Title: Technical Note: New structural materials for space applications

Authors: D.C.G. Eaton, A. Pradier, M. Lambert

Addresses: Structures and Mechanisms Division, Mechanical Systems Department, ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands. ' Structures and Mechanisms Division, Mechanical Systems Department, ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands. ' Structures and Mechanisms Division, Mechanical Systems Department, ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands

Abstract: During the early evolution of the aeroplane, extensive use was made of wooden constructions relying on what might be termed a |natural| composite material, including the familiar plywood form of construction. The greater strength, stiffness and fracture resistance of metals (for a given mass) eventually led to the replacement of wood with metal constructions, particularly those exploiting aluminium alloys. This, in turn, led to the development of the so-called |light alloys| that are now used extensively in the construction of space vehicles. More recently, fibreglass composites have also come to be widely used in the construction of lightly-loaded structural components and, because of their good dielectric properties, for the first generation of space antennas. In the last ten years, the use of these now |conventional| materials has been increasingly challenged by the emergence of new composite materials with potentially better specific-strength and stiffness properties.

Keywords: structural materials; space applications; composite materials; composites; thermoplastics; metal-matrix composites; MMC; high-temperature materials; thermosets; ceramics.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.1991.036671

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 1991 Vol.6 No.1, pp.68 - 80

Published online: 05 Nov 2010 *

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