Date of Award
5-2007
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Program
Engineering
Department
Mechanical Engineering
Major Professor
Verges, Melody
Second Advisor
Herrington, Paul
Third Advisor
Schilling, Paul
Abstract
The application of an ultralight linerless composite fuel tank to a man-rated, reusable launch vehicle requires greater understanding of the micro-fracture behavior which can lead to propellant permeation through the tank wall. Transverse matrix cracks in unidirectional wound, or placed, plies can provide a path for permeation of pressurized fluid if the cracks interlink from the interior to the exterior of the tank wall. Following research on an energy based fracture mechanics approach to composite microcracking, experiments in fatigue were run on IM7/977-2 cross-ply laminates. Using a modified Paris Law approach, microcracking fatigue data is presented over a wide range of applied cyclic stresses. This Paris Law plot shows an "A" value of 6.40x10-25 and a "B" value of 8.07 and provides a complete characterization of composite IM7/977-2 material's resistance to microcrack formation during fatigue loading.
Recommended Citation
Holt, Michael Dana, "Fatigue Microcracking of Composite Material IM7/977-2" (2007). University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. 1071.
https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/1071
Rights
The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.