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At least 577 records · Page 32

Graphite/polyimide composites with improved toughness

Studies were performed to determine the toughness characteristics of composites prepared from modified addition-type polyimides, using Celion 6000 graphite fiber as the reinforcement. The polyimides were prepared from aromatic diamines containing flexibilizing ether connecting groups. The composite flexural and short beam shear strengths were determined at room temperature and elevated temperatures. Composite toughness was evaluated using 10 deg off axis tensile tests and double cantilever beam fracture tests at room temperature. The effects of the flexibilized resin structure on composite mechanical properties, toughness characteristics, and thermo-oxidative stability are discussed.

Delvigs, Peter↗

Copoly(Imide Siloxane) Abhesive Materials with Varied Siloxane Oligomer Length

Incorporation of PDMS moieties into a polyimide matrix lowered the surface energy resulting in enhanced adhesive interactions. Polyimide siloxane materials were generated using amine-terminated PDMS oligomers of different lengths to study changes in surface migration behavior, phase segregation, mechanical, thermal, and optical properties. These materials were characterized using contact angle goniometry, tensile testing, and differential scanning calorimetry. The surface migration behavior of the PDMS component depended upon the siloxane molecular weight as indicated by distinct relationships between PDMS chain length and advancing water contact angles. Similar correlations were observed for percent elongation values obtained from tensile testing, while the addition of PDMS reduced the modulus. High fidelity topographical modification via laser ablation patterning further reduced the polyimide siloxane surface energy. Initial particulate adhesion testing experiments demonstrated that polyimide siloxane materials exhibited greater abhesive interactions relative to their respective homopolyimides.

Wohl, Christopher J.↗

Braycote™ Grease retains tribological properties for 17 years in controlled storage

Braycote™ greases that are in mechanisms in controlled storage retain their tribological properties for an extended period of time. Testing on aged and separated Braycote™ grease obtained from several sources showed no detrimental effect on lubricity. Additionally, Thermal Gravimetric Analysis testing demonstrated no significant decrease in performance due to static, controlled storage. Tribological action, heat, or other forces are required to effect the performance of Braycote™ grease.

Braycote™ Grease↗

Nondestructive evaluation of a ceramic matrix composite material

Monolithic ceramic materials have proven their usefulness in many applications, yet, their potential for critical structural applications is limited because of their sensitivity to small imperfections. To overcome this extreme sensitivity to small imperfections, ceramic matrix composite materials have been developed that have the ability to withstand some distributed damage. A borosilicate glass reinforced with several layers of silicon-carbide fiber mat has been studied. Four-point flexure and tension tests were performed not only to determine some of the material properties, but also to initiate a controlled amount of damage within each specimen. Acousto-ultrasonic (AU) measurements were performed periodically during mechanical testing. This paper will compare the AU results to the mechanical test results and data from other nondestructive methods including acoustic emission monitoring and X-ray radiography. It was found that the AU measurements were sensitive to the damage that had developed within the material.

Grosskopf, Paul P.↗

Effects of Impact Damage in Midplane Asymmetric Sandwich Composites

Several structural sandwich composites arc in service on military and commercial aerospace vehicles, however, these components have been limited to secondary structures partly because the impact damage and damage tolerance of these composites have not been extensively characterized. To improve durability, safety, and life cycle performance of PMCs while reducing maintenance costs, combined analysis, and test methods that provide a means of predicting critical engineering properties after impact damage of the structure, must be developed. A key enabling technology here is the establishment of the correlation between the impact test results conducted in the laboratory and the mechanics-based phenomenological solutions. This research was undertaken to investigate the compression and flexural properties following low velocity impact of a nomex/phenolic honeycomb core, fiberglass/epoxy facesheet, midplane asymmetric sandwich composite. One facesheet (thin side) was composed of two plies of the fiberglass/epoxy (0/90), while the other facesheet (thick side) was composed of four plies (0/90/0/90) of fiberglass/epoxy. Due to the differences in facesheet thickness, impact damage was separately induced on the thick side as well as the thin side. The compression and flexural strength properties for each damage arrangement were compared using different levels of impact energy ranging from 0 to 452 Joules. In all cases, higher impact energy resulted in decreased compression and flexural strength. Impact on the thin side showed slightly more retention of compression strength at low impact levels, whereas higher residual compressive strength was observed from impact on the thick side at higher impact levels. Different facesheet thicknesses or midplane asymmetry, played an important role in the flexural strength, however, low velocity impact on the both the thick and thin fiberglass/epoxy facesheet side showed an almost linear loss of flexural strength to saturation.

Meador, Michael↗

Metals processing

The metals processing effort is directed towards improvement of performance and usefulness of materials through modification and control of shape and internal structure. Interaction of reactive gases, introduced into a plasma arc, with iron alloys were analyzed. The technology of magnesium production was assessed. The study of fast fluidized bed reactors is continued. Aspects of separation processes are being investigated. The development of high field superconducting composites for use in large magnetic fusion devices is also discussed. Processing, structure, and property relationships of superconducting materials and the substitution of precious metals in standard electrical contact and connector applications are tested. The influence of processing procedures on the structure of zircaloy and nickel base alloys with a goal of improving mechanical properties and performance is investigated. Investigation of the potential of metal insulator semiconductor junctions as photovoltaic devices is reported.

Source record↗

Thermal Conductivity and Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Composites With Hybridized PAN- and Pitch-Based Fiber Architecture

A series of hybrid polyacrylonitrile- (PAN-) and pitch-based carbon fiber/epoxy composites were fabricated and tested to evaluate the influence of hybrid fiber configurations on composite strength, modulus, and through-thickness thermal conductivity. Two grades of pitch-based fiber were selected based on their thermal conductivity: YSH-60A and YSH-80A from Nippon Graphite. These pitch-based fibers were received in tow form and as plain weave to allow flexibility in the architecture of the multifiber laminate. Two hybridization approaches were followed: (1) interleave of pitch-based fiber weave within braided PAN/epoxy prepreg and (2) incorporation of pitch-based fiber tows within a three-dimensional braided preform. These showed considerable impact on overall composite mechanical properties and through-thickness thermal conductivity.

Polymer Composite↗

Comparison of GRCop-84 to Other Cu Alloys with High Thermal Conductivities

The mechanical properties of six highly conductive copper alloys, GRCop-84, AMZIRC, GlidCop Al-15, Cu-1Cr-0.1Zr, Cu-0.9Cr, and NARloy-Z were compared. Tests were done on as-received hard drawn material, and after a heat treatment designed to simulate a brazing operation at 935 C. In the as-received condition AMZIRC, GlidCop Al-15, Cu- 1Cr-0.1Zr and Cu-0.9Cr had excellent strengths at temperatures below 500 C. However, the brazing heat treatment substantially decreased the mechanical properties of AMZIRC, Cu-1Cr-0.1Zr, Cu-0.9Cr, and NARloy-Z. The properties of GlidCop Al-15 and GRCop-84 were not significantly affected by the heat treatment. Thus there appear to be advantages to GRCop-84 over AMZIRC, Cu-1Cr-0.1Zr, Cu-0.9Cr, and NARloy-Z if use or processing temperatures greater than 500 C are expected. Ductility was lowest in GlidCop Al-15 and Cu-0.9Cr; reduction in area was particularly low in GlidCop Al-15 above 500 C, and as- received Cu-0.9Cr was brittle between 500 and 650 C. Tensile creep tests were done at 500 and 650 C; the creep properties of GRCop-84 were superior to those of brazed AMZIRC, Cu-1Cr- 0.1Zr, Cu-0.9Cr, and NARloy-Z. In the brazed condition, GRCop-84 was superior to the other alloys due to its greater strength and creep resistance (compared to AMZIRC, Cu-1Cr-0.1Zr, Cu-0.9Cr, and NARloy-Z) and ductility (compared to GlidCop Al-15).

deGroh, Henry C., III↗

Mechanical Properties and Durability of Advanced Environmental Barrier Coatings in Calcium-Magnesium-Alumino-Silicate Environments

Environmental barrier coatings are being developed and tested for use with SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composite (CMC) gas turbine engine components. Several oxide and silicate based compositons are being studied for use as top-coat and intermediate layers in a three or more layer environmental barrier coating system. Specifically, the room temperature Vickers-indentation-fracture-toughness testing and high-temperature stability reaction studies with Calcium Magnesium Alumino-Silicate (CMAS or "sand") are being conducted using advanced testing techniques such as high pressure burner rig tests as well as high heat flux laser tests.

Miladinovich, Daniel S.↗

The Two-Cavity Method for Characterizing Acoustical Materials—an Interlaboratory Study

This study focuses on understanding the sound absorption characteristics of porous acoustic materials, which are determined by two key parameters independent of material thickness: characteristic impedance and propagation constant. These parameters can be characterized by testing a porous sample concept in a normal incidence impedance tube using either the two-thickness or the two-cavity method. In the two-thickness method, two samples of varying thicknesses are required. In contrast, the two-cavity method requires testing one sample at two different air cavity depths behind the porous material. This method is particularly advantageous for materials that are costly or challenging to fabricate. This interlaboratory study evaluates the variability of characteristic properties determined using the two-cavity method. Porous acoustic materials were additively manufactured and tested in the Liner Technology Facility(LTF)at NASA Langley Research Center and the Mechanics, Acoustics and Dynamics Lab (MADLab) at Michigan Technological University. The characteristic properties derived from various cavity depth combinations were used to predict the surface impedance of the sample with a rigid backing. The prediction was then compared the measured impedance spectrum. It was also found that the combinations of cavity depths can significantly influence the accuracy of the deduced properties.

acoustic liners↗

Uniaxial Tensile Properties of AS4 3D Woven Composites with Four Different Resin Systems: Experimental Results & Analysis - Property Computations

As a part of the NASA Composite Technology for Exploration project, eight different AS4 3D orthogonal woven composite panels were manufactured and were subjected to mechanical testing including uniaxial tension along the weaves' warp direction. Each set, with four different resin systems (KCR-IR6070, EP2400, RTM6, and RS-50), included weave architectures designed using 12K and 6K AS4 carbon fiber yarns. For the tension testing conducted at Room Temperature Ambient (RTA) conditions, the elastic modulus and strength of these eight panels (as-processed and thermally cycled) were measured and compared while the potential evolution of micro-cracking before and after thermal cycling were monitored via optical microscopy and X-Ray Computed Tomography. The data set also included test results of the as-processed materials at Elevated Temperature Wet (ETW) conditions. In the second part of this study, efforts were made to compute elastic constants for AS4 6K/RTM6 and AS4 12K/RTM6 materials by implementing a finite element approach and the Multiscale Generalized Method of Cells (MSGMC) technique developed at NASA Glenn Research Center. Digimat-FE was used to model the weave architectures, assign properties, calculate yarn properties, create the finite element mesh, and compute the elastic properties by applying periodic boundary conditions to finite element models of each repeating unit cell. The required input data for MSGMC was generated using Matlab® from Digimat exported weave information. Experimental and computational results were compared, and the differences and limitations in correlating to the test data were briefly discussed.

Property Computations↗

Uniaxial Tensile Properties of AS4 3D Woven Composites with Four Different Resin Systems: Experimental Results and Analysis: Property Computations

As a part of the NASA Composite Technology for Exploration project, eight different AS4 3D orthogonal woven composite panels were manufactured and were subjected to mechanical testing including uniaxial tension along the weaves' warp direction. Each set, with four different resin systems (KCR-IR6070, EP2400, RTM6, and RS-50), included weave architectures designed using 12K and 6K AS4 carbon fiber yarns. For the tension testing conducted at Room Temperature Ambient (RTA) conditions, the elastic modulus and strength of these eight panels (as-processed and thermally-cycled) were measured and compared while the potential evolution of micro-cracking before and after thermal cycling were monitored via optical microscopy and X-Ray Computed Tomography. The data set also included test results of the as-processed materials at Elevated Temperature Wet (ETW) conditions. In the second part of this study, efforts were made to compute elastic constants for AS4 6K/RTM6 and AS4 12K/RTM6 materials by implementing a finite element approach and the Multiscale Generalized Method of Cells (MSGMC) technique developed at NASA Glenn Research Center. Digimat-FE was used to model the weave architectures, assign properties, calculate yarn properties, create the finite element mesh, and compute the elastic properties by applying periodic boundary conditions to finite element models of each repeating unit cell. The required input data for MSGMC was generated using Matlab® from Digimat exported weave information. Experimental and computational results were compared, and the differences and limitations in correlating to the test data were briefly discussed.

Property Computations↗

Creep and residual mechanical properties of cast superalloys and oxide dispersion strengthened alloys

Tensile, stress-rupture, creep, and residual tensile properties after creep testing were determined for two typical cast superalloys and four advanced oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloys. The superalloys examined included the nickel-base alloy B-1900 and the cobalt-base alloy MAR-M509. The nickel-base ODS MA-757 (Ni-16CR-4Al-0.6Y2O3 and the iron-base ODS alloy MA-956 (Fe-20Cr-5Al-0.8Y2O3) were extensively studied, while limited testing was conducted on the ODS nickel-base alloys STCA (Ni-16Cr-4.5Al-2Y2O3) with a without Ta and YD-NiCrAl (Ni-16Cr-5Al-2Y2O3). Elevated temperature testing was conducted from 114 to 1477 K except for STCA and YD-NiCrAl alloys, which were only tested at 1366 K. The residual tensile properties of B-1900 and MAR-M509 are not reduced by prior creep testing (strains at least up to 1 percent), while the room temperature tensile properties of ODS nickel-base alloys can be reduced by small amounts of prior creep strain (less than 0.5 percent). The iron-base ODS alloy MA-956 does not appear to be susceptible to creep degradation at least up to strains of about 0.25 percent. However, MA-956 exhibits unusual creep behavior which apparently involves crack nucleation and growth.

Whittenberger, J. D.↗

Residual mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-4V after simulated Space Shuttle reentry

Oxidation and embrittlement are concerns in use of titanium foils for shielding advanced space transportation system vehicles during Earth reentry. Ti-6Al-4V in 0.003 in. and 0.035 in. thicknesses were exposed to multiple cycles of simulated space transportation system ascent/reentry conditions at temperatures ranging from 1000 F to 1200 F. Residual mechanical tests and metallurgical analyses were made on the specimens after exposure. Results show that tensile elongation is the mechanical property most affected by the reentry environment. Results are presented to show a comparison of residual properties of foil specimens from static oxidation exposure and cyclic oxidation exposure.

Clark, R. K.↗

Interfacial Effects on the Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Graphite/Copper Composites

Graphite surfaces are not wet by pure copper. This lack of wetting has been responsible for a debonding phenomenon that has been found in continuous graphite fiber reinforced copper matrix composites subjected to elevated temperatures. By suitably alloying copper, its ability to wet graphite surfaces can be enhanced. Information obtained during sessile drop testing has led to the development of a copper-chromium alloy that suitably wets graphite. Unidirectionally reinforced graphite/copper composites have been fabricated using a pressure infiltration casting procedure. P100 pitch-based fibers have been used to reinforce copper and copper-chromium alloys. X-ray radiography and optical microscopy have been used to assess the fiber distribution in the cast composites. Scanning electron microscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy analyses were conducted to study the distribution and continuity of the chromium carbide reaction phase that forms at the fiber/matrix interface in the alloyed matrix composites. The effects of the chromium in the copper matrix on the mechanical and thermal properties of P100Gr/Cu composites have been evaluated through tensile testing, three-point bend testing, thermal cycling and thermal conductivity calculations. The addition of chromium has resulted in an increased shear modulus and essentially zero thermal expansion in the P100Gr/Cu-xCr composites through enhanced fiber/matrix bonding. The composites have longitudinal tensile strengths in excess of 700 MPa with elastic moduli of 393 GPa. After 100 hr at 760 deg C 84 percent of the as-cast strength is retained in the alloyed matrix composites. The elastic moduli are unchanged by the thermal exposure. It has been found that problems with spreading of the fiber tows strongly affect the long transverse tensile properties and the short transverse thermal conductivity of the P100Gr/Cu-xCr composites. The long transverse tensile strength is limited by rows of touching fibers which are paths of easy crack propagation under low tensile loads. The short transverse thermal conductivity is dictated by the fiber/matrix interface. Conduction across this interface has been estimated to be two orders of magnitude lower than that across the composite. This is due to the mechanical, and not chemical, nature of Gr/Cu bond.

Devincent, Sandra Marie↗

Residual mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-2Mo after simulated Space Shuttle reentry

Oxidation and embrittlement are concerns in use of titanium foils for shielding advanced space transportation system vehicles during earth reentry. Ti-6Al-4V in 0.003 in. and 0.035 in. thicknesses were exposed to multiple cycles of simulated space transportation system ascent/reentry conditions at temperatures ranging from 1000 F to 1200 F. Residual mechanical tests and metallurgical analyses were made on the specimens after exposure. Results show that tensile elongation is the mechanical property most affected by the reentry environment. Results are presented to show a comparison of residual properties of foil specimens from static oxidation exposure and cyclic oxidation exposure.

Clark, R. K.↗

Hexavalent Chromium IV-Free Primer Development

Primer materials provide corrosion protection for metal parts as well as an increased adhesion between metallic substrates and thermal protection systems (TPSs). Current primers for use in cryogenic applications contain hexavalent chromium. This hexavalent chromium provides excellent corrosion protection even in a cryogenic environment, but it is a carcinogen that requires special equipment and waste control procedures to use. The hazardous nature of hexavalent chromium makes it an obsolescence risk in the future. This study included two phases of evaluation. Thirteen primers were initially identified as candidates and twelve of those primers were tested in phase 1. Four of the best performing candidates from phase 1 continued into phase 2 testing. Phase 1 testing consisted mostly of liquid constituent and physical property testing. Cryoflex and salt fog testing were included in phase 1 because of their importance to the overall success of a candidate material. Phase 2 consisted of physical, thermal, and mechanical properties for nominally processed and fabricated specimens.

Alldredge, Michael J.↗

Elevated-temperature tensile and creep properties of several ferritic stainless steels

The elevated-temperature mechanical properties of several ferritic stainless steels were determined. The alloys evaluated included Armco 18SR, GE 1541, and NASA-18T-A. Tensile and creep strength properties at 1073 and 1273 K and residual room temperature tensile properties after creep testing were measured. In addition, 1273 K tensile and creep tests and residual property testing were conducted with Armco 18SR and GE 1541 which were exposed for 200 hours to a severe oxidizing environment in automotive thermal reactors. Aside from the residual tensile properties for Armco 18SR, prior exposure did not affect the mechanical properties of either alloy. The 1273 K creep strength parallel to the sheet-rolling direction was similar for all three alloys. At 1073 K, NASA-18T-A had better creep strength than either Armco 18SR or GE 1541. NASA-18T-A possesses better residual properties after creep testing than either Armco 18SR or Ge 1541.

Whittenberger, J. D.↗