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U.S. Department of Energy
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Comparative properties of fiber composites for energy-storage flywheels. Part A. Evaluation of fibers for flywheel rotors

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5287122
Four fiber-composite systems (Kevlar 49/epoxy, Kevlar 29/epoxy, S2-glass/epoxy, and E-glass/epoxy) were studied for use in flywheel rotors.Compared were not only the performance of the materials, but also the relationship of the results of conventional tests (e.g., NOL ring hydroburst) to the results of flywheel rotor spin tests. It was found that the relatively inexpensive hydroburst test gives failure stress results statistically identical to those obtained from the costly spin tests. Thus, at a given fiber volume, NOL ring burst data can be used to predict rotor performance. A comparison of materials performance revealed that in terms of energy storage potential, the Kevlar 49/epoxy composite ranks highest, but in terms of energy storage per unit cost, E-glass/epoxy is best.
Research Organization:
California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore Lab.
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
OSTI ID:
5287122
Report Number(s):
UCRL-80116(Pt.A); CONF-771053-10
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English