The Thermal Acoustic Fatigue Apparatus (TAFA) is a facility for testing combined thermal and acoustic loads.
Facility Characteristics
Progressive wave tube with radiant heating
- Test Articles to 6 ft. x 6 ft.
- OASPL: 125-172 dB
- Base Frequency Range: 40-500 Hz
- Extended Frequency Range: 40-1600 Hz
- Max Heat Flux: 48 BTU/ft2 -sec for > 2000°F
- SOA Control and Data Acquisition system
Types of Testing
- Nonlinear structural dynamic response prediction validation
- High cycle fatigue of high performance aircraft and spacecraft structures
- Combined thermal and acoustic loads
Other Facility Features
- Narrow band acoustic control
- 10 zone closed-loop thermal control
- Extensive Measurements capability
- Pressure
- Strain
- Acceleration
- Velocity
- Temperature
- Heat flux
- Damage detection using
- Thermography
- Radiography
- Ultrasonics
Facility Document
Improvements to Progressive Wave Tube Performance Through Closed-Loop Control
Contact
Stephen A. Rizzi (s.a.rizzi@nasa.gov)