Bio-composites have gained significant attention within the aerospace industry due to their potential as a sustainable solution that addresses the demand for lightweight materials with reduced environmental impact. These materials blend natural fibers sourced from renewable origins, such as plant-based fibers, with polymer matrices to fabricate composite materials that exhibit desirable mechanical properties and environmental friendliness. The aerospace sector's growing interest in bio-composites originates from those composites’ capacity to mitigate the industry's carbon footprint and decrease dependence on finite resources. This study aims to investigate the suitability of utilizing plant derived flax fabric/PLA (polylactic acid) matrix-based bio-composites in aerospace applications, as well as the recyclability potential of these composites in the circular manufacturing economy.
Abstract: The present study discusses about the effect of installation torque on the surface and subsurface deformations for thin walled 7075 aluminum alloy used in Aerospace applications. A FE model was constructed to predict the effect of torque induced stresses on thin walled geometry followed with an experimentation. A detailed surface analysis was performed on 7075 aluminum in terms of superficial discontinuities, residual stresses, and grain deformations. The localized strain hardening resulting from increased dislocation density and its effect on surface microhardness was further studied using EBSD and micro indentation. The predicted surface level plastic strain of .25% was further validated with grain deformations measured using optical and scanning electron microscopy.
A typical high-pressure hose assembly consists of hose made with synthetic polymer braids and Teflon tube crimped with metallic fittings. These hose assemblies are mainly used for aircraft landing gear application considering its high-pressure sustenance and better flexibility. The proposed study investigates the effect of thermo-mechanical stress generated due to cyclic soaking and flexibility testing at thermostatic subzero (-65°F) and high temperature (+275°F) on performance of high-pressure hose assembly. This effect is further studied through hose tear-down which was envisioned to investigate the hose layer degradation and focused on changes in inner PTFE tube, which ultimately leads to product performance issues. Keywords: braids, tear down analysis, thermo-mechanical, inter-layer abrasion.
The present study discusses about the determination of the Seal drag force in the application where elastomeric seal is used with metallic interface in the presence of different fluids. An analytical model was constructed to predict the seal drag force and experimental test was performed to check the fidelity of the analytical model. A Design of Experiment (DoE) was utilized to perform experimental test considering different factors affecting the Seal drag force. Statistical tools such as Test for Equal Variances and One way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used to draw inferences for population based on samples tested in the DoE test. It was observed that Glycol based fluids lead to lubricant wash off resulting into increased seal drag force. Additionally, non-lubricated seals tend to show higher seal drag force as compared to lubricated seals. Keywords: Seal Drag, DoE, ANOVA
Abstract: Hydraulic systems in aircrafts largely comprise of metallic components with high strength to weight ratios which comprise of 2024 Aluminum and Titanium Ti-6AL-4V. The selection of material is based on low and high pressure applications respectively. For aircraft fluid conveyance products, hydraulic conduits are fabricated by axisymmetric turning to support flow conditions. The hydraulic conduits further carries groves within for placement of elastomeric sealing components. This article presents a systematic study carried out on common loads experienced by fluid carrying conduits and the failure modes induced. The critical failure locations on fluid carrying conduits of 2024-T351 Aluminum was identified, and the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis was carried out to identify the characteristic footprints of failure surfaces and crack initiation. Through this analysis, a load to failure mode correlation is established.
Aerospace structural components grapple with the pressing issue of high-cycle fatigue-induced micro-crack initiation, especially in high-performance alloys like Titanium and super alloys. These materials find critical use in aero-engine components, facing a challenging combination of thermo-mechanical loads and vibrations that lead to gradual dislocations and plastic strain accumulation around stress-concentrated areas. The consequential vibration or overload instances can trigger minor cracks from these plastic zones, often expanding unpredictably before detection during subsequent inspections, posing substantial risks. Effectively addressing this challenge demands the capability to anticipate the consequences of operational life and aging on these components. It necessitates assessing the likelihood of crack initiation due to observed in-flight vibration or overload events.
This specification covers a precipitation hardenable, corrosion- and heat-resistant nickel alloy in the form of seamless tubing 0.125 inch (3.18 mm) and over in nominal OD and 0.015 inch (0.38 mm) and over in nominal wall thickness.
This document covers the recommended practice for determining the acceptability of the dendrite arm spacing (DAS) of D357-T6 aluminum alloy castings required to have tensile strength not lower than 50 ksi (345 MPa).
This document covers all metal, self-locking wrenching nuts, plate nuts, shank nuts, and gang channel nuts made from a corrosion and heat resistant steel of the type identified under the Unified Numbering System as UNS S66286 and of 160 ksi tensile strength at room temperature, with maximum test temperature of parts at 1200 °F.
This procurement specification covers aircraft quality self-locking nuts for wrenching (hex, spline) and anchor (plate, gang channel, shank) types of nuts made from a corrosion and heat-resistant nickel-base alloy of the type identified under the Unified Numbering System as UNS N07001. Tension height nuts having overall length of threaded portion not less than 1.2 times the nominal thread diameter have 1210 MPa minimum tensile strength at room temperature. Shear height nuts having shorter threaded portion have 1100 MPa minimum tensile strength at room temperature. Maximum test temperature of parts is 730 °C.
This specification covers two types of virgin, unfilled polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in the form of molded rods, tubes, and shapes. This specification does not apply to product over 12 inches (305 mm) in length, rods under 0.750 inch (19.05 mm) in diameter, and tubes having wall thickness under 0.500 inch (12.70 mm).
This specification covers virgin, unfilled, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in the form of molded rods, tubes, and shapes. This specification does not apply to product over 12 inches (305 mm) in dimension parallel to the direction of applied molding pressure, rods under 0.750 inch (19.05 mm) in diameter, and tubes having wall thickness under 0.500 inch (12.70 mm).
This specification covers a magnesium alloy in the form of sheet and plate from 0.016 to 3.000 inches (0.41 to 76.20 mm), inclusive, in thickness (see 8.5).
This specification covers a magnesium alloy in the form of extruded bars, rods, wire, tubing, and profiles up to 40 square inches (258 cm2) in cross-sectional area (solids) and up to 8.5 inches (216 mm) OD by 1.188 inches (30.18 mm) wall thickness (tubing) (see 8.5).
This specification covers an aluminum alloy in the form of alclad sheet over 0.039 to 0.126 inches (0.99 to 3.20 mm), inclusive, in nominal thickness with a fine-grain core of ASTM No. 6 or finer (see 8.5).
This specification covers an aluminum alloy in the form of extruded rods, bars, and profiles (shapes) 0.040 to 1.500 inches (1.02 to 38.10 mm), inclusive, in thickness, and produced with maximum cross-sectional area of 23.25 square inches (15000 mm2) and a maximum circumscribing circle diameter (circle size) of 15.5 inches (394 mm) (see 2.4.1 and 8.6).
This specification covers a silicone (MQ/VMQ) elastomer that can be used to manufacture product in the form of sheet, strip, tubing, extrusions, and molded shapes. This specification should not be used for molded rings, compression seals, molded O-ring cord, and molded-in-place gaskets for aeronautical and aerospace applications.