SEDL / STP / STP797-EB / STP28536S

The Development of a Material Specification for 177°C (350°F) Curing Graphite/Epoxy Composites

Rogers, AK
Materials and Process Engineer, Senior Research Scientist, and Research Specialist, Lockheed-California Company, Burbank, Calif.

Tajima, YA
Materials and Process Engineer, Senior Research Scientist, and Research Specialist, Lockheed-California Company, Burbank, Calif.

Young, RC
Materials and Process Engineer, Senior Research Scientist, and Research Specialist, Lockheed-California Company, Burbank, Calif.

Pages: 14    Published: Jan 1983

Download this paper for $25 PDF (232K)          View License Agreement
Abstract

With the increasing use of graphite/epoxy materials in primary and secondary structures, it has become apparent that specifications which can assure material consistency are required. While numerous analytical methods have been developed for graphite/epoxy materials, their relation to processing behavior has not been established. The development of the new material specification involved the use of new analytical methods as well as the design of a batch acceptance processability laminate to determine the suitability of the batch for constructing a large laminate with a specified process cycle. Material acceptance or rejection is based on chemical composition and mechanical and physical properties, including viscosity profiles and performance of the processability laminate.