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At least 523 records · Page 29

Fatigue life extension

Potential fatigue rejuvenation processes were carried out on fatigue-damaged material both with and without observable surface-connected fatigue cracks. The fatigue life of fatigue-damaged MAR-M246(Hf)(DS), a directionally solidified nickel-base superalloy used in turbine airfoils, was extended by reheat treatment. The fatigue life of fatigue-cracked Inconel 718, a wrought nickel-base superalloy used in a wide variety of advanced rocket engine components, was extended by electron-beam welding to close off the surface-connected crack, followed by hot isostatic pressing and reheat treatment.

Matejczyk, D. E.↗

Relation between surface slip topography and stress corrosion cracking in Ti-8 wt % Al

The deformation behavior of Ti-8 wt % Al has been investigated in an inert environment (air), and an aggressive environment (salt water). Details of surface slip geometry were examined by high resolution surface replicas at various stages of deformation in both environments. Specimens aged to contain a fine dispersion of Ti3Al precipitates failed by subcritical crack growth in salt water, whereas specimens in the single phase condition showed no effects of environment on the yield or fracture characteristics. The Ti3Al precipitates produce little change in strength level or slip character compared to the single phase alloy, and there is no evidence of any effects of environment on the character of surface slip. Rather, the presence of trenches along slip bands on the surface of aged specimens suggest that the specific effect of the Ti3Al precipitates is to render the surface slip steps chemically active relative to the surrounding matrix by slip induced dissolution of the particles.

Boyd, J. D.↗

NASA Glenn/AADC Collaboration Optimized Erosion Coatings for Inlet Guide Vanes

There is a need for lightweight, durable materials and structures to reduce the weight of propulsion systems. Polymer matrix composites (PMC's) are promising materials for aerospace applications because of their high strength-to-weight ratio relative to metals. Unfortunately, they are limited to applications where they are not exposed to hightemperature oxidizing atmospheres and/or particulates from ingested air. This is because oxidation and erosion occur on the surface, leading to weight loss, nodulation, and/or cracking on the surface, and a consequent decline of mechanical properties over time. Although prior research has shown that oxidation can be slowed when metallic or ceramic coatings are applied onto PMC's, there remains a need for erosion-resistant coatings that protect PMC's from high-velocity particulates in the engine flow path. These erosionresistant coatings could extend the life of polymer composites. Polymer composites are heavily damaged without an erosion-resistant coating because they are not as hard as metallic engine structures. The effectiveness and life of the coatings depends on their inherent properties as well as on the interaction between the coating and the PMC. Since polymers, in general, have high thermal expansion coefficients in comparison to metals and ceramics, failure of the coatings often occurs at this interface. The objective of this research is to develop strategies to improve this interface and tailor overlays for erosion resistance. The bondcoat, which was developed at the NASA Glenn Research Center, is composed of zinc blended with polyimides to improve the compatibility between the PMC and the overlay material. Initial coating trials at AADC produced vanes that had poor bonding between the overlay and bondcoats. Subsequently, Glenn successfully demonstrated that high-quality plasma-sprayed erosion coating systems could be applied to these guide vanes. Inlet guide vanes from AE 3007 engines fiber composites were coated using a coating system composed of a bondcoat and a hard topcoat. Optimization of the plasma spray process has led to plans for future erosion testing in gas turbine engine environments.

Sutter, James K.↗

Strain energy density and surface layer energy for a crack-like ellipse

Some of the fundamental concepts of sharp crack fracture criteria are applied to cracks and narrow ellipses. The strain energy density theory is extended to notch boundaries, where the energy in a surface layer is calculated and the location of failure initiation is determined. The concept of a core region near the notch tip, and its consequences, are examined in detail. The example treated is that of an elliptical cavity loaded uniformly at a large distance from the hole, and at an angle to the hole; the results are shown to approach that of the crack solution for narrow ellipses, and to display quite satisfactory agreement with recently published experimental data under both tensile and compressive loading conditions. Results also indicate that in globally unstable configurations in brittle materials, the original loading and notch geometry are sufficient to predict the subsequent crack trajectory with considerable accuracy.

Kipp, M. E.↗

Fracture initiation and propagation in a cylindrical shell containing an initial surface flaw

An attempt is made to provide the necessary analytical tools for the application of two different types of fracture criteria to shell structures. Of particular interest is the problem of fracture propagation and arrest in a cylindrical pressure vessel containing an initial surface flaw. It is assumed that the flaw has the most unfavorable geometry and orientation, namely, it is a crack lying on a meridional plane. Stress intensity factor for a part-through crack, and a surface or internal crack with a fully yielded net ligament are considered. Attention is given to constant delta curves for depressurization studies and to depressurization and crack arrest in pressure vessels.

Erdogan, F.↗

Leak-tight crack repair for 304L stainless steel using friction surfacing

Here, friction surfacing (FS) was investigated as a method for sealing 50 μm wide thru-cracks in 3-mm-thick 304L stainless steel (304L) plate. Friction surfacing was performed using two sizes of 304L consumable rod, with diameters of 9.52 mm and 12.7 mm, on two substrate conditions (clean and oxidized). Friction surfacing was able to deposit a 600 μm thick coating and repair cracks to a depth of 100 μm - 200 μm below the original surface, when using the 12.7-mm-diameter consumable rod for both substrate conditions. Helium leak rates of 10 -10 atm-cc/s were achieved on crack repairs, designating them as leak-tight by the ANSI N14.5 standard. Optical and scanning electron microscopy were used to investigate the coating microstructure and bond interfaces. In this study, the 12.7-mm-diameter rod performed better with disruption of the oxide layer on the oxidized substrate and providing a more homogenous coating. Mechanical properties of the coated samples were evaluated by performing micro-indentation, tensile, bending, and adhesion testing. Higher hardness in the coatings was observed due to the fine equiaxed grains resulting from dynamic recrystallization. Complete consolidation of plastically deformed material on the substrate and a strong diffusion bond across the interface was observed. This was reflected in tensile and bending properties of the FS coatings being comparable to those of uncoated specimen. No delamination of the FS coating was observed during adhesion testing. The results demonstrate that friction surfacing is a viable option to seal cracks in stainless steels.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Analytical and experimental studies of the surface flaw

This paper uses the Newman-Raju model, the Paris crack growth rate law, and a fixed R ratio to demonstrate the analytical considerations associated with predicting stress intensity distributions and fatigue crack growth of surface flaws under conditions of small-scale yielding. Problems which lie outside the realm of the model used in the analytical description are presented. It is concluded that, while the model employed provides remarkable predictive capability in a variety of surface flaw problems, many exceptional cases remain to be modeled.

Smith, C. W.↗

Optical surface contouring for non-destructive inspection of turbomachinery

Detection of stress cracks and other surface defects during maintenance and in-service inspection of propulsion system components, including turbine blades and combustion compartments, is presently performed visually. There is a need for a non-contact, miniaturized, and fully fieldable instrument that may be used as an automated inspection tool for inspection of aircraft engines. During this SBIR Phase 1 program, the feasibility of a ruggedized optical probe for automatic and nondestructive inspection of complex shaped objects will be established. Through a careful analysis of the measurement requirements, geometrical and optical constraints, and consideration of issues such as manufacturability, compactness, simplicity, and cost, one or more conceptual optical designs will be developed. The proposed concept will be further developed and a prototype will be fabricated during Phase 2.

Modarress, Dariush↗

The elliptical crack subjected to nonuniform shear loading.

The equations of elasticity are solved for the problem of a flat elliptical crack which has nonuniform shear stresses applied to its surfaces. The shear stresses are prescribed independently in two directions on the crack surface and are expressed in the form of a third-degree polynomial. Mode-two and mode-three stress-intensity factors are presented in analytical and graphical form as functions of position along the crack border.

Smith, F. W.↗

Proof test criteria for thin-walled 2219 aluminum pressure vessels. Volume 1: Program summary and data analysis

This experimental program was undertaken to investigate the crack growth behavior of deep surface flaws in 2219 aluminum. The program included tests of uniaxially loaded surface flaw and center crack panels at temperatures ranging from 20K (-423 F) to ambient. The tests were conducted on both the base metal and as-welded weld metal material. The program was designed to provide data on the mechanisms of failure by ligament penetration, and the residual cyclic life, after proof-testing, of a vessel which has been subjected to incipient penetration by the proof test. The results were compared and analyzed with previously developed data to develop guidelines for the proof testing of thin walled 2219 pressure vessels.

Finger, R. W.↗

Tidal Control of Jet Eruptions on Enceladus as Observed by Cassini ISS between 2005 and 2007

Observations of Enceladus have revealed active jets of material erupting from cracks on its south polar surface. It has previously been proposed that diurnal tidal stress, driven by Enceladus' orbital eccentricity, may actively produce surface movement along these cracks daily and thus may regulate when eruptions occur. Our analysis of the stress on jet source regions identified in Cassini ISS images reveals tidal stress as a plausible controlling mechanism of jet activity. However, the evidence available in the published and preliminary observations of jet activity between 2005 and 2007 may not be able to solidify the link between tidal stress and eruptions from fissures. Ongoing, far more comprehensive analyses based on recent, much higher resolution jetting observations have the potential to prove otherwise.

Hurford, T. A.↗

Short-crack growth behaviour in an aluminum alloy: An AGARD cooperative test program

An AGARD Cooperative Test Program on the growth of short fatigue cracks was conducted to define the significance of the short-crack effect, to compare test results from various laboratories, and to evaluate an existing analytical crack-growth prediction model. The initiation and growth of short fatigue cracks (5 micrometer to 2 mm) from the surface of a semi-circular notch in 2024-T3 aluminum alloy sheet material were monitored under various load histories. The cracks initiated from inclusion particle clusters or voids on the notch surface and generally grew as surface cracks. Tests were conducted under several constant-amplitude (stress ratios of -2, -1, 0, and 0.5) and spectrum (FALSTAFF and Gaussian) loading conditions at 3 stress levels each. Short crack growth was recorded using a plastic-replica technique. Over 250 edge-notched specimens were fatigue tested and nearly 950 cracks monitored by 12 participants from 9 countries. Long crack-growth rate data for cracks greater than 2 mm in length were obtained over a wide range in rates (10 to the -8 to 10 to the -1 mm/cycle) for all constant-amplitude loading conditions. Long crack-growth rate data for the FALSTAFF and Gaussian load sequences were also obtained.

Newman, J. C., Jr.↗

The Growth of Small Corrosion Fatigue Cracks in Alloy 7075

The corrosion fatigue crack growth characteristics of small (less than 35 microns) surface and corner cracks in aluminum alloy 7075 is established. The early stage of crack growth is studied by performing in situ long focal length microscope (500X) crack length measurements in laboratory air and 1% NaCl environments. To quantify the "small crack effect" in the corrosive environment, the corrosion fatigue crack propagation behavior of small cracks is compared to long through-the-thickness cracks grown under identical experimental conditions. In salt water, long crack constant K(sub max) growth rates are similar to small crack da/dN.

Piascik, R. S.↗

Optical Structural Health Monitoring Device

This non-destructive, optical fatigue detection and monitoring system relies on a small and unobtrusive light-scattering sensor that is installed on a component at the beginning of its life in order to periodically scan the component in situ. The method involves using a laser beam to scan the surface of the monitored component. The device scans a laser spot over a metal surface to which it is attached. As the laser beam scans the surface, disruptions in the surface cause increases in scattered light intensity. As the disruptions in the surface grow, they will cause the light to scatter more. Over time, the scattering intensities over the scanned line can be compared to detect changes in the metal surface to find cracks, crack precursors, or corrosion. This periodic monitoring of the surface can be used to indicate the degree of fatigue damage on a component and allow one to predict the remaining life and/or incipient mechanical failure of the monitored component. This wireless, compact device can operate for long periods under its own battery power and could one day use harvested power. The prototype device uses the popular open-source TinyOS operating system on an off-the-shelf Mica2 sensor mote, which allows wireless command and control through dynamically reconfigurable multi-node sensor networks. The small size and long life of this device could make it possible for the nodes to be installed and left in place over the course of years, and with wireless communication, data can be extracted from the nodes by operators without physical access to the devices. While a prototype has been demonstrated at the time of this reporting, further work is required in the system s development to take this technology into the field, especially to improve its power management and ruggedness. It should be possible to reduce the size and sensitivity as well. Establishment of better prognostic methods based on these data is also needed. The increase of surface roughness with fatigue is closely connected to the microstructure of the metal, and ongoing research is seeking to connect this observed evidence of the fatigue state with microstructural theories of fatigue evolution to allow more accurate prognosis of remaining component life. Plans are also being discussed for flight testing, perhaps on NASA s SOFIA platform.

Buckner, Benjamin D.↗

The Growth of Small Corrosion Fatigue Cracks in Alloy 7075

The corrosion fatigue crack growth characteristics of small (greater than 35 micrometers) surface and corner cracks in aluminum alloy 7075 is established. The early stage of crack growth is studied by performing in situ long focal length microscope (500×) crack length measurements in laboratory air and 1% sodium chloride (NaCl) environments. To quantify the "small crack effect" in the corrosive environment, the corrosion fatigue crack propagation behavior of small cracks is compared to long through-the-thickness cracks grown under identical experimental conditions. In salt water, long crack constant K(sub max) growth rates are similar to small crack da/dN.

Piascik, Robert S.↗

Influence of defects on the femtosecond laser damage resistance of multilayer dielectric gratings

Multilayer dielectric (MLD) gratings with high diffraction efficiency and a high laser-induced damage (LID) threshold for pulse compressors are key to scaling the peak and average power of chirped pulse amplification lasers. However, surface defects introduced by manufacturing, storage, and handling processes can reduce the LID resistance of MLD gratings and impact the laser output. The underlying mechanisms of such defect-initiated LID remain unclear, especially in the femtosecond regime. In this Letter, we model dynamic processes in interactions of a 20-fs near-infrared (NIR) laser pulse and a MLD grating design in the presence of cylindrically symmetrical nodules and particle contaminants and cracks at the surface. Utilizing a dynamic model based on a 2D finite difference in time domain (FDTD) field solver coupled with photoionization, electron collision, and refractive index modification, we study the simulation results for the damage site distribution initiated by defects of various types and sizes and its impact on the LID threshold of the grating design.

Zhang, Simin (ORCID:0000000174948230)↗