kiyg-PortlandStateAerospaceSociety.docVIP

THE ELASTIC MODULUS OF FIBERGLASS AS MANUFACTURED BY THE PORTLAND STATE AEROSPACE SOCIETY Maggie Kubit Todd Morgan Catherine Mosher March 13th, 2001 Abstract The Portland State Aerospace Society (PSAS) will manufacture a fiberglass sheath for the purpose of stiffening and protecting a rocket airframe. The material properties of fiberglass composites depend heavily on the particular manufacturing process, as well as on the type of resin and fiberglass used. To closely predict the behavior of the fiberglass sheath under the stresses of the rocket’s flight with finite element software, the modulus of elasticity is required. The theoretically predicted elastic modulus, which depends on the volume ratio of fiber to epoxy, was calculated to be 2446 ksi. The experimental elastic modulus of the PSAS fiberglass was investigated by testing with an automated Instron tensile testing machine. From the five samples tested, the average experimental modulus of elasticity was found to be 1485 ksi. Introduction Fiberglass is a composite material consisting of glass fibers in a matrix of epoxy. The glass fibers as purchased are woven into cloth, which is categorized by weight per square yard, type of weave, and type of glass. There are several types of epoxy available. The mechanical properties of the fiberglass depend on the volume ratio of the two components as well as on the properties of the glass fiber component and the epoxy component individually [1]. Fiberglass similar to what is tested will be used as the outer skin of the rocket airframe. Its purpose will be to stabilize and protect the airframe by serving as a stiffening component. In addition, the smooth surface of the fiberglass will serve to reduce drag on the rocket during flight. The fiberglass skin will experience bending, compression and tension loads during the supersonic flight. To understand the effects of these loads, the skin will be modeled with finite element software, which requires the modulus o