An Investigation of the Tensile Strength and Stiffness of Unidirectional Polymer-Matrix, Carbon-Fiber Composites under the Influence of Elevated Temperatures

Traditionally it was thought that the unidirectional strength in the fiber direction of fiber dominated composites was not influenced by the matrix material. As long as the fiber was not affected then the strength would remain. However this thesis will challange that belief. The unidirectional strength in the fiber direction of fiber dominated composites is influenced by the matrix material. The object of this study was to examine the quasi-static tensile strength of unidirectional polymer composites, and then use current analytic models to predict the experimental results. The different matrix materials were polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS), vinyl ester with two different fiber-matrix interface materials, and polyether ether ketone (PEEK).

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

1998

Author dc:creator

• Walther, Brady M.

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Reifsnider, Kenneth L.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Gao, David Y.
• Lesko, John J.

• Polymer Composites
• Tensile Strength
• Temperature
• Carbon Fiber

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

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

Dc Identifier Other

etd-5298-22449

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/36803