Development of a Compression Testing Method for Graphite/Epoxy Coupons.

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to develop a method of testing the standard TELAC (Technology Laboratory for Advanced Composites) graphite/epoxy coupon directly in compression. Since thin coupons buckle under compressive loads, a compression jig was needed to support the coupon and prevent it from buckling. The most successful design for a compression jig was a set of 300 steel balls that are pressed onto both sides of the coupon. These 1/4 inch diameter steel balls are free to rotate insuring that no shear load is applied to the coupon. These steel balls are housed in two steel plates, one for each side of the coupon. An Aluminum cage bolted onto each plate holds the balls onto the plate. Preliminary tests indicate that this compression jig could provide valid test results.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 1982
Accession Number
ADA148595

Entities

People

  • C. J. Dunmire

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Aluminum
  • Ball Bearings
  • Buckling
  • Composite Materials
  • Compression
  • Diameters
  • Epoxy Composites
  • Friction
  • Graphitic Materials
  • Manufacturing
  • Materials
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Metals
  • Standards
  • Strain Gages
  • Test Methods

Readers

  • Structural Health Monitoring of Composite Structures.
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Tribology (the study of the boundary interaction between sliding surfaces, lubrication, wear and friction).