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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 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2018

Effects of Heat Treatment on Phase Transformation and Corrosion Resistance of Boride Layer on Austenitic Stainless Steel AISI 304

The austenitic stainless steel AISI 304 was thermochemically surface treated using a powder-packed boronizing process at a temperature of 950 °C for about 4 hours. Double-phase boride layer (FeB and Fe{sub 2}B) was detected and then investigated for the corrosion resistance compared with the untreated one. Heat treatment was performed at a temperature range of 800 to 900 °C for 2 hours on the boronized austenitic stainless steel AISI 304 to diminish the double-phase boride layer. Afterward, corrosion tests were performed to clarify the effects of heat treatment as well as phase transformation on the corrosion resistance of the boronized austenitic stainless steel AISI 304. The results of this study showed that the formation of single-phase Fe{sub 2}B layer offers the best corrosion resistance.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Surface Processes Control the Fate of Reactive Oxidants Generated by Electrochemical Activation of Hydrogen Peroxide on Stainless-Steel Electrodes

Low-cost stainless-steel electrodes can activate hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) by converting it into a hydroxyl radical ( • OH) and other reactive oxidants. At an applied potential of +0.020 V, the stainless-steel electrode produced • OH with a yield that was over an order of magnitude higher than that reported for other systems that employ iron oxides as catalysts under circumneutral pH conditions. Decreasing the applied potential at pH 8 and 9 enhanced the rate of H 2 O 2 loss by shifting the process to a reaction mechanism that resulted in the formation of an Fe(IV) species. Significant metal leaching was only observed under acidic pH conditions (i.e., at pH <6), with the release of dissolved Fe and Cr occurring as the thickness of the passivation layer decreased. Despite the relatively high yield of • OH production under circumneutral pH conditions, most of the oxidants were scavenged by the electrode surface when contaminant concentrations comparable to those expected in drinking water sources were tested. The stainless-steel electrode efficiently removed trace organic contaminants from an authentic surface water sample without contaminating the water with Fe and Cr. With further development, stainless-steel electrodes could provide a cost-effective alternative to other H 2 O 2 activation processes, such as those by ultraviolet light.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2018

Crystallography of intergranular corrosion in sensitized austenitic stainless steel

Highlights: • Intergranular corrosion (IGC) in stainless steel was crystallographically discussed. • Grain boundaries (GBs) were classified based on the coincidence site lattice (CSL). • Influence of the Σ value on their IGC susceptibility had a wide range scatter. • IGC susceptibility was characterized by the Σ value and unit cell area of CSL GBs. - Abstract: This study deals with the susceptibility to intergranular corrosion (IGC) in type 304 austenitic stainless steel from a crystallographic viewpoint. An IGC test was conducted using oxalic acid and sensitized stainless steel, whose crystal orientation was analyzed by electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD). GBs were classified according to the misorientation of adjacent grains, and subclassified using the Σ value based on the coincidence site lattice (CSL) model. The width of corroded groove was measured for each GB category, and the effect of GB category on the susceptibility to IGC was examined. Then, the area of the unit cell of CSL boundaries was used to characterize the susceptibility to IGC of CSL boundaries. It was found that no IGC occurred in low-angle GBs with a misorientation of 15°, the width of corroded groove at each Σ boundary exhibited large scatter. The relationship between the width and unit cell area was characterized by a sigmoid curve, and the susceptibility to IGC was well described by the unit cell area.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Effects of Static Recrystallization and Precipitation on Mechanical Properties of 00Cr12 Ferritic Stainless Steel

The 00Cr12 ferritic stainless steel samples were isothermally held at different temperatures in the range of 700 °C to 1000 °C to investigate the effect of static recrystallization and precipitation on mechanical properties, such as microhardness, tensile strength, and yield strength. The results show that the formation of the fine recrystallized grain, as well as precipitation, coarsening, and dissolution of the second-phase particles, influences the mechanical properties remarkably. The fine recrystallized grain can provide a positive grain boundary-strengthening effect in the sample under a relatively high holding temperature. Coarsening and dissolution of M{sub 23}C{sub 6} result in partial depletion of precipitate hardening. In contrast, the size and number density of MX particles are almost constant, regardless of the holding temperature; therefore, it can provide a better precipitation-hardening effect.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Stainless Steel Coating Test Report

A process was developed to coat 316L stainless steel pieces having very low levels of fixed contamination on their surface (~100 dpm/100 cm²). The coating process served to significantly decrease the likelihood of any fixed contamination becoming loose contamination due to physical shocks. Prior to coating, the stainless steel was etched with a commercial methane sulfonic acid (MSA) solution in a heated ultrasonic bath, rinsed with deionized water, cleaned with a basic detergent solution, and then rinsed with deionized water. The MSA etched the surface of the stainless-steel pieces, creating a more favorable surface on which the coating could adhere. Due to the short timeline of the project, only commercially available clear coating products were considered. The clear coating had to be wear-resistant, shock resistant, radiation resistant, and have high adhesion to the surface of the stainless steel. Adhesion of coatings to stainless steel is notoriously difficult. A commercial, high molecular weight polymer coating was found that met these requirements. The adhesion properties of this coating to stainless steel are very good, and are significantly improved by the etching process. The etching process results in a higher surface area that is free of debris and other residues, making the surface much more wetable, and at the same time creating a favorable surface topography for adhesion. The polymer in its uncured form is a low viscosity liquid. It can be applied by brush or pipette, and it cures in air alone, but heat is required to speed up curing and attain the highest performance of the cured polymer. As the project progressed, the project team became interested in the composition of the selected commercial polymer coating, and in ways that this polymer coating could be made more wear resistant and potentially more radiation resistant. Nano-particle addition was chosen as the preferred way to achieve higher performance. Therefore, a series of tests were planned and performed. This report summarizes these tests, and presents the results.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Marine Atmospheric Corrosion of Additively Manufactured Stainless Steels

Additively manufactured (AM) stainless steels exhibit numerous microstructural differences compared to their wrought counterparts, such as Cr enriched dislocation cell structures. The influence these unique features have on a SSs corrosion resistance are still under investigation with most current works limited to laboratory experiments. The work herein shows the first documented study of AM 304L and 316L exposed to a severe marine environment on the eastern coast of Florida with comparisons made to wrought counterparts. Coupons were exposed for 21 months and resulted in significant pitting corrosion to initiate after 1 month of exposure for all conditions. At all times, the AM coupons exhibited lower average and maximum pit depths than their wrought counterparts. After 21 months, pits on average were 4 μm deep for AM 316L specimen and 8 μm deep for wrought specimen. Pits on the wrought samples tended to be nearly hemispherical and polished with some pits showing crystallographic attack while pits on AM coupons exhibited preferential attack at melt pool boundaries and the cellular microstructure.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Hydrogen effects on the deformation and slip localization in a single crystal austenitic stainless steel

Hydrogen is known to embrittle austenitic stainless steels, which are widely used in high-pressure hydrogen storage and delivery systems, but the mechanisms that lead to such material degradation are still being elucidated. The current work investigates the deformation behavior of single crystal austenitic stainless steel 316L through combined uniaxial tensile testing, characterization and atomistic simulations. Thermally precharged hydrogen is shown to increase the critical resolved shear stress (CRSS) without previously reported deviations from Schmid’s law. Molecular dynamics simulations further expose the statistical nature of the hydrogen and vacancy contributions to the CRSS in the presence of alloying. Slip distribution quantification over large in-plane distances (> 1 mm), achieved via atomic force microscopy (AFM), highlights the role of hydrogen increasing the degree of slip localization in both single and multiple slip configurations. The most active slip bands accumulate significantly more deformation in hydrogen precharged specimens, with potential implications for damage nucleation. For $\langle$110$\rangle$ tensile loading, slip localization further enhances the activity of secondary slip, increases the density of geometrically necessary dislocations and leads to a distinct lattice rotation behavior compared to hydrogen-free specimens, as evidenced by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) maps. Finally, the results of this study provide a more comprehensive picture of the deformation aspect of hydrogen embrittlement in austenitic stainless steels.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS2005

Effect of Surface Treatment on the Surface Characteristics of AISI 316L Stainless Steel

The ability of 316L stainless steel to maintain biocompatibility, which is dependent upon the surface characteristics, is critical to its effectiveness as an implant material. The surfaces of mechanically polished (MP), electropolished (EP) and plasma treated 316L stainless steel coupons were characterized by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES) for chemical composition, Atomic Force Microscopy for surface roughness, and contact angle measurements for critical surface tension. All surfaces had a Ni concentration that was significantly lower than the bulk concentration of -43%. The Cr content of the surface was increased significantly by electropolishing. The surface roughness was also improved significantly by electropolishing. Plasma treatment had the reverse effect - the surface Cr content was decreased. It was also found that the Cr and Fe in the surface exist in both the oxide and hydroxide states, with the ratios varying according to surface treatment.

Trigwell, Steve↗
NASA NTRS1992

Long-term corrosion evaluation of stainless steels in Space Shuttle iodinated resin and water

The effects of stainless steel exposure to iodinated water is a concern in developing the Integrated Water System (IWS) for Space Station Freedom. The IWS has a life requirement of 30 years, but the effects of general and localized corrosion over such a long period have not been determined for the candidate materials. In 1978, Umpqua Research Center immersed stainless steel 316L, 321, and 347 specimens in a solution of deionized water and the Space Shuttle microbial check valve resin. In April 1990, the solution was chemically analyzed to determine the level of corrosion formed, and the surface of each specimen was examined with scanning electron microscopy and metallography to determine the extent of general and pitting corrosion. This examination showed that the attack on the stainless steels was negligible and never penetrated past the first grain boundary layer. Of the three alloys, 316L performed the best; however, all three materials proved to be compatible with an aqueous iodine environment. In addition to the specimens exposed to aqueous iodine, a stainless steel specimen (unspecified alloy) was exposed to moist microbial check valve resin and air for a comparable period. This environment allowed contact of the metal to the resin as well as to the iodine vapor. Since the particular stainless steel alloy was not known, energy dispersive spectroscopy was used to determine that this alloy was stainless steel 301. The intergranular corrosion found on the specimen was limited to the first grain boundary layer.

Krohn, Douglas D.↗
DOE OSTI2019

Methods of Measuring Residual Stresses in Additively Manufactured 316L Stainless Steel

The microstructure of AM 316L stainless steel Is different from steel manufactured using conventional methods e.g. casting and forging. Data on the effects of residual stresses in the structural integrity and importance of AM parts (fatigue behavior) must be quantified. Evaluate different methods and identify a viable process for determining residual stresses in 316L stainless steel. Next step is to conduct measurements of residual stresses of samples fabricated by different manufacturers.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Corrosion of 316L & 316H stainless steel in molten LiF-NaF-KF (FLiNaK)

The corrosion behavior of 316L and 316H stainless steels (low and high carbon, respectively) in molten LiF-NaF-KF (FLiNaK) salt at 700 °C for 500 h has been investigated. Tests were performed in 316L stainless steel, pyrolytic boron nitride, and glassy carbon capsule materials. The capsule material had a notable effect on the corrosion behavior of the two stainless steels. Further, the modes of corrosion for the two types of stainless steel in various capsule materials were classified into three categories, namely, uniform surface recession, selective grain boundary Cr dissolution, and the dissolution of Cr in the bulk grains. By most metrics, the 316H stainless steel exhibited slightly superior corrosion resistance, while by others the two stainless steels were comparable. These differences in corrosion behavior are attributed to the differences in grain size and the degree of sensitization.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS2005

The Effect of 17-4 PH Stainless Steel on the Lifetime of a Pennzane(Trademark) Lubricated Microwave Limb Sounder Antenna Actuator Assembly Ball Screw for the AURA Spacecraft

During ground based life testing of a Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) Antenna Actuator Assembly (AAA) ball-screw assembly, lubricant darkening and loss were noted when approximately 10 percent of required lifetime was completed. The MLS-AAA ball screw and nut are made from 17-4 PH steel, the nut has 440C stainless steel balls, and the assembly is lubricated with a Pennzane formulation containing a three weight percent lead naphthenate additive. Life tests were done in dry nitrogen at 50 C. To investigate the MLS-AAA life test anomaly, Spiral Orbit Tribometer (SOT) accelerated tests were performed. SOT results indicated greatly reduced relative lifetimes of Pennzane formulations in contact with 17-4 PH steel compared to 440C stainless steel. Also, dry nitrogen tests yielded longer relative lifetimes than comparable ultrahigh vacuum tests. Generally, oxidized Pennzane formulations yielded shorter lifetimes than non-oxidized lubricant. This study emphasizes surface chemistry effects on the lubricated lifetime of moving mechanical assemblies.

Jones, William R., Jr.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Side-by-side evaluation of the outgassing rate and ultimate pressure achieved inside tubes made of low-carbon and stainless steel

The hydrogen outgassing rate of a vacuum chamber made of AISI 1020 low-carbon steel was found to be notably smaller than a similar chamber made of AISI 316L stainless steel following heat treatment at 150 °C. When the chambers were baked at 400 °C, the outgassing rate of the 1020 low-carbon steel chamber was approximately 2000 times smaller than that of the 316L stainless-steel chamber. After quantifying hydrogen outgassing rates, vacuum chambers made of 1020 low-carbon steel and 316L stainless steel were heated for a prescribed duration and then pumped with an ion pump and nonevaporable getter pump to reach “ultimate pressure.” The 1020 low-carbon steel chamber reached lower pressures than the 316L stainless-steel chamber. Monte Carlo simulation predictions using the measured hydrogen outgassing rates are in good agreement with the ultimate pressure measurements. Finally, our measurements indicate that low-carbon steel can provide pressures within the extreme high vacuum range (<7.5 × 10 -13 Torr) if care is taken to minimize the surface area contribution from stainless steel.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Investigation of annealing temperature on microstructure and texture of Fe-19Cr-2Mo-Nb-Ti ferritic stainless steel

Highlights: • Fe-19Cr-2Mo-Nb-Ti ferritic stainless steel was investigated. • Shear bands provided recrystallization nucleation sites. • Annealing temperature can affect microstructure and texture. • r-bar increased to a maximum value (1.69) and then decreased to 1.42. - Abstract: The evolution of microstructure and texture of Fe-19Cr-2Mo-Nb-Ti ferritic stainless steel annealed at different temperatures was investigated using a combination of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). EBSD investigations confirm that the in-grain shear bands provide more recrystallization nucleation sites to γ-fiber recrystallization grains with high Taylor factor orientations during cold rolling requiring further annealing for a more homogenous equiaxied grain structure. As the annealing temperatures increase, the grains in center layer are oriented towards {110}∥ND, and the recrystallization grains at 1050 °C are dominated by the uniform and equiaxial γ-fiber grains favourable for the improvement of r-values, while the occurrence of {100} <011> texture detrimental to r-values indicates that an exorbitant annealing temperature can reduce the intensity of γ-fiber textures affecting the formability, accordingly, the average plastic strain ratio of ferritic stainless steel increases sharply up to a maximum value (1.69) and then decreases to a certain value (1.42).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Degradation of impact toughness in cast stainless steels during long-term thermal aging

Cast austenitic stainless steels (CASSs) have been extensively used for the large components of nuclear reactor primary coolant systems. Since the cast steels inevitably contain degradable metastable phases and replacement of the large coolant system components is impractical, the thermal embrittlement of CASS components has been a serious concern in the extended-term operation of nuclear power plants. This study aimed to systematically measure and analyze the effect of long-term thermal aging on the Charpy impact toughness to provide a comprehensive understanding of thermal degradation behavior and a practical aging model to predict the degree of thermal degradation in the cast stainless steels. Additionally, the materials tested in the research include eight CASS alloys (two CF3s, one CF3M, three CF8s, and two CF8Ms) and two reference wrought materials (304L and 316L), in which the nominal δ-ferrite content ranges from ~2% to 33%. These stainless steels have been thermally aged at two light water reactor (LWR) temperatures (290 and 330 °C) and at two accelerated-aging temperatures (360 and 400 °C) for up to 30,000 h; these include both under-aged and over-aged conditions relative to the extended service lifetime (80 years). Charpy impact testing was performed for aged and non-aged specimens, and the impact (absorbed) energy parameters were correlated with a new aging parameter (A). Both the reduction of impact fracture toughness and the shift of ductile-brittle transition temperature were strongly dependent on the δ-ferrite content and degree of thermal aging. A linear relationship was found between the increasing rate of the index transition temperature T 41J and aging parameter A; base on which an empirical model was proposed for prediction of the transition temperature as a simple function of the aging parameter (A) and δ-ferrite content (F). Finally, the critical aging parameter for embrittlement (AC) was evaluated and compared with the existing δ-ferrite content criteria.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Surface integrity and fatigue behaviour of electric discharged machined and milled austenitic stainless steel

Machining of austenitic stainless steels can result in different surface integrities and different machining process parameters will have a great impact on the component fatigue life. Understanding how machining processes affect the cyclic behaviour and microstructure are of outmost importance in order to improve existing and new life estimation models. Milling and electrical discharge machining (EDM) have been used to manufacture rectangular four-point bend fatigue test samples; subjected to high cycle fatigue. Before fatigue testing, surface integrity characterisation of the two surface conditions was conducted using scanning electron microscopy, surface roughness, residual stress profiles, and hardness profiles. Differences in cyclic behaviour were observed between the two surface conditions by the fatigue testing. The milled samples exhibited a fatigue limit. EDM samples did not show the same behaviour due to ratcheting. Recrystallized nano sized grains were identified at the severely plastically deformed surface of the milled samples. Large amounts of bent mechanical twins were observed ~ 5 μm below the surface. Grain shearing and subsequent grain rotation from milling bent the mechanical twins. EDM samples showed much less plastic deformation at the surface. Surface tensile residual stresses of ~ 500 MPa and ~ 200 MPa for the milled and EDM samples respectively were measured. - Highlights: •Milled samples exhibit fatigue behaviour, but not EDM samples. •Four-point bending is not suitable for materials exhibiting pronounced ratcheting. •LAGB density can be used to quantitatively measure plastic deformation. •Grain shearing and rotation result in bent mechanical twins. •Nano sized grains evolve due to the heat of the operation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗