Environmental Exposure Effects on Composite Materials for Commercial Aircraft.
Abstract
A study was conducted to determine the effects of long-term flight and ground exposure on three commercially available graphite-epoxy material systems: T300/5208, T300/5209, and T30O/934. Sets of specimens were exposed on commercial aircraft and ground racks for 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10 years. In-flight specimen sites included both the interior and exterior of aircraft based in Hawaii, Texas, and New Zealand. Ground racks were located at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center and airports in Dallas, Honolulu, and Wellington, New Zealand. Similar specimens were exposed to controlled lab conditions for up to 2 years. After each exposure period, specimens were evaluated for residual strength and a dryout procedure was used to measure moisture content. Both room and elevated temperature residual strengths were determined and expressed as a percentage of the unexposed strength. Lab exposures included the effects of time alone, moisture, time on moist specimens, weatherometer, and simulated ground-air-ground cycling. Residual strengths of the long-term specimens were compared with residual strengths of the lab specimens. Strength retention depended on the exposure condition and the material system. Results showed that composite materials can be successfully used on commercial aircraft if environmental effects are accounted for in the design.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA307832
Entities
People
- Daniel J. Hoffman
- William J. Bielawski
Organizations
- Boeing