180 Development of laminated composite material with NTC for cryogenic tank

Job title:

180 Development of laminated composite material with NTC for cryogenic tank

Company:

Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales

Job description

25-180 Development of laminated composite material with NTC for cryogenic tankPostuler25-180 Development of laminated composite material with NTC for cryogenic tank

• Doctorat, 36 mois
• Temps plein
• Indifférent
• Maitrise, IEP, IUP, Bac+4
• Materials and processes

PostulerMissionThe use of composite materials in the space field has led to great weight improvements. For instance, important structural parts, like solid motor cases, inter-stage structures, fairings, etc. are made from filament winding, fiber placement or manual lay-up with monolithic or sandwich composite structures. To continue to achieve significant weight gain, composite cryogenic tank is the next technological application to reach by replacing the current metal alloy cryogenic propellant tanks. Lighter reinforced organic matrix composite materials (that are at least as efficient from a mechanical, thermal, chemical and ignition resistance point of view) are a realistic target to be reached that has been explored in recent years. Many research approaches tend to answer to this technological lock, but the potentialities of Carbon NanoTubes (CNTs) in terms of mechanical and physical properties, need to be explored deeper.In this context, the present study focuses more precisely on a carbon/polymer composite incorporating CNTs. In the literature, these materials have been characterized in cryogenic environments in terms of mechanical damage [1][2]. However, depending on the configuration of CNT integration in carbon/polymer composite, results may differ.A first phase to assess the interest of CNTs for space applications (intrinsic material permeability and barrier to cracking for launcher linerless cryogenic tank) was carried out with the Laboratoire Edifices Nanométriques (LEDNA) at CEA to characterize CNTs (obtained by CVD synthesis from liquid aerosols [3]) in a cryogenic environment and their benefits within a polymer resin. The structural and thermostable organic matrix of interest is a cyanate ester grade selected from the literature [4][5][6] as the best potential candidate.Then a second phase was performed with LEDNA laboratory, CMP Composite company and I2M laboratory to evaluate the best way to process CNTs in layered composite materials for a launcher cryogenic tank. Three processes and corresponding layered composite development protocols were investigated, (i) transfer of aligned CNTs mats by hot pressing (ii) dispersion of entangled CNTs mixed with resin, or (iii) growth of nanotubes aligned directly on the dry ply. Knowing mechanical and thermal loads, the aim is to demonstrate the efficiency of CNTs and influence of their characteristics with regard to damage tolerance of the material. The damage tolerance provided by CNT functionalization consist in delaying the cracking process of the composite nearby the CNT layer and thus blocking the percolation of the cracking network which leads to the loss of tightness.For the preferred development process identified during the second phase, the aim of this doctoral work is now to consolidate the material functionalisation with CNTs (shape, density, etc.) and the understanding of the mechanical behaviour (at room temperature and at low temperature) for the development of the layered material integrating CNTs. Knowing the final application is cryogenic tank, relevant tests will be performed to demonstrate the impact in terms of damage development and tightness in comparison with the same material without CNTs. The characterisation will be mainly based on experimental observation but the understanding of phenomena can also be based on numerical approaches.To perform this project, collaborations with previous laboratories and companies for manufacturing and thermomechanical tests will be made.Références[1] Y. Li. et al., Journal of Material Science, 2019, 54:1036-1076[2] S.I. Yengejeh et al., Computational Materials Science, 2017, 136, 85-101, Kara M et al., Compos Part B Eng. juill 2018;145:145-54[3] M. Pinault et al., Carbon, 2005, 43, 2968-2976[4] Thèse J.-C. Malenfant, « Influence de l’endommagement sur la perméabilité des matériaux composites – Application à la conception d’une capacité cryogénique sans liner », Univ. Bdx 1, 2012[5] PHd Thesis -Jean Vereecke. « Vers une conception optimale des réservoirs composites sans liner pour le stockage cryogénique ». Université de Bordeaux, 2024. Français. ⟨NNT : 2024BORD0036⟩. ⟨tel-04562494⟩[6] Thèse J. L’Intermy, « Développement d’un matériau de liner pour réservoir cryogénique de lanceur », INSA Lyon, 2013For more Information about the topics and the co-financial partner (found by the lab !); contact Directeur de thèse –Then, prepare a resume, a recent transcript and a reference letter from your M2 supervisor/ engineering school director and you will be ready to apply online before March 14th, 2025 Midnight Paris time !ProfilMaster’s degree in mechanical and materials engineeringInfos pratiquesI2MMot du recruteurMore details on CNES website :LocalisationEmplacement AdresseEsplanade des Arts et Métiers, 33400 Talence, France, 33400 Talence, France

Expected salary

Location

Talence, Gironde

Job date

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 07:48:40 GMT

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