Effects of parachute-ribbon surface treatments on tensile strength

Conference · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:5336971

Auerbach, I; Whinery, L D; Johnson, D W; Mead, K E; Sheldon, D D

Routine quality-assurance evaluations of nylon ribbons used on test-deployed parachutes revealed tensile-strength degradation had occurred in some of the ribbons. The degradation occurred exclusively in some of the noncritical skirt ribbons with stenciled blue-ink identification markings. Although the strength loss was excessive, the reliability of the parachute was not affected. These results motivated an accelerated-aging study of the effects on tensile strength of not only the inks but also of the sizing chemicals that are used to coat fabrics in parachute construction. Nylon ribbons and Kevlar webbing were treated with these materials and stored both under ambient conditions and at 60/sup 0/C (140/sup 0/F) for periods of time up to eight months. Small increases in strength developed under ambient conditions whereas small decreases developed at elevated temperatures. Samples stored in glass degraded more than those stored in stainless steel. None of these laboratory results correlated with those obtained from parachutes. Possible explanations for the lack of a correlation are provided in this paper. Additional studies are in progress.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 5336971
• Report Number(s): SAND-86-0671C; CONF-861050-10; ON: DE86014970
• Resource Relation: Conference: 9. aerodynamic decelerator and balloon technology conference (AIAA), Albuquerque, NM, USA, 7 Oct 1986; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ARAMIDS
TENSILE PROPERTIES
NYLON
PARACHUTES
MATERIALS TESTING
QUALITY ASSURANCE
SURFACE TREATMENTS
TEXTILES
MATERIALS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PLASTICS
POLYAMIDES
POLYMERS
SYNTHETIC MATERIALS
TESTING
360403* - Materials- Polymers & Plastics- Mechanical Properties- (-1987)
360405 - Materials- Polymers & Plastics- Degradation & Erosion- (-1987)