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Completed TRL 4 (started at 2, targeting 4)
The goal of the effort was to demonstrate a 50% increase in compression after impact (CAI) strength of carbon/epoxy laminates with barely visible impact damage (BVID) by hybridization with boron fibers. The boron fibers were supplied in a carbon/epoxy hybrid layer that was commercially available by Specialty Products Inc. Plies aligned in the load bearing direction (0\xa1-plies) contained this hybrid layer. A novel methodology proposed by a team from Stanford University was used to characterize some of the design values of the new hybrid laminate.
This methodology greatly reduces the time and cost of allowable (statistically based design values) development.
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This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.
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