Experimental Study on the Influence of Temperature on the Mechanical Properties of Near-Space Airship Envelopes

Abstract

A biaxial tension test considering temperature is crucial to predict the mechanical properties of airship envelopes. However, there is a lack of biaxial tensile test equipment for high- and low-temperature correlation. In this study, a temperature control device suitable for biaxial tension was designed based on the traditional device, and the biaxial tension test of the UN-5100 material in high- and low-temperature environments was realized. In addition, a series of tests were carried out to verify the effectiveness and rationality of the temperature control device. Then, a biaxial tensile test of UN-5100 specimens between −33 °C and 80 °C were carried out and the stress–strain relationship of the UN-5100 specimens under high- and low-temperature environments was obtained. Based on the test data, the elastic modulus and Poisson’s ratio of the UN-5100 specimens at different temperatures were calculated. Finally, the test results showed that the elastic modulus and Poisson’s ratio of the airship envelope were larger at low temperatures, indicating that the capsule is relatively safe at such temperatures. The relationships between the temperature and the mechanical properties of the airship were also summarized.