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At least 559 records · Page 31

Strainrange partitioning behavior of the nickel-base superalloys, Rene 80 and IN-100

A study was made to assess the ability of the method of strainrange partitioning (SRP) to both correlate and predict high temperature, low cycle fatigue lives of nickel-base superalloys for gas turbine applications. Baseline data from strain-controlled, low cycle fatigue tests were expressed in terms of the PP, PC, CP, and CC partitioned inelastic strainrange versus life relationships for coated and uncoated Rene' 80 at 1000 C, Gatorized (creep-formed)IN 100 at 760 C, and cast IN 100 at 925 C. The SRP is shown to correlate the cyclic lives of the baseline tests to within factors of nearly two. The partitioned strainrange versus life relationships for uncoated Rene' 80 and cast IN 100 were also determined from the ductility normalized-strainrange partitioning equations. These were used to predict the cyclic lives of the baseline tests. Predicted and observed cyclic lives agreed to within factors of nearly three.

Halford, G. R.↗

The Application of Strainrange Partitioning Method to Multiaxial Creep-Fatigue Interaction

The method of strain range partitioning was applied to a series of torsional fatigue tests conducted on tubular 304 stainless steel specimens at 1200 F (649 C). Creep strain was superimposed on cycling strain, and the resulting strain range was partitioned into four components: (1) completely reversed plastic shear strain, (2) plastic shear strain followed by creep strain, (3) creep strain followed by plastic strain, and (4) completely reversed creep strain. Each strain component was related to the cyclic life of the material. The experimental procedure used to achieve strain partitioning is described, and the torsional test results are compared to those obtained from axial tests. The damaging effects of the individual strain components were expressed by a linear life fraction rule.

Zamrik, S. Y.↗

Fatigue failure load indicator

An indicator for recording the load at which a fatigue specimen breaks during the last cycle of a fatigue test is described. A load cell is attached to the specimen which is alternately subjected to tension and compression loads. The output of the load cell which is proportional to the load on the specimen is applied to the input of a peak detector. Each time the specimen is subjected to a compression load, means are provided for applying a positive voltage to the rest of the peak detector to reset it. During the last cycle of the tension load the peak detector measures the maximum load on the specimen. Means are provided for disconnecting the load cell from the peak detector when there is a failure in the specimen.

Imig, L. A.↗

Fatigue behavior of SiC reinforced titanium composites

The low cycle axial fatigue properties of 25 and 44 fiber volume percent SiC/Ti(6Al-4V) composites were measured at room temperature and at 650 deg C. The S-N curves for the composites showed no anticipated improvement over bulk matrix behavior at room temperature. Although axial and transverse tensile strength results suggest a degradation in SiC fiber strength during composite fabrication, it appears that the poor fatigue life of the composites was caused by a reduced fatigue resistance of the reinforced Ti(6Al-4V) matrix. The reduced matrix behavior was due, to the presence of flawed and fractured fibers created near the specimen surfaces by preparation techniques and to the large residual tensile stresses that can exist in fiber reinforced matrices. The effects of fatigue testing at high temperature are discussed.

Bhatt, R. T.↗

Filtration effects on ball bearing life and condition in a contaminated lubricant

Ball bearings were fatigue tested with a noncontaminated MIL-L-23699 lubricant and with a contaminated MIL-L-23699 lubricant under four levels of filtration. The test filters had absolute particle removal ratings of 3, 30, 49, and 105 microns. Aircraft turbine engine contaminants were injected into the filter's supply line at a constant rate of 125 milligrams per bearing hour. Bearing life and running track condition generally improved with finer filtration. The experimental lives of 3- and 30-micron filter bearings were statistically equivalent, approaching those obtained with the noncontaminated lubricant bearings. Compared to these bearings, the lives of the 49-micron bearings were statistically lower. The 105-micron bearings experienced gross wear. The degree of surface distress, weight loss, and probable failure mode were dependent on filtration level, with finer filtration being clearly beneficial.

Loewenthal, S. H.↗

Predicting lifetime of cast parts

Life expectancy of cast aluminum machine parts can be predicted accurately from fatigue tests at 78 K on notched specimens of aluminum alloy. Method was developed for rocket engine turbopump parts made of high strength, heat treatable alloy with high silicon content; however, technique is applicable to other aluminum casting alloys.

Cooper, R. A.↗

Temperature controller adapts to fatigue tester

Identical blocks of aluminum, held against front and back of specimen, each contain electrical heaters, liquid nitrogen cavity with input and exhaust tubes, and thermocouple. Thermocouples are connected to control unit, which adjusts specimen temperature during fatigue tests over range of 850 degrees F.

Imig, L. A.↗

The use of wood for wind turbine blade construction

The interrelationships between moisture and wood, conditions for dry rot spore activity, the protection of wood fibers from moisture, wood resin composites, wood laminating, quality control, and the mechanical properties of wood are discussed. The laminated veneer and the bonded sawn stock fabrication techniques, used in the construction of a turbine blade with a monocoque 'D' section forming the leading edge and a built up trailing edge section, are described. A 20 foot root end sample complete with 24 bonded-in studs was successfully subjected to large onetime loads in both the flatwise and edgewise directions, and to fatigue tests. Results indicate that wood is both a viable and advantageous material for use in wind turbine blades. The basic material is reasonably priced, domestically available, ecologically sound, and easily fabricated with low energy consumption.

Gougeon, M.↗

Fatigue behavior of SiC reinforced titanium composites

The low cycle axial fatigue properties of 25 and 44 fiber volume percent SiC/Ti(6Al-4V) composites were measured at room temperature and at 650 C. At room temperature, the S-N curves for the composites showed no anticipated improvement over bulk matrix behavior. Although axial and transverse tensile strength results suggest a degradation in SiC fiber strength during composite fabrication, it appears that the poor fatigue life of the composites was caused by a reduced fatigue resistance of the reinforced Ti(6Al-4V) matrix. Microstructural studies indicate that the reduced matrix behavior was due, in part, to the presence of flawed and fractured fibers created near the specimen surfaces by preparation techniques. Another possible contributing factor is the large residual tensile stresses that can exist in fiber-reinforced matrices. These effects, as well as the effects of fatigue testing at high temperature, are discussed.

Bhatt, R. T.↗

Cyclic plasticity and failure of structural components

An analytical approach for low-cycle fatigue prediction is presented. The approach combines a cyclic plasticity model with the finite element method and a damage accumulation criterion for ductile metals. The cyclic plasticity model is based on the concept of the combination of several yield surfaces. The surfaces are related to the material uniaxial stress-strain curve idealized by piecewise linear segments. The damage criterion is based on the Coffin-Manson formulae modified for the mean stress variation effect. It is extended to the multiaxial varying stress-strain field and applied for both the crack initiation and the crack growth processes. The stable slow crack growth rate is approximated by the damage accumulation gradient computed from the cracked finite element models. This procedure requires fatigue testing data of only smooth specimens under constant strain amplitudes. The present approach is illustrated by numerical examples of an aircraft wing stiffened panel subjected to compression, which causes material yielding and residual tension.

Kalev, I.↗

Finite element analysis of instability-related delamination growth

A parametric study of postbuckled through-width delaminations in laminated coupons was performed. A finite element analysis was developed to analyze the coupons as a combination of linear and geometrically nonlinear components. Because most of the coupon configuration studied behaves linearly, the mixed linear and nonlinear analysis greatly reduced computational costs. The analysis was verified by comparing numerical with exact solutions for simple hypothetical problems. In addition, measured lateral deflections of postbuckled through-width delaminations in laminated coupons were compared with predicted deflections. In the parametric study, stress distributions and strain-energy release rates were calculated for various delamination lengths, delamination depths, applied loads, and lateral deflections. Also, a small number of coupons with through-width delaminations were fatigue tested to obtain delamination growth data. Calculated strain-energy release rates were compared with the observed growth rates to determine the relative importance of the Mode 1 and Mode 2 components of energy release. Growth process was dominated by G sub I.

Whitcomb, J. D.↗

Thermal fatigue performance of integrally cast automotive turbine wheels

Fluidized bed thermal fatigue testing was conducted on 16 integrally cast automotive turbine wheels for 1000-10,000 (600 sec total) thermal cycles at 935/50 C. The 16 wheels consisted of 14 IN-792 + 1% Hf and 2 gatorized AF2-1DA wheels; 6 of the IN-792 + Hf wheels contained crack arrest pockets inside the blade root flange. Temperature transients during the thermal cycling were measured in three calibration tests using either 18 or 30 thermocouples per wheel. Thermal cracking based on crack length versus accumulated cycles was greatest for unpocketed wheels developing cracks in 8-13 cycles compared to 75-250 cycles for unpocketed wheels. However, pocketed wheels survived up to 10,000 cycles with crack lengths less than 20 mm, whereas two unpocketed wheels developed 45 mm long cracks in 1000-2000 cycles.

Humphreys, V. E.↗

Energy efficient engine shroudless, hollow fan blade technology report

The Shroudless, Hollow Fan Blade Technology program was structured to support the design, fabrication, and subsequent evaluation of advanced hollow and shroudless blades for the Energy Efficient Engine fan component. Rockwell International was initially selected to produce hollow airfoil specimens employing the superplastic forming/diffusion bonding (SPF/DB) fabrication technique. Rockwell demonstrated that a titanium hollow structure could be fabricated utilizing SPF/DB manufacturing methods. However, some problems such as sharp internal cavity radii and unsatisfactory secondary bonding of the edge and root details prevented production of the required quantity of fatigue test specimens. Subsequently, TRW was selected to (1) produce hollow airfoil test specimens utilizing a laminate-core/hot isostatic press/diffusion bond approach, and (2) manufacture full-size hollow prototype fan blades utilizing the technology that evolved from the specimen fabrication effort. TRW established elements of blade design and defined laminate-core/hot isostatic press/diffusion bonding fabrication techniques to produce test specimens. This fabrication technology was utilized to produce full size hollow fan blades in which the HIP'ed parts were cambered/twisted/isothermally forged, finish machined, and delivered to Pratt & Whitney Aircraft and NASA for further evaluation.

Michael, C. J.↗

The transfer function method for gear system dynamics applied to conventional and minimum excitation gearing designs

A transfer function method for predicting the dynamic responses of gear systems with more than one gear mesh is developed and applied to the NASA Lewis four-square gear fatigue test apparatus. Methods for computing bearing-support force spectra and temporal histories of the total force transmitted by a gear mesh, the force transmitted by a single pair of teeth, and the maximum root stress in a single tooth are developed. Dynamic effects arising from other gear meshes in the system are included. A profile modification design method to minimize the vibration excitation arising from a pair of meshing gears is reviewed and extended. Families of tooth loading functions required for such designs are developed and examined for potential excitation of individual tooth vibrations. The profile modification design method is applied to a pair of test gears.

Mark, W. D.↗

Design and evaluation of low-cost stainless steel fiberglass foam blades for large wind driven generating systems

A low cost wind turbine blade based on a stainless steel fiberglass foam Budd blade design concept, was evaluated for its principle characteristics, low cost features, and its advantages and disadvantages. A blade structure was designed and construction methods and materials were selected. A complete blade tooling concepts, various technical and economic analysis, and evaluations of the blade design were performed. A comprehensive fatigue test program is conducted to provide data to verify the design stress allowables.

Eggert, W. S.↗

Design and evaluation of low cost blades for large wind driven generating systems

The development and evaluation of a low cost blade concept based on the NASA-Lewis specifications is discussed. A blade structure was designed and construction methods and materials were selected. Complete blade tooling concepts, various technical and economic analysis, and evaluations of the blade design were performed. A comprehensive fatigue test program was conducted to provide data and to verify the design. A test specimen of the spar assembly, including the root end attachment, was fabricated. This is a full-scale specimen of the root end configuration, 20 ft long. A blade design for the Mod '0' system was completed.

Eggert, W. S.↗

Spacecraft material applications: Long-term stability questions

An examination of the materials concerns for a variety of spacecraft components shows that long-term stability within the space environments is a major issue in the design of large space antenna systems. This survey paper will review some of the more recent work on the effect of space environment on (1) thin films, (2) structural composites, and (3) thermal control materials. Degradation in thermal-mechanical and optical properties associated with atmospheric and trapped particles and ultraviolet light will be highlighted. Finally, the dimensional instability associated with microcracking during thermal cycling will be examined and a methodology for estimating thermal fatigue effects from results of mechanical fatigue tests will be presented.

Crossman, F. W.↗

A preliminary damage tolerance methodology for composite structures

The certification experience for the primary, safety-of-flight composite structure applications on the F-16 is discussed. The rationale for the selection of delamination as the major issue for damage tolerance is discussed, as well as the modeling approach selected. The development of the necessary coupon-level data base is briefly summarized. The major emphasis is on the description of a full-scale fatigue test where delamination growth was obtained to demonstrate the validity of the selected approach. A summary is used to review the generic features of the methodology.

Wilkins, D. J.↗