Mandrels for Filament Winding

A summary is given of laboratory and small-scale mandrel evaluations performed as part of Phase II investigations. Several mandrel materials and concepts are being evaluated in light of several parameters. Mandrel material properties and the effects of winding and curing operations on these materials during the fabrication of a filament-wound structure are discussed. Status of current small-scale mandrel investigations and the projected plan of action are presented. Laboratory and small-scale mandrel evaluations show that Navmold (carbohydrate-based material) mandrel material has comparatively good shrinkage and thermal expansion properties. But, as noted for other hot-melt, water-soluble materials in the literature survey of Phase I, radial deformation due to the winding and curing operation was excessive.