Technique for fabrication by resistance heating and tensile properties of CFRP cables

Abstract

This study is to propose the on-orbit fabrication of CFRP cable net structures by using the method of electrical resistance heating in order to construct large space structures in the near future. The on-orbit fabrication of cable net structures is accomplished by transporting coiled stock of prepreg of CFRP cable from the earth to the orbit and curing it by means of the resistance heating whose operating power is supplied by the solar electric power system. Laboratory tests indicate that CFRP cables can be cured uniformly and precisely with the specified cure cycle by controlling the low voltage current. Tensile tests for CFRP cables cured by the resistance heating as well as those of uncured ones have also been performed and the results show that the cured cables exhibit the high tensile strength and stiffness which are about two times higher than those of the uncured ones. In preparing for the tensile specimens of uncured cables, it has been found that any part of CFRP cables can be left uncured by the present method without changing the curing process. At these uncured portions, they can be bent for folding and be connected to other structural members with knots without using mechanical hinges or joints.