A Study of Composite Strengthening Through Application of an Electric Field

Abstract

This paper studies effects of an electric field on the mechanical response of unidirectional carbon fiber polymer matrix composites. The existing experimental evidence suggests that exposure of a composite material to the electromagnetic field leads to changes in the material's strength and resistance to delamination. We have analyzed the effects promoting this phenomenon: coupling of mechanical and electromagnetic fields and Joule heat effects and develop an experimental setup for impact tests of the composites carrying an electric current. Experimental results of low velocity impact tests on unidirectional carbon fiber polymer composite plates carrying a DC electric current show that electrified composites fail at higher impact load. Moreover, a larger electric field leads to a larger impact load that may be sustained by the composite. Finally, analysis of the Joule heat effects reveals that it is not a primary mechanism for the strengthening phenomenon observed in the experiments.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 2006
Accession Number
ADA451077

Entities

People

  • Igor Y. Telichev
  • Olesya I. Zhupanska
  • Robert L. Sierakowski

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Carbon Fibers
  • Composite Materials
  • Electric Current
  • Electric Fields
  • Electrical Conductivity
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Failure Mode And Effect Analysis
  • Graphitic Materials
  • Impact Loads
  • Impact Tests
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Polymer Matrix Composites
  • Temperature Gradients

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Explosive Engineering.
  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics
  • Powder metallurgy of Titanium alloys.