Mechanical Testing of PMCsunder Simulated Rapid Heat-Up Propulsion Environments(I. Temperature Measurement)

摘要

Carbon fiber thermoset polymer matrix composites (PMC) with high temperature PMR-II-50rnresin have been investigated as potential weight reduction replacements of various metallicrncomponents in next generation high performance propulsion rocket engines. Typically, theserncomponents with varying moisture content are exposed to rapid heat-up rates (up to ~200oF/sec)rnand to a maximum temperature of around 600oF. The intrinsic and transient mechanicalrnproperties as well as the hygrothermal performance of these materials under such extremernenvironments will be evaluated by (I) rapid heat-up and subsequent at-temperature mechanicalrntesting (RH-SAM) of both dry and wet specimens and (ii) residual properties determination atrnboth room and Tmax temperatures after various hygrothermal cycling exposures as a function ofrnthe heating rate up to 300°F/sec. In both approaches, the residual in-plane stiffness and strengthrnwill be measured in tension and compression and strength with Iosipescu shear tests, and used asrndesign guidelines. This paper identifies some of the important variables when monitoringrnmaterial temperature during mechanical testing when employing high heating rates.