Composite material

Aerospace Application
(Space Station & Satellite )

Introduction
Applications in space
encounter a variety of design
requirements and Problems ,
different from that encountered
on earth, associated with the
space environment, physical
demands based on size and
weight and performance goals
for long life and functionality
present a variety of challenges
which call for new material.
Composite material solved many
of the space challenges.
Composite material used in
Space stations and Satellites as
the struts of the structural truss.

Requirement
1- Dimensional Stability
Key Design Drivers
2- Axial Stiffness
3- Age Life
Major Factors
4- Damage Resistance And Repair

5- Strength
6- Column Stability
7- Atomic Oxygen

Two

 We use Graphite\Epoxy
(P75/934 GRAPHITE/EPOXY
TUBE ) composite materials
as the strut because of their
favorable mechanical
characteristics of high
strength\high stiffness to
weight ratio and potential
for zero or near-zero
coefficient of thermal
expansion .

Composite
Selection

Fiber (P75)
The very stiff and
brittle radial
structured pitch-based
carbon fibers are P75
and P100 .

It is slightly lighter.

It is not over stiff.

P100 fibers are

very expensive.

Matrix (934 resin

system)

P75/930 did not exhibit a higher microcrack resistance than the P75/934.

Curing at 350F (177C).

Large industry database.

Shelf life 6 months at 0F (-18C) 10 days at 72F (22C).

for the design , we use [ 45

0]2 and [45 I5]s layups
Using .005 in. thick plies for
further studies for design (Resin
micro-cracking occurs readily with
composites with high angle cross-ply lay
ups ).

Challenges

Thermal cycling (This cycling can

induce micro-cracks in composite
resins which reduce part stiffness and
changes the overall coefficient of
thermal expansion)
Atomic oxygen (non-metals, including
graphite/epoxy composites, are very
reactive to atomic oxygen while
metals are nearly unaffected which
cause the material to dissolve)
Age life Is reduced
Compressive strength is low

Solution

Metal Protective surface

(coating), Gr/E tube wrapped
inside and out with foil.

Results:
Aluminum-clad graphite epoxy tubes were
developed .
Large number of benefits have accrued from this
development:
less brittle, lower cure temperatures and
hence lower residual stresses so micro-cracks
is reduced .
Aluminum is a metal material so it doesnt
effected by atomic oxygen.
Compressive strength is improved and the
toughness of the tube
offers the potential of using mechanical