Prediction and Measurement of Composite Tube Twist and Bending Due to Thermal Loading

摘要

Composite materials are applied in precision optical metering structures because of their low thermal expansion properties in concert with high specific stiffness. Twisting and bending of long composite tubes, such as the secondary mirror support structure for the JWST telescope, requires control and verification. A stochastic modeling method was applied that simulates the manufacturing process variability and estimates ranges for expected twist and bend over the tube length from ambient to cryogenic temperatures. A development strut for the JWST secondary mirror support structure was fabricated and a metrology system was designed and implemented that measured the bend and twist response from ambient to 30 K. Modeling methods and predictions are outlined. The test metrology and results are summarized, along with a comparison between test and prediction.