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At least 109 records · Page 6

Crystallinity determination by curvefit procedure for a semi-crystalline polymer

Wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) data from poly(etheretherketone) (PEEK) was resolved into a crystalline contribution represented as four reflections and an amorphous contribution represented as a broad, smoothly varying curve. The crystalline scatter is described as a linear combination of Cauchy and Gaussian functions while that of the amorphous halo is expressed as a cubic polynomial. Statistical analysis of the measured scattered intensity from an amorphous specimen with that calculated from the cubic polynomial, as a function of the combination parameter (fraction of Cauchy and Gaussian functions), suggests that the crystalline fraction of the polymer specimen studied is about 0.39.

Wakelyn, N. T.↗

Measurement and correlation of jet fuel viscosities at low temperatures

Apparatus and procedures were developed to measure jet fuel viscosity for eight current and future jet fuels at temperatures from ambient to near -60 C by shear viscometry. Viscosity data showed good reproducibility even at temperatures a few degrees below the measured freezing point. The viscosity-temperature relationship could be correlated by two linear segments when plotted as a standard log-log type representation (ASTM D 341). At high temperatures, the viscosity-temperature slope is low. At low temperatures, where wax precipitation is significant, the slope is higher. The breakpoint between temperature regions is the filter flow temperature, a fuel characteristic approximated by the freezing point. A generalization of the representation for the eight experimental fuels provided a predictive correlation for low-temperature viscosity, considered sufficiently accurate for many design or performance calculations.

Schruben, D. L.↗

Comparisons of the North Polar Cap of Mars and the Earth's Northern Hemisphere snow cover

The boundaries of the polar caps of Mars have been measured on more than 3000 photographs since 1905 from the plate collection at the Lowell Observatory. For the Earth the polar caps have been accurately mapped only since the mid 1960's when satellites were first available to synoptically view the polar regions. The polar caps of both planets wax and wane in response to changes in the seasons, and interannual differences in polar cap behavior on Mars as well as Earth are intimately linked to global energy balance. In this study data on the year to year variations in the extent of the polar caps of Mars and Earth were assembled and analyzed together with data on annual variations in solar activity to determine if associations exist between these data. It was found that virtually no correlation exists between measurements of Mars north polar cap and solar variability. An inverse relationship was found between variations in the size of the north polar caps of Mars and Earth, although only 6 years of concurrent data were available for comparison.

Foster, J.↗

Initial Investigation of Cryogenic Wind Tunnel Model Filler Materials

Filler materials are used for surface flaws, instrumentation grooves, and fastener holes in wind tunnel models. More stringent surface quality requirements and the more demanding test environment encountered by cryogenic wind tunnels eliminate filler materials such as polyester resins, plaster, and waxes used on conventional wind tunnel models. To provide a material data base for cryogenic models, various filler materials are investigated. Surface quality requirements and test temperature extremes require matching of coefficients of thermal expansion or interfacing materials. Microstrain versus temperature curves are generated for several candidate filler materials for comparison with cryogenically acceptable materials. Matches have been achieved for aluminum alloys and austenitic steels. Simulated model surfaces are filled with candidate filler materials to determine finishing characteristics, adhesion and stability when subjected to cryogenic cycling. Filler material systems are identified which meet requirements for usage with aluminum model components.

Firth, G. C.↗

Measurements of the north polar cap of Mars and the earth's Northern Hemisphere ice and snow cover

The boundaries of the polar caps of Mars have been measured on more than 3000 photographs since 1905 from the plate collection at the Lowell Observatory. For the earth, the polar caps have been accurately mapped only since the mid 1960s when satellites were first available to synoptically view the polar regions. The polar caps of both planets wax and wane in response to changes in the seasons, and interannual differences in polar cap behavior on Mars as well as earth are intimately linked to global energy balance. Data on the year to year variations in the extent of the north polar caps of Mars and earth have been assembled and compared, although only 6 years of concurrent data were available for comparison.

Foster, J.↗

On seasonal variations of Mars' gravitational field

A great quantity of CO2 is exchanged between the Martian atmosphere and polar caps in the course of a Martian year. This exchange occurs in seasonal cycles: CO2 condenses to form the polar caps in winter and sublimes into the atmosphere in summer. The mass involved is about 25% of the total mass of the Martian atmosphere. This paper studies the effects of the CO2 mass redistribution on the Mars' gravitational field. Two mechanisms are examined: (1) the waxing and waning of solid CO2 in the polar caps, and (2) the geographical distribution of gaseous CO2 in the atmosphere. The maximum changes produced by (1) in the low-degree zonal J sub l harmonics in the Mars gravitational field are found to be as much as 7.5 x 10 to the-9 power for J sub 2 (corresponding to 1.1 cm change in the geoid), and about half as much for J sub 3. The effect of (2) on some most prominent low-degree harmonics (for l =1-3) in the effective topography (defined as the departure of the true topography from the geoid) is also evaluated. Their magnitudes are large by Earth standards. Whether they can be observed by the upcoming Mars Observer is still uncertain.

Chao, B. Fong↗

New methods and materials for molding and casting ice formations

This study was designed to find improved materials and techniques for molding and casting natural or simulated ice shapes that could replace the wax and plaster method. By utilizing modern molding and casting materials and techniques, a new methodology was developed that provides excellent reproduction, low-temperature capability, and reasonable turnaround time. The resulting casts are accurate and tough.

Reehorst, Andrew L.↗

Estimation of crystallinity in a model thermoplastic composite

Crystallinities as low as 16 percent have been estimated by determination of the interplanar spacing on PET/carbonaceous filament composites with resin content of aobut 25 percent w/w using wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) in the angular range 2 theta = 16-18 deg. The diffraction pattern of the carbonaceous reinforcements masks the major reflections of the resin, and the resin content and the crystallinity are kept low to make the simulation reasonable.

Wakelyn, N. T.↗

Plating Patches On Heat-Exchanger Jackets

Permanent repairs made without welding. Technique used to repair nickel-alloy nozzle jacket of Space Shuttle main engine. Applicable to other metal heat-exchanger jackets with similar configurations. Does not require welding, brazing, soldering, or other operations involving high temperatures and consequent damage to surrounding areas. Portion of jacket around damaged area removed by grinding and polishing out to edges adjacent to tube/jacket braze bonds. Spaces between tubes filled with wax preventing contamination of spaces during subsequent plating.

Loureiro, Henry↗

Isomeric oxydiphthalic anhydride polyimides

Much of the polyimide research at Langley Research Center has focused on isomeric modification of the diamine component; polyimides having considerably improved processability and adhesion have resulted. The present structure-property study was designed to investigate how isomeric attachment of the three oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA) polyimides affects their properties. Each dianhydride, 3,4,3',4'-oxydiphthalic anhydride (4,4'-OPDA,I), 2,3,2',3'-oxydiphthalic anhydride (3,3'-ODPA,II), and 2,3,3',4'-oxydiphthalic anhydride (3,4'-OPDA,III), was reacted with p-phenylenediamine, 4,4'-oxydianiline, 3,3'-diaminodiphenylsulfone, 3,3'-diaminobenzophenone, and 4,4'-bis(3-aminophenoxy)benzophenone in DMAc. The inherent viscosities of the resulting poly(amic acids) were determined. Thermally imidized films were studied for their creasability and solubility, as well as by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS). A comparison of these properties will be made.

Gerber, Margaret K.↗

A study of thermal transitions in a new semicrystalline thermoplastic polyimide

A polyimide derive from 4,4'-isophthaloyl diphthalic anhydride (IDPA) and 1,3-bis (4-aminophenoxy 4'-benzoyl) benzene (1,3-BABB) having semicrystalline behavior was prepared and characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS). Thus a poly(amic acid) film cured in air for one hour each at 100 and 200 C displayed an endotherm at 286 C, followed by a crystallization exotherm at 317 C, and a second melting transition at 350 C. The 286 C melting point appeared to result from earlier solvent-induced crystallization. Films cast from DMAc, air dried, and soaked in methylene chloride could not be induced into semicrystallinity. The fully cured polyimide has a Tg of 216 C. Films heated to temperatures as high as 100 C for one hour in air were transparent and light yellow in color. Those films heated to or above 125 C were translucent. Polarized light microscopy revealed the presence of spherulites 608 micrometers in diameter in a sample cured to 275 C in air. Two film samples, one cured to 275 and the other to 325 C, were evaluated for tensile and ultimate strength, modulus, and percent elongation at 25 and 200 C. These values remained essentially constant at each test temperature.

Pratt, J. Richard↗

X-ray diffraction studies of model compounds of thermoplastic polyimides

Several model compounds which represent aspects of the chemical structure of the Langley Research Center thermoplastic (LARC-TPI) have been synthesized for comparison studies using wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) as the discriminatory tool. The model compounds included N-phenylphthalimide, 3,3',4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic diphthalimide, and N,N'-diphenyl-3,3',4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic diphthalimide. X-ray diffraction studies of appropriate model compounds can yield information to aid in the understanding of polymeric crystallographic structure. Crystallinity and physical property changes can thus be induced into materials having complicated structures by chemical and thermal processes.

Wakelyn, N. T.↗

Variations of Mars gravitational field and rotation due to seasonal CO2 exchange

About a quarter of the Martian atmospheric mass is exchanged between the atmosphere and the polar caps in the course of a Martian year: CO2 condenses to form (or add to) the polar caps in winter and sublimes into the atmosphere in summer. This paper studies the effect of this CO2 mass redistribution on Martian rotation and gravitational field. Two mechanisms are examined: (1) the waxing and waning of solid CO2 in the polar caps and (2) the geographical distribution of gaseous CO2 in the atmosphere. In particular, the net peak-to-peak changes in J2 and J3 over a Martian year are both found to be as much as about 6 x 10 to the -9th. A simulation suggests that these changes may be detected by the upcoming Mars Observer under favorable but realistic conditions.

Chao, B. Fong↗

Salt Filler For Making Covered Channels

In simple fabrication technique, metal salts used to create such subsurface channels as those for coolant in metallic heat exchanger. Layer of metal deposited on structure by vacuum plasma spraying, sealing channels. Metal salt or salt mixture has melting temperature higher than those of waxes and aluminum and withstands high temperature of plasma spraying. After plasma spraying, salt filler dissolved quickly and easily and flushed away with water or other appropriate solvent, leaving behind covered channels.

Mckechnie, Timothy N.↗

Advanced Stirling receiver development program, phase 1

Critical technology experiments were designed and developed to evaluate the Stirling cavity heat pipe receiver for a space solar power system. Theoretical criteria were applied to the design of a module for containing energy storage phase change material while avoiding thermal ratcheting. Zero-g drop tower tests, without phase change, were conducted to affirm that the bubble location required to avoid ratcheting could be achieved without the use of container materials that are wetted by the phase change material. A full scale module was fabricated, but not tested. A fabrication method was successfully developed for the sodium evaporator dome, with a sintered screen wick, to be used as the focal point for the receiver. Crushing of the screen during hydroforming was substantially reduced over the results of other researchers by using wax impregnation. Superheating of the sodium in the wick under average flux conditions is expected to be under 10K. A 2000K furnace which will simulate solar flux conditions for testing the evaporator dome was successfully built and tested.

Lurio, Charles A.↗

Platable Filler And Sealant

Mixture of facsimile compound and silver powder forms positive seal in small hole in metal sheet. Filled hole plated over by standard electrodeposition. Compound does not deteriorate in high plating-bath temperatures, unlike wax and other fillers. Provides surface to which plated metals readily adhere.

Heerman, Todd R.↗

Differential spot-size focus servo

We describe performance of a differential spot-size (wax-wane) focus servo. Crosstalk from the tracks are analyzed in the single detector and differential focus circuits. Magnitude of the crosstalk is reduced by a factor of three in the differential circuit. A false focus-error signal (FES) is present when the spot crosses sector marks at an angle.

Milster, T. D.↗

Static and dynamical Meissner force fields

The coupling between copper-based high temperature superconductors (HTS) and magnets is represented by a force field. Zero-field cooled experiments were performed with several forms of superconductors: 1) cold-pressed sintered cylindrical disks; 2) small particles fixed in epoxy polymers; and 3) small particles suspended in hydrocarbon waxes. Using magnets with axial field symmetries, direct spatial force measurements in the range of 0.1 to 10(exp 4) dynes were performed with an analytical balance and force constants were obtained from mechanical vibrational resonances. Force constants increase dramatically with decreasing spatial displacement. The force field displays a strong temperature dependence between 20 and 90 K and decreases exponentially with increasing distance of separation. Distinct slope changes suggest the presence of B-field and temperature-activated processes that define the forces. Hysteresis measurements indicated that the magnitude of force scales roughly with the volume fraction of HTS in composite structures. Thus, the net force resulting from the field interaction appears to arise from regions as small or smaller than the grain size and does not depend on contiguous electron transport over large areas. Results of these experiments are discussed.

Weinberger, B. R.↗