Fatigue Characterization of Functionalized Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Carbon Fiber Composites
Abstract
The primary purpose of this analytical report is to compare tension-tension fatiguing of a carbon fiber composite to tension-compression fatiguing. Although carbon fiber composites hold up well in tension-tension fatiguing, there is little knowledge of the effects of tension-compression cyclic testing, especially in the higher regimes. The composites were fabricated using the vacuum assisted resin transfer molding method, VARTM, and are composed of IM7 four harness satin weave carbon fiber (54% by volume) and Epon 862 with curing agent W (46% by volume). The current research shows that carbon fiber composites are resistant to tension-tension fatiguing. However, when the composite must also endure compressive forces the fatigue life is considerably shorter. The results show that at R-ratios, maximum stress over minimum stress, of 0.1 & -0.1 tension-compression fatiguing will result in a failure three times earlier then tension-tension fatiguing for the same maximum stress value. Microscopy shows the extreme damage that carbon fiber epoxy composites endure during tension-compression fatiguing.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA515475
Entities
People
- Daniel Ayewah
- Daniel Davis
- Justin W. Wilkerson
Organizations
- Texas A&M University