Carbon Fiber Reinforced Glass Matrix Composites for Satellite Applications

Abstract : The development of carbon fiber reinforced glass and glass-ceramic matrix composites for satellite applications is described. A variety of carbon fibers (HMU, P-100, FT700, K110OX) have been used to reinforce borosilicate glass and BMAS glass-ceramics to create high performance composite materials useful for structural applications in space. Fundamental material properties that are described in this report include tensile and compressive stress-strain behavior, tensile and compressive fatigue behavior, effect of fiber orientation on tensile strength and elastic modulus, notch sensitivity, high temperature strength characteristics, thermal expansion behavior, thermal conductivity characteristics, and space environmental durability. Also included is a section describing methods that have been developed for improving the tensile proportional limit in these materials as well as a section describing the application of hot isostatic pressing for the fabrication of structural components such as thin-walled tubes and angle brackets. The final section describes two satellite applications that have been identified for carbon fiber reinforced glass composites specifically tubes for satellite truss structures and radiator fins for space power applications.