Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “alloy engineering”

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.

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

At least 145 records · Page 8

The Effect of Tungsten Additions on Disk Alloy CH98

Gas turbine engines for future subsonic transports will probably have higher pressure ratios which will require nickelbase superalloy disks with 1300 to 1400 F temperature capability. Several advanced disk alloys are being developed to fill this need. One of these, CH98, is a promising candidate for gas turbine engines and is being studied in NASA s Advanced Subsonic Technology (AST) program. For large disks, residual stresses generated during quenching from solution heat treatments are often reduced by a stabilization heat treatment, in which the disk is heated in the range of 1500 to 1600 F for several hours followed by a static air cool and age. The reduction in residual stress levels lessens distortion during machining of disks. Previous work on CH98 has indicated that stabilization treatments will decrease creep capability, however, tungsten additions appear to improve the creep capability of stabilized and aged CH98. In this study, a systematic variation of tungsten additions to CH98 was investigated. Specifically, the 1300 F tensile, creep, and fatigue crack growth properties of stabilized CH 98 were assessed with varying levels of tungsten additions.

Gayda, John↗

The Effect of Tungsten and Niobium on the Stress Relaxation Rates of Disk Alloy CH98

Gas turbine engines for future subsonic transports will probably have higher pressure ratios which will require nickel-base superalloy disks with 1300 to 1400 F temperature capability. Several advanced disk alloys are being developed to fill this need. One of these, CH98, is a promising candidate for gas turbine engines and is being studied in NASA s Advanced Subsonic Technology (AST) program. For large disks, residual stresses generated during quenching from solution heat treatment are often reduced by a stabilization heat treatment, in which the disk is heated to 1500 to 1600 F for several hours followed by a static air cool. The reduction in residual stress levels lessens distortion during machining of disks. However, previous work on CH98 has indicated that stabilization treatments decrease creep capability. Additions of the refractory elements tungsten and niobium improve tensile and creep properties after stabilization, while maintaining good crack growth resistance at elevated temperatures. As the additions of refractory elements increase creep capability, they might also effect stress relaxation rates and therefore the reduction in residual stress levels obtained for a given stabilization treatment. To answer this question, the stress relaxation rates of CH98 with and without tungsten and niobium additions are compared in this paper for temperatures and times generally employed in stabilization treatments on modern disk alloys.

Gayda, John↗

The Effect of Tungsten and Niobium Additions on Disk Alloy CH98

Gas turbine engines for future subsonic transports will probably have higher pressure ratios which will require nickelbase superalloy disks with 1300 F to 1400 F temperature capability. Several advanced disk alloys are being developed to fill this need. One of these, CH98, is a promising candidate for gas turbine engines and is being studied in NASA's AST Program. For AST applications, compressor/turbine disks must withstand temperatures of 1300 F for several hundred hours over the life of the engine. Additions of the refractory elements tungsten and niobium to CH98 could improve tensile and creep properties, however, the impact on high temperature fatigue crack growth is uncertain. In this paper, these three key properties, tensile, 0.2 percent creep, and fatigue crack growth of CH98 with and without tungsten and niobium additions will be assessed at l300 F.

Gayda, John↗

Versatile Turbine Disk Alloy Designed and Processed for Higher Temperature Applications

Advanced turbine engine configurations using higher temperature combustor and airfoil concepts require compressor and turbine disks that can withstand temperatures higher than the 650 C typical of current engines. This requires disk alloy and processing improvements. A versatile disk alloy was needed that could be given either fine grain heat treatments for high strength and fatigue and creep resistance up to 704 C or given coarse grain heat treatments for high strength and creep and dwell crack-growth resistance at higher temperatures. This alloy could produce disks with uniform microstructures and properties, as well as with varied, optimized microstructures at disk bore and rim sections. A series of experimental disk alloys were designed and processed to give subscale disks about 13 cm in diameter and 4 cm thick. These alloys had varying levels of key elements to affect mechanical properties and change the "solvus" solution heat-treatment temperature necessary to produce coarse grain microstructures. Disks were given coarse grain heat treatments followed by rapid oil quenching and slower fan air quenching. These heat treatments were intended to simulate the cooling paths of rapidly cooled full-scale disks at the outermost rim and interior bore locations, respectively. Preliminary quench tests of tensile specimens and coin-size minidisks had indicated that alloys having high solvus temperatures were more prone to cracking during rapid quenching from coarse grain heat treatments. These findings were confirmed in the subscale disks, where such alloys did form undesirable quench cracks. Mechanical tests were performed on specimens from subscale disks given these coarse grain heat treatments, as well as on specimens given a fine grain heat treatment. Tensile, creep, and crack growth tests were performed at 704 C and higher temperatures. A versatile alloy was identified that had a low solvus temperature for resistance to quench cracking as well as an optimal combination of high levels of strengthening refractory elements that produced balanced high mechanical properties for both fine grain and coarse grain microstructures. This low-solvus, high-refractory (LSHR) alloy has been scaled-up to produce prototype full-scale turbine disks typical of regional jet turbofan engines. Disks were successfully heat treated to give uniform coarse grain and uniform fine grain microstructures. Additional disks were given a NASA dual microstructure heat treatment (DMHT) that intentionally varied the solution heat-treatment temperatures between the disk rim and bore (re f. 1). The disk rim was heated to a high enough temperature to produce a coarse grain microstructure, while the bore was maintained at a lower temperature to produce a fine grain microstructure (see the figure). This DMHT can produce optimal high strength, fatigue, and creep resistance up to 704 C in the cooler running disk bore, and high strength, creep resistance, and dwell crack growth resistance at higher temperatures for the hotter disk rim. Extensive mechanical testing is being initiated to compare the mechanical properties of the uniform and DMHT disks.

Gabb, TImothy P.↗

Thermal barrier coating on high temperature industrial gas turbine engines

The thermal barrier coating used was a yttria stabilized zirconia material with a NiCrAlY undercoat, and the base engine used to establish improvements was the P&WA FT50A-4 industrial gas turbine engine. The design benefits of thermal barrier coatings include simplified cooling schemes and the use of conventional alloys in the engine hot section. Cooling flow reductions and improved heating rates achieved with thermal barrier coating result in improved performance. Economic benefits include reduced power production costs and reduced fuel consumption. Over the 30,000 hour life of the thermal barrier coated parts, fuel savings equivalent to $5 million are projected and specific power (megawatts/mass of engine airflow) improvements on the order of 13% are estimated.

Carlson, N.↗

Cyclic structural analyses of anisotropic turbine blades for reusable space propulsion systems

Turbine blades for reusable space propulsion systems are subject to severe thermomechanical loading cycles that result in large inelastic strains and very short lives. These components require the use of anisotropic high-temperature alloys to meet the safety and durability requirements of such systems. To assess the effects on blade life of material anisotropy, cyclic structural analyses are being performed for the first stage high-pressure fuel turbopump blade of the space shuttle main engine. The blade alloy is directionally solidified MAR-M 246 alloy. The analyses are based on a typical test stand engine cycle. Stress-strain histories at the airfoil critical location are computed using the MARC nonlinear finite-element computer code. The MARC solutions are compared to cyclic response predictions from a simplified structural analysis procedure developed at the NASA Lewis Research Center.

Manderscheid, J. M.↗

Engineering intricacies of implementing single-atom alloy catalysts for low-temperature electrocatalytic CO 2 reduction

Catalysts research for electrocatalytic CO 2 reduction reactions (CO 2 R) has undergone rapid growth in the last decade. Single-atom alloy catalysts (SAAs) featuring atomically dispersed metal dopants on host metal surfaces have shown promises in boosting CO 2 R yield by optimizing the structure and synergy of the catalytic metals at the atomic scale. Despite the exciting development of SAAs for CO 2 R in fundamental science, dedicated studies for its engineering implementation have been absent. We use this perspective to discuss our non-exhaustive engineering considerations for implementing SAAs for CO 2 R. Here, the perspective starts with a brief overview of the current research status for SAAs in CO 2 R, followed by focal points on structure uncertainties associated with catalyst manufacturing, catalyst layer degradation during reaction, and possibilities for SAAs to mitigate the salt precipitation issue at the device level. We hope our opinions will engage increasing attention toward the engineering catalysis research for applying SAAs to CO 2 R at scale.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Upward band gap bowing and negative mixing enthalpy in multi-component cubic halide perovskite alloys

Physical properties intermediate between constituents of alloys can be achieved as downward convex positive bowing, upward concave negative bowing, or zero bowing. Such bowing effects are essential for band gap engineering in semiconductor alloys. Upward band gap bowing effects are rather rare, hindering the exploration on half of the available physical property space of alloys. Part of this being a rare event is related to the need to stabilize an alloy with low mixing enthalpy, so it does not phase separate. Here, in this paper, we find via density functional theory that one can satisfy the simultaneous conditions of negative mixing enthalpy and upward band gap bowing in four-component AB⁢X 3 halide perovskite alloys in the cubic perovskite structure. Such perovskite alloys have the B-site occupied by a mixture of group IVB and IIB elements that have the IVB-𝑠 and IIB-s states in the valence bands and conduction bands, respectively, leaving the delocalized 𝑠 states to strongly repel each other. This 𝑠−𝑠 repulsion leads to the upward band gap bowing and negative mixing enthalpies simultaneously. Remarkably, we identify a perovskite alloy that has a band gap much larger than all its components. Analogous trends of upward band gap bowing and negative mixing enthalpy also appear in the corresponding three-component and two-component AB⁢X 3 halide perovskite alloys. These observations of upward band gap bowing and negative mixing enthalpy will significantly accelerate the design of stable upward band gap bowing alloys in a broad range of material families.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Advanced bearing materials for cryogenic aerospace engine turbopump requirements

The properties of eleven alloys were investigated to select an improved bearing material for the High Pressure Oxygen Turbo Pump which delivers liquid oxygen to the Space Shuttle Main Engine. The alloys, selected through detailed literature analysis, X 405, MRC-2001, T440V, 14-4/6V, D-5, V-M Pyromet 350, Stellite 3, FerroTic CS-40, Tribaloy 800, WD-65, and CBS-600. The alloys were tested in hardness, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, fatigue resistance, and fracture toughness tests, and their performance was compared with the baseline 440C test alloy. As a result, five alloys were eliminated, leaving the remaining six (X 405, MRC-2001, T440V, 14-4/6V, D-5, and WD-65 to be evaluated in the next phase of NASA tests which will include fracture toughness, rolling contact fatigue, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance. From these, three alloys will be selected, which will be made into ninety bearings for subsequent testing.

Friedman, G.↗

Environment assisted degradation mechanisms in aluminum-lithium alloys

Section 1 of this report records the progress achieved on NASA-LaRC Grant NAG-1-745 (Environment Assisted Degradation Mechanisms in Al-Li Alloys), and is based on research conducted during the period April 1 to November 30, 1987. A discussion of work proposed for the project's second year is included. Section 2 provides an overview of the need for research on the mechanisms of environmental-mechanical degradation of advanced aerospace alloys based on aluminum and lithium. This research is to provide NASA with the basis necessary to permit metallurgical optimization of alloy performance and engineering design with respect to damage tolerance, long term durability and reliability. Section 3 reports on damage localization mechanisms in aqueous chloride corrosion fatigue of aluminum-lithium alloys. Section 4 reports on progress made on measurements and mechanisms of localized aqueous corrosion in aluminum-lithium alloys. Section 5 provides a detailed technical proposal for research on environmental degradation of Al-Li alloys, and the effect of hydrogen in this.

Gangloff, Richard P.↗

Cast iron-base alloy for cylinder/regenerator housing

NASACC-1 is a castable iron-base alloy designed to replace the costly and strategic cobalt-base X-40 alloy used in the automotive Stirling engine cylinder/generator housing. Over 40 alloy compositions were evaluated using investment cast test bars for stress-rupture testing. Also, hydrogen compatibility and oxygen corrosion resistance tests were used to determine the optimal alloy. NASACC-1 alloy was characterized using elevated and room temperature tensile, creep-rupture, low cycle fatigue, heat capacity, specific heat, and thermal expansion testing. Furthermore, phase analysis was performed on samples with several heat treated conditions. The properties are very encouraging. NASACC-1 alloy shows stress-rupture and low cycle fatigue properties equivalent to X-40. The oxidation resistance surpassed the program goal while maintaining acceptable resistance to hydrogen exposure. The welding, brazing, and casting characteristics are excellent. Finally, the cost of NASACC-1 is significantly lower than that of X-40.

Witter, Stewart L.↗

A thin film degradation study of a fluorinated polyether liquid lubricant using an HPLC method

A High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) separation method was developed to study and analyze a fluorinated polyether fluid which is promising liquid lubricant for future applications. This HPLC separation method was used in a preliminary study investigating the catalytic effect of various metal, metal alloy, and ceramic engineering materials on the degradation of this fluid in a dry air atmosphere at 345 C. Using a 440 C stainless steel as a reference catalytic material it was found that a titanium alloy and a chromium plated material degraded the fluorinated polyether fluid substantially more than the reference material.

Morales, W.↗

An Oxidation-Resistant Coating Alloy for Gamma Titanium Aluminides

Titanium aluminides based on the g-phase (TiAl) offer the potential for component weight savings of up to 50 percent over conventional superalloys in 600 to 850 C aerospace applications. Extensive development efforts over the past 10 years have led to the identification of "engineering" gamma-alloys, which offer a balance of room-temperature mechanical properties and high-temperature strength retention. The gamma class of titanium aluminides also offers oxidation and interstitial (oxygen and nitrogen) embrittlement resistance superior to that of the alpha(sub 2) (Ti3Al) and orthorhombic (Ti2AlNb) classes of titanium aluminides. However, environmental durability is still a concern, especially at temperatures above 750 to 800 C. Recent work at the NASA Lewis Research Center led to the development of an oxidation-resistant coating alloy that shows great promise for the protection of gamma titanium aluminides.

Brady, Michael P.↗

Machine Learning Vacancy Formation Energy in Nickel-Based Superalloys

Thermal vacancies play a critical role in high-temperature Ni-based superalloys and influence various properties such as creep resistance, oxidation, etc. This study systematically investigates the impact of commonly used transition metals (Cr, Co, Fe), refractory metals (Nb, Ta, Mo, W) and other elements (Al, Cu, Ti, Mn) on the thermodynamic stability of 36 binary, 20 ternary, 11 quaternary, 9 quinary, and 3 senary FCC Ni-based alloys covering various elemental combinations. Density functional theory-based studies on Ni-X binary alloys show that higher concentrations of Cr, Nb, Ta, Al, and Ti introduce significant lattice distortions and broaden the distribution of vacancy formation energies (standard deviation up to 0.15 eV). These elements partially donate electrons, reducing their self-consistent chemical potentials relative to single-element reference values and lowering vacancy formation energies, while Co, Fe, Mo, and W show lower charge localization. These trends extend from 3-6 element alloys, where Cr, Nb, and Ta-rich compositions have low-energy states (~0.5 eV) that increase vacancy concentrations. Finally, graph neural network models are developed to screen over 5000 virtual alloys. Eleven leading compositions are identified with mean vacancy formation energy higher than 1.75 eV and vacancy concentration ~2 orders of magnitude lower than pure Ni at 1000 K. These results provide valuable guidelines to achieve controlled defect engineering in structural alloys.

DFT↗

Simplified cyclic structural analyses of SSME turbine blades

Anisotropic high-temperature alloys are used to meet the safety and durability requirements of turbine blades for high-pressure turbopumps in reusable space propulsion systems. The applicability to anisotropic components of a simplified inelastic structural analysis procedure developed at the NASA Lewis Research Center is assessed. The procedure uses as input the history of the total strain at the critical crack initiation location computed from elastic finite-element analyses. Cyclic heat transfer and structural analyses are performed for the first stage high-pressure fuel turbopump blade of the space shuttle main engine. The blade alloy is directionally solidified MAR-M 246 (nickel base). The analyses are based on a typical test stand engine cycle. Stress-strain histories for the airfoil critical location are computed using both the MARC nonlinear finite-element computer code and the simplified procedure. Additional cases are analyzed in which the material yield strength is arbitrarily reduced to increase the plastic strains and, therefore, the severity of the problem. Good agreement is shown between the predicted stress-strain solutions from the two methods. The simplified analysis uses about 0.02 percent (5 percent with the required elastic finite-element analyses) of the CPU time used by the nonlinear finite element analysis.

Kaufman, A.↗

Very Long Term Oxidation of Titanium Aluminides Investigated

Titanium aluminides (TiAl) are of great interest for intermediate-temperature (600 to 850 C) aerospace and power-generation applications because they offer significant weight savings over today's nickel alloys. TiAl alloys are being investigated for low-pressure turbine blade applications, exhaust nozzle components, and compressor cases in advanced subsonic and supersonic engines. Significant progress has been made in understanding the fundamental aspects of the oxidation behavior of binary TiAl alloys. However, most of this work has concentrated on short term (<1000 hr), high-temperature (900 to 1000 C) exposures. Also, there is not much data available in the literature regarding the oxidation behavior of the quaternary and higher order engineering alloys. This is especially true for the very long term, low-temperature conditions likely to be experienced during aerospace applications. An investigation at the NASA Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field was undertaken to characterize the long-term oxidation behavior of various model and advanced titanium aluminides for periods up to 7000 hr at 704 C in air using a high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscope. Also, a unique surface treatment technique developed to improve the oxidation resistance of TiAl was evaluated. The alloys included in this investigation are listed in the table. The table also shows typical alloy compositions and the specific weight changes and scale thickness measured for each alloy after exposure to 700 C for 7000 hr in air.

Locci, Ivan E.↗

Working Charts for the Selection of Aluminum Alloy Propellers of a Standard Form to Operate with Various Aircraft Engines and Bodies

Working charts are given for the convenient selection of aluminum alloy propellers of a standard form, to operate in connection with six different engine-fuselage combinations. The charts have been prepared from full-scale test data obtained in the 20-foot propeller research tunnel of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. An example is also given showing the use of the charts.

Weick, Fred E↗