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At least 685 records · Page 38

Irradiation effects studies of NERVA materials

Several materials used in the NERVA project were irradiated at cryogenic temperatures to neutron fluences between 10 to the 17th and 10 to the 19th power newtons per square centimeter. Tensile properties were determined over a temperature range to evaluate the effects of irradiation on the material properties. The expected radiation damage typical of other materials was observed. A general increase in strength and decrease in ductility occurred. The effects at liquid nitrogen temperatures are more pronounced since radiation induced defects are not annealed out.

Demastry, J. A.↗

Passive retention/expulsion methods for subcritical storage of cryogens: Test plan, subscale dual-screen-liner retention/expulsion system

A test program is described to demonstrate liquid-free gas venting of a subcritically stored cryogen using a passive retention/expulsion system. The test plan is specifically aimed at verifying this capability for the dual-screen-liner concept, independent of gravity level and direction. In addition, the test is designed to yield operational characteristics data for the dual-screen-liner, including: tank filling, frequency and duration of venting, cryogen temperature and pressure histories, sensitivity of pressure relief control, and the ability of the passive device to provide communication between the vapor annulus and bulk regions. Normal l-g aircraft and drop tower tests using nitrogen as the test liquid are discussed.

Hise, R. E.↗

Improved TIG weld joint strength in aluminum alloy 2219-T87 by filler metal substitution

The results of an investigation on weld joint characteristics of aluminum alloy 2219-T87 are given. Five different alloys were utilized as filler material. The mechanical properties of the joints were determined at ambient and cryogenic temperatures for weldments in the as-welded condition and also, for weldments after elevated temperature exposures. Other evaluations included hardness surveys, stress corrosion susceptibility, and to a limited extent, the internal metallurgical weld structures. The overall results indicate that M-943 filler weldments are superior in strength to weldments containing either the standard 2319 filler or fillers 2014, 2020, and a dual wire feed consisting of three parts 2319 and one part 5652. In addition, no deficiencies were evident in M-934 filler weldments with regard to ductility, joint strength after elevated temperature exposure, weld hardness, metallographic structures, or stress corrosion susceptibility.

Poorman, R. M.↗

Design and performance evaluation of a cryogenic condenser for an in-pile experiment

An apparatus was designed to enable in-pile irradiation of materials in liquid hydrogen at cryogenic temperatures. One of the principal components of this apparatus was a horizontal tube condenser. The performance of the condenser was evaluated by running a liquid-nitrogen prototype of the apparatus at heat loads comparable to or greater than those expected during the irradiation. The test showed that the condenser was capable of handling the design heat load and that the design procedure was sound.

Graham, R. W.↗

Correlation of stress-wave-emission characteristics with fracture aluminum alloys

A study to correlate stress wave emission characteristics with fracture in welded and unwelded aluminum alloys tested at room and cryogenic temperature is reported. The stress wave emission characteristics investigated were those which serve to presage crack instability; viz., a marked increase in:(1) signal amplitude; (2) signal repetition rate; and (3) the slope of cumulative count plotted versus load. The alloys were 7075-T73, 2219-T87 and 2014-T651, welded with MIG and TIG using 2319 and 4043 filler wire. The testing was done with both unnotched and part-through-crack (PTC) tension specimens and with 18-in.-dia subscale pressure vessels. In the latter testing, a real time, acoustic emission, triangulation system was used to locate the source of each stress wave emission. With such a system, multiple emissions from a given location were correlated with defects found by conventional nondestructive inspection.

Hartbower, C. E.↗

Properties of Hot Pressed Titanium Alloy Powders for Cryogenic Applications.

Evaluation of strength and toughness of hot-pressed titanium alloy powders at room and at cryogenic temperatures. The purpose was to determine how the mechanical properties of solid bodies formed from powder would compare with wrought specimens of the same size and with the same chemical analysis. It was found that of five titanium powder-making processes investigated, only the Rotating Electrode Process (REP) was capable of producing ELI-grade titanium alloy powder. Blocks hot-pressed from spherical REP powders had tensile properties equivalent to or better than those obtained from wrought bar.

Friedman, G. I.↗

Design and performance of a space simulation facility for long-term ion thruster system testing.

An existing space simulation facility was modified to provide the required simulated orbital environment for approximately one year of continuous testing of an operating SERT II mercury ion thruster system. Modifications included a frozen mercury collector system operating at cryogenic temperatures and automatic safety features to permit unattended operation. Special high-voltage insulators and passthroughs were designed to ensure electrical and thermal isolation in the presence of mercury vapor and deposits. The facility performance characteristics which provided the required environment without detrimental effects from mercury during the specialized test are discussed.

Mckinney, H. F.↗

Glass Fiber Reinforced Metal Pressure Vessel Design Guide

The Engineering Guide presents curves and general equations for safelife design of lightweight glass fiber reinforced (GFR) metal pressure vessels operating under anticipated Space Shuttle service conditions. The high composite vessel weight efficiency is shown to be relatively insensitive to shape, providing increased flexibility to designers establishing spacecraft configurations. Spheres, oblate speroids, and cylinders constructed of GFR Inconel X-750, 2219-T62 aluminum, and cryoformed 301 stainless steel are covered; design parameters and performance efficiencies for each configuration are compared at ambient and cryogenic temperature for an operating pressure range of 690 to 2760 N/sq cm (1000 to 4000 psi). Design variables are presented as a function of metal shell operating to sizing (proof) stress ratios for use with fracture mechanics data generated under a separate task of this program.

Landes, R. E.↗

Environmental testing of REI-Mullite thermal protection system for the space shuttle orbiter

Tests conducted to evaluate performances in the natural environments of salt spray, humidity, rain, vacuum, and cryogenic temperatures have shown the ceramic mullite fiber is completely compatible and that these environments have no adverse effects on subsequent mission performance. Rain erosion testing has indicated a damage threshold that must be accounted for in the final design. Tests conducted to evaluate the performance of ceramic mullite fiber to induced acoustic, re-entry, and structural load environments again have shown complete capability to fulfill mission environments. Although minor cracking of the sidewall coating was seen to occur throughout the induced environment test program, sidewall designs configured to provide increased flexibility have been successfully tested.

Gluck, R.↗

Fracture analysis of surface- and through-cracked sheets and plates.

The Neuber stress-concentration relation for notches in an elastic-plastic material subjected to shear loading was generalized for a crack in a finite plate subjected to tensile loading. An equation was derived which related the linear elastic stress-intensity factor, the applied stress, and two material parameters. The equation was then used as a two-parameter fracture criterion for surface- and through-cracked specimens. Fracture data from the literature on surface- and through-cracked sheet and plate specimens of steel, titanium alloy, titanium weldment, and aluminum alloy tested at room and cryogenic temperature were analyzed according to the proposed equation. For surface cracks, wide ranges of crack-depth to crack-length ratio and crack-depth to specimen-thickness ratio were considered. For through cracks, wide ranges of crack length and specimen width were also considered.-

Newman, J. C., Jr.↗

Shuttle active thermal control system development testing. Volume 7: Improved radiator coating adhesive tests

Silver/Teflon thermal control coatings have been tested on a modular radiator system projected for use on the space shuttle. Seven candidate adhesives have been evaluated in a thermal vacuum test on radiator panels similar to the anticipated flight hardware configuration. Several classes of adhesives based on polyester, silicone, and urethane resin systems were tested. These included contact adhesives, heat cured adhesives, heat and pressure cured adhesives, pressure sensitive adhesives, and two part paint on or spray on adhesives. The coatings attached with four of the adhesives, two silicones and two urethanes, had no changes develop during the thermal vacuum test. The two silicone adhesives, both of which were applied to the silver/Teflon as transfer laminates to form a tape, offered the most promise based on application process and thermal performance. Each of the successful silicone adhesives required a heat and pressure cure to adhere during the cryogenic temperature excursion of the thermal-vacuum test.

Reed, M. W.↗

Tough cryogenic alloys from the Fe-Mn and Fe-Mn-Cr systems

By adjusting composition, metastable gamma (austenite) and epsilon (hexagonal) martensite may be retained in Fe-Mn and Fe-Mn-Cr alloys and used to impact toughness through the TRIP mechanism. The resulting alloys have excellent toughness at cryogenic temperatures. The best alloys obtained to date are: Fe-20Mn, with sigma (sub y) = 79ksi and K sub IC = 275ksi square root of (in) at 77 K, and Fc-16Mn-8Cr, with sigma sub y = 85ksi and K sub IC = 72ksi square root of (in) at 77 K.

Schanfein, M. J.↗

Radiation cooler for 10 micrometer wavelength engineering model receiver model no. 7172, serial no. 201

The design, fabrication, and testing of a radiative cooler are described. This cooler is an engineering model suitable for bench testing in the laboratory as a part of the 10-micrometer wavelength engineering model receiver, and conforms to the standard radiative cooler configuration, except that the inner stage and its support system were redesigned to accommodate the larger, heavier SAT detector. This radiative cooler will cool the detector to cryogenic temperature levels when the receiver is in a space environment or in a suitable thermal vacuum chamber. Equipment specifications are given along with the results of thermal tests, vibration tests, and electrical integrity tests.

Source record↗

Oxygen tank assemblies

Structural design considerations for O2 tank shells and suspension systems of ground based storage and mobile tank systems are outlined. Safety factors, chemical compatibility, liquid slosh strength, and cryogenic temperature properties are summarized. Finally, costs, quality control measures, and long life characteristics are examined.

Source record↗

Some unusual oscillating bearing applications in liquid propellant rocket engines

Liquid propellant rocket engines have some unique applications for highly loaded oscillating-motion bearings operating at cryogenic temperatures and vacuum environment conditions. Among these are (1) thrust attitude control gimbal bearings that permit pivoting of the entire rocket engine and (2) bearings in the linkages of ducting bellows joints that articulate when the engine gimbals. The main rocket engines for first, second, and third stages of the Saturn vehicle have thrust vector control gimbals which use PTFE liner bearing materials and ducting linkage bearings using solid film dry lubricants, both to reduce friction and provide required wear life. Data on the frictional and wear characteristics of these materials, while operating under varying temperature and atmospheric pressure conditions, are presented. A discussion of the bearing designs for flexible bellows joint linkages is also presented.

Daniels, C. M.↗

Tough strong iron alloys for cryogenic service

Series of alloys with minor additions of reactive metals possesses outstanding strength and toughness at cryogenic temperatures. Effective metal additons include aluminum, niobium, titanium, and vanadium. Strengthening of series is achieved by thermomechanical processing and by precipitate strengthening while maintaining high level of toughness. Possible applications include liquefied natural-gas storage and transmission, structural members in superconducting machinery, and welding rod for other alloys such as nine nickel steels.

Stephens, J. R.↗

Attaching strain gages by ultrasonic plastic welding

Technique employs application of pressure and ultrasound to effect welding of encapsulated strain gates to metallic surfaces. Process requires no heat or adhesives. Technique might also be used to simplify curing of epoxy adhesives and for attachment problems like bonding cryogenic temperature sensors to structural parts.

Sheppard, A. T.↗

Mechanical properties of low-nickel stainless steel

Demand for improved corrosion-resistant steels, coupled with increased emphasis on conserving strategic metals, has led to development of family of stainless steels in which manganese and nitrogen are substituted for portion of usual nickel content. Advantages are approximately-doubled yield strength in annealed condition, better resistance to stress-corrosion cracking, retention of low magnetic permeability even after severe cold working, excellent strength and ductility at cryogenic temperatures, superior resistance to wear and galling, and excellent high-temperature properties.

Montano, J. W.↗