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Title: Extrema and zeros of coefficients of thermal expansion of a balanced symmetric laminate

Journal Article · · Journal of Composite Materials; (USA)

Zeros and extrema of the coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) of a symmetric balanced angle ply laminate are studied using new CTE expressions which have been recast into a form showing explicitly their dependence on lamination angle and thermoelastic constants of laminae used. It is shown that determination of the angle leading to zero CTE for a balanced symmetric angle ply laminate requires solution of a second degree equation in sin-squared of the lamination angle which may have 2, 1, or no roots depending on the thermomechanical properties of the unidirectional laminae from which it is constructed. Using the expressions derived it is also shown that in addition to the trivial angles 0 deg and 90 deg there can be at most two or more angles giving extrema for CTEs. These angles are independent of the CTEs of the laminae used. 5 refs.

OSTI ID:
6616206
Journal Information:
Journal of Composite Materials; (USA), Vol. 24; ISSN 0021-9983
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English