An Evaluation of the Matrix as It Affects Filament-wound Reinforced Plastics

A study has been conducted on amine-cured epoxy resins and the effects on the ultimate burst strength of internally loaded glass-reinforced filament-wound vessels when these rosins were used as the plastic matrices. The tensile properties of the niatrLx were changed by systematically altering the molecular structure of the amine-cured epoxy resin. It was found that resintensile properties had an insignificant effect on the ultimate burst strength of a well-designed and well-fabricated vessel. However, it was also found that a matrix of good tensile properties improved the reliability of the burst pressure by providing a healing effector minor winding errors. The glass stresses at burst of the test vessels were in the 400,000-pEi range, which is about the ultimate tensile strength of bundles of "E" glass. A summary has been prepared which discusses the state of the art and unsolved problems relevant to the plastic matrix in glass-reinforced filament-wound vessels. In particular, the deleterious effect of voids on externaliy loaded structures and the necessity of removing these voids is discussed. PROBLEM STATUS This is an interim report; work is continuing on the problem. AUTHORIZATION NRL Problem R05-24C Project SPO WW-041 Manuscript submitted August 10, 1964. FILAMENT-WINDING PLASTICS PART t HOLE OF THIC RESIN IN GLASS-FIBER-REINFORCED STRUCTURES UNDER TENSILE STRESS