Effect of Surface Contamination on Composite Bond Integrity and Durability
Sponsor- FAA
FIU has been developing a procedure to study the durability of adhesively bonded joints. This includes evaluating a variety of surface preparation techniques and their effect on long term bond durability. Both environmental conditioning and mechanical fatiguing of specimens is being conducted to advance bondline degredation.
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Mechanical fatigue fixture developed at FIU for adhesively bonded composite joint testing. |
Composite specimens conditioned in an environmental chamber prior to mechanical testing. |
Aerospace Composites Research Program
Sponsor – ARO
FIU is experimentally validating analytical methods to determine differences in surface preparation techniques of composites laminates prior to bonding. The methods utilized include a solid-state electrochemical sensor and atomic force microscopy. Adhesively bonded composite specimens are manufactured and mechanically tested to correlate the different preparation techniques with bond strength. Computational models are being developed that correlate with the experimental tests.
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Manufacturing of bonded composite specimens in an autoclave. |
Solid-state electrochemical sensor used to measure electrochemical activity of compsite surfaces. |
Atomic force microscopy image of composite laminate. |
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Mechanical testing of adhesively bonded composite specimen. |
Computational modeling of experimental fracture testing. |
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Chemical Process Alternatives for Radioactive Waste
Sponsor – DOE
FIU is actively involved in assisting DOE Site engineers with addressing technology gaps related to the transfer and disposition of radioactive waste. Applied research in this area has focused on technology evaluation, development and analysis.
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Rendering and prototype of a peristaltic crawler used for addressing pipeline plugging events. |
Structural analysis of a solid-liquid interface monitor for use in high-level waste tanks. |
