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At least 1,405 records · Page 78

Atomic oxygen erosion of polymer matrix composites

Results are presented on atomic oxygen erosion of circular tubes and flat plates fabricated from different epoxy matrix composites containing, boron and Kevlar fiber reinforcements. The UTIAS experiment was located at station D-12, at 90 deg to the LDEF leading edge which was yawed about approximately 8 to 10 deg relative to the velocity vector. This resulted in enhanced atomic oxygen exposure at D-12, providing a total fluence of about 4 x 10(exp 20) atoms/sq cm. Thickness loss measurements were obtained for both flat plates and cylindrical tubes. The effect of reflected atomic oxygen on erosion yield and surface morphology on back surfaces (not directly exposed to AO) are graphically demonstrated. Erosion yields are also compared with other space flight data for similar materials, and ground-based tests in the UTIAS AO simulator. The effect of angle of incidence on surface morphology, erosion profiles and thickness losses are presented and the results correlated with simulator tests as well.

Tennyson, R. C.↗

Microfracture in high temperature metal matrix crossply laminates

Microfracture (fiber/matrix fracture, interphase debonding, and inter-ply delamination) in high temperature metal matrix composites (HTMMC), subjected to both mechanical and thermal loading, is computationally simulated. A crossply 0.3 fiber volume ratio SiC/Ti15 composite with 0/90/0 lay-up is evaluated for microfracture using a multicell finite element model. A computational simulation procedure based on strain energy release rates is used to predict the fracture process and establish the hierarchy of fracture modes. Microfracture results for various loading cases are presented and discussed.

Mital, Subodh K.↗

Fatigue life prediction of an intermetallic matrix composite at elevated temperatures

A strain-based fatigue life prediction method is proposed for an intermetallic matrix composite (IMC) under tensile cyclic loadings at elevated temperatures. Styled after the Universal Slopes method, the model utilizes the composite's tensile properties to estimate fatigue life. Factors such as fiber volume ratio, number of plys and temperature dependence are implicitly incorporated into the model through these properties. The model constants are determined by using unidirectional fatigue data at temperatures of 425 and 815 C. Fatigue lives from two independent sources are used to verify the model at temperatures of 650 and 760 C. Cross-ply lives at 760 C are also predicted. It is demonstrated that the correlation between experimental and predicted lives is within a factor of two.

Bartolotta, Paul A.↗

Expert system training and control based on the fuzzy relation matrix

Fuzzy knowledge, that for which the terms of reference are not crisp but overlapped, seems to characterize human expertise. This can be shown from the fact that an experienced human operator can control some complex plants better than a computer can. Proposed here is fuzzy theory to build a fuzzy expert relation matrix (FERM) from given rules or/and examples, either in linguistic terms or in numerical values to mimic human processes of perception and decision making. The knowledge base is codified in terms of many implicit fuzzy rules. Fuzzy knowledge thus codified may also be compared with explicit rules specified by a human expert. It can also provide a basis for modeling the human operator and allow comparison of what a human operator says to what he does in practice. Two experiments were performed. In the first, control of liquid in a tank, demonstrates how the FERM knowledge base is elicited and trained. The other shows how to use a FERM, build up from linguistic rules, and to control an inverted pendulum without a dynamic model.

Ren, Jie↗

Mechanical behavior of a continuous fiber reinforced aluminum matrix composite subjected to transverse and thermal loading

The transverse properties of an aluminum alloy metal matrix composite reinforced by continuous alumina fibers were investigated. The composite is subjected to both mechanical and cyclic thermal loading. The results of an experimental program indicate that the shakedown concept of structural mechanics provides a means of describing the material behavior. When the loading conditions are within the shakedown region, the material finally responds in an elastic manner after initial plastic response, and for loading conditions outside the shakedown region, the material exhibits a rapid incremental plastic strain accumulation. The failure strain varies by an order of magnitude according to the operating conditions. Hence, for high mechanical and low thermal loading, the failure strains is small; for low mechanical and high thermal loading, the failure strain is large.

Jansson, S.↗

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.↗

Ultrasonic velocity technique for monitoring property changes in fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composites

A technique for measuring ultrasonic velocity was used to monitor changes that occur during processing and heat treatment of a SiC/RBSM composite. Results indicated that correlations exist between the ultrasonic velocity data and elastic modulus and interfacial shear strength data determined from mechanical tests. The ultrasonic velocity data can differentiate strength. The advantages and potential of this nondestructive evaluation method for fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite applications are discussed.

Kautz, Harold E.↗

Computational simulation of high temperature metal matrix composite behavior

Computational procedures are described to simulate the thermal and mechanical behavior of high temperature metal matrix composite (HT MMC) in the following four broad areas: (1) behavior of HT MMC from micromechanics to laminate; (2) HT MMC structural response for simple and complex structural components; (3) HT MMC microfracture; and (4) tailoring of HT MMC behavior for optimum specific performance. Representative results from each area are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the computational simulation procedures. Relevant reports are referenced for extended discussion regarding the specific area.

Murthy, Pappu L. N.↗

Matrix-based, finite-difference algorithms for computational acoustics

A compact numerical algorithm is introduced for simulating multidimensional acoustic waves. The algorithm is expressed in terms of a set of matrix coefficients on a three-point spatial grid that approximates the acoustic wave equation with a discretization error of O(h exp 5). The method is based on tracking a local phase variable and its implementation suggests a convenient coordinate splitting along with natural intermediate boundary conditions. Results are presented for oblique plane waves and compared with other procedures. Preliminary computations of acoustic diffraction are also considered.

Davis, Sanford↗

Mechanical characterization of unnotched SCS6/Ti-15-3 metal matrix composites at room temperature

The Ti-15-3 metal matrix composites containing silicon-carbide (SCS6) fibers, in five different lay-ups, have been tested at room temperature to determine static strengths and mechanical properties. Experimental data and predicted values of the laminate properties and strengths showed good correlation. The off-axis laminate plies (that is, 90 and 45 deg) suffered fiber/matrix interface failures at stress levels as low as 20 ksi, thus significantly affecting the mechanical properties of the laminate. Edge replicas were used to verify the fiber/matrix separations. Microscopic examinations determined that the fiber/matrix failures were occurring in the titanium/silicon reaction layer. Fatigue tests were performed on unnotched specimens to determine the number of cycles to failure versus cyclic stress level. It was found that the stress in the 0 deg fiber could be used to correlate the fatigue life of different laminates containing 0 deg plies.

Johnson, W. S.↗

The effect of weak interface on transverse properties of a ceramic matrix composite

Experimental studies conducted at NASA Lewis on SiC reaction-bonded Si3N4 composite system showed that transverse stiffness and strength were much lower than those predicted from existing analytical models based on good interfacial bonding. It was believed that weakened interfaces were responsible for the decrease in tranverse properties. To support this claim, a two-dimensional FEM analysis was performed for a transverse representative volume element. Specifically, the effect of fiber/matrix displacement compatibility at the interface was studied under both tensile and compressive transverse loadings. Interface debonding was represented using active gap elements connecting the fiber and matrix. The analyses show that the transverse tensile strength and stiffness are best predicted when a debonded interface is assumed for the composite. In fact, the measured properties can be predicted by simply replacing the fibers by voids. Thus, it is found that little or no interfacial bonding exists in the composite, and that an elastic analysis can predict the transverse stiffness and strength.

Shimansky, R. A.↗

Concurrent material-fabrication optimization of metal-matrix laminates under thermo-mechanical loading

A methodology is developed to tailor fabrication and material parameters of metal-matrix laminates for maximum loading capacity under thermomechanical loads. The stresses during the thermomechanical response are minimized subject to failure constrains and bounds on the laminate properties. The thermomechanical response of the laminate is simulated using nonlinear composite mechanics. Evaluations of the method on a graphite/copper symmetric cross-ply laminate were performed. The cross-ply laminate required different optimum fabrication procedures than a unidirectional composite. Also, the consideration of the thermomechanical cycle had a significant effect on the predicted optimal process.

Saravanos, D. A.↗

Closed-form solutions for linear regulator-design of mechanical systems including optimal weighting matrix selection

This paper addresses the restriction of Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) solutions to the algebraic Riccati Equation to design spaces which can be implemented as passive structural members and/or dampers. A general closed-form solution to the optimal free-decay control problem is presented which is tailored for structural-mechanical systems. The solution includes, as subsets, special cases such as the Rayleigh Dissipation Function and total energy. Weighting matrix selection is a constrained choice among several parameters to obtain desired physical relationships. The closed-form solution is also applicable to active control design for systems where perfect, collocated actuator-sensor pairs exist. Some examples of simple spring mass systems are shown to illustrate key points.

Hanks, Brantley R.↗

Nonlinear mechanical behavior of thermoplastic matrix materials for advanced composites

Two recent theories of nonlinear mechanical response are quantitatively compared and related to experimental data. Computer techniques are formulated to handle the numerical integration and iterative procedures needed to solve the associated sets of coupled nonlinear differential equations. Problems encountered during these formulations are discussed and some open questions described. Bearing in mind these cautions, the consequences of changing parameters that appear in the formulations on the resulting engineering properties are discussed. Hence, engineering approaches to the analysis of thermoplastic matrix material can be suggested.

Arenz, R. J.↗

Electronic absorption spectroscopy of matrix-isolated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon cations. I - The naphthalene cation (C10H8/+/)

The ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared absorption spectra of naphthalene (C10H8) and its radical ion (C10H8/+/), formed by vacuum ultraviolet irradiation, were measured in argon and neon matrices at 4.2 K. The associated vibronic band systems and their spectroscopic assignments are discussed together with the physical and chemical conditions governing ion production in the solid phase. The absorption coefficients were calculated for the ion and found lower than previous values, presumably due to the low polarizability of the neon matrix.

Salama, F.↗

Thermoviscoplastic behavior of SCS6/Ti metal matrix composites

Experimental measurements are described which can be applied to the development and evaluation of four thermoviscoplastic models of multiangle metal matrix composites. The measurements are employed to develop a data base of stress-strain-time response of SCS6/Ti-15-3 specimens that involves three high temperatures and three loading scenarios. Results of the testing and general data are given for the titanium specimens and are of interest to the development of a method for the measurement and prediction of thermoviscoplastic behavior.

Rogacki, J.↗

Numerical, micro-mechanical prediction of crack growth resistance in a fibre-reinforced/brittle matrix composite

Micromechanics fracture models are incorporated into three distinct fracture process zones which contribute to the crack growth resistance of fibrous composites. The frontal process zone includes microcracking, fiber debonding, and some fiber failure. The elastic process zone is related only to the linear elastic creation of new matrix and fiber fracture surfaces. The wake process zone includes fiber bridging, fiber pullout, and fiber breakage. The R-curve predictions of the model compare well with empirical results for a unidirectional, continuous fiber C/C composite. Separating the contributions of each process zone reveals the wake region to contain the dominant crack growth resistance mechanisms. Fractography showed the effects of the micromechanisms on the macroscopic fracture behavior.

Jenkins, Michael G.↗

Kinetics of gas-to-liquid and liquid-to-solid transfer of particles in metal-matrix composites

Analytical models for transfer of particles from gas to liquid and from liquid to solid are introduced. The model for calculation of the pushing/engulfment transition in directionally solidified particulate metal matrix composites, considers process thermodynamics, process kinetics, thermophysical properties and buoyant forces. Based on processing variables (solidification velocity and direction) and on material variables (interface energies, particle size, particle and liquid density, volume fraction of particles and particle/liquid thermal conductivity ratio) four types of behavior were predicted. Also, two numerical models for liquid-to-solid transfer are discussed, as well as the limitations of presently available models.

Stefanescu, D. M.↗