Engineering topics

Curreri, P. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Curreri, P. A..

At least 55 records · Page 3

NASA NTRS1987

Electrical properties of Al-In-Sn alloys directionally solidified in high and low gravitational fields

The Al-In-Sn alloys were directionally solidified in the NASA KC-135 aircraft which flies a series of parabolas to generate high (high-g) and low (low-g) gravity forces parallel to the longitudinal growth axis. Thus, for a given sample, successive sections can be identified which were solidified in high-g and low-g. Measurements of the electronic properties of the samples reveal that: the resistivity of the low-g sections is larger (about a factor of 10) than that of the high-g sections; the low-g sections behave conductively like a semi-metal, while the high-g sections are essentially metallic; and both high-g and low-g sections are superconducting but the superconducting transition temperature of the low-g sections is 1 K higher than that of the high-g sections.

Wu, M. K.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Directional Solidification of Nodular Cast Iron

Cerium enhances formation of graphite nodules. Preliminary experiments in directional solidification of cast iron shows quantitative correlation of graphite microstructure with growth rate and thermal gradient, with sufficient spheroidizing element to form spheroidal graphite under proper thermal conditions. Experimental approach enables use of directional solidification to study solidification of spheriodal-graphite cast iron in low gravity. Possible to form new structural materials from nodular cast iron.

Curreri, P. A.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Pressure dependence of the electrical properties of GaBi solidified in low gravity

Immiscible GaBi alloys were solidified during free fall in the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center drop tower, which provides about 4.5 seconds of low gravity. The electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility were measured as a function of pressure (up to 18 kbar) and temperature (300 K to 4.2 K) of drop tower (DT) and ground control (GC) samples prepared under identical conditions, except for gravity. At ambient pressure the electrical resistance of the DT sample exhibits a broad maximum at 100 K, while that of GC sample decreases rapidly as temperature decreases. Both DT and GC samples become superconducting at 7.7 K. However, a minor second superconducting phase with a transition temperature at 8.3 K is observed only in the DT samples.

Wu, M. K.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Directional solidification of flake and spheroidal graphite cast iron in low and normal gravity environment

A NASA KC-135 research aircraft, flying repeated low-g trajectories that yield 20-30 sec of 0.1-0.001 g microgravity, has been used to study microgravity solidification's elimination of sedimentation and convection (with formation of unique and advantageous microstructures) for the case of eutectic-composition cast irons. The solidification interface of hypereutectic flake and spheroidal graphite cast irons has been slowly advanced through a 4 mm-diameter rod sample. Sample solidification rates have been correlated with accelerometer data, while independently controlling thermal gradients and solidification rates.

Hendrix, J. C.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Microelectrophoretic study of calcium oxalate monohydrate in macromolecular solutions

Electrophoretic mobilities were measured for calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) in solutions containing macromolecules. Two mucopolysaccharides (sodium heparin and chondroitin sulfate) and two proteins (positively charged lysozyme and negatively charged bovine serum albumin) were studied as adsorbates. The effects of pH, calcium oxalate surface charge (varied by calcium or oxalate ion activity), and citrate concentration were investigated. All four macromolecules showed evidence for adsorption. The macromolecule concentrations needed for reversing the surface charge indicated that the mucopolysaccharides have greater affinity for the COM surface than the proteins. Citrate ions at high concentrations appear to compete effectively with the negative protein for surface sites but show no evidence for competing with the positively charged protein.

Curreri, P. A.↗

NASA NTRS1986

The effect of gravity level on the average primary dendritic spacing of a directionally solidified superalloy

The effect of alternating low (0.01 g) and high (1.8 g) gravity force on the primary spacings in the dendrite structure in a directionally solidified Ni-based superalloy (PWA 1480, containing 5 pct Co, 10 pct Cr, 4 pct W, 12 pct Ta, 5 pct Al, 1.5 pct Ti, and the balance Ni) was investigated using samples solidified in a directional solidification furnace aboard the NASA KC-135 aircraft that made a series of low-g parabolas. The cross-section slices for each growth rate were polished and etched with Kallings II, and the primary dendritic arm spacings were measured using the method of Jacobi and Schwerdtfeger (1976). The arm spacings were found to fluctuate with gravity force, increasing as the gravity level decreased, and growing finer as gravity increased.

Mccay, M. H.↗

NASA NTRS1986

The effects of gravity level during directional solidification on the microstructure of hypermonotectic Al-In-Sn alloys

Five hypermonotectic Al-In-Sn compositions were directionally solidified in a Bridgman-type furnace at normal gravity and during aircraft low-gravity maneuvers. The tendency of the Al-30In alloy to form an indium-rich band at the start of unidirectional growth (SUG) made it difficult to study the integration of L sub 2 into the solidification interface. Hypermonotectic compositions closer to monotectic slightly hypermonotectic caused only a partial band on L sub 2 to form at SUG and allowed the study of such variables as gravity, composition, and monotectic dome height on integration of excess L sub 2 into the solid plus L sub 2 interface. It was found that formation of aligned composite structures for the Al-In-Sn system is not only a function of G and R but also of the degree to which the composition varies from monotectic. Most of the aligned fibrous structures formed from hypermonotectic Al-In-Sn had spacings that were of the order of irregular fibrous structures reported for on monotectic Al-In-Sn. The spacings for the large fibers and aligned globules found for ground and low-gravity processed Al-In-18-Sn-22, respectively, were significantly larger than the others measured and were of the order expected for cell spacings under the growth conditions utilized. It was found that the integration into the solidification front of excess L sub 2 in low gravity was a function of the Sn composition of the alloy.

Curreri, P. A.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Electrical properties of Al-In-Sn alloys directionally solidified in high and low gravitational fields

Curreri, P. A.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Low-Gravity Alloy Studies on Aircraft

Controlled solidification continued through many dives. Since each dive gives 20 to 30 seconds in which gravity is 0.001 to 0.1 its normal value, and aircraft may make about ten low-gravity maneuvers in mission, technique allows substantial time to conduct a low-gravity experiment. In directional solidification, liquid/solid interface advanced slowly through rod of sample alloy. Solidification continues during several aircraft maneuvers. Known solidification rate of sample correlated with accelerometer data to find gravity value during solidification for any point in sample. Thermal gradient and solidification rate controlled independently.

Curreri, P. A.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Making High-Porosity Alloy Spheroids

Noncontact process yields low-density, porous microstructure. Small spheroids of porous alloys with large surface area per unit volume produced by containerless processing method. Without container walls to serve as nucleation sites, alloy cools to well below normal freezing point without solidifying. Solidification then proceeds rapidly; interdendritic liquid pulled out by growing crystals, resulting in porous microstructure. The more rapid the cooling rate, the faster crystals grow and more porous solid becomes. Drop-tube method useful in creating porous microstructures from other materials including oxides, carbides, and organic materials. Other means of containerless processing - acoustic or air-jet levitation, low-gravity float melting, melt spinning, or jet spraying, adapted to process.

Ethridge, E. C.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Cast Iron With High Carbon Content

Method proposed for solidifying high-carbon cast iron without carbon particles segregating at upper surface. Solidification carried out in low gravity, for example on airplane flying free-fall parabolic trajectory. Many different microstructures obtained by proposed technique, and percentage by weight of carbon retained in melt much higher than at present.

Curreri, P. A.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Solidifying Cast Iron in Low Gravity

Report describes study of solidification of cast iron in low and normal gravity. Because flotation, sedimentation, and convection suppressed, alloys that solidify at nearly zero gravity have unusual and potentially useful characteristics. Study conducted in airplane that repeatedly flew along parabolic trajectories. Appears iron/carbon alloys made at low gravity have greater carbon content (as high as 5 to 10 percent) than those made of Earth gravity because carbon particles do not float to top of melt.

Hendrix, J. C.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Behavior of insoluble particles during parabolic flight solidification processing of Fe-C-Si and Fe-C-V alloys

In a high-g rapid solidification environment, Fe-base alloy insoluble particles at the solidification interface may be pushed ahead of the interface or may be trapped in the solid, depending on the correlation of various interface energies, the solidification rates, and the Stokes force; particle agglomeration due to buoyancy-driven convection further complicates the problem. Attention is presently given to results obtained for directionally solidified Fe-C-Si and Fe-C-V alloys during parabolic low-g flight and ground experiments. In these systems, graphite and vanadium carbide can be considered to be the insoluble particles.

Stefanescu, D. M.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Superalloy microstructural variations induced by gravity level during directional solidification

The Ni-base superalloy MAR-M246 (Hf) was directionally solidified during low gravity maneuvers aboard a NASA KC-135 aircraft. Gravity force variations during this process yielded a concomitant variation in microstructure and microsegregation. Secondary dendrite arm spacings are noted to be larger in the low-g portion; this, in turn, decreases the extent of interdendritic segregation. The amount of Hf in both the carbides and interdendritic eutectic increases as the gravity force diminishes. Fewer carbides are present in the low-g regions.

Johnston, M. H.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Separation of aqueous two-phase polymer systems in microgravity

Phase separation of polymer systems in microgravity is studied in aircraft flights to prepare shuttle experiments. Short duration (20 sec) experiments demonstrate that phase separation proceeds rapidly in low gravity despite appreciable phase viscosities and low liquid interfacial tensions (i.e., 50 cP, 10 micro N/m). Ostwald ripening does not appear to be a satisfactory model for the phase separation mechanism. Polymer coated surfaces are evaluated as a means to localize phases separated in low gravity. Contact angle measurements demonstrate that covalently coupling dextran or PEG to glass drastically alters the 1-g wall wetting behavior of the phases in dextran-PEG two phase systems.

Vanalstine, J. M.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Technique for the efficient and reproducible fabrication of electromagnetic levitation coils

A technique has been developed for fabricating electromagnetic induction coils in a reproducible manner. The process utilizes a split mandrel that can be disassembled to remove the mandrel from the coil. The technique has increased coil production rates by a factor of 8 over the freehand winding method. The success rate for producing a functional levitation coil has been increased from 50 percent to 95 percent. The levitation coil designed during this work has successfully levitated and melted a variety of alloys including Cu, Ag, Ag-Ni, Cu-Fe, Fe-C, and Nb-Ge. W was also levitated but not melted at temperatures as high as 2700 C. The highest sample melt temperature achieved was 2400 C for the Nb-Ge samples.

Ethridge, E. C.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Results of the technical exchange agreement between NASA and DuPont on the containerless drop tube solidification of NiAl3

The final results of the Drop Tube Solidification of NiAl3 are presented. Problems associated with the utilization of a dripper furnace in the drop tube are discussed and the modification of experimental procedures required to achieve results are described. Sample microstructures of drop tube samples are compared with other samples. The dendrite arm spacings of drop tube samples are correlated with the rapid cooling rates.

Ethridge, E. C.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Directional solidification of flake and nodular cast iron during KC-135 low-g maneuvers

Alloys solidified in a low-gravity environment can, due to the elimination of sedimentation and convection, form unique and often desirable microstructures. One method of studying the effects of low-gravity (low-g) on alloy solidification was the use of the NASA KC-135 aircraft flying repetitive low-g maneuvers. Each maneuver gives from 20 to 30 seconds of low-g which is between about 0.1 and 0.001 gravity. A directional solidification furnace was used to study the behavior of off eutectic composition case irons in a low-g environment. The solidification interface of hypereutectic flake and spheroidal graphite case irons was slowly advanced through a rod sample, 5 mm in diameter. Controlled solidification was continued through a number of aircraft parabolas. The known solidification rate of the sample was then correlated with accelerometer data to determine the gravity level during solidification for any location of the sample. The thermal gradient and solidification rate were controlled independently. Samples run on the KC-135 aircraft exhibited bands of coarser graphite or of larger nodules usually corresponding to the regions solidified under low-g. Samples containing high phosphorous (used in order to determine the eutectic cell) exhibited larger eutectic cells in the low-g zone, followed by a band of coarser graphite.

Curreri, P. A.↗