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At least 127 records · Page 7

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NASA NTRS1984

Ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation, microstructure, and mechanical property interrelations

Ultrasonic techniques for mechanical property characterizations are reviewed and conceptual models are advanced for explaining and interpreting the empirically based results. At present, the technology is generally empirically based and is emerging from the research laboratory. Advancement of the technology will require establishment of theoretical foundations for the experimentally observed interrelations among ultrasonic measurements, mechanical properties, and microstructure. Conceptual models are applied to ultrasonic assessment of fracture toughness to illustrate an approach for predicting correlations found among ultrasonic measurements, microstructure, and mechanical properties.

Vary, A.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation, microstructure, and fracture toughness interrelations

Vary, Alex↗

NASA NTRS1990

Influence of convection on rod spacing of eutectics

This paper describes a three-dimensional numerical model to study the influence of convection on the rod-like microstructure of an eutectic system. This model is based on a central finite difference approach. By applying it, the average concentration near the solid/liquid interface of a growing rod-like eutectic was determined for eutectic compositions C(e) of 0.03, 0.05, and 0.10. Following Jackson and Hunt (1966), the average interfacial composition was converted to a change of undercooling at the interface and, finally, to spacing between the rods. The change in rod spacing with increasing intensity of convection was calculated assuming the eutectic grows at minimum interfacial undercooling. It was confirmed that an increase in convection should coarsen the microstructure (i.e., the rod spacing increases with increasing intensity of stirring).

Caram, R.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Environment enhanced fatigue of advanced aluminum alloys and metal matrix composites

The environmental fatigue crack propagation behavior of advanced Al-Li-Cu based alloys and metal matrix composites is being characterized. Aqueous NaCl and water vapor, which produce atomic hydrogen by reactions on clean crack surfaces, are emphasized. The effects of environment sensitive crack closure, stress ratio, and precipitate microstructure are assessed. Mechanistic models are sought for intrinsic crack tip damage processes to enable predictions of cracking behavior outside of the data, metallurgical improvements in material cracking resistance, and insight on hydrogen compatibility.

Slavik, Donald C.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Matrix cracking in composite laminates with resin-rich interlaminar layers

Fracture mechanics analysis and test data for a toughened composite material that has a resin-rich interlaminar layer (RIL) were used to investigate in situ strength. Exposure to a range of environmental conditions was considered. A parametric analysis study was performed to judge the effects of laminate and material variables. A finite thickness effect, indicating an interaction between ply group thickness and effective flaw size, was found dominant. The magnitude of the effect was directly related to RIL stiffness. In situ strength was found to decrease with decreasing RIL stiffness. This work indicates the need to use a fracture mechanics model of actual lamina microstructure and heterogeneous properties to predict in situ strength in materials with RIL.

Ilcewicz, Larry B.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Transient nucleation in glasses

Nucleation rates in condensed systems are frequently not at their steady state values. Such time dependent (or transient) nucleation is most clearly observed in devitrification studies of metallic and silicate glasses. The origin of transient nucleation and its role in the formation and stability of desired phases and microstructures are discussed. Numerical models of nucleation in isothermal and nonisothermal situations, based on the coupled differential equations describing cluster evolution within the classical theory, are presented. The importance of transient nucleation in glass formation and crystallization is discussed.

Kelton, K. F.↗

NASA NTRS1996

Micro and Macro Segregation in Alloys Solidifying with Equiaxed Morphology

To understand macro segregation formation in Al-Cu alloys, experiments were run under terrestrial gravity (1g) and under low gravity during parabolic flights (10(exp -2) g). Alloys of two different compositions (2% and 5% Cu) were solidified at two different cooling rates. Systematic microscopic and SEM observations produced microstructural and segregation maps for all samples. These maps may be used as benchmark experiments for validation of microstructure evolution and segregation models. As expected, the macro segregation maps are very complex. When segregation was measured along the central axis of the sample, the highest macro segregation for samples solidified at 1g was obtained for the lowest cooling rate. This behavior is attributed to the longer time available for natural convection and shrinkage flow to affect solute redistribution. In samples solidified under low-g, the highest macro-segregation was obtained at the highest cooling rate. In general, low-gravity solidification resulted in less segregation. To explain the experimental findings, an analytical (Flemings-Nereo) and a numerical model were used. For the numerical model, the continuum formulation was employed to describe the macroscopic transports of mass, energy, and momentum, associated with the microscopic transport phenomena, for a two-phase system. The model proposed considers that liquid flow is driven by thermal and solutal buoyancy, and by solidification shrinkage. The Flemings-Nereo model explains well macro segregation in the initial stages of low-gravity segregation. The numerical model can describe the complex macro segregation pattern and the differences between low- and high-gravity solidification.

Stefanescu, Doru M.↗

NASA NTRS2004

Lunar and Planetary Science XXXV: Lunar Sample Analysis

The titles in this section include: 1) Global Mixing as a Mechanism for Compositional Anomalies of Agglutinitic Glasses; 2) Electron Microscopy of Apollo 12 Glass Spherules; 3) 40Ar-39Ar Geochronology on Apollo 12 Regolith; 4) LSCC Apollo and Luna Soil Analyses: Update of Soil Evolution Model; 5) Planetary Regolith Microstructure: An Unexpected Opposition Effect Result; 6) Infrared Spectroscopy on a Microscopic Scale: Investigating the Technique of Microspectroscopy and Its Application to a Lunar Breccia; 7) The Most Reduced Rock from the Moon - Apollo 14 Basalt 14053: Extreme Reduction Entirely from a Re-Heating Event.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS2003

Oxidation of Carbon Fibers in a Cracked Ceramic Matrix Composite Modeled as a Function of Temperature

The oxidation model simulates the oxidation of the reinforcing carbon fibers within a ceramic matrix composite material containing as-fabricated microcracks. The physics-based oxidation model uses theoretically and experimentally determined variables as input for the model. The model simulates the ingress of oxygen through microcracks into a two-dimensional plane within the composite material. Model input includes temperature, oxygen concentration, the reaction rate constant, the diffusion coefficient, and the crack opening width as a function of the mechanical and thermal loads. The model is run in an iterative process for a two-dimensional grid system in which oxygen diffuses through the porous and cracked regions of the material and reacts with carbon in short time steps. The model allows the local oxygen concentrations and carbon volumes from the edge to the interior of the composite to be determined over time. Oxidation damage predicted by the model was compared with that observed from microstructural analysis of experimentally tested composite material to validate the model for two temperatures of interest. When the model is run for low-temperature conditions, the kinetics are reaction controlled. Carbon and oxygen reactions occur relatively slowly. Therefore, oxygen can bypass the carbon near the outer edge and diffuse into the interior so that it saturates the entire composite at relatively high concentrations. The kinetics are limited by the reaction rate between carbon and oxygen. This results in an interior that has high local concentrations of oxygen and a similar amount of consumed carbon throughout the cross section. When the model is run for high-temperature conditions, the kinetics are diffusion controlled. Carbon and oxygen reactions occur very quickly. The carbon consumes oxygen as soon as it is supplied. The kinetics are limited by the relatively slow rate at which oxygen is supplied in comparison to the relatively fast rate at which carbon and oxygen reactions occur. This results in a sharp gradient in oxygen concentration from the edge where it is supplied to the nearest source of carbon, which is where the oxygen is quickly consumed. A moving reaction front is seen in which the outlaying carbon is consumed before the next inner layer of carbon begins to react.

Halbig, Michael C.↗

NASA NTRS1993

An engineering model of woven composites based on micromechanics

Composites with three-dimensional woven architectures exhibit large strains to failure when compared to composites made up of the same materials but not with three-dimensional interlocking tows. The fracture mechanics of such three-dimensional architectures is a subject requiring substantial investigation and experimental testing. Classical fracture mechanics concepts (for instance, an isolated defect in a homogeneous body) will not be applicable to the woven fracture test specimen. The use of an isolated singularity to characterize an entire specimen is inadequate when the density of defects is considerable and the material is heterogeneous. Modelling of such a complex system requires a great deal of insight and consideration as well as prudent choices of model sizes to make numerical schemes feasible. The purpose of this manuscript is to review our recently acquired knowledge of damage accumulation in woven composites and to describe a practicable model of the macroscopic behavior in these and other complex composite architectures based on such knowledge. In this manuscript, discussion will be limited to uniaxial compressive loading; considerations of general loading (monotonic and cyclic) will appear in a subsequent manuscript. Our modelling efforts may be briefly described as follows: the composite is subdivided into microstructural elements (microelements) in which the micromechanical modelling is either understood rigorously or can be represented adequately by statistical parameters. There can be microstructural elements for many different types of composite components, such as the various types of warp and weft and matrix for three-dimensional woven composites. The physical dimensions of microelements are made as large as possible while the response within the element can still be represented by a single micromechatlical calculation. The various elements are linked together(sometimes by associating distinct corners and edges, sometimes by superposition) in a pattern which resembles a particular weave architecture. The model can then be loaded in any manner and the linear and nonlinear elastic responses of representative weaves can be calculated. After the elastic regime, the fracture response is determined by monitoring the damage accumulation.

Carter, W. C.↗

NASA NTRS1997

Probabilistic Mesomechanical Fatigue Model

A probabilistic mesomechanical fatigue life model is proposed to link the microstructural material heterogeneities to the statistical scatter in the macrostructural response. The macrostructure is modeled as an ensemble of microelements. Cracks nucleation within the microelements and grow from the microelements to final fracture. Variations of the microelement properties are defined using statistical parameters. A micromechanical slip band decohesion model is used to determine the crack nucleation life and size. A crack tip opening displacement model is used to determine the small crack growth life and size. Paris law is used to determine the long crack growth life. The models are combined in a Monte Carlo simulation to determine the statistical distribution of total fatigue life for the macrostructure. The modeled response is compared to trends in experimental observations from the literature.

Tryon, Robert G.↗

NASA NTRS2006

A Micromechanics Finite Element Model for Studying the Mechanical Behavior of Spray-On Foam Insulation (SOFI)

A micromechanics model has been constructed to study the mechanical behavior of spray-on foam insulation (SOFI) for the external tank. The model was constructed using finite elements representing the fundamental repeating unit of the SOFI microstructure. The details of the micromechanics model were based on cell observations and measured average cell dimensions discerned from photomicrographs. The unit cell model is an elongated Kelvin model (fourteen-sided polyhedron with 8 hexagonal and six quadrilateral faces), which will pack to a 100% density. The cell faces and cell edges are modeled using three-dimensional 20-node brick elements. Only one-eighth of the cell is modeled due to symmetry. By exercising the model and correlating the results with the macro-mechanical foam behavior obtained through material characterization testing, the intrinsic stiffness and Poisson s Ratio of the polymeric cell walls and edges are determined as a function of temperature. The model is then exercised to study the unique and complex temperature-dependent mechanical behavior as well as the fracture initiation and propagation at the microscopic unit cell level.

Ghosn, Louis J.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Particle-Based Fiber Models of Woven Materials for Earth Entry Thermal Protection

Applications requiring materials with layer-to-layer strength, from basketry to thermal protection systems, use interlaced, three-dimensional woven materials. NASA is developing and deploying woven material heat shields for missions, including Artemis I (3D-MAT for compression pads) and potentially Mars Sample Return - Earth Entry System. These materials are complex, hierarchical and must protect from extreme environments and phenomena, such as deformation, impact and high-enthalpy heating. Woven material performance depends on microstructure, damage and weave geometry. Therefore, fiber-specific models are needed to simulate fiber contacts within the weave hierarchical geometry (fiber to tow to yarn to weave) and the inherent directionality of fibers. Explicit fiber models can simulate how weave microstructure evolution affects thermal and mechanical properties. We parameterize a discrete element bonded particle models (DEM-BPM) of fibers to capture thermal and mechanical behavior within and between fibers, with bonded and contact forces, respectively. We study the proportion of heat transfer and stress via the contact network, fiber bonds and the weave geometry, for example, with respect to yarn warp-weft identity (whether it interlaces weave layers). Our results demonstrate the importance of explicit fiber modeling for connecting microstructure with thermal and mechanical properties.

woven material↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Particle-Based Fiber Models of Woven Materials for Earth Entry Thermal Protection

woven material↗

NASA NTRS2012

Multiscale Modeling of Structurally-Graded Materials Using Discrete Dislocation Plasticity Models and Continuum Crystal Plasticity Models

A multiscale modeling methodology that combines the predictive capability of discrete dislocation plasticity and the computational efficiency of continuum crystal plasticity is developed. Single crystal configurations of different grain sizes modeled with periodic boundary conditions are analyzed using discrete dislocation plasticity (DD) to obtain grain size-dependent stress-strain predictions. These relationships are mapped into crystal plasticity parameters to develop a multiscale DD/CP model for continuum level simulations. A polycrystal model of a structurally-graded microstructure is developed, analyzed and used as a benchmark for comparison between the multiscale DD/CP model and the DD predictions. The multiscale DD/CP model follows the DD predictions closely up to an initial peak stress and then follows a strain hardening path that is parallel but somewhat offset from the DD predictions. The difference is believed to be from a combination of the strain rate in the DD simulation and the inability of the DD/CP model to represent non-monotonic material response.

Saether, Erik↗

NASA NTRS1980

The longitudinal galactic cosmic ray intensity modulation in a diffusive and a scatter-free model of the inner heliosphere

Measurements of energetic solar flare electrons, Jovian electrons, and low-energy solar protons have led to the suggestion that the inner heliosphere is essentially scatter free. Consideration is given to a model in which scattering is only important within the corotating interaction regions (CIR's), while the cavity formed by the CIR's in the inner heliosphere is scatter free, as compared to an interplanetary diffusion model wherein scattering is determined by the solar wind and magnetic field microstructure everywhere in the heliosphere. The two models are compared in terms of the solar wind stream associated Forbush decreases at 1 AU and the longitudinal cosmic ray nucleonic intensity variations at larger heliocentric distances (Pioneer 11 measurements at about 3 AU). It is shown that the diffusion model is able to explain consistently all longitudinal galactic cosmic ray intensity modulation measurements.

Morfill, G.↗

NASA NTRS2018

Plasticity and Damage Modeling of Stress Asymmetry and Dynamic Behavior of AFS Additive Manufactured Aluminum Alloy 2219

The Solid State Additive Manufacturing (AM) process referred as MELD that fabricated the samples in this study, provides a new path for repairing, coating, joining and additive manufacturing metals and metal matrix composites. This research will be the first application of a physics-based microstructure dependent internal state variable (ISV) plasticity and damage material model to capture the mechanical response of an AM Aluminum Alloy (AA) 2219 via the MELD process. In this research, a microstructure-based internal state variable (ISV) plasticity-damage model was used to capture the mechanical behavior of AFS 2219 aluminum alloy. Aeroprobe Corporation, creator and patent holder for the MELD process, fabricated the material by pushing a solid filler rod of AA2219-T861 material through a hollow rotating tool onto an AA2219 T851 plate substrate. As feedstock, solid or powder precursor metals are pushed through a nonconsumable rotating cylindrical tool. Herein, added layers are deposited and metallurgically bonded to substrate material or previously deposited layers by the heat generated from the rotating tool through plastic deformation of the filler material. Once a layer has been added, the tool height increases, and starts the deposition of the next layer. This process results in beneficial properties such as grain refinement, homogenization and reduced porosity (fully dense). This process will experience temperatures similar to those in the weld nugget zone (WNZ) in friction stir welding (FSW), ranging from 0.6-0.9 Tm, with Tm being the melting point of the material. MELD is highly scalable with AA deposition rates reaching over 1000 cm3/hr, which allows for MELD being used for repairs, coatings, and building components. A motivating factor driving the research for physics-based history dependent material modeling of MELD components is the ability to accurately capture the stress-state and strain rate dependence in the material caused by variations in material microstructure from the MELD processing of new or repaired components. The ISV model incorporates microstructural content and is consistent with continuum level kinematics, kinetics, and thermodynamics. These features allow the ISV model to capture large deformations at the structural scale using the kinematic and isotropic hardening, while microscale damage is obtained from the microstructural features. The benefits of the ISV model arise from the inclusion of structure-property relationships identified from microstructural characterization and experimentation. The Bauschinger effect (BE) is an important concept, vital in the accurate prediction of cyclic stress-strain response of ductile materials such as metals. The ISV model has been successfully used to capture the behavior and damage, and the BE of different aluminum alloys and steels. The ISV model uses kinematic and isotropic hardening to help capture deformations of the material at the macro scale. To understand this hardening relationship, calculating the kinematic and isotropic hardening relationship in the material is warranted for a high-fidelity model. Electron Backscattered Diffraction (EBSD) was used to characterize the as-fabricated microstructure, where a fully-dense equiaxed grain morphology with average grain size of 2.5 μm was observed. Microhardness mapping of the as-built structures, monotonic tension and compression experiments at both quasi-static (0.001/s) strain rates, tension-followed-by-compression and compression-followed-by-tension experiments were performed to obtain the set of plasticity and damage constants necessary to capture strain rate and stress state behavior of this additive material. To calibrate the plasticity-damage model, a single set of constants were determined to capture the different stress states the MELD AA2219. One set of the constants was determined from experimental true stress-strain curves for the tension and compression data. Additionally, microstructural information and data from the open literature were used as the other model constants. This research is a first of its kind for AFS AA2219, includes correlating the ISV model to the monotonic experimental results that capture the isotropic and kinematic plasticity mechanical response.

Rivera, O. G.↗

NASA NTRS2024

Achieving High Efficiency in Reduced Order Modeling for Large Scale Polycrystal Plasticity Simulations

Reduced order models for the nonlinear response of heterogeneous microstructures typically require a construction (or training) stage to build the reduced order basis. In this manuscript, an efficient model construction strategy for the eigenstrain homogenization method (EHM) is presented. The proposed strategy relies on a parallel, element-by-element, conjugate gradient solver. Near linear scaling has been achieved with respect to the number of degrees of freedom used to resolve the microstructure. Linear scaling with respect to the number of pre-analyses required to construct the reduced order model (ROM) follows from the EHM formulation. Furthermore, a parallel implementation for fast evaluation of the constructed ROM has been developed using shared memory parallelization. It has been shown that for large microstructures with ≈ 10,000 grains, the total computational cost of evaluating the nonlinear response of a polycrystal could be reduced by approximately an order of magnitude using 32 cores with respect to serial ROM simulation. The present methodology has been verified using an additively manufactured polycrystalline microstructure of a nickel-based superalloy, Inconel 625. The capability of the developed framework to construct a ROM for such large microstructures, as well as the ability of the ROM to predict average and local quantities of interest has been demonstrated.

microscale↗