Tensile behaviour of hybrid and non-hybrid polymer composite specimens at elevated temperatures

Abstract

Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites are used extensively in aerospace, marine and civil engineering. High stiffness-to-weight and high strength-to-weight ratios make these materials suitable for modern wind turbine blade manufacturing industries. In the present study, glass, carbon and glass-carbon composite materials are studied to determine their tensile properties at elevated temperatures as this is an important design consideration for wind turbines operating in warm climates. Specimens were tested in a range of temperatures to investigate thermal effects on their mechanical, thermal and failure behaviors.Experimental and FEA results show that tensile strength and heat flow of specimens decrease with increasing temperatures. Hybridization of two materials changes failure mode behaviors. Tensile strength test data was analyzed using chi-square goodness of fit statistical model. Results were correlated by using linear regression analysis. Normal, lognormal and 2-parameter Weibull statistical approaches were used to quantify the degree of variability in tensile strength of specimens.

Keywords

• FRP composites
• Mechanical properties
• Elevated temperature
• Failure properties
• Finite element analysis