The Mechanical Properties of Glass Fabric Composites Following Heat Treatment and Thermal Cycling

Abstract

The use of glass fibre composites as insulating materials in superconducting magnets is common practice but the trend to larger and more complex structures may require different processing techniques. In order to quantify possible process related effects, three types of glass (E-glass, S2-glass and quartz) were used in the manufacture of composite panels. These panels were exposed to environments which may be experienced by insulating materials during the manufacture and service life of Niobium-Tin magnets. Process variations included heat treatment of fabrics prior to resin impregnation and thermal cycling of the finished composites to the cure temperature and to 77 K. Changes in the mechanical properties at room temperature and at 77 K are reported.