Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Phase slips”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 181 records · Page 10

Friction stir gradient alloying: A high-throughput method to explore the influence of V in enabling HCP to BCC transformation in a γ-FCC dominated high entropy alloy

The compositional possibilities in high entropy alloys (HEAs) is very vast and effective strategies are needed to establish potential alloy chemistries. In this study, friction stir gradient alloying (FSGA), a recently-introduced high-throughput (HT) technique incorporating compositional and microstructural gradients, was used to explore the possibility of introducing a bcc transformation domain in γ-fcc dominated TRIP HEA Fe 38.5 Mn 20 Cr 15 Co 20 Si 5 Cu 1.5 (at.%) by vanadium addition. FSGA has accelerated the process of attaining the composition-microstructure library and the results suggest that vanadium addition of ~1 at.% results in nucleation of α-bcc. Additionally, this is the first observation of ε-hcp to α-bcc transformation in a TRIP HEA and supports the Olson-Cohen model of martensitic transformation (γ-fcc → ε-hcp → α-bcc). ε-hcp is nucleated with a pyramidal orientation by the formation of planar faults on the {111} close-packed planes of γ-fcc, and α-bcc is nucleated in the vicinity of ε-hcp along the {111} γ-fcc trace. There are indications for the formation of basal orientated ε-hcp from intersecting ε-hcp planes orientated for the pyramidal slip. Thus, the study shows the nucleation and growth of the α-bcc phase attributed to the dual effects of chemistry and strain and potential co-existence of all the three phases.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Microstructure: Property correlation

Strain controlled torsional and biaxial (tension-torsion) low cycle fatigue behavior of Waspaloy was studied at room temperature as a function of heat treatment. Biaxial tests were conducted under proportional (when the axial and torsional strain cycles are in-phase) and non-proportional (when the axial and torsional strain cycles are 90 deg out-of-phase) cyclic conditions. The deformation behavior under these different cyclic conditions were evaluated by slip trace analysis. For this, a Schmidt-type factor was defined for multiaxial loading conditions and it was shown that when the slip deformation is predominant, non-proportional cycles are more damaging than proportional or pure axial or torsional cycles. This was attributed to the fact that under non-proportional cyclic conditions, deformation was through multiple slip as opposed single slip for other loading conditions, which gave rise to increased hardening. The total life for a given test condition was found to be independent of heat treatment. This was interpreted as being due to the differences in the cycles to initiation and propagation of cracks.

Jayaraman, N.↗

Interfaces in directionally solidified eutectics

Consideration of the interface between the phases in directionally solidified eutectic structures with respect to its morphology, crystallography, stability, and overall response to internal and external stress fields. Yielding behavior in such eutectic structures is shown to be controlled by several possible mechanisms. Two that can be related to the interface in directionally-solidified eutectic alloys are: (1) the interaction of slip dislocations with interface dislocations of the semicoherent boundaries, and (2) restrictions of allowable deformation mechanisms in two contiguous phases due to orientation effects. Evidence found thus far for elastic-plastic eutectic composites indicates that interfaces are capable of diverting fatigue cracks parallel to the loading axis.

Hertzberg, R. W.↗

Bulk-scale stress–strain hysteresis in layered crystalline solids: A study of graphite and Ti 3 SiC 2

Polycrystalline graphite and the MAX phase Ti 3 SiC 2 are layered crystalline solids with similar deformation mechanisms, including basal slip, ripplocation boundaries (RBs), kink boundaries (KBs), and cracking. The interplay of these mechanisms, notably in energy dissipation, has been much discussed in the past twenty-five years. This study builds upon previous work, investigating deformation with a renewed emphasis on the bulk-scale and given recent findings concerning RBs. Our investigation compares the evolution of energy dissipation, nonlinear recoverable and irrecoverable strain, and damage upon increasing stress for graphite and Ti 3 SiC 2 . Benitez et al.’s (2016) methodology of compressive cyclic loading and post-mortem electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) to assess the prevalence of kinking based on low-angle grain boundaries (LAGBs) was used. Strains were measured with digital image correlation and EBSD was conducted on Ti 3 SiC 2 leveraging dictionary indexing, which was necessary herein to identify LAGBs accurately. The stress–strain stages of Ti 3 SiC 2 agree with literature on Ti 2 AlC. Damage and energy dissipation were more accelerated in graphite. No significant difference was observed in the fraction of LAGBs between pristine and unloaded Ti 3 SiC 2 . Trends observed and EBSD evidence that KBs were not dominant suggest that RBs are the primary dissipator of energy in both materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Physics Based Model for Online Fault Detection in Autonomous Cryogenic Loading System

We report the progress in the development of the chilldown model for rapid cryogenic loading system developed at KSC. The nontrivial characteristic feature of the analyzed chilldown regime is its active control by dump valves. The two-phase flow model of the chilldown is approximated as one-dimensional homogeneous fluid flow with no slip condition for the interphase velocity. The model is built using commercial SINDAFLUINT software. The results of numerical predictions are in good agreement with the experimental time traces. The obtained results pave the way to the application of the SINDAFLUINT model as a verification tool for the design and algorithm development required for autonomous loading operation.

Cryogenics↗

Digital signal processor and processing method for GPS receivers

A digital signal processor and processing method therefor for use in receivers of the NAVSTAR/GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) employs a digital carrier down-converter, digital code correlator and digital tracking processor. The digital carrier down-converter and code correlator consists of an all-digital, minimum bit implementation that utilizes digital chip and phase advancers, providing exceptional control and accuracy in feedback phase and in feedback delay. Roundoff and commensurability errors can be reduced to extremely small values (e.g., less than 100 nanochips and 100 nanocycles roundoff errors and 0.1 millichip and 1 millicycle commensurability errors). The digital tracking processor bases the fast feedback for phase and for group delay in the C/A, P.sub.1, and P.sub.2 channels on the L.sub.1 C/A carrier phase thereby maintaining lock at lower signal-to-noise ratios, reducing errors in feedback delays, reducing the frequency of cycle slips and in some cases obviating the need for quadrature processing in the P channels. Simple and reliable methods are employed for data bit synchronization, data bit removal and cycle counting. Improved precision in averaged output delay values is provided by carrier-aided data-compression techniques. The signal processor employs purely digital operations in the sense that exactly the same carrier phase and group delay measurements are obtained, to the last decimal place, every time the same sampled data (i.e., exactly the same bits) are processed.

Thomas, Jr., Jess B.↗

Focal mechanism of deep moonquakes

To elucidate the focal mechanism of deep moonquakes, S-wave polarizations of deep moonquake signals from the A(1) source region are analyzed. At station 12, where the available data are of the highest quality, the variation of polarization angle with the anomalistic phase of the moon indicates agreement with that expected from the focal mechanism model of Nakamura (1978). Focal mechanism solutions were derived for eight A(1) moonquakes assuming that moonquakes are, like earthquakes, caused by a shear fracture on a fault plane. The mechanism solutions generally indicate a nearly horizontal or almost vertical faulting. The slip directions estimated from the solutions are different from one another, again suggesting variation of focal mechanisms as a function of the tidal phase of the moon.

Koyama, J.↗

Compositional Modifications to Alter and Suppress Laves Phases in Al x CrMoTa y Ti Alloys

The development of refractory complex concentrated alloys in the Al–Cr–Mo–Ta–Ti alloy system is reported. Alloys with modified Al and Ta concentrations are designed using CALPHAD tools and produced via arc melting and characterized in both as-cast and annealed forms. Properties of the alloys, nature of the microstructures, and phase transformation behavior are described via X-ray diffraction, microstructural characterization, microhardness, and differential scanning calorimetry. Two alloys, namely, Al 0.25 CrMoTa 0.8 Ti and Al 0.75 CrMoTa 0.8 Ti, are represented by a body-centered-cubic matrix phase after annealing, along with a secondary Cr–Ta Laves phase of the C15 and C14 polytypes, respectively. In as-cast and annealed forms, the Al 0.75 CrMoTa 0.45 Ti alloy comprises a single-bcc phase. Microhardness of the Laves phase containing alloys demonstrates susceptibility to cracking, whereas the Al 0.75 CrMoTa 0.45 Ti alloy displays high specific hardness, signs of ductility as evidenced by slip traces near indentations, and minimal scatter of hardness values.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Ductility enhancement from interface dislocation sources in a directionally solidified beta + gamma + gamma-prime Ni-Fe-Al composite alloy

A directionally solidified beta + gamma + gamma-prime Ni-Fe-Al in situ composite alloy of composition Ni50Fe30Al20 has been used to investigate the effect of a plastically soft second phase on the mechanical behavior of a B2 ordered intermetallic alloy. This material exhibits extensive plasticity during compressive deformation at room temperature and fails in shear with extensive gamma + gamma-prime lamellar or rod pullout. The material also exhibits about 10 percent tensile elongation to fracture at room temperature, with final fracture that includes substantial necking of the gamma + gamma-prime lamellae or rods. Observation of slip lines and dislocation substructures discloses that the normally brittle beta matrix undergoes extensive plasticity in order to deform compatibly with the more ductile gamma phase. The plasticity of the beta matrix is accomplished by the generation of glissile dislocations into the beta matrix from the beta/gamma interface region and is enhanced because of a favorable beta-gamma orientation relationship for slip transfer. Ductility enhancement from interface-generated mobile dislocations generated from beta-gamma interfaces is compared to that observed in film-coated beta-NiAl single crystals and FeAl polycrystals.

Larsen, M.↗

Identification of crystal plasticity model parameters by multi-objective optimization integrating microstructural evolution and mechanical data

Crystal plasticity models evolve a polycrystalline yield surface using meso-scale descriptions of deformation mechanisms. The activation of deformation mechanisms is governed by crystallography and a set of model parameters, which are typically calibrated through the fitting of mechanical data such as stress–strain curves and elastic lattice strains. Microstructural data such as phase fractions and texture evolution are used for verifying crystal plasticity parameters. In this study, we use a multi-objective genetic algorithm to identify hardening parameters from flow stress curves with an option to incorporate texture into the optimization approach. Robust, generalized objective functions are developed and used to identify sets of parameters pertaining to dislocation density-based hardening laws in visco-plastic and elasto-plastic self-consistent (VPSC and EPSC) homogenization models. First, the parameters are identified for pure Nb directly from texture using an objective function based on generalized spherical harmonics. Since texture evolution is driven by the relative contribution of active slip systems, the parameters governing the evolution of slip resistance ratios can be recovered from fitting discrete textures at a series of strains. Next, a comprehensive set of load reversal data for dual phase (DP) 780 steel is used to fit a hardening law and a back-stress law in EPSC. Finally, parameters pertaining to a complex hardening law for the evolution of slip and twinning in pure α-Ti are identified. Remarkably, using texture as an objective in combination with stress–strain objectives constrains the model of Ti to fully reproduce not only stress–strain and texture evolution but also hierarchical twinning measurements as a function of initial grain size and texture. Furthermore, given an appropriate model fit to representative experimental texture evolution, underlying twin volume fractions contributing to texture evolution can be predicted.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Phase field dislocation dynamics formulation coupled with Fourier based micromechanics solver and its application to grain boundary–dislocation interactions

A new phase field dislocation dynamics (PFDD) formulation for homogeneous and heterogeneous materials is presented, which couples micromechanical solvers and the time-dependent Ginzburg–Landau equation. The strain fields are obtained from the micromechanical solver by solving the Lippmann–Schwinger equation and then used to define energy terms to model the evolution of the dislocations. Grain boundary (GB)–dislocation interactions are studied using the coupled PFDD formulation and by describing GBs as inclusions. GB energy and stiffness tensors are computed from molecular statics simulations, and a newly proposed lattice energy term that is dependent on the GB energy is considered in the calculations. Interaction of a screw dislocation with minimum energy and metastable states of low and high angle ⟨110⟩ symmetric tilt grain boundaries are studied. We show good agreement between predictions from our PFDD formulation and molecular dynamics simulations of grain boundary–dislocation interactions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Aerodynamic Characterization and Improved Testing Methods for the Space Launch System Liftoff and Transition Environment

Low-speed wind tunnel testing for the liftoff and transition environment of the Space Launch System (SLS) was recently completed in the NASA Langley Research Center 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel using 1.75%-scale models of three SLS vehicle configurations. During the liftoff testing, the primary objective was to evaluate the aerodynamic forces and moments on the SLS launch vehicles, as the vehicle, launch tower, and mobile launch platform were subjected to ground winds from all directions at varying heights for the vehicle off the launch pad. Additionally, aerodynamic forces and moments were acquired for all three SLS vehicles during the transition phase from liftoff to ascent that covered a wide range of angles of attack and angles of side slip. Details of the experimental setup including improved testing methods and a stiffer sting-balance system based on lessons learned from previous test entries are presented. Also, a new force measurement technique was applied during the test where two subminiature six-component load cells were installed in each Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) to acquire forces and moments for each SRB separately from the full vehicle forces and moments measured by the main strain gauge balance. Finally, sample results from the experiment are presented including improved overall data coverage, evaluation of the new SRB data, and smoke flow visualization photos.

Chan, David T.↗

Recent progress in the phase-field dislocation dynamics method

The phase-field dislocation dynamics (PFDD) method, originated in 2002, is a continuum dislocation model that uses order parameters to describe dislocation slips in crystalline materials. In the past two decades, and especially since it was last reviewed in 2016, PFDD was advanced significantly in terms of the mathematical formulation, numerical implementation, and applicability. The main purpose of this short review is to summarize recent progress made to improve the energy functional formulation and numerical techniques of PFDD as well as its recent applications. Additionally, some recommendations for future work to further extend the PFDD method are presented.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Fault Creep along the Southern San Andreas from Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar, Permanent Scatterers, and Stacking

Interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) provides a practical means of mapping creep along major strike-slip faults. The small amplitude of the creep signal (less than 10 mm/yr), combined with its short wavelength, makes it difficult to extract from long time span interferograms, especially in agricultural or heavily vegetated areas. We utilize two approaches to extract the fault creep signal from 37 ERS SAR images along the southem San Andreas Fault. First, amplitude stacking is utilized to identify permanent scatterers, which are then used to weight the interferogram prior to spatial filtering. This weighting improves correlation and also provides a mask for poorly correlated areas. Second, the unwrapped phase is stacked to reduce tropospheric and other short-wavelength noise. This combined processing enables us to recover the near-field (approximately 200 m) slip signal across the fault due to shallow creep. Displacement maps fiom 60 interferograms reveal a diffuse secular strain buildup, punctuated by localized interseismic creep of 4-6 mm/yr line of sight (LOS, 12-18 mm/yr horizontal). With the exception of Durmid Hill, this entire segment of the southern San Andreas experienced right-lateral triggered slip of up to 10 cm during the 3.5-year period spanning the 1992 Landers earthquake. The deformation change following the 1999 Hector Mine earthquake was much smaller (4 cm) and broader than for the Landers event. Profiles across the fault during the interseismic phase show peak-to-trough amplitude ranging from 15 to 25 mm/yr (horizontal component) and the minimum misfit models show a range of creeping/locking depth values that fit the data.

Lyons, Suzanne↗

The Evolution of the Deformation Substructure in a Ni-Co-Cr Equiatomic Solid Solution Alloy

The equiatomic NiCoCr alloy exhibits an excellent combination of strength and ductility, even greater than the FeNiCrCoMn high entropy alloy, and also displays a simultaneous increase in strength and ductility with decreasing the testing temperature. To systemically investigate the origin of the exceptional properties of NiCoCr alloy, which are related to the evolution of the deformation substructure with strain, interrupted tensile testing was conducted on the equiatomic NiCoCr single-phase solid solution alloy at both cryogenic and room temperatures at five different plastic strain levels of 1.5%, 6.5%, 29%, 50% and 70%. The evolution of deformation substructure was examined using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), transmission Kikuchi diffraction (TKD), conventional transmission electron microscopy (CTEM), diffraction contrast imaging using STEM (DCI-STEM) and atomic resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy. While the deformation substructure mainly consisted of planar dislocation slip and the dissociation of dislocations into stacking faults at small strain levels (≤6.5%), at larger strain levels, additional substructures including nanotwins and a new phase with hexagonal close packed (HCP) lamellae also appeared. The volume fraction of the HCP lamellae increases with increasing deformation, especially at cryogenic temperature. First principles calculations at 0 K indicate that the HCP phase is indeed energetically favorable relative to FCC for this composition. The effects of the nanotwin and HCP lamellar structures on hardening rate and ductility at both cryogenic and room temperature are qualitatively discussed.

Twinning↗

Gas Bubble Evolution in Polycrystalline UMo Fuels Under Elastic-Plastic Deformation: A Phase-Field Model With Crystal-Plasticity

In monolithic UMo fuels, the interaction between the Al cladding and large gas bubble volumetric swelling causes both elastic-plastic and creep deformation. In this work, a phase-field model of gas bubble evolution in polycrystalline UMo under elastic-plastic deformation was developed for studying the dynamic interaction between evolving gas bubble/voids and deformation. A crystal plasticity model, which assumes that the plastic strain rate is proportional to resolved shear stresses of dislocation slip systems on their slip planes, was used to describe plastic deformation in polycrystalline UMo. Xe diffusion and gas bubble evolution are driven by the minimization of chemical and deformation energies in the phase-field model, while evolving gas bubble structure was used to update the mechanical properties in the crystal plasticity model. With the developed model, we simulated the effect of gas bubble structures (different volume fractions and internal gas pressures) on stress-strain curves and the effect of local stresses on gas bubble evolution. The results show that 1) the effective Young’s modulus and yield stress decrease with the increase of gas bubble volume fraction; 2) the hardening coefficient increases with the increase of gas bubble volume fraction, especially for gas bubbles with higher internal pressure; and 3) the pressure dependence of Xe thermodynamic and kinetic properties in addition to the local stress state determine gas bubble growth or shrinkage. The simulated results can serve as a guide to improve material property models for macroscale fuel performance modeling.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A review of fluids under nanoconfinement: Reactivity, geomechanics, phase transitions, and flow

Due to its many industrial applications, the physics associated with the nanoconfinement of fluids has garnered great attention from the scientific community in roughly the last fifteen years. One pioneer of that research has been the Multi-Scale Fluid-Solid Interactions in Architected and Natural Materials (MUSE) Energy Frontier Research Center, which produced more than 50 journal articles from 2018 to 2023. We structure the findings of MUSE into four categories and contextualize the work with the broader literature. Here, the four categories are (1) the dependence of chemical reactions on the degree of confinement, which given the lower freedom of motion of molecules yet improved availability of reaction sites generally lead to enhancement from bulk reactions; (2) the mechanical properties of the porous matrix, which are dependent on the heterogeneity of the system in terms of both composition and structure; (3) the phase transitions under nanoconfinement, which are influenced by the pore size and morphology, surface chemistry, and substrate composition; and (4) the physical controls of slip flow, which demonstrate the importance of several factors, such as wettability. These aspects of nanoconfinement are becoming clearer, but there are other elements such as mathematical theory that are still being developed.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Deformation behavior of metallic glass composites and plasticity accommodation at microstructural length-scales

Bulk metallic glass matrix composites represent a unique microstructural design strategy for overcoming the strength/ductility trade-off in structural alloys. Site-specific mechanical behavior of a Ti-based bulk metallic glass composite was evaluated at microstructural length-scale. The micro-pillars on the amorphous matrix showed on average a yield point of 1.9 GPa followed by serrated plastic deformation characteristic of shear banding. In contrast, micro-pillars on the crystalline dendritic phase showed a much lower yield strength of 0.72 GPa on average for the four different crystallographic orientations chosen, smooth plastic flow with no recognizable load burst, and stable strain-hardening after yield point. A number of micro-pillars were made at the interface between the glassy matrix and the crystalline dendrite. The mixed micro-pillars showed homogeneous deformation and greater plasticity which was attributed to their smaller stored elastic energy. Shear bands initiated in the amorphous matrix were arrested by the crystalline dendrite, which accommodated plasticity through slip bands and dislocations pile-ups. The interface remained intact after plastic deformation, with no observable signs of devitrification in the amorphous phase.

Bulk metallic glass matrix composite, Micro-pillar↗