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Session 3226

Experimental Evaluation of Composite Laminates and Sandwich Structures in Undergraduate Laboratory Education

Swami Karunamoorthy, Hameed Hindi, Ben Humphrey Parks College of Saint Louis University

Abstract

Composite materials are increasing y used in many structural applications. These materials would be used in addition to or in place of conventional materials for various structural components in future. It is important to give “hands on” experience in composites to the present day engineering and technology students. In order to prepare them for engineering challenges of future, there is a need for undergraduate laboratory education in manufacturing and testing of fiber composite materials. An emphasis is given in this paper to incorporate some applications of composites in an innovative way to undergraduate students. The experience shows that this is a viable and inexpensive approach to complement the education on composite materials.

Introduction

Applications of fiber composite materials and sandwich structures are significant in the design and manufacturing of aerospace vehicles. The maintenance of such vehicles require the knowledge of repair and testing. While understanding the mechanics of composite materials is important, a laboratory component is essential for well rounded education in composite materials. The existing facilities in a conventional structures laboratory can be readily used for testing and evaluation of mechanical properties of the material. However, manufacturing the test specimen is rather cumbersome and expensive depending on the desired quality of the products.

A modem laboratory for producing composite materials and structural components would require an autoclave, hot bonders, heat blankets, vacuum press, temperature controlled oven with vacuum facility, water- jet cutting tool and other sophisticated equipments. However, these equipments are very expensive and unaffordable to most of the academic institutions and beyond the reach for undergraduate laboratory. An innovative method has been recommended for manufacturing that is inexpensive and affordable to a typical composite laboratory for undergraduate students.

An emphasis is given in this paper to, (i) simple methods in manufacturing of composite laminates and sandwich structures, (ii) acid digestion test, (iii) tension test, (iv) bending test, and (v) vibration test.

{tixij 1996 ASEE Annual Conference Proceedings ‘.,+,HJ3J

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Hindi, H., & Humphrey, B., & Karunamoorthy, S. (1996, June), Experimental Evaluation Of Composite Laminates And Sandwich Structures In Undergraduate Laboratory Education Paper presented at 1996 Annual Conference, Washington, District of Columbia. 10.18260/1-2--6048