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At least 163 records · Page 9

Method for nanoencapsulation of aerogels and nanoencapsulated aerogels produced by such method

A method for increasing the compressive modulus of aerogels comprising: providing aerogel substrate comprising a bubble matrix in a chamber; providing monomer to the chamber, the monomer comprising vapor phase monomer which polymerizes substantially free of polymerization byproducts; depositing monomer from the vapor phase onto the surface of the aerogel substrate under deposition conditions effective to produce a vapor pressure sufficient to cause the vapor phase monomer to penetrate into the bubble matrix and deposit onto the surface of the aerogel substrate, producing a substantially uniform monomer film; and, polymerizing the substantially uniform monomer film under polymerization conditions effective to produce polymer coated aerogel comprising a substantially uniform polymer coating substantially free of polymerization byproducts.Polymer coated aerogel comprising aerogel substrate comprising a substantially uniform polymer coating, said polymer coated aerogel comprising porosity and having a compressive modulus greater than the compressive modulus of the aerogel substrate, as measured by a 100 lb. load cell at 1 mm/minute in the linear range of 20% to 40% compression.

Sullivan, Thomas A.↗

Analysis of the Honeywell Uncertified Research Engine with Ice Crystal Cloud Ingestion at Simulated Altitudes

The Honeywell Uncertified Research Engine (HURE), a research version of a turbofan engine that never entered production, was tested in the NASA Propulsion System Laboratory (PSL), an altitude test facility at the NASA Glenn Research Center. The PSL is a facility that is equipped with water spray bars capable of producing an ice cloud consisting of ice particles, having a controlled particle diameter and concentration in the air flow. To develop the test matrix of the HURE, numerical analysis of flow and ice particle thermodynamics was performed on the compression system of the turbofan engine to predict operating conditions that could potentially result in a risk of ice accretion due to ice crystal ingestion. The goal of the test matrix was to provide operating conditions such that ice would accrete in either the fan-stator through the inlet guide vane region of the compression system or within the first stator of the high pressure compressor. The predictive analyses were performed with the mean line compressor flow modeling code (COMDESMELT) which includes an ice particle model. The HURE engine was tested in PSL with the ice cloud over the range of operating conditions of altitude, ambient temperature, simulated flight Mach number, and fan speed with guidance from the analytical predictions. The engine was fitted with video cameras at strategic locations within the engine compression system flow path where ice was predicted to accrete, in order to visually confirm ice accretion when it occurred. In addition, traditional compressor instrumentation such as total pressure and temperature probes, static pressure taps, and metal temperature thermocouples were installed in targeted areas where the risk of ice accretion was expected. The current research focuses on the analysis of the data that was obtained after testing the HURE engine in PSL with ice crystal ingestion. The computational method (COMDES-MELT) was enhanced by computing key parameters through the fan-stator at multiple span wise locations, in order to increase the fidelity with the current mean-line method. The Icing Wedge static wet-bulb temperature thresholds were applied for determining the risk of ice accretion in the fan-stator, which is thought to be an adiabatic region. At some operating conditions near the splitter-lip region, other sources of heat (non-adiabatic walls) were suspected to be the cause of accretion, and the Icing Wedge was not applied to predict accretion at that location. A simple order-of-magnitude heat transfer model was implemented into the COMDES-MELT code to estimate the wall temperature minimum and maximum thresholds that support ice accretion, as observed by video confirmation. The results from this model spanned the range of wall temperatures measured on a previous engine that experienced ice accretion at certain operating conditions. The goal of this study is to show that the computational process developed on earlier engine icing tests can be used to provide an icing risk assessment in adiabatic regions for other engines.

Turbofan engine↗

Mechanical Characterization and Micromechanical Modeling of Woven Carbon/Copper Composites

The present investigation examines the in-plane mechanical behavior of a particular woven metal matrix composite (MMC); 8-harness (8H) satin carbon/copper (C/Cu). This is accomplished via mechanical testing as well as micromechanical modeling. While the literature is replete with experimental and modeling efforts for woven and braided polymer matrix composites, little work has been done on woven and braided MMC's. Thus, the development and understanding of woven MMC's is at an early stage. 8H satin C/Cu owes its existence to the high thermal conductivity of copper and low density and thermal expansion of carbon fibers. It is a candidate material for high heat flux applications, such as space power radiator panels. The experimental portion of this investigation consists of monotonic and cyclic tension, compression, and Iosipescu shear tests, as well as combined tension-compression tests. Tests were performed on composite specimens with three copper matrix alloy types: pure Cu, Cu-0.5 weight percent Ti (Cu-Ti), and Cu-0.7 weight percent Cr (Cu-Cr). The small alloying additions are present to promote fiber/matrix interfacial bonding. The analytical modeling effort utilizes an approach in which a local micromechanical model is embedded in a global micromechanical model. This approach differs from previously developed analytical models for woven composites in that a true repeating unit cell is analyzed. However, unlike finite element modeling of woven composites, the geometry is sufficiently idealized to allow efficient geometric discretization and efficient execution.

Bednarcyk, Brett A.↗

Micromechanics Modeling of Composites Subjected to Multiaxial Progressive Damage in the Constituents

The high-fidelity generalized method of cells composite micromechanics model is extended to include constituent-scale progressive damage via a proposed damage model. The damage model assumes that all material nonlinearity is due to damage in the form of reduced stiffness, and it uses six scalar damage variables (three for tension and three for compression) to track the damage. Damage strains are introduced that account for interaction among the strain components and that also allow the development of the damage evolution equations based on the constituent material uniaxial stress strain response. Local final-failure criteria are also proposed based on mode-specific strain energy release rates and total dissipated strain energy. The coupled micromechanics-damage model described herein is applied to a unidirectional E-glass/epoxy composite and a proprietary polymer matrix composite. Results illustrate the capability of the coupled model to capture the vastly different character of the monolithic (neat) resin matrix and the composite in response to far-field tension, compression, and shear loading.

Bednarcyk, Brett A.↗

Test method development for structural characterization of fiber composites at high temperatures

Test methods used for structural characterization of polymer matrix composites can be applied to glass and ceramic matrix composites only at low temperatures. New test methods are required for tensile, compressive, and shear properties of fiber composites at high temperatures. A tensile test which should be useful to at least 1000 C has been developed and used to characterize the properties of a Nicalon/glass composite up to the matrix limiting temperature of 600 C. Longitudinal and transverse unidirectional composite data are presented and discussed.

Mandell, J. F.↗

Mesospheric dynamics and chemistry from SME data

A fast Curtis matrix calculation of cooling rates due to the 15 micron band of CO2 is modified to parameterize the detailed calculations by Dickinson (1984) of infrared cooling by CO2 in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere. The calculations included separate NLTE treatment of the different 15 micron bands likely to be important for cooling. The goal was to compress the detailed properties of the different bands into a modified Curtis matrix, which represents one composite band with appropriate averaged radiative properties to allow for a simple and quick calculation of cooling rates given a temperature profile. Vertical constituent transport in the mesosphere was also studied.

Strobel, Darrell F.↗

Microstructural non-uniformity as related to unidirectional compression performance

The compression performance of unidirectional composite laminates (UDCLs) is related not only to intrinsic or local strength, but also to a sample's ability to resist propagaton of initial damage. This paper introduces a simple shear lag model which is applied to a compression loaded UDCL with initial damage. Among the information obtained are axial overload and matrix layer shear strain factors in the neighborhood of the damage zone. These factors indicate that propagation may occur with relatively little initial damage and emphasize the need for a more complete understanding of compression behavior than currently exists.

Majors, Patrick S.↗

Elevated temperature slow plastic deformation of NiAl/TiB2 particulate composites

The 'XD' process for production of discontinuously-reinforced metal-matrix composites has been used to enhance the high-temperature strength of NiAl-TiB2 composites with particulate densities of up to 30 vol pct. SEM, TEM, and optical characterizations of the resulting microstructures showed the average TiB2 particle size to be about 1 micron, while the average grain of the NiAl matrix was of the order of 10 microns. Elevated temperature compression tests conducted at 1200 and 1300 K indicated flow strengths to increase with TiB2 content, so that the 20 vol pct TiB2-reinforced composite was three times stronger than the unreinforced NiAl; this is ascribed to the very high density of microstructural tangled dislocations, loops, and subgrain boundaries connecting the particles.

Whittenberger, J. Daniel↗

Analysis of Graphite-Reinforced Cementitious Composites

Strategically embedding graphite meshes in a compliant cementitious matrix produces a composite material with relatively high tension and compressive properties as compared to steel-reinforced structures fabricated from a standard concrete mix. Although these composite systems are somewhat similar, the methods used to analyze steel-reinforced composites often fail to characterize the behavior of their more advanced graphite-reinforced counterparts. This Technical Memorandum describes some of the analytical methods being developed to determine the deflections and stresses in graphite-reinforced cementitious composites. It is initially demonstrated that the standard transform section method fails to provide accurate results when the elastic moduli ratio exceeds 20. An alternate approach is formulated by using the rule of mixtures to determine a set of effective material properties for the composite. Tensile tests are conducted on composite samples to verify this approach. When the effective material properties are used to characterize the deflections of composite beams subjected to pure bending, an excellent agreement is obtained. Laminated composite plate theory is investigated as a means for analyzing even more complex composites, consisting of multiple graphite layers oriented in different directions. In this case, composite beams are analyzed using the laminated composite plate theory with material properties established from tensile tests. Then, finite element modeling is used to verify the results. Considering the complexity of the samples, a very good agreement is obtained.

Vaughan, R. E.↗

The Chemical Nature of the Fiber/resin Interface in Composite Materials

Carbon fiber/epoxy resin composites are considered. The nature of the fiber structure and the interaction that occurs at the interface between fiber and matrix are emphasized. Composite toughness can be improved by increased axial tensile and compressive strengths in the fibers. The structure of carbon fibers indicates that the fiber itself can fail transversely, and different transverse microstructures could provide better transverse strengths. The higher surface roughness of lower modulus and surface-treated carbon fibers provides better mechanical interlocking between the fiber and matrix. The chemical nature of the fiber surface was determined, and adsorption of species on this surface can be used to promote wetting and adhesion. Finally, the magnitude of the interfacial bond strength should be controlled such that a range of composites can be made with properties varying from relatively brittle and high interlaminar shear strength to tougher but lower interlaminar shear strength.

Diefendorf, R. J.↗

Analysis of kink band formation under compression

The kink band formation in unidirectional composites under compression is analyzed in the present paper. The kinematics of kink band formation is described in terms of a deformation tensor. Equilibrium conditions are then applied to relate the compression load to the deformation of fibers. Since the in situ shear behavior of the matrix resin is not known, an analysis-experiment correlation is used to find the shear failure strain in the kink band. The present analysis thus elucidates the mechanisms and identifies the controlling parameters, of compression failure.

Hahn, H. Thomas↗

DCTune Perceptual Optimization of Compressed Dental X-Rays

In current dental practice, x-rays of completed dental work are often sent to the insurer for verification. It is faster and cheaper to transmit instead digital scans of the x-rays. Further economies result if the images are sent in compressed form. DCTune is a technology for optimizing DCT (digital communication technology) quantization matrices to yield maximum perceptual quality for a given bit-rate, or minimum bit-rate for a given perceptual quality. Perceptual optimization of DCT color quantization matrices. In addition, the technology provides a means of setting the perceptual quality of compressed imagery in a systematic way. The purpose of this research was, with respect to dental x-rays, 1) to verify the advantage of DCTune over standard JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), 2) to verify the quality control feature of DCTune, and 3) to discover regularities in the optimized matrices of a set of images. We optimized matrices for a total of 20 images at two resolutions (150 and 300 dpi) and four bit-rates (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0 bits/pixel), and examined structural regularities in the resulting matrices. We also conducted psychophysical studies (1) to discover the DCTune quality level at which the images became 'visually lossless,' and (2) to rate the relative quality of DCTune and standard JPEG images at various bitrates. Results include: (1) At both resolutions, DCTune quality is a linear function of bit-rate. (2) DCTune quantization matrices for all images at all bitrates and resolutions are modeled well by an inverse Gaussian, with parameters of amplitude and width. (3) As bit-rate is varied, optimal values of both amplitude and width covary in an approximately linear fashion. (4) Both amplitude and width vary in systematic and orderly fashion with either bit-rate or DCTune quality; simple mathematical functions serve to describe these relationships. (5) In going from 150 to 300 dpi, amplitude parameters are substantially lower and widths larger at corresponding bit-rates or qualities. (6) Visually lossless compression occurs at a DCTune quality value of about 1. (7) At 0.25 bits/pixel, comparative ratings give DCTune a substantial advantage over standard JPEG. As visually lossless bit-rates are approached, this advantage of necessity diminishes. We have concluded that DCTune optimized quantization matrices provide better visual quality than standard JPEG. Meaningful quality levels may be specified by means of the DCTune metric. Optimized matrices are very similar across the class of dental x-rays, suggesting the possibility of a 'class-optimal' matrix. DCTune technology appears to provide some value in the context of compressed dental x-rays.

Watson, Andrew B.↗

Implementation of a Matrix Crack Spacing Parameter in a Continuum Damage Mechanics Finite Element Model

Continuum Damage Mechanics (CDM) based progressive damage and failure analysis (PDFA) methods have demonstrated success in a variety of finite element analysis (FEA) implementations. However, the technical maturity of CDM codes has not yet been proven for the full design space of composite materials in aerospace applications. CDM-based approaches represent the presence of damage by changing the local material stiffness definitions and without updating the original mesh or element integration schemes. Without discretely representing cracks and their paths through the mesh, damage in models with CDM-based materials is often distributed in a region of partially damaged elements ahead of stress concentrations. Having a series of discrete matrix cracks represented by a softened region may affect predictions of damage propagation and, thus, structural failure. This issue can be mitigated by restricting matrix damage development to discrete, fiber-aligned rows of elements; hence CDM-based matrix cracks can be implemented to be more representative of discrete matrix cracks. This paper evaluates the effect of restricting CDM matrix crack development to discrete, fiber-aligned rows where the spacing of these rows is controlled by a user-defined crack spacing parameter. Initially, the effect of incrementally increasing matrix crack spacing in a unidirectional center notch coupon is evaluated. Then, the lessons learned from the center notch specimen are applied to open-hole compression finite element models. Results are compared to test data, and the limitations, successes, and potential of the matrix crack spacing approach are discussed.

Hyder, Imran↗

Compressive failure of thick-section composite laminates with and without cutouts subjected to biaxial loading

The composites studied are fiber composite laminate plates made of carbon fibers and a thermoplastic matrix material. Tests and results are given for: the solution convergence for transverse shear in a clamped plate without cutout under compression; the effects of cutout and laminate thickness on maximum shear in buckling and postbuckling response of a clamped plate under biaxial compression; the effects of cutout and laminate thickness on maximum shear in buckling and postbuckling response of a clamped plate under biaxial compression; and the effects of laminate thickness and cutout of the lowest three eigenvalues of a clamped plate under biaxial compression. Additional test results are given.

Rouxel, L.↗

Compression failure mechanisms of composite structures

An experimental and analytical study was conducted to delineate the compression failure mechanisms of composite structures. The present report summarizes further results on kink band formation in unidirectional composites. In order to assess the compressive strengths and failure modes of fibers them selves, a fiber bundle was embedded in epoxy casting and tested in compression. A total of six different fibers were used together with two resins of different stiffnesses. The failure of highly anisotropic fibers such as Kevlar 49 and P-75 graphite was due to kinking of fibrils. However, the remaining fibers--T300 and T700 graphite, E-glass, and alumina--failed by localized microbuckling. Compressive strengths of the latter group of fibers were not fully utilized in their respective composite. In addition, acoustic emission monitoring revealed that fiber-matrix debonding did not occur gradually but suddenly at final failure. The kink band formation in unidirectional composites under compression was studied analytically and through microscopy. The material combinations selected include seven graphite/epoxy composites, two graphite/thermoplastic resin composites, one Kevlar 49/epoxy composite and one S-glass/epoxy composite.

Hahn, H. T.↗

Influence of Processing Parameters on the Mechanical Properties of 3D Printed Borosilicate Particulate Reinforced Polymer Composites

Emerging composite materials are expanding the potential of additive manufacturing and enabling applications previously restricted by traditional manufacturing methods. The multi-phase nature of these composite materials combined with the complex in-ternal geometry of additively manufactured parts have enabled unique behavior, and potentially new applications. Additionally, these materials can be pyrolyzed to create dense metal, ceramic, and glass parts with geometries typically not achievable by tra-ditional processes. Additive manufacturing of borosilicate glass-based systems can open new applications in nuclear engineering, astronomy, and bone regrowth therapy. To elucidate the process-parameter relationship of borosilicate-polylactic acid (PLA) composites, mechanical testing was conducted and compared with a pure polylactic acid polymer baseline. Test specimens were fabricated by fused-filament fabrication with minimal post-processing. Yield strength, ultimate strength, and elastic modulus were calculated from stress-strain curves. Optical and scanning electron microscopy were conducted to observe the specimen microstructure before and after testing. The highest compressive yield strength for the composite was 28.22 MPa, and the highest compressive yield strength for PLA was 49.30 MPa. Print orientation was found to benefit the composite material but have a detrimental effect on the pure matrix material. An elastic modulus of 2.66 GPa was recorded for the borosilicate-PLA composite at 100% infill, 1 shell wall, and layer lines parallel to compression axis. Microscopy revealed that lower modulus composite specimens had the particulates re-distributed within the matrix. Tensile testing was done according to a polymer testing standard, which caused difficulties obtaining consistent fracture within the gauge length.

mechanical testing↗

On Poisson's ratio for metal matrix composite laminates

The definition of Poisson's ratio for nonlinear behavior of metal matrix composite laminates is discussed and experimental results for tensile and compressive loading of five different boron-aluminum laminates are presented. It is shown that there may be considerable difference in the value of Poisson's ratio as defined by a total strain or an incremental strain definition. It is argued that the incremental definition is more appropriate for nonlinear material behavior. Results from a (0) laminate indicate that the incremental definition provides a precursor to failure which is not evident if the total strain definition is used.

Herakovich, C. T.↗

Design, fabrication and test of graphite/polyimide composite joints and attachments for advanced aerospace vehicles

Bonded and bolted designs are presented for each of four major attachment types. Prepreg processing problems are discussed and quality control data are given for lots 2W4604, 2W4632 and 2W4643. Preliminary design allowables test results for tension tests and compression tests of laminates are included. The final small specimen test matrix is defined and the configuration of symmetric step-lap joint specimens are shown. Finite element modeling studies of a double lap joint were performed to evaluate the number of elements required through the adhesive thickness to assess effects of various joint parameters on stress distributions. Results of finite element analyses assessing the effect of an adhesive fillet on the stress distribution in a double lap joint are examined.

Skoumal, D. E.↗