Low Temperature Structural Tests of a Composite Wing with Room Temperature-Curing Adhesive Bond

Abstract

This paper presents low temperature structural tests of a UAV wing which has room temperature-curing adhesive bond. The wing structure is made of carbon fiber reinforced composites, and the skins are bonded to the inner structures (such as ribs and spars) using room temperature-curing adhesive bond. Also, to verify damage tolerance design of the wing structure, barely visible impact damages are intentionally created in the critical areas. The attachment fittings of the wing are fixed in a specially designed chamber which can simulate the low temperature environments of the operating altitudes. The test load is applied by hydraulic actuators which are placed outside the chamber. The structural tests consist of strain survey tests and a durability test for 1-life fatigue load spectrum. During the tests, strains of major parts are measured by strain gauges and FBG sensors. The change of the initial impact damages is also monitored using piezoelectric sensors. The 1-life damage tolerance of the composite structure is verified by the structural tests under the simulated environments.