Analytical and experimental results of the coefficient of thermal expansion of high-modulus graphite-epoxy materials
- Politecnico di Torino, Turin (Italy)
The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) as determined by the Classical Laminate Theory is very sensitive to some orthotropic elastic constants and to the laminate layup. In particular, the non-Hookean behavior of a unidirectional lamina in the fiber direction have to be taken into account to exactly predict the CTE. To verify the theoretical analysis, a new test facility has been designed to carefully measure the CTE in advanced composite materials having a quasi zero value of CTE. Measurement error in the CTE was minimized by a careful choice of displacement sensors and the high control of their thermal stability. The results show that a variation of +/- 1 deg in the lamina orientation can change the CTE of the quasi-isotropic laminate up to -/+ 50.5% of the theoretical value. A variation of +/- 5% in the physical and mechanical properties can change the CTE up to -/+ 48%. 14 refs.
- OSTI ID:
- 101987
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Composite Materials, Journal Name: Journal of Composite Materials Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 29; ISSN JCOMBI; ISSN 0021-9983
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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