SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “graphitization”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,405 records · Page 78

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1988

Effects of moisture, elevated temperature, and fatigue loading on the behavior of graphite/epoxy buffer strip panels with center cracks

The effects of fatigue loading combined with moisture and heat on the behavior of graphite epoxy panels with either Kevlar-49 or S-glass buffer strips were studied. Buffer strip panels, that had a slit in the center to represent damage, were moisture conditioned or heated, fatigue loaded, and then tested in tension to measure their residual strength. The buffer strips were parallel to the loading direction and were made by replacing narrow strips of the 0 deg graphite plies with Kevlar-49 epoxy or S-glass epoxy on a 1-for-1 basis. The panels were subjected to a fatigue loading spectrum. One group of panels was preconditioned by soaking in 60 C water to produce a 1 percent weight gain then tested at room temperature. One group was heated to 82 C during the fatigue loading. Another group was moisture conditioned and then tested at 82 C. The residual strengths of the buffer panels were not highly affected by the fatigue loading, the number of repetitions of the loading spectrum, or the maximum strain level. The moisture conditioning reduced the residual strengths of the S-glass buffer strip panel by 10 to 15 percent below the ambient results. The moisture conditioning did not have a large effect on the Kevlar-49 panels.

Bigelow, C. A.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Interlaminar fracture toughness of thermoplastic composites

Edge delamination tension and double cantilever beam tests were used to characterize the interlaminar fracture toughness of continuous graphite-fiber composites made from experimental thermoplastic polyimides and a model thermoplastic. Residual thermal stresses, known to be significant in materials processed at high temperatures, were included in the edge delamination calculations. In the model thermoplastic system (polycarbonate matrix), surface properties of the graphite fiber were shown to be significant. Critical strain energy release rates for two different fibers having similar nominal tensile properties differed by 30 to 60 percent. The reason for the difference is not clear. Interlaminar toughness values for the thermoplastic polyimide composites (LARC-TPI and polyimidesulfone) were 3 to 4 in-lb/sq in. Scanning electron micrographs of the EDT fracture surfaces suggest poor fiber/matrix bonding. Residual thermal stresses account for up to 32 percent of the strain energy release in composites made from these high-temperature resins.

Hinkley, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1988

The 700 F properties of autoclave cured PMR-2 composites

Studies were conducted to develop autoclave processing parameters for graphite reinforced PMR-2 resin composite materials intended for use in applications at temperatures up to 371 degrees (700 F). The effect of resin composition on autoclaveability was investigated. The effect of various graphite fibers and resin composition on 343 C (650 F) and 371 C (700 F) thermo-oxidative stability and mechanical properties was also investigated. The results of the processing studies show that PMR-2 resin composites can be easily fabricated under autoclave conditions. Autoclaved laminates exposed to 1 atm of air at 343 C (650 F) and 371 C (700 F) exhibited less than 5 percent weight loss after 750 hr exposure to 650 F air and 8 percent weight loss during exposure to 700 F air for 500 hr. After 500 hr exposure, autoclaved laminates exhibited greater than 90 percent retention of initial 650 and 700 F flexural and interlaminar shear strengths. The effect of resin formulated molecular weight and postcure conditions on laminate glass transition temperature is also discussed.

Vannucci, Raymond D.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Development of composite facets for the surface of a space-based solar dynamic concentrator

An account is given of the composite fabrication techniques envisioned for the production of mirror-quality substrates furnishing the specular reflectance required for the NASA Space Station's solar dynamic concentrator energy system. The candidate materials were graphite fiber-reinforced glass, aluminum, and polymer matrices whose surfaces would be coated with thin metal layers and with atomic oxygen degradation-inhibiting protective coatings to obtain the desired mirror surface. Graphite-epoxy mirror substrate samples have been found to perform satisfactorily for the required concentrator lifetime.

Ayers, Schuyler R.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Are small diamonds thermodynamically stable in the interstellar medium?

Very small diamond particles (50 A diameter) are shown to be thermodynamically stable with respect to similar sized graphite particles for reasonable values of the surface free energies of diamond and graphite. Small diamonds are likely to be stable against both thermal evaporation and chemical attack in the general interstellar medium. A few of the consequences of these conclusions are examined.

Nuth, Joseph A., III↗

NASA NTRS1987

In-flight environmental effects on airplane composite vertical fin caps

The NASA-Langley Storm Hazards Program has given attention to the effects of severe in-flight weather environments on composite structures, using an instrumented F-106B in storm penetration experiments. The vertical fin cap was chosen for the study of lightning strike attachments on composite structures of four different types: (1) glass/epoxy with flame-sprayed aluminum; (2) Kevlar/epoxy with aluminized glass cloth; (3) graphite-epoxy without lightning protection; and (4) unprotected graphite-epoxy with electrical isolation from the rest of the aircraft structure. Flight test results are evaluated.

Howell, William E.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Performance of a multistage depressed collector with machined titanium electrodes

The performance of a multistage depressed collector (MDC) with machined titanium electrodes was evaluated in conjunction with an 800-W, 8- to 18-GHz travelling-wave tube (TWT) and was compared with the performances of geometrically identical copper and isotropic graphite electrode MDC's operated with the same TWT. The titanium electrode MDC produced a modest (about 3 percent) improvement in the MDC and the TWT overall efficiencies as compared with the copper electrode MDC, but its performance was substantially lower than that of the isotropic graphite electrode MDC.

Ramins, Peter↗

NASA NTRS1988

Light weight polymer matrix composite material

A graphite fiber reinforced polymer matrix is layed up, cured, and thermally aged at about 750 F in the presence of an inert gas. The heat treatment improves the structural integrity and alters the electrical conductivity of the materials. In the preferred embodiment PMR-15 polyimides and Celion-6000 graphite fibers are used.

Bowles, Kenneth J.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Solid lubricant materials for high temperatures: A review

Solid lubricants that can be used above 300 C in air are discussed, including coatings and self-lubricating composite bearing materials. The lubricants considered are representative dichalcogenides, graphite, graphite fluoride, polyimides, soft oxides, oxidatively stable fluorides, and hard coating materials. A few general design considerations revelant to solid lubrication are interspersed.

Sliney, Harold E.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Nature and origin of C-rich ordinary chondrites and chondritic clasts

The abundance and the isotopic compositions of C, O, and noble gases were investigated together with the petrologic characteristics of four carbon-rich ordinary chondrites (Sharps and Allan Hills A77011, A78119, and A81024) and three C-rich chondritic clasts. The results of the analyses suggest that all of the chondrites and clasts analyzed belong to petrologic type 3 and contain abundant carbon-rich aggregates, which, in at least two of these samples, consist of poorly graphitized carbon commonly associated with metallic Fe,Ni. The data also suggest that the four C-rich chondrites originated on the H, L, and LL parental bodies, but that clasts in Dimmitt and Plainview and other regolith breccias may come from different bodies. The results obtained are consistent with the view that graphite is not a common nebular phase.

Scott, E. R. D.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Zodiacal emission. I - Dust near the earth's orbit

The infrared emission of interplanetary dust near the earth's orbit is derived from IRAS observations of the gradient of in-ecliptic brightness tangent to the earth's orbit, and the annual variation of the ecliptic polar brightness. Models with five grain constituents and three size distributions are compared with the observations. The observed emission is twice as bright as predicted; this discrepancy is due either to calibration errors or to enhanced radiative efficiency of 'fluffy' particles. Graphite and magnetite particles are ruled out because they are too hot. The size distribution is constrained to be less steep than that derived from lunar microcrater studies, and is consistent with that obtained by earth-orbiting satellites. Nonhomogeneous silicate grains with 3 percent graphite impurity produce the best fit to the spectrum. The model predictions extend from 3 microns to 1 mm, for use in analyzing future infrared background observations.

Reach, William T.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Growth of diamond by RF plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition

A system has been designed and constructed to produce diamond particles by inductively coupled radio-frequency, plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition. This is a low-pressure, low-temperature process used in an attempt to deposit diamond on substrates of glass, quartz, silicon, nickel, and boron nitride. Several deposition parameters have been varied including substrate temperature, gas concentration, gas pressure, total gas flow rate, RF input power, and deposition time. Analytical methods employed to determine composition and structure of the deposits include scanning electron microscopy, absorption spectroscopy, scanning Auger microprobe spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Analysis indicates that particles having a thin graphite surface, as well as diamond particles with no surface coatings, have been deposited. Deposits on quartz have exhibited optical bandgaps as high as 4.5 eV. Scanning electron microscopy analysis shows that particles are deposited on a pedestal which Auger spectroscopy indicates to be graphite. This is a phenomenon that has not been previously reported in the literature.

Meyer, Duane E.↗

NASA NTRS1989

The accretion of interplanetary dust by Ap and Am stars

Accretion of interplanetary dust and comets by A-type stars is investigated to see whether this process can explain the overabundances of heavy elements in Ap and Am stars. The dust particles spiral in by the Poynting-Robertson effect and evaporate above the star. This process is evaluated by considering the evolution of silicate and graphite particles in the radiation field of Alpha Leo (B7 V). It is found that graphite particles evaporate above 20 stellar radii and silicate dust grains above 50 stellar radii. The evaporated atoms will be quickly ionized. In the case of Am stars the ions will wander off and not reach the photosphere, but in the case of Ap stars they can be trapped by the magnetic field of the star and reach the surface. The magnetosphere of a typical Ap star is modeled, and the fate of the ions is studied. The efficiency of accretion from the magnetosphere is sensitive to the presence of any plasma in the magnetosphere. The comet impact process is found capable of producing the abundance anomalies in Ap as well as Am stars, assuming that the comet impact rate is 0.03/yr, nearly the same as in the solar system.

Kumar, C. Krishna↗

NASA NTRS1988

700 F properties of autoclave cured PMR-II composites

Cifani, Diane↗

NASA NTRS1989

Interlaminar shear fracture toughness and fatigue thresholds for composite materials

Static and cyclic end notched flexure tests were conducted on a graphite epoxy, a glass epoxy, and graphite thermoplastic to determine their interlaminar shear fracture toughness and fatigue thresholds for delamination in terms of limiting values of the mode II strain energy release rate, G-II, for delamination growth. The influence of precracking and data reduction schemes are discussed. Finite element analysis indicated that the beam theory calculation for G-II with the transverse shear contribution included was reasonably accurate over the entire range of crack lengths. Cyclic loading significantly reduced the critical G-II for delamination. A threshold value of the maximum cyclic G-II below which no delamination occurred after one million cycles was identified for each material. Also, residual static toughness tests were conducted on glass epoxy specimens that had undergone one million cycles without delamination. A linear mixed-mode delamination criteria was used to characterize the static toughness of several composite materials; however, a total G threshold criterion appears to characterize the fatigue delamination durability of composite materials with a wide range of static toughness.

O'Brien, T. Kevin↗

NASA NTRS1988

Summary and future prospects

The 'known' properties of interstellar dust are reviewed. Silicates are present because of the 9.7-micron feature in both circumstellar and interstellar dust. The near-infrared emission bands (3.3-11.4 microns, with continuum extending to longer wavelengths) strongly suggest that aromatic materials of some kind are present. A variety of considerations suggest that large graphite grains are probably absent, but smaller graphite particles are probably the most viable explanation for the 2175 A 'bump'. Considerations mentioned at this meeting regarding several properties of grains are then discussed: the UV continuum, the 2175 A 'bump', and various grain theories.

Mathis, J. S.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Space structures concepts and materials

An extension is preseted of the evaluation of graphite/aluminum metal matrix composites (MMC) for space structures application. A tubular DWG graphite/aluminum truss assembly was fabricated having the structural integrity and thermal stability needed for space application. DWG is a proprietary thin ply continuous graphite reinforced aluminum composite. The truss end fittings were constructed using the discontinuous ceramic particulate reinforced MMC DWAl 20 (trademark). Thermal stability was incorporated in the truss by utilizing high stiffness, negative coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) P100 graphite fibers in a 6061 aluminum matrix, crossplied to provide minimized CTE in the assembled truss. Tube CTE was designed to be slightly negative to offset the effects of the end fitting and sleeve, CTE values of which are approx. 1/2 that of aluminum. In the design of the truss configuration, the CTE contribution of each component was evaluated to establish the component dimension and layup configuration required to provide a net zero CTE in the subassemblies which would then translate to a zero CTE for the entire truss bay produced.

Nowitzky, A. M.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Advanced composite materials for precision segmented reflectors

The objective in the NASA Precision Segmented Reflector (PSR) project is to develop new composite material concepts for highly stable and durable reflectors with precision surfaces. The project focuses on alternate material concepts such as the development of new low coefficient of thermal expansion resins as matrices for graphite fiber reinforced composites, quartz fiber reinforced epoxies, and graphite reinforced glass. Low residual stress fabrication methods will be developed. When coupon specimens of these new material concepts have demonstrated the required surface accuracies and resistance to thermal distortion and microcracking, reflector panels will be fabricated and tested in simulated space environments. An important part of the program is the analytical modeling of environmental stability of these new composite materials concepts through constitutive equation development, modeling of microdamage in the composite matrix, and prediction of long term stability (including viscoelasticity). These analyses include both closed form and finite element solutions at the micro and macro levels.

Stein, Bland A.↗