The Superbus is taking shape: Manufacturing and assembly processes for the realisation of this new vehicle

The Superbus was introduced as one of the option for the Zuiderzeelijn : a fast connection between Amsterdam and Groningen and resulted to be the best option, the others being three different types of high speed train and the magnetic levitation train. In order evaluate the feasibility of its implementation, the Dutch Ministry of Transport and...

The static strenght of mechanically fastened carbon-epoxy joints without bending

The mechanical behaviour of mechanically fastened double lap carbon-epoxy joints has been investigated both by experiments (static tests) and by analysis. Several fastener types and joint geometries has been investigated. In the experimental programme the Fibredux 6376/T400H material was used. Two methods to analyze mechanically fastened...

Environmental fatigue crack propagation in metal/composite laminates

Flight simulation fatigue crack propagation tests with gust spectrum loading were carried out on 2024-T3/carbon-epoxy, 7475-T76l/carbon-epoxy and Ti-6Al-4V/carbon-epoxy laminates with nominal weight savings of -30% as compared to equivalent 2024-T3 panels. The performance of the 2024-T3/carbon-epoxy laminates was much superior to those of the...

Residual strength of kevlar-carbon/epoxy hybrid composite materials

Residual strength tests have been carried out on various Kevlar 49-Carbon epoxy laminate configurations consisting of a carbon/epoxy core with face sheets of Kevlar 49 fabric. The influence of fatigue loading of notched specimens on the residual strength was investigated.

Environmental fatigue crack propagation in metal/composite laminates: interim report no. 1

Plight simulation fatigue crack propagation tests with gust spectrum loading were carried out on 2024-T3/carbon-epoxy, 7475-T761/carbon-epoxy and Ti-6Al-4V/carbon-epoxy laminates with nominal weight savings of 30% as compared to equivalent 2024-T3 panels. The performance of the 2024-T3/ carbon-epoxy laminates was much superior to those of the...

Scanning electron microscopy of fracture surfaces of carton composite materials

A microscopic study has been performed on carbon composite fracture surfaces, using the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). It appears that the SEM is a useful tool to examine the fracture surface characteristics of composite materials failing under different loading conditions.