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At least 505 records · Page 28

Joining and Integration of Silicon Carbide-Based Materials for High Temperature Applications

Advanced joining and integration technologies of silicon carbide-based ceramics and ceramic matrix composites are enabling for their implementation into wide scale aerospace and ground-based applications. The robust joining and integration technologies allow for large and complex shapes to be fabricated and integrated with the larger system. Potential aerospace applications include lean-direct fuel injectors, thermal actuators, turbine vanes, blades, shrouds, combustor liners and other hot section components. Ground based applications include components for energy and environmental systems. Performance requirements and processing challenges are identified for the successful implementation different joining technologies. An overview will be provided of several joining approaches which have been developed for high temperature applications. In addition, various characterization approaches were pursued to provide an understanding of the processing-microstructure-property relationships. Microstructural analysis of the joint interfaces was conducted using optical, scanning electron, and transmission electron microscopy to identify phases and evaluate the bond quality. Mechanical testing results will be presented along with the need for new standardized test methods. The critical need for tailoring interlayer compositions for optimum joint properties will also be highlighted.

Ceramic Matrix Composites↗

ASME Code Rules and ASTM Standards Integration for Ceramic Composite Core Materials and Components 1

Fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composites have many desirable properties for high-temperature nuclear applications, including excellent thermal and mechanical properties and reasonable to outstanding radiation resistance. Over the last 20 years, the use of ceramic composite materials has already expanded in many commercial nonnuclear industries as fabrication and application technologies mature. The new ASME design and construction rules under Section III, Subsection HH, Subpart B lay out the requirements and criteria for materials, design, machining and installation, inspection, examination, testing, and the marking procedure for ceramic composite core components, which is similar to the established graphite code under Section III, Subsection HH, Subpart A. Moreover, the general requirements listed in Section III, Subsection HA, Subpart B are also expanded to include ceramic composite materials. The code rules rely heavily on the development and publication of standards for composite specification, classification, and testing of mechanical, thermal, and other properties. These test methods are developed in the American Society for Testing and Materials Committee C28 on Advanced Ceramics with a current focus on ceramic composite tubes. Details of the composites code, design methodology, and similarities to the graphite code, as well as guidance for the development of specifications for ceramic composites for nuclear application and recent standard developments, are discussed. The next step is to "close the gap" to support licensing aspects by validating the code with benchmarking data.

Geringer, Josina↗

Evaluation of CVI SiC/SiC Composites for High Temperature Applications

Silicon carbide fiber reinforced silicon carbide (SiC/SiC) composites are candidate materials for various high temperature turbine engine applications because of their high specific strength and good creep resistance at temperatures of 1400 C (2552 F) and higher. Chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composites (CMC) incorporating Sylramic-iBN SiC fiber were evaluated via fast fracture tensile tests (acoustic emission damage characterization to assess cracking behavior), tensile creep testing, and microscopy. The results of this testing and observed material behavior degradation mechanisms are reviewed.

testing↗

NASA's high-temperature engine materials program for civil aeronautics

The Advanced High-Temperature Engine Materials Technology Program is described in terms of its research initiatives and its goal of developing propulsion systems for civil aeronautics with low levels of noise, pollution, and fuel consumption. The program emphasizes the analysis and implementation of structural materials such as polymer-matrix composites in fans, casings, and engine-control systems. Also investigated in the program are intermetallic- and metal-matrix composites for uses in compressors and turbine disks as well as ceramic-matrix composites for extremely high-temperature applications such as turbine vanes.

Gray, Hugh R.↗

Environmental Barrier Coating Fracture, Fatigue and High-Heat-Flux Durability Modeling and Stochastic Progressive Damage Simulation

Advanced environmental barrier coatings will play an increasingly important role in future gas turbine engines because of their ability to protect emerging light-weight SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composite (CMC) engine components, further raising engine operating temperatures and performance. Because the environmental barrier coating systems are critical to the performance, reliability and durability of these hot-section ceramic engine components, a prime-reliant coating system along with established life design methodology are required for the hot-section ceramic component insertion into engine service. In this paper, we have first summarized some observations of high temperature, high-heat-flux environmental degradation and failure mechanisms of environmental barrier coating systems in laboratory simulated engine environment tests. In particular, the coating surface cracking morphologies and associated subsequent delamination mechanisms under the engine level high-heat-flux, combustion steam, and mechanical creep and fatigue loading conditions will be discussed. The EBC compostion and archtechture improvements based on advanced high heat flux environmental testing, and the modeling advances based on the integrated Finite Element Analysis Micromechanics Analysis Code/Ceramics Analysis and Reliability Evaluation of Structures (FEAMAC/CARES) program will also be highlighted. The stochastic progressive damage simulation successfully predicts mud flat damage pattern in EBCs on coated 3-D specimens, and a 2-D model of through-the-thickness cross-section. A 2-parameter Weibull distribution was assumed in characterizing the coating layer stochastic strength response and the formation of damage was therefore modeled. The damage initiation and coalescence into progressively smaller mudflat crack cells was demonstrated. A coating life prediction framework may be realized by examining the surface crack initiation and delamination propagation in conjunction with environmental degradation under high-heat-flux and environment load test conditions.

Mechanical creep and fatigue loading condition↗

Expanding the Capability of A Legacy Combustion Flametube to Test High Temperature Engine Materials in Relevant Environments

New materials and component designs are needed to advance gas turbine engine technology and provide the performance and efficiency needs for future applications. In order to advance these materials, testing in combustion environments is a critical step prior to engine testing. In this work, we detail the design and the fabrication of a materials test sector in a flametube combustor facility. The facility simulates a combustion environment similar to that experienced by components in gas turbine engines. The flow regime is characterized by a combination of high-temperature, high-velocity, high-heat flux, and high-velocity that components experience in gas turbine engines. Exposure of components in this facility allows for the study of combined environmental effects and the impact on both coating and substrate durability. The test facility may operate across a wide range of pressures from 275-400 psig (1,896-2,758 kPa) and an air flow rate of 5 lb/s (2.27 kg/s). While combustion gas temperature is expected in excess of 3,000°F (1,649°C), 900°F (482°C) cooling air may be supplied to the backside of components or test articles. The flametube combustor was previously used to evaluate fuel injectors and combustion products, and the new test configuration will also allow for materials exposure to complex, engine-like conditions. The interior of the Test Section was additively manufactured from GRCop-84 and cryogenically fit and brazed to a stainless steel 304 housing. The use of a copper liner minimizes welds and with active cooling, is expected to provide better durability over traditional hardware using stainless steel or Inconel with a ceramic liner. The Test Section has two opposing removable windows approximately 230 mm x 80 mm that can accommodate articles up to 85 mm tall. This modular design allows for custom platforms to hold coupons, panels, or airfoil shapes to be tested with minimal re-engineering or fabrication. The bolted joint and sealing remains consistent, so any new testing only needs to work within the existing design footprint. This paper will provide an overview of the facility capabilities, design considerations, as well as thermal and structural analysis of the hardware. Future testing of ceramic matrix composite (CMC) airfoils and advanced environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) will also be discussed.

Combustion↗

Advanced Environmental Barrier Coatings Developed for SiC/SiC Composite Vanes

Ceramic components exhibit superior high-temperature strength and durability over conventional component materials in use today, signifying the potential to revolutionize gas turbine engine component technology. Silicon-carbide fiber-reinforced silicon carbide ceramic matrix composites (SiC/SiC CMCs) are prime candidates for the ceramic hotsection components of next-generation gas turbine engines. A key barrier to the realization of SiC/SiC CMC hot-section components is the environmental degradation of SiC/SiC CMCs in combustion environments. This is in the form of surface recession due to the volatilization of silica scale by water vapor. An external environmental barrier coating (EBC) is a logical approach to achieve protection and long-term durability.

Lee, Kang N.↗

A novel fiber-fretting test for tribological characterization of the fiber/matrix interface

Ceramic matrix composites exhibit excellent high temperature properties and are candidate materials for structural applications from jet engines to nuclear fuel cladding. The strength and deformation behavior of these composites are intrinsically tied to the properties of the fiber/matrix interface. This research introduces a novel technique to evaluate the fundamental friction and wear characteristics of these interfaces. A case study on SiC f /PyC/SiC m composites applies in situ fiber fretting to investigate the kinetic friction coefficient and cyclic wear characteristics of the interphase. The experimental methodology is presented in explicit detail to encourage other researchers to explore the capabilities of this technique. Additionally, testing was carried out as a function of fiber roughness, PyC thickness (≈10, 500, 1200 nm), cycle count (10, 100, 1000), and frequency (1, 5, and 10 Hz). The friction coefficient and wear behavior changed with cycle length due to a transition from adhesive to abrasive mechanisms. SEM fractography provided insights to tribological evolution from adhesive sliding to three-body abrasive wear. The structural disorder at the tribo-surface relating to graphitic content and dangling bond density was investigated using Raman spectroscopy. Properties are contextualized with comparison to uniaxial tensile behavior of the parent composite.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Design Concepts for Cooled Ceramic Composite Turbine Vane

The objective of this work was to develop design concepts for a cooled ceramic vane to be used in the first stage of the High Pressure Turbine(HPT). To insure that the design concepts were relevant to the gas turbine industry needs, Honeywell International Inc. was subcontracted to provide technical guidance for this work. The work performed under this contract can be divided into three broad categories. The first was an analysis of the cycle benefits arising from the higher temperature capability of Ceramic Matrix Composite(CMC) compared with conventional metallic vane materials. The second category was a series of structural analyses for variations in the internal configuration of first stage vane for the High Pressure Turbine(HPT) of a CF6 class commercial airline engine. The third category was analysis for a radial cooled turbine vanes for use in turboshaft engine applications. The size, shape and internal configuration of the turboshaft engine vanes were selected to investigate a cooling concept appropriate to small CMC vanes.

vanes↗

Advanced Constituents and Processes for Ceramic Composite Engine Components

The successful replacement of metal alloys by ceramic matrix composites (CMC) in hot-section engine components will depend strongly on optimizing the processes and properties of the CMC microstructural constituents so that they can synergistically provide the total CMC system with improved temperature capability and with the key properties required by the components for long-term structural service. This presentation provides the results of recent activities at NASA aimed at developing advanced silicon carbide (Sic) fiber-reinforced hybrid Sic matrix composite systems that can operate under mechanical loading and oxidizing conditions for hundreds of hours at 2400 and 2600 F, temperatures well above current metal capability. These SiC/SiC composite systems are lightweight (-30% metal density) and, in comparison to monolithic ceramics and carbon fiber-reinforced ceramic composites, are able to reliably retain their structural properties for long times under aggressive engine environments. It is shown that the improved temperature capability of the SiC/SiC systems is related first to the NASA development of the Sylramic-iBN Sic fiber, which displays high thermal stability, creep resistance, rupture resistance, and thermal conductivity, and possesses an in-situ grown BN surface layer for added environmental durability. This fiber is simply derived from Sylramic Sic fiber type that is currently produced at ATK COI Ceramics. Further capability is then derived by using chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) to form the initial portion of the hybrid Sic matrix. Because of its high creep resistance and thermal conductivity, the CVI Sic matrix is a required base constituent for all the high temperature SiC/SiC systems. By subsequently thermo- mechanical-treating the CMC preform, which consists of the S ylramic-iBN fibers and CVI Sic matrix, process-related defects in the matrix are removed, further improving matrix and CMC creep resistance and conductivity.

Yun, H. M.↗

Modeling the Elastic Modulus of 2D Woven CVI SiC Composites

The use of fiber, interphase, CVI SiC minicomposites as structural elements for 2D-woven SiC fiber reinforced chemically vapor infiltrated (CVI) SiC matrix composites is demonstrated to be a viable approach to model the elastic modulus of these composite systems when tensile loaded in an orthogonal direction. The 0deg (loading direction) and 90deg (perpendicular to loading direction) oriented minicomposites as well as the open porosity and excess SiC associated with CVI SiC composites were all modeled as parallel elements using simple Rule of Mixtures techniques. Excellent agreement for a variety of 2D woven Hi-Nicalon(TradeMark) fiber-reinforced and Sylramic-iBN reinforced CVI SiC matrix composites that differed in numbers of plies, constituent content, thickness, density, and number of woven tows in either direction (i.e, balanced weaves versus unbalanced weaves) was achieved. It was found that elastic modulus was not only dependent on constituent content, but also the degree to which 90deg minicomposites carried load. This depended on the degree of interaction between 90deg and 0deg minicomposites which was quantified to some extent by composite density. The relationships developed here for elastic modulus only necessitated the knowledge of the fractional contents of fiber, interphase and CVI SiC as well as the tow size and shape. It was concluded that such relationships are fairly robust for orthogonally loaded 2D woven CVI SiC composite system and can be implemented by ceramic matrix composite component modelers and designers for modeling the local stiffness in simple or complex parts fabricated with variable constituent contents.

Morscher, Gregory N.↗

Composites boost 21st-century aircraft engines

Research and development in light-weight, high-temperature composite materials for ultrahigh-bypass engines to be used in high-speed civil transport/rotocraft is presented. It is noted that the expected benefits to be attained by this R&D include weight reduction, lowered fuel consumption, and lower direct operating costs. A major effort underway in this area is the Advanced High Temperature Engine Materials Technology Program (HITEMP) of NASA, which focuses on providing revolutionary high-temperature composite materials: to 425 C (800 F) for polymer-matrix composites (PMCs), to 1250 C (2280 F) for metal-matrix/intermetallic-matrix composites (MMCs/IMCs), and to as high as 1650 C (3000 F) for ceramic-matrix composites (CMCs). Analytical modeling is being used to investigate the structural behavior of these advanced materials in six distinct areas: micromechanics, deformation and damage, fatigue, fracture, trade-off studies, and load definition. It is concluded that the development of advanced materials such as high-temperature composites is highly dependent on the availability of high-temperature fibers. The wide range of fiber characteristics needed will require the development of more than one fiber. In general, a candidate fiber should have low density, high strength, high stiffness, a CTE matching the matrix, chemical compatibility with the matrix, environmental stability and appropriate fiber diameter.

Stephens, Joseph R.↗

Effects of Cooling Holes on SiC/SiC Strength and Durability

Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) such as SiC/SiC are currently operating in select high temperature components of turbine engines. When these materials are implemented in components at higher operating temperatures, film cooling may be necessary. Film cooling requires holes to be fabricated at appropriate locations within these components. This study examines the effect of cooling holes on SiC/SiC composite strength and durability. Mechanical test data on specimens with multiple holes is reported for isothermal conditions at room and elevated temperatures. Tools such as Digital Image Correlation (DIC) and Acoustic Emission (AE) are used to monitor strain and cracking upon loading.

Ceramic matrix composite↗

Enhancing CMC Temperature Performance in High Hydrogen Environments using Field Assisted Sintering Technology

This final report summarizes the developments in field assisted sintering technology (FAST) for rapid fabrication of ceramic matrix composite (CMC) materials with integrated environmental barrier coatings (EBCs), as well as their performance in a representative gas turbine combustor environment including stagnant flame zones, and high velocity product zones. CMCs are a possible high temperature tolerant material system for gas turbine engines, which are currently the dominant source of electric power production and the primary source of aircraft propulsion. However, CMCs are costly and time-consuming (on the order of weeks to months) to fabricate, and CMCs based on silicon carbide (SiC) ceramics are susceptible to water vapor degradation requiring the use of specialized EBCs. The manufacturing technique known as FAST can create consolidated parts in as little as a few hours using high pressure and temperature, and may be useful to integrate EBCs into CMCs directly during consolidation.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Silicon Carbide Multilayer Piping for High Temperature sCO 2 Brayton Cycle

Efficiencies of greater than 50% in supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO 2 ) Brayton power cycle systems can be achieved only at turbine inlet temperatures of above 700°C. In support of the push to higher temperatures, a finite element model was developed by Materials Research & Design, Inc. (MR&D) with support from Ceramic Tubular Products, LLC. (CTP) to guide the refinement of CTP’s high temperature ceramic multilayer piping. The multilayer technology combines the advantages of a monolithic silicon carbide (SiC) tube and a SiOC f /SiOC ceramic matrix composite (CMC), the result of which is a material with high-temperature strength and stability, high mechanical and thermal shock resistance, and high corrosion resistance. In addition to fabricating test specimens to refine the finite element model, long-duration, high temperature CO 2 exposure tests were performed by Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) on two varieties of inner monolithic SiC.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Advanced Materials Development under NASA’s Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core (HyTEC) Project

The Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core (HyTEC) project aims to develop small core turbofan engine technologies that will enable fuel burn reductions, additional use of electric airplane systems through power extraction, and to advance engine operability and compatibility with sustainable aviation fuels. As such, a portfolio of technologies that contribute to raising the pressure, temperature and efficiency of turbofan engine cores needs developed. Included in HyTEC’s technology portfolio to enable these advancements are enhanced combustor liner materials and higher temperature capable turbine blades and vanes manufactured using ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) and environmental barrier coatings (EBCs). These technologies are being developed and tested in laboratory-scale relevant environments to advance the technology readiness level (TRL) to 4 or 5, before moving into an engine core demonstrator to raise the TRL to 6. A new natural gas/oxygen burner rig facility will be used to simulate turbine engine relevant environments at the laboratory/coupon scale. In addition, improvements to enable sub-element, and more complex component testing in NASA Glenn’s combustor facility (CE-5) will be presented.

Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs)↗

High Temperature Tensile Properties and Fatigue Behavior of a Melt-Infiltrated SiC/SiC Composite

High temperature fatigue behavior of a woven, SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composite (CMC) was investigated in air at two temperatures. The reinforcement for the CMC consisted of 5HS Sylramic(Trademark) fabric with a [0deg/90deg]4s lay-up. The SiC matrix material was infiltrated into the fiber-preform with a slurry-cast, melt-infiltration process. Tensile and fatigue test specimens were machined from the CMC plates. Initially tensile tests were conducted to obtain the average values of tensile properties at 1038 and 1204 C. Subsequently, low-cycle fatigue (LCF) tests with zero and two-hour hold-times at the maximum stress were conducted at the same two temperatures. Fatigue life data generated in the LCF tests were used to determine the geometric mean fatigue lives. In this paper, the tensile behavior and the fatigue durability of the CMC determined under different loading conditions are documented. In addition, reductions observed in the cyclic lives of the composite due to the two hour hold-time at maximum tensile stress are discussed.

Kalluri, Sreeramesh↗