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carbon
The element that provides the backbone
for all organic polymers. Graphite is a more or-
dered form of carbon. Diamond is the densest
crystalline form of carbon.
carbon fiber
Fiber produced by the pyrolysis
of organic precursor fibers, such as rayon,
polyacrylonitrile (PAN), and pitch, in an inert
environment. The term is often used inter-
changeably with the term graphite; however
carbon fibers and graphite fibers differ. The
basic differences lie in the temperature at
which the fibers are made and heat treated,
and in the amount of elemental carbon pro-
duced. Carbon fibers typically are carbonized
in the region of 2400°F and assay at 93 to
95% carbon, while graphite fibers are graphi-
tized between 3450° and 4500°F an d assay to
more than 99% elemental carbon.
carpet plot
A design chart showing the uniax-
ial stiffness or strength as a function of arbitrary
ratios of 0, 90, and
.
45 degree plies.
catalyst
A substance that changes the rate of
a chemical reaction without itself undergoing
permanent change in composition or becom-
ing a part of the molecular structure of the
product. A substance that markedly speeds up
the cure of a compound when added in minor
quantity.
cell
In honeycomb core, a cell is a single honey-
comb unit, usually in a hexagonal shape.
cell size
The diameter of an inscribed circle
within the cell of a honeycomb core.
Charpy impact test
A test for shock loading
in which a centrally notched sample bar is held
at both ends and broken by striking the back face
in the same plane as the notch.
chain plates
The metallic plates, embedded in
or attached to the hull or bulkhead, used to
evenly distribute loads from shrouds and stays to
the hull of sailing vessels.
chopped strand
Continuous strand yarn or
roving cut up into uniform lengths, usually from
!
inch long. Lengths up to
&
inch are called
milled fibers.
closed cell foam
Cellular plastic in which in-
dividual cells are completely sealed off from ad-
jacent cells.
cocuring
The act of curing a composite lami-
nate and simultaneously bonding it to some other
prepared surface. See also secondary bonding.
coin test
Using a coin to test a laminate in dif-
ferent spots, listening for a change in sound,
which would indicate the presence of a defect.
A surprisingly accurate test in the hands of expe-
rienced personnel.
compaction
The application of a temporary
vacuum bag and vacuum to remove trapped air
and compact the lay-up.
compliance
Measurement of softness as op-
posed to stiffness of a material. It is a reciprocal
of the Young's modulus, or an inverse of the
stiffness matrix.
composite material
A combination of two
or more materials (reinforcing elements, fill-
ers and composite matrix binder), differing in
form or composition on a macroscale. The
constituents retain their identities; that is, they
do not dissolve or merge completely into one
another although they act in concert. Nor-
mally, the components can be physically iden-
tified and exhibit an interface between one an-
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