Micro Stress Evaluation and Analysis in FRP Composites for Rocket Motor Casing

Abstract The current research is carried out to compare the structural behaviour of a rocket motor casing which is made of fiber reinforced polymer matrix composite materials. The analysis is carried out on FRP Composites made of different fiber materials such as S-Glass and Graphite individually combined with low and high modulus phenolic resin as coating and the matrix materials respectively. An analytical model has been developed based on cylindrical composite assemblage consists of fiber, coating, matrix and composite are the constituent phases of the composite and the analysis is carried out using Mathematica software. The above mentioned fibers with phenolic resin are considered for the analysis as they provide high specific strength and specific stiffness. The results of this analysis are compared with allowable strengths of corresponding constituent phases. These materials have potential applications in aerospace and pressure vessels industry. The micro stress distribution pattern is studied at different temperature and moisture conditions and compared between these materials.