Effects of thermal cycling on static bearing strength of pin‐connected carbon/PPS composites

Abstract

AbstractIn this study, the effects of thermal cycling and water absorption on interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and static bearing capacity of pin‐connected carbon fiber‐reinforced polyphenilenesulphide (PPS) matrix composites are investigated. Composite samples having [0o/90o]3s stacking sequence were used in the experiments and were exposed to 100 thermal cycles (one thermal cycle is composed of immersing and keeping samples in cold water and then immersing and keeping samples in hot water). ILSS and static bearing strength of pin connections were performed by using Instron 4411. According to the results, there are differences in ILSS values and pin‐connected static bearing capacities between the original samples and samples that are exposed to thermal cycling. Also the geometric parameters of end distance from the hole center (E), width of the plate (W), and pin diameter (D) remarkably affect the load bearing performance of the materials. In addition, according to the fractographic investigations using scanning electron microscope, it is observed that the fracture morphology of the samples is strongly affected by thermal cycling. POLYM. COMPOS., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers