Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Surface Deformation”

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 901 records · Page 50

A Numerical Study of the Liquid Motion in Titan’s Subsurface Ocean

An ocean filled with liquid water lies beneath the icy surface of several Jovian and Saturnian moons. In such an ocean, the currents are driven by various phenomena such as the tidal forcing, the deformation of the ice shell lying at its top, the temperature gradient resulting from the surface and bottom heat fluxes…The flow induced by the first two forcings can be modelled by means of a 2D depth-averaged model, while the third one generates horizontal and vertical density variations whose effects can only be captured by a 3D baroclinic model. We study the tides of Titan’s subsurface ocean and the impact of the ice shell on the liquid motion by means of the Second-generation Louvain-la-Neuve Ice–ocean Model, SLIM (https://www.climate.be/slim). The impact of the ice shell lying at the top of the ocean is modelled by a surface friction term and surface pressure terms. The latter are a function of the difference between the ocean elevation and the vertical displacement of the shell and the time derivative of this difference. Because of Titan’s appreciable obliquity (0.306°), the tidal motion expected (and found) is similar to the Europa tidal scenario described by Tyler (2008): the surface elevation consists of two bulges rotating around Titan and the associated depth-averaged velocity field consists of two gyres, separated by an area of high speed flow, whose centre follows a sinusoidal path centred on the equator. The ice shell damps the surface motion, thus slowing down the flow, without significantly modifying the spatial patterns of these fields. The depth of the ocean and the mechanical characteristics of the ice shell being poorly constrained, a sensitivity analysis is conducted. The depth-averaged flow slows down when the depth is increased and a lag appears in the tidal phase but the tidal range remains similar. The ice shell mechanical characteristics influences both the elevation and depth-averaged velocity fields in terms of magnitude but does not modify the spatial patterns of these fields. The influence of the surface heat flux is studied by means of the 3D baroclinic version of SLIM. The heat flux derived from Titan’s topography by Kvorka et al. (2018) is used as surface boundary condition for the temperature equation while a uniform bottom heat flux is implemented. Its value is computed assuming that the heat budget of the ocean is at equilibrium. These boundary conditions cause density variations, which impact the hydrodynamics of the ocean. While the flow velocity induced by these variations is two orders of magnitude smaller than the tidal flow, its orientation is time-independent, hence impacting the orientation of the velocity field. Although the variations of ocean surface elevation and speed with respect to the shell mechanical properties can be larger than those induced by the surface heat flux, taking into account the latter results in large variations of the velocity field global patterns, which was not observed when modifying the shell mechanical properties. Future studies should therefore focus on modelling the surface and bottom heat fluxes while uncertainties about the mechanical characteristics of the shell can be tolerated.

Titan↗

High-resolution 3D strain and orientation mapping within a grain of a directed energy deposition laser additively manufactured superalloy

The industrialization of Laser Additive Manufacturing (LAM) is challenged by the undesirable microstructures and high residual stresses originating from the fast and complex solidification process. Non-destructive assessment of the mechanical performance controlling deformation patterning is therefore critical. Here, we use Dark Field X-ray Microscopy (DFXM) to map the 3D subsurface intragranular orientation and strain variations throughout a surface-breaking grain within a directed energy deposition nickel superalloy. DFXM results reveal a highly heterogenous 3D microstructure in terms of the local orientation and lattice strain. The grain comprises ≈ 5 μm-sized cells with alternating strain states, as high as 5 x10 -3 , and orientation differences <0.5°. The DFXM results are compared to Electron Backscatter Diffraction measurements of the same grain from its cut-off surface. Here, we discuss the microstructure developments during LAM, rationalising the development of the deformation patterning from the extreme thermal gradients during processing and the susceptibility for solute segregation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Pattern formation on free surfaces via plastic buckling and periodic folding

Spontaneous formation of surface patterns such as folds and creases is widely observed in engineered systems, such as thin films and machined surfaces, as well as in natural systems such as floral petals and leaves. A recognized route for their formation is via surface elastic instabilities. Here we demonstrate an alternate route for their formation —plastic buckling and folding—that occurs when ductile materials are subject to large-strain (>1) deformation. Using in situ imaging of simple-shear deformation of polypropylene, we delineate the mechanics underlying formation of folds and the resulting surface morphology. Here, the fold pattern shows a single wavelength that scales linearly with the size of the plastic zone. An analytical model predicts onset of the plastic buckling instability and characteristics of the folds. Besides obvious applications for controllably generating surface features over large areas, our results suggest a contributing mechanism for origin of surface roughness in solids.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Cytosine monohydrate under mechanical stress

We report nanoindentation performed with a conospherical tip on the (100) face of cytosine monohydrate (CM) revealed a highly anisotropic response over a range of loads. Post-indent atomic force microscopy images identified an asymmetric deformation response owing to the pro-chiral structure of the surface. Activation of low rugosity slip planes induces movement of π-stacks rather than their displacement along the 1-dimensional hydrogen bonded ribbon direction. Anisotropy arises because slip can only propagate to one side of the indent, as the tip itself imparts a barrier to slip on the preferred plane thereby forcing the activation of secondary slip systems and pileup. The anisotropic deformation is of interest in relation to previous work which proposed a ribbon–rotation model to account for the topotactic conversion between CM and the product of its dehydration. The asymmetry in the nanomechanical properties exhibited by CM provides further support for the rotational model put forth and also serves to underscore the inherent relationship between a hydrate's mechanical properties and its solid state dehydration mechanism.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Deformed waveshape of quantum oscillation in magnetocaloric effect for layered organic superconductor.

Magnetocaloric effect for a layered organic superconductor beta ''-(BEDT-TTF)(2)SF5CH2CF2SO3 has been investigated. At low magnetic fields, a sinusoidal quantum oscillation, arising from a closed Fermi surface, is observed. As the field increases, the waveshape of the oscillation is strongly deformed and then sharp peaks emerge. The total energy including the Landau quantized states and the elastic energy of the leads holding the sample is calculated as a function of field strength and angle, and the minimum total energy, which determines the sample angle, is obtained as a function of field. The calculated results clarify that the deformation of the quantum oscillation is ascribed to a tilting effect of the sample by the magnetic torque.

Sugiura, Shiori↗

Millimeter-Thick Liquid Crystalline Elastomer Actuators Prepared by-Surface-Enforced Alignment

Here, liquid crystalline elastomers (LCE) are thermally cyclable, compliant actuators with compelling mechanical properties. The large and programmable deformation of LCE has led to numerous functional examinations spanning optics, medical devices, and robotics. A well-established method to prepare complex LCE actuators is to utilize surface-enforced photoalignment. Herein, a facile and scalable approach is reported to circumvent the physical limits of surface-enforced alignment (e.g., samples that are 50 µm or less) to amplify the achievable force output in LCE. Applying an approach termed direct layering, the thermomechanical response of LCE elements prepared with +1 disclination patterns in a range of compositions and thicknesses is contrasted. The design and preparation of +1 disclination patterns and arrays is explored to assess the contribution of sample geometry and overlap to deformation and force output. The methodology detailed in this contribution allows for the preparation of elements ≈1 mm in thickness that are capable of actuating large objects. Furthermore, the fabrication of these elements uniquely enables the realization of mechanical instabilities to hasten the actuation rate in response to thermal change and to enable leaping.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

In-situ and wavelength-dependent photocatalytic strain evolution of a single Au nanoparticle on a TiO 2 film

Photocatalysis is a promising technique due to its capacity to efficiently harvest solar energy and its potential to address the global energy crisis. However, the structure–activity relationships of photocatalyst during wavelength-dependent photocatalytic reactions remains largely unexplored because it is difficult to measure under operating conditions. Here we show the photocatalytic strain evolution of a single Au nanoparticle (AuNP) supported on a TiO 2 film by combining three-dimensional (3D) Bragg coherent X-ray diffraction imaging with an external light source. The wavelength-dependent generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has significant effects on the structural deformation of the AuNP, leading to its strain evolution. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are employed to rationalize the induced strain caused by the adsorption of ROS on the AuNP surface. These observations provide insights of how the photocatalytic activity impacts on the structural deformation of AuNP, contributing to the general understanding of the atomic-level catalytic adsorption process.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Path-Integrated Stereo X-Ray Digital Image Correlation: Resolving the Violation of Conservation of Intensity

In this study, x-ray imaging addresses many challenges with visible light imaging in extreme environments, where optical diagnostics such as digital image correlation (DIC) and particle image velocimetry (PIV) suffer biases from index of refraction changes and/or cannot penetrate visibly occluded objects. However, conservation of intensity—the fundamental principle of optical image correlation algorithms—may be violated if ancillary components in the X-ray path besides the surface or fluid of interest move during the test. The test series treated in this work sought to characterize the safe use of fiber-epoxy composites in aerospace and aviation industries during fire accident scenarios. Stereo X-ray DIC was employed to measure test unit deformation in an extreme thermal environment involving a visibly occluded test unit, incident surface heating to temperatures above 600°C, and flames and soot from combusting epoxy decomposition gasses. The objective of the current work is to evaluate two solutions to resolve the violation of conservation of intensity that resulted from both the test unit and the thermal chamber deforming during the test. The first solution recovered conservation of intensity by pre-processing the path-integrated X-ray images to isolate the DIC pattern of the test unit from the thermal chamber components. These images were then correlated with standard, optical DIC software. The second solution, called Path-Integrated Digital Image Correlation (PI-DIC), modified the fundamental matching criterion of DIC to account for multiple, independently-moving components contributing to the final image intensity. The PI-DIC algorithm was extended from a 2D framework to a stereo framework and implemented in a custom DIC software. Both solutions accurately measured the cylindrical shape of the undeformed test unit, recovering radii values of R = 76.20±0.12 mm compared to the theoretical radius of R theor = 76.20 mm. During the test, the test unit bulged asymmetrically as decomposition gasses pressurized the interior and eventually burned in a localized jet. Both solutions measured the heterogeneous radius of this bulge, which reached a maximum of approximately R = 91 mm, with a discrepancy of 2–3% between the two solutions. Two solutions that resolve the violation of conservation of intensity for path-integrated X-ray images were developed. Both were successfully employed in a stereo X-ray DIC configuration to measure deformation of an aluminum-skinned, fiber-epoxy composite test unit in a fire accident scenario.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Report Summarizing the Mechanical Properties of a Large ODS Ferritic Alloy Ingot by Forging at High Temperatures for Future Mother Tube Production

Oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) ferritic alloys are considered the benchmark fuel cladding and core structural material in advanced nuclear energy reactors that require high-temperature strength and creep properties and resistance to radiation damage. The ODS ferritic alloys including 14YWT are produced by mechanical alloying (MA), which is time-consuming and is associated with high manufacturing costs that are not beneficial to being used in advanced nuclear energy reactors. This report summarizes the accomplishments in FY24 in the INM program for producing an ODS ferritic alloy by high-deformation, high-temperature processing of reactive and ferritic alloy powders for advanced reactor fuel cladding applications. Following four hot forging experiments, it was concluded that several significant challenges were encountered that were difficult to overcome. These challenges were related to using high annealing temperatures for pressure assisted sintering processes to produce dense microstructures, but the high annealing temperatures result in long range diffusion of Ti through the bcc Fe lattice and react with the YIG particles that are distributed on the prior surfaces of the ferritic alloy powders. In addition, it was determined that the high deformations induced by forging at high temperatures were not very effective for fracturing the reactive YIG particles into smaller particles and distributing them into the interior of the ferritic alloy powders. Spark plasma sintering was attempted for shortening the time at high temperatures, which led to full densification but the microstructure characterization results still showed that Ti atoms diffused over long distances in the bcc Fe lattice and reacted with the YIG particles. Finally, a short 30 minute high intensity ball milling experiment was conducted on blended 14WT and YIG powders for inducing severe deformations that caused the initially spherical powders of 14WT decorated with the YIG particles on the surfaces to transform to flakes and fracturing of YIG particles into smaller particles that were incorporated into the bcc Fe lattice. Two forgings were performed with the high intensity milled powders: first annealing for 20 minutes at 850ºC followed by forging and second annealing for 20 minutes at 1,100ºC followed by forging. At 850ºC, Ti atoms are effectively immobile, thus allowing for densification albeit incomplete. The deformation by forging after annealing for 20 minutes at 1,100ºC favored dynamic recrystallization processes that led to nano-size grains with very high stored energy due to high dislocation density. The corresponding VH data showed significant hardening that correlated with estimated strengthening of ~1650 MPa. This hybrid processing approach combining high intensity ball milling of powder with annealing and forging showed the most promise for producing an oxide dispersing strengthened ferritic alloy.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

SSME main combustion chamber life prediction

Typically, low cycle fatigue life is a function of the cyclic strain range, the material properties, and the operating temperature. The reusable life is normally defined by the number of strain cycles that can be accrued before severe material degradation occurs. Reusable life is normally signified by the initiation or propagation of surface cracks. Hot-fire testing of channel wall combustors has shown significant mid-channel wall thinning or deformation during accrued cyclic testing. This phenomenon is termed cyclic-creep and appears to be significantly accelerated at elevated surface temperatures. This failure mode was analytically modelled. The cyclic life of the baseline SSME-MCC based on measured calorimeter heat transfer data, and the life sensitivity of local hot spots caused by injector effects were determined. Four life enhanced designs were assessed.

Cook, R. T.↗

Effect of load eccentricity and substructure deformation on ultimate strength of shuttle orbiter thermal protection system

The effect of load eccentricity and substructure deformation on the ultimate strength and stress displacement properties of the shuttle orbiter thermal protection system (TPS) was determined. The LI-900 Reusable Surface Insulation (RSI) tiles mounted on the .41 cm thick Strain Isolator Pad (SIP) were investigated. Substructure deformations reduce the ultimate strength of the SIP/tile TPS and increase the scatter in the ultimate strength data. Substructure deformations that occur unsymmetric to the tile can cause the tile to rotate when subjected to a uniform applied load. Load eccentricity reduces SIP/tile TPS ultimate strength and causes tile rotation.

Sawyer, J. W.↗

Evaluation of Ti-48Al-2Nb Under Fretting Conditions

An investigation was conducted to examine the fretting behavior of lambda-TiAl (Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb) in contact with a nickel-base superalloy (Inconel 718) in air at temperatures from 23 to 550 C. Fretting wear experiments were conducted with 9.4-mm-diameter hemispherical Inconel (IN) 718 pins in contact with Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb flats (and the reverse) at loads from 1 to 40 N and fretting frequencies from 50 to 160 Hz with slip amplitudes from 50 to 200 microns for 1 to 20 million fretting cycles. The results were similar for both combinations of pin and flat. Reference fretting wear experiments were also conducted with 9.4-mm-diameter hemispherical Ti-6Al-4V pins in contact with IN718 flats. The interfacial adhesive bonds between Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb and IN718 in contact were generally stronger than the cohesive bonds in the cohesively weaker Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb. The failed Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb subsequently transferred to the IN718 surface at any fretting condition. The wear scars produced on Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb contained metallic and oxide wear debris, scratches, plastically deformed asperities, cracks, and fracture pits. Oxide layers readily formed on the Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb surface at 550 C, but cracks easily occurred in the oxide layers. Factors including fretting frequency, temperature, slip amplitude, and load influenced the fretting behavior of Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb in contact with IN718. The wear volume loss of Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb generally decreased with increasing fretting frequency. The increasing rate of oxidation at elevated temperatures up to 200 C led to a drop in wear volume loss at 200 C. However, the fretting wear increased as the temperature was increased from 200 to 550 C. The highest temperatures of 450 and 550 C resulted in oxide film disruption with generation of cracks, loose wear debris, and pits on the Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb wear surface. The wear volume loss generally increased as the slip amplitude increased. The wear volume loss also generally increased as the load increased. Increasing slip amplitude and increasing load both tended to produce more metallic wear debris, causing severe abrasive wear in the contacting metals.

Miyoshi, Kazuhisa↗

Large space antenna concepts for ESGP

It is appropriate to note that 1988 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of the reflector antenna. It was in 1888 that Heinrich Hertz constructed the first one, a parabolic cylinder made of sheet zinc bent to shape and supported by a wooden frame. Hertz demonstrated the existence of the electromagnetic waves that had been predicted theoretically by James Clerk Maxwell some 22 years earlier. In the 100 years since Hertz's pioneering work the field of electromagnetics has grown explosively: one of the technologies is that of remote sensing of planet Earth by means of electromagnetic waves, using both passive and active sensors located on an Earth Science Geostationary Platform (ESEP). For these purposes some exquisitely sensitive instruments were developed, capable of reaching to the fringes of the known universe, and relying on large reflector antennas to collect the minute signals and direct them to appropriate receiving devices. These antennas are electrically large, with diameters of 3000 to 10,000 wavelengths and with gains approaching 80 to 90 dB. Some of the reflector antennas proposed for ESGP are also electrically large. For example, at 220 GHz a 4-meter reflector is nearly 3000 wavelengths in diameter, and is electrically quite comparable with a number of the millimeter wave radiotelescopes that are being built around the world. Its surface must meet stringent requirements on rms smoothness, and ability to resist deformation. Here, however, the environmental forces at work are different. There are no varying forces due to wind and gravity, but inertial forces due to mechanical scanning must be reckoned with. With this form of beam scanning, minimizing momentum transfer to the space platform is a problem that demands an answer. Finally, reflector surface distortion due to thermal gradients caused by the solar flux probably represents the most challenging problem to be solved if these Large Space Antennas are to achieve the gain and resolution required of them.

Love, Allan W.↗

The stress field in an edge cracked plate in antiplane deformation

The antiplane strain problem of an edge cracked elastic plate subjected to a surface displacement load is solved, and the surface line loads are obtained using conformal mapping techniques. Results are presented for the yield, stress, strain and displacement distributions, and stress intensity factors in the plate. A superposition technique and Green's functions are used to determine the strain field on the upper plate surface due to arbitrarily applied tensile stress on the lower plate surface.

Li, V. C.↗

Cyclic deformation at a crack tip and its correlation with fatigue crack propagation

Results of measurements of fatigue crack growth and the cyclic surface strains near crack tips in 2024-T351 aluminum alloy for two plate thicknesses and two stress ratios. It is shown that crack tip necking complicates cyclic deformation. In this case, crack growth rate not only reflects the material property, but is also affected by specimen geometry. It is concluded that for general material evaluation it is more desirable to use a specimen thick enough so that the condition of plane strain prevails.

Kang, T. S.↗

Global and local texture development during initial plastic deformation of cold-pilgered Zircaloy-4 tubing

In this work we present a thorough characterization of the texture development during the initial step of a cold pilgering process of a Zircaloy-4 TREX tube, on which the axial cross section is reduced by 80% over a 40cm length with an overall Q-ratio of 2.34, followed by a recrystallization thermal treatment. Texture across a tapered specimen representing this working zone was characterized by neutron diffraction and high energy synchrotron x-ray diffraction at 28 positions (4 locations along its length and 7 locations across its thickness with 0.3 mm spatial resolution), and on the deformed end after the thermal treatment. Results show that the starting material (TREX tube) presents a texture gradient through its wall thickness, with the c poles aligned to the hoop direction at the outer surface (with radial and hoop Kearns factors: f R =0.36, f H = 0.50), and gradually rotating around the axial direction to become a quasi-radial orientation (~35 o out of the radial direction) at the inner surface ( f R =0.43, f H =0.35). The overall texture becomes more radial due to the cold pilgering, but the texture gradient remains during the whole deformation process, being always more radial at the inner surface, ( f R =0.53, f H =0.37 at 80%) than at the outer surface ( f R =0.41, f H =0.50at 80%). The most remarkable changes in texture produced by the rolling process is a 30 o rotation of the grains around their c-axis, producing a marked increase of the <11 2 ¯ 0> // axial fiber texture at expenses of the original <10 1 ¯ 0> // axial fiber texture observed in the TREX tube. The observed changes in texture during deformation were correctly explained by visco-plastic self-consistent (VPSC) modelling. This was achieved after the inclusion of the basal <a> slip system, which plays a central role to explain the 30 o rotation around the c-axis during deformation. The texture evolution was correctly described after the inclusion of a drag effect to grain rotation due to the interaction with neighbouring grains. The through thickness texture differences are greatly reduced by the recrystallization thermal treatment, with similar Kearns factors at the inner surface ( f R =0.50, f H =0.28) and the outer surface ( f R =0.48, f H =0.39). The predominance of the <10 1 ¯ 0> // axial fiber texture is recovered after recrystallization.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Thermoplastic Space Point Design (TSPD) Tall Tower Lunar Thermal Analysis

The Thermoplastics Development for Exploration Applications (TDEA) project seeks to advance NASA’s thermoplastic composites capabilities by developing structurally efficient joining solutions for large-scale space structures to support NASA’s future exploration missions. A key objective is to develop and understand advanced thermoplastic joining techniques relevant to space environments and applicable to unitized and/or reconfigurable composite structures. The TDEA project uses NASA Langley’s Tall Lunar Tower (TLT) concept as a target application for the design and development of in-space assembled thermoplastic composites. TLT is a 50-meter-tall tower constructed on the lunar surface near the south pole. The tower’s height at this location on the moon allows for extended durations of incident solar flux which can be used to generate power via photovoltaic arrays. The thermal environment present on lunar south pole represents a challenging environment for any space-based asset. This study provides an overview of the analysis techniques used to determine the temperature extremes, gradients, and timelines of a tall composite tower over a one-year duration at the Shackleton Connecting Ridge. The developed thermal model includes tower and lunar surface elements with anisotropic and temperature-dependent material properties and incorporates a solar vector orbit with time-varying solar flux. Study topics include: a comparison between the effects of simplified lunar surface topologies on thermal results, prediction of surface temperature values versus Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) flight data, and tower structural-thermal deformation.

Lunar↗

The Influence of Surface Topography on Polymer Friction

Current friction models for polymers are examined to determine their applicability in predicting the effects of roughness on friction. The two component, adhesion deformation model of friction predicts the variation of friction with the change in the sliding direction with respect to the lay direction on anisotropic rough surfaces. The two component model does not predict the change in friction with changes in roughness. A combination of an energy based model and a slip line deformation model may provide a friction model which could better represent measured friction.

Eiss, N. S., Jr.↗