Analysis of carbon-carbon composites using an integrated NDE/finite element approach

The characterization of the mechanical behavior of carbon-carbon composites represents a formidable challenge due to the material´s porous, anisotropic microstructure. A test methodology was developed to characterize the mechanical behavior of these materials using an integrated NDE/finite-element approach. Radiographic and ultrasonic testing were used to measure local variations in density and all nine of the anisotropic elastic moduli (orthotropic symmetry). These parameters were used as inputs to a finite-element code to predict the specimen response to simulated loading conditions. Results were compared with mechanical test measurements to check the validity of the technique