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At least 91 records · Page 5

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NASA NTRS1978

Effect of thermal exposure on lubricating properties of polyimide films and polyimide-bonded graphite fluoride films

The effect of thermal exposure on the weight loss, adherence, friction, and wear properties of polyimide films and polyimide bonded graphite fluoride films was investigated. Films bonded to 304 stainless steel or 440C-HT steel were thermally exposed at temperatures of 315 ,345, 370, or 400 C for 100 hours or more and then evaluated, using a pin-on-disk machine, at temperatures of 25, 315, or 345 C in atmospheres of dry or moist air. Polyimide films were brittle after thermal exposure. Polyimide bonded graphite fluoride films had adherence and gave low friction and wear results; thus, they appear to be good candidates for solid lubrication applications where long thermal soaks are prevalent.

Fusaro, R. L.↗

NASA NTRS1977

The effect of moisture on the dynamic thermomechanical properties of a graphite/epoxy composite

A study has been made of the effect of moisture absorption on the dynamic thermomechanical properties of a graphite/epoxy composite recently considered for building primary aircraft structures. Torsional braid analysis (TBA) and thermomechanical analysis (TMA) techniques were used to measure changes in the glass transition temperature (Tg) and the initial softening temperature (heat distortion temperature, HDT) of T-300/5209 graphite/epoxy composites exposed to room temperature water soak.

Sykes, G. F.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Effect of thermal aging on the tribological properties of polyimide films and polyimide-bonded graphite fluoride films

Weight loss, adherence, friction and wear of polyimide films and polyimide-bonded graphite fluoride films applied to stainless steel disks and to 304 stainless steel thin foils were studied. The films were exposed at temperatures of 315 D, 345 D, 370 D, or 400 C for 100 hours or more and then evaluated at temperatures of 25 D, 315 D, or 345 C in atmospheres of dry or moist air. Polyimide films were found to be brittle after thermal exposure; but polyimide-bonded graphite fluoride possessed good adherence and gave low friction and wear results. Polyimide-bonded graphite fluoride films appear to be good candidates for solid lubrication applications where long thermal soaks are prevalent.

Fusaro, R. L.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Moisture diffusion parameter characteristics for epoxy composites and neat resins

The moisture absorption characteristics of two graphite/epoxy composites and their corresponding cured neat resins were studied in high humidity and water immersion environments at elevated temperatures. Moisture absorption parameters, such as equilibrium moisture content and diffusion coefficient derived from data taken on samples exposed to high humidity and water soak environments, were compared. Composite swelling in a water immersion environment was measured. Tensile strengths of cured neat resin were measured as a function of their equilibrium moisture content after exposure to different moisture environments. The effects of intermittent moderate tensile loads on the moisture absorption parameters of composite and cured neat resin samples were determined.

Long, E. R., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1979

High temperature - low mass solar blanket

Interconnect materials and designs for use with ultrathin silicon solar cells are discussed, as well as the results of an investigation of the applicability of parallel-gap resistance welding for interconnecting these cells. Data relating contact pull strength and cell electrical degradation to variations in welding parameters such as time, voltage and pressure are presented. Methods for bonding ultrathin cells to flexible substances and for bonding thin (75 micrometers) covers to these cells are described. Also, factors influencing fabrication yield and approaches for increasing yield are discussed. The results of vacuum thermal cycling and thermal soak tests on prototype ultrathin cell test coupons and one solar module blanket are presented.

Mesch, H. G.↗

NASA NTRS1979

High temperature, low mass solar blanket development

This paper presents methods of incorporating ultrathin silicon solar cells into photovoltaic blankets for space applications. This type of cell has the highest power-to-mass ratio and best performance under space radiation of any silicon solar cell. Interconnect materials and designs, and the results of the investigation of the applicability of parallel-gap resistance welding for interconnecting ultrathin cells are discussed. Data relating contact pull strength and cell electrical degradation to welding parameters such as time, voltage, and pressure are presented. Methods for bonding ultrathin cells to flexible substrates and for bonding thin covers to these cells are described, and the results of vacuum thermal cycling and thermal soak tests on prototype ultrathin cell test coupons are included.

Mesch, H. G.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Effect of thermal aging on the tribological properties of polyimide films and polyimide-bonded graphite fluoride films

The effect of thermal aging on the weight loss, adherence, friction and wear of polyimide films and polyimide-bonded graphite fluoride films applied to 440C-HT stainless steel disks and to 304 stainless steel thin foils was studied. The films were exposed at temperatures of 315, 345, 370 or 400 C for 100 hours or more and then evaluated at temperatures of 25, 315 or 345 C in atmospheres of dry or moist air. Polyimide films were found to be brittle after thermal exposure; but polyimide-bonded graphite fluoride films possessed good adherence and gave low friction and wear results. Thus, polyimide-bonded graphite fluoride films appear to be good candidates for solid lubrication applications where long thermal soaks are prevalent.

Fusaro, R. L.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Scattering defects in silver mirror coatings

Scatter centers common to protected silver have been investigated on a variety of space flight quality mirrors. The defects have been characterized as to number density, size, location within the film layer structure, and dependence on illumination angle. In addition the total integrated scatter values as a function of wavelength, humidity test soak time, and temperature have been determined for some mirrors. These submicrometer sized defects are believed to be the precursors of silver corrosion spots. A mechanism for their generation is proposed, and measures to reduce their occurrence are suggested.

Pellicori, S. F.↗

NASA NTRS1980

A radiant heating test facility for space shuttle orbiter thermal protection system certification

A large scale radiant heating test facility was constructed so that thermal certification tests can be performed on the new generation of thermal protection systems developed for the space shuttle orbiter. This facility simulates surface thermal gradients, onorbit cold-soak temperatures down to 200 K, entry heating temperatures to 1710 K in an oxidizing environment, and the dynamic entry pressure environment. The capabilities of the facility and the development of new test equipment are presented.

Sherborne, W. D.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Study and modification of the reactivity of carbon fibers

The reactivity to air of polyactylonitrile-based carbon fiber cloth was enhanced by the addition of metals to the cloth. The cloth was oxidized in 54 wt% nitric acid in order to increase the surface area of the cloth and to add carbonyl groups to the surface. Metal addition was then achieved by soaking the cloth in metal acetate solution to effect exchange between the metal carbon and hydrogen on the carbonyl groups. The addition of potassium, sodium, calcium and barium enhanced fiber cloth reactivity to air at 573 K. Extended studies using potassium addition showed that success in enhancing fiber cloth reactivity to air depends on: extent of cloth oxidation in nitric acid, time of exchange in potassium acetate solution and the thoroughness of removing metal acetate from the fiber pore structure following exchange. Cloth reactivity increases essentially linearly with increase in potassium addition via exchange.

Walker, P. L., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Early development of ceramic fiber insulation for the Space Shuttle

The evolution of reusable surface insulation is described, with attention to the mullite and other aluminosilicates, zirconia, and silicon carbide-coated carbon compositions experimented with in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Evaluation and development concentrated in this period on such aspects of design and material properties as cold soak performance, attachment, shock impingement, surface coating cracks, and tile gap design and heating. In addressing the central problem of heat-shield thermal conductivity, it was found that for a given density, silica fibers had a lower conductivity than those of mullite. This was due to the one-micron, as opposed to 4.7-micron, diameter of the silica fibers, which resulted in smaller pores and therefore less convective and radiative heat transfer. Attention is also given to tile coating materials and the high-temperature processes by which they were applied.

Buckley, J. D.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Gasification of carbon fiber composites for the alleviation of electrical hazards

A mixture of calcium acetate and lithium acetate applied to the surface of carbon fibers caused the fibers to gasify in a simulated airplane-crash fire. Tests conducted with a JPL-developed electrical detector showed the catalyst-modified composites to release few fibers during burning, while state-of-the-art composites released several hundred. Mechanical property tests demonstrated nearly identical behavior of catalyst-modified and state-of-the-art composites. Aging tests also showed little difference in the composite strength except for a severe reduction when soaked in water. Several promising new concepts resulted from the project, including catalytic elimination of carbon particulates from diesel exhaust, catalytic improvement of coal combustion, and electrical destruction of carbon particulates in combustion systems.

Hull, G.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Further developments in the design and analysis of adhesive-bonded structural joints

Previously developed computer programs for analyzing stepped-lap adhesive-bonded joints and doublers have been modified to permit the inclusion of variable adhesives as well as nonuniform adherends. The new version of the analysis program is described with reference to examples illustrating the effects of load redistribution around flaws and porosity. The loss of strength associated with pinched-off edges is illustrated, and the benefits of deliberately thickening the adhesive layer in the immediate vicinity of the ends of the overlap are demonstrated. The changes in shear load transfer due to softening of some of the adhesive by moisture absorption while the remainder either has never been soaked or has dried out locally are discussed.

Hart-Smith, L. J.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Comparison of visualized turbine endwall secondary flows and measured heat transfer patterns

Various flow visualization techniques were used to define the secondary flows near the endwall in a large heat transfer data. A comparison of the visualized flow patterns and the measured Stanton number distribution was made for cases where the inlet Reynolds number and exit Mach number were matched. Flows were visualized by using neutrally buoyant helium-filled soap bubbles, by using smoke from oil soaked cigars, and by a few techniques using permanent marker pen ink dots and synthetic wintergreen oil. Details of the horseshoe vortex and secondary flows can be directly compared with heat transfer distribution. Near the cascade entrance there is an obvious correlation between the two sets of data, but well into the passage the effect of secondary flow is not as obvious.

Gaugler, R. E.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Topological reaction rate measurements related to scoffing

A ball-on-plate (both consisting of hardened M-50 steel) sliding elastohydrodynamic contact was run with trimethylolpropane triheptanoate (TMPTH) with and without tricresyl phosphate (TCP). The contact area of the plate was optically profiled with a phase-locked interference microscope (PLIM) both before and after exposure to alcoholic hydrochloric acid. As scuffing was approached, the profile within the contact region changed more rapidly after the acid treatment; after scuffing, it assumed a constant high value. A metallurgical phase found in the scuff mark was apparently responsible for the high reactivity. The microscopic profile changes (sensitivity, + or - 3 nm (+ or - A) in depth) involved primarily the small asperities (radius, 3 microns); the larger ones were unaffected. Soaking the steel in TCP smoothed the fine structure of the surface profile but increased its reactivity toward alcoholic hydrochloric acid before sliding was started. Thus it would appear that PLIM examination could be used for screening potentially scuff-resistant materials.

Lauer, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Flight test of a synthetic aperture radar antenna using STEP

To establish confidence in its overall performance, credible information on the synthetic aperture radar antenna's mechanical properties in orbit must be obtained. However, the antenna's size, design, and operating environment make it difficult to simulate operating conditions under 1-g Earth conditions. The Space Technology Experiments Platform (STEP) offers a timely opportunity to mechanically qualify and characterize the antenna design in a representative environment. The proposed experimental configuration would employ a half-system of the full-scale RADARSAT antenna which would be mounted on the STEP platform in the orbiter cargo bay such that it could be deployed and retracted in orbit (as shown in this figure). The antenna would be subjected to typical environmental exposures while an array of targets and sensors on the antenna support structure and reflecting surface are observed and monitored. In particular, the typical environments would include deployment and retraction, dynamic response to vehicle thruster or base exciter inputs, and thermal soak and transient effects upon entering or exiting Earth eclipse. The proposed experiment would also provide generic information on the properties of large space structures in space and on techniques to obtain the desired information.

Zimcik, D. G.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Chromium electrodes for REDOX cells

An improved electrode having a gold coating for use in the anode compartment of a REDOX cell is described. The anode fluid utilizes a chromic/chromous couple. A carbon felt is soaked in methanol, rinsed in water, dried and then heated in KOH after which it is again washed in deionized water and dried. The felt is then moistened with a methanol water solution containing chloroauric acid and is stored in a dark place while still in contact with the gold-containing solution. After all the gold-containing solution is absorbed in the felt, the latter is dried by heat and then heat treated at a substantially greater temperature. The felt is then suitable for use as an electrode and is wetted with water or up to two molar HCl prior to installation in a REDOX cell. The novelty of the invention lies in the use of KOH for cleaning the felt and the use of alcohol as a carrier for the gold together with the heat treating procedure.

Jalan, V.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Turbine blade and vane heat flux sensor development, phase 1

Heat flux sensors available for installation in the hot section airfoils of advanced aircraft gas turbine engines were developed. Two heat flux sensors were designed, fabricated, calibrated, and tested. Measurement techniques are compared in an atmospheric pressure combustor rig test. Sensors, embedded thermocouple and the Gordon gauge, were fabricated that met the geometric and fabricability requirements and could withstand the hot section environmental conditions. Calibration data indicate that these sensors yielded repeatable results and have the potential to meet the accuracy goal of measuring local heat flux to within 5%. Thermal cycle tests and thermal soak tests indicated that the sensors are capable of surviving extended periods of exposure to the environment conditions in the turbine. Problems in calibration of the sensors caused by severe non-one dimensional heat flow were encountered. Modifications to the calibration techniques are needed to minimize this problem and proof testing of the sensors in an engine is needed to verify the designs.

Atkinson, W. H.↗