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U.S. Department of Energy
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Effect of jet fuel exposure on advanced aerospace composites. I: Thermal and chemical analysis. Final technical report, May 89-May 90

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5457838

The sensitivity of several aerospace composite materials to military jet engine fuel, JP-4, was investigated in this study. The effect of fuel on the physical and mechanical properties was evaluated. The absorption rates of JP-4 into the composites and the effects of JP-4 exposure on the mechanical properties of the composites were given in WRDC-TR-90-4064. Thermal analysis of the composite materials including TMA and DSC was performed and is reported here. During exposure to JP-4, the only composite materials that absorbed an appreciable amount of fuel were the APC-2 (+ or - 45)2S and HTA (+ or - 45)2S coupons. Chemical species desorbed from these composite specimens using a vacuum desorption apparatus developed in-house were analyzed using GC-MS and the results are reported here. As expected, HTA and APC-2 coupons tested at elevated temperatures after exposure to JP-4 had lower levels of the more volatile components of JP-4 than did the HTA and APC-2 coupons exposed to JP-4 and tested at room temperature. The more volatile components are more mobile and more likely to desorb from the polymer at elevated temperatures. APC-2 was found to have significant quantities of Phenol present. This is attributed to the slightly polar character of the poly-(aryl ether ether ketone) (PEEK) matrix thermoplastic of APC-2.

Research Organization:
Wright Lab., Wright-Patterson AFB, OH (United States)
OSTI ID:
5457838
Report Number(s):
AD-A-246559/9/XAB; WL-TR--91-4017
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English