SIMPLIFYING CERTIFICATION OF DISCONTINUOUS COMPOSITE MATERIAL FORMS FOR PRIMARY AIRCRAFT STRUCTURES

摘要

Discontinuous Fiber Composite (DFC) parts produced using compression molding are being implemented in complex structural geometries in new generation commercial aircraft. However, structural analysis of DFC parts is a challenge since DFC materials do not behave like traditional composites nor like isotropic materials. This paper presents some initial results related to the behavior of HexMC~?, a proprietary DFC system produced by the Hexcel Corporation. Flat test panels were produced using compression molding and used to study the effects of material flow on material behavior. The results of optical microscopy inspections and tensile testing are described and discussed.