ISSN: 0884-6804
Page Count: 8

Effects of Resin Consolidation on the Durability of IM7/PETI-5 Composites
Veazie, DR
Associate professor and research associate, Clark Atlanta University, GA

Lindsay, JS
Associate professor and research associate, Clark Atlanta University, GA

Siochi, EJ
Research scientist, Lockheed Engineering and Sciences Company, VA

(Received 10 June 1999; accepted 24 July 2000)

Abstract

An experimental study was undertaken to investigate the mechanical response of the graphite fiber reinforced thermoplastic polyimide composite IM7/LaRC^™-PETI-5 for use in long term durability tests. Composite panels were prepared using unidirectional prepreg and regions of different resin consolidation were identified using a nondestructive ultrasonic technique. Specimens representing four different degrees of resin consolidation were tested at room temperature in tension, compression, and flexure in the as-received state, as well as isothermally exposed for 1500 h at 177°C, and isothermally exposed to a “hot/wet” environment (80°C, 90%+ relative humidity). Results showed that specimens tested in tension and compression had a higher dependence on resin consolidation than those tested in flexure. However, specimens tested in flexure showed a greater property degradation from environmental exposure due to a lack of resin consolidation.

Keywords:
polymer matrix composites, flexure, environmental exposure, resin consolidation, compression, moisture conditioning, nondestructive evaluation

Paper ID: CTR10910J
DOI: 10.1520/CTR10910J
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