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Bruce A Davis

Publications and source records attributed to Bruce A Davis.

2 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

The Next Generation of Kevlar Fiber for Improved Micrometeoroid and Orbital Debris Protection

The next generation of Kevlar® fiber for Micrometeoroid and Orbital Debris (MMOD) protection demonstrates the potential to increase orbital debris protection while optimizing the overall weight of the MMOD system and reducing damage to the rear wall of the shield. The DuPont™ CoreMatrix™ Technology process combines numerous woven layers by infusing staple fiber to strengthen the fabric and enables lightweight and flexible protective solutions compared to traditional woven structures. DuPont™ CoreMatrix™ Technology is a step-change in debris protection that allows for the improvement of system-level performance while removing heavier portions of the system. This paper introduces this new technology that will be available from DuPont starting in early 2024 and compares the performance of CoreMatrix™ Technology to legacy solutions. NASA’s Hypervelocity Impact Technology team has conducted hypervelocity impact tests on a subset of DuPont supplied samples that incorporate this latest Kevlar® material. The paper will describe the hypervelocity impact testing parameters, results, and path forward.

Orbital Debris↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Engineering Launch Methods for Non-Spherical Hypervelocity Projectiles

The use of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) in modern satellites has led to a significant amount of space debris, including fragments of CFRP and high-density metals such as steel and copper, produced during catastrophic breakup events. To address this issue, NASA's White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) has been developing the capability to launch "flake-like" and long "needle-like" projectiles. WSTF tested projectiles with different length-to-diameter ratios (L/D), impacting aluminum Whipple shields with thermal blankets on the outer surface, at velocities exceeding 6 km/s. The results of the study suggest that launching and imaging shaped projectiles at high velocities is feasible. Ongoing research is now focused on improving the techniques for launching and imaging shaped projectiles under hypervelocity conditions.

Engineering↗