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At least 1,099 records · Page 61

Dynamic, hollow nanotubular networks with superadjustable pH-responsive and temperature resistant rheological characteristics

Recently, the interest in stimuli-responsive and adaptable materials has continuously grown in various fields and applications. For such responsive systems, different triggers, including pH, light, pressure, temperature, and electric field, have been utilized to control dynamics and assembly. Among these, pH is one of the most convenient, energy-efficient, and economic modalities. Besides, plenty of traditional materials have poor thermal and salt stability, limiting their applications. Herein, we report a new design of a pH-responsive viscoelastic supramolecular complex (VSC) based on commplexation of a new long-chain amino-amide and maleic acid. In this study, the system demonstrated a sol–gel-sol transition from pH 2 to 10, with the largest static viscosity occurring at pH 6 (~1000 Pa·s) and the smallest viscosity at pH 4 (~3.3 Pa·s), indicating ~ 300-fold control over the viscosity. For a given concentration, the static viscosity of VSC was about 15 times larger than that of CTAB/NaSal, a well-established dynamic viscoelastic system, and no pH-responsiveness was observed for the traditional system. In addition, the VSC demonstrated a superior temperature tolerance and lower temperature dependence. The potential of these intriguing dynamics viscoelastic systems was evaluated for hydraulic fracturing and enhanced oil recovery applications. Proppant settling velocity of DMAA/MA was 500 ~ 1000 times lower than that of CTAB/NaSal and common traditional polymers. Likewise, the oil recovery percentage could be significantly improved with the utilization of DMAA/MA compared to the CTAB/NaSal (86 % vs 52 %). Aside from applications in hydraulic fracturing and enhanced oil recovery, we anticipate that the intriguing rheological properties of this viscoelastic system can be beneficial for other chemical engineering applications including personal care products, cosmetics, lubricants, and biomedical gels.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

The influence of growth speed, orientation and environment on fracture of aligned Al-CuAl2

There has been considerable interest in the mechanical properties of aligned eutectics as functions of microstructure, orientation between reinforcement and stress axis, and temperature of testing. However, little is known about the behavior of these alloys in aggressive environments, such as liquid metals, with the exception of a recent paper on embrittlement of several eutectic alloys in gallium and gallium-indium alloys. This paper is concerned with the effects of a liquid Ga-16%In solution on tensile behavior of an aligned Al-CuAl2 eutectic.

Skiff, P. K.↗

Biaxial fatigue properties of thin-walled composite tubes

A testing method for obtaining fatigue and fracture data under biaxial loading and for negative R-ratios is described. Thin-walled tubes of 1-in. outer nominal diameter with a tapered grip section were tested in an Axial-Torsion Servohydraulic Testing Machine with a 463 Data Control Processor at frequencies below 10 Hz up to the 1-million cycle range. Room temperature, uniaxial constant amplitude fatigue data for high temperature cure graphite-epoxy material are presented at R = -0.4 for a (+, - 5 deg) fiber orientation. The fatigue curve is almost horizontal. Tests on (+, - 5 deg) 'SP-328' resulted in failures which predominantly originated in the grip section. Presently, a new specimen design is being tested intended to eliminate cracking in the grip section. Biaxial in-phase loading of (0/+, - 45) tubes of Fiberite graphite-epoxy resulted in much steeper fatigue curves than observed under uniaxial loading.

Krempl, E.↗

Mechanical properties of several neat polymer matrix materials and unidirectional carbon fiber-reinforced composites

The mechanical and physical properties of three neat matrix materials, i.e., PEEK (polyetheretherketone) thermoplastic, Hexcel F155 rubber-toughened epoxy and Hercules 8551-7 rubber-toughened epoxy, were experimentally determined. Twelve unidirectional carbon fiber composites, incorporating matrix materials characterized in this or earlier studies (with one exception; the PISO(sub 2)-TPI matrix itself was not characterized), were also tested. These composite systems included AS4/2220-1, AS4/2220-3, T500/R914, IM6/HX1504, T300/4901A (MDA), T700/4901A (MDA), T300/4901B (MPDA), T700/4901B (MPDA), APC2 (AS4/PEEK, ICI), APC2 (AS4/PEEK, Langley Research Center), AS4/8551-7, and AS4/PISO(sub 2)-TPI. For the neat matrix materials, the tensile, shear, fracture toughness, coefficient of thermal expansion, and coefficient of moisture expansion properties were measured as a function of both temperature and moisture content. For the unidirectional composites, axial and transverse tensile, longitudinal shear, coefficient of thermal expansion, and coefficient of moisture expansion properties were determined, at room temperature and 100 C.

Coguill, Scott L.↗

Microstructural and Mechanical Properties of Hot Roll Bonded Titanium Alloy/Low Carbon Steel Plate

In this paper, a titanium alloy and low carbon steel were bonded via hot rolling in a vacuum, and the effect of roll bonding temperature and reduction ratio on the microstructural and mechanical properties of the plate was studied. When the bonding temperature was between 850 and 1050 °C, the shear strength of the interface increased with an increasing reduction ratio from 18 to 70%. At a bonding temperature of 950 °C and at a rolling reduction ratio of 70%, the best bonding strength was obtained, and a shear fracture occurred on the low carbon steel matrix. At 1050 °C, brittle compounds, i.e., TiC, FeTi, and Fe{sub 2}Ti, formed at the interface, which decreased the bonding strength. The large reduction ratio can break up compounds at the interface and extrude fresh metal for bonding, thereby increasing the bonding strength.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Strength and deformation properties of basaltic lava flows on planetary surfaces

Basaltic rocks are thought to constitute a volumetrically significant rock type on the Moon, Mercury, Mars, and Venus, in addition to the Earth. Spacecraft images of surfaces with known or suspected basaltic composition on these bodies, particularly on Venus, indicate that these rocks have been deformed in the brittle regime to form faults and perhaps dilatant cracks, in addition to folding and more distributed types of deformation. Predictions of brittle fracture or other types of deformation are made by comparing calculated stresses from a tectonic model to some criterion for rock strength. Common strength criteria used in the planetary science literature for near-surface deformation include a Griffith tensile-strength criterion for intact rock, a Mohr envelope for intact basalt, and a brittle strength envelope based on Byerlee's law of rock frictional resistance. However, planetary terrains of basaltic composition consist of much more than just intact basaltic rock. The aggregate basaltic material, termed the 'rock mass,' consists of both the intact rock and the associated fracture, faults, lithologic contacts, and other discontinuous surfaces. A basaltic rock mass is the relevant material for which strength properties must be defined and calculated model stresses must be compared to in order to more accurately predict brittle deformation. For example, the various strengths of a rock mass are less than that of intact material of the same composition. This means that tectonic models which compare stresses to intact failure strengths overestimate the stresses required for fracture and so underestimate the extent and magnitude of brittle deformation predicted in these models. On the other hand, rock mass shear strength can be greater than that predicted from Byerlee's law. The concept of rock mass strength is central to many engineering design studies in which calculated stresses are used to predict brittle fracture, and this experience indicates that brittle strength envelopes which assume properties for intact rock (Griffith parabolas) or sliding along a single, continuous surface (Byerlee's law) inadequately characterize the tensile, compressive, and shear strengths of rock masses. The criterion adopted here to relate stresses to rock mass fracture is based on a Griffith-type curve for tensile normal stress and a concave downward curve for compressive normal stress. It is the only available criterion that explicitly considers the weakening effects of discontinuities within the rock mass on the stress state required for fracture.

Schultz, Richard A.↗

Stochastic Inversion of InSAR Data to Assess the Probability of Pressure Penetration into the Lower Caprock at In Salah

Stochastic inversions of InSAR data were carried out to assess the probability that pressure perturbations resulting from CO 2 injection into well KB-502 at In Salah penetrated into the lower caprock seal above the reservoir. Inversions of synthetic data were employed to evaluate the factors that affect the vertical resolution of overpressure distributions, and to assess the impact of various sources of uncertainty in prior constraints on inverse solutions. These include alternative pressure-driven deformation modes within reservoir and caprock, the geometry of a sub-vertical fracture zone in the caprock identified in previous studies, and imperfect estimates of the rock mechanical properties. Inversions of field data indicate that there is a high probability that a pressure perturbation during the first phase of injection extended upwards along the fracture zone ~ 150 m above the reservoir, and less than 50% probability that it reached the Hot Shale unit at 1500 m depth. Within the uncertainty bounds considered, it was concluded that it is very unlikely that the pressure perturbation approached within 150 m of the top of the lower caprock at the Hercynian Unconformity. The results are consistent with previous deterministic inversion and forward modeling studies.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Integrated Geomechanics and Geophysics in Induced Seismicity: Mechanisms and Monitoring

Quantifying in-situ subsurface stresses and predicting fracture development are critical to reducing risks of induced seismicity and improving modern energy activities in the subsurface. In this work, we developed a novel integration of controlled mechanical failure experiments coupled with microCT imaging, acoustic sensing, modeling of fracture initiation and propagation, and machine learning for event detections and waveform characterization. Through additive manufacturing (3D printing), we were able to produce bassanite-gypsum rock samples with repeatable physical, geochemical and structural properties. With these "geoarchitected" rock, we provided the role of mineral texture orientation on fracture surface roughness. The impact of poroelastic coupling on induced seismicity has been systematically investigated to improve mechanistic understanding of post shut-in surge of induced seismicity. This research will set the groundwork for characterizing seismic waveforms by using multiphysics and machine learning approaches and improve the detection of low-magnitude seismic events leading to the discovery of hidden fault/fracture systems.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Reservoir Properties of Barremian – Aptian Urgonian Limestones, Se France, Part 1: Influence of Structural History on Porosity-Permeability Variations

Upper Barremian – Lower Aptian inner platform “Urgonian” limestones in the Mont de Vaucluse region, SE France, consist of alternating metre-scale microporous and tight intervals. This paper focuses on the influence of structural deformation on the reservoir properties of the Urgonian limestone succession in a study area near the town of Rustrel. Petrographic, petrophysical and structural data were recovered from five fully-cored boreholes, from the walls of a 100 m long underground tunnel, and from a 50 m long transect at a nearby outcrop. The data allowed reservoir property variations in the Urgonian limestones to be studied from core to reservoir scale. Eleven Reservoir Rock Types (RRTs) were identified based on petrographic features (texture, grain size), reservoir properties (porosity, permeability), and the frequency of structural discontinuities such as fractures, faults and stylolites. Tight and microporous reservoir rock types were distinguished. Tight reservoir rock types were characterised by early cementation of intergranular pore spaces and by the presence of frequent structural discontinuities. By contrast microporous reservoir rock types contained preserved intragranular microporosity and matrix permeability, but had very few structural discontinuities. Observed vertical alternations of microporous and tight rock types are interpreted to have been controlled by the early diagenesis of the Urgonian carbonates. Deformation associated with regional-scale tectonic phases, including Albian – Cenomanian “Durancian” uplift (~105 to 96 Ma) and Pyrenean compression (~55 to 25 Ma), resulted in the modification of the initial petrophysical properties of the Urgonian limestones. An early diagenetic imprint conditioned both the intensity of structural deformations and the associated circulations of diagenetic and meteoric fluids. Evolution of the Reservoir Rock Types is therefore linked both to the depositional conditions and to subsequent phases of structural deformation.

Cochard, J.↗

Effects of Microalloying on the Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Directionally Solidified Ni-33(at.%)Al-31Cr-3Mo Eutectic Alloys Investigated

Despite nickel aluminide (NiAl) alloys' attractive combination of oxidation and thermophysical properties, their development as replacements for superalloy airfoils in gas turbine engines has been largely limited by difficulties in developing alloys with an optimum combination of elevated-temperature creep resistance and room-temperature fracture toughness. Alternatively, research has focused on developing directionally solidified NiAl-based in situ eutectic composites composed of NiAl and (Cr,Mo) phases in order to obtain a desirable combination of properties a systematic investigation was undertaken at the NASA Glenn Research Center to examine the effects of small additions of 11 alloying elements (Co, Cu, Fe, Hf, Mn, Nb, Re, Si, Ta, Ti, and Zr) in amounts varying from 0.25 to 1.0 at.% on the elevated-temperature strength and room-temperature fracture toughness of directionally solidified Ni-33Al-31Cr-3Mo eutectic alloy. The alloys were grown at 12.7 mm/hr, where the unalloyed eutectic base alloy exhibited a planar eutectic microstructure. The different microstructures that formed because of these fifth-element additions are included in the table. The additions of these elements even in small amounts resulted in the formation of cellular microstructures, and in some cases, dendrites and third phases were observed. Most of these elemental additions did not improve either the elevated-temperature strength or the room-temperature fracture toughness over that of the base alloy. However, small improvements in the compression strength were observed between 1200 and 1400 K when 0.5 at.% Hf and 0.25 at.% Ti were added to the base alloy. The results of this study suggest that the microalloying of Ni-33Al-31Cr-3Mo will not significantly improve either its elevatedtemperature strength or its room-temperature fracture toughness. Thus, any improvements in these properties must be acquired by changing the processing conditions.

Whittenberger, J. Daniel↗

The microstructure of capsule containing self-healing materials: A micro-computed tomography study

Autonomic self-healing materials are materials with built-in (micro-) capsules or vessels, which upon fracturing release healing agents in order to recover the material's physical and mechanical properties. In order to better understand and engineer these materials, a thorough characterization of the material's microstructural behavior is essential and often overlooked. In this context, micro-computed tomography (μCT) can be used to investigate the three dimensional distribution and (de)bonding of (micro-) capsules in their native state in a polymer system with self-healing properties. Furthermore, in-situ μCT experiments in a self-healing polymer and a self-healing concrete system can elucidate the breakage and leakage behavior of (micro-) capsules at the micrometer scale. While challenges related to image resolution and contrast complicate the characterization in specific cases, non-destructive 3D imaging with μCT is shown to contribute to the understanding of the link between the microstructure and the self-healing behavior of these complex materials. - Highlights: • μCT imaging allows for the analysis of microcapsule distribution patterns in self-healing materials. • μCT allows for qualitative and quantitative measurements of healing agent release from carriers in self-healing materials. • Experimental set-ups can be optimized by changing chemical compounds in the system to ensure maximum quality imaging.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Unraveling the Highly Plastic Behavior of ALD-Aluminum Oxide Encapsulations by Small-Scale Tensile Testing

We present a study directly measuring the electron-beam-induced plasticity of amorphous Al 2 O 3 coatings. Core–shell nanostructures are employed as small-scale model systems for two-dimensional coatings made by atomic layer deposition (ALD). Copper nanowires (NWs) are used as substrates for ALD deposition, representing a model system for interconnects commonly found in integrated circuits. Experiments are performed in situ in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) and further analyzed with electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). Our in situ TEM tensile experiments reveal the highly plastic behavior of the ALD shell, which withstands a maximum strain of 188%. Comparable samples under beam-off conditions show a brittle fracture, which underlines the effect of electron irradiation. The electron-beam-activated bond switching within the amorphous network enables compensation of the applied tensile strain, leading to viscous flow. By incorporating an intermediate nanocrystalline layer within the Al 2 O 3 shell, the plasticity is suppressed and brittle fracture occurs. This work directly demonstrates the tuning of mechanical properties in amorphous ALD structures through electron irradiation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Low-field-actuated giant magnetocaloric effect and excellent mechanical properties in a NiMn-based multiferroic alloy

Multiferroic magnetic shape memory alloys with first-order magntostructural transformation exhibit much enhanced magnetocaloric effect which incorporates the latent heat associated with the phase transformation itself, but they suffer from the drawbacks of large hysteresis and transformation interval and consequently too high critical field to actuate the magnetocaloric effect, greatly impeding their applications. Here, by generating a kind of specific stacking-mediated structure of martensite through minor Al substitution to improve the geometric compatibility between martensite and austenite in the Ni 40 Co 10 Mn 40 Sn 9 Al 1 alloy, we greatly reduced the thermal hysteresis and transformation temperature interval while conserving the large magnetization difference between the two phases. Consequently, a low-field-actuated giant magnetocaloric effect with isothermal entropy change of 23 J kg –1 K –1 for a field change from 0 to 2 T, which is among the highest values reported heretofore for all magnetocaloric materials, was successfully achieved. Meanwhile, with minor Al substitution, the present single-phase multiferroic alloy that is intermetallic in nature exhibits superior mechanical properties, including excellent compressive properties over a wide temperature range and a relatively high fracture toughness, which are quite beneficial for practical applications. Lastly, by incorporating the advantages of low cost, environment friendliness and easy fabrication, this alloy shows great potential for magnetocaloric applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Numerical and Analytical Modeling of Flow Partitioning in Partially Saturated Fracture Networks

Infiltration processes in fractured-porous media remain a crucial, yet not very well understood component of recharge and vulnerability assessment. Under partially-saturated conditions flows in fractures, percolating fracture networks, and fault zones contribute to the fastest spectrum of infiltration velocities via preferential pathways. Specifically, the partitioning dynamics at fracture intersections determine the magnitude of flow fragmentation into vertical and horizontal components and hence the bulk flow velocity and dispersion of fracture networks. In this work, we derive an approximate analytical solution for the partitioning process and validate it using smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations. The developed transfer function is conceptually based on simulation results and laboratory experiments carried out in previous works. It allows to efficiently simulate flow through fracture networks with simple cubic structure and arbitrary number of fractures and aperture sizes via linear response theory and convolution of a given input signal. We derive a non-dimensional bulk flow velocity ($\widetilde{v}$) and dispersion coefficient ($\widetilde{D}$) to characterize fracture networks in terms of dimensionless horizontal and vertical time scales $\tau_m$ and $\tau_0$. The dispersion coefficient is shown to strongly depend on the horizontal time scale and converges towards a constant value of $0.08$ within reasonable fluid and geometrical parameter ranges, while the non-dimensional velocity exhibits a characteristic $\widetilde{v} \sim \tau_m^{-1/2}$ scaling. Given that hydraulic information is often only available at limited places within (fractured-porous) aquifer system, such as boreholes or springs, our study intends to provide a rudimentary analytical concept to potentially reconstruct internal fracture network geometries from external boundary information, e.g., the dispersive properties of discharge (groundwater level fluctuations).

42 ENGINEERING↗

Cementitious Barriers Partnership FY2013 End-Year Report

In FY2013, the Cementitious Barriers Partnership (CBP) demonstrated continued tangible progress toward fulfilling the objective of developing a set of software tools to improve understanding and prediction of the long-term structural, hydraulic and chemical performance of cementitious barriers used in nuclear applications. In November 2012, the CBP released “Version 1.0” of the CBP Software Toolbox, a suite of software for simulating reactive transport in cementitious materials and important degradation phenomena. In addition, the CBP completed development of new software for the “Version 2.0” Toolbox to be released in early FY2014 and demonstrated use of the Version 1.0 Toolbox on DOE applications. The current primary software components in both Versions 1.0 and 2.0 are LeachXS/ORCHESTRA, STADIUM, and a GoldSim interface for probabilistic analysis of selected degradation scenarios. The CBP Software Toolbox Version 1.0 supports analysis of external sulfate attack (including damage mechanics), carbonation, and primary constituent leaching. Version 2.0 includes the additional analysis of chloride attack and dual regime flow and contaminant migration in fractured and non-fractured cementitious material. The LeachXS component embodies an extensive material property measurements database along with chemical speciation and reactive mass transport simulation cases with emphasis on leaching of major, trace and radionuclide constituents from cementitious materials used in DOE facilities, such as Saltstone (Savannah River) and Cast Stone (Hanford), tank closure grouts, and barrier concretes. STADIUM focuses on the physical and structural service life of materials and components based on chemical speciation and reactive mass transport of major cement constituents and aggressive species (e.g., chloride, sulfate, etc.). THAMES is a planned future CBP Toolbox component focused on simulation of the microstructure of cementitious materials and calculation of resultant hydraulic and constituent mass transfer parameters needed in modeling. Two CBP software demonstrations were conducted in FY2013, one to support the Saltstone Disposal Facility (SDF) at SRS and the other on a representative Hanford high-level waste tank. The CBP Toolbox demonstration on the SDF provided analysis on the most probable degradation mechanisms to the cementitious vault enclosure caused by sulfate and carbonation ingress. This analysis was documented and resulted in the issuance of a SDF Performance Assessment Special Analysis by Liquid Waste Operations this fiscal year. The two new software tools supporting chloride attack and dual-regime flow will provide additional degradation tools to better evaluate performance of DOE and commercial cementitious barriers. The CBP SRNL experimental program produced two patent applications and field data that will be used in the development and calibration of CBP software tools being developed in FY2014. The CBP software and simulation tools varies from other efforts in that all the tools are based upon specific and relevant experimental research of cementitious materials utilized in DOE applications. The CBP FY2013 program involved continuing research to improve and enhance the simulation tools as well as developing new tools that model other key degradation phenomena not addressed in Version 1.0. Also efforts to continue to verify the various simulation tools through laboratory experiments and analysis of field specimens are ongoing and will continue into FY2014 to quantify and reduce the uncertainty associated with performance assessments. This end-year report summarizes FY2013 software development efforts and the various experimental programs that are providing data for calibration and validation of the CBP developed software.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

AGC-1 PIE Experimental Plan

Here we report the Post-Irradiation Examination planned for the AGC-1 creep samples. The key data obtained for each grade of graphite included in the AGC-1capsule are dimension, volume, mass and density changes, creep strain, electrical resistivity, Elastic constants (E, G, υ) from sonic velocity, dynamic modulus (from fundamental frequency of vibration), coefficient of thermal expansion, microstructural characterization, and fracture strength. The effect of creep strain on the above properties will be determined. These data are critical to the design of the Next Generation Nuclear Plant. Moreover, the data supports ongoing work in the area of model development, e.g., irradiation effects models such as dimensional change. The data will be used to help underpin the existing American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) design code for graphite core components.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗