Graphite/epoxy composite overwrapped pressure vessels are being considered for use on Space Station Freedom because of their light weight and high efficiency. These composite pressure vessels weigh roughly one-third of comparable all-metal aluminum pressure vessels, and could result in a 15,000-lb weight saving for the propulsion and fluid management and distribution systems. These vessels must resist failures under sustained pressure loads for crew safety considerations and adequate protection of the space structure during their 30-yr life. Weibull statistical analysis techniques have been applied, and a model developed, for predicting long-term stress-rupture behavior based on published short-term test data on composite strands and pressure vessels. Graphite/epoxy materials are calculated to have a 99.99-percent probability of surviving stress rupture for 30 yr under a sustained load of 50 percent ultimate failure strength. Stress-rupture lifetimes are predicted to increase as the size of the pressure vessels increases in support of the viscoelastic load-transfer mechanism proposed for stress rupture of fiber/epoxy composite materials.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Long-life assessment of graphite epoxy materials for Space Station Freedom pressure vessels


    Contributors:


    Publication date :

    1992-02-01



    Type of media :

    Miscellaneous


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English






    Strain Analysis of Graphite/Epoxy Vessels

    Verderaime, V. / Rheinfurth, M. | NTRS | 1984


    Radiological assessment for Space Station Freedom

    Badhwar, Gautam D. / Hardy, Alva C. / Robbins, Donald E. et al. | NTRS | 1993