Durability of Graphite/Epoxy Honeycomb Specimens with Representative Damage and Repairs
Abstract
The introduction of F/A-18 aircraft into RAAF service has brought a new era of materials technology to Australia; for example the F/A-18 incorporates significant quantities of graphite/epoxy (Gr/Ep) composite materials which form 34% of the external surface area of the aircraft. Major components constructed from Gr/Ep are the main wing skins, trailing edge flaps, vertical tail skins, horizontal stabilators, speed brake and access doors. The main wing and vertical tail skins are thick laminates (up to 23mm) used in a monolithic form (bolted to underlying aluminum alloy substructure), while the other composite components employ a sandwich form of construction in which thin laminates (2 to 30 plies) are adhesively bonded to an aluminum honeycomb core. This report, on work performed as part of a RAAF sponsored ARL task (Dr. A.A. Baker - Task Manager), details an experimental program set up to investigate the effect of representative environments on delamination growth in Gr/Ep structures representative of th F/A-18.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA207912
Entities
People
- P. D. Chalkley
- R. J. Chester