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Developments in elastic memory composite materials for spacecraft deployable structures

Publication ,  Conference
Tupper, M; Munshi, N; Beavers, F; Meink, T; Gall, K; Mikulas, M
Published in: IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings
January 1, 2001

Near-term and future spacecraft and satellites will require large ultra-lightweight structures and components that must be efficiently packaged for launch and reliably deployed on orbit. A new material technology called Elastic Memory Composite (EMC) materials, shows promise in meeting these needs. The EMC polymer matrix materials enable a fully cured composite structure or component to be deformed or folded for efficient packaging into a spacecraft or launch vehicle, then regain its original shape with no degradation or loss in mechanical or physical properties. A component using EMC materials is fabricated in its deployed, on orbit shape using conventional composite manufacturing processes. Then by heating the material and applying force this fully cured composite material can be folded or deformed for packaging. When cooled, it will retain the packaged shape indefinitely. When reheated the structure will regain its original shape with little or no external force. This packaging/deployment cycle is rev ersible. This paper reviews new developments in EMC materials technology including material properties, analytical and designs tools, testing and evaluation protocols, and new applications.

Duke Scholars

Published In

IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings

DOI

ISSN

1095-323X

Publication Date

January 1, 2001

Volume

5

Start / End Page

52541 / 52548
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
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MLA
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Tupper, M., Munshi, N., Beavers, F., Meink, T., Gall, K., & Mikulas, M. (2001). Developments in elastic memory composite materials for spacecraft deployable structures. In IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings (Vol. 5, pp. 52541–52548). https://doi.org/10.1109/AERO.2001.931215
Tupper, M., N. Munshi, F. Beavers, T. Meink, K. Gall, and M. Mikulas. “Developments in elastic memory composite materials for spacecraft deployable structures.” In IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings, 5:52541–48, 2001. https://doi.org/10.1109/AERO.2001.931215.
Tupper M, Munshi N, Beavers F, Meink T, Gall K, Mikulas M. Developments in elastic memory composite materials for spacecraft deployable structures. In: IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings. 2001. p. 52541–8.
Tupper, M., et al. “Developments in elastic memory composite materials for spacecraft deployable structures.” IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings, vol. 5, 2001, pp. 52541–48. Scopus, doi:10.1109/AERO.2001.931215.
Tupper M, Munshi N, Beavers F, Meink T, Gall K, Mikulas M. Developments in elastic memory composite materials for spacecraft deployable structures. IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings. 2001. p. 52541–52548.

Published In

IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings

DOI

ISSN

1095-323X

Publication Date

January 1, 2001

Volume

5

Start / End Page

52541 / 52548