Project Title:

Nondestructive Analysis of Graphite-Reinforced Materials

04.17-1167
911460
Nondestructive Analysis of Graphite-Reinforced Materials
Radiation Monitoring Devices, Inc.
44 Hunt Street
Watertown
MA
02172
Michael R.
Squillante
617-926-1167
LaRC
NAS1-19539
066

04.17-1167
911460

Abstract:

Non-Destructive Analysis of Graphite-Reinforced Materials
The advent of graphite-reinforced composites has led to major advances in aerospace
technology. Such composite materials are becoming essential to modern flight technology
due to their exceptionally high strength-to-weight ratios when compared to metals
and alloys. Many aircraft and rocket components are currently made from these new
materials and many new developments require their unique properties. The use of graphite-reinforced
materials (GRM) in aerospace applications has resulted in higher quality materials
to meet more demanding performance specifications. As a result, there is a requirement
for advances in non-destructive inspection equipment to provide accurate, real-time
composition analysis of these composites. Since the properties of these composites
are strongly dependent on the ratio of graphite filler to binding resin, a reliable
non-destructive technique for the determination of the resin to graphite ratio of
GRM in both prepreg and cured forms is essential. To ensure that GRM are suitably
made, a radiometric non-destructive instrument allowing the accurate determination
of resin constant in both prepreg and final composites will be developed. The instrument
will be useful not only for quality assurance but also for failure analysis of key
components and structures.
The graphite composite analyzer will find numerous applications in the manufacturing
of composites. It will not only improve component performance but will reduce the
manufacturing cost by reducing the number of rejected parts.
non-destructive testing, graphite, composites, radiography