Thermal cycling behavior of unidirectional and cross-plied P100 Gr/6061 aluminium composites.

• Main Author: Wiest, Anthony D.
• Other Authors: Dutta, Indranath
• Language: en_US
• Published: Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School 2012
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10945/24071

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited === The thermal strain response of as-cast samples of 40% PI 00 graphite fiber reinforced 6061 Al composites in the unidirectionally reinforced and the [0/90] cross-plied configuration was studied. Thermal strain hysteresis and residual plastic strain were observed, both changing with continued cycling. The compressive residual plastic strain is attributable primarily to creep deformation due to compressive residual stress in the matrix at elevated temperature. The role of matrix creep in the heating rate dependence of the strain response was studied by measuring strains under isothermal conditions in the absence of applied stresses. Damage mechanisms operative in the composites during thermal cycling, and the impact of ply constraint on the strain response were also evaluated.