A 4-Flap Design with Graphite and Boron Composites,

Abstract

The design and development of an A-4 landing flap is described. The flap was initially selected as a suitable component for obtaining flight experience with boron filaments. The existing production aluminum flap was redesigned utilizing boron skins supported by a full depth honeycomb core, while retaining some of the basic component aluminum parts for interchangeability reasons. A second flap design, utilizing graphite as the composite reinforcement and developed in accordance with advanced structural element concepts such as molded graphite parts to replace aluminum rib and hinge fittings was developed. The choice of skin layup and core geometry is explained. It is shown to depend not only on the strength and stability of the skin but also on the temperature and pressure conditions that exist during the cure and secondary bonding. Emphasis is placed on the problems encountered during the design and development phases rather than on those which came to light during the final detailed analysis.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 1968
Accession Number
ADA306884

Entities

People

  • A. V. Hawley
  • M. Ashizawa

Organizations

  • McDonnell Douglas

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Adhesives
  • Composite Materials
  • Fabrication
  • Failure Mode And Effect Analysis
  • Geometry
  • Graphitic Materials
  • Honeycomb Cores
  • Joints
  • Laminates
  • Leading Edges
  • Materials
  • Materials Processing
  • Materials Testing
  • Mechanical Working
  • Metals
  • Shear Modulus
  • Sheet Metal

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Aerodynamics/Aeronautics.
  • Structural Health Monitoring of Composite Structures.
  • Systems Analysis and Design