Failure Mechanisms in Polymer Matrix Composites

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Testing the strength and stiffness of polymer matrix composites

J.M. Hodgkinson,     Imperial College London, UK

Abstract:

The directional nature of fibre reinforced polymer matrix composites makes them a more formidable proposition than do isotropic materials such as metals and plastics when attempting to measure their true mechanical properties. It can be extremely difficult to ensure that a pure and uniform stress state is imposed on a significant volume of the material in order to extract the desired property data. If that is to be achieved, great care is required in the design of specimens and loading arrangements. Whatever the idealised designs for specimen and loading jig turn out to be, they still need to be transferred into reality, ...