Nanostitched Composites with Improved Interlaminar and Intralaminar Strengths for Advanced Airframes in Sea-Based Aviation - Bridge Proposal

Abstract

Fundamental understanding of the improvements in strength and toughness of laminatedstructural composites for game-changing naval aerostructures, particularly advancedairframe concepts, will be continued through a focused experimental program that willbuild significant insight and data invaluable to modeling efforts. Building on findingsfrom the current program, the bridge proposal will continue and extend the ongoing workwhich has shown significant interlaminar reinforcement of greater than 8 percent in staticinterlaminar shear strength testing, and 3X improvement in fatigue life, in a carbon fibercomposite system of interest to the Navy. In the bridge proposal, we will now undertakeprimarily in-plane strength testing focusing on ex-situ, with the potential to supplementwith in-situ, mechanical testing visualized by x-ray micro-computed tomography(microCT). The proposed work will supplement in-depth ex-situ investigations with insitutesting when available, with the latter best supported by a complementary DURIPproposal for an in situ microCT system. Process-structure-property relations, particularlyfocusing on mechanical properties (especially strength and toughness) at the laminatelevel, will be elucidated. It should be noted that the bridge proposal will be highlyadvantaged and accelerated by the DURIP funded in situ microCT setup, but that thiscapability is not a requirement for the success of the proposed work, i.e., the balance ofthe work will shift to primarily ex-situ testing and analysis if the in situ microCT tool isnot available. Working with Navy personnel on the current program, we have identifiedthe key next steps to extend the current positive strength and fatigue findings and newunderstanding (detailed herein) to advance Navy science and technology objectives aswell as support next-generation Navy aerovehicles (both vertical lift and fixed wing).This bridge proposal will extend the current program to the time when a full newproposal, based on findings from the current and bridge programs, will be crafted.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Jan 04, 2017
Source ID
N000141712065

Entities

People

  • Brian Wardle

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Office of Naval Research
  • United States Navy

Tags

Readers

  • Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery.
  • Reinforced Composite Materials
  • Research Science/Academic Research