Long-term environmental effects and flight service evaluation of composite materials

Technical Report · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:6869461

Dexter, H B

Results of a NASA-Langley sponsored research program to establish the long term effects of realistic flight environments and ground based exposure on advanced composite materials are presented. The effects of moisture, ultraviolet radiation, aircraft fuels and fluids, sustained stress, and fatigue loading are reported. Residual strength and stiffness as a function of exposure time and exposure location are reported for seven different material systems after 10 years of worldwide outdoor exposure. Flight service results of over 300 composite components installed on rotorcraft and transport aircraft are included. Over 4 million total component flight hours were accumulated on various aircraft since initiation of flight service in 1973. Service performance, maintenance characteristics, and residual strength of numerous composite components installed on commercial and military aircraft are reported as a function of flight hours and years in service. Residual strength test results of graphite/epoxy spoilers with 10 years of worldwide service and over 28,000 flight hours are reported.

• Research Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Hampton, VA (USA). Langley Research Center
• OSTI ID: 6869461
• Report Number(s): N-87-17858; NASA-TM-89067; NAS-1.15:89067
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360604* -- Materials-- Corrosion
Erosion
& Degradation
CARBON
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTAL MINERALS
ELEMENTS
EPOXIDES
GRAPHITE
MATERIALS
MINERALS
MOISTURE
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RADIATIONS
SERVICE LIFE
STRESSES
TABLES
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION