SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1996
STP16537S

Characterization of Heat Damage in Graphite/Epoxy Composites

Source

Polymer-matrix composite materials are currently in use as structural components on aircraft. These composites may be subjected to heat damage during their service life. This damage can arise from a fire, engine exhaust, or a mishap during a composite repair. The high-temperature exposure times corresponding to these incidents are typically less than 5 min. When heat damage is severe, the damage can be detected using visual or ultrasonic techniques. However, there is a concern that moderate amounts of heat damage that cannot be detected with ultrasonic or visual inspection may cause a decrease in the physical or mechanical properties of the composite.

In this study, panels were damaged at a moderate temperature for exposure times of 1 to 5 min and at a high temperature for exposure times of 5 to 30 s. A full spectrum of undamaged, moderate, and severe heat damage was constructed from these exposures. The control and heat-exposed panels were characterized with visual inspection, ultrasonics, hardness, and flexural strength measurements. With the heat-exposed panels, reductions in properties occurred only in coupons that possessed delaminations that were detected by ultrasonics.

Author Information

Armstrong-Carroll, E
Naval Air Warfare Center, Warminster, PA
Mehrkam, PA
Naval Air Warfare Center, Warminster, PA
Cochran, R
Naval Air Warfare Center, Warminster, PA
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Details
Developed by Committee: D30
Pages: 37–55
DOI: 10.1520/STP16537S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5331-8
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-2404-2