Degradation of Peel and Tensile Strength of Bonded Panels Exposed to High Humidity

Abstract

Bonded sandwich panel structural integrity is an important component in the successful maintenance and continued operation of RAAF F-lll aircraft through to the planned withdrawal date of 2020. F-lll airframe stiffness and strength is dependent on the integrity of bonded sandwich panel structure. Currently, limited knowledge exists as to the effect of environmental exposure on the mechanical integrity of bonded sandwich panels. The work presented in this report summarizes honeycomb studies undertaken in AIR task 98/186 that were designed to examine the influence that environmental exposure would have on the peel and tensile strength of bonded sandwich honeycomb panels constructed from either original materials or materials used in the refurbishment of damaged panels. The results indicate that the materials and processes used by the United States Air force in repair and rebuild programs are susceptible to mechanical degradation as a result of exposure to high humidity conditions. However, the panels constructed during the original aircraft manufacturing indicate better resistance to the effects of environmental exposure.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 2001
Accession Number
ADA402631

Entities

People

  • Andrew N. Rider

Organizations

  • Defence Science and Technology Group

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Adhesion
  • Adhesives
  • Air Force
  • Aircraft Maintenance
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Chemistry
  • Engineering
  • Failure Mode And Effect Analysis
  • High Humidity
  • Honeycomb Cores
  • Honeycomb Structures
  • Horizontal Stabilizers
  • Materials
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Tensile Strength
  • Tensile Testing

Readers

  • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of Proposed Air Force Base Actions.
  • Structural Health Monitoring of Composite Structures.