Role of Mechanics of Textile Preform Composites in the NASA Advanced Composites Technology Program
The Advanced Composites Technology Program was initiated by NASA as a partnership with the United States aeronautical industry in fiscal year 1989. The broad objective of the Program was to develop the technology to design and manufacture cost-effective and structurally optimized light-weight composite airframe primary structure. Phase A of the Program, 1989-1991, focused on the identification and evaluation of innovative manufacturing technologies and structural concepts. At the end of Phase A, the leading wing and fuselage design concepts were down-selected for further development in Phase B of the Program, 1992-1995. Three major fabrication technologies emerged from Phase A. These three approaches were the stitched dry preform, textile preform, and automated tow placement manufacturing methods. Each method emphasized rapid fiber placement, near net-shape preform fabrication, part count minimization, and matching the technologies to the specific structural configurations and requirements. The objective of Phase B was to continue the evolution of design concepts using the concurrent engineering process, down-select to the leading structural concept, and design, build, and test subscale components. Phase C of the ACT Program, 1995-2002, is a critical element of the NASA Advanced Subsonic Technology Program and has been approved for implementation beginning in 1995. The objective of Phase C is to design, build, and test major components of the airframe to demonstrate the technology readiness for applications in the next generation subsonic commercial transport aircraft. Part of the technology readiness demonstration will include a realistic comparison of manufacturing costs and an increased confidence in the ability to accurately estimate the costs of composite structure. The Program Plan calls for the structural components to be a complete fuselage barrel with a window-belt and a wing box at the wing/fuselage intersection.
- Research Organization:
- NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 266957
- Report Number(s):
- N-96-25071; NASA-CP-3311-PT-1; L-17532A; NAS-1.55:3311-PT-1; NIPS-96-43891; CONF-9412106-; TRN: 9625072
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Mechanics of textile composites conference, Hampton, VA (United States), 6-8 Dec 1994; Other Information: PBD: Oct 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Mechanics of Textile Composites Conference; Poe, C.C. Jr.; Harris, C.E.; PB: 259 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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