Experiments on Residual-Stress Bondline Failures in an RSRM

A report describes an experimental study undertaken to verify a finite-element mathematical model used to predict residual stresses and stress-induced failures in the adhesive interfacial layers (bondlines) that join phenolic liners to interior surfaces of metal housings of reusable solid rocket motors (RSRMs). The model reflects the three-dimensional complexity of the stress fields in question and includes time- and temperature-dependent constitutive and failure properties of the adhesive material, which exhibits nonlinear viscoelasticity.