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At least 433 records · Page 24

Fracture behavior of large-scale thin-sheet aluminum alloy

A series of fracture tests on large-scale, pre-cracked, aluminum alloy panels is being carried out to examine and to characterize the process by which cracks propagate and link up in this material. Extended grips and test fixtures were specially designed to enable the panel specimens to be loaded in tension, in a 1780-kN-capacity universal testing machine. Twelve panel specimens, each consisting of a single sheet of bare 2024-T3 aluminum alloy, 3988 mm high, 2286 mm wide, and 1.016 mm thick are being fabricated with simulated through-cracks oriented horizontally at mid-height. Using existing information, a test matrix has been set up that explores regions of failure that are controlled by fracture mechanics, with additional tests near the boundary between plastic collapse and fracture. In addition, a variety of multiple site damage (MSD) configurations have been included to distinguish between various proposed linkage mechanisms. All tests but one use anti-buckling guides. At this writing seven specimens have been tested. Three were fabricated with a single central crack, three others had multiple cracks on each side of the central crack, and one had a single crack but no anti-buckling guides. Each fracture event was recorded on film, video, computer, magnetic tape, and occasionally optical microscopy. The visual showed the crack tip with a load meter in the field of view, using motion picture film for one tip and SVHS video tape for the other. The computer recorded the output of the testing machine load cell, the stroke, and twelve strain gages at 1.5 second intervals. A wideband FM magnetic tape recorder was used to record data from the same sources. The data were analyzed by two different procedures: (1) the plastic zone model based on the residual strength diagram; and (2) the R-curve. The first three tests were used to determine the basic material properties, and these results were then used in the analysis of the two subsequent tests with MSD cracks. There is good agreement between measured values and results obtained from the model.

Dewit, Roland↗

Monopropellant hydrazine resistojet preliminary design task

The design effort for the electrothermal hydrazine thruster (ETH) is summarized. The EHT decomposes hydrazine thermally and expands the decomposition products through a nozzle to provide the impulse necessary to fulfill spacecraft propulsive requirements. The thruster is capable of operation at pulse widths from 0.050 second to steady state and delivers specific impulse values from 175 to greater than 225 seconds, depending upon the duty cycle. The design of the EHT is the result of an analytical effort combined with a series of design verification tests. The design requirements, design philosophy and detailed design methods are outlined. A discussion of the rationale behind the selection of materials for the EHT is included. The results of the design verification tests are also presented.

Murch, C. K.↗

Opportunities for composites in commercial transport structures

Manufacturers are developing composite versions of structural components on existing aircraft. Development involves testing of various material options before selecting one and then extensive testing to develop an adequate data base of material strength and stiffness properties. Design options are narrowed through analysis and a varied spectrum of development tests on small and large subcomponents. In parallel with this, a suitable production process including economical ply preparation and cure at high temperature and pressure is evolved, tools are designed and fabricated, and full scale components are then manufactured for ground qualification tests, flight tests, and airline service. The various tests include many that are required by the FAA for flight certification, which must precede airline service. Inspection and repair methods to insure adequate maintenance in service are also developed.

Herman L. Bohon↗

Analytical Verifications in Cryogenic Testing of NGST Advanced Mirror System Demonstrators

Ground based testing is a critical and costly part of component, assembly, and system verifications of large space telescopes. At such tests, however, with integral teamwork by planners, analysts, and test personnel, segments can be included to validate specific analytical parameters and algorithms at relatively low additional cost. This paper opens with strategy of analytical verification segments added to vacuum cryogenic testing of Advanced Mirror System Demonstrator (AMSD) assemblies. These AMSD assemblies incorporate material and architecture concepts being considered in the Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST) design. The test segments for workmanship testing, cold survivability, and cold operation optical throughput are supplemented by segments for analytical verifications of specific structural, thermal, and optical parameters. Utilizing integrated modeling and separate materials testing, the paper continues with support plan for analyses, data, and observation requirements during the AMSD testing, currently slated for late calendar year 2002 to mid calendar year 2003. The paper includes anomaly resolution as gleaned by authors from similar analytical verification support of a previous large space telescope, then closes with draft of plans for parameter extrapolations, to form a well-verified portion of the integrated modeling being done for NGST performance predictions.

Cummings, Ramona↗

A method for developing design diagrams for ceramic and glass materials using fatigue data

The service lifetime of glass and ceramic materials can be expressed as a plot of time-to-failure versus applied stress whose plot is parametric in percent probability of failure. This type of plot is called a design diagram. Confidence interval estimates for such plots depend on the type of test that is used to generate the data, on assumptions made concerning the statistical distribution of the test results, and on the type of analysis used. This report outlines the development of design diagrams for glass and ceramic materials in engineering terms using static or dynamic fatigue tests, assuming either no particular statistical distribution of test results or a Weibull distribution and using either median value or homologous ratio analysis of the test results.

Heslin, T. M.↗

Design, fabrication and testing of an optical temperature sensor

The laboratory breadboard optical temperature sensor based on the temperature dependent absorptive characteristics of a rare earth (europium) doped optical fiber. The principles of operation, materials characterization, fiber and optical component design, design and fabrication of an electrooptic interface unit, signal processing, and initial test results are discussed. Initial tests indicated that, after a brief warmup period, the output of the sensor was stable to approximately 1 C at room temperature or approximately + or - 0.3 percent of point (K). This exceeds the goal of 1 percent of point. Recommendations are presented for further performance improvement.

Morey, W. W.↗

Materials Informatics at NASA GRC: Machine Learning Surrogate Modeling, Data Management, and Integrated Toolsets for Establishing/Maintaining the Digital Thread

Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME) has recently received widespread attention due to its promises in reducing dependence on physical testing for engineering design by relying on simulation, reducing both time and cost to market for various applications. ICME however requires validated multiscale material models, which heavily depend on available test data with full material and test pedigree, including material processing, test and measurement equipment, raw data collection, and analysis methodology and results that is findable and usable, along with integrated, efficient toolsets for effectively passing information across various length and time scales across such models. At the NASA Glenn Research Center under the Transformational Tools and Technologies Project, significant recent efforts have been directed towards establishing the required cyberinfrastructure to enable optimized ICME processes and the design of “fit-for-purpose” materials to achieve the goals outlined in the NASA Vision 2040 report. Such efforts include development of multiscale physics-based material models, which can be used to train highly efficient surrogate machine learning models, development of best practices and infrastructure for effective, traceable materials information management, and development of toolsets that integrate with physics-based codes, machine learning models, and an information management system to enable high throughput of materials data collection and analysis, establishment of digital twins and the digital thread, and automation of the ICME design process for material optimization.

Machine Learning↗

Mechanical properties characterization of composite sandwich materials intended for space antenna applications

The composite materials proposed for use in the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) Program contains a new, high modulus graphite fiber as the reinforcement. A study was conducted to measure certain mechanical properties of the new fiber-reinforced material as well as of a composite-faced aluminum honeycomb sandwich structure. Properties were measured at -157, 22, and 121 C. Complete characterization of this material was not intended. Longitudinal tensile, picture-frame shear, short-beam shear, and flexural tests were performed on specimens of the composite face-sheet materials. Unidirectional, cross-plied, and quasi-isotropic fiber composite ply layup designs were fabricated and tested. These designs had been studied by using NASA's Integrated Composite Analyzer (ICAN) computer program. Flexural tests were conducted on (+/- 60/0 deg) sub s composite-faced sandwich structure material. Resistance strain gages were used to measure strains in the tensile, picture-frame, and sandwich flexural tests. The sandwich flexural strength was limited by the core strength at -157 and 22 C. The adhesive bond strength was the limiting factor at 121 C. Adhesive mechanical properties are reflected in sandwich structure flexural properties when the span-to-depth ratio is great enough to allow a significant shear effect on the load-deflection behavior of the sandwich beam. Most measured properties agreed satisfactorily with the properties predicted by ICAN.

Bowles, Kenneth J.↗

Mechanical properties characterization of composite sandwich materials intended for space antenna applications

The composite materials proposed for use in the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) program contains a new, high modulus graphite fiber as the reinforcement. A study was conducted to measure certain mechanical properties of the new fiber-reinforced material as well as of a composite-faced aluminum honeycomb sandwich structure. Properties were measured at -157, 22, and 121 C. Complete characterization of this material was not intended. Longitudinal tensile, picture-frame shear, short-beam shear, and flexural tests were performed on specimens of the composite face-sheet materials. Unidirectional, cross-plied, and quasi-isotropic fiber composite ply layup designs were fabricated and tested. These designs had been studied by using NASA's Integrated Composite Analyzer (ICAN) computer program. Flexural tests were conducted on (+/- 60/0 deg) sub s composite-faced sandwich structure material. Resistance strain gages were used to measure strains in the tensile, picture-frame, and sandwich flexural tests. The sandwich flexural strength was limited by the core strength at 157 and 22 c. The adhesive bond strength was the limiting factor at 121 C. Adhesive mechanical properties are reflected in sandwich structure flexural properties when the span-to-depth ratio is great enough to allow a significant shear effect on the load-deflection behavior of the sandwich beam. Most measured properties agreed satisfactorily with the properties predicted by ICAN.

Bowles, Kenneth J.↗

Proceedings of the Magnetics Workshop

Conference on measurement and reduction of spacecraft magnetic fields - materials and design criteria - magnetic decontamination of components - testing facilities and human tests

CONFERENCE↗

Prediction of gas leakage of environmental control systems

Mathematical models of leakage configurations and various flow theories are presented with the substantive experimental test data to provide background material for future design and failure analysis. Normal-rate leakage and emergency, high-rate leakage are considered.

Jackson, J. K.↗

A lightweight bimetallic actuator for spacecraft thermal control

The design, development, and construction of two types of active thermal-control systems are described. These designs are based on the controlled angular deflections of spiral-wound bimetallic actuators. The use of these actuators and lightweight louvers results in a frictionless system that is low in weight yet simple in design and low in cost. Both designs exhibit high reliability, good performance repeatability, and do not require power from the spacecraft. Design philosophy and implementation, design tradeoffs, and materials selection are reviewed. The test program is described, and results are presented.

Schilling, K. L.↗

Fabrication of 1/3 scale boron/epoxy booster thrust structure, phase 2

The design, materials, tooling, various manufacturing processes, quality control, test procedures, and results associated with the fabrication and testing of a 1/3 scale boron/epoxy, booster thrust structure are described. A complete two-dimensional truss type thrust structure, comprised of nine boron/epoxy tubular members and six apex fittings, was fabricated. This resulted in structurally representative flight hardware, and verified the manufacturing feasibility and projected weight savings (30%) for this type of structure.

Source record↗

Opportunities for ceramics in the ERDA/NASA Continuous Combustion Propulsion Systems Program

The ERDA/NASA Continuous Combustion Highway Vehicles Program is concerned with the development of improved automotive powerplants. Specific program goals are related to an achievement of an improved fuel economy, low emissions, multifuel capability, and marketability. An employment of high temperature ceramic materials is considered in connection with the development of improved gas turbine and Stirling engines. The ceramic materials technology project is discussed, taking into account the characterization of ceramic materials, improved ceramic materials, and questions of component design, fabrication, and testing.

Blankenship, C. P.↗

Development program on a cold cathode electron gun

A prototype electron gun with a field emitter cathode capable of producing 95 mA in a 1/4 mm diameter beam at 12 kV was produced. Achievement of this goal required supporting studies in cathode fabrication, cathode performance, gun design, cathode mounting and gun fabrication. A series of empirical investigations advanced fabrication technology: More stable emitters were produced and multiple cone failure caused by chain reaction discharges were reduced. The cathode is capable of producing well over 95 mA, but a substantial collector development effort was required to demonstrate emission levels in the 100 mA region. Space charge problems made these levels difficult to achieve. Recommendations are made for future process and materials investigation. Electron gun designs were modeled and tested. A pair of two-electrode gun structures were fabricated and tested; one gun was delivered to NASA. Cathodes were pretested up to 100 mA at SRI and delivered to NASA for test in the gun structure.

Spindt, C. A.↗

Fiberglass epoxy laminate fatigue properties at 300 and 20 K

A subcritical liquid hydrogen orbital storage and supply experiment is being designed for flight in the Space Shuttle cargo bay. The Cryogenic Fluid Management Experiment (CFME) includes a liquid hydrogen tank supported in a vacuum jacket by two fiberglass epoxy composite trunnion mounts. The ability of the CFME to last for the required seven missions depends primarily on the fatigue life of the composite trunnions at cryogenic temperatures. To verify the trunnion design and test the performance of the composite material, fatigue property data at 300 and 20 K were obtained for the specific E-glass fabric/S-glass unidirectional laminate that will be used for the CFME trunnions. The fatigue life of this laminate was greater at 20 K than at 300 K, and was satisfactory for the intended application.

Toth, J. M., Jr.↗

Pocketing mechanics of SRM nozzle liner

A systems approach was adopted to study the pocketing phenomena on a solid rocket nozzle liner. The classical thermoelastic analysis was used to identify marginally strained regions on the composite liner erosion surface and at a depth coincident with the peak value of the across ply coefficient of thermal expansion. A failure criterion was introduced which included a thermal term and permitted failure assessment over the charred liner. The method was verified by satisfactory application to a reported related experiment. Liner pocketing mechanism was attributed to very localized material degradation caused during manufacturing process either by reduction of fiber strength and/or by concentration of resin volume fraction. Pocketing scenario over the degraged material was constructed with supporting formulation to predict size of fissures with respect to degraded material size and location in the liner and with burn time. Sensitivities of liner material parameters were determined to influence test programs designed to update mechanical data base of carbon cloth phenolic over the char temperature range.

Verderaime, V. S.↗