Thermomechanical fatigue of polymer matrix composites

Conference · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:522433

Strait, L H; Koudela, K L; Karasek, M L ^[1]; Amateau, M F; Runt, J P ^[2]

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1. Applied Research Lab., State College, PA (United States)
2. Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States)

The present research was undertaken to evaluate the effects of mechanical constraint on the response of polymer matrix composites during thermal cycling. Analytical and experimental techniques were used to characterize the response of carbon-fiber-reinforced cyanate ester and bismaleimide composites. Cross-ply laminates were subjected to thermal cycles from 24 to 177 C in the unconstrained, fully constrained, and overconstrained conditions. Laminate response, damage mechanisms, and residual compressive properties were characterized for each material and degree of constraint. The results of this research indicate that the level of constraint can have a significant effect on the response of polymer matrix composites during thermal cycling. However, longer-term testing is required to determine if the observed changes in response will ultimately affect the final failure mode and fatigue endurance of the materials.

• OSTI ID: 522433
• Report Number(s): CONF-940517--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CARBON FIBERS
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
POLYMERS
REINFORCED MATERIALS
THERMAL CYCLING
THERMAL FATIGUE