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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 127 records · Page 7
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1991

Comparison of some micromechanics models for discontinuously reinforced metal matrix composites

A systematic experimental evaluation of whisker and particulate reinforced aluminum matrix composites was conducted to assess the variation in tensile properties with reinforcement type, volume fraction, and specimen thickness. Each material was evaluated in three thicknesses, 1.8, 3.18, and 6.35 mm, to determine the size, distribution, and orientation of the reinforcements. This information was used to evaluate several micromechanical models that predict composite moduli. The longitudinal and transverse moduli were predicted for reinforced aluminum. The Paul model, the Cox model and the Halpin-Tsai model were evaluated. The Paul model gave a good upper bound prediction for the particulate reinforced composites but under predicted whisker reinforced composite moduli. The Cox model gave good moduli predictions for the whisker reinforcement, but was too low for the particulate. The Halpin-Tsai model gave good results for both whisker and particulate reinforced composites. An approach using a trigonometric projection of whisker length to predict the fiber contribution to the modulus in the longitudinal and transverse directions was compared to the more conventional lamination theory approach.

Johnson, W. S.↗
NASA NTRS1986

A failure mechanism in Al-SiC composites

Divecha et al. (1981) have discussed the advantages of materials obtained by adding silicon carbide whiskers to commercial aluminum alloys, taking into account also certain problems which are related to poor ductility and low fracture toughness. The present investigation has the objective to advance the understanding of the deformation at the whisker ends in reinforced aluminum composites through both observation and analysis. It is suggested that the low fracture toughness of the considered materials is the result of the rapid accumulation of damage at the whisker ends. It is pointed out that the whisker ends are sites of severe stress concentration and intense localized plastic strain. In connection with this situation, voids nucleate and grow at relatively low macroscopic stress levels. The reported studies include an examination of the deformation microstructure beneath the fracture surfaces of specimens with the aid of transmission electron microscopy.

Nutt, S. R.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Friction and wear of oxide-ceramic sliding against IN-718 nickel base alloy at 25 to 800 C in atmospheric air

The friction and wear of oxide-ceramics sliding against the nickel base alloy IN-718 at 25 to 800 C were measured. The oxide materials tested were mullite (3Al2O3.2SiO2); lithium aluminum silicate (LiAlSi(x)O(y)); polycrystalline monolithic alpha alumina (alpha-Al2O3); single crystal alpha-Al2O3 (sapphire); zirconia (ZrO2); and silicon carbide (SiC) whisker-reinforced Al2O3 composites. At 25 C the mullite and zirconia had the lowest friction and the polycrystalline monolithic alumina had the lowest wear. At 800 C the Al2O3-8 vol/percent SiC whisker composite had the lowest friction and the Al2O3-25 vol/percent SiC composite had the lowest wear. The friction of the Al2O3-SiC whisker composites increased with increased whisker content while the wear decreased. In general, the wear-resistance of the ceramics improve with their hardness.

Sliney, Harold E.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Planar GaAs diodes for THz frequency mixing applications

Schottky barrier diodes for terahertz applications are typically fabricated as a micron to sub-micron circular anode metallization on GaAs which is contacted with a sharp wire (whisker). This structure has the benefits of the simplicity of the fabrication of the diode chip, the minimal shunt capacitance of the whisker contact and the ability of the whisker wire to couple energy to the diode. However, whisker-contacted diodes are costly to assembly and difficult to qualify for space applications. Also, complex receiver systems which require many diodes are difficult to assemble. The objective of this paper is to discuss the advantages of planar Schottky diodes for high frequency receiver applications and to summarize the problems of advancing the planar technology to the terahertz frequency range. Section 2 will discuss the structure, fabrication and performance of state-of-the-art planar Schottky diodes. In Section 3 the problems of designing and fabricating planar diodes for terahertz frequency operation are discussed along with a number of viable solutions. Section 4 summarizes the need for further research and cooperation between diode designers and RF engineers.

Bishop, William L.↗
NASA NTRS1970

Biaxial prestressing of brittle materials

Strengthening of chemically consolidated zirconia with tungsten fibers, graphite fibers, sapphire whiskers, and silicon carbide whiskers is investigated. Addition of silicon carbide whiskers gives the highest increase in strength of zirconia at room and elevated temperatures. Prestressing with tungsten cables increases tensile strength and ductility

Greszczuk, L.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Experimentally determined wear behavior of an Al2O3-SiC composite from 25 to 1200 C

The sliding wear behavior of a self-mated alumina-silicon carbide whisker toughened composite was studied using optical, scanning electron (SEM) and transmission electron (TEM) microscopy. Because of its excellent strength and toughness properties this composite material is under consideration for use in heat engine applications for sliding contacts which operate at elevated temperatures. The composite's wear behavior and especially its wear mechanisms are not well understood. Pin-on-disk specimens were slid in air at 2.7 m/s sliding velocity, under a 26.5-N load, at temperatures 25 to 1200 C. Pin wear increased with increasing temperature. Based upon the microscopic analyses, the wear mechanism seems to be loosening of the reinforcing whiskers due to frictional and bulk heating. This leads to whisker pullout and increased wear.

Dellacorte, Christopher↗
NASA NTRS1993

Processing and testing of high toughness silicon nitride ceramics

High toughness silicon nitride ceramics were processed with the addition of small quantities of beta-Si3N4 whiskers in a commercially available alpha-Si3N4 powder. These whiskers grew preferentially during sintering resulting in large, elongated beta-grains, which acted to toughen the matrix by crack deflection and grain pullout. The fracture toughness of these samples seeded with beta-Si3N4 whiskers ranged from 8.7 to 9.5 MPa m(exp 0.5) depending on the sintering additives.

Tikare, Veena↗
NASA NTRS1995

Whisker/Cone growth on the thermal control surfaces experiment no. S0069

An unusual surface 'growth' was found during scanning electron microscope (SEM) investigations of the Thermal Control Surface Experiment (TCSE) S0069 front thermal cover. This 'growth' is similar to the cone type whisker growth phenomena as studied by G. K. Wehner beginning in the 1960's. Extensive analysis has identified the most probable composition of the whiskers to be a silicate type glass. Sources of the growth material are outgassing products from the experiment and orbital atomic oxygen, which occurs naturally at the orbital altitudes of the LDEF mission in the form of neutral atomic oxygen. The highly ordered symmetry and directionality of the whiskers are attributed to the long term (5.8 year) stable flight orientation of the LDEF.

Zwiener, James M.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Three CLIPS-based expert systems for solving engineering problems

We have written three expert systems, using the CLIPS PC-based expert system shell. These three expert systems are rule based and are relatively small, with the largest containing slightly less than 200 rules. The first expert system is an expert assistant that was written to help users of the ASPEN computer code choose the proper thermodynamic package to use with their particular vapor-liquid equilibrium problem. The second expert system was designed to help petroleum engineers choose the proper enhanced oil recovery method to be used with a given reservoir. The effectiveness of each technique is highly dependent upon the reservoir conditions. The third expert system is a combination consultant and control system. This system was designed specifically for silicon carbide whisker growth. Silicon carbide whiskers are an extremely strong product used to make ceramic and metal composites. The manufacture of whiskers is a very complicated process. which to date. has defied a good mathematical model. The process was run by experts who had gained their expertise by trial and error. A system of rules was devised by these experts both for procedure setup and for the process control. In this paper we discuss the three problem areas of the design, development and evaluation of the CLIPS-based programs.

Parkinson, W. J.↗
NASA NTRS2015

Application of Pinniped Vibrissae to Aeropropulsion

Vibrissae of Phoca Vitulina (Harbor Seal) and Mirounga Angustirostris (Elephant Seal) possess undulations along their length. Harbor Seal Vibrissae were shown to reduce vortex induced vibrations and reduce drag compared to appropriately scaled cylinders and ellipses. Samples of Harbor Seal vibrissae, Elephant Seal vibrissae and California Sea Lion vibrissae were collected from the Marine Mammal Center in California. CT scanning, microscopy and 3D scanning techniques were utilized to characterize the whiskers. Computational fluid dynamics simulations of the whiskers were carried out to compare them to an ellipse and a cylinder. Leading edge parameters from the whiskers were used to create a 3D profile based on a modern power turbine blade. The NASA SW-2 facility was used to perform wind tunnel cascade testing on the 'Seal Blades'. Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations were used to study incidence angles from -37 to +10 degrees on the aerodynamic performance of the Seal Blade. The tests and simulations were conducted at a Reynolds number of 100,000. The Seal Blades showed consistent performance improvements over the baseline configuration. It was determined that a fuel burn reduction of approximately 5 could be achieved for a fixed wing aircraft. Noise reduction potential is also explored.

wakes↗
DOE OSTI2026

Chemomechanical origin of morphological disparity in lithium metal electrodeposition

The morphology of electrochemically deposited lithium (Li) critically governs the cycling stability and safety of Li metal batteries, yet the underlying controlling factors remain poorly understood. Even within the same coin cell, Li deposits can exhibit strikingly different morphologies, for example, sparse whiskers coexisting with particle-like deposits, indicting strong local variations in growth conditions. By combining cryogenic transmission electron microscopy with phase-field modeling, we here identify the root cause of this disparity. We reveal that the morphological divergence originates from the variations in structure and chemical composition of the initial SEI layer formed on the copper (Cu) substrate. These variations arise from substrate defects that induce localized electrochemical fields, driving selective dissociation of either solvent or salt, producing SEI layers with distinct chemomechanical properties. Solvent-derived organic SEI favors whisker growth, whereas salt-derived SEI promotes particle formation. This study establishes a direct mechanistic link between SEI chemomechanical properties and Li morphology, providing design principles for tailoring SEI layers to control Li deposition

energy storage↗
DOE OSTI2022

Current‐Dependent Lithium Metal Growth Modes in “Anode‐Free” Solid‐State Batteries at the Cu|LLZO Interface

Abstract Controlling the lithium growth morphology in lithium reservoir‐free cells (RFCs), so‐called “anode‐free” solid‐state batteries, is of key interest to ensure stable battery operation. Despite several benefits of RFCs like improved energy density and easier fabrication, issues during the charging of the cell hinder the transition from lithium metal batteries with a lithium reservoir layer to RFCs. In RFCs, the lithium metal anode is plated during the first charging step at the interface between a metal current collector and the solid electrolyte, which is prone to highly heterogeneous growth instead of the desired homogeneous film‐like growth. Herein, the lithium morphology during the first charging step in RFCs is explored as a function of current density and current collector thickness. Using operando scanning electron microscopy, an increase in the lithium particle density is observed with increasing current density at the Cu|Li 6.25 Al 0.25 La 3 Zr 2 O 12 interface. This observation is then applied to improve the area coverage of lithium by pulsed plating. It is also shown that thin current collectors ( d = 100 nm) are unsuited for RFCs, as lithium whiskers penetrate them, resulting in highly heterogeneous interfaces. This suggests the use of thicker metal layers (several µm) to mitigate whisker penetration and facilitate homogeneous lithium plating.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Correlating chemistry and mass transport in sustainable iron production

Steelmaking contributes 8% to the total CO 2 emissions globally, primarily due to coal-based iron ore reduction. Clean hydrogen-based ironmaking has variable performance because the dominant gas–solid reduction mechanism is set by the defects and pores inside the mm- to nm-sized oxide particles that change significantly as the reaction progresses. While these governing dynamics are essential to establish continuous flow of iron and its ores through reactors, the direct link between agglomeration and chemistry is still contested due to missing measurements. In this work, we directly measure the connection between chemistry and agglomeration in the smallest iron oxides relevant to magnetite ores. Using synthesized spherical 10-nm magnetite particles reacting in H 2 , we resolve the formation and consumption of wüstite (Fe 1-x O)—the step most commonly attributed to whiskering. Using X-ray diffraction, we resolve crystallographic anisotropy in the rate of the initial reaction. Complementary imaging demonstrated how the particles self-assemble, subsequently react, and grow into elongated “whisker” structures. Our insights into how morphologically uniform iron oxide particles react and agglomerate in H 2 reduction enable future size-dependent models to effectively describe the multiscale aspects of iron ore reduction.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1978

A quasi-optical flight mixer

A mechanically stable single block mixer design is described utilizing a recessed whisker and beamwidth equalization lens. A stripline I.F. matching section which is an integral part of the mixer is presented. Engineering measurements of wire grids and dielectric transmission loss near one millimeter wavelength are given and an anomolous I-V curve behavior observed during diode whiskering is discussed.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1978

The effect of NaCl/g/ on the oxidation of NiAl

NaCl is ingested into operating gas turbines. The effect of this salt on the high temperature surface stability properties of turbine hardware is not well understood. The involvement of gaseous NaCl in the high temperature oxidation of NiAl, a principal component in many high temperature environmental coatings, is herein examined. The results of this work indicate that gaseous NaCl present in an oxidizing atmosphere affects the formation of Al2O3 whiskers on a dense Al2O3 layer. Such whisker growth, attributed to vapor transport processes through an otherwise dense Al2O3 scale, increases the aluminum depletion of the NiAl substrate.

Smeggil, J. G.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Study of the effects of gaseous environments on the hot corrosion of superalloy materials

The effect of the gaseous corrodent NaCl on the high temperature oxidation and sodium sulfate induced hot corrosion behavior of alumina formers, chromia formers, and the superalloy B-1900 was examined. Isothermal experiments were conducted at 900 C and 1050 C in air in the presence and absence of NaCl vapors. Microstructural changes in oxide morphology and increased rates of oxidation were observed when NaCl(g) was present. It is hypothesized that the accelerated rates of oxidation are the result of removal of aluminum from the scale substrate interface and the weakening of the scale substrate bonds. The aluminum removed was redeposited on the surfaces in the form of alumina whiskers. For the superalloy B-1900, alumina whiskers are also formed, and the alloy oxidizes at catastrophic rates. In the case of Ni-25Cr alloy, NaCl vapors interact with the scale depleting it of chromium.

Smeggil, J. G.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Study of the effects of gaseous environmental on the hot corrosion of superalloy materials

Studies have been conducted to examine the effect of low concentrations of NaCl(g) on the high temperature oxidation behavior of complex superalloys and potential coating formulations modified by silicon and reactive element (i.e., yttrium and hafnium) additions. Depending on alloy composition, a variety of effects were thermogravimetrically produced. Aluminum free alloys such as MAR-M509 and Hastelloy X with molybdenum and tungsten in solid solution showed accelerated (or breakaway) kinetics similar to that observed for Ni-Cr alloys. For IN-792, an alloy high in chromium and low in aluminum, molybdenum and tungsten present in solid solution does not adversely affect oxidation kinetics in the presence of NaCl(g). On the other hand, nickel-base alloys high in aluminum and molybdenum are catastrophically attacked by NaCl-bearing atmospheres. Silicon additions were, in general, observed to slightly improve the oxidation resistance of Ni, Ni-40Cr and CoCrAlY compositions in NaCl(g)-bearing atmospheres. To the degree that processes responsible for Al2O3 whisker formation deleteriously affect protective scale adherence, the addition of yttrium or hafnium can inhibit such whisker growth.

Smeggil, J. G.↗