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At least 865 records · Page 48

The effect of stress on ultrasonic pulses in fiber reinforced composites

An acoustical-ultrasonic technique was used to demonstrate relationships existing between changes in attenuation of stress waves and tensile stress for an eight ply 0 degree graphite-epoxy fiber reinforced composite. All tests were conducted in the linear range of the material for which no mechanical or macroscopic damage was evident. Changes in attenuation were measured as a function of tensile stress in the frequency domain and in the time domain. Stress wave propagation in these specimens was dispersive, i.e., the wave speed depends on frequency. Wave speeds varied from 267 400 cm/sec to 680 000 cm/sec as the frequency of the signal was varied from 150 kHz to 1.9 MHz which strongly suggests that flexural/lamb wave modes of propagation exist. The magnitude of the attenuation changes depended strongly on tensile stress. It was further observed that the wave speeds increased slightly for all tested frequencies as the stress was increased.

Hemann, J. H.↗

Maleimido substituted cyclotriphosphazene resins for fire and heat resistant composites

A new class of fire- and heat-resistant matrix resins have been synthesized by the thermal polymerization of maleimido substituted phenoxycyclotriphosphazenes. The resins have exhibited a char yield of 82 percent at 800 C in nitrogen and 81 percent at 700 C in air. Graphite-fabric laminates based on a resin of this class have shown a limiting oxygen index of 100 percent even at 300 C. Details of the fabrication of the resins and the composites and testing procedures are discussed.

Kumar, D.↗

Determination of interlaminar fracture toughness and fracture mode dependence of composites using the edge delamination test

Edge delamination testing has been conducted in order to determine the mixed mode interlaminar fracture toughness of unnotched (+, -35/0/90)s and (0/+, -35/90)s laminates with graphite fibers and epoxy matrices, with or without elastomer additives. Although the two stacking sequences were chosen so that the total strain energy release rates were equal, the percentages of crack opening and shear mode energy release rates were found to vary widely between the layups. Plots of interlaminar fracture toughness as a function of crack opening energy release rate percentage have been drawn to generate delamination failure criteria which reflect the observed fracture mode dependence.

Obrien, T. K.↗

Effect of stress on ultrasonic pulses in fiber reinforced composites

An acoustical-ultrasonic technique was used to demonstrate relationships existing between changes in attenuation of stress waves and tensile stress on an eight ply 0 degree graphite-epoxy fiber reinforced composite. All tests were conducted in the linear range of the material for which no mechanical or macroscopic damage was evident. Changes in attenuation were measured as a function of tensile stress in the frequency domain and in the time domain. Stress wave propagation in these specimens was dispersive, i.e., the wave speed depends on frequency. Wave speeds varied from 267,400 cm/sec to 680,000 cm/sec as the frequency of the signal was varied from 150 kHz to 1.9 MHz which strongly suggests that flexural/lamb wave modes of propagation exist. The magnitude of the attenuation changes depended strongly on tensile stress. It was further observed that the wave speeds increased slightly for all tested frequencies as the stress was increased.

Hemann, J. H.↗

Cellular solidification of transparent monotectics

Understanding how liquid phase particles are engulfed or pushed during freezing of a monotectic is addressed. The additional complication is that the solid-liquid interface is nonplanar due to constitutional undercooling. Some evidence of particle pushing where the particles are the liquid phase of the montectic was already observed. Cellular freezing of the succinonitrile-glycerol system also occurred. Only a few compositions were tested at that time. The starting materials were not especially pure so that cellular interface observed was likely due to the presence of unkown impurities, the major portion of which was water. Topics addressed include: the effort of modeling the particle pushing process using the computer, establishing an apparatus for the determination of phase diagrams, and the measurement of the temperature gradients with a specimen which will solidify on the temperature gradient microscope stage.

Kaulker, W. F.↗

A micromechanics analysis of the influence of the interface on the performance of polymer-matrix composites

A specially developed two-dimensional finite element micromechanics analysis was used to predict the transverse tensile response of three different carbon fiber-reinforced, polymer matrix unidirectional composites. Experimental data were available for four different fiber sizings. The composites were tested both dry and moisture-conditioned, at room and elevated temperatures. Analytical/experimental correlations are presented and discussed.

Adams, Donald F.↗

A micromechanics analysis of the influence of the interface on the performance of polymer-matrix composites

A specially developed two-dimensional finite element micromechanics analysis was used to predict the transverse tensile response of three different carbon fiber-reinforced, polymer matrix unidirectional composites. Experimental data were available for four different fiber sizings. The composites were tested both dry and moisture-conditioned, at room and elevated temperatures. Analytical/experimental correlations are presented and discussed.

Adams, Donald F.↗

Fabrication and testing of fire resistant graphite composite panels

Eight different graphite composite panels were fabricated using four different resin matrices. The resin matrices included Hercules 71775, a blend of vinylpolystyrpyridine and bismaleimide, H795, a bismaleimide, Cycom 6162, a phenolic, and PSP 6022m, a polystyrylpyridine. Graphite panels were fabricated using fabric or unidirectional tape. Described are the processes for preparing these panels and some of their mechanical, thermal and flammability properties. Panel properties are compared with state-of-the-art epoxy fiberglass composite panels.

Roper, W. D.↗

A microscopy study of composite delamination

Double cantilever beam specimens of carbon fiber-epoxy composites were tested for interlaminar fracture energy. While still under load, the specimens were potted in a clear epoxy polymer. The potted specimens were cut longitudinally into sections 0.6 mm (0.025 in.) or less in thickness and examined using reflection and transmission light microscopy. Massive fiber bridging was observed especially at the crack tip.

Bascom, W. D.↗

An investigation of the thermal cycling damage of 25 vol. pct SiCw/alumina ceramic matrix composite

An investigation was made of the thermal cycling damage of a 25 vol pct SiC whisker/alumina (SiCw/Al2O3) composite. Thermal cycling tests were conducted by subjecting a composite specimen to two different fluidized beds. After thermal cycling the composite specimens were subjected to elastic modulus and effective fracture toughness measurements. The thermal cycled specimens were investigated with SEM and TEM studies. It was found that this composite has a relatively high resistance to thermal cycling.

Armstrong, William D.↗

Dynamic testing of thin-walled composite box beams in a vacuum chamber

Vibration characteristics of thin-walled composite box beams are measured in a rotating environment in a 10-ft diameter vacuum chamber. Symmetric and antisymmetric layup beams are fabricated out of graphite/epoxy prepreg material using an autoclave molding technique. These are excited using piezoelectric ceramic elements and responses are measured using strain gages and accelerometers. First three natural modes are identified using spectrum analyzer over a range of rotational speeds up to 1000 rpm. Measured frequencies and mode shapes (displacement as well as strain) are correlated satisfactorily with calculated finite element results.

Chandra, Ramesh↗

Prediction of matrix fatigue crack initiation in notched SCS-6/Ti-15-3 metal matrix composites

Several lay-ups of SCS-6/Ti-15-3 metal matrix composites were tested in either a center hole or a double edge notched geometry. At different cyclic strss levels, the number of cycles required to develop matrix fatigue cracks at the notches was recorded. A fatigue strat-life curve was developed for the Ti-15-3 matrix material. This modified parameter predicted the number of cycles required for matrix crack initiation at the notches. The predictions were in good agreement with the experimental data.

Hillberry, B. M.↗

Effect of contact stresses in four-point bend testing of graphite/epoxy and graphite/PMR-15 composite beams

The results of in-plane four-point bend experiments on unidirectionally reinforced composite beams are presented for graphite/epoxy (T300/934) and graphite/polyimide (G30-500/PMR-15) composites. The maximum load and the location of cracks formed during failure were measured for testpieces with fibers oriented at various angles to the beam axis. Since most of the beams failed near one or more of the load points, the strength of the beams was evaluated in terms of a proposed model for the local stress distribution. In this model, an exact solution to the problem of a localized contact force acting on a unidirectionally reinforced half plane is used to describe the local stress field. The stress singularity at the load points is treated in a manner similar to the stress singularity at a crack tip in fracture mechanisms problems. Using this approach, the effect of fiber angle and elastic material properties on the strength of the beam is described in terms of a load intensity factor. For fiber angles less than 45 deg from the beam axis, a single crack is initiated near one of the load points at a critical value of the load intensity factor. The critical load intensity factor decreases with increasing fiber angle. For larger fiber angles, multiple cracks occur at locations both near and away from the load points, and the load intensity factor at failure increases sharply with increasing fiber angle.

Binienda, W. K.↗

Detailed analysis and test correlation of a stiffened composite wing panel

New finite element analysis methods are examined by application to a complicated composite wing panel from the V-22 rotorcraft. A detailed FEM model with a relatively coarse mesh of 9-node elements was generated, and linear and nonlinear stress analyses, first-ply failure analyses, and buckling analyses were conducted. At low values of applied load, i.e., up to the design ultimate load of the panel, the linear stress analysis accurately predicted the strains and structural response characteristics of the panel.

Davis, D. D., Jr.↗

The effect of contact stresses in four-point bend testing of graphite/epoxy and graphite/PMR-15 composite beams

The results of in-plane four-point bend experiments on unidirectionally reinforced composite beams are presented for graphite/epoxy (T300/934) and graphite/polyimide (G30-500/PMR-15) composites. The maximum load and the location of cracks formed during failure were measured for testpieces with fibers oriented at various angles to the beam axis. Since most of the beams failed near one or more of the load points, the strength of the beams was evaluated in terms of a proposed model, for the local stress distribution. In this model, an exact solution to the problem of a localized contact force acting on a unidirectionally reinforced half plane is used to describe the local stress field. The stress singularity at the load points is treated in a manner similar to the stress singularity at a crack tip in fracture mechanisms problems. Using this approach, the effect of fiber angle and elastic material properties on the strength of the beam is described in terms of a load intensity factor. For fiber angles less than 45 deg from the beam axis, a single crack is initiated near one of the load points at a critical value of the load intensity factor. The critical load intensity factor decreases with the increasing fiber angle. For larger fiber angles, multiple cracks occur at locations both near and away from the load points, and the load intensity factor at failure increases sharply with increasing fiber angle.

Binienda, Wieslaw K.↗

Intelligent structures technology

Viewgraphs on intelligent structures technology are presented. Topics covered include: embedding electronics; electrical and mechanical compatibility; integrated circuit chip packaged for embedding; embedding devices within composite structures; test of embedded circuit in G/E coupon; temperature/humidity/bias test; single-chip microcomputer control experiment; and structural shape determination.

Crawley, Edward F.↗

Prediction of matrix fatigue crack initiation in notched SCS-6/Ti-15-3 metal matrix composites

Several lay-ups of SCS-6/Ti-15-3 metal matrix composites were tested in either a center hole or a double edge notched geometry. At different cyclic stress levels, the number of cycles required to develop matrix fatigue cracks at the notches was recorded. A fatigue strat-life curve was developed for the Ti-15-3 matrix material. This modified parameter predicted the number of cycles required for matrix crack initiation at the notches. The predictions were in good agreement with the experimental data.

Hillberry, Benjamin M.↗