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An Experimental Investigation of Silicone-to-Metal Bond Strength in Composite Space Docking System Seals

Conrad, Mason Christian
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1244237964

Abstract Details

2009, Master of Sciences (Engineering), Case Western Reserve University, EMC - Mechanical Engineering.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is currently developing a new universal docking mechanism for future space exploration missions calledthe Low Impact Docking System (LIDS). In order to successfully mate two pressurized vehicles or structures in space, advanced seals are required at the interface to prevent the loss of breathable air to vacuum. The leading candidate LIDS main interface seal design is a composite assembly of silicone elastomer seal bulbs permanently molded into grooves in an electroless nickel-plated aluminum retainer. A composite seal of the style being developed has not been proven in a docking role in the history of manned spaceflight. High adhesive loads on the seal bulbs during undocking could potentially overcome the strength of the molded bond between the elastomer and the metal retainer. Bond failure would jeopardize the operation of the seal and docking port, and orbital debris could be liberated. The strength of the silicone-to-metal bond is a critical consideration for the new system, especially due to the presence of small areas of disbond created by the molding process. In the work presented herein, silicone- to-metal bonds of subscale seal specimens with different sizes of intentional disbond are destructively tensile tested. Tension is applied either uniformly on the entire seal circumference or locally in a single circumferential location. Bond failure due to uniform tension produces a wide scatter of observable failure modes and measured load-displacement behaviors. Although the ideal failure mode for the silicone-to- metal bond is 100% cohesive failure of the material, the highest observed cohesion amount is 20% of bond area for the uniform loading condition. Localized tension produces failure either as immediate tearing of the elastomer material outside the bond region or as complete peel-out of the seal bulb in one piece. In intentionally flawed specimens, neither load case considered shows a correlation between disbond size and bond strength.
Joseph Prahl, PhD (Committee Chair)
Iwan Alexander, PhD (Committee Member)
Roger Quinn, PhD (Committee Member)
80 p.
Aerospace Materials; Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Polymers
silicone; bond strength; seal; Orion;

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Conrad, M. C. (2009). An Experimental Investigation of Silicone-to-Metal Bond Strength in Composite Space Docking System Seals [Master's thesis, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1244237964

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Conrad, Mason. An Experimental Investigation of Silicone-to-Metal Bond Strength in Composite Space Docking System Seals. 2009. Case Western Reserve University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1244237964.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Conrad, Mason. "An Experimental Investigation of Silicone-to-Metal Bond Strength in Composite Space Docking System Seals." Master's thesis, Case Western Reserve University, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1244237964

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

case1244237964
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© 2009, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.