Co-Cured Multi-Material Rod

AvTechTyee currently manufactures composite control rod and strut assemblies for aerospace applications. These products are typically manufactured from high modulus carbon fiber reinforced plastic (HM CFRP). Their current design includes a composite to metallic interface area, in which the carbon fiber material is in direct contact with titanium inserts. The conductivity of the metallic end fittings and the carbon fiber do not allow for electrical resistivity control in applications where that is a desirable property (i.e., lightning strike current guiding around fuel tanks). This student team worked to develop a co-cured multi-material composite rod to meet specific axial loading as well as electrical resistivity requirements. Initial thoughts are table rolled tubes using CF material at critical buckling and interface sections, and fiberglass or aramid fibers in non-critical sections to control resistivity. The outcomes this student team worked towards included: • Single or several standard design practices for interweaving multiple materials in single tube, including layup methods, interweaving geometries, curing profiles • Test data and reports – static/fatigue loading and resistive/lightning strike • Analysis methods for load and resistivity based on material and geometry inputs

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