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.


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    Title :

    Thermoplastics for use in cryogenic composite fuel tanks


    Contributors:
    Lee, J. (author) / Patton, R. (author) / Schneider, J. (author) / Pittman, C. jun. (author) / Ragsdale, J. (author) / Wang, L. (author) / Nettles, A.T. (author)


    Publication date :

    2004


    Size :

    7 Seiten, 17 Quellen



    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English







    Health Monitoring of Reusable Composite Cryogenic Tanks

    Emery, L. / Zisk, E. / American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics| ASME| ASCE | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1995


    Health monitoring of reusable composite cryogenic tanks

    Emery, L. / Zisk, E.J. | Tema Archive | 1995