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At least 163 records · Page 9

Evaluation of a hydrogen resistant titanium aluminide alloy

The Ti-24Al-11Nb (Ti-24-11) alloy heat treated to the fine basketweave microstructure was shown previously to be hydrogen tolerant. In order to assess its limit of hydrogen tolerance, the tensile, creep, fracture toughness, and sustained load crack growth behaviors of this alloy were studied as a function of hydrogen content. All test specimens were thermally charged with internal hydrogen and tested at 25 and 600 C. Coupon specimens were used for developing the hydrogen charging procedures and for studying compatibility of the alloy with high temperature, high pressure gaseous hydrogen. The mechanical test results indicated that the fine basketweave microstructure was tolerant to hydride embrittlement for hydrogen contents up to approximately 1500 wt. ppm, providing that the hydride formed was of the TiH2 type. On the other hand, hydrogen charging experiments indicated that the Ti-24-11 alloy was severely cracked and pulverized under zero load when the hydrogen content exceeded 3000 wt. ppm. X-ray diffraction results revealed that the dichotomous behaviors might be due to the formation of TiH(1.924) type hydrides at higher hydrogen contents. Thus, hydrogen embrittlement in the Ti-24-11 alloy with the fine basketweave microstructure depends on hydrogen content and the nature of the hydrides formed.

Chan, K. S.↗

Investigating the Role of Incident Ion Flux in Solar Wind Space Weathering of Carbon-Rich Asteroidal Regolith Via H+ and He+ Irradiation of the Murchison Meteorite

We present results from a set of low and high flux 1 keV/amu H + and He + irradiation experiments performed on slabs of the Murchison CM2 carbonaceous chondrite. The low flux conditions for H + and He + irradiation were ~1-1.5 orders of magnitude lower than the high flux conditions, and each experiment was irradiated to a total fluence between ~3 × 10 16 to ~6 × 10 16 ions/cm 2 . Irradiation-induced changes in the surface chemistry and optical properties of the Murchison samples were evaluated using in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and visible and near-infrared spectroscopy (VNIR). We characterized the microstructure and composition of ion damaged rims in focused ion beam (FIB) cross-sections extracted from olivine and matrix material in each irradiated Murchison slab using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). XPS results suggest that both low flux and high flux H + and He + irradiation cause minor sputtering of surface carbon as well as a reduction in the valence state of iron, from Fe 3+ to Fe 2+ . Slope bluing is observed in VNIR spectra of the irradiated samples which may reflect carbonization and dehydrogenation of organic species and contrasts with reddening trends associated with npFe 0 formation. Although we do not observe a strong flux-dependence on the crystallinity of ion-damaged olivine, TEM analyses reveal a variety of microstructures in all olivine FIB-sections, suggesting that crystallographic orientation affects amorphization efficiency. Analyses of matrix FIB-sections indicate that phyllosilicate alteration is mainly driven by He+ irradiation, where the higher incident flux leads to greater amorphization and the formation of more distinct ion-damaged layers, similar to smooth layers in returned Ryugu particles. TEM results also provide some evidence that higher ion flux leads to greater vesiculation, with He + irradiation being more efficient at vesiculation than H + irradiation, and that higher ion flux may promote the segregation of Mg and Si into laterally extensive lenses and layers in olivine samples. We discuss the implications of these findings for constraining the role that ion flux plays in the development of space weathering characteristics in silicate phases present in carbonaceous asteroidal regoliths. These results will be important for understanding the complexity of this process and how it operates on carbon-rich airless bodies like asteroids Bennu and Ryugu.

meteorites↗

Coordinated Microstructural and Isotopic Characterization of Diamond Inclusions within the Kenna Ureilite

Introduction: The origin of diamonds in ureilitic meteorites, a major family of ultramafic achondrites, has long been debated, with various formation mechanisms inferred, including: 1) shock conversion of preexisting graphite due to a hypervelocity impact on the ureilite parent body [e.g., 1]; 2) vapor deposition during condensation of the solar nebula [e.g., 2]; or 3) static transformation in the mantle of a large planetesimal (>1000 km in diameter) [e.g., 3]. The Kenna ureilite is a 10.9 kg stone that was found in Kansas in 1972 and is dominantly composed of olivine and pigeonite (68% and 22% modal abundance, respectively), together with minor metal and carbon-rich regions. Within the carbon-rich domains researchers have identified microdiamonds up to ~10 µm in size [4]. Methods: Due to the proximity of the extremely hard microdiamonds with soft graphite and moderately hard silicates, achieving an appropriately flat surface for electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analysis has proven challenging. We have, therefore, employed a Hitachi ArBlade 5000 broad beam Ar ion milling system to prepare a sample with an adequately uniform surface flatness across the various minerals. The ion milling dramatically im-proved indexing of the EBSD patterns and facilitated high-resolution microstructural analysis of the carbon-rich domains. After microstructural EBSD analyses using an Oxford Symmetry detector we collected coordinated hy-perspectral cathodoluminescence (CL) analyses using a Gatan Monarc system mounted on a JEOL 7900F field emission (FE) scanning electron microscope at NASA Johnson Space Center. A focused ion beam (FIB) foil was extracted from a region of interest and analyzed using a JEOL 2500 FE scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM). In situ carbon and nitrogen isotopic analyses were collected from diamond-bearing domains using a Cameca NanoSIMS 50L at NASA JSC. Results: The carbon rich regions occur as tabular domains between polygonal olivine and pigeonite, and are composed of aggregates of micrometer-scale diamond with intermediate graphite, oxides and metal grains. Within the microdiamonds, {111} twins are abundant, many of which form ragged lamellae consistent with mechanical twinning. The microdiamond assemblages appear to pseudomorph tabular graphite habits, which together with the abundant deformation twins, support a shock transformation mechanism for microdiamond formation within the Kenna meteorite. Further supporting this observation, the diamond laths show close alignment of <111> and <110> between domains, consistent with a solid-state transformation from graphite along <0001> and <1-210>, respec-tively [5]. A FIB foil was extracted from a region with mechanical twins, and high resolution STEM analyses reveal cross-cutting veins of graphite and oriented kamacite crystals together with additional sets of {111} nano-twins formed in at least three orientations. Isotopic analyses of C and N reveal sector zoning patterns [cf. 3] that are unre-lated to the diamond substructure identified by EBSD yet consistent with hyperspectral CL images. Conclusions: These data provide new constraints on microdiamond formation within ureilites. The microdia-monds exhibit orientation variants defined by aligned <111> and <110> axes consistent with inherited crystallo-graphic orientations from transformation of a single hexagonal graphite parent crystal [5]. Crosscutting the micro-diamonds are veins of graphite and kamacite, together with additional {111} nanotwins. Taken together these data suggest that microdiamonds from ureilites formed from a solid state, diffusionless transformation from graphite, likely associated with a major shock event, which was subject to subsequent reversion either during decompression or a later deformation event. The N and C isotopic sector zoning is unrelated to diamond microstructures and likely reflects inheritance from the parent graphite crystal.

Ureilite↗

Data use investigations for applications Explorer Mission A (Heat Capacity Mapping Mission): HCMM's role in studies of the urban heat island, Great Lakes thermal phenomena and radiometric calibration of satellite data

The utility of data from NASA'a heat capacity mapping mission satellite for studies of the urban heat island, thermal phenomena in large lakes and radiometric calibration of satellite sensors was assessed. The data were found to be of significant value in all cases. Using HCMM data, the existence and microstructure of the heat island can be observed and associated with land cover within the urban complex. The formation and development of the thermal bar in the Great Lakes can be observed and quantitatively mapped using HCMM data. In addition, the thermal patterns observed can be associated with water quality variations observed both from other remote sensing platforms and in situ. The imaging radiometer on-board the HCMM satellite is shown to be calibratible to within about 1.1 C of actual surface temperatures. These findings, as well as the analytical procedures used in studying the HCMM data, are included.

Schott, J. R.↗

Supernova olivine from cometary dust

An interplanetary dust particle contains a submicrometer crystalline silicate aggregate of probable supernova origin. The grain has a pronounced enrichment in 18O/16O (13 times the solar value) and depletions in 17O/16O (one-third solar) and 29Si/28Si (<0.8 times solar), indicative of formation from a type II supernova. The aggregate contains olivine (forsterite 83) grains <100 nanometers in size, with microstructures that are consistent with minimal thermal alteration. This unusually iron-rich olivine grain could have formed by equilibrium condensation from cooling supernova ejecta if several different nucleosynthetic zones mixed in the proper proportions. The supernova grain is also partially encased in nitrogen-15-rich organic matter that likely formed in a presolar cold molecular cloud.

Iron Compounds/analysis↗

Microstructures of Hibonite From an ALH A77307 (CO3.0) CAI: Evidence for Evaporative Loss of Calcium

Hibonite is a comparatively rare, primary phase found in some CAIs from different chondrite groups and is also common in Wark-Lovering rims [1]. Hibonite is predicted to be one of the earliest refractory phases to form by equilibrium condensation from a cooling gas of solar composition [2] and, therefore, can be a potential recorder of very early solar system processes. In this study, we describe the microstructures of hibonite from one CAI in ALH A77307 (CO3.0) using FIB/TEM techniques in order to reconstruct its formational history.

Han, Jangmi↗

Gravitational Effects on the Morphology and Kinetics of Photodeposition of Polydiacetylene Thin Films From Monomer Solutions

The goal of this proposed work is to study gravitational effects on the photodeposition of polydiacetylene thin films from monomer solutions onto transparent substrates. Polydiacetylenes have been an extensively studied class of organic polymers because they exhibit many unusual and interesting properties, including electrical conductivity and optical nonlinearity. Their long polymeric chains render polydiacetylenes readily conducive to thin film formation, which is necessary for many applications. These applications require thin polydiacetylene films possessing uniform thicknesses, high purity, minimal inhomogeneities and defects (such as scattering centers), etc. Also, understanding and controlling the microstructure and morphology of the films is important for optimizing their electronic and optical properties. The lack of techniques for processing polydiacetylenes into such films has been the primary limitation to their commercial use. We have recently discovered a novel method for the formation of polydiacetylene thin films using photo-deposition from monomer solutions onto transparent substrates with UV light. This technique is very simple to carry out, and can yield films with superior quality to those produced by conventional methods. Furthermore, these films exhibit good third-order properties and are capable of waveguiding. We have been actively studying the chemistry of diacetylene polymerization in solution and the photo-deposition of polydiacetylene thin films from solution. It is well-known that gravitational factors such as buoyancy-driven convection and sedimentation can affect chemical and mass transport processes in solution. One important aspect of polydiacetylene thin film photodeposition in solution, relevant to microgravity science, is that heat generated by absorption of UV radiation induces thermal density gradients that under the influence of gravity, can cause fluid flows (buoyancy-driven convection). Additionally, changes in the chemical composition of the solution during polymerization may cause solutal convection. These fluid flows affect transport of material to and from the film surface and thereby affect the kinetics of the growth process. This manifests itself in the morphology of the resulting films; films grown under the influence of convection tend to have less uniform thicknesses, and can possess greater inhomogeneities and defects. Specifically, polydiacetylene films photodeposited from solution, when viewed under a microscope, exhibit very small particles of solid polymer which get transported by convection from the bulk solution to the surface of the growing film and become embedded. Even when carried out under conditions designed to minimize unstable density gradients (i.e., irradiating the solution from the top), some fluid flow still takes place (particles remain present in the films). It is also possible that defect nucleation may be occurring within the films or on the surface of the substrate; this, too, can be affected by convection (as is the case with crystal growth). Hence films grown in 1-g will, at best, still possess some defects. The objective of this proposal is to investigate, both in 1-g and in low-g, the effects of gravitational factors (primarily convection) on the dynamics of these processes, and on the quality, morphology, and properties of the films obtained.

Paley, Mark S.↗

Microstructural Characterization of Thin Polyimide Films by Positron Lifetime Spectroscopy

Positron lifetimes have been measured in a series of thin aromatic polyimide films. No evidence of positronium formation was observed in any of the films investigated. All test films exhibited only two positron lifetime components, the longer component corresponding to the positrons annihilating at shallow traps. Based on these trapped positron lifetimes, free volume fractions have been calculated for all the films tested. A free volume model has been developed to calculate the dielectric constants of thin polyimide films. The experimental and the calculated values for the dielectric constants of the films tested are in reasonably good agreement. It has been further noted that the presence of bulky CF(sub 3) groups and meta linkages in the polyimide structure results in higher free volume fraction and, consequently, lower dielectric constant values for the films studied.

Eftekhari, A.↗

Processing, texture and mechanical properties of sintered silicon carbide

With regard to its favorable properties, in particular those shown at high temperatures, silicon carbide is of great interest for applications related to the construction of engines and turbines. Thus, silicon carbide could replace heat-resisting alloys with the objective to achieve a further increase in operational temperature. The present investigation is concerned with approaches which can provide silicon carbide material with suitable properties for the intended applications, taking into account the relations between characteristics of the raw material, material composition, sinter conditions, and results of the sintering process. The effects of density and texture formation on the mechanical properties are studied. It is found that a dense material with a fine-grained microstructure provides optimal mechanical properties, while any deviation from this ideal condition can lead to a considerable deterioration with respect to the material properties.

Landfermann, H.↗

The effects of ion implantation on the tribology of perfluoropolyether-lubricated 440C stainless steel couples

The lubricating lifetime of thin films of a perfluoropolyether (PFPE) based on hexafluoropropene oxide in the presence of ion implanted 440C stainless steel is presented. Stainless steel discs, either unimplanted or implanted with N2, C, Ti, Ti + N2, or Ti + C had a thin film of PFPE (60-400 A) applied to them reproducibly (+/- 20 percent) and uniformly (+/- 15 percent) using a device developed for this study. The lifetimes of these films were quantified by measuring the number of sliding-wear cycles required to induce an increase in the friction coefficient from an initial value characteristic of the lubricated wear couple to a final, or failure value, characteristic of an unlubricated, unimplanted couple. The tests were performed in a dry nitrogen atmosphere (less than 1 percent RH) at room temperature using a 3 N normal load with a relative sliding speed of 0.05 m/s. The lubricated lifetime of the 440C couple was increased by an order of magnitude by implanting the disc with Ti. Ranked from most to least effective, the implanted species were: Ti; Ti+C; unimplanted; N2; C approximately equals Ti+N2. The mechanism postulated to explain these results involves the formation of a passivating or reactive layer which inhibits or facilitates the production of active sites. The corresponding surface microstructures induced by ion implantation, obtained using x-ray diffraction and conversion electron Mossbauer spectroscopy, ranked from most to least effective in enhancing lubricant lifetime were: amorphous Fe-Cr-Ti; amorphous Fe-Cr-Ti-C + TiC; unimplanted; epsilon-(Fe,Cr)(sub x)N, x = 2 or 3; amorphous Fe-Cr-C approximately equals amorphous Fe-Cr-Ti-N.

Shogrin, Bradley↗

The Effects of Substrate Material and Thermal Processing Atmosphere on the Strength of PS304: A High Temperature Solid Lubricant Coating

PS304, a plasma spray deposited solid lubricant coating developed for high temperature sliding contacts was deposited on nine different substrate metals, heat treated at 650C in either air or argon and subsequently tested for strength using a commercially available pull-off adhesion test. Some samples were examined metallographically to help elucidate and explain the results. As deposited coatings exhibit pull-off strengths typically between 16 and 20 MPa with failure occuring (cohesively) within the coating. Heat treatment in argon at 650 C results in a slight increase in coating (cohesive) strength of about 30 percent to 21 to 27 MPa. Heat treatment in air at 650 C results in a dramatic increase in strength to over 30 MPa, exceeding the strength of the epoxy used in the pull test. Cross section metallographic analyses show that no microstructural coating changes occur following the argon heat treatments, however, exposure to air at 650C gives rise to the formation of a second chromium-rich phase precipitate within the PS304 NiCr constituent which provides a strengthening effect and a slight (approximately 5 percent) coating thickness increase. Subsequent heat treatments do not result in any further coating changes. Based upon these studies, PS304 is a suitable coating for use on a wide variety of high temperature substrates and must be heat treated following deposition to enhance strength and ensure dimensional stability.

DellaCorte, Christopher↗

Thermoelectric Properties in the TiO2/SnO2 System

Nanotechnology has provided a new interest in thermoelectric technology. A thermodynamically driven process is one approach in achieving nanostructures in bulk materials. TiO2/SnO2 system exhibits a large spinodal region with exceptional stable phase separated microstructures up to 1400 C. Fabricated TiO2/SnO2 nanocomposites exhibit n-type behavior with Seebeck coefficients greater than -300 .V/K. Composites exhibit good thermal conductance in the range of 7 to 1 W/mK. Dopant additions have not achieved high electrical conductivity (<1000 S/m). Formation of oxygen deficient composites, TixSn1-xO2-y, can change the electrical conductivity by four orders of magnitude. Achieving higher thermoelectric ZT by oxygen deficiency is being explored. Seebeck coeffcient, thermal conductivity, electrical conductance and microstructure will be discussed in relation to composition and doping.

Dynys, F.↗

The high temperature deformation in cyclic loading of a single crystal nickel-base superalloy

The high temperature cyclic stress softening response of the single crystal nickel-base superalloy PWA 1480 was investigated. Specimens oriented near the 001- and 111-lines were tested at 1050 C in low-cycle fatigue and then microstructurally evaluated. The 001- and 111-line specimens had dissimilar flow behavior in monotonic tensile tests, but comparable softening in low-cycle fatigue. This softening was accompanied by rapid generation of dislocation networks at the gamma-gamma-prime interfaces and by a slower time-dependent coarsening of gamma-prime precipitates. Due to the rapid formation of a dislocation substructure at the gamma-gamma-prime interfaces, the cyclic stress softening could be modeled with an existing theory which related cyclic stress to the evolving microstructure and dislocation structure.

Gabb, T. P.↗

Ferromagnetic phase-mass equivalence and lunar sample magnetic remanence

Man-made alloy spheres simulating the compositions of particles found in the lunar soil and weighting approximately 10 mg are shown to be equivalent, insofar as remanence intensity and demagnetization stability are concerned, to more than about 10 billion submicrometer spherical iron particles. The large particles not only contain large stable magnetic remanence, but when the polished surfaces of these particles are etched and carefully studied, they provide useful petrogenetic information, imply the mechanism of magnetization, the time-temperature history, and outline the format for possible paleointensity analysis. The intensity and stability of the remanence in these large spheres is related to the microstructure developed during rapid cooling.

Wasilewski, P. J.↗

Deleterious Phase Formation in Next- Generation Nickel-Base Superalloys Predicted

Nickel- (Ni-) base superalloy single crystals represent the state-of-the-art for turbine engine airfoil applications because they offer the best balance of properties under the high operating temperatures required for efficient engine operation. Current trends in alloy design take advantage of improved creep rupture strength with the addition of higher levels of refractory elements. In particular, the addition of significantly higher levels of rhenium in third-generation superalloys is key for both microstructural stability and creep rupture strength. Although refractories provide strength benefits, alloys tend to be unstable when their refractory content is high because of topologically close-packed (TCP) phases. The formation of these phases in sufficient amount is detrimental to the performance of these alloys because of their brittle nature and because they deplete the Nirich matrix of potent solid-solution strengthening elements.

Ritzert, Frank J.↗

Evaluating Surface Exposure Timescales Derived From Solar Energetic Particle Track Densities for Grains From Apollo 17 Core Sample 73002

Space weathering causes the surface soils of airless bodies like the Moon to be morphologically, microstructurally, and chemically altered due to micrometeoroid bombardment and solar wind exposure. These processes produce a multitude of microstructural and chemical changes that accumulate on individual soil grains that are continuously exposed on the surface. One characteristic is the formation of solar wind damaged rims on grains which develop from low energy solar wind particles penetrating <100 nm in depth. Also present are solar energetic particle (SEP) tracks, which are nanoscale streaks of irradiation damage in grain interiors formed by heavy, high energy ions (predominantly Fe group nuclei) originating from solar energetic particles (SEPs) that penetrate millimeters below the surface.

J. A. McFadden↗

Ultrasonic Guided-Wave Scan System Used to Characterize Microstructure and Defects in Ceramic Composites

Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) are being developed for advanced aerospace propulsion applications to save weight, improve reuse capability, and increase performance. However, mechanical and environmental loads applied to CMCs can cause discrete flaws and distributed microdamage, significantly reducing desirable physical properties. Such microdamage includes fiber/matrix debonding (interface failure), matrix microcracking, fiber fracture and buckling, oxidation, and second phase formation. A recent study (ref. 1) of the durability of a C/SiC CMC discussed the requirement for improved nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methods for monitoring degradation in these materials. Distributed microdamage in CMCs has proven difficult to characterize nondestructively because of the complex microstructure and macrostructure of these materials. This year, an ultrasonic guided-wave scan system developed at the NASA Glenn Research Center was used to characterize various microstructural and flaw conditions in SiC/SiC (silicon carbide fiber in silicon carbide matrix) and C/SiC (carbon fiber in silicon carbide matrix) CMC samples.

Roth, Don J.↗

Role of Dynamic Nucleation at Moving Boundaries in Phase and Microstructure Selection

Solidification microstructures that form under steady-state growth conditions (cells, dendrites, regular eutectics, etc.) are reasonably well understood in comparison to other, more complex microstructures, which form under intrinsically non-steady-state growth conditions due to the competition between the nucleation and growth of several phases. Some important practical examples in this latter class include microstructures forming in peritectic systems in highly undercooled droplets, and in strip cast stainless steels. Prediction of phase and microstructure selection in these systems has been traditionally based on (1) heterogeneous nucleation on a static interface, and (2) comparing the relative growth rate of different phase/microstructures under steady-state growth conditions. The formation of new phases, however, occurs via nucleation on, or ahead of, a moving boundary. In addition, the actual selection process is controlled by a complex interaction between the nucleation process and the growth competition between the nuclei and the pre-existing phase under non-steady-state conditions. As a result, it is often difficult to predict which microstructure will form and which phases will be selected under prescribed processing conditions. This research addresses this critical role of nucleation at moving boundaries in the selection of phases and solidification microstructures through quantitative experiments and numerical modeling in peritectic systems. In order to create a well characterized system in which to study this problem, we focus on the directional solidification of hypo- and hyper-peritectic alloys in the two-phase region, imposing a large enough ratio of temperature gradient/growth rate (G/V(sub p)) to suppress the morphological instability of both the parent (alpha) and peritectic (Beta) phases, i.e. each phase alone would grow as a planar front. Our combined experimental and theoretical results show that, already in this simplified case, the growth competition of these two phases leads to a rich variety of microstructures that depend sensitively upon the relative importance of nucleation, diffusion, and convection.

Karma, Alain↗