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The design and manufacture of a graphite fiber reinforced poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) tetrahedron truss array
Author(s) -
Duthie A. C.,
Damon J.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.760310102
Subject(s) - peek , materials science , truss , composite material , ether , graphite , polyether ether ketone , thermoplastic , epoxy , composite number , tetrahedron , structural engineering , polymer , chemistry , organic chemistry , engineering , crystallography
Orbital space structures are required to be lightweight, have high specific stiffness, have near‐zero coefficient of thermal expansion, exhibit low outgassing, and be cost‐effective. Graphite‐reinforced thermoplastics have the potential to satisfy the criteria noted. However, prior to committing the materials to specific projects, technology demonstration and risk reduction is necessary. In order to demonstrate the application of fiber‐reinforced thermoplastic composites for truss structure applications, a graphite‐reinforced poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) composite tetrahedron truss array was designed and manufactured. The resulting structure clearly demonstrated that fiber‐reinforced thermoplastic composites are a viable alternative to epoxy composites for orbital structures.