Effect of vacuum and temperature on the mechanical properties of an aramid/epoxy composite

Journal Article · · Compos. Technol. Rev.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6650147

Hahn, H T; Chin, W K

The mechanical properties of a Kevlar 49/epoxy composite intended for flywheel applications are investigated in the laboratory and simulated service environments. The filament-wound composites were preconditioned in the test environment for 1-5 months, during which weight change was monitored, then subjected to tensile and fatigue tests at room temperature or 75 deg in vacuum. A weight loss of only 1.63% is observed after 11 months in the simulated service environment, most of which is attributed to moisture desorbed in vacuum. In contrast to air at 75 C, the simulated service environment is also found to produce no deleterious effects on static and fatigue strengths, probably to moisture desorption and a lack of oxidation. A fatigue life of about 100,000 cycles for 95% survival proability is obtained at 70% of the average static strength, and the macroscopic failure mode, which results in a brush-like formation, is observed to be independent of the type of loading and preconditioning. It is concluded that an environment of 75 C in vacuum is no deterrent to the application of the composite in flywheels, however the possibility of increasing service temperature to 150 C should be investigated.

• Research Organization: Washington University, St. Louis, MO
• OSTI ID: 6650147
• Journal Information: Compos. Technol. Rev.; (United States), Journal Name: Compos. Technol. Rev.; (United States) Vol. 3; ISSN CMTRD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
250500 -- Energy Storage-- Flywheels
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360303* -- Composite Materials-- Mechanical Properties-- (-1987)
ARAMIDS
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
EPOXIDES
FAILURE MODE ANALYSIS
FILAMENTS
FLYWHEELS
MATERIALS
MECHANICAL ENERGY STORAGE EQUIPMENT
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MEDIUM TEMPERATURE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PLASTICS
POLYMERS
RESINS
SERVICE LIFE
SIMULATION
SYNTHETIC MATERIALS
SYSTEM FAILURE ANALYSIS
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS