SEDL / STP / STP1302-EB / STP11374S

Long-Term Isothermal Aging Effects on Carbon Fabric-Reinforced PMR-15 Composites: Compression Strength

Bowles, KJ
NASA Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, OH

Roberts, GD
NASA Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, OH

Kamvouris, JE
National Research Council-NASA research associate at Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, OH

Pages: 16    Published: Jan 1997

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Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the effects of long-term isothermal thermo-oxidative aging on the compressive properties of T-650-35 fabric reinforced PMR-15 composites. The temperatures that were studied were 204, 260, 288, 316, and 343°C. Specimens of different geometries were evaluated. Cut edge-to-surface ratios of 0.03 to 0.89 were fabricated and aged. Aging times extended to a period in excess of 15 000 h for the lower temperature runs.

The unaged and aged specimens were tested in compression in accordance with Test Method for Compressive Properties of Rigid Plastics (ASTM D 695). Both thin and thick (prism) specimens were tested. Three specimens were tested at each time/temperature/geometry condition. The failure modes appeared to be initiated by fiber kinking with longitudinal, interlaminar splitting.

In general, it appears that the thermo-oxidative degradation of the compression strength of the composite material may occur by both thermal (time-dependent) and oxidative (weight-loss) mechanisms. Both mechanisms appear to be specimen-thickness dependent.