Thermal Residual Stress Distribution in Carbon Fiber/Novel Thermal Plastic Composite

Thermal residual stress is one of the major factors affecting composite mechanical performance. In this paper, a 3-D FEA technique was utilized to analyze the thermal residual stress distribution in Carbon fiber/PPESK composite. Parabolic failure criterion was used to predict composite potential failure zone. Results indicate that, thermal residual stress distributions in different parts of the composite are different. At composite free end zone, the maximum thermal residual stress is located at fiber surface; in composite inner zone, the maximum stress is located in the matrix; at composite defect zone, stress concentration is located at defect surface. Thermal residual stress at composite free end zone will lead to fiber–matrix interfacial de-bonding. Thermal residual stress concentration at composite defect zone will decrease composite mechanical performance.