Characterization and Response of Thermoplastic Composites and Constituents

The research presented herein is an effort to support computational modeling of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composites. An effort is made to characterize the composites and their constituents. UHMWPE, as a polymer, is time and temperature dependent. Using time-temperature superposition (tTSP), the constituent properties are studied as a function of strain rate. Properties that are believed to be significant are fiber tensile properties as a function of strain rate, as well as the through-thickness shear behavior of composite laminates. Obtaining fiber properties proved to be a challenge. The high strength and low surface energy of the fibers makes gripping specimens difficult. Several different methods of fixturing and gripping are investigated, eventually leading to a combination of friction and adhesion approaches where a fiber was wrapped on an adhesive coated cardboard mandrel and then gripped in the test fixture. Fiber strength is estimated using tTSP to equivalent strain rates approaching 10^6 sec^-1. Punch-shear testing of UHMWPE laminates is conducted at quasi-static strain rates and the dependence of the results on thickness and test geometry is investigated.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Engineering Science and Mechanics

Department dc:contributor.department

Engineering Science and Mechanics

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2010

Author dc:creator

• Umberger, Pierce David

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Case, Scott W.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Batra, Romesh C.
• Hyer, Michael W.

• UHMWPE
• Time-temperature superposition
• composite materials

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

etd-06142010-095241

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/33574