Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “strength”

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 631 records · Page 35
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1985

Fracture strength of GaAs solar cells as a function of manufacturing process steps

Fracture of single crystal GaAs substrate during the solar cell processing is an important factor in solar cell yield and cost. Fracture mechanics technique was utilized to evaluate cell cracking characteristics and changes in fracture strength of GaAs solar cells in a present state-of-the-art of manufacturing process for GaAs solar cells from wafer to complete cell of a typical production line. Considerable change in the fracture strength of GaAs solar cells as a function of cell processing was found. The strength data were described by Weibull statistical analysis and can be interpreted with the change of flaw distribution of each of the manufacturing process steps.

Chen, C. P.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Effective collision strengths for electron impact excitations in S II

Electron impact collision strengths for forbidden, semiforbidden, and allowed transitions in S II calculated using the R-matrix method are presented. Configuration interaction wave functions are used to represent the six target states included in the calculation. At low impact energies the collision strengths are dominated by resonances for several transitions. The contribution from higher partial waves is obtained in the close-coupling approximation with exchange terms omitted. Results are presented for the effective collision strengths over a wide temperature range (5000-150,000 K) of astrophysical interest. The present results for the 4S(0) yields 2P(0) transition are 20-30 percent lower than previous calculations, while for the 4S(0) yields 2D(0) transition they are in good agreement. The results are approximately 30 percent higher than those of Ho and Henry (1983) for the 4S(0) yields 2P(0) transition at 80,000 K, and the difference between the two results increases with decreasing temperatures (under 80,000 K).

Tayal, S. S.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Oscillator strengths for visible and ultraviolet observations of interstellar molecules

Optical observations of molecules in diffuse interstellar clouds are discussed. The role of oscillator strengths in determining cloud properties such as densities, temperatures, and particle and photon fluxes is examined. The use of an emission technique, molecular and atomic lifetime measurements, and absorption measurements to estimate oscillator strengths is described. It is noted that the lifetime and absorption measurements are more advantageous than the emission technique to estimate oscillator strengths.

Smith, Peter L.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Influence of thread construction on strength of ceramic sewing threads

The effects of two thread construction variables, yarn twist and polymeric sizing, on break strength were obtained for a silica thread and two types of aluminoborosilicate (ABS) threads at temperatures ranging from 23 C to 1200 C. It was shown that increasing the degree of twist for the silica thread produced an optimum twist level until all the yarn finish was removed. The break strength of both ABS threads was inversely proportional to the degree of twist caused by increased filament breakage with increasing twist that was controlled by the gradual removal of the polymeric processing aids. At elevated temperatures, above 950 C, strength loss was observed for both ABS threads because of the presence of a glass phase that softens and causes fiber deformation. This was not observed for the silica thread at similar test temperatures because of the higher viscosity of the pure silica glass phase.

Sawko, Paul M.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Investigation of instability, dynamic forces, and effect of dynamic loading on strength of cages for the bearings in the high pressure oxygen turbopumps for the space shuttle main engine

Experiments were performed to determine the effect of cyclic loading on bearing cage strength. A long term working tensile load of approximately 1300 N (300 lbs) was found to be the likely maximum. Higher loads caused a decrease in cage tensile strength after the 125,000 cycle testing period. Poisson's ratio in compression was found to be highly dependent upon the direction of the fiberglass plies. At room temperature the value was 0.15 with the plies and 0.68 across the plies. At -196 C (-321 F), the value with the plies was 0.20. The results of the analyses conducted have again demonstrated the critical need for improved lubrication in the high pressure oxygen turbopump bearings. Lubricant films with low shear strength and low friction coefficients promote cage stability and decrease ball/cage forces during marginal operating conditions. The analysis of the effect of combined bearing loads on ball/cage loads has identified a radial load of 3600 N (800 lbs) as the maximum for the current clearance of the balls and cage pockets. Liquid oxygen impinging on the cage in the direction of rotation was found to enhance cage stability.

Dufrane, K. F.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Femur-bending properties as influenced by gravity. V - Strength vs. calcium and gravity in rats exposed for 2 weeks

The dependence of gravitationally related changes in femur bone strength on the comparable changes in calcium content was investigated in rats exposed to chronic simulations of altered gravity from the 28th to 42nd day of age. Zero G was simulated by harness suspension and 3 G by centrifugation. Bone strength (S) was determined by bending (using modified quasi-static cantilever bending methods and equipment described by Wunder et al., 1977 and 1979) and Ca content (C, by mass pct) determined by atomic absorption spectrometry; results were compared with data obtained on both normal and harnessed control animals at 1 G. Multiple regression showed significant dependence of S upon earth's gravity, independent from C, for which there was no significant coefficient of partial regression. It is suggested that the lack of S/C correlation might have been due to the fact that considerable fraction of the calcium in these young, developing bones has not yet crystallized into the hydroxyapatite which provides strength.

Wunder, Charles C.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Probabilistic analysis for fatigue strength degradation of materials

This report presents the results of the first year of a research program conducted for NASA-LeRC by the University of Texas at San Antonio. The research included development of methodology that provides a probabilistic treatment of lifetime prediction of structural components of aerospace propulsion systems subjected to fatigue. Material strength degradation models, based on primitive variables, include both a fatigue strength reduction model and a fatigue crack growth model. Linear elastic fracture mechanics is utilized in the latter model. Probabilistic analysis is based on simulation, and both maximum entropy and maximum penalized likelihood methods are used for the generation of probability density functions. The resulting constitutive relationships are included in several computer programs, RANDOM2, RANDOM3, and RANDOM4. These programs determine the random lifetime of an engine component, in mechanical load cycles, to reach a critical fatigue strength or crack size. The material considered was a cast nickel base superalloy, one typical of those used in the Space Shuttle Main Engine.

Royce, Lola↗
NASA NTRS1988

Oscillator strengths for Si II

New accurate results are presented for absorption oscillator strengths of Si II resonance lines. In these ab initio calculations, an extensive basis set of 67 electronic configuration are employed, including fine-structure states and relativistic effects in the Breit-Pauli approximation. For the strong Si II lines, good agreement is found with previous LS-coupling f-values of Dufton et al. (1983). Oscillator strengths of selected weaker lines disagree in some cases with empirically determined f-values by Shull, Snow, and York (1981) and by Van Buren (1986). The theoretical results are combined with curve-of-growth analyses of Copernicus and IUE data to yield a list of recommended Si II oscillator strengths consistent with the errors in both theoretical and observational analyses. These f-values have been used (Van Steenberg and Shull) for a Galactic survey of interstellar silicon abundances with the International Ultraviolet Explorer satellite.

Luo, Ding↗
NASA NTRS1989

Probabilistic constitutive relationships for material strength degradation models

In the present probabilistic methodology for the strength of aerospace propulsion system structural components subjected to such environmentally-induced primitive variables as loading stresses, high temperature, chemical corrosion, and radiation, time is encompassed as an interacting element, allowing the projection of creep and fatigue effects. A probabilistic constitutive equation is postulated to account for the degradation of strength due to these primitive variables which may be calibrated by an appropriately curve-fitted least-squares multiple regression of experimental data. The resulting probabilistic constitutive equation is embodied in the PROMISS code for aerospace propulsion component random strength determination.

Boyce, L.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Strength distribution of reinforcing fibers in a Nicalon fiber/chemically vapor infiltrated silicon carbide matrix composite

The strength distribution of fibers within a two-dimensional laminate ceramic/ceramic composite consisting of an eight harness satin weave of Nicalon continuous fiber within a chemically vapor infiltrated SiC matrix was determined from analysis of the fracture mirrors of the fibers. Comparison of the fiber strengths and the Weibull moduli with those for Nicalon fibers prior to incorporation into composites suggests that possible fiber damage may occur either during the weaving or during another stage of the composite manufacture. Observations also indicate that it is the higher-strength fibers which experience the greatest extent of fiber pullout and thus make a larger contribution to the overall composite toughness than do the weaker fibers.

Eckel, Andrew J.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Relevance of impacter shape to nonvisible damage and residual tensile strength of a thick graphite/epoxy laminate

A study was made to determine the relevance of impacter shape to nonvisible damage and tensile residual strength of a 36 mm (1.4 in.) thick graphite/epoxy motor case. The shapes of the impacters were as follows: 12.7 mm (0.5 in.) and 25.4 mm (1.0 in.) diameter hemispheres, a sharp corner, and a 6.3 mm (0.25 in.) diameter bolt-like rod. The investigation revealed that damage initiated when the contact pressure exceeded a critical level. However, the damage was not visible on the surface until an even higher pressure was exceeded. The damage on the surface consisted of a crater shaped like the impacter, and the damage below the surface consisted of broken fibers. The impact energy to initiate damage or cause visible damage on the surface increased approximately with impacter diameter to the third power. The reduction in strength for nonvisible damage increased with increasing diameter, 9 and 30 percent for the 12.7 mm (0.5 in.) and 25.4 mm (1.0 in.) diameter hemispheres, respectively. The corner impacter made visible damage on the surface for even the smallest impact energy. The rod impacter acted like a punch and sliced through the composite. Even so, the critical level of pressure to initiate damage was the same for the rod and hemispherical impacters. Factors of safety for nonvisible damage increased with increasing kinetic energy of impact. The effects of impacter shape on impact force, damage size, damage visibility, and residual tensile strength were predicted quite well assuming Hertzian contact and using maximum stress criteria and a surface crack analysis.

Poe, C. C., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Modeling strength data for CREW CHIEF

The Air Force has developed CREW CHIEF, a computer-aided design (CAD) tool for simulating and evaluating aircraft maintenance to determine if the required activities are feasible. CREW CHIEF gives the designer the ability to simulate maintenance activities with respect to reach, accessibility, strength, hand tool operation, and materials handling. While developing the CREW CHIEF, extensive research was performed to describe workers strength capabilities for using hand tools and manual handling of objects. More than 100,000 strength measures were collected and modeled for CREW CHIEF. These measures involved both male and female subjects in the 12 maintenance postures included in CREW CHIEF. The data collection and modeling effort are described.

Mcdaniel, Joe W.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Measurement of interfacial shear strength in SiC-fiber/Si3N4 composites

An indentation method for measuring shear strength in brittle matrix composites was applied to SiC-fiber/Si3N4-matrix samples. Three methods were used to manufacture the composites: reaction bonding of a Si/SiC preform, hot-pressing, and nitrogen-overpressure sintering. An indentation technique developed by Marshall for thin specimens was used to measure the shear strength of the interface and the interfacial friction stresses. This was done by inverting the sample after the initial push through and retesting the pushed fibers. SEM observations showed that the shear strength was determined by the degree of reaction between the fiber and the matrix unless the fiber was pushed out of its (well-bonded) sheath.

Laughner, James W.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Investigation of interfacial shear strength in a SiC fibre/Ti-24Al-11Nb composite by a fibre push-out technique

A fiber push-out technique applied at several sample thicknesses was used to determine both the debond shear stress and the frictional shear stress at the fiber-matrix interface at room temperautre for a unidirectional SiC fiber-reinforced T-24Al-11Nb (in at. pct) composite prepared by a powder cloth technique. The push-out technique measures the separate contributions of bond strength and friction to the mechanical shear strength at the fiber-matrix interface. It was found that the fiber-matrix bond shear strength of this material is significantly higher than the fiber-matrix frictional shear stress (119.2 and 47.8 MPa, respectively).

Eldridge, J. I.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Compressive strength of a B2 matrix NiAl-Nb intermetallic at 1200 and 1300 K

The effect of a large Nb addition to a NiAl, to a final composition 43.5Ni-45.2Al-0.8Fe-10.5Nb (in at. pct), on the high-temperature compressive strength of NiAl was investigated using cylindrical samples which were compression tested in air at 1200 K and 1300 K under constant-velocity conditions. The compressive strength of the Ni-45Al-10.5Nb was compared to data from all known solid solution-strengthened and/or precipitation-strengthened NiAl-based materials. It was found that, for strain rates higher than 5 x 10 to the -6th/sec, the Ni-45Al-10.5Nb is stronger than NiAl. However, this advantage disappears at lower strain rates. A comparison of NiAl-based materials indicated that a NiAl+TiB2 composite containing 20 vol pct 1-micron-diam particles has a strength superiority over all the solid solution and precipitation-hardened aluminides at strain rates below 10 to the -7th/sec.

Whittenberger, J. Daniel↗
NASA NTRS1989

A modified equivalent-width technique for diode-laser line strength measurements

A modified equivalent-width method is introduced that improves the accuracy of spectral line strength measurements using diode lasers. This method differs from the standard method in that no attempt is made to calculate the true equivalent width in order to determine the line strength. Instead, the line strength is derived directly from a measurement of the area under the line close to the line center and ignore the normal correction terms. Tests with actual spectra and simulations indicate that this method is accurate to better than 1 percent with lines broadened by up to 50 percent by the laser instrument function.

Strow, L. Larrabee↗
NASA NTRS1990

Structure and properties during aging of an ultra-high strength Al-Cu-Li-Ag-Mg alloy

The structure and properties of the strengthening phases formed during aging in an Al-Cu-Li-Ag-Mg alloy (Weldalite 049) were elulcidated, by following the development of the microstructure by means of TEM. The results of observations showed that the Weldalite 049 alloy has a series of unusual and technologically useful combinations of mechanical properties in different aging conditions, such as natural aging without prior cold work to produce high strengths, a reversion temper of lower yield strength and unusually high ductility, a room temperature reaging of the reversion temper eventually leading to the original T4 hardness, and ultrahigh-strength T6 properties.

Gayle, Frank W.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Predicting the strength of filament-wound specimens with surface cuts

The notched strength of filament-wound composite specimens was determined for coupons with various sized semielliptic surface notches. When the part-through notches did not cut the first 0-deg layer the strength was independent of the size of the notch and was equal to the unnotched tensile strength. When the cut penetrated 0-deg layers, the specimens failed in a two-part failure mode. The first part of the failure was modeled using fracture mechanics and a straight line tangent to the fracture mechanics solution, and the second part of the failure was modeled using a failure criterion that accounted for the moduli of 0-deg and helical layers.

Morris, Don H.↗