Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “High Temperature Materials Development”

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 667 records · Page 37
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

Optimization and testing results of Zr-bearing ferritic steels

The mission of the Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) program is to develop crosscutting technologies for nuclear energy applications. Advanced structural materials with superior performance at elevated temperatures are always desired for nuclear reactors, which can improve reactor economics, safety margins, and design flexibility. They benefit not only new reactors, including advanced light water reactors (LWRs) and fast reactors such as sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) that is primarily designed for management of high-level wastes, but also life extension of the existing fleet when component exchange is needed. Developing and utilizing the modern materials science tools (experimental, theoretical, and computational tools) is an important path to more efficient alloy development and process optimization. Ferritic-martensitic (FM) steels are important structural materials for nuclear reactors due to their advantages over other applicable materials like austenitic stainless steels, notably their resistance to void swelling, low thermal expansion coefficients, and higher thermal conductivity. However, traditional FM steels exhibit a noticeable yield strength reduction at elevated temperatures above ~500°C, which limits their applications in advanced nuclear reactors which target operating temperatures at 650°C or higher. Although oxide-dispersion-strengthened (ODS) ferritic steels have shown excellent high-temperature performance, their extremely high cost, limited size and fabricability of products, as well as the great difficulty with welding and joining, have limited or precluded their commercial applications. Zirconium has shown many benefits to Fe-base alloys such as grain refinement, improved phase stability, and reduced radiation-induced segregation. The ultimate goal of this project is, with the aid of computational modeling tools, to accelerate the development of a new generation of Zr-bearing ferritic alloys to be fabricated using conventional steelmaking practices, which have excellent radiation resistance and enhanced high-temperature creep performance greater than Grade 91.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Field-free deterministic switching of all–van der Waals spin-orbit torque system above room temperature

Two-dimensional van der Waals (vdW) magnetic materials hold promise for the development of high-density, energy-efficient spintronic devices for memory and computation. Recent breakthroughs in material discoveries and spin-orbit torque control of vdW ferromagnets have opened a path for integration of vdW magnets in commercial spintronic devices. However, a solution for field-free electric control of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) vdW magnets at room temperatures, essential for building compact and thermally stable spintronic devices, is still missing. Here, we report a solution for the field-free, deterministic, and nonvolatile switching of a PMA vdW ferromagnet, Fe 3 GaTe 2 , above room temperature (up to 320 K). We use the unconventional out-of-plane anti-damping torque from an adjacent WTe 2 layer to enable such switching with a low current density of 2.23 × 10 6 A cm –2 . This study exemplifies the efficacy of low-symmetry vdW materials for spin-orbit torque control of vdW ferromagnets and provides an all-vdW solution for the next generation of scalable and energy-efficient spintronic devices.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Development of accident tolerant control rod for light water reactors

For an accident tolerant control rod (ATCR) designed to improve LWR (light water cooled reactor)core safety, the following inherent characteristics are required: sufficient neutron absorption, high-temperature stability and high miscibility with fuel materials to avoid uncontrollable recriticality. In the present work an ATCR is being developed to improve the safety of light water reactors under all conditions including severe accidents. Promising neutron-absorbing materials for the ATCR include rare-earth sesquioxides (RE{sub 2}O{sub 3}), hafnium dioxide (HfO{sub 2}) and mixtures of these materials. A reactivity worth analysis of these materials in representative light water reactors revealed that a conventional control rod can be replaced by an ATCR without significant impact on the reactor operation conditions. A high-temperature compatibility of the candidate ATCR materials and iron, which is a main component of control rod cladding, was examined experimentally, and no significant reaction occurred upon heating to 1600 Celsius degrees for 1 hour. That is, the ATCR is expected to have no significant damage prior to extensive fuel pin failure in severe accidents, thus avoiding uncontrollable recriticality after reactor shutdown even in case of injection of non-borated or insufficiently borated water for emergency cooling of the reactor.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
NASA NTRS1984

Studies on the Processing Methods for Extraterrestrial Materials

The literature was surveyed for high temperature mass spectrometric research on single oxides, complex oxides, and minerals in an effort to develop a means of separating elements and compounds from lunar and other extraterrestrial materials. A data acquisition system for determining vaporization rates as a function of time and temperature and software for the IEEE-488 Apple-ORTEC interface are discussed. Experimental design information from a 1000 C furnace were used with heat transfer calculations to develop the basic design for a 1600 C furnace. A controller was built for the higher temperature furnace and drawings are being made for the furnace.

Grimley, R. T.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Atomic Layer Deposition for Enhanced Light Confinement in Nonlinear Metasurfaces

Metasurfaces enable the generation of strong nonlinear signals, with nanoantenna resonances significantly enhancing the nonlinear response through tailored light–matter interactions. Commonly used nonlinear materials, such as lithium niobate and other similar crystals, have relatively moderate refractive indices, limiting their ability to achieve the strong mode localization attainable with high-refractive-index materials like silicon. Here, we report on enhancing mode confinement in nonlinear metasurfaces by employing conformal coatings of titania with atomic layer deposition (ALD). We develop a low-temperature ALD that enables the augmentation of resonances in materials that cannot withstand high-temperature processing, including polymers. We report on the design of a metasurface incorporating a nonlinear crystal and an ALD coating, achieving enhanced mode localization through this approach in the near-infrared wavelength range. We numerically demonstrate a significant enhancement in second-harmonic generation in the designed metasurface, achieved by optimizing the thickness of the ALD coating for the telecommunication wavelength.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Development and Validation of a High-Vacuum Thermal Conductivity Testbed for Aerospace Interface Materials

Spacecraft thermal margins depend on the temperature penalty of installed interfaces, yet catalog conductivity omits bondline thickness, mating surfaces, preload, and environment. The Testbed for Advanced Interface Materials in Vacuum (TAIMV) addresses this engineering-data gap by converting ambient/vacuum temperature fields from a four-coupon stack into quantities usable in spacecraft thermal models. Its 17-node steady-state model resolves axial conduction, parasitic fixture paths, grease-filled contact, radiation, and ambient convection. Four monolithic checks gave axial heat-rate ratios of 0.90–1.02, and Braycote calibration self-recovery gave 2.20% casewise mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and 2.85% maximum difference. With transferable fixture terms frozen, Krytox LVP tested cross-material transfer against a manufacturer-derived external relation. The six Krytox cases gave 2.28% MAPE, 5.10% maximum difference, and full-field residual root-mean-square values of 0.553 °C ambient and 1.306 °C vacuum. Installed-joint resistance spanned 6.39–7.15 × 10⁻⁴ m²·K/W for Braycote and 4.09–4.49 × 10⁻⁴ m²·K/W for Krytox, corresponding to 2.33–6.66 K per modeled interface over the tested heat-flux range. TAIMV therefore supplies directly usable installed-joint resistance and conductance, plus apparent installed conductivity and explicitly model-conditioned grease conductivity/contact terms.

heat transfer↗
DOE OSTI2014

Large scale simulations of the mechanical properties of layered transition metal ternary compounds for fossil energy power system applications

Advanced materials with applications in extreme conditions such as high temperature, high pressure, and corrosive environments play a critical role in the development of new technologies to significantly improve the performance of different types of power plants. Materials that are currently employed in fossil energy conversion systems are typically the Ni-based alloys and stainless steels that have already reached their ultimate performance limits. Incremental improvements are unlikely to meet the more stringent requirements aimed at increased efficiency and reduce risks while addressing environmental concerns and keeping costs low. Computational studies can lead the way in the search for novel materials or for significant improvements in existing materials that can meet such requirements. Detailed computational studies with sufficient predictive power can provide an atomistic level understanding of the key characteristics that lead to desirable properties. This project focuses on the comprehensive study of a new class of materials called MAX phases, or M n+1 AX n (M = a transition metal, A = Al or other group III, IV, and V elements, X = C or N). The MAX phases are layered transition metal carbides or nitrides with a rare combination of metallic and ceramic properties. Due to their unique structural arrangements and special types of bonding, these thermodynamically stable alloys possess some of the most outstanding properties. We used a genomic approach in screening a large number of potential MAX phases and established a database for 665 viable MAX compounds on the structure, mechanical and electronic properties and investigated the correlations between them. This database if then used as a tool for materials informatics for further exploration of this class of intermetallic compounds.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Recent progress in the development of SiC composites for nuclear fusion applications

Silicon carbide (SiC) fiber reinforced SiC matrix composites continue to undergo development for fusion applications worldwide because of inherent advantages of the material including low activation, high temperature capability, relatively low neutron absorption, and radiation resistance. This work presents an international overview of recent achievements in SiC-based composites for fusion applications. Key subjects include applications in fusion reactors, high-dose radiation effects, transmutation effects, material lifetime assessment, and development of joining technology (processing, test method development, irradiation resistance, and modeling capability). This paper also discusses synergy among research for fusion materials and non-fusion materials (for fission and aerospace applications). Finally, future research directions and opportunities are proposed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1992

Probabilistic material degradation model for aerospace materials subjected to high temperature, mechanical and thermal fatigue, and creep

A probabilistic general material strength degradation model has been developed for structural components of aerospace propulsion systems subjected to diverse random effects. The model has been implemented in two FORTRAN programs, PROMISS (Probabilistic Material Strength Simulator) and PROMISC (Probabilistic Material Strength Calibrator). PROMISS calculates the random lifetime strength of an aerospace propulsion component due to as many as eighteen diverse random effects. Results are presented in the form of probability density functions and cumulative distribution functions of lifetime strength. PROMISC calibrates the model by calculating the values of empirical material constants.

Boyce, L.↗
DOE OSTI2019

Tailored Syngas via High Temperature H2O-CO2 Co-Electrolysis

This project has developed a new testing capability at PNNL and has evaluated solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) materials for the ability to co-electrolyze carbon dioxide and steam to produce synthesis gas. CO 2 -H 2 O co-electrolysis, the simultaneous electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide and steam, was performed on the porous Ni-based electrodes in high temperature SOECs. Experiments were conducted using small button cells and the rate of the electrochemical reactions was measured at 750°C for varied reactant compositions: 10-98%CO 2 and 5-50% H 2 O, also in the presence of some H 2 and CO to ensure reducing environment and avoid Ni oxidation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS2011

Products from NASA's In-Space Propulsion Technology Program Applicable to Low-Cost Planetary Missions

Since September 2001 NASA s In-Space Propulsion Technology (ISPT) program has been developing technologies for lowering the cost of planetary science missions. Recently completed is the high-temperature Advanced Material Bipropellant Rocket (AMBR) engine providing higher performance for lower cost. Two other cost saving technologies nearing completion are the NEXT ion thruster and the Aerocapture technology project. Also under development are several technologies for low cost sample return missions. These include a low cost Hall effect thruster (HIVHAC) which will be completed in 2011, light weight propellant tanks, and a Multi-Mission Earth Entry Vehicle (MMEEV). This paper will discuss the status of the technology development, the cost savings or performance benefits, and applicability of these in-space propulsion technologies to NASA s future Discovery, and New Frontiers missions, as well as their relevance for sample return missions.

Anderson, David J.↗
DOE OSTI2019

Piezoresistive Characteristics of Silicon Carbide for Integrated Sensor Applications

Successful ubiquitous deployment of advanced reactors will depend to a large extent on the development of high-performance materials and sensors. Recently, there has been increasing interest in advanced reactors operating at very high temperatures (greater than 700 °C) and using molten salts as the primary coolant. In such reactor systems, temperature and pressure measurements are conducted using standard legacy thermocouples and pressure measurement technologies, both of which suffer from resolution issues, inaccuracies, and drift under harsh operating temperature and radiation conditions. We report on the structural, electrical, and mechanical characteristics of SiC materials and devices for the development of an integrated monolithic sensor unit capable of simultaneously monitoring temperature, pressure and flow in molten salt reactors, while at the same time exhibiting significant improvements in resolution, accuracy and signal-to-noise ratio.Wide bandgap and chemical inertness of SiC make it suitable for harsh environment sensor applications. We report on the development of a SiC pressure sensor exploiting its piezoresistive properties. Attempts have been made to fabricate thermally stable pressure sensor through doping induced high gauge factor. Both implanted and in-situ doped SiC wafers are being investigated to analyze the impact of dopant type and concentration on the piezoresistive characteristics. The microstructure, composition, and electrical conductivity of SiC samples have been analyzed to find optimum dopant incorporation and activation conditions. The mechanical measurements are being conducted on SiC beams with photolithographically defined surface piezoresistors to establish gauge factor for high performance sensors that can operate at temperatures beyond the limits of conventional silicon CMOS materials and devices.

Joshi, Pooran↗
NASA NTRS2014

Damage Characterization of EBC-SiCSiC Ceramic Matrix Composites Under Imposed Thermal Gradient Testing

Due to their high temperature capabilities, Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC) components are being developed for use in hot-section aerospace engine applications. Harsh engine environments have led to the development of Environmental Barrier Coatings (EBCs) for silicon-based CMCs to further increase thermal and environmental capabilities. This study aims at understanding the damage mechanisms associated with these materials under simulated operating conditions. A high heat-flux laser testing rig capable of imposing large through-thickness thermal gradients by means of controlled laser beam heating and back-side air cooling is used. Tests are performed on uncoated composites, as well as CMC substrates that have been coated with state-of-the-art ceramic EBC systems. Results show that the use of the EBCs may help increase temperature capability and creep resistance by reducing the effects of stressed oxidation and environmental degradation. Also, the ability of electrical resistance (ER) and acoustic emission (AE) measurements to monitor material condition and damage state during high temperature testing is shown; suggesting their usefulness as a valuable health monitoring technique. Micromechanics models are used to describe the localized stress state of the composite system, which is utilized along with ER modeling concepts to develop an electromechanical model capable of characterizing material behavior.

protective coatings (nonmetallic)↗
DOE OSTI2018

Advanced Ultrasupercritical (AUSC) Materials Thick-Walled Cycling Header Development for ComTest-AUSC (Final Report)

Alstom Power Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the General Electric Company (GE) recently completed “Advanced Ultrasupercritical (AUSC) Materials Thick-Walled Cycling Header Development for ComTest-AUSC” under Award No. DE-FE0026183 for the U.S. Department of Energy National Energy Technology Laboratory (DOE NETL). This project developed a design for testing of a high temperature nickel-based superalloy thick-walled header to simulate cycling and flexible plant operation in new and existing plants. The objective was to simulate the expected thermal stresses of a new AUSC plant or a retrofit header in an existing plant to improve flexible dynamic operation while maintaining component integrity and overall power plant reliability. The high performance superalloy materials that enable higher operating temperatures and pressures can support future transformational power technologies including new AUSC plants at 4250-5000 psi, 730°C/760°C or will serve as a replacement component in a repowered or retrofit USC coal powered cycling plant at 3600 psi, 600°C. These alloys can also enable supercritical CO2 cycles, nuclear power, solar power and more efficient natural gas combined cycle units as targeted by the U.S. DOE/NETL Cross-Cutting Research Technology Program Plan. Recently developed advanced nickel alloys such as Inconel 740H (740H) and Haynes 282 (H282) have been successfully tested on a pilot scale for fireside corrosion using steam loop tubing at AUSC temperatures of 760°C in actual operating coal fired boiler. These high strength materials have been demonstrated their adequacy for use in other high temperature boiler components such as superheater tubes. Thick-walled superheater outlet headers which operate at high temperatures and pressure under severe cycling condition are considered as one of the most critical component in the AUSC coal fired boiler. Over the design life of a plant, these headers are exposed to the most severe fatigue and creep damage accumulation and need to be properly designed for the expected cycling in an AUSC plant with flexible operation. These materials need to demonstrate adequate design life of 20 to 30 years for creep and fatigue conditions. The following tasks were performed: 1. A conceptual design was developed of a thick-walled component representative of typical headers with several tube connections and proper flow rates (~100,000 lbs/hr) suitable for Phase II test at 760°C operation. This was based on a process analysis of expected full scale new and component retrofit designs for AUSC; 2. A multi-physics flow and heat transfer computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of the component for proper layout of the header configuration, number and geometry (size) of tubes required for bypass flow, flow rates through the tubing, and sectional pressure drops was performed. Steam to header metal heat transfer film coefficients in the header section and the tubes during the two stages (half load and full load) of the cycling operation were evaluated and used in the stress analysis; 3. Detailed analytical evaluation of the thick-walled pipe and tube connections for mechanical integrity under cycling conditions was performed. This included transient thermal stress analysis and fatigue usage estimation including the tube-to-pipe weld geometries and weld materials; 4. A layout and design of the thick-walled test component was developed and instrumentation required for a test was identified; 5. Continuum Damage Mechanics (CDM) creep prediction models were extended to 740H and H282 and validated with public data on 740H and H282 for use in creep analysis. In addition, detailed creep analyses were performed separately for the design life of the conceptual AUSC superheater outlet header using these General Electric (GE) creep constitutive models. GE was the prime contractor for the project, which was directed by Principal Investigator Robert Schrecengost and Lead Scientist Dr. B. Reddy Ganta. Other collaborative participants in this project included GE Global Research, GE Boiler Engineering, and a Technical Consultant from EPRI.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗
DOE OSTI2023

Oxidation in Ca/K-1144 iron-based superconductors polycrystalline compounds

Iron-based superconductors (IBSCs) are a class of material under investigation for the development of superconducting wires in the low-temperature-high magnetic fields power application. Among the various families of IBSCs, the 1144 CaKFe$_4$As$_4$ compound is a promising material able to achieve outstanding superconducting properties with a cheap and simple chemical composition. Oxidation, in these compounds, is considered an obstacle for high intergranular critical current density, J c,GB . A study devoted to the evaluation of oxidation phenomena and their effects on the superconducting properties is thus needed in order to fully understand the involved mechanisms. From the evaluation of polycrystalline samples obtained by a mechanochemically assisted synthesis route, a degradation of the critical temperature and critical currents has been observed concurrently with oxygen accumulation at grain boundaries in open porosities. However, the crystalline structure at an atomic level seems not affected, as well as intragranular superconducting properties assessed by means of calorimetric methods. These results suggest that loss of superconducting properties in Ca/K-1144 compounds following oxidation is significantly associated with the worsening of grain connectivity.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

Development of a krypton-doped gas symmetry capsule platform for x-ray spectroscopy of implosion cores on the NIF

The electron temperature at stagnation of an ICF implosion can be measured from the emission spectrum of high-energy x-rays that pass through the cold material surrounding the hot stagnating core. Here we describe a platform developed on the National Ignition Facility where trace levels of a mid-Z dopant (krypton) are added to the fuel gas of a symcap (symmetry surrogate) implosion to allow for the use of x-ray spectroscopy of the krypton line emission.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2024

Measuring thermal profiles in high explosives using neural networks

We present a new method for calculating the temperature profile of high explosive (HE) material using a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). To train/test the CNN, we have developed a hybrid experiment/simulation method for collecting acoustic and temperature data. We experimentally heat cylindrical containers of HE material until detonation/deflagration, where we continuously measure the acoustic bursts through the HE using multiple acoustic transducers lined around the exterior container circumference. However, measuring the temperature profile in the HE in an experiment would require inserting a large number of thermal probes, which would disrupt the heating process. Thus, we use two thermal probes, one at the HE center and one at the wall. We then use numerical simulation of the heating process to calculate the temperature distribution and correct the simulated temperatures based on the experimental center and wall temperatures. We calculate temperature errors on the order of 15 °C, which is ∼12% of the range of temperatures in the experiment. We also investigate how the algorithm’s accuracy is affected by the number of acoustic receivers used to collect each measurement and the resolution of the temperature prediction. This work provides a means of assessing the safety status of HE material, which cannot be achieved using existing temperature measurement methods. In addition, it has implications for a range of other applications where internal temperature profile measurements would provide critical information. These applications include detecting chemical reactions, observing thermodynamic processes such as combustion, monitoring metal or plastic casting, determining the energy density in thermal storage capsules, and identifying abnormal battery operations.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2024

Measuring thermal profiles in high explosives using neural networks

We present a new method for calculating the temperature profile of high explosive (HE) material using a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). To train/test the CNN, we have developed a hybrid experiment/simulation method for collecting acoustic and temperature data. We experimentally heat cylindrical containers of HE material until detonation/deflagration, where we continuously measure the acoustic bursts through the HE using multiple acoustic transducers lined around the exterior container circumference. However, measuring the temperature profile in the HE in an experiment would require inserting a large number of thermal probes, which would disrupt the heating process. Thus, we use two thermal probes, one at the HE center and one at the wall. We then use numerical simulation of the heating process to calculate the temperature distribution and correct the simulated temperatures based on the experimental center and wall temperatures. We calculate temperature errors on the order of 15 °C, which is ~12% of the range of temperatures in the experiment. We also investigate how the algorithm’s accuracy is affected by the number of acoustic receivers used to collect each measurement and the resolution of the temperature prediction. This work provides a means of assessing the safety status of HE material, which cannot be achieved using existing temperature measurement methods. In addition, it has implications for a range of other applications where internal temperature profile measurements would provide critical information. These applications include detecting chemical reactions, observing thermodynamic processes such as combustion, monitoring metal or plastic casting, determining the energy density in thermal storage capsules, and identifying abnormal battery operations.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗