Journal of Technol ogy and Exploitation ISSN 2451-148X

in Mec hanical Engi neering Available online at:

Vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 1–8, 2019 http://jteme.pl

Research article

MODERN LAMINATE COMPOSITE DESIGNED FOR AIRCRAFT CONSTRUCTION

Izabela Korzec1✉ , Jacek Czarnigowski2, Tomasz Łusiak3, Daniel Rękas4, Mateusz Marciniak5, Kamil
Komajda6

1✉
mgr inż. Izabela Korzec: Politechnika Lubelska, Wydział Mechaniczny, Nadbystrzycka 36, 20-618 Lublin,
Polska, e-mail: [email protected]
2
dr hab. inż. Jacek Czarnigowski, prof. PL: Politechnika Lubelska, Wydział Mechaniczny, Katedra
Termodynamiki Mechaniki Płynów i Napędów Lotniczych, Nadbystrzycka 36, 20-618 Lublin, Polska, e-mail:
[email protected]
3
dr inż. Tomasz Łusiak: Lotnicza Akademia Wojskowa, Wydział Lotnictwa, Katedra Płatowca i Silnika, Dywizjonu
303, 08-521 Dęblin, Polska, , e-mail: [email protected]
4
mgr inż. Daniel Rękas: Politechnika Lubelska, Wydział Mechaniczny, Nadbystrzycka 36, 20-618 Lublin, Polska,
e-mail:[email protected]
5
mgr inż. Mateusz Marciniak : Politechnika Lubelska, Wydział Mechaniczny, Nadbystrzycka 36, 20-618 Lublin,
Polska, e-mail:[email protected]
6
mgr inż. Kamil Komajda: Politechnika Lubelska, Wydział Mechaniczny, Nadbystrzycka 36, 20-618 Lublin,
Polska, e-mail:[email protected]

Submitted: 2019-Sep-06 / Accepted: 2019-mm-dd/ Published: 2019-mm-dd

ABSTRACT
The article presents modern laminate composites designed for aircraft structural elements based on ECC e461
symmetric fabric and Interglas 02037 symmetric fabric with MGS L285/H285 resin. These composites differ in
the weave used and the type of fabric. The article presents basic strength parameters of the composite
obtained as a result of stand tests. The results of compressive strength tests of the material samples are
presented. It was shown that the weave of the fabric significantly affects the strength parameters of the
composite. The change of the weave caused the increase in strength by more than 65%. The possibilities of
application of this material on selected structural elements of aircraft such as: propeller blade plating, masts,
shavings, pylons.
KEYWORDS: Compressive stress tests, hand lamination, symmetrical fabrics ECC e461, Interglas 02037 resin.

1. Introduction
Aircraft structures in their construction use materials characterized by high strength and low
weight. The main materials doing these requirements are aluminium alloys, titanium alloys and
composite materials. Today, composite materials take over from aluminium alloys a key position in
the aerospace industry. This is because composite materials have the best strength-to-weight ratio
[2,5,7]. Composite materials commonly used in aircraft are based on a matrix made of: glass fibre,
carbon fibre, fibre-reinforced matrix systems or any combination of them [9,11]. These materials
were used, among others, in the production of rotor blades, load-bearing elements of the airframe
structure, hulls, shields, etc. The materials were also used in the production of the rotor blades. [1,4].
Composite materials are defined as materials having in their structure at least two components
of different composition [6,3]: the first is the carrier material (e.g. carbon fibre, glass fibre, etc.) and
the second is the bonding material (e.g. resin). The load-bearing material is primarily responsible for
the strength parameters, but in most cases it shows high anisotropy [4]. This feature can be used to
compose the directional strength of the composite material by arranging the matrix in selected
directions in accordance with the load of the structure. Composites also have great possibilities to
create structures having the required strength properties obtained by selecting appropriate
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components of the basic material, their mutual arrangement and the manner of their execution [8,3].
However, the manufacture and use in industry requires gaining knowledge about the influence of
particular components and methods of manufacture on the final properties of the composite [4,10].
This is particularly important when new constituent materials appear. An example of such a material
are symmetric ECC e461 and Interglas 02037 fabrics, which have lower tendency to creep and better
mechanical properties than standard fabrics based on glass fibres [2,4,6]. The paper presents the
results of compressive strength tests of a new composite material carried out with the use of manual
lamination method based on the above fabrics.

2. Description of the research

2.1. Object of research
The object of research were composites based on symmetric fabric ECC e461 and symmetric
fabric Interglas 02037 with resin MGS L285/H285 in different weave (0/+90 and +/- 45°). The basic
technical parameters of the fabrics were described in Table 1. They were laminated manually in the
form of a single plate and hardened under a pressure plate in a vacuum bag with -0.9 atm. After
curing, they were heated for 8 hours at 60°C. Samples were cut from the plates to the dimensions
required by the standard and then glass-epoxy composite covers were glued in, which protects the
ends against crushing in the clamps of the testing machine. The specimens were 3 mm thick, 10 mm
wide and 25 mm long, in accordance with ASTM D3410. Four batches of 5 specimens were made in
each set.

Fig.1 Composite samples before tests

The samples differed in the weave and the type of fabric used. Properly done:
(a) eight layers of ECC e461 symmetric fabric with MGS L285/H285 resin, using plain
weave (0/+90°) - samples from 51 to 55;
(b) eight layers of ECC e461 symmetric fabric with MGS L285/H285 resin, using +/-
45° weave - specimens from 61 to 65;
c) eight layers of reinforcement in the form of Interglas 02037 symmetrical fabric
with MGS L285/H285 resin arranged in the direction 0/+90° - samples marked 111-115;
d) eight layers of reinforcement in the form of Interglas 02037 symmetrical fabric
with MGS L285/H285 resin arranged in the +/-45° direction - samples marked 121-125.

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Table 1. Material data for synthetic fabric ECC e461 and Interglas 02037

Symmetrical fabric Interglas symmetrical

Parameter
ECC e461 fabric 02037
Textile sheet density
80 47.5
[g/m2]
Thickness [mm] 0.19 0.22
Tensilestrength[MPa] 117 42
Bendingstrength[MPa
197 88
]
Compressivestrength[
147 156
MPa]
quickly saturated with quickly saturated with
Features polyester and epoxy polyester and epoxy
resins vinylester resins

2.2. Research place

Testing was performed on Instron 4485 press from ZwickRoell - Figure 2.

Figure 2. Instron 4485 ZwickRoell Test

The Instron press is an electro-mechanical device that allows for strength testing - Table 2. The
tests are performed at a constant rate of deformation. Tensile and compression tests are recorded in
an acquisition system that records both the degree of elongation/shortening and the force. The
machine can be used to adjust the values of the following factors: force, elongation/shortening, time
factor.

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Table 2. Instron 4485 pressparameters [12]

PARAMETERS OF THE PRESS INSTRON 4485

Maximum load 200 kN
Workingspeed 0,01- 1500 mm/min
Workingspace podwójna
+
Measurementaccuracy −0,5 %
Reductionmeasurements do 40 mm
Initialsamplelength 10 – 100 mm
Additionalinformation possibility of examining round and flat
samples

2.3. Aim and scope of the research

The aim of the research was to analyze the influence of composite structure and matrix
material on the compressive strength of the obtained composite. The destructive tests were carried
out on 4 batches of 5 pieces each, registering the change of load and deformation during
compression. The scope of tests included 4 batches of different samples. The compression test was
used to determine the stress-deformation characteristic, which allows to estimate the values of
stresses that can damage or destroy the material.
3. The results of the tests
The results of the research are presented below. The dependence of the compressive force on
the deformation for individual batches of samples is presented. Then, in the form of a table, the
determined destructive stresses and the degree of strain during the destruction are presented.
Figure 3 shows the results of the 51-55 test specimens made of composite laminate with MGS
L285/H285 resin reinforced with ECC e46 symmetrical fabric with 0/90° weave to the axis of the
specimen. The maximum force under load is 4.6 to 4.93 kN, which corresponds to a compression
strength of 138 to 143 MPa - Table 3. It ranged from 1.4 to 2.6 mm, which corresponds to a relative
shortening of 5.6 to 10.4% - 8.3% on average. It should be noted that the compression process is
characteristic of plastic materials with conventional yield strength. This limit occurs at loads ranging
from 2.0 to 3.2 kN, which corresponds to a stress of 66 to 106 MPa. The compressive strength of the
tested composite laminate is: Rc = 143 ± 3.4 MPa.

Figure 3. The dependence of the compressive force to the shortening of the relative composite laminate
reinforced with the symmetrical fabric ECC e461, weave 0 /90°.

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Table 3. Results of strength analysis for composite samples reinforced with symmetrical fabric ECC e461, weave 0 /90°.
Number Destructive force Compressive strength Absolute shortness Relative
F [kN] Rc [MPa] s[mm] shortness
Δl[%]
51 4,672 141 1,40 5,6
52 4,807 145 2,10 8,4
53 4,928 145 2,25 9,0
54 4,813 148 2,05 8,2
55 4,592 138 2,60 10.4
Average: 4,7626 143,3 2,08 8,3

Figure 4 shows the results of testing 61 - 65 samples of composite laminate with MGS
L285/H285 resin reinforced with ECC e461 symmetrical fabric with +/-45° weave. It can be observed
that the absolute reduction was comparable for all samples and ranged from 1.55 - 1.85 mm, it means
6.2 - 7.4 % (mean 6.7%). The maximum compression force is over 20N, which corresponds to 468
MPa. Attention should be paid to the change in the shape of the characteristic curve. Damage to the
specimen occurs at the highest load force and therefore the behaviour characteristic of brittle materials
is present here. The compression strength ranges from 389 to 468 MPa - Table 4. The compression
strength of the tested composite laminate is as follows Rc = 423 ± 26.6 MPa.

Figure 4. The dependence of the compressive force to the shortening of the relative composite laminate reinforced
with the symmetrical fabric ECC e461, weave +/-45°.

Table 4. Results of strength analysis for composite samples reinforced with symmetrical fabric ECC e461, weave +/-45°.
Number Destructive force Compressive strength Absolute shortness Relative
F [kN] Rc [MPa] s[mm] shortness
Δl[%]
61 17,714 389 1,85 7,4
62 18,740 431 1,60 6,4
63 19,060 420 1,65 6,6
64 18,229 405 1,75 7,0
65 21,380 468 1,55 6,2
Average: 19,0245 422,5 1,68 6,7

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Figure 5 shows the results of the tests of the samples of 111-115 specimens. The samples were
made of composite laminate with MGS L285/H285 resin reinforced with Interglas 02037 symmetrical
fabric of weave 0/90°. The graph shows that 111 and 112 samples were similarly shortened from 1.7
to 1.8 mm, it means 6.8 to 7.2 %, while 113 also 114 and 115 samples were shorter from 1.2 to 1.32
mm, i.e. 4.8 to 5.2 % (on average 5.8%). The maximum loading force of the specimen was 11.5 kN,
which corresponds to the compressive strength of 320.8 MPa - Table 5. The nature of the load
changes is similar to that of the specimens of the series 5 - there is a noticeable conventional yield
strength of about 6.0 kN (200 MPa). The characteristic decrease in the final part of the test force in
the case of specimens 111, 113, 114, 115 means that they have rapidly delaminated: Rc = 321 ± 27.6
MPa.

Figure 5. The dependence of the compressive force to the shortening of the relative composite laminate reinforced
with the symmetrical fabric Interglas 02037, weave 0/+90°.

Table 5. Results of strength analysis for composite samples reinforced with symmetrical fabric Interglas 02037, weave
0/+90°.
Number Destructive force Compressive strength Absolute shortness Relative
F [kN] Rc [MPa] s[mm] shortness
Δl[%]
111 9,809 324 1,80 7,2
112 9,646 306 1,70 6,8
113 9,476 302 1,30 5,2
114 9,116 299 1,20 4,8
115 11,510 373 1,32 5,2
Average: 9,9113 320,8 1,46 5,8

Figure 6 shows the results of tests of samples number 121-125. The samples were made of
composite laminate with MGS L285/H285 resin reinforced with Interglas 02037 symmetrical fabric
with +/- 45° weave. It can be observed that one of the samples (122) was shorter, about 1.2 mm
(4.8%), while the other samples were shorter at the level of 2-2.2 mm, it means 8.0-8.8% (7.5% on
average). The loading force did not differ much for all the samples, and its mean value was 4 kN. The
compressive strength was similar for all the samples, and the mean value was 142.4 MPa - Table 6.
Also in this case, it can be seen that after exceeding the force of about 3.0 - 3.5 kN, the material
undergoes plastic deformation until destruction. The compressive strength of the tested composite
laminate is: Rc = 142 ± 2.7 MPa.

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Figure 6. The dependence of the compressive force to the shortening of the relative composite laminate reinforced
with the symmetrical fabric Interglas 02037, weave +/-45°.

Table 6. Results of strength analysis for composite samples reinforced with symmetrical fabric Interglas 02037, weave +/-
45°.
Number Destructive force Compressive strength Absolute shortness Relative
F [kN] Rc [MPa] s[mm] shortness
Δl[%]
121 3,792 137 2,02 8,0
122 4,099 143 1,2 4,8
123 3,803 143 2,05 8,2
124 4,033 143 2,0 8,0
125 4,050 146 2,2 8,8
Average: 3,9556 142,4 1,65 7,5

4. Summary
The compression test was carried out on 4 types of specimens, 5 in each series, with different
weaves and reinforced fabrics. On the basis of compressive strength tests of the tested composite it
was stated that:
1. The highest average compression strength was obtained in the case of the series marked 6, which
was reinforced with ECC e461 symmetric fabric and amounted to 442.5 MPa. The lowest
compression strength in the series marked 12, reinforced with Interglas 02037 symmetric fabric and
its value was 142.4 MPa.
2. The highest average shortening occurred in series 5 and amounted to 8.3%, and the lowest in
series 11, where the value was 5.8%.
3. When comparing a 90◦ and 45◦ weave, it can be seen that for a series of 5 and 6 specimens, the
compression strength increases and the reduction decreases, meaning that the material is rigid and
strong. For series 11 and 12, the opposite is true, it means the compression strength decreases and
the reduction increases, making the material more ductile. When considering the warp and
comparing series 5 and 11, 11 have higher compression strength, while series 6 and 12 have higher
compression strength.

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4. The reinforcement with ECC e461 symmetrical fabric in the series marked 5 (143.3 MPa) almost
coincides with the strength of this material, whereas the series marked 6 significantly exceeds this
value and amounts to 422.5 MPa. in the case of reinforcement with the symmetric fabric
Interglas02037 a similar situation can be observed, because the series with the designation 11 has an
average compression strength of 320.8 MPa and the value read from Table (156 MPa), while the
second series with the designation 12 has an average strength of 142.4 MPa. In the case of materials
with a weave of 90◦ from series 5 and 11, a large standard deviation of the determined compressive
strength can be observed. This means that the material has a large production spread.
5. When analysing the nature of the stress variation during deformation, it can be concluded that
Series 6 and 12 material behaves typically as brittle material and therefore increases the stress to
failure. In the case of Series 5 and 11 materials, delamination has occurred, i.e. delamination, which
reduces the stress at further shortening. A similarity to the yield point can be observed.
To sum up, it can be stated that the best material of the 6 series (composite laminate with MGS
L285/H285 resin reinforced with ECC e461 symmetrical fabric with +/-45° weave) proved to be the
best. This material has the highest compressive strength of 422.5 MPa and the lowest standard
deviation. Moreover, it has been shortened relatively slightly in comparison to other series (6.7%).

5. References

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