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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 145 records · Page 8

Mechanisms of Mobility of Grain Boundaries in Tungsten

The objective of this study is to assess the mechanical robustness of tungsten in first-wall applications for tokamaks. These applications unavoidably involve the challenges of high temperature and radiation damage. Here we report progress on determining the mechanisms governing the mobility of tungsten grain boundaries at high temperature, a key property in the process of recrystallization. The determination of mechanisms enables predictive analytic models of grain boundary response to driving forces like the energy stored in the damaged metal lattice that is released as a grain boundary sweeps through it. In prior work we studied tungsten grain boundary properties such as the energies of boundaries with various orientations and misorientations, including energies of grain boundaries whose high-temperature structure differs from the structure at ambient conditions. We have calculated properties associated with the grain boundary mobility including the response of grain boundaries to applied shear stress. We have also developed methods for direct calculation of the motion of curved grain boundaries at high temperature using molecular dynamics. Here we again utilize molecular dynamics simulation of grain boundary motion and go further to analyze how the defect content in a grain boundary evolves as the boundary moves under the action of a driving force.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Analysis of Deformation and Fracture Mechanisms in the Harvested Low-Dose Baffle Former Bolt via Advanced Mechanical Tests

This report details the production of tensile specimens from in-service irradiated baffle former bolts (BFBs) and presents the results of a pilot in-situ SEM/EBSD test conducted at Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Low Activation Materials Development and Analysis (LAMDA) facility. The SEM/EDS results confirmed that the material is AISI 316L steel, not AISI 347, and that no Nb addition was detected in several analyzed locations. EBSD analysis of the microstructure revealed in-grain misorientation gradients indicative of cold work, likely caused by material processing, and no retained ferrite was identified. During straining, dislocation channel formation was the primary deformation mechanism, with twinning also observed in favorably oriented grains at local strains as small as ~1.5%. No strain-induced phase instability was observed, likely due to the fact that the Ni and Cr content reached the upper limits for the 316L steel specification. Multiple microfracture events were observed during the tensile test. Fine strain-induced pores formed at the channel-grain boundary intersection points, while coarser microcracks were associated with non-metallic inclusions. Data analysis is ongoing, and additional tests are planned in the near future to provide more statistics and details.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The Measurement of Grain Size by Electron Beam Backscattered Diffraction

The method of electron back-scatter diffraction provides an analytic means to identify crystalline phase and the grain size of structural materials. The need to utilize imaging parameters consistent with revealing the contributing microstructural scale is often overlooked through packaged imaging scripts. It is shown that imaging parameters consistent with a post processing assessment of low misorientation angles between boundaries are achievable as using pixel sizes on the order of 10 1 nm.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Radiation Damage Mitigation in FeCrAl Alloy at Sub-Recrystallization Temperatures

Traditional defect recovery methods rely on high-temperature annealing, often exceeding 750 °C for FeCrAl. In this study, we introduce electron wind force (EWF)-assisted annealing as an alternative approach to mitigate irradiation-induced defects at significantly lower temperatures. FeCrAl samples irradiated with 5 MeV Zr 2+ ions at a dose of 10 14 cm −2 were annealed using EWF at 250 °C for 60 s. We demonstrate a remarkable transformation in the irradiated microstructure, where significant increases in kernel average misorientation (KAM) and low-angle grain boundaries (LAGBs) typically indicate heightened defect density; the use of EWF annealing reversed these effects. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed these findings, showing substantial reductions in full width at half maximum (FWHM) values and a realignment of peak positions toward their original states, indicative of stress and defect recovery. To compare the effectiveness of EWF, we also conducted traditional thermal annealing at 250 °C for 7 h, which proved less effective in defect recovery as evidenced by less pronounced improvements in XRD FWHM values.

FeCrAl alloys↗

Polyferrocenylsilane Semicrystalline Polymer Additive for Solution-Processed p-Channel Organic Thin Film Transistors

In this study, we demonstrated for the first time that a metal-containing semicrystalline polymer was used as an additive to mediate the thin film morphology of solution-grown, small-molecule organic semiconductors. By mixing polyferrocenylsilane (PFS) with an extensively-studied organic semiconductor 6,13-bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl) pentacene (TIPS pentacene), PFS as a semicrystalline polymer independently forms nucleation and crystallization while simultaneously ameliorating diffusivity of the blend system and tuning the surface energies as a result of its partially amorphous property. We discovered that the resultant blend film exhibited a 6-fold reduction in crystal misorientation angle and a 3-fold enlargement in average grain width. Enhanced crystal orientation considerably reduces mobility variation, while minimized defects and trap centers located at grain boundaries lessen the adverse impact on the charge transport. Consequently, bottom-gate, top-contact organic thin film transistors (OTFTs) based on the TIPS pentacene/PFS mixture yielded a 40% increase in performance consistency (represented by the ratio of average mobility to the standard deviation of mobility). The PFS semicrystalline polymer-controlled crystallization can be used to regulate the thin film morphology of other high-performance organic semiconductors and shed light on applications in organic electronic devices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The use of magnetometers on balloon-borne X-ray astronomy experiments.

The use of magnetometers for azimuth determination of balloon-borne X-ray astronomy payloads is examined, with special emphasis placed on the experiments of the University of Adelaide Cosmic Ray Group. A critical evaluation is made of the effectiveness of the magnetometers, including discussion of effects due to geomagnetic field variations, magnetometer misorientation and spurious contaminant magnetic fields. Calibration techniques and details of in-flight performance are also presented.

Thomas, R. M.↗

A theory for predicting composite laminate warpage resulting from fabrication

Linear laminate theory is used with the moment-curvature relationship to derive equations for predicting end deflections due to warpage without solving the coupled fourth-order partial differential equations of the plate. Composite micro- and macrohyphenmechanics are used with laminate theory to assess the contribution of factors such as ply misorientation, fiber migration, and fiber and/or void volume ratio nonuniformity on the laminate warpage. Using these equations, it was found that a 1 deg error in the orientation angle of one ply was sufficient to produce warpage end deflection equal to two laminate thicknesses in a 10 inch by 10 inch laminate made from 8 ply Mod-I/epoxy. Using a sensitivity analysis on the governing parameters, it was found that a 3 deg fiber migration or a void volume ratio of three percent in some plies is sufficient to produce laminate warpage corner deflection equal to several laminate thicknesses. Tabular and graphical data are presented which can be used to identify possible errors contributing to laminate warpage and/or to obtain an a priori assessment when unavoidable errors during fabrication are anticipated.

Chamis, C. C.↗

Composite laminate warpage

Set of simplified equations predicts warpage that often occurs upon removal from fabrication mold. Equations predict corner deflection and are based upon micromechanics and macromechanics of composites, as well as laminate theory. Factors considered include ply misorientation, fiber migration, and void/volume ratio nonuniformity.

Chamis, C. C.↗

AK-cut crystal resonators

Calculations have predicted the existence of crystallographically doubly rotated quartz orientations with turnover temperatures which are considerably less sensitive to angular misorientation then comparable AT- or BT-cuts. These crystals are arbitrarily designated as the AK-cut. Experimental data is given for seven orientations, phi-angle variations between 30-46 deg and theta-angle variations between 21-28 deg measured on 3.3-3.4 MHz fundamental mode resonators vibrating in the thickness shear c-mode. The experimental turnover temperatures of these resonators are between 80 C and 150 C, in general agreement with calculated values. The normalized frequency change as a function of temperature has been fitted with a cubic equation.

Kahan, A.↗

TEM and SEM (EBIC) investigations of silicon bicrystals

The electrical and structural properties of low and medium angle tilt grain boundaries in silicon bicrystals were studied in order to obtain insight into the mechanisms determining the recombination activity. The electrical behavior of these grain boundaries was studied with the EBIC technique. Schottky barriers rather than p-n junctions were used to avoid annealing induced changes of the structure and impurity content of the as-grown crystals. Transmission electron spectroscopy reveals that the 20 deg boundary is straight, homogeneous, and free of extrinsic dislocations. It is concluded that, in the samples studied, the electrical effect of grain boundaries appears to be independent of the boundary misorientation. The dominant influence appears to be impurity segregation effects to the boundary. Cleaner bicrystals are required to study intrinsic differences in the electrical activity of the two boundaries.

Gleichmann, R.↗

High temperature monotonic and cyclic deformation in a directionally solidified nickel-base superalloy

Directionally solidified (DS) MAR-M246+Hf was tested in tension and fatigue, at temperatures from 20 C to 1093 C. Tests were performed on (001) oriented specimens at strain rates of 50 % and 0.5 % per minute. In tension, the yield strength was constant up to 704 C, above which the strength dropped off rapidly. A strong dependence of strength on strain rate was seen at the higher temperatures. The deformation mode was observed to change from heterogeneous to homogeneous with increasing temperature. Low Cycle Fatigue tests were done using a fully reversed waveform and total strain control. For a given plastic strain range, lives increased with increasing temperature. For a given temperature strain rate had a strong effect on life. At 704 C, decreasing strain rates decreased life, while at the higher temperatures, decreasing strain rates increased life, for a given plastic strain range. These results could be explained through considerations of the deformation modes and stress levels. At the higher temperatures, marked coarsening caused beneficial stress reductions, but oxidation limited the life. The longitudinal grain boundaries were found to influence slip behavior. The degree of secondary slip adjacent to the boundaries was found to be related to the degree of misorientation between the grains.

Huron, Eric S.↗

Nucleation and growth of CrSi2 on Si(111)

The nucleation and growth of CrSi2 on Si(111) by MBE and solid-phase epitaxy (SPE), was investigated using SEM and TEM observations of 2-mm-thick layers grown under a variety of conditions, including the use of a CoSi2 buffer. During growth, the wafers were monitored in situ using reflection high-energy electron diffraction. Island growth was observed, with islands found to nucleate with three epitaxial orientations. The morphology of CrSi2 islands was found to be affected by the degree and direction of substrate misorientation, the growth technique, and the use of CoSi2 buffer. However, the reconstruction of the Si surface does not appear to be an important factor in controlling SPE growth.

Fathauer, R. W.↗

Preliminary investigations into UHCRE thermal control materials (A0178)

An overview of the initial work that was done in the ESTEC Materials and Processes Division to evaluate the effect of space environment on the thermal blankets of the Ultra-Heavy Cosmic Ray Nuclei Experiments (UHCRE) is presented. The topics covered include: (1) a preliminary survey of the perforations of the two-thirds of the thermal blanket returned to ESTEC; (2) thermo-optical properties and thickness recessions of three samples cut from each of the third center parts of the 16 thermal blankets were measured and effects of environments (sun illumination and atomic oxygen fluences); (3) contamination was analyzed on trays, external blanket and internal aluminized Kapton foil by IR technique and scanning electron microscopy SEM/EDX examination; (4) the pattern of contamination on the Al Kapton foils was observed, sketched, and related to atomic oxygen flow; and (5) the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) yaw angle misorientation was evaluated from the contaminated areas visible on some of the trays. In addition, impacts of micrometeoroids and space debris were experimentally simulated on spare flight thermal blankets. Relations between penetration/perforation hole characteristics and projectile parameters were established.

Levadou, Francois↗

Continuation of tailored composite structures of ordered staple thermoplastic material

The search for the cost effective composite structure has motivated the investigation of several approaches to develop composite structure from innovative material forms. Among the promising approaches is the conversion of a planar sheet to components of complex curvature through sheet forming or stretch forming. In both cases, the potential for material stretch in the fiber direction appears to offer a clear advantage in formability over continuous fiber systems. A framework was established which allows the simulation of the anisotropic mechanisms of deformation of long discontinuous fiber laminates wherein the matrix phase is a viscous fluid. Predictions for the effective viscosities of a hyper-anisotropic medium consisting of collimated, discontinuous fibers suspended in viscous matrix were extended to capture the characteristics of typical polymers including non-Newtonian behavior and temperature dependence. In addition, the influence of fiber misorientation was also modeled by compliance averaging to determine ensemble properties for a given orientation distribution. A design tool is presented for predicting the effect of material heterogeneity on the performance of curved composite beams such as those used in aircraft fuselage structures. Material heterogeneity can be induced during manufacturing processes such as sheet forming and stretch forming of thermoplastic composites. This heterogeneity can be introduced in the form of fiber realignment and spreading during the manufacturing process causing radial and tangential gradients in material properties. Two analysis procedures are used to solve the beam problems. The first method uses separate two-dimensional elasticity solutions for the stresses in the flange and web sections of the beam. The separate solutions are coupled by requiring that forces and displacements match section boundaries. The second method uses an approximate Rayleigh-Ritz technique to find the solutions for more complex beams. Analyses are performed for curved beams of various cross-sections loaded in pure bending and with a uniform distributed load. Preliminary results show that the geometry of the beam dictates the effect of heterogeneity on performance. The role of heterogeneity is larger in beams with a small average radius-to-depth ration, R/t, where R is the average radius of the beam and t is the difference between the inside and outside radii. Results of the anlysis are in the form of stresses and displacements and are compared to both mechanics of materials and numerical solutions obtained using finite element analysis.

Santare, Michael H.↗

Nucleation mechanisms for compound semiconductors grown on Si by MOCVD

The influence of growth parameters on the initial stage of heteroepitaxial growth of GaP, GaAs and AlAs on (100) Si substrates was examined. GaP and GaAs grow on Si in three-dimensional growth mode, forming well separated islands. However, such islands were observed to be contiguous in the case of AlAs growth on Si. The island density was seen to be proportional to the growth rate. GaAs and GaP exhibit very different growth behavior with increasing V/III flux ratio. Misorientation of the Si substrate does not appear to affect the island densities. Possible mechanisms for this growth behavior, based on cluster formation and migration, are discussed for the growth of these compound semiconductors on Si.

Soga, Tetsuo↗

Geometrical modelling of textile reinforcements

The mechanical properties of textile composites are dictated by the arrangement of yarns contained within the material. Thus, to develop a comprehensive understanding of the performance of these materials, it is necessary to develop a geometrical model of the fabric structure. This task is quite complex, as the fabric is made from highly flexible yarn systems which experience a certain degree of compressibility. Furthermore there are tremendous forces acting on the fabric during densification typically resulting in yarn displacement and misorientation. The objective of this work is to develop a methodology for characterizing the geometry of yarns within a fabric structure including experimental techniques for evaluating these models. Furthermore, some applications of these geometric results to mechanical property predictions models are demonstrated.

Pastore, Christopher M.↗

Space photovoltaic modules based on reflective optics

The conceptual design and experimental results for two types of space application concentrator photovoltaic modules, employing reflective optical elements, are presented. The first type is based on the use of compound parabolic concentrators, the second type is based on the use of line-focus parabolic troughs. Lightweight concentrators are formed with nickel foil coated silver with a diamond-like carbon layer protection. Secondary optical elements, including lenses and cones, are introduced for a better matching of concentrators and solar cells. Both types of modules are characterized by concentration ratios in the range 20x to 30x, depending on the chosen range of misorientation angles. The estimated specific parameters of these modules operating with single junction AlGaAs/GaAs solar cells are 240 W/sq m and 3 kg/sq m.

Andreev, V. M.↗

Geometrical modelling of textile reinforcements

The mechanical properties of textile composites are dictated by the arrangement of yarns contained with the material. Thus to develop a comprehensive understanding of the performance of these materials, it is necessary to develop a geometrical model of the fabric structure. This task is quite complex, as the fabric is made form highly flexible yarn systems which experience a certain degree of compressability. Furthermore there are tremendous forces acting on the fabric during densification typically resulting in yarn displacement and misorientation. The objective of this work is to develop a methodology for characterizing the geometry of yarns within a fabric structure including experimental techniques for evaluating these models. Furthermore, some applications of these geometric results to mechanical prediction models are demonstrated. Although more costly than its predecessors, the present analysis is based on the detailed architecture developed by one of the authors and his colleagues and accounts for many of the geometric complexities that other analyses ignore.

Pastore, Christopher M.↗