Experimental and analytical investigation of the ductile fracture of polymers Quarterly status report

Ductile fracture of polymers under stresse

Nonlinear viscoelastic characterization of polycarbonate

Uniaxial tensile creep and recovery data from polycarbonate at six temperatures and six stress levels are analyzed for nonlinear viscoelastic constitutive modeling. A theory to account for combined effects of two or more accelerating factors is presented

Nonlinear viscoelastic characterization of structural adhesives

Measurements of the nonliner viscoelastic behavior of two adhesives, FM-73 and FM-300, are presented and discussed. Analytical methods to quantify the measurements are given and fitted into a framework of an accelerated testing and analysis procedure. The single integral model used is shown to function well and is analogous to a time-temperature stress-superposition procedure (TTSSP). Advantages and disadvantages of the creep power law method used in this study are given

A study of damage zones or characteristic lengths as related to the fracture behavior of graphite/epoxy laminates

Uniaxial tensile tests conducted on a variety of graphite/epoxy laminates, containing narrow rectangular slits, square or circular holes with various aspect ratios are discussed. The techniques used to study stable crack or damage zone growth--namely, birefringence coatings, COD gages, and microscopic observations are discussed. Initial and final fracture modes are discussed as well as the effect of notch size and shape, and laminate type on the fracture process. Characteristic lengths are calculated and compared to each other using the point, average and inherent flaw theories. Fracture toughnesses are calculated by the same theories and compared to a boundary integral equation technique. Finite width K-calibration factors are also discussed

A comparison of simple shear characterization methods for composite laminates

Various methods for the shear stress-strain characterization of composite laminates are examined, and their advantages and limitations are briefly discussed. Experimental results and the necessary accompanying analysis are then presented and compared for three simple shear characterization procedures. These are the off-axis tensile test method, the + or - 45 degs tensile test method and the 0 deg/90 degs symmetric rail shear test method. It is shown that the first technique indicates that the shear properties of the G/E laminates investigated are fundamentally brittle in nature while the latter two methods tend to indicate that the G/E laminates are fundamentally ductile in nature. Finally, predictions of incrementally determined tensile stress-strain curves utilizing the various different shear behavior methods as input information are presented and discussed

Stress-strain and failure properties of graphite/epoxy laminates

The results of a series of tensile tests on graphite/epoxy laminates at rates varying from 0.002 in/min to 2 in/min are reported. The loads are applied at various angles to the fiber directions in each case. The rate dependent behavior of the stress-strain response is assessed. Evidence is presented to indicate that failure first occurs on inner piles. Also, evidence is presented to indicate that, in some cases, moduli increase with increased stress or strain level. The lamination theory is used to predict moduli and comparisons with experiment are given. Also, the lamination theory is used in conjunction with three failure theories to predict ultimate strengths with varying degrees of success

Resistance fail strain gage technology as applied to composite materials

Existing strain gage technologies as applied to orthotropic composite materials are reviewed. The bonding procedures, transverse sensitivity effects, errors due to gage misalignment, and temperature compensation methods are addressed. Numerical examples are included where appropriate. It is shown that the orthotropic behavior of composites can result in experimental error which would not be expected based on practical experience with isotropic materials. In certain cases, the transverse sensitivity of strain gages and/or slight gage misalignment can result in strain measurement errors

An experimental and analytical investigation of the ductile fracture of polymers

Analytical and experimental investigation of ductile fracture of polymers using adaptation of Dugdale mode

The nonlinear viscoelastic response of resin matrix composite laminates

Possible treatments of the nonlinear viscoelastic behavior of materials are reviewed. A thermodynamic based approach, developed by Schapery, is discussed and used to interpret the nonlinear viscoelastic response of a graphite epoxy laminate, T300/934. Test data to verify the analysis for Fiberite 934 neat resin as well as transverse and shear properties of the unidirectional T300/934 composited are presented. Long time creep characteristics as a function of stress level and temperature are generated. Favorable comparisons between the traditional, graphical, and the current analytical approaches are shown. A free energy based rupture criterion is proposed as a way to estimate the life that remains in a structure at any time

A new experimental method for the accelerated characterization of composite materials

The use of composite materials for a variety of practical structural applications is presented and the need for an accelerated characterization procedure is assessed. A new experimental and analytical method is presented which allows the prediction of long term properties from short term tests. Some preliminary experimental results are presented