Storage life of parachutes -- long time material degradation

Conference · Sat Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:48590

Ericksen, R H; Whinery, L D

This study considers the long-time storage of single-use nylon and Kevlar{reg_sign} parachutes. The authors present data from a 29-year-old nylon parachute, and nylon and Kevlar{reg_sign} test samples stored 14 years under ambient conditions in the absence of sunlight. They compare the results with existing predictions of parachute material degradation and other aging data. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses were preformed on Nylon and Kevlar{reg_sign} fabrics that were degraded by elevated temperature aging. The results suggest that this technique should be further examined as a {open_quotes}non-destructive{close_quotes} method of detecting degradation.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 48590
• Report Number(s): SAND-94-2373C; CONF-950550-1; ON: DE95009576; TRN: 95:003759
• Resource Relation: Conference: 13. aerodynamics decelerator systems technology conference, Clearwater, FL (United States), 15-19 May 1995; Other Information: PBD: [1995]
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
PARACHUTES
AGING
STORAGE LIFE
NYLON