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

The viscoelastic behavior of the principal compliance matrix of a unidirectional graphite/epoxy composite

The time-temperature response of the principal compliances of a unidirectional graphite/epoxy composite was determined. It is shown that two components of the compliance matrix are time and temperature independent and that the compliance matrix is symmetric for the viscoelastic composite. The time-temperature superposition principle is used to determine shift factors which are independent of fiber orientation, for fiber angles that vary from 10 D to 90 D with respect to the load direction

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

Modeling Mobility Degradation in Scanning Capacitance Microscopy for Semiconductor Dopant Profile Measurement

Scanning capacitance microscopy (SCM) based on the MOS capacitor C-V characteristics is a comparative new technique for dopant profile extraction. It utilises the high spatial resolution of scanning probe microscopy. However extraction of dopant profile near a p-n junction has not been successful due to the complex physics involved: typically unrealistically high dopant concentration near the junction is deduced (corresponding to low SCM dC/dV data). Better understanding of SCM measurement and modelling is required to enhance the accuracy of the extracted dopant concentration. This paper addresses the influence of mobility degradation on the SCM measurement via modelling and comparison with experimental SCM data. The rational for looking into mobility effect is that SCM capacitance measurement is carried out at 915 MHz. At this frequency, resistance of semiconductor surface can be comparable to the reactance of the SCM capacitance. In our simulation carrier mobilities at the semiconductor surface are set low compared to their bulk values to reflect surface mobility degradation. Our results show that the simulated SCM dC/dV is significantly reduced in the vicinity of p-n junction reflecting what is observed experimentally. We attribute this to the fact that the capacitance between the inverted surface and the SCM probe is not detected due to the high resistance (compared to the reactance of the SCM capacitance) of the inversion layer below the semiconductor and oxide interface. Only the capacitance on the accumulation side is extracted thus leading to the lowering of the detected SCM capacitance and dC/dV. The major conclusion is that the effect of high resistance due to mobility degradation has to be treated carefully for accurate extraction of dopant profile from experimental SCM data

Modeling the Effects of Interface Traps on Scanning Capacitance Microscopy dC/dV Measurement

Scanning capacitance microscopy (SCM) measurement is a proposed tool for dopant profile extraction for semiconductor material. The influence of interface traps on SCM dC/dV data is still unclear. In this paper we report on the simulation work used to study the nature of SCM dC/dV data in the presence of interface traps. A technique to correctly simulate dC/dV of SCM measurement is then presented based on our justification. We also analyze how charge of interface traps surrounding SCM probe would affect SCM dC/dV due the small SCM probe dimension

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

The time-temperature behavior of a unidirectional graphite/epoxy composite

A testing program to determine the time-temperature response of undirectional graphite/epoxy materials is described. Short-term creep test results of strip tensile specimen with the load at various angles to the fiber direction and at various temperature levels are reported. It was shown that the material is elastic at all temperature levels when the fiber is in the load direction. On the other hand, when the load is transverse to the fibers, the viscoelastic response was shown to vary from small amounts at room temperature to large amounts for temperatures in excess of 180 C for other fiber angles, the response was similar to the latter

The viscoelastic behavior of a composite in a thermal environment

A proposed method for the accelerated predictions of modulus and life times for time dependent polymer matrix composite laminates is presented. The method, based on the time temperature superposition principle and lamination theory, is described in detail. Unidirectional reciprocal of compliance master curves and the shift functions needed are presented and discussed. Master curves for arbitrarily oriented unidirectional laminates are predicted and compared with experimantal results obtained from master curves generated from 15 minute tests and with 25 hour tests. Good agreement is shown. Predicted 30 deg and 60 deg unidirectional strength master curves are presented and compared to results of creep rupture tests. Reasonable agreement is demonstrated. In addition, creep rupture results for a (90 deg + or - 60 deg/90 deg) sub 2s laminate are presented

An investigation of the failure and fracture behavior of graphite/epoxy laminates

A fundamental investigation of the fracture behavior of fiber reinforced composites is discussed. It is suggested that experimental and analytical investigations should compliment each other. Further, it is suggested that in order to understand and mathematically model composite fracture it is necessary to explore, understand and characterize the stress-strain behavior of each type of laminate tested from initial loading to incipient fracture. That is, it is not only necessary to perform fracture studies but it is necessary to perform stress-strain characterization and failure studies as well. For this reason a literature survey is presented in which these three elements are discussed. An experimental program to determine tensile properties of unnotched and notched unidirectional and multi-directional laminates composed of Hercules AS Fiber and 3501 Resin is described. Experimental unnotched moduli and strengths are presented, discussed and compared to lamination theory predictions. It is shown that rate effects are small and that lamination theory gives good results for moduli but not for strengths