Implementation of an Associative Flow Rule Including Hydrostatic Stress Effects into the High Strain Rate Deformation Analysis of Polymer Matrix Composites

A previously developed analytical formulation has been modified in order to more accurately account for the effects of hydrostatic stresses on the nonlinear, strain rate dependent deformation of polymer matrix composites. State variable constitutive equations originally developed for metals have been modified in order to model the nonlinear, strain rate dependent deformation of polymeric materials. To account for the effects of hydrostatic stresses, which are significant in polymers, the classical J2 plasticity theory definitions of effective stress and effective inelastic strain, along with the equations used to compute the components of the inelastic strain rate tensor, are appropriately modified. To verify the revised formulation, the shear and tensile deformation of a representative polymer are computed across a wide range of strain rates. Results computed using the developed constitutive equations correlate well with experimental data. The polymer constitutive equations are implemented within a strength of materials based micromechanics method to predict the nonlinear, strain rate dependent deformation of polymer matrix composites. The composite mechanics are verified by analyzing the deformation of a representative polymer matrix composite for several fiber orientation angles across a variety of strain rates. The computed values compare well to experimentally obtained results.     

Strain Rate Sensitivity of Epoxy Resin in Tensile and Shear Loading

The mechanical response of E-862 and PR-520 resins is investigated in tensile and shear loadings. At both types of loading the resins are tested at strain rates of about 5×10?5, 2, and 450–700?s?1. In addition, dynamic shear modulus tests are carried out at various frequencies and temperatures, and tensile stress relaxation tests are conducted at room temperature. The results show that the toughened PR-520 resin can carry higher stresses than the untoughened E-862 resin. Strain rate has a significant effect on the response of both resins. In shear, both resins show a ductile response with maximum stress that is increasing with strain rate. In tension, a ductile response is observed at low strain rate ( ～ 5×10?5?s?1), and brittle response is observed at the medium and high strain rates (2 and 700?s?1). The hydrostatic component of the stress in the tensile tests causes premature failure in the E-862 resin. Localized deformation develops in the PR-520 resin when loaded in shear. An internal state variable constitutive model is proposed for modeling the response of the resins. The model includes a state variable that accounts for the effect of the hydrostatic component of the stress on the deformation.     

Effects of High Strain Rate on Properties and Microstructure Evolution of TWIP Steel Subjected to Impact Loading

 The mechanical properties of the TWIP steel subjected to impact loading at various strain rates were analyzed by the Split Pressure Hopkinson Bar. Meanwhile the microstructure of the TWIP steel fore-and-after the dynamic deformation were characterized and analyzed by optical microscopy (OM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The result shows that when the TWIP steel was deformed under dynamic station, the stress, microshardness and work hardening rate increase with the increment of strain and strain rate; there exist stress fluctuation and decline of work hardening rate for adiabatic temperature rising softening. There exist many pin-like deformation twins in the microstructure of the TWIP steel subjected to impact loading, the grain size after deformation is bigger than that before; the interaction of twins with dislocation and twins with twins, especial emergence of high order deformation twins are the main strengthening mechanisms of the TWIP steel. The nucleation mechanism of deformation twins will be “rebound mechanism”; the incomplete deformation twins can be observed when the strain rate is low; when strain rate raises, deformation twins unite together; furthermore, deformation twins become denser because the nucleation rating enhancing with strain rate increasing.     

Measurement of Epoxy Resin Tension, Compression, and Shear Stress–Strain Curves over a Wide Range of Strain Rates Using Small Test Specimens

The next generation aircraft engines are designed to be lighter and stronger than engines currently in use by using carbon fiber composites. In order to certify these engines, ballistic impact tests and computational analyses must be completed, which will simulate a “blade out” event in a catastrophic engine failure In order to computationally simulate the engine failure, properties of the carbon fiber and resin matrix must be known. When conducting computer simulations using a micromechanics approach, experimental tensile, compressive, and shear data are needed for constitutive modeling of the resin matrix material. The material properties of an Epon E862 epoxy resin will be investigated because it is a commercial 176°C (350°F) cure resin currently being used in these aircraft engines. These properties will be measured using optical measurement techniques. The epoxy specimens will be tested in tension, compression and torsional loadings under various strain rates ranging from 10?5?to?10?1?s?1 and temperatures ranging from room temperature to 80°C. To test the specimens at high temperatures, a specialized clear temperature chamber was used. The results show that the test procedure developed can accurately and quickly categorize the material response characteristics of an epoxy resin. In addition, the results display clear strain rate and temperature dependencies in the material response.     

The Effects of Strain Rate and Temperature on the Deformation Behavior of Cold‐Rolled TRIP800 Steel

In the present study, the influences of temperature and strain rate on the deformation behavior of cold‐rolled TRIP800 steel were investigated. Microstructural observation and tensile tests were performed and volume fractions of retained austenite were measured at various temperatures and strain rates. The results reveal that both temperature and strain rate affect the volume fractions of retained austenite that transforms into martensite. The strain‐induced transformation of retained austenite is retarded with increasing temperature and the retained austenite becomes more stable against straining. The amount of retained austenite that transforms into martensite is not influenced significantly by strain rate. The variation in mechanical properties with temperature and strain rate was related to the effects of dynamic strain aging, tempering of banite, high temperature softening, and the volume fractions of retained austenite.