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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

Space Shuttle bipropellant RCS engine.

The requirements of the Space Shuttle bipropellant reaction control system engine technology contract and the scheduled contract effort are presented herein. The requirements included an engine concept scalable from 400 to 1100 lbf, with a 100 mission life employing N2O4/MMH propellants. Emphasis is placed on reusability and minimum post-flight servicing. The engine components are reviewed and their selection is supported by tradeoff analyses, thrust chamber firing test data, materials test data, and metallurgical evaluations. The materials test data indicate that the proposed silicide coated columbium chamber and uncoated columbium injector have the potential of meeting the mission life requirements. The engine valve trade studies resulted in the selection of a torque motor operated bipropellant valve configuration. Fuel vortex film cooling of the insulated chamber is described together with the fuel vortex film cooling scaling parameter and its verification by test data to a thrust level of 5500 lbf.

Sanscrainte, W.↗

Ablative Thermal Protection: An Overview

Contents include the following: Why ablative thermal protections - TPS. Ablative TPS chronology: strategic reentry systems, solid rocket motor nozzles, space (manned missions and planetary entry probes). Ablation mechanisms. Ablation material testing. Ablative material testing.

Laub, Bernie↗

SRM propellant and polymer materials structural test program

The SRM propellant and polymer materials structural test program has potentially wide application to the testing and structural analysis of polymer materials and other materials generally characterized as being made of viscoelastic materials. The test program will provide a basis for characterization of the dynamic failure criteria for Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) propellant, insulation, inhibitor and liners. This experimental investigation will also endeavor to obtain a consistent complete set of materials test data. This test will be used to improve and revise the presently used theoretical math models for SRM propellant, insulators, inhibitor, liners, and O-ring seals.

Moore, Carleton J.↗

Testing of Candidate Rigid Heatshield Materials at LHMEL for the Entry, Descent, and Landing Technology Development Project

The material testing results described in this paper were part of a material development program of vendor-supplied, proposed heat shield materials. The goal of this program was to develop low density, rigid material systems with an appreciable weight savings over phenolic-impregnated carbon ablator (PICA) while improving material response performance. New technologies, such as PICA-like materials in honeycomb or materials with variable density through-the-thickness were tested. The material testing took place at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Laser Hardened Materials Laboratory (LHMEL) using a 10.6 micron CO2 laser operating with the test articles immersed in a nitrogen-gas environment at 1 atmosphere pressure. Test measurements included thermocouple readings of in-depth temperatures, pyrometer readings of surface temperatures, weight scale readings of mass loss, and sectioned-sample readings of char depth. Two laser exposures were applied. The first exposure was at an irradiance of 450 W/cm2 for 50 or 60 seconds to simulate an aerocapture maneuver. The second laser exposure was at an irradiance of 115 W/cm2 for 100 seconds to simulate a planetary entry. Results from Rounds 1 and 2 of these screening tests are summarized.

Sepka, Steven↗

Channel multiplier compatible materials and lifetime tests

Certain materials useful in space sensor construction were tested for their noncontaminating compatibility with channel electron multipliers. Gain profiles indicate that the materials tested do not adversely affect the lifetimes of the multipliers. These materials are, therefore, shown to be safe for use with channel electron multipliers in space instrumentation even for the most stringent long lifetime mission requirements. The tests indicate that the multipliers which are to be flown on an extended space mission will have adequate lifetimes to return satisfactory data throughout the entire mission.

Mccomas, D. J.↗

Bisphenol A polycarbonate as a reference material

Test methods require reference materials to standardize and maintain quality control. Various materials have been evaluated as possible reference materials, including a sample of bisphenol A polycarbonate without additives. Screening tests for relative toxicity under various experimental conditions were performed using male mice exposed to pyrolysis effluents over a 200-800 C temperature range. It was found that the bisphenol A polycarbonate served as a suitable reference material as it is available in large quantities, and does not significantly change with time.

Hilado, C. J.↗

Report on Thermal Cycling Testing and Bimaterial Weld Development for a Passively Actuated Materials Surveillance Test Article

This report describes the continuation and conclusion of a thermal cycling test program designed to evaluate a family of passively actuated material surveillance test articles. Additionally, the report details a preliminary study of bimetallic welding between 316 stainless steel and TZM (tungsten-zirconium-molybdenum) alloy. The test program was ultimately successful in demonstrating the basic viability of the passively actuated test article concept as well as specifically validating the procedures developed to size specimens to mimic the mechanical response of operating components. The report discusses and summarizes the results of the complete test program which tested samples for more than 1,000 controlled thermal cycles. The weld development program included both stir friction and electron beam joining. The stir friction welding was ultimately successful, while the electron beam welding would require additional development. Ultimately, these test programs pave the way for implementing a materials surveillance program in future molten salt reactors (MSRs). The report conclusions outline a plan for transforming the research and developed described here into a definite set of practices and procedures for a surveillance program at a future operating reactor.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

A Combustion Research Facility for Testing Advanced Materials for Space Applications

The test facility presented herein uses a groundbased rocket combustor to test the durability of new ceramic composite and metallic materials in a rocket engine thermal environment. A gaseous H2/02 rocket combustor (essentially a ground-based rocket engine) is used to generate a high temperature/high heat flux environment to which advanced ceramic and/or metallic materials are exposed. These materials can either be an integral part of the combustor (nozzle, thrust chamber etc) or can be mounted downstream of the combustor in the combustor exhaust plume. The test materials can be uncooled, water cooled or cooled with gaseous hydrogen.

Bur, Michael J.↗

Burn propagation rates of metals and alloys in gaseous oxygen

The average burn rates of several metals and alloys were determined at oxygen pressures between 3.45 and 68.91 MPa (500 and 10,000 psig) and ambient temperature. Several materials were tested at elevated sample temperatures. The test materials were fabricated into solid cylindrical rods and mounted vertically in the test chamber. A magnesium igniter was positioned at the bottom end of each test specimen to promote upward burn propagations. Nickel 200 and copper 102 could not be ignited at all oxygen pressures tested whereas Monel 400 appeared to ignite but quickly self-extinguished. The other materials tested burned the entire length of the test sample. Aluminum 6061 exhibited the fastest burn propagation rate. Inconel 718 burned slower than aluminum but faster than the stainless steels (types 304 and 316). Increasing oxygen pressure generally increased the burn propagation rate of the materials. Increasing the ambient temperature of the test specimens for several materials to approximately 850 K (1070 F) had little effect upon the ignition or burn properties of nickel 200 or Monel 400. Type 316 stainless steel exhibited an increase in its burn propagation rate at this higher temperature.

Benz, F. J.↗

Sensors for measuring thermal conductivity and related methods

A sensor for measuring thermal conductivity includes an insulator, a test material over the insulator, a conductor over the test material, and a gas within an open volume adjacent the test material and the conductor. An electrical source is configured to provide an alternating current through the conductor to heat the test material. Leads are connected to the conductor and configured to connect to a voltmeter. A method of measuring thermal conductivity includes disposing the sensor in a reactor core in which a nuclear fuel undergoes irradiation and radioactive decay. An alternating current is provided from the electrical source through the conductor to heat the test material. A voltage is measured as a function of time at the leads connected to the conductor. A thermal conductivity of the test material is calculated based on the voltage measured as a function of time. Methods of forming a sensor are also disclosed.

Daw, Joshua↗