Titanium-polymer hybrid laminates
First Claim
1. A symmetrical hybrid laminate comprising:
- (a) a pair of layups, each of the layups comprising;
(i) a heat treated beta titanium alloy foil layer comprising butt-joined foils each of thickness in the range from about 0.003 to about 0.01 inches; and
(ii) a layer of polymeric composite bonded to a side of the foil layer, the polymeric layer comprising at least one ply comprising a polymeric matrix, the matrix resistant to repeated exposure to temperatures of at least about 350°
F., the composite having commonly aligned fibers embedded in the matrix; and
(b) a central honeycomb core layer, each of the pair of layups bonded to one side of the core layer to form the symmetrical hybrid laminate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides a hybrid laminate and skin panels of hybrid laminate structure that are suitable for a supersonic civilian aircraft. The hybrid laminates include layups of layers of titanium alloy foil and composite plies, that are optimally oriented to counteract forces encountered in use, that are bonded to a central core structure, such as titanium alloy honeycomb. The reinforcing fibers of the composite plies are selected from carbon and boron, and the fibers are continuous and parallel oriented within each ply. However, some plies may be oriented at angles to other plies. Nevertheless, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, a substantial majority of, or all of, the fibers of the hybrid laminates are oriented in a common direction. The outer surfaces of the laminates include a layer of titanium foil to protect the underlying composite-containing structure from the environment, and attack by solvents, and the like.
192 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A symmetrical hybrid laminate comprising:
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(a) a pair of layups, each of the layups comprising; (i) a heat treated beta titanium alloy foil layer comprising butt-joined foils each of thickness in the range from about 0.003 to about 0.01 inches; and (ii) a layer of polymeric composite bonded to a side of the foil layer, the polymeric layer comprising at least one ply comprising a polymeric matrix, the matrix resistant to repeated exposure to temperatures of at least about 350°
F., the composite having commonly aligned fibers embedded in the matrix; and(b) a central honeycomb core layer, each of the pair of layups bonded to one side of the core layer to form the symmetrical hybrid laminate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An aircraft skin panel, the panel comprised of a symmetrical hybrid laminate, the laminate comprising:
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(a) a honeycomb core having two sides; and (b) a pair of layups, one of the pair bonded to each side of the core, each of the layups comprising laminated layers of; (i) heat treated beta titanium alloy gore panels having a thickness in the range from about 0.003 to about 0.01 inches, the panels butt-joined to form a continuous foil layer; and (ii) an organic polymeric composite layer between adjacent foil layers, the composite layer comprising at least one ply, the at least one ply comprising a polymeric matrix resistant to repeated exposure to high temperatures encountered in supersonic flight, the polymeric matrix having commonly aligned reinforcing fibers embedded therein. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification