Full-Field Mechanical and Thermal Strain-Rate Dependence of CFRP Laminates

Abstract

The aim of the project is to characterize the strain rate dependence of a representative carbon fiber reinforced polymer unidirectional laminate for thermal and mechanical properties. Digital image correlation is used to obtain full-field deformation and thermal effects of CFRP samples at strain rates of 0.001 s⁻¹, 1 s⁻¹, 100 s⁻¹, and 1000 s⁻¹. A combination of hydraulic load frame and split-hopkinson bar tests are used to load samples while optical and IR imaging is used to obtain deformation and thermal footage. Strain rate dependence is known to occur in the clear-cast polymer material, and is not prevalent in the carbon fiber material. Therefore, the strain rate dependence of the CFRP at varying orientations and loading conditions including tension, compression, and shear are of interest. Initial results show strong strain rate dependence in the polymer-dominated 90° orientation and clear-cast specimens.