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The Effect of Curing Temperature on the Fracture Toughness of Fiberglass Epoxy Composites

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The Effect of Curing Temperature on the Fracture Toughness of Fiberglass Epoxy Composites

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Title	The Effect of Curing Temperature on the Fracture Toughness of Fiberglass Epoxy Composites
Subject	Nanoengineering
Description	The curing reaction in a thermoset polymer matrix composite is often accelerated by the addition of heat in an oven or autoclave. The heat added increases the rate of the polymerization reaction and cross-linking in the material. The cure cycle used (temperature, pressure and time) can therefore alter the final material properties. This research focuses on how the curing temperature (250, 275, 300 °F) affects the yield strength and the mode I interlaminar fracture toughness, , of a unidirectional S-2 glass epoxy composite. The test method that was used for the tension test was ASTM D3039 and the test method for the mode I interlaminar fracture toughness, the double cantilever beam (DCB) test, was ASTM D5528. The DCB specimens were fabricated with a non-adhesive insert at the midplane of the composite that serves as the initiatior of the delamination. Opening forces were then applied to the specimen, causing the crack propagation. The results show that increasing the cure temperature by 50 °F increased the tensile strength by 10% (86.54 - 94.73 ksi) and decreased the fracture toughness 20% (506.23 - 381.31 J/m2). Thus, the curing temperature can cause a trade-off between these two properties, which means that the curing cycle will need to be altered based on the intended use and the required material properties.
Creator	Ryan, Thomas J.
Publisher	North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Date	2014
Type	TEXT
Format	PFD
Language	English
Major Professor	Kelkar, Ajit
Academic Department	Nanoengineering
Degree	MASTER OF SCIENCE