Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “grade”

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 307 records · Page 17
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Long-Term Thermal Aging Effect Evaluation for Grade 92 and 316L at The LWR Relevant Temperature

Life extension of the existing nuclear reactors imposes accumulated damages, such as higher fluences and longer periods of corrosion, to structural materials, which would result in significant challenges to the traditional reactor materials such as type 304 and 316 stainless steels. Advanced alloys with superior radiation resistance will increase safety margins, design flexibility, and economics for not only the life extension of the existing fleet but also new builds with advanced reactor designs. The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) initiated a collaboration with the Department of Energy (DOE) Light Water Reactor Sustainability (LWRS) Program on the Advanced Radiation Resistant Materials (ARRM) program, focused on developing and test degradation resistant alloys for light water reactor (LWR)- relevant environments. Based on a comprehensive microstructure and property screening, the ARRM program selected a total of five alloys (i.e., Grade 92, 310, 690, 718A, and 725), together with 316L and X-750 as references, for further investigations.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2022

The Fracture Toughness of Nuclear Graphite Grades, Revision 1

New measurements of graphite mode I critical stress intensity factor, K Ic (commonly referred to as the fracture toughness) and the mode II critical shear stress intensity, K IIc , are reported and compared with prior data for K Ic and K IIc . The new data are for graphite grades PCEA, IG-110 and 2114. Variations of K Ic and acoustic emission (AE) data with graphite texture are reported and discussed. The Codes and Standards applications of fracture toughness, K Ic , data are also discussed. A specified minimum value for nuclear graphite K Ic is recommended.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Pressurized Tube Creep Testing of Graded Transition Joints (GTJ) for G91 and 347H Base Metals

This report briefly describes part of the research activities dedicated to a DOE FE project, graded transition joints (GTJ) development for G91 and 347H steels. The task was focused on pressurized tube creep testing on the 3D-printed GTJ materials. A specimen with reduced gage section is developed that includes G91, GTJ, and 347H subsections. A tapered GTJ subsection is introduced to address the technical challenge of mechanical testing with mismatched rupture times of the base metals. The report provides the descriptions of basic considerations, specimen preparation, testing system, and experimental results along with main findings.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Understanding FLiNaK Salt Intrusion Behavior on Nuclear-Grade Graphite via Neutron Tomography

Graphite is an essential material as a neutron moderator in molten salt reactors (MSRs). To understand the impact of salt on the graphite structure to develop structural materials for MSRs, molten salt intrusion behavior on nuclear-grade graphite was studied. The graphite samples, IG-110 and PCEA, were tested for infiltration with LiF-NaF-KF (FLiNaK) at 750°C, 5 bar for 12 h, and, after the intrusion experiment, the graphite was analyzed by neutron imaging. The graphite and Li from FLiNaK showed great contrast in the neutron attenuation coefficient. Thus, the salt behavior in the graphite structure has been visualized for the first time without damaging the sample. The 3D image of the graphite was reconstructed after a neutron computed tomography scan, and the average salt coverage distribution of the XY surface in different depths was obtained from the reconstructed 3D images.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Mersen Grade 2114: A Comparison of Tensile Strength Data

The ASTM Brazilian disc graphite strength (splitting tensile strength, σ sts ) test method (ASTM D8289) is of interest because the small-specimen geometry is compatible with that of environmental effects specimens, thus allowing for environmental effects such as irradiation, irradiation creep, or oxidation on tensile strength to be investigated. The Brazilian disc strength of Mersen grade 2114 graphite is reported and compared with strength data previously obtained using larger cylindrical ASTM dog-bone specimens.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Developing Non-Food Grade Brassica Biofuel Feedstock Cultivars with High Yield, Oil Content, and Oil Quality that are Suitable for Low Input Production Dryland Systems (Final Report)

The U.S. uses a substantial amount of fossil fuel as an energy source for a wide range for functions including home heating, agriculture and transportation. In the transportation sector, diesel and jet fuel are consumed at a rapid rate, and alternative liquid energy is being investigated globally and nationally to reduce our dependence on fossil fuel and reduce the impact of our carbon footprint on global climate change. Non-food Brassica crops have the potential of producing high oil yield (over 250 gal acre-1) and have oil quality highly desirable for use as biodiesel or bio jet fuel. Developing oilseed feedstock Brassica cultivars with higher seed and oil yield, with high oil quality and with resistance to pathogens, that can be grown with few chemical inputs will helping break our dependence on fossil fuels and reduce importation of fossil fuels. While some oilseed Brassicas have been grown on a small scale for many years in the Pacific Northwest (PNW), adoption has been limited, and the potential of the crops have not been realized or even fully investigated. This report summarizes the results of a study to develop superior non-food grade winter (B. napus) and spring (B. napus and B. juncea) oilseed cultivars suitable for a range of PNW, and other US environments with high resistance to the biotic and abiotic stresses suitable for high-quality biofuel feedstocks. In conducting this work, genome-wide association selection was used to dissect the genetic architecture of industrial Brassica oilseed germplasm for yield, quality, and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. A genome-wide bioinformatics approach was used to identify putative PRR (pattern recognition receptor) - type resistance genes that confer durable resistance to blackleg. A novel transgenic approach was developed to generate resistant non-food oilseed lines using PPR genes Br1033 and Br8486. These genes were inserted into regionally adapted oilseed cultivars.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Development of POTATO for 2S Module Grading for the CMS Phase-2 Outer Tracker Upgrade

Due to the High Luminosity-Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC) upgrade, several detectors of the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) will need to be replaced, specifically the new Outer Tracker (OT) that will be assembled with 13,200 silicon modules. The OT is composed of two types of modules; the PS (pixel-strip) and the 2S (strip-strip) modules. With a large influx of production of modules, extensive testing is required to ensure quality of the modules. This research introduces POTATO (Phase-II Outer Tracker Analyzer of Test Outputs), a specialized software developed in C++ to analyze, grade, and store results in a centralized database. Module data will be collected from various international production facilities. The implementation of POTATO will facilitate with selecting the best performing modules for the Outer Tracker upgrade. This research is focused on the implementation of the analysis of 2S Module results within POTATO.

Klupshas, Anna↗
DOE OSTI2024

Development of POTATO for 2S Module Grading for the CMS Phase-2 Outer Tracker Upgrade

Due to the High Luminosity-Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC) upgrade, several detectors of the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) will need to be upgraded, specifically the new Outer Tracker detector that will be composed of 13,200 silicon modules. The Outer Tracker features two types of modules; the PS (pixel-strip) and the 2S (strip-strip) modules. With a large influx of production of modules, extensive testing is required to ensure they fulfill the performance requirements. This research introduces POTATO (Phase-II Outer Tracker Analyzer of Test Outputs), a specialized software developed in C++ to analyze, grade, and store results in a centralized database since module data will be collected from various international production facilities. The implementation of POTATO will facilitate the selection of the best performing modules for the Outer Tracker upgrade. This paper is focused on the implementation of the analysis of 2S Module results within POTATO.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Mersen Grade 2114: Tensile Strength from Brazilian Disc Testing

The ASTM Brazilian disc graphite strength (splitting tensile strength, σ sts ) test method (ASTM D8289) is of interest because the small-specimen geometry is compatible with that of environmental effects specimens, thus allowing for environmental effects such as irradiation, irradiation creep, or oxidation on tensile strength to be investigated. The Brazilian disc strength of Mersen grade 2114 graphite (billet 116310 slab 1) is reported and compared with strength data previously obtained using larger cylindrical ASTM dog-bone specimens and with Brazilian disc strength data obtained from billet 116310 slab 5.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Low-Temperature Production of Battery Grade Graphite from Coal with Recovery and Reuse of the Catalyst

Synthetic graphite is made predominantly from a petroleum-derived needle coke using the Acheson method. This involves heating the needle coke at elevated temperatures of ~ 3000 °C for more than 7 days. High-temperature heating is the most technically challenging, expensive, and energy-intensive aspect of graphite manufacturing. We will present a strategy for synthesizing high-quality battery-grade graphite powder from coal using a low-temperature catalytic graphitization process. The use of a catalyst drops the processing temperatures to 1500 °C and processing times to a few hours. The graphite produced with this process has been tested as a battery anode and has been shown to outperform anodes made with commercially sourced graphite materials. We will also present a sustainable method to recover and reuse the catalyst and acid used to retrieve the catalyst. This overcomes a long-standing technical hurdle associated with using catalysts for manufacturing graphite.

Kim, Ki-Joong↗
DOE OSTI2024

Conversion Of Coal To Li-Ion Battery Grade (Potato) Graphite (Final Technical Report)

It was previously shown that biomass could be readily transformed to Li-ion battery grade graphite with performance that is equivalent to commercial graphite. This project extended that result to lignite coal, an abundant and inexpensive resource in the United States. It was found that lignite from North Dakota (ND), following charring and exposure to near-infrared light from a laser in the presence of an iron metal catalyst, graphitizes with high yield, crystallinity and purity. Furthermore, spheroidal (“potato”) shaped graphite agglomerates can be produced from ND lignite with performance that rivals that of commercial graphite. Finally, the process was found to be potentially economical, to that extent that it may be able to disrupt the current market, if the laboratory results obtained under this project can be successfully translated to industrial scale.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗
DOE OSTI2022

In-Situ Powder-Directed Energy Process Control for Additively Manufactured Multi-Layer, Functionally Graded Components

Coatings and cladding can experience damage in harsh environments: Erosion Oxidation Delamination External mechanical damage Radiation induced damage Functionally Graded Materials (FGMs) were primarily designed to reduce thermal stress in thermal barrier coatings (TBCs), but can produce coatings which resist a variety of material damage (corrosion, surface damage, diffusion) Powder-fed DED with multiple independent feeders allows for AM FGMs, and provides robust control over process parameters to optimize microstructure and performance. FGMs have a great opportunity for applications in energy applications as a strategy to increase plant efficiency and lifetime.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Graphite Oxidation Rate Study on ET-10 and ETU-10 Grades - Task 4: QA Support and Testing for Structural Graphite Oxidation

INL performed targeted oxidation tests to measure oxidation rates for samples of ET-10 and ETU-10 graphite under CRADA No. 21CRA22 Mod. 3, Annex A, “Tritium Testing to Support Kairos Power Advanced Reactor Demonstration” (04/02/2024). All testing was conducted within INL’s Carbon Characterization Laboratory (CCL) using test standard ASTM D7542-21 "Standard Test Method for Air Oxidation of Carbon and Graphite in the Kinetic Regime" [ASTM International, 2021]. Kairos Power provided all test specimens through its graphite vendor Ibiden, Inc. to INL and ASTM specimen specified dimensions. Information within this report only provides the Arrhenius oxidation rate plots as a function of temperature for each graphite grade tested. The raw mass loss per time data will be provided on the Nuclear Data Management and Analysis System (NDMAS) portal located on the INL information system.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Simulation of Creep Deformation and Failure in Graded AM Microstructures

This report describes modeling tools and techniques developed to simulate the long-term material performance of 316H stainless steel manufactured using Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF). A physics-based Crystal Plasticity Finite Element model is used to simulate creep in microstructures and to study the roles of grain morphology, porosity, and texture. We describe our modeling methodology, including an orientation-mapping technique to capture the spatially varying crystallographic orientation that results from the build conditions. Our study of microstructural features shows that AM microstructures produced by LPBF tend to creep faster in the build direction, while texture and grain boundaries strengthen the transverse directions. However, when grain-boundary porosity and the consequent cavity growth are included in the model, the transverse directions begin to creep faster. In examining texture, the results indicate that spatially varying orientation arising from the build conditions increases anisotropy in the material, making it critical to account for orientation gradients in the material to accurately model its mechanical behavior. We also describe a material-model calibration campaign in which we calibrated the constitutive model specifically for LPBF 316H stainless steel at 725℃ for both solution-annealed and as-built conditions. Finally, these tools and techniques are used to model creep in microstructures representing different regions of an LPBF material with graded microstructure, owing to intentional variation in processing conditions. The creep simulation results show good agreement with experimental data across all three microstructures, with future work planned to study rupture in the material.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Optimization of Functionally Graded Materials Using Additive Manufacturing: An Integrated Experimental and Computational Approach (Abbreviated Final Report)

Many advanced technologies, such as next-generation energy systems, aerospace vehicles, and defense platforms, require materials that can withstand extreme environments, including high temperatures, corrosion, and radiation, while remaining strong and lightweight. Traditionally, joining different materials to achieve these properties introduces weak, failure-prone interfaces and defects that limit performance. Our research aimed to overcome this challenge by using additive manufacturing, specifically directed energy deposition, to create functionally graded materials—components with smooth transitions between different metals. This approach eliminates sharp boundaries and allows for tailored material properties throughout a part.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Fabrication of ceramic to metal graded structure for high temperature CSP receiver application using solid state additive manufacturing

The overarching goal of this project is to come up with an innovative joining solution for integration of SiC ceramic to structural materials such as stainless steels (SS)/Ni-base alloys, where intimate metallurgical bonding between SiC ceramic and the structural metallic alloy is demonstrated at the interface. Implementation of a simple, yet robust joining method would help in increasing the application space of SiC in a high-temperature CSP (concentrated solar power) plant, especially in the receiver section. This research goal has been achieved by creating a functionally graded material (FGM) interface between SiC and the selected structural material with the help of powder metallurgy (PM) approach and demonstrate intimate metallurgical bonding between monolithic RB-SiC and 316L stainless steel alloy blanks.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Bacteriophage-Induced Lipopolysaccharide Mutations in Escherichia coli Lead to Hypersensitivity to Food Grade Surfactant Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate

Bacteriophages (phages) are considered as one of the most promising antibiotic alternatives in combatting bacterial infectious diseases. However, one concern of employing phage application is the emergence of bacteriophage-insensitive mutants (BIMs). Here, we isolated six BIMs from E. coli B in the presence of phage T4 and characterized them using genomic and phenotypic methods. Of all six BIMs, a six-amino acid deletion in glucosyltransferase WaaG likely conferred phage resistance by deactivating the addition of T4 receptor glucose to the lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This finding was further supported by the impaired phage adsorption to BIMs and glycosyl composition analysis which quantitatively confirmed the absence of glucose in the LPS of BIMs. Since LPSs actively maintain outer membrane (OM) permeability, phage-induced truncations of LPSs destabilized the OM and sensitized BIMs to various substrates, especially to the food-grade surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). This hypersensitivity to SDS was exploited to design a T4–SDS combination which successfully prevented the generation of BIMs and eliminated the inoculated bacteria. Collectively, phage-driven modifications of LPSs immunized BIMs from T4 predation but increased their susceptibilities as a fitness cost. The findings of this study suggest a novel strategy to enhance the effectiveness of phage-based food safety interventions.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗