EXPERIMENTS AND ANALYSES FOR CARBON FIBER REINFORCED COMPOSITE MULTI-JOINTS OF THE SATELLITE ANTENNA TRUSS

Based on 3-D or 2.5-D weaving technique and 3-D FEA, the experiments and numerical analyses have been fulfilled to the structure design for the composite multi-joints of the satellite antenna truss. A basement was set up to manufacture a non-metal multi-joint into reality. The tests of tension,compression and bending were carried out for the composite joints made by weaving technique. Based on the numerical analyses it is confirmed that the intensity of the composite joint reaches about 400 MPa, and the fractural location is in accordance with the experimental results. The replacement of metallic joints by composites is reasonable.