Engineering topics

Koss, D. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Koss, D. A..

8 records

NASA NTRS1993

On 'large-scale' stable fiber displacement during interfacial failure in metal matrix composites

Experimental results are presented to show that interfacial failure in sapphire-reinforced niobium is characterized by 'large-scale' (5-15 microns) plasticity-controlled fiber displacements occurring under increasing loads. The results are based on the responses during thin-slice fiber pushout tests wherein the fiber is supported over a hole twice the fiber diameter. The results describe an interfacial failure process that should also occur near fiber ends during pullout when a fiber is well-bonded to a soft, ductile matrix, such that eventual failure occurs by shear within the matrix near the interface.

Petrich, R. R.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Interfacial stress state present in a 'thin-slice' fibre push-out test

An analysis of the stress distributions along the fiber-matrix interface in a 'thin-slice' fiber push-out test is presented for selected test geometries. For the small specimen thicknesses often required to displace large-diameter fibers with high interfacial shear strengths, finite element analysis indicates that large bending stresses may be present. The magnitude of these stresses and their spatial distribution can be very sensitive to the test configuration. For certain test geometries, the specimen configuration itself may alter the interfacial failure process from one which initiates due to a maximum in shear stress near the top surface adjacent to the indentor, to one which involves mixed mode crack growth up from the bottom surface and/or yielding within the matrix near the interface.

Kallas, M. N.↗

NASA NTRS1991

NiAl alloys for structural uses

Alloys based on the intermetallic compound NiAl are of technological interest as high temperature structural alloys. These alloys possess a relatively low density, high melting temperature, good thermal conductivity, and (usually) good oxidation resistance. However, NiAl and NiAl-base alloys suffer from poor fracture resistance at low temperatures as well as inadequate creep strength at elevated temperatures. This research program explored macroalloying additions to NiAl-base alloys in order to identify possible alloying and processing routes which promote both low temperature fracture toughness and high temperature strength. Initial results from the study examined the additions of Fe, Co, and Hf on the microstructure, deformation, and fracture resistance of NiAl-based alloys. Of significance were the observations that the presence of the gamma-prime phase, based on Ni3Al, could enhance the fracture resistance if the gamma-prime were present as a continuous grain boundary film or 'necklace'; and the Ni-35Al-20Fe alloy was ductile in ribbon form despite a microstructure consisting solely of the B2 beta phase based on NiAl. The ductility inherent in the Ni-35Al-20Fe alloy was explored further in subsequent studies. Those results confirm the presence of ductility in the Ni-35Al-20Fe alloy after rapid cooling from 750 - 1000 C. However exposure at 550 C caused embrittlement; this was associated with an age-hardening reaction caused by the formation of Fe-rich precipitates. In contrast, to the Ni-35Al-20Fe alloy, exploratory research indicated that compositions in the range of Ni-35Al-12Fe retain the ordered B2 structure of NiAl, are ductile, and do not age-harden or embrittle after thermal exposure. Thus, our recent efforts have focused on the behavior of the Ni-35Al-12Fe alloy. A second parallel effort initiated in this program was to use an alternate processing technique, mechanical alloying, to improve the properties of NiAl-alloys. Mechanical alloying in the conventional sense requires ductile powder particles which, through a cold welding and fracture process, can be dispersion strengthened by submicron-sized oxide particles. Using both the Ni-35Al-Fe alloys to contain approx. 1 v/o Y2O3. Preliminary results indicate that mechanically alloyed and extruded NiAl-Fe + Y2O3 alloys when heat treated to a grain-coarsened condition, exhibit improved creep resistance at 1000 C when compared to NiAl; oxidation resistance comparable to NiAl; and fracture toughness values a factor of three better than NiAl. As a result of the research initiated on this NASA program, a subsequent project with support from Inco Alloys International is underway.

Koss, D. A.↗

NASA NTRS1991

On improving the fracture toughness of a NiAl-based alloy by mechanical alloying

Mechanical alloying (MA) has been used to process the NiAl-based alloy Ni-35Al-20Fe, such that a fine-grain (about 2 microns) microstructure is obtained through the addition of 2 vol pct Y2O3 particles. When compared to a conventionally processed, coarse-grained (about 28 microns) Ni-35-20 alloy without the Y2O3 particles, the MA alloy exhibits two to three times higher fracture toughness values, despite a 50-percent increase in yield strength. Room-temperature K(O) values as high as 34 MPa sq rt m are observed, accompanied by a yield strength in excess of 1100 MPa. Fractography confirms a change in fracture characteristics of the fine-grained MA alloy.

Kostrubanic, J.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Microstructure and mechanical properties of multiphase NiAl-based alloys

The effect of the gamma-prime phase on the deformation behavior and fracture resistance of melt-spun ribbons and consolidated bulk specimens of a series of Nial-based alloys with Co and Hf additions has been examined. The morphology, location, and volume fraction of the gamma-prime phase are significant factors in enhancing the fracture resistance of the normally brittle NiAl-based alloys. In particular, the results indicate that a continuous-grain-boundary film of gamma-prime can impart limited room-temperature ductility regardless of whether B2 or L10 NiAl is present. Guidelines for microstructure control in multiphase NiAl-based alloys are also presented.

Pank, D. R.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Interfacial shear behavior of sapphire-reinforced NiAl composites

The interfacial shear behavior in near-equiatomic NiAl reinforced by sapphire filaments has been examined at room temperature using a fiber pushout test technique. The load-displacement data indicate a large variability in the initial interface failure stress, although reverse push behavior indicates a comparatively constant interfacial sliding friction stress. The observed behavior suggests that the presence of asperities on the fiber surfaces and nonuniformities in fiber diameter require constrained plastic flow within the NiAl matrix in order for interfacial shear to occur. The location, shape, severity, and distribution of fiber asperities as well as the uniformity of fiber diameter are critical to the interfacial shear process.

Moose, C. A.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Deformation behavior of NiAl-based alloys containing iron, cobalt, and hafnium

The effects of alloying additions on the mechanical properties of the B2 intermetallic NiAl have been investigated in both the melt-spun ribbon and consolidated, bulk form. The study is based on a matrix of NiAl-based alloys with up to 20 at. pct Co and Fe additions and with reduced Al levels in the range of 30-40 at. pct. Characterization of the melt-spun ribbon by optical and scanning electron microscopy indicates a range of microstructures, including single-phase beta, gamma-prime necklace phase surrounding either martensitic or beta grains, and a mixture of equiaxed martensitic and gamma-prime grains. Bend ductility is present in melt-spun and annealed ribbons exhibiting the gamma-prime necklace structure and in a single-phase beta material containing 20 at. pct Fe. The analysis of compressive flow behavior on consolidated, bulk specimens indicates that the single-phase beta alloys exhibit a continuous decrease in yield stress with increasing temperature and profuse microcracking at grain boundaries. In contrast, multiphase (gamma-prime + either martensite or beta) alloys tend to display a peak in flow stress between 600 and 800 K, with little or no signs of microcracking. In general, heat treatments which convert the martensitic grains to beta + gamma-prime result in improved strength at temperatures above 600 K and better resistance to crack initiation.

Pank, D. R.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Structure-property effects of tantalum additions to nickel-base superalloys

The characterization of the effect of Ta on the structure of Ni base superalloys, the determination of the effects of Ta (structure) variations on the mechanical, thermal, and oxidation behavior, and the identification of alloying elements which have potential as substitutes for Ta are investigated. Mar M247 type alloys are emphasized; nominal and analyzed compositions of ten alloys under study are given. X-ray and composition analysis are being used to determine the partitioning of alloying elements between gamma, gamma primes, and MC (cubic) as a function of Ta content. The diffusional interactions of the Mar M247-type alloys with as cast beta + gamma alloys are studied to determine the effects of Ta on alloy/coating degradation.

Heckel, R. W.↗