Elevated Temperature Performance of Polymeric Matrix Composites Under Fatigue Stresses in Hygrothermal Environments
Abstract
High performance polymeric composites were investigated for their utilization in more hostile conditions in terms of temperature, humidity, and cycling. A number of commercially available composite systems and model systems developed in the Polymeric Composites Laboratory were selected in this study. The addition of rubber to the cyanate ester matrices was found to reduce the rate of matrix deterioration but caused a substantial increase in water uptake. The addition of a thermoplastic modifier to the cyanate ester matrices increased the thermal stability of the matrices more than the elastomer modifier, however, it did not affect the degradation of the material since degradation was mainly governed by the cyanate ester network. Fiber reinforcement and solvent content of an epoxy matrix composite changed the water absorption rate and mechanical properties of the composite. The changes observed in the hygrothermal cycling studies were examined with the transient simulated laminate methodology using unsymmetric laminates. Finally, a model using equivalent cycle time combined with time-temperature superposition theory was proposed to study long-term properties of composites.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 03, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA382016
Entities
People
- James C. Seferis
Organizations
- University of Washington