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At least 1,549 records · Page 86

Indirect measurement of N-14 quadrupolar coupling for NH3 intercalated in potassium graphite

A method for indirect measurement of the nuclear quadrupolar coupling was developed and applied to NH3 molecules in the graphite intercalation compound K(NH3)4.3C24, which has a layered structure with alternating carbon and intercalant layers. Three triplets were observed in the H-1 NMR spectra of the compound. The value of the N-14 quadrupolar coupling constant of NH3 (3.7 MHz), determined indirectly from the H-1 NMR spectra, was intermediate between the gas value of 4.1 MHz and the solid-state value of 3.2 MHz. The method was also used to deduce the (H-1)-(H-1) and (N-14)-(H-1) dipolar interactions, the H-1 chemical shifts, and the molecular orientations and motions of NH3.

Tsang, T.↗

Microstructure-derived macroscopic residual resistance of brominated graphite fibers

The microscopic bromine distribution in pitch-based brominated graphite fibers has been measured with a scanning transmission electron microscope by monitoring the Br K alpha1 X-ray intensity. An imhomogeneous distribution of Br along the fiber is found with two distinct cross-sectional distributions, namely, a uniform distribution in Br-rich regions and a Gaussian-like distribution in Br-poor regions. A model based on these Br distribution measurements is proposed to understand the relation between the Br microstructure and the macroscopic residual resistance of the fiber. This model yields semiquantitative agreement with experimental results.

Qian, X. W.↗

Influence of electron radiation and temperature on the cyclic, matrix dominated response of graphite-epoxy

The effects of electron radiation and elevated temperature on the matrix-dominated cyclic response of standard T300/934 and a chemically modified T300/934 graphite-epoxy are characterized. Both materials were subjected to 1.0 x 10 to the 10th rads of 1.0 MeV electron irradiation, under vacuum, to simulate 30 years in geosynchronous orbit. Cyclic tests were performed at room temperature and elevated temperature (121 C) on 4-ply unidirectional laminates to characterize the effects associated with irradiation and elevated temperature. Both materials exhibited energy dissipation in their response at elevated temperature. The irradiated modified material also exhibited energy dissipation at room temperature. The combination of elevated temperature and irradiation resulted in the most severe effects in the form of lower proportional limits, and greater energy dissipation. Dynamic-mechanical analysis demonstrated that the glass transition temperature, T(g), of the standard material was lowered 39 C by irradiation, wereas the T(g) of the modified material was lowered 28 C by irradiation. Thermomechanical analysis showed the occurrence of volatile products generated upon heating of the irradiated materials.

Reed, Susan M.↗

Styrene-terminated polysulfone oligomers as matrix material for graphite reinforced composites - An initial study

Results pertaining to graphite reinforced composites containing styrene-terminated oligomers as the matrix material are summarized. The processing parameters are determined and the properties of the resulting composite are evaluated. In terms of solvent impregnation techniques, CH2Cl2 is the preferred solvent due to its easy removal during the prepreg drying and consolidation steps.

Garcia, Dana↗

In-plane and interlaminar Iosipescu shear properties of various graphite fabric/epoxy laminates

The Iosipescu shear test method was used to measure the in-plane and interlaminar shear properties of four T300 graphite fabric/Fiberite 934 epoxy composite materials. Weave geometries tested included an Oxford weave, a 5-harness satin weave, an 8-harness satin weave, and a plain weave with auxiliary warp yarns. Both orthogonal and quasi-isotropic layup laminates were tested. In-plane and interlaminar shear properties were obtained for laminates of all four fabric types. Overall, few differences in shear properties attributable to the fabric weave pattern were observed. However, the auxiliary warp material was significantly weaker and less stiff in interlaminar shear parallel to its fill direction.

Adams, Donald F.↗

Shear strains in a graphite-PEEK beam by moire interferometry with carrier fringes

A multispan quasi-isotropic graphite-PEEK beam exhibited dramatic shear strains in the interlaminar region between plies. Shear strains in the plies themselves varied in basic accord with fiber direction. Large anomalous shear strains developed near the center of the beam height, where shear stresses were large. High-sensitivity moire interferometry with 2400 lines/mm was used. A new technique of data extraction was developed, using carrier fringes to transform the pattern to one in which fringe slopes are proportional to derivatives of displacement. It enhanced detection and measurement of highly localized shear-strain gradients.

Post, Daniel↗

SEM/XPS analysis of fractured adhesively bonded graphite fibre surface resin-rich/graphite fibre composites

Samples of graphite fiber-reinforced polyimide were fabricated allowing the resin to accumulate at the composite surface. These surface resin-rich composites were then bonded together and tested for lap shear strength both before and after thermal aging. Lap shear strength did not appear to show a significant improvement over that previously recorded for resin-poor samples and was shown to decrease with increasing aging time and temperature.

Devilbiss, T. A.↗

Directional solidification of flake and spheroidal graphite cast iron in low and normal gravity environment

A NASA KC-135 research aircraft, flying repeated low-g trajectories that yield 20-30 sec of 0.1-0.001 g microgravity, has been used to study microgravity solidification's elimination of sedimentation and convection (with formation of unique and advantageous microstructures) for the case of eutectic-composition cast irons. The solidification interface of hypereutectic flake and spheroidal graphite cast irons has been slowly advanced through a 4 mm-diameter rod sample. Sample solidification rates have been correlated with accelerometer data, while independently controlling thermal gradients and solidification rates.

Hendrix, J. C.↗

Local crippling of thin-walled graphite-epoxy stiffeners

Results from an experimental and analytical study of the local buckling, postbuckling, and crippling (failure) behavior of channel, zee, and I- and J-section stiffeners made of AS4/3502 graphite-epoxy unidirectional tape are presented. Thirty-six specimens were tested in axial compression. Experimental results indicate the existence of a number of damage initiation modes, all of which involve either delamination in some part of the specimen or local material strength failure in a corner of the specimen. The flange width-to-thickness ratio is found to influence the mode of damage initiation. The inner corner radius strongly affects the crippling stress for the I- and J-section specimens, but was not found to have a significant effect on the crippling stress of channels and zees. Geometrically nonlinear analyses of five specimens were performed with the STAGS general purpose computer code. Correlation between analytical and experimental results is excellent through buckling, but agreement degrades in postbuckling. The discrepancies in postbuckling are attributed to neglect of transverse shearing deformations in the analysis and development of damage in the specimens. Hashin's compressive fiber mode failure criterion correlates reasonably well with the first major damage event in a first ply failure analysis.

Bonanni, David L.↗

H-1 NMR study of ternary ammonia-alkali metal-graphite intercalation compounds

For the first-stage ternary ammonia-alkali metal-graphite intercalation compounds M(NH3)(x)C24(x of about 4, M = K, Rb, Cs), three sets of triplet H-1 NMR spectral lines have been observed at various temperatures and orientations due to the H-1 - H-1 and N-14 - H-1 dipolar interactions. The structures of these compounds have been inferred as mobile (liquid-like) intercalant layers of planar M(NH3)4 ions in between the carbon layers. For the intercalated ammonia molecules, the potential barrier is about 0.2 eV and the molecular geometry is very close to the free NH3 in gas phase.

Tsang, T.↗

Autohesive strength development in polysulfone resin and graphite-polysulfone composites

The effects of bonding temperature and contact time on autohesive strength development in thermoplastic polysulfone resin and graphite-polysulfone composites were investigated. Two test methods were examined to measure autohesion in the neat resin samples. These included an interfacial tension test and a compact tension fracture toughness test. Autohesive strength development in fiber-reinforced composites was measured using a double cantilever beam interlaminar fracture toughness test. The results of the tests were compared with current diffusion theories explaining crack healing and welding of glassy polymers. Discrepancies between the results of the present investigation and the diffusion theories are discussed.

Howes, Jeremy C.↗

Thermally induced twist in graphite-epoxy tubes

This paper discusses an analytical and experimental study to investigate the thermally induced twist in laminated angle-ply graphite-epoxy tubes. Attention is focused on balanced laminates which, contrary to intuition, exhibit twist when the temperature is changed. The twisting is due to the fact that a lamina with ( a + phi) orientation and a lamina with (a - phi) orientation must be at slightly different radial positions in the twist. The lamina with the greater radial position determines the sense of the twist. Classical lamination theory does not predict this phenomenon, and so as more sophisticated theory must be employed. This paper outlines such as theory, which is based on an generalized plane-deformation elasticity analysis, and presents experimental data to confirm the predictions of the theory. A brief description of the experimental apparatus and procedure used to measure twist is presented.

Hyer, M. W.↗

Degradation of graphite-epoxy due to electron radiation

Experimental results are presented showing that electron irradiation has a variable effect on the properties of graphite-epoxy depending upon the test temperature and the property of interest. In general, compression properties are improved at cold temperature and degraded at elevated temperature. With the exception of some moduli, tensile and shear properties are degraded at both cold and elevated temperatures. Electron irradiation lowers the glass transition temperature of graphite/epoxy significantly. Property degradation of irradiated materials at the elevated temperature is associated with the reduction in Tg. It is shown that a (0) compression-strength test is the most sensitive test for exhibiting the effects of electron irradiation. Results from tests on neat resin also show that the bulk matrix is degraded after irradiation, and that the correlation between resin and composite response is good.

Herakovich, C. T.↗

Production and characterization of CdCl2 intercalated graphite fibers

Graphite fibers were intercalated using CdCl2 as a Cl source and Cl2 as carrier gas. Fibers were synthesized with a resistivity-density figure of merit comparable to that of copper. These fibers can withstand practical electrical current densities as high as 54,000 A/sq cm. Their thermal coefficient of resistivity is 0.0016 C, which is approximately 41 percent of those for copper and aluminum.

Gooden, Clarence E.↗

Transfer impedance measurements of the space shuttle Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) joints, wire meshes and a carbon graphite motor case

Using three different current injection methods and a simple voltage probe, transfer impedances for Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) joints, wire meshes, aluminum foil, Thorstrand and a graphite composite motor case were measured. In all cases, the surface current distribution for the particular current injection device was calculated analytically or by finite difference methods. The results of these calculations were used to generate a geometric factor which was the ratio of total injected current to surface current density. The results were validated in several ways. For wire mesh measurements, results showed good agreement with calculated results for a 14 by 18 Al screen. SRM joint impedances were independently verified. The filiment wound case measurement results were validated only to the extent that their curve shape agrees with the expected form of transfer impedance for a homogeneous slab excited by a plane wave source.

Papazian, Peter B.↗

Characterization of a graphite epoxy optical bench during thermal vacuum cycling

In-situ monitoring of the Wide-Field/Planetary Camera, a Hubble Space Telescope science instrument, was performed in a vacuum environment to better understand the formation of ice on cooled optical detectors. Several diagnostic instruments were mounted on an access plate to view the interior of the instrument housing and the graphite epoxy optical bench. The instrumentation chosen and the rationale for choosing the instrumentation are discussed. In addition, the performance of the instrumentation during monitoring operations is discussed.

Hansen, Patricia A.↗

Optimum design of swept-forward high-aspect-ration graphite-epoxy wings

An analytical investigation of a swept-forward high-aspect-ratio graphite-epoxy transport wing is described. The objectives of this investigation are to illustrate an effective usage of the unique properties of composite materials by exploiting material tailoring and to demonstrate an integrated multidisciplinary approach for conducting this investigation.

Shuart, Mark J.↗

Scaling effects in the static large deflection response of graphite-epoxy composite beams

Scaling effects in the large deflection response of graphite-epoxy composite beams was investigated. Eight different scale model beams ranging from 1/6 to full-scale were subjected to an eccentric axial compressive load to promote large bending deformations and failures. Beams having laminate stacking sequences including unidirectional, angle ply, cross ply, and quasi-isotropic were tested to examine a wide variety of composite response and failure modes. The model beams were loaded under scaled test conditions until catastrophic failure. Data acquired included load, end displacement, and strain measurements, and qualitative failure measurements. The experimental data is compared to a large rotation beam analysis and a finite element model analysis. Results from the tests indicate that the beam response becomes nonlinear. Failure modes are consistent between scale models within a laminate family, however, a significant scale effect is observed in strength of the scaled beams.

Jackson, Karen E.↗