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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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Electron beam forms dense pellets of powdered silicon for Zeeman analysis. Sampling method focuses electron beam on submicron silicon powder. Process enhances quality control in production of low-cost silicon powder for semiconductor industry.
The granulation of a ceramic powder body method is described. This method is suitable for pressed powder and molds. A ceramic granulated powder is obtained with superior filling ability.
The oxide layer present on titanium alloys can play an important role in determining the strength and durability of adhesive bonds. Here, three titania powders in different crystalline phases, rutile-R1, anatase-A1, and anatase-A2, are characterized by several techniques. These include microelectrophoresis, X-ray diffractometry, surface area pore volume analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and measurements of the heats of immersion. Of the three powders, R1 has the highest heat of immersion in water, while the interaction between water and A1 powder is low. Experimental data also suggest a specific preferential interaction of polyphenylquinoxaline with anatase.
Shock recovery experiments which were carried out in the 9 to 12 GPa range on 1.4 distension Mo and appear adequate to compact to full density ( 45 (SIGMA)m) powders were examined. The stress levels, however, are below those calculated to be from 100 to approx. 22 GPa which a frictional heating model predicts are required to consolidate approx. 10 to 50 (SIGMA)m particles. The model predicts that powders that have a distension of m=1.6 shock pressures of 14 to 72 GPa are required to consolidate Mo powders in the 50 to 10 (SIGMA)m range.
X-ray line broadening analysis gives quantitative data on structural changes of ceramic powders after different processing steps. Various Al2O3 powders were investigated and the following points are discussed on the basis of these results: X-ray line broadening analysis, structural changes during grinding, structural changes during annealing, influence of structural properties on sintering behavior and application of line broadening analysis to quality control of powders.
An investigation is made of pressureless sintering of commercially available alpha-SiC powders at temperatures between 1900 and 2150 C for periods of 10 to 240 min under one atmosphere of argon pressure. It is found that alpha-SiC powder containing boron and carbon sintering aids is sinterable at 2150 C for a period of 30 min to a high final density (greater than 96 percent of theoretical). In alpha-SiC powder containing aluminum and carbon sintering aids, the final density achieved is only about 80 percent of theoretical. Determinations are made of room temperature and high temperature (1370 C) flexure strength and oxidation resistance on sintered high density (more than 96 percent of theoretical) alpha-SiC (boron, carbon) material. It is found that both the strength and the resistance to oxidation are equivalent and comparable to those of the sintered alpha-SiC which represents the state of the art.
Potentially useful process for fabrication of fiber-reinforced resinmatrix composites is powder slurry technique. Applicability of technique demonstrated using powdered resin made from thermoplastic polyimide LaRC/ TPI (thermoplastic polyimide). Use of process circumvents need for such high-cost organic solvents as N-methylpyrrolidinone and diglyme (diglycol methyl ether). Two basic slurries for LaRC/TPI powder investigated.
Processing research was undertaken to demonstrate that superior SiC characteristics could be achieved through the use of ideal constituent powders and careful post-synthesis processing steps. Initial research developed the means to produce approximately 1000 A uniform diameter, nonagglomerated, spherical, high purity SiC powders. Accomplishing this goal required major revision of the particle formation and growth model from one based on classical nucleation and growth to one based on collision and coalescence of Si particles followed by their carburization. Dispersions based on pure organic solvents as well as steric stabilization were investigated. Test parts were made by the colloidal pressing technique; both liquid filtration and consolidation (rearrangement) stages were modeled. Green densities corresponding to a random close packed structure were achieved. After drying, parts were densified at temperatures ranging from 1800 to 2100 C. This research program accomplished all of its major objectives. Superior microstructures and properties were attained by using powders having ideal characteristics and special post-synthesis processing procedures.
A new version of crystalline Langley Research Center Thermoplastic Polyimide (LaRC-TPI) imidized powder, which possesses a higher initial molecular weight (MW), has been prepared and characterized. The scheme used for cyclodehydration during the synthesis of this material is described. Evidence of a higher initial MW for the subject LaRC-TPI is supported by both measurements of the inherent viscosity and the DSC thermograms. An initial melting peak at 295 C is noted in the freshly-synthesized sample. The powder can be recrystallized at any elevated temperatures below 340 C, and a single crystalline endothemic peak is always observed after various thermal histories. The heat of fusion for the fresh sample, as represented by the area under the melting peak in the directional scanning calorimeter thermogram, is about 3.9 cal/gm. Comparisons of thermal properties for the subject material are made to those exhibited by the commercial LaRC-TPI powder.
The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of powder and processing variables on the microstructure and resultant tensile properties of an extruded FeAlZrB alloy. For a given powder particle size, increasing the extrusion temperature from 1250 to 1450 K is found to increase the grain size and produce a more uniform microstructure. At high extrusion temperatures, where grain boundary mobility is high, powder size is not critical in determining the grain size. The addition of Y2O3 dispersion (1 vol pct) by mechanical alloying makes it possible to obtain very fine-grained materials at low and high extrusion temperatures.
Thermoplastic polyimide prepreg tow is produced rapidly and efficiently by applying the LaRC-TPI matrix as an electrostatically charged and fluidized powder to electrically grounded and spread carbon fiber tow. The powder is melted after coating to insure adhesion to the fibers and to reduce tow friction. Excellent wetout in towpreg samples is obtained resulting in very flexible prepregs. Processing conditions of this towpreg produced with LaRC-TPI powders from Rogers Corp. and Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals are described. Mechanical properties of the towpreg and unidirectional laminates are presented in detail.
Slightly modified micrometer used in conjunction with special cup to measure electrical resistance of specimen of powder as function of packing fraction. Powder pressed between anvils of micrometer, which make electrical contact with specimen. Device used in manufacturing batteries to determine effective electrical conductivities of powders loaded into plastic sheets to make battery substrates. Coupled with good mathematical description of expected conductivity of particulate composite as function of packing density. Also serves as tool for evaluating conductivity of dispersed phase, as well as evaluating electrical resistances of interparticle contacts.
Asteroid sample return missions would benefit from development of an improved rocket engine. Chemical rockets achieve their large thrust with high mass consumption rate (dm/dt) but low exhaust velocity; therefore, a large fraction of their total mass is fuel. Present day ion thrusters are characterized by high exhaust velocity, but low dm/dt; thus, they are inherently low thrust devices. However, their high exhausy velocity is poorly matched to typical mission requirements and therefore, wastes energy. A better match would be intermediate between the two forms of propulsion. This could be achieved by electrostatically accelerating solid powder grains, raising the possibility that interplanetary material could be processed to use as reaction mass. An experiment to study the charging properties of sub-micron sized powder grains is described. If a suitable material can be identified, then it could be used as the reaction mass in an electrostatic propulsion engine. The experiment employs a time of flight measurement to determine the exhaust velocity (v) of various negatively charged powder grains that were charged and accelerated in a simple device. The purpose is to determine the charge to mass ratio that can be sustained for various substances. In order to be competitive with present day ion thrusters, a specific impulse (v/g) of 3000 to 5000 seconds is required. Preliminary results are presented. More speculatively, there are some mission profiles that would benefit from collection of reaction mass at the remote asteroid site. Experiments that examine the generation of sub-micron clusters by electrostatic self-disruption of geologically derived material are planned.
This paper conceptualizes a powder lubrication mechanisms which closely resembles that of a hydrodynamic fluid film. Based on the observations of past investigations and on the author's experiments, it is postulated that a layered shearing of the compacted powder generates velocity, density, and temperature profiles akin to fluid film bearings. Thus, a lubricant consisting of a fine powder unserted either deliberately or one generated by the water of the mating surfaces, constitutes a viable lubricant that generates the required flows and pressures to prevent contact between the surfaces.
Dry powder polymer impregnated carbon fiber tows were produced for preform weaving and composite materials molding applications. In the process, fluidized powder is deposited on spread tow bundles and melted on the fibers by radiant heating to adhere the polymer to the fiber. Unit design theory and operating correlations were developed to provide the basis for scale up of the process to commercial operation. Special features of the operation are the pneumatic tow spreader, fluidized bed, resin feeder, and quality control system. Bench scale experiments, at tow speeds up to 50 cm/sec, demonstrated that process variables can be controlled to produce weavable LARC-TPI carbon fiber towpreg. The towpreg made by the dry powder process was formed into unidirectional fiber moldings and was woven and molded into preform material of good quality.
Since the discovery of high temperature superconducting oxides much attention has been paid to finding better and useful ways to take advantage of the special properties exhibited by these materials. One such process is the development of thin films for engineering applications. Another such process is the coprecipitation route to producing superconducting powders. An acetate precursor process for use in thin film fabrication and a chemical coprecipitation route to Bismuth based superconducting materials has been developed. Data obtained from the thin film process were inconclusive to date and require more study. The chemical coprecipitation method of producing bulk material is a viable method, and is preferred over the previously used solid state route. This method of powder production appears to be an excellent route to producing thin section tape cast material and screen printed devices, as it requires less calcines than the oxide route to produce quality powders.
Poly Ether Ketone Ketone (PEKK) powders were prepregged on AS4 (12K), IM7 (12K), and G30-500 (12K) carbon fibers and consolidated into unidirectional laminates. The preferred formulation of PEKK for the dry powder process was identified. Mechanical test data on panels prepared via the powder process agreed well with flex, short beam shear, and double cantilever beam values obtained previously on melt-impregnated material. IM7/PEKK composites showed superior mechanical properties to AS4/PEKK and G30-500/PEKK composites. Transverse flexural strength and fiber/resin contact angle correlated well as measures of the fiber/matrix interfacial strength.
Aluminum combined with oxygen has been proposed as a potential lunar in situ propellant for ascent/descent and return missions for future lunar exploration. Engine concepts proposed to use this propellant have not previously been demonstrated, and the impact on performance from combustion and two-phase flow losses could only be estimated. Therefore, combustion tests were performed for aluminum and aluminum/magnesium alloy powders with oxygen in subscale heat-sink rocket engine hardware. The metal powder was pneumatically injected, with a small amount of nitrogen, through the center orifice of a single element O-F-O triplet injector. Gaseous oxygen impinged on the fuel stream. Hot-fire tests of aluminum/oxygen were performed over a mixture ratio range of 0.5 to 3.0, and at a chamber pressure of approximately 480 kPa (70 psia). The theoretical performance of the propellants was analyzed over a mixture ratio range of 0.5 to 5.0. In the theoretical predictions the ideal one-dimensional equilibrium rocket performance was reduced by loss mechanisms including finite rate kinetics, two-dimensional divergence losses, and boundary layer losses. Lower than predicted characteristic velocity and specific impulse performance efficiencies were achieved in the hot-fire tests, and this was attributed to poor mixing of the propellants and two-phase flow effects. Several tests with aluminum/9.8 percent magnesium alloy powder did not indicate any advantage over the pure aluminum fuel.