A Contribution to Time-Dependent Damage Modeling of Composite Structures

International audienceThe paper presents a new damage model for predicting stiffness loss due to creep loading and cyclic fatigue. The model, developed within a continuum damage mechanics framework, is based on the idea of a time-dependent damage spectrum, some elements of which occur rapidly and others slowly. The use of this spectrum allows a single damage kinematic to model creep and fatigue damage and to take into account the effect of stress amplitude, R ratio, and frequency. The evolution equations are based on similar equation than the one describing the viscoelasticity model and are relatively easy to implement. The new model is compared to the experimental results on carbon fiber/epoxy tubes. Quasi-static, creep and fatigue tests are performed on filament-wound tubular specimens to characterize the elastic, viscoelastic and plastic behavior of the composite 2 material. Varying amounts of damage are observed and discussed depending on stress level and R ratio. The experimental work aims to develop and validate the damage model for predicting stiffness loss due to creep loading and cyclic fatigue

Caractérisation et analyse de tubes composites carbone / époxyde = Characterization and Analysis of Carbon Fibre / Epoxy Composite Tubes

National audienceLes propriétés mécaniques d'un matériau composite de type résine époxyde renforcée par des fibres de carbone sont déterminées par des essais sur des éprouvettes tubulaires. Trois empilements - [±15°], [±45°], et [±75°] - sont utilisés pour caractériser le comportement dans la direction des fibres, dans la direction transverse, et en cisaillement. Des essais quasi-statiques et en fluage sont effectués. Les résultats sont comparés aux approches analytiques

Durabilité des composites pour énergie marine renouvelable

International audienceLes matériaux composites joueront un rôle essentiel dans le développement de systèmes de conversion d'énergie marine renouvelable, et pour cette application compte tenu des contraintes liées à la maintenance une excellente durabilité à long terme s'avère indispensable. On dispose d'une bonne expérience de ces matériaux en milieu marin, et pour des applications, telles les éoliennes, où ils sont soumis à un chargement cyclique, mais on ne trouve que très peu d'informations sur leur comportement sous sollicitation cyclique dans l'eau de mer. Cet article adresse cette lacune, et présente les résultats d'une étude du comportement sous chargement quasi-statique et cyclique de composites renforcés de différentes fibres de verre dans l'eau de mer. Pour ces conditions de chargement couplé, le type de fibre, la résine et l'interface fibre/matrice influent tous sur la durée de vie

Insertion d'une fibre optique dans une structure composite = Embedment of optical fibre into a composite structure

National audienceLe but de cette étude est de déterminer quelle est le type de fibre optique le plus approprié pour une insertion dans une structure composite. En effet, il semble inutile de développer des capteurs à fibres optiques très sophistiqués, si l'effort subi par la structure n'est pas transmise au capteur. Tout d'abord, la mécanique de la rupture est utilisée pour évaluer les propriétés mécaniques des fibres optiques. Les fibres optiques monomodes et multimodes sont soumises à un test de traction uniaxial. Celle-ci se comporte comme un matériau fragile qui casse avant d'avoir subi une déformation plastique significative. Puis, une analyse de l'adhésion de la fibre optique avec une structure composite est présentée en s'appuyant sur un test de pull-out

Dimethyl 2,2′-(p-phenyl­enedi­oxy)­diacetate

The title compound, C12H14O6, was prepared by the Williamson reaction of 1,4-dihydroxy­benzene and methyl chloro­acetate with phase-transfer catalysis. The compound lies on an inversion center. The structure is stabilized by weak C—H⋯π inter­actions

Effect of fibre configurations on mechanical properties of flax/tannin composites.

Flax reinforced tannin-based composites have a potential to be used in vehicle applications due to the environmental advantages and good mechanical properties. In this paper, the effects of fibre configuration on mechanical properties of flax/tannin composites were investigated for nonwoven and woven fabric lay-up angles (UD, [0°, 90°]2 and [0°, +45°, 90°, -45°]2). The tannin/flax composites were prepared by compression moulding. The manufactured specimens were then characterized for quasi-static tensile properties, dynamic mechanical properties and low-energy impact performance. Failure mechanism was further investigated using microscopy and demonstrated the need for further adhesion improvements. The study shows that the UD fabric reinforced composite performs better in tensile strength and modulus whereas [0°, +45°, 90°, -45°]2 composite provides the best impact energy absorption performance

Evaluation of alternative solvents in common amide coupling reactions : replacement of dichloromethane and N,N-dimethylformamide

A range of alternative solvents have been evaluated within amidation reactions employing common coupling reagents with a view to identifying suitable replacements for dichloromethane and N,N-dimethylformamid

Water, salt water, and alkaline solution uptake in epoxy thin films

As a means of characterizing the diffusion parameters of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites within a relatively short time frame, the potential use of short term tests on epoxy films to predict the long-term behavior is investigated. Reference is made to the literature to assess the effectiveness of Fickian and anomalous diffusion models to describe solution uptake in epoxies. The influence of differing exposure conditions on the diffusion in epoxies, in particular the effect of solution type and temperature, are explored. Experimental results, where the solution uptake in desiccated (D) or undesiccated (U) thin films of a commercially available epoxy matrix subjected to water (W), salt water (SW), or alkali concrete pore solution (CPS) at either 20 or 60°C, are also presented. It was found that the type of solution did not significantly influence the diffusion behavior at 20°C and that the mass uptake profile was anomalous. Exposure to 60°C accelerated the initial diffusion behavior and appeared to raise the level of saturation. In spite of the accelerated approach, conclusive values of uptake at saturation remained elusive even at an exposure period of 5 years. This finding questions the viability of using short-term thin film results to predict the long-term mechanical performance of FRP materialsThe first author was funded through an Engingeering and Physical Science Research Council Doctoral Training Award.This is the peer reviewed version of Scott, P. and Lees, J.M. (2013) Water, salt water and alkaline solution uptake in epoxy thin films, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, v. 130 (3) pp. 1898-1908 which has been published on: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/app.39331. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Comparative Kinetic Study and Microwaves Non-Thermal Effects on the Formation of Poly(amic acid) 4,4′-(Hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic Anhydride (6FDA) and 4,4′-(Hexafluoroisopropylidene)bis(p-phenyleneoxy)dianiline (BAPHF). Reaction Activated by Microwave, Ultrasound and Conventional Heating

Green chemistry is the design of chemical processes that reduce or eliminate negative environmental impacts. The use and production of chemicals involve the reduction of waste products, non-toxic components, and improved efficiency. Green chemistry applies innovative scientific solutions in the use of new reagents, catalysts and non-classical modes of activation such as ultrasounds or microwaves. Kinetic behavior and non-thermal effect of poly(amic acid) synthesized from (6FDA) dianhydride and (BAPHF) diamine in a low microwave absorbing p-dioxane solvent at low temperature of 30, 50, 70 °C were studied, under conventional heating (CH), microwave (MW) and ultrasound irradiation (US). Results show that the polycondensation rate decreases (MW > US > CH) and that the increased rates observed with US and MW are due to decreased activation energies of the Arrhenius equation. Rate constant for a chemical process activated by conventional heating declines proportionally as the induction time increases, however, this behavior is not observed under microwave and ultrasound activation. We can say that in addition to the thermal microwave effect, a non-thermal microwave effect is present in the system