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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1990

Advanced refractory metals and composites for extraterrestrial power systems

Concepts for future space power systems include nuclear and focused solar heat sources coupled to static and dynamic power-conversion devices; such systems must be designed for service lives as long as 30 years, despite service temperatures of the order of 1600 K. Materials are a critical technology-development factor in such aspects of these systems as reactor fuel containment, environmental protection, power management, and thermal management. Attention is given to the prospective performance of such refractory metals as Nb, W, and Mo alloys, W fiber-reinforced Nb-matrix composites, and HfC precipitate-strengthened W-Re alloys.

Titran, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Replacing critical and strategic refractory metal elements in nickel-base superalloys

Because of the import status and essential nature of their use, cobalt, chromium, tantalum, and niobium were identified as strategic and critical in the aerospace industry. NASA's Conservation of Strategic Aerospace Materials (COSAM) program aims to reduce the need for strategic materials used in gas turbine engines. Technological thrusts in two major areas are under way to meet the primary objective of conserving the use of strategic materials in nickelbase superalloys. These thrusts consist of strategic element substitution and alternative material identification. The program emphasizes cooperative research teams involving NASA Lewis Research Center, universities, and industry. The adoption of refractory metals in nickel-base superalloys is summarized including their roles in mechanical strengthening and environmental resistance; current research activities under way in the COSAM Program are presented as well as research findings to date.

Stephens, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Making Smaller Microshells From Refractory Metals

Tendency toward gas porosity exploited. Falling through drop tube, fine drops of molten metal lose heat to surroundings, forming hard shells around precipitated gas. Second heating/cooling cycle in drop tube of lower pressure lets gas expand. Process produces smaller shells in greater variety of materials than possible with such current processes as based on hollow-jet instability, dry-chemical blowing or fluid-droplet drying. Shell aspect ratio (ratio of radius to wall thickness) controllable. New process makes shells having diameters smaller than 100 micrometer. There are several candidate shell materials including refractory metals.

Lee, Mark C.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Refractory metal alloys and composites for space power systems

Space power requirements for future NASA and other U.S. missions will range from a few kilowatts to megawatts of electricity. Maximum efficiency is a key goal of any power system in order to minimize weight and size so that the space shuttle may be used a minimum number of times to put the power supply into orbit. Nuclear power has been identified as the primary source to meet these high levels of electrical demand. One way to achieve maximum efficiency is to operate the power supply, energy conversion system, and related components at relatively high temperatures. NASA Lewis Research Center has undertaken a research program on advanced technology of refractory metal alloys and composites that will provide baseline information for space power systems in the 1900's and the 21st century. Basic research on the tensile and creep properties of fibers, matrices, and composites is discussed.

Stephens, Joseph R.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Cost Estimate for Molybdenum and Tantalum Refractory Metal Alloy Flow Circuit Concepts

The Early Flight Fission-Test Facilities (EFF-TF) team at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) has been tasked by the Naval Reactors Prime Contract Team (NRPCT) to provide a cost and delivery rough order of magnitude estimate for a refractory metal-based lithium (Li) flow circuit. The design is based on the stainless steel Li flow circuit that is currently being assembled for an NRPCT task underway at the EFF-TF. While geometrically the flow circuit is not representative of a final flight prototype, knowledge has been gained to quantify (time and cost) the materials, manufacturing, fabrication, assembly, and operations to produce a testable configuration. This Technical Memorandum (TM) also identifies the following key issues that need to be addressed by the fabrication process: Alloy selection and forming, cost and availability, welding, bending, machining, assembly, and instrumentation. Several candidate materials were identified by NRPCT including molybdenum (Mo) alloy (Mo-47.5 %Re), tantalum (Ta) alloys (T-111, ASTAR-811C), and niobium (Nb) alloy (Nb-1 %Zr). This TM is focused only on the Mo and Ta alloys, since they are of higher concern to the ongoing effort. The initial estimate to complete a Mo-47%Re system ready for testing is =$9,000k over a period of 30 mo. The initial estimate to complete a T-111 or ASTAR-811C system ready for testing is =$12,000k over a period of 36 mo.

Hickman, Robert R.↗
NASA NTRS1967

Theoretical studies on the relationship between the thermionic work functions of refractory-metal intermetallic compounds and their electronic and crystal structures Final summary report

The Group VIA-Re binary systems are characterized by the presence of several intermediate phases. The u phase is present in all of the systems, but the a-Mn phases occur in only the Mo-Re and W-Re systems. The occurrence of these intermediate phases appears to be governed largely by electronic factors and is predictable on the basis of electron/atom ratio. The thermionic work functions of the intermediate phase materials were experimentally determined. function and the screening of the outermost electrons in the Group VIA metals was found. A correlation between the work As might be expected for purely metallic substances, the work functions were relatively high, in the range 4. 5 to 5. 0 eV, and in each case were bracketed by the work functions of the pure constituents. A discontinuous change in the average work function with composition is proposed, based on a thermodynamical treatment of the electron vapor.

REFRACTORY METAL↗
NASA NTRS1972

Interactions between creep, fatigue, and strain-aging in two refractory metal alloys.

The application of low-amplitude, high-frequency fatigue vibrations during creep testing of two strain-aging refractory alloys (molybdenum-base TZC and tantalum-base T-111) significantly reduced the creep strength of these materials. This strength reduction caused dramatic increases in both the first-stage creep strain and the second-stage creep rate. The magnitude of the creep rate acceleration varied directly with both frequency and A ratio (ratio of alternating to mean stress), and also varied with temperature, being greatest in the range where the strain-aging phenomenon was most prominent. It was concluded that the creep rate acceleration resulted from a negative strain rate sensitivity which is associated with the strain-aging phenomenon in these materials. (A negative rate sensitivity causes flow stress to decrease with increasing strain rate, instead of increasing as in normal materials.)

Sheffler, K. D.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Feasibility of EB Welded Hastelloy X and Combination of Refractory Metals

As NASA continues to expand its horizon, exploration and discovery creates the need of advancement in technology. The Jupiter Icy Moon Orbiter's (JIMO) mission to explore and document the outer surfaces, rate the possibility of holding potential life forms, etc. within the three moons (Callisto, Ganymede, and Europa) proves to be challenging. The orbiter itself consists of many sections including: the nuclear reactor and the power conversion system, the radiator panels, and the thrusters and antenna. The nuclear reactor serves as a power source, and if successfully developed, can operate for extended periods. During the duration of my tenure at NASA Glenn Research Center's (NASA GRC) Advanced Metallics Branch, I was assigned to assist Frank J. Ritzert on analyzing the feasibility of the Electron Beam Welded Hastelloy X (HX), a nickel-based superalloy, to Niobium- 1 %Zirconium (Nb-1 Zr) and other refractory metals/alloys including Tantalum, Molybdenum, Tungsten, and Rhenium alloys. This welding technique is going to be used for the nuclear reactor within JIMO.

Martinez, Diana A.↗