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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.

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At least 163 records · Page 9
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1986

Strength optimization of alpha-SiC by improved processing

Silicon carbide is of great interest for structural use in aircraft and automobile engines. This ceramic combines high thermal conductivity and low coefficient of thermal expansion, and consequently has good thermal shock resistance. However, like other ceramics, silicon carbide shows strength variability due to processing flaws such as large voids, shrinkage cracks, and inclusions. Agglomerates in the starting powder seem to be the predominant cause of such defects. Improved processing techniques such as slurry pressing and hot isostatic pressing (HIP) were employed to minimize these defects and to improve strength and reliability in the fabricated material. For this purpose 2-inch diameter disks were fabricated by various consolidation techniques. These include: dry pressing and sintering, slurry pressing and sintering, and slurry pressing and HIPing. The results are discussed.

Dutta, Sunil↗
NASA NTRS1988

Preparation for microgravity: The role of the microgravity materials science laboratory

A laboratory dedicated to ground based materials processing in preparation for space flight was established at the NASA Lewis Research Center. Experiments are performed to delineate the effects of gravity on processes of both scientific and commercial interest. Processes are modeled physically and mathematically. Transport model systems are used where possible to visually track convection, settling, crystal growth, phase separation, agglomeration, vapor transport, diffusive flow, and polymers reactions. The laboratory contains apparatus which functionally duplicates apparatus available for flight experiments and other pieces instrumented specifically to allow process characterization. Materials addressed include metals, alloys, salts, glasses, ceramics, and polymers. The Microgravity Materials Science Laboratory is staffed by engineers and technicians from a variety of disciplines and is open to users from industry and academia as well as the government. Examples will be given of the laboratory apparatus typical experiments and results.

Johnston, J. Christopher↗
NASA NTRS1988

Physical processes and timescales in planet and small-body accretion

A series of processes in the solar nebula transforms infallen interstellar grains into planets. Somewhat surprisingly, samples of planetary material from the very first stages of this processing and aggregration were preserved, and are accessible for study in the terrestrial laboratory. These are the chondritic meteoroids, which passed the last 4.5 Gyr safely stored in asteroids. Thermal processing of interstellar grains, sticky agglomeration of chondrules, Goldreich-Ward instability, and gravitational accretion of planetesimals into planets are discussed.

Wood, John A.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Preparation for microgravity - The role of the Microgravity Material Science Laboratory

Experiments at the NASA Lewis Research Center's Microgravity Material Science Laboratory using physical and mathematical models to delineate the effects of gravity on processes of scientific and commercial interest are discussed. Where possible, transparent model systems are used to visually track convection, settling, crystal growth, phase separation, agglomeration, vapor transport, diffusive flow, and polymer reactions. Materials studied include metals, alloys, salts, glasses, ceramics, and polymers. Specific technologies discussed include the General Purpose furnace used in the study of metals and crystal growth, the isothermal dendrite growth apparatus, the electromagnetic levitator/instrumented drop tube, the high temperature directional solidification furnace, the ceramics and polymer laboratories and the center's computing facilities.

Johnston, J. Christopher↗
NASA NTRS1988

Directional solidification of Al-Ni/SiC composites during parabolic trajectories

Aluminum-6.1 wt. pct. nickel-silicon carbide composites containing varying volume fractions and particle sizes of SiC were directionally solidified at different translation rates and temperature gradients, under variable gravity levels. High-gravity, high-volume fractions of particles or high effective viscosity of liquid favored the engulfment of particles by the melt interface. Solidification under low gravity seemed to deflocculate the SiC particle agglomerates, while opposite results were obtained when solidifying under high gravity. Intercellular spacings were higher under low gravity solidfication.

Dhindaw, B. K.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Improved silicon carbide for advanced heat engines

Work performed to develop silicon carbide materials of high strength and to form components of complex shape and high reliability is described. A beta-SiC powder and binder system was adapted to the injection molding process and procedures and process parameters developed capable of providing a sintered silicon carbide material with improved properties. The initial effort has been to characterize the baseline precursor materials (beta silicon carbide powder and boron and carbon sintering aids), develop mixing and injection molding procedures for fabricating test bars, and characterize the properties of the sintered materials. Parallel studies of various mixing, dewaxing, and sintering procedures have been carried out in order to distinguish process routes for improving material properties. A total of 276 MOR bars of the baseline material have been molded, and 122 bars have been fully processed to a sinter density of approximately 95 percent. The material has a mean MOR room temperature strength of 43.31 ksi (299 MPa), a Weibull characteristic strength of 45.8 ksi (315 MPa), and a Weibull modulus of 8.0. Mean values of the MOR strengths at 1000, 1200, and 14000 C are 41.4, 43.2, and 47.2 ksi, respectively. Strength controlling flaws in this material were found to consist of regions of high porosity and were attributed to agglomerates originating in the initial mixing procedures. The mean stress rupture lift at 1400 C of five samples tested at 172 MPa (25 ksi) stress was 62 hours and at 207 MPa (30 ksi) stress was 14 hours. New fluid mixing techniques have been developed which significantly reduce flaw size and improve the strength of the material. Initial MOR tests indicate the strength of the fluid-mixed material exceeds the baseline property by more than 33 percent.

Whalen, T. J.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Basic and applied research related to the technology of space energy conversion systems

The first six months' research effort on the Liquid Droplet Radiator (LDR) focussed on experimental and theoretical studies of radiation by an LDR droplet cloud. Improvements in the diagnostics for the radiation facility have been made which have permitted an accurate experimental test of theoretical predictions of LDR radiation over a wide range of optical depths, using a cloud of Dow silicone oil droplets. In conjunction with these measurements an analysis was made of the evolution of the cylindrical droplet cloud generated by a 2300-hole orifice plate. This analysis indicates that a considerable degree of agglomeration of droplets occurs over the first meter of travel. Theoretical studies have centered on developments of an efficient means of computing the angular scattering distribution from droplets in an LDR droplet cloud, so that a parameter study can be carried out for LDR radiative performance vs fluid optical properties and cloud geometry.

Hertzberg, A.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Toughening of a thermoplastic matrix composite - Processing issues

The use of a rubber modified thermoplastic resin has been investigated as a method to improve the impact damage and the Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness of a unidirectional continuous carbon fiber composite. Test results show that the improvement in the fracture toughness is less than expected due to rubber particle agglomeration, poor fiber/matrix adhesion and the induced crystallization of the matrix. These restrictions must be eliminated in order to evaluate the maximum potential of a rubber toughened thermoplastic matrix on a composite's fracture toughness.

Parker, D. S.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Effects of microstructure and nonstoichiometry on electrical properties of vanadium dioxide films

Voided growth structures of sputter-deposited films affect strongly their optical and electrical properties. Vanadium dioxide is an interesting material to study effects of film microstructure and nonstoichiometry on electrical properties because its phase transition makes it possible to investigate electrical behavior both in a semiconducting phase and in a metallic phase. Vanadium oxide films were deposited with different vanadium oxygen ratios for substrate temperatures between 250 and 550 C by dc reactive magnetron sputtering. The resistivity ratios between a semiconducting phase and a metallic phase are limited to 1000 order by voided boundaries and oxygen vacancies. The voided boundaries are defined by columnar structure and agglomerated grain growth. The results emphasize the necessity of a combination of deposition to obtain the film with a favorable structure and postdeposition annealing to control the film stoichiometry.

Kusano, Eiji↗
NASA NTRS1989

Factors influencing the Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness of a rubber toughened thermoplastic matrix composite

The use of a rubber modified thermoplastic resin has been investigated as a method to improve the Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness of a unidirectional continuous carbon fiber composite. Test results show that the improvement in the fracture toughness is less than expected due to rubber particle agglomeration, solvent and molding induced crystallization of the matrix and poor fiber/matrix adhesion. The plastic zone in composites utilizing tough matrices can extend well beyond a single interfibrillar spacing. However, the development of the plastic zone is limited due to the failure of the fiber/matrix interface. In order to fully evaluate the potential of tough composites using toughened matrices, any improvement made in the matrix toughness must be coupled with improvements in the fiber/matrix adhesion.

Parker, D. S.↗
NASA NTRS1988

The volatile composition of comets

Comets may be our best probes of the physical and chemical conditions in the outer regions of the solar nebula during that crucial period when the planets formed. The volatile composition of cometary nuclei can be used to decide whether comets are the product of a condensation sequence similar to that invoked to explain the compositions of the planets and asteroids, or if comets are simply agglomerations of interstellar grains which have been insignificantly modified by the events that shaped the other bodies in the solar system. Although cometary nuclei are not generally accessible to observation, observations of cometary comae can illuminate at least some of the mysteries of the nuclei provided one has a detailed knowledge of the excitation conditions in the coma and also has access to basic atomic and molecular data on the many species present in comets. Examined here is the status of our knowledge of the volatile composition of cometary nuclei and how these data are obtained.

Weaver, H. A.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Deformation and thermal histories of chondrules in the Chainpur (LL3.4) chondrite

The results of optical and TEM studies of chondrules in the Chainpur (LL3.4) chondrite are presented. Results were obtained, using a microprobe, from quantitative microchemical analyses for Mg, Fe, Si, and Ca for the chondrule olivine and pyroxene, showing that chondrules in the Chainpur chondrite experienced varied degrees of annealing and deformation. It is suggested that Chainpur may be an agglomerate of a breccia that experienced little overall deformation or heating during and after the final accumulation and compaction of its constituents.

Ruzicka, Alex↗
NASA NTRS1990

CO aperture synthesis of NGC 4038/9 (ARP 244)

Researchers present high-resolution (approx. 6 seconds) CO observations of the merging galaxies NGC 4038/9 made with the Owens Valley Radio Observatory (OVRO) Millimeter Wave Interferometer. The CO observations of Arp 244 were obtained between April and June 1988 using the OVRO Millimeter Wave Interferometer. Two fields with phase centers near the NGC 4039 nucleus and near the NGC 4038 nucleus were observed. The size of the synthesized beam is approximately 6.5 x 7 seconds at PA=72 degrees. The rms in a single cleaned channel map is 0.06 Jy beam(exp -1), corresponding to a brightness temperature of 0.12 K over the synthesized beam. Contour maps of the integrated CO intensity for both interferometer fields are shown. Three CO concentrations are evident. Two are centered near the nuclei of NGC 4038 and NGC 4039, closely correlated with H alpha and radio continuum maxima. A third CO emission region lies about 25 seconds northeast of the NGC 4039 nucleus. A number of radio continuum, H alpha, and 10 micron emission knots appear in this region. The total integrated intensity at the northern nuclear source, 302 K km/s, leads to a molecular mass of 8.3 by 10 to the 8th power solar mass assuming a Galactic CO to H2 conversion factor of 3.0 x 10 to the 20th power H2 cm(-2) (K km/s)(-1). The integrated CO intensity of the southern nuclear source leads to a molecular mass of 2.4 x 10 to the 8th solar mass. The extranuclear CO concentration contains 1.2 x 10 to the 9th power solar mass of molecular gas, extending over 170 km/s, and is resolved in a number of channels. Its large size, mass, and morphology strongly suggest that it is an agglomeration of several clumps.

Stanford, S. A.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Ilmenite beneficiation and high-precision analyses of extraterrestrial material

During the past year, work on characterizing lunar material that has the potential of becoming ilmenite lunar ore was performed. The important aspects of any such material are that it has abundant ilmenite and that the ilmenite be easily separated. The final result sought is a pure (greater than 99 percent ilmenite) concentrate that will be used as feed for the ilmenite reduction process. There are two types of starting material available on the moon. Solid rock (basalt or anorthosite) and regolith. Extensive literature reviews of ilmenite separation experiments were performed, and simulants (meteorites) were separated. It was concluded that, because of the large amounts of agglomerates, regolith may not be the best starting material for ilmenite beneficiation and that either basalts or anorthosites may be better. This is because no matter how finely the regolith is ground, it would not be possible to efficiently separate all the ilmenite. This hypotheses, however, needs to be tested with lunar material.

Ruiz, J.↗
NASA NTRS1990

The formation and structure of fluffy cometary nuclei from random accumulation of grains

It is now generally accepted that solid bodies in the solar system are formed by accumulation of solid grains. The mechanism of formation of smaller bodies, less than some tens of kilometers in radius, is investigated. These include planetesimals and comets. Results indicate that essentially complete agglomeration occurs for relative velocities of less than about 1000 cm/sec and fairly efficient mass build-up occurs up to 5000/cm. These velocities are consistent with current models of the primordial solar nebula. The temperature produced in a collision will be under 20 K. For ice/dust grains, the resultant aggregates will be of low density with their volatiles preserved. Cometary nuclei with radii of a few km will be irregularly shaped and fragile with low mean density and significant interanl density variations. The characteristics of such a structure could account for the observed properties of comets.

Donn, B. D.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Chronology of early Archaean granite-greenstone evolution in the Barberton Mountain Land, South Africa, based on precise dating by single zircon evaporation

Precise Pb-207/Pb-206 single zircon evaporating ages are reported for low-grade felsic metavolcanic rocks within the Onverwacht and Fig Tree Groups of the Barberton Greenstone Belt (BGB), South Africa, as well as for granitoid plutons bordering the belt. Dacitic tuffs of the Hooggenoeg Formation in the upper part of the Onverwacht Group are shown to yield ages between 3445 + or - 3 and 3416 + or - 5 Ma and to contain older crustal components represented by a 3504 + or - 4 Ma old zircon xenocryst. Fig Tree dacitic tuffs and agglomerates have euhedral zircons between 3259 + or - 3 Ma in age which are interpreted to reflect the time of crystallization. The comagmatic relationships between greenstone felsic volcanic units and the surrounding plutonic suites are keynoted. The data adduced show that the Onverwacht and Fig Tree felsic units have distinctly different ages and thus do not constitute a single, tectonically repeated unit as proposed by others. It is argued that conventional multigrain zircon dating may not accurately identify the time of felsic volcanic activity in ancient greenstones, and that the BGB in the Kaapval craton of southern Africa and greenstones in the Pilbara Block of Western Australia may have been part of a larger crustal unit in early Archaean times.

Kruener, Alfred↗
NASA NTRS1991

Glacial geology of the Hellas region on Mars

A glacial geologic interpretation was recently presented for Argyre, which is herein extended to Hellas. This glacial event is believed to constitute an important link in a global cryohydric epoch of Middle Amazonian age. At glacial maximum, ice apparently extended far beyond the regions of Argyre and Hellas, and formed what is termed as the Austral Ice Sheet, an agglomeration of several ice domes and lobes including the Hellas Lobe. It is concluded that Hellas was apparently heavily glaciated. Also glaciation was young by Martian standards (Middle Amazonian), and ancient by terrestrial standards. Glaciation appears to have occurred during the same period that other areas on Mars were experiencing glaciation and periglacial activity. Glaciation seems to have occurred as a geological brief epoch of intense geomorphic activity in an era characterized by long periods of relative inactivity.

Kargel, Jeffrey S.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Effect of particle size of Martian dust on the degradation of photovoltaic cell performance

Glass coverglass and SiO2 covered and uncovered silicon photovoltaic (PV) cells were subjected to conditions simulating a Mars dust storm, using the Martian Surface Wind Tunnel, to assess the effect of particle size on the performance of PV cells in the Martian environment. The dust used was an artificial mineral of the approximate elemental composition of Martian soil, which was sorted into four different size ranges. Samples were tested both initially clean and initially dusted. The samples were exposed to clear and dust laden winds, wind velocities varying from 23 to 116 m/s, and attack angles from 0 to 90 deg. It was found that transmittance through the coverglass approximates the power produced by a dusty PV cell. Occultation by the dust was found to dominate the performance degradation for wind velocities below 50 m/s, whereas abrasion dominates the degradation at wind velocities above 85 m/s. Occultation is most severe at 0 deg (parallel to the wind), is less pronounced from 22.5 to 67.5 deg, and is somewhat larger at 90 deg (perpendicular to the wind). Abrasion is negligible at 0 deg, and increases to a maximum at 90 deg. Occultation is more of a problem with small particles, whereas large particles (unless they are agglomerates) cause more abrasion.

Gaier, James R.↗