Evaluation Techniques for Fibrous Materials

Research and development directed at improved fibers and fibrous materials normally utilizes relatively conventional apparatus for fiber, yarn, and fahric characterization. When desired material properties are dictated by end-use requirements, which represent extremes in temperature resistance, strength-to-weight ratio, high impact velocities, etc., novel equipment and techniques are likely to be necessary for such cesearch. This is the case with the Air Forces' effort in the area of materials evaluation. Techniques now in use are, for the most part, suitable for materials being researched, but improve ments must be made for the next generation of fibrous materials. New methods of characterization will be needed to overcome shortcomings of present techniques and to adapt to an ever increasing requirement for the properties of all types of materials. For example, evatuation of thermally stable abrasion-resistant finishes will require long- term, high-temperature flex testing. The laboartory equipment herein described repre sents a small fraction of the total in-house capability of the Air Force Materials Labora tory for conducting exploratory research and development on advanced fibrous materials for aerospace systems.