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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.

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At least 73 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1988

Comparison of the surface charge behavior of commercial silicon nitride and silicon carbide powders

The adsorption and desorption of protons from aqueous solution onto the surfaces of a variety of commercial silicon carbide and silicon nitride powders has been examined using a surface titration methodology. This method provides information on some colloidal characteristics, such as the point of zero charge (pzc) and the variation of proton adsorption with dispersion pH, useful for the prediction of optimal ceramic-processing conditions. Qualitatively, the magnitude of the proton adsorption from solution reveals small differences among all of the materials studied. However, the results show that the pzc for the various silicon nitride powders is affected by the powder synthesis route. Complementary investigations have shown that milling can also act to shift the pzc exhibited by silicon nitride powder. Also, studies of the role of the electrolyte in the development of surface charge have indicated no evidence of specific adsorption of ammonium ion on either silicon nitride or silicon carbide powders.

Whitman, Pamela K.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Agglomeration of ceramic powders

A research program directed at a critical comparison of numerical models for power agglomeration with experimental observations is currently underway. Central to this program is the quantitative characterization of the distribution of mass within an agglomerate as a function of time. Current experiments are designed to restrict agglomeration to a surface, which is oriented perpendicular to the force of gravity. These experiments are discussed with reference to: their significance to ceramic processing; artifacts which may be avoided in microgravity experiments; and the comparison of information available in real space (from optical microscopy) to that in reciprocal space (from light scattering). The principle machine requirement appears to be a need to obtain information at small scattering angles.

Cawley, James D.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Demonstration of a stabilized alumina/ethanol colloidal dispersion technique for seeding high temperature air flows

Laser anemometry enables the measurement of complex flow fields via the light scattered from small particles entrained in the flow. In the study of turbomachinery, refractory seed materials are required for seeding the flow due to the high temperatures encountered. In this work we present a pH stabilization technique commonly employed in ceramic processing to obtain stable dispersions for generating aerosols of refractory seed material. By adding submicron alumina particles to a preadjusted pH solution of ethanol, a stable dispersion is obtained which when atomized, produces a high quality aerosol. Commercial grade alumina powder is used with a moderate size distribution. Other metal oxide powders in various polar solvents could also be used once the point of zero charge (pH(pzc)) of the powder in the solvent has been determined. Laser anemometry measurements obtained using the new seeding technique are compared to measurements obtained using Polystyrene Latex (PSL) spheres as the seed material.

Wernet, Mark P.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Ceramic Propellant Injectors Designed and Fabricated

Ceramic propellant injectors offer the potential for order-of-magnitude weight reductions in comparison to conventional metallic injectors and may enable some NASA missions. Injectors constructed of ceramic materials have the inherent advantages of being lighter weight, more erosion resistant, and capable of higher temperature operation than current metallic designs. The use of ceramics may facilitate new designs for a broad range of combustion devices in aero and space applications. In a joint project involving NASA Glenn Research Center's Ceramics and Combustion branches and Case Western Reserve University, a rocket propellant injector faceplate was designed and fabricated using laminated object manufacturing and standard ceramic processing. A number of faceplates have been successfully hot-fire bench tested.

Eckel, Andrew J.↗
NASA NTRS1966

Fibers of newly developed refractory ceramics produced by improved process

Rods of refractory ceramic material and glasses having relatively high fusion temperatures and tensile strengths are converted to fiber by subjecting these rods to alternate fusion and gas-jet bursts. The refractory, high tensile strength fibers produced are combined with suitable binder to produce heat-resistant fabrics and rigid structures.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1994

Melt-Infiltration Process For SiC Ceramics And Composites

Reactive melt infiltration produces silicon carbide-based ceramics and composites faster and more economically than do such processes as chemical vapor infiltration (CVI), reaction sintering, pressureless sintering, hot pressing, and hot isostatic pressing. Process yields dense, strong materials at relatively low cost. Silicon carbide ceramics and composites made by reactive melt infiltration used in combustor liners of jet engines and in nose cones and leading edges of high-speed aircraft and returning spacecraft. In energy industry, materials used in radiant-heater tubes, heat exchangers, heat recuperators, and turbine parts. Materials also well suited to demands of advanced automobile engines.

Behrendt, Donald R.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Structure and grain coarsening during the processing of engineering ceramics

Studies have been made of three ceramic systems (Al2O3, Y2O3/MgO, and SiC/C/B), both to explore a surface area/density diagram approach to examining the coarsening processes during sintering and to explore an alternative coarsening parameter, i.e., the grain boundary surface area (raising it at a given value of the density) and not the pore surface area; therefore, pinning of the grain boundaries by solid-solution drag is the only function evidenced by these results. The importance of such pinning even at densities as low as 75% of theoretical is linked to the existence of microstructural inhomogeneities. The early stages of sintering of Y2O3 powder have been examined using two techniques, BET surface area analysis and transmission electron microscopy. Each has given some insight into the process occurring and, used together, have provided some indication of the effect of MgO on coarsening during sintering. Attempts to further elucidate effects of MgO on the coarsening behavior of Y2O3 by the surface area/density diagram approach were unsuccessful due to masking effects of contaminating reactions during sintering and/or thermal etching. The behavior of the undoped SiC which only coarsens can be clearly distinguished by the surface area/density diagram from that of SiC/C/B which also concurrently densifies. Little additional information was obtainable by this method due to unfavorable sample etching characteristics. The advantages, disadvantages, and difficulties of application of these techniques to the study of coarsening during sintering are discussed.

Shaw, Nancy J.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Advanced Turbine Technology Applications Project (ATTAP)

The Advanced Turbine Technologies Application Project (ATTAP) is in the fifth year of a multiyear development program to bring the automotive gas turbine engine to a state at which industry can make commercialization decisions. Activities during the past year included reference powertrain design updates, test-bed engine design and development, ceramic component design, materials and component characterization, ceramic component process development and fabrication, ceramic component rig testing, and test-bed engine fabrication and testing. Engine design and development included mechanical design, combustion system development, alternate aerodynamic flow testing, and controls development. Design activities included development of the ceramic gasifier turbine static structure, the ceramic gasifier rotor, and the ceramic power turbine rotor. Material characterization efforts included the testing and evaluation of five candidate high temperature ceramic materials. Ceramic component process development and fabrication, with the objective of approaching automotive volumes and costs, continued for the gasifier turbine rotor, gasifier turbine scroll, extruded regenerator disks, and thermal insulation. Engine and rig fabrication, testing, and development supported improvements in ceramic component technology. Total test time in 1992 amounted to 599 hours, of which 147 hours were engine testing and 452 were hot rig testing.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1992

Advanced Turbine Technology Applications Project (ATTAP)

ATTAP activities during the past year included test-bed engine design and development, ceramic component design, materials and component characterization, ceramic component process development and fabrication, ceramic component rig testing, and test-bed engine fabrication and testing. Significant technical challenges remain, but all areas exhibited progress. Test-bed engine design and development included engine mechanical design, combustion system design, alternate aerodynamic designs of gasifier scrolls, and engine system integration aimed at upgrading the AGT-5 from a 1038 C (1900 F) metal engine to a durable 1372 C (2500 F) structural ceramic component test-bed engine. ATTAP-defined ceramic and associated ceramic/metal component design activities completed include the ceramic gasifier turbine static structure, the ceramic gasifier turbine rotor, ceramic combustors, the ceramic regenerator disk, the ceramic power turbine rotors, and the ceramic/metal power turbine static structure. The material and component characterization efforts included the testing and evaluation of seven candidate materials and three development components. Ceramic component process development and fabrication proceeded for the gasifier turbine rotor, gasifier turbine scroll, gasifier turbine vanes and vane platform, extruded regenerator disks, and thermal insulation. Component rig activities included the development of both rigs and the necessary test procedures, and conduct of rig testing of the ceramic components and assemblies. Test-bed engine fabrication, testing, and development supported improvements in ceramic component technology that permit the achievement of both program performance and durability goals. Total test time in 1991 amounted to 847 hours, of which 128 hours were engine testing, and 719 were hot rig testing.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1992

Boron-carbon-silicon polymers and ceramic and a process for the production thereof

The present invention relates to a process for the production of an organoborosilicon preceramic polymer of the structure: wherein R 1 is selected from alkyl having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms or phenyl, and x is selected from 0, 1, 2 or 3; which is pyrolyzable to produce a refractory material comprising inorganic compounds of Si, C and B, which process comprises: contacting a silicon containing compound of the structure: (R 1 ) x --Si--(CH=CH 2 ) 4- x or (R 1 ) x Si--(C=CH) 4- x with a boron containing compound selected from H 3 B:BH 3 , H 3 B:NH 3 , BH 3 :N(R 2 ) 3 wherein R 2 is selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl or phenyl in an inert atmosphere at a temperature of between about 90° and 170° C. for between about 0.1 and 20 hr and recovering the prepolymer. The prepolymer is pyrolyzed to produce a ceramic article useful in high temperature (e.g., aerospace) or extreme environmental applications.

Salvatore Riccitiello↗
NASA NTRS1974

Study of ceramic products and processing techniques in space

An analysis of the solidification kinetics of beta alumina in a zero-gravity environment was carried out, using computer-simulation techniques, in order to assess the feasibility of producing high-quality single crystals of this material in space. The two coupled transport processes included were movement of the solid-liquid interface and diffusion of sodium atoms in the melt. Results of the simulation indicate that appreciable crystal-growth rates can be attained in space. Considerations were also made of the advantages offered by high-quality single crystals of beta alumina for use as a solid electrolyte; these clearly indicate that space-grown materials are superior in many respects to analogous terrestrially-grown crystals. Likewise, economic considerations, based on the rapidly expanding technological applications for beta alumina and related fast ionic conductors, reveal that the many superior qualities of space-grown material justify the added expense and experimental detail associated with space processing.

Markworth, A. J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Growth, evaluation and modeling of silicon-on-ceramic solar cells

The silicon-on-ceramic (SOC) process uses inexpensive ceramic substrates to provide supported growth of silicon from the melt. The conditions for unidirectional solidification, the grain structure and other properties are quite similar to those of EFG silicon ribbon. Solar cells with interdigital electrodes have demonstrated AMl conversion efficiencies (active area) of 7.8% without AR coatings and 10.1% efficiencies with an AR coating of SiO. Mathematical modeling of the series resistance of cells shows the feasibility of making electrical contact to the base layer of the cell through slots in the substrate. However, series resistance in the base layer sets an upper limit on slot spacing for efficient cell performance.

Zook, J. D.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Research on chemical vapor deposition processes for advanced ceramic coatings

Our interdisciplinary background and fundamentally-oriented studies of the laws governing multi-component chemical vapor deposition (VD), particle deposition (PD), and their interactions, put the Yale University HTCRE Laboratory in a unique position to significantly advance the 'state-of-the-art' of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) R&D. With NASA-Lewis RC financial support, we initiated a program in March of 1988 that has led to the advances described in this report (Section 2) in predicting chemical vapor transport in high temperature systems relevant to the fabrication of refractory ceramic coatings for turbine engine components. This Final Report covers our principal results and activities for the total NASA grant of $190,000. over the 4.67 year period: 1 March 1988-1 November 1992. Since our methods and the technical details are contained in the publications listed (9 Abstracts are given as Appendices) our emphasis here is on broad conclusions/implications and administrative data, including personnel, talks, interactions with industry, and some known applications of our work.

Rosner, Daniel E.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Fabrication Of Ceramic Mats

Process to make mats of fine zirconia filaments proposed. Ceramic mats formed by sintering mats of partially dried filaments extruded from slurry of ceramic powder, binder, and solvent. Mats of fine zirconia fibers easier to ball-mill than commercially available zirconia powder.

Collins, Earl R., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Production Process for Strong, Light Ceramic Tiles

Proportions of ingredients and sintering time/temperature schedule changed. Production process for lightweight, high-strength ceramic insulating tiles for Space Shuttle more than just scaled-up version of laboratory process for making small tiles. Boron in aluminum borosilicate fibers allows fusion at points where fibers contact each other during sintering, thereby greatly strengthening tiles structure.

Holmquist, G. R.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Processing and testing of high toughness silicon nitride ceramics

High toughness silicon nitride ceramics were processed with the addition of small quantities of beta-Si3N4 whiskers in a commercially available alpha-Si3N4 powder. These whiskers grew preferentially during sintering resulting in large, elongated beta-grains, which acted to toughen the matrix by crack deflection and grain pullout. The fracture toughness of these samples seeded with beta-Si3N4 whiskers ranged from 8.7 to 9.5 MPa m(exp 0.5) depending on the sintering additives.

Tikare, Veena↗
NASA NTRS1988

Organoborosilane Polymers And Ceramic Products

Process developed to make polyorganoborosilane polymers. Precursor polymers prepared by using alkali metal to couple boron halide with organohalosilane. In representative application, polymer drawn into fibers, then pyrolyzed to produce ceramic cloth. Ceramics exhibit high thermo-oxidative stability.

Riccitiello, Salvatore R.↗