Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Oxidation Testing”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 433 records · Page 24

Oxidation of Reinforced Carbon-Carbon Subjected to Hypervelocity Impact

Results of arc-jet tests conducted at the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) on Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) samples subjected to hypervelocity impact are presented. The RCC test specimens are representative of RCC component used on the Space Shuttle Orbiter. The objective of the arc jet testing was to establish the oxidation characteristics of RCC when hypervelocity projectiles, simulating meteoroid/orbital debris (MOD), impact the RCC material. In addition, analytical modeling of the increased material oxidation in the impacted area, using measured hole growth data, to develop correlations for use in trajectory simulations is also discussed.

Curry, Donald M.↗

Performance of Chevron-notch short bar specimen in determining the fracture toughness of silicon nitride and aluminum oxide

Ease of preparation and testing are advantages unique to the chevron-notch specimen used for the determination of the plane strain fracture toughness of extremely brittle materials. During testing, a crack develops at the notch tip and extends stably as the load is increased. For a given specimen and notch configuration, maximum load always occurs at the same relative crack length independent of the material. Fracture toughness is determined from the maximum load with no need for crack length measurement. Chevron notch acuity is relatively unimportant since a crack is produced during specimen loading. In this paper, the authors use their previously determined stress intensity factor relationship for the chevron-notch short bar specimen to examine the performance of that specimen in determining the plane strain fracture toughness of silicon nitride and aluminum oxide.

Munz, D.↗

Calculated Effects of Nitric Oxide Flow Contamination on Scramjet Performance

The level of nitric oxide contamination in the test gas of the NASA Langley Research Center Arc-Heated Scramjet Test Facility and the effect of the contamination on scramjet test engine performance were investigated analytically. The study was conducted for standard facility conditions corresponding to Mach 6, 7, and 8 flight simulations. The analytically determined levels of nitric oxide produced in the facility are compared with experimentally measured levels. Results of the analysis indicate that nitric oxide levels range from one to three mole percent, which corroborates the measured levels. A three-stream combustor code with finite rate chemistry was used to investigate how nitric oxide affects scramjet performance in terms of combustor pressure rise, heat release, and thrust performance. Results indicate minimal effects on engine performance for the test conditions of this investigation.

Fischer, Karen E.↗

A statistical analysis of elevated temperature gravimetric cyclic oxidation data of 36 Ni- and Co-base superalloys based on an oxidation attack parameter

A large body of high temperature cyclic oxidation data generated from tests at NASA Lewis Research Center involving gravimetric/time values for 36 Ni- and Co-base superalloys was reduced to a single attack parameter, K(sub a), for each run. This K(sub a) value was used to rank the cyclic oxidation resistance of each alloy at 1000, 1100, and 1150 C. These K(sub a) values were also used to derive an estimating equation using multiple linear regression involving log(sub 10)K(sub a) as a function of alloy chemistry and test temperature. This estimating equation has a high degree of fit and could be used to predict cyclic oxidation behavior for similar alloys and to design an optimum high strength Ni-base superalloy with maximum high temperature cyclic oxidation resistance. The critical alloy elements found to be beneficial were Al, Cr, and Ta.

Barrett, Charles A.↗

Enhancing glycerol electrooxidation from synergistic interactions of platinum and transition metal carbides

To effectively utilize glycerol as a fuel for electrochemical fuel cells, it is necessary to optimize catalysts for effective C-C bond cleavage and complete oxidation of reaction intermediates to achieve maximum efficiency. Here, the current work showed that the synergistic interactions of platinum (Pt) with transition metal carbide (TMC) substrates, such as tungsten carbide (WC) and tantalum carbide (TaC), fulfilled these criteria. The TMC-supported Pt catalysts showed higher activity and selectivity for complete glycerol oxidation than commercial 10 wt% Pt/C. In-situ FTIR analysis revealed that 5 wt% Pt/WC was the most effective catalyst among those tested for complete glycerol oxidation at 0.9 V vs RHE. In-situ X-ray absorption fine structure characterization and density functional theory calculations provided additional insight into the synergistic interactions for glycerol oxidation over Pt/TMC catalysts.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Development and Testing of High Surface Area Iridium Anodes for Molten Oxide Electrolysis

Processing of lunar regolith into oxygen for habitat and propulsion is needed to support future space missions. Direct electrochemical reduction of molten regolith is an attractive method of processing, because no additional chemical reagents are needed. The electrochemical processing of molten oxides requires high surface area, inert anodes. Such electrodes need to be structurally robust at elevated temperatures (1400-1600 C), be resistant to thermal shock, have good electrical conductivity, be resistant to attack by molten oxide (silicate), be electrochemically stable and support high current density. Iridium with its high melting point, good oxidation resistance, superior high temperature strength and ductility is the most promising candidate for anodes in high temperature electrochemical processes. Several innovative concepts for manufacturing such anodes by electrodeposition of iridium from molten salt electrolyte (EL-Form process) were evaluated. Iridium electrodeposition to form of complex shape components and coating was investigated. Iridium coated graphite, porous iridium structure and solid iridium anodes were fabricated. Testing of electroformed iridium anodes shows no visible degradation. The result of development, manufacturing and testing of high surface, inert iridium anodes will be presented.

Shchetkovskiy, Anatoliy↗

Development and Testing of High Surface Area Iridium Anodes for Molten Oxide Electrolysis

Processing of lunar regolith into oxygen for habitat and propulsion is needed to support future space missions. Direct electrochemical reduction of molten regolith is an attractive method of processing, because no additional chemical reagents are needed. The electrochemical processing of molten oxides requires high surface area, inert anodes. Such electrodes need to be structurally robust at elevated temperatures (1400-1600?C), be resistant to thermal shock, have good electrical conductivity, be resistant to attack by molten oxide (silicate), be electrochemically stable and support high current density. Iridium with its high melting point, good oxidation resistance, superior high temperature strength and ductility is the most promising candidate for anodes in high temperature electrochemical processes. Several innovative concepts for manufacturing such anodes by electrodeposition of iridium from molten salt electrolyte (EL-Form? process) were evaluated. Iridium electrodeposition to form of complex shape components and coating was investigated. Iridium coated graphite, porous iridium structure and solid iridium anodes were fabricated. Testing of electroformed iridium anodes shows no visible degradation. The result of development, manufacturing and testing of high surface, inert iridium anodes will be presented.

Shchetkovskiy, Anatoliy↗

Oxidation performance of platinum-clad Mo-47Re alloy

The alloy Mo-47Re has favorable mechanical properties at temperatures above 1400 C, but it undergoes severe oxidation when used in air with no protective coating. To shield the alloy from oxidation, platinum cladding has been evaluated. The unprotected alloy undergoes catastrophic oxidation under static and dynamic oxidation conditions. The platinum cladding provides good protection from static and dynamic oxidation for moderate times at 1260 C. Samples tested for longer times under static oxidation conditions experienced severe oxidation. The data suggest that oxidation results from the transport of oxygen through the grain boundaries and through the pinhole defects of the platinum cladding.

Clark, Ronald K.↗

Cyclic Oxidation and Hot Corrosion of NiCrY-Coated Disk Superalloy

Powder metallurgy disk superalloys have been designed for higher engine operating temperatures through improvement of their strength and creep resistance. Yet, increasing disk application temperatures to 704 C and higher could enhance oxidation and activate hot corrosion in harmful environments. Protective coatings could be necessary to mitigate such attack. Cylindrical coated specimens of disk superalloys LSHR and ME3 were subjected to thermal cycling to produce cyclic oxidation in air at a maximum temperature of 760 C. The effects of substrate roughness and coating thickness on coating integrity after cyclic oxidation were considered. Selected coated samples that had cyclic oxidation were then subjected to accelerated hot corrosion tests. The effects of this cyclic oxidation on resistance to subsequent hot corrosion attack were examined.

Hot corrosion↗

Studies of silicon pn junction solar cells

Modifications of the basic Shockley equations that result from the random and nonrandom spatial variations of the chemical composition of a semiconductor were developed. These modifications underlie the existence of the extensive emitter recombination current that limits the voltage over the open circuit of solar cells. The measurement of parameters, series resistance and the base diffusion length is discussed. Two methods are presented for establishing the energy bandgap narrowing in the heavily-doped emitter region. Corrections that can be important in the application of one of these methods to small test cells are examined. Oxide-charge-induced high-low-junction emitter (OCI-HLE) test cells which exhibit considerably higher voltage over the open circuit than was previously seen in n-on-p solar cells are described.

Lindholm, F. A.↗

Derivation and test of elevated temperature thermal-stress-free fastener concept

Future aerospace vehicles must withstand high temperatures and be able to function over a wide temperature range. New composite materials are being developed for use in designing high-temperature lightweight structures. Due to the difference between coefficients of thermal expansion for the new composite materials and conventional high-temperature metallic fasteners, innovative joining techniques are needed to produce tight joints at all temperatures without excessive thermal stresses. A thermal-stress-free fastening technique is presented that can be used to provide structurally tight joints at all temperatures even when the fastener and joined materials have different coefficients of thermal expansion. The derivation of thermal-stress-free fasteners and joint shapes is presented for a wide variety of fastener materials and materials being joined together. Approximations to the thermal-stress-free shapes that result in joints with low-thermal-stresses and that simplify the fastener/joint shape are discussed. The low-thermal-stress fastener concept is verified by thermal and shear tests in joints using oxide-dispersion-strengthened alloy fasteners in carbon-carbon material. The test results show no evidence of thermal stress damage for temperatures up to 2000 F and the resulting joints carried shear loads at room temperature typical of those for conventional joints.

Sawyer, J. W.↗

Investigation of the oxidation behavior of dispersion stabilized alloys when exposed to a dynamic high temperature environment

The oxidation behavior of TD-NiCr and TD-NiCrAlY alloys have been studied at 2000 and 2200 F in static and high speed flowing air environments. The TD-NiCrAlY alloys preoxidized to produce an Al2O3 scale on the surface showed good oxidation resistance in both types of environments. The TD-NiCr alloy which had a Cr2O3 oxide scale after preoxidation was found to oxidize more than an order of magnitude faster under the dynamic test conditions than at comparable static test conditions. Although Cr2O3 normally provides good oxidation protection, it was rapidly lost due to formation of volatile CrO3 when exposed to the high speed air stream. The preferred oxide arrangement for the dynamic test consisted of an external layer of NiO with a porous mushroom type morphology, an intermediate duplex layer of NiO and Cr2O3, and a continuous inner layer of Cr2O3 in contact with the alloy substrate. An oxidation model has been developed to explain the observed microstructure and overall oxidation behavior of all alloys.

Tenney, D. R.↗

Predicting Slag Generation in Sub-Scale Test Motors Using a Neural Network

Generation of slag (aluminum oxide) is an important issue for the Reusable Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM). Thiokol performed testing to quantify the relationship between raw material variations and slag generation in solid propellants by testing sub-scale motors cast with propellant containing various combinations of aluminum fuel and ammonium perchlorate (AP) oxidizer particle sizes. The test data were analyzed using statistical methods and an artificial neural network. This paper primarily addresses the neural network results with some comparisons to the statistical results. The neural network showed that the particle sizes of both the aluminum and unground AP have a measurable effect on slag generation. The neural network analysis showed that aluminum particle size is the dominant driver in slag generation, about 40% more influential than AP. The network predictions of the amount of slag produced during firing of sub-scale motors were 16% better than the predictions of a statistically derived empirical equation. Another neural network successfully characterized the slag generated during full-scale motor tests. The success is attributable to the ability of neural networks to characterize multiple complex factors including interactions that affect slag generation.

Wiesenberg, Brent↗

Considerations of Radiation-Hardened Electronics for Alpha Detectors in Molten Salt Reactors

Along with advanced generations of reactors quickly becoming reality, the need for instrumentation to provide reliable information for their safety and operation is also becoming relevant. Instrumentation-wise, molten salt reactors (MSRs) represent an especially challenging case in which detectors must survive extreme temperatures, high amounts of radiation, and a highly corrosive coolant. Adding to the complexity, tight material control and accounting must be maintained with any special nuclear material (SNM), a practice made more difficult by the nature of a loop of flowing fuel. Alpha spectroscopy offers a unique window into investigating the isotopic concentrations of actinides within just such a molten salt environment. The characteristic α emissions of specific actinide isotopes in the salt enable quantification of their concentrations. Semiconductor devices based on wide bandgap materials such as silicon carbide and gallium oxide can withstand the extreme temperatures within MSRs and offer good chemical stability with the corrosive salt. Collaborators at The Ohio State University are fabricating and testing a β gallium oxide α particle sensor that could identify actinide concentrations within the fuel salt to help improve the material control and accounting required for complicated system inherent to MSRs.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Oxidation and corrosion resistance of candidate Stirling engine heater-head-tube alloys

Sixteen candidate iron base Stirling engine heater head tube alloys are evaluated in a diesel fuel fired simulator materials test rig to determine their oxidation and corrosion resistance. Sheet specimens are tested at 820 C for 3500 hr in 5 hr heating cycles. Specific weight change data and an attack parameter are used to categorize the alloys into four groups; 10 alloys show excellent for good oxidation and corrosion resistance and six alloys exhibit poor or catastrophic resistance. Metallographic, X-ray, and electron microprobe analyses aid in further characterizing the oxidation and corrosion behavior of the alloys. Alloy compositions, expecially the reactive elements aluminum, titanium, and chromium, play a major role in the excellent oxidation and corrosion behavior of the alloys. The best oxidation resistance is associated with the formation of an iron nickel aluminum outer oxide scale, an intermediate oxide scale rich in chromium and titanium, and an aluminum outer oxide scale adjacent to the metallic substrate, which exhibits a zone of internal oxidation of aluminum and to some extent titanium.

Stephens, J. R.↗

Mitigating Transition Metal Dissolution from Mn-rich Cathodes: Influence of Processing and Testing Methods

Manganese-rich oxides continue to gain interest with respect to the development of Earth-abundant options for lithium-ion cathodes. Of the unique challenges that hinder the respective performance of various classes of such materials, manganese dissolution still stands as a common theme. The work herein explores Li 3 PO 4 as a robust surface protection layer on a prototypical, Co-free, manganese-rich cathode in the way of a lithium- and manganese-rich oxide. The study highlights the critical importance of synthesis and processing in realizing optimal performance of a given surface treatment by comparing sol-gel and atomic layer deposition methods. Furthermore, cycling protocols are emphasized as a critical factor in adequately gauging the efficacy of surface protection strategies to mitigate manganese dissolution and the subsequent electrochemical consequence. Optimized Li 3 PO 4 coatings coatings on lithium- and manganese-rich cathode particles are shown to greatly mitigate capacity fade, impedance rise, pore/void formation and mechanical damage during long-term cycling.

Mallick, Subhadip [Argonne National Laboratory (AN↗

An evaluation of candidate oxidation resistant materials

Ground based testing of materials considered for Kapton solar array blanket protection, graphite epoxy structural member protection, and high temperature radiators was performed in an RF plasma asher. Ashing rates for Kapton were correlated with rates measured on STS-8 to determine the exposure time equivalent to one year in low Earth orbit (LEO) at a constant density space station orbital flux. Protective coatings on Kapton from Tekmat, Andus Corporation, and LeRC were evaluated in the plasma asher and mass loss rates per unit area were measured for each sample. All samples evaluated provided some protection to the underlying surface but ion beam sputter deposited samples of SiO2 and SiO2 with 8% polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) showed no evidence of degradation after 47 hours of exposure. Mica paint was evaluated as a protective coating for graphite epoxy structural members. Mica appears to be resistant to attack by atomic oxygen but only offers some limited protection as a paint because the paint vehicles evaluated to date were not resistant to atomic oxygen. Four materials were selected for evaluation as candidate radiator materials: stainless steel, copper, niobium-1% zirconium, and titanium-6% aluminum-4% vanadium. These materials were surface textured by various means to improve their emittance. Emittances as high as 0.93 at 2.5 microns for stainless steel and 0.89 at 2.5 microns for Nb-1 Zr were obtained from surface texturing. There were no significant changes in emittance after asher exposure.

Rutledge, Sharon↗