Abstract
Inflatable aerodynamic decelerators (IADs) are designed to slow down the speed of a spacecraft or payload during its descent through an atmosphere. As part of evaluating the structural integrity of an inflatable aerodynamic decelerator assembly in the stowed condition, a spin test was conducted revealing a significant failure within the aluminum alloy AA2014 stem component. Before this failure, an initial test was successfully conducted, rotating at 3 revolutions per second (rps) for 60 s, with no observable issues at the weak tie location of the IAD. Subsequently, a second test was planned, involving a higher spin rate of 6 rps for a duration of 200 s. During the second test, as the spin rate gradually increased from a static condition to 5.8 rps, a significant failure noticed at the top stem, precisely at the flange-to-shaft interface. A detailed metallurgical analysis was carried out on the failed components to delve into the nature and underlying causes of this failure. Microstructure and microhardness analysis indicate that material is in proper heat treatment condition. Examination of the fracture surface revealed the presence of equiaxed dimple features, along with shallow elongated shear dimples, indicating a failure mechanism driven by a combination of shear and tensile overload. The failure is attributed to the higher load experienced at the shaft–flange interface due to the spinning and wobbling of the IAD assembly at elevated rps.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to extend their acknowledgement to the Group Director, Materials and Metallurgy Group and the Deputy Director, Materials and Mechanical Entity for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout the completion of this study. Additionally, the authors would like to express their gratitude to the Director, VSSC for permitting us to publish this work.
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Jalaja, K., Manwatkar, S.K. & Gupta, R.K. Analysis of Stem Assembly of Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (IAD) that Failed During Spin Test. J Fail. Anal. and Preven. 24, 271–278 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11668-023-01835-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11668-023-01835-0