A STUDY OF RIGID POLYURETHANE FOAM AS A STRUCTURAL MATERIAL FOR RADOMES FOR LINCOLN LABORATORY

Abstract

A study of rigid urethane foam was performed to determine its suitability as a structural material for radomes. The material was not homogeneous in density and in mechanical properties. Panels manufactured from the same material, and by the same process, were not alike. The material was ductile to a stress concentration of 2.5; at higher levels of stress concentration, the material may exibit brittle behavior. Tests on large samples emphasized the erratic nature of the material. Sound weldments were obtained and the factors important to weldment integrity were established. A design of an efficient base connection was developed. Refinements in this design should lead to an optimum solution in function and in cost. Finally, the shrinkage behavior of weldments was explored; a promising candidate material was found. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 09, 1961
Accession Number
AD0271567

Entities

People

  • Richard E. Chambers

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Buildings And Structures
  • Composite Materials
  • Films
  • Macromolecules
  • Materials
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Molecules
  • Physical Properties
  • Plastics
  • Polymers
  • Polyurethanes
  • Research Facilities
  • Stress Concentration
  • Stresses
  • Weldments

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Mechanical Engineering/Mechanics of Materials.
  • Surface Coatings Technology.
  • Systems Analysis and Design