Honeycomb Sandwich Structures: Vented Versus Unvented Designs for Space Systems

Abstract

Several space systems programs have experienced significant anomalies associated with failures of unvented honeycomb sandwich structures. Based on documentation and personal experience, this report provides descriptions of the structures involved, the circumstances of the failures, and corrective actions. Of special note, it is concluded that failures occur due to internal pressure when the external environment is reduced in ambient pressure. Such failures are initiated at weak bond areas (presumed to result from a manufacturing defect - areas that were not previously identified/repaired. Once initiated, separation of the skin-to-core bond propagates very rapidly and has been described as explosive, It is recommended that honeycomb structures for space systems be adequately vented whenever possible. In situations where venting is not feasible, a series of recommendations is presented to minimize the likelihood of failure. Design and manufacturing parameters are listed for honeycomb sandwich panels that are not fully vented, in order to reduce the likelihood of failure.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 1993
Accession Number
ADA276713

Entities

People

  • George Epstein
  • Susan Ruth

Organizations

  • The Aerospace Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Cell Size
  • Classification
  • Engineering
  • Environment
  • Global Positioning Systems
  • Honeycomb Cores
  • Honeycomb Structures
  • Internal Pressure
  • Jet Propulsion
  • Manufacturing
  • Materials
  • Pressurization
  • Sandwich Panels
  • Solar Panels
  • Space Systems

Readers

  • Rocket Propulsion.
  • Structural Health Monitoring of Composite Structures.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space