Nowadays scientific researchers aim to develop new material designs for space structures that can withstand the harsh conditions in space environment. Another goal is to reduce the weight and the launching cost of the structures. A solution to those needs is to integrate fiber reinforced polymers in spacecraft structural components. Radiation shielding is a requirement that has to be met by the materials used to manufacture space structures. Protons are one of the many charged particles that can influence the integrity of materials in space. In the present study three material designs were developed and their ability to shield proton beam irradiation was evaluated. The material designs consist in advanced composite materials (carbon fiber reinforced polymers - CFRPs) that integrate the concept Low Z - High Z - Low Z (tantalum foil) and metallic coatings. Simulations were performed to determine the penetration depth of an ion beam (energy 15 MeV) in the proposed material designs. It was observed that the beam�s penetration depth through a CFRP sample with Ta foil (sample�s thickness 2.08 mm) was about 75% of the sample�s thickness, 58% for CFRP sample with Babbitt coating (sample�s thickness 2.28 mm), 56% for the CFRP sample with Zn coating (sample�s thickness 2.28 mm) and 55% for the CFRP sample with Zn/Monel coating (sample�s thickness 2.28 mm). It seems that the proposed material designs provide ion beam protection similar with an aluminum sample of 2 mm thickness. The experimental procedure confirmed the results obtained from the simulations, all the material designs providing protection in case of proton beam irradiation with an energy of 15.8 MeV.
Thermal sprayed Mo coatings deposited on steel support deposited by electric arc and atmospheric plasma spray were investigated. Microstructural investigation of the coatings showed that in both variants the splats formed by rapid solidification and splashing during the impact with the substrate have irregular shape, exhibit cracks and scattered debris. The measured average equivalent diameter of the splats and the calculated average diameter of the particles that generated the splats are higher for electric arc spraying. Using the measured and calculated data it was descibed the relathionship between splats diameter, splats thickness and flattening degree. Some intrinsec properties of the coatings as roughness, hardness and bond strength were measured. All these properties are influenced by the splat size. Lower size of the splats lead to reduced surface roughness, higher hardness and higher bond strength of the coatings.
Influence of humid aging on tensile properties of two polymeric composites was studied. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the suitability of the materials for a naval helicopter external fuel tank. Due to the application, the humid environment was kerosene and saline solution to evaluate the sea water effect on the composite tensile strength. The composite samples were immersed in kerosene for 168 hours, respective 1752 hours and in saline solution for 168 hours. Tensile tests were performed after the immersion. The composite sample tensile tests showed that kerosene and saline solution had no influence on the elastic modulus of the materials, but it was observed a slight improvement of the tensile strength of the two polymeric composites.
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