J. Baur, Wright-Patterson AFB, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
Traditionally, materials for aircraft and satellites structures were high-performance metals, ceramics, or polymer matrix composites (PMCs). Occasionally, these were combined at the structural level to form hybrid structures. However, spatially varying materials in order to place the right properties at the right location has the potential to avoid previous trade-offs in properties and create a new generation of structural hybrids materials. While the full promise of these materials has yet to be realized, many of the improved property trade-offs include combinations of the high specific stiffness of PMCs, electrical and thermal conductivity of metals, and high temperature and oxidative durability of ceramic materials. An example application that might benefit from such hybrid concepts is a structure that is exposed to an extreme environment of temperature, oxidation, or impinging energy on one side, but has milder conditions on the other. Due to the spatial variation in conditions, there are weight and durability benefits over simply using a single material selection based on the most stringent requirement. Hybrid solutions also become important in optimizing multiple structural functions in such applications as embedded antennae, apertures, and structurally integrated devices. Even more futuristic concepts such as shape change, electromagnetic tailoring, and active thermal management seek to integrate disparate classes of materials into spatially varied, multi-scaled and bio-inspired designs that enable adaptive functions. Fundamental understanding of each component and their interfacial properties is needed. In the case of adaptive hybrids, the structure will have both spatially and time-variant properties. To accomplish this vision of hybrids structures, an integrated experimental and modeling program which looks across multiple length scales and engages activities across industry and academia is required. In this presentation, we will review the Air Force’s progress towards that goal and provide a roadmap of future direction and plans for this relatively new AFRL/RX Branch.
Summary: A vision of hybrid structures will be presented. To accomplish this vision of hybrids structures, an integrated experimental and modeling program which looks across multiple length scales and engages activities across industry and academia is required. In this presentation, we will review the Air Force’s progress towards that goal and provide a roadmap of future direction and plans for this relatively new AFRL/RX Branch.
