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At least 235 records · Page 13

The correlation of low-velocity impact resistance of graphite-fiber-reinforced composites with matrix properties

Summarized are basic studies that were conducted to correlate the impact resistance of graphite-fiber-reinforced composites with polymer matrix properties. Three crosslinked epoxy resins and a linear polysulfone were selected as composite matrices. As a group, these resins possess a significantly large range of mechanical properties. The mechanical properties of the resins and their respective composites were measured. Neat resin specimens and unidirectional and crossply composite specimens were impact tested with an instrumented dropweight tester. Impact resistances of the specimens were assesseed on the basis of loading capability, energy absorption, and extent of damage.

Bowles, Kenneth J.↗

Modeling the Non-Linear Response of Fiber-Reinforced Laminates Using a Combined Damage/Plasticity Model

The present work is concerned with modeling the non-linear response of fiber reinforced polymer laminates. Recent experimental data suggests that the non-linearity is not only caused by matrix cracking but also by matrix plasticity due to shear stresses. To capture the effects of those two mechanisms, a model combining a plasticity formulation with continuum damage has been developed to simulate the non-linear response of laminates under plane stress states. The model is used to compare the predicted behavior of various laminate lay-ups to experimental data from the literature by looking at the degradation of axial modulus and Poisson s ratio of the laminates. The influence of residual curing stresses and in-situ effect on the predicted response is also investigated. It is shown that predictions of the combined damage/plasticity model, in general, correlate well with the experimental data. The test data shows that there are two different mechanisms that can have opposite effects on the degradation of the laminate Poisson s ratio which is captured correctly by the damage/plasticity model. Residual curing stresses are found to have a minor influence on the predicted response for the cases considered here. Some open questions remain regarding the prediction of damage onset.

Schuecker, Clara↗

Influence of interfacial shear strength on the mechanical properties of SiC fiber reinforced reaction-bonded silicon nitride matrix composites

The influence of fiber/matrix interface microstructure and interfacial shear strength on the mechanical properties of a fiber-reinforced ceramic composite was evaluated. The composite consisted of approximately 30 vol percent uniaxially aligned 142 microns diameter SiC fibers (Textron SCS-6) in a reaction-bonded Si3N4 matrix (SiC/RBSN). The interface microstructure was varied by controlling the composite fabrication conditions and by heat treating the composite in an oxidizing environment. Interfacial shear strength was determined by the matrix crack spacing method. The results of microstructural examination indicate that the carbon-rich coating provided with the as-produced SiC fibers was stable in composites fabricated at 1200 C in a nitrogen or in a nitrogen plus 4 percent hydrogen mixture for 40 hr. However this coating degraded in composites fabricated at 1350 C in N2 + 4 percent H2 for 40 and 72 hr and also in composites heat treated in an oxidizing environment at 600 C for 100 hr after fabrication at 1200 C in a nitrogen. It was determined that degradation occurred by carbon removal which in turn had a strong influence on interfacial shear strength and other mechanical properties. Specifically, as the carbon coating was removed, the composite interfacial shear strength, primary elastic modulus, first matrix cracking stress, and ultimate tensile strength decreased, but the first matrix cracking strain remained nearly the same.

Bhatt, Ramakrishna T.↗

Effects of high energy radiation on the mechanical properties of epoxy-graphite fiber reinforced composites

The effects of high energy radiation on the mechanical properties and on the molecular and structural properties of graphite fiber reinforced composites were assessed so that the durability of such composites in space applications could be predicted. Investigative techniques including ESR and infrared spectroscopy, ESCA, contact angle measurements, and dynamic and static mechanical testing (3-point bending and interlaminar shear) were employed. The results using these different techniques are individually described, and the implications of the data are discussed. The proposed plan of work for the next fiscal year is outlined.

Fornes, R. E.↗

Elastic/viscoplastic behavior of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites

An elastic/viscoplastic constitutive model was used to characterize the nonlinear and rate dependent behavior of a continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite. This model was incorporated into a finite element program for the analysis of laminated plates and shells. Details on the finite element formulation with the proposed constitutive model were presented. The numerical results were compared with experimental data for uniaxial tension and three-point bending tests of (+ or - 45 deg)3s APC-2 laminates.

Wang, C.↗

Effective thermoelastic and thermal properties of unidirectional fiber-reinforced composites and their sensitivity coefficients

Three-dimensional finite element models are used to assess the accuracy of the thermoelastic and thermal properties of unidirectional fiber-reinforced composites predicted by six different micromechanical models. The six models are: simple mechanics of materials type equations, fiber substructuring model, vanishing fiber diameter model, self-consistent model, Mori-Tanaka model, and method of cells. In addition, the finite element models are used to assess the accuracy of derivatives of the effective properties, with respect to each of the constituent material properties and fiber-volume ratio, computed using the six micromechanical models. The predictions of the micromechanical and finite element models for four advanced composite material systems are compared with experimental data. The results obtained in the present study show that the predictions of the Mori-Tanaka model and the method of cells are closer to those of the finite element models than those of all the other micromechanical models.

Noor, Ahmed K.↗

Design properties of randomly reinforced fiber composites

The pseudoisotropic-laminate analogy is used in conjunction with fiber composite micro- and macromechanics to predict the thermal and mechanical properties of planar randomly reinforced fiber composites (PRRFC). Theoretical results are presented for boron/aluminum, boron/epoxy, Thornel-50/epoxy, and S-glass/epoxy PRRFC. The results show that the thermal and elastic properties depend on both constituent materials and the fiber volume ratio. The strength depends also on the type of applied stress. In general, no simple ratio exists between the properties of unidirectional fiber composites and those of PRRFC. The data are presented in convenient graphical form to serve as an aid for design and/or analysis and also for further research in PRRFC. The residual stresses and the impact resistance are also theoretically examined.

Chamis, C. C.↗

An analysis of delamination in angle-ply fiber-reinforced composites

A study of the mechanics and failure modes of delamination initiated from a surface flaw in angle-ply fiber-reinforced composites is presented. The analysis employs a hybrid-stress finite-element method including a crack-tip singular element with its field variables expressed by Muskhelishvili's complex stress functions. Solutions are obtained for the delaminated composites with various laminate parameters. The results elucidate unique and important characteristics of delamination crack-tip response and interlaminar stress transfer mechanisms. Of particular interest are the mixed-mode stress-intensity factors associated with the delamination crack. The influence of ply orientation on KI and KII and their effects on subsequent crack extension are discussed.

Wang, S. S.↗

Effects of thermal loading on fiber-reinforced composites with constituents of differing thermal expansivities.

Estimates of the magnitudes of elastic stresses and elastoplastic stresses and strains were made for tungsten fiber-reinforced 80Ni + 20Cr matrix composites. Heating or cooling between 80 and 2000 F was assumed. The calculated elastic stresses exceeded representative or estimated strengths of constituents. For composites with less than 0.65 volume fraction of fiber, plastic flow was considered possible, and elastoplastic solutions indicated that stresses would be reduced but with the concomitant occurrence of sufficiently large strain ranges, particularly in the matrix, to pose a possible thermal fatigue problem. Limited experimental studies on tungsten fiber-copper matrix composites heated and cooled a number of times between 80 and 1600 F in a conventional furnace and then heated from 80 to 1652 F in a hot-stage microscope resulted in matrix microfracture for a 70 volume fraction fiber composite and substantial matrix strain for a 40 volue fraction fiber composite.

Hoffman, C. A.↗

Analysis of cracks emanating from a circular hole in unidirectional fiber reinforced composites, part 2

An analytical method is developed for cracks emanating from a circular hole in an off-axis unidirectional fiber-reinforced composite. The method which is formulated by using conservation laws of elasticity and fundamental relationships in anisotropic fracture mechanics, provides a convenient and accurate means to examine the complicated crack behavior, when used in conjunction with a suitable numerical scheme such as the finite element method. The formulation is eventually reduced to a system of linear algebraic equations of mixed-mode stress intensity factors. Fracture parameters, describing crack-tip deformation and fracture in the composite, are obtained explicitly. Effects of material anisotropy and crack/hole geometry are examined also. Of particular interest are the energy release rates associated with crack extension; their values are evaluated for various cases. Results show that mixed-mode stress intensity factors and energy release rates associated with the cracks emanating from a hole change very appreciably with fiber orientation in the composite. K sub 1 and G increase monotonically with increasing theta; but K sub 2 reaches its maximum at theta = 45 deg, and then decreases gradually as theta increases further.

Wang, S. S.↗

Testing of containers made of glass-fiber reinforced plastic with the aid of acoustic emission analysis

Acoustic emission analysis as a quasi-nondestructive test method makes it possible to differentiate clearly, in judging the total behavior of fiber-reinforced plastic composites, between critical failure modes (in the case of unidirectional composites fiber fractures) and non-critical failure modes (delamination processes or matrix fractures). A particular advantage is that, for varying pressure demands on the composites, the emitted acoustic pulses can be analyzed with regard to their amplitude distribution. In addition, definite indications as to how the damages occurred can be obtained from the time curves of the emitted acoustic pulses as well as from the particular frequency spectrum. Distinct analogies can be drawn between the various analytical methods with respect to whether the failure modes can be classified as critical or non-critical.

Wolitz, K.↗

Advanced rotary engine components utilizing fiber reinforced Mg castings

Under a two-phase program sponsored by NASA, the technology for producing advanced rotary engine components utilizing graphite fiber-reinforced magnesium alloy casting is being developed. In Phase I, the successful casting of a simulated intermediate housing was demonstrated. In Phase II, the goal is to produce an operating rotor housing. The effort involves generation of a material property data base, optimization of parameters, and development of wear- and corrosion-resistant cast surfaces and surface coatings. Results to date are described.

Goddard, D.↗

Rate dependent constitutive models for fiber reinforced polymer composites

A literature survey was conducted to assess the state-of-the-art in rate dependent constitutive models for continuous fiber reinforced polymer matrix composite (PMC) materials. Several recent models which include formulations for describing plasticity, viscoelasticity, viscoplasticity, and rate-dependent phenomenon such as creep and stress relaxation are outlined and compared. When appropriate, these comparisons include brief descriptions of the mathematical formulations, the test procedures required for generating material constants, and details of available data comparing test results to analytical predictions.

Gates, Thomas S.↗

Computational Implementation of a Thermodynamically Based Work Potential Model For Progressive Microdamage and Transverse Cracking in Fiber-Reinforced Laminates

A continuum-level, dual internal state variable, thermodynamically based, work potential model, Schapery Theory, is used capture the effects of two matrix damage mechanisms in a fiber-reinforced laminated composite: microdamage and transverse cracking. Matrix microdamage accrues primarily in the form of shear microcracks between the fibers of the composite. Whereas, larger transverse matrix cracks typically span the thickness of a lamina and run parallel to the fibers. Schapery Theory uses the energy potential required to advance structural changes, associated with the damage mechanisms, to govern damage growth through a set of internal state variables. These state variables are used to quantify the stiffness degradation resulting from damage growth. The transverse and shear stiffness of the lamina are related to the internal state variables through a set of measurable damage functions. Additionally, the damage variables for a given strain state can be calculated from a set of evolution equations. These evolution equations and damage functions are implemented into the finite element method and used to govern the constitutive response of the material points in the model. Additionally, an axial failure criterion is included in the model. The response of a center-notched, buffer strip-stiffened panel subjected to uniaxial tension is investigated and results are compared to experiment.

Pineda, Evan J.↗

Numerical Predictions of Damage and Failure in Carbon Fiber Reinforced Laminates Using a Thermodynamically-Based Work Potential Theory

A thermodynamically-based work potential theory for modeling progressive damage and failure in fiber-reinforced laminates is presented. The current, multiple-internal state variable (ISV) formulation, referred to as enhanced Schapery theory (EST), utilizes separate ISVs for modeling the effects of damage and failure. Consistent characteristic lengths are introduced into the formulation to govern the evolution of the failure ISVs. Using the stationarity of the total work potential with respect to each ISV, a set of thermodynamically consistent evolution equations for the ISVs are derived. The theory is implemented into a commercial finite element code. The model is verified against experimental results from two laminated, T800/3900-2 panels containing a central notch and different fiber-orientation stacking sequences. Global load versus displacement, global load versus local strain gage data, and macroscopic failure paths obtained from the models are compared against the experimental results.

composite materials↗

Predicted inlet gas temperatures for tungsten fiber reinforced superalloy turbine blades

A procedure is presented for predicting the magnitude of the turbine inlet gas temperatures potentially achievable using first generation tungsten fiber reinforced superalloys (TFRS) turbine blades. Both uncoated blades and blades with thermal barrier coatings are considered. The thermal conductivities of two representative TFRS were measured over a range of temperatures. The results show that cooled TFRS blades may allow significantly higher gas temperatures than are possible with superalloy blades. For one design, the difference is about 150-200 K.

Winsa, E. A.↗

The Yeh-Stratton Criterion for Stress Concentrations on Fiber -Reinforced Composite Materials

The Yeh-Stratton criterion developed from a yielding criterion is modified to a generalized failure criterion and applied to fiber-reinforced composites with a central crack or a circular cutout under tensile loadings. The purpose of a material failure criterion is to establish a theoretical margin of safety and to be validated by experiments. It is necessary to obtain the crack tip stress field before a failure criterion of composite materials is applied. However, the crack tip stress field is complicated since there are numerous factors that influence the crack tip stress distribution. The understanding of the factors that contribute to crack tip stress field is of critical importance in analyzing composite laminates.

Yeh, Hsieng-Yang↗