Microtube and Composites Research.
Abstract
This technical report covers research on the properties and behavior of micron-sized tubes. The tubes in this study were made of glass, nickel, copper and silver. Diameters were in the range of 10-100 micrometers. Flow studies were conducted to examine the applicability of classical fluid mechanics to this flow regime. Water was flowed through the tubes, and the flow rate was measured over long periods of time. The results show that classical fluid mechanics (Hagen-Poiselle equations for laminar flow in tubes) appears to give good first-order predictions for the flow rate. One significant problem with the flow experiments was clogging of the microtubes by oxide or dirt particles. This clogging problem affected fluid flow since the Reynolds number in this case is typically low. Gas flows did not experience the same problem. One conclusion from the flow studies is that corrosion in the system must be carefully eliminated. Even very small corrosion rates will produce contaminant particles that can obstruct flows in microtubes. Mechanical tests were also performed on metal microtubes (silver, copper) to measure tensile strength. These tests showed that the tubes generally have tensile strengths on par with data published for fine-diameter metal wires. All the investigations in this study, both fluid and mechanical, were preliminary engineering measurements only.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA321808
Entities
People
- P. B. Pollock
- W. Hoffman