Search Results for Epoxy

The crosslinked epoxy resin encapsulant protecting an electromagnetic valve coil failed during long-term storage and was examined to determine the cause. The investigation included fault-tree analysis, FTIR and EDX spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry with thermogravimetric analysis. Based on test data, the epoxy resin had not been properly cured and was hydrolyzed in its compromised state because of humidity. Hence, the depolymerized material gradually softened to the point where the effect of creep caused it to flow, ultimately causing the failure.

A graphite-epoxy tapered-box structure, which consisted of two honeycomb skin panels fastened to a spanwise spar with intermediate chordwise ribs, fractured during testing. Hinge-line deflection of the front spar was revealed. Through-thickness cracks in the forward and trailing edges of the compression-loading skin panel were revealed by nondestructive visual examination. A band of de-lamination between the areas of through-thickness skin fracture at the front and rear spar was revealed. A map of the local directions of crack propagation over the fracture surface was generated by the orientation of river patterns and resin microflow during microscopic examination of sectioned samples of the panel. It was discovered that crack initiation occurred at the periphery of a fastener hole located at the front spar. Propagation occurred chordwise across the compression-loaded skin panel. As a corrective measure, the fastener spacing was reduced to prevent the buckling mode that precipitated fracture.