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Williams, J. H., Jr.

Publications and source records attributed to Williams, J. H., Jr..

At least 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1983

Effects of specimen resonances on acoustic-ultrasonic testing

The effects of specimen resonances on acoustic ultrasonic (AU) nondestructive testing were investigated. Selected resonant frequencies and the corresponding normal mode nodal patterns of the aluminum block are measured up to 75.64 kHz. Prominent peaks in the pencil lead fracture and sphere impact spectra from the two transducer locations corresponded exactly to resonant frequencies of the block. It is established that the resonant frequencies of the block dominated the spectral content of the output signal. The spectral content of the output signals is further influenced by the transducer location relative to the resonant frequency nodal lines. Implications of the results are discussed in relation to AU parameters and measurements.

Williams, J. H., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Ultrasonic and mechanical characterizations of fatigue states of graphite epoxy composite laminates

Results of an exploration of the relationship between ultrasonic attenuation and fatigue survivability of graphite fiber epoxy composites fabricated under different cure conditions are reported. A total of 9 27 x 40 cm eight-ply graphite epoxy laminated specimens were formed, and fatigue tests were run on five partial samples at 73.5 N varying at 30 Hz, with tests ending at a 1.27 cm deflection. A pulsed oscillator generated sinusoidal waves and transducers recorded the passage of the ultrasonic waves for display on oscilloscopes. Cure pressures ranged from 0.52-0.85 MPa and cure temperatures were in the 150-200 C interval. Ultrasonic through-transmission at 4 MHz was performed prior to and during fatigue testing. The minimum void volume fraction occurred at 175 C and 0.86 MPa. The flexural stiffness decreased with the number of fatigue cycles past 10,000, when the attenuation also increased. Correlations were found between the 4.0 MHz signal attenuation and the void volume fraction, and between the number of fatigue cycles to failure and the 4.0 MHz signal attenuation.

Williams, J. H., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Ultrasonic input-output for transmitting and receiving longitudinal transducers coupled to same face of isotropic elastic plate

The quantitative understanding of ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation parameters such as the stress wave factor were studied. Ultrasonic input/output characteristics for an isotropic elastic plate with transmitting and receiving longitudinal transducers coupled to the same face were analyzed. The asymptotic normal stress is calculated for an isotropic elastic half space subjected to a uniform harmonic normal stress applied to a circular region at the surface. The radiated stress waves are traced within the plate by considering wave reflections at the top and bottom faces. The output voltage amplitude of the receiving transducer is estimated by considering only longitudinal waves. Agreement is found between the output voltage wave packet amplitudes and times of arrival due to multiple reflections of the longitudinal waves.

Williams, J. H., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Ultrasonic and mechanical characterizations of fatigue states of graphite epoxy composite laminates

Eight-ply (0, + or - 45, 0)s laminates of Hercules AS/3501-6 graphite epoxy composite are fabricated using various cure pressures ranging from 0.52 to 0.86 MPa and cure temperatures ranging from 150 C to 200 C. In general, the minimum composite void volume fraction is obtained at a cure temperature of 175 C and a cure pressure of 0.86 MPa, or at 200 C and 0.86 MPa. The ultrasonic attenuation at 4 MHz was found to correlate with the composite void volume fraction. Composite specimens were tested in flexural fatigue. Beyond 10,000 fatigue cycles, the ultrasonic attenuation at 4 MHz was found to increase and the flexural stiffness was found to decrease. The ultrasonic attenuation at 4 MHz of the as-fabricated composite can be correlated with the number of fatigue cycles to failure.

Williams, J. H., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Dynamic crack propagation and arrest in orthotropic DCB fiber composite specimens

An orthotropic double cantilever beam (DCB) model is used to study dynamic crack propagation and arrest in 90 deg unidirectional Hercules AS/3501-6 graphite fiber epoxy composites. The dynamic fracture toughness of the composite is determined from tests performed on the long-strip specimen and DCB crack arrest experiments are conducted. By using the dynamic fracture toughness in a finite-difference solution of the DCB governing partial differential equations, a numerical solution of the crack propagation and arrest events is computed. Excellent agreement between the experimental and numerical crack arrest results are obtained.

Williams, J. H., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Ultrasonic evaluation of impact-damaged graphite fiber composite

Unidirectional Hercules AS/3501-6 graphite fiber epoxy composites are subjected to repeated controlled low-velocity drop-weight impacts in the laminate direction. The degradation is ultrasonically monitored using through-thickness attenuation and a modified stress wave factor, SWF. There are correlations between the number of drop-weight impacts, the residual tensile strength, the through-thickness attenuation and the SWF.

Williams, J. H., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Stress-wave attenuation in thin structures by ultrasonic through-transmission

The steady-state amplitude of the output of an ultrasonic through-transmission measurement is analyzed and the result is given in closed form. Provided that the product of the input and output transduction ratios, the specimen-transducer reflection coefficient, the specimen-transducer phase-shift parameter, and the material phase velocity are known, this analysis gives a means for determining the through-thickness attenuation of an individual thin sample. Multiple stress-wave reflections are taken into account, and so signal echoes do not represent a difficulty. An example is presented for a graphite fiber epoxy composite (Hercules AS/3501-6). Thus, the technique provides a direct method for continuous or intermittent monitoring of through-thickness attenuation of plate structures which may be subject to service structural degradation.

Lee, S. S.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Ultrasonic wave propagation loss factor in composite in terms of constituent properties

A model is developed to relate the energy loss factors of ultrasonic longitudinal waves propagating in the principal directions of a unidirectional graphite fiber composite to the composite constituent properties. All the constituents are assumed to behave as linear viscoelastic materials with energy dissipation properties defined by loss factors. It is found that by introducing a new constituent called the interface material, the composite and constituent properties can be brought into consistency with simple series and parallel models. An expression relating the composite loss factors to the loss factors of the constituents is derived and its coefficients are evaluated.

Williams, J. H., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Ultrasonic attenuation and velocity in AS/3501-6 graphite fiber composite

The ultrasonic group velocity and attenuation were measured as a function of frequency for longitudinal and shear waves in the Hercules epoxy matrix (3501-6) and in the principal directions of the unidirectional Hercules graphite fiber epoxy composite (AS/3501-6). Tests were conducted in the frequency ranges 0.25-14 MHz and 0.5-3 MHz for longitudinal and shear wave modes, respectively. While the attenuation increased with frequency for all wave modes, the group velocity was independent of frequency for all wave modes. In studying the effects of transducer-specimen interface couplant and pressure, it was found that for each transducer, there exists a frequency-dependent 'saturation pressure' corresponding to the maximum output amplitude of the signal.

Williams, J. H., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation of impact-damaged graphite fiber composite

Unidirectional Hercules AS/3501-6 graphite fiber epoxy composites were subjected to repeated controlled low-velocity drop weight impacts in the laminate direction. The degradation was ultrasonically monitored using through-thickness attenuation and a modified stress wave factor (SWF). There appears to be strong correlations between the number of drop-weight impacts, the residual tensile strength, the through-thickness attenuation, and the SWF. The results are very encouraging with respect to the NDE potential of both of these ultrasonic parameters to provide strength characterizations in virgin as well as impact-damaged fiber composite structures.

Williams, J. H., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Stress wave attenuation in thin structures by ultrasonic through-transmission

The steady state amplitude of the output of an ultrasonic through transmission measurement is analyzed and the result is given in closed form. Provided that the product of the input and output transduction ratios; the specimen-transducer reflection coefficient; the specimen-transducer phase shift parameter; and the material phase velocity are known, this analysis gives a means for determining the through-thickness attenuation of an individual thin sample. Multiple stress wave reflections are taken into account and so signal echoes do not represent a difficulty. An example is presented for a graphite fiber epoxy composite (Hercules AS/3501-6). A direct method for continuous or intermittent monitoring of through thickness attenuation of plate structures which may be subject to service structural degradation is provided.

Lee, S. S.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Ultrasonic attenuation as an indicator of fatigue life of graphite/epoxy fiber composite

The narrow band ultrasonic longitudinal wave velocity and attenuation were measured as a function of the transfiber compression-compression fatigue of unidirectional graphite/epoxy composites. No change in velocity was detected at any point in fatigue life. For specimens fatigued at 80% of static strength, there was generally a 5% to 10% increase in attenuation, however, this increase does not appear to be a satisfactory indicator of fatigue life. On the other hand, there appears to be a correlation between initial attenuation (measured prior to cycling) and cycles to fracture. Initial attenuation as measured at 1.5 MHz and 2.0 MHz appears to be a good indicator of relative fatigue life.

Williams, J. H., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Ultrasonic attenuation and velocity in AS/3501-6 graphite/epoxy fiber composite

The ultrasonic group velocity and attenuation were measured as a function of frequency for longitudinal and shear waves in the epoxy matrix (3501-6) and in the principal directions of the unidirectional graphite/epoxy composite (AS/3501-6). Tests were conducted in the frequency ranges 0.25 Mz to 14 MHz and 0.5 Mz to 3 MHz for longitudinal and shear wave modes, respectively. The attenuation increased with frequency for all wave modes, but the group velocity was independent of frequency for all wave modes. The effects of pressure and couplant at the transducer-specimen interface were studied and it was found that for each transducer type there exists a frequency dependent 'saturation pressure' corresponding to the maximum output signal amplitude.

Williams, J. H., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Relation of ultrasonic energy loss factors and constituent properties in unidirectional composites

A model is developed relating composite constituents properties with ultrasonic energy loss factors for longitudinal waves propagating in the principal directions of a unidirectional graphite/epoxy fiber composite. All the constituents are assumed to behave as linear viscoelastic materials with energy dissipation properties defined by loss factors. It is found that by introducing a new constituent called the interface material, the composite and constituent properties can be brought into consistency with simple series and parallel models. An expression relating the composite loss factors to the loss factors of the constituents is derived and its coefficients are evaluated.

Williams, J. H., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Acoustic emission spectral analysis of fiber composite failure mechanisms

The acoustic emission of graphite fiber polyimide composite failure mechanisms was investigated with emphasis on frequency spectrum analysis. Although visual examination of spectral densities could not distinguish among fracture sources, a paired-sample t statistical analysis of mean normalized spectral densities did provide quantitative discrimination among acoustic emissions from 10 deg, 90 deg, and plus or minus 45 deg, plus or minus 45 deg sub s specimens. Comparable discrimination was not obtained for 0 deg specimens.

Egan, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Dynamic fracture of advanced fiber composites

Efforts to investigate some of the theoretical bases for the dynamic fracture of graphite fiber reinforced composites are described. In particular, the initiation of unstable fracture in unidirectional cracked composites, dynamic crack propagation as modeled by orthotropic double cantilever beams, and interlaminar stresses for laminates having arbitrary stacking sequences are summarized.

Williams, J. H., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Constitutive acoustic-emission elastic-stress behavior of magnesium alloy

Repeated laoding and unloading of a magnesium alloy below the macroscopic yield stress result in continuous acoustic emissions which are generally repeatable for a given specimen and which are reproducible between different specimens having the same load history. An acoustic emission Bauschinger strain model is proposed to describe the unloading emission behavior. For the limited range of stress examined, loading and unloading stress delays of the order of 50 MN/sq m are observed, and they appear to be dependent upon the direction of loading, the stress rate, and the stress history. The stress delay is hypothesized to be the manifestation of an effective friction stress. The existence of acoustic emission elastic stress constitutive relations is concluded, which provides support for a previously proposed concept for the monitoring of elastic stresses by acoustic emission.

Williams, J. H., Jr.↗