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At least 1,423 records · Page 79

Rapid adhesive bonding of advanced composites and titanium

Rapid adhesive bonding (RAB) concepts utilize a toroid induction technique to heat the adhesive bond line directly. This technique was used to bond titanium overlap shear specimens with 3 advanced thermoplastic adhesives and APC-2 (graphite/PEEK) composites with PEEK film. Bond strengths equivalent to standard heated-platen press bonds were produced with large reductions in process time. RAB produced very strong bonds in APC-2 adherend specimens; the APC-2 adherends were highly resistant to delamination. Thermal cycling did not significantly affect the shear strengths of RAB titanium bonds with polyimide adhesives. A simple ultrasonic non-destructive evaluation process was found promising for evaluating bond quality.

Stein, B. A.↗

Semi-2-interpenetrating polymer networks of high temperature systems

A semi-interpenetrating (semi-IPN) polymer system of the semi-2-IPN type is described in which a polymer of acetylene-terminated imidesulfone (ATPISO2) is cross linked in the presence of polyimidesulfone (PISO2). Six different formulations obtained by mixing of either ATPISO2-1n or ATPISO2-3n with PISO2 in three different proportions were characterized in terms of glass transition temperature, thermooxidative stability, inherent viscosity, and dynamic mechanical properties. Adhesive (lap shear) strength was tested at elevated temperatures on aged samples of adhesive scrim cloth prepared from each resin. Woven graphite (Celion 1000)/polyimide composites were tested for flexural strength, flexural modulus, and shear strength. The network polymers have properties intermediate between those of the component polymers alone, have greatly improved processability over either polyimide, and are able to form good adhesive bonds and composites, making the semi-2-IPN systems superior materials for aerospace structures.

Hanky, A. O.↗

Retractable Sun Shade

Window-shade type spring roller contains blanket, taken up by rotating cylindrical frame and held by frame over area to be shaded. Blanket made of tough, opaque polyimide material. Readily unfurled by mechanism to protect space it encloses from Sun. Blanket forms arched canopy over space and allows full access to it from below. When shading not needed, retracted mechanism stores blanket compactly. Developed for protecting sensitive Space Shuttle payloads from direct sunlight while cargo-bay doors open. Adapted to shading of greenhouses, swimming pools, and boats.

Frank, A.↗

Fire-Resistant Aircraft Ceilings

Ceiling panel for airplane cabins more fire resistant than conventional panels. New panel incorporates core of polyimide foam as fire shield. Core significantly delays burn-through by flames and offers passengers greater protection.

Trabold, E. A.↗

Strong Adhesive Tape for Cold Environments

Strong tape remains sticky over wide temperature range. Strong tape for low temperatures consists of two layers of polyimide tape with layer of reinforcing mesh. Improved tape devised for repairs in space also finds use on Earth in polar regions and in superconducting applications. Tape retains adherence and strength at extreme temperatures, where conventional tapes fail.

Woods, T. G.↗

Characterization methodology for PMR-15

Characterization of model compounds, monomers, resin solutions and cure cycles of PMR-15 polyimide are performed. Successful separation of various reaction products is also accomplished by liquid chromatography. The PMR-15 cure analysis is performed by fourier transform spectroscopy and gas chromatograph - mass spectrometry. Characterization receiving inspection tests for Quality Control are recommended.

Hunter, A. B.↗

Rheological, processing, and 371 deg C mechanical properties of Celion 6000/N-phenylnadimide modified PMR composites

The rheology, processing, and chemistry of newly developed N-phenylnadimide modified PMR (PMR-PN) polyimide resins are reviewed. The 371 C performance of their composites reinforced with Celion 6000 graphite fibers is also reviewed, along with the state of the art Celion 6000/PMR-15 composite. The effects of the 371 C exposure in air for up to 300 hr on the composite glass transition temperature, weight loss characteristics, and dimensional stability are presented. The changes in the composite 371 C interlaminar shear and flexural properties are also presented. In addition, composite interfacial degradation at a function of exposure time at 371 C was followed by scanning electron microscopy. The results suggest that the composite materials can be used at 371 C for at least 100 hr.

Pater, R. H.↗

High temperature, short term tensile strength of C6000/PMR-15 composites

Tensile tests were conducted on 0 unidirectionally reinforced Celion 6000 graphite fibers in PMR-15 polyimide matrix. Tensile strengths for coupons subjected to short and long term uniform temperatures were obtained. Thick coupons, heated on one side to produce significant transient through thickness temperature gradients, were tested and compared to the strength of specimens with uniform temperature distributions. All coupons were radiantly heated and reached maximum test temperatures within 15 sec. Tensile loads were applied to the coupons after 15 sec of elevated temperature exposure. Loading rates were selected so that specimen failures occurred within a maximum of 45 sec after reaching the test temperature. Results indicate that significant tensile strength remains beyond the material post cure temperature.

Digiovanni, P. R.↗

Effects of real-time thermal aging on graphite/polyimide composites

As part of a program to evaluate high-temperature advanced composites for use on supersonic cruise transport aircraft, two graphite/polyimide composites have been aged at elevated temperatures for times up to 5.7 years. Work on the first, HT-S/710 graphite/polyimide, was started in 1974. Evaluation of the second polyimide, Celion 6000/LARC-160, began in 1980. Baseline properties are presented, including unnotched and notched tensile data as a function of temperature, compression, flexure, shear, and constant-amplitude fatigue data at R = 0.1 and R = -1. Tensile specimens were aged in ovens where pressure and aging temperatures were controlled for various times up to and including 50,000 hours. Changes in tensile strength were determined and plotted as a function of aging time. The HT-S/710 composite aged at 450 F and 550 F if compared to the Celion 6000/LARC-160 composite aged at 350 F and 450 F. After tensile testing, many of the thermal aging specimens were examined using a scanning electron microscope. Results of these studies are presented, and changes in properties and degradation mechanisms during high-temperature aging are discussed and illustrated using metallographic techniques.

Haskins, J. F.↗

Environmental stability graphite/PMR-15 composites

During the past few years the Boeing Company was screening graphite composites for use in hot areas of engine nacelle structure. Structural and thermal analyses have shown that there is the potential for a 25 to 30 percent weight savings by using a graphite polyimide (Gr/PI) composite material in this type of structure. Work conducted on the NASA CASTS program (Composites for Advanced Space Transportation Systems) amply demonstrated the capability of Graphite/PMR-15 for short term service (125 hours) at temperatures up to 589 K (600 F). In addition, the CASTS program demonstrated that large structures could be fabricated using Gr/PMR-15. In commercial applications, however, the requirement exists for long term service capability (tens of thousands of hours) at temperatures ranging upwards from 449 K (350 F). The results of Graphite/PMR-15 materials characterization efforts conducted at Boeing are presented with emphasis on materials properties after isothermal aging at temperatures of 449 K (350 F) and above.

Sheppard, C. H.↗

Application of Gr/PMR-15 to commercial aircraft

Following from early experience with polyimides on the SST program and Shuttle aft flap studies the Boeing Company is now working on collaborative programs with its principal nacelle suppliers to pursue the development of Gr/PMR-15 nacelle components. Two programs are currently in effect. The first program is directed specifically towards the flight test and service evaluation at the earliest possible date of a 747 nacelle core cowl structure. The second program seeks to firmly establish the producibility and cost of a 757 thrust reverser C duct in a production environment. The near term objectives of these programs include: (1) the comparison of estimated cost and weight of Gr/PMR-15 versus metal structure, (2) the engine test of representative composite structure, (3) the preliminary design and analysis of the C duct structure, and (4) the preparation of cost data and time schedules for the development and producibility program. In addition to powerplant structure, the propulsion ducting system has shown to be a strong candidate for Gr/PMR-15 application. Currently, the Boeing 747 Organization is evaluating the use of PMR-15 matrix composites to replace nearly 800 lbs of titanium ducting per airplane.

Postlewaite, J.↗

Application of an atomic oxygen beam facility to the investigation of shuttle glow chemistry

A facility for the investigation of the interactions of energetic atomic oxygen with solids is described. The facility is comprised of a four chambered, differentially pumped molecular beam apparatus which can be equipped with one of a variety of sources of atomic oxygen. The primary source is a dc arc heated supersonic nozzle source which produces a flux of atomic oxygen in excess of 10 to the 15th power sq cm/sec at the target, at a velocity of 3.5 km/sec. Results of applications of this facility to the study of the reactions of atomic oxygen with carbon and polyimide films are briefly reviewed and compared to data obtained on various flights of the space shuttle. A brief discussion of possible application of this facility to investigation of chemical reactions which might contribute to atmosphere induced vehicle glow is presented.

Arnold, G. S.↗

Specimen geometry effects on graphite/PMR-15 composites during thermo-oxidative aging

Studies were conducted to establish the effects of specimen geometry on the thermo-oxidative stability and the mechanical properties retention of unidirectional Celion 12000 graphite fiber reinforced PMR-15 polyimide composites. Weight loss, flexural strength and interlaminar shear strength are measured at isothermal aging times as long as 1639 hr at a temperature of 316 C for three different specimen geometries. It is found that the three different types of specimen surfaces exhibit different values of weight loss/unit area. The mechanical properties retention is also found to be dependent on geometry for these composites. The interlaminar shear strength decreases significantly over the complete range of aging times. The flexural strength retention starts showing geometric dependency after about 1000 hr of aging at 316C. Weight loss fluxes, associated with the three different types of exposed surfaces, are calculated and used to develop an empirical mathematical model for predicting the weight loss behavior of unidirectional composites of arbitrary geometries. Data are presented comparing experimentally determined weight loss with weight loss values predicted using the empirical model.

Bowles, K. J.↗

Feasibility study of a discrete bearing/roller drive rotary joint for the space station

The most critical mechanism on board the proposed space station is the continously rotating joint which must accurately align the solar power units with the sun during earth orbit. The feasibility of a multiple, discrete bearing supported joint driven by a self-loading, pinch drive actuator was investigated for this application. This concept appears to offer greater protection against catastrophic jamming, less sensitivity to adverse thermal gradients, greater accessibility to inorbit servicing or replacement and greater adaptability to very large (5 m) truss members than to more conventional continuous support bearing/gear reducer joints. Analytical trade studies performed herein establish that a discrete cam roller bearing support system having eight hangers around a continuous ring would provide sufficient radial and bending stiffness to prevent any degradation in the fundamental frequencies of the solar wing structure. Furthermore, it appears that the pinch roller drive mechanism can be readily sized to meet or exceed system performance and service life requirements. Wear life estimates based on experimental data for a steel roller coated with an advanced polyimide film show a continuous service life more than two orders of magnitude greater than required for this application.

Loewenthal, S. H.↗

Status of high temperature adhesives

The status of high temperature organic adhesives is reviewed. These materials are defined by having usable adhesive properties at temperatures ranging from 232 C (after hundreds of hours at 232 C) to 538 C (after a few minutes at 538 C). The search for high temperature adhesives began in the 1960s, primarily under government funding. Since then, many high temperature polymers have undergone evaluation as adhesives. In spite of this effort, only a few are commercially available because of an elusive market and an unfavorable combination of price, processability and performance. The principal adhesives to be discussed will be addition and condensation polyimides, polyquinoxalines, polybenzimidazoles, and addition, condensation, and cross-linked polyphenylquinoxalines. The synthesis, processability, adhesive performance, and availabiity of these materials are addressed.

Hergenrother, P. M.↗

The application of thermodynamic and spectroscopic techniques to adhesion in the polyimide/Ti 6-4 and polyphenylquinoxaline/Ti 6-4 systems

The results of calorimetric measurements of Ti adherend surfaces are presented. The measurements were carried out after several chemical pretreatments and after fracture of several lap shear samples aged at high temperature. The exact composition of the Ti samples was Ti(6 percent Al-4 percent V). The adhesives used were polyimides and polyphenylquinoxalines (PPQ). Each chemical pretreatment was accompanied by a unique spectroscopic feature which was characterized by XPS, SEM, and specular reflectance infrared spectroscopy. The energetics of the interaction between primer solutions and the Ti adherend were evaluated by microcalorimetry. Changes in the structure of the surface oxide layer upon heating of the adherend were deduced from immersion temperatures of the PI and PPQ solutions. The XPS and SEM data are given is a table.

Dias, S.↗

Evaluation of high temperature structural adhesives for extended service

The preliminary evaluation of crosslinked polyphenyl quinoxaline (X-PPQ), LARC-TPI, ethyl terminated polysulfone (ETPS), and crosslinked polyimide (X-PI) as adhesives is presented. Lap shear strength stability under thermal, combined thermal/humidity, and stressed and unstressed Skydrol exposure was determined. The X-PPQ, LARC-TPI, and X-PI exhibited good adhesive performance at 505K (450 F) after 1000 hours at 505K. These three polymers also performed well after exposure to combined elevated temperature/high humidity, as well as, to Skydrol while under stress. The ETPS exhibited good ambient temperature adhesive properties, but performed poorly under all other exposure conditions, presumably due to inadequate chain extension and crosslinking.

Hendricks, C. L.↗

Free edge strain concentrations in real composite laminates Experimental-theoretical correlation

The magnitude of the maximum shear strain at the free edge of axially loaded theta (2)/theta(2)(s) and (+ or - theta(2) (s) composite laminates was investigated experimentally and numerically to ascertain the actual value of strain concentration in resin matrix laminates and to determine the accuracy of finite element results. Experimental results using moire interferometry show large, but finite, shear strain concentrations at the free edge of graphite-epoxy and graphite-polyimide laminates. Comparison of the experimental results with those obtained using several different finite element representations showed that a four node isoparametric finite element provided the best and most trouble free numerical results. The results indicate that the ratio of maximum shear strain at the free edge to applied axial strain varies with fiber orientation and does not exceed nine for the most critical angle which is 15 deg.

Herakovich, C. T.↗