Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “mechanical stability”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 613 records · Page 34

PMR polyimide prepreg with improved tack characteristics

Current PMR Polyimide prepreg technology utilizes methanol or ethanol solvents for preparation of the PMR prepreg solutions. The volatility of these solvents limits the tack and drape retention characteristics of unprotected prepreg exposed to ambient conditions. Studies conducted to achieve PMR 15 Polyimide prepreg with improved tack and drape characteristics were described. Improved tack and drape retention were obtained by incorporation of an additional monomer. The effects of various levels of the added monomer on the thermo-oxidative stability and mechanical properties of graphite fiber reinforced PMR 15 composites exposed and tested at 316 C (600 F) were discussed.

Serafini, T. T.↗

PMR Polyimide prepreg with improved tack characteristics

Current PMR Polyimide prepreg technology utilizes methanol or ethanol solvents for preparation of the PMR prepreg solutions. The volatility of these solvents limits the tack and drape retention characteristics of unprotected prepreg exposed to ambient conditions. Studies conducted to achieve PMR 15 Polyimide prepreg with improved tack and drape characteristics are described. Improved tack and drape retention were obtained by incorporation of an additional monomer. The effects of various levels of the added monomer on the thermo-oxidative stability and mechanical properties of graphite fiber reinforced PMR 15 composites exposed and tested at 316 C (600 F) are discussed.

Serafini, T. T.↗

Photometric evidence on long-term stability of albedo and colour markings on Io

Photometric measurements of the color and albedo of Io during the last 50 years are examined in order to determine the stability of the Ionian surface. Brightness measurements of Io relative to Ganymede show a slight, however inconclusive, increase with time, while light curve amplitudes and shapes are found to agree well during this period. The extent of volcanic activity observed by Voyager 1, however, is shown to be undetectable with the precision attainable by earth-based albedo determinations, and just barely detectable as color changes, which explains the observed photometric stability. Possible mechanisms for the preservation of the observed longitudinal distribution of color on Io are also discussed.

Morrison, D.↗

The stability of new transparent polymeric materials: The epoxy trimethoxyboroxine system. Part 1: The preparation, characterization and curing of epoxy resins and their copolymers

The effects of resin composition, curing conditions fillers, and flame retardant additives on the flammability of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) as measured by the oxygen index is examined. The oxygen index of DGEBA cured with various curing agents was between 0.198 to 0.238. Fillers and flame retardant additives can increase the oxygen index dependent on the material and the amount used. Changes in the basic cured resin properties can be anticipated with the addition of noncompatible additives. High flame resistant epoxy resins with good stability and mechanical properties are investigated.

Pearce, E.↗

A study pertaining to a very low temperature hydrogen maser feasibility

Very low temperature atomic hydrogen masers were developed. The advantages over room temperature hydrogen masers include higher radiated power due to the higher beam intensities possible using low temperature techniques and the much smaller electron spin flip cross section at low temperatures, lower cavity and amplifier noise temperatures, increased stability against mechanical creep at low temperatures, and opportunities to extend H atom collision studies to low temperatures, where quantum effects and details of the interatomic potentials are much more important.

Crampton, S. B.↗

PMR-15 polyimide modifications for improved prepreg tack

The use of mixed solvents and of modified monomeric ester reactants was investigated as a means of improving the tack and drape retention characteristics of PMR-15 polyimide prepreg. Methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol and 1-butanol were used to prepare the esters, prepreg solutions, and T-300 graphite fabric and Celion 6000 unidirectional fiber prepregs. The tack retention characteristics of the T-300 fabric prepreg after exposure to simulated use conditions were determined using a simple lap shear test. Drape was qualitatively assessed by visually monitoring the deformability of the prepreg. Thermo-oxidative stability and mechanical properties retention of the Celion 6000 grahite fiber composites were determined as a function of exposure time in air at 600 F.

Vannucci, R. D.↗

Entwined and parallel bundled orbits as alternative models for narrow planetary ringlets

Particle orbits can be bundled in two different ways to produce narrow, Uranus-type ringlets. The usual assumption is that they are packed in a parallel manner in a structure that is essentially only two-dimensional, but it is then difficult to explain the large numbers of particles per unit area of the ring plane that are inferred from the observations. The alternative of a bundle of entwined orbits produces a three-dimensional structure of potentially large projected areal density. A start has been made in identifying possible mechanisms for stabilizing these structures, but much remains to be done, particularly for the less-studied model of entwined orbits. The two models might be discriminated observationally by differences in the motion of the line of intersection of the orbital and equatorial planes, and by the predicted radial reversal (entwined) or nonreversal (parallel) of features in occultation signatures taken at certain longitudes.

Eshleman, V. R.↗

A study of the effects of end-cap molecular species on environmental characteristics of polimidesulfones

To improve the environmental stability and mechanical properties of polyimidesulfone (PISO2), it was decided to investigate the effects of various types of end caps on its thermo-mechanical and related properties. It was noted that end caps are effective in reducing the environmental damage susceptibility of PISO2 samples, apparently due to their ability to react with free end groups which are believed to be moisture pickup sites. Phthalic anydride, aniline and aminobenzophenone were the end caps used in this study.

Singh, J. J.↗

Composite Fracture Toughness and Impact Characterization

The basic threat to the more widespread use of composites in aircraft primary structure is the problem of residual strength in the presence of damage. Specific problem areas that need to be addressed include the following: (1) modeling/understanding composite failure (impact: relate strain energy release rate to strain-to-failure, open hole compression: relate shear crippling to strain-to-failure, and account for variables such as thickness and stacking sequence); (2) micromechanics models; (3) consider the use of hybrid combinations, both interply and intraply, using graphite, Kevlar, and glass; and (4) modeling/understanding the role of the interface. Solving these problems involves a multidisciplinary approach including dynamics, structural stability, composite mechanics, and fracture mechanics.

Source record↗

Modelling of photodegradation in solar cell modules of substrate and superstrate design made with ethylene-vinyl acetate as pottant material

A computer model was developed which can generate realistic concentration versus time profiles of the chemical species formed during photooxidation of hydrocarbon polymers using as input data a set of elementary reactions with corresponding rate constants and initial conditions. The results of computer simulation have been shown to be consistent with the general experimental observations of the photooxidation of polyethylene exposed to sunlight at ambient temperatures. The useful lifetime (5% oxidation) of the unstabilized polyethylene is predicted to vary from a few months in hot weather (100 F) to almost two years in cool weather (45 F) with an apparent net activation energy of 10 kcal/mol. Modelling studies of alternate mechanisms for stabilization of clear, amorphous, linear polyethylene suggest that the optimum stabilizer would be a molecularly dispensed additive in very low concentration which can trap peroxy radicals and also decompose hydroperoxides.

Somersall, A. C.↗

Numerical simulations of plasma double layers

The results of analytical studies of quasi-static electric fields along geomagnetic field lines are discussed. The calculations were targeted at the structure, generation mechanisms and stability parameters. The field consists of two oppositely charged layers, either weakly or strongly charged, with an electric field between. Existence conditions are defined for the double layer field and balancing requirements are explored. Details of the simulation techniques, i.e., particle in cell and Vlasov simulations, for studying the double layer are outlined, noting that both periodic and quasi-periodic simulations are used. Solutions to Poisson's equation for fixed and floating point boundary conditions are generated. Finally, attention is also given to oblique and two-dimensional magnetic double layers.

Goertz, C. K.↗

Altitude testing of a flight weight, self-cooled, 2D thrust vectoring exhaust nozzle

The Augmented Deflector Exhaust Nozzle (ADEN) was tested in PSL-3 at NASA-Lewis Research Center using an F404 engine. The ADEN is a flight weight Single Expansion Ramp Nozzle with thrust vectoring, an internal cooling system utilizing the available engine fan flow, and a variable area throat controlled by the engine control system. Test conditions included dry and max A/B operation at nozzle pressure ratios from 2.0 to 15.0. High nozzle pressure loading was simulated to verify structural integrity at near maximum design pressure. Nozzle settings covered the full range in throat area and + or - 15 deg deflection angle. Test results demonstrated expected aerodynamic performance, cooling system effectiveness, control system stability, and mechanical integrity.

Wooten, W. H.↗

The 700 F properties of autoclave cured PMR-2 composites

Studies were conducted to develop autoclave processing parameters for graphite reinforced PMR-2 resin composite materials intended for use in applications at temperatures up to 371 degrees (700 F). The effect of resin composition on autoclaveability was investigated. The effect of various graphite fibers and resin composition on 343 C (650 F) and 371 C (700 F) thermo-oxidative stability and mechanical properties was also investigated. The results of the processing studies show that PMR-2 resin composites can be easily fabricated under autoclave conditions. Autoclaved laminates exposed to 1 atm of air at 343 C (650 F) and 371 C (700 F) exhibited less than 5 percent weight loss after 750 hr exposure to 650 F air and 8 percent weight loss during exposure to 700 F air for 500 hr. After 500 hr exposure, autoclaved laminates exhibited greater than 90 percent retention of initial 650 and 700 F flexural and interlaminar shear strengths. The effect of resin formulated molecular weight and postcure conditions on laminate glass transition temperature is also discussed.

Vannucci, Raymond D.↗

The Mark III stellar interferometer

The Mark III interferometer is an operational long baseline stellar interferometer on Mt. Wilson with four-possible baseline configurations from 9m NE-SW to 20m N-S. The interferometer was designed to be a highly automated astronomical instrument to measure stellar positions and diameters to a magnitude limit of seven. Initial fringe observations were made in September 1986 with a 12-m N-S baseline. In the following months, semi-automated astrometric and stellar diameter measurements were also made. This paper describes the hardware and software components of the instrument and its operational characteristics. The interferometer has several novel features. One is the use of optimal estimation and control algorithms (e.g. Kalman filters) in the control loops. Another is the ability to operate both as a closed-loop phased interferometer and eventually as an open-loop or absolute coherent interferometer. High thermal stability and mechanical accuracy should permit the instrument to point blind at an astronomical object and maintain optical path equality to within the limits set by the atmosphere. In this absolute interferometric mode of operation, it should be possible to observe faint astronomical objects that are too dim for phase tracking. In theory, measurements of amplitude, group delay, and closure phase will be possible to 14 mag.

Shao, M.↗

700 F properties of autoclave cured PMR-II composites

Studies were conducted to develop autoclave processing parameters for graphite reinforced PMR-2 resin composite materials intended for use in applications at temperatures up to 371 degrees (700 F). The effect of resin composition on autoclaveability was investigated. The effect of various graphite fibers and resin composition on 343 C (650 F) and 371 C (700 F) thermo-oxidative stability and mechanical properties was also investigated. The results of the processing studies show that PMR-2 resin composites can be easily fabricated under autoclave conditions. Autoclaved laminates exposed to 1 atm of air at 343 C (650 F) and 371 C (700 F) exhibited less than 5 percent weight loss after 750 hr exposure to 650 F air and 8 percent weight loss during exposure to 700 F air for 500 hr. After 500 hr exposure, autoclaved laminates exhibited greater than 90 percent retention of initial 650 and 700 F flexural and interlaminar shear strengths. The effect of resin formulated molecular weight and postcure conditions on laminate glass transition temperature is also discussed.

Cifani, Diane↗