NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
LDEF results for polymer matrix composite experiment AO 180This report represents a summary of the results obtained to-date on a polymer matrix composite experiment (AO 180) located at station D-12, about 82 deg off the 'ram' direction. Different material systems comprised of graphite, boron, and aramid (Kevlar) fiber reinforcements were studied. Although previous results were presented on in-situ thermal-vacuum cycling effects, particularly dimensional changes associated with outgassing, additional comparative data will be shown from ground-based tests on control and flight samples. The system employed was fully automated for thermal-vacuum cycling using a laser interferometer for monitoring displacements. Erosion of all three classes of materials due to atomic oxygen (AO) will also be discussed, including angle of incidence effects. Data from this experiment will be compared to published results for similar materials in other LDEF experiments. Composite materials' erosion yields will be presented on an AO design nomogram useful for estimating total material loss for given exposure conditions in low Earth orbit (LEO). Optical properties of these materials will also be compared with control samples. A survey of the damage caused by micrometeoroids/debris impacts will be addressed as they relate to polymer matrix composites. Correlations between hole size and damage pattern will be given. Reference to a new nomogram for estimating the number distribution of micrometeoroid/debris impacts for a given space structure as a function of time in LEO will be addressed based on LDEF data.
Document ID
19920018045
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Tennyson, R. C.
(Toronto Univ. Ontario)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: NASA. Langley Research Center, Second LDEF Post-Retrieval Symposium Abstracts
Subject Category
Nonmetallic Materials
Accession Number
92N27288
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available