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At least 1,117 records · Page 62
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1981

Microstructure and mechanical properties of bulk yttria-partially-stabilized zirconia

A commercially available bulk 4.5 mole percent yttria-Y2O3)-partially-stabilized zirconia (PSZ) was studied by light microscopy, X-ray analysis, microhardness measurement, and fracture toughness testing. The growth of the precipitates and the phase transformations were studied as a function of aging in air at 1500 C. Aging cuves were constructed for both the as-received and the solution-annealed-and-quenched materials; the curves showed hardness peaks at 1397 and 1517 kg/sq mm, respectively. A total of twelve different types of tetragonal precipitates were found. The rectangular plate-shaped tetragonal precipitates were found to have a (110) habit plane. Grinding of the Y2O3 PSZ into powder did not cause a significant amount of metastable tetragonal precipitates to transform into the monoclinic phase, thus indicating that transformation toughening is not a significant mechanism for the material. The fracture toughness of the aged and of the unaged solution-annealed-and-quenched PSZ was found to be between 2 and 3 MN/cu m/2.

Valentine, P. G.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Microstructure and property characterization of sintered Si3N4, SiC, and SiAlON

Commercially-produced, pressureless sintered Si3N4, SiC, and SiAlON were characterized with respect to density, phases present, bend strength, and oxidation resistance. The room-temperature bend strengths of sintered Si3N4, SiC, and SiAlON are comparable. However, the room-temperature strengths are much lower (approximately 40 to 50%) than the room-temperature strength of hot-pressed Si3N4 (NC-132). The strength loss in Si3N4 and SiAlON materials at high temperature was attributed to a viscous grain-boundary phase, retained during cooling from the sintering temperature. The oxidation resistance of sintered alpha-SiC was the best of any materials tested.

Dutta, S.↗
NASA NTRS1951

A Specially Constructed Metallograph for Use at Elevated Temperatures

A Metallographic microscope was developed with provision for heating a specimen to 1800 F in protective atmospheres, that is, vacuum or gas. A special objective was constructed of reflecting elements with an unusually long working distance (7/16 in.) and a high numerical aperture (0.5). Changes in specimen microstructure were observed and recorded on 35-millimeter motion-picture film. The resulting pictures were projected as motion pictures and individual frames were cut and enlargements made for close observation. Structural changes upon heating a 0.35-percent annealed carbon steel and a 5-percent tin phosphor bronze specimen were observed and recorded. Newly formed microstructure were revealed by selective vacuum etching and specimen relief resulting from recrystallization and varying grain orientation.

INSTRUMENTS, LABORATORY↗
NASA NTRS2002

Poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogel microstructures encapsulating living cells

We present an easy and effective method for the encapsulation of cells inside PEG-based hydrogel microstructures fabricated using photolithography. High-density arrays of three-dimensional microstructures were created on substrates using this method. Mammalian cells were encapsulated in cylindrical hydrogel microstructures of 600 and 50 micrometers in diameter or in cubic hydrogel structures in microfluidic channels. Reducing lateral dimension of the individual hydrogel microstructure to 50 micrometers allowed us to isolate 1-3 cells per microstructure. Viability assays demonstrated that cells remained viable inside these hydrogels after encapsulation for up to 7 days.

Non-NASA Center↗
NASA NTRS1984

Interlaminar fracture of random short-fiber SMC composite

In the experimental phase of the present study of the interlaminar fracture behavior of a randomly oriented short fiber sheet molding compound (SMC) composite, the double cantilever beam fracture test is used to evaluate the mode I interlaminar fracture toughness of different composite thicknesses. In the analytical phase of this work, a geometrically nonlinear analysis is introduced in order to account for large deflections and nonlinear load deflection curves in the evaluation of interlaminar fracture toughness. For the SMC-R50 material studied, interlaminar toughness is an order of magnitude higher than that of unreinforced neat resin, due to unusual damage mechanisms ahead of the crack tip, together with significant fiber bridging across crack surfaces. Composite thickness effects on interlaminar fracture are noted to be appreciable, and a detailed discussion is given on the influence of SMC microstructure.

Wang, S. S.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Oxygen Generation from Carbon Dioxide for Advanced Life Support

The partial electrochemical reduction of CO2 using ceramic oxygen generators (COGs) is well known and has been studied. Conventional COGs use yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolytes and operate at temperatures greater than 700 C (1, 2). Operating at a lower temperature has the advantage of reducing the mass of the ancillary components such as insulation. Moreover, complete reduction of metabolically produced CO2 (into carbon and oxygen) has the potential of reducing oxygen storage weight if the oxygen can be recovered. Recently, the University of Florida developed ceramic oxygen generators employing a bilayer electrolyte of gadolinia-doped ceria and erbia-stabilized bismuth oxide (ESB) for NASA s future exploration of Mars (3). The results showed that oxygen could be reliably produced from CO2 at temperatures as low as 400 C. These results indicate that this technology could be adapted to CO2 removal from a spacesuit and other applications in which CO2 removal is an issue. This strategy for CO2 removal in advanced life support systems employs a catalytic layer combined with a COG so that the CO2 is reduced completely to solid carbon and oxygen. First, to reduce the COG operating temperature, a thin, bilayer electrolyte was employed. Second, to promote full CO2 reduction while avoiding the problem of carbon deposition on the COG cathode, a catalytic carbon deposition layer was designed and the cathode utilized materials shown to be coke resistant. Third, a composite anode was used consisting of bismuth ruthenate (BRO) and ESB that has been shown to have high performance (4). The inset of figure 1 shows the conceptual design of the tubular COG and the rest of the figure shows schematically the test apparatus. Figure 2 shows the microstructure of a COG tube prior to testing. During testing, current is applied across the cell and initially CuO is reduced to copper metal by electrochemical pumping. Then the oxygen source becomes the CO/CO2. This presentation details the results of testing the COG.

Bishop, s. R.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Investigation into Interfacial Mixing Behavior of Blown Powder Deposited Inconel 625-Copper Alloy Bimetallic for Improvement of Bimetallic Joint Strength

Use of laser blown powder, directed energy deposition (DED) provides a method for fabrication of bimetallic functional materials for high heat flux applications. However, this relatively new process currently has a low technology readiness level (TRL). Key to increasing the TRL is a better understanding of the factors that control mixing of the bi-metallic materials at the interface. The resulting interfaces in specimens obtained from three vendors were characterized using optical and electron microscopy with electron dispersion spectroscopy in addition to mechanical testing. Based on the range of process parameters and resulting interfaces, a model is being developed to predict interfacial mixing for development of specifications for improved and repeatable microstructures.

Additive Manufacturing↗
NASA NTRS1973

Effect of nitrogen on tensile properties and structures of T-111 (tantalum, 8 percent tungsten, 2 percent hafnium) tubing

The effect of controlled nitrogen additions was evaluated on the mechanical properties of T-111 (Ta-8W-2Hf) fuel pin cladding material proposed for use in a lithium-cooled nuclear reactor concept. Additions of 80 to 1125 ppm nitrogen resulted in increased strengthening of T-111 tubular section test specimens at temperatures of 25 to 1200 C. Homogeneous distributions of up to 500 ppm nitrogen did not seriously decrease tensile ductility. Both single and two-phase microstructures, with hafnium nitride as the second phase, were evaluated in this study.

Buzzard, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

A failure mechanism in Al-SiC composites

Divecha et al. (1981) have discussed the advantages of materials obtained by adding silicon carbide whiskers to commercial aluminum alloys, taking into account also certain problems which are related to poor ductility and low fracture toughness. The present investigation has the objective to advance the understanding of the deformation at the whisker ends in reinforced aluminum composites through both observation and analysis. It is suggested that the low fracture toughness of the considered materials is the result of the rapid accumulation of damage at the whisker ends. It is pointed out that the whisker ends are sites of severe stress concentration and intense localized plastic strain. In connection with this situation, voids nucleate and grow at relatively low macroscopic stress levels. The reported studies include an examination of the deformation microstructure beneath the fracture surfaces of specimens with the aid of transmission electron microscopy.

Nutt, S. R.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Effect of Composite Substrates on the Mechanical Behavior of Brazed Joints in Metal-Composite System

Advanced composite components are being considered for a wide variety of demanding applications in aerospace, space exploration, and ground based systems. A number of these applications require robust integration technologies to join dissimilar materials (metalcomposites) into complex structural components. In this study, three types of composites (C-C, C-SiC, and SiC-SiC) were vacuum brazed to commercially pure Ti using the active metal braze alloy Cusil-ABA (63Ag-35.3Cu-1.75Ti). Composite substrates with as fabricated and polished surfaces were used for brazing. The microstructure and composition of the joint, examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), showed sound metallurgical bonding in all systems. The butt strap tensile (BST) test was performed on bonded specimens at room and elevated temperatures. Effect of substrate composition, interlaminar properties, and surface roughness on the mechanical properties and failure behavior of joints will be discussed.

Singh, M.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Aerospace Structural Materials Handbook Supplement GRCop-84

GRCop-84 is a high strength-high conductivity copper-based alloy developed at NASA Glenn Research Center for combustion chamber liners of regeneratively cooled rocket engines. It also has promise for other high heat flux applications operating at temperatures up to 700 C (1292 F) and potentially higher. The alloy must be made by powder metallurgy techniques such as gas atomization. Slower cooling rates such as those experienced during casting do not develop a proper microstructure. Once made into powder, the alloy exhibits excellent processability using conventional consolidation and forming techniques, e.g., extrusion and rolling. GRCop-84 is strengthened by a combination of dispersion and precipitation strengthening by fine (50-500 nanometer (2-20 microinch)) Cr2Nb particles and Hall-Petch strengthening from a fine copper grain size. The presence of a high volume fraction of particles prevents grain boundary sliding at high temperatures and contributes to the alloy's overall good high temperature mechanical properties. Maximum thermal conductivity is obtained by using two alloying elements (Cr, Nb) with limited solubility in solid Cu that form a high temperature intermetallic compound with an even lower solid solubility. The resulting matrix of the alloy is nearly pure copper. The limited solubility also minimizes Cr2Nb particle coarsening at elevated temperatures and enhances microstructural and mechanical property stability. Further enhancement of the microstructural stability is obtained by using a high volume fraction (approx. 14 vol.%) of Cr2Nb particles that effectively pin grain growth.

Ellis, David L.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Nonlinear mesomechanics of composites with periodic microstructure

This work is concerned with modeling the mechanical deformation or constitutive behavior of composites comprised of a periodic microstructure under small displacement conditions at elevated temperature. A mesomechanics approach is adopted which relates the microimechanical behavior of the heterogeneous composite with its in-service macroscopic behavior. Two different methods, one based on a Fourier series approach and the other on a Green's function approach, are used in modeling the micromechanical behavior of the composite material. Although the constitutive formulations are based on a micromechanical approach, it should be stressed that the resulting equations are volume averaged to produce overall effective constitutive relations which relate the bulk, volume averaged, stress increment to the bulk, volume averaged, strain increment. As such, they are macromodels which can be used directly in nonlinear finite element programs such as MARC, ANSYS and ABAQUS or in boundary element programs such as BEST3D. In developing the volume averaged or efective macromodels from the micromechanical models, both approaches will require the evaluation of volume integrals containing the spatially varying strain distributions throughout the composite material. By assuming that the strain distributions are spatially constant within each constituent phase-or within a given subvolume within each constituent phase-of the composite material, the volume integrals can be obtained in closed form. This simplified micromodel can then be volume averaged to obtain an effective macromodel suitable for use in the MARC, ANSYS and ABAQUS nonlinear finite element programs via user constitutive subroutines such as HYPELA and CMUSER. This effective macromodel can be used in a nonlinear finite element structural analysis to obtain the strain-temperature history at those points in the structure where thermomechanical cracking and damage are expected to occur, the so called damage critical points of the structure.

Walker, Kevin P.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Reactive Processing of Environmentally Conscious, Biomorphic Ceramics from Natural Wood Precursors

Environmentally conscious, biomorphic ceramics (Ecoceramics) are a new class of materials that are manufactured from renewable resources and wastes. In this study, silicon carbide and oxide-based biomorphic ceramics have been fabricated from pine and jelutong wood precursors. A carbonaceous preform is produced through wood pyrolysis and subsequent infiltration with oxides (ZrO2 sols) and liquid silicon to form ceramics. These biomorphic ceramics show a wide variety of microstructures, densities, and hardness behavior that are determined by the type of wood and infiltrants selected.

Singh, M.↗
NASA NTRS2015

Ion Irradiation Experiments on the Murchison CM2 Carbonaceous Chondrite: Simulating Space Weathering of Primitive Asteroids

Remote sensing observations show that space weathering processes affect all airless bodies in the Solar System to some degree. Sample analyses and lab experiments provide insights into the chemical, spectroscopic and mineralogic effects of space weathering and aid in the interpretation of remote- sensing data. For example, analyses of particles returned from the S-type asteroid Itokawa by the Hayabusa mission revealed that space-weathering on that body was dominated by interactions with the solar wind acting on LL ordinary chondrite-like materials [1, 2]. Understanding and predicting how the surface regoliths of primitive carbonaceous asteroids respond to space weathering processes is important for future sample return missions (Hayabusa 2 and OSIRIS-REx) that are targeting objects of this type. Here, we report the results of our preliminary ion irradiation experiments on a hydrated carbonaceous chondrite with emphasis on microstructural and infrared spectral changes.

Keller, L. P.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Effect of microstructure on the response of composite tubes

This paper addresses the effects of changes in the fiber content in the individual layers of a composite tube and the presence of resin-rich interplay regions on the torsional response of the tube. A micromechanics-based procedure is outlined to correct the properties of unidirectional graphite/epoxy obtained from flat coupon tests in order to account for the lower fiber volume fraction in the individual layers of a composite tube made from the same material. The corrected properties are used as input parameters to an analytical model developed to predict the response of composite tubes subjected to combined axial/torsion loading. It is illustrated that when the corrected properties and the resin-rich regions are included in the analysis, good correlation with experimental data is obtained.

Derstine, M. S.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Microstructure and orientation effects on properties of discontinuous silicon carbide/aluminum composites

Composite panels containing up to 40 vol % discontinuous silicon carbide SiC whisker, nodule, or particulate reinforcement in several aluminum matrices are commercially fabricated and the mechanical properties and microstructual characteristics are evaluated. The yield and tensile strengths and the ductility are controlled primarily by the matrix alloy, the temper condition, and the reinforcement content. Particulate and nodule reinforcements are as effective as whisker reinforcement. Increased ductility is attributed to purer, more uniform starting materials and to more mechanical working during fabrication. Comparing mechanical properties with those of other aluminum alloys shows that these low cost, lightweight composites demonstrate very good potential for application to aerospace structures.

Mcdanels, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Crystallization Kinetics of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Seal Glass by Differential Thermal Analysis

Crystallization kinetics of a barium calcium aluminosilicate glass (BCAS), a sealant material for planar solid oxide fuel cells, have been investigated by differential thermal analysis (DTA). From variation of DTA peak maximum temperature with heating rate, the activation energy for glass crystallization was calculated to be 259 kJ/mol. Development of crystalline phases on thermal treatments of the glass at various temperatures has been followed by powder x-ray diffraction. Microstructure and chemical composition of the crystalline phases were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopic (EDS) analysis. BaSiO3 and hexacelsian (BaAl2Si2O8) were the primary crystalline phases whereas monoclinic celsian (BaAl2Si2O8) and (Ba(x), Ca(y))SiO4 were also detected as minor phases. Needle-shaped BaSiO3 crystals are formed first, followed by the formation of other phases at longer times of heat treatments. The glass does not fully crystallize even after long term heat treatments at 750 to 900 C.

Bansal, Narottam P.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Space environmental effects on materials

Research efforts at NASA-Langley to characterize the durability of composite materials which are candidates for use as components on various space hardware systems are reviewed. The material applications include large space structures, antennas, cables, thermal control coatings, solar reflectors, and satellite power systems. Simulation facilities have been built to study radiation effects on polymer matrix composites, and the dimensional stability of the matrix composites and tension stabilized cables. Numerical models are being developed for radiation effects on the mechanical, physical, and optical properties. Additionally, chemical and microstructural analyses are performed to identify damage mechanisms and the limits of effectiveness of accelerating life tests. It is noted that no residual strength reduction has been detected in polymer films after dosages of 5 billion rads of electron radiation.

Tenney, D. R.↗