Micro-Tailoring Multi-Functional Materials for Aerospace Objectives

Abstract

This research demonstrates that both fibers and spherical inclusions in composite can be manipulated by electric or magnetic fields. This capability is applied to micro-tailor microstructure of polymeric composites to meet aerospace design objectives. Composition of graphite, glass, ceramic and metallic constituents dispersed in epoxy are considered. The ultimate goal is to achieve multifunctional performance which is superior to that of conventional composites. This includes controlling local orthotropy, as well as developing self-sensing and health monitoring capabilities. The developed computational optimization procedure demonstrates that stress concentrations in perforated composites can be significantly reduced by appropriately orientating the fibers in the neighborhood of the discontinuities. Considerable progress has also been made towards implementing these features when manufacturing real components. Novel capacitive sensors have been developed which can measure a component's strains without being bonded to the component. These sensors can be orientated arbitrarily and still provide both the magnitude and directions of the principal strains and stresses.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 2005
Accession Number
ADA444272

Entities

People

  • Robert Rowlands
  • Yuri M. Shkel

Organizations

  • University of Wisconsin–Madison

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Biomedical
  • Sensors
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Composite Materials
  • Dielectric Properties
  • Dielectrics
  • Electric Fields
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Epoxy Composites
  • Glass Fibers
  • Graphitic Materials
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Manufacturing
  • Materials
  • Materials Processing
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Microstructure
  • Optimization
  • Stress Concentration
  • Stresses

Readers

  • Reinforced Composite Materials
  • Structural Dynamics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space