Next generation space vehicles are considering polymer composites for the construction of cryogenic fuel tanks to reduce weight. Although research has been conducted on macro level fatigue-induced delamination between layers at ambient conditions (1, 2), very little data has been compiled for the micro-cracking behavior of polymer composites at cryogenic temperatures. Micro-cracking has been reported to occur in polymer composite matrices when subjected to thermo-mechanical loading at cryogenic temperatures (3-9). Currently, epoxy based composites are being evaluated for use in cryogenic fuel tanks. Although epoxy resins typically exhibit low fracture strains ( <1%) at cryogenic temperatures, there are reports of higher fracture strains and limited ductility in thermoplastic (TP) systems. G. Hartwig (10) reported on TPs, such as polysulfone (PSU), polycarbonate (PC), poly-ether-sulfone (PES) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which exhibited some ductility and fracture strains of more than 2% at cryogenic (LN2) temperatures. D. Evans, et. al. (11) also reported similar behavior in carbon fiber/poly(ether-ether- ketone) (PEEK). Although these materials show promise of improved ductility at cryogenic temperatures, evaluation of TPs should include not only the mechanical strength, but also hydrogen permeability and fracture resistance. A statistical compilation of the performance of carbon fiber/PEEK composites at cryogenic temperature is currently in progress at MSU.
Thermoplastics for use in cryogenic composite fuel tanks
2004
7 Seiten, 17 Quellen
Conference paper
English
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