Viscoelastic Properties of Polymer Composites During Processing

In this work several aspects of the curing, viscoelastic, and cure shrinkage behavior of an aerospace grade epoxy resin were characterized and modeled for the purpose of composites process modeling. Measurement of matrix viscoelastic properties during cure was accomplished through two experimental approaches, each suited to a particular range of cure states. To investigate the material behavior during later stages of cure after gelation, small beam specimens were tested in three-point bending. During early stages of curing, samples were examined by shearing the material between parallel plates in a rheometer. Specimens for each configuration were manufactured at several cure states and tested at a range of temperatures. These data were used to develop a material model to predict the relaxation modulus of the matrix at any time during cure. Additionally, moire interferometry was successfully applied to the measurement of the viscoelastic Poisson's ratio of the matrix through its entire glassy-to-rubbery transition. The matrix viscoelastic material models were then used to predict composite viscoelastic properties and correlated with experimental results. In addition, the viscoelastic shrinkage behavior of the composite during cure was investigated with micromechanical modeling.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• O'Brien, Daniel James

Contributors dc:contributor

• White, Scott R.

• Engineering, Industrial

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3101935

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/83797