TAILORED COEFFICIENT OF THERMAL EXPANSION OF COMPOSITE LAMINATES USING FIBER STEERING

摘要

Provided are assemblies, each including a first structure having a uniform coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and a second composite structure having a variable CTE. Also provided are methods of forming such assemblies. The second structure has overlap, transition, and baseline regions. The overlap region directly interfaces the first structure and has a CTE comparable to that of the first structure. The baseline region is away from the first structure and has a different CTE. Each of these CTEs may be uniform in its respective region. The transition region may interconnect the baseline and overlap regions and may have gradual CTE change from one end to the other. The CTE variation with the second composite structure may be achieved by changing fiber angles in at least one ply extending through all three regions. For example, any of the plies may be subjected to fiber steering.

主权项

1. An assembly comprising:
a first structure having a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE),
wherein the first CTE is substantially uniform throughout an entire volume the first structure; and a second structure formed from a composite material comprising a first fiber ply and a second fiber ply,
wherein the first fiber ply and the second fiber ply continuously extend through an overlap region, a transition region, and a baseline region of the second structure,wherein the overlap region interfaces with the first structure,wherein the baseline region is positioned away from the first structure,wherein the transition region interconnects the overlap regions and the baseline regions, andwherein a first fiber angle in the overlap region in the first fiber ply is different from a second fiber angle in the baseline region in the first fiber ply such that
the overlap region of the second structure has a second CTE substantially matching the first CTE andthe baseline region of the second structure has a third CTE substantially different from the second CTE and the first CTE.