Physical aging behavior of high-performance composites

The effect of physical aging on the viscoelastic creep properties of a thermoplastic-toughened cyanate ester resin (Fiberite 954-2) and its IM8/954-2 composites, and a semi-crystalline thermoplastic (Fiberite ITX) and its IM8/ITX composites was investigated. The study was carried out by using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and tensile creep tests. Tests were performed on plain resin, 90 °]_4s, and ± 45 °]_2s composite specimens. Creep tests were conducted up to an aging time of 54 h with the logarithmic aging shift rate, μ, and its dependence on sub-glass transition aging temperature, being determined. The results showed significant physical aging in both material systems. To study the effect of long-term aging on creep behavior, momentary creep tests were conducted on the ± 45 °]_2s composites of both material systems at temperatures between 140 and 200 °C. Master curve plots were drawn from these momentary creep tests using the time/temperature superposition principle (TTSP). Effective time theory (ETT) was then used to modify TTSP and incorporate physical aging effects.