This report discusses the effects of high numbers of thermal cycles on the material properties of CFRP materials based on woven fabrics, focusing on pitch based YSH70A fibers and LTM123 cyanate ester matrix materials used for space applications e.g. space antenna reflectors. The test setup for applying a high number of thermal cycles within a short period of time is described before the effects of thermal cycling on the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and interlaminar shear strength are discussed. Micro-optical measurements have been performed at different stages of the thermal cycling to investigate the formation and growth of microcracks during the thermal cycling that are responsible for the change in material properties throughout the cycling test.     «

This report discusses the effects of high numbers of thermal cycles on the material properties of CFRP materials based on woven fabrics, focusing on pitch based YSH70A fibers and LTM123 cyanate ester matrix materials used for space applications e.g. space antenna reflectors. The test setup for applying a high number of thermal cycles within a short period of time is described before the effects of thermal cycling on the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and interlaminar shear strength are d...     »