experimental evaluation of plastic films for use …fop. use as airbag vent blowout patches...

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TECHNICAL REPORT NATICK/TR-90/029 ADjL£2J_iii EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF PLASTIC FILMS FOR USE AS AIRBAG VENT BLOWOUT PATCHES BY *H. H. TSENG C. K. LEE *F. S. LAI APRIL 1990 FINAL REPORT OCTOBER 1987 - SEPTEMBER 1988 TECHNICAL LIBRARY U.S. CENTER NATICK, m UJ APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE; DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED UNITED STATES ARMY NATICK RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING CENTER NATICK, MASSACHUSETTS 01760-5017 UNIVERSITY OF LOWELL, LOWELL, MA 01854 AERO-MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DIRECTORATE

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Page 1: EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF PLASTIC FILMS FOR USE …FOP. USE AS AIRBAG VENT BLOWOUT PATCHES Introduction Tho steady descont volocity of a payload airdropped by U.S. Army parachutes

TECHNICAL REPORT NATICK/TR-90/029

ADjL£2J_iii

EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF PLASTIC FILMS FOR USE AS AIRBAG VENT

BLOWOUT PATCHES

BY

*H. H. TSENG C. K. LEE *F. S. LAI

APRIL 1990

FINAL REPORT OCTOBER 1987 - SEPTEMBER 1988

TECHNICAL LIBRARY U.S. CENTER NATICK, m UJ

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE; DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED

UNITED STATES ARMY NATICK RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING CENTER

NATICK, MASSACHUSETTS 01760-5017

♦UNIVERSITY OF LOWELL, LOWELL, MA 01854 AERO-MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DIRECTORATE

Page 2: EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF PLASTIC FILMS FOR USE …FOP. USE AS AIRBAG VENT BLOWOUT PATCHES Introduction Tho steady descont volocity of a payload airdropped by U.S. Army parachutes

DISCLAIMERS

The findings contained in this report are not to

be construed as. an official Department of the Army

position unless so designated by other authorized

d o cuments.

Citation of trade names in this report does not

constitute an official endorsement or approval of

the use of such items.

DESTRUCTION NOTICE

For Classified Documents :

Follow the procedures in DoD 5200.22-M, Industrial

Security Manual, Section 11-19 or DoD 5200.1-R,

Information Security Program Regulation, Chapter IX

For Unclassified/Limited Distribution Documents:

Destroy by any method that prevents disclosure of

contents or reconstruction of the document.

Page 3: EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF PLASTIC FILMS FOR USE …FOP. USE AS AIRBAG VENT BLOWOUT PATCHES Introduction Tho steady descont volocity of a payload airdropped by U.S. Army parachutes

UNCLASSIFIED V-fUN'tr ClA'.VMCA'ION O» tMiV'PÄtJl'

REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE fQtmAppt$*t<J QMBN9 0?O4GtS9 tip C*re Inn30 1956

U WV'i*! StCURHY ClASSiKATiQN Jb RESTRICTIVE MARKINGS

i* SECURITY CtASSi»>tATiON AUTHORITY

2b OECLASSIFlCATION/00/VNGRADING SCHEDULE

» D:S?RSU?iCN AVAtiAQaHV OF REPORT

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited.

fi PERFORMING ORGAN.MTION REPORT NUMBER(S)

NATICK/TR-90/029 5 MONITORING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMfllRiS)

ti KUtAl OF PERFORMING ORGANIZATION J.S.Arrny NaticK Research,

{Development and Engineering Ctr

6b OFf ICE SYMBOL ,'// *ppti(*blt)

STRNC-UE

7a NAME OF MONITORING ORGANIZATION

U ADDRESS (Giy. SMI«, ind ZIP Code)

Kansas Street UatxcHi MA 01760-5017

7b A00RESS(OK SMfe. ind ZIP Cod«)

GJ NAME OF FUNDING/SPONSORING ORGANIZATION

8b OFFICE SYM301 (If ipptiubtt)

9 PROCUREMENT INSTRUMENT IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

8< AODRESS (City. SMC«, and ZIP Code) 10 SOURCE OF FUNDING NUMBERS

PROGRAM ELEMENT NO

1L16278C

PROJECT NO

D283 y

TASK NO

AH

WORK UNiT ACCESSION NO

WS2 11 TiilE (iTiCivvr SxCUfttf CUuiii(ition)

Experimental Evaluation of Plastic Films For Uce As Airbag Vent Blowout patch«...-

12 PERSONAL AUTHOR(S)

to* u TV-ivi, Cilvin K. Lee, and Francir. S. I»n

16 Sv. LEK

OF REPORT [12b TIMC COVERED f ROM .Qct-EL TO gr.r._flfl

14 DATE OF REPORT (YcJf.Month.OjyJ

April 1990 15 PAGE COUNT

34 1Y NOTATION

17 COSATI CODES

FIELD GROUP SUB-GROUP

18 SUBJECT TERMS (Continue on reverie it necemry ind Wen V °'<xk OumberJ

-Blowout Patches > Bursting Tests Airbags Airjärop

-> 19 ABSTRACT (Continue on reverte it necesary ind identify by block number)

v-'The objective of this investigation was to exanuie fro use of plastic films as vent blowout patches for airuags which are being considerrC as on impact energy absortfei foi airdrop corgos. Bursting air pressures of five plastic films were measured in a pneumau; test facility, Measurements showed that circular films made of lav density fo^ethylcn*, polyethylene terephthalate, and oriented polypropylene are suitable to be used as airbag vent blowout patches. However, their final sizing and selection snouid oe determined from full-scale airbag drop tests. ! (i>.

20 DISTRIBUTION I AVAILABILITY OF ABSTRACT

HUNCLASSIFIED/UNLIMITED D SAME AS RPT D DTlC U5FRS

22a NAME OF RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUAL

Calvin K. Lee

21 ABSTRACT SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

Unclassified 22b TELEPHONE (Include Area Code)

508-651-5262 22c OFFiCE SYMBOi.

STRNC-UE DD FORM 1473,84 MAR 83 APR edition may be used until exhausted

All other editions are obsolete

3

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF THIS PAGE

UNCLASSIFIED

Page 4: EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF PLASTIC FILMS FOR USE …FOP. USE AS AIRBAG VENT BLOWOUT PATCHES Introduction Tho steady descont volocity of a payload airdropped by U.S. Army parachutes

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface

List of Figures

Lift of Tables

Introduction

Experiments

Blowout Patch Materials

Test Facility and Procedure

Tost Results and Discussion

Bursting Air Pressure

Air Pressure and Film Deflection

Conclusion

List of References

Appendix

Aooosoion For

11TIS GRA&I DIIC TAB Unannounced D Justification

I By- Distribution/

Avall-iMllt)* tVlflfl Av, LI J ;■ ■ -

fj-..'i J

Pa?t>

iv

v

vii

1

4

A

17

18

Üb

28

iii

Page 5: EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF PLASTIC FILMS FOR USE …FOP. USE AS AIRBAG VENT BLOWOUT PATCHES Introduction Tho steady descont volocity of a payload airdropped by U.S. Army parachutes

PREFACE

Tho present investigation was conducted in tho Plastics Engineering

Department of the University of Lowell from October 1, 1987 to September 30,

1988 under Work Unit No. 1L162786D283AH002, Analysis of Performance of

Multiple Airbag Platform System. Tho investigation was Mr. H.H. T^onj't«

research thesis for his Master's of Engineering Der,»'e*.

Airba«^s are being considered by the U.S. Army as an alternative to paper

honeycomb currently usod for soft landing of airdropped payloads. This report

sufcjnarir.es some of tho work being conducted to achieve this goal.

iv

Page 6: EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF PLASTIC FILMS FOR USE …FOP. USE AS AIRBAG VENT BLOWOUT PATCHES Introduction Tho steady descont volocity of a payload airdropped by U.S. Army parachutes

LIST OF FIGURES

Page

Figure 1. *

Photograph showing steady descent of a payload

airdropped by U.S. Amy parachutes.

;•

Figuro 2. Fnotogr ^h showing a U.S. Army vehicle cushioned by

paper honeycomb and mounted on a platform for

airdrop.

3

Figure 3, Schematic of test sot-up for pneumatic bursting

tests of plastic films.

7

Figure 4. Photographs of tost sot-up:

a. ovorall tost set-up. a

b. pneumatic tost chamber.

Figure 5. Bursting air pressure measurements of 4"-dian<.

,u; density polyethylene film;;.

10

Figuro 6. Bursting air pressure measurements of 4"-diam.

polyethylene torephtholato films.

11

Figuro 7. Bursting air pressure measurements of 4"-diam.

oriented polypropylene films.

12

figure 8. Bursting air pressure measurements of 4"-diam.

polyvinyl chloride films.

IJ

I Figure 9. Bursting air pressure measurements of 4n-diam.

Polyurethane films.

14

Figure 10. Measurements of bursting air pressure as a 16

■ function of plastic film thickness, diameter

: (4M- and 6"- diam.), and material.

V

Page 7: EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF PLASTIC FILMS FOR USE …FOP. USE AS AIRBAG VENT BLOWOUT PATCHES Introduction Tho steady descont volocity of a payload airdropped by U.S. Army parachutes

LIST OF FIGURES (Cont'd)

Pago

Figaro 11. Measurement of chombor air pressure vs film 1*9

deflection for 4M-diam. low density polycthlylenc

films.

Figure 12, Measurements of chamber air pressure vs film 20

doflcction for 4"-diam. polyothylono torcphthalato

films.

Figure 13, Measurements of chamber air pressure vs film 21

deflection for 4"-diam. oriented polypropylene

films.

Figuro 14. Measurements of chamber air pressure vs film 22

deflection for 4M- and 6"-diam. oriented

poj.yf,ri>pyxcne films.

Figure 15. Measurements of chamber air pressure vs film 23

deflection for 4"-diam. polyvinyl chloride films.

Figuro lb. Measurements of chamber air pressuro vs film 24

deflection for 4"-diam. polyurethano films.

Figure 17. Measurements of chamber air pressure vs film 25

deflection for 4"- and 6"-diam. polyurethane films.

vi

Page 8: EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF PLASTIC FILMS FOR USE …FOP. USE AS AIRBAG VENT BLOWOUT PATCHES Introduction Tho steady descont volocity of a payload airdropped by U.S. Army parachutes

LIST OF TABLES

Page

Table 1. List of Plastic Materials. S

Table <?. Average Bursting Strengths of Plastic Films. 17

vii

Page 9: EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF PLASTIC FILMS FOR USE …FOP. USE AS AIRBAG VENT BLOWOUT PATCHES Introduction Tho steady descont volocity of a payload airdropped by U.S. Army parachutes

EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF PLASTIC FILMS FOP. USE AS AIRBAG VENT BLOWOUT PATCHES

Introduction

Tho steady descont volocity of a payload airdropped by U.S. Army

parachutes (Fig.l) is about 28 ft/s. During ground impact at this volocity,

an energy absorber is needed to dissipate some of the impact energy and to

provide structural protection for the payload. The U. S. Army currently uses

paper honeycomb as tho energy absorber. Strategic positioning of paper

honeycomb between tho payload, such as a vehicle, and the platform (Fig. 2) is

a time consuming and labor intensive process. Airbags are presently being

investigated by the U.S. Army as an alternative impact energy absorber for

airdrop.

Numerous studies have been conducted on airbags. ' ' ' ' An airbag, in

its simplest form, is a fabric enclosure with a fixed vent opening. When it

is attached to the underside of an airdrop platform and is compressed at

ground impact, its air pressure increases and air is vented through the fixed

vent opening. The high pressure air decelerates the payload by transmitting a

retarding force against the platform. One major problem of such a simple

airbag is its tall height (generally >4') that makes it susceptible to ground

winds and payload tipover during ground impact. A recent analytical

Page 10: EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF PLASTIC FILMS FOR USE …FOP. USE AS AIRBAG VENT BLOWOUT PATCHES Introduction Tho steady descont volocity of a payload airdropped by U.S. Army parachutes

i

'

m <*■.

. %\j/^m

•■'. >*■: #

Figure 1. Photograph showing steady descent of a payload airdropped by U.S. Army parachutes.

Page 11: EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF PLASTIC FILMS FOR USE …FOP. USE AS AIRBAG VENT BLOWOUT PATCHES Introduction Tho steady descont volocity of a payload airdropped by U.S. Army parachutes

a

if

Figure 2. Photograph showing a U.S. Army vehicle cushioned by paper honeycomb and mounted on a platform for airdrop.

Page 12: EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF PLASTIC FILMS FOR USE …FOP. USE AS AIRBAG VENT BLOWOUT PATCHES Introduction Tho steady descont volocity of a payload airdropped by U.S. Army parachutes

study showed that an airbng scaled by a vent blowouc patch during part of the

airbag*s compression stroke at ground impact, the height can be reduced so

that the platform and the payload would become less susceptible to turnover.

7 This technique was applied in an airbag system for a remote piloted vehicle.

For U.S. Army airdropped payloads of up to 60,000 lbs, mounted on sections of

a Type V platform, it is dosirablc to use vent blowout patches with bursting

air pressures ranging from 1 to 20 pounds per squaro inch gaugo (psig). An

experimental program was conducted to investigate plastic films and their

bursting strengths for airbag vent blowout patch application. This report

dotails the rosults of that investigation.

EXPERIMENTS

Blowout Patch Materials

A blowout patch is basically a pressure relief valve a' 1 various materials

have been used for blowout patches. They includo rubber membrane, aluminum

foil, and motal disk. For U.S. Army airdrop, the matorial has to be simple,

inexpensive, reliable in performance and with bursting air pressures as cited

above. Plastic films were chosen for this investigation mainly because of

their vurying bursting air pressures as a function of thickness, diameter, and a

material. Burgman and Calderwood did a study in this area, but their film

diameters wore too large (>22 in,) and their bursting air pressures were

limited (<10psig).

For the present investigation, the following five plastic materials were

chosen:

1. linear low density polyethylene (PE), 2. polyethylene terephthalate

(PET), 3. oriented polypropylene (PP), 4. flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC),

and 5. polyurethane (PU).

Page 13: EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF PLASTIC FILMS FOR USE …FOP. USE AS AIRBAG VENT BLOWOUT PATCHES Introduction Tho steady descont volocity of a payload airdropped by U.S. Army parachutes

The structure o£ polymeric materials con be divided inte three categories:

amorphous, crystaline, and oriented. The PE, PET, PP, and PVC or* partly

amorphous and partly crystalline; PU is amorphous. PVC and TU are moro

floxiblo than PE, PET, and PP.

Based on tho physical and mechanical properties of the five plastic films

and some preliminary stress-strain calculations, 4M- and 6"- diam. plastic

films were chosen for testing. Their thicknesses are shown in Table 1.

Table 1 List of Plastic Materials

F'iLM MATERIAL TRADE 'VÜ-1E, TYPE

THICKNESS (INCH)

LINEAR LOW DENSITY POLYETHYLENE

Loadmastor E Loadmaster S Loadmaster H

0.00053 0.00080 0.00120

POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE

ORIENTED POLYPROPYLENE

FLEXIBLE POLYVINYL CHLORIDE

POLYURETHANE

Mylar*R) Type A Mylar Type A

AP-1 AP-1 AP-1

Resinitc(R) PS-2b Resinite PS-26 Rosinite PS-26 Resinite PS-29

PS 8010 PS 8010 PS 8010

0.00048 0.00092

0.00050 0.00100 0.00150

0.00080 0.00100 0.00200 0.00065

0.00100 0.00500 0.01000

Page 14: EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF PLASTIC FILMS FOR USE …FOP. USE AS AIRBAG VENT BLOWOUT PATCHES Introduction Tho steady descont volocity of a payload airdropped by U.S. Army parachutes

Test Facility and Procedure

Vent blowout patches of airbags burst Jin a biaxial manner (as opposed to

unia>:ial tensile failure«). To determine the size and matorlal of selected

plar.tic film as functions of bursting air pressure« a pnoumatic inflation

test system shown in Figs. 3 and A was constructed. The test system consists

of a high-pressure air supply lino (S in Fig. 3) that pressurizes a pressure

test chamber (F) on which a circular plastic film (F, blowout patch) is

mounted for bursting tests. The air supply and prossure are controlled by an

on-off valve (A), a regulating valve with a pressure gage \B), a solenoid

valvo (C), and a pressure gage (D). The air pressure inside the test chamber

E is measured by a pressure transducer (G) and recorded by a strip-chart

recorder (I). The deflection (vertical displacement) of the plastic film F is

measured by a video system consisting of a video camera (J) with a 30

frames/sec rccordihj speed, a scale screen (K), and a signal light (L)

connected to the solenoid valvo C.

The high prossuro tost chamber E is a 4-in higfc c»r.a 12-in inside diameter

cylinder made of 0.75-in thick steel. A circular clamp frame, which holds a

plastic film test sample, is mounted on top of the chamber. The clamp framo

consists of two plates, with a circular opening (4-in to 6-in diam) in the

center, that tightly clamp the plastic film to seal tho tost chamber during a

bursting test.

In a bursting test, the circular plastic film for testing is first

carefully mounted in the clamp frame on top of the adjusting chamber E. Air

pressure of either 25 psig or 50 psig is set by adjusting the regulating

Page 15: EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF PLASTIC FILMS FOR USE …FOP. USE AS AIRBAG VENT BLOWOUT PATCHES Introduction Tho steady descont volocity of a payload airdropped by U.S. Army parachutes

o

A. SHUT-OFF VALVE B. REGULATING VALVE WITH PRESSURE GAUGE C. SOLENOID VALVE D. PRESSURE GAUGE E. PRESSURE VESSEL F. PLASTIC FILM TEST SAMPLE G. PRESSURE TRANSDUCER H. DC POWER SUPPLY I. PRESSURE RECORDER J. VIDEO CAMERA K. SCALE SCREEN L. SIGNAL-LIGHT S. AIR SUPPLY

H T

I -1

COMPRESSED AIR LINE (MAX. 100 PSI)

Figure 3. Schematic of set-up for pneumatic bursting tests of plastic films

Page 16: EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF PLASTIC FILMS FOR USE …FOP. USE AS AIRBAG VENT BLOWOUT PATCHES Introduction Tho steady descont volocity of a payload airdropped by U.S. Army parachutes

nap.

•v

^USJ

■w

Figure 4. Photographs of test set-up: a. Overall test set-up b. Pneumatic test chamber.

8

Page 17: EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF PLASTIC FILMS FOR USE …FOP. USE AS AIRBAG VENT BLOWOUT PATCHES Introduction Tho steady descont volocity of a payload airdropped by U.S. Army parachutes

valve B. ,%'tor the air pressuro teaches the sot pressure indicated by B, tho

solenoid valve C is turned on to let the high pressure air into the tost

chamber E. Sircultoneously, C also turns on the signal light L, indicating

tiro zero on tho scale screen K. Concurrently, the rocordor I records the air

pressure-timo history in E, and the video camera J records tho deflection-tiro

history of F on K. When tho air procsure in E ultimately roaches tho bursting

air pressure, tho plastic film bursts. Tho tost is thon completed. To

investigate tho repeatability of tho bursting air pressure, at least six

identical tests were conducted for each plastic film (Table 2).

After a tost, tho vic\ recording of tho deflection is played back on a TV

scroon to determine the deflection-timo history, which is then corrolatod with

tho prossuro-timo history to obtain the prossuro-deflection profile.

Tent Results and Discussion

Bursting Air Pressure

repräsentativ, charter air pressure measurements for the five plastic

materials during bursting tests ore shown in Fig. 5-9. It is seon that air

pressure increases as compressed air is boing injected into tho chamber which

is scaled by tno plastic film. Whon tho pressure roaches the bursting point,

ranging approximately from 1 to 20 psig, tho plastic film bursts «nd releases

fcht* ch&mber pressure. This is indicated by the abrupt decree?« in the air

pressure. Bursting of the PE, PET, and PP films is distinct. But bursting of

the flexible PVC and PU films is not as distinct, as indicated by their wavy

pressure profiles before bursting. For airbag blowout patch application that

requires rapid bursrting, these flexible films may not be suitable; whereas

the less flexible PE, PET, and PP films should be more appropriate.

Page 18: EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF PLASTIC FILMS FOR USE …FOP. USE AS AIRBAG VENT BLOWOUT PATCHES Introduction Tho steady descont volocity of a payload airdropped by U.S. Army parachutes

1.2 mil 0.8 mil 0.53 mil

Bursting Pressure {psig)

4 ~-

2- ■ \ \

J-4-J-I -4

__i:^"_; (TiiTi1 "r

4

1 1 * ' j ' I 1 ! ! i i . ' A » » '

- » » i

— i — i-L,-

_..I_.I i t

! 1 1 i ; 1

! ' '

JL— l )

2 4 i r

C 2 4

Timo (s)

Figure 5. Bursting air pressure measurements of 4"-diam. low density polyethylene films

* 1 mil - 103 in.

10

Page 19: EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF PLASTIC FILMS FOR USE …FOP. USE AS AIRBAG VENT BLOWOUT PATCHES Introduction Tho steady descont volocity of a payload airdropped by U.S. Army parachutes

Bursting Pressure (psig)

'(I'll ! ! i I . ■ ! ;

i ! • i

» • i ■

i * i . */ i » i

- f i

1 i

i

0.48 mil

0.92 mil

»—H * * ■■'

r J 0

1 • 1 1 | 1 Z 4 6fi \o \z

Time (s)

Figure 6. Bursting air pressure measurements of 4"-diam. polyethylene terephthalate films.

■ 11

Page 20: EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF PLASTIC FILMS FOR USE …FOP. USE AS AIRBAG VENT BLOWOUT PATCHES Introduction Tho steady descont volocity of a payload airdropped by U.S. Army parachutes

? i t

» »

8- 1 1 ».4T o- • ' ! iX l< i .

4-4. ' i !i i • * 1 i ^ * 2~-U ; t

i 0 ■ J 1 4

Bursting 3. Pressure (psig)

0.5 mil

1 mil

1.5 mil

8 »0 52

Time (s)

Figure 7. Bursting air pressure measurements of 4M-diam. oriented polyproplyene films.

12

Page 21: EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF PLASTIC FILMS FOR USE …FOP. USE AS AIRBAG VENT BLOWOUT PATCHES Introduction Tho steady descont volocity of a payload airdropped by U.S. Army parachutes

2 mil 1 mil 0.8 mU

Bursting 4 Prossure 2 " (psis) A^.

i ■■' - - -

J—' I ' ' 1 ' ' 1 r 1 1 1— 0 2 4. 6

i u4 qzzi m ♦ ' 1

-f •■«■ t»m njiiat . ■

Ö -2 4.

Time (s)

Figure 8. Bursting air pressure measurements of 4"-diam. polyvinyl chloride films.

13

Page 22: EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF PLASTIC FILMS FOR USE …FOP. USE AS AIRBAG VENT BLOWOUT PATCHES Introduction Tho steady descont volocity of a payload airdropped by U.S. Army parachutes

A - ■

*r

2- ■

»- T - 1- u • i 1

; .- ■

l ■ 1

1 1 !

X mil

Bursting Pressure (psig)

— ' ■ I 1 1 1 I *—

t ; J 1 i I

a- •■ 4- 2-

J — . i

1 \ i i ; — f J 1 1 * ! !

l/ •^ ! 1 j « ■ I

f i • ! * ! r ;/ ^^ 1 I f

S mil

«*—T-

: ' t Mlii I ; : : ♦ > i

! ' * i 1 i

10 mil

Time (s)

Figure 9. Bursting air pressure measurements of 4"-diam. Polyurethane films.

14

Page 23: EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF PLASTIC FILMS FOR USE …FOP. USE AS AIRBAG VENT BLOWOUT PATCHES Introduction Tho steady descont volocity of a payload airdropped by U.S. Army parachutes

Bursting air pressures fror« all tho tests wore determined from pressure

measurements os shown in Figs. S-9; they are presented in the Appendix along

with average values. Average bursting air pressures and their standard

deviations of the five plastic filme arc summariicd in Table 2. It is seen

that the PE, PET, and PP films provide c wldo range of bursting air pressures

from 1 to 20 psig, a range that is suitable for U.S. Army airbag application.

All standard deviations are less than 1S\ of the average values, oxcept for

the 4°-ai«ö, ii-mil PP film (35.7%). This high standard deviation is mostly

due tö the relatively stiff and thin S-mi PP films that occasionally present

difficulties in applying an oven grip by tho two clamp plates.

Ths averags bursting nix pressures of the throe more suitable plastic

films, Pa, ?£?, and W (Table 2) are plotted in Fig. 10 as a function of filrr

thickness. It is seen that bursting air pressure increases linearly with flip

thickness but decrcasos with film diameter. Fig. 10 served as a guide in

fleeting a vent blowout patch for a bursting air pressure ranging from 1 to

20 psig. It should bo noted that Fig. 10 should bo used only as a guide

because in addition to thickness and diameter, the bursting strength of a

plastic film is also dependent on tho rate of applying tho air pressure

Trial impact bursting tests of the selectod plastic film mounted on tho oirbag

with a simulated payload should be conducted first to examine the bursting air

pressure Additional tests will then bo conducted to refino tho solection to

satisfy tho desired bursting air pressure.

15

Page 24: EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF PLASTIC FILMS FOR USE …FOP. USE AS AIRBAG VENT BLOWOUT PATCHES Introduction Tho steady descont volocity of a payload airdropped by U.S. Army parachutes

m

to

tf> 1/5

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uT AC 3 iß tt Ui

a.

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i« V4 « pk *J

c ? 0 -It« <u- c U « c 3 »

VM •-> z

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«3 e u 2 g V W3 »»-»» w c u u 0 &.*- u 1 -4 < C —*

TJ er» c % «i «A ^i K « a »« c 3 .* .fl u —«

W* £ 0 JJ

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in

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IIUJ 'SS3NX0IH1 Wild

16

Page 25: EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF PLASTIC FILMS FOR USE …FOP. USE AS AIRBAG VENT BLOWOUT PATCHES Introduction Tho steady descont volocity of a payload airdropped by U.S. Army parachutes

Table 2

Av*»ra*je Pjrsfing Strengths of Plastic Films

BURSTING STANDARD FILM THICKNESS DIAM. STRENGTH DEVIATION

MATERIAL (INCH) (INCH) (PSXG) (PSIG)

LINEAR LOW 0ENSXTY O.GOOLU 4.U 0.84 0.06 POLYETHYLENE 0.00080 4.0 1.2X O.Cfe

0.00120 4.0 1.71 o.oa

POLYETHLENE 0.00040 4.0 S.7X 0.62 TEREPHTHALATE 0.00092 4.0 X8.63 0.02

ORIEI; *D o.oooso 4.0 S.X3 1.83 POLYFROPYLENE 0.00X30 4.0 12.34 1.27

0.001S0 4.0 20. XO 2.61 a.ooxoo 6.0 9.68 0.83 o.ooiso 6.0 X2.71 1.07

FLEXIBLE O.000H0 4.0 1.21 O.OM PQLYVINYL CHLORIDE 0.00X00 4.0 1.23 O.OJ

0.00200 4.0 2,37 0.11 O.OODfcS 4.0 1.04 0.0*

POLYURETHANE 0.00X00 4.0 2.11 0.1b O.0QHJ0 4.0 7.Ml 0.31 0.0X000 4.0 1J.ÜJ G.fct 0.01000 fe.O 7.83 o.4y

Air Pressure and Film Deflection

As mentioned earlier« air prossuro and film doflectlon measurements wore

correlated to obtain air pressure - film doflection profiles. Typical profiles

are shown in Figr. 11-17. The overall shape of the profiles rosemblor

stress-strain curves of ductile materials. The less flexible PE, PET, and P£

films behave like a brittle material; as snown in Figs. 11-14, their profiles

show a linear behavior until bursting occurs. The more flexible "VC and PU

films behave like a ductile material; as shown in Figs. 15 and lb, their

17

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profiles show a linear behavior first, then « deformation uiutar A relatively

constant axr pressure until bursting ultimately occurs. Figs, lu-ih also show

that as film thickness increases or diameter decreases, bursting air pressure

increases as expected.

Conclusion

Bursting air pressuros of five plastic films have been measured for

airbag vent blowout patch application. The measurements show that circular

films made of low density polyethylene polyethylene terephthaiate, and

oriented polypropylene are suitable for this application. The measurements

provide a data base for selecting a blowout patch having a bursting air

pressure from 1 to 20 psig. However, trial bursting tests of tho selected

blowout patch mounted on ehe airbag along with a simulated payload should be

conducted first to refine the selection (e.g., small changes in film thickness

or diameter). The final selection should be based on the results of these

trial drop tests.

This document reports research undertaken at tho US Army Natick Research, Development and Engineerii. \ Center and has been assigned Ho. NATICK/TR-fö/^ j in the series of reports approved for publication.

18

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Q.

LU cc ID </) CO UJ cc a

< a: Ui m

< X Ü

1.75

1.5

1.25

1 -

0.75 - mil

• 1.2 0.5 ■ 0.0

A 0.53

0.25 ^C^

^ \ \ I i

0.3 0.6 0.9 1.2 1.5

FILM DEFLECTION (INCH)

Figure 11. Measurements of chamber air pressure vs film deflection for 4"-diam. low density polyethylene films.

19

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UJ er => CO if> UJ

a. DC

< cc UJ CD 3E < I ü

1.4 1.5

FILM DEFLECTION (INCH)

Figure 12. Measurements of chamber air pressure vs film deflection for 4"-diam. polyethylene terephthalate films.

20

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•ft a UJ ac

to CO UJ oc a.

< cr UJ en

< X Ü

FILM DEFLECTION (INCH)

Figure 13. Measurements of chamber air pressure vs film deflection for 4M-diam. oriented polypropylene films.

21

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m a UJ cc => </> tn UJ cc a. AC

<

AC UJ CD

<

0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2

FILM DEFLECTION (INCH)

Figure 14. Measurements of chamber air pressure vs film deflection for 4"- and 6"- diam. oriented polypropylene films.

22

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«9

2.7

2.4 3 a 2.1 tu § 1.8 </> C/>

g 1.5 Q.

. /

C .. „ / -/ < 1-2

CH

AM

BE

R

p

p

- / / /

mil • 1.5 ■ 1.0 ▲ 0.8

0.3 c

I I l 1 1 1 1 »

0.5 1 1.5 3 ** 3.5

FILM DEFLECTION (INCH)

Figure 15. Meassurements of chamber air pressure vs film deflection for 4"-diam. polyvinyl chloride films.

23

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14 -

cc z> (/> V) m cc a. cc < cc ill CD

< X ü

FILM DEFLECTION (INCH)

Figure 16. Measurements of chamber air pressure vs film deflection for 4H-diam. polyurethane films.

24

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10 D.

lii JQC Z> if) </> LU QC CL

< or LU m

< X o

2 3 4 5 6

FILM DEFLECTION (INCH)

Figure 17. Measurements of chamber air-pressure vs film deflection for 4"- and 6"-diam. Polyurethane films.

25

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LIST OF REFERENCES

1. Browning, A.C.« A Theoretical Approach Co Airbag Shock Absorber Decign,

Technical Note ME369, Royal Aircraft Establishment, Fornborough, .England,

February 1963.

2. Nykvist, w., Balloon-Skirt Airbags As Airdrop Shock Absorbers: Performance

in Vertical Drops, Technical Roport NATICK/TR-82/02o, Aoro-Hechenical

Engineering Directorate, U.S. Army Natick Resoarch, Development and

Engineering Cancer, December 1281 (At) A12Q228).

3. Portorcon, T.F., Design, Fabrication and Testing of an Airdrop Platform

Utilizing Airbags As Shock Absorbers, Technical Report NATICK/:5-87/042,

Aoro-Mochanical Engineering Directorate, U.S. Army Natick Research,

Development and Engineering Center, September yhi» (AD A199593).

4. Ross, E.D., Control Systems for Platform Landing Cushioned by Air Dögs.

Technical Report NATICK/TR-80/Ori, Aoro-Mech.jnk\u Engineering Directorate,

U.S. Army Natick Research, Development and Engineering Corner, July 1987

(AD A196154).

5. Lee, C.K., Performance of a Single Balloon-Skirt Airb'- in Vortical Drops,

Technical Report NATICK/TR-88/0S9, Aero-Mechanical Engineering Directorate,

U.S. Army Natick Research Development and Engineering Center, July 1988

(AD A198240).

6. Lai, F.S.r iVxrametric Study of the Performance of platform Landing

Cushioned by Airb&gs, Summer Faculty Research Report, Engineering

Technology Divis\on, Aero-Mechanical Engineering Directorate, U.S. Army

Natick Research, Development and Engineering Center, Natick, MA, 1987.

26

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LIST OF REFERENCES (Cont'd)

"?. Turner, C.T., and Glrard Jr., L.A., Air Bag Impact Attenuation System

for the AQM-34V Re."T«3tc Piloted Vehicle, Journal of Aircraft, Voi 19,

No. XX $ p» 004, November 1002.

0. Durgran, H.A., and calderwood, R.H., rressurc-Dcflection and Hurst

Characteristics of Plastics Films, Modern Plastics, p. 143, July 1964.

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APPENDIX

BURSTING AIR PRESSURES OF PLASTIC FILMS

1. Linear Low Density Polyethylene

Simple (•*"-di*n) O.CO0S3

Thicknc 0.

ss (inch) 00080 0.00120

O.OO(psig) 1.25 1,75

0.88 1.25 1.62

0.88 1.12 1.75

0.88 1.2& 1.62

0.75 i.:& 1.75

0.75 1.20 1.62

0.86 1.25 1.62

o.ee 1.12 1.75

0.88 1.12 1.75

0.7S 1.25 1.87

Average (psig) 0.84 1.21 1.71

~.andard Deviation (psig) 0.06 0.06 0.08

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2. Poiycthylone Terophthalate

San-ple (4"-dtaffl)

Thickness 0.00040

(inch) 0.00002

S.OO(psig) 18.25

4.00 19.25

6.25 17. SO

7.13 19.25

5.00 10.50

6.00 19.00

Average Bursting Strength

(psig)

(psig)

£..71 18.03

Standard Deviation 0.83 0.62

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3. Oriented Polypropylen«

Swr.ple

4"-dia.-n Thickness (inch)

O.OOOS 0.0010 0.0015

6"~di<w Thickness 0.0010

(inch) 0.0015

6.7S(P sig) 15.00 22.7$ 9.75 12.13

7.25 12.00 21.75 10.25 13.50

5.00 13.75 22.50 10.50 13.00

b.00 12.75 15.00 10.25 10,75

5.00 11.25 21.50 8.00 13.50

4.00 12.50 23.25 10.50 10,75

5.25 10.88 10.00 8.50 13.25

5.50 11.00 20.00 10.25 13.50

0.00 13.00 17.00 9.6 13.00

5.03 11.25 19.25 9.12 13.75

Average Bursting Strength

(psig) 5.13 12.34 20.10 9.68 12.71

Standard Deviation (psig) 1.83 1.27 2.61 0.83 1.C7

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4. Flexible Polyvinyl Chloride

Sarple (4"-diaai) 0.0000

Thickness (inch) 0.0010 0.0020 0.00065

1.25(psig) 1.25 2.50 1.00

1.25 1.20 2.50 0.88

l.OO 1.25 2.37 1.12

1.12 1.20 2.50 1.12

1.35 1.20 2.50 1.00

1.25 1.20 2.25 1.00

1.20 1.25 2.37 1.00

1.25 1.20 2.25 1.12

1.20 1.30 2.25 1.00

1.20 1.20 2.25 1.12

Avorago Bursting (psig) Stront3th

1.21 1.23 2.37 1.04

Standard Doviation (psig) 0.09 0.03 0.11 O.0Ö

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5. Polyurethane

S&fr.ple- 0.001

4M-dinra Thickness (inch)

0.005 0.010

6M-diam Thickness (inch)

0.010

2.00(psig) 7.2S 11.25 Q.75

2.25 7.75 13.00 8.25

2.12 7.75 13.00 8.00

2.00 7.00 13.25 7.50

2.37 7.00 13.25 7.50

2.Q0 6.75 13.00 7.50

1.88 7.00 13.75 7.50

2.12 7.12 13.00 7,00

2.37 7.12 13.75 8.00

2.00 7.12 13.00 8.25

Average Bursting (psig) Strength

2.11 7.19 13.03 7.83

Standard Deviation (psig) 0.16 0.31 0.66 0.49

32