Nanostitched Composites with Improved Interlaminar and Intralaminar Strengths for Advanced Airframes in
Abstract
Fundamental understanding of the improvements in strength and toughness of laminated structural composites for game-changing naval aerostructures, particularly advanced airframe concepts, will be continued through a focused experimental program that will build significant insight and data invaluable to modeling efforts. Building on findings from the current program, the bridge proposal will continue and extend the ongoing work which has shown significant interlaminar reinforcement of greater than 8 percent in static interlaminar shear strength testing, and 3X improvement in fatigue life, in a carbon fiber composite system of interest to the Navy. In the bridge proposal, we will now undertake primarily in-plane strength testing focusing on ex-situ, with the potential to supplement with in-situ, mechanical testing visualized by x-ray micro-computed tomography (microCT). The proposed work will supplement in-depth ex-situ investigations with insitu testing when available, with the latter best supported by a complementary DURIP proposal for an in situ microCT system. Process-structure-property relations, particularly focusing on mechanical properties (especially strength and toughness) at the laminate level, will be elucidated. It should be noted that the bridge proposal will be highly advantaged and accelerated by the DURIP funded in situ microCT setup, but that this capability is not a requirement for the success of the proposed work, i.e., the balance of the work will shift to primarily ex-situ testing and analysis if the in situ microCT tool is not available. Working with Navy personnel on the current program, we have identified the key next steps to extend the current positive strength and fatigue findings and new understanding (detailed herein) to advance Navy science and technology objectives as well 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 new proposal, 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
- N000141712139
Entities
People
- Brian Wardle
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy