| Abstract Scope |
There is an increasing need for developing new materials that can be processed using advanced, cost-effective manufacturing methods. New materials that optimize a range of properties at high temperatures, including mechanical strength, stiffness, and damage tolerance, will reduce parasitic mass and increase system performance. Touchstone has continued the development of a metal matrix composite (MMC) prepreg tape called MetPreg® that can be utilized in selective reinforcement capabilities in next generation applications. MetPreg offers strength levels 2.5 times greater than the world’s strongest aluminum alloy and demonstrated outperformance of other metals at elevated temperatures enabling multiple potential end-use applications. The Selective reinforcement concept consists of adding high-performance material to structures to achieve local stiffening and strengthening. Recently, research has been conducted to showcase how this material can be integrated into structures to provide buckling resistance and fatigue crack growth arresting capabilities while reducing weight of the overall system without penalizing performance. |