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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 775 records · Page 43
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1974

The atomic nature of polymer-metal interactions in adhesion, friction and wear

The adhesion, friction, and wear behavior of the solid polymers PTFE and polyimide in contact with various metals were studied using field ion microscopy, Auger emission spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Results indicate that the polymers will transfer to a clean tungsten surface on simple tough contact, forming a chemical bond. With PTFE, it is hypothesized that the bonding is of the carbon to the metal surface, while with the polyimide, both oxygen and carbon bonding to the tungsten surface are possible. In sliding contact, the friction process itself can initiate polymer film formation. The formation of such films has been suggested as a form of extreme pressure lubrication.

Buckley, D. H.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Preliminary report on candidates for AGARD standard aeroelastic configurations for dynamic response

At the request of the Aeroelasticity Subcommittee of the AGARD Structures and Materials Panel, a survey of member countries has been conducted to seek candidates for a prospective set of standard configurations to be used for comparison of calculated and measured dynamic aeroelastic behavior with emphasis on the transonic speed range. This set is a sequel to that established several years ago for comparisons of calculated and measured aerodynamic pressures and forces. Approximately two dozen people in the United States, and more than three dozen people in the other member countries, were contacted. This preliminary report presents the results of the survey and an analysis of those results along with recommendations for the initial set of standard configurations and for additional experimental work needed to fill significant gaps in the available information.

Yates, E. Carson, Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Laser Schlieren System Detects Sounds Of Leaks

Hostile environments monitored safely and noninvasively. Modified laser schlieren system acts as microphone to detect sounds of leaks remotely. Sensitive to acoustical frequencies above audible range and especially suited for monitoring leaks of high-pressure steam from boilers or chemical vapors from processing equipment. Does not require placement of delicate equipment in harsh environment monitored, and no contact needed with boiler or other unit being monitored. Detects sound waves via variation of index of refraction of air at acoustical frequencies. Used to monitor sound frequencies beyond range of human hearing.

Shakkottai, Parthasarathy P.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Optimized Coolant-Flow Diverter For Increased Bearing Life

Coolant-flow diverter for rolling-element bearings in cryogenic turbopump designed to enhance cooling power of flow in contact with bearings and thereby reduce bearing wear. Delivers jets of coolant as close as possible to hot spots at points of contact between balls and race. Also imparts swirl that enhances beneficial pumping effect. Used with success in end ball bearing of high-pressure-oxidizer turbopump.

Subbaraman, Maria R.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Mo/Ti Diffusion Bonding for Making Thermoelectric Devices

An all-solid-state diffusion bonding process that exploits the eutectoid reaction between molybdenum and titanium has been developed for use in fabricating thermoelectric devices based on skutterudite compounds. In essence, the process is one of heating a flat piece of pure titanium in contact with a flat piece of pure molybdenum to a temperature of about 700 C while pushing the pieces together with a slight pressure [a few psi (of the order of 10 kPa)]. The process exploits the energy of mixing of these two metals to form a strong bond between them. These two metals were selected partly because the bonds formed between them are free of brittle intermetallic phases and are mechanically and chemically stable at high temperatures. The process is a solution of the problem of bonding hot-side metallic interconnections (denoted hot shoes in thermoelectric jargon) to titanium-terminated skutterudite n and p legs during the course of fabrication of a unicouple, which is the basic unit cell of a thermoelectric device (see figure). The hot-side operating temperature required for a skutterudite thermoelectric device is 700 C. This temperature precludes the use of brazing to attach the hot shoe; because brazing compounds melt at lower temperatures, the hot shoe would become detached during operation. Moreover, the decomposition temperature of one of the skutterudite compounds is 762 C; this places an upper limit on the temperature used in bonding the hot shoe. Molybdenum was selected as the interconnection metal because the eutectoid reaction between it and the titanium at the ends of the p and n legs has characteristics that are well suited for this application. In addition to being suitable for use in the present bonding process, molybdenum has high electrical and thermal conductivity and excellent thermal stability - characteristics that are desired for hot shoes of thermoelectric devices. The process takes advantage of the chemical potential energy of mixing between molybdenum and titanium. These metals have a strong affinity for each other. They are almost completely soluble in each other and remain in the solid state at temperatures above the eutectoid temperature of 695 C. As a result, bonds formed by interdiffusion of molybdenum and titanium are mechanically stable at and well above the original bonding temperature of about 700 C. Inasmuch as the bonds are made at approximately the operating temperature, thermomechanical stresses associated with differences in thermal expansion are minimized.

Sakamoto, Jeffrey↗
NASA NTRS2013

Stability of Menisci in Detached Bridgman Growth

Detached growth, also referred to as dewetted growth, is a Bridgman crystal growth process in which the melt is in contact with the crucible wall but the crystal is not. A meniscus bridges the gap between the top of the crystal and the crucible wall. The meniscus shape depends on the contact angle of the melt with the crucible wall, the growth angle of the melt with respect to the solidifying crystal, the gas pressure differential, the Weber number describing the rotation rate of the crucible, and the Bond number. Only some of the meniscus shapes are stable and the stability criterion is the sign of the second variation of the potential energy upon admissible meniscus shape perturbations. The effects of confined gas volumes above and below the melt and crucible rotation are evaluated. The analysis is applicable to the non-stationary case where the crystal radius changes during growth. Static stability maps (crystal radius versus pressure differential) are obtained for a series of Bond numbers, growth angles and Weber numbers. Also, the specific cases of Ge and InSb, in both terrestrial and microgravity conditions, are analyzed. Stability was found to depend significantly on whether the interior surface was considered to be microscopically rough or smooth, corresponding to pinned or unpinned states. It was also found that all meniscus shapes are statically stable in a microgravity environment.

Mazuruk, K.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Stability of Menisci in Detached Bridgman Growth

Detached growth, also referred to as dewetted growth, is a Bridgman crystal growth process in which the melt is in contact with the crucible wall but the crystal is not. A meniscus bridges the gap between the top of the crystal and the crucible wall. The meniscus shape depends on the contact angle of the melt with the crucible wall, the growth angle of the melt with respect to the solidifying crystal, the gas pressure differential, the Weber number describing the rotation rate of the crucible, and the Bond number. Only some of the meniscus shapes are stable and the stability criterion is the sign of the second variation of the potential energy upon admissible meniscus shape perturbations. The effects of confined gas volumes above and below the melt and crucible rotation are evaluated. The analysis is applicable to the non-stationary case where the crystal radius changes during growth. Static stability maps (crystal radius versus pressure differential) are obtained for a series of Bond numbers, growth angles and Weber numbers. Also, the specific cases of Ge and InSb, in both terrestrial and microgravity conditions, are analyzed. Stability was found to depend significantly on whether the interior surface was considered to be microscopically rough or smooth, corresponding to pinned or unpinned states. It was also found that all meniscus shapes are statically stable in a microgravity environment.

Mazuruk, Konstantin↗
NASA NTRS1996

Large deflection analysis of a tension-foil bearing

The rolling element bearings (REB's) which support many turbomachinery rotors offer high load capacity, low power requirements, and durability. Two disadvantages of REB's are as follows: rolling or sliding contact within the bearing has life-limiting consequences; and REB's provide essentially no damping. The REB's in the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) turbopumps must sustain high static and dynamic loads, at high speeds, with a cryogenic fluid as lubricant and coolant. The pump end ball bearings limit the life of the SSME high pressure oxygen turbopump (HPOTP). Compliant foil bearing (CFB) manufacturers have proposed replacing turbopump REB's with CFB's. CFB's work well in aircraft air cycle machines, auxiliary power units, and refrigeration compressors. In a CFB, the rotor only contacts the foil support structure during start up and shut down. CFB damping is higher than REB damping. However, the load capacity of the CFB is low, compared to a REB. Furthermore, little stiffness and damping data exist for the CFB. A rotordynamic analysis for turbomachinery critical speeds and stability requires the input of bearing stiffness and damping coefficients. The two basic types of CFB are the tension-dominated bearing and the bending-dominated bearing. Many investigators have analyzed and measured characteristics of tension-dominated foil bearings, which are applied principally in magnetic tape recording. The bending-dominated CFB is used more in rotating machinery. Recently, a new tension-foil bearing configuration has been proposed for turbomachinery applications.

Elrod, David A.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Low Temperature Unbalanced Magnetron Deposition of Hard, Wear-Resistant Coatings for Liquid-Film Bearing Applications

The original program for evaluating the tribological properties several different hard coatings for liquid film bearing applications was curtailed when the time for the program was reduced from 3 years to 1. Of the several different coatings originally planned for evaluation, we decided to concentrate on one coating, carbon nitride. At BIRL, we have been instrumental in the development of reactively sputtered carbon nitride coatings, and we have found that it is a very interesting new material with very good tribological properties. In this program, we found that the reactively sputtered carbon nitride does not bond well directly to hardened 440C stainless steel; but if an interlayer of titanium nitride is added between the carbon nitride and the 440C, the adhesion of the dual coating combination is very good. Statistically designed experiments were run with the dual layer combination, and 3 variables were chosen for the Box-Benken design, which were the titanium nitride interlayer thickness, the nitrogen partial pressure during the reactive sputtering of the carbon nitride, and the carbon nitride substrate bias voltage. Two responses were studied from these three variables; the adhesion of the dual coating combination to the 440C substrate and the friction coefficient of the carbon nitride in dry sliding contact with 52100 steel in air. The best adhesion came with the thickness interlayer thickness studied, which was 4 micrometers, and the lowest coefficient of friction was 0.1, which was achieved when the bias voltage was in the range of -80 to - 120 V and the nitrogen partial pressure was 3 mTorr.

Sproul, William D.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Under the microscope: Reduced activation ferritic martensitic steel Eurofer-97 following ion-Irradiation and high-temperature high-pressure water exposure

Here, this study is designed to characterise the microstructural behaviour of Eurofer-97 steel under ion irradiation and subsequent exposure to high-temperature high-pressure (HTHP) water. Eurofer-97, a ferritic-martensitic steel, has been developed to withstand the conditions of fusion reactors in the locations in contact with coolant with an elevated level of neutron flux, such as the breeder-wall blanket. The material has been studied after self-ion irradiation (using Fe ions) simulating the microstructural effects of neutron irradiation limited to the subsurface layer. The corrosion properties of the Eurofer-97 steel were studied by exposure to HTHP water up to 331 °C. Advanced microstructural characterisation using scanning, transmission electron and focused ion beam microscopy was performed on the as-received microstructure and after ion irradiation. This was then characterised after exposure for 240 h in high-temperature water. Eurofer-97 had a dense, columnar Cr-rich inner oxide, followed by a Fe-rich outer oxide layer. In the irradiated condition the grain structure and oxide itself was less ordered. No appreciable difference in oxide thickness was identified between the irradiated and unirradiated specimens after this short exposure time.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Organic Vacuum Pump Fluids for the Vacuum Pumping of Fusion Power Plants

Vacuum pumps are the heart of the fusion fuel cycle, but most currently proposed pumping technologies are not capable of handling the required flow rates and vacuum pressures. Oil-containing vacuum pumps can readily meet the flow requirements, but vacuum fluids will degrade in fusion-relevant environments due to contact with tritium and exposure to high-energy radiation. Here, in this study, we describe a methodology to screen vacuum fluid candidates and purify these candidate fluids post oxidation, post exposure to deuterium, and post exposure to gamma radiation (<7.5 MGy) to simulate a process in which vacuum fluids can be recovered and regenerated during the fusion fuel cycle. A series of oils, including a highly purified mineral oil, phenyl silicone oil, and a polyphenyl ether, are shown to be suitable candidates for vacuum pumping. Additionally, we describe a simple purification methodology to remove oxidized functionalities and the associated isotopologues induced by contact with deuterium from the candidate vacuum fluids This purification methodology can also be applied to radiological damage with moderate effect. Finally, we demonstrate that the sorbents can be regenerated through electromagnetic microwave digestion.

oxidation↗
NASA NTRS1973

High temperature lubricant screening and systems studies

Four candidate lubricants for next generation aircraft gas turbine application were tested under open atmosphere conditions in a rig simulating an advanced engine 125 mm bore mainshaft thrust bearing position. Testing was conducted at speeds to 24,000 rpm (3,000,000 bearing DN), bearing ring temperature of 500 F, and with 1200 F air and 100 psi differential pressure across the seals installed in a dual tandem arrangement. Test bearing was a 125 mm bore split inner ring, outer race riding angular contact ball bearing under a 3280 lb. thrust load. One lubricant, a type 2 ester, performed extremely well. The mainshaft seal limited the performance. Numerous design improvements for this seal were indicated.

Jones, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Centaur Standard Shroud (CSS) full jettison test dynamic analysis

During the space power facility jettison tests, the non-domed half of the Centaur standard shroud was allowed to completely separate from its hinge connection and was caught in a horizontal catch net. A rigid body dynamic analysis that was performed to predict the half shroud prior to and after net contact is presented. Analytical predictions of the longitudinal and circumferential bending moments imposed on the half shroud by the catch net and the net pressure on the half shroud corrugated skin are also presented.

Kasper, H. J.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Analysis of foil bearings for high speed operation in cryogenic applications

The general objective of this project is to develop analysis tools which are required for the design of foil bearings to be used in cryogenic applications. During the second year of this project, a general analysis approach and code for journal bearings operating under steady state conditions will be completed. This will be followed by the initiation of an investigation into transient behavior of foil bearings to determine their performance in rotor systems. Foil bearings have been proposed as an alternative to rolling element bearings for use in cryogenic turbopumps in liquid propellant rocket engines. This type of bearing offers several advantages over rolling element bearings since they would use the cryogenic pump fluid for a lubricant and have structural flexibility. These bearings have the potential of high reliability and long life. The bearing surface is constructed of a 'foil' which resists deflection by a combination of bending, membrane, and elastic foundation effects. The relative motion between the rotating shaft and the foil causes pressure in the fluid film to develop. This pressure deflects the the foil surface away from the shaft. Once a full fluid film is established between the foil and the rotor shaft, contact no longer takes place and there is no subsequent wear of the surfaces. The flexible foil structure of the bearing allows it to compensate for minor tolerance and manufacturing defects. This same flexibility also has a significant effect on the dynamic performance of the rotor-bearing system.

Carpino, Marc↗
NASA NTRS2007

Shaft seal assembly and method

A pressure-actuated shaft seal assembly and associated method for controlling the flow of fluid adjacent a rotatable shaft are provided. The seal assembly includes one or more seal members that can be adjusted between open and closed positions, for example, according to the rotational speed of the shaft. For example, the seal member can be configured to be adjusted according to a radial pressure differential in a fluid that varies with the rotational speed of the shaft. In addition, in the closed position, each seal member can contact a rotatable member connected to the shaft to form a seal with the rotatable member and prevent fluid from flowing through the assembly. Thus, the seal can be closed at low speeds of operation and opened at high speeds of operation, thereby reducing the heat and wear in the seal assembly while maintaining a sufficient seal during all speeds of operation.

Keba, John E.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Hybrid Cryogenic Tank Construction and Method of Manufacture Therefor

A lightweight, high-pressure cryogenic tank construction includes an inner layer comprising a matrix of fiber and resin suitable for cryogenic use. An outer layer in intimate contact with the inner layer provides support of the inner layer, and is made of resin composite. The tank is made by placing a fiber preform on a mandrel and infusing the preform with the resin. The infused preform is then encapsulated within the outer layer.

DeLay, Thomas K.↗
DOE OSTI2022

A comparative study of mechanical and chemical durability of non-wetting superhydrophobic and lubricant-infused surfaces

Fabrication of bioinspired non-wetting superhydrophobic surfaces (SHS) and lubricant-infused surfaces (LIS) has been studied extensively on a variety of materials. In contrast, durability of the surfaces exposed to harsh mechanical and chemical environments has been the subject of little attention. This study considers the mechanical and chemical durability of SHS and LIS copper surfaces fabricated via facile electrodeposition and chemical etching methods. The as-fabricated surfaces demonstrate excellent non-wetting characteristics with water contact angle of 160° and sliding angle below 5°. The surfaces are subject to mechanical wear through scratch test and water jet impingement at 15 psi and 20 psi as well as accelerated corrosion following the ASTM-E407 standard. The performance of the electrodeposited and etched non-wetting surfaces is systematically assessed in terms of contact and sliding angles and corrosion rate in a simulated marine environment. All surfaces are shown to be robust to mechanical wear after scratch test, with excellent stability of contact and sliding angles, and up to two orders of magnitude reduced corrosion rate compared to bare copper surface. SHS retained steadfast non-wetting characteristics under high-pressure water jet tests compared to the other surfaces while LIS, regardless of texturing method, showed one to two orders of magnitude reduced corrosion rate compared to bare copper surface throughout water jet impingement and chemical durability tests. The study presents for the first time a systematic comparison of durability of SHS and LIS through a common set of fabrication and testing protocol and helps identify appropriate non-wetting surfaces and fabrication methods based on the use environment.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Fundamentals of Using Cracked Film Lithography to Pattern Transparent Conductive Metal Grids for Photovoltaics

The fundamentals of using cracked film lithography (CFL) to fabricate metal grids for transparent contacts in solar cells were studied. The underlying physics of drying-induced cracks were well-predicted by an empirical correlation relating crack spacing to capillary pressure. CFL is primarily controlled by varying the crack template thickness, which establishes a three-way tradeoff between the areal density of cracks, crack width, and spacing between cracks, which in turn determine final grid transmittance, grid sheet resistance, and the semiconductor resistance for a given solar cell. Since CFL uses a lift-off process, an additional constraint is that the metal thickness must be less than 1/3 of the crack template thickness. Furthermore, the transmittance/grid sheet resistance/wire spacing tradeoffs measured in this work were used to calculate solar cell performance: CFL-patterned grids should outperform screen-printed grids for narrow cells (0.5–2 cm wide) and/or cells with high semiconductor sheet resistance (=100 O/sq), making CFL attractive for monolithically integrated thin-film photovoltaic modules.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗