Date of Award
Winter 2014
Project Type
Thesis
Program or Major
Mechanical Engineering
Degree Name
Master of Science
First Advisor
Todd S Gross
Second Advisor
Igor Tsukrov
Third Advisor
John Tsavalas
Abstract
Microcracking and failure in the resin pockets of 3D woven composites is caused by coefficient of thermal expansion mismatch between composite components during cooling from the curing temperature. The failure of the matrix is known to be dependent on triaxial stress state. This study presents first measurements of the effect of pure hydrostatic stress on the failure of epoxy resin as a function of temperature. We found that failure triaxial stress for epoxy resin is not strongly temperature dependent. Strategies to reduce or eliminate microcrackings by means of modifications of the curing schedule are also presented. We show that it is possible to reduce residual stresses and microcracking by curing the epoxy in a carefully crafted heating profile.
Recommended Citation
Jafari, Hesam, "Investigation on epoxy resin yielding under pure hydrostatic stresses and a novel method to reduce microcracking" (2014). Master's Theses and Capstones. 1009.
https://scholars.unh.edu/thesis/1009