Applied Composite Materials

Davies, P.; Pomiès, F.; Carlsson, L.

doi: 10.1007/BF00158994pmid: N/A

The degradation of interlaminar shear strength and shear fracture toughness of glass/epoxy composites due to uptake of distilled water and sea water has been studied. The composites were immersed in water for up to eight months at temperatures up to 70 °C. Unreinforced matrix resin samples were also immersed for periods up to 2 years. Sea water was absorbed less rapidly than distilled water. Weight gains below 1% did not influence the shear strength while higher weight gains reduced shear strength up to 25%. The loss in apparent interlaminar shear strength was uniquely related to specimen weight gain. Mode II fracture toughness, G IIc, also decreased with increasing immersion time after an initial incubation period, but the accelerated tests were found to reduce G IIc less than the room temperature tests at comparable weight gains.

Wang, Zhen; Xia, Yuanming; Yang, Baochang

doi: 10.1007/BF00158995pmid: N/A

This paper proposes a statistical model for strain rate and temperature dependent fiber strength. The dependence of the parameters of the model on the mechanical quantities of fiber bundles under tensile impact at different temperatures is established. Test results have been performed on E-glass bundles, and these are discussed. They are in good correlation with the model. Hence, the model is reliable and the test method is feasible.

Carotenuto, G.; Nicolais, L.; Kuang, X.

doi: 10.1007/BF00158996pmid: N/A

Optically transparent nanocomposites are of special interest since they have great potential in optical applications. The synthesis of poly(methacrylic methylester)/monodispersed Cu2(OH)2CO3 particles, a new nanocomposite material with a refractive index similar to glass, is here described. The system can be easily deposited on glass plates by spin-coating technology, yielding homogeneous, low-defect thin films of high transparency, that can be used as color filters for liquid crystal displays. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) have been used to characterize the composite material.

Jones, S.; Platts, M.

doi: 10.1007/BF00158997pmid: N/A

The anisotropic nature of fibre reinforced composites leads to large stress concentrations around pin-loaded holes through standard weave cloths. Proper understanding of how this anisotropic nature affects the load distribution around holes can be utilised to reduce these concentrations if sufficient thought is given to the internal fibre geometry near to the hole. Such local reinforcements need not be highly complex and can be readily produced without excessive effort, producing significant improvements in performance.