Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-dh8gc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-03T05:06:07.915Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Thermoplastic matrix composites for SPACE SOLAR POWER TRUSS (SSP)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

Hao Zhang
Affiliation:
MC. Gill Composites Center, University of Southern California, 3651 Watt Way, Los Angeles, CA 90089–0241
Koorosh Guidanean
Affiliation:
L'Garde Inc., 15181 Woodlawn Av., Tustin, CA 92780
Steven Nutt*
Affiliation:
MC. Gill Composites Center, University of Southern California, 3651 Watt Way, Los Angeles, CA 90089–0241
*
* To whom correspondence should be addressed
Get access

Abstract

Thermoplastic matrix composites with a low glass transition temperature (Tg) have been developed for the Space Solar Power Truss (SSP). In this application, the truss is folded and packaged for launch, then expanded and deployed in space using a heat source. The present paper describes a resin film infusion process (RFI) used to fabricate laboratory-scale laminate tubes consisting of polyurethane and plain weave carbon fabrics. Subscale (1:5) sample tubes were formed to approximate the real tubes. The performance of the folded and unfolded tubes was measured under compression loading and compared with as-fabricated tubes at 25 and -75°C. Results show that elastic modulus was restored and even increased after bending. Stitched samples were also examined to evaluate the potential for reducing delamination at folds.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2005

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1. Harper, R. C., “Thermoforming of thermoplastic matrix composites-Part II.”, SAMPE J., 28(3), 917 (1992).Google Scholar
2. Guidanean, K., Lichodziejewski, D., “An Inflatable Rigidizable Truss Structure Based on New Sub-Tg Polyurethane Composites”, AIAA 021593 Google Scholar
3. Cassapakis, C., Thomas, M., “Inflatable Structures Technology Development Overview”, AIAA 953738 Google Scholar
4. Dransfield, K., Baillie, C., Mai, Y.-W., “Improving the delamination resistance of CFRP by stitching-a review”. Comp. Sci. Technol., 50, 305317 (1994).Google Scholar
5. Mouritz, A.P., Cox, B.N., “A mechanistic approach to the properties of stitched laminates”. Composites, Part A, 31, 127 (2000).Google Scholar
6. Larsson, F., “Damage tolerance of a stitched carbon/epoxy laminate”. Composites, Part A, 28, 923934 (1997).Google Scholar
7. Han, N.L., Suh, S.S., Yang, J.-M., Hahn, H.T., “Resin film infusion of stitched stiffened composite panels”, Composites, Part A, 34, 227236 (2003).Google Scholar
8. Harris, H., Schinske, N., Krueger, R. and Swanson, B., “Multiaxial stitched preform reinforcements for RTM fabrication”. 36th Int. SAMPE Symp., 15–18, 521535 (1991).Google Scholar
9. Velmurugan, R., Gupta, N.K., Solainurugan, S., Elayaperumal, A., “The effect of stitching on FRP cylindrical shells under axial compression”, Int. J. Impact Engi., 923938 (2004).Google Scholar
10. Jochum, Ch., Grandidier, J.-C., “Microbuckling elastic modeling approach of a single carbon fibre embedded in an epoxy matrix”, Comp. Sci. Technol., 64, 24412449 (2004).Google Scholar
11. Daniel, I. M., Hsiao, H. M., “Is there a thickness effect on compressive strength of unnotched composite laminates?”, Int. J. Fract. 95, 143158 (1999).Google Scholar
12. Budiansky, B., Fleck, N.A., “Compressive failure of fibre composites”, J. Mech. Phys. Solids, 41, 183221, 1993 Google Scholar