<<

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Marshall Space Flight Center Mechanical, Tribological, and Chemical Materials Testing Solutions for Space Science and Exploration

Materials Testing at Marshall is located within set of combustion, toxic- the Materials and Processes Laboratory. The material testing ity, and thermal vacuum performed by the Laboratory has supported many notable tests required for materi- NASA programs from Mercury to the Space Launch System als that are candidates for (SLS). The materials testing capability at Marshall can be space flight. If a new test divided into three distinct areas: mechanical testing, , or technique is needed, the and tribology. Laboratory’s chemists and engineers are experienced The Laboratory’s mechanical and capable of designing test capability can perform and/or customizing tests. both the standard American Society for Testing and Mate- The Laboratory can be used to test and measure the tribo- rials (ASTM) and nonstandard logical properties of materials and used in moving mechanical tests in a wide mechanical assemblies and rolling element bearings in room range of environments, from environments and the simulated low vacuum of space. ASTM elevated down to cryogenic test equipment is used to evaluate oils, greases, dry film lubes, temperatures. Engineers are and coatings on materials for resistance to and surface available to provide guidance in plan development, specimen, degradation. Capability exists to evaluate torques pre- and cut-plan design. Skilled technicians on site are also avail- and post-test and to record the vibration signatures of bearings able for special test coupons. Materials perfor- before and after testing. The Tribology Team has many years mance can be evaluated in extreme conditions using simulated of experience with bearing research in high speed cryogenic in-process or service-induced heating, cooling, or loading with turbopumps that has led to developing new bearing materials. computerized data acquisition. Government and industry Bearing operational characteristics can be analyzed using specifications are supported for any standard test type. Custom computer modeling codes for high speed turbopumps and tests such as special component testing for simulated service other rolling bearing applications. loads and environments can also be designed and conducted. This facility is ISO 9001 certified, and consulting services are The Metrology Lab has the ability to measure the wear and offered in all areas. degradation of surfaces moving relative to one another and to perform failure analysis of bearings, gears, and . The Laboratory’s chemistry test capability is quite extensive This lab consists of highly accurate measuring equipment in ranging from basic analytical and environmental chemical anal- an environmentally controlled room. Surface features of ysis to the testing required to qualify materials for space flight. roundness, concentricity, and texture can be measured and Fundamental analyses includes measurement of chemical, crys- compared to the design requirements pre- and post-operation. tallographic, thermal, and thermophysical properties of materials Ultra high precision length and height measuring systems are critical to the success of NASA’s programs, as well as pinpoint- capable of micro-inch levels of accuracy. Non-contact instru- ing contaminants that may be detrimental to mission success. ments are available for micro inch measurements and 3D color Laboratory personnel are able to perform the comprehensive analysis of surfaces and coating thicknesses. Capabilities Mechanical Testing – Stereo microscope profilometry with 3D and color graphic • Mechanical Materials Testing presentation – Twenty mechanical test systems – NIST traceable measurement standards for roundness, flatness, – Applied forces from 0.05 to 900 kN (0.01 to 200 kip) at ball diameters temperatures from –268 to 1,093 °C (–450 to 2,000 °F) with Chemistry computerized data acquisition – Tests in air, gaseous or nitrogen, and helium • Analytical and Environmental Laboratory – Standard ASTM mechanical tests, simulated service tests, and – Chemical and physical property determinations fastener tests are made of samples using wet lab and instrumental techniques. – Photogrammetry (3D correlation to measure surface coordinates, – Performs a wide range of environmental tests on a variety of displacements, velocities, and strain values and rates) for static or matrices including drinking water, ground water, wastewater, dynamically loaded coupons liquid hazardous waste, and solids. • Hydrogen Test Facility • Toxicity Laboratory and Environmental Gas Laboratory – The ydrogenh test facility is a unique national – Determines off-gassed compounds with potential for adverse resource used to run an extensive range of tests in reactions and health effects on exposed personnel hydrogen with procedures developed on demand. – Testing of facility gases and cryogenic for purity, This facility was the first in the world to run high- particulates, and moisture content and verification that clean pressure cryogenic permeability tests in liquid rooms and flow benches are functioning within specified hydrogen at pressures up to 2,068 kPa (300 psi). parameters – Custom test systems are operated in eight structurally reinforced test • Oxidizer Compatibility and Combustion Laboratory cells, screening for property changes under different combinations – Screening of materials for burn resistance in oxidizers (oxygen, of stress, pressure, and ambient to extreme temperatures nitrous oxide, and hydrogen peroxide) and determining the potential for materials to ignite by mechanical impact in Tribology oxidizers. • Tribology Laboratory • Ionic Liquids and Exploration Technologies Development – ASTM Specification Falex block on ring, pin and V-block, and Laboratory pin on disk testers – Research in to the use of ionic liquids to form epoxy in of carbon • Shell 4 ball tester for grease and oil lubricity, viscometers for viscous composite .cryotanks, the extraction of oxygen in extraterrestrial soil, and the dissolution of cellulose to form rayon fibers. – Federal Mogul rolling contact testers for hertzian contact stress • Microwave Research and Molten Oxide Electrolysis testing – Researching the use of microwaves to extract water or other – BA96 Timken bearing vibration analyzer volatiles from planetary bodies for propellant, life support, and – Vibrac bearing torque analyzer radiation protection. • Metrology Laboratory – Researching molten oxide electrolysis in order to extract oxygen – High precision surface profiling equipment for texture and and metal from lunar, planetary, or asteroidal soil. roundness – Height and length measuring equipment with micro inch capability – Non-contact instruments for coating thicknesses, step heights and depths

Key Benefits >> Unique combination of facilities and experience >> Advanced research capabilities For more information, please visit www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/about/business.html

National Aeronautics and Space Administration George C. Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL 35812 www.nasa.gov/marshall www.nasa.gov

FL-2013-09-116-MSFC G–28367q