Carbon fibre-reinforced plastic truss structures for satellite using braiding/resin transfer moulding process

Abstract

Surveillance satellites require dimensional stability against temperature variation since the performance of precision optical devices depends on dimensional stability. Dimensional stability can be improved by decreasing the linear thermal expansion of truss structural parts. In this study, a whole truss structure was produced, consisting of several structural units including joints made by using a braiding/resin transfer moulding (RTM) process. Our braiding technologies with a robotic mechanism are capable of braiding not only straight tubes but also divaricate configurations such as of tri-axial truss joints. Braided carbon fibre preforms were moulded using an RTM process with polycyanate resin in order to investigate the mechanical properties and coefficient of linear thermal expansion. Braided carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) truss joints and truss structures were produced as examples of aerospace applications by using the braiding/RTM process, in order to evaluate their mechanical properties and carry out structural testing. The modulus and stiffness of braided CFRP truss joints and truss structures were evaluated by comparison with aluminium (Al) and titanium (Ti) alloys. It was clarified that CFRP truss joints have superior specific mechanical and thermal properties as compared to the conventional materials such as Al and Ti alloys. The CFRP truss joint makes the truss structure construction lighter.

Structural Performance of a Hybrid FRP-Aluminum Modular Triangular Truss System Subjected to Various Loading Conditions

“…The construction materials of these triangular trusses are mainly wood, steel, or aluminum materials. In addition to these applications, the triangular-truss configuration is popularly applied in aerospace engineering, such as the supporting structure of antenna array [ 4 ], solar array [ 5 ], space station [ 6 ] and airship [ 7 – 10 ], and the antennas of satellite [ 11 , 12 ]. However, due to the critical weight control in aerospace engineering, their materials are mainly lightweight alloys or advance composite materials with high stiffness/strength-to-weight ratios.…”

Near-zero thermal expansivity 2-D lattice structures: Performance in terms of mass and mechanical properties

“…support structures in spacecraft [6]. Such structures are manufactured by welding or joining of straight rods or tubes to create larger structures [7] or by wire bending and brazing to make smaller truss core structures [8]. The emergence of new manufacturing processes, such as additive layer manufacturing (ALM), which may allow much more freedom in the design of the geometry of lattice structure components, offers potential for further performance improvement.…”

“…A satellite antenna usually consists of a large circular reflector and a supporting lattice (or scaffold). The dimensional stability of the antenna depends, in a large part, upon the lattice support's distortion, whereby antennae stability is maintained most effectively by decreasing the linear (circumferential) thermal expansion of the lattice [7]. Current solutions to thermal management, e.g.…”

Braiding procedure and axial compressive behaviors of three-dimensional integrated braided composite three-way circular tubes

“…However, there has been very little research reported on the multi-way braided composite. For example, Uozumi and Kito 17 shared a braiding technology with a robotic mechanism to prepare braided truss joints, while the connection region was formed by winding method. Yang et al, 18 Hong et al, 19 and Wu et al 20 analyzed the mechanical behavior of 3-D braided composite truss joints via experiment and finite element method.…”