Testing of mini-composite samples will accelerate the creation of aircraft

Russian scientists have proposed a new method for studying aviation composites based on a miniaturized amount of material — in the order of 1 cubic cm. Experts from the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, the Moscow Aviation Institute and the National Research Technological University MISIS participated in the work.

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"The properties of composites at the sample and finished product levels can vary significantly. To ensure their stability, it was proposed to start studying them at the micro level, and then transfer these data to larger objects using computer modeling and rational experiment. This will avoid the need to produce huge samples each time and load them to destruction in order to understand how the material works," one of the developers, deputy head of the Accelerated Particle Laboratory (LUCH), told Izvestia NUST MISIS Alexey Salimon.

According to him, in order to implement the technology, a laboratory testing complex was made — a frame with a force sensor, micro motors and drives mounted on it. The complex is managed remotely. The device can be placed inside the camera of a scanning electron microscope.

During the tests, the specialist said, the mini-samples are fixed with grippers and deformed in a controlled manner. The complex makes it possible to test materials for bending, stretching and compression.

"Traditionally, tests are carried out on large samples, which requires significant material consumption and complex experimental facilities. We have shown that these data correspond to those that can be obtained from miniature samples. Moreover, the latter are easier and cheaper to manufacture, and if you have a large number of them, you can conduct many tests and collect a large statistically significant amount of data," said Evgeny Statnik, one of the developers, a researcher at the Skoltech System Design Center.

He explained that the results obtained during the experiments are used for computational and experimental correlation, that is, confirmation of mathematical models. The combination of experimental and computational data makes it possible to obtain a more complete understanding of the properties of the material.

Read more in the exclusive Izvestia article on Wednesday, March 19, at 10:00 a.m.:

Union of Composites: tests of mini-samples of materials will accelerate the creation of aircraft