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Completed TRL 2 (started at 2, targeting 4)
This CAN proposal focuses on developing multifunctional boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) reinforced titanium (Ti) based metal matrix composites (MMC) for use on the future space vehicles and structures. Dr. Arvind Agarwal and his team in Plasma Forming Laboratory (PFL) at Florida International University (FIU) have successfully developed BNNT-Al Based MMC, which has shown a 60% increase in elastic modulus and 400% increase in tensile strength as compared to pure Al. In this CAN project, PFL@FIU seeks to transfer the knowhow on BNNT-Al MMCs and collaborate with Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) and Langley Research Center (LaRC) at NASA to co-develop BNNT-Ti MMCs which is a more suitable material system for aerospace applications. Four significant tasks have been identified and outlined in this proposal. Task 1 is to identify the dispersion and mixing techniques for creating BNNT-Ti powder. The dispersion and mixing for incorporating BNNTs into metal matrix composites greatly depends on the morphology
of BNNTs and the chemical characteristics between BNNTs and metal powder. Task 2 is to consolidate mixed BNNT-Ti powders from Task 1 into dense pellets using spark plasma sintering (SPS). The sintering parameters will be optimized to obtain maximum densification and minimal reaction and damage to BNNTs. Wear resistance and radiation shielding properties of sintered BNNT-Ti MMCs will be studied in Task 3. Preliminary wear tests will be conducted at FIU using in-house tribometer to finalize the testing parameters. Sintered pellets will then be sent to MSFC for tribological characterization under-stimulated environments. Sintered pellets will also be sent to LaRC for radiation shielding studies. Task 4 involves the collection of all results and their analysis. Based on the previous experience, there is a percolation limit for the second phase reinforcement in composites. The main focus of Task 4 is to identify the BNNT percolation limit. PFL team will synthesize BNNT-Ti MMCs with varying concentrations and repeat the processes in Tasks 2 and 3 to determine the optimum concentration. Additionally, for radiation shielding application, the concentration of BNNT is intuitively the higher the better. To solve this potential dilemma, a novel “sandwich” structure is also proposed in the current CAN project (if needed).
The success of this project will support advancing NASA Technology Roadmaps and identify multi-functional materials system for future NASA space exploration endeavors. It will also benefit FIU’s research missions and train the next generation of the students to become future researchers and scientists. This technology is in direct alignment with the Space technology mission directorate (STMD) capabilities and technical focus areas. The Moon to Mars Focus of this project is to engineer more durable and dust tolerant systems, ultralight, radiation-hardened, wear-resistant, and mechanically-robust MMCs to mitigate uncertainty and failures due to wear and both enhance and enable key aspects of the Artemis missions
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