Non-Autoclave Materials for Large Composite Structures

TL;DRAbstract

Report developed under SBIR contract for topic BMDO 00-013. Launch vehicles for the Space Based Infrared System will include Titan Launch vehicles and the Air Force Space Operations Vehicle (SOV). Composite structures on the SOV (the military version of NASA's Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) will be too large to cure inside existing autoclaves. Electron Beam processing is one of the most promising approaches for out-of-autoclave composite curing and bonding. Recent technology demonstration programs have shown potential cost savings and the ability to make large parts using EB curing at low temperature. However, additional development of EB-cured materials is required to meet RLV and SOV mechanical and thermal design specifications. Science Research Laboratory and the University of Dayton Research Institute have formulated new EB-cured resins and composites and tested these materials at ambient temperature and in liquid nitrogen. The results show that the electron beam cured materials dev

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