Abstract
Supporting laser/materials interactive testing for the past 15 years, the Laser-Hardened Materials Evaluation Laboratory (LHMEL) has efficiently performed low-cost high-volume testing of materials samples placed in various environmental simulation conditions. The capabilities of the upgraded LHMEL facility carbon dioxide laser and related test support systems are described. The LHMEL facility is part of Wright Laboratories Materials Directorate and is located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Two lasers producing a 10.6 micron wavelength, continuous wave output and having a flat-top spatial intensity distribution are currently available for testing. The test parameters achievable with the 15 kW LHMEL I and the 100 kW LHMEL II devices are discussed. In addition, various test environmental simulation capabilities are described. Vacuum environments in the 1 X 10-6 torr range are routinely achieved for samples ranging in size from 1 cm to 120 cm. Atmospheric velocities approaching Mach 1 for samples up to 7 cm are provided. Mechanical loads up to 55,000 lbs of force can be incorporated into ambient or high velocity testing schemes. Finally, the capability of the facility data acquisition system is described.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
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