Aerospace, Defence and Space
Development of composite materials was initially driven by the Aerospace Industry’s need to achieve higher mechanical performance from lighter materials that also provided greater design flexibility. Today that requirement has been translated into a whole range of technical solution.
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Space |
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Solar Panels for Satellites |
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Other Examples |
Space
Major Composite Structure for the International Space Station
A superconductive magnet will be soon launched into space by the Space Shuttle and fitted onto the International Space Station as part of a devise to detect any particles of anti matter that might exist.
The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer consists of 14 coils arranged around a 1m diameter ambient temperature bore. These are cooled to 1.8K by super fluid helium stored in a 2,500 litre aluminium vessel. Surrounding this are vapour-cooled radiation shields and a honeycomb radiation shield. The entire structure is then placed within an ultra lightweight aluminium casing and held under vacuum.
Technical Resin Bonders brief was to select and test the composite materials, arrange and manage an extensive material and component test programme, manufacture and trial assemble two complete radiation shields comprising of inner and outer cylinders and two end caps.
See our Case Studies pages for more details
Solar Panels for Satellites
With an aluminium honeycomb core and either carbon fibre or aluminium skins, very flat panels can result from particular processing methods that have been developed over a number of years making these panels ideal for applications such as solar panels for satellites.
Additionally the panels can be bonded with Kapton, a polyimide film with a unique combination of properties that are maintained over a wide temperature range.
Other examples include:
• Panels and Sub Assemblies for Motion and Static Simulator Structures
• Avionic racking systems
• Galley panels & lightweight interior structures
• Specialist bonding for aircraft guidance systems
• Generator Housings for the Rapier 2000 Surface to Air Missile System
• Radomes & Nose Cones
• Aircraft & helicopter floor panels
• Housings for surveillance equipment
• Bonding of intricate structures
