Abstract
The properties of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) are greatly affected under extreme environmental conditions. This paper reports an experimental study to determine the response of IM7-carbon/977-2 cycom epoxy laminates under different humidity and temprature conditions. Short-term 3-point bending creep tests using Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) were used to test the dry and saturated samples at various temperature levels. The dry coupons were tested at the room temperature (RT) and at 60-120 degrees C with 20 degrees C increment and then at 130 degrees C, 150-180 degrees C with 10 degrees C increment for each next test. The saturated (wet) coupons were tested at RT, 40 - 120 degrees C with 10 degrees C increment in temperature for each next test and at 145 degrees C, 150 degrees C, and 160 degrees C. The time-temperature shift factor (TTSF) was applied and it is shown that the viscoelastic behavior of the invetigated 1M7-carbon/9772 epoxy laminates, is accurately predicted through the use of TTSF. It has also been shown that determining the viscoelastic behavior at elevated temperatures helps to predict temperature below the glass transition temperature using TTSF. The long-term life of the material is relatively easily predicted using TTSF by conducting traditional short-term laboratory tests.