Lightweight composite lattice cylindrical shells with novel character of tailorable thermal expansion

Composite lattice cylindrical shells widely utilized in aerospace engineering are susceptible to experience large temperature excursions, and generate undesirable thermal deformation. Here, we devise novel composite lattice cylindrical shells which can exclusively present a wide range of negative, positive and especially zero coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) through structural design and rational arrangement of commonly available positive CTE composites. Theoretical analysis figures out the thermal deformation mechanism, and clearly establishes the important relationship that with adequate circumferential triangle units, the CTEs of the lattice cylindrical shells closely approach to the CTEs of the corresponding triangle and planar lattice composites. Finite element analysis firmly confirms the tailorable thermal expansion characteristics. Furthermore, in practical design of lattice cylindrical shells with commonly available composites, a wide range of tailorable thermal expansion up to -2200 to 2200 ppm/degrees C, which is substantially larger than those of available engineering materials, can be easily achieved. Such wide range of CTEs and lightweight feature enable these composite lattice cylindrical shells to be potentially used in aerospace engineering. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.