Landing Gear Alloy and Composite Analysis By David Cobler
Problem The landing gear for the Lunar Lander Satcube must take up the minimum amount of space required and be as light as possible.
Solution Analyze various Alloys and Composites for a material that is very strong and light weight. – Aircraft grade Aluminum – Aluminum-Lithium Alloy 8090 – Beryllium-Aluminum Alloy 363 – Titanium Ti – Carbon-Epoxy
Comparison Criteria Material Properties – Focusing mainly on Yield Strength and Density Availability and Cost
Aircraft Aluminum Somewhat light weight Low strength Many suppliers Cheap Yield Strength Modulus Of ElongationDensity 11.0 ksi10600 ksi0.100 lb/in³ Break Poisson's Ratio Shear Strength 20.00% psi
Aluminum-Lithium Alloy 8090 Lighter than Aircraft Aluminum Much stronger than Aircraft Aluminum Not Readily Available Very Expensive Yield Strength Modulus Of ElongationDensity 53.7 ksi11200 ksi lb/in³ Break Poisson's Ratio Shear Strength 7.00% psi
Beryllium-Aluminum Alloy 363 Lightest Aluminum Alloy Not as strong as Al-Li Not Readily Available Expensive Permanent and or fatal respiratory hazards when machining Yield Strength Modulus Of ElongationDensity ksi29300 ksi lb/in³ Break Poisson's Ratio Shear Strength 3.00% psi
Titanium Ti Not very light weight Very strong Specialty Suppliers Somewhat Pricy Yield Strength Modulus Of ElongationDensity ksi17,400 ksi0.164 lb/in³ Break Poisson's Ratio Shear Strength 3.00% ,000 psi
Carbon-Epoxy Sheet Extremely light weight Very strong Specialty suppliers Relatively Cheap Yield Strength Modulus Of ElongationDensity 87.0 ksi10200 ksi lb/in³ Break Poisson's Ratio Shear Strength 0.80%None Found13100 psi
Overall Comparison Yield Strength 11.0 ksi psi psi psi psi Density lb/in³ lb/in³ lb/in³ lb/in³ lb/in³ Yield Strength/Density 110ksi/(lb/in³) 878ksi/(lb/in³) 1505ksi/(lb/in³) 584ksi/(lb/in³) 397ksi/(lb/in³) Aircraft Aluminum Titanium Ti Carbon Fiber Epoxy Aluminum Lithium alloy 8090 Beryllium-aluminum The Beryllium and Lithium Alloys are to expensive, unavailable, or warrant health risks that do not make them appropriate. Aircraft Aluminum is the Cheapest material at about 15$ per ft^2 Carbon-Epoxy was found around 65$ per ft^2 Titanium was found to be much higher and ranging in prices.
Questions?