SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1982
STP28475S

Mechanical Characteristics of T300-6K/V378A Graphite/Polyimide

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Mechanical characteristics of T300-6K/V378A, a new graphite-fiber-reinforced modified bismaleimide, have been determined. Tests were conducted on batches of material incorporating normal changes in resin and fiber constituent lots. Both fiber-dominated and resin-dominated properties were determined for dry and moisture-conditioned specimens. Investigations included 0-deg and 90-deg flex and tension tests, 0-deg compression, ±45 tension, and bolt-bearing properties. These typical properties show that this graphite/polyimide composite is structurally equivalent to graphite/epoxy for room-temperature dry conditions. However, humidity-conditioned graphite/polyimide has much better mechanical properties than graphite/epoxy at temperatures of 129°C (265°F) or above.

A review of these properties and a comparison with typical properties of graphite/epoxy are presented. The methods of testing are also reviewed, with particular attention to methods of environmental conditioning and testing of moisture-saturated specimens. For elevated temperature properties, these testing procedures involved use of special setups and apparatus to achieve rapid heating of the test section of each specimen. These procedures were required to ensure that the mechanical test specimens did not dry out prior to completion of the test.

Author Information

McKague, L
General Dynamics, Fort Worth, Tex.
Reynolds, JD
General Dynamics, Fort Worth, Tex.
Fruit, J
General Dynamics, Fort Worth, Tex.
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Details
Developed by Committee: D30
Pages: 73–84
DOI: 10.1520/STP28475S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-4849-9
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0695-6