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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.

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At least 559 records · Page 31
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2012

Characterizing Delamination Migration in Carbon/Epoxy Tape Laminates

A new test method is presented for the purpose of investigating migration of a delamination between neighboring ply interfaces in fiber-reinforced, polymer matrix tape laminates. The test is a single cantilever beam configuration consisting of a cross-ply laminate with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) insert implanted at the mid-plane and spanning part way along the length of the specimen. The insert is located between a 0-degree ply (specimen length direction) and a stack of four 90-degree plies (specimen width direction). The specimen is clamped at both ends onto a rigid baseplate and is loaded on its upper surface via a piano hinge. Tests were conducted with the load-application point located on the intact portion of the specimen in order to initiate delamination growth onset followed by migration of the delamination to a neighboring 90/0 ply interface by kinking through the 90- degree ply stack. Varying this position was found to affect the distance relative to the load-application point at which migration initiated. In each specimen, migration initiated by a gradual transition of the delamination at the 0/90 interface into the 90- degree ply stack. In contrast, transition of the kinked crack into the 90/0 interface was sudden. Fractography of the specimens indicated that delamination prior to migration was generally mixed mode-I/II. Inspection of the kink surface revealed mode-I fracture. In general, use of this test allows for the observation of the growth of a delamination followed by migration of the delamination to another ply interface, and should thus provide a means for validating analyses aimed at simulating migration.

Ratcliffe, James G.↗
NASA NTRS2013

A Test for Characterizing Delamination Migration in Carbon/Epoxy Tape Laminates

A new test method is presented for the purpose of investigating migration of a delamination between neighboring ply interfaces in fiber-reinforced, polymer matrix tape laminates. The test is a single cantilever beam configuration consisting of a cross-ply laminate with a polytetrafluoroethylene insert implanted at the mid-plane and spanning part way along the length of the specimen. The insert is located between a 0- degree ply (specimen length direction) and a stack of four 90-degree plies (specimen width direction). The specimen is clamped at both ends onto a rigid baseplate and is loaded on its upper surface via a piano hinge. Tests were conducted with the load-application point located on the intact portion of the specimen in order to initiate delamination growth onset followed by migration of the delamination to a neighboring 90/0 ply interface by kinking through the 90-degree ply stack. Varying this position was found to affect the distance relative to the load-application point at which migration initiated. In each specimen, migration initiated by a gradual transition of the delamination at the 0/90 interface into the 90-degree ply stack. In contrast, transition of the kinked crack into the 90/0 interface was sudden. Fractography of the specimens indicated that delamination prior to migration was generally mixed mode-I/II. Inspection of the kink surface revealed mode-I fracture. In general, use of this test allows for the observation of the growth of a delamination followed by migration of the delamination to another ply interface, and should thus provide a means for validating analyses aimed at simulating migration.

Ratcliffe, James G.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Voltage stress effects on microcircuit accelerated life test failure rates

The applicability of Arrhenius and Eyring reaction rate models for describing microcircuit aging characteristics as a function of junction temperature and applied voltage was evaluated. The results of a matrix of accelerated life tests with a single metal oxide semiconductor microcircuit operated at six different combinations of temperature and voltage were used to evaluate the models. A total of 450 devices from two different lots were tested at ambient temperatures between 200 C and 250 C and applied voltages between 5 Vdc and 15 Vdc. A statistical analysis of the surface related failure data resulted in bimodal failure distributions comprising two lognormal distributions; a 'freak' distribution observed early in time, and a 'main' distribution observed later in time. The Arrhenius model was shown to provide a good description of device aging as a function of temperature at a fixed voltage. The Eyring model also appeared to provide a reasonable description of main distribution device aging as a function of temperature and voltage. Circuit diagrams are shown.

Johnson, G. M.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Reflectance spectra of some fractions of Migei and Murchison SM chondrites in the range of 0.3-2.6 microns

The reddening observed in CM chondrites is not understood. Johnson and Fanale observed that, as CM chondrites are more finely powdered, their spectra become more reddened. In the process of meteorite crushing, the chondrules are broken up. Those authors suggested that in this case the silicate components of the chondrules (mainly olivine), which have higher IR reflectivities, were able to contribute more to the overall spectrum. Gaffey and McCord proposed two possible physical mechanisms which could produce such an effect. But it is also possible that the presence of the organic polymers in the matrix material results in the reddening of the CM spectra. To test these two hypotheses, the matrix material and the material enriched in olivines were separated from Migei and Murchison CM chondrites using a binocular microscope. The spectra of these fractions were compared with the spectra of the bulk samples of Migei and Murchison. The spectra of the most 'clean' Migei matrix fractions indicate that the reddish slopes of CM spectral curves in the near infrared are due to the enhanced olivine feature, rather than to organic matter. The authors propose that the red slope of the spectra of some C-type asteroids may indirectly suggest the presence of olivine in the surface material. At the same time, the red sloped spectra of more distant D-type asteroids seem to be due to the presence of organic materials. If so, then the chemical or physical form of this organic matter must be quite different from the organic materials which would be on the surfaces of the parent bodies of CM chondrites (most likely C-type asteroids). It is also possible that the content of organic components in the CM matrix is too low to change the slope of the spectra.

Moroz, L. V.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Ultrasonic Testing (UT) Reference Standard for Additive Manufacturing Quality Control

Many additive manufacturing (AM) reference standards for build quality verification concentrate primarily on external features. In contrast, EPRI proposes a pair of AM reference blocks that feature only internal and embedded forms. This report presents, collates, and discusses quantitative nondestructive evaluation (NDE) results from various techniques, including visual testing (VT), radiographic testing (RT), conventional ultrasonic testing (UT), and full matrix capture/total focusing method (FMC/TFM) scanning. The blocks are intended, as part of a larger series of blocks, to evaluate build quality and the relative performance of different NDE techniques in detecting various features. The limits of detectability and the closeness of the as-built shape to the intended form for certain features are quantified, facilitating direct comparison. Upon analysis of the results of this testing, it was found that FMC/TFM was consistently superior in detection, followed by conventional UT, then VT, and lastly RT.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1995

Advanced liquid oxygen (LO2) propellant conditioning concept testing

Advanced methods of liquid oxygen (LO2) propellant conditioning were studied as part of an effort for increasing reliability and operability while reducing cost of future heavy lift launch vehicles. The most promising conditioning concept evaluated was no-bleed (passive recirculation) followed by low-bleed, helium injection, and use of a recirculation line. Full-scale cryogenic testing was performed with a sloped feedline test article to validate models of behavior of LO2 in the feedline and to prove no-bleed feasibility. Test data are also intended to help generate design guidelines for the development of a main propulsion system feed duct. A design-of-experiments matrix of over 100 tests was developed to test all four propellant conditioning concepts and the impact of design parameters on the concepts. Liquid nitrogen was used as the test fluid. The work for this project was conducted from October 1992 through January 1994 at the hydrogen cold flow facility of the west test area of MSFC. Test data have shown that satisfactory temperatures are being obtained for the no-bleed conditioning concept.

Perry, G. L. E.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The characterization of Mode I delamination failure in non-woven, multidirectional laminates

The uniform double cantilever beam test and SEM are presently used for the characterization of Mode I delamination behavior in fiber-reinforced epoxy laminates. Delamination failure assumes forms that depend on ply orientation, test specimen geometry, and matrix toughness, but the calculated fracture energy is noted to be heavily dependent on fracture surface morphology. A material property concept that is independent of both test specimen geometry and the orientation of the plies constituting the delaminating interface is elucidated, through the definition of interlaminar fracture solely in terms of an interlaminar separation that includes no fiber breakage or pull-out. This value, which dissipates the lowest possible amount of energy during crack growth, is the controlling factor for laminate toughness.

Chai, H.↗
NASA NTRS2004

In-Plane Shear Testing of Medium and High Modulus Woven Graphite Fiber Reinforced/Polyimide Composites

Iosipescu shear tests were performed at room temperature and at 316 C (600 F) o woven composites with either M40J or M60J graphite fibers and PMR-II-50 polyimide resin matrix. The composites were tested as supplied and after thermo-cycling, with the thermo-cycled composites being tested under dry and wet conditions. Acoustic emission (AE) was monitored during the room and high temperature Iosipescu experiments. The shear stresses at the maximum loads and the shear stresses at the significant onset of AE were determined for the composites as function of temperature and conditioning. The combined effects of thermo-cycling and moisture on the strength and stiffness properties of the composites were evaluated. It was determined that the room and high temperature shear stresses at the maximum loads were unaffected by conditioning. However, at room temperature the significant onset of AE was affected by conditioning; the thermal conditioned wet specimens showed the highest shear stress at the onset of AE followed by thermal-conditioned and then as received specimens. Also, at igh temperature the significant onset of AE occurred in some specimens after the maximum load due to the viscoelastoplastic nature of the matrix material.

Gentz, M.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Osteoporosis Treatments Affect Bone Matrix Maturation in a Rat Model of Induced Cortical Remodeling

ABSTRACT To test how osteoporosis drugs affect bone matrix maturation during cortical bone remodeling, 72 pregnant rats were switched from a 0.4% to a 0.01% calcium diet at parturition for a 23‐day lactation period. At weaning, eight dams were sacrificed to establish baseline values, while the remaining dams were returned to 0.4% calcium and treated with vehicle (saline), sodium fluoride (NaF), zoledronic acid (ZA), or sclerostin antibody (Scl‐Ab) for either 7 or 28 days (eight animals per group per time point). Femora were examined by μCT, dynamic histomorphometry, Fourier transform infrared imaging, and three‐point bending of notched specimens. Cortical porosity decreased in all groups from baseline to day 28. Intracortical mineralizing surface (MS/BS) and mineral apposition rate (MAR), as well as the mineral‐to‐matrix ratio were unaffected by treatment, but intracortical crystallinity was increased in the ZA group at day 10 compared with vehicle. Cortical area increased in all groups over 28 days mainly because of an addition of bone at the endocortical surface. Endocortical MS/BS did not vary among the groups, but endocortical MAR was suppressed in the NaF group at day 2 and elevated in the Scl‐Ab group at day 4 compared with vehicle. Endocortical mineral‐to‐matrix ratio was increased at days 5 and 10 following NaF treatment and endocortical crystallinity was increased at day 5 following ZA treatment compared with vehicle. Fracture toughness did not differ among the groups. Thus, the treatments affected matrix maturation more strongly at the endocortical then intracortical envelope. In this model of induced remodeling, the bone formation phase is synchronized at multiple sites, facilitating study of the effects of drugs or other bone‐targeting agents on matrix maturation independent of their effects on the initiation of remodeling. © 2020 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2002

Effect of Environment on Stress-Rupture Behavior of a Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Silicon Carbide (C/SiC) Ceramic Matrix Composite

Stress-rupture tests were conducted in air, vacuum, and steam-containing environments to identify the failure modes and degradation mechanisms of a carbon fiber-reinforced silicon carbide (C/SiC) composite at two temperatures, 600 and 1200 C. Stress-rupture lives in air and steam containing environments (50 - 80% steam with argon) are similar for a composite stress of 69 MPa at 1200 C. Lives of specimens tested in a 20% steam/argon environment were about twice as long. For tests conducted at 600 C, composite life in 20% steam/argon was 20 times longer than life in air. Thermogravimetric analysis of the carbon fibers was conducted under similar conditions to the stress-rupture tests. The oxidation rate of the fibers in the various environments correlated with the composite stress-rupture lives. Examination of the failed specimens indicated that oxidation of the carbon fibers was the primary damage mode for specimens tested in air and steam environments at both temperatures.

Verrilli, Michael J.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Post-Deployment Characterization of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Thermoset and Thermoplastic Composite Tidal Turbine Blades

In 2021, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) supported Verdant Power with the most successful tidal energy deployment in U.S. history. Three of their Gen5d 5 m turbines were deployed as part of the Roosevelt Island Tidal Energy project. Initially, the three rotors initially deployed were manufactured from glass fiber-reinforced epoxy composites. Midway through the deployment, one rotor was replaced with one manufactured at NREL. The new rotor utilized a novel infusible thermoplastic resin system. Since the deployment, one epoxy rotor and one thermoplastic rotor were returned to NREL for continued materials and manufacturing research. The two rotors underwent full-scale structural testing before being sectioned and cut into specimens for a variety of manufacturing quality tests, thermomechanical characterization, and evaluation of material performance in marine environments to understand the key differences between the fiberglass-reinforced epoxy and Elium composites used for the respective rotors. Matrix burn-off tests showed that the Elium blades had a considerably higher fiber volume fraction compared to the epoxy blades (61% vs. 49%). Environmental aging of the specimens showed that the epoxy laminates absorbed more water over the conditioning period; however, it was determined that the Elium laminates had higher diffusion coefficients, so they initially absorbed water faster. Finally, one full epoxy blade and one full Elium blade were conditioned at ambient temperatures for up to 11 months, while periodic mass measurements were taken. The datasets were extrapolated to assume a full 20-year operational life span, and it was determined that the blades would not reach full saturation during that time span.

composite manufacturing↗
NASA NTRS1984

Constitutive modeling for isotropic materials

A state-of-the-art review of applicable constitutive models with selection of two for detailed comparison with a wide range of experimental tests was conducted. The experimental matrix contained uniaxial and biaxial tensile, creep, stress relaxation, and cyclic fatigue tests at temperatures to 1093 C and strain rates from .0000001 to .001/sec. Some nonisothermal cycles will also be run. The constitutive models will be incorporated into the MARC finite element structural analysis program with a demonstration computation made for advanced turbine blade configuration. In the code development work, particular emphasis is being placed on developing efficient integration algorithms for the highly nonlinear and stiff constitutive equations. Another area of emphasis is the appropriate and efficient methodology for determing constitutive constants from a minimum extent of experimental data.

Lindholm, U. S.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Post-Deployment Characterization of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Thermoset and Thermoplastic Composite Tidal Turbine Blades

In 2021, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) supported Verdant Power with the most successful tidal energy deployment in U.S. history. Three of their Gen5d 5 m turbines were deployed as part of the Roosevelt Island Tidal Energy project. Initially, the three deployed rotors were manufactured from glass fiber-reinforced epoxy composites. Midway through the deployment, one rotor was replaced with one manufactured at NREL. The new rotor utilized a novel infusible thermoplastic resin system (Elium from Arkema). Since the deployment, one epoxy rotor and one thermoplastic rotor were returned to NREL for continued materials and manufacturing research. The two rotors underwent full-scale structural testing before being sectioned and cut into specimens for a variety of manufacturing quality tests, thermomechanical characterization, and evaluation of material performance in marine environments to understand the key differences between the fiberglass-reinforced epoxy and Elium composites used for the respective rotors. Matrix burn-off tests showed that the Elium blades had a considerably higher fiber volume fraction compared to the epoxy blades (61% vs. 49%). Environmental aging of the specimens showed that the epoxy laminates absorbed more water over the conditioning period; however, it was determined that the Elium laminates had higher diffusion coefficients, so they initially absorbed water faster. Finally, one full epoxy blade and one full Elium blade were conditioned at ambient temperatures for up to 11 months, while periodic mass measurements were taken. The datasets were extrapolated to assume a full 20-year operational life span, and it was determined that the blades would not reach full saturation during that time span.

composite manufacturing↗
NASA NTRS1990

Current activities in standardization of high-temperature, low-cycle-fatigue testing techniques in the United States

The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard E606-80 is the most often used recommended testing practice for low-cycle-fatigue (LCF) testing in the United States. The standard was first adopted in 1977 for LCF testing at room temperature and was modified in 1980 to include high-temperature testing practices. Current activity within ASTM is aimed at extending the E606-80 recommended practices to LCF under thermomechanical conditions, LCF in high-pressure hydrogen, and LCF in metal-matrix composite materials. Interlaboratory testing programs conducted to generate a technical base for modifying E606-80 for the aforementioned LCF test types are discussed.

Verrilli, Michael J.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Flow and transport in three-dimensional discrete fracture matrix models using mimetic finite difference on a conforming multi-dimensional mesh

Here, we present a comprehensive workflow to simulate single-phase flow and transport in fractured porous media using the discrete fracture matrix approach. The workflow has three primary parts: (1) a method for conforming mesh generation of and around a three-dimensional fracture network, (2) the discretization of the governing equations using a second-order mimetic finite difference method, and (3) implementation of numerical methods for high-performance computing environments. A method to create a conforming Delaunay tetrahedralization of the volume surrounding the fracture network, where the triangular cells of the fracture mesh are faces in the volume mesh, that addresses pathological cases which commonly arise and degrade mesh quality is also provided. Our open-source subsurface simulator uses a hierarchy of process kernels (one kernel per physical process) that allows for both strong and weak coupling of the fracture and matrix domains. We provide verification tests based on analytic solutions for flow and transport, as well as numerical convergence. We also provide multiple expositions of the method in complex fracture networks. In the first example, we demonstrate that the method is robust by considering two scenarios where the fracture network acts as a barrier to flow, as the primary pathway, or offers the same resistance as the surrounding matrix. In the second test, flow and transport through a three-dimensional stochastically generated network containing 257 fractures is presented.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Dark Energy Survey year 3 results: covariance modelling and its impact on parameter estimation and quality of fit

ABSTRACT We describe and test the fiducial covariance matrix model for the combined two-point function analysis of the Dark Energy Survey Year 3 (DES-Y3) data set. Using a variety of new ansatzes for covariance modelling and testing, we validate the assumptions and approximations of this model. These include the assumption of Gaussian likelihood, the trispectrum contribution to the covariance, the impact of evaluating the model at a wrong set of parameters, the impact of masking and survey geometry, deviations from Poissonian shot noise, galaxy weighting schemes, and other sub-dominant effects. We find that our covariance model is robust and that its approximations have little impact on goodness of fit and parameter estimation. The largest impact on best-fitting figure-of-merit arises from the so-called fsky approximation for dealing with finite survey area, which on average increases the χ2 between maximum posterior model and measurement by $3.7{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ (Δχ2 ≈ 18.9). Standard methods to go beyond this approximation fail for DES-Y3, but we derive an approximate scheme to deal with these features. For parameter estimation, our ignorance of the exact parameters at which to evaluate our covariance model causes the dominant effect. We find that it increases the scatter of maximum posterior values for Ωm and σ8 by about $3{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ and for the dark energy equation-of-state parameter by about $5{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Advanced Multi-Tube Mixer Combustion for 65% Efficiency (Final Report)

This project targeted advanced low NOx combustion for advanced gas turbines capable of 65%, or greater, efficiency in combined cycle application. This technology advancement has further potential to benefit gas turbines used in coal based IGCC applications with pre-combustion carbon capture and hydrogen as the resulting fuel. The program developed and synthesized the most advanced combustion system capable of achieving low NOX emissions up to turbine inlet temperatures of 3100F while also supporting the load-following needs of a modern grid. The combustion system contributes to the overall gas turbine efficiency goal by setting the maximum cycle temperature achievable for a given NOX level and by minimizing the through-combustor air flow pressure drop. Focus areas for this project targeted maximizing the turbine inlet temperature entitlement, as constrained by emissions considerations. The design also minimized parasitic air flow pressure drop by using advanced cooling techniques and performance materials selections and by minimizing hot surface area. These two technology objectives (maximum, emissions-compliant cycle temperature and minimum air flow pressure drop) were integrated into a prototype design. The primarily analytical project sought to identify the most promising technologies to meet these objectives. Additional critical “jugular” data were obtained from multi-tube mixer tests to realize the potential of leveraging “micro flames” for minimizing overall hot surface area. This data was used, in conjunction with an understanding of advanced material and cooling design technologies, to analytically develop multiple design concepts. Phase I focused on in-depth engineering analysis and design, with minimal supporting laboratory testing to enable a selection of the top three combustion architectures for achieving these overall objectives. Phase II of the program developed the selected design through a combination of sub-scale testing and analytical efforts. Early tests included a cold-flow cascade to establish aerodynamic performance characteristics and a sub-scale fired test at GE Global Research in Niskayuna, NY, to establish cooling and heat transfer characteristics in conjunction with combustion performance. The data from these tests validated the analytical models to ultimately design a full-scale, test article to evaluate at prototypical pressure and temperature conditions at GE Gas Power’s Gas Turbine Technology Laboratory in Greenville, SC. GE Gas Power also developed, tested, and recommended a suitable seal design to be applied to the unique features of the combustor. To assess the technology challenges from prospective future production of the combustor from a ceramic matrix composite material, screening tests of Environmental Barrier Coatings were completed.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
NASA NTRS1992

Effect of heat treatment on stiffness and damping of SiC/Ti-15-3

The effect of heat treatment on material properties of SiC/Ti-15-3 was measured by vibration tests. Heat treatment changes the microstructure, which was found to stiffen the matrix and reduce its damping capacity. Test results indicate how these changes in the matrix affect the corresponding properties of the composite. Measurements show that heat treatment affects damping properties of the composite to a greater extent than stiffness properties. The extent of change in mechanical properties is shown to depend on heat treatment temperature and exposure time.

Grady, Joseph E.↗