ISSN: 0884-6804
Page Count: 7

Development of SiC Reinforced Titanium Corrugated Structures
Chang, DJ
Department head and research scientist, Materials Sciences Laboratory, The Aerospace Corporation, CA

Kao, WH
Department head and research scientist, Materials Sciences Laboratory, The Aerospace Corporation, CA

Abstract

Silicon carbide (SiC) reinforced Ti-6Al-4V (SiC/Ti-6Al-4V) composite was used to fabricate unidirectional corrugated structural panels. Corrugated structural panels are more efficient than honeycomb sandwich panels under normal (aerodynamic) compressive loading at high load levels that permit relatively thin skins to carry high skin stresses. Elevated temperature compression tests were conducted on the corrugated panels. The results indicated that the load carrying capacity of the SiC/Ti-6Al-4V composite panel was substantially higher than that of the baseline Ti-6Al-4V structure, especially at temperatures above 538°C (1000°F), where titanium alloy properties rapidly degrade. A finite-element stress analysis was also performed to estimate the thermal stress and the mechanical stress at assumed service conditions with three different face sheet thicknesses. The results of the study indicate that the corrugated panel, consisting of SiC/Ti-6Al-4V face sheets and core, can be used for space applications where elevated temperature compressive loads caused by bending moments are critical, such as for the body structure of a reentry vehicle.

Keywords:
composites, SiC, titanium, corrugation, stress analysis

Paper ID: CTR10129J
DOI: 10.1520/CTR10129J
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