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At least 235 records · Page 13

Overview of CMC (Ceramic Matrix Composite) Research at the NASA Glenn Research Center

In support of NASAs Aeronautics Research Mission, the Glenn Research Center has developed and assessed various constituents for a high temperature (2700F) SiCSiC CMC system for turbine engine applications. Combinations of highly creep-resistant SiC fibers, advanced 3D weaves, durable environmental barrier coatings (EBCs), and a 2700F-capable hybrid SiC matrix are being developed evaluated. The resulting improvements in CMC mechanical properties and durability will be summarized. The development and validation of models for predicting the effects of the environment on the durability of CMCs and EBCs and other operating-environment challenges including the effect of CMAS (calcium magnesium aluminosilicate) degradation of EBCs will be discussed. Progress toward the development of CMC joining technology for 2400F joint applications will also be reviewed.

Ceramic Matrix Composites↗

Thermal High- and Low-Cycle Fatigue Behavior of Thick Thermal Barrier Coating Systems

Ceramic thermal barrier coatings have received increasing attention for advanced gas turbine and diesel engine applications because of their ability to provide thermal insulation to engine components. However, the durability of these coatings under the severe thermal cycling conditions encountered in a diesel engine (ref. 1) still remains a major issue. In this research at the NASA Lewis Research Center, a high-power laser was used to investigate the thermal fatigue behavior of a yttria-stabilized zirconia coating system under simulated diesel engine conditions. The mechanisms of fatigue crack initiation and propagation, and of coating failure under complex thermal low-cycle fatigue (LCF, representing stop/start cycles) and thermal high-cycle fatigue (HCF, representing operation at 1300 rpm) are described. Continuous wave and pulse laser modes were used to simulate pure LCF and combined LCF/HCF, respectively (ref. 2). The LCF mechanism was found to be closely related to the coating sintering and creep at high temperatures. These creep strains in the ceramic coating led to a tensile stress state during cooling, thus providing the major driving force for crack growth under LCF conditions. The combined LCF/HCF tests induced more severe coating surface cracking, microspallation, and accelerated crack growth than did the pure LCF test. HCF thermal loads also facilitated lateral crack branching and ceramic/bond coat interface delaminations. HCF is associated with the cyclic stresses originating from the high-frequency temperature fluctuation at the ceramic coating surface. The HCF thermal loads act on the crack by a wedging mechanism (ref. 1), resulting in continuous crack growth at temperature. The HCF stress intensity factor amplitude increases with the interaction depth and temperature swing, and decreases with the crack depth. HCF damage also increases with the thermal expansion coefficient and the Young's modulus of the ceramic coating (refs. 1 and 3).

Miller, Robert A.↗

Development and Fatigue Testing of Ceramic Thermal Barrier Coatings

Ceramic thermal barrier coatings will play an increasingly important role in future gas turbine engines because of their ability to effectively protect the engine components and further raise engine temperatures. Durability of the coating systems remains a critical issue with the ever-increasing temperature requirements. Thermal conductivity increase and coating degradation due to sintering and phase changes are known to be detrimental to coating performance. There is a need to characterize the coating thermal fatigue behavior and temperature limit, in order to potentially take full advantage of the current coating capability. In this study, thermal conductivity and cyclic fatigue behaviors of plasma-sprayed ZrO2-8wt%Y2O3 thermal barrier coatings were evaluated under high temperature, large thermal gradient and thermal cycling conditions. The coating degradation and failure processes were assessed by real-time monitoring of the coating thermal conductivity under the test conditions. The ceramic coating crack initiation and propagation driving forces and failure modes under the cyclic thermal loads will be discussed in light of the high temperature mechanical fatigue and fracture testing results.

Zhu, Dong-Ming↗

Environmental Durability of Electroplated Black Chromium

Report describes tests of durability of electroplated black chromium coatings on solar-collector panels in rural, industrial, and seacoast environments for 60, 36, and 13 months, respectively. Black-chromium coating showed exceptionally-good optical durability in all three environments.

Lowery, J. R.↗

Thermal Conductivity and Sintering Behavior of Advanced Thermal Barrier Coatings

Advanced thermal barrier coatings, having significantly reduced long-term thermal conductivities, are being developed using an approach that emphasizes real-time monitoring of thermal conductivity under conditions that are engine-like in terms of temperatures and heat fluxes. This is in contrast to the traditional approach where coatings are initially optimized in terms of furnace and burner rig durability with subsequent measurement in the as-processed or furnace-sintered condition. The present work establishes a laser high-heat-flux test as the basis for evaluating advanced plasma-sprayed and physical vapor-deposited thermal barrier coatings under the NASA Ultra Efficient Engine Technology (UEET) Program. The candidate coating materials for this program are novel thermal barrier coatings that are found to have significantly reduced thermal conductivities due to an oxide-defect-cluster design. Critical issues for designing advanced low conductivity coatings with improved coating durability are also discussed.

Zhu, Dongming↗

Development of Advanced Low Conductivity Thermal Barrier Coatings

Advanced multi-component, low conductivity oxide thermal barrier coatings have been developed using an approach that emphasizes real-time monitoring of thermal conductivity under conditions that are engine-like in terms of temperatures and heat fluxes. This is in contrast to the traditional approach where coatings are initially optimized in terms of furnace and burner rig durability with subsequent measurement in the as-processed or furnace-sintered condition. The present work establishes a laser high-heat-flux test as the basis for evaluating advanced plasma-sprayed and electron beam-physical vapor deposited (EB-PVD) thermal barrier coatings under the NASA Ultra-Efficient Engine Technology (UEET) Program. The candidate coating materials for this program are novel thermal barrier coatings that are found to have significantly reduced thermal conductivities and improved thermal stability due to an oxide-defect-cluster design. Critical issues for designing advanced low conductivity coatings with improved coating durability are also discussed.

Zhu, Dong-Ming↗

Reducing module soiling with scalable and robust photocatalytic coatings

The air-glass interface at the front of a photovoltaic (PV) module reflects approximately 4% of incident light, decreasing the potential power output of the module by the same amount. Today’s modules reduce this loss by adding a low-refractive-index (1.25-1.30) SiO2 coating to the sunward side of the module glass; this antireflection coating recovers approximately 3% of the 4% light that would otherwise be lost. While such antireflection coatings work very well on clean, new modules, they do not inhibit soiling—the accumulation of soilants such as dust, pollen, soot, or other foreign material—on the module glass, and soilants reflect and scatter incident light. An improved coating would serve provide not only an antireflection effect, but also an anti-soiling effect. The goal of this project was to develop such a coating and provide a path for it to be manufactured in the U.S. The project successfully designed and fabricated coatings that provided >3% transmittance gain compared to bare glass (matching the performance of commercial antireflection coatings) and displayed anti-soiling behavior in standard laboratory soiling effects. This was achieved by using a Swift Coat proprietary coating deposition technique, aerosol impact-driven assembly (AIDA), to control the porosity and thus refractive index of coatings of photocatalytic materials—such as TiO2—that would otherwise increase (instead of decrease) reflection. These combined antireflection/anti-soiling coatings passed PV industry standard module reliability tests as well as coating-specific abrasion tests, showing that they have the durability needed for decades in the field. Swift Coat scaled the AIDA hardware and deposition process to make mini-modules that were monitored for nearly two years during field tests administered by a third party, as well as demonstrated scaling to the widths of full-sized modules. The fielded mini-modules outperformed reference modules (with commercial antireflection coatings) in two locations, providing a 1% absolute average performance boost and larger increases during periods of heavier soiling. Swift Coat’s cost analysis indicated a coating manufacturing cost below the sales price of today’s antireflection coatings. More than five module manufacturers sampled and assessed the coatings, and three provided letters of support. The coating developed in this project increases the energy output of PV modules, thereby decreasing the cost per kilowatt-hour of solar energy generated. Cheaper solar electricity benefits the public by accelerating the transition to a stable, affordable, carbon-free energy economy. In addition, for select applications in which PV modules are highly visible—such as on residential rooftops—the coating provides an aesthetic benefit because it stays cleaner than today’s modules. Finally, Swift Coat and its prospective customers are U.S. companies, and successful commercialization of this technology will provide U.S. jobs and a secure solar supply chain.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Optical Property Evaluation of Next Generation Thermal Control Coatings

Next generation white thermal control coatings were developed via the Small Business Innovative Research program utilizing lithium silicate chemistry as a binder. Doping of the binder with additives yielded a powder that was plasma spray capable and that could be applied to light weight polymers and carbon-carbon composite surfaces. The plasma sprayed coating had acceptable beginning-of-life and end-of-live optical properties, as indicated by a successful 1.5 year exposure to the space environment in low Earth orbit. Recent studies also showed the coating to be durable to simulated space environments consisting of 1 keV and 10 keV electrons, 4.5 MeV electrons, and thermal cycling. Large scale deposition was demonstrated on a polymer matrix composite radiator panel, leading to the selection of the coating for use on the Gravity Recovery And Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission.

Jaworske, Donald A.↗

LDEF spacecraft, ground laboratory, and computational modeling implications on Space Station Freedom's solar array materials and surfaces durability

The low earth orbital (LEO) durability of Space Station Freedom (SSF) solar array materials and surfaces is evaluated using results from the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF), ground laboratory simulation tests, and Monte Carlo modeling. These results indicate that thin-film SiOx protective coatings are adequately durable to atomic oxygen, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, thermal cycling, and micrometeroid or debris impact.

Banks, Bruce A.↗

Rational design of semi-interpenetrating network based on hyperbranched polyglycerol grafted MXene/polyurethane–epoxy for compressed hydrogen storage

Here, hydrogen (H 2 ) energy has emerged as a promising alternative in the automotive sector to replace fossil fuel; however, its storage with volumetric efficiency remains a challenge. The latest type IV storage vessel featuring a polymeric liner with composite overwrap incurs hydrogen saturation, which eventually causes failure. To prevent the H 2 dissolution in the liner, we have developed a barrier coating comprised of polyurethane/epoxy semi-interpenetrating network (S-IPN) combined with hyperbranched polyglycerol grafted MXene (h-MXene). The hyperbranched structure facilitated the dispersion of MXene in the coating solution by enhancing the exfoliation and improved the polymer filler interaction by forming covalent and H-bonding through end-terminal hydroxyl groups. Leveraging the dense network of S-IPN combined with the dispersed layer structured h-MXene significantly increased the tortuosity of the spray-coated barrier film applied to the nylon 6 liner. The coating exhibited a 90 % reduction in the H 2 gas permeability at only 2 wt% h-MXene concentration, which further improved to above 98 % at 10 wt% loading. Additionally, the h-MXene considerably improved the adhesion with the liner even in a highly stretched condition, signifying the durability of the coating under cyclic pressurization and depressurization of the storage vessel.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Tile densification with TEOS

Densification process uses brushed or sprayed coating of tetraethyl orthosilicate. Liquid is applied and cured in three steps; tile weight increase averages 0.15 g per square centimeter. TEOS liquid is prepared by mixing TEOS with hydrochloric acid and adding marking dye. TEOS application provides variable stiffness, strength, and penetration. Surface of tile shows no buidup and is more durable for additional coatings.

Ecord, G. M.↗

Optical Properties of Thermal Control Coatings After Weathering, Simulated Ascent Heating, and Simulated Space Radiation Exposure

Spacecraft radiators reject heat to their surroundings and coatings play an important role in this heat rejection. The coatings provide the combined optical properties of low solar absorptance and high infrared emittance. The coatings are applied to the radiator panel in a number of ways, including conventional spraying, plasma spraying, or as an applique. Not designed for a terrestrial weathering environment, the durability of spacecraft paints, coatings, and appliques upon exposure to weathering and subsequent exposure to ascent heating, solar wind, and ultraviolet radiation was studied. In addition to traditional aluminum panels, new isocyanate ester composite panels were exposed for a total of 90 days at the Atmospheric Exposure Site of Kennedy Space Center's (KSC) Beach Corrosion Facility for the purpose of identifying their durability to weathering. Selected panel coupons were subsequently exposed to simulated ascent heating, solar wind, and vacuum ultraviolet (UV) radiation to identify the effect of a simulated space environment on as-weathered surfaces. Optical properties and adhesion testing were used to document the durability of the paints, coatings, and appliques.

Jaworske, Donald A.↗

Effect of Cyclic Aeroconvective Heating on Flexible Thermal Insulations

This paper describes the effect of cyclic aeroconvective heating on the thermal performance of ceramic flexible insulations considered for potential use as thermal protection systems or thermal insulations for future hypersonic vehicles such as the Reusable Launch Vehicles (RLV's) and other applications where structures require thermal protection from severe heating. The thermal response of these materials after exposure to cyclic aeroconvective heating from a plasma arc is described. The thermal insulations evaluated were Composite Flexible Blanket Insulations composed of an outer layer of aluminoborosilicate fabric and alumina insulation. The insulations were evaluated with and without a high emissivity coating. These insulations were exposed to the plasma arc stream for nine minutes reaching surface temperatures of 1150 C and a heat flux of 10.5 W/sq cm. Insulations were exposed three, six, or nine times in order to demonstrate reusability and to determine the effect oi coatings on the surface durability of these insulations. Test results demonstrated the capability of these insulations to protect either composite or metallic structures from high heating environments. It is shown that high emittance coatings reduce backface temperatures. The durability of these insulations when impacted at low velocities was also demonstrated. The interaction of the coatings with the ceramic fibers was characterized. An analytical thermal model was utilized to correlate experimental thermal test results with calculated values.

Kourtides, Demetrius A.↗

Performance of stainless steel interconnects with (Mn,Co) 3 O 4 -Based coating for solid oxide electrolysis

Mixed transition-metal oxide coatings are commonly applied to stainless steel interconnects for solid oxide cell stacks. Such coatings reduce oxidation and Cr evaporation rates, leading to improved degradation rate and stack lifetime. Here, the ChromLok™ MCO-based composition (Mn,Co) 3 O 4 is applied to Crofer 22 APU stainless steel and evaluated specifically for application in solid oxide electrolyzer stacks operating around 800 °C and utilizing oxygen-ion-conducting solid oxide cells. The MCO coating is found to decrease the stainless steel oxidation rate by about one order of magnitude, and decrease the Cr evaporation rate by fourfold. Furthermore, the coating also dramatically lowers the rate of area-specific resistance increase for stainless steel coupons oxidized for 500 h with constant current applied, from 33 mΩ*cm 2 kh -1 for an uncoated coupon to less than 4 mΩ*cm2 kh -1 for coated coupons. The coating is demonstrated on full-scale interconnects for single-cells, where the coating dramatically reduces degradation rate, and for a stack, which displays stable operation for 700 h.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Mirror coatings with atomic layer deposition : initial results

The new technology of Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) holds promise to enable a future strategic mission that can address both ultraviolet (UV) astrophysics and optical exoplanet science with a shared telescope. The technology path to a shared telescope requires the development of a mirror coating with high reflectance from 100 nm to 1000 nm, and low polarization effects (i.e., s-p phase shifts that can vary with angle of incidence across a primary and secondary mirror) in the optical range. Currently, UV coatings have low reflectance, and conventional optical coatings have poor polarization properties for high-contrast coronagraph applications. In this paper we attempt to take a first step toward solving both problems simultaneously by using ALD, taking advantage of the fact that ALD can potentially produce mirror coatings with denser layers than conventional coatings (hence better reflectance, durability, and water resistance). In addition, ALD can potentially produce coatings with new composite materials (hence better control of polarization). We report here the results of our initial experiments with mirror coatings using ALD.

Traub, Wesley↗

Weathering of Thermal Control Coatings

Spacecraft radiators reject heat to their surroundings. Radiators can be deployable or mounted on the body of the spacecraft. NASA's Crew Exploration Vehicle is to use body mounted radiators. Coatings play an important role in heat rejection. The coatings provide the radiator surface with the desired optical properties of low solar absorptance and high infrared emittance. These specialized surfaces are applied to the radiator panel in a number of ways, including conventional spraying, plasma spraying, or as an applique. Not specifically designed for a weathering environment, little is known about the durability of conventional paints, coatings, and appliques upon exposure to weathering and subsequent exposure to solar wind and ultraviolet radiation exposure. In addition to maintaining their desired optical properties, the coatings must also continue to adhere to the underlying radiator panel. This is a challenge, as new composite radiator panels are being considered as replacements for the aluminum panels used previously. Various thermal control paints, coatings, and appliques were applied to aluminum and isocyanate ester composite coupons and were exposed for 30 days at the Atmospheric Exposure Site of the Kennedy Space Center s Beach Corrosion Facility for the purpose of identifying their durability to weathering. Selected coupons were subsequently exposed to simulated solar wind and vacuum ultraviolet radiation to identify the effect of a simulated space environment on the as-weathered surfaces. Optical properties and adhesion testing were used to document the durability of the paints and coatings. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of the weathering testing and to summarize the durability of several thermal control paints, coatings, and appliques to weathering and postweathering environments.

Jaworske, Donald A.↗

Control of the Plasma-Material Interface for Long Pulse Optimization in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) (Final Report)

This project involved a collaborative effort, led by Dr. Rajesh Maingi of Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, to understand and control the plasma-material interface to improve long pulse discharge control and performance in the EAST devices. The focus is on long pulse recycling control and optimization, which can be challenging because of their broad range of materials used for plasma-facing components (PFC) and wall conditioning techniques. The purpose of the EAST device is to demonstrate long-pulse, stable, high performance plasma operation, providing a test-bed for key physics and technology issues for next step devices. As part of these tests, EAST has deployed carbon for the lower divertor PFC, tungsten for the upper divertor, and molybdenum for the main wall. In addition wall coatings are deployed for long pulse recycling control: lithium (Li) via several delivery tools, boronization, and recently also siliconization; for example, in 2013, a layer of SiC was deposited on all of the graphite tiles. Oxygen is also present at trace levels, making for a complex mix of materials and plasma-materials interactions (PMI). This mix of materials and the limited durability of wall coatings, coupled to partially optimized cryo-pumping, lead to evolution of the recycling off the PFCs, which restricts the duration of stationary, high performance, long pulse discharges. Comparing the wall conditioning techniques, Li enables the highest energy confinement and lowest recycling for the longest duration, while also suppressing ELMs in certain discharges. More specifically, research activities at the University of Tennessee focused on heat flux profile measurements in EAST, modeling the surface response, including the bonding energetics and chemical interactions between Li with carbon, tungsten, hydrogen and impurities, in addition to post situ experimental characterization and analysis of the divertor plasma facing components in EAST. This final report describes the overall progress within each of these tasks at the University of Tennessee within the project.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗