Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) Material Test Results for the Capillary Flow Experiments (CFE)

In support of the Capillary Flow Experiments (CFE) program, several polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) flight vessels were constructed. Some vessels used a multipiece design, which was chemically welded together. Due to questions regarding the effects of the experiment fluid (silicone oil) on the weld integrity, a series of tests were conducted to provide evidence of the adequacy of the current vessel design. Tensile tests were conducted on PMMA samples that were both in the as-received condition, and also aged in air or oil for up to 8 weeks. Both welded and unwelded samples were examined. Fracture of the joints was studied using notched tensile specimens and Brazilian disk tests. Results showed that aging had no effect on tensile properties. While the welded samples were weaker than the base parent material, the weld strength was found to be further degraded by bubbles in the weld zone. Finally a fracture analysis using the worst-case fracture conditions of the vessel was performed, and the vessel design was found to have a factor of three safety margin.