Rheology, processing, and mechanical properties of thermoplastic/graphite fiber composites

Thesis/Dissertation · Sat Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:5993709

Scobbo, Jr, J J

Various cause and effect relations between the rheology, processing and mechanical properties of poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) and poly(arylene sulfide) (PAS) matrix composites were studied. The test methods and characterization schemes used emphasize novel techniques for characterizing composites that have not been used previously. A dynamic mechanical analyzer has been modified and used to characterize transition temperatures of the neat matrix resins and the 60 volume percent continuous graphite fiber reinforced composites. Transitions related to local order may have been found in PEEK at 380{degree}C and PAS at 345{degree}C. Transitions such as these have not been reported previously using dynamic mechanical analysis. Basic rheological behavior of the resins has been studied using dynamic mechanical analysis. Similar dynamic tests were performed on PEEK and PAS matrix unidirectional prepreg tape-based laminates. Tests were performed for the first time in simple shear with the matrix in the melt state. Simple shear deformation is of interest because it represents flow behavior of laminated composites in processing operations such as thermoforming. A simple model of resin layers between fibrous plates describes the observed behavior. A bending mode dynamic test has been developed to determine laminate softening temperatures. This test has been shown to be beneficial in the characterization of composite elastic properties at room temperature. The test requires less material and labor than other more common mechanical property tests. Processing studies were conducted where the radiative heating of laminates was simulated to determine optimum thermoforming cycle times.

• Research Organization: Akron Univ., OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5993709
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360601* -- Other Materials-- Preparation & Manufacture
360603 -- Materials-- Properties
ALCOHOLS
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
BENDING
CARBON FIBERS
DEFORMATION
FABRICATION
FIBERS
GLYCOLS
HEATING
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
MATERIALS
MATERIALS TESTING
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MATRIX MATERIALS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MECHANICAL TESTS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLASTICS
POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS
POLYMERS
REINFORCED MATERIALS
REINFORCED PLASTICS
RESINS
RHEOLOGY
SHEAR
SYNTHETIC MATERIALS
TESTING
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
THERMOPLASTICS
TRANSITION TEMPERATURE