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At least 685 records · Page 38

Comparison of GOES-Retrieved and In Situ Measurements of Deep Convective Anvil Cloud Microphysical Properties During the Tropical Composition, Cloud and Climate Coupling Experiment (TC(sup 4))

One of the main goals of the Tropical Composition, Cloud and Climate Coupling Experiment (TC(sup 4)) during July and August 2007 was to gain a better understanding of the formation and life cycle of cirrus clouds in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere and how their presence affects the exchange of water vapor between these layers. Additionally, it is important to compare in situ measurements taken by aircraft instruments with products derived from satellite observations and find a meaningful way to interpret the results. In this study, cloud properties derived using radiance measurements from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) imagers are compared to similar quantities from aircraft in situ observations and are examined for meaningful relationships. A new method using dual \angle satellite measurements is used to derive the ice water content (IWC) for the top portion of deep convective clouds and anvils. The results show the in situ and remotely sensed mean microphysical properties agree to within approx.10 microns in the top few kilometers of thick anvils despite the vastly different temporal and spatial resolutions of the aircraft and satellite instruments. Mean particle size and IWC are shown to increase with decreasing altitude in the top few kilometers of the cloud. Given these relationships, it may be possible to derive parameterizations for effective particle size and IWC as a function of altitude from satellite observations

Yost, Christoher R.↗

Polymer-Infiltrated Metal–Organic Frameworks for Thin-Film Composite Mixed-Matrix Membranes with High Gas Separation Properties

Thin-film composite mixed-matrix membranes (TFC-MMMs) have potential applications in practical gas separation processes because of their high permeance (gas flux) and gas selectivity. In this study, we fabricated a high-performance TFC-MMM based on a rubbery comb copolymer, i.e., poly(2-[3-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-hydroxyphenyl] ethyl methacrylate)-co-poly(oxyethylene methacrylate) (PBE), and metal–organic framework MOF-808 nanoparticles. The rubbery copolymer penetrates through the pores of MOF-808, thereby tuning the pore size. In addition, the rubbery copolymer forms a defect-free interfacial morphology with polymer-infiltrated MOF-808 nanoparticles. Consequently, TFC-MMMs (thickness = 350 nm) can be successfully prepared even with a high loading of MOF-808. As polymer-infiltrated MOF is incorporated into the polymer matrix, the PBE/MOF-808 membrane exhibits a significantly higher CO 2 permeance (1069 GPU) and CO 2 /N 2 selectivity (52.7) than that of the pristine PBE membrane (CO 2 permeance = 431 GPU and CO 2 /N 2 selectivity = 36.2). Therefore, the approach considered in this study is suitable for fabricating high-performance thin-film composite membranes via polymer infiltration into MOF pores.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Temperature Dependent Modal Test/Analysis Correlation of X-34 Fastrac Composite Rocket Nozzle

A unique high temperature modal test and model correlation/update program has been performed on the composite nozzle of the FASTRAC engine for the NASA X34 Reusable Launch Vehicle. The program was required to provide an accurate high temperature model of nozzle for incorporation into the engine system structural dynamics model for loads calculation; this model is significantly different from the ambient case due to the large decrease in composite material properties due to heating. The modal test was enabled by piggybacking onto a hot-fire test of the nozzle at NASA/Marshall and tracking the natural frequencies as they decreased. A series of high fidelity modal tests and finite element model correlation of the nozzle in a free-free configuration was initially performed. This model was then attached to a modal-test verified model of the engine hot-fire test stand and the' ambient system mode shapes identified. A reduced set of accelerometers was then attached to the nozzle, the engine fired full-duration, and the frequency peaks corresponding to the ambient nozzle modes individually isolated and tracked. To update the finite element model of the nozzle to these frequency curves, a multiplicative factor was. applied to the rate of decline of the composite material property versus temperature table. This new property table was used to create high-temperature nozzle models corresponding to 10 second engine operation increments and tied into the engine system model for loads determination.

Brown, Andrew M.↗

Toward improved PVDF-BaTiO 3 composite dielectrics: mechanical activation of the filler versus filler content

Abstract Barium titanate (BT) perovskite particles were surface modified by means of mechanical treatment and used as inorganic component in polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) based composites. The changes in electrical properties of the composite films with increasing in filler content were followed by dielectric spectroscopy, breakdown strength andD-Emeasurements. A comparison of the properties of the composites prepared with untreated and mechanically activated particles revealed that there is a significant difference in their performances at low filler concentrations (<20 wt%). Introduction of the surface modified ceramic particles into PVDF matrix led to an increase of the dielectric constant without affecting significantly the electrical breakdown strength. In contrast, when as received BT particles were used a filler, both dielectric constants and breakdown strengths of the composite films were lower than the corresponding values observed for the pure PVDF. At higher concentrations, however, the influence of pre-treatment of the filler on the effective electrical properties becomes less significant. The obtained results were discussed in terms of the pronounced crystallization of polarβandγcrystal phases of PVDF in the presence of surface modified BT fillers, which is confirmed by Raman spectroscopy.

Physics↗

Effects of high energy radiation on the mechanical properties of epoxy/graphite fiber reinforced composites

The epoxy resin system formed by tetraglycidyl 4,4'-diamino diphenyl methane (TGDDM) and 4,4'-diamino diphenyl sulfone (DDS) was characterized by dynamic mechanical analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Dynamic mechanical properties of graphite fiber epoxy composite specimens formulated with two different adhesive systems (NARMCO 5208, NARMCO 5209) were determined. The specimens were exposed to varying dose levels of ionizing radiation (0.5 MeV electrons) with a maximum absorbed dose of 10,000 Mrads. Following irradiation, property measurements were made to assess the influence of radiation on the epoxy and composite specimens. The results established that ionizing radiation has a limited effect on the properties of epoxy and composite specimens.

Fornes, R. E.↗

Heat Treatment Effects on the Tensile Properties and Microstructures of a SiC/RBSN Composite in Nitrogen

The room-temperature tensile properties and constituent microstructures of a unidirectionally reinforced SiC/reaction bonded silicon nitride (RBSN) composite have been investigated after heat treatments at 1400, 1600, or 1800 C in nitrogen for up to 100 hr. The composite consisted of approximately 24 vol% of aligned 140 micron diameter, continuous length, chemically vapor deposited SiC fibers in an approximately 40% porous silicon nitride matrix. The composites heat treated at 1400 C for up to 100 hr showed elastic modulus, first matrix cracking strength, and ultimate tensile strength values similar to those of the as-fabricated composites, but those heat treated for 1 hr beyond this temperature displayed losses in all three properties. Recrystallization of the SiC fibers, reaction between the carbon-rich interface coating on the fibers and the RBSN matrix, and dissociation of the RBSN matrix are the reasons for the loss of mechanical properties.

Bhatt, R. T.↗

The influence of cobalt, tantalum, and tungsten on the elevated temperature mechanical properties of single crystal nickel-base superalloys

The influence of composition on the tensile and creep strength of 001-line oriented nickel-base superalloy single crystals at temperatures near 1000 C was investigated. Cobalt, tantalum, and tungsten concentrations were varied according to a matrix of compositions based on the single crystal version of MAR-M247. For alloys with the baseline refractory metal level of 3 wt pct Ta and 10 wt pct W, decreases in Co level from 10 to 0 wt pct resulted in increased tensile and creep strength. Substitution of 2 wt pct W for 3 wt pct Ta resulted in decreased creep life at high stresses, but improved life at low stresses. Substitution of Ni for Ta caused large reductions in tensile strength and creep resistance, and corresponding increases in ductility. For these alloys with low Ta-plus-W totals, strength was independent of Co level. The effects of composition on properties were related to the microstructural features of the alloys. In general, high creep strength was associated with high levels of gamma-prime volume fraction, gamma-gamma-prime lattice mismatch, and solid solution hardening.

Nathal, M. V.↗

A model for predicting damage dependent damping in laminated composites

A constitutive model has been developed for predicting the dynamic properties of composite beams which accounts for the influence of microstructural damage. The model assumes the damage state to be fixed. The model can account for both the damping increase and stiffness loss due to microstructural damage. Damage dependent material constants obtained from a baseline data set can be used to predict damping changes for several composite layups. The validity of the model has been verified by comparing the experimental results to model predictions for crossply laminates with a variety of stacking sequences.

Kalyanasundaram, S.↗

Self-Consistent Physical Properties of Carbon Nanotubes in Composite Materials

A set of relationships is developed for selected physical properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCN) and their hexagonal arrays as a function of nanotube size in terms of the chiral vector integer pair, (n,m). Properties include density, principal Young's modulus, and specific Young's modulus. Relationships between weight fraction and volume fraction of SWCN and their arrays are developed for polymeric mixtures.

Pipes, R. B.↗

Materials with periodic internal structure: Computation based on homogenization and comparison with experiment

The combination of thermal and mechanical loading expected in practice means that constitutive equations of metal matrix composites must be developed which deal with time-independent and time-dependent irreversible deformation. Also, the internal state of composites is extremely complicated which underlines the need to formulate macroscopic constitutive equations with a limited number of state variables which represent the internal state at the micro level. One available method for calculating the macro properties of composites in terms of the distribution and properties of the constituent materials is the method of homogenization whose formulation is based on the periodicity of the substructure of the composite. A homogenization procedure was developed which lends itself to the use of the finite element procedure. The efficiency of these procedures, to determine the macroscopic properties of a composite system from its constituent properties, was demonstrated utilizing an aluminum plate perforated by directionally oriented slits. The selection of this problem is based on the fact that, extensive experimental results exist, the macroscopic response is highly anisotropic, and that the slits provide very high stress gradients which severely test the effectiveness of the computational procedures. Furthermore, both elastic and plastic properties were investigated so that the application to practical systems with inelastic deformation should be able to proceed without difficulty. The effectiveness of the procedures was rigorously checked against experimental results and with the predictions of approximate calculations. Using the computational results it is illustrated how macroscopic constitutive equations can be expressed in forms of the elastic and limit load behavior.

Jansson, S.↗

Nitrile crosslinked polyphenyl-quinoxaline/graphite fiber composites

Studies were performed to reduce the 600 F thermoplasticity of polyphenylquinoxaline (PPQ) matrix resins by introducing crosslinking by the reaction of terminal nitrile groups. Seven solvents and solvent mixtures were studied as the crosslinking catalysts and used to fabricate crosslinked PPQ/HMS graphite fiber composites. The room temperature and 600 F composite mechanical properties after short time and prolonged 600 F air exposure and the 600 F composite weight loss were determined and compared to those properties of high molecular weight, linear PPQ/HMS graphite fiber composites.

Alston, W. B.↗

High Temperature Tensile Properties of Unidirectional Hi-Nicalon/Celsian Composites In Air

High temperature tensile properties of unidirectional BN/SiC-coated Hi-Nicalon SiC fiber reinforced celsian matrix composites have been measured from room temperature to 1200 C (2190 F) in air. Young's modulus, the first matrix cracking stress, and the ultimate strength decreased from room temperature to 1200 C (2190 F). The applicability of various micromechanical models, in predicting room temperature values of various mechanical properties for this CMC, has also been investigated. The simple rule of mixtures produced an accurate estimate of the primary composite modulus. The first matrix cracking stress estimated from ACK theory was in good agreement with the experimental value. The modified fiber bundle failure theory of Evans gave a good estimate of the ultimate strength.

Gyekenyesi, John Z.↗

Sensitivity of the coefficients of thermal expansion of selected graphite reinforced composite laminates to lamina thermoelastic properties

An analytical study of the sensitivity of the laminate coefficient of thermal expansion, CTE, to changes in lamina elastic properties has been made. High modulus graphite/epoxy (P75/934, P100/934, P120/934), graphite/aluminum (P100/Al), and graphite/glass (HMS/Gl) composite materials were considered in quasi-isotropic, low thermal stress, and 'near-zero' thermal expansion laminate configurations. The effects of a positive or negative 10 percent change in lamina properties on laminate CTE is strongly dependent upon both the composite material and the laminate configuration. A 10 percent change in all of the lamina properties had very little effect on the laminate CTE of the HMS/Gl composite laminates investigated. The sensitivity and direction of change in the laminate CTE of Gr/934 depended very strongly on the fiber properties. A 10 percent change in the lamina transverse CTE resulted in changes as large as 0.216 ppm/C in the laminate CTE of a quasi-isotropic Gr/934 laminate. No significant difference was observed in the sensitivity of the laminate CTE of the P100/934 and P120/934 composite materials due to changes in lamina properties. Large changes in laminate CTE can result from measured temperature and radiation effects on lamina properties.

Tompkins, S. S.↗

Styrene-Based Elastomer Composites with Functionalized Graphene Oxide and Silica Nanofiber Fillers: Mechanical and Thermal Conductivity Properties

The mechanical and thermal conductivity properties of two composite elastomers were studied. Styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) filled with functionalized graphene oxide (GO) and silica nanofibers, and styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) block copolymers filled with graphene oxide. For the SBR composites, GO fillers with two different surface functionalities were synthesized (cysteamine and dodecylamine) and dispersed in the SBR using mechanical and liquid mixing techniques. The hydrophilic cysteamine-based GO fillers were dispersed in the SBR by mechanical mixing, whereas the hydrophobic dodecylamine-based GO fillers were dispersed in the SBR by liquid mixing. Silica nanofibers (SnFs) were fabricated by electrospinning a sol–gel precursor solution. The surface chemistry of the functionalized fillers was studied in detail. The properties of the composites and the synergistic improvements between the GO and SnFs are presented. For the SBS composites, GO fillers were dispersed in the SBS elastomer at several weight percent loadings using liquid mixing. Characterization of the filler material and the composite elastomers was performed using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis, tensile testing, nanoindentation, thermal conductivity and abrasion testing.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Influence of physical aging on the time-dependent properties of network epoxies and epoxy-matrix composites

The matrix-dominated properties of a network epoxy and its carbon fiber-reinforced composite are noted to be affected by sub-glass transition temperature T(g) annealing in a nitrogen atmosphere. The damping behavior, stress relaxation rate, and enthalpic state of the matrix material were found to decrease as functions of sub-T(g) annealing time. This time-dependent change in physical properties is explained on the basis of a free-volume collapse which is related to the recovery process of the nonequilibrium glassy network of the epoxy. The physical aging in network epoxies has been demonstrated to be thermoreversible. Aging kinetics are studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry, stress relaxation tests, dynamic mechanical analysis, and thermomechanical analysis.

Kong, E. S. W.↗

Quantitative assessment of particle dispersion in polymeric composites and its effect on mechanical properties

In this work, an automated image analysis tool is developed to establish quantitative correlations between the particle/cluster size distribution and the mechanical properties of particle reinforced polymer composites (PRPC).This automated image analysis tool is developed within python programming software to process and analyze the microstructural images of the polymerbased composite materials. The spent coffee bean powder (SCBP) reinforced poly-propylene carbonate (PPC) polymer composite with differing wt.% of the filler is selected for the analysis. Detailed statistical analysis of the microstructural images reveals that ‘clustering of clusters’ is also presented in addition to the most commonly reported ‘clustering of particles’, and the distribution of particle/clusters is bimodal. Based on these findings, an effective volume fraction for the filler material is proposed to mainly capture the agglomeration effect. With this effective volume fraction, the standard rule-of-mixture model correctly captures the experimentally measured tensile strength and modulus as a function of filler wt.%. Further, the applicability of this effective volume fraction for other theoretical models is also analyzed. The detailed statistical analysis of the microstructure and the proposed effective volume fraction helps to develop a deeper quantitative understanding of the PRPC than the conventional qualitative correlation of microstructural features with the properties and failure processes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Effects of high energy radiation on the mechanical properties of epoxy graphite fiber reinforced composites

The effects of high energy radiation on mechanical properties and on the molecular and structural properties of graphite fiber reinforced composites are assessed so that durability in space applications can be predicted. A listing of composite systems irradiated along with the maximum radiation dose applied and type of mechanical tests performed is shown. These samples were exposed to 1/2 MeV electrons.

Gilbert, R. D.↗

On the Use of Surfactant-Complexed Chitosan for Toughening 3D Printed Polymethacrylate Composites

This work reports a simple approach to prepare toughened 3D-printed polymethacrylate (PMA) composites using surfactant-modified chitosan (SMCS) particles at loadings between 2–10 wt%. Chitosan (CS) is modified with anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate, via ionic complexation to facilitate compatibility and dispersion of CS to PMA matrix by non-covalent interactions between the components. The study successfully demonstrates high-accuracy 3D printing of composites with significant improvements in the overall mechanical properties. The composite with the best loading of 8 wt% SMCS shows a tensile modulus of 1.23 ± 0.05 GPa, a tensile strength at 49.8 ± 0.96 MPa, a yield stress at 33.3 ± 1.48 MPa, and a strain-at-ailure 10.3 ± 0.61%, which are 45%, 40%, 32%, and 68% higher than neat PMA, respectively. This provides a significant improvement in toughness at 4.92 ± 0.55 MJ m -3 for the composite, 184% higher than that of neat PMA. The marked increase in toughness is due to enhanced filler-matrix interactions which improve the ability of the 3D printed composite to absorb energy under tensile load. The results from this work provide new understandings into the strategies for design and preparation of stereolithography 3D printed materials reinforced with toughening fillers from renewable resources.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗