Carbon Fiber Reinforced Rigidizable Space Structures

ABSTRACTIn attempts to provide an active solution for the rigidization of flexible space structures, internal resistive heating is applied to a novel thermosetting resin. Carbon-fiber tow coated in U-Nyte Set 201A, which cures at ∼150°C, was heated by passing electric current through the reinforcing material. Using a proportional-integral (PI) controller, precise temperature control of the heating process was established. Samples cured via controlled internal resistive heating were heated to 160°C and underwent material consolidation in less than 7 minutes. A change in material stiffness was measured to be almost two orders of magnitude greater than that of an uncured material.