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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.

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At least 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1973

Diffusional creep and creep-degradation in dispersion-strengthened Ni-Cr base alloys.

Dispersoid-free regions were observed in the dispersion-strengthened alloy TD-NiCr (Ni-20 Cr-2 ThO2) after slow strain rate testing (stress rupture, creep, and fatigue) in air from 1145 to 1590 K. Formation of the dispersoid-free regions appears to be the result of diffusional creep. The net effect of creep in TD-NiCr is the degradation of the alloy to a duplex microstructure. Creep degradation of TD-NiCr is further enhanced by the formation of voids and intergranular oxidation in the dispersoid-free bands. Void formation was observed after as little as 0.13% creep deformation at 1255 K. The dispersoid-free regions apparently provide sites for void formation and oxide growth since the strength and oxidation resistance of Ni-20 Cr-2 ThO2.

Whittenberger, J. D.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Effects of high temperature and e-beam irradiation on the stability of refractory thin films

Refractory thin films of Al2O3, ZrO2, MgO, ThO2, and BN have been investigated in situ in an UHV transmission electron microscope. The electron transparent refractory films were prepared by electron-beam evaporation, anodization, RF sputtering, and thinning of bulk crystal materials. The study concentrates on monitoring the thermal and mechanical stability of the films, phase and structural changes, and electron irradiation effects as a function of film-preparation conditions. With increasing temperatures, five different crystallographic phases were observed for both anodized and electron-beam-evaporated alumina films. Zirconia films exhibited two phase transitions upon heating to 1200 C and electron-irradiation-induced crystallization of ZrO2 even at room temperature. MgO, ThO2, and BN films did not undergo any noticeable phase transformation but ruptured due to sintering below 1200 C.

Lee, E. H.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Carbon dioxide electrolysis using a ceramic electrolyte

This paper discusses the results of an experimental study of the electrical aspects of carbon dioxide electrolysis using a ceramic electrolyte. The electrolyte compositions used in this study are 8% Y2O3 stabilized ZrO2, 7.5% CaO stabilized ZrO2, and 5% Y2O3 stabilized ThO2. Results indicate that the 8% Y2O3 stabilized ZrO2 is the best material to use for electrolysis, in terms of current as a function of voltage and temperature, and in terms of efficiency of oxide ion flow through it. The poorest results were obtained with the 5% Y2O3 stabilized ThO2 composition. An electrolysis system which might be employed to reclaim oxygen and carbon from effluents of space manufacturing, assuming that an industry would have to electrolyze 258,000 tonnes of CO2 per year, is predicted to require a total cell area of 110,000 sq m of 1 mm thickness and electrical capacity of 441 MW.

Erstfeld, T. E.↗
DOE OSTI2022

A combined theoretical-experimental investigation of thermal transport in low-dose irradiated thorium dioxide

During reactor operation, nuclear fuels are subject to extreme temperature and irradiation conditions which can significantly degrade the fuel's thermal transport properties. The reduction in thermal conductivity of the fuel as a result of irradiation-induced lattice defects is arguably the most important fuel performance metric in regard to reactor efficiency and safety. Because thorium dioxide (ThO2) is suitable as a model system for more complex materials such as UO2 and its mixed oxides, we present a theoretical investigation of thermal conductivity reduction seen in defect-bearing thorium dioxide and compare directly to experimental measurements. Phonon-mediated thermal transport of the fuel is modeled by a solution to the Boltzmann transport equation (BTE) for phonons. A cluster dynamics (CD) model for lattice defect evolution during irradiation predicts defect densities which are used as input to the BTE for modeling phonon-defect scatterings. Phonon scatterings by lattice defects include those from point defects and vacancy clusters and interstitial clusters of various sizes. The CD model is benchmarked against structural defect characterization of irradiated thorium dioxide using electron microscopy. Thermal conductivity predicted by the BTE model is compared to measured values for irradiated thorium dioxide specimens below room temperature to isolate effects of phonon-defect scattering from intrinsic 3-phonon processes, which dominate at higher temperatures. The computed conductivity values are in partial agreement at temperatures close to room temperature while slight deviations are observed at the lowest measured temperatures, suggesting that implemented phonon-defect scattering cross-section expressions may not be adequate for low temperatures. The presented work provides a necessary investigation of the influence of irradiation induced defects on fuel performance and represents a first step toward a full characterization of phonon mediated thermal transport in irradiated materials with complex defect microstructure.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1972

Dispersion-strengthened chromium alloy

Finely divided powder mixture produced by vapor deposition of CR on small ThO2 particles was hot pressed or pressure bonded. Resulting alloy has lower ductile-to-brittle transition temperature than pure chromium, and high strength and oxidation resistance at elevated temperatures, both in as-rolled condition and after annealing.

Blocker, J. M., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1971

The development and evaluation of a cobalt base oxidation resistant dispersion strengthened alloy

The Co-18Cr-20Ni-4 Vol % ThO2 powders were prepared by a flash drying selective reduction process starting with an aqueous solution of metal salts and colloidal thoria. Powders were consolidated and extruded into rods with a minimum density of 99% of theoretical. Swaging and annealing studies were conducted to determine the conditions that would lead to a product with high stress-rupture strength. The best process yielded a stress-rupture life of 7.2 hours at 10 KSI (69 MN sq m and 2000 F (1094 C). The alloy recrystallized to a duplex (coarse-fine) structure and thus did not exhibit the desired strength of 3000 hours at 15 KSI (103.5MN/sq m and 2000 F (1094 C).

Irani, K. K.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Uranium-bearing minerals of lunar rock 12013.

The U distribution in rock 12013 was studied by fission track and elemental mapping techniques. Major U-bearing phases are whitlockite, apatite, zircon, and phase beta, which is a Zr-Ti mineral rich in Fe, Nb, Y, REE, and containing up to 3.6% UO2, 4.7% ThO2 and 4.2% PbO. Calculated microprobe ages for phase beta average 4.0 b.y. and are in reasonable agreement with Rb-Sr and K-Ar ages. Phase beta plays a significant role in the U-Th-Pb systematics of rock 12012 and may play a similar role in the model ages of lunar soil.

Haines, E. L.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Ductile-brittle transition of thoriated chromium.

Unalloyed chromium and chromium containing approximately 3 wt % ThO2 were prepared from powder produced by a chemical vapor deposition process. When rolled to sheet and tested in tension, it was found that the thoriated material had a lower ductile-to-brittle transition temperature (DBTT) than unalloyed chromium. This ductilizing was evident both in the as-rolled condition and after the materials had been annealed for 1 hour at 1200 C. The improved ductility in thoriated chromium may be associated with several possible mechanisms: (1) particles may disperse slip, such that critical stress or strain concentrations for crack nucleation are more difficult to achieve; (2) particles may act as dislocation sources, thus providing mobile dislocations in this normally source-poor material, in a manner similar to prestraining; and (3) particles in grain boundaries may help to transmit slip across the boundaries, thus relieving stress concentrations and inhibiting crack nucleation.

Wilcox, B. A.↗
NASA NTRS1972

The oxidation behavior of Ni-Cr-Al-2ThO2 alloys at 1093 and 1204 C.

A pack diffusion process has been developed which permits the introduction of nearly 6 wt % Al into solid solution in the near surface region of TDNiCr (Ni-20 wt % Cr-2 vol % ThO2) and Ni-20Cr. Alumina scales, adherent under cyclic heating and cooling conditions, were produced on TDNiCr-5.86Al upon exposure to an environment of 1330 N/sq m (10 torr) or 101,000 N/sq m (760 torr) air at temperatures of 1093 and 1204 C. While the same oxidation kinetics were observed in isothermal tests for Ni-14.6Cr-5.86Al as were obtained for the TDNiCr-5.86Al, the dispersion-strengthened alloy exhibited superior oxide scale adhesion during cyclic testing. At 1204 C, continuous weight gains were observed under all test conditions for TDNiCr-5.86Al, in contrast to the weight loss with time which occurred several hours after exposure of TDNiCr to an oxidizing environment. TDNiCr with an initial aluminum surface concentration of 4.95 wt % has nearly comparable oxidation resistance to the TDNiCr-5.86Al alloy.

Seltzer, M. S.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Effect of rolling on the high temperature tensile and stress-rupture properties of tungsten fiber-superalloy composites

An investigation was conducted to determine the effects of mechanical working on the 1093 C (2000 F) tensile and stress-rupture strength of tungsten alloy/superalloy composites. Hot pressed composites containing either conventional tungsten lamp filament wire or tungsten-1% ThO2 wire and a nickel base alloy matrix were hot rolled at 1093 C (2000 F). The hot pressed and rolled composite specimens were then tested in tension and stress-rupture at 1093 C (2000 F). Rolling decreased the degree of fiber-matrix reaction as a function of time of exposure at 1093 C (2000 F). The stress-rupture properties of the rolled composites were superior to hot pressed composites containing equivalent diameter fibers. Rolling did not appreciably affect the 1093 C (2000 F) ultimate tensile strength of the composites.

Petrasek, D. W.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Development of improved electroforming technique

Techniques were studied to reinforce or strengthen electroformed nickel to allow a fuller utilization of electroforming as a reliable and low cost fabrication technique for regenerately cooled thrust chambers. Techniques for wire wrapping while electrodepositing were developed that can result in a structurally strong wall with less weight than a conventional electroformed wall. Also a technique of codepositing submicron sized THO2 particles with the nickel to form a dispersion strengthened structure was evaluated. The standard nickel cylinders exhibited an average hoop strength of 80,000 psi with a yield strength of 65,000 psi and a modulus of 25.6 x 10 to the 6th power psi. The as produced dispersion strengthened nickel showed a hoop strength of 97,000 psi with a yield strength of 67,000 psi. This is an increase of 17,000 psi or 21% over the standard nickel hoop strength. The wire wrapping cylinders showed an increased strength over the standard nickel test samples of 26,000 to 66,800 psi which is in the range of 26 to 104% increase in strength over the base standard nickel. These latter test results are indicative of a volume percent wire reinforcement from 15 to 31. The measured hoop strengths agree with calculated composite strengths based upon rule of mixtures.

Mccandles, L. C.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Examination of oxide scales in the SEM using backscattered electron images

The complementary use of the scanning electron microscope in the backscattered electron mode with the more usual secondary electron mode results in a significant increase in the versatility of the instrument, since regions of different chemical composition can be readily detected, and their morphology examined. The use of this technique to examine complex oxide scales formed on heat-resistant alloys is described, and in particular the location of thoria particles in the scale formed on a Ni-20 wt pct Cr-2.3 wt pct ThO2 alloy, and the examination of the behavior of yttrium during the high-temperature oxidation of a Co-Cr-Al-Y alloy are discussed.

Price, C. W.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Dispersion strengthened nickel-yttria sheet alloy produced from comminuted powders

Report on initial efforts to dispersion-strengthen nickel with Y2O3 in an attempt to replace radioactive ThO2 as the strengthening phase in dispersion-strengthened alloys. Nickel-Y2O3 powders were processed by the NASA comminution and blending (NASCAB) method and subsequently thermomechanically worked. Experimental variables included volume per cent Y2O3 (2% and 4%), powder cleaning temperature (315, 371, and 426 C), a screening step in the process, and the number (up to 23) of cold-roll-anneal cycles. Tensile strengths, determined at 1093 C, as well as some stress-rupture life data, are presented.

Sikora, P. F.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Effect of rolling on the high temperature tensile and stress-rupture properties of tungsten fiber-superalloy composites

An investigation was conducted to determine the effects of mechanical working on the 1093 C tensile and stress-rupture strength of tungsten alloy/superalloy composites. Hot pressed composites containing either conventional tungsten lamp filament wire or tungsten-1% ThO2 wire and a nickel base alloy matrix were hot rolled at 1093 C. The hot pressed and rolled composite specimens were then tested in tension and stress-rupture at 1093 C. Rolling decreased the degree of fiber-matrix reaction as a function of time of exposure at 1093 C. The stress-rupture properties of the rolled composites were superior to hot pressed composites containing equivalent diameter fibers. Rolling did not appreciably affect the 1093 C ultimate tensile strength of the composites.

Petrasek, D. W.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Interdiffusion in the Ni/TD-NiCr and Cr/TD-NiCr systems

The diffusion of Ni and Cr into TD-NiCr has been studied over the 900 to 1100 C temperature range. The diffusion couples were prepared by electroplating Cr and Ni on polished TD-NiCr wafers. Concentration profiles produced as a result of isothermal diffusion at 905, 1000, and 1100 C were determined by electron microprobe analysis. The Boltzmann-Matano analysis was used to determine concentration-dependent diffusion coefficients which were found to compare favorably with previously reported values. These data suggest that 2 vol % ThO2 distribution has no appreciable effect on the rates of diffusion in TD-NiCr with a large grain size. This supports the view that an inert dispersoid in an alloy matrix will not in itself lead to enhanced diffusion unless a short-circuit diffusion structure is stabilized.

Pawar, A. V.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Manufacture and engine test of advanced oxide dispersion strengthened alloy turbine vanes

Oxide-Dispersion-strengthened (ODS) Ni-Cr-Al alloy systems were exploited for turbine engine vanes which would be used for the space shuttle thermal protection system. Available commercial and developmental advanced ODS alloys were evaluated, and three were selected based on established vane property goals and manufacturing criteria. The selected alloys were evaluated in an engine test. Candidate alloys were screened by strength, thermal fatigue resistance, oxidation and sulfidation resistance. The Ni-16Cr (3 to 5)Al-ThO2 system was identified as having attractive high temperature oxidation resistance. Subsequent work also indicated exceptional sulfidation resistance for these alloys.

Bailey, P. G.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Identifying crystallographic faces of the fluorites urania and thoria with rotational polarized Raman spectroscopy

Crystallite orientation identification is invaluable, but is often limited to small area identification or requires a large area sample. Nondestructive optical methods such as polarized Raman spectroscopy, in contrast, can be used to completely map a variety of sample sizes, but their potential is not yet fully realized. Here, we report a systematic study of polarized Raman scattering of high-quality, hydrothermally grown, single crystals of urania and thoria. The peak intensity variations for as-grown major crystal planes, post-growth polished crystal planes, and a post-growth polished non-crystallographic plane are directly linked to crystallographic orientation and crystal rotation, and agree with computed models. In particular, the parallel polarized peak intensity results are directly correlated with metal–oxygen–metal chains in the fluorite structure and can be used to determine both orientation and rotational alignment of a given crystal face if sufficiently small rotational steps are applied. These results are structure based, being applicable to the larger fluorite phase space, which is useful for optical, semiconductor, nuclear, and solid oxide fuel cell industries. Further, these results suggest that Raman spectroscopy can identify non-crystallographic orientations that are not discernable by traditional means.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗