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Results for “Moisture saturation”

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 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1984

An investigation of chemically-induced improvement in saturation moisture characteristics of epoxies

MY-720/DDS epoxy samples were treated with three selected chemical compounds to render the active H-sites inactive for moisture absorption. Treating the epoxy castings with acetyl chloride and dichlorodimethyl silane leads only to surface changes indicating that these molecules are too large to penetrate the epoxy castings. Boron trifluoride, on the other hand, does penetrate the epoxy chain as is indicated by the formation of green domains in the interior of the castings. However, the process of saturating the specimens with moisture appears to leach out the chemical additives--thereby nullifying their possible ameliorative effects.

Singh, J. J.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Modeling the Worst-Case-Scenario of Soil Drydown for Agricultural Drought Monitoring in Kansas Using NASA Earth Observations and In-situ Parameters

Climatologists in Kansas have observed rapid shifts from wet to dry conditions and rapid intensification of drought conditions for the state in recent years. As a leading state in agricultural production, drought events can lead to decreased crop yields and impact the state’s economy. The exponential decay of soil moisture content is a major consequence of drought and can exacerbate these impacts on agricultural production. This study examined the rate of soil moisture drydown in Kansas to understand and monitor the worst-case-scenario of short-term soil water shortage. Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) L-band Radiometer rootzone soil moisture imagery from March 2015 to June 2019 was used to estimate the minimum and maximum soil moisture capacity throughout the state. In situ soil moisture parameters, such as the exponential decay constant, were approximated from the Kansas Mesonet system. These variables were inputs into an exponential decay model that forecasted gridded rootzone soil moisture in a scenario that assumed no precipitation for a user-identified period of time. The forecasts were output on the order of weeks to capture the rapid shifts in soil moisture content. Another model was used to identify areas in Kansas currently below a given percentage of the relative soil moisture saturation, measured as a function of minimum, maximum, and current soil moisture. This model forecasted the number of days until each cell in the soil moisture grid reached the input percentage of relative soil moisture saturation. The gridded model outputs and workflow were developed in partnership with the Kansas Water Office and Kansas Office of the State Climatologist at Kansas State University, as a part of their drought monitoring efforts.

NASA DEVELOP↗
DOE OSTI2021

On the moisture migration of concrete subject to high temperature with different heating rates

A better understanding of moisture migration in concrete at high temperature can play an important role to improve the fire-resistance and radiation-shielding capability of concrete structures. In this regard, within the numerical framework of Multi-physics Lattice Discrete Particle Model, the moisture clog in concrete during heating is defined as the moisture-saturated region between the so-called “water front” and “water back” (isosurfaces of saturation = 1). The moisture migration in concrete subject to slow and fast heating has been investigated by simulating experimental tests in which moisture has been monitored via different techniques, namely 3D Neutron Tomography and Ground-Penetrating Radar. An overall consistency between experimental and numerical results has been observed, indirectly proving the effectiveness of numerical modelling and experimental monitoring of moisture migration.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1983

A conceptual model of the thermal-spike mechanism in graphte/epoxy laminates

The influence of a thermal spike on a moisture-saturated graphite/epoxy composite was studied in detail. A single thermal spike from 25 to 132 C was found to produce damage, as evidenced by a significant increase in the level of moisture saturation in the composite. Approximately half of this increase remained after a vacuum-anneal at 150 C for seven days, suggesting the presence of an irreversible damage component. Subsequent thermal spikes created less and less additional moisture absorption, with the cumulative effect being a maximum or limiting moisture capacity of the composite. These observations are explained in terms of a model previously developed to explain the reverse thermal effect of moisture absorption in epoxy and epoxy-matrix composites. This model, based on the inverse temperature dependence of free volume, improves current understanding of thermal spike effects in graphite/epoxy composites.

Adamson, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

A model of the thermal-spike mechanism in graphite/epoxy laminates

The influence of a thermal spike on a moisture-saturated graphite/epoxy composite was studied in detail. A single thermal spike from 25 C to 132 C was found to produce damage as evidenced by a significant increase in the level of moisture saturation in the composite. Approximately half of this increase remained after a vacuum anneal at 150 C for 7 days, suggesting the presence of an irreversible damage component. Subsequent thermal spikes created less and less additional moisture absorption, with the cumulative effect being a maximum or limiting moisture capacity of the composite. These observations are explained in terms of a model previously developed to explain the reverse thermal effect of moisture absorption in epoxy and epoxy matrix composites. This model, based on the inverse temperature dependence of free volume, contributes an improved understanding of thermal-spike effects in graphite/epoxy composites.

Adamson, M. J.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Moisture ingress in commercial steel drums: Water content determination, diffusion modelling and predicted permeation rates

Commercial steel drums underpin the global economy, playing a pivotal role in the storage and transportation of critical materials. Transported and stored materials, such as food, chemical and nuclear waste, can be sensitive to ambient conditions, particularly moisture that can enhance negative effects such as corrosion and material degradation. Although international standards and regulations are in place for the qualification of steel drums, there are no current testing requirements, established limits or boundaries for the permeation of moisture into the drums during transportation or storage. This work aims to provide insights into the moisture ingress over time into properly sealed steel drums and provides estimated moisture ingress rates over time through extrapolation. Water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) measurements through the gasket material at 10–40°C were 0.11–2.1 g/m 2 /day resulting in a permeation activation energy of 30.2 kJ/mol. Water sorption measurements and Karl Fischer titration (KFT) on ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) gasket material revealed a decrease in equilibrium moisture saturation with increasing temperature. KFT measurements also revealed the presence of moisture within the adhesive and drum wall after exposure to ambient conditions. KFT and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) show that moisture will desorb from the EPDM and drum wall after exposure to desiccating conditions, although a minimal amount of moisture will remain present. When sealed to the manufacturer's recommendations, the steel drums are effective in minimizing moisture ingress. In conclusion, in sealed empty drums, moisture ingress rates for 19-L drums were 0.4–1.5 mg/day at 25°C 15% relative humidity (RH) and increased to 7.1–8.8 mg/day at 40°C 90% RH, and moisture ingress rates for 210-L drums were 2.5 and 3.5 mg/day at field deployment conditions of 15.5°C 51.5% RH and 23°C 40% RH, respectively.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1993

Atmospheric infrared sounder

Work continued on analysis of data from the TOGA-COARE experiment. The MIT Microwave Temperature Sounder was flown on NASA's ER-2 at Wallops Island in the CAMEX experiment during September and October. The preliminary version of the 'microwave first-guess' algorithm for temperature and moisture was delivered to JPL. In the iterative minimum-variance algorithm moisture retrievals from MHS make use of the retrieved temperature profile in calculation of weighting functions and in determining the saturation moisture capacity at each level. Simulations have been run to address the question of how important the temperature profile accuracy is to the moisture retrieval.

Rosenkranz, Philip W.↗
NASA NTRS1988

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

The mechanical properties of two neat resin systems for use in carbon fiber epoxy composites were characterized. This included tensile and shear stiffness and strengths, coefficients of thermal and moisture expansion, and fracture toughness. Tests were conducted on specimens in the dry and moisture-saturated states, at temperatures of 23, 82 and 121 C. The neat resins tested were American Cyanamid 1806 and Union Carbide ERX-4901B(MPDA). Results were compared to previously tested neat resins. Four unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced composites were mechanically characterized. Axial and transverse tension and in-plane shear strengths and stiffness were measured, as well as transverse coefficients of thermal and moisture expansion. Tests were conducted on dry specimens only at 23 and 100 C. The materials tested were AS4/3502, AS6/5245-C, T300/BP907, and C6000/1806 unidirectional composites. Scanning electron microscopic examination of fracture surfaces was performed to permit the correlation of observed failure modes with the environmental test conditions.

Zimmerman, Richard S.↗
NASA NTRS2014

Effect of Preconditioning and Soldering on Failures of Chip Tantalum Capacitors

Soldering of molded case tantalum capacitors can result in damage to Ta205 dielectric and first turn-on failures due to thermo-mechanical stresses caused by CTE mismatch between materials used in the capacitors. It is also known that presence of moisture might cause damage to plastic cases due to the pop-corning effect. However, there are only scarce literature data on the effect of moisture content on the probability of post-soldering electrical failures. In this work, that is based on a case history, different groups of similar types of CWR tantalum capacitors from two lots were prepared for soldering by bake, moisture saturation, and longterm storage at room conditions. Results of the testing showed that both factors: initial quality of the lot, and preconditioning affect the probability of failures. Baking before soldering was shown to be effective to prevent failures even in lots susceptible to pop-corning damage. Mechanism of failures is discussed and recommendations for pre-soldering bake are suggested based on analysis of moisture characteristics of materials used in the capacitors' design.

multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC)↗
NASA NTRS1980

Engine environmental effects on composite behavior

The effects of turbojet engine environmental saturation moisture and temperatures up to 300 F on composites were investigated. It was found that epoxy resin composites absorbed the most moisture (2 wt %), while polyimide resin composites absorbed 0.8%. High moisture and 250 F degraded the flexular and interlaminar shear properties, and the environmental and impact conditions severely damaged epoxy composites. The impact damage of fiber composites in moisture-temperature environments can be assessed with finite element and composite mechanics analyses. Engine operation environmental conditions of 0.8% moisture and 140 F had no discernible effect on the fatigue resistance of composite fan exit guide vanes, which can be designed to exceed engine operational requirements using composite materials.

Chamis, C. C.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Development of design allowable data for Celion 6000/LARC-160, graphite/polyimide composite laminates

A design allowables test program was conducted on Celion 6000/LARC-160 graphite polyimide composite to establish material performance over a 116 K (-250 F) to 589 K (600 F) temperature range. Tension, compression, in-plane shear and short beam shear properties were determined for uniaxial, quasi-isotropic and + or - 45 deg laminates. Effects of thermal aging and moisture saturation on mechanical properties were also evaluated. Celion 6000/LARC-160 graphite/polyimide can be considered an acceptable material system for structural applications to 589 K (600 F).

Ehret, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Failure analysis for composite laminates

A discussion of the tensor polynomial failure criterion is presented together with a description of a biaxial compression test procedure used in the evaluation of the interaction strength parameters. In addition, a formulation for predicting the fatigue life of laminates is given based on the experimental evaluation of fatigue functions which are also utilized in a form of the tensor polynomial failure criterion as well. Experimental results are provided to compare with the fatigue life predictions and to demonstrate the effect of flaws and environment. Both bond-line defects in sandwich beam construction and inter-laminar disbond flaws are studied. Up to present, compressive strength test data have been obtained for ambient and elevated temperature, moisture-saturated conditions, including results from thermal-spike cycling simulating supersonic flight.

Tennyson, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Mechanical properties testing of candidate polymer matrix materials for use in high performance composites

The mechanical properties of four candidate neat resin systems for use in graphite/epoxy composites are characterized. This includes tensile and shear stiffnesses and strengths, coefficients of thermal and moisture expansion, and fracture toughness. Tests are conducted on specimens in the dry state and moisture-saturated, at temperatures of 23C, 82C and 121C. The neat resins tested are Hexcel HX-1504, Narmco 5245-C, American Cyanamid CYCOM 907, and Union Carbide ERX-4901A (MDA). Results are compared with those obtained for four other epoxy resins tested in a prior program, i.e., Hercules 3502, 2220-1, and 2220-3, and Ciba-Geigy Fibredux 914, as well as with available Hercules 3501-6 data. Scanning electron microscopic examination of fracture surfaces is performed to permit the correlation of observed failure modes with the environmental test conditions. A finite element micromechanics analysis is used to predict unidirectional composite response under various test conditions, using the measured neat resin properties as input data.

Zimmerman, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Runaway and moist greenhouse atmospheres and the evolution of earth and Venus

For the case of fully moisture-saturated and cloud-free conditions, the present one-dimensional climate model for the response of an earthlike atmosphere to large solar flux increases notes the critical solar flux at which runaway greenhouse (total evaporation of oceans) occurs to be 1.4 times the present flux at the earth's orbit, almost independently of the CO2 content of the atmophere. The value is, however, sensitive to the H2O absorption coefficient in the 8-12 micron window. Venus oceans may have been lost early on due to rapid water vapor photodissociation, followed by hydrogen escape into space.

Kasting, James F.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Polyimide Matrix composites: Polyimidesulfone/LARC-TPI (1:1) blend

Polyimide matrix composites were fabricated from unidirectional unsized AS-4 carbon fiber and a doped 1:1 blend of two polyimides: benzophenone dianhydride-3,3'-diamino diphenylsulfone (PISO2) and benzophenone dianhydride-3,3'-diamino benzophenone (LARC-TPI). To enhance melt flow properties, the molecular weight of the PISO2 was controlled by end-capping with phthalic anhydride and addition of 5 percent by weight p-phenylene diamine-phthalic anhydride bisamic acid dopant. Prepreg was drum-wound using a diglyme slurry comprised of the soluble polyamideacid of PISO2, the soluble bisamideacid of the dopant, and the insoluble imidized LARC-TPI powder. Melt flow studies with a rotary rheometer and parallel plate plastometer on neat resin and prepreg helped develop an optimum cure cycle. Composite mechanical properties at room and elevated temperatures, dry and moisture-saturated, were evaluated, including short beam shear strength and flexure, tensile, shear, and compression properties. Two 18 in. x 24 in. skin-stringer panels were fabricated, one of which was tested in compression to failure.

Johnston, Norman J.↗
NASA NTRS1990

A study of physical properties of ODPA-p-PDA polyimide films

Physical properties were investigated of ODPA-p-PDA polyimide films, including their lower molecular weight versions with phthalimide endcaps. Free volume, determined by low energy positron annihilation in the test films, was the major parameter of interest since all other physical properties are ostensibly related to it. It affects the dielectric constant as well as the saturation moisture pickup of the test films. An empirical relation was developed between the free volume and molecular weight of the test films, comparable to the Mark-Houwink relation between the polymer solution viscosity and the molecular weight. Development of such a relation constitutes a unique achievement since it enables researchers to estimate the molecular weight of an intractable polymer in solid state for the first time.

Singh, Jag J.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Polyimide matrix composites - Polyimidesulfone/LARC-TPI (1:1) blend

Polyimide matrix composites were fabricated from unidirectional unsized AS-4 carbon fiber and a doped 1:1 blend of two polyimides: PISO2 and LARC-TPI. To enhance melt flow properties, the molecular weight of the PISO2 was controlled by end-capping with phthalic anhydride and addition of 5 percent by weight p-phenylenediamine-phthalic anhydride bisamic acid dopant. Prepreg was drum-wound using a diglyme slurry comprised of the soluble polyamideacid of PISO2, the soluble bisamideacid of the dopant, and the insoluble imidized LARC-TPI powder. Melt flow studies with a rotary rheometer and parallel plate plastometer on neat resin and prepreg helped develop an optimum cure cycle. Composite mechanical properties at room and elevated temperatures, dry and moisture-saturated, were evaluated, including short beam shear strength and flexure, tensile, shear, and compression properties. Two 18 x 24-inch skin-stringer panels were fabricated, one of which was tested in compression to failure.

Johnston, Norman J.↗
NASA NTRS1990

LaRC-TPI 1500 composites fabricated using an aqueous slurry process

Unidirectional composites from unsized carbon fiber and LaRC-TPI matrix material were fabricated using 'high flow' and'medium flow' grades of the LaRC-TPI 1500 series of polyimides. Prepreg was drum-wound from a slurry composed of the polyimide powder dispersed in an aqueous solution of LaRC-TPI poly(amide acid). The poly(amide acid) was found to be an effective binding agent in the prepregging process. Composite short beam shear and flexure properties were measured at room and elevated temperatures (to 177 C) with both dry and moisture-saturated specimens. The mechanical properties observed for composites fabricated from the high and medium flow materials were virtually identical. Additionally, double cantilever beam measurements showed nearly equivalent fracture toughness for the two composite materials.

Towell, Timothy W.↗