditions were analyzed, and the effects of ferrite distribution and morphology on the double phase-transformation technologies were explored to obtain the suitable double phase-change technology for the continuous casting process. The results indicate that, under the thermal cycle TH0 [the specimens were cooled down to 913 K (640 °C) at a cooling rate of 5.0 K/s (5.0 °C/s)], the width of prior austenite grain boundaries was thick, and the dislocation density at grain boundaries was high. It had strong inhibition effect on crack propagation; under the thermal cycle TH1 [the specimens were cooled down to 1073 K (800 °C) at a cooling rate of 5.0 K/s (5.0 °C/s) and then to 913 K (640 °C) at a cooling rate of 1.0 K/s (1.0 °C/s)], the width of prior austenite grain boundary was thin, and the dislocation density at grain boundaries was low. It was beneficial to crack propagation. After the first phase change, the developed film-like ferrite along the austenite grain boundaries improved the nucleation conditions of new austenitic grains and removed the inhibition effect of the prior austenite grain boundaries on the austenite grain size.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Competing effects of electronic and nuclear energy loss on microstructural evolution in ionic-covalent materials

Ever increasing energy needs have raised the demands for advanced fuels and cladding materials that withstand the extreme radiation environments with improved accident tolerance over a long period of time. Ceria (CeO2) is a well known ionic conductor that is isostructural with urania and plutonia-based nuclear fuels. In the context of nuclear fuels, immobilization and transmutation of actinides, CeO2 is a model system for radiation effect studies. Covalent silicon carbide (SiC) is a candidate for use as structural material in fusion, cladding material for fission reactors, and an inert matrix for the transmutation of plutonium and other radioactive actinides. Understanding microstructural change of these ionic-covalent materials to irradiation is important for advanced nuclear energy systems. While displacements from nuclear energy loss may be the primary contribution to damage accumulation in a crystalline matrix and a driving force for the grain boundary evolution in nanostructured materials, local non-equilibrium disorder and excitation through electronic energy loss may, however, produce additional damage or anneal pre-existing defects. At intermediate transit energies where electronic and nuclear energy losses are both significant, synergistic, additive or competitive processes may evolve that affect the dynamic response of materials to irradiation. The response of crystalline and nanostructured CeO2 and SiC to ion irradiation are studied under different nuclear and electronic stopping powers to describe some general material response in this transit energy regime. Although fast radiation-induced grain growth in CeO2 is evident with no phase transformation, different fluence and dose dependence on the growth rate is observed under Si and Au irradiations. While grain shrinkage and amorphization are observed in the nano-engineered 3C SiC with a high-density of stacking faults embedded in nanosize columnar grains, significantly enhanced radiation resistance is attributed to stacking faults that promote efficient point defect annihilation. Moreover, competing effects of electronic and nuclear energy loss on the damage accumulation and annihilation are observed in crystalline 4H-SiC. Systematic experiments and simulation effort are needed to understand the competitive or synergistic effects.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Infrared triggered dwell and active cooling thermal control effects on microstructural uniformity in DED

Directed Energy Deposition (DED) offers rapid large scale fabrication, but difficulty in delivering consistent microstructures and properties hinders the use of DED fabricated components in safety or performance critical applications. Variability stems from the complex thermal cycles generated by the toolpath used to print the required geometry. Several practical methods have become established in DED to regulate overheating, such as active cooling of the baseplate structure or the use of an infrared camera to inject interlayer pauses to ensure the top layer of the component cools to a set temperature, which have been shown to affect microstructure. However, no critical assessment has been performed as to how effective these controls are in promoting microstructural uniformity in the context of complex layer timing commonly generated by non-prismatic geometries. Here we show how controls influence the thermal field, phase transformations, and dynamic annealing of a low-temperature transformation steel using infrared imaging and operando neutron diffraction. Counterintuitively, common thermal homogenization process controls can reduce microstructural uniformity because these approaches stabilize peak temperature while overlooking temperatures near the solid-state phase transformation fronts. Instead, the cyclic reheating induces spatially-variant dynamically annealed regions which can be modulated via control parameters. We show that these controls have spatially linked effects centimeters away from the active weld, which implies that microstructure control must co-optimize thermal input across many subsequent layers. In conclusion, our results demonstrate the pressing need for higher order controls that integrate predictive elements of simulation data to stabilize printed properties for future qualification of DED components.

Directed energy deposition↗
DOE OSTI2017

On the Influence of the Heat Treatment Temperature on the Superelastic Compressive Behavior of the Ni-Rich NiTi Shape Memory Alloy

In this paper, the relationship between the heat treatment temperature and the thermomechanical behavior of the Ni-rich NiTi shape memory alloy was experimentally investigated. Thermal analysis was performed through a differential scanning calorimetry experiments, and the NiTi superelastic effect was exhibited through loading/unloading compression cycle. It was found that the transformation temperatures and the compressive mechanical response are strongly affected by the heat treatment temperatures. The stress-induced phase transformation was characterized through the relationship between the heat treatment temperature and transformation stresses, elastic moduli and the deformation level upon loading. Subsequently, the evolution of the mechanical hysteresis loops and the mechanical dissipated energy was discussed. The obtained findings are supported by hardness measurements. To better understand the global tendency of the various phase transformation stages, the critical stress-temperature diagram was provided for different proposed heat treatment temperatures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗