Effect of fiber tension on the deformation of a carbon composite plate for space radio telescopes

This study examined the influence of fiber tension on the deformation of carbon composite plates used as the specular surface components of space radio telescopes. Applying the standard equations of composite theory, we developed an analytical model for the stress–strain state of carbon composite plates, considering the fiber tension and thermal stresses. The results of experiments performed on square plates fabricated from the carbon composites were in good agreement with the predictions from the proposed model. The fiber tension of the carbon composite was analyzed for different composite structures. Our results indicated that high fiber tension levels in the carbon composite reduced the degree of deformation in the composite structure.