Title: Recent Advances in the Production and Application of Stretch Broken Carbon Fiber Composites

Authors: Chris Ridgard, Dr. Doug Cairns

DOI: 10.33599/nasampe/c.24.0363

Abstract: Recent progress in the development, producibility and application of stretch broken carbon fiber (SBCF) composites at Montana State University under US Army funding is described. New, more capable stretch breaking equipment in a new pilot plant has been developed and commissioned to demonstrate the producibility of the stretch broken fiber products on a significantly larger scale than attempted previously and with improved formability compared with the achievements of prior programs. The capability of the material to form unidirectional prepreg tapes into complex shapes has been demonstrated experimentally, along with the required cure cycles etc. and other metrics. An ultimate goal of the program is the production of demonstration parts representative of real aircraft structures and suitable suggestions from and collaboration with parts manufacturers are being pursued. In addition to initially focusing on vacuum bag and autoclave curing, other process such as press molding using matched metal tooling are also being evaluated. The materials selected for the initial phases of the program include Hexcel IM7 carbon fiber and both Hexcel 8552 and Solvay 977-3 resins as these materials are widely used in continuous, non-stretch broken carbon fiber aircraft structure. Industries other than military aerospace are also potential users of the technology and other fibers and resins will be introduced for such applications as required by end users.

References: 1. Mohamed G. Abdallah, Niel W. Hansen, Guenther Jacobsen, Hexcel Corporation Development of Stretch Broken Carbon Fiber Materials, SAMPE 2005, Long Beach, CA, May 3rd 2005 2. Stanley J. Ng and Raymond J. Meilunas, Aerospace Materials Division, Navair, Mohamad G. Abdulla, Hexcel Corporation, Stretched Broken Carbon Fiber (SBCF) for Forming Complex Curved Composite Structures, SAMPE 2006 3. Jacobsen, Gunther, Hexcel Corporation, Mechanical Performance Characterization of Stretch Broken Carbon Fiber, SAMPE 2010 4. Keejoo Lee and Sung W. Lee, University of Maryland, Stan Ng. NAVAIR, Micromechanical Modeling of Stretch Broken Carbon Fiber Materials, Journal of Composite Materials, vol. 42, no. 11, pp. 1063-1073, July 2008. 5. Ridgard, Chris, Cairns, Doug S., Booth, Eric, Advances in the Development of Stretch Broken Carbon Fiber for Primary Aircraft Structure, SAMPE/CAMX 2022, Tuesday 10/18/2022 6. Amendola, Roberta; Ryan, Cecily; Bajwa, Dilpreet; Cairns, Doug; Ridgard, Chris; Montana State University, Stretch Broken Carbon Fiber (SBCF) for primary aircraft], SAMPE/CAMX Education Session, SAMPE 2024 San Diego, September 2024

Conference: CAMX 2024 | San Diego CA

Publication Date: 2024/9/9

SKU: TP24-0000000363

Pages: 13

Price: $26.00