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At least 1,351 records · Page 75

Microwave Cast Material Examination

Microwave-cast material dating from the latest prototype development period and subsequent TRL 7 advancement testing was sent to LANL for additional characterization. The initial characterization described here is considered a supplement to and verification of that performed by Y-12 during the Technology Readiness Assessment process. The carbon chemistry results from Y-12 and LANL regarding early prototype microwave cast test object (CTO) and cylinder castings match within expectations. Only one fully intact as-cast CTO was available for examination in which carbon chemistry does not appear to vary spatially, at least at relatively low carbon levels (hypoeutectic). The large as-cast grain size leads to relatively poor grain size statistics and similar difficulties were encountered during the TRA. Small, isolated gas pores were observed in four of the five metallographic samples in prototype CTO casting PT-01. Finally, the next phase of characterization work, which focuses on corrosion behavior, has started and is described briefly.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

One Dimensional Topological Nanomaterials and Superconductivity (Final Technical Report)

The project synthesized and made transport properties of topological crystalline insulator tin telluride (SnTe) nanowires and other topological materials, such as MoTe 2 and WTe 2 . The transport properties of the nanowires were correlated with the diameter of the nanowire, in terms of the ferroelectric phase transition temperature, magnetoresistance response, and Josephson junction behaviors as a function of the nanowire diameter. The most important observation was the proximity-induced superconductivity in SnTe nanowires, which suggests time reversal symmetry breaking.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) for Carbon Fiber and Glass Fiber Epoxy Composites and their Constituents

In this work, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was performed on samples of a carbon fiber epoxy composite, a glass fiber epoxy composite, and a mixed carbon fiber/glass fiber epoxy composite, as well on each constituent material (polymer epoxy, carbon fibers and glass fibers). TGA was conducted for heating rates from 1-20 C/min with purified purge gases of nitrogen and dry air. For the fiberglass composite, we find that ~70% of the material remains after heating in air to 1200 C. For the carbon fiber epoxy composite, we observe greater mass loss as the carbon fibers can oxidize, leaving little material by the end of the test. The mixed composite, which has a 2:1 ratio of glass fibers to carbon fibers, experienced a total mass loss between the two other composites. By determining the relationship between the thermal decomposition of a composite material and its constituent materials, we can predict the fire behavior of novel composites during the material design phase.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Mercury's microwave phase effect.

Incompatibility of microwave phase effects measurements in Mercury thermal emission with simple model for thermal behavior of planet surface

ASTRONOMICAL MODEL↗

NASA/Drexel program

The results are reported of the NASA/Drexel research effort which was conducted in two separate phases. The initial phase stressed exploration of the problem from the point of view of three primary research areas and the building of a multidisciplinary team. The final phase consisted of a clinical demonstration program in which the research associates consulted with the County Executive of New Castle County, Delaware, to aid in solving actual problems confronting the County Government. The three primary research areas of the initial phase are identified as technology, management science, and behavioral science. Five specific projects which made up the research effort are treated separately. A final section contains the conclusions drawn from total research effort as well as from the specific projects.

Source record↗

Rain depolarization and attenuation measurements at 11.7, 19.04, and 28.56 GHz - A description of the experiment and some preliminary results

The considered investigation made use of the Communications Technology Satellite (CTS) downlink and the beacons carried by the Comstar satellites. The general behavior of rain attenuation and depolarization is illustrated with the aid of data from a storm which took place on July 15, 1976. The effect of the rain on the copolarized signal is indicated in a graph. Another graph shows the behavior of the cross-polarized signal component. Phase effects are also considered together with statistical curves for attenuation. The considered data from CTS indicate that, at least during summer convective storms, attenuation at 11.7 GHz is much more severe than anticipated. Attenuation may be a more serious impediment to dual polarized satellite links at this frequency than is depolarization.

Bostian, C. W.↗

The coronal field lines of an evolving bipolar magnetic region

A simple potential field model is presented to illustrate that loops of magnetic flux rise upward through the corona during the relatively short growth phase of a bipolar magnetic region but contract back to the sun's surface during the much longer decay phase of the photospheric region. To reconcile this behavior with the unidirectional, solar-wind-driven convection of flux outward from the sun, one must postulate the existence of an X-type neutral line in the middle corona where open field lines can be converted back to closed ones.

Sheeley, N. R., Jr.↗

Kinetics of a gas adsorption compressor

Chan (1981) has suggested that a process based on gas adsorption could be used as a means to drive a Joule-Thomson (J-T) device. The resulting system has several advantages. It is heat powered, it has no sealing, there are no mechanical moving parts, and no active control is required. In the present investigation, a two-phase model is used to analyze the transients of a gas adsorption compressor. The modeling of the adsorption process is based on a consideration of complete thermal and mechanical equilibrium between the gaseous phase and the adsorbed gas phase. The experimental arrangement for two sets of kinetic tests is discussed, and data regarding the experimental results are presented in graphs. For a theoretical study, a two-phase model was developed to predict the transient behavior of the compressor. A computer code was written to solve the governing equations with the aid of a standard forward marching predictor-corrector method.

Chan, C. K.↗

Quality assurance procedures for V378A matrix resin

A characterization methodology has been developed on which to base quality assurance procedures for U.S. Polymeric V378A bismaleimide matrix resin. Chemical composition is established by partition reverse phase and size exclusion liquid chromatography. Cure rheology behavior is quantitatively characterized by dynamic viscoelastic analysis using the parallel plate technique. The overall cure process is characterized by differential scanning calorimetry. The sensitivity of the procedures is evaluated by studying the effects of ambient out time on the chemical end behaviorial properties of the resin.

Hamermesh, C. L.↗

Long-term stability and properties of zirconia ceramics for heavy duty diesel engine components

Physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of commercially available transformation-toughened zirconia are measured. Behavior is related to the material microstructure and phase assemblage. The stability of the materials is assessed after long-term exposure appropriate for diesel engine application. Properties measured included flexure strength, elastic modulus, fracture toughness, creep, thermal shock, thermal expansion, internal friction, and thermal diffusivity. Stability is assessed by measuring the residual property after 1000 hr/1000C static exposure. Additionally static fatigue and thermal fatigue testing is performed. Both yttria-stabilized and magnesia-stabilized materials are compared and contrasted. The major limitations of these materials are short term loss of properties with increasing temperature as the metastable tetragonal phase becomes more stable. Fine grain yttria-stabilized material (TZP) is higher strength and has a more stable microstructure with respect to overaging phenomena. The long-term limitation of Y-TZP is excessive creep deformation. Magnesia-stabilized PSZ has relatively poor stability at elevated temperature. Overaging, decomposition, and/or destabilization effects are observed. The major limitation of Mg-PSZ is controlling unwanted phase changes at elevated temperature.

Larsen, D. C.↗

A study on radiative damping of planetary waves utilizing stratospheric observations

Satellite ozone observations made by the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE) and corresponding meteorological temperature data are used to study the radiative damping processes associated with planetary waves during stratospheric warmings. Ramanathan's model has been adapted for the radiative heating and cooling calculations. The derived infrared damping coefficients, based on observed stratospheric ozone and temperature, are compared with the Newtonian cooling coefficients of Dickinson and Fels. It is also shown that the negative correlation between temperature and ozone solar heating in the upper stratosphere accelerates the damping rate due to infrared cooling alone, in agreement with the theoretical analysis and an earlier report based on observations. In addition, it is also found in this analysis that the phase relationship between ozone and solar heating waves is characterized by its behavior in three distinct layers. In the regions above about 2 mb and also below about 10 mb, the waves are closely in-phase. Between approximately 2 and 10 mb, they show a departure from the in-phase relationship which can be attributed to the so-called 'opacity effect'. This effect significantly determines the magnitude of radiative damping.

Ghazi, A.↗

Two-phase flow measurements of a spray in a turbulent flow

The dynamics of spray drop interaction with a turbulent coflowing air stream were investigated using a Phase Doppler Particle Analyzer that determines both drop size and velocity. Detailed measurements obtained included spray drop size, axial and radial velocity, angle of trajectory, drop Reynolds number, and size-velocity correlations. The gas-phase flow field was also ascertained via the behavior of the smallest drops. Also investigated were the drag coefficients of droplets in a turbulent air cross flow for both monodispersions and polydispersions. Most notable aspects of the coflow included the effect of air streams with velocities significantly different from the spray sheet. Local changes in number density were produced as a result of lateral convection and streamwise accelerations and decelerations of various drop size classes. The complexity of the spray field interaction illustrated by this data effectively describes the development of the spray due to the influence of the airflow. The droplet drag measurements showed similar behavior for monodispersed and polydispersed flows and similar trends to previously obtained data. The measurements also pointed out further studies which would assist in creating an improved drag law for polydispersed drops in a turbulent environment.

Rudoff, R. C.↗

Two-phase measurements of a spray in the wake of a bluff body

The dynamics of spray drop interaction with the turbulent, recirculating wake of a flat disk bluff body were investigated using a phase Doppler particle analyzer to determine drop size and velocity and the gas-phase velocity. Detailed measurements obtained included spray drop size, axial and radial velocity, angle of trajectory, and size-velocity correlations. The gas-phase velocity was determined from seeding of the two-phase flow. Results showed dramatic differences in drop behavior for various size classes when interacting with the turbulent flow field. Small drops were quickly entrained and recirculated, while initially, the larger drops continued in the general direction of the spray cone. Further downstream, significant numbers of large drops recirculated, generating a bifurcated size-velocity correlation. These lateral convections and streamwise accelerations and decelerations strongly influenced the number density along with size and velocity distributions. The complex interaction of the spray with the turbulent air-flow points out the need for spatially-resolved measurements that determine drop behavior for individual size classes, rather than characterizing a spray only via simple integral quantities such as the Sauter mean diameter.

Rudoff, R. C.↗

Experiments on spray interactions in the wake of a bluff body

The dynamics of spray drop interaction within the turbulent wake of a bluff body were investigated using the Aerometrics Phase Doppler Particle Analyzer that determines both drop size and velocity. Detailed measurements obtained included spray drop size, axial and radial velocity, angle of trajectory, and size-velocity correlations. The gas-phase flow field was also ascertained via the behavior of the smallest drops. Results showed dramatic differences in drop behavior when interacting with turbulence for the various size classes. Small drops were recirculated in a pair of toroidal vortices located behind the bluff body, whereas the larger drops followed the general direction of the spray cone angle. The spray field interaction illustrated by these data casts some doubt on attempts to describe sprays via simple integral quantities such as the Sauter mean diameter.

Rudoff, R. C.↗

Studies of solar type stars

Satellite observations show a change of 0.1 percent in solar irradiance over the past decade. The question arises as to whether larger changes in irradiance may occur over century time scales. Researchers approached this question by looking at changes in surface magnetism, since the satellite observations also show that irradiance and surface magnetism are correlated. To obtain information on possible variations in surface magnetism over century-long intervals, researchers looked at records of surface magnetism spanning up to 20 years for a sample of 74 stars of solar type, i.e., of similar age and mass to the sun. The histories of these stars, observed in random phases of their long-term variability, give a snapshot at any one time of the behavior of a solar-type star over long periods of time. Evidence on Maunder Minimum phases and levels of magnetic activity in these solar-type stars are compared with information on solar magnetism. Implications for solar irradiance changes are discussed.

Baliunas, Sallie↗

Laboratory photometric measurement of particulate soils out to very large phase angles

In the present study, the objectives were to develop the laboratory methods and tools to conduct photometric observations of dark particulate samples over a large range of phase angles and to demonstrate whether forward scattering behavior can be seen in a surface constructed of low albedo material. The researchers also examined the adequacy of various model formulations of P (alpha) to describe the effective scattering properties of their sample.

Helfenstein, Paul↗

The fracture resistance of 1420 and 1421 Al-Mg-Li alloys

The resistance to stable crack growth in 1420-T6 (Al-5Mg-2.1Li-0.1Zr-0.01Sc, less than 0.06Fe, in wt pct) and 1421-T6 (Al-4.7Mg-1.9Li-0.09Zr-0.2Sc, less than 0.06Fe) Al-Mg-Li alloys was investigated, based on the R curves generated in accordance with ASTM E561-86 and fractography analyses. The crack resistance of 1420 and 1421 alloys was found to be comparable to that of the conventional Space Shuttle External Tank Al alloy, 2219-T87. The main differences in the fracture behaviors arose from differences in the alloys' microstructures. In the case of 1420 alloy, a slightly enhanced toughness behavior was observed, due to the T-phase precipitates, which may have promoted more homogeneous deformation and enhanced microvoid coalescence. In the case of 1421 alloy, the addition of Sc led to a refined grain size and resulted in slightly reduced toughness.

Birt, M. J.↗

Improved Damage Resistant Composite Materials Incorporating Shape Memory Alloys

Metallic shape memory alloys (SMA) such as nitinol have unique shape recovery behavior and mechanical properties associated with a material phase change that have been used in a variety of sensing and actuation applications. Recent studies have shown that integrating nitinol-SMA actuators into composite materials increases the composite material's functionality. Hybrid composites of conventional graphite/epoxy or glass/epoxy and nitinol-SMA elements can perform functions in applications where monolithic composites perform inadequately. One such application is the use of hybrid composites to function both in load bearing and armor capacities. While monolithic composites with high strength-to-weight ratios function efficiently as loadbearing structures, because of their brittle nature, impact loading can cause significant catastrophic damage. Initial composite failure modes such as delamination and matrix cracking dissipate some impact energy, but when stress exceeds the composite's ultimate strength, fiber fracture and material perforation become dominant. One of the few methods that has been developed to reduce material perforation is hybridizing polymer matrix composites with tough kevlar or high modulus polyethynylene plies. The tough fibers increase the impact resistance and the stiffer and stronger graphite fibers carry the majority of the load. Similarly, by adding nitinol-SMA elements that absorb impact energy through the stress-induced martensitic phase transformation, the composites' impact perforation resistance can be greatly enhanced. The results of drop-weight and high velocity gas-gun impact testing of various composite materials will be presented. The results demonstrate that hybridizing composites with nitinol-SMA elements significantly increases perforation resistance compared to other traditional toughening elements. Inspection of the composite specimens at various stages of perforation by optical microscope illustrates the mechanisms by which perforation is initiated. Results suggest that the out-of-plane transverse shear properties of the composite and nitinol elements have a significant effect on the perforation resistance. Applications that can utilize the hybrid composites effectively will also be presented with the experimental studies.

Paine, Jeffrey S. N.↗