Graphite polyimide fabrication research for supersonic cruise aircraft

Advanced fabrication processes and adhesive bonding methods have been developed for the fabrication of full scale fiberglass-polyimide honeycomb stiffened HTS-1 graphite/PMR-15 polyimide panels that meet the design criteria for an upper wing panel of the NASA YF-12 aircraft. Detailed manufacturing, bonding, and autoclave cure procedures are presented. Nondestructive test methods including pulse echo and through-transmission ultrasonic C-scan and laser holography were developed to detect flaws in components and the completed panels. Panels were tested in shear at room temperature and 533 K (500 F) following a variety of thermal exposures to obtain load, deflection and failure analysis data.