Micromechanical Analysis of FRP Composites Subjected to Thermal Loading

摘要

Micromechanical studies play important role in the analysis of Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) composites. The present micromechanical analysis evaluates the stresses at the fiber-matrix interface of Boron/S-G/E-G fiber and Epoxy matrix composites due to temperature gradient across the lamina. These studies explore the influence of constituents on various properties and the behaviour of the composite. A three-dimensional finite element model has been developed from the unit cells of square array of the composite and tested for its validity by comparing the coefficients of thermal expansion with the values available from the theory of rule of mixtures and found good agreement. The properties of composite lamina and the stresses at the fiber-matrix interface are determined by varying different types of isotropic materials. The finite element software ANSYS has been successfully executed to evaluate the properties and stresses. The variation of the stresses at the fiber-matrix interfaces with respect to the angular location is discussed.