Initial Design and Stress Analysis of a Composite (FRP) Roadwheel for the M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank

Abstract

A Composite roadwheel for the US Army M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank has been designed for volume production. The composite roadwheel uses an E-glass/ epoxy advanced composite material, produced by wet filament-winding followed by compression molding at a high temperature to compact and cure the matrix. Aluminum inserts are used to resist corrosion and creep at the bolted interfaces between the component and the vehicle. Stress analysis using NASTRAN finite- element computer models, combined with validation tests on an aluminum roadwheel, have been used to establish the strength of the existing aluminum wheel, and to evolve a composite wheel of comparable strength.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1984
Accession Number
ADA146056

Entities

People

  • Michael D. Ward

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Composite Materials
  • Compression Molding
  • Compressive Strength
  • Engineering
  • Galvanic Corrosion
  • Manufacturing
  • Material Degradation Processes
  • Materials
  • Materials Processing
  • Materials Science
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Mechanical Working
  • Radial Stress
  • Shear Modulus
  • Shear Strength
  • Stress Analysis
  • Tensile Strength

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Reinforced Composite Materials