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SSME - Materials and Methods for Addressing High-Pressure Hydrogen EmbrittlementFrom the humid, corrosion-friendly atmosphere of KSC, to the extreme heat of ascent, to the cold vacuum of space, the Space Shuttle faced one hostile environment after another. One of those harsh environments the hydrogen environment existed within the shuttle itself. Liquid hydrogen was the fuel that powered the shuttle s complex, powerful, and reusable main engine. Hydrogen provided the high specific impulse the bang per pound of fuel needed to perform the shuttle s heavy lifting duties. Hydrogen, however, was also a potential threat to the very metal of the propulsion system that used it. The diffusion of hydrogen atoms into a metal can make it more brittle and prone to cracking a process called hydrogen embrittlement. This effect can reduce the toughness of carefully selected and prepared materials. A concern that exposure to hydrogen might encourage crack growth was present from the beginning of the Space Shuttle Program, but the rationale for using hydrogen was compelling. This paper outlines the material characterization, anomaly resolution, and path to understanding of hydrogen embrittlement on superalloys through the course of the SSME program. Specific examples of nickel alloy turbine housings and single crystal turbine blades are addressed. The evolution of fracture mechanics analytical methods is also addressed.
Document ID
20100023066
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Matejczk, Daniel
(Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne Canoga Park, CA, United States)
Russell, Dale
(Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne Canoga Park, CA, United States)
Frandsen, Jon
(Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne Canoga Park, CA, United States)
Swanson, Greg
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
May 3, 2010
Subject Category
Composite Materials
Report/Patent Number
M10-0376
Meeting Information
Meeting: 4th Spacecraft Propulsion Joint Subcommittee Meeting
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Country: United States
Start Date: May 3, 2010
End Date: May 7, 2010
Sponsors: Department of the Navy, Department of the Army, NASA Headquarters, Department of the Air Force
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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