Effects of Subzero Temperatures and Seawater Immersion on Damage Initiation and Growth in Sandwich Composites

Abstract

Progress during the past six months is described. Efforts during this period have focused on (1) immersion studies of core and sandwich laminates, (2) the effects of environment on impact damage and fatigue response, and (3) debonding test development and toughness assessments. Ongoing studies in the first area indicate that there is no appreciable difference in the sea water absorption rate or saturation level for samples immersed at room temperature versus immersion at 0 C. In the second focus area, approximately 50% of the proposed test program has been completed, allowing a number of preliminary conclusions to be drawn about the effects of temperature, sea water saturation, and damage on the static strength, stiffness, fatigue life and fatigue strength of sandwich laminates. In the third focus area, work on validating a new, highly accurate debonding test is nearly complete. Specimens have also been manufactured and sea water conditioned in preparation for subsequent use of this test method to study the effect of temperature and sea water immersion on toughness.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 16, 2008
Accession Number
ADA482447

Entities

People

  • Barry D. Davidson

Organizations

  • Syracuse University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Absorption
  • Composite Materials
  • Data Reduction
  • Failure Mode And Effect Analysis
  • Fatigue Life
  • Fatigue Tests (Mechanics)
  • Laminates
  • Low Temperature
  • Materials
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Testing
  • Sandwich Composites
  • Sandwich Panels
  • Sea Water
  • Static Tests
  • Stiffness
  • Test Methods

Readers

  • Acoustical Oceanography.
  • Structural Health Monitoring of Composite Structures.
  • Thermal Physics or Thermal Science.