Metal carbide-graphite composites Summary report, 1 Aug. 1966 - 31 Jul. 1967
Effect of carbide content on physical and mechanical properties of niobium carbide graphite and tantalum carbide graphite composites
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Effect of carbide content on physical and mechanical properties of niobium carbide graphite and tantalum carbide graphite composites
Mechanical and thermodynamic properties of hot pressed tantalum carbide-graphite and niobium carbide-graphite composites
The structural and thermodynamic parameters of constructing and erecting graphite composite trusses in space are discussed.
Experimental investigation to evaluate high temperature performance and self-generating protective oxide coating of three JT graphite composites
Fabrication of metal carbide-graphite composites by hot pressing at high temperatures
Mechanical properties of hot pressed NbC- and TaC-graphite composites with W added
Quantitative estimates were developed of micron carbon fibers released during the burning of graphite composites. Evidence was found of fibrillated particles which were the predominant source of the micron fiber data obtained from large pool fire tests. The fibrillation phenomena were attributed to fiber oxidation effects caused by the fire environment. Analysis of propane burn test records indicated that wind sources can cause considerable carbon fiber oxidation. Criteria estimates were determined for the number of micron carbon fibers released during an aircraft accident. An extreme case analysis indicated that the upper limit of the micron carbon fiber concentration level was only about half the permissible asbestos ceiling concentration level.
An effort to evaluate the high temperature performance of a polyimide (PMR-15)-graphite composite which consists of several plies of woven strands of carbon fibers was undertaken. The longterm effect of high temperature on the dry material was studied by exposing polished test specimens of 473 F in a oven for nearly 400 hours. Periodically the specimens were removed and observed microscopically. Gradually surface cracks began to appear and the number of cracks increased over time. At the conclusion of the exposure the specimens were graudually ground down and observed in order to determine the depth of the cracks into the interior of the material. This procedure was repeated at an exposure temperature of 550 F.
This paper discusses a resin developed for use in autoclave molding of polyimide graphite composite stiffened, titanium alloy structures. Both primary and secondary bonded structures were evaluated that were produced by autoclave processing. Details of composite processing, adhesive formulary, and bonding processes are provided in this paper, together with mechanical property data for structures. These data include -65 F, room temperature, and 600 F shear strengths; strength retention after aging; and stress rupture properties at 600 F under various stress levels for up to 1000 hours duration. Typically, shear strengths in excess of 16 ksi at room temperature with over 60% strength retention at 600 F were obtained with titanium alloy substrates.
Aircraft safety improved with interior paneling made of new laminate with good thermophysical properties. Featuring lightweight graphite composite, laminate more heat-and flame-resistant and produces much less smoke in fire than commonly used epoxy-resin-containing laminates. New laminate prepared without epoxy resin. Graphite unidirectional cloth preimpregnated with blend of vinyl polystyrylpyridine and bismaleimide (VPSP-BMI). Either of two types of VPSP-BMI blend used, depending on method of preparation of chemicals and technique used to fabricate panel.
Hot press fabrication effects on phase equilibrium and physical properties of refractory metal carbide-graphite composites
Use of WC as densification aid for NbC-graphite composites
Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding typically makes up about twenty percent of the mass of a spacecraft power system. Graphite fiber/polymer composites have significantly lower densities and higher strengths than aluminum, the present material of choice for EMI shields, but they lack the electrical conductivity that enables acceptable shielding effectiveness. Bromine intercalated pitch-based graphite/epoxy composites have conductivities fifty times higher than conventional structural graphite fibers. Calculations are presented which indicate that EMI shields made from such composites can have sufficient shielding at less than 20% of the mass of conventional aluminum shields. EMI shields provide many functions other than EMI shielding including physical protection, thermal management, and shielding from ionizing radiation. Intercalated graphite composites perform well in these areas also. Mechanically, they have much higher specific strength and modulus than aluminum. They also have shorter half thicknesses for x-rays and gamma radiation than aluminum. Thermally, they distribute infra-red radiation by absorbing and re-radiating it rather than concentrating it by reflection as aluminum does. The prospects for intercalated graphite fiber/polymer composites for EMI shielding are encouraging.
The formation and growth processes of a bubble in the vicinity of graphite micro-fiber tips on metal-graphite composite boiling surfaces and their effects on boiling behavior are investigated. It is discovered that a large number of micro bubbles are formed first at the micro scratches and cavities on the metal matrix in pool boiling. By virtue of the non-wetting property of graphite, once the growing micro bubbles touch the graphite tips, the micro bubbles are sucked by the tips and merged into larger micro bubbles sitting on the end of the tips. The micro bubbles grow rapidly and coalesce to form macro bubbles, each spanning several tips. The necking process of a detaching macro bubble is analyzed. It is revealed that a liquid jet is produced by sudden break-off of the bubble throat. The composite surfaces not only have higher temperatures in micro- and macrolayers but also make higher frequency of the bubble departure, which increase the average heat fluxes in both the bubble growth stage and in the bubble departure period. Based on these analyses, the enhancement mechanism of pool boiling heat transfer on composite surfaces is clearly revealed.
Controlling mechanical properties of hot pressed metal carbide-graphite composite materials
The effects of a simulated space radiation environment on the dimensional stability of an elastomer-toughened epoxy-graphite composite were determined. The response of the material was characterized following exposure to radiation doses equivalent to geosynchronous orbit lifetimes ranging from 6 months to 30 years. The results show that radiation interacts with the epoxy matrix to embrittle the composite, beginning at relatively low total doses (10 to the 7th power rads). The embrittlement results in thermal expansion changes and significant laminate microcracking during thermal cycling. These property changes could limit the service life of this material in some spacecraft applications.
The effect of processing variables on the flammability and mechanical properties for state-of-the-art and advanced resin matrices for graphite composites were studied. Resin matrices which were evaluated included state-of-the-art epoxy, phenolic-novolac, phenolic-xylok, two types of bismaleimides, benzyl, polyethersulfone, and poly(p-phenylene sulfone). Comparable flammability and thermochemical data on graphite-reinforced laminates prepared with these resin matrices are presented, and the relationship of some of these properties to the anaerobic char yield of the resins is described.
The imparting of flame retardancy to graphite-reinforced composites without incurring mechanical property deterioration is investigated for the case of an experimental, trifunctional epoxy resin incorporating brominated polymeric additives (BPAs) of the diglycidyl type. Such mechanical properties as flexural strength and modulus, and short beam shear strength, were measured in dry and in hot/wet conditions, and the glass transition temperature, flammability, and water absorption were measured and compared with nonbromilated systems. Another comparison was made with a tetrafunctional epoxy system. The results obtained are explained in terms of differences in the polymeric backbone length of the bromine carrier polymer. BPAs are found to be a reliable bromine source for fire inhibition in carbon-reinforced composites without compromise of mechanical properties.