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Koenig, J.

Publications and source records attributed to Koenig, J..

Heat Treated Carbon Fiber Material Selection Database

Carbon fibers are used in a variety high temperature applications and materials. However, one limiting factor in their transition into additional applications is an understanding of their functional properties during component processing and function. The requirements on the fibers are governed by the nature of the materials and the environments in which they will be used. The current carbon fiber vendor literature is geared toward the polymeric composite industry and not the ceramic composite industry. Thus, selection of carbon fibers is difficult, since their properties change as a function of heat treatment, processing or component operational temperature, which ever is greatest. To enable proper decisions to be made, a program was established wherein multiple fibers were selected and heat treated at different temperatures. The fibers were then examined for their physical and mechanical properties which are reported herein.

Effinger, M.↗

Theoretical and Experimental Investigations on Droplet Evaporation and Droplet Ignition at High Pressures

The evaporation of fuel droplets under high ambient pressure and temperature in normal gravity and microgravity has been investigated experimentally. For subcritical ambient conditions, droplet evaporation after a heat-up period follows the d(exp 2)-law. For all data the evaporation constant increases as the ambient temperature increases. At identical ambient conditions the evaporation constant under microgravity is smaller compared to normal gravity. This effect can first be observed at 1 bar and increases with ambient pressure. Preliminary experiments on ignition delay for self-igniting fuel droplets have been performed. Above a 1 s delay time, at identical ambient conditions, significant differences in the results of the normal and microgravity data are observed. Self-ignition occurs within different temperature ranges due to the influence of gravity. The time dependent behavior of the droplet is examined theoretically. In the calculations two different approaches for the gas phase are applied. In the first approach the conditions at the interface are given using a quasi steady theory approximation. The second approach uses a set of time dependent governing equations for the gas phase which are then evaluated. In comparison, the second model shows a better agreement with the drop tower experiments. In both cases a time dependent gasification rate is observed.

Ristau, R.↗

Improved ablative materials for the ASRM nozzle

Rayon precursor carbon-cloth phenolic was developed more than 30 years ago and is used in most nozzles today including the Poseidon, Trident, Peacekeeper, Small ICBM, Space Shuttle, and numerous tactical and space systems. Specifications and manufacturing controls were placed on these materials and, once qualified, a no-change policy was instituted. The current material is acceptable; however, prepreg variability does not always accommodate the requirements of automation. The advanced solid rocket motor requires material with less variability for automated manufacturing. An advanced solid rocket motor materials team, composed of NASA, Thiokol, Aerojet, SRI, and Lockheed specialists, along with materials suppliers ICI Fiberite/Polycarbon, BP Chemicals/Hitco, and Amoco, embarked on a program to improve the current materials. The program consisted of heat treatment studies and standard and low-density material improvements evaluation. Improvements evaluated included fiber/fabric heat treatments, weave variations, resin application methods, process controls, and monitors.

Canfield, A.↗