Tuesday  |  Virtual Track 1  |  09:00 AM–09:12 AM

#11609, High Strain Rate Testing of Composite Materials at Ultrahigh Temperatures

Carbon-carbon is a composite material suitable for high temperature structural and thermal protection applications such as those present in hypersonic environments. The difficulty with qualifying material suitability for use in hypersonic environments is the complex loading state, which often includes both high strain rates and temperatures approaching 4000°F (2200°C). Split-Hopkinson pressure bars have become the established testing apparatus for testing materials at high strain rates; however, traditional bar materials of split-Hopkinson bars, such as steel or aluminum are unsuitable for testing materials at the high temperatures present in hypersonic environments. This paper outlines the qualification of a tungsten Hopkinson bar at Southwest Research Institute to allow for the testing of carbon-carbon composite materials tested at temperatures up to 4000°F, which is representative of temperatures present in a hypersonic environment. Additionally, carbon-carbon composite specimens are tested within the modified Split-Hopkinson pressure bar at both room and hypersonic temperatures. The response of the specimens at different temperatures are compared, allowing for the temperature dependent response of the material to be determined from room temperature up to 4000°F.

Drew Hackney   Southwest Research Institute
Sidney Chocron   Southwest Research Institute
Nicholas Mueschke   Southwest Research Institute
Art Nicholls   Southwest Research Institute