Viscoelastic behavior of thermo-rheologically complex resin matrix composites

A micromechanical analysis is given for the prediction of the viscoelastic response of resin matrix composites. The matrix is condidered as a viscoelastic material with temperature-dependent properties, and is modeled as a thermo-rheologically complex solid. The method is implemented for the determination of the response of a unidirectional carbon/epoxy composite subjected to various types of mechanical and/or thermal loadings. The reliability of the prediction is checked by comparison with a numerical solution, and good agreement is shown to exist in most cases.