Selective Reinforcement of Aluminum I-Beams with Graphite-Aluminum Composite Wire
Abstract
Standard 6061 aluminum I-beams were selectively reinforced on the flanges with single strand T50 graphite/6061 aluminum composite wire reinforcements by utilizing a hot isostatic pressing (HIP) process. Preliminary mechanical hot pressing trials on graphite-aluminum sandwich construction panels were conducted to investigate the effects of both solid and liquid state processing parameters on composite flexural properties. Mechanical test data on these panels indicated that solid state bonding conditions resulted in higher flexural strength and modulus than liquid state conditions. Based on these results, lay-up and containment was designed to hot isostatically press in the solid state 0.040 inch (0.102 cm.) thick graphite-aluminum layers to the flanges of four standard 6061 aluminum I-beams. Metallographic examination of sections from the HIP processed I-beams showed consolidation had been achieved between the graphite-aluminum composite wires and to the I-beam flange interfaces. However, some sections showed micro-cracks within the composite layers and at the composite layer/I-beam flange interface due to high residual stresses induced during thermal contraction of the I-beam upon cooling from the HIP processing temperature.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA031437
Entities
People
- G. C. Strempek
- H. Gigerenzer