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At least 19 records

Salt Spray Test to Determine Galvanic Corrosion Levels of Electroless Nickel Connectors Mounted on an Aluminum Bracket

During preliminary vehicle design reviews, requests were made to change flight termination systems from an electroless nickel (EN) connector coating to a zinc-nickel (ZN) plating. The reason for these changes was due to a new NASA-STD-6012 corrosion requirement where connectors must meet the performance requirement of 168 hr of exposure to salt spray. The specification for class F connectors, MIL-DTL-38999, certifies the EN coating will meet a 48-hr salt spray test, whereas the ZN is certified to meet a 168-hr salt spray test. The ZN finish is a concern because Marshall Space Flight Center has no flight experience with ZN-finished connectors, and MSFC-STD-3012 indicates that zinc and zinc alloys should not be used. The purpose of this test was to run a 168-hr salt spray test to verify the electrical and mechanical integrity of the EN connectors and officially document the results. The salt spray test was conducted per ASTM B117 on several MIL-DTL-38999 flight-like connectors mounted to an aluminum 6061-T6 bracket that was alodined. The configuration, mounting techniques, electrical checks, and materials used were typical of flight and ground support equipment.

Rolin, T. D.↗

The Test and Evaluation of a Non-Chromate Finishing Agent

This research is focused on the design, development and implementation of an industry, military and commercial standard testing cell for surface coatings, which focuses on advanced non-chromate materials technology and their commercialization. Currently, within both private and commercial sectors, chromates are used in the corrosion prevention. processes. However, there is a great demand for chromate-free systems that are able to provide equal protection. At the end of this effort, it is intended that a patented alternative to chromate conversion coatings would be tested and processed for commercialization. Thus far, research studies have been concerned primarily with current corrosion knowledge and testing methods. Corrosion can be classified into five categories: The first type is uniform corrosion which is dominated by a uniform thinning due to an even and regular loss of metal. The second type is called localized corrosion in which most of the loss occurs in discrete areas. The third type, metallurgically influenced corrosion is a form of attack where metallurgy plays a significant role. The fourth type, titled mechanically assisted degradation is a form of attack where velocity, abrasion, and hydrodynamics control the corrosion process. The last type of corrosion is defined as environmentally induced cracking which occurs when cracks are produced under specific, premeditated stress. Oddly enough, with these varying classifications, there are not as many standardized corrosion testing sites. Two of the most common testing methods for corrosion are salt spray testing and filiform. Although neither has proven to be absolute, in terms of the resulting observations, our research aims to help provide data that may be used to support the standardization for corrosion testing. We would acquire and use a Singleton Cyclic Corrosion Testing Chamber. Singleton test chambers perform a wide range of commonly used catalytic corrosion tests. They are used throughout the industry, some of which are - automotive, aerospace, electronic and many more. In addition to this, Singleton test chambers are fully expandable to accommodate cyclic corrosion testing needs. Singleton chambers are also designed for complete compliance and conformity with ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials), military and commercial standards.

Gulley, H.↗

A stop-restart solid propellant study with salt quench

Experiments were conducted to gain insight into the unsatisfactory performance of the salt quench system of solid propellants in earlier studies. Nine open-air salt spray tests were conducted and high-speed cinematographic coverage was obtained of the events. It is shown that the salt spray by the detonator is generally a two-step process yielding two different fractions. The first fraction consists of finely powdered salt and moves practically unidirectionally at a high velocity (thousand of feet per second) while the second fraction consists of coarse particles and moves randomly at a low velocity (a few feet per second). Further investigation is required to verify the speculation that a lower quench charge ratio (weight of salt/propellant burning area) than previously employed may lead to an efficient quench

Kumar, R. N.↗

Corrosion protection of aluminum alloys in contact with other metals

Study establishes the quality of chemical and galvanized protection afforded by anodized and aldozided coatings applied to test panels of various aluminum alloys. The test panels, placed in firm contact with panels of titanium alloys, were subjected to salt spray tests and visually examined for corrosion effect.

Kuster, C. A.↗

Lightweight long life heat exchanger

The design, fabrication, and evaluation of a full scale shuttle-type condensing heat exchanger constructed of aluminum and utilizing aluminum clad titanium parting sheets is described. A long term salt spray test of candidate parting sheet specimens is described. The results of an investigation into an alternate method of making composite sheet material are discussed.

Moore, E. K.↗

Sodium sulfate-induced corrosion of pure nickel and superalloy Udimet 700 in a high velocity burner rig at 900 C

Sodium sulfate-induced corrosion of pure nickel and a commercial nickel-base superalloy, Udimet 700 (U-700), were studied at 900 C in a Mach 0.3 burner rig with different Na levels in the combustor. The corrosion rate of Ni was independent of the Na level in the combustor and considerably lower than that measured in laboratory salt spray tests. The lower rates are associated with the deposition of only a small amount of Na2SO4 on the surface of the NiO scale. Corrosion of U-700 was observed to occur in two stages. During the first stage, the corrosion proceeds by reaction of Cr2O3 scale with the Na2SO4 and evaporation of the Na2CrO4 reaction product from the surface of the corroding sample. Cr depletion in the alloy occurs and small sulfide particles are formed in the Cr depletion zone. Extensive sulfidation occurs during the second state of corrosion, and a thick scale forms. The relationship between the corrosion rate of U-700 and the Na level in the combustor gives a good correlation in the range of 0.3 to 1.5 ppm by weight Na. Very low levels of Na in the combustor cause accelerated oxidation of U-700 without producing the typical hot corrosion morphology.

Misra, A. K.↗

"A L C L A D" A New Corrosion Resistant Aluminum Product

Described here is a new corrosion resistant aluminum product which is markedly superior to the present strong alloys. Its use should result in greatly increased life of a structural part. Alclad is a heat-treated aluminum, copper, manganese, magnesium alloy that has the corrosion resistance of pure metal at the surface and the strength of the strong alloy underneath. Of particular importance is the thorough character of the union between the alloy and the pure aluminum. Preliminary results of salt spray tests (24 weeks of exposure) show changes in tensile strength and elongation of Alclad 17ST, when any occurred, to be so small as to be well within the limits of experimental error. Some surface corrosion of the pure metal had taken place, but not enough to cause the specimens to break through those areas.

Dix, E H , Jr↗

Application of fiber-reinforced bismaleimide materials to aircraft nacelle structures

Existing aircraft engine nacelle structures employ advanced composite materials to reduce weight and thereby increase overall performance. Use of advanced composite materials on existing aircraft nacelle structures includes fiber-reinforced epoxy structures and has typically been limited to regions furthest away from the hot engine core. Portions of the nacelle structure that are closer to the engine require materials with a higher temperature capability. In these portions, existing nacelle structures employ aluminum sandwich construction and skin/stringer construction. The aluminum structure is composed of many detail parts and assemblies and is usually protected by some form of ablative, insulator, or metallic thermal shield. A one-piece composite inner cowl for a new-generation engine nacelle structure has been designed using fiber-reinforced bismaleimide (BMI) materials and honeycomb core in a sandwich construction. The new composite design has many advantages over the existing aluminum structure. Multiple details were integrated into the one-piece composite design, thereby significantly reducing the number of detail parts and fasteners. The use of lightweight materials and the reduction of the number of joints result in a significant weight reduction over the aluminum design; manufacturing labor and the overall number of tools required have also been reduced. Several significant technical issues were addressed in the development of a BMI composite design. Technical evaluation of the available BMI systems led to the selection of a toughened BMI material which was resistant to microcracking under thermal cyclic loading and enhanced the damage tolerance of the structure. Technical evaluation of the degradation of BMI materials in contact with aluminum and other metals validated methods for isolation of the various materials. Graphite-reinforced BMI in contact with aluminum and some steels was found to degrade in salt spray testing. Isolation techniques such as those used for graphite-reinforced epoxy structures were shown to provide adequate protection. The springback and producibility of large BMI structures were evaluated by manufacturing prototype hardware which had the full-scale cross section of the one-piece composite structure.

Peros, Vasilios↗

New Anti-Corrosive Coatings with Resin-Bonded Polyaniline and Related Electroactive Groups

It is already known that polyaniline (an electroactive polymer) functions as a corrosion inhibitor for steel and in view of the fact that it is known to perform in the presence of hydrochloric acid, it has been considered likely that it may be useful to NASA for protecting launch structures at KSC which are exposed to not only continual ocean-side salt spray but also to hydrochloric acid at the times that solid-fuel boosters are fired. The currently used zinc-rich silicate-bonded coating is not wholly protective against the hydrochloric acid. Water pollution from zinc salts is another concern. Other earlier and concurrent NASA sponsored projects have been focussed on polyaniline specifically. Our project, administered for NASA by Dr. K. Thompson of KSC and these more-specifically polyaniline-related projects are included in a CRADA coordinated by Dr. F. Via of Akzo Nobel. A parallel project at Polytechnic under Prof K. Levon concentrated more specifically on polyaniline with various dopants. Our exploratory project reported herein was aimed at broadening the range of such corrosion inhibitors, to give protective paint compounders a wider latitude for adding corrosion inhibitors having polyaniline-like performance, and thus we diverged in several probing directions from polyaniline. Our working hypothesis was that physical variants of polyaniline, such as supported formulations on pigments or carriers, and chemical variants of polyaniline, including those having no electroconductive character, may have enhanced anticorrosion activity. We also hypothesized that small (non-polymeric) molecules having structures related to those occurring in polyaniline, may be active as corrosion inhibitors. We did preliminary testing, using an ASTM salt spray method at a nearby commercial paint testing laboratory. Our most interesting findings were that a non-electroconductive meta-isomer of polyaniline showed some corrosion activity, suggesting that the features of the polyaniline molecule associated with conductivity are not necessary for the anticorrosion action. Also, signtficantly, small molecular weight aromatic diamines and diimines resembling the reduced and the oxidized repeating unit in polyaniline showed an interesting degree of anticorrosive activity, suggesting that the polymeric feature of polyaniline is not necessary for anticorrosion action.

Weil, Edward D.↗

Final Test Report: Hexavalent Chrome Free Coatings for Electronics Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Shielding Effectiveness (SE)

The test results for Salt Spray Resistance, Static Heat and Humidity and Marine Environment can be found in Sections 3.1.3.3, 3.1.4.3 and 3.1.5.3 respectively. In summary, both the Metalast TCP and SurTec 650 Type 2 conversion coatings perform very similar to the incumbent Type 1 conversion coating against both 6061 and 5052 aluminum under all three test conditions. Significant prior work was performed to select the aluminum and conversion coating included within this test cycle; Reference - NASA GSDO Program Hexavalent Chrome Alternatives Final Pretreatments Test Report Task Order: NNH12AA45D September 01, 2013. As illustrated in the data, the 6061 aluminum panels SLIGHTLY out-performed the 5052 aluminum panels. Individual shielding effectiveness graphs for each panel are included within Appendix C and D. One other notable effect found during review of the data is that the Test Panels exposed to B117 Salt Fog reduced in shielding effectiveness significantly more than the Marine Environment Test Panels. The shielding effectiveness of the Marine Test Panels was approximately 20dB higher than the Test Panels that underwent B117 Salt Fog Exposure. The intent of this evaluation was not to maximize shielding effectiveness values. The same Parker Chomerics Cho-Seal 6503 gasket material was used for all panels with aluminum and conversion coating variants. A typical EMI gasket design for corrosive environments would be done quite differently. The intent was to execute a test that would provide the best possible evaluation of different aluminum materials and conversion coatings in corrosive environments. The test program achieved this intent. The fact that the two aluminums and two Type II conversion coatings performed similar to the incumbent Type 1 conversion coating is a positive outcome. It was desired to have an outcome that further differentiation the performance of two aluminum types and two conversion coating types but this could not be extracted by the test results. Further analysis of the test plates may be done by X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) or Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). Feasibility of this is under review.

Kessel, Kurt R.↗

Laser-Based Instrument Measures Propagation Of Cracks

Report describes use of commerical laser displacement meter to measure propagation of cracks in stainless-steel specimens in stress tests in corrosive (salt-spray) environment. Measurements directed toward determining time from beginning of each test until onset of propagation of crack.

Lee, Rupert U.↗

Stress corrosion evaluation of HP 9Ni-4Co-0.20C steel

A stress corrosion cracking (SCC) evaluation was undertaken on HP 9Ni-4Co-0.20C steel in support of the Advanced Solid Rocket Motor (ASRM) program. This alloy was tested in plate, bar, and ring forging forms. Several heat treating procedures yielded ultimate tensile strengths ranging from 1,407 to 1,489 MPa (204 to 216 ksi). The test environments were high humidity, alternate immersion in 3.5-percent NaCl, and 5-percent salt spray. Stress levels ranged from 25 to 90 percent of the yield strengths. The majority of the tests were conducted for 90 days. Even though the specimens rusted significantly in salt spray and alternate immersion, no failures occurred. Therefore, it can be concluded that this alloy, in the forms and at the strength levels tested, is highly resistant to SCC in salt and high humidity environments.

Torres, Pablo D.↗

Fiber Optic Cable Feedthrough and Sealing

A novel fiberoptic hermetic bulkhead feedthrough has been developed which will offer cryogenic sealing at leak rates of 10(exp -11) cc/sec helium. This feedthrough was developed for NASA in response to needs for a hermetically sealed feedthrough which could withstand a range of temperatures from low cryogenic (-196 C), due to liquid fuels and oxidizers, to high temperatures (+200 C) encountered in the proximity of combustion gasses. The development effort will be reported from conceptual design of single and multi-channel feedthrough units with single interconnection interfaces to units with double-ended interconnection interfaces. Various combinations of fiber/buffers are reported with recommendations based on test results. A comprehensive series of environmental and mechanical tests were performed to evaluate the feedthroughs in adverse conditions. Test results are reported including insertion loss, salt spray, sinusoidal vibration, random vibration, mechanical shock, thermal shock and humidity. A second set of feedthrough units was exposed to 3 different types of radiation. Optical transmittance changes during the tests were monitored and leak rate testing was done after each test. State-of-the-art technology in optical fiber feedthroughs constructed with polycrystalline ceramic is presented.

Fan, Robert J.↗

Flexible protection for metal bellows

RTV silicone is used with a braided wire sheath surrounding the metal bellows in fluid transfer systems. It demonstrated best overall performance in flexibility and shock absorbing tests, high temperature, low temperature, and salt spray.

Kimble, K. G.↗

Timescale Correlation between Marine Atmospheric Exposure and Accelerated Corrosion Testing - Part 2

Evaluation of metals to predict service life of metal-based structures in corrosive environments has long relied on atmospheric exposure test sites. Traditional accelerated corrosion testing relies on mimicking the exposure conditions, often incorporating salt spray and ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and exposing the metal to continuous or cyclic conditions similar to those of the corrosive environment. Their reliability to correlate to atmospheric exposure test results is often a concern when determining the timescale to which the accelerated tests can be related. Accelerated corrosion testing has yet to be universally accepted as a useful tool in predicting the long-term service life of a metal, despite its ability to rapidly induce corrosion. Although visual and mass loss methods of evaluating corrosion are the standard, and their use is crucial, a method that correlates timescales from accelerated testing to atmospheric exposure would be very valuable. This paper presents work that began with the characterization of the atmospheric environment at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Beachside Corrosion Test Site. The chemical changes that occur on low carbon steel, during atmospheric and accelerated corrosion conditions, were investigated using surface chemistry analytical methods. The corrosion rates and behaviors of panels subjected to long-term and accelerated corrosion conditions, involving neutral salt fog and alternating seawater spray, were compared to identify possible timescale correlations between accelerated and long-term corrosion performance. The results, as well as preliminary findings on the correlation investigation, are presented.

Montgomery, Eliza L.↗

Stress corrosion evaluation of HP 9Ni-4Co-0.30C steel plate welds

A stress corrosion cracking (SCC) investigation was conducted on HP 9Ni-4Co-0.30C steel plate welds (welded by using straight polarity plasma arc and HP 9Ni-4Co-0.20C weld wire) since this material is being considered for use in the Advanced Solid Rocket Motor (ASRM) program. Prior to the welding, the material was double tempered at 538 C (1,000 F). After welding, only part of the material was stress relieved at 510 C (950 F) for 3 h. Round tensile specimens obtained from nonstress-relieved material were tested in 100-percent relative humidity at 38 C (100 F), in 3.5-percent NaCl alternate immersion, and in 5-percent salt spray at 35 C (95 F). Specimens obtained from stress-relieved material were tested in alternate immersion. The stress levels were 50, 75, and 90 percent of the corresponding 0.2-percent yield strength (YS). All the nonstress-relieved specimens exposed to salt spray and alternate immersion failed. Stress-relieved specimens (exposed to alternate immersion) failed at 75 and 90 percent of YS. No failures occurred at 50 percent of YS in the stress-relieved specimens which indicates a beneficial effect of the stress relief on the SCC resistance of these welds. The stress relief also had a positive effect on the mechanical properties of the welds (the most important being an increase of 21 percent on the YS). Under the conditions of these tests, the straight polarity plasma are welded HP 9Ni4Co-0.30C steel plate was found highly susceptible to SCC in the nonstress-relieved condition. This susceptibility to SCC was reduced by stress relieving.

Torres, Pablo D.↗

The stress corrosion resistance and the cryogenic temperature mechanical properties of annealed Nitronic 60 bar material

Ambient and cryogenic temperature mechanical properties and the ambient temperature stress corrosion properties of annealed, straightened, and centerless ground Nitronic 60 stainless steel alloy bar material are presented. The mechanical properties of longitudinal specimens were evaluated at test temperatures from ambient to liquid hydrogen. The tensile test data indicated increasing strength with decreasing temperature to -196 C. Below liquid nitrogen temperature the smooth tensile and notched tensile strengths decreased slightly while the elongation and reduction of area decreased drastically. The Charpy V-notched impact energy decreased steadily with decreasing test temperature. Stress corrosion tests were performed on longitudinal tensile specimens and transverse C-ring specimens exposed to: alternate immersion in a 3.5% NaCl bath; humidity cabinet; and a 5% salt spray atmosphere. The longitudinal tensile specimens experienced no corrosive attack. Approximately 3/4 of the transverse C-rings exposed to alternate immersion and to salt spray experienced a pitting attack on the top and bottom ends. Additional stress corrosion tests were performed on transverse tensile specimens. No failures occurred in the 90% stressed specimens exposed for 90 days in the alternate immersion and salt spray environments

Montano, J. W. L.↗

The Stress Corrosion Resistance and the Cryogenic Temperature Mechanical Behavior of 18-3 Mn (Nitronic 33) Stainless Steel Parent and Welded Material

The ambient and cryogenic temperature mechanical properties and the ambient temperature stress corrosion results of 18-3 Mn (Nitronic 33)stainless steel, longitudinal and transverse, as received and as welded (TIG) material specimens manufactured from 0.063 inch thick sheet material, were described. The tensile test results indicate an increase in ultimate tensile and yield strengths with decreasing temperature. The elongation remained fairly constant to -200 F, but below that temperature the elongation decreased to less than 6.0% at liquid hydrogen temperature. The notched tensile strength (NTS) for the parent metal increased with decreasing temperature to liquid nitrogen temperature. Below -320 F the NTS decreased rapidly. The notched/unnotched (N/U) tensile ratio of the parent material specimens remained above 0.9 from ambient to -200 F, and decreased to approximately 0.65 and 0.62, respectively, for the longitudinal and transverse directions at liquid hydrogen temperature. After 180 days of testing, only those specimens exposed to the salt spray indicated pitting and some degradation of mechanical properties.

Montano, J. W.↗