RELIABLE COMPOSITE SANDWICH STRUCTURES A SYNERGISTIC APPROACH

1Leonard Associates proposes to establish a Reliable Composite Sandwich Structure by synergistically combining the elements of the systems, i.e. face sheet, adhesive and core. This will include evaluating and testing alternative sandwich structure from the standpoint of weight, cost, producibility, and suitability. The goal is to recommend 2-3 combinations of face sheet, core and adhesive for Phase II Component testing which will meet or exceed the criteria for moisture and damage tolerance. The evaluation and testing process will center on two dominant problems: (1) moisture intrusion and retention and (2) low velocity impact damage. Leonard Associates will use a unique approach to characterizing core, face sheet, an adhesive separately to determine their tolerances before testinsg them in combination. By testinsg and evaluating individual performance, Leonard Associates will seek to discover the most effective synergistic combination to resist moisture ingression and absorption and maximize resistance to low velocity impact damage. Since much technical data on the materials is available through government and industry, only a minimum of coupon testing will be performed in Phase I. Leonard Associates will use an extensive group of supporting technical specialists available at L.A.I.