Browsing by Subject "graphite"
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Item Carbon foam characterization: sandwich flexure, tensile and shear response(Texas A&M University, 2004-09-30) Sarzynski, Melanie DianeThe focus of this research is characterizing a new material system composed of carbon and graphite foams, which has potential in a wide variety of applications encompassing aerospace, military, offshore, power production and other commercial industries. The benefits of this new material include low cost, light weight, fire-resistance, good energy absorption, and thermal insulation or conduction as desired. The objective of this research is to explore the bulk material properties and failure modes of the carbon foam through experimental and computational analysis in order to provide a better understanding and assessment of the material for successful design in future applications. Experiments are conducted according to ASTM standards to determine the mechanical properties and failure modes of the carbon foam. Sandwich beams composed of open cell carbon foam cores and carbon-epoxy laminate face sheets are tested in the flexure condition using a four point setup. The primary failure mode is shear cracks developing in the carbon foam core at a critical axial strain value of 2,262 ??. In addition to flexure, the carbon foam is loaded under tensile and shear loads to determine the respective material moduli. Computational analysis is undertaken to further investigate the carbon foam's failure modes and material characteristics in the sandwich beam configuration. Initial estimates are found using classical laminated plate theory and a linear finite element model. Poor results were obtained due to violation of assumptions used in both cases. Thus, an additional computational analysis incorporating three dimensional strain-displacement relationships into the finite element analysis is used. Also, a failure behavior pattern for the carbon foam core is included to simulate the unique failure progression of the carbon foam on a microstructure level. Results indicate that displacements, strains and stresses from the flexure experiments are closely predicted by this two parameter progressive damage model. The final computational model consisted of a bond line (interface) study to determine the source of the damage initiation, and it is concluded that damage initiates in the carbon foam, not at the bond line.Item Imparting Electrical Conductivity into Asphalt Composites Using Graphite(2013-07-09) Baranikumar, AishwaryaElectrically conductive asphalt composites have immense potential for various multifunctional applications such as self-healing, self-sensing, snow and ice removal, and energy harvesting, and controlling asphalt conductivity is the first step to enable such applications. Previous investigators have used conductive fibers as major conductive additive for asphalt composites, and the sudden transition from the insulated phase to the conductive phase, known as the percolation threshold, is commonly observed. Since the percolation threshold hinders precise control of asphalt conductivity, it is imperative to mitigate the sudden transition in the electrical resistivity curve to enable practical applications of asphalt composites. Some recent publications showed the potential of graphite in mitigating the sudden transition. The study presented herein investigates possibility of precisely controlling the electrical conductivity of asphalt concrete only by adding filler size graphite powder. Nine different types of graphite having different particle shapes and sizes are selected to investigate their effect on conductivity control. The volume resistivity of the asphalt mastic specimens containing various concentrations of graphite is evaluated. In addition, scanning electron microscope analysis is conducted for the graphite particles to provide physical explanation for their different effects on imparting conductivity. The results show that the electrical resistivity of asphalt mastic is significantly varied with the types of graphite. The mastics containing natural flake graphite show gradual decrease in volume resistivity as the graphite content increases, and sufficiently low resistivity can be obtained in the specimens with natural flake graphite. On the other hand, amorphous graphite is not efficient in reducing volume resistivity. Graphite with high surface area presents difficulty in mixing. In the next stage of research, two best performing graphite out of the nine different types are selected to be added to asphalt concrete, and the effect of aggregates on electrical resistivity is examined. It is found that flake graphite 516 provides good electrical conductivity along with improved mechanical performance of asphalt concrete. Thus the study provides fundamental information on the selection of graphite type and amount to achieve proper electrical conductivity required for multifunctional applications.Item Micro Joining of Aluminum Graphite Composites(2012-07-16) Velamati, ManasaAdvanced aluminum graphite composites have unique thermal properties due to opposing coefficients of thermal expansion of aluminum and graphite. The thermal and mechanical properties of such composites are anisotropic due to directional properties of graphite fibers and their designed orientation. A joint with different fiber orientations would theoretically produce an isotropic material for thermal management. This paper presents results for welding and brazing of the composite using different joining techniques. Laser welding of Al-Gr composite showed that a power density above 30kW/mm2 gives a weld with microstructure defects. Also the laser beam melts the matrix and delaminates the graphite fibers. The molten aluminum reacts with graphite to form aluminum carbide (Al4C3). The joint strength is compromised when laser welding at optimal conditions to minimize the carbide formation. Also porosity and redistribution of graphite fibers is seen during laser welding. These defects prompt us to consider a low temperature joining. Brazing is considered since the low melting temperature of a filler material suppresses the formation of Al4C3 while minimizing pores and microstructural defects in the joint. Microstructural study and shear test are performed to analyze the joints. Shear strengths of brazed joints are determined to be 20-21MPa which is comparable to the composite shear strength (46.5MPa in x-y plane and 19MPa in z plane). The fracture surface is found to be mostly on the composite rather than in brazed material or along the interface. Also, the microstructural study showed no Al4C3 formation and minimal porosity in the brazed region. These results show a successful joining of the composite using laser brazing and resistance brazing methods.Item Tribological Characterization of Carbon Based Solid Lubricants(2012-10-19) Sanchez, Carlos JoelHigh performance machines such as gas turbine engines demand efficient solid lubricants at high temperature and in vacuum. The current conventional solid lubricants need to be further improved. This research evaluates carbon based solid lubricants using a high vacuum, high temperature pin-on-disc tribometer. The objectives of this research were to develop an understanding of the tribological properties of solid lubricant coatings under extreme operating conditions, and to determine whether using a carbon based solid lubricant would be acceptable for use in those conditions. Experimentally, two solid lubricant coatings on tungsten carbide substrate were tested against two different materials. The coatings were carbon based and molybdenum disulfide based. The other materials were 440C stainless steel and tungsten carbide. The temperature, pressure, and relative humidity are independent variables. The results showed that the carbon based coating increases friction and wears out quickly due to high temperature, high vacuum, and low humidity. Abrasive wear is the dominating mechanism. At elevated temperatures and in dry environment, the carbon based coating underwent significant oxidation and phase transformation. This research is beneficial for future design and development of solid lubricants for aerospace applications, as well as other industries requiring lubricants that must operate in extreme conditions. This thesis includes five chapters. Chapter I is an introduction to tribology and to the materials being used in this research. Chapter II describes the motivation and objectives behind this research. Chapter III discusses the experimental procedure and further explains the materials used. Chapter IV presents and discusses the results obtained. Chapter V discusses the major conclusions obtained from the results and offers some future work that may be conducted concerning this research.