Storming Media: Pentagon Reports and DocumentsPentagon Reports: Fast. Definitive. Complete.     
New Account »
Forgot Password?
Advanced Search »
Materials SciencesLaminates and Composite Materials

Development of a Cavitation Erosion Resistant Advanced Material System

Authors: Light H. Kendrick; Vincent Caccese; MAINE UNIV AT ORONO DEPT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Abstract:
Advancements in both the design and construction of high-speed naval vessels have necessitated the evaluation of the building materials in a cavitating environment. Given their weight advantages, construction materials are often either aluminum or glass reinforced polymer (GRP) composites. Historically, neither of these materials has performed well in a cavitating environment. The objective of this effort was to evaluate cavitation erosion protection alternatives for a GRP composite structure used in a cavitating environment. Screening of the various design alternatives was done using the ASTM 032 vibratory induced cavitation test method and a relative ranking of each protection system was generated. Results from the testing show that a GRP composite system can be designed to greatly increase the cavitation erosion resistance of the material, but this resistance remains below common metallic materials. A solution identified during this study involves the use of durable elastomer materials as the protection mechanism.

Limitations: APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
Pages: 76
Report Date: NOV 2005
Contract Number: N000140110916
Report Number: A864144
Keywords relating to this report:
*CAVITATION
*COMPOSITE MATERIALS
*CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
*EROSION RESISTANCE
*HULLS(STRUCTURES)
*Hulls_Structures_
*REINFORCING MATERIALS
*SHIP HULLS
ALUMINUM
COMPOSITE STRUCTURES
ELASTOMERS
ENVIRONMENTS
GLASS
METALS
NAVAL VESSELS
POLYMERS
Email This Abstract