A Systematic Stiffness-Temperature Model for Polymers and Applications to the Prediction of Composite Behavior

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dc.contributor.authorMahieux, Celine Agnesen
dc.contributor.committeechairReifsnider, Kenneth L.en
dc.contributor.committeememberCase, Scott W.en
dc.contributor.committeememberKampe, Stephen L.en
dc.contributor.committeememberLesko, John J.en
dc.contributor.committeememberMarand, Hervé L.en
dc.contributor.departmentMaterials Science and Engineeringen
dc.date.accessioned2014-03-14T20:08:21Zen
dc.date.adate1999-03-24en
dc.date.available2014-03-14T20:08:21Zen
dc.date.issued1999-02-26en
dc.date.rdate2000-03-24en
dc.date.sdate1999-03-22en
dc.description.abstractPolymer matrix composites (PMC's) are now being used more and more extensively and over wider ranges of service conditions. Large changes in pressure, chemical environment or temperature influence the mechanical response of such composites. In the present effort, we focus on temperature, a parameter of primary interest in almost all engineering applications. In order to design composite structures without having to perform extensive experiments (virtual design), the necessity of establishing theoretical models that relate the macroscopic response of the structure to the microscopic properties of the constituents arises. In the first part of the present work, a new stiffness versus temperature model is established. The model is validated using data from the literature. The influence of the different polymer's properties (Molecular weight, crystallinity, and filler content) on the model are studied by performing experiments on different grades of four polymers PMMA, PEEK, PPS, and PB. This statistical model is proven to be applicable to very different polymers (elastomers, thermoplastics, crystalline, amorphous, cross-linked, linear, filled, unfilledâ ¦) over wide temperature ranges (from the glassy state to the flow region). The most attractive feature of the proposed model is the capability to enable a description of the polymer's mechanical behavior within and across the property transition regions. In order to validate the feasibility of using the model to predict the mechanical response of polymer matrix composites, the stiffness-temperature model is used in various micromechanical models (rule of mixtures, compression models for the life prediction of unidirectional PMC's in end-loaded bendingâ ¦). The model is also inserted in the MRLife prediction code to predict the remaining strength and life of unidirectional PMC's in fatigue bending. End-loaded fatigue experiments were performed. A good correlation between theoretical and experimental results is observed. Finally, the model is used in the Classical Lamination Theory; some laminates were found to exhibit stress reversals with temperature and behaved like thermally activated mechanical switches.en
dc.description.degreePh. D.en
dc.identifier.otheretd-032299-161945en
dc.identifier.sourceurlhttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-032299-161945/en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/26479en
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.relation.haspartmahieuxetd.pdfen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectstatistical modelen
dc.subjectlife predictionen
dc.subjectcompositesen
dc.subjectTemperature--elevateden
dc.subjectbendingen
dc.subjectpolymer matrix compositesen
dc.subjectFatigueen
dc.subjectthermally activated switchesen
dc.subjectTemperature--cryogenicen
dc.subjectpolymersen
dc.subjectstiffnessen
dc.subjectTemperatureen
dc.titleA Systematic Stiffness-Temperature Model for Polymers and Applications to the Prediction of Composite Behavioren
dc.typeDissertationen
thesis.degree.disciplineMaterials Science and Engineeringen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.leveldoctoralen
thesis.degree.namePh. D.en

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