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At least 1,279 records · Page 71

Regional basalt types in the Luna 24 landing area as derived from remote observations

The Soviet spacecraft Luna 24 landed in Mare Crisium and returned samples that are expected to be much like the low titanium basalts from Luna 16 and Apollo 12. This conclusion is based on earth-based spectral reflectance measurements and multispectral imagery of the Mare Crisium region and uses a background of laboratory measurements of the spectral properties of Lunar soils. These data are used to describe the regional context and composition of the Crisium basaltic units. The returned sample may also contain minor components of a high-titanium basalt and a very low titanium basalt as well as highland material.

Pieters, C.↗

Optical properties of ion beam textured metals

Copper, silicon, aluminum, titanium and 316 stainless steel were textured by 1000 eV xenon ions from an 8-cm diameter electron bombardment ion source. Copper, silicon, and aluminum developed a cone structure with an average peak-to-peak distance ranging from 1 micron for silicon to 6 microns for aluminum. Titanium and 316 stainless steel developed a serpentine ridge structure. The average peak-to-peak distance for both of these materials was 0.5 micron. Total reflectance for air mass 0 and 2, solar absorptance, and total emittance, normalized for a 425 K black body were calculated from the reflectance measurements. All materials had solar absorptances between 0.93 (stainless steel) and 0.97 (silicon and aluminum). Total emittance values of 0.75, 0.80, and 0.85 for Si, Al, and Cu, respectively, resulted in a solar absorptance/total emittance ratio of approximately 1.2. Titanium and 316 stainless steel had values of 2.6 and 2.9, respectively, for this ratio.

Hudson, W. R.↗

Study of advanced composite structural design concepts for an arrow wing supersonic cruise configuration

Based on estimated graphite and boron fiber properties, allowable stresses and strains were established for advanced composite materials. Stiffened panel and conventional sandwich panel concepts were designed and analyzed, using graphite/polyimide and boron/polyimide materials. The conventional sandwich panel was elected as the structural concept for the modified wing structure. Upper and lower surface panels of the arrow wing structure were then redesigned, using high strength graphite/polyimide sandwich panels, retaining the titanium spars and ribs from the prior study. The ATLAS integrated analysis and design system was used for stress analysis and automated resizing of surface panels. Flutter analysis of the hybrid structure showed a significant decrease in flutter speed relative to the titanium wing design. The flutter speed was increased to that of the titanium design by selective increase in laminate thickness and by using graphite fibers with properties intermediate between high strength and high modulus values.

Turner, M. J.↗

Tissue stimulator enclosure welding fixture

It was demonstrated that the thickness of the stimulator titanium enclosure is directly related to the battery recharge time cycle. Reduction of the titanium enclosure thickness from approximately 0.37 mm (0.015 inch) to 0.05 mm (0.002 inch) significantly reduced the recharge time cycle and thereby patient inconvenience. However, fabrication of titanium enclosures from the thinner material introduced problems in forming, holding, and welding that required improvement in state of the art shop practices. The procedures that were utilized to resolve these fabrication problems are described.

Mcclure, S. R.↗

Geochemical and geological units of Mare Humorum - Definition using remote sensing and lunar sample information

Mare Humorum has been found to contain at least nine distinct units. Mare basalt units typical of those at the Apollo 12 and 15 sites and central Mare Serenitatis exist also in Mare Humorum, but the early, high-titanium basalts typical of Mare Tranquillitatis and southeast Mare Serenitatis are absent. Basalts containing about 5% TiO2, not sampled at any Apollo site, also are found in Mare Humorum. Emplacement of extensive low-titanium basalts occurred in Mare Humorum in roughly the same period as emplacement of similar basalts at Apollo 12 and central Mare Serenitatis. These were followed by emplacement of the higher titanium basalts during a later period. These and other units are characterized and their extent mapped using a combination of remote sensing and Apollo sample studies. The results are interpreted in the context of the evolution of the Humorum region.

Pieters, C.↗

A geologic assessment of potential lunar ores

Although bulk lunar soil is not a suitable feedstock for extracting metals, certain minerals such as anorthite and ilmenite can be separated and concentrated. These minerals can be considered as potential ores of aluminum, silicon, titanium, andiron. A separation and metal extraction plant could also extract large amounts of oxygen and perhaps hydrogen from these minerals. Anorthie containing 19 percent aluminum and 20 percent silicon can be concentrated from some highland soils where it is present in amounts up to 60 percent. Ilmenite containing 32 percent titanium and 37 percent iron can be concentrated from some mare soils where it is present in amounts up to 10 percent. The ideal mining site would be located at the boundary between a high-titanium mare and a high-aluminum highlands. Such area may exist around the rims of some eastern maria, particularly Tranquilitatis. A location on Earth with raw materials as described above would be considered an economically valuable ore deposit if conventional terrestrial resources were not available.

Mckay, D. S.↗

Factors affecting the open-circuit voltage and electrode kinetics of some iron/titanium/redox flow cells

The effect of acid concentration on the performance of the iron-titanium redox flow cell was studied. When the acidity was increased, open-circuit voltages decreased on the titanium side but load voltages increased due to decreased polarization. The best load voltage occurs when there is high acidity on the titanium side coupled with low acidity on the iron side, but such cells show voltage losses with repeated cycling because of the diffusion of acid through the membrane. No membrane tested has been found capable of maintaining the differences in acidity. Chelating agents show some promise in reducing polarization at the Ti electrode and thus improving energy efficiency.

Reid, M. A.↗

Effects of compositional variation on absorption spectra of lunar pyroxenes

Polarized absorption spectra of lunar pyroxenes with a range of iron, calcium, magnesium, titanium and chromium contents were measured on polished, oriented single crystals; spectral data on pure synthetic FeSiO3 were also recorded. The bands at 1 and 2 microns were found to vary significantly in position with composition within the pyroxene quadrilateral; wavelengths increased with increasing calcium and iron. In the visible region, a weak band at 640 nm correlates in intensity with Cr2O3, but not with titanium as had been previously suggested. The 505-nm ferrous iron peak is a sharp doublet in most low-calcium pyroxenes but a singlet in augites. A peak at 475 nm and an intense absorption edge below 700 nm correlated with titanium content.

Hazen, R. M.↗

Fabrication research for supersonic cruise aircraft

Advanced fabrication and joining processes for titanium and composite materials are being investigated by NASA to develop technology for the Supersonic Cruise Research (SCR) Program. Full-scale structural panels are being designed and fabricated to meet the criteria of an existing integrally stiffened shear panel on the upper wing surface of the NASA YF-12 aircraft. The program consists of laboratory testing and Mach 3 flight service of full-scale structural panels and laboratory testing of representative structural element specimens. Borsic/aluminum honeycomb-core, titanium clad Borsic/aluminum skin-stringer, graphite/PMR-15 polyimide honeycomb-core, and titanium superplastically formed/diffusion bonded panels have been designed, fabricated, and tested. Graphite/LARC-160 polyimide skin-stringer panels have been designed, and fabrication methods are being developed.

Hoffman, E. L.↗

LARC-13 adhesive development

A LARC-13 type adhesive system was developed and property data obtained that demonstrated improved thermomechanical properties superior to base LARC-13 adhesive. An improved adhesive for 589 K (600 F) use was developed by physical or chemical modification of LARC-13. The adhesive was optimized for titanium and composite bonding, and a compatible surface preparation for titanium and composite substrates was identified. The data obtained with the improved adhesive system indicated it would meet the 589 K (600 F) properties desired for application on space shuttle components. Average titanium lap shear data were: (1) 21.1 MPa (3355 psi) at RT, (2) 13.0 MPa (1881 psi) at 600 F, and (3) 16.4 MPa (2335) after aging 125 hours at 600 F and tested at 600 F.

Hill, S. G.↗

Technology development status at McDonnell Douglas

The significant technology items of the Concorde and the conceptual MCD baseline advanced supersonic transport are compared. The four major improvements are in the areas of range performance, structures (materials), aerodynamics, and in community noise. Presentation charts show aerodynamic efficiency; the reoptimized wing; low scale lift/drag ratio; control systems; structural modeling and analysis; weight and cost comparisons for superplasticity diffusion bonded titanium sandwich structures and for aluminum brazed titanium honeycomb structures; operating cost reduction; suppressor nozzles; noise reduction and range; the bicone inlet; a market summary; environmental issues; high priority items; the titanium wing and fuselage test components; and technology validation.

Rowe, W. T.↗

Rub energetics of compressor blade tip seals

The rub mechanics of aircraft gas turbine engine compressor abradable blade tip seals was studied at simulated engine conditions. In 12 statistically planned, instrumented rub tests using single titanium blades and fiber-metal rubstrips the rub velocity, incursion rate, incursion depth, blade thickness, and abradable strength were varied to determine the effects on rub energy, heat split between the blade, rubstrip surface and rub debris, and blade and seal wear. The rub energies were found to be most significantly affected by the incursion rate while rub velocity and blade thickness were of secondary importance. In five additional rub tests using single nickel alloy blades and multiple titanium alloy blades, rub energy and wear effects were found to be similar for titanium and nickel alloy blades while rub energies increased for multiple blades relative to single blade test results.

Laverty, W. F.↗

Method and apparatus for coating substrates using a laser

Metal substrates, preferably of titanium and titanium alloys, are coated by alloying or forming TiN on a substrate surface. A laser beam strikes the surface of a moving substrate in the presence of purified nitrogen gas. A small area of the substrate surface is quickly heated without melting. This heated area reacts with the nitrogen to form a solid solution. The alloying or formation of TiN occurs by diffusion of nitrogen into the titanium. Only the surface layer of the substrate is heated because of the high power density of the laser beam and short exposure time. The bulk of the substrate is not affected, and melting of the substrate is avoided because it would be detrimental.

Zaplatynsky, I.↗

Oxidation and corrosion resistance of candidate Stirling engine heater-head-tube alloys

Sixteen candidate iron base Stirling engine heater head tube alloys are evaluated in a diesel fuel fired simulator materials test rig to determine their oxidation and corrosion resistance. Sheet specimens are tested at 820 C for 3500 hr in 5 hr heating cycles. Specific weight change data and an attack parameter are used to categorize the alloys into four groups; 10 alloys show excellent for good oxidation and corrosion resistance and six alloys exhibit poor or catastrophic resistance. Metallographic, X-ray, and electron microprobe analyses aid in further characterizing the oxidation and corrosion behavior of the alloys. Alloy compositions, expecially the reactive elements aluminum, titanium, and chromium, play a major role in the excellent oxidation and corrosion behavior of the alloys. The best oxidation resistance is associated with the formation of an iron nickel aluminum outer oxide scale, an intermediate oxide scale rich in chromium and titanium, and an aluminum outer oxide scale adjacent to the metallic substrate, which exhibits a zone of internal oxidation of aluminum and to some extent titanium.

Stephens, J. R.↗

Characterization of erosion of metallic materials under cavitation attack in a mineral oil

Cavitation erosion and erosion rates of eight metallic materials representing three crystal structures were studied using a 20-kHz ultrasonic magnetostrictive oscillator in viscous mineral oil. The erosion rates of the metals with an fcc matrix were 10 to 100 times higher than that of an hcp-matrix titanium alloy. The erosion rates of iron and molybdenum, with bcc matrices, were higher than that of the titanium alloy but lower than those of the fcc metals. Scanning electron microscopy indicates that the cavitation pits are initially formed at the grain boundaries and precipitates and that the pits that formed at the triple points grew faster than the others. Transcrystalline craters formed by cavitation attack over the surface of grains and roughened the surfaces by multiple slip and twinning. Surface roughness measurements show that the pits that formed over the grain boundaries deepended faster than other pits. Computer analysis revealed that a geometric expression describes the nondimensional erosion curves during the time period 0.5 t(0) t 2.5 t(0), where t(0) is the incubation period. The fcc metals had very short incubation periods; the titanium alloy had the longest incubation period.

Rao, B. C. S.↗

Development of a new low cost antireflective coating technique for solar cells

The goal of this study was the development of an antireflective (AR) coating technique that has the potential for high throughput and low cost yet is capable of producing films of good optical quality. Previous efforts to develop sprayed AR coatings had utilized titanium isopropoxide mixed with volatile solvents. These films worked well on smooth surfaces but when applied to etched semi-crystalline silicon surfaces yielded inconsistent results with more than 20 percent of the AM1 incident light being reflected. In this program titanium isopropoxide was sprayed directly onto heater wafers (410 C) to produce a uniform AR coating even on highly textured surfaces. Tests on various types of solar cells yielded performance improvements for the hot sprayed AR cells that are equivalent to that observed for evaporated TiOx AR coated cells. As an extension of this effort a new double layer AR consisting of a bottom layer of hot sprayed titanium isopropoxide and a top layer of hot sprayed aluminum isopropoxide in methylene chloride has resulted in more than 10 percent improvement in cell output as compared to a single layer AR cell.

Wohlgemuth, J. H.↗

Energy efficient engine. Volume 2. Appendix A: Component development and integration program

The large size and the requirement for precise lightening cavities in a considerable portion of the titanium fan blades necessitated the development of a new manufacturing method. The approach which was selected for development incorporated several technologies including HIP diffusion bonding of titanium sheet laminates containing removable cores and isothermal forging of the blade form. The technology bases established in HIP/DB for composite blades and in isothermal forging for fan blades were applicable for development of the manufacturing process. The process techniques and parameters for producing and inspecting the cored diffusion bonded titanium laminate blade preform were established. The method was demonstrated with the production of twelve hollow simulated blade shapes for evaluation. Evaluations of the critical experiments conducted to establish procedures to produce hollow structures by a laminate/core/diffusion bonding approach are included. In addition the transfer of this technology to produce a hollow fan blade is discussed.

Moracz, D. J.↗

Analytical and experimental investigation of rubbing interaction in labyrinth seals for a liquid hydrogen fuel pump

Cracking of the titanium knife edges on the labyrinth seals of the liquid hydrogen fuel pump in the Space Shuttle main engine is considered. Finite element analysis of the thermal response of the knife edge in sliding contact with the wear ring surface shows that interfacial temperatures can be quite high and they are significantly influenced by the thermal conductivity of the surfaces in rubbing contact. Thermal shock experiments on a test specimen similar to the knife edge geometry demonstrate that cracking of the titanium alloy is possible in a situation involving repeated thermal cycles over a wide temperature range, as might be realized during a rub in the liquid hydrogen fuel pump. High-speed rub interaction tests were conducted using a representative knife edge and seal geometry over a broad range of interaction rates and alternate materials were experimentally evaluated. Plasma-sprayed aluminum-graphite was found to be significantly better than presently used aluminum alloy seals from the standpoint of rub performance. Ion nitriding the titanium alloy knife-edges also improved rub performance compared to the untreated baseline.

Dolan, F. X.↗