Effects of temperature on the tensile strength and elastic modulus of composite material.

Abstract

An experimental investigation was made to determine the ultimate tensile strength and elastic modulus of HMF 330/34 woven style graphite epoxy exposed to elevated temperatures: (16 C, 50 C, 80 C, 110 C, 140 C, and 170 C). Specimen were of three different layups: (0/45/-45/90)s, (45/0/-45/90)s and (45/90/-45/0)s. An instron universal testing machine with 20,000 lb maximum load capacity was used to apply the uniaxial tensile loading. A Marshall clamshell furnace was used for maintaining the elevated temperatures. Results of the investigation indicate that ultimate tensile strength decreases with temperature increase in the (0/45/-45/90)s orientation panel. For (45/0/-45/90)s and (45/90/-45/0)s orientation panels, ultimate tensile strength increases with temperature up to 140 C (284 F), and decreases above 140 C (284 F). In all cases, the elastic modulus decreases as temperature increases.