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At least 343 records · Page 19

Structural Dynamics Testing of Advanced Stirling Convertor Components

NASA Glenn Research Center has been supporting the development of Stirling energy conversion for use in space. Lockheed Martin has been contracted by the Department of Energy to design and fabricate flight-unit Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generators, which utilize Sunpower, Inc., free-piston Advanced Stirling Convertors. The engineering unit generator has demonstrated conversion efficiency in excess of 20 percent, offering a significant improvement over existing radioisotope-fueled power systems. NASA Glenn has been supporting the development of this generator by developing the convertors through a technology development contract with Sunpower, and conducting research and experiments in a multitude of areas, such as high-temperature material properties, organics testing, and convertor-level extended operation. Since the generator must undergo launch, several launch simulation tests have also been performed at the convertor level. The standard test sequence for launch vibration exposure has consisted of workmanship and flight acceptance levels. Together, these exposures simulate what a flight convertor will experience. Recently, two supplementary tests were added to the launch vibration simulation activity. First was a vibration durability test of the convertor, intended to quantify the effect of vibration levels up to qualification level in both the lateral and axial directions. Second was qualification-level vibration of several heater heads with small oxide inclusions in the material. The goal of this test was to ascertain the effect of the inclusions on launch survivability to determine if the heater heads were suitable for flight.

Heaters↗

Structural Dynamics Testing of Advanced Stirling Convertor Components

NASA Glenn Research Center has been supporting the development of Stirling energy conversion for use in space. Lockheed Martin has been contracted by the Department of Energy to design and fabricate flight-unit Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generators, which utilize Sunpower, Inc., free-piston Advanced Stirling Convertors. The engineering unit generator has demonstrated conversion efficiency in excess of 20 percent, offering a significant improvement over existing radioisotope-fueled power systems. NASA Glenn has been supporting the development of this generator by developing the convertors through a technology development contract with Sunpower, and conducting research and experiments in a multitude of areas, such as high-temperature material properties, organics testing, and convertor-level extended operation. Since the generator must undergo launch, several launch simulation tests have also been performed at the convertor level. The standard test sequence for launch vibration exposure has consisted of workmanship and flight acceptance levels. Together, these exposures simulate what a flight convertor will experience. Recently, two supplementary tests were added to the launch vibration simulation activity. First was a vibration durability test of the convertor, intended to quantify the effect of vibration levels up to qualification level in both the lateral and axial directions. Second was qualification-level vibration of several heater heads with small oxide inclusions in the material. The goal of this test was to ascertain the effect of the inclusions on launch survivability to determine if the heater heads were suitable for flight.

Oriti, Sal↗

TEM Analysis of Interfaces in Diffusion-Bonded Silicon Carbide Ceramics Joined Using Metallic Interlayers

Silicon Carbide (SiC) is a promising material for thermo-structural applications due to its excellent high-temperature mechanical properties, oxidation resistance, and thermal stability. However, joining and integration technologies are indispensable for this material in order to fabricate large size and complex shape components with desired functionalities. Although diffusion bonding techniques using metallic interlayers have been commonly utilized to bond various SiC ceramics, detailed microstructural observation by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) of the bonded area has not been carried out due to difficulty in preparing TEM samples. In this study, we tried to prepare TEM samples from joints of diffusion bonded SiC ceramics by Focused Ion Beam (FIB) system and carefully investigated the interfacial microstructure by TEM analysis. The samples used in this study were SiC fiber bonded ceramics (SA-Tyrannohex: SA-THX) diffusion bonded with metallic interlayers such as Ti, TiMo, and Mo-B. In this presentation, the result of microstructural analysis obtained by TEM observations and the influence of metallic interlayers and fiber orientation of SA-THX on the joint microstructure will be discussed.

Silicon Carbide↗

TEM Analysis of Diffusion-Bonded Silicon Carbide Ceramics Joined Using Metallic Interlayers

Silicon Carbide (SiC) is a promising material for thermostructural applications due to its excellent high-temperature mechanical properties, oxidation resistance, and thermal stability. However, joining and integration technologies are indispensable for this material in order to fabricate large size and complex shape components with desired functionalities. Although diffusion bonding techniques using metallic interlayers have been commonly utilized to bond various SiC ceramics, detailed microstructural observation by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) of the bonded area has not been carried out due to difficulty in preparing TEM samples. In this study, we tried to prepare TEM samples from joints of diffusion bonded SiC ceramics by Focused Ion Beam (FIB) system and carefully investigated the interfacial microstructure by TEM analysis. The samples used in this study were SiC fiber bonded ceramics (SA-Tyrannohex: SA-THX) diffusion bonded with metallic interlayers such as Ti, TiMo, Mo-B and TiCu. In this presentation, we report the microstructure of diffusion bonded SA-THX mainly with TiCu interlayers obtained by TEM observations, and the influence of metallic interlayers on the joint microstructure and microhardness will be discussed.

Ceramics↗

Aerospace Ceramic Materials: Thermal, Environmental Barrier Coatings and SiC/SiC Ceramic Matrix Composites for Turbine Engine Applications

Ceramic materials play increasingly important roles in aerospace applications because ceramics have unique properties, including high temperature capability, high stiffness and strengths, excellent oxidation and corrosion resistance. Ceramic materials also generally have lower densities as compared to metallic materials, making them excellent candidates for light-weight hot-section components of aircraft turbine engines, rocket exhaust nozzles, and thermal protection systems for space vehicles when they are being used for high-temperature and ultra-high temperature ceramics applications. Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs), including non-oxide and oxide CMCs, are also recently being incorporated in gas turbine engines for high pressure and high temperature section components and exhaust nozzles. However, the complexity and variability of aerospace ceramic processing methods, compositions and microstructures, the relatively low fracture toughness of the ceramic materials, still remain the challenging factors for ceramic component design, validation, life prediction, and thus broader applications. This ceramic material section paper presents an overview of aerospace ceramic materials and their characteristics. A particular emphasis has been placed on high technology level (TRL) enabling ceramic systems, that is, turbine engine thermal and environmental barrier coating systems and non-oxide type SiC/SiC CMCs. The current status and future trend of thermal and environmental barrier coatings and SiC/SiC CMC development and applications are described.

Thermal Barrier Coatings↗

Influences of Varied Electrical Discharge Machining Operations on Surface Conditions of Several Nickel-Based Superalloys

Nickel-based superalloys designed for use in gas turbine engines blades are difficult and expensive to properly machine without undue surface damage, due in part to their superior mechanical properties at high temperatures. Numerically controlled electrical discharge machining (EDM) has progressed to commonly be used as a machining process for initial sectioning, detailed roughing, and even some finishing operations. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of EDM on resulting surface conditions of superalloy 718 after slicing using typical rough, semi-finish, and finish condition sets with a typical wire EDM machine. Surface roughness, residual stress, and microstructures were compared for these conditions. The varied EDM conditions influenced surface roughness as intended. The residual stresses and surface roughness directly corresponding to the EDM steps were determined. While roughness decreased when progressing from rough to finish EDM conditions, tensile residual stresses unexpectedly increased. Brief assessments after EDM of two higher performance powder metallurgy disk superalloys ME209 and LSHR indicated this inverse relationship of roughness versus tensile residual stress was also present for these superalloys, where tensile residual stresses were significantly enhanced.

superalloys↗

Electrical Discharge Machining of Additively Manufactured Superalloys Containing Oxide Dispersions

Superalloys can be strengthened by oxide dispersions to potentially improve their mechanical properties at high temperatures. Additive manufacturing has opened new paths for introducing oxide particles into superalloys with increased processing flexibility, to potentially provide oxide dispersion strengthening. Numerically controlled electrical discharge machining (EDM) has often been used as a machining process for initial sectioning, detailed roughing, and even finishing operations of conventional superalloys. The objective of this study was to examine how additively manufactured superalloys containing oxide dispersions respond when sectioned using EDM. Consistent sections of several superalloys, two containing an oxide dispersion, were sliced using a typical EDM machine with standard brass wire and a typical roughing condition set. Roughness, microstructure, and residual stress at the EDM surfaces were compared for the varied superalloys.

superalloys↗

Novel Environmental Barrier Coatings for the Protection of SiC Components

Greater gas turbine engine efficiency is a major goal in aeronautics research often pursued through increased engine operating temperatures. However, it is necessary to replace the current hot-stage alloy components with more thermally robust parts, such as Silicon-based ceramics and composites. Unfortunately, these materials are still susceptible to the effects of oxidation, water vapor, and (Calcium-Magnesium-Alumino-Silicate) CMAS interaction, among other issues at high temperature. To mitigate these effects, environmental barrier coating (EBC) materials are employed to help control the rate of degradation to the underlying composite, but must also survive the corrosive environment. The current study explores new design space in Mg-based EBC materials with respect to microstructure, high temperature phase stability, volatilization in water vapor, as well as structure-property relationships at high temperature.

Kowalski, Benjamin A.↗

High-temperature creep of polycrystalline chromium

The creep properties of high-purity, polycrystalline chromium were determined over the temperature range 0.51 to 0.78 T sub m, where T sub m is the melting temperature. Creep rates determined from step-load creep tests can be represented by the general creep equation; epsilon/D = k((sigma/E) to the nth power) where epsilon is the minimum creep rate, D is the diffusivity, k is the creep rate constant, sigma is the applied stress, E is the modulus, and n is the stress exponent, equal to 4.3 for chromium. This correlation and metallographic observations suggest a dislocation climb mechanism is operative in the creep of chromium over the temperature range investigated.

Stephens, J. R.↗

Hot Deformation Of Si(3)N(4) Doped With Sc(2)O(3)

Report describes preparation, microstructural properties, and high-temperature deformation behavior of Si(3)N(4) doped with Sc(2)O(3). Powders of Si(3)N(4) with small additions of Sc(2)O(3) sintered under nitrogen overpressures to full density; expensive hot pressing or hot isostatic pressing not necessary to attain full density. Test of bars indicate high strengths at high temperatures and excellent time-dependent strength properties. Useful for fabrication of hot-section components of automotive gas-turbine engines.

Cheong, Deock-Soo↗

Chemistry and properties of blends of acetylene terminated materials

As part of a NASA program to develop new high temperature/high performance structural materials, the chemistry and properties of acetylene-containing materials and their cured resins are under investigation. The objective of this work is to develop materials that are readily processable (i.e., 200-300 C and about 1.4 MPa or less) and possess usable mechanical properties at temperatures as high as 177 C. An acetylene-terminated aspartimide (ATA) was blended with an equal weight of an acetylene-terminated arylene ether (ATAE) oligomer. The blend was subsequently thermally cured to yield a resin which was evaluated in the form of neat resin moldings, adhesive specimens, and laminates. Adhesive specimens and laminates gave good mechanical properties to temperatures as high as 177 C. In addition, preliminary laminate work is presented on the resin from a blend of a new N-methyl substituted ATA and an ATAE.

Connell, John W.↗

Beamline Electrostatic Levitator (BESL) for in-situ High Energy K-Ray Diffraction Studies of Levitated Solids and Liquids at High Temperature

Determinations of the phase formation sequence, the crystal structures and the thermodynamic properties of materials at high temperatures are difficult because of contamination from the sample container and environment. Containerless processing techniques, such as electrostatic (ESL), electromagnetic (EML), aerodynamic, and acoustic levitation, are most suitable these studies. An adaptation of ESL for in-situ structural studies of a wide range of materials, including metals, semiconductors, insulators using high energy (125 keV) synchrotron x-rays is described here. This beamline ESL (BESL) allows the in-situ determination of the atomic structures of equilibrium solid and liquid phases, including undercooled liquids, as well as real-time studies of solid-solid and liquid-solid phase transformations. The use of image plate (MAR345) or GE-Angio detectors enables fast (30 ms - 1s) acquisition of complete diffraction patterns over a wide q-range (4 - 140/mm). The wide temperature range (300 - 2500 K), containerless processing under high vacuum (10(exp -7) - 10(exp -8) torr), and fast data acquisition, make BESL particularly suitable for phase diagram studies of high temperature materials. An additional, critically important, feature of BESL is the ability to also make simultaneous measurement of a host of thermo-physical properties, including the specific heat, enthalpy of transformation, solidus and liquidus temperatures, density, viscosity, and surface tension; all on the same sample and simultaneous with the structural measurements.

Gangopadhyay, A. K.↗

Properties and Potential of Two (ni,pt)ti Alloys for Use as High-temperature Actuator Materials

The microstructure, transformation temperatures, basic tensile properties, shape memory behavior, and work output for two (Ni,Ti)Pt high-temperature shape memory alloys have been characterized. One was a Ni30Pt20Ti50 alloy (referred to as 20Pt) with transformation temperatures above 230 C and the other was a Ni20Pt30Ti50 alloy (30Pt) with transformation temperatures about 530 C. Both materials displayed shape memory behavior and were capable of 100% (no-load) strain recovery for strain levels up to their fracture limit (3-4%) when deformed at room temperature. For the 20Pt alloy, the tensile strength, modulus, and ductility dramatically increased when the material was tested just about the austenite finish (A(sub f)) temperature. For the 30Pt alloy, a similar change in yield behavior at temperatures above the A(sub f) was not observed. In this case the strength of the austentite phase was at best comparable and generally much weaker than the martensite phase. A ductility minimum was also observed just below the A(sub s) temperature in this alloy. As a result of these differences in tensile behavior, the two alloys performed completely different when thermally cycled under constant load. The 20Pt alloy behaved similar to conventional binary NiTi alloys with work output due to the martensite-to-austenite transformation initially increasing with applied stress. The maximum work output measured in the 20Pt alloy was nearly 9 J/cu cm and was limited by the tensile ductility of the material. In contrast, the martensite-to-austenite transformation in the 30Pt alloy was not capable of performing work against any bias load. The reason for this behavior was traced back to its basic mechanical properties, where the yield strength of the austenite phase was similar to or lower than that of the martensite phase, depending on temperature. Hence, the recovery or transformation strain for the 30Pt alloy under load was essentially zero, resulting in zero work output.

Noebe, Ronald↗

The effect of NaCl/g/ on the oxidation of NiAl

NaCl is ingested into operating gas turbines. The effect of this salt on the high temperature surface stability properties of turbine hardware is not well understood. The involvement of gaseous NaCl in the high temperature oxidation of NiAl, a principal component in many high temperature environmental coatings, is herein examined. The results of this work indicate that gaseous NaCl present in an oxidizing atmosphere affects the formation of Al2O3 whiskers on a dense Al2O3 layer. Such whisker growth, attributed to vapor transport processes through an otherwise dense Al2O3 scale, increases the aluminum depletion of the NiAl substrate.

Smeggil, J. G.↗

Corrosion Issues for Ceramics in Gas Turbines

The requirements for hot-gas-path materials in gas turbine engines are demanding. These materials must maintain high strength and creep resistance in a particularly aggressive environment. A typical gas turbine environment involves high temperatures, rapid gas flow rates, high pressures, and a complex mixture of aggressive gases. Figure 26.1 illustrates the requirements for components of an aircraft engine and critical issues [1]. Currently, heat engines are constructed of metal alloys, which meet these requirements within strict temperature limits. In order to extend these temperature limits, ceramic materials have been considered as potential engine materials, due to their high melting points and stability at high temperatures. These materials include oxides, carbides, borides, and nitrides. Interest in using these materials in engines appears to have begun in the 1940s with BeO-based porcelains [2]. During the 1950s, the efforts shifted to cermets. These were carbide-based materials intended to exploit the best properties of metals and ceramics. During the 1960s and 1970s, the silicon-based ceramics silicon carbide (SiC) and silicon nitride (Si3N4) were extensively developed. Although the desirable high-temperature properties of SiC and Si3N4 had long been known, consolidation of powders into component-sized bodies required the development of a series of specialized processing routes [3]. For SiC, the major consolidation routes are reaction bonding, hot-pressing, and sintering. The use of boron and carbon as additives which enable sintering was a particularly noteworthy advance [4]. For Si3N4 the major consolidation routes are reaction bonding and hot pressing [5]. Reaction-bonding involves nitridation of silicon powder. Hot pressing involves addition of various refractory oxides, such as magnesia (MgO), alumina (Al2O3), and yttria (y2O3). Variations on these processes include a number of routes including Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP), gas-pressure sintering, sinter-HIPing, and Encapsulation-HIPing. It is important to note that each process involves the addition of secondary elements, which later were shown to dramatically influence oxidation and corrosion behavior. As dense bodies of silicon-based ceramics became more readily available, their desirable high temperature properties were confirmed. These materials retained strength to very high temperatures (i.e. 1300-1400 C). Further, they were lightweight and made from abundant materials. SiC and Si3N4 therefore emerged as leading ceramic candidates for components in heat engines, designed to operate at higher temperatures for better performance and fuel efficiency. The first US programs for ceramics in heat engines have been reviewed [6]. Selected programs on ceramic engine parts are summarized here in regard to their contributions to understanding the corrosion behavior of a heat engine environment.

Jacobson, Nathan S.↗

Polyimides From a-BPDA and Aromatic Diamines

Polymers having low color and a favorable combination of other properties, including high glass-transition temperature (Tg) and high mechanical properties (strength, tensile modulus, and toughness) will find use in a variety of terrestrial and space applications. Some of the space applications will be in thin films used as membranes on antennas, solar concentrators, coatings on second-surface mirrors, solar sails, sunshades, thermal and optical coatings, and multi-layer thermal insulation blankets. Depending upon the application, the film will be required to exhibit a unique combination of such properties as resistance to degradation by ultraviolet light, visible light, and electrons; low color and/or low solar absorptivity; resistance to tearing and/or wrinkling during packaging and deployment; and high mechanical properties (e.g. high strength, stiffness, and toughness).

Hergenrother, Paul M.↗