About the Composites Research Laboratory :
The Composites Research Laboratory is comprised of facilities which allow the full spectrum of specimen manufacture, preparation, inspection, and testing. The manufacture of composite components and specimens can be done in either an autoclave or a vacuum hot press. A layup facility allows the fabrication of flat laminates with arbitrary stacking sequences. This facility includes the necessary templates to accurately cut preimpregnated tape, and two four-section cure assemblies with caul plates and aluminum dams.
Current Areas of Research
- Structural integrity of tapered sections
- Energy absorption of composite materials and crashworthiness of composite structures
- Residual strength and response to short-term high-temperature exposure
- Efficient finite element modeling of composite structures
- Radiation curing of composites
- Repair of composite structures
- Damage tolerance of thick composite structures
- Structural integrity of multifunctional composite structure
The academic departments with major participation in the composite materials program are Aerospace Engineering including the Alfred E. Gessow Rotorcraft Center, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, and Fire Protection Engineering.