Induction debonding a carbon fiber tube with an aluminum liner
Objective: To heat a carbon fiber tube (missile housing) with an aluminum liner to 600 ºF (316 ºC) to debond the pad from the liner
Materials: 5” (127 mm) thick carbon fiber tube that is 20’ (6.1 m) long and 24” (610 mm) in diameter. It includes 52
urethane pads
Temperature: 600 ºF (316 ºC)
Frequency: 60 kHz
Induction Heating Equipment: DW-UHF-45kW/100 kHz
induction heating system equipped with a remote heat station containing eight 1.0 μF capacitors
- A hairpin
induction heating coil designed and developed for this application
Process The power was turned on and the hairpin coil scanned the side of the tube/housing with the aluminum liner and padding. The urethane began to heat and bubble. A gentle force was applied to help debond the pad from the liner. It was also observed that the aluminum could be debonded from the tube as well.
The proposed heating process did not adversely impact the carbon fiber tube, which was a requirement of the prospect.
This was thanks to the scanning coil only heating the side with the aluminum liner.
Induction Heating Results/Benefits
- Preservation of the housing:
Induction heating was able to heat the tube enough to debond the padding and seals, while still preserving the carbon fiber tube which enables the housing to be reused
- Material savings: Due to being able to preserve the carbon fiber tube, considerable materials savings are achieved
- Responsiveness: HLQ was able to perform a free laboratory test and design a process that could result in
considerable savings to the client.
