SIST-TP CEN/TR 17603-32-08:2022

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-marec-2022
Vesoljska tehnika - Priročnik o strukturnih materialih - 8. del: Slovar
Space engineering - Structural materials handbook - Part 8: Glossary
Raumfahrttechnik - Handbuch der Konstruktionswerkstoffe - Teil 8: Glossar
Ingénierie spatiale - Manuel des matériaux structuraux - Partie 8 : Glossaire
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN/TR 17603-32-08:2022
ICS:
01.040.49 Letalska in vesoljska tehnika Aircraft and space vehicle
(Slovarji) engineering (Vocabularies)
49.140 Vesoljski sistemi in operacije Space systems and
operations
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

TECHNICAL REPORT CEN/TR 17603-32-08

RAPPORT TECHNIQUE
TECHNISCHER BERICHT
January 2022
ICS 49.140
English version
Space engineering - Structural materials handbook - Part
8: Glossary
Ingénierie spatiale - Manuel des matériaux structuraux Raumfahrttechnik - Handbuch der
- Partie 8 : Glossaire Konstruktionswerkstoffe - Teil 8: Glossar

This Technical Report was approved by CEN on 29 November 2021. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/CLC/JTC 5.
CEN and CENELEC members are the national standards bodies and national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium,
Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia,
Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom.

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Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2022 CEN/CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means
Ref. No. CEN/TR 17603-32-08:2022 E
reserved worldwide for CEN national Members and for
CENELEC Members.
Table of contents
European Foreword . 3
Introduction . 4
1 Glossary . 5
2 References . 116

European Foreword
This document (CEN/TR 17603-32-08:2022) has been prepared by Technical Committee
CEN/CLC/JTC 5 “Space”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
It is highlighted that this technical report does not contain any requirement but only collection of data
or descriptions and guidelines about how to organize and perform the work in support of EN 16603-
32.
This Technical report (CEN/TR 17603-32-08:2022) originates from ECSS-E-HB-32-20 Part 8A.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such
patent rights.
This document has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission and
the European Free Trade Association.
This document has been developed to cover specifically space systems and has therefore precedence
over any TR covering the same scope but with a wider domain of applicability (e.g.: aerospace).
Introduction
The Structural materials handbook is published in 8 Parts.
A glossary of terms, definitions and abbreviated terms for these handbooks is contained in Part 8.

The parts are as follows:
TR 17603-32-01 Part 1 Overview and material properties and applications Clauses 1 - 9
TR 17603-32-02 Part 2 Design calculation methods and general design Clauses 10 - 22
aspects
TR 17603-32-03 Part 3 Load transfer and design of joints and design of Clauses 23 - 32
structures
TR 17603-32-04 Part 4 Integrity control, verification guidelines and Clauses 33 - 45
manufacturing
TR 17603-32-05 Part 5 New advanced materials, advanced metallic Clauses 46 - 63
materials, general design aspects and load transfer
and design of joints
TR 17603-32-06 Part 6 Fracture and material modelling, case studies and Clauses 64 - 81
design and integrity control and inspection
TR 17603-32-07 Part 7 Thermal and environmental integrity, Clauses 82 - 107
manufacturing aspects, in-orbit and health
monitoring, soft materials, hybrid materials and
nanotechnoligies
TR 17603-32-08 Part 8 Glossary

1 Glossary
A
A
Aluminium Association, USA
A-BASIS DESIGN ALLOWABLE
A value which at least 99% of the population of values is expected to fall with a confidence of
95%, Ref. [9]; also known as ‘A’ value and ‘A’ basis.
A-SCAN
A single point signal describing the ultrasonic response of material immediately beneath the
transducer
A-stage
An early stage in the polymerisation reaction of certain thermo-setting resins (especially
phenolic) in which the material, after application to the reinforcement, is still soluble in some
liquids and is fusible; sometimes called resole. [See also: B STAGE, C STAGE]
'A' value
An 'A' value is one above which at least 99% of the population of values is expected to fall with
a confidence of 95%. [See also: ALLOWABLES]
ABLATIVE
Sacrificial material which protects a structure from high-velocity, high-temperature gas
streams. It is typically used on leading surfaces for planetary re-entry to protect against
frictional atmospheric heating. The surface of the ablative is consumed by reaction, abrasion
and evaporation or sublimation and the lost material carries heat away from the underlying
structure
AblaDor DO-31-F
Lightweight phenolic ablative
ABM
Apogee Boost Motor
ABS
1 Alumino-boro-silicate ceramic
2 Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer
ACC
Advanced Carbon-Carbon (NASA) replaced RCC
ACCELERATOR
A material mixed with a catalysed resin to increase the rate of chemical reaction between the
catalyst and resin, used in polymerising resins, also known as promoter or curing agent
ACCELEROMETER
A device for measuring acceleration, often used in vibration analysis
ACCEPTANCE
Verification phase with the objective to demonstrate that the flight items are free of
workmanship defects and integration errors and ready for operational use, Ref. [1]
ACESA
Advanced composites with embedded sensors and actuator. An American smart technology
programme.
ACG
Advanced Composites Group, UK
ACK analysis
Aveston-Cooper-Kelly analysis for modelling the onset of matrix cracking in composite
materials (with particular regard to CMC ceramic matrix composites)
ACOUSTIC EMISSION (AE)
An inspection technique where the sound generated by damage formation and propagation
(under test stressing or in-service) is monitored using sensitive, high-frequency microphones.
Triangulation techniques can be used to locate the damage events within a three dimensional
structure. Frequently used to measure the integrity of composite laminates
ACRV
Assured Crew Return Vehicle (NASA/ESA) for emergency return of astronauts from orbiting
space stations to earth
ACS
Attitude Control System
ACTEX
Advanced control technology experiment. An American smart technology programme.
ACTIVE COMPENSATION
A device able to change its characteristics in response to an externally triggered signal, e.g.
stiffness in response to vibration
ACUSIL I
An ablative foam composed of silicone resin, quartz microballoons, phenolic microballoons and
quartz fibre
ACUSIL II
Lower density ablative foam composed of silicone resin, quartz microballoons, phenolic
microballoons and quartz fibre. Remains RF transparent during re-entry
ADHEREND
Plate adhesively bonded to another plate, Ref. [10].
ADHESION
The state in which two surfaces are held together at an interface by forces or the interlocking
action of an adhesive or both
ADHESIVE
A substance capable of holding two surfaces together
ADVANCED COMPOSITES
Composite materials with structural properties comparable to or better than those of
aluminium; e.g. boron, graphite and aramid composites
AE
See: Acoustic Emission
AECMA
Association Européen des Constructeurs Matériel Aérospatiale; European Association of
Aerospace Industries
AEFIS
Acoustic emission flight instrumentation system. A structural health monitoring system,
developed by Boeing.
Aerotiss® 2.5D
Aerospatiale reinforced carbon-carbon (RCC) material with multidirectional fibre architecture
A
f
Austenite finish temperature
AFNOR
Association Français de Normalisation; French national standards organisation
AFRSI
Advanced Flexible Reusable Surface Insulation (Shuttle orbiter)
AFWAL
Air Force Wright Aeronautical Laboratory, USA
AGC
Attitude Gain Control
AGE HARDENING
A thermal treatment used to improve the strength of some metal alloys, e.g. certain
aluminium alloys, [See also: Precipitation Hardening].
AGED STRUCTURE
A structure which can have structural degradation or damage as a result of being exposed to
the combined effects of the environment
AGEING
General: The process or the effect on materials of exposure to an environment (elevated
temperature, ultraviolet radiation, moisture or other hostile environment) for a period of time;
also known as ‘aging’
1 Material or sample: usually undertaken before testing and applied to simulate the expected
service environmental conditions, e.g. exposure to heat and humidity
2 Structure: the progressive change in characteristics owing to exposure to the service
conditions, e.g. corrosion, outgassing
3 Processing: a thermal process used to obtain the desired microstructure and properties of
metal alloys, e.g. some aluminium alloys
AGGRESSIVE ENVIRONMENT
Any combination of liquid or gaseous media and temperature that alters static or fatigue
crack-growth characteristics from ‘normal’ behaviour associated with an ambient temperature
and laboratory air environment, Ref. [5]
AGING
[See: Ageing].
AI
Artificial intelligence
AIAA
American Institute of Astronautics and Aeronautics, USA
AISI
American Iron and Steel Institute
AIT
Assembly, Integration and Test
AIV
Assembly, Integration and Verification
AKM
Apogee Kick Motor
ALFLEX
Automatic Landing Experimental Vehicle
Al-Li
Aluminium-lithium alloy
ALLOTROPY
Existence of a chemical element in two or more physical forms, e.g. carbon as graphite or
diamond
ALLOWABLE LOAD
The load that induces the allowable stress in a material, Ref. [5]
ALLOWABLE STRESS
The maximum stress that can be permitted in a material for a given operating environment to
prevent rupture, collapse, detrimental deformation or unacceptable crack growth, Ref. [5]
ALLOWABLES
Material values that are determined from test data at the laminate or lamina level on a
probability basis (e.g. 'A' or 'B' values), following ASTM or other test standards accepted by the
final customer. [See also: A-BASIS DESIGN ALLOWABLE; B-BASIS DESIGN ALLOWABLE;
'A' VALUE, 'B' VALUE]
ALLOY
Mixture of a base metallic element with one or more other metallic or non-metallic elements
AlN
Aluminium nitride
ALS051
Medium-density, silicone-based ablative
ALSCAP
Alternative Low-cost, Short Manufacturing Cycle Assessment Programme
ALUMINA
Aluminium Oxide, Al2O3.
ALUMINIDE
Intermetallic compound of another metallic element, or elements, with aluminium, e.g. NiAl,
TiAl or FeAl
ALUMINIUM (Al)
-3
Metallic element, melting point 660°C, density 2700 kg m . Uses: ubiquitous aerospace alloy
base, important component in oxidation resistant alloys and coatings and as part of basic
strengthening mechanism for nickel-based superalloys
ALUMINIUM-LITHIUM
An aluminium alloy containing typically between 1% and 3% Li, with the objective of
increasing mechanical properties over base alloy alone.
Note: Because Li is a low-level alloy addition, Al-Li alloys are classified within the 2XXX,
7XXX and 8XXX wrought alloy designations, plus 2XX casting alloys
ALUMINIUM NITRIDE (AlN)
Ceramic with high thermal conductivity (140 W/mK to 177 W/mK), but is effectively an
electrical insulator (volume resistivity 1010 ohm cm). Can suffer surface oxidation above
-3
700°C, density 3320 kg m .
ALUMINO-SILICATE
Compound of aluminium and silicon oxides used in ceramics and some types of glasses for
composite matrix materials
AMBIENT
1 The surrounding environmental conditions, e.g. pressure, temperature or relative humidity
2 usual work place temperature and humidity environmental conditions, e.g. room
temperature
ANALYSIS
A verification method performing theoretical or empirical analysis by accepted analytical
methods. The selected techniques can typically include systematics, statistics, qualitative
design analysis, modelling and computer simulation, Ref. [1]
ANALYSIS PROCEDURE
This document lists all the requirements to be verified by Analysis, grouping them in
categories detailing the Verification Plan activity sheets, with planning of the execution and a
definition of the associated procedures, Ref. [1]
ANALYSIS REPORT
A document that describes, for each analysis, assumptions, utilised methods, software and
results and contains proper evidence that the relevant requirements are satisfied, Ref.[1]
ANALYTICAL LIFE
Life evaluated analytically, i.e. by crack-growth analysis or fatigue analysis, Ref. [5]
ANALYTICAL MODEL
A representation of an item based on mathematical modelling. The modelling is performed on
the basis of known mathematical techniques, providing a representation of the item features
under investigation, Ref. [1]
ANGLE INTERLOCKED
A triaxial fabric in which all reinforcement fibres are woven at the same time; also known as
‘integrally woven’
ANGLE-PLY LAMINATE
Possessing equal plies with positive and negative angles. This bidirectional laminate is simple
because it is orthotropic
ANISOTROPIC
Having mechanical or physical properties which vary in direction relative to natural reference
axes in the material
ANNEALING
A heat treatment process:
1 Metals: used to reduce residual stresses.
2 Composites: ineffective at reducing residual stresses
ANOXIC
The resistance of a material to thermo-oxidative attack by atomic oxygen
ANTISYMMETRY
Special symmetry with sign change between off-diagonal components, e.g. an unsymmetrical
angle-ply laminate
AO
Atomic oxygen; experiments conducted on the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF)
AOCS
Attitude and Orbit Control System, or subsystem
APC
Aromatic polymer composite
AQUEOUS CORROSION
Corrosion by ionic species in water, e.g. chlorides, hydroxides. Includes moisture or humidity
trapped or condensed within structures.
AR
Acceptance Review
ARA
Advanced rigid array; a type of ultrasonic transducer assembly
ARALDITE™
A range of epoxy-based structural adhesives; developed by Ciba Geigy, now Vantico
ARALL™
Aramid fibre-reinforced aluminium laminate. [See: FIBRE METAL LAMINATE]
ARAMID
A type of highly oriented aromatic polymer material. Used primarily as a high-strength
reinforcing fibre, of which Kevlar™ 49 and Twaron™ HM are most commonly used in
aerospace applications
ARAMID/EPOXY
A composite material comprising of an aramid fibre reinforcement in an epoxy matrix
ARC
Austrian Research Centre, Seibersdorf
ARD
Atmospheric Re-entry Demonstrator
AREAL WEIGHT
A measurement of the weight per unit area of a fabric or fabric prepreg; expressed as g/m²
ARIANE
Family of European launch vehicles
ARP
Aramid fibre-reinforced plastic, Ref. [10]
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)
The property of a machine capable of reason by which it can learn functions normally
associated with human intelligence
As
Austenite start temperature
ASIFS
Aerial spacecraft interface structure; part of SILEX
ASIP
Aircraft Structural Integrity Program
ASME
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
ASSEMBLED ARTICLE
Any component ‘black box’ or assembly of components which represents the article to be used
in a spacecraft, Ref. [7].
ASSEMBLY
An accumulation of subassemblies and/or equipment that performs specific functions within a
subsystem, e.g. water pump package. (Verification level typical of US standard), Ref.[1]
ASTM
American Society for Testing and Materials; USA standards organisation
ASTP
Advanced Systems and Technology Programme; ESA programme
ASTREX
Advanced space structure technology research experiments; an American smart technology
programme
ATC
1 Active Thermal Control
2 Advanced Technical Ceramic
ATOMISATION
Spray technique for producing metal alloy powders with or without a particulate
reinforcement. Molten metal is forced through a nozzle into a stream of high-velocity, inert
gas. The semi-solid droplets are collected on a substrate. Proprietary processes are OSPREY
(un-reinforced alloys) and COSPRAY (particulate reinforced alloys)
ATOX
Atomic Oxygen
AUTOCLAVE
A closed vessel for conducting a chemical reaction or other operation under pressure and heat
AUTOCLAVE MOULDING
After composite lay-up, the entire assembly is placed in steam autoclave at 7 bar to 14 bar and
180°C; additional pressure achieves higher reinforcement loading and improved removal of air
AVCO 5026-39 HCG
Epoxy-novalac, glass fibre honeycomb reinforced material
AVERAGE STRESS CRITERION
A failure criterion in which it is assumed that failure occurs when the average stress over
some distance equals the unnotched laminate strength
AWG
American Wire Gauge
AXIAL WINDING
In filament-wound reinforced plastics, a winding with the filaments parallel to the axis
AXISYMMETRY
Symmetry about an axis (in the case of a laminated material it is isotropic in the plane normal
to the axis, and this material is called transversely isotropic)
B
B-BASIS DESIGN ALLOWABLE
A value which at least 90 % of the population of values is expected to fall with a confi-dence of
95 %, Ref. [9]; also known as ‘B’ value
B-SCAN
A scanned line response showing features at identifiable depths; nondestructive testing
B-STAGE
An intermediate stage in the reaction of certain thermosetting resins, Ref. [10], in which the
material swells when in contact with certain liquids and softens when heated, but cannot
dissolve or fuse entirely; sometimes referred to as ‘resistol’. The resin in an uncured prepreg or
premix is usually in this stage. [See also: A-STAGE, C-STAGE]
'B' VALUE
A 'B' value is that above which at least 90% of the population of values is expected to fall with
a confidence of 95%. [See also: ALLOWABLES]
BACKING SHEET
A thin polymer sheet used to protect prepreg and film adhesive surfaces from contamination
and damage prior to use. These have to be completely removed during lay-up and are usually
coloured to aid this.
BAe
British Aerospace, UK
BAGGING
Process: the enclosing of an uncured composite lay-up in a heat-resistant bag prior removal of
the air and subsequent curing
BAKEOUT
Activity of increasing the temperature of hardware to accelerate its outgassing rates with the
intent of reducing the content of molecular contaminants within the hardware. Note: Bakeout
is usually performed in a vacuum environment but may be done in a controlled atmosphere,
Ref. [8].
BALANCED DESIGN
In filament-wound reinforced plastics, a winding pattern so designed that the stresses in all
filaments are equal
BALANCED LAMINATE
Where plies with positive angles are balanced by equal plies with negative angles. While
angle-ply laminates have only one pair of matched angles, balanced laminates can have many
pairs, plus 0 and 90 degrees. A balanced laminate is orthotropic in in-plane behaviour, but
anisotropic in flexural behaviour
BAM
Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und prüfung, Federal Institute for Materials Research
and Testing, Germany
BATCH
Materials produced during a unique sequence:
1. Fibre: The amount which is produced by the conversion of a number of precursor tows under
standard, controlled, processing-plant conditions in one continuous operation, including any
surface treatment and sizing of the fibre
2. Prepreg: A quantity, irrespective of width, that is produced under 'no-change conditions' in
one continuous operation of the impregnating plant from one batch of resin mix and one batch
of fibre. A batch is expected to conform to a fixed manufacturing process and to have
homogeneous properties within prescribed tolerances over its whole width and length. A
maximum allowable length for a prepreg batch is sometimes specified
3. Resin: A quantity of resin in either film or liquid form produced from one mix of resins, resin
modifiers and curing agents
BERYLLIUM (Be)
-3
Metallic element, melting point 1289°C, density 1850 kg m . Uses: aerospace structural
material, with good dimensional stability and moderately high service temperatures.
BIAS
A type of weave for a fabric, [See: BIAS WEAVE]
BIAS WEAVE
The weft picks cross the warp ends at 45° or 60° instead of the normal 90°.
BIAXIAL WINDING
In filament winding, a type of winding in which the helical band is laid in sequence, side by
side, with no crossover of fibres
BIDIRECTIONAL LAMINATE
A reinforced plastic laminate with the fibres oriented in two directions in the plane of the
laminate; a cross laminate. [See also: UNIDIRECTIONAL LAMINATE]
BIG FOOT™
Types of mechanical fasteners that provide a larger footprint, i.e. contact area, than
conventional types of fasteners; developed by Monogram
BIOMIMETICS
Synthetic materials which function like natural ones, e.g. artificial tendons and Velcro™
BIOPAN
A multi-user exposure facility, designed for exobiology, radiation biology, radiation dosimetry
and material science investigations in space; ESA mission
BIPROPELLANT
Rocket fuel consisting of two chemical components which react on contact in the combustion
chamber, e.g. mono-methyl-hydrazine (MMH) and nitrogen tetroxide (NTO)
BISFA
International Bureau for Standardisation of Man-made Fibres
BISMALEIMIDE (BMI)
A type of polyimide that cures by an addition rather than a condensation reaction, thus
avoiding problems with volatiles, and which is produced by a vinyl-type polymerisation of a
polymer terminated with two maleimide groups. It has intermediate temperature capability
between epoxy and polyimide (about 200°C)
BLEED
The removal of excess resin from a prepreg during processing, [See also: CONTROLLED
BLEED and ZERO-BLEED]
BLEEDER CLOTH
Non-structural, fibre glass cloth placed adjacent to the composite material part to absorb
excess resin during cure, and removed from the part after cure
BLIND
Fasteners: Installed from one side of a component only
BLISK
Turbine disk where the blades and hub are formed as a single piece (Integrally-bladed disk).
BLISTER
Delamination in a distinct local area or areas
BLOX
Laser enhanced oxidation test facility at ONERA, France.
BMI
Bismaleimide. [See: BISMALEIMIDE]
BOND LINE
The area between two materials that have been adhesively bonded; includes the layer of
adhesive between the adherends
BOND STRENGTH
The amount of adhesion between bonded surfaces; a measure of the stress required to separate
a layer of material from the base to which it is bonded. [See also: PEEL STRENGTH]
BONDED JOINT
The general area of contact for a bonded structure. This includes composite to composite and
composite to metal adherends and all forms of adhesives including co- and post-cured joints.
[See also: ADHEREND, ADHESIVE, CO-CURE, POSTCURE]
BOR-4
A re-entry test vehicle
BORON (B)
-3
Metallic element, melting point 2092°C, density 2340 kg m . Uses: alloying additions, doping
in aluminides to induce ductility. Reinforcing filaments for polymer or metal matrix
composites. Mainly within the USA
BORON CARBIDE (B C)
-3
Extremely hard ceramic material with a density of 2520 kg m
BORSIC
Boron filaments for reinforcement made by deposition onto a fine tungsten wire and coated
with silicon carbide (SiC)
BPS
Backpack subsystem; part of an extra-vehicular activity space suit
BRAGG GRATING
A diffraction grating constructed by creating a systematic spatial variation of the structure of
a material, such as the molecular structure of a crystal or the refractive index of glass, Ref.[4].
BRAIDING
Process: A mechanical weaving of fibres that enables three or more continuous yarns to be
progressively crossed in a predetermined pattern and angle to produce a complex network to
form a structural shape, such as a tube, square box or U-shaped channel
BRAZING
Joining technique involving the melting of a material with a lower temperature (braze) placed
between parts to be joined. The parent metal(s) remain(s) solid during brazing
BREADBOARD
[See: DEVELOPMENT MODEL]
BREATHER
Porous material, such as fabric or mat, placed inside the vacuum bag to facilitate removal of
air, moisture and volatiles during cure
BRIDGING
A build-up of solder or conformal coating between parts, component leads and/or base
substrate forming an elevated path
BROOMING
The appearance of the end of a failed composite material where the reinforcing fibres are
clearly visible, such that it resembles a brush or broom
BS
British standard, controlled by the British Standards Institute (BSI).
BSI
British Standards Institute, UK
BUCKLING
1 Unstable displacement of a structural part, such as a panel, caused by excessive compression
or shear. Micro-buckling of fibres in a composite material can also occur under axial
compression
2 Fibre: a failure mechanism which occurs under compressive loads where the reinforcing
fibres in a composite are displaced transversly; fibre buckling modes are known as ‘extension
mode’ and ‘shear mode’.
BUNDLE
A number of parallel filaments, normally without organic matrix
BUNDLE STRENGTH
Strength obtained from a test on parallel filaments, with or without organic matrix. The
bundle test is often used instead of the monofilament test
BURAN
Russian reusable manned spacecraft: resembling the USA STS Space Shuttle Orbiter
BURST PRESSURE
The pressure at which a pressurized system ruptures or collapses, Ref. [5]
BURST STRENGTH
Hydraulic pressure required to burst a vessel of given thickness; commonly used in testing
filament-wound composite structures
BVID
Barely visible impact damage
C
C-C
Carbon-carbon. Carbon fibre reinforced, carbon matrix composite
C/SiC
Carbon fibre-reinforced silicon carbide; a ceramic matrix composite (CMC)
C-STAGE
The final stage in the reaction of certain thermosetting resins in which the material is
relatively insoluble and infusible; sometimes referred to as resite. The resin in a fully cured
thermoset moulding is in this stage. [See also: A-STAGE, B-STAGE]
CABLE
Two or more insulated conductors, solid or stranded, of equal length, contained in a common
covering; or two or more insulated conductors, of equal length, twisted or moulded together
without common covering; or one insulated conductor with a metallic covering shield or outer
conductor (shielded cable or coaxial cable)
CABLED YARN
[Technical textiles] Two or more folded yarns twisted together
CADMIUM (Cd)
-3
Metallic element, melting point 321°C, density 8650 kg m , Uses: alloying additions,
protective coatings: NOT FOR SPACE USE
C/Al
Carbon fibre reinforced aluminium
CAI
Compression after impact
CALIBRATION
The comparison of two instruments or measuring devices, one of which is a standard of known
accuracy traceable to national standards, to detect, correlate, report, or eliminate by
adjustment any discrepancy in accuracy of the instrument or measuring device being
compared with the standard
CANOPY
The fabric portion of a parachute which provides drag, or drag and lift, when inflated
CAPSA
Alenia Spazio ablative TPS design tool computer program
CARBIDE
A binary compound of carbon with an element more electropositive than carbon, (excluding
carbon-hydrogen compounds). Compounds often hard and brittle. Uses: external hardening
treatment for steels, as hardening agents within alloys; e.g. silicon carbide is a widely used
abrasive in particulate form, or as a matrix for ceramic matrix composites. Carbides,
important alloying element in steels and superalloys
CARBON (C)
Non-metallic element, melting point ~3550°C; graphite sublimes at ~3367°C; density 2200kg
-3
. Uses: carbon reinforcement fibres, matrix in C-C composites, silicon, tungsten. [See also:
m
CARBIDE and CARBON FIBRE]
CARBON/EPOXY
A composite material comprising of a carbon fibre reinforcement in an epoxy polymer matrix
CARBON FIBRE
Fibre produced by the pyrolysis of organic precursor fibres, such as rayon, polyacrylonitrile
(PAN) and pitch, in an inert environment. The term is often used interchangeably with the
term graphite; carbon fibres and graphite fibres do, however, differ. The basic differences lie in
the temperature at which the fibres are made and heat-treated, and in the amount of
elemental carbon produced. Carbon fibres typically are carbonised in the region of 1315°C and
assay at 93 to 95% carbon, while graphite fibres are graphitised at 1900°C to 2480°C and
assay at more than 99% elemental carbon
CARBON-CARBON
Carbon fibre-reinforced carbon, produced by resin or pitch pyrolysis of the matrix of a CFRP,
or by CVI; infiltration of a fibrous preform. [See: CVI]
CARE
Carbon fibre-reinforced aluminium laminate. [See: FIBRE METAL LAMINATE]
CARINA
Space recovery vehicle, by Alenia Spazio: CApsula di RIentro Non Abitata
CARPET PLOT
A design chart showing the uniaxial stiffness or strength as a function of arbitrary ratios of 0°,
90° and ±45° plies; used for determination of moduli, strength or thermal expansion
coefficients
CARTEC-FT
Study for an Italian scientific payload carrier for re-entry experiments
CAS
Calcium aluminosilicate: a glass-ceramic matrix
CASA
Construcciones Aeronauticas SA, (E); now EADS CASA
CASE
Case describes the whole structure which is necessary for pressure storage. It consists of the
pressure vessel, the joint structure and the interface flange providing the connection to the
main structure
CASSINI-HUYGENS
NASA Cassini mission to study Saturn, it's rings and moons. The ESA-built Huygens probe is
for decent onto Titan, the largest Saturn moon.
CAT
Computer-aided tomography
CATALYST
A substance that changes the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing permanent
change in its composition; a substance that markedly speeds up the cure of a compound when
added in a quantity small compared with the amounts of primary reactants
CATASTROPHIC HAZARD
A potential risk situation that can result in loss of life, in life-threatening or per-manently
disabling injury, in occupational illness, loss of an element of an interfacing manned flight
system, loss of launch site facilities or long term detrimental environmental effects.
Note: For payloads of the NASA STS or ISS, the applicable definition is: ‘A potential risk
situation that can result in personnel injury, loss of the NASA orbiter, ground facilities, or STS
equipment’; (LASTS 1700.7, paragraph 302), Ref. [5]’
CAUL PLATE
Smooth metallic plate that is placed in contact with the laminate or adhesively bonded
assembly to ensure uniform pressure and temperature during cure and a smooth finish
afterwards
CBEN
Cantilever beam enclosed notch; a test method used for Mode II fracture toughness
C-C
Carbon-carbon composite material
CCB
Configuration Control Board
CCD
Charge-coupled Device
CCDTV
Charged-couple device television
CCSiC
Carbon-carbon-silicon carbide composite material
CDA
Copper Development Association
CDR
Critical Design Review
CDS
Characteristic damage state
CEN
Comité Européen de Normalisation (European Committee for Standardization)
CERAMIC
Chemical compound or mixture of compounds with high temperature capabilities, often metal
(or silicon) oxides, nitrides or carbides
CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITE (CMC)
Composite material in which the matrix is a ceramic
CETEX
Ceramic Tile Experiment (on EXPRESS)
CFD
Computational Fluid Dynamics
CFRP
Carbon fibre-reinforced plastic. Letter G in this handbook stands for Glass, whereas in
American publications it is used for graphite. [See also: GFRP]
CFRTP
Carbon fibre-reinforced thermoplastic
CHA
Ceramic Heatshield Assembly
CHAR YIELD
The amount of material remaining after ignition and burning
CHARACTERISTIC DAMAGE STATE (CDS)
A characteristic level at which the amount of cracking induced in a laminate by cyclic loading
stabilises
CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION (CVD)
Processing method involving the decomposition of a pre-cursor gas rich in the elements
required under controlled temperatures and pressures (in a reaction vessel) and deposition
onto a component or onto reinforcement fibres. Applicable to metals and ceramic (most
common). Uses: coatings and thin section carbon or ceramic matrix composites. Deposition
rates are slow, unless substrates are heated (pyrolysis) or laser heat sources (photolysis) are
used
CHEMICAL VAPOUR INFILTRATION (CVI)
Same principle as CVD. Term often used to describe the Near-net shape processing method for
matrix deposition within fibre preforms. Deposition rates are slow. Proper infiltration of
thicker section composites can require thermal gradients or forced flow techniques. Uses:
ceramic and carbon matrix composites
[See also: NEAR-NET SHAPE]
CHROMIA
Chromium Oxide (Cr2O3)
CHROMIUM (Cr)
-3
Metallic element, melting point ~1863°C, density 7180 kg.m , Uses: Addition for corrosion
(oxidation) resistance in superalloys, steels, coating systems
CI
Configuration Item Number (as per project definition)
CIRCUIT
In filament winding: (1) One complete traverse of the fibre-feed mechanism of a winding
machine. (2) One complete traverse of a winding band from one arbitrary point along the
winding path to another point on a plane through the starting point and perpendicular to the
axis
CIRCUMFERENTIAL ('CIRC') WINDING
In filament-wound reinforced plastics, a winding with the filaments essentially perpendicular
to the axis
CLEANROOM
A room in which the concentration of airborne particles is controlled, and which is constructed
and used in a manner to minimize the introduction, generation, and retention of particles
inside the room, and in which other relevant parameters, e.g. temperature, humidity,
pressure; are controlled as necessary, [BS EN ISO 14644-1:19991 3.1.3], Ref. [8]
CLOTH
A manufactured assembly of fibres or yarns with sufficient mechanical strength to hold the
assembly together when handled; a fabric more than 150 mm wide. [See also: FABRIC]
CLRD
Common large reflector dish
CLS
Cracked lap shear; a test method used for mixed fracture toughness modes I and II
CMBR
Cosmic microwave background radiation
CMC
Ceramic matrix composite
CME
See: COEFFICIENT OF MOISTURE EXPANSION
CMR
Creep mismatch ratio. In a composite material, the ratio of the creep rate of the fibres to that
of the matrix
CN
Centre notch; a test method used for fracture toughness mode I
CNC
Computer numerical control
COATING
1 A material applied to protect a substrate material or assembly, Ref. [10], e.g. against
corrosion, oxidation or diffusion
COBALT (Co)
-3
Metallic element, melting point 1495°C, density 8900 kg.m , Uses: base element for some
superalloys, binder for cemented carbides (tungsten carbide), alloying addition to other
superalloys
CO-CURE
Simultaneous curing and bonding of a composite laminate to another material or parts, such
as honeycomb core or stiffeners, either by using the adhesive properties of the composite resin
or by incorporating an adhesive into the composite lay-up
COEFFICIENT OF MOISTURE EXPANSION (CME)
The change in length per unit length produced by the absortion of water (usually by resin
matrices or adhesives)
COEFFICIENT OF THERMAL EXPANSION (CTE)
The change in length per unit length produced by a unit rise or decrease in temperature
COHESION
The requirement that the constituent components of the prepreg remain united in the required
format for the specified storage and handling conditions. (Specific definition for 'cohesion' in
relation to prepreg)
COLLECTED VOLATILE CONDENSABLE MATERIAL (CVCM)
The quantity of outgassed matter from a test specimen that condenses on a collector
maintained at a specific temperature for a specific time, Ref. [8].
Note: CVCM is expressed as a percentage of the initial specimen mass and is calculated from
the condensate mass determined from the difference in mass of the collector plate before and
after the test
COMBINED TEST
Test imposing the environments in the logical combination, rather than sequentially, to
evaluate the synergistic effects between environments, Ref.[1]
COMED
Constellations and multimedia development and demonstration programme; a DLR (D)
telecommunications technology demonstration programme completed in 2004
COMET
Commercial Experiment Transporter (NASA) two function recovery capsule. Free-flyer concept
of a pressurised recovery system (intended for 227 kg of recoverable experiments) with a non-
pressurised, non-recoverable service module
CO-MINGLING
A process whereby thermoplastic fibres are mixed with reinforcing fibres within a yarn
COMPATIBILITY
The ability of two or more substances combined with each other to form a homogeneous
composition with useful plastic properties. (Specific definition for 'compatibility' in relation to
composites.)
COMPLIANCE
Measurement of softness as opposed to stiffness of a material. It is the reciprocal of Young's
modulus, or an inverse of the stiffness matrix
COMPONENT
A device which performs an electronic, electrical or electromechanical function and consists of
one or more elements joined together and which cannot normally be disassembled without
destruction. The terms component and part can be interchanged. Typical examples of
components are transistors, integrated circuits, hybrids, capacitors
COMPOSITE SANDWICH CONSTRUCTION
A panel composed of a lightweight core material, such as honeycomb, foamed plastic, and so
forth, to which two relatively thin, dense, high-strength or high-stiffness faces or skins are
adhered, Ref. [9]
CONDITION
Metal alloys: a sequence of heat-treatment or mechanical working, which determines the
metallurgical structure and hence properties
CONDITIONING
One or more processes applied to samples prior to testing, e.g. to increase or decrease the
moisture content, heat treatment, thermal cycling
CONDITION MONITORING
Smart technologies: A diagnostic system which can provide data on the integrity or functioning
of machinery, industrial plant or a space subsystem, either continually or periodically
CONDUCTOR
A lead or wire, solid or stranded, or printed-circuit patch serving as an electrical
interconnection between terminations
CONFORMAL COATING
Material applied to protect an electronic assembly, Ref. [10]. A thin protective coating which
conforms to the configuration of the covered assembly
CONSOLIDATED DECLARED LIST
A prime contractor task which consists of:
- sorting by part, material or process group and merging the items from subcontractors’ lists
into one project list
- summing up in one item, identical items from different subcontractors,
- negotiating the reduction to one or a few items, where identical functions are performed by
an excessive number of parts, [See also: DML, DMPL, DPL]
CONSOLIDATION
A stage in the manufacturing process used to create a composite from either fibres and matrix
phases or pre-prepared plies, e.g. thin metal foils, metallised reinforcement fibres or prepregs.
Often requires heating and pressure to achieve proper consolidation. Processes can be
repeated
CONSTITUENT MATERIALS
Individual materials that make up the composite material; e.g. carbon and epoxy are the
constituent materials of a carbon/epoxy composite material
CONTAINMENT
A technique that, if a part fails, prevents the propagation of failure effects beyond the
container boundaries, Ref. [5]
CONTAMINATION
Particles, liquids, gases, materials and micro-organisms which by their presence can disturb
the performance of an item
CONTINUOUS FILAMENT YARN
Yarn formed by twisting two or more continuous filaments into a single continuous strand
CONTINUOUS REINFORCEMENT
Where reinforcement fibres or filaments pass uninterrupted through the composite
CONTROLLED BLEED
Prepreg materials that contain a resin which is formulated to have flow and gelation
characteristics such that excess resin is removed in a controlled manner during consolidation
and curing of a composite
CONVENTIONAL METALS
Engineering metals and alloys which do not contain deliberate additions of particulate or fibre
reinforcements, i.e. are not considered as composites
COPPER (Cu)
-3
Metallic element, melting point 1085°C, density 8960 kg.m , Uses: high thermal and electrical
conductivity applications
CORE
Sandwich panel: a lighweight material in between the face skins, e.g. honeycomb core, foam.
Metallic or composite sheet materials are bonded to the core to form a sandwich panel
CORE SPLICE
A joint or the process of joining one type of core to another; usually achieved by adhesive
bonding using an adhesive with gap-filling properties
CORNING DC 235 SILICONE
Commercial silicone-based material produced by Corning
CORROSION
A reaction of the engineering material with its environment with a consequent deterioration in
properties of the material, Ref. [9]
Note: The reaction can be chemical or electrochemical
COUNT (Fabrics)
Number of warp and fill yarns per unit length; e.g. a fabric count of 24 x 26 in English units
means 24 yarns per inch in the warp, and 26 in the fill
COUPLANT
A substance placed between an ultrasonic transducer and the material under test to ensure a
good acoustic path
COUPLING
Linking a side effect to a principal effect. Poisson coupling links the lateral contraction to an
axial extension. For composite materials, an a
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