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At least 415 records · Page 23

Load sequence effects on the fatigue of unnotched composite materials

A more comprehensive version of an earlier fatigue and residual strength degradation model is proposed to predict the effect of load sequence on the statistical fatigue behavior of composite laminates. The model, which reduces to various fatigue models proposed in the literature by means of approximations, is verified by a survey of experiments on glass/epoxy laminates. It is shown that the correlation between the model and the test results under dual stress levels is reasonable, and that a simplified version of the model is verified by experiments on graphite/epoxy laminates in which the correlation between theoretical predictions and results under dual stress levels is satisfactory. The model is also shown capable of predicting the effect of proof loads on the fatigue behavior of composite materials.

Yang, J. N.↗

Composite Materials NDE Using Enhanced Leaky Lamb Wave Dispersion Data Acquisition Method

The leaky Lamb wave (LLW) technique is approaching a maturity level that is making it an attractive quantitative NDE tool for composites and bonded joints. Since it was first observed in 1982, the phenomenon has been studied extensively, particularly in composite materials. The wave is induced by oblique insonification using a pitch-catch arrangement and the plate wave modes are detected by identifying minima in the reflected spectra to obtain the dispersion data. The wave behavior in multi-orientation laminates has been well documented and corroborated experimentally with high accuracy. The sensitivity of the wave to the elastic constants of the material and to the boundary conditions led to the capability to measure the elastic properties of bonded joints. Recently, the authors significantly enhanced the LLW method's capability by increasing the speed of the data acquisition, the number of modes that can be identified and the accuracy of the data inversion. In spite of the theoretical and experimental progress, methods that employ oblique insonification of composites are still not being applied as standard industrial NDE methods. The authors investigated the issues that are hampering the transition of the LLW to industrial applications and identified 4 key issues. The current capability of the method and the nature of these issues are described in this paper.

Bar-Cohen, Yoseph↗

The effect of space environment exposure on the properties of polymer matrix composite materials (A0180)

The objective of this experiment is to determine the effect of various lengths of exposure to a space environment on the mechanical properties of selected commercial polymer matrix composite materials. Fiber materials will include graphite, boron, S-glass, and PRD-49. The mechanical properties to be investigated are orthotropic elastic constants, strength parameters (satisfying the tensor polynomial relation), coefficients of thermal expansion, impact resistance, crack propagation, and fracture toughness. In addition, the effect of laminate thickness on property changes will also be investigated.

Tennyson, R. C.↗

Investigation of the effects of NaOH dopant level on the physical and mechanical properties of carbon/phenolic composite material

The near-catastrophic erosion of the STS-8A solid rocket booster nozzle was the instigating factor in the recent, and on-going, intensive investigation of carbon/phenolic composite materials. Much of this effort has been focused on the effect of sodium contamination on the carbon fibers. It is known that sodium acts as a catalyst in the oxidation of the fibers at elevated temperatures. A study was undertaken to determine what changes were caused by variation in sodium content. Investigations were conducted in three areas: (1) phenolic resin; (2) carbon/phenolic prepreg; and (3) cured laminates. Due to the exploratory nature of the studies, a variety of tests in addition to those normally run in production facilities were considered. The experimental methodologies and results of these experiments are discussed, and recommendations for improving techniques and extending the research program are presented.

Clinton, R. G., Jr.↗

Carbon/graphite composite material study. Appendix C: NASA studies on modification of carbon/graphite fibers and alternative materials

The feasibility of modifying resin matrix composites to reduce the potential of electrical shorting from fire released fiber was explored. The effort included modifications to or coatings for graphite fibers, alternative fibers, modifications to matrix materials, and hybrid composites. The objectives included reduction of the conductivity of the graphite fiber, char formation to reduce fiber release, glass formation to prevent fiber release, catalysis to assure fiber consumption in a fire, and replacement of the graphite fibers with nonconductive fibers of similar mechanical potential.

Source record↗

Nondestructive evaluation of composite materials by pulsed time domain methods in imbedded optical fibers

The application of fiber-optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) to nondestructive quantitative measurements of distributed internal strain in graphite-epoxy composites, using optical fiber waveguides imbedded between plies, is discussed. The basic OTDR measurement system is described, together with the methods used to imbed optical fibers within composites. Measurement results, system limitations, and the effect of the imbedded fiber on the integrity of the host composite material are considered.

Claus, R. O.↗

Properties of two composite materials made of toughened epoxy resin and high-strain graphite fiber

Results are presented from an experimental evaluation of IM7/8551-7 and IM6/18081, two new toughened epoxy resin, high strain graphite fiber composite materials. Data include ply-level strengths and moduli, notched tension and compression strengths and compression-after-impact assessments. The measured properties are compared with those of other graphite-epoxy materials.

Dow, Marvin B.↗

Nondestructive evaluation/characterization of composite materials and structures using the acousto-ultrasonic techniques

This paper introduces the nature and the underlying rational of the acousto-ultrasonic stress wave factor technique and some of its applications to composite materials and structures. Furthermore, two examples of successful application of the acousto-ultrasonic technique are presented in detail. In the first example, the acousto-ultrasonic technique is used to evaluate the adhesive bond strength between rubber layers and steel plates, and in the seocnd example the tehcnique is used to monitor progressive damage in wire rope.

Dos Reis, H. L. M.↗

Hard tissue as a composite material. I - Bounds on the elastic behavior.

Recent determination of the elastic moduli of hydroxyapatite by ultrasonic methods permits a re-examination of the Voigt or parallel model of the elastic behavior of bone, as a two phase composite material. It is shown that such a model alone cannot be used to describe the behavior of bone. Correlative data on the elastic moduli of dentin, enamel and various bone samples indicate the existence of a nonlinear dependence of elastic moduli on composition of hard tissue. Several composite models are used to calculate the bounds on the elastic behavior of these tissues. The limitations of these models are described, and experiments to obtain additional critical data are discussed.

Katz, J. L.↗

Study of the costs and benefits of composite materials in advanced turbofan engines

Composite component designs were developed for a number of applicable engine parts and functions. The cost and weight of each detail component was determined and its effect on the total engine cost to the aircraft manufacturer was ascertained. The economic benefits of engine or nacelle composite or eutectic turbine alloy substitutions was then calculated. Two time periods of engine certification were considered for this investigation, namely 1979 and 1985. Two methods of applying composites to these engines were employed. The first method just considered replacing an existing metal part with a composite part with no other change to the engine. The other method involved major engine redesign so that more efficient composite designs could be employed. Utilization of polymeric composites wherever payoffs were available indicated that a total improvement in Direct Operating Cost (DOC) of 2.82 to 4.64 percent, depending on the engine considered, could be attained. In addition, the percent fuel saving ranged from 1.91 to 3.53 percent. The advantages of using advanced materials in the turbine are more difficult to quantify but could go as high as an improvement in DOC of 2.33 percent and a fuel savings of 2.62 percent. Typically, based on a fleet of one hundred aircraft, a percent savings in DOC represents a savings of four million dollars per year and a percent of fuel savings equals 23,000 cu m (7,000,000 gallons) per year.

Steinhagen, C. A.↗

A comparison of three popular test methods for determining the shear modulus of composite materials

Three popular shear tests - the 10 deg off-axis, the +/- 45 deg tensile and the Iosipescu specimen tested in the modified Wyoming fixture - for shear modulus measurement are evaluated for a graphite-epoxy composite material system. A comparison of the shear stress-strain response for each test method is made using conventional strain gage instrumentation and moire interferometry. The uniformity and purity of the strain fields in the test sections of the specimens are discussed, and the shear responses obtained from each test technique are presented and compared. For accurate measurement of the shear modulus, the 90 deg Iosipescu specimen is recommended.

Ho, H.↗

Empirical Model Development for Predicting Shock Response on Composite Materials Subjected to Pyroshock Loading

The NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) received a request to develop an analysis model based on both frequency response and wave propagation analyses for predicting shock response spectrum (SRS) on composite materials subjected to pyroshock loading. The model would account for near-field environment (approx. 9 inches from the source) dominated by direct wave propagation, mid-field environment (approx. 2 feet from the source) characterized by wave propagation and structural resonances, and far-field environment dominated by lower frequency bending waves in the structure. This report documents the outcome of the assessment.

Gentz, Steven J.↗

Empirical Model Development for Predicting Shock Response on Composite Materials Subjected to Pyroshock Loading

The NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) received a request to develop an analysis model based on both frequency response and wave propagation analyses for predicting shock response spectrum (SRS) on composite materials subjected to pyroshock loading. The model would account for near-field environment (~9 inches from the source) dominated by direct wave propagation, mid-field environment (approximately 2 feet from the source) characterized by wave propagation and structural resonances, and far-field environment dominated by lower frequency bending waves in the structure. This document contains appendices to the Volume I report.

Gentz, Steven J.↗

Empirical Model Development for Predicting Shock Response on Composite Materials Subjected to Pyroshock Loading: Appendices

The NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) received a request to develop an analysis model based on both frequency response and wave propagation analyses for predicting shock response spectrum (SRS) on composite materials subjected to pyroshock loading. The model would account for near-field environment (approx. 9 inches from the source) dominated by direct wave propagation, mid-field environment (approx. 2 feet from the source) characterized by wave propagation and structural resonances, and far-field environment dominated by lower frequency bending waves in the structure. This document contains appendices to the Volume I report.

Gentz, Steven J.↗

Composite materials inspection

Investigation of the application requirements, advantages, and limitations of nondestructive testing by a technique of ultrasonic-vibration holographic-interferometry readout used in a production control facility for the inspection of a single product such as composite compressor blades. It is shown that, for the detection and characterization of disbonds in composite material structures, this technique may represent the most inclusive test method.

Erf, R. K.↗

Evaluation of the Tensor Polynomial and Hoffman strength theories for composite materials

The Hoffman theory and the Tensor Polynomial (Tsai-Wu) theory with the stress interaction term set equal to zero have been found to be preferred alternatives to the general Tensor Polynomial theory for predicting strength of filamentary composite laminae. These theories were used to predict failure of off-axis boron/epoxy and E-glass/epoxy test specimens and gave excellent agreement with available experimental results. A numerical experiment was also performed to estimate the errors for ten different composite systems under six different loadings. The maximum error in predicted failure loads among all cases was below 10 percent. These results suggest that the Hoffman failure theory and the Tensor Polynomial theory with the stress interaction term equal to zero can predict failure of practical filamentary composite materials under general biaxial loading with sufficient accuracy for engineering applications.

Narayanaswami, R.↗

Optical properties of sputtered aluminum on graphite/epoxy composite material

Solar absorptance, emittance, and coating thickness were measured for a range of coating thicknesses from about 400 A to 2500 A. The coatings were sputtered from an aluminum target onto 1-inch-diameter substrates of T300/5209 graphite/epoxy composite material with two different surface textures. Solar absorptance and emittance values for the specimens with the smooth surface finish were lower than those for the specimens with the rough surface finish. The ratio of solar absorptance to emittance was higher for the smooth specimens, increasing from 2 to 4 over the coating thickness range, than for the rough ones, which had a constant ratio of about 1. The solar absorptance and emittance values were dependent on the thickness of the sputtered coating.

Witte, William G., Jr.↗

A comparison of three popular test methods for determining the shear modulus of composite materials

Three popular shear tests (the 10 degree off-axis, the plus or minus 45 degree tensile, and the Iosipescu specimen tested in the modified Wyoming fixture) for shear modulus measurement are evaluated for a graphite-epoxy composite material system. A comparison of the shear stress-strain response for each test method is made using conventional strain gage instrumentation and moire interferometry. The uniformity and purity of the strain fields in the test sections of the specimens are discussed, and the shear responses obtained from each test technique are presented and compared. For accurate measurement of shear modulus, the 90 degree Iosipescu specimen is recommended.

Ho, Henjen↗