Thermomechanical Test Facility INDUTHERM

Testing facility INDUTHERM
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Thermal testing in the INDUTHERM testing facility
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The test stand INDUTHERM is intended for the thermal and mechanical testing of structural components such as load introductions. Heating of the test specimens takes place inductively by a susceptor tube that produces a homogeneous temperature field in its interior.

The heating range is integrated into a chamber that permits different test atmospheres. The pressure range can be adjusted between 1 hPa and ambient pressure. With the help of the test frame static and dynamic loads of up to 200 kN can be put into effect. The inductive heating makes the control of complex structural components and functional elements possible during appropriate induction coil design.

The following are some examples of large test campaigns that have been accomplished:

  • Testing of a ceramic hot camp for MAN technology
  • Fatigue attempts with ceramic collar fastening pins (ESA)
  • EMA camps (electromechanical actuator) for X-38 body flaps
  • HOCOSC (cold structure combi nation hot), carrier elements for body flaps of X-38 (MT Aerospace)
  • Plus many more

More information

Components for space propulsion systems

Cross section of an effusion cooled micro thrust chamberA current new development is aiming to realize a new type of a combustion chamber for cryogenic rocket engines (LH2/LOX). Based on an effusion cooling principle the design uses a porous C/C fiber ceramic component for an inner liner and a polymer CFRP composite material for an outer shell which are build up as an integral structure.

Return Technology - Hot Structures and Thermal Protection Systems

Robust and damage tolerant concepts for TPS and hot structures, which can be manufactured, installed and maintained at low cost are the mainspring of development. The characteristics of C/C-SiC fiber ceramics under re-entry relevant conditions were examined in detail in a multiplicity of plasma wind tunnel tests in different facilities and flight experiments.

Contact

Henning Elsäßer

German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Institute of Structures and Design
Pfaffenwaldring 38-40, 70569 Stuttgart

Oliver Schatz

German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Institute of Structures and Design
Pfaffenwaldring 38-40, 70569 Stuttgart