Masters Theses

Abstract

"Clear transparent panels have many applications ranging from windows on an aircraft to protective safety guards on industrial equipment. Glass ribbon reinforced transparent composites are light weight, load bearing and have a high impact resistance.

A transparent composite is based on the concept of matching the refractive index of the glass ribbon with that of a resin system. It is not necessary that the resin refractive index match the glass refractive index before the cure cycle, only that the refractive indexes match after curing.

Transparent composites have a high impact resistance that would be mechanically ideal for aircraft windows and canopies. In the present synthesis of transparent composites, pre-impregnated tapes are used to manufacture parts using the autoclave process. The autoclave is a pressure vessel that has heaters and coolers to maintain a consistent temperature and pressure throughout the cure cycle. The cure cycle is comprised of a series of constant and varying temperature and pressure segments for specific time periods. The performance of the manufactured parts was demonstrated by conducting tensile, flexural and impact tests. The objective of this research is to manufacture a transparent panel that will have high impact resistance, be light in weight and be high in strength; not to sacrifice desirable characteristics to obtain an absolutely limpid panel. Future development of transparent composites will include the synthesis of curved shapes for aircraft canopies or helmets for astronauts"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Chandrashekhara, K.

Committee Member(s)

Schuman, Thomas P.
Showalter, William E.

Department(s)

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Aerospace Engineering

Publisher

University of Missouri--Rolla

Publication Date

2007

Pagination

ix, 38 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 36-37).

Rights

© 2007 Josef Patrick Seale, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Manufacturing processes
Autoclaves
Composite materials

Thesis Number

T 10638

Print OCLC #

922008354

Electronic OCLC #

922008476

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