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At least 163 records · Page 9

Rolling-element fatigue lives of AISI 52100 steel balls with several synthetic lubricants

Rolling-element fatigue tests were run with three synthetic lubricants with and without antiwear additives and with a paraffinic mineral oil at race temperatures of 336 to 353 K (146 146 to 175 F). The five-ball fatigue tester was used with steel balls to evaluate the relative fatigue lives with each of six lubricant-additive combinations. The tests were run at 5,520 MPa (800,000psi) maximum Hertz stress, 10,000 rpm shaft speed, and 30 deg contact angle. The lubricants tested have similar kinetic viscosities at 372 K (210 F) ranging from 0.034 to 0.089 sq cm/sec (3.4 to 8.9 cS). At these conditions, the mode of failure in the five-ball fatigue tester was classical subsurface rolling-element fatigue. The baseline for comparison of fatigue life was the paraffinic mineral oil without additives. The effects of the synthetic lubricants and their additives, which are useful for boundary lubrication, oxidation or foam inhibition, were evaluated.

Parker, R. J.↗

Operating limitations of high-speed jet-lubricated ball bearings

A parametric study was performed with 120-mm bore angular-contact ball bearings having a nominal contact angle of 20 deg. The bearings either had an inner- or an outer-race land riding cage. Lubrication was by recirculating oil jets. The oil jets either had a single or dual orifice. Thrust load, speed, and lubricant flow rate were varied. Test results were compared with those previously reported and obtained from bearings of the same design which were under-race lubricated but run under the same conditions. Jet lubricated ball bearings were limited to speeds less than 2,500,000 DN. Bearings having inner-race land riding cages produced lower temperatures than bearings with outer-race land riding cages. For a given lubricant flow rate dual orifice jets produced lower bearing temperatures than single orifice jets. However, under-race lubrication produced under all conditions of operation lower bearing temperatures with no apparent bearing speed limitation.

Zaretsky, E. V.↗

Behavior of fluids in a weightless environment

Fluid behavior in a low-g environment is controlled primarily by surface tension forces. Certain fluid and system characteristics determine the magnitude of these forces for both a free liquid surface and liquid in contact with a solid. These characteristics, including surface tension, wettability or contact angle, system geometry, and the relationships governing their interaction, are discussed. Various aspects of fluid behavior in a low-g environment are then presented. This includes the formation of static interface shapes, oscillation and rotation of drops, coalescence, the formation of foams, tendency for cavitation, and diffusion in liquids which were observed during the Skylab fluid mechanics science demonstrations. Liquid reorientation and capillary pumping to establish equilibrium configurations for various system geometries, observed during various free-fall (drop-tower) low-g tests, are also presented. Several passive low-g fluid storage and transfer systems are discussed. These systems use surface tension forces to control the liquid/vapor interface and provide gas-free liquid transfer and liquid-free vapor venting.

Fester, D. A.↗

Rolling-element fatigue life of AISI M-50 and 18-4-1 balls

Rolling element fatigue studies were conducted with AISI M-50, EFR 18-4-1, and VAR 18-4-1. Groups of 12.7 mm (1/2-in) diameter balls of each material were tested in the five ball fatigue tester. Test conditions included a load of 1540 N (347 lbf) giving a maximum Hertz stress of 5520 MPa (800 000 psi), a shaft speed of 10,700 rpm, and a contact angle of 30 deg. Tests were run at a race temperature of 339 K (150 F) with a type 2 ester lubricant. The rolling element fatigue life of AISI M-50 was not significantly different from that of EFR 18-4-1 or VAR 18-4-1 based on a statistical comparison of the test results.

Parker, R. J.↗

The use of an ion-beam source to alter the surface morphology of biological implant materials

An electron bombardment, ion thruster was used as a neutralized-ion beam sputtering source to texture the surfaces of biological implant materials. Scanning electron microscopy was used to determine surface morphology changes of all materials after ion-texturing. Electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis was used to determine the effects of ion texturing on the surface chemical composition of some polymers. Liquid contact angle data were obtained for ion textured and untextured polymer samples. Results of tensile and fatigue tests of ion-textured metal alloys are presented. Preliminary data of tissue response to ion textured surfaces of some metals, polytetrafluoroethylene, alumina, and segmented polyurethane were obtained.

Weigand, A. J.↗

Criteria for the selection of focusing ultrasonic probes

The principles of operation employed in the focusing of a sound field are considered, taking into account the use of solid and liquid coupling media. The focusing limits for a given transducer are investigated. As a diffraction phenomenon, focusing is a function of the system dimensions, the frequency, and the sound velocity. The frequency and the material used for the lenses are in most cases determined in accordance with considerations regarding sound propagation. Changes in the focus are therefore effected mainly by the selection of transducer and lens dimensions. The functions of the focusing factor for a normal immersion probe and a direct contact angle probe are represented in graphs. The deviation of the appropriate parametric values for an ultrasonic probe is illustrated with the aid of examples.

Schlengermann, U.↗

Study of changes in properties of solar sail materials from radiation exposure

Techniques for monitoring changes in preparation of solar sail materials resulting from space radiation simulation, stressing (e.g., thermal, mechanical) and exposure to terrestrial environments are developed. The properties of interest are: metallic coating deterioration, polymeric film deterioration, interfacial debonding and possible metallic coating diffusion into the polymeric film. Four accelerated tests were devised to simulate the possible degradation processes mentioned above. These four tests are: a thermal shock test to simulate the wide variation of temperature expected in space (260 C to -100 C), a cyclic temperature test to stimulate the 6 minute temperature cycle anticipated in space, a mechanical vibration test to simulate mechanical bonding, folding and handling, and a humidity test to simulate terrestrial environment effects. The techniques for monitoring property changes are: visual and microscopic examination, ellipsometry, surface potential difference (SPD), photoelectron emission (PEE), and water contact angles.

Smith, T.↗

Mathematical and computational studies of the stability of axisymmetric annular capillary free surfaces

Of principal interest is the stability of a perfectly wetting liquid in an inverted, vertical, right circular-cylindrical container having a concave spheroidal bottom. The mathematical conditions that the contained liquid be in stable static equilibrium are derived, including those for the limiting case of zero contact angle. Based on these results, a computational investigation is carried out for a particular container that is used for the storage of liquid fuels in NASA Centaur space vehicles, for which the axial ratio of the container bottom is 0.724. It is found that for perfectly wetting liquids the qualitative nature of the onset of instability changes at a critical liquid volume, which for the Centaur fuel tank corresponds to a mean fill level of approximately 0.503 times the tank's radius. Small-amplitude periodic sloshing modes for this tank were calculated; oscillation frequencies or growth rates are given for several Bond numbers and liquid volumes, for normal modes having up to six angular nodes.

Albright, N.↗

The production of ultrathin polyimide films for the solar sail program and Large Space Structures Technology (LSST): A feasibility study

Polyimide membranes of a thickness range from under 0.01 micron m to greater than 1 micron m can be produced at an estimated cost of 50 cents per sq m (plus the cost of the polymer). The polymer of interest is dissolved in a solvent which is solube in water. The polymer or casting solution is allowed to flow down an inclined ramp onto a water surface where a pool of floating polymer develops. The solvent dissolves into the water lowering the surface tension of the water on equently, the contact angle of the polymer pool is very low and the edge of the pool is very thin. The solvent dissolves from this thin region too rapidly to be replenished from the bulk of the pool and a solid polymer film forms. Firm formation is rapid and spontaneous and the film spreads out unaided, many feet from the leading edge of the pool. The driving force for this process is the exothermic solution of the organic solvent from the polymer solution into the water.

Forester, R. H.↗

The use of an ion-beam source to alter the surface morphology of biological implant materials

An electron-bombardment ion-thruster was used as a neutralized-ion-beam sputtering source to texture the surfaces of biological implant materials. The materials investigated included 316 stainless steel; titanium-6% aluminum, 4% vanadium; cobalt-20% chromium, 15% tungsten; cobalt-35% nickel, 20% chromium, 10% molybdenum; polytetrafluoroethylene; polyoxymethylene; silicone and polyurethane copolymer; 32%-carbon-impregnated polyolefin; segmented polyurethane; silicone rubber; and alumina. Scanning electron microscopy was used to determine surface morphology changes of all materials after ion-texturing. Electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis was used to determine the effects of ion-texturing on the surface chemical composition of some polymers. Liquid contact angle data were obtained for ion-textured and untextured polymer samples. Results of tensile and fatigue tests of ion-textured metal alloys are presented. Preliminary data of tissue response to ion-textured surfaces of some metals, polytetrafluoroethylene, alumina, and segmented polyurethane have been obtained.

Weigand, A. J.↗

A numerical study of capillary stability in a circular cylindrical container with a concave spheroidal bottom

The paper describes a theoretical investigation of the stability under gravitational and surface forces of a liquid in a circular cylindrical container with a concave spheroidal bottom for the case in which the volume of the liquid is sufficiently small so that the bottom is not covered completely. The gravitational field is assumed to be directed along the symmetry axis of the container, and for a specific container shape the critical Bond number is calculated as a function of liquid volume for contact angles of gamma = 0, 1, 2, and 4 deg. For gamma = 0 deg, some critical equilibrium configurations and corresponding perturbation modes are presented.

Concus, P.↗

Study program to develop and evaluate die and container materials for the growth of silicon ribbons

The development and evaluation of proprietary coatings of pure silicon carbide, silicon nitride, and aluminum nitride on less pure hot pressed substrates of the respective ceramic materials, is described. Silicon sessile drop experiments were performed on coated test specimens under controlled oxygen partial pressure. Prior to testing, X-ray diffraction and SEM characterization was performed. The reaction interfaces were characterized after testing with optical and scanning electron microscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy. Increasing the oxygen partial pressure was found to increase the molten silicon contact angle, apparently because adsorbed oxygen lowers the solid-vapor interfacial free energy. It was also found that adsorbed oxygen increased the degree of attack of molten silicon upon the chemical vapor deposited coatings. Cost projections show that reasonably priced, coated, molten silicon resistant refractory material shapes are obtainable.

Addington, L. A.↗

Crash tests of four identical high-wing single-engine airplanes

Four identical four place, high wing, single engine airplane specimens with nominal masses of 1043 kg were crash tested at the Langley Impact Dynamics Research Facility under controlled free flight conditions. These tests were conducted with nominal velocities of 25 m/sec along the flight path angles, ground contact pitch angles, and roll angles. Three of the airplane specimens were crashed on a concrete surface; one was crashed on soil. Crash tests revealed that on a hard landing, the main landing gear absorbed about twice the energy for which the gear was designed but sprang back, tending to tip the airplane up to its nose. On concrete surfaces, the airplane impacted and remained in the impact attitude. On soil, the airplane flipped over on its back. The crash impact on the nose of the airplane, whether on soil or concrete, caused massive structural crushing of the forward fuselage. The liveable volume was maintained in both the hard landing and the nose down specimens but was not maintained in the roll impact and nose down on soil specimens.

Vaughan, V. L., Jr.↗

SSME turbopump bearing analytical study

Three shuttle pump bearings operating under severe overspeed and shut-down conditions are evaluated. The specific parameters investigated include outer race stresses, cage stresses, cage-race drag, bearing heating, and crush loading. A quasi-dynamic version of the BASDAP computer code was utilized which involved the calculation of ball-race forces (inner and outer), contact pressures, contact dimensions, and contact angles as a function of (1) axial load, (2) radial load, and (3) centrifugal load on the bearing. Generally, radial loads on the order of 13,300 N (3000 pounds) per bearing or 26,700 N (6000 pounds) per bearing pair, could be expected to cause severe problems to any of the bearings with a 17,800 N (4000 pounds) axial load. Further, when possible temperature excursions are considered, even a load of 8900 N (2000 pounds) may be excessive. However, high momentary radial loads with a 3800 N (850 pounds) axial load would not be anticipated to cause catastrophic failure of the fuel pump bearing.

Kannel, J. W.↗

Effects of varying oxygen partial pressure on molten silicon-ceramic substrate interactions

The silicon sessile drop contact angle was measured on hot pressed silicon nitride, silicon nitride coated on hot pressed silicon nitride, silicon carbon coated on graphite, and on Sialon to determine the degree to which silicon wets these substances. The post-sessile drop experiment samples were sectioned and photomicrographs were taken of the silicon-substrate interface to observe the degree of surface dissolution and degradation. Of these materials, silicon did not form a true sessile drop on the SiC on graphite due to infiltration of the silicon through the SiC coating, nor on the Sialon due to the formation of a more-or-less rigid coating on the liquid silicon. The most wetting was obtained on the coated Si3N4 with a value of 42 deg. The oxygen concentrations in a silicon ribbon furnace and in a sessile drop furnace were measured using the protable thoria-yttria solid solution electrolyte oxygen sensor. Oxygen partial pressures of 10 to the minus 7 power atm and 10 to the minus 8 power atm were obtained at the two facilities. These measurements are believed to represent nonequilibrium conditions.

Ownby, D. P.↗

Evaluation of axial lock-up of space shuttle main engine bearings from high pressure oxygen turbopump

The mainshaft support bearings of long life turbopumps for use on the space shuttle were evaluated to determine possible causes of failure. Specific aspects examined include the sensitivity of 15 degree versus 25 degree contact angle bearings with regard to heat damage and thermal runaway, the L/D aspects of the turbine end bearing pair with regard to hang-up due to cocking, the hang-up required to support a 44.5 KN axial load without cartridge slipping, the outer race growth as a result of a 44.5 KN axial load, and bearing torque as a function of axial load. Results indicate that hang-up of the cartridge due to bearing heating is a serious problem especially if poor lubrication of the bearing occurs and that race growth due to axial load can contribute to cartridge lock-up. The experimental evaluation of bearing performance under axial loads indicates that the bearing torque is a strong function of surface lubrication.

Kannel, J. W.↗

Surface properties of HMX crystal

The surface properties of Beta-HMX crystals were studied. The surface energies of three principal crystal faces were obtained by measuring contact angles with several reference liquids. The surface energies and polarity of the three crystal faces are found to be different.

Yee, R. Y.↗

NASA five-ball fatigue tester: Over 20 years of research

Studies were conducted to determine the effect on rolling-element fatigue life of contact angle, material hardness, chemistry, heat treatment and processing, lubricant type and chemistry, elastohydrodynamic film thickness, deformation and wear, vacuum, and temperature as well as Hertzian and residual stresses. Correlation was established between the results obtained using the five-ball tester and those obtained with full scale rolling-element bearings.

Zaretsky, E. V.↗