Time and temperature dependence of the viscoelastic properties of PEEK/IM7

摘要

Understanding viscoelastic properties of composite materials is essential for the design and analysis of many advanced structures. However, experimental viscoelastic characterization of anisotropic materials can be complicated because of the number of independent parameters to be evaluated. Recently, an approach leading to the 3-D viscoelastic characterization of transversely isotropic materials using a reduced number of measured parameters has been developed. The model reduces the number of independent parameters to describe the viscoelastic behavior of transversely isotropic materials, which greatly simplifies the experimental procedures. Based on this recently developed model, the present article evaluates time and temperature effects on the viscoelastic properties of a fiber reinforced lamina. The experimental investigation is conducted on sub-scale specimens loaded in flexure, using Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) equipment. Ultimately, the approach presented in this work will allow the construction of master curves for the independent viscoelastic parameters that characterize a transversely isotropic material. Therefore, the experimental technique presented in this work provides a means for the study of viscoelastic properties of fiber reinforced composites, and constitutes a valuable contribution to the understanding of time and temperature dependence of these mechanical properties.