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At least 901 records · Page 50

Hybrid composite laminate structures

An invention which relates to laminate structures and specifically to essentially anisotropic fiber composite laminates is described. Metal foils are selectively disposed within the laminate to produce increased resistance to high velocity impact, fracture, surface erosion, and other stresses within the laminate.

Chamis, C. C.↗

An Integrated Theory for Predicting the Hydrothermomechanical Response of Advanced Composite Structural Components

An integrated theory is developed for predicting the hydrothermomechanical (HDTM) response of fiber composite components. The integrated theory is based on a combined theoretical and experimental investigation. In addition to predicting the HDTM response of components, the theory is structured to assess the combined hydrothermal effects on the mechanical properties of unidirectional composites loaded along the material axis and off-axis, and those of angleplied laminates. The theory developed predicts values which are in good agreement with measured data at the micromechanics, macromechanics, laminate analysis and structural analysis levels.

Chamis, C. C.↗

Environmental effects on defect growth in composite materials

Data for evaluating the effects of moisture and temperature on the integrity of fiber composite components was gathered. In particular, the static and cyclic performance of three composite laminates containing flaws was investigated at room temperature and at 422 K (300 F) in wet and dry conditions.

Porter, T. R.↗

Tungsten-fiber-reinforced superalloy composite, high-temperature component design considerations

Tungsten fiber reinforced superalloy composites (TFRS) are intended for use in high temperature turbine components. Current turbine component design methodology is based on applying the experience, sometimes semiempirical, gained from over 30 years of superalloy component design. Current composite component design capability is generally limited to the methodology for low temperature resin matrix composites. Often the tendency is to treat TFRS as just another superalloy or low temperature composite. However, TFRS behavior is significantly different than that of superalloys, and the high environment adds consideration not common in low temperature composite component design. The methodology used for preliminary design of TFRS components are described. Considerations unique to TFRS are emphasized. Previously announced in STAR as N82-21259

Winsa, E. A.↗

Modeled and Measured Dynamics of a Composite Beam with Periodically Varying Foam Core

The dynamics of a sandwich beam with carbon fiber composite facesheets and foam core with periodic variations in material properties are studied. The purpose of the study is to compare finite element predictions with experimental measurements on fabricated beam specimens. For the study, three beams were fabricated: one with a compliant foam core, a second with a stiffer core, and a third with the two cores alternating down the length of the beam to create a periodic variation in properties. This periodic variation produces a bandgap in the frequency domain where vibrational energy does not readily propagate down the length of the beam. Mode shapes and natural frequencies are compared, as well as frequency responses from point force input to velocity response at the opposite end of the beam.

Cabell, Randolph H.↗

Estimating Weibull parameters for materials

The statistical analysis of strength and fracture of materials in general, with application to fiber composites are discussed. The weakest link model is considered in a fairly general form, and the resulting equations are demonstrated by using a Weibull distribution for flaws. This distribution appears naturally in a variety of problems, and therefore additional attention is devoted to analysis and statistical estimation connected with this distribution. Special working charts are included to facilitate interpretation of observed data and estimation of parameters. Implications of the size effect are considered for various kinds of flaw distributions. Failure and damage in a fiber-reinforced system are described. Some useful graphs are included for predicting the strength of such a system. Recent data on organic-fiber (PRD 49) composite material is analyzed by the Weibull distribution with the methods presented.

Robinson, E. Y.↗

Multifunctional Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites for Damage Detection and Memory

Self-structural health monitoring (SHM) functionalities for fiber-reinforced polymer composites have become highly sought after to ensure the structural safety of newly advancing components in the automotive, civil, mechanical, and aerospace industries. This paper introduces a self-damage detection and memory (SDDM) hybrid composite material, where the structural carbon fiber tow is transformed into a piezoresistive sensor network, and the structural glass fiber operates as electrical insulation. In this study, SDDM specimens were fabricated, and tensile and impact tests were performed. The tensile tests of SDDM specimens find two distinct loading peaks: first where the carbon fiber fails, and second where the glass fiber fails. A linear correlation was observed between the carbon fiber resistance and composite strain up to a threshold, beyond which a sharp nonlinear increase in resistance occurred. The resistance then approached infinity, coinciding with the first loading peak and failure of the carbon fiber elements. This demonstrates the potential for a damage early warning threshold. Additionally, the effect of stitching the sensor tow in a zig-zag pattern over a large area was investigated using tailored fiber placement (TFP) of 1-loop, 3-loop, and 5-loop specimens. Tensile testing found that increasing the number of loops improved the sensor’s accuracy for strain sensing. Furthermore, impact tests were conducted, and as the impact energy progressively increased, the sensor resistance permanently increased. This illustrates a capability for self-memory of microdamage throughout the life cycle of the structure, potentially useful for predicting the remaining life of the composite.

Demo, Luke B. (ORCID:0000000208806522)↗

Graphene in the Sky and Beyond

With the premium placed on strong, lightweight structures, carbon materials have a long history of use in aerospace applications. Graphitized carbon and carbon/carbon composites are used in thermal protection systems and heat shields, carbon fiber composites in aircraft, and more recently, carbon nanotubes have been used on spacecraft. As the newest member of this family of materials, graphene also has a number of interesting properties that intersect with unique aerospace requirements. Despite its many attractive properties, graphene-based structures and systems, like any other material used in aerospace, must clear a number of hurdles before it will be accepted for use in flight structures. Carbon fiber, for example, underwent a development period of several decades between initial discovery and large-scale application in commercial aircraft.

Siochi, Emilie J.↗

Friction and wear behavior of graphite fiber reinforced polyimide composites

The friction and wear rate characteristics of 50/50 (weight per cent) graphite fiber-polyimide composites were studied by sliding metallic hemispherically tipped riders against disks made from the composites. Two different polyimides and two different graphite fibers were evaluated. Also studied were such variables as the effect of adding 10 per cent weight additions of powdered (CF-1.1)n, CdI2, or CdO, the effect of moisture in an air atmosphere, the effect of temperature, and the effect of different sliding speeds. In general, wear to the metallic riders was negligible and composite wear increased at a constant rate as a function of number of sliding cycles.

Fusaro, R. L.↗

Flammabilities Of Graphite-Reinforced Composites

Report describes tests and comparisons of flammabilities, thermal properties, and selected mechanical properties of composite materials made of epoxy and other matrices reinforced by graphite fibers. Composites also compared with baseline epoxy/fiberglass composite. Considers such properties as limiting oxygen index, smoke evolution, products of thermal degradation, total heat release, heat-release rate, loss of mass, spread of flames, resistance to ignition, and thermal stability.

Kourtides, Demetrius A.↗

Film Processing Module for Automated Fiber Placement

This viewgraph presentation describes fiber placement technology which was originally developed by Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) for the fabrication of fiber composite propellant tanks. The presentation includes an image of the MSFC Fiber Placement Machine, which is a prototype test bed, and images of some of the machine's parts. Some possible applications for the machines are listed.

Hulcher, A. Bruce↗

Particulate Titanium Matrix Composites Tested-Show Promise for Space Propulsion Applications

New manufacturing technologies can now produce uniformly distributed particle strengthened titanium matrix composites (TMCs) at lower cost than many types of continuous-fiber composites. The innovative process results in near-final-shape components having a material stiffness up to 26-percent greater than that of components made with conventional titanium materials. This benefit is achieved with no significant increase in the weight of the component. The improved mechanical performance and low-cost manufacturing capability motivated a review of particulate-reinforced metal composite technology as a way to lower the cost and weight of space-access propulsion systems. Focusing on the elevated-temperature properties of titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V as the matrix material, researchers at the NASA Glenn Research Center conducted experiments to verify the improved performance of the alloy containing 10 wt% of ceramic titanium carbide (TiC) particles. The appropriate blend of metal and ceramic powder underwent a series of cold and hot isostatic pressing procedures to yield bar stock. A set of round dogbone specimens was manufactured from a small sample of the bars. The TMC material proved to have good machinability at this particle concentration as there was no difficulty in producing high-quality specimens.

Thesken, John C.↗

Embedded 3D printing of isotropically enhanced lattice structure with programmable elasticity via three-dimensional fiber alignment

Engineered composites with fiber orientation in a complete three-dimensional (3D) context are highly desired for maximizing structural performance as they mimic the well-organized fiber arrangement in natural composites. However, most fabrication techniques lack the capability for through-plane (z-axis) alignment, limiting the possibility for structural design and performance optimization. In this study, we present an embedded 3D printing approach that enables complete 3D fiber alignment, including region-specific alignment control along the through-plane direction. Our method utilizes the extrusion and suspension of composite inks within a supporting matrix. By regionally adjusting the ink extrusion rate and nozzle translation rate, we locally manipulated the fiber arrangement within the composite 3D architecture. Here, we demonstrate that the 3D alignment of carbon fibers in a structural composite significantly enhances both mechanical properties and thermal conductivity in the in-plane and through-plane directions. Furthermore, by strategically arranging regional fiber orientations within micro-architected materials, we fabricated metamaterial engineered composites with programmable anisotropy ratio and directional moduli.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Effect of Microscopic Damage Events on Static and Ballistic Impact Strength of Triaxial Braid Composites

The reliability of impact simulations for aircraft components made with triaxial-braided carbon-fiber composites is currently limited by inadequate material property data and lack of validated material models for analysis. Methods to characterize the material properties used in the analytical models from a systematically obtained set of test data are also lacking. A macroscopic finite element based analytical model to analyze the impact response of these materials has been developed. The stiffness and strength properties utilized in the material model are obtained from a set of quasi-static in-plane tension, compression and shear coupon level tests. Full-field optical strain measurement techniques are applied in the testing, and the results are used to help in characterizing the model. The unit cell of the braided composite is modeled as a series of shell elements, where each element is modeled as a laminated composite. The braided architecture can thus be approximated within the analytical model. The transient dynamic finite element code LS-DYNA is utilized to conduct the finite element simulations, and an internal LS-DYNA constitutive model is utilized in the analysis. Methods to obtain the stiffness and strength properties required by the constitutive model from the available test data are developed. Simulations of quasi-static coupon tests and impact tests of a represented braided composite are conducted. Overall, the developed method shows promise, but improvements that are needed in test and analysis methods for better predictive capability are examined.

Littell, Justin D.↗

Fatigue behavior of continuous-fiber silicon carbide/aluminum composites

Four lay-ups of continuous fiber silicon carbide (SCS2) fiber/aluminum matrix composites were tested to assess fatigue mechanisms including stiffness loss when cycled below their respective fatigue limits. The lay-ups were 0 (sub 8), 0(sub 2)/ + or - 45 (sub 2s), 0/90 (sub 2s), and 0/ + or - 45/90 (subs). The data were compared with predictions from the author's previously published shakedown model which predicts fatigue-induced stiffness loss in metal matrix composites. A fifth lay-up, + or - 45 (sub 2s), was tested to compare shakedown and fatigue limits. The particular batch of silicon-carbide fibers tested in this program had a somewhat lower modulus (340 GPa) than expected and displayed poor bonding to the aluminum matrix. Good agreement was obtained between the stiffness loss model and the test data. The fatigue damage below the fatigue limit was primarily in the form of matrix cracking. The fatigue limit corresponded to the laminate shakedown for the + or - 45 (sub 2s) laminate.

Johnson, W. S.↗

CVD Fiber Coatings for Al2O3/NiAl Composites

While sapphire-fiber-reinforced nickel aluminide (Al2O3/NiAl) composites are an attractive candidate for high-temperature structures, the significant difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion between the NiAl matrix and the sapphire fiber creates substantial residual stresses in the composite. This study seeks to produce two fiber-coating systems with the potential to reduce the residual stresses in the sapphire/NiAl composite system. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) was used to produce both the compensating and compliant-fiber coatings for use in sapphire/NiAl composites. A special reactor was designed and built to produce the FGM and to handle the toxic nickel precursors. This process was successfully used to produce 500-foot lengths of fiber with coating thicknesses of approximately 3 microns, 5 microns, and 10 microns.

Boss, Daniel E.↗