Moisture and low temperature impact on the properties of a polyether glass-reinforced plastic

The cyclic action of water and the combined action of water and low temperatures on the physical-mechanical properties of a polyether glass-reinforced plastic are studied. For experimental investigations, methods of sorption, thermogravimetry, and mechanical testing in static bending were used. It was found that the most aggressive external factor for the glass-reinforced plastic was the cyclic action of water, but not the change in its phase state at cooling. The process of sorption-desorption of the glass-reinforced plastic is irreversible.Presented at the 10th International Conference on the Mechanics of Composite Materials (Riga, April 20–23, 1998).Institute of Non-Metallic Materials, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Yakutsk, Russia. Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 34, No. 4, pp. 519–524, July–August, 1998.     

Effect of residual stresses on the strength of oriented glass-reinforced plastics

The effect of structural residual stresses on the strength of a glass-reinforced plastic loaded along and across the fibers is investigated. It is established that the residual stresses lead to an increase in the strength of the glass-reinforced plastic across the fibers and to cracking of the polymer matrix in tension along the fibers, but have practically no effect on the combined deformation of the matrix and the fibers in compression.Moscow Ordzhonikidze Aviation Institute. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 3, pp. 475–480, May–June, 1969.     

Effect of the conditions of prepreg preparation on the strength of structural plastics

A study is made of the effect of the temperature and duration of heat treatment of polymer composite prepregs on their strength. It is established that heat treatment under conditions ensuring close to maximal adhesive interaction between the components of the prepreg and subsequent shaping makes it possible to more than double the strength of the plastic (Table 1), A new approach is proposed to optimizing the conditions of formation of structural plastics.Paper to be presented at the IX International Conference on the Mechanics of Composite Materials (Riga, October, 1995).Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 31. No. 3, pp. 411–416, May–June, 1995.     

Predicting the transverse strength of unidirectional composites under combination loading

This article presents a mathematical model for predicting the transverse strength of unidirectional fiber composites subjected to combination transverse loading under different conditions. The behavior of the matrix is described by nonlinear physical equations consistent with the strain theory of plasticity for the active loading section. The fibers are assumed to be isotropic and elastic. The boundary-value problem of micromechanics that is formulated includes strength criteria for the matrix and fibers that mark the beginning of their possible failure. The modeling of the fracture process is taken farther through the use of a scheme that reduces the stiffness of the matrix and fibers in the failed regions in relation to the sign of the first invariant of the stress tensor. The method of local approximation is used together with the finite-element method to calculate the stress and strain fields in unidirectional composites with cylindrical fibers in a tetragonal layup. The model is used to study the behavior of an epoxy-based organic-fiber-reinforced plastic subjected to transverse loading in different simple paths — including simultaneous compressive and tensile loads, as well as transverse shear.Paper to be presented at the Ninth International Conference on the Mechanics of Composite Materials (Riga, October 1995).Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 31, No. 4, pp. 473–481, July–August, 1995.     

Prediction of changes in the strength of filled thermoplastics upon aging in an oxidizing atmosphere

Problems related to analyzing specimens with damaged surface layers have been examined using polyamide, trioxane—dioxolane copolymer, and polycarbonate as source materials. A model was developed for the brittle fracture of block specimens with damaged surface layers, which provides an estimate of the restraints to plastic deformation in these layers. Three segments are seen in the strength—time curves featuring 1) increasing strength, 2) decreased strength with brittle fracture, and 3) constant low strength. The strength of filled specimens of a specific period permits us to evaluate the effect of the filler on the fracture resistance of the matrix. A method was proposed for predicting the strength of filled samples using the matrix aging data.Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 29, No. 3, pp. 375–380, May–June, 1993.     

Optimization of cyclindrical shells of fiber-reinforced composite materials

Problems of optimizing nonelastic circular shells are considered. The material of the shells is assumed to be a fiber-reinforced composite with fibers unidirectionally embedded in a relatively less stiff but ductile metallic matrix so that the material has the yield surface suggested by Lance and Robinson. The shell is subjected to an impulsive loading of short-time periods generating initial kinetic energy. During plastic deformation of the shell the initial kinetic energy is transformed into the plastic strain energy. The shell thickness is assumed to be piecewise constant. Various thicknesses and coordinates of the rings, where the thickness has jumps, are preliminarily unspecified. We look for a shell design for which the maximum residual deflection has a minimum value for the total weight given. The alternative problem of minimizing the shell weight for the maximum deflection given is also studied.Presented at the Ninth International Conference on the Mechanics of Composite Materials, Riga, Octobe, 1995.Tartu University, Estonia. Published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, No. 1, pp. 65–71, January–February, 1996.     

Nondestructive evaluation of fatigue-induced changes in the structure of composites by an ultrasonic method using a laser

Studies were conducted to nondestructively evaluate the damage to a glass-fiber-reinforced plastic during cyclic and static loading. The evaluation was made by an ultrasonic method employing a laser. In both the unloaded and loaded specimens, the ultrasound attenuation spectrum has a resonance peak attributable to the periodic nature of the structure of the composite. This peak is shifted to the low-frequency region during static loading, due to a decrease in the elastic modulus. The spectra obtained after cyclic loading have no resonance peaks, due to attenuation of the ultrasound over a broad range of frequencies by a large number of fatigue cracks. Additional static loading results in concentration of the cracks near the boundary between the glass fibers and the polymer matrix, which leads to the formation of a resonance peak in the high-frequency region of the spectrum.Paper to be presented at the Ninth International Conference on the Mechanics of Composite Materials (Riga, October, 1995).Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 31, No. 3, pp. 405–410, May–June, 1995.     

Elastic properties of certain polymer matrices at low temperatures

A study is made of the viscoelastic behavior of the polyimide DFO and polybenzoxasol (PBZ) at low temperatures. Pulsed ultrasound is used to measure ultrasonic velocity in polymers at the frequency f=5 MHz within the temperature interval 4.2–240 K. Data obtained from acoustic measurements is used to calculate the dynamic elastic modulus, shear modulus, compressive bulk modulus, Poisson's ratio, and certain thermophysical characteristics (Debye temperature, specific heat, coefficient of linear expansion, Grünheisen parameter). It is established that the investigated polymers have low dynamic moduli at 4.2 K. Their values change by 18–20% within the temperature range 4.2–240 K. The polymers also have a large free volume at the temperature of liquid helium. The results show that polyimide DFO and PBZ have good service properties at low temperatures.Paper presented at the IX International Conference on the Mechanics of Composite Materials, Riga, October, 1995.Moscow State Academy of Automotive and Tractor Engineering, Russia. Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitmykh Materialov, No. 4, pp. 454–459, July–August, 1996.     

Electron-fractographic investigation of the brittle fracture of polyethylene

The results are presented of an electron-microscope investigation of the brittle fracture of linear polyethylene at the temperature of liquid nitrogen. It is shown that the physical nature of the structural details of the microrelief of the fracture surface is conditioned by local plastic deformation of the stratified lamellar structures in a thin layer adjacent to the fracture surface preceding and accompanying fracture. The possibility of local self-heating is discussed and a possible mechanism of plastic deformation of the crystal platelets at low temperatures is proposed.Mekhanika Polimerov, Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 286–290, 1967     

Holographic interferometry study of deformation of cement and concrete under mechanical and thermal loads

Compressive strain of concrete is accompanied by rotation of the rigid aggregate and by local shifts of the cement matrix, which by analogy with local deformation of metals is the cause of a decrease of the real strength of the material. It is shown that deformation of concrete with haydite and granite aggregates in the presence of a heat supply (within limits of positive operating temperatures) is distinguished by damping of deformations in the first case and by local deformation of the aggregate in the second.Presented at the Ninth International Conference on Mechanics of Composite Materials, Riga. October, 1995.Kharkov State Technical Academy of Railroad Transport, Ukraine. Kharkov State Technical Construction and Architecture University, Ukraine. Kharkov Fire Safety Institute Ukraine. Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 32, No. 2, pp. 202–208, March–April, 1996.     

Deformability and load-carrying capacity of netted composite rod assemblies with metal fittings

A technology is proposed for making netted rod assemblies with metal joints 3–5 times lighter than existing comparable structures. A procedure was developed for winding assemblies out of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (UKN-5000 and binder EKhD-MK). Results are presented from a study of the strain characteristics and load-carrying capacity of assemblies with different reinforcement schemes for different conditions of static damage. It is shown that the design of netted rod assembly proposed here is significantly superior to all known analogs with respect to specific stiffness characteristics and provides great dimensional stability in the case of unilateral heating of the product. The method is most effective if used to develop framework-type structures for use in space — platforms, telescope and antenna supports, and masts.Paper to be presented at the Ninth International Conference on the Mechanics of Composite Materials (Riga, October 1995).Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 31, No. 3, pp. 387–392, May–June, 1995.     

Determination of the mechanical indices of composite materials by testing multilayered samples

The mechanical indices of materials such as composites reinforced by braids and ribbons are difficult to determine by standard methods. Moreover, the indices of such materials may be greatly altered when they are converted into various structures. It has been suggested that these indices be determined by analyzing the structure testing data. The determination of linear and nonlinear elastic, plastic, and viscoelastic parameters of reinforced materials is discussed. A very simple structure, namely, cylindrical shells made by symmetric winding, is studied as an example. Equilibrium conditions are used to obtain resolving equations relative to the mechanical indices. Convergence of iteration methods is examined. The effect of the scatter of experimental data on the calculated results is analyzed.Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 31, No. 5, pp. 607–615, September–October, 1995.     

Effect of temperature on the mechanical characteristics of carbon plastics reinforced with metal mesh

The behavior of carbon plastics based on FN resin and FN plus rubber and reinforced with metal mesh is investigated over a broad range of temperatures in tension, compression, and pure bending. The presence of a rubbery component considerably reduces the strength of the plastic while improving its deformation properties.Dnepropetrovsk State University. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 2, pp. 358–361, March–April, 1971.     

Investigation of the state of water sorbed by an organic polymer by high-resolution1H nuclear magnetic resonance and differential thermal analysis

Conclusions The results of the experimental investigation of a moist organic composite by high-resolution NMR and DTA indicate a change in the structure of water, due to an interaction between the water molecules and the macromolecules when water is sorbed by the organic polymer. A part of the sorbed water molecules is strongly bound to the macromolecules; their mobility is very low and is not recorded by high-resolution NMR. As the moisture content of the composite increases, molecules of water appear, the mobility of which is intermediate between the strongly bound and free water molecules in the macrospace. This part of the molecules is represented in the NMR spectrum by a broadened and shifted line and a shift of the endothermic peak towards lower temperatures is observed on the thermal analysis diagrams. The weakly bound water can be detected in the composite starting at a moisture content of 5–8%.Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, No. 2, pp. 317–320, March–April, 1990.     

Morphology of fractured polymer surfaces self-bonded below the glass transition temperature

Previosly noncontact surfaces of polystyrene (PS) and poly(2,6-dimethyl 1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) were self-bonded in a lap shear joint geometry below the glass transition temperature T_g The joints were then fractured in tension at room temperature and the contact area was analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy. Zones of plastic deformation were revealed on the surfaces of PS and PPO which had been bonded at T_g–33 and T_g–70°C, respectively, thus indicating interdiffusion across the interface. This result points to the lower T_g of the surface layer as compared with that of the bulk sample, in agreement with our previous studies. The unusually high self-bonding ability of PPO (at very low temperatures related to the bulk T_g) is presumably due to the low depth of penetration required to establish entanglements.Presented at the 10th International Conference on the Mechanics of Composite Materials (Riga, April 20–23, 1998).Published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 34, No. 5, pp. 665–672, September–October, 1998.     

Theory of spherofibrous composites. 1. Input relationships: Hypotheses and models

A theory is proposed for fibrous composites with a matrix reinforced with spherical hollow and solid inclusions based on an internal stress field and structural models. The problem solutions are obtained for the fiber-averaged matrix level. The matrix properties are determined assuming a regular distribution of the matrix inclusions. The problem of accounting for the scatter of inclusion properties on the effective composite parameters is examined.Presented at the Ninth International Conference on the Mechanics of Composite Materials, Riga, Latvia (October, 1995).A. A. Blagonravov Mechanical Engineering Institute. Russian Academy of Sciences. Moscow, Russia. Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 32, No. 3, pp. 291–305. May–June, 1996.     

Effect of temperature and anisotropy on the elastic constants of oriented glass-reinforced plastics

The experimental temperature dependence of the modulus of elasticity and Poisson's ratio are presented for SVAM oriented glass-reinforced plastic. The possibility of treating SVAM sheet as orthotropic at elevated temperatures is demonstrated.Institute of Chemical Physics, AS USSR, Moscow. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, Vol. 4, No. 6, pp. 1026–1032, November–December, 1968.     

Numerical modeling of the effect of heat and mass transfer in porous low-temperature heat insulation in composite material structures on the magnitude of stresses which develop

The stressed state of multilayer low-temperature heat insulation for a cryogenic fuel tank is considered. Account is taken of heat and mass transfer in foam plastic (the main heat insulation material) occurring at cryogenic temperatures. A method is developed for solving a set of differential equations and boundary conditions. Numerical studies of the main features of these processes are performed. It is established that below 200 K the stresses which arise in foam plastic markedly exceed the ultimate strength for this material. Stresses develop as a result of both a reduction in temperature and a drop in pressure in the foam plastic pores connected with material cooling. On the basis of the results obtained it is established that the combination of thermophysical processes which occur in foam plastic during cooling to cryogenic temperatures leads to changes in the stress-strained state of structure, which should be considered in planning aerospace technology.Scientific Research Institute of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia. Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitmykh Materialov, Vol. 33, No. 3, pp. 384–393, May–June, 1997.     

Effect of silane coupling agents on the physicomechanical properties of glass-reinforced plastics

The chemical nature of the coupling agent is investigated in relation to its effect on the wet and dry flexural strength of specimens of polyester glass-reinforced plastic (GRP), the water absorption of the material, and the degree of polymerization of the resin.Mekhanika Polimerov, Vol. 3, No. 5, pp. 787–794, 1967     

Effect of mineral fillers on properties of composite matrix material

The influence of mineral fillers on thermomechanical properties of matrix material of composites is investigated. Different methods to determine elastic properties and thermal expansion coefficients of composite materials have been considered and compared. Injection moulded polyester samples containing varying concentrations of talc filler are tested and properties such as Young 's modulus, thermal expansion coefficients, and volumetric shrinkage during cure are measured. Results obtained by theoretical models and from experiments are compared and discussed.To be presented at the Ninth International Conference on the Mechanics of Composite Materials (Riga, October 1995).Published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 31, No. 4, pp. 435–445, July–August, 1995.