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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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Investigating Fifth Oxide Effect on CMXAS Glass Properties

Coatings for hot section aero turbine engine structural materials are subject to thermochemical degradation after interacting with calcium-magnesium-aluminosilicates (CMAS). Molten CMAS viscosity is the primary glass property of importance, correlating with coating infiltration and reaction depth. CMAS viscosity was measured using a spindle-dipped viscometer at temperatures between 1300-1550°C in 25°C increments. Experimental data were compared to Thermo-Calc and FactSage computational models, which showed good agreement with experimental trends. CMXAS compositions, where X denotes a fifth oxide, of Ca30.75-Mg9-X5-Al13-Si42.25 (single cation oxide mol%) for X = Fe2+, Fe3+, Gd3+, Hf4+, Na1+, Ti4+, Y3+, Yb3+, Zr4+ additions were used. Oxide precipitation was observed in X = Hf4+ , Zr4+ CMXAS specimens, indicating coating dissolution is an increased threat for T ≥ 1390°C. Molten CMAS and CMXAS viscosity measurements were shown to correlate with net cation field strength, offering an alternative in property prediction where thermodynamic data are unavailable.

Clark Avery Luckhardt

Thermochemical Interactions Between Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia and Molten Lunar Regolith Simulants

Oxygen produced through in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) is critical to maintaining a permanent human presence on the lunar surface. Molten regolith electrolysis and carbothermal reduction are two promising ISRU techniques for generating oxygen directly from lunar regolith, which is primarily a mixture of oxide minerals; however, both processes require operating temperatures of 1600 C to melt lunar regolith and dissociate the molten oxides. These conditions limit the use of many oxide refractory materials, such as Al2O3 and MgO, due to rapid degradation resulting from reactions between the refractory materials and molten lunar regolith. Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) is shown here to be a promising refractory oxide to provide containment of molten regolith while demonstrating limited reactivity. This work focuses on corrosion studies of YSZ powders and dense YSZ crucibles in contact with molten lunar maria and highlands regolith simulants at 1600 C. The interactions between YSZ and molten regolith are characterized using SEM/EDS, XRD, and EBSD. A FactSage thermochemical model is created to compare with the experimental results. These combined analyses suggest that lunar maria regolith will degrade YSZ faster than lunar highlands regolith due to the lower viscosity of the maria regolith. The feasibility of long-term molten regolith containment with YSZ is discussed based on the YSZ powder and crucible results.

Kevin Yu