In Situ Matrix Shear Response Using Torsional Test Data of Fiber Reinforced Unidirectional Polymer Composites

Abstract

The in situ shear response of the matrix in polymer matrix composites (PMC) has been studied. Torsion tests were performed on solid cylinders of unidirectional glass fiber reinforced/vinylester and unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced/vinylester composites. The composite specimens were subjected to a uniform rate of twist. From the composite stress-strain curve, a plot of tangent shear modulus vs shear strain was derived. Then, using the Halpin-Tsai equations, the in situ matrix shear modulus was determined. The in situ matrix properties obtained from glass/vinylester and carbon/vinylester composites were found to be different. In addition, the properties of the in situ matrix were found to be a function of fiber volume fraction and the elastic properties of the reinforcing fiber. The behavior of the in situ matrix as a function of the fiber volume fraction was explained by using a three cylinder interphase model. The validity of the interphase model in predicting the composite shear modulus was studied by comparison of results against a conventional 2 cylinder model.