Space radiation effects on graphite-epoxy composite materials

Technical Report · Fri Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984

OSTI ID:6323408

Milkovich, S M; Herakovich, C T; Sykes, Jr, G F

Radiation effects on engineering properties, dimensional stability, and chemistry on state of the art composite systems were characterized. T300/934 graphite-epoxy composite was subjected to 1.0 MeV electron radiation for a total dose of 1.0 x 10(10) rads at a rate of 5.0 x 10(7) rads/hour. This simulates a worst case exposure equivalent to 30 years in space. Mechanical testing was performed on he 4-ply unidirectional laminates over the temperature range of -250 F (116K) to +250 F (394K). A complete set of in-plane tensile elastic and strength properties were obtained (E sub 1, E sub 2, nu sub 12, G sub 12, X sub T, Y sub T, and S). In addition electron microscopy was used to study and analyze the fracture surfaces of all specimens tested. Results indicate that little difference in properties is noted at room temperature, but significant differences are observed at both low and elevated temperatures.

• Research Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Hampton, VA (USA). Langley Research Center
• OSTI ID: 6323408
• Report Number(s): N-84-25769; NASA-TM-85478
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360306* -- Composite Materials-- Radiation Effects-- (-1987)
BRITTLENESS
CARBON
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ELEMENTAL MINERALS
ELEMENTS
EPOXIDES
FRACTURE MECHANICS
GRAPHITE
MATERIALS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MECHANICS
MICROSCOPY
MINERALS
MOLECULAR WEIGHT
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATION EFFECTS
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
TENSILE PROPERTIES
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
THERMODYNAMICS
TRANSITION TEMPERATURE