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Explore NASA and DOE materials research. Search alloys, composites and material properties, then open the original technical report for test conditions and results.

At least 865 records · Page 48

Thermal expansion properties of composite materials

Thermal expansion data for several composite materials, including generic epoxy resins, various graphite, boron, and glass fibers, and unidirectional and woven fabric composites in an epoxy matrix, were compiled. A discussion of the design, material, environmental, and fabrication properties affecting thermal expansion behavior is presented. Test methods and their accuracy are discussed. Analytical approaches to predict laminate coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) based on lamination theory and micromechanics are also included. A discussion is included of methods of tuning a laminate to obtain a near-zero CTE for space applications.

Johnson, R. R.↗

Fatigue and fracture research in composite materials

The fatigue, fracture, and impact behavior of composite materials are investigated. Bolted and bonded joints are included. The solutions developed are generic in scope and are useful for a wide variety of structural applications. The analytical tools developed are used to demonstrate the damage tolerance, impact resistance, and useful fatigue life of structural composite components. Standard tests for screening improvements in materials and constituents are developed.

T. Kevin O'Brien↗

Influence of extended exposure in space on mechanical properties of high-toughness graphite-epoxy composite material (A0019)

Graphite-epoxy composites are promising candidates for structural use in space vehicles because of their high strength and elastic modulus properties. The problem of low fracture toughness was solved by use of recently developed techniques of intermittent interlaminar bonding. Before this material can be adapted for space use, however, confidence must be gained that its mechanical properties are not degraded by exposure to the space environment. The objective of this experiment is to test the effect of extended exposure to a space environment on the mechanical properties of a specially toughened T300/5208 graphite-epoxy composite material. Specimens made by recently developed techniques of intermittent interlaminar bonding will be exposed and afterward tested for fracture toughness, tensile strength, and elastic modulus. The approach of this experiment is to provide a frame on which the specimens can be mounted with their flat sides normal to the Long Duration Exposure Facility radius, each specimen with an unobstructed exposure of about 2 pi sr. The specimens will be mounted so that they neither fracture from high stress nor fail from excessive heating during launch and return.

Felbeck, D. K.↗

Resistance-foil strain-gage technology as applied to composite materials

A general review of existing strain-gage technologies as applied to orthotropic-composite materials is given. The specific topics addressed are gage-bonding procedures, transverse-sensitivity effects, errors due to gage misalignment, and temperature-compensation methods. The discussion is supplemented by numerical examples where appropriate. It is shown that the orthotropic behavior of composites can result in experimental error which would not be expected based on practical experience with isotropic materials. In certain cases, the transverse sensitivity of strain gages and/or slight gage misalignment can result in strain-measurement errors exceeding 50 percent.

Tuttle, M. E.↗

Long-term thermal aging of 2 graphite-polyimide composite materials

Two graphite/polyimide composite materials were aged in circulating air ovens at temperatures 204 C, 232 C, 260 C, and 288 C for various times up to 25000 hours. The composites were: (1) Celanese Celion 6000 graphite fiber and PMR-15 polyimide resin (Celion/PMR-15) and (2) Celion 6000 graphite fiber and LARC-160 polyimide resin (Celion/LARC-160). Three unidirectional specimen geometries were studied: short beam shear (SBS) specimens, flexure specimens, and 153 mm square panels. The interior regions of the square panels exhibited only minor property degradation. The individually aged SBS and flexure specimens exhibited large reductions in strengths after aging. Both laminate materials cracked and degraded preferentially at the specimen edge perpendicular to the fibers.

Nelson, J. B.↗

Resistance fail strain gage technology as applied to composite materials

Existing strain gage technologies as applied to orthotropic composite materials are reviewed. The bonding procedures, transverse sensitivity effects, errors due to gage misalignment, and temperature compensation methods are addressed. Numerical examples are included where appropriate. It is shown that the orthotropic behavior of composites can result in experimental error which would not be expected based on practical experience with isotropic materials. In certain cases, the transverse sensitivity of strain gages and/or slight gage misalignment can result in strain measurement errors.

Tuttle, M. E.↗

Effect of measured material properties on the finite element analysis of an OH-58 composite tail boom

A static and dynamic finite element analysis is conducted on a U.S. Army OH-58 composite tail boom and compared with test data. The tail boom is a filament-wound graphite/epoxy monocoque structure. The structural design of the composite tail boom skin is based on 50-percent graphite fiber volume. However, material tests on representative samples of the tail boom skin reveal that the graphite fiber-volume fraction varied from 44.6 to 49.3 percent. To determine the effect of using measured material properties, static and dynamic finite element analyses are conducted for three fiber-volume conditions of 45, 48, and 50 percent. The static and dynamic model with the 45-percent fiber-volume graphite skins gives the closest agreement with test data.

Bowman, L. M.↗

The thermal and mechanical stability of composite materials for space structures

A continuing research objective of the National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA) is to develop advanced composite materials for space structures. The thrust of this research is to gain fundamental understanding of the performance of advanced composites in the space environment. The emphasis has been to identify and model changes in the thermal-physical properties due to induced damage and develop improved materials.

Tompkins, S. S.↗

Effect of specimen geometry on the energy absorption capability of composite materials

Static crushing tests were conducted on graphite and Kevlar reinforced epoxy tubes to examine the influence of specimen geometry on the energy absorption capability of composite materials. Tube inside diameter to wall thickness (D/t) ratio was determined to significantly affect the energy absorption capability of composite materials. As D/t ratio decreases, the energy absorption capability increases nonlinearly. The energy absorption capability of K/E tubes was found to be geometrically scalable but energy absorption of Gr/E tubes was not geometrically scalable.

Farley, G. L.↗

A new class of natural magnetic materials - The ordering alloys

It is shown that tetrataenite (approximately FeNi), found in many meteorites, and Josephinite (approximately FeNi3), found in many serpentinized peridotites and possibly in Allende, are atomically ordered alloys. Data are presented, showing magnetic hysteresis loops, coercivity-temperature behavior at cryogenic temperatures, and thermomagnetic curves, that show that these ordered magnetic materials have unique magnetic properties and do not fit the conventional rock magnetism paradigms represented by Fe3O4 serpentinites. The ordered state is characterized by induced magnetic anisotropy, reaching the extreme for the tetragonal truly uniaxial anisotropy in FeNi. It is suggested that these ordered magnetic alloys should be considered a new class of natural magnetic materials.

Wasilewski, Peter↗

Five year ground exposure of composite materials used on the Bell Model 206L flight service evaluation

Part of the results of a U.S. Army/NASA-Langley sponsored research program to establish the long term-term effects of realistic ground based exposure on advanced composite materials is presented. Residual strengths and moisture absorption as a function of exposure time and exposure location are reported for four different composite material systems that were exposed for five years on the North American Continent.

Baker, Donald J.↗

Pulse shaping and extraction of information from ultrasonic reflections in composite materials

The application of ultrasonic inspection to the nondestructive testing of composite materials is examined with reference to specific examples including monitoring of epoxy curing, evaluation of impact damage in a graphite/epoxy laminate, and monitoring of a repaired area in a composite wing plate. Signal processing methods are described which improve time resolution, facilitating identification of discrete echoes corresponding to events in the material.

Kishoni, Doron↗

Damage and fracture of composite materials under cyclic loads

The response of composite laminates to long-term, cyclic loading conditions is dependent on mode and level of loading, material system, geometry, and laminate stacking sequence. An overview of basic damage mechanisms in notched laminates is presented. The relationships between damage and long-term response, specifically changes in residual tensile and compressive strength and life, are discussed for several composite systems with different matrix materials subjected to reversed cyclic loading.

Stinchcomb, Wayne W.↗

Progressive failure analysis of fibrous composite materials and structures

A brief description is given of the modifications implemented in the PAFAC finite element program for the simulation of progressive failure in fibrous composite materials and structures. Details of the memory allocation, input data, and the new subroutines are given. Also, built-in failure criteria for homogeneous and fibrous composite materials are described.

Bahei-El-din, Yehia A.↗

Effect of space environment on composite materials and thermal coatings (A0138-9)

This paper presents an experiment within the FRECOPA project on composite materials, adhesives, and thermal coatings. The aging of the specimens was limited because of the canister closing, the location on the trailing edge and the arrangement of the specimens inside the canister. The results show no evidence of change for several graphite fiber reinforced epoxy matrix composite materials as well as for two adhesives. Minor changes can be found on some second surface mirrors.

Parcelier, Michel↗

Containerless processing and rapid solidification of Nb-Si alloys of hypereutectic composition

A combination of bulk undercooling in an electromagnetic levitation apparatus and splat quenching between two copper plates is used to process Nb-Si alloys in order to maximize rapid solidification conditions and minimize the effects of recalescence, with emphasis on the solidification of characteristics of alloys in the 21 to 27 at. pct Si range of composition. SEM and TEM as well as X-ray diffraction are used to characterize the microstructures of the processed samples. In the range of compositions studied, the splat-quenched drops always formed the tetragonal Nb3Si phase directly from the liquid. Drops solidified in the coil were characterized by the presence of the primary intermetallic Nb5Si3 and the absence of both peritectic Nb3Si and the equilibrium eutectic. In these cases, a metastable alpha-Nb + beta-Nb5Si3 eutectic formed. The results are discussed in terms of possible metastable configurations of the Nb-Si phase diagram as well as concepts of nucleation and growth kinetics applied to the Nb3Si and Nb5Si3 intermetallics.

Hofmeister, W. H.↗

Influence of Chemical Composition on Rupture Properties at 1200 Degrees F. of Forged Chromium-Cobalt-Nickel-Iron Base Alloys in Solution-Treated and Aged Condition

The influence of systematic variations of chemical composition on rupture properties at 1200 degrees F. was determined for 62 modifications of a basic alloy containing 20 percent chromium, 20 percent nickel, 20 percent cobalt, 3 percent molybdenum, 2 percent tungsten, 1 percent columbium, 0.15 percent carbon, 1.7 percent manganese, 0.5 percent silicon, 0.12 percent nitrogen and the balance iron. These modifications included individual variations of each of 10 elements present and simultaneous variations of molybdenum, tungsten, and columbium. Laboratory induction furnace heats were hot-forged to round bar stock, solution-treated at 2200 degrees F., and aged at 1400 degrees F. The melting and fabrication conditions were carefully controlled in order to minimize all variable effects on properties except chemical composition. Information is presented which indicates that melting and hot-working conditions play an important role in high-temperature properties of alloys of the type investigated.

Reynolds, E E↗

Ultrasonic Inspection Of Composite-Material Paraboloid

Ultrasonic imaging system scanning three-dimensional curved surfaces developed. In original application, system used to determine integrity of composite-material paraboloidal reflector and its supporting structure. System also used to inspect composite-material structures with curved surfaces other than paraboloids, provided surfaces describable by mathematical functions. Position and orientation of transducer adjusted continuously to maintain normal incidence.

Chern, E. James↗