The Relationship between Tensile Strength and Flexure Strength in Fiber Reinforced Composites.
Abstract
Tensile data on unidirectional composites generated from a flexural test usually yield a higher strength than observed from a standard tensile coupon. According to a statistical strength theory based on a Weibull distribution, the presence of a stress gradient in the flexure test results in an apparent increase in tensile strength as compared to the tensile test under uniform stress. In the present paper this concept is explored by utilizing data from undirectional graphite-epoxy composite to compare with theoretical results generated from a two parameter Weibull distribution. A larger variation in tensile strength is observed from tensile coupon data than from flexure data. Such differences are not in accordance with strength theories based on a uniform flaw distribution and raise questions concerning variability of the test methods, as well as sources of material variability. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA097033
Entities
People
- James M. Whitney
- Marvin Knight
Organizations
- Wright Laboratory