NASA Langley Research Center
Hampton, Virginia

Experiments

	Langley Home Page
	Space Environments &Technology Archive System Home Page
	Space Environments &Effects Home Page
	NASA Home Page

Experiment Title: Influence of Extended Exposure in Space on Mechanical Properties of High-Toughness Graphite-Epoxy Composite Material

Original Principal Investigator(s): Felbeck, Dr. David K. - Invest. Role: Present, Felbeck, Dr. David K. - Invest. Role: Original,

Graphite-epoxy composites are attractive for structural use in space vehicles because of their high strength and elastic modulus properties. Low fracture toughness has been solved by use of techniques of intermittent interlaminar bonding, which consists of introducing a thin perforated layer of Mylar film between adjacent plies of a cross-ply composite so as to limit the area of inter-ply bonding. In this way, fracture of the composite is diverted when crossing regions have no bonding between plies, with a consequent substantial increase in total area of fracture and an increase in fracture energy, usually with only minor reduction in strength and elastic modulus. However, before this material can be widely adapted for long-term space use, confidence must be gained that its mechanical properties are not degraded by exposure to the space environment.

Photograph Classification: Prelaunch

Associated Photograph(s):
LaRC - L84-07093
KSC - KSC-384C-221.11
JSC - None
LaRC - L90-13490
KSC - KSC-390C-1069.10
JSC - None
LaRC - L90-10502
KSC - None
JSC - S32-89-052

Back to Experiments Page

LDEF Archive System Home Page