Filament Wound External Volumes

In this proposed effort, GTL will leverage decades of experience to investigate filament winding techniques and how they affect laminate flaw creation and crush strength in external volume housings in submersible vehicles. There are several parameters in the filament winding process that can lead to flaw creation and premature buckling when these housings are loaded in compression. GTL will construct several of test articles using a variety of these parameters to assess their effect. GTL will also construct test articles using a novel approach that will provide up to 2 orders of magnitude in crush strength improvement and investigate their sensitivity to internal flaws. Non-destructive investigation, such as ultrasonic void detection, will be carried out on the samples followed by hydrostatic pressure testing. GTL will then compile the results into a best practices guide for the Navy. If the option portion of the effort is exercised, GTL will investigate the application of additional advanced composite manufacturing methods for housings for submersible external volumes.