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At least 37 records · Page 2

Low cost fabrication of sheet structure using a new beta titanium alloy, Ti-15V-3Cr-3Al-3Sn

Development efforts have been undertaken to improve the processing and structural efficiencies of advanced cold-formable beta Ti alloys, using the standard, hot-formed and rivetted construction of Ti-6Al-4V sheet structures as a basis for comparison. Ti-15V-3Cr-3Al-3Sn (Ti-15-3) beta alloy is formable, brazable and weldable in the solution-treated condition, and after aging displays mechanical properties suitable for postulated service in the -65 to 600 F temperature range. A novel methodology using cold-formed Ti-15-3 stringers and Ti-6Al-4V face sheets that are joined by means of an out-of-furnace isothermal brazing process, followed by low temperature aging, can reduce production costs by as much as 28 per cent. Structural efficiency has been demonstrated in room and elevated temperature crippling tests of small skin-stringer assemblies.

Kaneko, R. S.↗

Characterization of 10-ft. Diameter Aluminum Alloy 2219 Integrally Stiffened Cylinders

The integrally stiffened cylinder (ISC) process, pioneered by NASA Langley Research Center, offers significant savings for launch vehicle structures. The ISC process is a near net shape, advanced manufacturing method for fabrication of single-piece, thin-walled barrels with internal longitudinal stiffeners, eliminating the need for longitudinal welding and machining. A cost-benefit analysis of the ISC process estimated a 50 % reduction in manufacturing costs and a 10% weight savings over the current multi-piece, machined and welded construction approach for stiffened barrels. In 2017, commercial-scale manufacturing trials were pursued, leading to a successful manufacturing demonstration of 10-ft. diameter ISC barrels fabricated from Al alloy 2219. Some cracking was observed in the stiffeners during fabrication. Optical metallography was performed to evaluate the as-formed microstructures to identify potential causes of cracking, along with mechanical testing to evaluate formability. Results revealed that cracking in the stiffeners was attributed to three likely causes: 1) large Al-Cu stringer particles, 2) stick-slip friction between the mandrel and ISC due to non-optimized lubrication, and 3) differences in material flow rate between the wall and stiffener locations. Testing to gauge formability revealed a significant decrease in ductility in the longitudinal directional for the as-formed condition, attributed to reduced ductility due to the large Al-Cu stringer particles. These results provide guidance toward materials and processing modifications for future ISC forming trials.

Tayon, Wesley A.↗

Weldable aluminum alloy has improved mechanical properties

Weldable aluminum alloy has good resistance to stress-corrosion cracking, shows unchanged strength and formability after storage at room temperature, and can be pre-aged, stretched, and aged. Since toxic fumes of cadmium oxide are evolved when the new alloy is welded, adequate ventilation must be provided.

Westerlund, R. W.↗

Development of dispersion-strengthened Ni-Cr-ThOz alloys for the space shuttle thermal protection system

Manufacturing processes were developed for TD-NiCr providing small sheet (45 x 90 cm), and larger sheet (60 x 150 cm) and foil. The alternate alloy, DS-NiCr, was produced by pack-chromizing Ni-ThO2 sheet. Formability criteria are being established for basic sheet forming processes, which are brake forming, corrugation forming, joggling, dimpling, and beading. Resistance spot welding (fusion and solid state), resistance seam welding, solid state diffusion welding, and brazing are included in the joining programs. Major emphasis is centered on an Al-modified Ni-Cr-ThO2 alloy development. These alloys, containing 3 to 5% Al, form the protective Al2O3 scale. This enhances oxidation resistance under reentry conditions. Both TD-NiCrAl and DS-NiCrAl alloys are included. A tentative composition of Ni-16Cr-3.5Al-2ThO2 was selected based on oxidation resistance and fabricability.

Blankenship, C. P.↗

Development of dispersion-strengthened Ni-Cr-ThO2 alloys for the space shuttle thermal protection system.

An improved manufacturing process has been developed for TD-NiCr that provides sheet of improved quality, better gage control, and reproducible properties. A standard manufacturing process has been developed for the alternate alloy, DS-NiCr, produced by pack-chromizing Ni-2ThO2 sheet. Extension of forming and joining technology for TD-NiCr is in process. Formability criteria are being established for basic sheet forming processes related to the manufacture of Shuttle TPS panels. They include brake forming, corrugation forming, joggling, dimpling, and beading. Joining processes applicable to TPS panels are being optimized with emphasis on establishment of joint efficiencies. Resistance spot welding (fusion and solid state), resistance seam welding, solid-state diffusion welding, and brazing are included in the joining programs. Development of improved manufacturing technology for TD-NiCr fasteners is also being accomplished. Mechanical and physical properties of TD-NiCr are being characterized to provide design-allowable data.

Blankenship, C. P.↗

Development of forming and joining technology for TD-NiCr sheet

Forming joining techniques and properties data were developed for thin-gage TD-NiCr sheet in the recrystallized and unrecrystallized conditions. Theoretical and actual forming limit data are presented for several gages of each type of material for five forming processes: brake forming, corrugation forming, joggling, dimpling and beading. Recrystallized sheet can be best formed at room temperature, but unrecrystallized sheet requires forming at elevated temperature. Formability is satisfactory with most processes for the longitudinal orientation but poor for the transverse orientation. Dimpling techniques require further development for both material conditions. Data on joining techniques and joint properties are presented for four joining processes: resistance seam welding (solid-state), resistance spot welding (solid-state), resistance spot welding (fusion) and brazing. Resistance seam welded (solid-state) joints with 5t overlap were stronger than parent material for both material conditions when tested in tensile-shear and stress-rupture. Brazing studies resulted in development of NASA 18 braze alloy (Ni-16Cr-15Mo-8Al-4Si) with several properties superior to baseline TD-6 braze alloy, including lower brazing temperture, reduced reaction with Td-Ni-Cr, and higher stress-rupture properties.

Torgerson, R. T.↗

Effect of TMP variables upon structure and properties in ODS alloy HDA 8077 sheet

The effects of oxide content level and variations in thermomechanical processing upon the final structure and properties of HDA 8077 sheet have been systematically examined. It was found that creep strength and formability are substantially influenced by both oxide content and TMP schedule. Variations in creep properties obtained appear to correlate with observed microstructures.

Rothman, M. F.↗

Effect of storing B-staged graphite/polyimide on fabrication of structural elements

Graphite/polyimide structural elements have been successfully fabricated by forming and curing B-staged Celion 6000/PMR-15 and Celion 6000/LaRC-160 laminates in heated matched metal tooling. The B-staged laminates were subjected to storage for various periods of time up to six months at ambient shop conditions and high humidity prior to fabrication into structural elements to determine the processability of the graphite/polyimide after exposure to these conditions. Changes in processability were monitored by measuring flexure and interlaminar shear strengths, glass transition temperature, moisture content, and formability of the B-staged laminates. No significant change in the processability of either Celion 6000/PMR or Celion 6000/LaRC-160 was recorded indicating that after B-staging the graphite/polyimide laminates can be stored for extended periods of time in normal shop and high humidity environments and then be fabricated into defect-free structural elements in heated platen presses.

Baucom, R. M.↗

Elevated temperature behavior of superplastically formed/weld-brazed titanium compression panels having advanced shaped stiffeners

The 316 C (600 F) buckling behavior of superplastically formed/weld-brazed titanium compression panels having advanced shaped stiffeners was investigated. Fabrication of the advanced shaped stiffeners was made possible by the increased formability afforded by the superplasticity characteristics of the titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V. Stiffeners having the configurations of a conventional hat, a beaded web, a modified beaded web, a ribbed web, and a stepped web were investigated. The data from the panel tests include load-shortening curves, local buckling strengths, and failure loads. The superplastic formed/weld-brazed panels with the ribbed web and stepped web stiffeners developed 25 and 27 percent higher buckling strengths at 316 C (600 F) than panels with conventionally shaped stiffeners. The buckling load reductions for panels tested at 316 C (600 F), compared with panels tested at room temperature, were in agreement with predictions based on titanium material property data. The advantage that higher buckling loads can be readily achieved by superplastically forming of advanced stiffener shapes was demonstrated. Application of these advanced stiffener shapes offers the potential to achieve substantial weight savings in aerospace vehicles.

Royster, D. M.↗

LDR segmented mirror technology assessment study

In the mid-1990s, NASA plans to orbit a giant telescope, whose aperture may be as great as 30 meters, for infrared and sub-millimeter astronomy. Its primary mirror will be deployed or assembled in orbit from a mosaic of possibly hundreds of mirror segments. Each segment must be shaped to precise curvature tolerances so that diffraction-limited performance will be achieved at 30 micron (nominal operating wavelength). All panels must lie within 1 micron on a theoretical surface described by the optical precipitation of the telescope's primary mirror. To attain diffraction-limited performance, the issues of alignment and/or position sensing, position control of micron tolerances, and structural, thermal, and mechanical considerations for stowing, deploying, and erecting the reflector must be resolved. Radius of curvature precision influences panel size, shape, material, and type of construction. Two superior material choices emerged: fused quartz (sufficiently homogeneous with respect to thermal expansivity to permit a thin shell substrate to be drape molded between graphite dies to a precise enough off-axis asphere for optical finishing on the as-received a segment) and a Pyrex or Duran (less expensive than quartz and formable at lower temperatures). The optimal reflector panel size is between 1-1/2 and 2 meters. Making one, two-meter mirror every two weeks requires new approaches to manufacturing off-axis parabolic or aspheric segments (drape molding on precision dies and subsequent finishing on a nonrotationally symmetric dependent machine). Proof-of-concept developmental programs were identified to prove the feasibility of the materials and manufacturing ideas.

Krim, M.↗

Low-Temperature Forming of Beta Titanium Alloys

Low cost methods for titanium structural fabrication using advanced cold-formable beta alloys were investigated for application in a Mach 2.7 supersonic cruise vehicle. This work focuses on improving processing and structural efficiencies as compared with standard hot formed and riveted construction of alpha-beta alloy sheet structure. Mechanical property data and manufacturing parameters were developed for cold forming, brazing, welding, and processing Ti-15V-3Cr-3Sn-3Al sheet, and Ti-3Al-8V-6Cr-4Zr on a more limited basis. Cost and structural benefits were assessed through the fabrication and evaluation of large structural panels. The feasibility of increasing structural efficiency of beta titanium structure by selective reinforcement with metal matrix composite was also explored.

Kaneko, R. S.↗

Crystallization, Optical and Chemical Properties of Fluoride Glasses

Fluoride glasses have great promise as infrared optical components, especially fibers, because they are transparent to 8 micrometers and higher. In order to optimize properties, different glass compositions are needed. Some are hard to form in a container, and may possibly be formable in a containerless furnace. Understanding of crystallization with and without a container could lead to glasses with optimum properties. Chemical durability (attack by water) can limit or extend the applicability of fluoride glasses. Progress to date is given.

Doremus, R. H.↗

Edge-restraint deformation processing of aluminides and other powders

The novel, 'edge-restraint rolling' method has been developed in order to facilitate the thickness reduction of brittle, high strength alloys to the degree of thin plates or sheets, by first hot-compacting the prealloyed powders into billets and conducting the thickness reduction in a series of reheats and roll passes. Attention is presently given to the cases of equiatomic aluminide FeAl, (Ni,Fe)3Al, and an Al-Fe alloy. The flat-rolled products thus obtained may lead to the development of components not otherwise formable for powerplant and other aerospace applications.

Bhattacharyya, S.↗

Monocoque structure for the SKITTER three-legged walker

The SKITTER 2 design is a monocoque version of the proposed lunar three-legged walker. By the definition of monocoque, the body and legs are a shell with no internal ribbing or supports added for absorbing stresses. The purpose of the monocoque is to encase the elements used for power transmission, power supply, and control of the motion. The material for the structure is a vinyl ester resin, Derakane 8084. This material is easily formable and locally obtainable. The body consists of a hexagonally shaped cylinder with truncated hexagonal pyramids on the top and botton. The legs are eight inch diameter cylinders. The legs are comprised of a tibia section and a femur section. The SKITTER 2 is powered by six actuators which provide linear forces that are transformed into rotary torques by a series of chains and sprockets. The joints connect the femur to the body and the tibia to the femur. Surrounding the joints are flexible rubber hoses that fully encase the chains and sprockets. The SKITTER 2 is capable of walking upside down, righting itself after being overturned, and has the ability to perform in many environments. Applications for this walker include lunar transport or drilling, undersea exploration, and operation in severe surroundings such as arctic temperatures or high radiation.

Bansek, Robert N.↗