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At least 1,387 records · Page 77
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1994

Mechanical properties of crosslinked polymer coatings

The objectives of this experiment are to: fabricate and test thin films to explore relations between a polymer's structure and its mechanical properties; expose students to testing methods for hardness and impact energy that are simple to perform and which have results that are easy to comprehend; show importance of polymer properties in materials that students frequently encounter; illustrate a system which displays a tradeoff between strength and impact resistance, the combination of which would need to be optimized for a particular application; and to expose students to coatings technology and testing.

Csernica, Jeffrey↗
NASA NTRS2002

Examination of Short- and Long-Range Atomic Order Nanocrystalline SiC and Diamond by Powder Diffraction Methods

The real atomic structure of nanocrystals determines unique, key properties of the materials. Determination of the structure presents a challenge due to inherent limitations of standard powder diffraction techniques when applied to nanocrystals. Alternate methodology of the structural analysis of nanocrystals (several nanometers in size) based on Bragg-like scattering and called the "apparent lattice parameter" (alp) is proposed. Application of the alp methodology to examination of the core-shell model of nanocrystals will be presented. The results of application of the alp method to structural analysis of several nanopowders were complemented by those obtained by determination of the Atomic Pair Distribution Function, PDF. Based on synchrotron and neutron diffraction data measured in a large diffraction vector of up to Q = 25 Angstroms(exp -1), the surface stresses in nanocrystalline diamond and SiC were evaluated.

Palosz, B.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Properties of cryogenically worked metals

A program was conducted to determine whether the mechanical properties of cryogenically worked 17-7PH stainless steel are suitable for service from ambient to cryogenic temperatures. It was determined that the stress corrosion resistance of the cryo-worked material is quite adequate for structural service. The tensile properties and fracture toughness at room temperature were comparable to titanium alloy 6Al-4V. However, at cryogenic temperatures, the properties were not sufficient to recommend consideration for structural service.

Schwartzberg, F. R.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Variations of electron distribution functions in the solar wind

Variations of electron distribution functions in the solar wind have been investigated using the electron data observed aboard Helios 2 during the first four months of its mission in 1976 in the distance range between 0.3 and 1 AU. In particular, variations across the sector structure of the interplanetary magnetic field and across the plasma stream structures have been studied. It has been found that there is a strong correlation between the electron properties and the sector structure of the magnetic field. Within the interior of magnetic sectors the electron distribution functions are extremely anisotropic and skewed with respect to the magnetic field direction at high particle energies. Toward sector boundaries the electron distribution functions become less anisotropic and less skewed. Right at sector boundaries the electrons are relatively cool, and their distributions are nearly isotropic often showing a slight bidirectional anisotropy. These observations have been interpreted to indicate that scattering of electrons with energies above 100 eV is weak within the interior of magnetic sectors but anomalous scattering increases drastically toward sector boundaries for all energies in the halo regime up to several hundred eV. There is evidence for closed magnetic field structures, probably occurring frequently in the solar wind, where the magnetic field lines should usually be connected to the sun outside sector boundaries but may or may not be disconnected from the sun at sector boundaries.

Pilipp, W. G.↗
NASA NTRS2024

Unveiling the Journey of A Highly Inclined CME: Insights from the March 13, 2012, Event With 110° Longitudinal Separation

Context. A fast (∼2000 km s -1 ) and wide (>110°) coronal mass ejection (CME) erupted from the Sun on March 13, 2012. Its interplanetary counterpart was detected in situ two days later by STEREO-A and near-Earth spacecraft, such as ACE, Wind, and Cluster. We suggest that at 1 au the CME extended at least 110° in longitude, with Earth crossing its east flank and STEREO-A crossing its- west flank. Despite their separation, measurements from both positions showed very similar in situ CME signatures. The solar source region where the CME erupted was surrounded by three coronal holes (CHs). Their locations with respect to the CME launch site were east (negative polarity), southwest (positive polarity) and west (positive polarity). The solar magnetic field polarity of the area covered by each CH matches that observed at 1 au in situ. Suprathermal electrons at each location showed mixed signatures with only some intervals presenting clear counter streaming flows as the CME transits both locations. The strahl population coming from the shortest magnetic connection of the structure to the Sun showed more intensity. Aims. The aim of this work is to understand the propagation and evolution of the CME and its interaction with the surrounding CHs, to explain the similarities and differences between the observations at each spacecraft, and report what one of the most longitudinal expanded CME structures measured in situ would be. Methods. Known properties of the large-scale structures from a variety of catalogues and previous studies were used to have a better overview of this particular event. In addition, multipoint observations were used to reconstruct the 3D geometry of the CME and determine the context of the solar and heliospheric conditions before the CME eruption and during its propagation. The graduated cylindrical shell model (GCS) was used to reproduce the orientation, size and speed of the structure with a simple geometry. Also, the Drag-Based Model (DBM) was utilised to understand the conditions of the interplanetary medium better in terms of the drag undergone by the structure while propagating in different directions. Finally, a comparative analysis of the different regions of the structure through the different observatories was carried out in order to directly compare the in situ plasma and magnetic field properties at each location. Results. The study presents important findings regarding the in situ measured CME on March 15, 2012, detected at a longitudinal separation of 110° in the ecliptic plane despite its initial inclination being around 45° when erupted (March 13). This suggests that the CME may have deformed and/or rotated, allowing it to be observed near its legs with spacecraft at a separation angle greater than 100°. The CME structure interacted with high-speed streams generated by the surrounding CHs. The piled-up plasma in the sheath region exhibited an unexpected correlation in magnetic field strength despite the large separation in longitude. In situ observations reveal that at both locations there was a flank encounter – where the spacecraft crossed the first part of the CME – then encountered ambient solar wind, and finally passed near the legs of the structure. Conclusions. A scenario covering all evidence is proposed for both locations with a general view of the whole structure and solar wind conditions. Also, the study shows the necessity of having multipoint observations of large-scale structures in the heliosphere.

methods: data analysis↗
NASA NTRS1996

Wind Variability of B Supergiants: The Two-component Stellar Wind of gamma Arae - No. 2

The stellar wind of the rapidly rotating early-B supergiant, gamma Ara, is studied using time series, high-resolution IUE spectroscopy secured over approx. 6 days in 1993 March. Results are presented based on an analysis of several line species, including N(N), C(IV), Si(IV), Si(III), C(II), and Al(III). The wind of this star is grossly structured, with evidence for latitude-dependent mass loss which reflects the role of rapid rotation. Independent, co-existing time variable features are identified at low-velocity (redward of approx. -750 km/s) and at higher-speeds extending to approx. -1500 km/s. The interface between these structures is 'defined' by the appearance of a discrete absorption component which is extremely sharp (in velocity space). The central velocity of this 'Super DAC' changes only gradually, over several days, between approx. -400 and -750 km/s in most of the ions. However, its location is shifted redward by almost 400 km/s in Al(III) and C(II), indicating that the physical structure giving rise to this feature has a substantial velocity and ionization jump. Constraints on the relative ionization properties of the wind structures are discussed, together with results based on SEI line-profile-fitting methods. The overall wind activity in gamma Ara exhibits a clear ion dependence, such that low-speed features are promoted in low-ionization species, including Al(III), C(II), and Si(III). We also highlight that - in contrast to most OB stars - there are substantial differences in the epoch-to-epoch time-averaged wind profiles of gamma Ara. We interpret the results in terms of a two-component wind model for gamma Ara, with an equatorially compressed low ionization region, and a high speed, higher-ionization polar outflow. This picture is discussed in the context of the predicted bi-stability mechanism for line-driven winds in rapidly rotating early-B type stars, and the formation of compressed wind regions in rapidly rotating hot stars. The apparent absence of a substantial shift in the wind ionization mixture of gamma Ara, and the normal nature of its photospheric spectrum, suggests wind-compression as the likely dominant cause for the observed equatorial density enhancements.

Prinja, R. K.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Friction Stir Welding

Friction stir welding (FSW) is a solid state welding process invented in 1991 at The Welding Institute in the United Kingdom. A weld is made in the FSW process by translating a rotating pin along a weld seam so as to stir the sides of the seam together. FSW avoids deleterious effects inherent in melting and promises to be an important welding process for any industries where welds of optimal quality are demanded. This article provides an introduction to the FSW process. The chief concern is the physical effect of the tool on the weld metal: how weld seam bonding takes place, what kind of weld structure is generated, potential problems, possible defects for example, and implications for process parameters and tool design. Weld properties are determined by structure, and the structure of friction stir welds is determined by the weld metal flow field in the vicinity of the weld tool. Metal flow in the vicinity of the weld tool is explained through a simple kinematic flow model that decomposes the flow field into three basic component flows: a uniform translation, a rotating solid cylinder, and a ring vortex encircling the tool. The flow components, superposed to construct the flow model, can be related to particular aspects of weld process parameters and tool design; they provide a bridge to an understanding of a complex-at-first-glance weld structure. Torques and forces are also discussed. Some simple mathematical models of structural aspects, torques, and forces are included.

Nunes, Arthur C., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Investigation of the Surface Stress in SiC and Diamond Nanocrystals by In-situ High Pressure Powder Diffraction Technique

The real atomic structure of nanocrystals determines key properties of the materials. For such materials the serious experimental problem lies in obtaining sufficiently accurate measurements of the structural parameters of the crystals, since very small crystals constitute rather a two-phase than a uniform crystallographic phase system. As a result, elastic properties of nanograins may be expected to reflect a dual nature of their structure, with a corresponding set of different elastic property parameters. We studied those properties by in-situ high-pressure powder diffraction technique. For nanocrystalline, even one-phase materials such measurements are particularly difficult to make since determination of the lattice parameters of very small crystals presents a challenge due to inherent limitations of standard elaboration of powder diffractograms. In this investigation we used our methodology of the structural analysis, the 'apparent lattice parameter' (alp) concept. The methodology allowed us to avoid the traps (if applied to nanocrystals) of standard powder diffraction evaluation techniques. The experiments were performed for nanocrystalline Sic and GaN powders using synchrotron sources. We applied both hydrostatic and isostatic pressures in the range of up to 40 GPa. Elastic properties of the samples were examined based on the measurements of a change of the lattice parameters with pressure. The results show a dual nature of the mechanical properties (compressibilities) of the materials, indicating a complex, core-shell structure of the grains.

Palosz, B.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Ultra-Lightweight Nanocomposite Foams and Sandwich Structures for Space Structure Applications

Microcellular nanocomposite foams and sandwich structures have been created to have excellent electrical conductivity and radiation-resistant properties using a new method that does not involve or release any toxicity. The nanocomposite structures have been scaled up in size to 12 X 12 in. (30 X 30 cm) for components fabrication. These sandwich materials were fabricated mainly from PE, CNF, and carbon fibers. Test results indicate that they have very good compression and compression-after-impact properties, excellent electrical conductivity, and superior space environment durability. Compression tests show that 1000 ESH (equivalent Sun hours) of UV exposure has no effect on the structural properties of the sandwich structures. The structures are considerably lighter than aluminum alloy (= 36 percent lighter), which translates to 36 percent weight savings of the electronic enclosure and its housing. The good mechanical properties of the materials may enable the electronic housing to be fabricated with a thinner structure that further reduces the weight. There was no difficulty in machining the sandwich specimens into electronic enclosure housing.

Tan, Seng↗
NASA NTRS1991

Damping Of Vibrations In Graphite/Epoxy Structures

Report describes study of vibration-damping properties, in air and vacuum, of graphite/epoxy composite structural members joined by adhesives. Determines vibration-damping effects of specimens representative of members and joints of truss, particularly after gases and moisture trapped during manufacture released in vacuum. Damping ratios measured under free and forced vibrations and before and after outgassing in vacuum. Effects of end-support conditions and high and low temperatures on damping also measured.

Crocker, Malcolm J.↗
NASA NTRS2022

Vegetation and vantage point influence visibility across diverse ecosystems: Implications for animal ecology

Visual information can influence animal behavior and habitat use in diverse ways. Visibility is the property that relates 3D habitat structure to accessibility of visual information. Despite the importance of visibility in animal ecology, this property remains largely unstudied. Our objective was to assess how habitat structure from diverse environments and animal position within that structure can influence visibility. We gathered terrestrial lidar data (1 cm at 10 m) in four ecosystems (forest, shrub-steppe, prairie, and desert) to characterize viewsheds (i.e., estimates of visibility based on spatially explicit sightlines) from multiple vantage points. Both ecosystem-specific structure and animal position influenced potential viewsheds. Generally, as height of the vantage point above the ground increased, viewshed extent also increased, but the relationships were not linear. In low-structure ecosystems (prairie, shrub-steppe, and desert), variability in viewsheds decreased as vantage points increased to heights above the vegetation canopy. In the forest, however, variation in viewsheds was highest at intermediate heights, and markedly lower at the lowest and highest vantage points. These patterns are likely linked to the amount, heterogeneity, and distribution of vegetation structure occluding sightlines. Our work is the first to apply a new method that can be used to estimate viewshed properties relevant to animals (i.e., viewshed extent and variability). We demonstrate that these properties differ across terrestrial landscapes in complex ways that likely influence many facets of animal ecology and behavior.

Rachel Stein↗
NASA NTRS1978

The effect of adhesive layers on the fracture of laminated structures

The effect of the thickness and the elastic properties of the adhesive layers in laminated structures is considered. The structure is assumed to consist of two sets of periodically arranged dissimilar layers which may contain cracks perpendicular to the interfaces. The crack problem is solved under the assumption of plane strain or generalized plane stress and by using two different models for the adhesive layers. In the first model the adhesive layer is approximated by a combination of tensile and shear springs. In the second the adhesive layer is considered to be an elastic continuum, hence involving no approximating assumptions. The results regarding the stress intensity and stress concentration factors obtained from these two models and that found by ignoring the adhesive layers are presented and some comparisons are made.

Gecit, M. R.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Development of Processable PMR-Type Polymides with Star-Branched Structures

In the last two decades, high temperature polyimide matrix composites have found broad applications in aerospace structural components, due to their high specific modulus and high specific strength. As matrix resins, aromatic polyimides exhibit exceptional thermal stability and mechanical properties. However, their rodlike structures often result in poor solubility in most common organic solvents, as well as high melt temperature and melt viscosity, making them difficult to process. To overcome this difficulty, flexible linkages including O, SO2 or CH2 non coplanar biphenyl moieties, bulky lateral substituents, and crankshaft structures are often incorporated into the polymer backbones. Addition-curing of low molecular weight polyimides (resins) is another approach to improve processability. One of the most successfully developed materials has been PMR-15 (Polymerization of Monomer Reactants, molecular weight of 1500 g/mol), because of its good combination of thermal and mechanical properties and ease of processability. However, due to the high melt viscosity of PMR-type resins, use of more economical processing methods, such as resin transfer molding (RTM), is not possible. Recent research has focused on the incorporation of trifunctional monomers into addition-curing polyimides in an attempt to improve the processability of these polymers. The objective of this research is to use an aromatic triamine, 1,3,5 tris (4-aminophenoxy) benzene, to prepare new resin systems with starbranched structures. The glass transition temperatures (Tg's) and thermal oxidative stability TOS) of these polymers are compared to their linear counterparts and PMR-15.

Nguyen, Baochau N.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Families of shift-register sequences with impulsive correlation properties

A study of the linear feedback shift registers corresponding to a subset of nonprimitive irreducible polynomials over GF(2) has uncovered a class of sequences with interesting structures and cyclic correlation properties. These families of sequences are made up of interleaved identical sequences which are from primitive irreducible polynomials. Furthermore, they have correlation functions which are two or three valued, being constant at zero or a small value throughout most of their length with the exception of a small number of impulses. Each interval between such impulses on the correlograms uniquely corresponds to (and thus uniquely identifies) the member sequence or sequences producing it. It is shown that these families of sequences have direct application as error-correcting codes.

Lee, J.-J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

On the structure of contact binaries. II - Zero-age models

Zero-age models of contact binaries of roughly solar composition are constructed on the basis of contact discontinuity hypothesis. With this formulation, systems with common radiative envelopes can be constructed as well as systems with common convective envelopes. Two models with total masses, respectively, of 1.5 and 3 solar masses are presented explicitly; both binary models have a mass ratio chosen equal to 0.5. The properties of the interior structure of these models are compared with the properties of zero-age single stars which have masses corresponding to the individual components. The predictions of the theory are compared with the empirical period-color relationship found by Eggen (1961, 1967) for W Ursae Majoris stars. The agreement with observations is satisfactory.

Lubow, S. H.↗
NASA NTRS1989

The weight distribution and randomness of linear codes

Finding the weight distributions of block codes is a problem of theoretical and practical interest. Yet the weight distributions of most block codes are still unknown except for a few classes of block codes. Here, by using the inclusion and exclusion principle, an explicit formula is derived which enumerates the complete weight distribution of an (n,k,d) linear code using a partially known weight distribution. This expression is analogous to the Pless power-moment identities - a system of equations relating the weight distribution of a linear code to the weight distribution of its dual code. Also, an approximate formula for the weight distribution of most linear (n,k,d) codes is derived. It is shown that for a given linear (n,k,d) code over GF(q), the ratio of the number of codewords of weight u to the number of words of weight u approaches the constant Q = q(-)(n-k) as u becomes large. A relationship between the randomness of a linear block code and the minimum distance of its dual code is given, and it is shown that most linear block codes with rigid algebraic and combinatorial structure also display certain random properties which make them similar to random codes with no structure at all.

Cheung, K.-M.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Use of photostress to characterize the mechanical behavior of weldments

Welded aluminum is an important part of many space structures. Knowledge of the properties and behavior of weld material and the material surrounding the weld is important for modeling and design of the structures. Photoelastic coatings (Photostress) and strain gages were used to determine behavior of heat treated and as welded joints made from 2219T87 parent material and 2319 weld material subjected to tensile loads. TIG welds of 1/8, 1/2, and 1.4 inches thickness were investigated. Discontinuous yielding was observed in all tests and highly non-uniform behavior through the weld thickness was observed in joints having welds 1.4 inches thick. Joints having welds 1/8 and 1/2 inches thick had only small differences in behavior through the thickness of the weld. Joints in the 1/2 inch thick material contained distinct zones of constant strain within the normal strain gradient extending outward from the weld centerline. These zones had different thickness and locations. Points at the weld centerline, and for a distance of nearly one inch from the centerline, exhibited very nonlinear behavior during the first loading but exhibited near perfect strain hardening during the second loading.

Gambrell, S. C., Jr.↗