Composite Grid Structure with Near-Zero Thermally Induced Deflection

A cost-saving manufacturing process is proposed to construct a carbon/epoxy square grid structure with nearzero coefe cient of thermal expansion (CTE) in the three principal directions. Stacking sequences of the slotted joint rib and square tube are selected such that the individual member has near-zero CTE from an analysis using classical lamination theory. Pressureto bond ribs and tubesisprovided by thethermal expansion of silicon rubber. Experimental results have shown that thermally induced deformation of a carbon grid panel is much less than that of an aluminum honeycomb sandwich panel. A numerical test has demonstrated that thermally induced deformation of the composite square grid structure is almost zero.